April

So this month I haven't really been doing much... I have baked a few batches of cookies, which have been very popular with the boyfriend, co-workers, and friends alike! I made some last night for my knitting group that were chocolate pecan, but the boyfriends favourite is the Peanut Butter Chocolate ones! Can't blame him, they are amazing! Im kind of a chocolate chip cookie fan, more because I like the batter and eat it while the cookies are baking (you have to always do two batches for that, so I do!).

When I was a kid I used to wait until my mom went out and then start on the cookies! I do remember one time that she returned home and there were burnt cookies in the front yard and the dog had started on them... oops? Those days mostly behind me and with the help of www.allrecipies.com I was in search of the perfect chocolate chip recipe. I did find one that was pretty amazing, but you always had to refridgerate the dough before baking otherwise it turned into a sloppy flat mess in the tray. But the result was chewy, soft, amazing.

Now, living in England, the fridges aren't that big, and the freezer isn't really equipped for things like this so I was on the hunt once again. Since I make a lot of cupcakes I thought of trying the Hummingbird recipes for cookies. SUCCESS. I swear they somehow have made treat heaven in those books. If you haven't heard of this bakery its amazing.  Here's the link to the book on Canadian Amazon, you can do a search and it will come up. The cookies just work. Its great! The peanut butter and basic chocochip both are outstanding. Gooey, soft, crisp on the edge. Mmmmm... So if you're looking for a cookie recipe, there ya go! Cupcakes are perfect from them as well... I just havent tried any bars or pies yet! (YET!)

They have a new bigger book out now too, and it should arrive in the mail/post today!!Mojito cupcakes anyone!!! Have to make those first I think!!!   There's a place in Oxford that does Mojito Fudge, and its amazing!!! 

Marisol the Mousey

This is the cutest  mouse I have ever knit. Ok, its the only mouse I have ever knit, but its cute!!!

It was practice for me getting my new book - Knit Your Own Royal Wedding! I really want to knit the Queen and have her sit on my sofa for tea!!! Cannot wait! 

Damask Pillow Take 2

I have begun my second Damask Pillow. As the mother is getting the first I know Sam would not be happy if we did not have one in our house as well! Enter cushion number two!

 

So far, so good! Its a lot faster to knit the second time around. Maybe I will actually be able to make one of these to sell one day! Fat chance with Sam around wanting to keep it all!

Marchy Goodness

LOTS have happened in the last month! Finally settling into my new Knitting Haven....errr...flat. We have a cushy white sofa and lots of lamps and good lighting. After work I really love flicking on the tv and just sitting down...which means lots of knitting has been going on!

Ive completed my Damask cushion/pillow cover and think my mom has stolen it as her own. I still have to sew it into a pillow, but who likes doing the grunt work? Not I!

This is it sat upon another pillow and it really did turn out well! Eventually I hope to make one and see what I can sell it for! If anyone has any ideas what something like this would be worth let me know. This one is wool, alpaca and acrylic blend so its lovely and soft but will be hard wearing and wont lose its shape over time!

I have also made a hideously colourful tea towel for the kitchen. I think its in the laundry bin (getting to all that tonight, i promise, as soon as Im through....).

 

I have the cutest new project.... Marisol the Knitted Mouse who can be found on Ravelry for free! There are other knitted toys I wanted to try so this seemed like the perfect project to start.Simple, small and soooo cute! I still have to do her arms, legs and tail but I wanted to share anyway! The picture is a bit fuzzy but when she's done I'll put up a better picture!

Sam's Mum wants some black mittens, and I bought the wool for them but black is just so depressing on its own. I like to wear black sometimes, but usually with other colours. I would just leave them for Sam to knit himself, but with black yarn its so frustrating and you can never seen any problems so I can see it really pissing him off..... ahhhh parents.  

Updates for the sake of it...

So the present went down a treat! It was the only present to be passed around the room and it really did look impressive once I stopped weaving in the loose ends and fretting about how to wash it etcetera....

Ive since had the mummy let me know she really loves it, and the grandma request one made for the dad (not a chance, but a funny idea!). Im not sure how soon Ill be starting another cardigan, as that one took me long enough! All in all, Im very glad I did it though. Kerstey definitely deserved a thoughtful present, she's such a lovely person!

I really have the knitting bug today and want to finish off my pillow cover, and the mittens I'm still in the middle of, and perhaps a few more wash cloths, but I really really SHOULD be packing! I move in 2 days!   Off I go... Ta ra....

Gifty Gifty...Don't show Kerstey!

This is the completed baby present! She wont be getting it until Sunday but I cannot resist....Im quite pleased with how it turned out and as I was making it I kept thinking "I can't believe I've made this..." but this has inspired me to perhaps try making an adult sized sweater too (no, not for you Sam, for me!).... Im trying to choose what yarn and what pattern to use! I have some patterns I got for Christmas so I will have to wait until I move and unpack to choose one of those to use!!! Cannot wait! :)

Sheep Dreams....

I am knitting a pillow cover. I am not not done my friend's present BUT I started this first and I do love me some stranded colourwork. This one Im doing in a 50% wool, 50% acrylic so its nice and soft but lighter, and of course cheaper, than 100% wool. And since its going on my couch using 100% would be a bit of a waste really!

I saw this design on Ravelry and there was no way to get a hold of the pattern so I (and I am serious here) sat and copied the pattern from the person's picture onto my own graph paper. Really. It took me about 90 minutes or maybe more, but atleast an hour and a half. Then a few days later someone sent me a link to the actual pattern! How frustrating, but by then I had already begun! If anyone is interested I can send them the link I was sent, but I dont want to publish it incase its against some sort of copyright.