Cowl neck and loop scarf

I knitted this scarf for D already over a year ago. And even though the wool is of such high quality and amazingly soft and warm it can't smooth out the characteristic most loop scarfs seem to have - they're just too lose around the neck to really keep you warm. I know, it's also a fashion thing, and of course you don't really need to stay toasty in spring or summer. But right now, with the first snow flakes falling in January, you'd want your neck well covered.

So I made another cowl for D, to go along with both, his knitted loop scarf and the wrist warmers I made recently. Now he can enjoy the subtle fashion statement a loop scarf might make, without having to suffer the biting cold. Combined pretty with practical - done!

Knitting and thoughts on how to spoil you

Some knit on my lap. I've started with an ear warmer for my dear friend, who doesn't like to cover her chignon with a hat. So we found this beautiful baby alpaca wool and I've been using an old vintage pattern to make it that little more interesting.

I've also been working on some wrist warmers. I still had some leftover fabric scraps from my autumn dress. And as the pattern and colors are just so divine, I couldn't resist to make some accessories with those. It wasn't enough for a scarf, but it will be fine for a couple more of these cuffs. The ones I am wearing are lined with a soft brown jersey fabric, but I've also made some with dark grey. They're so cozy and such an eyecatcher, and if you like it a little plainer on some days, you could just turn them inside out.

Making these autumn cuffs gave me an idea, since I'd like to spread the love for handmade things (and adore giving and receiving gifts as much as anyone probably does).

What would you think about a handmade autumn gift swap? Whoever likes to enter the circle has to send something handmade to another person, and in the end everyone will get something selfmade and treasured from someone else! Kind of like a combination of having a one time penpal and a giveaway. It would be a lovely way to get to know more of you crafty people, who are always such an inspiration to me.

Let me know, dear silent readers, what you think about that idea.

Sunny wedding and a gift

We were invited to a wonderfully relaxed wedding, celebrating with close family members and a few friends. A welcome change in stressful times. It was raining during the ceremony (which I heard brings good luck) and the sun peeked out as soon as we left the register office to head to the restaurant.

Loved the bride's dress and groom's tie.

Tried very hard to withstand the urge to lick my plate after every single course of the most delicious menu.

Had such pleasure to inaugurate my cam on this blessed occasion. 

For their wedding I gave them the little hat I have started a while back (and fortunately managed to finish on time), since the bride is expecting a baby girl. I'm so happy it was well received and am promised a picture on the little one as soon as it's born and grown into it.

Sunny sunday

Oh, such a sunny morning! I spent some time on the balcony looking after my tomato plants. They look terrible. As if all their energy went into providing me with so many delicious tomatoes, and now they're just totally worn out. I might have to find a foster home for them.

I also made another to do list. I have several scattered around the house, which I sometimes find after months. It's always amusing to browse through them, and still satisfying to strike off the things I managed to actually do. The leftovers make their way onto my current list. Like movies I really wanted to watch for ages. And musicians I never had the time to check out properly.

Here's another knitting project that's been occupying me for a while. I started rather feverishly with the smaller sleeves, and didn't think I would actually get this far. Now I'm out of wool.

The pattern is so adorable, reminds me of waffles. 
With powdered sugar and icecream. Mhmm...

Work in progress and some cravings

I have started to knit again. Just small things, but they keep me happy and distracted. After browsing through etsy for some simple patterns I just had to start rightaway, using some leftover wool I had stored for a while.

Combining these two colors reminds me of strawberry and vanilla icecream, or those kind of marshmallows you can get at funfairs. It's pure sweetness!

A new catalogue has arrived and I am craving for big chunky knitted cardigans now. Like these ones here. I am wondering if I should knit one for myself. Is it worth it?

The sun came out and I took a couple of pics of my balcony garden. I finally got my new dslr cam, and I can't wait to take her out and to town. We just need to spend a bit more time together, so I really know how to use all those buttons.

The world seems so much prettier through its lens.

Inspiration

Inspired by the wonderful work of bloggers such as Lotte or The Blue Rabbit House I exchanged my knitting needles for some crochet ones, just to try something new once in a while. Get those synapses working.

The little pillow on the left is part of a project I have been working on for such a long time. These pillows are filled with a custom mixture of lavender and eucalyptus. But sadly I have not found a good way to refill these yet, so the smell fades away after a year or two. They are still rather pretty to the eye though, and make an adorable present for any kind of occasion.

Well, I know, that little doily is all warped and slouchy, and only with the simplest stitches you first learn when you start crocheting. But it's my very first one and I did manage to finish it in one evening. I am amazed at how old fashioned I once thought these were (like back in those years when granny used them under pretty much any platter you could imagine). How adorable I find them now!

Peace of mind

Whenever my mind starts to wander off and gets lost in endless rumination, I know that I can always rely on my knitting needles to bring me back to the present.

The subtle sound of them clicking together in a (still rather slow if compared to my aunty) rhythm makes my worries disappear in an instant, and I am focused on counting knitting stitches and patterns. It defeats the constant ramble and addiction to turn "unlaid eggs" - as I call them - over and over again.

This was supposed to become a wrist warmer, but I have troubles making a second one of exactly the same kind, once the first is done. Mostly because I am simply too impatient and already excited to start with a new color, new pattern and actually overall an entirely different project.