Ta Dah! . . . and other stuff :)

I think it's only been a week since my last blog post, but it seems like a lot longer . . . I must have crammed a lot in there!  Finally finished my fair isle bag and soooooooo pleased with the result - this is a fabulous pattern (by Megan Lacey), I highly recommend  it!  I learned a couple of new techniques which were clearly described  in the  pattern, so it made a seriously satisfying knit.  Here's my 'Ta Dah' bit of the post . . . 

I lined  it with some linen fabric and added a label inside, as there is a front and back (you can spot some 'steps' in the pattern on the reverse) so it's easy to make out the right way to hang it!  I might not get this one myself  as it may end up as a gift (my visiting Sis has been eyeing it up!), but I wouldn't hesitate to make another - such fun to make!

Here it is in the sunshine, yes,  we have had sunshine  - hurray!!!! . . .  (spot the sandals - ooops!)

I spent some time on Saturday sitting outside getting some rays and making the I-chord for the bag - this is basically knitted rope and I'm mightily impressed with this technique.   It forms a really strong but soft chord - I'm a convert :) . . . 

Earlier on in the day we had to go to Stornoway to buy some last minute supplies for youngest's school trip (away for 3 whole days - yikes!).  It was gorgeous and sunny in town - I felt like a tourist - we went to the Wee Fudge shop and bought two slabs of freshly made fudge.  This is making me laugh now because I realise I must have had the colours of my fairilse bag in my head - we bought mint/vanilla and oreo and cream, yum :)  Hmmmm, the colours look familiar don't they - green, brown and cream ???? Talk about taking your work home with you! LOL . . . 

It's the end of school term here and it's all go - Little S was playing the bongo drum  at the local  mod (local Gaelic cultural festival ).  He seemed to embrace the experience and they came second! . . . 

I'm beginning to feel exhausted myself just reading my post - there seems to be so much on the go right now, but it's always the same at this time of year as anyone with school-age children will know.  

Finally, take a seat - pheeeew!  I made these cushion covers  for a neighbour and family friend - they're not something I normally make but I decided to take up the challenge and I'm quite pleased  how they turned out.  Now I just want to take a seat on this bench and . . . . breathe :D  Have a seat - I'll make you a cuppa (and maybe some of that lovely fudge I've been nibbling this week!) . . . 

Yes, I know - I really must paint the bench - it's looking pretty sun-bleached.  Maybe later though, I'm taking it easy today :)

Later gaters :D

Alison xx

Some 'Me' time . . . .

I've been spending a lot of time recently either making stock or doing some other business related stuff - I''ve been really missing some relaxing crafting, particularly my colour-knitting work.  Well, I can only wear so many pairs of knitted socks - I'm not an octopus, hehe :)  

With that in mind, I dug out this cute pattern for a fair-isle knitted mini-handbag which I purchased on Ravelry via Patternfish.com.  The design is by Megan Lacey.  I'm really pleased how it's turning out - fabulous little pattern for someone starting out on fairisle projects.  It's knitting up fast . . . 

It's called a Blue Jeans Purse but I'm using a different colour scheme.  I bought a bundle of very cheap acrylic wool earlier in the year, specifically for practicing colour work.  I'm  so pleased I did.  Here's the pattern  and the colours I've chosen . . . 

I was a bit haphazard about changing the colours to what I had, but it seems to have worked out well - nice to have something on the needles again . . .

It's lovely to see how the colours blend from one to the other, which I guess is the beauty of fair isle work as opposed to working with just two colours - I love both though :)  Two colour knitting (ie. Norwegian/Scandinavian styles create lovely stark, clear designs), but it's a lovely contrast to do something with more colour.  I might not be saying that when I'm tying in the ends though!

I finally dipped into my Kaffe Fassett fabric and made a little coin purse.  These chunky brass zips arrived in the post last week . . . 

. . . I was a little wary  of the weight of them, but they worked out well I thought . . .

Here's a better view . . .

I was pleased how the weight of the brass zip worked against the floral fabric and the tweed - some more  for the next fair I hope :) :)

Hope you are having a good week, creative or otherwise.  I have a little 'tweedie' commission this week, so better get my skates on, eeeks! . . . 'later gaters' ;-)

Alison x