Lots of snow here in Atticland, enough to make it too difficult to get to work and school today.
Waking up to find that lots more had fallen during the night time was predictably exciting....
...and prompted an early morning family outing to the park.
Hooray for a Snow Day!
We are really lucky to live within five minutes walk of this (usually green) open space. It's lovely in all seasons, but most especially in sunny high summer (we often pack up our dinner and eat al fresco here) and snowy mid winter.
The wide open grass is backed by a band of woodland, and the trees looked really beautiful wearing their dusting of white.
There were many, many families here yesterday enjoying some snow fun, but today it was quiet and peaceful.
I wonder if you remember me writing about snow at the beginning of last year? I was remembering it myself this morning, smiling as I recalled how much Little B detested the snow last year, how much he cried, how he refused to allow any part of his body to touch the dreaded stuff. Oh so so so different this year, a complete turn about! He absolutely loved it today. Adored it. Big smiles and huge excitement as we gave him his first proper downhill sledge run (with me on the back, shouting wheeeeeeeee!!!!)
We had such a lot of sledging fun, the Little People in their usual full-throttle fashion, me a little more reluctantly. I only gave it a go this year by way of providing weight and reassurance behind Little B, but I truly had a blast! I had forgotten the thrill of it, the way it makes you involuntarily laugh out loud.
With J's help, we rolled a huuuuuuge snowball down the hill and made a big fat snowman. The nose was made by Little B, the eyes and mouth by Little Man, and the ears by me. He stood over five feet tall and looked rather comical.
The Little People soon decided he was lonely and hastily made him a Little Brother, who developed a rather interesting nobbly-bobbly skin condition courtesy of Little B.
We played in the snow all morning, returning home when our clothes were wet through and our fingers were numb and the snow had begun to fall heavily again.
Walking in to our warm, cosy house was like being given a huge big hug. We stripped off our wet things and got changed straight back into our pyjamas. Well actually the Little People are all wearing "onesies" these days, it's like having a gang of furry animals in the house (see here, here and here to get an idea what my brood look like!)
I spent a little bit of time straightening out the sofa's, re-folding blankets and plumping up cushions. When nobody was looking I had a private little conversation with my three cashmere blankets, telling them how much I love them and how good it is to have them living here. I really cannot imagine a life without handmade blankets, it gives me tremendous pleasure to see them and use them every day.
I made J and I a gorgeous little mug of milky coffee each (uh-huh, still completely in love with my Nespresso machine
Midday I lit the fire and we all settled down for a quiet afternoon of nothing much.
For me, nothing-much-time usually means crochet time. No surprises there then.
I finished making the squares of my granny patchwork blanket over the weekend, there are 144 of them. I'm now A Hooker On The Edge (and I LoVeD writing that!!) Ahhhh, I'm really looking forward to finishing this blanket so I can spread it out to show you as it's a particularly photogenic blanket. I love that it's also just a teeny bit odd due to being a bit thrown together and essentially made up of left overs.
After recently working with the luxury of expensive cashmerino yarn, I thought it might feel a little bit second-best returning to work with a budget acrylic. But happy to say, this is really not the case :: this Stylecraft Special Dk is really an amazing yarn for the price. It is happy and jolly and soft and easy and makes remarkable warm, snugly, gorgeous blankets.
This is the display of Stylecraft in my friend Jo's shop, which is appropriately called "Just Unwind". Fifty Six shades of gorgeously plump, 100g balls of colour. Doesn't it look beautiful? Jo takes great care arranging her shelves so that there is a huge amount of visual pleasure when you walk into her shop. It literally makes me sigh with happiness.
I took the above photo on Friday when I made a flying visit to Just Unwind to carry out a bit of retail therapy. I was on a mission to select two completely new colour collections specifically designed for blanket making...oh what a job! Taxing and glorious in equal measures! I am incredibly excited about this venture, and I have to confess I think I've done good. The colour packs I've put together are really, really beautiful and harmonious and will make terrific blankets. I won't be able to show them to you for a while, but I promise you they will be worth the wait.
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It looks like you had the absolute perfect snow day making the most of exploring outside and cosying up indoors. Did I spot some very exciting wellies? They look very cool and hookie like! x
Posted by: PinkCatJo | January 21, 2013 at 08:07 PM
Oooh lovely. So much glorious colour to come home to, after the monochrome outside! Also, I love how I spot your update link on Facebook and can be here in seconds :-D I was longing for a new post from you!
Posted by: melissa | January 21, 2013 at 08:07 PM
Thank you Lucy for the update, I have been waiting for a week, reading your blog and your page on Facebook and here it is! I love the things you do but I am still waiting for the French bower bird in your tutorials!? <3!
Posted by: Freekgh Houtman | January 21, 2013 at 08:08 PM
I think we have all had extra knotty time the last few days, although our snow day was Friday and back to normalish today :( It is surprising how much cake I have made and we've consumed too, it tastes extra good after brisk cold walks :) I think I am going to be back with my Stylecraft after this blanket, although lovely there is no way I can carry on crocheting all that I want to with merino! i really love Stylecraft! Fiona
Posted by: Fiona | January 21, 2013 at 08:09 PM
The same up here in Newcastle Lucy! Heaps and heaps of snow although it is rather sadly turning to smoosh :( anyhoo I've been following your blog for a few years now and I just wanted to let you know how much I love all your crochet shenanigans! I am working up the courage to sit and make a Big Blanket but I'm too fussy with colour! Looking forwards to the wooly goodness you will be bringing to our attention this year :D xxx
Posted by: Natalie | January 21, 2013 at 08:13 PM
I'm making a cot sized version of this blanket and although I have a couple ideas, I'm looking forward to seeing YOUR border. Envious of your snow day. Lots of snow but my school resolutely remains open.
Posted by: MsZeb | January 21, 2013 at 08:14 PM
LOL at the Onesies, we have an invasion of those in our house too. The most coveted ones are those with built-in feet AND a hood....
Looking forward to seeing the new colour combos!
Posted by: One-oh-four | January 21, 2013 at 08:15 PM
Lovely winter you have. Here it`s only cold and no snow. Looking forward to seeing the blanket completed
Posted by: Wenche | January 21, 2013 at 08:17 PM
Same in Lincolnshire, lots of monochrome but the trees look so beautiful with their own blankets. I'm now going to get lots of colour out of my bag and carry on with a blanket...and keep warm! Take care. Chel
Posted by: Chel | January 21, 2013 at 08:20 PM
I always enjoy seeing your photographs of your lovely country-side. Would you call your town a village? Or is it larger? I also love your colorful yarns even when they haven't yet been made into lovely designs. I recently saw a knitted tea cozy in a catalog and wondered if you knitted any for yourself.
Posted by: Cathy in Maryland | January 21, 2013 at 08:21 PM
ooooh intrigued to see these new colour collections.
Just bought one of your colour collections from Deramores and can't wait to start on a nice big blanket with it.
x
Posted by: jaynicknitknacks | January 21, 2013 at 08:24 PM
It looks like the whole of Europe is covered in snow at the moment :) True winter moments! Just tonight I decided I would get my yarns out of their boxes and just it them like that in my open closet. So I kinda have my own little stylecraft store just at home :)
Posted by: Kirsten | January 21, 2013 at 08:30 PM
Just love Little Brother's knobbly bobbly skin condition - hope he recovers before he melts - really made me smile :D
Posted by: Anne Bebbington | January 21, 2013 at 08:37 PM
It's been perfect snow this year too - hasn't it? Even though our brood have left home, I've been throwing snowballs for the collies! Super yarn colours - I'm working on a vibrant, colourful blanket at the moment - I've called it Carnival!
Posted by: Adaliza | January 21, 2013 at 08:39 PM
I just love the way being out and playing in the snow makes you feel so exhilerated. Looks like so much fun! Your new blanket is looking so pretty..I just adore all those colors! If I had that yarn shop near me...I would get myself in to soooo much trouble!!BUT I WOULDN'T CARE :)
Have a warm and cozy evening, penny x
Posted by: Knot Forgotten Studio | January 21, 2013 at 08:55 PM
Love all the pictures of the snow.
Posted by: Kami | January 21, 2013 at 08:58 PM
love the snow! nothing like finishing up a large blanket :) mines getting closer..
Posted by: Barbara | January 21, 2013 at 08:59 PM
I was just visiting my neighbor who had the weather channel on, and we saw all the snow all over Europe - enjoy! It just began to snow here in Connecticut.
I'm glad your little guy likes the snow now!
Posted by: Lisa G. | January 21, 2013 at 09:08 PM
Ooh Lucy, that yarn looks so beatifully displayed in your wool shop. My local wool shop have Stylecraft Special thrown in a basket outside the front of the shop, nevertheless I'm chuffed to see that the colours I selected from the heap of randomness are all in the 2nd from left on the bottom shelf of that display. They are slowly turning into a ripple blanket, your pattern of course. I too think it feels lovely and soft and really warm when I'm under it wilst hooking.
Posted by: Rachel | January 21, 2013 at 09:10 PM
Ah....the perfect day!!
It has been snowing all day here in the Netherlands too...my daughter is just a little to young to enjoy it...also there was very heavy wind so it didn't feel attractive to go outside at all! But I enjoyed from inside!!
Posted by: Lianne | January 21, 2013 at 09:13 PM
Oh and that lemon drizzle cake is tops I'm actually making some today!
Posted by: Barbara | January 21, 2013 at 09:17 PM
If there's anything more huggable than a child in a fuzzy Onesie, I can't think of it! Those days are long gone here, but I have lots of warm memories of snuggly kids in their jammies.
Posted by: Merry | January 21, 2013 at 09:19 PM
Your blankets and roaring fire looked so lovely and inviting to come home to after your day in the snow, bliss. xx
Posted by: pixiedust | January 21, 2013 at 09:22 PM
Amazing for London snow lasting more than a day love it :) feels like Christmas again :) I so want your yarn stash its amazing like my local shop :) x
Posted by: Andrea-cheekyhats | January 21, 2013 at 09:28 PM
do you provide b+b, I want to live in your house :O) that open fire, crochetted blankets, lemon cake...
Posted by: marie | January 21, 2013 at 09:39 PM