Lovely Little Snippets

♥ early morning walks around the hilly streets before the sun rises

♥ late November frosty chill, wrapped up warm with scarf, gloves, woolly hat

♥ atmospheric morning light and still water, the smell of wood smoke in the air

♥ warm café & yarny chatter with friends, colourful crochet, frothy coffee and that Friday feeling

♥ a Saturday train trip to Leeds with my girl, starting with a fabulous Laynes coffee

♥ enjoying the unique buzzy atmosphere of Leeds Corn Exchange

♥ this old oval building is really beautiful, both inside and out

♥ I loved the colourful christmas tree very much, a tree after my own heart

♥ enjoying a slice of sunny city life, beautiful architecture and blue skies in Leeds

♥ twinkly lights and festive spirit - a quiet lull, but later heeeeaving with people!

♥ appreciating the stillness of the past few days, no wind, just calm and reflective scenery

♥ spotted a pretty lacy porthole cover, I love this traditional narrowboat crochet craft.

x

Just a few snaps from the past four days, some beautiful quiet morning walks and slow, reflective days contrasted with a busy shopping trip to the city on Saturday. Little Lady asked if I would go with her as she wanted to get another ear piercing and goes to a place inside the Corn Exchange. We caught an early train to beat the crowds and had coffee at one of our favourite places (got lucky and didn't have to queue, yes, it's that popular), and then mingling with the crowds for some shopping. A little bit of christmas present buying but I wasn't really prepared and didn't have the right shopping head on. I bought myself a jumper, does that count?

And now it's Sunday evening and I am warm and comfy and full, I made a terrific lasagne for dinner. J cooked the bolognese in the slow cooker, and I made the bechamel sauce and pulled it all together. As it's the first day of December we lit our Advent candle at the table and after dinner the Little Peeps opened their advent bags that I'd painstakingly put together for them. Stickers and numbers and sweet treats inside 72 individual paper bags, I'll try and remember to take a photo and show you. I know they are big Big Kids nowadays but I do still like to hold onto traditions for as long as they seem to enjoy me doing it.

I've spent aaaaages this weekend  sorting through all my canal boat photos that I've taken during the past year, and feeling so incredibly inspired by the joyful colours and decorative details. It's that time of year again where I'm preparing to share my annual Crochet-Along blanket with you, a little later than usual due to the yarn delays. My friends at Wool Warehouse have been working super hard to get yarn packs made in double quick time and we are almost ready....above is a little taster of the colours I've had swimming in my mind for the best part of this year....

....and here is a first look at the stripe pattern I've designed. It's quite jaunty and playful with a folk art feel to it, inspired by the traditional colours and painted patterns I see on the narrowboats when I take my daily walks along the tow path. I am so in love with it!!

As with all my patterns, this stripe is designed with beginners in mind and is a simple pattern repeat that is easy to learn and delivers some very relaxing crochet time. The colour contrasts are bright and breezy, and really make me smile - every time I change colour I get a little jolt of surprise and pleasure!

Yarn packs will be available from Tuesday, and the Canalboat CAL will begin on Friday 10th January. This will be my 11th crochet along, and I really hope that many of you will decide to join me,  I'll give you all the information and more details on Tuesday. You'll be able to order the yarn from Wool Warehouse and there is a choice this year - my usual Stylecraft Special DK, and also a pack made with the brand new Yarnsmiths Merino DK for those who might want to try a lush natural yarn for a change. It's exciting and makes me long for January, which is absolutely something to be happy about.

I hope you are all doing OK, and I'll be back here on Tuesday morning to share some more canalboat joy. See you then!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

Comments

[Penny]

Thanks for posting lovely photos. Really appreciate all you do. Looking forward to the CAL

[Sarena]

Lucy, I believe I am going to do my first CAL with you and I’m really looking forward to it. Typically, what is the finished size of the CAL? Thank you. The colors of the Canal Blanket are absolutely delicious!

[Linda Pankhurst]

Just love the Canalboat colours.
Dearly hoping you will also launch the pack in Yarnsmiths Create as well…..like the previous Sungold blanket was.
I’m sure the wool one from Yarnsmiths will also be gorgeous, but I do these as gifts and know recipients will be terrified of wool!!!
Might the new range have the same colour names as Create?

Roll on January. I never looked forward to it before Lucy Attic started her blanket CALs…..!

[Patricia A]

Lovely to see a bit of the blanket. :-) Already liked the colours when you showed us some ends.
Thanks for all the work you have done preparing the CAL.
I so glad that you chose to follow traditional narrowboat colours. I do so love their folk artiness.

[Debbie]

What a lovely weekend you've had. Leeds is lovely place to visit but it can get really busy at times ! We love the Corn Exchange. Looking forward to your new CAL. This will be my 1st one of yours, something to get me reunited with my hook again.Best wishes Debbie

[Tracy]

Eeeek!! Sooooo excited to start CAL. Thanks for keeping me same and motivated during a very difficult October and not so good November Lucy. I really appreciate you and your blogs more than you will ever know. Us woman need to work through this menopause madness together.😂 💕💕

[Linda from Boston]

Beautiful pictures as always!! Love that lacy porthole cover!! How inventive. As for your new Canalboat blanket, it’s gorgeous!! The colors are spot on. I can’t wait to order it, and start it. It’s always a treat to start a CAL after the holidays are over. Thanks for all your hard work.

[Margaret]

We are in Australia and can't wait to order the packs for the new CAL. My friend and I have joined in on a couple of CALs and this year I have introduced my Sister-in-law to the project and we are going to do it together.

[Linda]

Sounds a lovely weekend you’ve with your family and crafting.
I’m on a new project this week, warm hats for a giving tree in our market town. To be offered free for those who need to keep warm I. The upcoming winter. I’ve made two in two days. Need to shop now for more wool.
Hubby’s recovery is much slower than he dreamt. But each day is an improvement.
Drs checks tomorrow maybe we can go shopping after.
Sleep well.
I hope to tonight, so much buzzing in my head at the moment.
Best Wishes Lucy from Linda x

[Nora McGrann]

Breathtakingly beautiful Lucy

Loving the look of your new blanket.. Could well be tempted....

Thank you for your inspiration.. Xx

[Lee]

Lovely to see you enjoying your week with family and friends, and what a gorgeous explosion of color that new Canal Blanket will be!