HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!

Yes it is that time of year again - where does the time go? It doesn't seem long since we were waiting for long summer days (ok I know this is England - summer isn't exactly what it should be!), lots of daylight days and warm sunshine on our faces.

However, yesterday the clocks went back an hour - mercifully an extra hour in bed for me, rather than an extra hour to work on a night shift! So it is now dark around 5pm. Soon we will all be going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark. Gone are the long daylight filled days and the days are getting shorter still!

Winter feels like it is just around the corner, if memory serves me right we had a flurry of snow last October and forecasters did say we would get some this year too....only 13 more hours of October left and it doesn't show signs of snow at least!!! I must admit I do love crisp winter morning, walking through fresh snow, all wrapped up! Better than soggy, foggy, damp days, when everywhere is muddy. I'm sure the seasons are going by quicker or just kind of blending into one.

But today it is damp, misty and chilly - a perfect Halloween. I wonder what everyone will be dressing up as tonight? Are you going to parties? Treat or treating? Or hiding behind the sofa when kids come knocking?! Perhaps you already had your parties at the weekend?

Despite the fact that Darren loves this time of year, perfect for putting on his creations (he is a special effects make up artist), we are not doing anything this year. He has been busy making things for 2 films, so his personal projects got put aside. We are going out for tea though. I doubt we'll get any trick or treaters, for the last 2 years no-one came, so all the sweets were wasted (neither of us eats sweets), so I've not bought any this year. Of course it would be sods law that LOADS come now!!! Halloween isn't a big thing here in England. For some it's just another night to get dressed up, act stupid and get too drunk!

Anyway as it's my day off I'm watching some classic ghosty films: The Canterville Ghost  the 1996  remake not the 1944  original - must admit I prefer the original!! Then The Cat and the Canary 1939 and The Ghost Breakers 1940, both with Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard.

A perfect day for curling up on the sofa to knit and crochet!

However, I must also prepare myself for a job interview tomorrow, well it is more of a promotion. It is my job with with alot more responsibility (and a good pay rise). I would really love to get it, it would be a step in the right direction for me and assist with my Social Work degree....so fingers crossed please!!!

Pretty colours

Today is my mum's birthday - Happy Birthday Mum!!!!! I went to buy her a beautiful bouquet of flowers and then my eye wandered over to these delectable colours (don't worry I did buy my mum her flowers!!!)

I couldn't resist buying some plants...8 to be precise. I had to stop myself from buying more. They look so pretty and with the weather being so cold and wintery already I decided to cheer myself up.

 I love the next 2 orchid pics - they would look great as prints!!

Worry not after 3 beautiful white flowered plants, here is an injection of vibrant colour!!

I have put some of the plants on window sills, had a shuffle round of some on my kitchen window sill - which means that 2 others need a new home.

I really haven't decided where to put them yet. They were a complete impulse buy.

Plants had been known to be assaulted by my gorgeous cat Charlie but as he is no longer with us - they should, in theory, be safe.

At the moment the orchid is on the window sill but when we have decorated our bedroom - I think I'd like it in there. It is a tranquil and elegant plant.

Wherever they go they will definately brighten the place up!!

My new King Cole Blanket Reveal!!!!!

Ok so here it is my snuggly, cuddly and soft as anything new blanket!!!

Sorry about: a) the number of pics, and

b) the quality of the pics!!!

The colours are more vibrant than they are showing in these pics...ironically it was too sunny and bright today!!

The colours show better here.

Considering this is a DK weight yarn, it felt more delicate than that.

It has a lovely lacey feel but feels strong and warm.

I do like how well it works with crochet...knitting with this was AWFUL.

It snagged and went very fluffy, losing the sharpness and vibrancy of the colours.

So...I am really thrilled with how this blanket looks and feels...

In fact I love it so much that I started another one on Saturday night!!!

(I was doing a night shift and really got cracked on! Anything to stay awake!!)

I'm thinking that at least one of these could be a nice Christmas pressie for someone.

xx

Pippi Longstocking inspired Patchwork scarf

So I was reading this blog and I was reminded of reading Pippi Longstocking as a child. I imagined knowing her and being her - although sadly my memories of her tales are long forgotten.

But I was inspired to create a scarf from all of the small balls of wool that come as free gifts from knitting magazines. I have had them piled up in my unit - not sure what to make with them  until now!!!

I laid all the balls out in lines of colour and selected fairly randomly what I was going to use.

As it was all DK, I picked up my 4mm needles and cast on 30sts.

I worked in one colour haphazardly chosing the stitch pattern :- rib, garter, stst, moss, etc

 
To finish off the scarf I did a row of single crochet, then treble, then chain stitch which I attched at every 3rd st.

I really like it...it's bright and cheerful. Think I'll make another!!!

Days off

And what am I doing with the glorious 4 days I have off?? Blowing my nose and coughing.

Yes. The snotty cold I was desperate to avoid landed firmly on me on Friday evening....the start of my 4 days off. Oh well, at least I haven't had to go to work feeling crappy.

I haven't felt as motivated to do my latest scarf and blanket...but I did finish the scarf last night. I had hoped to take pics today but the light is awful - I think winter is here!!! I'll try again tomorrow regardless of the quality of pics. I had fun making it and wasn't a chore to make (which hand knitted long scarfs can be!!)

My King Kole Riot granny blanket is nearly done. However, I am having a finishing dilemma. It is all done in trb clusters....but shoud I do something different on the last few rows?? Was thinking maybe a row of single trb in top of each trb. Do a final row with a scallop or loopy effect. Or just keep it as it is?

I'd appreciate any thoughts. x