Busy busy

It feels like ages since we last chatted, doesn't it?! Half term passed by in a blur, we didn't ever seem to stop for breath! Last weekend we went to Stratford-upon-Avon. I was taking a sewing class at Sew Me Something, Mr JK was running a 10k and we also had tickets booked to see the RSC performing A Midsummer Night's Dream! I have admired the patterns from Sew Me Something ever since I first spotted them at a show. So I was delighted to find a class to make the Kate dress on at a convenient time. It was a fabulous day - there were 6 of us in the class and we sewed almost non-stop! Jools kept us fed and watered with tea and lemon muffins, and gave lots of advice on how to get a great fit. I see plenty more Kate dresses in my future! Mr JK took this photo yesterday. The sun may have been out but it was rather chilly!

I've also stitched the next block in the Sugar Block club, getting it done in the nick of time before March's pattern is released! This block was a lot less fiddly to make than January's. It's by no means perfect but I am embracing the imperfections in my patchwork and quilting journey! 

My knitting needles have been busy too. I'm plodding away on my Magic Loop Continental stripy socks and will share a photo with you next time. At long last I have finished knitting all the blocks for my Love Squared blanket. I started it a year ago, using yarn from the Natural Dye Studio's Rainbow club. My next step is weaving in ends and blocking all the blocks to the same size before starting the mammoth task of crocheting around the edges of each one and stitching them together. I need to dye some yarn before the crocheting can begin. Mr JK had to buy some citric acid for me as I need it when soaking the yarn before dyeing and got given the third degree at the chemist; apparently there are all kinds of dodgy uses for it! Here's how the blocks look. I need to work on the arrangement!

I also published two patterns on Ravelry yesterday for my Kylebeg cowl and mitts. They are named after the cottage we stayed in last autumn in Co. Wicklow. I spent lots of time there playing around with stitch patterns to show off all the beautiful colours in the skein of Zip Light yarn from Easy Knits. This skein had seduced me at I Knit Fandango last May. You can knit both the cowl and mitts from one skein! You can find both patterns here if you're interested, free to download. 

I'll leave you with a couple of 'sunny' photos. Mr JK bought these daffodils on Friday and they are brightening up the kitchen nicely. Since the photo was taken, all the daffs have opened fully. They are such happy flowers.

And here's a photo of Flo, enjoying the sunshine on one of the chairs in the kitchen. She was not at all impressed by my intrusion into her space and just after this photo was taken, told me exactly what she thought with a swift swipe of her paw! Have a good week! xxx