Sunshine and Ice Cream

Do you remember that fortnight or so of sunshine we had? Not that long ago?

Well, on one Saturday I decided to take myself off for a day at the seaside. I was headed for Colwyn Bay on the North Wales coast. The plan was to enjoy a leisurely walk along the sea front and then up Little Orme to eat my packed lunch whilst enjoying the fabulous view from the top.

On the way I decided to have a little detour to Abakhan at Mostyn. It’s been a long time since I was last there and now they have a whole building dedicated to knitting and crochet and I felt it my duty to check it out.

Theory was that I don’t need any more yarn at the moment, especially as I’m going to Woolfest soon, but what harm would it be to take a look and maybe pick up a pattern or two in readiness?

I wasn’t prepared to be totally inspired this Sirdar pattern booklet.

And especially this pattern,

And so while I was there, I may as well get the cotton yarn that it calls for and some buttons that went very well with it, hadn’t I?

Ah well, will power is not my strongest point, but I was really pleased with my purchases.

This will be the first garment that I’ve knitted in a long time. I had somewhat lost my confidence in knitting garments for myself quite a few years ago due to the items either not fitting me correctly or was just plain wrong for me. So I’m hoping this one will go well and be first of many. I’ll keep you posted.

I finally got to Colwyn Bay late morning, it was warm but a bit overcast, with the promise of getting better. I set off along the sea front enjoying the sea air, with a spring in my step and the joy of casting on a new project when I get home.

The weather did clear up and it became a wonderful sunny day. The short steep climb up Little Orme was well worth it, with a stunning view over Llandudno and the Great Orme one way,

And Colwyn Bay the other.

I had the whole of Little Orme to myself while I enjoyed my lunch.

By the time I had walked all the way back to my car I was ready for the ice cream I’d promised myself. A day at the seaside is not complete without one!

I couldn’t leave this perfect day without a paddle in the sea, another must on such a sunny day.

It was quite late by the time I got home, so I saved my new project for the following day.

On the Sunday, I weaved in the loose ends on a cowl I had knitted and blocked. This was a bit of a made up pattern using the pattern repeats from the Floating Checks hat I had knitted a while ago. I’m really pleased how this had turned out although I probably (hopefully) won’t be wearing it until later in the year when the whether gets colder.

Later on, savouring the moment, with tea and cake, I started my new cardi project.

Hope you too, enjoyed the sunny weather and the excuse to eat ice cream!

Till next time…

Finished Objects

I have some finished objects I’d like to share with you. I’m really pleased with how these have turned out, particularly because they are my own designs.

First up is Solar, so named because of the sunshine colours and ‘rays’ that are produced by the pattern. I’ve wrote this pattern up and have added it to Ravelry as a pdf download. It’s free, so if you would like a copy, please click here.

Hopefully they will feel like 'walking on sunshine'.

Next up is Spring Moss. I had a couple of balls of Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace, which I didn’t know what to do with. I wasn’t keen on using it as a lace weight, so I decided to hold it double and use it as a 4ply.

It’s a really soft yarn made of 100% extra fine Merino wool and I thought it would be perfect for a cuddly soft cowl. I wanted the design to have different textures for visual interest as well as knitting interest.

Again, I’ve wrote the pattern up for this and I will be publishing it on Ravelry at a later date. I want to knit it again, to double check that the pattern is okay. When it’s available for download, I will give you an update. This too will be free for anyone who wants it.

Last but not least is Cirrus Cowl.

A small cowl that I can use when I go walking and happily shove it in a rucksack when I get too warm.

I had a ball of teal and one of aqua, both in 4ply, and wanted to combine the two together. I came up with a design that started with one, and then transferred into the other by a series of stripes. It reminded me of the striations in the cirrus cloud formation, hence the name. I’m not going to write this pattern up formally, but I have put comprehensive notes on my Ravelry project page for this. If you are interested, you can check it out here.

 As well as starting a new Spring Moss cowl in some of the Sock Yeah! yarn, that I bought the other week, I’m also working on an asymmetrical triangular shawl, of my own design.

So, I’ve plenty to keep me busy.

I hope, like me, you are enjoying some of our, long awaited, spring sunshine. I’ve been busy giving the garden a thorough tidy up, so that I can sit out, with my tea and cake and enjoy the fruits of my labour.

Till next time…

When temptation is just too strong...

Then give in to it and enjoy!

What do you do when you find out that a new yarn shop has opened, so near the place of work that you can visit it in your lunch hour, even when your lunch hour is only, actually, supposed to be half an hour??

Well you do what I did, go for a nosey ensuring you take your purse (for the pay and display car park of course!).

Yarn O’clock is a small independent yarn shop, recently opened in Mold. 'Stocking fine, luxury yarns for those projects that you just have to make.'


I was like a kiddie in a sweet shop. I was all giddy and had to squish and coo at every yarn I could lay my hands on. I couldn't think straight and I was talking gibberish.

I'm really not sure what happened next, but three skeins of Socks Yeah! became mine.

It's wonderful yarn, very soft and gorgeous from Coop Knits. Made from 75% fine super wash merino wool and 25% nylon, perfect for that shawl?...socks?...scarf?...hat? I've had in mind.

But, until that time when I finally decide what I'm going to knit with it, I shall keep it safe and continue to give it a loving squidge now and again.

Until next time...

Cakes and Lakes

I've been lucky enough to have recently enjoyed a wonderful week in the Lake District.

I was away with a friend, holidaying in a rental cottage in Keswick, where we indulged in some lovely walks, good food, plenty of shop mooching and fabulous tea and cake sessions.

As you may know, I'm a little partial to some tea and cake.
Here are some of the photos I took.

Till next time...