Manos Wool Clasica Capelet

Finished just in time for Lili's birthday, I love knitting this pattern.  It is so easy; knit in one piece from the top down with some chunky yarn (I've used Manos Wool Clasica) with 8mm needles. 

You can make the sleeves and body as long as you want; it is available as a free pattern on http://www.ravelry.com/ and is called the "Anthropolgie Inspired Capelet" by Julia Allen.  I used one and a half skeins here.

I have now cast one on for myself with Noro Kochoran.  I was hoping to have it finished by tomorrow, but as I am only on the neck, I think not!

Lovely hearts

So this is what I decided to do last night.  Make a bowl full of felted hearts (or milagros as they are called in the wonderful book called 'Gifted: Lovely little things to knit & crochet by Mag Kandis, from where I took the pattern) 

A bit tricky to start with, but I have got the hang of it now.  Just completed number 2 but need to felt it properly.  (I bunged it in with some regular washing at 40 degrees but it didn't really felt)

Both the hearts have been made with left overs of Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica, perfect for felting. 

I had a lovely morning off.  the shop is shut on Wednesday, so I dropped the kids off at school and nursery and headed into the nearest town, Sudbury, for some good old rummaging in charity shops, mainly looking for jumpers to felt and recycle.  Didn't have much luck today, but treated myself to a lovely coffee and scone (and peek at the latest issue of Mollie Makes) in a hidden treasure; The Secret Garden in Sudbury.

I know what I will be doing next Wednesday!

x

Manos Wool Clasica Spiral Tweed Cloche

I am in LOVE! With a hat! I treated myself to a book last week (I had a £5 Amazon voucher, so it only ended up costing me £3.09) and it was the best £3 I have spent this year. The book in question is Knitting 24/7 by Veronik Avery, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

You know sometimes you buy knitting books and there is only one or two things you can imagine knitting? Well, this book is not one of those! I can imagine knitting all of them (and with the time I have spare for knitting these days, imagining is probably as far as I'll get!) Although Veronik gives some handy tips for squeezing in that extra odd row of knitting - so I'll definitely be giving those tips a try.

The book is jam packed with gloves, scarves, slippers, socks, a gorgeous skirt (that's on my knitting list too) and this beautiful cloche hat, knitted with just one skein of Manos Wool Clasica. I am dying to give it a try, but I have a few other projects I have to start and complete before then. It must be fate as www.cafeknit.com had just had a delivery of some Manos Wool Clasica, which I had opened and drooled over just minutes before flicking to this pattern. I am going to knit it in Bacchus, shade 6422, which is reduced at only £8.00 per skein.

Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran and Manos Wool Clasica: A delicious combination

I'm rather pleased with myself. I suddenly realised on Tuesday it was a friend's birthday today (Friday) and yet again I had left it till the last minute to make something, then I remembered that earlier in the week she had lost her gloves.

So between Tuesday and last night I managed to rustle up these lovely wristwarmers, which are actually from a kid's knitting book, but I had made them for Milly at Christmas and the larger size came up large enough for a small woman's hand.

Using just one ball of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, and scraps of Manos Wool Clasica left over from a Christmas project, I adapted the pattern slightly and made them longer at the top and added a cuff. I think they are pretty effective and she was certainly thrilled with them this morning.