Monday, February 12, 2007

Knitty Nora!

My baby had a birthday on Saturday - she's now into double figures at the ripe old age of 10!!!

Sadly I can't show you what an absolutely beautiful baby she was as all the pictures are still in boxes in the garage (only 18months down the line) and I couldn't get the scanner to work even if I could find them.

Of my three she is the most arty crafty. The eldest is a very competent cook and very practical but not particularly inclined towards fabric/yarn/paints etc. The middle one (the boy) is as bright as a button and a whizz at maths and sports but the least practical child I've ever met - it makes your eyes water to see him trying to cut an apple up for example - in fact it's a minor miracle he's never had to visit A&E with any amputations.

So it's down to my baby to follow me in the craft department. One of her presents for her birthday was a knitting set with a pair of what look like 15mm knitting needles and a large ball of 'Icelandic' type yarn in glorious variegated colours.

Saturday morning I casted on 12 stitches and set her going on just plain garter stitch. By about 2.30pm she's used up all the ball of wool and the scarf was only about 24" long - well the pattern did say 5 stitches so you can imagine we used up the wool over twice as quickly.

As we were going to the cinema later in the afternoon to see Charlotte's Web for her birthday we just managed to fit in a mercy dash into Taunton town centre and bought a couple of balls of similar weight wool to set her off on another scarf - hopefully long enough this time :o)

And Voila!!! here is the result this morning. Ok along the way she's managed to gradually increase from 10 stitches to 12 but it will make a very fine scarf.

She is so taken with the whole concept that when I headed into town this morning to go to my quilting group I bought two more lots of yarn, one cream in the same thickness as the picture above and the other a dusky pinkish mauve in a more icelandic type yarn but slightly finer. So I purchased a pair of 10mm needles in the hope that this will slow her down a bit - otherwise she will bankrupt me before long!

A few days ago I asked for everyone's ideas on another colour for the soft white/pink/green applique I'd started. I decided to go for a cornflower blue and had a good hunt through my two light blue boxes. I could find loads of greyish blues, aqua blues and purplish blues but this was the only one that really fitted the bill. I did momentarily consider using the right side of the fabric but soon changed to the wrong side. I shall only use it as occasional accents throughout.

Here is the first applique block completed

DH headed off this morning at 4am to catch the 6am flight to Brussels and then a connecting flight to Marseille for work until later on Wednesday. I'm more than a little envious as I do love to travel but now we have a larger house with its accompanying mortgage etc etc then you can't have everything. However I did smile this morning when he texted me on my mobile with the message: 'In hotel, weather wet'

What a tragedy eh? Can't help but feel a little glad he's having the same as we are here :o)

22 comments:

Doodlebug Gail said...

Oh my - what a great speedy little knitter you have! Had to laugh about you changing her needles to slow her down - so funny. My DD wants to learn .... perhaps this summer when we're looking for things to keep her busy.

Lois R. said...

What fun! I remember (fondly) being taught to knit, crochet, and sew at her age. I'm glad she shares your love of craft.

And, Anne, that applique is spectacular!!! I LOVE that you used the back of the blue fabric. That is one of my favorite tricks that not many people think of. I can't wait to see more of your appliquel

Joyce said...

Great scarf. I love to see kids doing crafts. It was my granddaughter's b'day last week and on Friday my son arranged for a limo to pick her and her friends up at school to go to the next town and get her cake. The secretary announced "Sacha D. your limo has arrived" on the PA. She was totally surprised and everyone in their small town is still talking about it. I wish I could have seen her face!

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

What fun, your knitting whiz look so proud of herself! (She'll have quite an array to keep that precious neck warm.) Your applique is lovely, the colors are so subtle and tranquil.

Melanie said...

Happy birthday to baby girl!!! I remember turning 10. Movie dates are the best!!

McIrish Annie said...

Anne, love your applique block it looks so soft and serene. Isn't great that your girl has a love for the needles?!! My son, now 20, learned to crochet last year at school in Vermont. He is a snowboarder so makes himself lots of hats! He played Rugby his first year at school and I thought I would faint!! That is a rough game and gives a Mom's heart a shiver!!

Fiona said...

The reverse side of the blue fabric is perfect - really subtle. Knitting can certainly become addictive!

meggie said...

Your baby is beautiful! Lovely smile.
I love that subtle blue touch, just perfect.

Tanya said...

Congratulations to your sweetie for her accomplishment. How great that you have a loved one that will share your love for handwork. My daughter found it all "boring" but she does appreciate what I do now that she gets older. Happy Birthday to the birthday girl from Japan

Libby said...

I think you've got yourself a knitter. She will have great fun wearing her work and sharing with her friends. Happy Birthday to your little gal *s*

Lily Mulholland said...

Anne the applique is looking beautiful - clever you using the back of the fabric!

Too bad you didn't get a little trip to France...

Happy birthday to your daughter - it's Carl's birthday today too. What a great little knitter - tell her not to worry, even experienced knitters have to recount their stitchs - often!

Clare said...

Wet is an understatement - it has been pouring!

I'm trying to get Alex knitting. Not having much luck.

Quilts And Pieces said...

Happy Birthday Nora! I think she may just have to knit a scarf for me! It looks wonderful!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh and forgot to say I love that soft pink/green/blue applique block!

YankeeQuilter said...

She looks so happy with herself with the scarf...what a great job. The block came out wonderful too...the blue gave it a bit of kick-up.

Ruth's Place said...

It's always nice to see another knitter join the fold, and her scarf looks great!

The applique is beautiful too, what a great idea to use the back of the fabric.

Shelina said...

Your block looks so beautiful with the addition of the blue.
Happy birthday to DD. Her knitting looks great, and it is wonderful that she has the motivation to do so much knitting. My daughter stopped crocheting as soon as I bought the extra yarn!

Cher said...

hurray for your baby learning to knit...loved the photos!

Dormouse said...

What a speedy knitter she is. She's done a great job with it too.

The blue accents on the applique block looks great.

My husband is off to Marakesh tomorrow. I know he's going to be working hard but it's not really helping as I'm sitting here watching the rain pouring down.

Lucy said...

OOhh what a great knitter..
I need to learn it my daughter too... ( when she is not in a muleheaded mood :-))

Judy said...

My look at that kiddo go!! Good for her. If she keeps it up she can make all sorts of lovely things as her skills get better! I tried to teach every sibling and all their kids to crochet and couldn't get any of them to learn.

Simonetta said...

How great your girls!!! Compliments! The appliquè is marvelous, I like :))))