A bit of colour

I needed a bit of light relief from all the 1940s navy and grey. These little fellows are Jane Greenhowe's Little Gift Dolls and will soon be on their way, with a few other things, for the Loving Hands Easter challenge.
On Thursday, I'm off to join Fred and Co. at the NEC show. No doubt a little stash enhancement will take place.

Pool and FO

Well, the pool is weeded, scrubbed and ready for replanting. Not sure what the frogs think about it all, but they're still there. The tadpoles, when they arrive won't have anything to eat so I might possibly need some fish food. It is going to take a while before the natural balance is restored.

I've completed the WW2 balaclava. I tried to get Steven to model it, but it was difficult as he doesn't 'do' hats and was trying his best to remove it, also it was too big for him.

Here is the ear flap in greater detail.........

Sorry it is not any clearer, but I find navy a difficult colour to photograph. The pattern was a vintage one on the V&A museum web site but it no longer seems available, which is a shame.

Frogs

No, not the knitting sort, but those in my garden pool. This has been very neglected recently and in need of a complete overhaul. I thought it would be done before the frogs got busy, but unfortunately they arrived last week. In any case, they probably spent the winter in the mud at the bottom of the pool so would have been disturbed anyway. There isn't really a good time for this messy job. This is a before shot...........

.......... and here are some of the fifty odd frogs trying to escape. Just look at the variety of colours and markings. One even had red legs. Hopefully they will settle down once the pool is refilled but it will take a while before the natural balance is restored. Eventually, I hope to have some more fish, and will take care to protect them from the heron who took my last lot.

Socks Finished

The knee socks are finished. Here they are being modelled by Steven. His legs are very thin, so I hope they will fit around a normal child's calf.

I've been sorting through my stash for more suitable yarn for WW2 knitting and found this.......

...... fine lamb's wool but in rather dull colours. This came from Texere a couple of years ago when they were clearing old stock and gave it away free for the cost of postage. I'm sure not all the wartime knitting was done in such dismal colours, but for the troops it should be suitable.

I've started another Balaclava, this time with ear flaps, from a pattern from the V&A collection (which no longer seems available on line.) I found two strands of the lamb's wool gives a respectable 4ply. This is progress so far, greatly helped by a long morning at the local hospital acting as 'guinea pig' for Drs exams. This just involves my sitting knitting all morning and occasionally have young Drs examine my neck (thyroid problems.) There is also a free lunch and coffee. I got most of the ribbing done.

Progress

Not doing too well with the Blogging this year, am I? Some knitting has been done, and progress made on the 1940's knee socks; one completed and the second OTNs. My, but it's boring knitting in grey.
I therefore had a short break to make this seat pad in Paton's Diploma Gold. The pattern was an amalgamation of several vintage patterns in my possession. It is now off to grace my chair at the Beatties Knit Chat group. We have started meeting in the haberdashery department, different but not as cosy as the cafe, and the chairs are harder! However it's good to be able to see the new yarns.

Steven has been having a busy time at day care so far this year. Lots of outings, to

Cannock Chase a local beauty spot, Lichfield Cathedral to hear an organ recital, and

Cosford RAF Museum among others. Quite a varied program which he seems to enjoy.

Treasured Post

Look what the postman brought this morning! First, the latest edition of Yarn Forward. I've been pondering whether to renew my subscription, not sure that I can stand the tension of wondering if and when my copy will arrive! The patterns are very knit- and wear-able and the articles interesting and informative. So on balance, I think I will renew.

This book also arrived.

I've had the First and Second Treasuries since the 1970s. I'd borrowed them from the library and mentioned how much I would like my own copies. My father, bless him, got them me for Christmas, not so easy in those days ordering from America. They have been invaluable over the years and, being hardbacks, have worn well. Not sure that this paperback will survive as well.

And finally, I don't think I've posted a picture of Woolly before. She followed me home from the Birmingham Christmas Market where she was a member of quite a large flock on one of the stalls.

1940s again

I went along to Bantock house the other day and had a chat to the person who organises the 1940's events. She is very keen to have a selection of clothes for visiting school parties to see and dress up in. I'm going to knit a few things for her starting with these socks...........

I'm also hoping to make a pullover and a selection of hats.

This was my inspiration, myself aged five. Everything handmade. Socks, knitted by Grandma R. jumper by Grandma W. Skirt made by Auntie ( except she left the pins in round the hem. I kept complaining that it scratched but my mother didn't realise until she washed it!) Even the cane chair was made by Grandpa.
Lastly, I spotted these Cyclamen Coum yesterday, just about surviving in my lawn.

Back again

My apologies to any readers of this Blog but blogging time has been somewhat reduced recently due to my preoccupation with this...........
Of course, if I wasn't the world's worst procrastinator, it would have been completed and sent off months ago and I wouldn't have had to do my own calculations. Hopefully, I'm on the last leg now and can post it with a clear conscience.
Now to something more pleasant, socks for Steven. These are in K2 P2 rib so are taking a little longer than plain SS.

Happy New Year !

Well, I'm through to the other side of the festivities. There has been little time for blogging with members of the extended family dropping in for short or long stays. Also Steven has had no Day Care for a week and his respite carers have been off sick. Hopefully we will be back to normal ( whatever that is ) tomorrow.
It is very rare that I get any fibre related gifts, but this Christmas was an exception. That beautiful cashmere is crying out to be a scarf ...........

......... and just look at these wonderful handmade stitch markers from Yuca.

Now the Festive knitting is finished I can continue with my 1940's project. I've cast on for a balaclava helmet from Practical Knitting Illustrated by Jane Koster and Margaret Murray published in 1940. I've substituted DK for the 4ply in the pattern and seem to be getting the right tension. I think 4ply was thicker in those days and 3ply was more like our 4ply. The wool is actually more khaki than it looks in the photo.

Finished

I've actually managed to complete some projects in the last few days. These socks for myself have been hanging around for far too long. My usual toe-up pattern, short row toe and heel with picot edge top (a cast off edge is always too tight.

Then meet the boys, who will be off to their new homes shortly. The pattern was from Alan Dart's Hobby Bear collection with a few adaptions of my own.

Presents

I think I can safely post some Christmas knitting as I am sure the recipient does not view this blog. This is an adaption of an Alan Dart pattern.

Although he is still earless, he is in a better state than his friend, who appears to have odd legs apart from being rather disjointed. I'm embroidering the eyes instead of using plastic eyes, safer given the youth of their new owners. I find toys are a good way of using up odd balls of acrylic of which I seem to have an indecent amount, the heads and paws are Wendy/Peter Pan Velvet Touch which gives a fabric like finish and is very soft.
It looks as if I will have to venture out into my neglected garden soon, as this arrived yesterday, climbing roses for my bare fence.

The weather isn't very welcoming for outdoor work today, it is raining heavily at the moment and I have to go out to post a birthday card.

And finally, a message for Chris, who is embarking on her first sock. Hope it is going well and have you got to the heel yet?

Sunday morning

I've plenty to do knitting-wise for Christmas, but that hasn't stopped me from starting another pair of vintage bootees. These are the patterns I've been using.

And what better occupation for a Sunday morning than a cup of coffee, knitting and the Archers.

Winter......

........... has arrived with our first snowfall last night. Luckily, it has mostly melted now so hasn't disrupted Steven going to day care. It doesn't take much to do this as the transport cannot get down my steep drive if it is covered by snow.
I'm getting on with Christmas knitting but nothing to show at the moment as most things are unbloggable.
Instead here are some pictures of a recent visit to Coventry. The shopping was very disappointing, no yarn that I could see, but did visit the Cathedral. These pictures were taken in the old cathedral which was destroyed in WW2.

Reconciliation

As I was composing this post, look what the postman brought!

This means a good sit down and browse with a cup of coffee.

Stash enhancement

Yesterday, I spent the day at the NEC Hobbycraft show. I volunteered for a couple of hours on the Knit and Natter stand, but didn't have the opportunity to teach anyone to knit. Most visitors knew how to knit already and there were no school parties. The yarn content of the show was minimal but I did make a modest addition to stash. My sock yarn is being used rapidly, so a visit to Web of Wool was essential. The yarn top right contains Bamboo.

I also bought this pack of Jaeger 4ply in the hope, probably vain, that I might get round to making something for myself. The colour is more of a grey/green than it appears in the photo.

And finally, these bootees which are heading off up to Scotland for Lou's Loving Hands charity.

The patterns are from some 1960's Patons and Sirdar leaflets. Somehow, modern patterns are so simplified and crude in comparison. Also, the yarns used nowadays are far thicker and must be heavy and uncomfortable for the babies to wear.

Some FOs

Quite a lot of knitting has been going on but not much finishing. Because I hate sewing up, much of it is still in this state............

However, socks need little completing, so these are now in a wearable condition. Yarn was Regia Design Line by Faffe Fassett. I think I would have prefered the colourway without the royal blue.

I've also made a couple of BSJs and matching hats for charity, also needing little seaming.

The yarn was oddments of acrylic from my stash which I am trying to use up without much success, I'm sure it's breeding!

Now something not knitting related. I unearthed the larger of these quilts when I was clearing a space for yarn. I'd had quite forgotten it but think it makes an attractive throw. It must be over twenty years ago that these were made.

21 today

Yes, today is Steven's 21st Birthday! It only seems five minutes since I was blogging about his 20th. He went off to his day centre with a cake to share with his friends. The post hasn't come yet, although some cards arrived on Saturday. And no, he hasn't been at the bottles of sherry so prominently displayed!

I'm in !

Into Ravelry that is. I got my invitation yesterday but have not had time for more than a cursory look around. It is so huge, it will take all my free time just seeing what is there, never mind contributing. As always, housework will go on the back burner although we do have to eat occasionally. I'm Goldthorngirl, of course.

Visitor

I haven't had much time for blogging, or knitting, recently as I have had a friend visiting and we've been out and about. We spent one day in Chester and, of course, a short visit to Stash was essential. Margaret isn't a knitter, so I tried to keep yarn related shopping to the minimum. However these found their way into my bag.......

We also had a short visit from another friend and her two year old grandson. Jacob had never seen unknitted yarn before and was fascinated by the balls of wool I had lying about.

Tomorrow, I should have plenty of time to knit. I'm off to the hospital to act as guinea pig for medical students. It was suggested that I took something to read, so I think there will be a lot of sitting around, but I think the knitting will be coming along too.

1940's knitting

Over the years I have been collecting old knitting books and the advent of Ebay and Amazon has meant an increase in my acquisitions. These Paton's Woolcrafts date from the 1920's to WW2.

I also have several books by Jane Koster and Margaret Murray, published between 1940 and 1950.



All these books are a wonderful source of patterns showing the fashions of those years.
My visit to the Bantock Park 1940's weekend showed little in the way of knitted fashions, so I thought it would be a good idea to knit some of the patterns from these books with the view of putting on a display next year.
The main problem is finding suitable yarns. Most garments were knitted in 3ply, 4ply was considered heavy-weight. There was a little double knitting, but this was extravagant to use as 2 ounces of wool used up one clothing coupon, 2ply was popular for underwear. These days 3ply mainly comes in baby colours, and of course there were no synthetics except for Artificial Silk (Rayon). Also I'm finding getting the tension right is quite difficult, however I'm working on it. More later.

Update

This is a belated update on my NEC visit. I had an enjoyable day helping out on the Relax and Knit stand, picture on Fred's Blog.We taught several young people to knit, although a couple had the rudiments already having been taught by Grandma when very young. One lady wanted to knit socks, and luckily I had taken two socks, one on DPs, one on Magic loop so was able to show her both methods. She prefered DPs and went off happily to Web of Wool to get needles and yarn. In all a satisfying day, and one I would like to repeat.
I must admit I was a bit disappointed in the actual show. I thought that as the show was the Knitting and Stitching show the emphasis would be on knitting, but it was not. I was hoping that Colinette would be there, but no luck. I did get some Jitterbug from Web of Wool.

This was almost the only purchase I made, except for some buttons.

I have a long term project in mind, more of this another day.