Why It's Best To Crochet Rather Than Knit When There's Little People Around

By 'little people', I am not referring to leprechauns or fairies, but my grandchildren who are just as mischievous. My reason behind the title has stemmed from the observation that children and abandoned knitting really don't mix well. The result is often umpteen dropped stitches maybe even spreading over several rows. Crochet on the other hand involves one hook and one stitch, far less of a disaster.

I speak from personal experience. The culprit was no.3 grandchild, then aged 4. She loves to sit and unwind the wool for me as I knit or crochet. I had popped to the 'little girls room' and on my return, everything seemed as normal. The little angel was patiently waiting to begin unwinding the wool for me. I pick up the needles, luckily only about 20 stitches wide, and noticed that all the stitches were back to front on the needle and one had been dropped.  "Not me", said Aylah as I peer over the top of my glasses. I had to smile, bless her. Can you imagine the panic when she had obviously tried to pick up the needles and all the stitches came off. Amazingly she had got them all back on, bar one, even if they were the wrong way round. I was actually impressed.

I had done a similar thing as a child, maybe a bit older than Aylah. While living with my Nan who had been ironing and would never let me have a go. She too had gone to the loo, and I had decided to help but ended up with a large scorch mark on my Grandpop's underpants. Can't blame a girl for trying to learn!!

Just a Little Bit in Love

I fell in love with the TV programme 'Call the Midwife' when it was first aired. I was born in 1954 so some of the scenes stir up distant memories.

Partly because in the first series Nurse Jenny Lee reminded me of my darling mother, who died when I was 5. Maybe it was the clothes, the hairstyle or the general look, but I savoured every moment that she was on the screen.

My next reason was the lovely knitted shawls and blankets that made the occasional appearances. Below is midwife Chummy with baby Raymond, and the blanket that I fell in love with. 

 I decided to make it in a similar pale cream wool. 

I think white can be a harsh colour against pale new baby skin.

First one finished.

Second one finished!!...and dressed with pretty satin edged ribbon.

....and 3rd one on the hook as I write, with yarn for number 4 in the basket.

It's a very pretty pattern and has a shell scalloped edging. 

Perfect for a receiving blanket, for crib or bassinet.

On a different note, the Bank holiday is now over. I took off an extra day from work, to make the most of the long weekend but came down with a cold - typical!

I tried not to let it spoil anything. It was our youngest daughters birthday on Sunday, so we celebrated with a menu of her choice followed by chocolatey birthday cake (of course).

We went to the garden centre, along with the rest of the world, on BH Monday, and stocked up on compost and 36 geraniums for our raised flower bed, which we planted the next day.

On BH afternoon our son and family took us to see the show house of the one that is being built for them on the other side of the city. It is fabulous and I admit to being slightly envious (in a nice way). It will be a beautiful family home for them and their 3 children. A perfect 2015 for them following the safe arrival of their baby son in April. We now have 7 grandchildren and feel very blessed. We may need a marquee this Christmas as we struggle for room round the dinner table on Sundays as it is! But as they say, the more the merrier.

I'm still here! Where do the days go?

Well since my last post, The flower picture was hung in a sunny spot in the conservatory which seemed fitting for such a colourful picture. 

I toyed with the idea of making a second flower canvas but things just started buzzing around my head, and I ended up with a beach scene. I managed to create 3 beach huts, and my first attempt at a zig-zag became the sea. I made a sun in one corner and added a beach sign for those not sure which way to go. This is now down the dining end of the conservatory, and seems rather apt considering my beach hut-looking shed is just outside the window!

After completing this, I moved on to the jacket that I'd promised my daughter in law for our no.7 grandchild who was due on April 21st. It was knitted in Phildar Aviso, a beautiful cotton aran yarn from France which took some tracking down. 

        The finished result was a lovely soft jacket with cream toggles chosen by mum.

Little Neo was born on the 21st weighing 6lb 13oz so rather than a Spring jacket, I think it will be more suited to the Autumn.

Proud Nanny with baby Neo

It was then decided that one of the baby dolls who had been around for many years was in desperate need of some new clothes. She had lost her knickers, god knows where! So Nanny to the rescue, and with a ball of leftover yarn I invented a kind of '60s  trouser suit and hat. Looks odd to see her clothed.

The next project has been making hundreds of tiny 2" hexagons. 

            To be exact, 450 have been completed so far for my next blanket project. 

I must admit the though of all that sewing together is a little daunting.

So as you can see, I haven't been idle, and I have a good excuse for my lack of blogging, although I am jealous of the amazing bloggers out there who can religiously publish a daily masterpiece. 

Maybe practice will make perfect!