Crafty Christmas Presents

The last day of 2014. I can't quite fathom how we seemed to get here so quickly. But yes, another year gone by and another one round the corner ready to begin. Do you choose New Year's Resolutions? I usually do but I'm never especially diligent about sticking to them, they tend to be more general guidelines for things I'd like to do during the year rather than 'must do's' - although I might have to be a bit more strict with the 'eating healthier, do more exercise and lose weight' one this time as I have a bridesmaid dress to fit into in the summer!

But before we get too serious, I just wanted to show you the crafty presents I was lucky enough to receive for Christmas.

My sister and her fiance bought me this book of knitting patterns which was a nice surprise to get something so considered. I've not heard of this lady before but a quick Amazon search found a few more things she's published, and another out this year that looks interesting. I particularly like this stained glass window effect pattern for a tank top which will probably be added to my extensive project list.

My uncle and auntie gave me this book my Debbie Shore, I've watched here on TV a few times and like her quick easy projects, so this will definitely get an outing for stash-busting makes with the sewing machine. I like these little cushions, they'd look really pretty in a mix of patterns.

Finally, from Father Christmas (aka Mum and Dad), I got this ball of Sirdar Heart & Sole sock yarn and the DPNs to knit the pattern. Socks have been on my waiting list to try for ages so I was really pleased with this, and just how happy are those colours!

I cast on the afternoon of Christmas Day and finished the first sock yesterday. I'm glad I'd had a bit of practice with DPNs beforehand as they can be a bit unwieldy, but the heel turned out not to be half as complicated as I'd imagined, and I'm really pleased with how it's turned out. I've also made sure to cast on the second sock straight away so as not to fall into the 'one sock syndrome' trap!

Oh, the Christmas Pudding turned out beautifully, Mum and I enjoyed it on Christmas Day to finish off our lunch.

I've spent the last two days giving my room a really good sort out and have consolidated all my crafty stuff to be more easily accessible. And I've got a lot of stuff, it's worrying how quickly it accumulates! However, my philosophy is that if I can see it I'll do something with it, so I'm hoping having things readily to hand will encourage me to be more crafty in 2015 and try some of the things I've not go round to yet.

I'm off into town this afternoon for a quick look in the fabric shop to see if they've got anything good in the sale - they quite often have pre-cut pieces of Liberty cottons that are quite good value and a useful size so fingers crossed!

What did you all get as crafty Christmas presents? And are you making any crafty New Year's Resolutions? If so I wish you luck, and a very Happy 2015.

Christmas Knits

Well that time of year does seem to be suddenly rushing upon us, so in the spirit, I’ve had a go at a couple of quick little Christmassy knits.

A friend sent me a set of patterns for lots of little ornaments and the first one I had a go at was the Christmas tree. With all the big projects I’ve been working on this year, I’ve got plenty of leftovers in my stash, and so has Mum, so these are perfect for using them up.

The patterns are knitted flat and then sewn up, and just use stocking stitch and lots of increasing and decreasing for shaping, as well as colour changes. I used some of the shimmery Sirdar Softspun I had left over from my Emerald Eyelet jumper to do alternate stripes with a plain green DK.

I always find stuffing things like this the fiddly bit and it never seems to go the shape I want, but I’m quite happy with this one in the end. I added the chain stitch tinsel and knot baubles to jazz it up a bit.

From the same set of patterns I also knitted a golden bell – this one was really quick and only took a couple of hours from start to finish one evening while watching the TV. This one has a circle of cardboard added to give the flat-bottomed shape, and I added a longer hanging loop than the pattern suggested.

I’m thinking about trying to work out these patterns to knit on DPNs to avoid having to sew up a seam, and I could then stuff them as I go. I don’t think it’ll be too difficult to figure out; I’ll let you know how I get on.

My other Christmassy knits are baubles. The patterns are from 55 Christmas Balls to Knit by Arne and Carlos. These are done on DPNs and with fairisle colourwork, and although it was a bit fiddly getting started with only a few stitches over four needles, it didn’t take me long to finish and I’m really pleased with how they turned out. The first design is called Selbu with a repeated flower motif, the second a squirrel, just becuase it looked fun, and the third a Greek Cross which I think turned out the best because of practising with the other two, and because having more red as the base colour means the white stranding doesn't show through.

I'm now trying to knit a little cardi for my 8 month old little cousin's Christmas present, but I think I left it a bit late to start so it might end up being a New Year present!

I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and a very Happy New Year, and that 2015 brings you lots of crafty opportunities! x

Christmas Puddings just like Nan used to make

I finally managed to fit in a bit of time in the kitchen the other weekend and started to get into the seasonal spirit by making Christmas puddings.

The recipe is my Nan’s and as she sadly passed away a couple of months ago I thought I would give it a try in her honour. Nan made puddings every year, often with mixes so big she needed the jam pan to do the stirring, so that she made one for all the family and a few friends too. I didn’t fancy being that ambitious so I just made up one quantity of the recipe.

It’s a really packed mixture full of fruit, nuts and spice, breadcrumbs and suet, and eggs to bind it all together, not forgetting the generous slug of brandy!

The amount of mixture I made managed to fill three pudding basins – a one and a half pint, one pint and a diddy half pint – so there are a couple of spares.

Making the mixture didn’t actually take too long so I did that on the Saturday afternoon (before Strictly!) and left the puddings in the fridge overnight.

Sunday was the best day with the puddings steaming away gently on the hob for six hours and the most wonderful smell filling the house all day. Mum then also put a gammon on to roast in the afternoon so it smelled even better, honestly if I could have bottled it...

Once the puddings had steamed and cooled down I uncovered them to check, and they certainly look and smell like they’re supposed to! I put fresh greaseproof paper on top and tied on a cotton napkin lid so they’re ready for Christmas and the taste test.

Mum decided that if they’re really good we’ll eat them all ourselves, but personally I think we ought to share at least a little bit with some of the family and see if I’ve made it up to Nan’s standards.

It’s not at all a difficult process, just time consuming with the steaming, although I’m sure there are short-cut ways of doing it, but at least for the first time I wanted to do it properly. I’m really pleased with how they’ve come out and I’m sure they’ll taste lovely too.

More Christmassy things on the horizon, mince pies to make, little knitting projects, and presents to buy, but I’m getting there, hope you are too!

Chunky Cable Trim Waistcoat

I needed a quick and easy knitting project to work on, having had a bit of a stressful time recently, I wanted to be able to work on something while watching TV that didn’t involve anything too complicated.

I bought a pack of Rowan Drift at the Knitting & Stitching Show and had a pattern in my file for this longer length waistcoat with a cable detail round the neckline – perfect: easy pattern, would knit up quickly in the super chunky weight, and would be nice and cosy to wear as the weather is now getting colder.
 

 

The back was really easy, just a big rectangle of stocking stitch with the most minimal shaping for the tops of the shoulders. Then the front pieces were straight up to the waistline then a big bold cable twist on the neck edge that got carried around back of the neck for a bit of a collar.

I can’t really say much more, it was quick, it was easy, I love the style and the colour, and it’s used up some of my stash. The only thing I will say is that the Rowan Drift, though lovely to work with and super cosy, is obviously very highly saturated with dye. There are now slight red marks on my 10mm bamboo needles where the stitches have sat, so I think I’m going to have to be very careful about washing it and not wear it with anything light underneath!

The instructions on the yarn band recommend hand washing (as it is 100% wool), but given how big the waistcoat is, I think washing by hand will be nearly impossible because once it’s wet it’ll weigh a tonne! I’m going to risk putting it in the washing machine on its own on a wool cycle with a gentle spin and hope that it doesn’t go too felty. It is also going to need drying flat and blocking to try and stop the front edges from curling in too much.

I reckon this is something that’ll be handy for throwing on around the house if it’s a bit chilly, or as a top layer if I’m going out for a walk, maybe even for in the office (I’m always cold but everyone else says they’re too hot!).

Have you started Christmas knitting yet? I've got a couple of little projects lined up for my next post.