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

[Kathy Hulse]

Lucy, your work is beautiful and so inspiring! I would like to try the poncho next.....I think it is so very cool! Thank you for your blog, I look forward to reading it and planning my future projects. Best to you and you family! Kathy , Hanover, Pa USA.

[Laura (Italy)]

The muffin are delicious, I've made them yesterday evening!
Thanks so much!!
Laura (Italy)
ps: I've crocheted the japanese flower scarf, how can I send you a few pictures?

[Amanda Thornton]

I just love how cozy everything looks in front of the fireplace- wish I had one!

xo
Amanda

[Mercedes Leet]

I love all the work you ever do and share. i was wondering if you(or anyone reading this) could recommend a book that works on adding an edge to a blanket. I'm new to crochet and I have a hard time with corners. I don't know how to do them and my work curls. Thank you.
Mercedes
[email protected]

[Corinne]

Just found your blog as recommended by my DIL. It is lovely and i have featured you on my blog today. Your designs are so fresh and new they warm my heart.

[Jeanette]

Loving your blog, reading the entries is sooooo soothing.

[Nelly/Shalim]

Many thanks for your tutos discovered via Pinterest.

Il love all the details you are giving and the numerous photos.

So, meantime, the english is not so natural for me, I feel that I can realise without troubles your nice projects.

Bravo from a village in France,

Nelly

[Susan]

Hi Lucy

I am so glad to find your site! I am new to crocheting and thought I would start with BeaG's heart and decorate it with flowers then I found your teeny tinies and loved them especially as you explain how to do the stich and no confusion with UK & US terms.

I will be working on it this week and will post in Rav when it is done

Thank you for your interesting inspiring and helpfull site

Susan

[Wendy Willis]

Lucy, your such an inspiration! I'm going to attempt my first ever granny square blanket. I went out today and bought my wool, just need to get going. Eek! Here I go!

[Lacey]

Hi Lucy!
Anyway I could get your mailing address to send you a little something? Please email me at [email protected] if that is possible. Thanks!

[Debbie]

I wish we were getting more snow in Colorado! I waited through the hottest summer on record.
I gave the granny stripe a go, but didn't like the ends. Been crocheting for a long time, but you have inspired me to use a wider variety of brighter colors in my afghans.
Happy crocheting!

[Nicky Speakman]

Thank you for the lemon cake receipe, I am told I am a good cake maker, but lemon drizzle cake has always been a disaster for me. Tried your receipe instant hit. xx

[Denise]

What a lovely set of images. I'm thinking of making a patchwork blanket for my mum using stylecraft. Not sure if I can buy it locally so am thinking of ordering from the internet but a bit worried about choosing the colours that way. Can't wait to see your ideas!

[Jonah Hill]

I know right? I just saw some of these from this site called https://www.kigu.me just the other day and it was a huge dose of creativity added to my collection. I'm sure that you guys can also find something in there that will genuinely interest you.

[Carilyn Gerdt]

It's so pretty!!! And I love the comment about the B&B!! :o) I always get so much joy out of reading your blog!!!

[Marguerite]

I have just spent a lovely couple of hours trawling
a huge number of blogs devoted to crochet, and I am
utterly amazed to note the huge influence you have on so many creative and talented people. Thankyou for all that you do, and for being responsible my own foray into the joy that is hooky!! It has taken me thirty five years of stopping and starting, and only when I came across your clear instruction was I finally able to succeed! Much love. Marguerite xxx

[Barbara]

I'm a knitter/sewer/crafter/home baker who's just learnt to crochet - age 55!
I love your gorgeous blankets and decorations, did you ever post the pattern for your scarf - worn with the fab Boden coat? I've searched the blog with no luck.

[Anna]

Just wanted to say that I made your lemon drizzle cake the other week and it was to DIE for - it went super fast! I'm making it again this weekend for the in-laws - fingers crossed it works as well!!

[The Vintage Folk Painter]

The question I would like to ask Lucy, is this - how on earth did you get to lunchtime without lighting the fire?
I went right along with you on your walk to the park and back, and could (virtually) feel the cold and wet soaking into the bones, and then back to the flat, and - no fire!

But you made up for it with the coffee and cake - thankyou, I love lemon.

cheers
Fi

[Lucy Schowalter]

Hi Lucy, I love your blog, the area you live looks like from the tv series: Last of the Summer Wine - which i love, and i love your wooly creations, i am sending greetings from the very cold Canadian prairies, keep cozy in your blankets :), Lucy

[LesleyAnn]

I so enjoy your blog. I have a love for yarn and color, too. :-)

Lemon "anything" is my favorite! I'd like to bake the Lemon Drizzle cake ... but I don't know what caster sugar is. Does it have another name?

Wishing you a day of joy!

[Dinahsoar]

I don't post a lot of comments due to time constraints, but I read every blog post you publish. I LOVE your blog and it never fails to inspire me. From crochet to recipes to family life to your daily activities--love it all. LOVE LOVE LOVE all the pics too. THANK YOU for the time and effort you put into everything you share here. I am still crocheting and loving every minute thanks to you--you inspired me to take it up and I am so happy I did. There are a lot of people out here in blog land that think you are the best.

[Leisa]

Such a beautiful wintry landscape, and a cozy colourful homecoming! I especially love the bucket of coal beside the fire :-)

[Catherine]

I found this little poem (not sure who it's by) and it made me think of your lovely little gang of creative souls meeting at the cafe-

I will gather my friends together
To stitch in the morning light
And the warmth of the work and the friendship
Will comfort me all through the night.

(Maybe stitch should be knit/ crochet)
Xxxxx

[carole wheeler]

Hi Lucy, I just love your blog. As someone mainly bed bound I love seeing your photos and reading your stories :) And of course, I love seeing your progress on your blankets and different projects you do..Long may you continue :).xxxxx