Happy Colours.

 In Australia, I had the great fortune of stumbling upon Happy Lab, potentially the most beautiful and tempting laboratory style lolly shop I have ever been to (actually - the only laboratory style one I have been to). If you troll around their site you may be able to find a few photos - I was minus camera at the time.

 Yesterday morning I did a strange and inexplicable move and have ended up spraining my back. I wish I could take some of these 'happy pills' instead of regular applications of ice. I am sure they would be so much more effective because... because... because they look so joyful.

 But instead, they have been reserved for presents and I have had to resort to rearranging them - still satisfying and uplifting though.

Yowsers - my back has had enough of computer work so I will see if it is receptive to a bit of crochet instead.

Lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig.

 After a wonderful whirlwind trip to Australia, I'm back home again with Jonno and the boys. As always, it was so hard saying goodbye to my family in Australia, especially all of the little ones who grow so much in between visits. I am so lucky to have such a great family but leaving them tends to cause huge squeezing pains in my heart - it actually truly hurts... but still, nothing like cuddles from big little 6 and 9 year old boys to soothe it.

 While I was in Australia (and I will do more on my trip later in the week), I made a few friends for Stanley. Do you like his baby? She actually pops out of the backpack... Don't be alarmed by the presence of a fox - he's only really interested in chicks. Rabbits are safe.

I had so much fun developing these characters while I was away - now I can't way to do Dogman and Wolfman and Frogman and Deerman. So much to do and not a clean spot in the house to do it in...
Lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.
p.s. It is soooo good to be back in blogland!!!!!

The Cable and Seed Stitch Cowl Pattern...

Well, here it is.... I am heading off to Australia for a week on Tuesday so I am hoping when I come back that there will be plenty of links for me too see your versions.... but that is only if you want to make it... you don't have to - no pressure. I do have to say however, that I am really pleased with this pattern - the seed stitch (also known as moss stitch) gives the cowl strength so that it doesn't curl in on itself - however you can scrunch it down so that you have plenty of breathing space... Have fun with it!!!

Abbreviations:

k = knit

p = purl

c4tf = Slip 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold to the front. Knit the next 2 stitches from the knitting needle and then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle.

c8tf = Slip 4 stitches onto cable needle and hold to the front. Knit the next 3 stitches from the knitting needle and then knit the 4 stitches from the cable needle.

I used 8mm needles and worked two balls of 12 ply wool at once (which was very easy).

Cast on 30 stitches.

Row 1. k1, p1, k1, (k4), k1, p1, k1, p1, (k8), k1, p1, k1, p1, (k4), p1, k1, p1.

Row 2. p1, k1, p1, (p4), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p8), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p4),  k1, p1, k1.

Row 3. k1, p1, k1, (k4), k1, p1, k1, p1, (k8), k1, p1, k1, p1, (k4), p1, k1, p1.

Row 4. p1, k1, p1, (p4), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p8), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p4),  k1, p1, k1.

Row 5. k1, p1, k1,  (c4tf), k1, p1, k1, p1, (k8), k1, p1, k1, p1, (c4tf), p1, k1, p1.

Row 6. p1, k1, p1, (p4), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p8), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p4), k1, p1, k1.

Row 7. k1, p1, k1, (k4), k1, p1, k1, p1, (k8), k1, p1, k1, p1, (k4), p1, k1, p1.

Row 8. p1, k1, p1, (p4), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p8), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p4), k1, p1, k1.

Row 9. k1, p1, k1, (k4), k1, p1, k1, p1, (k8), k1, p1, k1, p1, (k4), p1, k1, p1.

Row 10. p1, k1, p1, (p4), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p8), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p4),  k1, p1, k1.

Row 11. k1, p1, k1, (c4tf), k1, p1, k1, p1, (c8tf), k1, p1, k1, p1, (c4tf),  p1, k1, p1.

Row 12. p1, k1, p1, (p4), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p8), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p4), k1, p1, k1.

Repeat rows 1 - 12 until cowl has reached enough length to be wrapped either once or twice around the neck then bind off. Sew ends together.

p.s. This is how you can wear it if you skin is looking a little less than smooth. I thoroughly recommend it.

Fresh off the Needles and Hooks.

 I can't believe that I haven't posted a photo of the little jumper I made. I need to make a few tweaks to the pattern and am soooo looking forward to trying it onto the real live baby that I will be cuddling in a couple of weeks (not my own).

 I have also just finished this cowl and have already typed up the pattern so watch out - It just needs to be tested out one more time though...

 Most exciting of all however (and really only to me), I have picked up the crochet hook again and have lots of plans....

 Oh yes, I also finished this cowl last night. It was originally going to be a shrug but it wasn't very comfortable so I unstitched it and did a bit of reconfiguring. I absolutely adore it now, it's like being wrapped in a blanket.

Have a lovely day/night,
Love Kate xxooxx.

Illumination and Rain Drops.

Odd subject of a photo I know, but I came home from the school run the other day and found these plastic bags filled with light. I always have wondered about what they do when left alone. And now, thanks to opening the door very quietly, I have found out. As soon as they heard the camera click they flopped back down lifelessly.

 We had a little surprise birthday party for  our neighbour Dominique last night. I sneakily picked up her teenage daughter from the bus stop and ferried her back to my house so she could decorate this cake. Don't you think she did a wonderful job! Hugo was a little disappointed though as she brought an icing gun with her but didn't end up 'shooting' the cake.....

This is a little craft project that I did with some children from the boys' school. We now have a water feature in the school library with a fluffy cloud raining down smily faced rain drops. It was so cute watching the children make them and then reluctantly hand them over to be attached. 

Have a lovely weekend - we have a quiet one scheduled thank goodness with a snuggly, family movie night on the big blue couch.

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxxooxx.