Birthday tea

Yes, I really am catching up but this is the last one. A quick photo of a joint birthday tea in November. I made some cakes and a friend made scones and a lemon and popp seed loaf, and I used my three cake stands. I think that the cakes were vanilla with pink icing and some cherry ripe (chocolate, coconut and cherry).

Dobbin

And the last one...Dobbin is about 33 years old, his black felt hooves had almost worn away so I knitted him some new hooves. I had some leftover brown yarn and 3.5 mm needles and I knitted some eyelets to thread some ribbon through to keep them on and then for two of them just knitted as a gift bag and for the other two I used the pattern for knitting the toe part of a sock to get the decrease. I think he looks very fetching in them.

Hat

This is an adapted beret pattern so it doesn't slouch as much as a beret style would. It was also a Christmas present and I am pleased with the extra leaf on the crown.

More socks

So yes, after the first pair I did manage more socks. To be fair, one pair was for a baby so took no time at all, but I was glad that I'd already knitted the grey ones as it made the pattern easier to understand.
This blue pair is the same pattern as the grey but with ribbing (3x1) on the leg part. They looked better in real life than in this photo and I was pleased with them They were a December birthday present.

Owl Puffs

Yep, definitely catching up with my knitting posts today.
These are some owl puffs that I made for a one year old for Christmas. The pattern has buttons for the eyes but I knitted circles intead and sewes them on, seems safer for a baby. They are about 10cm tall and I knitted a gift bag for them to go in.
I'm pleased with them - an easy and quick project (especially if you don't knit the eyes as well) but personal too.

Socks part deux

Yes, 1st January and the xmas knitting is all done and this will probably be the first of several posts today.
This is a photo of the first finished pair of socks - they are functional but have been sent to my Dad who thought they were great so I am happy with them.
I used a pattern from a book called Getting Started Knitting Socks by Ann Budd (isbn 978-1-59668-029-6). It has very good explanations and pictures of different techniques and the construction of the sock finally made sense.
I used sock yarn from my local knitshop.

Socks

A very quick post - I am working on knitting socks. Have finished one and am part way through the second. I might even manage a complete pair this time. I knitted one sock once before and didn't enjoy it at all but am determined to master them and found a very good book with simple instructions and very clear pictures. Will post again with book details and a photo o the socks (they are functioal rather than beautiful).
Have also been to three sewing classes now, going through seams, buttonholes and zips. I have sewn zips before, but in completely the wrong way (it was news to me that there is such a thing as a zip foot for the machine).
More updates later, just trying not to leave it too long between posts. Also trying to get through the list of xmas knitting. I think I've removed a couple of people from the list, they don't know how lucky they are :)