More Snow + Yarn

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 ), and we finished off the last of the weekend's Lemon Drizzle cake.

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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Comments

[Rose Petal (Happy Ramblings blog)]

Dear Lucy, thank you so much for your post. It put a little cheerfulness into my day. My Cat Guido had to be put down last night due to cancer and multiple organ failure. So it is a bit of a struggle at the moment for me. Your stories and photos always put a smile on my face.

[Lorena]

Snow + fire + lemon cake + tea = NICE
:D
Keep smiling Lucy.
**
Just wondering, would not be better to have proper snow boots in a climate like that. It does snow quite a lot. More than the south! Feet could really hurt by the cold, or is it just me as I am Latin?
Wondering....

[M]

I have been following your blog for a while now, but have been too shy to leave a comment! Your posts are always lovely and I look forward to them. Love your snow and yarn pictures, I know what you mean about stylecraft yarn - I think it's fantastic and have used it or lots of projects.
M xxx

[Helen]

sounds like the most perfect day! I spent yesterday sledging, I don't have children so I just went with friends, it was a bit surprising just how many adults were out being very daft, so much fun, today I was at work (unfortunately schools in Manchester are mostly still open)but this evening I too have been curled up crocheting which is a lovely way to end the day!
http://ahandfulofhope.blogspot.co.uk/

[Trudy]

What a perfect snow day, every aspect of it excites, from one who has never had a snow day : -)

[Angela-Southern U.S.A.]

The perfect winter day!Sadly we see so few of them here.The snowmen are hilarious!!!The lemon cake looks de-lish,and the hooky time by the fire...divine.I've started on the spring wreath,a twist,I've started it off with some... knitting,and will be adding some polk-a-dots too!Looking forward to the yarn reveal,have a great day!

[Jenny]

Oooooo - pretty yarn display. Your spot on the sofa by the fire looks so cozy.

[Kate]

Sounds a lovely few days with the family and snow- good to hear you so bright and enthused. Lemon Drizzle- very hard to beat a Lemon Drizzle...

[Sarah]

There's nothing quite like getting in from fun in the snow is there? I started my first ever crochet blanket this month and I must say it's quite addictive, I've got a few ideas in my head for some more. Your work is quite inspirational! :)

[Piggywhistles]

Wow! All that snow. We have had record high temperatures here on the south east coast of Australia - 45.5 Celsius on Friday. Oh for some of your lovely snow!

[cristina]

Lovely... and I looooove the rain boots colorful!!!
I loooooove this boots... and the landscapes...
And stylecraft dk I looooove too
Kisses from Catalunya, Lucy!

[Dana]

We've gotten approx 4 inches of snow here today (and it's still snowing!) So today was a 'jammie' day and I got another small crochet project finished as well.
PS...my CATS have claimed all of my crochet blankets today :-P

[Cassandra]

Looks like a lovely snow day. I wish we could have one but that much snow is just business as usual around here.

[Shara]

I am jealous of snow and snuggling by the fire. It has been over 30 degrees for days on end here in Australia. Too hot to bake :( Almost too hot to crochet but have been getting a bit done in the cooler evenings. My kids are spending their days with almost no clothes on!

[Jess]

Those snowmen are quite glorious! I too whisper sweet-nothings to my crocheted blankets - glad I'm not the only one, ;)
Thank you for sharing, and again, cannot wait for this blanket to be finished - the colours are fantastic!!
xoxo, Jess

[Hannah]

1. I loved your "skin condition" comment on the snow man's little brother. :)
2. My business is called "Hannah Plays Hooky," and everyone comments on it. I thought of that when you said, "I'm now a hooker on the edge."
3. Can't wait to see your new color collections! I bought Stylecraft for the first time to make your granny stripe. It is slow-going, as I have a busy little boy (you know about that), a small crochet business, as well as everything that goes into regular life. But I hope to share the finished product with you on Facebook when I'm done! :)

[Barbara F.]

I am not too fond of winter, but your photos are beautiful, and I love your roly poly snowmen! We are expecting snow here too, tonight and again on Friday. Tomorrow it will feel like 5 degree F :/ xo

[Jacqui]

You do live in a lovely area. I prefer the snow by enjoying it's beauty through the window! It's bitterly cold here in my part of Canada and tomorrow, on my day off, I'm planning on starting a fire in the woodstove, making a cup of tea, and getting out my knitting, similar to your afternoon.

[Anna-Marie Field]

What a wonderful time you must have had!!! It's always such a pleasure to read your blog and I always feel so happy once I've visited with you. Absolutely true about the blankets!!! I am busy with one myself right now (also made from all the left overs) that I will proudly show off on my blog later.
Stay happy and cozy
Love
AMarie

[Elena]

I've been making the lemon drizzle pie a lot lately (with your recipe). Yesterday I added the ingredients in the wrong order and spoiled the cake completely. :(
Crochet goodness and fire...Sooo cozy...

[Jay]

Still lots of snow here, glad you're enjoying it too!

[Anna]

Lucy, thanks so much for sharing your life's moments. I do love your cozy house since the time I joined your blog:)you created fabulously beautiful home over these years. be happy always!
the yarn..oh..i wish we had such shops here, we do have, but yarn range is not such and the quality a little not on the level. but i found few fibers which make me feel good when i work with them:)
have a nice day!
Hugs,
Anna.

[Ellen Brugmans]

What a lovely day you all had! Reading this post I can just feel the excitement of the snowy outdoors playing session, and the welcoming warmth of your cosy home. Seeing your hapy pile of blankets and that gorgeous display of yarn makes me want to start a new blanket right away! Still have to finish a couple of other projects, though :-).
Thank you for writing yet another colourful post to brighten my day!

[Alison]

I do not know if you read all your comments but I had the sudden urge to leave one! My grandmother taught me how to crochet when I was 13 years old [ a VERY long time ago] But I was never up to your standards. She used to crochet blankets for charity right up until 96 years of age. They were always with any wool she was given so I have only finished blankets in the same way. Multi coloured and round and round until we had reached the size we wanted . Then tassels or scalloped edge. Suddenly due to the bad weather and my children grown up I had the time to sit and do nothing! So I started doing small granny squares. This is where you come in . Thats if you are still reading this! It was the satisfaction of seeing all these little squares piling up giving me a great feeling and I just keep smiling at them and showing them to my husband who thinks I have lost the plot. Now I know how you feel when I am reading your blog. I thoroughly enjoy your news so thank you .
Thats all now promise . Happy hooking .

[Ivka]

Wow I can't believe I haven't came across this blog before! I must say it's the most beautiful one I have ever seen :) Just looking at the photos made my heart so warm...