Countdown has begun!

Just popping in really quickly this evening to share some festive pictures with you. Mr JK and I spent a lovely afternoon putting up our Christmas tree. We also put up my Mum's Christmas tree, dating back to the 1930's. It was the tree we always had growing up, and although it's a little sparse in the branch department, I love to see it!

 

 

It's still got some decorations that my Mum had when she was a little girl - some angels, a little tatty now, but still with a bit of sparkle left in them!

 

Baubles and other decorations from my childhood also adorn the tree.

The more astute of you may have spotted my Thorntons Advent calendar, so please excuse me while I go and see what delicious treat is hiding behind door number 1! See you soon. xxx

It's beginning to look a lot like .....

Christmas!!!!

 

 

Apologies to those of you who feel a bit bah-humbug about the festive season, but chez josiekitten, we are getting into the Christmas spirit! Today Mr JK got the boxes of decorations down from the roof so we could check that the lights were all in working order. You may remember that this time last year, we were surrounded by packing boxes, so taking a peep inside some of those boxes was a real treat this morning, meeting old friends again after a long absence. We always decorate the house on Advent Sunday, so I will be able to share some photos with you next weekend. I love the build up to Christmas, it makes me feel like I'm a kid again!

It's Stir Up Sunday today, so Mr JK and I have been busy in the kitchen making our Christmas puddings. We always make Delia Smith's recipe - it's delicious! This year, as well as making one large pudding, we've also made eight individual ones to give as gifts.

 

 

And it's become a bit of a tradition to make lamb and Guinness soup to use up the bottle of stout! So this was our lunch today, accompanied by some soda bread. Yum!

 

 

I haven't had much knitting time this week, and most of it has been spent working on a test knit that I can't share with you yet! I have cast on a hat for Mr JK to keep his head warm on our walks. We went out to the theatre last night, and when we got home, Florence had been ferreting in my knitting bag!!

 

Luckily no damage was done! It's an easy knit, so it shouldn't take me too long to get it done. Mr JK wants it to fit snugly with no slouching, so I shall have to keep trying it on for fit. So I guess it won't be a surprise Christmas gift!! Here's how it's looking so far.

 

 

I received a couple of squishy parcels this week. The first was a skein of Dazzle DK from the Natural Dye Studio. I have been a member of their Rainbow Club for the past year, and next month's skein will complete my rainbow of beautiful yarns. I am planning a blanket and this might well become my Christmas holiday knitting project.

 

The second was some fibre from my friend Marianne's luxury fibre club. She dyed two colourways - one semi-solid and the other multi-coloured. I opted for the semi-solid version and got a braid of 'Veg'! The multi-coloured version is called 'Fruit' and it is seriously gorgeous. I have a bad case of the wanties - after all, I need a balanced diet don't I? Five a day and all that!! Take a look here at Marianne's photos. She really is a genius with the dyes.

 

 

I'll see you next week, when I'll hopefully have a finished hat to share with you. Have a good week! xx

Getting free and easy(ish!!)

Well good afternoon to you! Thanks for stopping by. I have some lovely things to share with you today, starting off with the results of a sewing workshop I did last weekend. It was called Free Motion Machine Stitching and was a lot of fun! Normally when you use a sewing machine, the little  'teeth' on the sewing plate pull the fabric through the machine (apologies for any inaccurate terminology here!), but with free motion stitching, these 'teeth' (in my machine manual they are called feed dogs) are lowered, so you are in control of the fabric and the direction in which it moves. To make it easier to start with, we stretched fabric in an embroidery hoop and moved the hoop around under the needle. First, I just played around, changing direction and trying out some patterns.

 

 

After that, I wrote my name, in both printed and cursive styles.

 

Next, we were shown how to take a piece of fabric and using an iron-on Vilene, to attach it to the backing fabric and then use free motion stitching to embellish it. You can see my attempt at a flower here.

 

I rather like my little owl too. All I did was stitch around the edge and then around the eyes and wings. It almost gives a 3D effect don't you think?

 

 

To finish the workshop, we had a little project to complete - to make a felt needle book with a decorated cover. I chose to make a butterfly. I should have kept the black thread in my machine rather than change to the light pink as I don't think there is enough contrast between the stitches and the fabric. After all, the stitches are a feature of this style of sewing. But I'm still quite happy with the way it turned out. If you'd like to see some really beautiful work, Poppy Treffry is a leading light in this area of sewing. (I've put her book on my Christmas list!) There is a really interesting YouTube video here too.

 

On the knitting front, I finished the first pair of baby socks using the mini ball of Regia yarn. They have already been worn by baby Otto and fit well, so I shall make another pair with the other ball of yarn I bought in Delft.

 

I still have secret knitting on the go, so can't share that with you yet. I have also wound up some handspun to join in the Phryne mitts KAL in the Fluff-n-Stuff group on Ravelry. The pattern is one I test knit way back in the Spring for my friend Marianne. It's a lovely pattern and super quick to knit, so if you fancy joining in, come on over! Here's the yarn I've chosen.

 

 

I also hope to knit Mr JK a hat before Christmas, so have the yarn wound all ready for the off!

We have a dusting of snow forecast for later in the week and temperatures are set to drop. Brrrrrr! Hope you're nice and toasty where you are. Keep warm and see you soon! xx

What's in my bag?

Rachel left a comment on my last blog post which led me over to her blog, and to cut a long story short, I discovered Nicsknots lovely blog. Nic makes beautiful project bags and other accessories any knitter would love to own and she is currently hosting a giveaway. All you have to do to be in with a chance to win a project bag is to spill the beans on what's in one of your own knitting bags. So I took the bag I'm currently carrying about, a cute hedgehog print (very autumnal!) from ThreeBagsFull ......

 

 

and took a look inside. Here, can you spot anything familiar?!

Then I took everything out and spread it out to show you! It's amazing how much you can fit in really!

 

I bet you would like a closer look, wouldn't you? It's always fun to snoop through someone else's knitting notions. I like finding new things to try out. So first, there's my current knitting project, some baby socks knit with a baby Regia ball of sock yarn. First sock finished bar the grafting, I hope to get the second one done today.

 

 

A second ball of baby Regia to knit another pair of socks.

A LoLo bar and some lip balm. I suffer from dry hands and find these LoLo bars very moisturising. They also smell divine. It's a shame you have to get them from the USA, I wish someone like Loop would stock them!

 

Highlighter tape, a needle gauge and knitting needle conversion chart. I was sent some tape in a swap once and always use it now when I am working on anything remotely complicated to mark my place!

Some reading glasses for when I am knitting wearing my contact lenses. I have reached 'that age' where I cannot see close up!! Blergh!! Plus a bit of handspun yarn. (Not quite sure how/why that's in there!)

 

Some mini skeins and key ring chains from The Skein Queen, destined to be Christmas stocking filler gifts, fingers crossed!!

 

 

A little notions purse, again from ThreeBagsFull.

And inside this, a few essentials for knitting - stitch markers from Atomic Knitting, scissors, a funky robot tape measure, a selection of sewing needles, a row counter and a broken dpn (I wondered where that had got to!)

So now it's your turn! What's in your knitting bag?! Please share! xxx

1300 miles = lots of knitting time

Just popping in to say hello!! We had a great week in Germany. We were visiting friends and family near Frankfurt and Munich and luckily for me, Mr JK was happy to do the driving whilst I knit and kept my eye on the Sat-Nav! The round trip was around 1300 miles, and that meant a LOT of stitches!! So hot off the needles are a pair of Roxy socks, knit with a Regia self-striping yarn.

 

I finished the back and one front of my Caissa cardigan. I bought this yarn last year when we went to Skye. It has a lovely dense, velvety feel to it and I am looking forward to wearing it this winter!! It is a pretty straightforward knit, so I am hoping that I am going to be able to whizz my way up the second front and sleeves!

 

 

 

I have also made great progress on some secret knitting. I can't share it with you at the moment, hopefully in a few weeks all will be revealed!!!

 

I did make a couple of squishy purchases during our travels. First was two balls of a Regia sock yarn with silk in it. I need something soft to knit our German friend Wolfgang some special socks. His feet need a lot of TLC as he has recently undergone foot surgery. I also bought two tiny balls of Regia sock yarn for baby Otto's new socks!! These balls are seriously cute!! One 25g ball knits a pair of baby socks. Awwwwwwwww!!

 



 

Of course no trip to Germany would be complete without cake!!! And yes, we did have a bit of a cake-fest!! In fact, by the time we got home, both Mr JK and I were longing for fresh fruit, vegetables and salad, all of which seemed to have been somewhat lacking from our diet the whole week!!

 

 

I do love German soups - this is linseneintopf with wurst, and it is really, really yummy! It's a thick soup made with lentils, vegetables and smoked bacon.

We took a trip down to the mountains one day, there was a definite feeling of winter in the air. It won't be long before those mountains are covered with snow!

 

We stopped off in Delft on our way back to the ferry. A lot of things were closed because there was a memorial service being held for Prince Friso who died recently. Security was high and there was a huge police presence. We saw the event on the news later that day - as well as the Dutch Royal family, there were members of other European Royal families and other guests included Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the singer Bono and the former UN secretary general Kofi Annan. We visited the Royal Delft factory to see how the famous blue pottery is made. There was a rather impressive Delft version of the Night Watch.

 

It was good to sleep in our own bed again last night. And tonight I reckon we will have the company of a certain little cat who I picked up from her 'hotel' after school today! See you soon! xxx

Stormy!

I've had a LOT of knitting time this weekend. I travelled from Norwich down to Devon on Friday evening to meet up with my old University friends. We meet up once a year and it's always good to see them and catch up. The weather was mixed - we did manage to dodge the showers on Saturday and went for a walk in the local countryside.

 

Of course a cream tea was obligatory too! I really do love clotted cream!!

The weather on Sunday was wild to say the least, and we battened down the hatches and played a variety of games. Qwirkle and Phase 10 are current favourites. The weekend passed all too fast, and before we knew it, we were back on the train heading home. Luckily I had my sock with me, because thanks to a lightning strike on some signalling equipment, all trains into London Paddington were delayed by over an hour! This is the Roxy sock, a free pattern just released on Ravelry by one of the members of the Three Bags Full group. It's Kim's first dabble with designing, so we are having a KAL in the group to show our support. I've been knitting the socks for less than a week and have already turned the heel on the second sock! The yarn is one that I've had in my stash for ages - a Regia self striping yarn that I bought in Canada many moons ago!!

 

My hand knit gifts were well received and orders placed for next year!! Thankfully I won't have to travel because my friends are coming up to see the new house!

 

Mr JK and I are off (again!) on Friday after work. We are taking the night ferry from Harwich over to The Netherlands and spending the week in Germany visiting family and friends. I am going to try to be relatively monogamous with my knitting and work on my Caissa sweater. I am desperately in need of a new cardigan and this one has been on the go since (ahem!) Boxing Day last year! It is pretty straightforward knitting so I hope to make great progress on the autobahns! So all being well, I shall be back blogging again at the beginning of November. Until then, happy knitting everyone! xxx

Time to dig out the woollies!

It's feeling very autumnal in our little corner of Norfolk. The temperature has dropped and the lawn is covered with leaves in varying shades of red, orange, yellow and brown. Needless to say, Flo is delighted and thinks we have been most generous with all her outdoor cat toys!! Mr JK and I have been walking every morning, and this past week I have had to delve into the wardrobe to unearth some cosy knitwear! As long as it's not pouring with rain, I don't mind the walk. We are both starting to see the benefits too, so that's really motivating us to keep going! So picture me, bundled up at 6am, wearing my handspun Fartlek hat ..........

 

 

.......my Tidal Sands cowl..........

...... and my Plain Jhayne mitts. These are so warm and light, it's a treat to wear them!

I may not look especially co-ordinated, but hey! I'm nice and warm! (Note to self - search Ravelry for hat, scarf, cowl and mitts sets!) What are your comfort knits that you dig out once it starts to get chilly?

 

Despite a very busy couple of weeks at school, I have managed to get some knitting and spinning done. Firstly, I finished off a slouchy hat for one of my Uni friends. We are meeting up next weekend, so I was keen to get it finished by this weekend. The pattern is Squish Me, and I know it would have been better knitted in a wool yarn. But my friend specifically asked for an acrylic hat! Sorry the photo isn't very good. I have been looking on ebay and think I will buy a model head to show off hats a bit better!

 

 

I also finished the first of a pair of handspun socks. I'm using some fibre that Marianne gifted to me. It's a mix of 50% BFL and 50% ramie, a plant fibre extracted from stinging nettles! They are a little more rustic than my usual handknit socks, but I think they will be perfect for slouching around the house or wearing in my walking boots. I love the way the colours blend together.

 

 

 

 

I'm taking part in a Spin-Along in the Fluff-n-Stuff group on Ravelry. We are spinning up our swap fibre with the aim of knitting some mitts next month. I haven't got very far yet, but am enjoying spending time at the wheel again.

 

 



This is another braid of Stinger fibre. I'm trying to spin it quite fine. Time will tell how it plies up, it's always a bit of a surprise!! I received another parcel in the fibre swap (we had an odd number of people taking part and so I gave myself two partners. What can I say except that I am clearly a total fibre glutton!!) This parcel was from Nic and she sent me a gorgeous braid of Halo, which is a mix of Polwarth and kid mohair. I think it is going to become a cosy cowl at some point. Nic also sent me a very pretty lace pincushion she'd bought while on holiday in Austria and a seriously cute Christmas tree ornament hot from Yarndale!

 

I was delighted to find a fun neck warmer in Sainsbury's yesterday. I have been suffering from a stiff neck and wanted one of those warmers that you could just bung in the microwave. Of course all the Christmas gifts are on display, and I pounced on this. It's got a pretty colourwork pattern and is wrapped around my neck as I write my blog!

 

 

If I don't manage to blog next Sunday, it'll be because I'm travelling back from my weekend away in Devon. But that will mean lots of knitting time on the train!! Keep warm and see you soon! xxx