My first crochet project!!

Look!! A crochet project!! This and granny squares is the only thing I've ever managed to crochet. But I managed these without the help of youtube, though I did use a crochet how-to book for the stitch definitions :) (thanks Sarah!). I've made them into decorations for a Christmas tree, and I plan on making more for our tree and my mum's tree :) They're so cute, I love them! 

The yarn is left overs from my socks, and the pattern is a free one found here. My Ravelry project page is here.

I was also in the mood for some mindless knitting today. The best kind of mindless knitting is the useful kind. So I knitted this:

A wash cloth! I'm really bad at bothering to take my make-up off at the end of the day, so hopefully having a nice wash cloth will encourage me to take it off :)

The yarn is Wendy's dishcloth cotton, and the pattern is another free one found here. My Ravelry project page is here :)

Ashley x

p.s. has anyone put their Christmas tree up yet? We're planning on putting it up on Thursday, I can't wait! :) 

Pendrell Dress - part 5

Ta daa!! I fixed the fitting issues that I was grumping about, and the fit is much better! I'll probably do a sway back adjustment to the tissue for next time, but it's not major thankfully. Definitely needs a slip underneath with my thick woolly tights though. I finished the seams, and I found a new stitch on my machine for finishing the seams that I prefer to the old one I was using. Yay! And as you can see, I've added cute little capped sleeves! I love capped sleeves, I nabbed these ones from another pattern I have. They really change the whole dress, I was worrying it looked a bit frumpy but the sleeves really help. 

Next up is a white peter pan collar. I'm hoping this will really banish the 'frumpy' :)

Ashley x

p.s. Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate it! And to those who don't, I'm sure we can all think of something to be thankful for :) 

Lace hand warmers

I finished these in between my brothers' Christmas presents and waiting for my sisters' head measurements. A really quick little knit. I finished the first one in an evening, but the second one took longer because I was doing some sewing!! More on that tomorrow!

The pattern is a free one, here. You might recognise the yarn as being leftovers from my scroll lace scarf, I've still got a little left but not enough for another pair. This pair only took about 70 yards! You can see my Ravelry project page here, the link should work for non-Ravelry members too :)

Look out for a real live sewing related post tomorrow! ;)

Ashley x

I'm on a roll!

I just posted about two more Christmas presents over at the Crafty Christmas Club! My post is here :) I'm getting excited for Christmas now, but mostly I'm looking forward to going home. I've not been home since the middle of September so I'm missing everyone! Plus mums just moved house, so I'm looking forward to seeing it :) Apparently there's a church pew in the hall!

In other news. . . 

Isn't it beautiful?! And it's ring bound!! How practical! No more faffing with a silly book trying to make it stay open on the right page! It's really nice to have a reference book, so I don't have to go looking for a tutorial online. I think I'm going to try the Pastille first, as it's the only one I really have suitable fabric for. I find it so difficult to find fabric with enough drape that isn't a sheer chiffon online! It's so hard to tell, or the description will be 'suitable for dressmaking or quilting'. So not drapey then? Grr! I need a BIG fabric shop near me so I can feel and see the fabric properly. 

Is there anywhere online that sells lightweight fabrics that aren't a sheer chiffon? Please let me know!

Ashley x

Half way there!

I just posted my fourth handmade Christmas gift over at the Crafty Christmas Club! :) This is the half way mark for me, and I'm excited to get on with more. Because then of course, I can start knitting for me again! And I might even squeeze some sewing in there too ;)

The link is here. Just a quick warning, but it may not be safe for work. So be careful who you open it around!

I'm also starting to think of uses for the bag of dried lavender I've had for a while now. I'm thinking of using the fat quarters that I won in a giveaway to make mini lavender cushions. They'd be great for popping in with the knitted gifts! Plus, I'll get to use up some of the lavender as there's way too much for Dom and I to use. 

Also, this week I finished an essay that isn't due in until the 12th of December!! I feel so organised! I've got another essay in for the same date, and then I need to do some research for my dissertation. Then I have another essay in for the 12th of January. But, I'm feeling pretty confident I can do it with minimal stress if I start now :) I might even get it all done before Christmas, so I don't have to worry about it. That would be lovely!

Ashley x

Just a quick hello

Just a quick post, to say I've got another post up at the Crafty Christmas Club! If you're family or a close friend, step away from the link!

It's here. I really like this one, the colour is gorgeous :)

Also, I have discovered the joys of the uni library. I spent 4 hours there yesterday, and managed to do 800 out of 2500 words of an essay!! And it isn't due in for 5 weeks!! How organised am I? :D I find I work much better when away from home as there's nothing else to do but work :)

And because it's too pretty not to share, I bought some yarn the other day:

It's Botany Lace, and is sooooo soft! :) It's a good incentive to get cracking on more Christmas knitting!
Ashley x

October - Finished Projects

This month has been a month of finishing knitting projects, so I can start on my Christmas presents. The only sewing that went on was falling out with my Pendrell dress! lol The poor thing.

I also finished two Christmas presents! The first is here, I've shared this link before. But the second I only posted today, although I finished it yesterday :) It's here. I'm really pleased with it! 

How did you spend Halloween? We spent it watching Jumanji and eating sweets. Yes, Jumanji is still scary ;)

Ashley x