Sunday Sevens is a weekly blog series where you share some moments from outside your blog. You can find out more about how to join in at Threads & Bobbins.
1. My niece is at University so I sent her some money for her birthday (seeing as she is now a poor student!). I wanted to give her an actual present to open as well, so I knitted this bobble hat.
2. I’ve been working on Christmas gifts this week and have started (and finished) quite a few. This will become a pointless-but-fun dog bandana. Because all dogs should have one.
3. A couple of hours were spent on a bit of fair isle knitting in Christmassy red and white.
4. This is the finished thing – a cute little stocking which will go into my #stitchingsanta parcel, the first thing I’ve made as yet. The pattern is a free one by Julie Williams on Ravelry and one I wanted to make last year but didn’t have time. Hopefully, I’ll have time to make some more because they are a joy to knit and quick, too.
5. Talking of #stitchingsanta, this skein of lace weight baby merino wool is also destined for my recipient. 470 yards should be enough to knit a shawl. I was drawn in by the lovely Autumnal colours and can’t wait to see it made up.
6. My Winter “selfish knitting” project – a Sunday jumper, for lazy days at home. (I’ve practically lived in my Stag’s head dress since I made it!)
7. I borrowed this pattern from my sister in law and am substituting with Drops Nepal, 65% wool, 35% alpaca for softness as the recommended Debbie Bliss Cashmerino was too expensive!
8. I waved goodbye to Mr H-L at 8am this morning, as he is off to London with a 7.5 tonne truck to clear his parent’s flat which has now sold. Sad times, but time to move on.
9. Ending on a cheerful note – Fifi turned 14 and had a birthday haircut. She didn’t stop shivering the first day, so I nipped out and bought her a festive jumper to keep her warm. She loves it and hasn’t shivered since. And looks totally adorable, to boot!
November 20, 2016 at 11:30 am
I love that hooded jumper – it looks just right to chill out in on a lazy Sunday morning, is it a Debbie Bliss pattern? As for Fifi – could she be more adorable?
I think we all hope we might be your Secret Santa partner 😉
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November 20, 2016 at 12:18 pm
No, it comes from a weekly ‘learn to knit’ series that you put together in a binder. You know, the ones that end up costing about a thousand pounds in the end! Anyway, she’s not at that stage yet, so was happy for me to borrow the pattern for a few months. I’m not sure my stitching santa parcel will be any better than anyone else’s, but I do try to provide a little inspiration for everyone taking part as it can be hard to think of things to include or, indeed, quick little handmade gifts.
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November 20, 2016 at 12:54 pm
I love the festive doggy jumper! 😊
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November 20, 2016 at 3:00 pm
Well, it had to be a festive on at this time of year, didn’t it?!
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November 20, 2016 at 1:02 pm
You have had a productive week! I seem to be thinking rather than doing 😟
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November 20, 2016 at 3:01 pm
It’s good to actually achieve something and see the list being ticked off, I must admit. There’s never enough time to make everything that I want to, but I’m happy with progress so far:)
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November 20, 2016 at 1:10 pm
Fifa is looking sooo cute. I love the look of that knitting pattern too, I want to knit myself something chunky & cosy but can’t find a pattern I like
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November 20, 2016 at 3:03 pm
I know what you mean, so as soon as I saw this one I knew it was what I was looking for. Hopefully it will get finished before Summer comes around again:)
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November 20, 2016 at 3:23 pm
That stocking is so cute. I’m afraid I think your dog prefered her old coat, I think she was thinking bad thoughts. My cocker spaniel used to think a lot of bad thoughts!
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November 20, 2016 at 3:26 pm
She probably did, but her coat is so fine that it’s a nightmare to keep knot-free and it was long overdue a trim! At least we can see her pretty little eyes now they’re not hidden under a fringe:)
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November 20, 2016 at 4:02 pm
Busy as a bee for sure! The bobble is cute. I don’t know why I like the bobble on a hat so much. LOL Happy Birthday Miss FiFi! She is so cute in her sweater. I don’t blame her. I do a lot of shivering too. I am always layered even in the house. That cardigan sweater with hoodie is so beautiful! I would definitely wear that for sure. I am loving knitting. Didn’t think I would but on the contrary knitting is wonderful. Two projects that I am going to make even if I lose an arm doing it is socks and a sweater for me to wear. Your stag dress is so lovely. I would wear it a lot too. Well hugs and lots of love to you and the family.
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November 20, 2016 at 4:10 pm
You probably recognise the hat pattern as I made 4 others recently! (which should arrive any day?) I’m so glad that you’re loving the knitting as it really is a lovely, relaxing hobby. Good for the soul, I would say. My jumper will, no doubt, be low on the list of priorities when it comes to making, but I’m hoping it will be worth the wait:)
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November 20, 2016 at 4:45 pm
I so love that stags head dress! There you are being as busy as a bee and twice as creative! It ll looks scrumptious and festive – definitely time to be thinking of Christmas now!
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November 20, 2016 at 7:55 pm
Your needles have been smokin’ this week, Sheila! Am so glad you enjoy knitting, and can create such lovely things. Must say your little 14-year old pal is looking mighty cute & comfy in her new coat. Goodness, hope that huge van picked up some helpers before clearing that flat! Hope you stay warm this week, as we prepare for Thursday’s celebration over here.xx
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November 20, 2016 at 9:51 pm
Happy birthday Fifi, she’s aging well and looks very cute in her wardrobe. Your Christmas pressies are coming on, I’m hoping to buy my stitching Santa main pressie at the knitting and stitching show on Wednesday, and after watching the apprentice I’m thinking of bartering too! 😀
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November 21, 2016 at 1:24 pm
I’m just checking I’ve not missed any blog posts in my reading catch up. I’m not sure why it says wardrobe when I mean jumper!! 😳
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November 21, 2016 at 1:36 pm
I’d have worked out what you meant soon enough! I’m not good at bartering – too English, probably, and we just don’t do that! Well jeal of you going to the knitting and stitching show. We’ve got to travel at least a hundred miles to find anything like that.
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November 20, 2016 at 9:52 pm
Love Fifi s jumper ,she looks nice and cosy
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November 22, 2016 at 2:01 pm
Oh, she is. She was so cold that I just went out to buy one as it was quicker than making one.
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November 20, 2016 at 10:16 pm
That Yoga top looks gorgeous- so snuggly! Fifi is a darling and her festive outfit’s so cute. I’m very impressed by your patterned knitting skills. I attempted that sort of thing several times years ago and always got my tension wrong so it looked rubbish.
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November 22, 2016 at 2:02 pm
I don’t do much in the way of patterned knitting, but something this small holds my concentration for long enough not to go wrong!
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November 20, 2016 at 11:06 pm
What a grand old lady Fifi looks in her new outfit, she wears her age very well indeed! I’m sure your niece will gets lots of wear out of her newly knitted bobble hat and appreciate the money too! Some very lucky recipients too, by the looks. Enjoy many more hours on your needles before Christmas, I know all your hard work and wonderful creations will be much loved and appreciated 🙂
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November 22, 2016 at 2:03 pm
Thanks Caren, I hope so – it’s always nerve wracking waiting to see if people like what you’ve made, isn’t it? My niece likes her hat though, so that’s one satisfied recipient:)
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November 23, 2016 at 8:41 am
It certainly is, though, you should never worry… all your creations are wonderful and any recipient is guaranteed to be very happy, just like your niece 😉
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November 21, 2016 at 12:49 am
Fifi is such a little sweetie. I’m glad she has a warm coat to keep her warm after the haircut. Best of luck to your husband clearing his parents flat. That’s emotional challenging and hard work.
Your yarn work is as impressive as your sewing skills. Everything is lovely.
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November 22, 2016 at 2:12 pm
She is such a sweetie and, apart from the fact that she has lost her hearing, you wouldn’t know she was an old dog. Flat clearing went well, thank you – as you say, it was hard but now done and dusted. Im not nearly as good at knitting as I am at sewing, but I definitely think I’m improving the more challenges I set myself.
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November 26, 2016 at 6:45 am
🙂
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November 21, 2016 at 1:26 am
Your Fifi still looks like a youngster – a very stylish youngster. Love that hooded sweater so much, and what could be cuter than your bobble hats. The little stocking is adorable; I’m getting a start on my secret stitching project, but certainly not progressing as rapidly as you! Hope Mr H-L’s journey goes well for him, difficult times for certain. Thanks for sharing your week with us.
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November 22, 2016 at 2:14 pm
You’d never know Fifi was an old dog if it wasn’t for her loss of hearing – she still plays like a puppy sometimes! I hope the hooded jumper turns out as well as the photo as I really fancy a lazy-day cover up like this. Hope you’re enjoying putting your parcel together as much as I am!
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November 22, 2016 at 4:09 pm
I am! Should have a quick sneaky peek post available soon…
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November 21, 2016 at 8:21 am
Such lovely projects and ideas.
Some santa buddy is getting properly spoiled. Lovely yarn. 🙂
And Fifi looks adorable. It suits her.
Have a great week and take care. xx
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November 22, 2016 at 2:07 pm
Thanks Joey, it’s fun putting bits together for swap partners, as you know only too well – you’re always at it, it seems!
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November 23, 2016 at 7:49 am
Indeed. I love getting goodies from far away countries, makes the world seem so much smaller. 🙂
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November 21, 2016 at 6:29 pm
Another week has flown by, your knitting is outstanding ~as always and doesn’t Fifi look festive 🙂
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November 22, 2016 at 2:08 pm
Thanks Roma, my knitting is improving, I think, and it’s fun practising on little items like these, anyway.
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November 22, 2016 at 11:52 am
It’s making me feel Christmassy. Not long now. I’m planning my Secret Santa stuff but not making just yet.
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November 22, 2016 at 2:10 pm
I started feeling Christmassy as soon as I sent out the Stitching Santa emails and I’m loving making all these bits and pieces!
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November 25, 2016 at 9:54 am
That wool looks lovely. I need to get my adverts skates on with my stitching Santa gifts. Life’s just been very hectic atm.
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November 26, 2016 at 7:11 am
Snap, although I couldn’t sleep this morning so got up at 4am and have been crocheting for the last three hours – that should help with the list of things to do!
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November 26, 2016 at 7:16 am
Boo, although additional crafting time is good. I was up at 04.50 this morning for a 6am coach to bath…
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