Knitting group

This week I had my first knit and natter group. I had been promising to start this for ages, but we're on track now for the first Wednesday afternoon of each month. A small but dedicated band turned out. Margaret was knitting like mad trying to finish Christmas presents; Catherine was working on her self designed stripey tank top; Evelyne wanted help to finish of the collar on her Debbie Bliss Edwardian jacket; Joan screamed up at the last minute needing wool for a project for her new grandson and I did a row or two of the Cellini.

The target is to have Evelyne's jacket complete and to be finishing off Catherine's tank top for the next session. Maybe pics will follow....

Plain Cellini

Top of the list for me from Rowan 33 was the plain Cellini, as I just love Felted Tweed and I couldn't wait to start it. Although these tunic shaped long line sweaters are on trend this season, I think this will be sufficiently classic to endure for a seaon or two. Gary's Marion Foale is complete, and very nearly sewn up. It will be part of his Christmas, which will give me the push I need to finish it.

Vintage beret

Tracy fell in love with the pattern for this beret, when she visited in September. It was a lovely quick knit and I substituted the Apple Rialto for Wool Cotton, because it will be much warmer for the winter. The Rowan 33 magazine, their 30th Anniversary issue is the first for a long time, where I like lots of the patterns. It is far more classic and a return to Rowan's roots.

Project updates

I feel a burst of blogging coming on...

Lots of projects to report on - I can't believe my last post was in June.

Smokey celebrates the return of the sun!

A little early evening sunbathing does you good..........

Hanging basket update

Despite pretty wet and windy weather since my hanging basket was planted, it is looking well. Now the sun has been with us for quite a few days - the battle is to keep it moist.

Save the Children hat

My tiny crochet hat for the Save the Children appeal was posted off this morning. I wonder where it will find an owner? My pattern came from the Woman's Weekly, which my friend Margaret passes on to me. I have pasted the link below for the Save the Children if anyone wants to knit or crochet one or get more information on the appeal.

http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/knitting

Plume d'ange

Aren't they gorgeous?

Gary's Marion Foale....

I do love Marion Foale patterns. They have a timeless classic quality to them but are also a bit different. Gary has loved this Jaeger Extra Fine Merino ever since it arrived and thought it would work well with the Marion Foale pattern 'Lloyd' from her Classic Knitwear book. This is a BIG project! However, I am finding it very pleasant and it has grown quite fast as the pics show.

Despite the bizarre weather, the garden is looking pretty. We have been busy planting a new rose border, with a mix of French grande fleur roses and David Austin types. We also bought two new climbers which we couldn't resist - the Plume d'ange has the most beautiful perfume of all time; apart from looking so pretty.

BERGERE cropped jacket

Since my last postings, I have been playing catch up after the works. The cleaning seemed to go on and on and on... Dust is still appearing and will be for some time.

This Berger cropped jacket has been finished for some time, but I wasn't too sure about it. However, I wore it this week and a number of people said how much they liked it.

The colour is lovely, but I have found it tricky to match. I thought it would go with blue, but it doesn't somehow; works with black and will maybe work with white too.

The weather somehow is not quite up to wearing white - 'c'est bizarre' as they say round here. lots of rain, sunny intervals and not all that warm either.

Fortunately, it was quite kind to us on Thursday and Friday for our visitors from Skye. It was very enjoyable having a Scottish blether.

Corbeille anglais

BERGERE de France 'Getaway jacket'

Another pic.. It is still very busy round here - the work on the house is very nearly finished, and we have had the delight on no workmen this afternoon. I escaped to the garden centre and got some more plants to finish off my pots. I finished off my hanging baskets last week and they look as if they've settled well - interested to note that in French they call them 'corbeilles anglais' (English baskets). All we need is some good weather to get them going; it's still pretty changable.

BERGERE de France 'Getaway jacket'

This latest Bergere production is just finished. It is worked in 'Mirage' which is a new yarn for 2008. The pattern features in the Spring Summer magazine no 511. This is another commision for Tracy, and I need to get it parcelled and off to her this week.

Jaeger 'Maddox' jacket

Finished at last! This was a very pleasant and fast knit; but the sewing up seemed to take ages. Not helped by the continuing building work and very little peace to work at it during the day. It is still a little cool here yet, so I think Maddox will have a few outings in the next few weeks.

Work in progress...

Work on the extension has resumed after delays in the new window being delivered. Thus our builder went off on another job.... C'est la vie Francaise! Today he is back and work continues.

I have been working away on a Jaeger jacket in Extra Fine Merino Chunky. It's at the finishing stage so there will be a photo soon. And a new Bergere summer pattern has been started in Mirage . Another Tracy commission - she chose it from the new Summer Magazine, when she was here last week. I am using my 'birthday present to me' rosewood needles for the first time. They are a dream to knit with.

Crochet ECO bag

This was a little extra for T's birthday - a modern string bag worked in Louisa Harding's Kimono Ribbon. A trendy take on ECO bags? I must admit I found the crochet a pleasant change from knitting and much more portable.

More Bergere.....

I finished this pretty little cardigan in time for Tracy's birthday at the beginning of March. Didn't want to post it then as she might have been 'peeking'! This is pattern 120.33

in Flamme Lin.

Back to 'outside sleeps'.....

Joining froggy on the front terrace in the comfort of his igloo...

I need to join these two and put in a bit of alfresco knitting ; since G has departed for the boules court and peace reigns at the moment as our trusty workman is off to Mr Bricolage for grout.

Sunbathing frogs!

The weather has been lovely most of this week and the wildlife, including our Smokey, think spring has sprung. I spotted this tiny wee frog sunbathing on our cyclamens at the front door. Isn't he cute?

I'm delighted with this!

Confession time - this was by first Bergere project and I must report that I am very pleased with it. Not only has it been relatively quick to work (not sure when I started, but it was definitely after Christmas) but I love the yarn mix -50/50 wool and cotton. Sometimes all wool is just too hot for me, in the shops or when the central heating is on or like yesterday when it was 17.5 degrees in the afternoon here. The design is simple, but very effective and also very flattering for those of us with 'bums and tums'. I know lots of customers are working on this right now and I hope they are as pleased with it as I am.

Stitch n' bitch

I have heard of two new knitting groups in the same number of days. One in the Correze, which is sadly a bit far for me and another in Flaujaques only a few kilometers away. I have posted a link to the Correze group's website. It is good to hear that things are happening. My own plans to start a group have been set back as we at last have a builder who is working on our extension. Peace is an essential component of a get together - and peaceful it ain't here right now. As everyone says, 'it will be nice when it's finished'.

My Bergere sweater is finished, but I haven't tried it on yet. Photo will follow......

Bergere sweater

I have been dying to try out this BERGERE de France sweater since the pattern arrived. I like the yarn it is worked in very much - it is called Bergereine and is 50/50 wool and cotton. They are a lovely company to work with and are always so helpful. Customers in the USA and Canada seem to love the designs. They do have that french chic flavour. Another order went off today and a new supply of sock wool and other new patterns is awaited.

Baby jacket

This Debbie Bliss baby hoodie was my take away project for Christmas. A great idea for airport delays ( the back was half finished before we left Bergerac - thank you Ryanair). Today I got it sewn up. I don't normally do the first size for babies, but I know this one will be a boy and will arrive on 24th January - so wanted to make sure it was ready in time. The pattern from the Simply Baby book worked in Cashmerino Aran.

Happy New Year!

It has been some time since I had a chance to add to the blog. The frantic activity in the run up to Christmas, both with work and getting ready for our trip to Scotland took up too much time. As a little diversion, this scarf was a pleasant project - I just love the colours.