…around Braxton Ash, a lovely tiny village that used to have an ash tree that was reputedly in the dead centre of Yorkshire. A fact we only knew half of when we went. We spent ages looking for that long-dead ash tree!
Still, it was a lovely day, all sunny and chilly with leaves to scrunch through. I wish I had more time to simply walk around the countryside trying to find non-existent ash trees.
Beccy
I’m getting a head start on Christmas presents (not early enough really!) I’m planning to make this lovely hat from Knitty and then I’m going to make a scarf using the same pattern to match. I’m using Lion Brand thick and quick which is a super bulky yarn that knits up in no time. The colourway is claret – I know, not as bright a yarn as I usually use but Tracey is an accountant and usually wears muted officey colours during the week.
I’ve had to adapt the pattern to knit on straight needles rather than in the round due to a lack of the right sized needles!
Here are my alterations to the pattern rows:
row 1: yo k1 yo k2 to end
row 2: k2 p3 to end
row 3: k3 p2 to end
row 4: k2 p3tog to end
is what it should be but because I was a bit tired when I started, I’ve done row 2 as p2 k3 and row 3 as p3 k2. I got a bit sleepily muddled! It looks nice though, just probably not exactly like is should.
It only took a couple of hours last night to get up to the decreasing rows but it would probably have gone quicker if I didn’t have to purl three together – what a faff!
I had to adapt the crown decreases too:
row 1: k2tog p3 to end
row 2: k2 p2tog to end
row 3: k3tog p1 to end
row 4: k2tog p2tog to end
row 5: p2tog to end
Hope she likes it! Now onto the matching scarf…
Beccy
We don’t usually do much for bonfire night (mostly because we usually forget) but this year we went to a local firework extravaganza complete with live music, carousels and freezing temperatures.
The theme was James Bond and the fireworks were all based on the theme songs:
From Russia With Love (see the hearts!)…
…Diamonds Are Forever…
…Goldfinger…
…and some more. um. Let’s say Skyfall because I’m not much of a Bond fan and can’t remember any others.
That was yesterday. Tonight when we got home we celebrated Guy Fawkes night proper by making pretty patterns with sparklers.
If you squint and turn your head a little, the next one says ‘Bex’.
I swear I’m going to turn into a crazy cat lady one of these days.
Don’t you just love oohing and aahing at the pretty fire?
Beccy
Ok, so I don’t actually need more fabric – the space under my bed hides so many overflowing boxes it looks like my bed is levitating – but I saw it and it was only £5 for 3.5 metres. It’s not quite as bright as in the photo and it is lovely.
It also looks a bit Horrockses, like this:
…and this:
I’ve been a bit obsessed with Horrockses dresses ever since I was bought this V and A book ‘Horrockses Fashions, Off-the-peg Style in the 40’s and 50’s’
I heartily recommend it, just for the eye-candy value of the beautiful fabrics and normal women wearing beautiful dresses.
Because I’ll never own an original (and even if I do, let’s face it, I’m never going to wear it – too precious!) I’m going to make my own, sort of.
To that end I hopped onto Ebay and bought a repro 1957 pattern, Vogue V8789 (£9 including postage from America). I don’t quite have enough fabric for that huge skirt, but since it’s only a gathered rectangle I’ll be able to make-do.
The only thing is that my fabric is diagonally printed so I’m going to have the devil of a time matching the print!
Beccy
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