Sunday 28 November 2010

Commencing countdown

Commencing countdown (3)


Good evening. Thanks for calling in! Today is the official start of Christmas chez josiekitten. Mr JK and I always put up our Christmas decorations on Advent Sunday. I love the build up to Christmas. We don't go over the top, and the decorations are pretty well limited to the lounge, but the tree is up, and all the ornaments positioned around the room. It's always such fun, re-discovering old friends as you unwrap the tissue paper and bubble wrap. I'll show you some of my favourites throughout December.
Hasn't it been cold this week? And it's forecast to be even colder for the coming week. Seems the perfect reason to stay inside knitting snuggly winter woollies to me. We haven't been too badly affected so far, right on the coast of North Norfolk. But I snapped this picture driving back from the west of the county on Friday afternoon. Almost as soon as I'd taken the picture, the snow started to come down again! I'm one of those people who likes the idea of snow, but hates the practicalities of it! It would be perfect to have a white Christmas, when you have everything you need at home and can stay holed up for a few days. But when you have to go to work, it just causes problems!

snowy november in norfolk (1)

I've been having a bit of a finishing frenzy over the last couple of weeks. I finished the Through the Loops Mystery socks 2010, and love them. I haven't knitted socks with so much pattern in them before, and enjoyed them. The yarn is from The Thylacine and knitted up beautifully. I'm sorry that the photos aren't great, but the light has been terrible all week!

TTL Mystery sock KAL 2010 (3)

I also finished my extremely orange Circle socks, using the Wollmeise yarn from Kate Blackburn. I love the feel of the yarn, and if I get the chance at KnitNation next summer, will definitely be buying Wollmeise in garment quantities rather than just for socks!

Extremely orange circle socks (3)

I finally finished my Katerina wrap. I'm calling it a wrap rather than a shawl because it literally does wrap around me! I started it the summer before last (said rather shame faced!), and I'm giving three cheers because it's finally done! It's a wrap, I guess you could say! I'm planning on wearing it when I'm singing, as we usually perform in rather cold churches. I think, given its size, that I'll be able to fit the other sopranos in it with me! The photo isn't great (I had great plans for some beach photos!), but we dashed outside for five minutes while the light was reasonable!

Katerina (4)

I will try to get some better photos another time! The pattern came from issue 4 of The Knitter, and is made using five skeins of Manos del Uruguay silk blend.

The other finished item is my McCafferty shawl. It's a very well written pattern, and I love the way it's turned out. The yarn I used was an alpaca yarn from La Droguerie, and it is so light, it's like being wrapped up in a cloud. The colour is 'brume' which translates as mist, and that describes it perfectly. It's amazing to think that the designer, Lily France, is only twelve years old. What a future she has ahead of her!

McCafferty (3)

I'm pleased with the sizing - I was a little concerned that it might be on the small side, from the photos modelled by Lily, but I needn't have worried! I'm just over 6 foot tall, and there's plenty of shawl, even for me!

McCafferty (4)

I received a little parcel in the post on Friday. If you cast your mind all the way back to August, you might just remember the amazing swap package that I received from Nancy. Well, Nancy sent me a beautiful scarf that she hadn't finished in time when she posted the parcel, and a few extra little goodies - a pine scented hand-made soap in a little Christmassy cloth bag, some dried cranberries, a bag of peanut butter M&M's (the bag is there just for show, I'm afraid - they were Deeeeeeeeeelicious!) and a box of Christmas chocolates - Hershey's Kisses. Henrycat was rather interested in those, and stuck his snout in just as I was taking the picture! Thank you Nancy - you have been a great swap partner!

more swap goodies (1)

Well, I think I've pretty much got you up to date! Don't forget that you still have time to enter my giveaway. I'll be drawing the winners at random on December 1st. Have a good week, and keep warm! xxx

11 comments:

snoopydogknits said...

My goodness, you've been busy!!!! Your shawls and socks are beautiful. I really must put a little more effort in this week ;-) Have a good week. Rosx

Kathy said...

My goodness you're organised! I'm thinking of doing our tree later this week. You've put such a lot of work into your shawls ... they're lovely.
Love Kathy xxx

kim said...

Beautiful knitting finishes, I am knitting with Manos silk blend at the moment, lovely yarn to work with.
florrie x

Jennyff said...

Lovely knitting, I particularly like the shawls, just what I need this weather. I probably wouldn't have had such a bad cold if I'd been wrapped up in one, must get round to some serious shawl knitting soon.

Lynne said...

Oh my goodness, a flurry of FOs! They're all gorgeous, I really love the orange socks and the cosy wrap. You're very organised getting your decorations up already. I think I'll leave mine for another week!

Aussie Maria said...

The shawls/wraps are gorgeous - particularly love McCafferty's

melissa said...

everything is gorgeous, but that purple wrap made me swoon a little bit. fantastic!!

Asti said...

Bah! You have snow - I'm so jealous :)
The girls and I have been glued to the met office site, hoping for a few measly flakes at least - so far Devon has missed out :(
Love all of your projects - I want to snuggle up in those shawls. Agree, Lily France is amazing. x

Unknown said...

Wow, some beautiful FOs. I'm stalled on my TTL socks. According to the measurements, I should be knitting the L size. To get gauge, I've been knitting on US0s. But now I'm at the heel and they look huge!

Last year I didn't bother checking gauge and knit 64 stitches on US2s. Those ended up being so big that I ended up gifting them away, which was really sad as I loved the yarn. I need to put the sock on waste yarn and try it on (I use DPNs). It's seemed like too much effort though I love everyone's finished socks.

Stadtwaldvogel said...

The socks are pretty but I like the Katerina wrap best. Wonderful colors and so big! Must be very cosy!
Have a great week!
Julia

Helsie said...

Wow you have been busy. I love the socks and I guess you will really be needing some warm ones in the weather you are getting.
I take your point about the snow. I imagine it is very wet and quite a nuisance but oh so pretty. Lovely to look out of the window and see it yet be snug and warm inside.
Haven't put any Christmas decorations up yet - not quite in the mood as yet. Perhaps this weekend.
Cheers
Helen