Owner: Blissed Out Knitting URL:http://jo2308.typepad.com/blissedoutknitting/ Join Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2007 12:25:46 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: One woman's mission to spread the word of bliss through knitting. Knitting tips and techniques, free knitting patterns, news and works in progress. In search of knitting Nirvana! Site statistics:Click here
arrgggh! Not a relaxing start to the week! 2007-09-10 15:43:46 If you could see stress around someone, my head would have resembled Pigpen from Charlie Brown this morning – but instead of dust and dirt I had sparks of stress fizzing and buzzing around my head! I wanted a nice, relaxing
weekend but it hasn't exactly gone that way - and for no particular reason either (except possibly me trying to fit too much in - as usual!) Actually, perhaps I was more like Lucy!
I really wanted a chill out this weekend but had a tough day at work on Friday, then a lengthy conversation with my Ex in the evening which just left me feeling drained. I couldn’t’ seem to get going on Saturday and suddenly had a urge for some space – you know, the peace and quiet that working Mums sometimes crave like the delicious distant memory that it is! Obviously with Cole and John I couldn’t get said space, although I have to admit that I’d probably have had more chance of getting it if I’d actually asked for it instead of stomping round the place sighing a lo
Am I am to be excited by the chill in the air? 2007-09-03 07:30:51 I know everyone in the UK will hate me for saying this - we have had an absolutely RUBBISH summer this year after all, but I'm actually quite excited
about the prospect of autumn. I know there are loads of great summer things that us knitter can, and do, make over the warmer months, but there's something about lovingly making cosy cardigans, jumpers, hats and gloves that gives me a lovely warm feeling inside!
I've finished my summer Rowan handknit cotton cardigan and have been wearing it all weekend - and picking up some compliments along the way too I might add! I think it's going to see me through the next month or so very well and will be quite nice to take to New York and Florida as it's warm without being cloying and a nice stylish cover up - especially for evenings.
But the colour just screams summer to me and my head's already into teal blues, burnt oranges and moss greens! I've seen some green Louisa Harding Impression yarn at HALF PRICE in a l
Louisa Harding's Impression Yarn 2007-10-02 15:23:35 I can’t believe it’s been almost two weeks without a post – I think that’s the longest I’ve ever gone without writing anything. And there’s no real reason – it’s not like I haven’t been knitting because I’ve done loads! After finishing my peach cotton cardigan and fancy bag for my Knitty submission, I wasn’t in the mood to start something big straight away so I made a hat from an odd ball of LouisaHardingImpression
yarn in Rainforest. It’s a lovely combination of colors – forest green with subtle flecks of red and yellow. I know it’s not really autumn (or fall – depending on where you’re hailing from) but I we had a few pretty cold days (plus our boiler was broken so we had NO HOT WATER for almost a week! Don’t worry I showered at the gym, but it’s not the same as sinking into a nice hot bath after work) and I was in the mood for knitting for warmth!
So I made a cute little beanie hat with flowers on it and then got stuck into a new project!
I have been knitting - honest! 2007-10-09 17:48:56 I know I promised to post more last week but I've been so busy with getting work finsihed, Uni assignment in and suitcases packed (In time for the holiday starting in 1 week!) I've just been flopping down onto the sofa in the evenings and knitting pretty mindlessly. My Louisa Harding cardigan in coming along very nicely (although the fluffy bits of the yarn are irritating my contact lenses a bit.)
Other than that I've been sticking to my raw food detox diet pretty well-although I am getting rather tired of salads! I'm also frustrated that I've haven't lost more weight - 7Ibs in the first 2 weeks and then nothing for the past 2 (in fact I had put 2 back on but I've started my period since so I'm hoping that's come off-although I have indulged in a couple of glasses of wine and quite a lot of chocolate since then too which might cancel it out!)
I know I've promised to post pictures of my recent knitting projects but I think we all just have to face the fact that I'm a pret Read more:honest
Back from my hols! 2007-11-05 08:51:04
It’s been almost a month – a month! Since I last posted! All I can say is that I’ve had the most fantastic holiday and have returned filled with fully refreshed creative juices!
I’d intended to post whilst I was away (I even took my laptop with me) but the house we’d rented didn’t have internet connection (despite advertising that it did). I had a wonderful time though and it was lovely spending lots of time with John and Cole and doing some exceptionally cool stuff.
I could bore you for days with it (no really, don’t tempt me) but suffice to say that it was like having two holidays – New York (which I’m now totally in love with and would move there tomorrow!) and Orlando – theme parks, swimming and eating a lot!
I’ll post some pictures later but must get back to the business in hand of knitting and creating. I took some gorgeous new baby alpaca yarn with me to crochet on the plane and made myself a lovely soft sweet pea shawl f
pics of rowan magazine cardigan 2007-11-09 18:51:54 I (finally) took some decent pictures of the cotton cardigan
I made based on the pattern on the front cover of the summer rowan magazine. I was really pleased with how it turned out and the yarn (Rowan handknit cotton was great to work with) The cardigan was really versatile on holiday - adding just the right amount of warmth to stem off the summer evening chills.
Here's one of me modeling it - we bought Cole a digital camera and he's got a great eye - some of his pictures were fantastically framed (check out his picture of the rear of the saturn five rocket below.) We were sat outside FAO Schwarz in New York City (OK, I'm store name dropping but it was a fantastic holiday!) and he was posing me- "Mum, put your hand under your chin and turn this way" - possible future fashion photographer or just too much of witnessing Mum watching America's Next Top Model? YOU decide!
I've been and bought some new yarn today as it's only six weeks to Christmas and I realised that if I'm
Yuck-back at work! 2007-11-07 18:19:18 It feels like a month since I was on holiday - how horrible's that? I've been working really long hours too and missing my knitting so badly. I've been mentally planning my Christmas gifts in the quieter moments (ok, and in the boring meetings!)
I usually make a number of gifts for friends. Last year I did some beaded lariets and some mohair spiral scarfs. The year before it was lavender wheat pillows (one of which I'm cuddling right now because it's COLD!)
So I'm on the hunts for cool little gifts I can make my friends. I'm thinking of doing some baking this year - maybe some mini Christmas cakes and brownies. I'm obviously going to do some knitted gifts too. John's Mum would benefit from a warm shawl (although I might crochet her one after my sweet pea shawl) and I've seen a lovely little bolero pattern that I could make for my niece - and maybe some little glamorous beanie hats for my girlfriends. - SOOOO much to do and so little time (I'm so wishing I didn't
Cute baby knitting –again! 2007-11-13 11:38:19
It feels a bit like ground hog day but I’m knitting another really cute ducks cardigan- this time for Cole’s soon to be born half brother or sister. He desperately wanted me to make something and after going through my (I have to say, embarrassingly extensive!) collection of baby pattern books, settled on the fluffy ducks. At least I’ve some Rowan Kidsilk haze left over that I can use for the second one.
But I DO love baby knitting. They’re so rewarding and instantly gratifying! I’ve only been at it for 2 evenings and already I’ve done the back and both fronts. Plus Rowan baby cashmerino is SOOOOO lovely to work with; it’s soft and cuddly and the colours are beautifully vintage – perfectly washed out like sugared almonds.
I’m also getting totally Christmassy. I’ve decided to do lots of baking as presents for friends and family do made 2 Christmas cakes over the weekend and have all of the fruit soaking in brand
Getting Kids Involved 2007-11-19 09:36:02 Cole's baby sister was born on Thursday. His response? "arwh! I wanted a brother!" Still, I think he's realised pretty quickly that babies or either sex don't do very much except cry, sleep, eat and 'poop'! He helped his dad change a nappy on Friday whilst his rather exhausted step mum managed to get some sleep. Baby Alice pooped whilst he nappy was off - "It looked liked chocolate sauce being squirted out of a tube!" came my 7 year olds delighted response.
He'd wanted to make something for the baby and we did try knitting for a while but unfortunately, for lots of reasons (mainly me not pursuing it enough if I'm honest) we didn't get very far. I've been knitting another fluffy ducks cardigan from the Rowan Baby book, which is very cute, but I wanted Cole to have a part in it. So I came up with the idea of having him do some of the embellishments. I've cut out some little felt flowers and he's carefu Read more:Involved
Sweet pea shawl 2007-11-26 12:40:12 I finally (Yes I know it's taken me forever!) uploaded some pictures of the shawl I crocheted on my trip to the states. I love crochet but haven't been doing it very long (completely self taught from Debbie Stoller's fantastic book The Happy Hooker) so I tend to use it for easy patterns and this sweet pea shawl was lovely to do - very simple and came together quickly (very gratifying.) I find crochet perfect for doing on planes as security people tend to be a bit suspicious of knitting needs (I can see their point I suppose.)
Anyway this was done in 2 7 hour flights and a couple of evenings in front of the TV. I now have it as a throw on my sofa and it's perfect for cold shoulders or legs on these chilly evenings.
Read more:Sweet
Lovely Yarn 2007-11-24 10:03:46 I'm still beavering away with my Christmas present knitting. I'm mid way through a shrug for my niece who's almost two and cute as a button. I'm being a bit daring and sort of doing my own design - I found some lovely cotton yarn by Palette yarns and I thought I might edge it with some ribbon or maybe do some crochet flowers - I haven't decided yet but it's quite exciting being 'off pattern' and free to do whatever I like (and a tiny bit scary!)
I'm having a cosy day in to myself today with Cole at his Dad's and John out watching the football. The weather here is SO miserable - one of those days that doesn't properly get light and you end up having to have the lamps on indoors all day. It's cold and windy out too (Personally I think John is mad to be going out in it) so I'm staying in by the heater and knitting, baking and watching Saturday afternoon films (the Journey of Natty Gann which I remember watching years ago. It's got a very young John Cusack in it too)
Read more:Lovely
I've been Tagged! 2007-11-23 06:38:59 Marie from Knitted Gems has very kindly tagged me (I know it sounds painful!) It's been quite good fun answering the questions - I was quite tempted to add some outrageous answers just to make myself sound more interesting that I am but I resisted!
Name one person who made you laugh last night?My partner John – he can make me laugh even when I’m grouchy – which I’d love to say isn’t very often but I’d be lying! Cole also makes me laugh a lot – for all of the right reasons.
What were you doing at 0800?Panicking because I should have left for work already and was only just getting out of the shower!
What were you doing 30 minutes ago? Wondering what I am going to have for lunch – still not decided but a baked potato is looking good.
What happened to you in 2006?I gave up smoking and joined the gym – I’ve never felt better and now love my healthy lifestyle (which continues to go from strength to strength)
How many beverages did you have today? 1 litre Read more:Tagged
Christmas presents - handmade chocolates 2007-12-03 14:23:57 Cole and I are like Santa's elves this year. I love making things with him. It took me a while to find my feet and confidence as a Mum - I didn't find it easy to play games like football or just much about and be silly (although I have to say, I've gotten MUCH better with practice!) But one of the things I've always enjoyed doing with Cole is making things and Cole is always working away on something that it's a lovely thing that we both enjoy doing together.
So this year we're making a lot of our Christmas
presents at home and this weekend we made home made chocolates. There seems to be a glut of really fancy chocolate popping up all over the place from fancy shops to supermarkets. They always look so pretty but are pretty pricey so we thought we could do better ourselves. I have to say that the results were thrilling (I'm I going over the top being 'thrilled' by homemade chocolates? what am I saying? It's chocolate - it doesn't need any other excuse!) and they were Read more:handmade
Louisa Harding Beanie Hat 2007-11-30 16:54:09 I feel like I'm on a bit of a production line I've been beavering away so much recently. I've just finished a cute little beanie hat for my friend Diane made in some gorgeous LouisaHarding
Impression yarn. Diane's a big fan of color analysis and is an autumn, so the colors in this yarn are just so perfect for her. I've bought some plain green angora yarn to make a lovely soft scarf to match the hat - I'm thinking I'll do a rosette in the impression yarn to embellish it and some cute little fingerless gloves.
I made one last year in red and Diane liked it so much she begged, pleaded and downright whined until I gave it to her. I thought this year it'd be nice to give her a matching set. Read more:Beanie
Finally it looks like Christmas! 2007-12-19 10:58:23 At long, Loooong last the house looks Christmas
sy. We have managed to get the sofa in and that meant that we were also finally able to install the tree and decorate the house. It finally feels like the holidays are coming.
Look at our new sofa! (not to mention how clean and tidy the living room looks - Not it's usual state I can assure you!)
I was really please with my window treatments - I had lots of lovely ribbon in my stash bag and thought this would be a nice way to use some of it. The baubles were cheap buys from a store selling off decorations so close to Christmas. I must improve my photography skills though - I'm so in love with SouleMama and her wonderful pictures that I want to emulate her. How do you take an effective picture in front of a window and not just show everything through the glass (my neighbours shed isn't quite the glamorous look I was going for!) Read more:Finally
How to Add a Simple Crocheted Edge To Your Knitting 2007-12-12 12:10:00 I originally taught myself to crochet because so many of my favorite knitting patterns included crocheted edges. This is the first in what I hope will be a series of posts showing you just how easy it is to add edges with crochet to your knitting.
This edging is by far the simplest to do and is a great one to add neatness to your knitting.
Adding a crocheted edge to knitting
Start by holding your crochet hook is your right hand (use the same size hook as you have knitting needle: So if you were using a 4mm knitting needle, use a 4mm crochet hook.) Make a loop and wrap it round your hook. Then put the hook through one of the loops on the bottom edge of your knitting.
Wrap the yarn around the hook from right to left.
Pull the bottom loop up over the new loop (created by wrapping the yarn over from right to left as you've just done) and over the top of the hook.
Wrap your yarn around from right to left again, and repeat the above step, leaving 1 loop on the hook.
Read more:Simple
, Knitting
Christmas presents -Another Shawl 2007-12-11 18:18:00 I was really unsure what to get for John's Mum this year and he was insistent that she'd love a shawl, like the one I'd made on holiday. So I've just finished it in a lovely Louisa Harding Kimono Angora. I'm still always a bit shy of giving home made gifts - I think my Mum put me off a bit because I think she's from the generation where things had to be made at home because they couldn't afford to buy new things. So now that she has to money and doesn't have to worry about not having enough, I think she still sees homemade as second best - well, that's what I'm assuming because in the past she's been a bit unimpressed with any home made gifts or crafting I've done.
Since I've been knitting regularly, I've made some lovely things and this has probably boosted my confidence a bit. So this year I'm going to give it another go and am making my Mum a scarf - again from my favorite Louisa Harding Kimono Angora. I'm doing a nice lacy pattern and I'm swinging between Read more:Christmas
, Shawl
A sofa cautionary tale! 2007-12-10 17:57:54 We're having the parents over the Christmas this year. I'm not going to go into my mixed feelings about this just now (suffice to say I'm fantasizing that we're all going to morph into the Waltons and suddenly get on without bickering but I'm not holding out much hope!) But one of the questions on my mind was, 'where are we all going to sit?' being that we only have a 2 seater sofa and one armchair. John and I tend to like to ask for money for Christmas presents and put it towards things for the house and this year we reckoned we could afford a new sofa (Ikea have a sale on!) if we pooled our money and ebay'd the armchair we've already got. So I went down yesterday to order our lovely new 3 seater sofa and it was delivered this morning. Oh the excitement - imagine, having room to snuggle all together instead of being squished on the pokey 2 seater? The new cushions I could make!
It was all new smelling and wrapped in cellophane and bubble wrap - and in fact...still is
How to Block Your Knitting 2007-12-22 18:05:00 One of the most important things you can do to improve the look and quality of your finished knitting is to block it. Blocking simply involves pressing the pieces into a crisp shape. Because yarn is, by it's very nature, pretty stretchy, It can sometimes be difficult to create neat, clean lines like you can with other fabrics. Blocking helps to 'set' the knitting into a neat shape so that it can be sewn up into a finished garment, or worn on it's own (as in the case of a one piece garment.)
Equipment needed:
- Iron
- Glass head pins - you don't strictly need the pins to be glass head but they're much, much easier to see if they are
- Damp cloth or towel
- Ironing board or suitable surface to pin your knitting flat.
Place your knitting on the ironing board and pin into the desired shape; place the pins through the knitting into the board to hold it in place.
Take a damp cloth or towel (Run it under the tap and then ring it out fully - it should be damp not wet) and pla Read more:Knitting
I Made Gloves! 2007-12-22 06:36:00 I'm so excited because I've just finished making my first pair of gloves and I'm so excited about it! Rather sad, I know but I am! I've always been a bit intimidated by gloves (and socks) and although these are very simple to make because they are gardening gloves so don't have the fingers (although they do have a thumb) I'm still very proud of them. Aren't they pretty?
I love the color of the yarn - it's a Louisa Harding yarn called Kimono Angora and it is so soft and warm and the colors so bright and jewel like. They're for my Mum to match the scarf I've made her. I'm now making a pair for my friend Diane and might even do some with fingers.
Read more:Gloves
last minute Christmas Gifts - Book Thongs 2007-12-21 06:20:45 Here's a really simple last minute idea for Christmas
gifts that can easily be made with kids. Cole and I made some book thongs for relatives too far away to see over the holidays-aunts, cousins, and a long distance Grandma. They take minutes to make and and look really pretty.
Materials:
Glass beads - assorted colors and sizes
Seed beads - either to match or contrast your glass beads
Waxed beading cotton
Clear nail varnish or beading cement
1. Take a length of waxed cotton that is around 6 inches longer than the length of the average book.
2. Tie a knot in one end and pull it tight so that it forms a small, tight knot.
3. Thread a seed bead onto the cotton and push it down so that it partly covers the knot.
4. Thread several glass beads in colors of your choice onto the thread. About 2-3 in descending sizes should look nice. Follow by another seed bead (or 2 or 3) -I like to use contrasting colored ones to the glass beads.
5. Tie a knot and push it down so that it sits Read more:Gifts
, Christmas Gifts
Chilled Out Sunday - An Exercise In Letting Go 2008-03-09 17:46:09 it's been a lazy, relaxed, 'we don't have anywhere to go' kind of day. I like days like this but I often worry that I should be 'doing' more - especially with Cole. Perhaps it's the burden of the part... Read more:Chilled
, Sunday
, Exercise
, Letting
Appliquéd Sweater - With Tutorial 2008-03-08 10:30:15 I've had this sweater for ages and although I love the color and style, I don't wear it very often because it's well, a bit revealing! It's fairly tight fitting and low cut - so I always feel too overexposed... Read more:Sweater
, Tutorial
My First Skirt 2008-03-06 02:33:33 'm just learning to sew and got the fabulous Diana Rupp Book Sew Everything Workshop recently. I'm so impressed with it - lots of very wearable patterns and easy to follow instructions. Anyway - I made a skirt! My first... Read more:First
Happy Mother's Day 2008-03-04 16:16:33 Sunday was mother's day so we spent the day seeing both John and my parents. It was a bit of a whirlwind to be honest - lunch out with John's family at a local pub, then off to collect Cole... Read more:Happy
, Happy Mother
My First Wardrobe Refashion Post! 2008-03-01 05:50:59 I'm a big refashioning fan - I like the idea of reusing and customizing clothes, but I've been too scared (or unimaginative) to try it in the past. But after getting a couple of great books - Subversive Seamster and... Read more:First
, Wardrobe
Have I Mentioned I Like To Be Warm? 2008-03-12 15:10:23 It's still pretty nippy here in the UK - and it's not helped by our very temperamental boiler that seems to work just when it feels like (and then only for 15 minute stretches at a time!) That coupled with...
Another Revamped Sweater 2008-03-15 07:53:13 I found this oatmeal colored lambswool cardigan in the local thrift store. I wasn't too sure what I was going to do with it but knew it was way to dull to be left as it was. I had a... Read more:Sweater
Bead Love 2008-03-14 13:18:11 Look what gorgeousness arrived in the post today! I'm totally in love with these millefiori glass beads - look at the colors! I'm not 100% sure what I'm going to do with them yet - possibly some bracelets and maybe...
Performance Anxiety! 2008-03-16 18:18:59 A couple of weeks ago I signed up for my first ever Craftster swap - a pincushion one to be exact. It was supposed to be fun - try something new, make connections with other craftsters - you know, a... Read more:Performance
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