Knit Out & About

Vintage Tea Party

2011-12-07T09:59:00.001-08:00

The ladies all came round to mine on Saturday night for some cocktails and some top baked goods by yours truly (even if I do say so myself).

Recipes are found in this fab book and the night itself was inspired from this lovely book.

A stroll by the Lancaster Canal

2011-11-22T12:36:00.000-08:00

It was a nice crisp Autumnal day, so myself, Sal and the boys decided to go for a walk.

We parked up at Carnforth and strolled along the canal, up in to Bolton-le-Sands briefly to then turn back along some rather muddy lanes and back along the canal to Carnforth. So glad I decided to wear my Hunter wellies.

Here are some pics of the day. On the crafting front I am feviourishly trying to finish some X-stitch and knit a shawl for Christmas Day. Pics to come of finished objects soon I hope...

Kat the Hat

2011-10-16T12:48:00.000-07:00

As winter draws ever nearer it is an excellent excuse to knit more hats - a girl can never have enough hats...

I picked up the pattern book 'Precious' by Kim Hargreaves recently and have started the pattern Kat from it; knitted in Rowan Kid Classic.

Really shouldn't have started another project, as I have oodles to do on the needles already. Ah well...

Ysolda at Purl City

2011-08-20T07:33:00.000-07:00

The wonderful knitwear designer Ysolda Teague visited Purl City Yarns in Manchester recently, and Jen and I bobbed along to check it out. She was there to promote her latest collection - Little Red in the City, so I took along my copy which she kindly signed for me.

All her sweaters were there in the flesh so everyone could try them on, and we are now inspired to create our own for Autumn/Winter 2011.

I resisted the urge to add to my stash whilst at the store - it was quite hard. There are some lovely yarns. But I still have a skein of some gorgeous purple Scrumptious to ball up yet - think I will be calling in on Jen to make use of her swift and winder...see you soon Jen.

Mollie Makes

2011-05-16T12:46:00.001-07:00

A new craft magazine hit the shops on Friday, and it is rather nice. Within it are articles with crafty types, projects, gorgeous pictures and it is very inspirational.

Issue 1 came with a free gift to make your very own i-pod / smart phone holder, so I fashioned my very own to keep my Blackberry cosy.

Subscribe here.

I have...

New Hobby

2011-03-06T07:43:00.000-08:00

Oh dear, knitting has taken a back seat as I am currently obsessed with cross stitching. It is very addictive and calming.

I grabbed a couple of small kits from Hobbycraft to get the hang of things and the latest edition of Cross Stitcher magazine and did the free kit from that. And now I have a frame and large piece of aida and threads to tackle a bigger design. It is made up only full stitches, no halves or fiddly bits.

I am also loving the great Subversive Cross Stitch book and will attempt 'Bite Me' next.

Knitting Iceland

2011-02-12T08:02:00.000-08:00

I recently signed up to the Knitting Iceland newsletter and low and behold I only went and won the monthly draw!

Got some lovely lopi yarn and cool DVD on how to knit those fabulous Iceland sweaters.

Huge thanks to Ragga, Berglind and the team at Knitting Iceland...

Bloglovin

2011-01-27T12:31:00.000-08:00

Follow my blog with bloglovin

London

2010-11-06T04:57:00.000-07:00

A much needed few days away was called for, so Sal and I shot down to London on a Pendolino and stayed in Greenwich.

I dragged Sal to a lovely yarn store in Islington - Loop and a fab bike store called Bobbin. I purchased a lovely skein of Malabrigo in a fetching green colour to make Ysolda Teague's Ishbel and a reflective sash for when I am on my bike at night. Much nicer then the horrid fluorescent bibs don't ya think?!

We then saw the amazing Ghost Stories at the Duke of York Theatre which scared the proverbial trousers off me.

Oh and bumped in to Robert Downey Jnr at the Due Date premier...

Day Out in Manchester

2010-09-25T09:18:00.001-07:00

My mate Claire and I had a potter around Manchester on Friday.
We checked out the filming of Captain America around Dale St but unfortunately didn't spot any stars and was kept moving along by the security staff - was quite exciting though.

We then mooched about the Northern Quarter, had a drink in the Crown&Kettle, checked out some groovy shops and then finally hit Walrus for 2 for 1 cocktails and some grub. It was a top day out.

In the Kitchen

2010-09-19T10:12:00.001-07:00

Have decided to make two cakes a month (ideal opportunity when Sal runs the boys back home). So after Sal's marvellous birthday cake success, I attempted a dandelion and burdock cake today and it looks great.
Yet to taste it though...

Over the weekend I also picked up Nigella's latest offering. Some fab looking stuff in here and should make deciding what to have for dinner over the coming weeks a little easier.

Bunting is Up

2010-09-12T12:32:00.001-07:00

Super pleased with my bunting, and it is so easy to do. Do need to make more however, as it doesn't stretch all the way over my 3 fence panels at the back of the garden.

Makes me smile everytime I see it though...

Middlebrook Valley Trail

2010-08-27T10:40:00.001-07:00

Shot off down the Valley Trail this afternoon.

Joined it at the Lostock Arms. It was a lovely run, passed where I used to live in Deane and I remembered cycling this path with my dad when I was little.

Rivington

2010-08-23T13:45:00.001-07:00

First decent bike ride clocked last weekend.
A lovely(!) 16 mile trek around Rivington.

With a couple of stops to take some pictures and have a breather...

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My Beautiful Bike

2010-08-14T08:39:00.000-07:00

Sal kindly bought me a bicycle the other week. Isn't he fab?!

She's a beaut. A Specialised Globe Vienna 1. 21 gears.

Complete with mudguards and rack, D lock and helmet I am ready to ride.

I have already been to work and the gym on her. And today ventured over to my mum and dad's where I took some pics.

I want to ride around Rivington next. It is lovely to be on a bike again after oooh must be 10 years or so.

New Sewing Club

2010-07-24T12:49:00.000-07:00

An offshoot of The Knitting Noras has sprung up. A few of us are going to meet on the last Wednesday of the month up at the Horwich Art Studios and sew and generally lark about.

My first project will be a simple one - create some bunting for the garden.

I have some fabric set to one side that I think will look rather fetching with my new pinking shears.

Gardening Update

2010-07-24T12:40:00.000-07:00

Phase 2 of my gardening project is now underway. I have put down some matting to kill the 'lawn' and so I can put down some circular paving on the right hand side so we can sit out a table and dine and leave the left hand side to put in my veg, herbs and flowers.

Check it out...

I have however put too many courgette plants in (didn't realise how ruddy big they got) but I am harvesting quite regularly now.

And the squash is doing nicely, as to my physalis that I got from a pound shop, the nasturtium off my friend Josie and the cornflowers grown from seed are looking lovely.

Norfolk Broads

2010-07-24T12:32:00.000-07:00

Wow, it has been a while since my last post. But now I'm back.

We had a lovely summer holiday with the boys this year on the Norfolk Broads. It was sooooooo relaxing and the boat was easy to navigate - mooring was another matter but Sal soon became a dab hand.

Here are a few select pictures of our time in East Anglia. We were super lucky with the weather too - was rather damp and dreary on our return home...

We moored overnight in Gt Yarmouth - my it was quite a place(!), seemed to be stuck in the mid 70-80s and just check out the bizarre line up at the Britannia Pier.

Bye bye from the Norfolk Broads...

Progress

2010-05-09T12:14:00.000-07:00

Just under a month, and there is a huge difference to the garden.

Bit by bit I hack away and dig - it will look marvellous come summer!

Oh and saw this tool come lunch box in Gardens Illustrated magazine, may have to purchase...

Before...

Today!

New Obsession

2010-05-03T10:03:00.000-07:00

Am now obsessed with creating a fabulous garden.

Every year I look at my rear garden and think how marvellous it would be to step out in to it, chill out, smell the flowers - but it is a mess. So the time has come to take the weeds in hand, remove those odd trees that are just growing out of the earth willy-nilly and give it a jolly good tidy up.

I am tackling areas bit by bit - it seems the best way without me going slightly insane or giving up.

Here is what I have completed so far [not much granted but watch this space...] in a series of pics, enjoy!

Montanel 2010

2010-04-18T10:44:00.000-07:00

One week in April I drove to France with a few friends, to spend time knitting and relaxing.

I met Ani who was lovely and was very kind in letting me share her lovely home with her. (Sal and I and the boys had spent last year's holiday at the cottage).

Sue, Colleen and Eadaoin rested at Glenda and Steve's fabulous B&B.

Everyone had a wonderful time, and we got lots of knitting done, and drinking, and eating, it was heaven.

We visited Mt St Michel, Dinan and Cancale too. Here are some pics...

Happy Birthday to me...

2010-03-05T15:11:00.000-08:00

I had a wonderful day yesterday. The weather was absolutely stunning and Sal and I went for a stroll around Clitheroe where I purchased some yarn from the lovely Liz. Do visit her site here.

And we had some chips, bought sausages, ooh it was marvellous.

Lemon & Poppy Seed Cake and Socks

2010-02-28T10:15:00.001-08:00

I have been at it again!

From the Hummingbird book it's my second cake and it turned out marvellous.

Really need to crack on with these socks. I did mess up the pattern and ignored my mistake and carried on regardless correctly buy my slight OCD kicked in and I ripped it back. So a slight set back but enjoying these Jaywalkers now...

Part of your 5 a day!

2010-02-14T10:37:00.001-08:00

I recently picked up this book, The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook' and decided I would like to make the blueberry cake. It called for a doughnut shaped cake tin, and thought I could easily pick one up. My local supermarket didn't have one and they were silly prices online.
Thank goodness for Home Bargains, where I got one for £1.99.
Here are some pictures. Mucho pleased with myself, saying I didn't have a electric hand mixer..

Liverpool

2010-02-07T10:20:00.000-08:00

The weather was dry and bright but very cold and foggy in Liverpool on Saturday.
It must have been over 10 years since I was last here and it has changed a lot. Well the main thing being Liverpool One, a large shopping/food hall.
I also had a look in on Purlesque, a little knitting shop at the Blucoat centre. It was cute and small, not much stock.

Check out the pics below, oh we also bumped in to Elvis Costello in Oxfam too...

Inspirations

2010-01-17T04:28:00.000-08:00

Squonkster (Caroline) and I have decided on a crazy idea of becoming famous knitwear designers.

So have taken to carrying around my camera and snapping any interesting designs and patterns I come across. Here are two I may utilise for a hat pattern.

Watch this space as Squonkboots Knits takes over the world! Mwa ha ha.

Ice Ice Baby

2010-01-17T04:21:00.000-08:00

Brrr, it was cold out. And what's left of the snow is slippy slidy ice. Jake and Joe had fun and so did all the geese etc.

I even found some Ngaio Marsh books in Rock Hall at Moses Gate Country Park, hurrah!

Saturday

2010-01-16T08:09:00.000-08:00

The boys are with us but it has been such a murky damp day we haven't ventured far at all. Sal went off and got a new TV for our bedroom and Jake and Joe have been playing LBP.

I have been watching them and reading Audrey Niffenegger's latest book and eating winter nips. It isn't a patch on The Time Travellers Wife but still interesting.

Snow...

2010-01-06T05:18:00.000-08:00

Work cancelled today. I struggled in yesterday, walked there and back, and got very damp on the way home. Glad to be off today, keeping warm, blogging, surfing and knitting. Oh if only I could do this all the time...

Gloves

2010-01-06T05:17:00.001-08:00

Driver stylee. One down, will start the next one soon, promise...

Knitting

2010-01-06T05:15:00.001-08:00

Started up on a shawl pattern I had problems with a few months ago, now I think I have cracked it. It is from Rebecca magazine. Very nice cool patterns.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-06T05:10:00.000-08:00

Hurrah it is 2010. Remember you can still get your Naked Knitting Calendar for 2010. Starring yours truly on January and March.
Just go to our site

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-26T04:10:00.000-08:00

A new year is nearly upon us and I can now update my blog more often now thanks to Sal and his lovely gift to me of a new laptop. Aint she a beaut!

Rivington

2009-09-20T08:16:00.000-07:00

It was gorgeous today, so we made the most of it and went for a stroll around Rivington.

A stroll along the canal

2009-08-23T08:37:00.001-07:00

It was lovely on Saturday so we went for a walk after Fuse. It would be lovely to live alongside the water, it was so peaceful...

Fuse

2009-08-23T08:27:00.000-07:00

A craft collective has sprung up in Bolton. Sal and I took the boys along to check out the craft day. Jake and Joe made balloon hats and a train. Lisa, Eadaoin and Jen were there too with their wares and did some calendar plugging. Was marvellous, well done everybody!

London

2009-08-23T08:19:00.000-07:00

I like London, I must have a thing for big cities. Paris, New York, all wonderful.
Here I am with some lovely ladies, Sue, Deb and Carol, oh and Lydia sock monkey, enjoying the sights. The ice bar was fabulous, oh and the Ritz...

Nozstock Festival

2009-08-23T08:06:00.001-07:00

A lovely little festival, and of course the rains came again. But had a blast anyway. The Buzzcocks played, we did some knitting workshops and took pictures of my latest visiting sock monkey.

A week in Montanel...

2009-07-20T07:27:00.000-07:00

A lovely week in France was had by all, and now I am back to work. Boo.

The cottage was rented from Ani, find out more at www.euroretreat.com

Cupcakes...

2009-06-07T11:57:00.000-07:00

I will be flogging more cakes at work tomorrow to raise funds for our calendar. Made £12 last week, lets see how we get on this week...www.theknittingnoras.co.uk

Ravelry Day 2009

2009-06-07T11:54:00.000-07:00

Oooh we had lots of fun, despite the rain, at Ravelry Day on Saturday.
Bought some yarn, some buttons and we networked - spreading the word about the calendar. Here are a few pictures...

Smithills Hall

2009-05-24T13:00:00.001-07:00

Today we went along to Smithills Hall in Bolton to take part in a crafting afternoon. It was a lovely day and though not a huge number of people passed through, it was nice to have a knit with some Noras and display our wares.

We told people about the Naked Calendar and showed them our new article in the magazine Knit Today.

My travelling sock monky Niji Saru met a spinner too, the lovely Donna.

Anniversary

2009-05-20T07:13:00.000-07:00

Sal and I have been wed 4 years today, and I am making a lovely (hopefully) dinner tonight.
After much trauma with my egg whites last night (and help from Sal - dessert surprise now spoilt!) we managed to make Lemon Mousse. Yum yum x

Bearded Theory 2009

2009-05-18T08:04:00.001-07:00

Mucho fun had at Bearded Theory, despite heavy rains and strong winds taking out the main stage. Eek!

I survived in my lovely pop up tent and everyone had a great time, here be pics...

Monkey Number 3...

2009-05-08T05:47:00.000-07:00

Niji Saru has arrived as part of the travelling sock monkey project.
She'll be with me for 1 month and it is off to the Bearded Theory Festival next weekend.

Holiday '09

2009-04-29T07:57:00.001-07:00

Hurrah, our 2009 summer holiday is booked and Sal, the boys and I are off to Normandy in France.

You can see the cottage here: http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/france/FR3238.htm

I have just started a lovely shawl to wear whilst I lounge in the garden there. It is from Rebecca magazine and involves following a chart which I haven't done before as I usually rely on written instructions.

I've had to re-do Row 1 already. Concentrate woman...

Update 30.4.09 - Gadzooks! Screwed up on Row 3 now and have frogged it completely. Start again...

We went, we saw, we bought wool...

2009-04-27T03:58:00.001-07:00

Everyone loved Wonderwool Wales 09. It was a great event, and no, I didn't go mad. A bit of sock yarn and some fabric and I was happy.

Even Violet, in her poncho felt at home!

Wonderwool 2009

2009-04-24T07:27:00.000-07:00

Violet and I (and a few lovely ladies from the knitting group) are off to Wonderwool Wales 09 tomorrow. Pictures will appear over the weekend.

Because maybe
You're gonna be the one who saves me?
And after all
You're my Wonderwool...

Monkey in a Poncho

2009-04-22T04:41:00.001-07:00

My travelling sock monkey has a new poncho.

Hurrah!

2009-04-20T02:52:00.001-07:00

A quick walk through a hall of mirrors and in to an arcade, where I win £20 on a fruit machine.

Result!

A Few Hours in Southport

2009-04-20T02:32:00.001-07:00

It was a lovely day again, so off we went to Southport. There is a great little retro penny machine arcade at the end of the long pier.

I tried 'How to Choose a Sweetheart' and apparently should be looking for a boxer.

I loved this football game - with all the players wearing little knitted jumpers!

And a pootle around the lake...

Some knitting today

2009-04-18T11:54:00.001-07:00

Working on a poncho for my monkey Violet, who is staying with me at the moment. Discover more on www.ravelry.com and the John Deere Tractor Driver Group.

She will look very fetching me thinks...

What lovely weather we're having...

2009-04-18T11:48:00.000-07:00

The walk took us through Haigh Hall Country Park...

2009-04-18T11:46:00.000-07:00

2009-04-18T11:39:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely day out today courtesy of a book entitled 50 Walks in Lancashire & Cheshire, you can find it here http://www.amazon.co.uk/50-Walks-Lancashire-walks/dp/0749535628/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240080026&sr=8-1 It doesn't get a good review but we have only attempted one walk so far, and though it was a bit vague in parts we managed it and will try another one tomorrow, as the weather is so lovely at the moment.

Anyway off went on Walk 20. The Paths to Wigan Pier.

Welcome...

2009-04-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

A new blog begins. I did this lark a while ago and got out of the habit but hope to start this new one and keep it up. Inspired by a lovely blog here http://yarnstorm.blogs.com/ I hope to document the kind of things I get up to with my family and my exploits in the world of knitting. Enjoy!