Tigger

 

You can see his white chin here.



Another try

 

I started this pattern of cardigan and got almost to the arm holes - only to decide that the fabric was too limp and take it back. Then I tried other ideas - and didn't like them either. So I am back with this version - this time using the yarn doubled. I am happier with the result.



Another minion

 

I managed to finish a second Minor Minion. The sock yarn I used for the body has the convenient habit of forming two eyes and a mouth quite naturally.



Tigger

 

He was looking right at me until he saw the camera - when he decided to turn modest.



Spinning

 

I wasn't getting on at all well with a Russian supported spindle so it was suggested that I try a Spindolyn spindle instead. And as you can see I am doing well with it and really enjoying the process.



Sunny

 

She always looks so purposeful whatever she is doing!



Minion

 

I have been so unwell lately that I have been struggling even to knit. But this pattern Minor Minions by Heather Sebastian is so quick and easy and such fun that I enjoyed knitting it.



Hydrangea

 

I'm really surprised at how well the hydrangeas have stood up to the bad weather.



Hot water bottle covers



 

I don't know what I would do without hot water bottles in cosy knitted covers - such a comfort when feeling seedy. I just bought two new bottles - which meant two new covers to knit. I have made many covers down the years but find that plain stocking stitch is nicest to cuddle up with. I don't follow a specific pattern but just knit to fit, starting at the top of the button band, working down to the bottom and back up until I can cast on for the buttonhole band and then carry on in the round. At the neck I cast off at the beginning of one side and for the other side I fold and do a three-needle cast off - so I work flat from that point but only have one side to sew up. It sounds complicated but is really easy to do and makes a well fitting cover as you can try it on to get exactly the right length to the shoulder.

 

 

Hanging Baskets



 

The baskets have done better than I expected considering the bad weather this year.

 

Pollenless lilies

 

This type of lily doesn't have any pollen so I don't have to worry about the cats' safety. The flowers smell lovely too.



Dahlias

 

The bad weather this 'summer' has been hard on the dahlias - but this one is doing its best.



Ginger and Sunny

 

They are so hard to tell apart these days. Ginger is in the background with Sunny in the foreground. I thought I was airing the bed - they thought differently!



Dress

 

My figure problems make it so very hard to find a dress that fits and suits me - so I am knitting my own. Black 100% cashmere and 2mm needles. It will be nearly ankle length (for winter warmth), high-necked and long-sleeve and stocking stitch. I must be mad - but this is the second one and the first is so comfortable that I can't bear the thought of it wearing out.



Ginger

 

Ginger tends to sleep in what I always think of as 'dead cat' pose. I promise you he is merely asleep!



Tigger

 

I always seem to have photos of Tigger sleeping - but then it is his favourite activity!



Poachers Pockets

 

Walking with elbow crutches makes carrying things a problem, and outside pockets are too liable to catch on things to be safe. So all my cardigans have large knitted poachers pockets added to both inside fronts. I bought a cardigan very cheap in a clearance sale recently and here you can see the pocket I have knitted and slip stitched inside the front.



Streptocarpus

 

My husband seems to have a magic touch with these houseplants. I particularly like this unusual yellow one.



Cardigan

 

Considering that my need for a new cardigan is becoming acute, I have taken an age to make up my mind what to make. This is yellow 100% cashmere. I love Mari Dembrow's Pebble Cardigan, but I am just too clumsy - I catch the surface threads on things impossibly often. So I have decided to go with the ribbing pattern from that pattern for the whole thing. I will probably convert it to a raglan while I am about it as that makes my twisted spine and uneven shoulders less noticable.



Lilies

 

You can see here how I nip out the pollen bearing anthers from lily flowers. Lily pollen is extremely toxic to cats so I make sure to do it first thing as soon as the flowers start to open.



Dahlias

I can't remember whether my dahlias are small this year because of the weather or because I bought a smaller variety - maybe a bit of both.



Patio

These plants are in a group of tubs on the patio.



Lap time



 

Sunny has discovered that my lap may actually be quite a nice place to sleep - but only if I'm in the garden. So far she won't come on my lap indoors.

 

Different mitts

I enjoyed knitting the last pair of mitts so much that I have started a new pair (in the same green and yellow yarns despite what the camera thinks!) This pattern is Fingerless Texels. I love the scalloped edging - amazing to be able to knit something like this.



Sunny

Isn't she pretty!



Poppy

I love poppies - they are so fragile and so ephemeral, but they glow with beauty.

Sorry for the gap - I've been ill and am still only convalescent.



Garden Three

The far end of the garden. Just past the plum tree there are two small ponds that you can't see here.



Which?

I'm not sure if this was Ginger or Sunny enjoying the sunshine - at a distance they are hard to tell apart these days though Sunny is definitely smaller.



More garden

A view of the garden. The garden is nine feet wide by twenty-five feet long - but no one would believe it without measuring.



Baskets

Here is a general view of my hanging baskets.



Petunias



Nothing says summer to me quite like big, plate-sized petunias.

Princess

Sunny, looking the Princess she is!



The printer!



I was printing a pattern from Ravelry when Ginger discovered the joys of the printer. The two shots are not very good but I had to snap what I could without disturbing him!

Hanging baskets

At last my hanging baskets are beginning to perk up.

Double Take Mitts - finished

I got the pair of mitts finished.

 

Small flowers

These are all little flowers for hanging baskets and tubs.

Pollenless Lilies

I love these lilies. Even on a dark cold day they really glow.

Golden eyes

Sunny has even darker golden eyes than they look here.

Hydrangea

Hydrangeas do not have to be pink or blue - they can be creamy-greeny coloured instead.

Mitts

I was intrigued by this pattern for DoubleTake Mitts so I am making them as a Christmas gift. The yarn is 100% cashmere so they should be nice and warm. I was pleased to find a pattern that included an XS size for me to knit - most mitt patterns are too big for me and mine.



Petunias

I planted mixed petunias this year and I particularly like this one.

Lilies

I love these white pollenless lilies. Lily pollen is extremely toxic to cats - so lilies without pollen are ideal for my garden.