Odds and Sods - January 2019

January was all about walks with Finn, spending time with Andy, and knitting!

I am determined to do more dressmaking this year, so have organised my sewing space - kind of.   It would be organised if I hadn't completely covered it in stuff that I have nowhere else for!   I WILL tidy this up - the Sewing Bee is back on TV and is really inspiring me to get sewing again.

I've had my first commission of the year - this set of gansey bunting in shades of grey and pink - I actually really like it, although they would not normally be my choice of colours.  They look fab.

As part of my tidying process - not going so well, it has to be said! - Andy has fitted more cup hooks to the dresser top for my new Wallace and Gromit mugs.  I do love them but am terrified of using and breaking them, so they're basically just for show!!

I've seen Andy a number of weekends already this year - at the beginning of January, we had a trip to the Diss auction rooms and obviously came back with more stuff we need to find homes for.  Why do I never learn?!

Andy and I took Finn over the marshes on a very cold day at the beginning of January - one of our favourite places to walk and so near to the house.

Andy was in charge of cooking that weekend!

It's not often you see highland cattle paddling in the Wensum in Norfolk!   This is another of our favourite walks for Finn and me.

Andy bought me John Arbon Textile Mill membership for Christmas and, as part of my welcome package, I received this beautiful yarn and made myself a neck warmer - it's been so cold!

Shannon made me this beautiful blanket for Christmas and it now adorns the back of my sofa.  I have spent many happy hours snuggled underneath it while revising for my final horticulture exam - not to mention the hours spent snoozing underneath it also!

This is the start of the temperature blanket that I am making - I'm using moss stitch design so that it looks almost woven, rather than knitted.  I have allocated fifteen colours to fifteen different ranges of temperature and am really excited to see how this will grow over the year.  It's fascinating stuff.

A couple of years ago, Amanda bought me a beautiful fair isle hat kit but I have to admit I've been too terrified to make it. But this year I've plucked up the courage and made a draft using old scraps of wool before making it with the wool that came with the kit.  I have to say I'm absolutely delighted with it and feel very proud of myself - fair isle and a circular needle!

But of course, as usual, everything is about Finn!

Made or Grown - January 2019

In most of my made or grown posts up to now, I've been berating myself because I've been less than perfect with this.  However, this month, I have fourteen photos to show of made or grown, but I know I've actually been wearing my own clothes much more, but haven't always got photos.  Either because I forget, or because I'm a bit fed up of seeing photos of me wearing the same things!   So, I think I can safely say that I'm on track, but just don't have the photographic evidence.   Hey ho.   The photos I do have follow:

2 January 2019 - I was so pleased that I got this finished over Christmas - this is my Kirkstone Pass jumper, so called as it reminds me of the autumn colours seen in my Cumbrian adventure.

3 January 2019 - my snowflake jumper.  (So much for dry January, eh?!)

4 January 2019 - mulled wine to keep me warm, following a draughty outing to the Diss auction houses with Andy.

7 January 2019 - ah, now, this shouldn't be here as I didn't make it - this is my Loops cardigan/ cowl/ scarf made by Amanda for me for Christmas.

10 January 2019 - my old faithful feather and fan cardigan.

11 January 2019 - I clearly had a day in the house as I wouldn't wear these trousers outside in the winter - they're more summer clobber.

12 January 2019 - one of my asymmetrical ponchos, which reminds me that I really need to sew up my other two!

16 January 2019 - Andy bought me mill membership to the John Arbon Textile Mill for Christmas and I got a couple of skeins of wool - it's so soft! - as part of my membership package, so I made myself a neck warmer.

22 January 2019 - snowflake jumper again.

23 January 2019 - another asymmetrical poncho.

24 January 2019 - I'm so proud of this fair isle hat - the first proper fair isle I've done in years and on circular needles!!

26 January 2019 - I've worn the hat so much!  This is on a west country walk with Andy and Finn.

29 January 2019 - and here it is again!

30 January 2019 - I don't often wear this thin lace scarf, but I really think I need to wear it more.