Knitting in progress

It's that time of year when you want to close the curtains and get out the knitting! There has been a wonderful resurgence in knitting and crotchet. My daughter has just finished her second crotchet blanket. On Sunday at the BB AGM we were admiring Liz Harding's knitted throw. These are my knitted mittens. They look clever but they are 4ply variegated sock wool, you just knit a tube on 3/4 needles. They are so great to keep in a coat pocket, and you can keep them off while shopping because you have your fingers free!  Cast on 18sts on  each 3 needles. Knit 60 rows ( or longer if you want) Increase one st at beg. on each needle. Knit a round. Do this 5 times. ( 23 sts each needle) Knit backwards and forwards on 20 sts for thumb ( so you have to do knit row and then purl back here) Cast off and rejoin wool. Knit 23 rows and cast off. Stitch up thumb seam and weave in ends. I invented the pattern myself so feel free to experiment! You can make the cuff very long but it takes more wool. I get one pair from 50g ball wool. I have knitted lots for family and friends they make a lovely present.

Newark Park

At the moment I  am working towards an exhibition at Newark park with my friend Rosemary Cochrane in June/July. More details will follow but Newark Park is a National Trust house near Dursley, Glos. This is the first tentative piece working from the collection of blue and white china.

Christmas decorations

A little bit late I know, but here are some Christmas things, the three lower pieces I made this Christmas. The central triangular purses idea started years ago as amulet purses to hang around the neck- they were inspired by the book Africa Adorned. I have made them as scissor cases but they are also useful to put jewellery in, when traveling. The pattern is a square that folds up. The silver square purse on the right was one of the original amulet purses and the other two are stuffed shapes for Christmas decorations but they could double up as pin cushions!