I just love this, can't wait to try it!

sew ritzy~titzy: I SPY: vintage granny square christmas tree

Winter Stashbusters!

 I have done very little knitting over the last few months, due to my 'Knitting Studio' being too cold. I have been busy crocheting up lots of odd balls of yarn in an effort to reduce my stash!

I am quite pleased with the results. The hexigon throw, above, is a new variation on the grannie squares I normally use. The yarns were used double and treble to make an aran thickness.





These two bags were also crocheted using multi strands of yarn in lots of different textures. The first is a tote bag and the second is a draw-string. I think they will both make useful project bags.









 This is both sides of a bag made in Recycled Sari Silk. I used 'scrumble' or 'free' knitting and crochet to gain a totally random feel to the amazing varied colours and textures in the yarn. As the silk pieces are very irregular and knotted together it is not too easy to work with. It is also very harsh so it would not make a wearable item. I tried washing and steaming it as recommended on the internet but it didn't work and some of the knots came undone and had to be repaired. I now realise that there are various qualities of this yarn available so I shall be more choosy in future but the resulting fabric is wonderful and I'm not disappointed!








These are two highly textured scarfs using 'ripple stitch' crochet, which is new to me. Again I mixed multi strands of different yarns and ribbons to obtain a rich fabric. This may well be my new addiction! All those odd balls of yarn I meant to throw out are being treasured again. I will have to live to a very old age to use my stash which I like to think of as 'loft insulation'.

Snow Drops

 I had never realised how delicate these little flowers really are! We usually see them in clumps hanging their heads shyly but they are so beautiful when you look more closely.

New swap parcel

 Lovely parcel of goodies received yesterday. Not sure what to knit with the cone of baby yarn but I'm sure it will come in useful! Off to Machine Knitting club this afternoon. Liz Holness, Chairman of Guild of Machine Knitters will be giving a talk on double bed fabrics. Should be interesting and will give me a chance to catch up with Liz.

Knitting Paradise UK Secret Swap

Today I received a lovely box of goodies from my 'swap partner' in Wales including three balls of variegated cotton, hand-knitted dish cloth, doggie treats (for Roxy), notebook, M&M's and face cream. It was a lovely treat and I'm already designing a summer sweater using the lovely yarn.
I hope the recipient of my parcel will be as happy as me!

Snowy views 20.01.2013

 Very pretty but I'm glad it has all cleared now! The last week has been very changeable wind, rain, sleet, but today, despite a cloudy and showery start, the sky is a beautiful blue and the sun is shining. There are lots of spring shoots coming through and I'm hoping it will soon be gardening weather!

A Winter Walk in the Park

First signs of Spring? A frosty morning walk in Hampden Park on Wednesday. A Robin singing among the early blossoms. Icy waterfalls between frosty banks. Inquisitive squirrels and ducks ready to start nesting. The Decoy Lake was very tranquil and I felt very relaxed watching the water fowl on a beautiful winter day with the warm sun trying to melt the frost. Who would have guessed that two days later we would have snow!!