Obsessions, New Avenues and Makes......

I have been thinking about obsessions lately.

I have a few obsessions......

China.....Glass Jars......and.....Scarves

I'd have to say, I can't walk past any of these ANYWHERE without stopping to have a look. I am drawn to each like a magnet.

China.....well, if you're a long term follower of my blog, you will know I do love china. All sorts of china really. Glass Jars.......i'm not sure why, they mesmerise me. Plain or pressed glass, it doesn't matter, I love them all. And Scarves? Well, again, I seem to have a scarf for almost every outfit I own. I don't seem to ever have enough. I buy them, I make them. The past Summer was so awful and the Winter so cold, that I have practically lived in scarves for 6 months now. Bright, pale, silk, wool, cotton, you name it, I wear it.

I learnt to crochet three and a half years ago and I think I have made about 10 scarves in total. I woke up last week and had a thought. I had bought this most wonderful yarn. It was the most peachiest of pinks. My favourite kind of pink. I had spent so much time thinking about what I could make with it. Then this thought popped in my head.

I wanted to make a scarf.....

.....Okay....no problem....I can crochet a scarf.....

....no, I didn't want to crochet a scarf.....

....hummm, well, what do you want to do?.....

....I want to knit a scarf.....

.....I think i'd like a cable scarf......yes.....a cable scarf would be pretty in this yarn.....

....Good idea, but you can't knit...

....no I can't can I. I know then, I'll teach myself and knit one...

It has been my aim to learn how to knit for the last few years, but time has always run away with me. Last January I spent a morning with my mum who showed me how to cast on and knit and purl. I was excited. I went home and practiced. I was rubbish. I couldn't get on with two needles, and after a week of trying to practice those two stitches, I put it down and it has stayed in a bag ever since. So, why on earth I should suddenly get a hankering to knit a scarf, and knit cables as well, I don't know.

Well, actually, I sort of do.

Going back to obsessions. I have a new one to add to the list. I realised, that with all the scarf wearing I have been doing over the last 6 months, wrist warmers have been a staple. I have bought several pairs, and I have made several pairs. I love them. Again, I don't seem to think that I ever have enough. I had been drooling over Cuckoo's lovely wrist warmer knitting talents. That lady can whip up some lovely knits. Well, she very kindly offered to knit me a pair, so a sort of crafty swap was born.

Gosh, how I have loved them. Aren't they gorgeous? Admittedly not the best picture to showcase them, but trust me, they are super duper. I am actually wondering how long something can last if it's constantly worn? I think these knitted wrist warmers were the turning point. I really wanted to learn to knit.

But, in my usual gun-ho fashion, I didn't put a lot of thought into it. That was it. I had this idea to make a knitted cable scarf, and come hell or high water, that was what I was going to achieve. No nonsense gradually learning the stitches again and practicing away until my confidence grew. Oh no, no, no. The thought popped into my head at 9.15 am and by 10.00 I had found my pattern, found all my needles, found a book which told me how to cast on and what a knit and a purl was.......and I was off! That's just how I do things. It's ridiculous really. I just thought I needed to jump straight in. How hard could it be? Turns out, not too bad if I kept concentration. That meant doing it in TOTAL quiet. That meant repeating really loudly to myself each stitch as I read it and then as I did it. That meant making really weird facial and body expressions trying to get to grips with the needles and cable needle. I did look pretty hilarious. 

By the last 14 rows, I think I got the hang of the pattern! I was totally loving it though. So excited that I could actually produce something knitted, and a touchy feely cable thingy at that!

I am glad that I stuck at it. After about 30 rows, I was thinking a mug cosy would be a better idea than a scarf. As I have said, my concentration levels are not so great. I did have to pause for a bit and knit up something else in between making the scarf. I had bought a Sirdar booklet several years ago. It was brilliant. It was a beginners pattern book using their chunky wool and beginners instructions to make 'easy peasy' things. You can start making a hat, a scarf, leg warmers, wrist warmers and then go on to making cardigans and jumpers. I am hoping to knit up a cardigan next. Well, that's the plan anyway! And yet another pair of wrist warmers were made.....but this time a knitted pair! woo hoo! 

Actually, the most basic of knitting. I had more trouble learning mattress stitch. Stupid stitch with lots of blue air. Never mind. I embellished with a bit of crocheted edging and some bows and I am pretty pleased with the result. They are warm and snug and I love the shade (I finally managed to make use of an odd ball of yarn I had a deep love for).

So, a new avenue. I have learnt a few skills. I hope that I can keep it up and keep on improving. I think I will grow to love knitting once it 'clicks'. Let's just hope it does start to 'click' soon!

Continuing with new avenues, and in other 'makes' news....

I have almost finished my Alicia Paulson stichery. Not the Alphabet that the pattern is actually for. I had the idea for the first couple of lines of Baby Bear's favourite song.

I showed the teeniest bit on a previous post. I had never stitched really before. I just knew I wanted to make this. So, like the cable scarf, it was a learn how to stitch as you go! Told you I don't plan! It's almost finished. I just have to decide what I want to finish with at the bottom and then frame it.

I really adore it. I loved every bit of stitching. I think I will actually do the Alphabet at some point as it was so much fun. Little things like having to stop as I needed to sleep were highly annoying!

Another little make was a felt brooch. Very apt because of the weather.

It brightens up my day

and my outfits....

Sorry about the 'sour' face. I was so cold and so miserable that day. I needed my little brooch to cheer me up!

And....as I mentioned before, Cuckoo and I did a crafty swap. She made me the most gorgeous pair of wrist warmers, and I crocheted her a doily and a pot holder.....

I definitely got the better deal, but I hope she liked them, Eeeeeek.

So, my quietness on here has not meant that I have been idle. I have been a busy crafty bee. Shove a bit of baking in too and I think I've covered a fair bit!

So......I think I am up to date. I hope you are all well. Thank you so much for stopping by my little space here and taking the time to read my waffle!

Cheerio for now

xxx