Buzzard's Roost, Calico Puzzle and shopping!

I did mean to post these earlier in the week, but after the excitement of Catkin came a day out in Cambridge shopping with Martin's mum. We had a great time (I do love going round shops with her), and as usual whenever I go out with her I came home with lots of goodies.

First up though are this week's blocks. It was a windy morning when I took the photos so here's Buzzard's Roost with corners that are flying in the breeze - appropriate for the name I guess!

Here's Calico Puzzle...

And here they all are so far.

And just for Nic, here are my new boots (and a handbag from the market and a puff from some Rowan Fine Tweed I also bought). I was so lucky with the boots. I would have probably bought some floral DMs at another shop if they'd had my size. But they didn't so we tried somewhere else and they had these - only made for this store so not available anywhere else. I'd seen the longer ones and loved them, but I have long boots already so was settling for the 8-hole floral ones. These were perfect - it was meant to be!

There's a big red winter coat on the way to me too! Had to order my size. I'm definitely set for winter!

Catkin

I should be posting photos of this week's Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt blocks (yes, they're done and photos are ready to upload), but I unpinned this from the floor this morning and need to show it off! It's my finished Catkin and I'm so pleased with it.

Catkin by Carina Spencer

Knitted with Old Maiden Aunt merino in Bramble and Midnight Owl

It's a lovely size, perfect for autumn (once the incredible heatwave we've been having disappears) and so soft and squishy. I love it! 

Buckwheat and Butterfly at the Crossroads

I think this is the first time I've posted my two blocks of the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt before Nic! For those who don't know, we are stitching two blocks together each week (well, as together as you get when you're on different sides of the UK!) I stitched almost all day yesterday but still had a couple of seams left to finish off ths morning. Goodness knows why they took so long!

The first is Buckwheat - a browny block that will sit with a couple already done with lots of turquiose in them. I like this one more than I thought I might.

 

And this is Butterfly at the Crossroads. Pretty.

And the whole lot. It was a bit wet outside this morning, so indoor photos this week.

There are two blocks I'm unsure about - the ones with Lecien fabric in them. It's a thinner fabric and a different style of pattern and they stick out like a sore thumb to me. I may have to unpick and redo them. I keep thinking they will merge with the rest as I do more blocks, but they're bugging me. You know how when something bugs you that much it's all you can see?

An autumn project

At this time of year I always get a desire for brown and berry coloured clothing - blackberries, damsons, plums - purples and rich deep pinks. I haven't found the right coloured purpley-pink yarn yet, but I have found the right brown and purple, and the right pattern to knit too.

This is my swatch for Catkin, a lovely shawl in two colours. I'm using Old Maiden Aunt merino in Bramble and Midnight Owl. (I'll leave you to figure out which colour is which - the names are a good clue!)

It's not a perfect swatch because it was done after a walk down the river to the next village, a lovely, relaxing, boozy pub lunch in the sun, a walk back and another glass of wine in the garden (with Lulu supervising of course). It was a gorgeous day and the river was stunning and so peaceful - one of my favourite places in the world.

Knitting of the actual shawl has started and it's ticking along very nicely thank you.

Broken Dishes and Broken Sugar Bowl

Another week and another two blocks! We've been out and about quite a bit the last few days, so these have taken me longer than usual. We also had a spontaneous de-clutter session and I couldn't actually reach the computer to upload pics until we tidied up again!

First is Broken Dishes...

And this one is Broken Sugar Bowl. An odd name for a block but I do like this one.

And here they all are - a round 100 to go!

And here's my usual photography helper :)

Box, Bow Tie, and a little knitting

Gosh, these weeks are going fast aren't they? Another two blocks done on the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt. These two were easier and faster than last week's and done while watching much rugby on Sunday (I'm already a little rugby-ed out and it's not even the end of the first week of the world cup!)

So, here's Box...

And here's Bow Tie...

And here they are all together - I'm happier with the colours now there are more blocks.

There's been lots of knitting too. I've almost finished a cardigan (just seaming and the neckband to do), started another (pic coming shortly), been hexipuffing slowly but steadily (up to 40 puffs now), and been ticking along on this - a stole that is the first pattern in the Knitspot Fall in Full Color Club. I'm knitting mine in laceweight merino/silk with just a hint of sparkle from Posh Yarn. Pretty!

Birds in the Air and Bouquet

Here at last are rather belated photos of last weekend's Farmer's Wife Sampler blocks.

First up is Bouquet, which has turned out to be another of my favourites so far. It took me ages to pick the fabrics because I started thinking it needed a cream background. Once I switched to the turquiose one it went far better.

The harder block this week was this one - Birds in the Air. Lots and lots and lots of little triangles. Fun though :)

And here they are so far - just 100 or so to go!

Legolas

I'm on holiday! Our first time off this year - it's been such a crazy year so far.

We're going to have some days out and maybe a few nights away, but mainly we're just going to spend time doing exactly what we want for a change. The main thing I want to do is finish some projects and start some others, so here's the first.

Legolas shawl by Susan Pandorf Knitted with Old Maiden Aunt alpaca/silk/cashmere 4ply in Bitterbug

Bat Wing and Big Dipper

It's been a lovely bank holiday weekend so far. Iffy weather (we had a massive hail storm on Saturday!), but time with friends, time with crafts and time with family later today.

Here's the result of yesterday's Farmer's Wife quilt stitching. Bat Wing...

...and Big Dipper. I think this one is my favourite so far.

And here are all the blocks. I need to add more red and different shades of brown but there are over 100 blocks still to do so plenty of time to change the fabrics round.

And as usual I had a little shadow helping me!

P.S. To answer a couple of questions, yes, I am hand piecing all the blocks (and for the person who asked it just means I hand sew all the seams, no sewing machine needed :) They're all just finger pressed at the moment too, so no iron needed either! I'll hand quilt as well, as my sewing machine is very basic and I have far more confidence in my own hands than in it!

Christchurch shawl

I think I'll let the pictures do the talking today...

Christchurch Shawl by Bristol Ivy
Knitted in Dye for Yarn Tussah silk in colour Worn Jeans