Greenwich Market & Pressie in the Post

On Sunday Julia and Jo, two University friends of mine, and I went to Greenwich for lunch and a good look around Greenwich Market.

Here we are at one of the stalls. Jo and Julia are wearing scarves they had just bought, knitted in Scottish lambswool (of course).

We proceeded to buy up most of the rest of the market too. Here we are (minus me - taking the photo) at a stall with a girl who makes beautiful hand-sewn skirts and jackets. Yes, we bought those. They were really inspiring, and I'm really looking forward to the dress-making course I'm starting in April now.

If you haven't been to Greenwich market before I'd really recommend it. I'm ashamed to say that I had never even been to East London before, and was pleasantly surprised. We're going to make a point of having a proper walk next time, maybe flying a kite at Blackheath, and visiting the Observatory and the Maritime Museum. The market itself is a foodie and crafter's heaven, with everything from hand-crafted leather makeup purses, to handpainted lampshades, and tiffin bites and mulled wine.

Over the border, and high up into the Highlands, my Mum has got hens. Isn't this the sweetest photo of her? She's so happy with her new brood. The one in her arms is Biddie.

While not looking after her new feathered friends, she found time to knock up this beauty and spirit it down in the post to me:

This is one of her own creations, a scarf knitted in Colinette Point 5 (major thick-and-thin fun) and my favourite colour combination so far. This one is a rib, though she also does stockinette and moss (all work really well). If you look closely you'll notice that she held two yarns together. To pump up the colour, there is a beautiful purple Debbie Bliss tweed running through this, with litle flecks of red and green.

Tonight's our Spinning Night at Hammersmith Stitch N' Bitch, so I'll report back soon with photos. Can't wait!

Some New Projects for the New Year

When we arrived at my parents', my Mum presented me with two balls of wool: Drops Fabel Superwash. I'd sourced the correct needles and we promptly got started on our socks (she's got a different version in beautiful blues and greens).

This is how much I've done in less than a week. I've actually progressed further than what you can see - I'm just about to start the decreases for the toe - is that slow? I loved the leg section, the ankle and turning the heel. Look at the reinforced heel - this is the same stitch I did for the button band on the shortsleeved Noro cardigan, very nice.

The colours are so pretty, and I love knitting with the self-patterned yarn - you never know what's coming next.


Look what I got for Christmas! It's absolutely gorgeous and I want to make everything in it:

This wrap/cardigan I loooove, though I'm not sure when I'll have the time to do it:

I'm definitely going to make this scarf, possibly for DH. It has a really subtle detailed stitch and lovely textured effect, that you get with the Rowan Scottish Tweed that this book is based around.

This one's nice too. I can't fault any of the patterns in the book, though it would help if I looked like the model in the book!

DH's Grandparents gave me this great book for Christmas and I was really touched. It's got some great things in it, and is a really good read too (Kaffe features a lot so it must be good!). Can you spot Kate Moss on the cover?

I have my eye on this tank top:

I also got this gorgeous kit for a baby cardigan, hat and polar bear that I'll make for a friend's baby ...

... and this one for a sweet owl, which I hope to knock up shortly:

My Mum also gave me this vintage pattern book (she gets them from her friemd). I love looking through these. There are actually quite a few nice things in this one, like the Honeycomb cushion.

Take a look at these scrumptious scarves that my Mum made for friends in Colinette Point 5:

The green one she knitted held together with Noro, and you can see the colour graduations here; very clever.

I love the thick and thin yarn. I have some at home that I plan to use soon. My Mum's made two others before as well and they're just stunning.

My little Sister gave me this beautiful tin for Christmas and look what's hidden inside - they are so "me"!