Where has the summer gone?

Only another 2 weeks and it is the end of the summer holidays.  I can't believe how quickly this year has gone.  I don't have a huge amount to show for it either.  And it seems we should be starting to think about Christmas - I have had some DMC Christmas kits delivered already which I really must put in my little shop.  It is a scary thought although I refuse to think too much about it when we still have two more family birthdays left to go in September. First things first - lets get one lot of present shopping out of the way before we start thinking about the big one.  I suppose that shouldn't stop me sorting my shop out though.

Me and my boys have been out and about a bit in the last 3 weeks so there has been some opportunity for a bit of retail therapy.  We went to Winchester yesterday and I was 'allowed' to go in the fabric shop.  I didn't get too much - a couple of plain pieces of fabric, some embroidery cotton, a ball of wool to make a square for a Mumsnet comfort blanket and a pattern book for some Sirdar Calico yarn which has been lurking in my stash for rather a long time.  I am wondering if I should make something my parents-in-laws 50th wedding anniversary in two weeks - just a little bit of embroidery, mounted in an embroidery hoop or something.  I got two books for my birthday 2 weeks ago - this one Doodle Stitching - the Motive Collection and A Rainbow of Stitches which could prove useful for putting together a design.  Watch this space.

But what have I actually done recently?  Well, not a lot has been finished but I have made this camera pouch for my younger son as his camera didn't come with the pouch.

He loves dogs and would have one if we let him! 

A few weeks ago I also went on a bag making course, just 2 hours,  and this was the end result.

The picture makes it look quite small but it is big enough for an A4 file and the straps are long enough to put over your shoulder comfortably.  I was quite pleased with it but it isn't without mistakes.  However, I am not going to point them out!!  Not bad for a first attempt although I did have add the ric-rac afterwards because my sewing machine couldn't cope with the thickness of the fabric and the join of the handles to the bag were not the tidiest.  However, it is a usable bag, I like the fabric and it is comfortable to carry so I can't ask for more really.

Trying something new.

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Getting back into the swing.

I've not posted for a while which is a bad thing. I wanted to do a blog and fell at the first hurdle - making sure I post regularly!

Never mind, I am back again now and intend to get into a bit more of a routine!  The problem is that I have been collecting photos and things to mention on here and now there is a whooping great big back log of things to show.  So what have I been doing?

Well, back in February I went to Unravel in Farnham - a lovely knitting and crochet show where there are some gorgeous displays and loads of stalls selling beautiful yarns - lots of spun or dyed by the individual. 

I bought a 4 ply sock yarn from the Skein Queen in a shade of turquiose-green (Not entirely sure how I managed to photograph that and have an entirely black background but it makes the yarn look good so I am not complaining).  I don't have any plans about what I am going to do with it yet.  It is 70% baby alpaca, 20% silk and 10% cashmere so if I did summon up the courage to make socks, they probably would be the softest, comfiest socks imaginable but would probably have holes in within the week!  I shall probably save it for some sort of shawl or scarf.

I also bought these two lovelies from Skeins.co.uk in a chunky yarn called Lushush.  They are very soft and squidy too.

The yarn band suggests 9mm needles, just to give you some idea how chunky it is.  I think I might do a buttoned cowl with this one.  I don't have a lot of it because it is dyed in small batches and these were the last two skeins from that batch but it is not cheap and I have enough for what I want so it is OK.  It would have made a great jumper if I had enough of it though. 

My final purchase came from Ni Mu - a 65% cashmere, 35% silk mix.  Again I could only run to one skein but I am definitely going to be making a shawl with this.  There was a made up one on the stall at the show so I have already got the pattern.

Isn't it the most beautiful colour?  And it is so soft too.

At the moment all I am doing with these is looking at their woolly loveliness and stroking them.  I really need to get a move on although I have other projects at the moment that are taking priority.  Still, can a stash ever be too big? (Don't answer that with a yes and shatter my illusions please).  And knowing my luck I shall knit all these scarfs and shawls and we shall have the warmest winter on record next year and I won't need them, but I suppose the advantage of knitting accessories is that you can't grow too big or too small for them so I shall just have to save them until they can be worn and enjoyed.

I also have some knitting to show you, and I went on a bag making course a couple of weeks ago and made a nice little tote.  My edging stitches aren't great (I blame my machine) so I want to cover them with some ric-rac - when I have done that I will show you that too.  I could go on and on but I had better stop before this gets too long and leave the rest for another day.

Thanks for reading. x