Sunday 18 June 2017

Mainly Crafts

So a week and half ago I final decided what I would make a friend for a special birthday, what I didn't say was that it only gave me seven days to make the imagine when shawl. Hence not a lot of blogging and an awful lot of knitting, finished shawl was pressed just 2 hours before the party, cutting it rather fine to say the least. Thank you Karen for mentioning it knitted up small, ended up going up a couple of needle sizes to get it the right size. Started of loving the pattern, then had my doubts as to whether it was going to look right, took till I took it of the needles and pressed it for me to decided it was fine! It was lovely to have an evening out and caught up with some friends I hadn't seen in a while and to see my friend (one of L's godmothers) having a great time, she wanted a party that would create happy memories and I think from the look of her she did. Joining Kat for Unraveled wednesdays.




 Before my mammoth knitting session I finished L's geranium dress, really pleased with it. Loving the little cap sleeves, perfect to protect little shoulders from the sun.



Taking Anna's idea and used some left over fabric to make a little dress for her doll, I used a dolls pattern I already had.


Reading and enjoying Lab Girl by Hope Jahren, it covers her story starting as a child and being allowed into her fathers lab, the struggle to get her own lab, getting funding and lots of interesting stories and facts in between. Her friendship with Bill, lots of botany facts, she writes in such an engaging way about her determination to succeed, as well as her passion for botany. There is a lovely part where she talks about her favourite tree from her childhood, not sure if my children have a favourite tree but I do have fond memories of the willow trees at my junior school. There were two of them at the edge of the school field on a slope and during the summer months our teacher would take us outside to sit under the trees while she read to us, can remember watching the branches move in the breeze and seeing glimpses of the sky. Had a library notice to say that The Kabul Beauty School was in, so this will be my next read, having thoroughly enjoyed the Little Coffee Shop, can't wait to start this one.

The girls have been busy studying the rainforest, m has been working on deforestation and L is enjoying learning lots about all the different animals. This week hoping to look at the Amazon river and explore the different parts of a river.

Garden is doing well, have lots of baby pea pods, flowers on the tomatoes and today planted out lots of sunflowers after I finished putting a second coat of paint on the shed.

17 comments:

  1. Gorgeous!!! I love it, if I knit it again, I'll go up a needle size and have lots of extra yarn :) Glad I could help you and your friend is so very lucky. The dress is adorable, I never sewed for my little ones (only knit) but I could definitely get into it now.

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    1. Your comments were fantastic help, meant I was prepared to unravel and start again, quickly, rather than hoping ti would be fine, I used 5mm needles instead of 4mm. L loves her dress and every time she wears it she chats about the different fairies on it.

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  2. What a beautiful piece. I love the pattern, and how it flows. Nice work ;)

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    1. Thank you, the flowing pattern was what caught my eye when I came across it on ravelry :)

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  3. Your Imagine When is so beautiful! I love the flowing lines and the lovely color you chose. And the fairy dress! That would have been my favorite as a child.

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    1. L is thrilled with her fairy dress, she fell in love with the fabric in the shop, so perfect. I think I will have to make another imagine when and this time I can relax and enjoy knitting it.

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  4. Your shawl is lovely! And, that dress! Perfect!

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    1. Thank you, can see making another dress for next year.

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  5. Well done for your speedy knitting - such a thoughtful lovely gift for a friend. I am sure she was touched. The dress is so pretty too as is your little girl :-) and how lovely to have a matching dress for her dolly too! Every girl should have one! Lovely work Helen.

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    1. She loved her gift and can't wait to wear it. Thank you for the idea of matching dresses L adored it :)

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    2. Hi just a quick question. I am thinking of making the workhorse fingerless gloves - you made some for your daughter. Did you downsize them? Thanks for letting me know ps I deleted your comment at mine before I could reply - sorry! Always lovely to hear from you!

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    3. No I didn't downsize them, so smallish size fits L nicely, with some growing room, the larger size fits M and I fine, hope that helps?

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    4. Thanks. Yes that's great.

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  6. The shawl is beautiful. What a really fabulous gift. L's dress looks so lovely on her. I hope she is senjoying swirling around in it.

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    1. Thank you Cheryl, l adores the dress and loves swirling around in it.

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  7. Wow! That shawl is gorgeous! Not only the color, but I love the way the short rows make the lines wiggle in unexpected places. Stunning!

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    1. Thank you, the way the rows were knitted is what caught my attention the only thing is as you are knitting it you can't see the flowing pattern emerging so well.

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