Been busy.

Few days ago I finally finished my Arleen. It was a test knit for Dona and I really enjoyed knitting this project. Large amount of plain stockinette was very relaxing to work on and I absolutely love the button slit: it makes a simple raglan more interesting. It is a lovely detail.  I'm very satisfied with the finished garment and it will be worn this winter a lot. My next Arleen will be with long sleeves.

Pattern: Arleen by Dona Knits

Needles: 4mm/ US6

Yarn: Cascade Yarn 220 Heathers in 'silver spruce', 2.75 skein

Modifications: I modified waist decreases and increases to adapt them to my body shape (3 decreases every 10th round starting at 5cm from underarm, knit 20 rounds straight, 3 increases every 10th round) and made the body a bit longer.

And why is it so difficult to choose buttons...? After few days of searching I bought these coconut shell beauties but wasn't sure about them until I sew them on... 

I had some yarn left from Arleen as well as some old Cascade 220 Heather in 'birch' (roughly 25 grams) that had been sitting in my stash for way too long. I decided to use it for Norwegian Star Earflap Hat (link below). I think this blue and mustard colours make lovely combination together.

I cast on for the hat last night and got so much into knitting it that I got up at 6am this morning to carry on working on it. 6am for a sleepy head like me is quite an achievement :)

I cast on for child size but it turned out to be in adult size. I like it so much that I might wear it (though I'm not a big fan of hats on my head but on the other hand it's getting really freezing here so a hat would be nice).

I will make another one for G. from different yarn and one for C. in darker colours (black/grey or brown/beige). The pattern is easy and fun to knit.

Pattern: Norwegian Star Earflap Hat by Tiennie

Needles: 4mm/ US6

Yarn: Cascade Yarns 220 Heathers (less than 0.5 skein of 'silver spruce' and less than 0.25 skein of 'birch').

Modifications: I didn't purl the first rounds and applied simple crochet chain for the edge.

*

I started making some decorations. I want to be ready whet our Christmas tree arrives. These knitted Christmas trees are quick to make and I'm planning to knit plenty of them (great way to get rid of all unused old yarn stashed in the back of my wardrobe).

Pattern: Christmas tree by Baiba Dzelme.
Needles: 3.25mm/ US3

What are you working on these days?

Happy knitting Everyone!

Last weekend...

...we visited Museum of Childhood. It's a great place to take your kids to but I must admit that the collection of dolls is a bit overwhelming. All dolls are gathered in large groups and displayed behind the glass: so beautiful in their dresses, so original, so very different from today's dolls but at the same time I found them a bit... creepy? Their faces... disturbing. None of them smile.

And this doll was the one I admired the longest. The power of imagination. It belonged to a poor child in the beginning of 20th century and was made from a shoe. It kind of makes you wonder. How little children had in the past and how much they have now and sometimes they still want more.

We also went to see the Christmas market that is now open in the city centre. Edinburgh is getting ready for the festive season and it does look magical.

And we are getting ready for Christmas too. I stared making some decorations, the first batch of gingerbread cookies is done and first presents have been bought. I feel like this year I'm well organized, first time in years. Maybe because Little G. is big enough to help me (she cut all forty cookies for me, all by herself). So much fun!

Happy December Everyone!

Scottish autumn.

It is simply beautiful. Warm and sunny and colourful. Some days start with thick fog and clear up just after few hours, showing off the beauty of this season. These photos are the proof. I took them in the beginning of November, during our trip to Lanark. It's our first autumn in Scotland and I love it. I admit, I anticipated cold and dark and rainy time and instead I'm enjoying these golden days filled with sun and crisp autumn air.

Quick update.

Recently finished:

Simple beanie for G. She loves this little owl and I'm glad I finally got rid of this odd skein of Artesano Aran that I bought impulsively long ago in I Knit shop (just couldn't leave the yarn shop empty handed, could I?)

 Currently in progress:

"Arleen", test knit for Dona. This is a therapeutic project, loads of smooth stockinette is what I really need these days. And I love the yarn (Cascade 220 Heathers). And the colour (silver spruce). I ordered buttons today (it was difficult to pick up the right ones...)

New in stash:

New Lanark  Aran (90% wool, 10% silk, blue, 10 skeins)
New Lanark DK (100% pure new wool, fawn, 10 skeins)
Lovely, lovely wool. I just had to cheer myself up (well, it is Wovember, isn't it?)

On my bedside table:

 Some delicious books :)