In the past few years I have really enjoyed wearing some of the simple tank sweaters which Sirdar have published. They are quick and easy to knit up. I think I am also probably drawn in by their styling. For my physical shape I am not sure whether I should be wearing this rather short and wide retro 80’s number. However it was so cosy over the wintry weekend. I loved it.
Sirdar 9306 – Connemara Chunky – I used Sirdar Click Chunky 0111 Blazer Size 5.5 & 6.5mm needles
A good friend of mine text-ed one evening with a photo. Always with the eye for the fashion she had spotted a natty wee scarf at a party. Not with anything in mind my friend thought I would love it. She was right. Immediately I went on the marvellous Ravelry website and I realised that actually I was way behind the times as so many of these scarves have been knitted across the world. If you are keen to bash down your stash of wool this pattern is ideal and the version I have knitted comes from the Martha Stewart website.
However a word to the wise. I love a stash buster, especially running up to Christmas. I have made about eleven of these beauties in the past month and they are addictive. Like many great patterns though, you don’t run down your personal yarn haul but instead end up looking for new colours and guiltily sneak out of your yarn store eagerly wanting to cast on when you get home.
Also, I was happily knitting away the other night watching ‘Agathe Christie’s Marple’, and the wise old lady appeared wearing exactly this scarf. My husband and I shot a glance at each other in silence. I looked down and carried on knitting. Now that, my friends is ‘Granny Chic’.
Recently I have been enjoying (in a secret kind of way) Kirstie Allsop’s recent television programme Kirstie’s Homemade Home. I know the very fact that I admitting to this might cause consternation. But I am sorry, it is a crafty oasis in the middle of the television schedules. I have to say that I have learned some brilliant new things. I feel compelled to have a go at freehand machine embroidery. Now, I am also a big fan of libraries and borrowed her latest book. Lovely. You wouldn’t believe how many new titles you can borrow! Occasionally when I have renewed my book, and realise that I cannot part with it I then feel compelled to buy it. But according to the premise of her book and programme, I don’t think Kirstie would complain.
Running up to Christmas I have been thinking about some of the best gifts I have been given.
My mother in law was a great present giver. You could mention something in March, a small incidental comment, a wistful thought, and low and behold it would appear at Christmas. Genius.
My own parents are such good present buyers that we all rely on their taste to kit us out for the rest of the year, they buy the things you love, but never choose for yourself. That makes them very hard to buy for.
My sister in law and my sister are the most generous present givers, they really enjoy finding the thing they imagine you would love. They are both the youngest sibling. I am not sure whether this is connected, but it is a very nice thing.
One of my most favourite things in our house is a cushion my sister made for Christmas two years ago. She was way ahead of the curve on this trend. She chose the material, worked out how to make it and finished it so beautifully. My sister is more thorough than I am. I love this cushion because it looks good, it fits with my decor but most of all because she put time aside for me.
One of the reason I love to knit for friends and my poor family is because as you are making something you are kind of weaving love and time into the very thing you knit. This has been said by so many knitters before, but it is true.
I am making a promise to myself this Christmas to celebrate the givers and the way they give.
