My First Socks!!! 1st Cardigan and 1st Buttons on Bow Brooch

Some time ago you will remember that Kimme of Irish Cottage Dreams challenged me to a sock knit off. I had not made them before but am so glad I tried as I am very happy with the result and even went on to make a pair for Paul...cosies for his tosies!

And here they are......(drum roll) Tadaaaaaaaa!

The inaugural SOCKS!

 

Don't believe me? They look too good? ...and you think I might have put up a pic from a pattern. No way! Oh ye of little faith. Here I am modelling mine.

 

I must get a pic of Paul modelling his too. Will add it later.

Many thanks to Ivy and Lace Cottage's Marilyn who gave me  great help when I got a bit lost on these. I was about to sign myself into a home for the bewildered.

Thanks also to Kimme too for the challenge as I would never have got around to it otherwise. Now you have to show me yours Kimme! 
 

Why stop at socks? I got very adventurous and had a go at a cardi for myself. It is made from Braemore 50% wool, very thick yarn and knitted up really quickly. I love it even though it is a bit too big for me...just means I have a licence to eat methinks! 

 

Then I had to make a wooly flower pin for it from my "One Hundred Flowers to Knit and Crochet" I love that book.  This is crocheted and is called Lazy Daisy (reminds me of a fried egg ) Very easy even for a rookie crocheter like me.

 

I am now working on a gorgeous scarf from a pattern from the  Berroco range of patterns (as was the cardi) - Nimbus the cardigan is called and Rose for the scarf. Mine is a lovely blue Tweed Aran yarn... Google Berroco Knitting Patterns to find them. They have a fabulous range of patterns and all divided into skill levels and many are free. Mine are both from the easy level.

 

This  is what I am aiming for...

 

Gorgeous? Yes,....yes, I am aiming to be as gorgeous as her!.....to have a scarf like that, hair like that, a figure like that.....Oh well, I'll settle for the scarf. Here is a close up of the detail.

 

So easy to make as it is just rib but you knit into the back of the knit stitch to give it the twisted look.

Not only knitting but I have also been inspired by Twiggy's recent gift - a  gorgeous felted/buttoned brooch/pin. Here it is.

So I put my own spin on her design and came up with what I like to call "Buttons on Bow Brooch"

It looks great on that white sweater above pinned at a jaunty angle along the side of the crew neck (no, not worn in the middle like a feckin' clown!) Thanks for the idea Twiggy! You can nick mine now!

Ahhhh, you spotted the Cath Kidston fabric behind the brooch right?

Last night I made the neatest knitting bag (I don't mean cool or nice) but NEAT as in tidy and well made...I am never satisfied with my sewing attempts  always finding I have made a silly little mistake - until now. I am getting better. The nearest to perfect as I have ever done.

It is a Christmas pressie for a knitting friend of mine.

KIMME! CLOSE YER' EYES AND DON'T OPEN THEM UNTIL CHRISTMAS!

Of course I had to show it here and now 'cos I can't hold me water!

 But don't worry as Kimme will still get a surprise when she looks inside........(I am keeping that secret)

I am also working on a gorgeous little project for Angie of the Old Schoolhouse. We are sisters as you know and this year all us sisters are doing the sister bag pressie. That is lots of little presents of goodies that we know will go down a treat and so much fun opening all of them. Sure it's just like Christmas...Oh yeah, it will be Christmas!

Back to the NEAT knitting bag. I put in a long pocket for spare needles outside and a smaller pocket inside for knitting notions.

 

I decided to add my own shop label "Such Pretty Old Things" to decorate the pretty old blue ribbon at top of pocket as seen in this pic.

Close up of the inside lining and notions pocket  -and my neat stitching.

 

Do you see the lovely blue ribbon trim? Well, it is 50 to 60 years old. It came all packed up in its original pack with old label and I agonisied as to whether I should use it or not. 

 In the end I decided that Kimme is worth it! ...so I took a photo of it as I opened it. I'm so glad I did use it. There was exactly the right amount in the right shade. Here it is just after I opened it up.  "Pikaby Knitters Ribbon" I kept the pretty labels of course. I often have that dilema with vintage sewing notions because it seems a shame to use them but seems a shame not to too!

 

What else now...oh yes, I have been on Ebay, doing my bit to end the recession by shopping for Ireland.

I bought these lovely darning mushrooms from Oxfam on Ebay. I was surprised to find that Oxfam sell on Ebay.  So not only did I do my bit for the economy but I surported one of my favourite charities too!  They turned out to be much bigger than I had thought (who has time to read the whole description? Just spend, spend, spend)

I will keep and use the smaller one but I just have to paint the bigger one red with white spots for the cottage window to go with all of Paul's fairies and frogs that live there!

 

 

Sure what kind of a sock would you be darning with one that big?

Thanks for visiting and have a lovely weekend!

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

Comments

[Josie]

welll on all the knitting and your version of twiggy's brooch, and I like the knitting bag you've made, very colouful, now you've finished them you'll have time to make the raggy quilt! - I got the pattern from
http://www.sewingworld.co.uk/McCalls_Crafts.html - pattern no M4941
Josie x

[Tracey]

You are so feckin clever, crochet, neat sewing and knit SOCKS! Is there no end to your talents?!
Love from, one night owl to another....XXX

[Val]

Well done, the socks look great.

[Laura Ingalls Gunn]

OH MY GOODNESS! The sweater you knitted is absolutely gorgeous. I adore the fried egg button. :) You are truly talented.
Your blog is lovely and I can't wait to read further posts.

[Amy]

Hi. Just thought I would say thank you very much for your great comment on my blog.

love Amy (bubble) xxx

[lajoni]

Wonder woman or what!!!!is there no end to your talents, obviously not ...just make the rest of us normal beings feel inadequate why don't you!....
Seriously your knitting sewing crochet etc is beautiful....wish I had the need for a knitting bag its just gorge and the scarf oh and the cardy oh and I mustn't forget the lush warm as toast sox.....STOP WOMAN ....chill and have a cuppa ...mwah xx

[Angel Mc]

i keep trying to post comments to your blog, but typepad is mad at me. here goes again.
i love the socks...i wish i could kanit.
i wish i could reach through this computer and get my hands on that little donkey and just squeeze him or her.
and i love the other animals as well. it' a good think i'm a zillion miles away, 'cause i would come over to your neighborhood, find shadow and steal her. she and cici and gingin would be great friends.

[Serenata]

Wow! What can I say?! You have been very busy. The socks are fabulous - never tried socks yet, but maybe oneday. The cardi is lovely, and scarf - I do love scarves - never go without one in winter, wouldn't mind a copy of that pattern ;-)

The extra deep pocket on the knitting bag is perfect for the knitting needles - fab idea.

I remember reading about your Dad last year - very difficult time of the year for you I would imagine.
I've haven't had a Christmas like that but have had some fairly dreadful ones where I have ended up in hospital having major surgery! Yuk, could do without that nonsense. Never mind wondering where on earth to stick the tree!

[Amy]

Hi, i have an award for you on my blog

Bubble xxxx

[Priscilla]

Wow!!! You had done some fantastic knitting, the socks look great! I am new to knitting, and I am having fun, not quite sock level yet tho... Cant wait to see what else you knitt up..

Priscilla x

[kimme]

Oh wow! Your socks and sweater turned out great!!! I really like the style of the sweater. It would look wonderful with a darker long sleeve shirt underneath.... Everything is lovely. :)

I did my best not to peek and had hubby scroll down the page so I could leave a comment. I am so excited! I can't wait to see what wonderful treasure you have made for me. ... I love surprises!!

hugs~kimme

[angie lee]

Ah yes thats my sister, multi talented,an all round entertainer gooooooo girlllll ] love you Angiexxxxxxxx

[Margie]

Hi Pam, Your work is fantastic, love the socks and the brooches, but the bag is definitely the best of all, you are a natural, it is stylish, elegant and so well finished. I have never gone on ebay, and with no computer at the moment, I am finding creative ways to get on line and visit my fav blogs. Hugs, Margie.

[kimme]

Opps!! I forgot to show you my socks!!! I gave them away to
the school teachers and forgot to take a photo. I guess I will have to knit some more to show off. LOL!!

hugs~kimme

[Microsoft Office]

Voila, I can now use 2007 as if it was 2002,