Monday, April 11, 2016

A Woolly Week

There are no prizes as to guessing who is the slowest knitter in this neck of the woods. Why, it is me of course. My husband quite rightly said to me the other day that if my lovely woolly is to be seen round and about this far rural outpost this Winter, I should perhaps get a move on.

My aran jumper is progressing, albeit a little slowly; a little too slowly for my liking. =) The cranium gymnastics are still in full swing. If there were prizes given out for amazing, cranial gymnastic, feats, then I would have a medal of the shiny, gold kind pendulously swinging around my neck!!



My pretty aran is not quite where I would like it to be as I have damaged my shoulder as a result of maintaining the garden, whilst my husband recuperated after his operation. Yes indeedy, I have shovelled one too many barrow loads of mulch, pulled out one too many weeds, lifted one too many heavy objects.....you get the picture...... hence, making it difficult to knit my aran jumper.

But.....I have been doing a little knitting of the easy kind. While gadding about the countryside last weekend, we happened upon a pop up shop where the lady was getting rid of all her 'stuff' that had been piling up over the years. My eyes fell upon these lovely mohair scarves which hale all the way from Bonnie Scotland. Nine lovely scarves, oozing pastel prettiness. The thought did cross my mind that these mohair pretties would make a lovely blanket. So holding on to that thought I purchased a couple of balls of cream mohair wool to knit strips of cables, joining these to the cut up scarves at intervals.




Knitting these strips is child's play and are rather easy on my rather lame shoulder. I can knit these whilst watching the TV at night, something which I cannot do with my aran pretty. These knit up rather quickly and I have begun to join them at the seams, stitching them to the patched scarves.

The beginnings of what perhaps will be a pretty, lap size blanket for those chilly evenings.



And...........what do roses have to do with all things woolly, I hear you ask?? Absolutely nothing at all, except perhaps they enhance my cabled pretty. =) Besides, our roses are in their last flush of blooms. Each morning now, there are only a few pretty roses to greet me. Jack Frost has been paying us little visits, reaching his icicle fingers here and there. I have no doubt the infamous Mr Frost is building up to his glacial crescendo where the full force of his frost-bound presence will be in full swing. Perhaps these will be the last blooms until next Spring.









Yes indeedy, me thinks that these are the last of our pretty roses for a good while.

Some lovely friends from Sydney are whisking my good husband and my good self away for a little holiday to an idyllic, undisclosed location......somewhere down the beautiful east coast of Tassie next week, so I will be missing in action for a couple of weeks.

So, until the next time, 'tis toodles from me.




Linking up this week to Janine's lovely blog, Rainbow Hare.



45 comments:

  1. All your knitting is just gorgeous! Those roses compliment your cables perfectly. What a great idea for using those scarves. Enjoy your time away!

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  2. So sorry that you have damaged yourself - ouch. Don't overdo and give yourself time to heal. After all, you can still wear your sweater NEXT winter. As for the scarf/blanket - that is totally and incredibly inspired!! What an amazing use for the scarves. Your blanket will be light and airy, and yet so cozy and warm. Love it! Oh, and love the roses too - seeing those does make me miss our garden (but not the work involved). Enjoy your mystery trip - will expect a full report!

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  3. Just when I thought you could not surprise me anymore with your talent and you have again. I have always loved aran sweaters. I have tried knitting years ago, but just could not get the hang of it. I just think I was not patient enough. Now the gardening thing, I know all too well of what you speak. I love to do all the gardening at our home and the older I get the more I hurt the next day and now even the day after that. The best advice I can give is to soak in a hot tub for awhile or you could put a heating pad on parts that the tub will not help.

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  4. It seems that the right weather is finally here for many of us to get the old knitting needles out. Mine never stay still! lol. Beautiful aran stitch and I can imagine the finished jumper will look awesome. Have a lovely break away, I bet it will be somewhere nice. Enjoy.
    Cheers, Anita.

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  5. Oh my lovely Kim. A pained shoulder is no fun! So debilitating in a million little ways. Your knitting, however, is divine, and such a gorgeous shade of baby blue! That pattern is far and away beyond me, so my congratulations to you, my dear! Sending gentle hugs. Mimi xxx

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    1. I totally agree, Mimi, a "pained shoulder" is definitely no fun. It's amazing how many little things cannot be achieved with a frozen shoulder. Let's hope the physio can put it back in working order. =) Thank you for your sweet comments.....I can't wait to finish my aran pretty. Kim Xx

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  6. Your talent and creativity always amazes me, Kim! What a great way to use those scarves, and they were perfect colors for your enjoyment.
    The last of your lovely roses must bring you such joy after all that work you have done in the yard.

    Enjoy your little get away~~

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  7. So sorry about your shoulder, and I hope your husband is much better. I love the wool scarves! When we were in Scotland, we bought so many woolen things. They have the most darling sheep there. Have you ever tried crochet? I find that even with my arthritis, I can sit back in my recliner and hold my yarn up close, with a soft pillow under my hands, and it's not painful at all. There are so really pretty crochet stitches. I combine yarns of wool, mohair, alpaca, and other fibers together to make scarves and shawls. So pretty and warm. We live in the mountains and got 18 inches of snow over a 3 day period in January. Take care.

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    1. Alas, I don't crochet though that is on my 'to do' list. As I am a tight knitter, I just can't seem to hold the yarn loose enough for crochet; but I will persist. =) Your crochet does sound lovely, Bev. Your mountains do sound lovely. Thank you for your sweet comments; it is a delight to have you visit. Kim Xx

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  8. I am sorry to hear about your shoulder Kim and hope you are soon on the mend. What a lucky find with the pretty scarves and what a neat idea to make them into a cosy lap blanket. I love the look of the cable strips that you are placing between the scarf blocks and look forward to seeing this project completed.

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    1. Those pretty scarves were a lucky find, weren't they. Thank you so much for visiting my place and thank you for your lovely comments.

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  9. Well those scarves are making up beautifully, you have such creativity. Roses are beautiful. Sorry you hurt yourself in the garden, hope it mends well soon.

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  10. Oh, my darling friend, I'm always so very fascinated by your handworks, all so very charming and cared even in the littlest details !
    You're thinking about Fall and Winter, don't you, even if I'm sure they're not so cold as ours !

    Hope your week is off to a great start, I wish you most wonderful days to come,

    with love and thankfulness

    Dany

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  11. Those scarves are gorgeous. I'm amazed someone should have so many, let alone that they would part with them. Your cable joins are bringing them all together into a blanket beautifully. And your roses make a lovely display. I do hope Jack Frost will spare them for a little while longer. I also hope your shoulder gets better soon. Have you tried leaning on one of those microwave hot water bottles with wheat in? I think they are very good for that sort of thing. Hugs :) x

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  12. Your scarf blanket is so creative. I too love knitting aran. It does take me forever and it can be challenging if you make a mistake. I'm sure your jumper will be stunning when it is finished.
    Shoulder pain is so annoying and seems to rumble on for ages but hopefully yours is on the mend. Have a great week and thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures :)

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    1. Arans are lovely aren't they. Yes if one makes a boo boo whilst knitting an Aran, it is a wee bit tricky to fix....so much unravelling is involved. Thank you for your kind wishes and your lovely comments. Kim Xx

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  13. For a beautiful knit like yours you really need patience and go slowly...but the result will be fantastic !!!!
    Lovely blanket and roses !!!
    Have a great week !
    Anna

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  14. Your Aran project looks wonderful Kim...definitely a project where you have to give it your undivided attention! I love what you are doing with those mohair scarves; very effective and very clever! Sounds like a lovely break in a beautiful place for you 😊

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  15. Oh my, if I were to attempt that Aran stitch, I would definitely be the slowest knitter! How complex and beautiful it is! I am a straight knit and purl knitter because complex patterns total muddle up my brain. I absolutely love the idea of making a blanket out of the mohair scarves. What you have done so far is gorgeous! Can't wait to see the finished pretty. Your roses are so pretty. We are still waiting for Spring to arrive here to get out in the garden.

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  16. YOu know how much I appreciate the talent of knitters...this one is coming along beautifully. One must weed to have such beautiful roses...but take it easy girl. :) :) Sending smiles your way. (I just planted some new roses this past weekend and can't wait for summer!!)

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  17. So sorry about your shoulder. Once I had a 'frozen shoulder',very painful and the healing took almost a year.
    I admire your beautiful knitting.
    I know that you are going to make something special of the blanket.
    Wish you a lovely break!

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    1. Yes, I think it will take a while to get my shoulder performing major feats again. =) Thank you for your lovely comments, they have put a smile in my day. Kim Xx

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  18. Hello Kim, just playing catch up on my blog reading after returning from Mums ... I must say, I think your mohair lap rug will be just soooo beautiful when it is done. Your knitting is just gorgeous ... as are those late season roses. Mine have long given up over here. Have a super week dear friend x x x

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  19. Sweet friend, I am terribly sorry about your shoulder! Please take it easy, dear one. And speaking of taking it easy, enjoy your little holiday - it sounds divine :)

    Thinking of you, my friend. Love and hugs being sent your way!

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  20. Kim, it is just tragic to say goodbye to your gorgeous roses. Jack Frost needs to stay away a little longer. I love your pastel wool prints. So pretty! I hope that your shoulder feels better soon. {{HUGS}}

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  21. Oh my your sweater looks amazing, that is a lot of stitches and pattern to follow I can only imagine why it is taking a lot of your time. What a great idea to save those scarves and it is looking just wonderful, nice and cozy :) I hope you enjoy a most wonderful trip with your friends, it sounds like so much fun!! Hope you can take a break from that yard work and heal that shoulder of yours, take care!

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  22. love the idea of the mohair lap rug to make the most of such pretty scarves, what a find. Pretty aran jumper too. Hope your shoulder gets better soon.

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  23. ooooh goodness, your knitting is just amazing. i am a slow knitter as well, i always remind myself that it is not a race. that i always want to have something to work on. the mohair scarves are so beautiful, if i understand what you are doing with them, i love it!!!!

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  24. I hope your shoulder rights itself very soon. A trip away sounds like it might help that heal perfectly! I have a ruined shoulder, so I know your pain (snow shoveling). Your scarf blanket is so pretty. And of course it just wouldn't be you if you were to merely whip stitch the edges together. I love the tiny cable borders! Great idea :) It's going to look amazing, but don't forget to show us the finished project. Have a wonderful time away Kim!
    Wendy

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  25. Bless your heart... working out in the garden is so enjoyable, but it is not fun to injure your shoulder! I absolutely adore what you are doing with the old scarves, making them new, so amazingly gorgeous! You are such a talented lady. I do hope your husband heals up quickly as well, sounds like a little vacation away will be wonderful for both of you! Do enjoy my friend... much love to you today!

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  26. I'm so sorry that you hurt your shoulder - hope the time away gives it a good rest. What an adventure you will have. The roses are fabulous - I can almost smell them from clear over here Your knitting is fabulous - and I love the idea of making a blanket from the scarves with knitting in between - it will be lovely and warm. Have a grand time!!!!

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  27. Some things are worth waiting for, Kim. Your makes are lovely.
    Amalia
    xo

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  28. I am so sorry to hear about your shoulder. Shoulder pain is horrible, please take the time to heal. I hope both of you are mending well and feeling a lot better.

    The thought of scarves from Bonnie Scotland had made me dreamy eyed already, but your blanket bore me off to a fireside wintry wonderland.

    Gorgeous roses, your little wooly may not be ready for you, but it sure looks pretty with the gorgeous roses. (I am a very slow knitter too…)

    I am very happy to hear that you are being whisked away to be pampered. Enjoy!

    -Soma xx

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  29. Sounds like life is a rosey at the moment minus a bum shoulder. Glad you're able to soldier through the work, and hope you mend quickly. If nothing else, cool weather will give you a reprieve.

    Julie

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  30. Kim, I am sorry to hear about the shoulder injury but it surely hasn't seemed to put much of a damper on your creativity! Those mohair patchwork blankets are going to be so lovely! Your talent just amazes me. Enjoy your little getaway!

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  31. Well Kim. You are positively brilliant to make a blanket from those scarves. Who would have thought? Not I. Your cables are so pretty too. Have you tried knitting on circulars? I use them like straight needles, going back and forth then the weight of said knitting is in my lap, not on the needles saving the arms and shoulders ; )
    Enjoy that holiday.

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  32. Oh.My.Goodness!! Your Aran knitting is so beautiful. And I love love the gorgeous mohair scarves joined by knitted stops. Brilliant and stunning-- I'd love to see both of your projects when they are completed!
    Love
    Vicki

    Ps- your blog header is just gorgeous!

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  33. Hope you are having a good relaxed time!You need it!AriadnefromGreece!

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  34. what a wonderful idea to use the scarves! I am just back from visiting my mum in Scotland - I took some knitting with me :)

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  35. Your aran knitting is lovely. I once did a version of it doing crochet... yes, someone figured out how to do it. I made a sweater for my young (at the time) son. It still took forever. So I do understand. Your roses, in their last blush are lovely too!!

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  36. Hey sweetie, at least you knit. :) Oh gosh, I love what you are doing with those gorgeous scarves! So glad you picked them up. And roses, well who needs them to do with anything. They are just so lovely that you could include them in every single post! Can't wait to have roses to pluck from my garden.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  37. Kim...your knitting is lovely, such a lovely pattern and I love the colour. I'm just learning to knit at the moment...I have just been looking around your blog and it is just beautiful...so many gorgeous things. How very talented you are...Debbie xx

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  38. Kim, your idea for the scarves is delightful. I love the knitted cable edging you are doing to join the scarves up together and love how you are making the squares and oblongs different sizes. The finished blanket ill be so wam yet light wight on your lap. Hugs VleryAnne

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  39. The mohair scarves look very pretty the knitted combination is so lovely! And your knitting is very good too. The flowers are beautiful

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  40. Oh, I can't wait to hear about your adventure...many Blessings to you, friend.

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