Drawstring Dilemma

When I was at school in the 90s, technology lessons consisted of a rotation between food tech, woodwork and plastic work.  The lessons were pretty basic and apart from getting a chance to do something hands-on, they were nothing special.  I'm glad to be able to report that - at Cameron's school, at least - things have improved.  I've already written about his food tech lessons being a bit disappointing but the rest of the classes have been pretty inspiring.  

Cameron's tech and art rotation includes woodwork and food but also graphic design where he learnt to use a drawing tablet and work with Manga Studio, art was drawing this year - which Cameron excells at, in wood work he made a very neat money box, plastic work uses CAD (computer aided design) where he made a picture frame and stand using lots of fancy equipment and now he has rotated through to textiles.
I'm a bit giddy about him getting to experience textiles class because it wasn't included in my school education at all and I'm fascinated to find out what will be taught and how a teacher manages a class full of kids with sewing machines!

Last week, Cameron came home and mentioned that they'd be making a drawstring bag and asked if I could give him some pointers to help him.  Panic!  I can help in so many ways with his school work but the correct way to sew is something I am accomplished at.

I set about looking for online tutorials so I could brush up my skills. Being a visual learner I went straight for YouTube.
I started with this Simple Drawstring Bag Sewing Tutorial which delivers exactly what it promises.
I made mine with part of a vintage tablecloth that I picked up in a charity shop (no gasping - it had permanent stains so was always intended to be a cutter!) and used some ribbon from my box for the drawstrings. 
Despite my dodgy sewing skills (why is it so hard to sew in a straight line?!) I was quite pleased with the outcome.



This all seemed fairly straight forward, but what if Cameron's project was intended to be a lined bag?

Whitney Sews was my first stop on YouTube.  If you haven't come across her channel before then it's worth a look.  She's very good at simplifying a project and making it look easy.  I also find her adorable, especially as - like me - she has named her sewing machine!
Whitney has a DIY Fully Lined Drawstring Bag tutorial which is easy to follow and shows an easy but clever trick for not having raw edges on the drawstring openings.



30 minutes later I had a fully lined drawstring bag which I'm so pleased with that I'm still admiring it!



Cameron was suitably impressed when he arrived home (phew!) and we've earmarked the next rainy weekend day for him to do some practising with the machine.

I think these bags are going to be so useful for storing projects in progress and transporting knitting.




I have to admit that - despite this not being a craft I'm ever going to be uber talented at - I'm itching to do some more sewing projects now.

Loose Ends

Following on from my bout of startitis at the beginning of the year, I've been flitting between projects (and adding the odd new one in too) trying to make progress and I'm finally nearing completion of one of them.

My second cardigan of the year is based on the Miette pattern but this time knit on slightly larger needles and without the shaping for more of a cosy cardi that can be thrown on when it gets chilly. 

The colours are so cheerful and go perfectly with denim, so perfect for wearing with jeans.  The yarn is Tepa by Araucania and the plain edging is Blue Faced Leicester.  I picked out the buttons at the market this past weekend, I think they have a vintage-style feel to them. They look white in the photo but they're actually pink.

So, I'm eight buttons and a lot of loose ends away from finishing something, which is exciting.

Also on my needles right now:

My first grey skies above sock: I'm almost ready to do the toe and then cast on the second.  I really love the pattern but I am procrastinating a little bit with the tiny needles.

My Shift of Focus cardigan is only about four rows further along than it was the last time I showed it to you but I think I'm going to get busy with this one next. The Puelo yarn is gorgeous to work with and is draping beautifully.

I'm also learning to crochet ripples with the help of Lucy's tutorial.  I'm not sure if I'm going to carry it on to a blanket size or if it may evolve into something else but the ripples are so clever - I'll show you more of that next week, maybe.

I've also been working on a little something Christmassy, as is typical for me when I'm feeling sad but this time I have a bonafide reason for wrong season crafting .  I'll be able to tell you more about that project very soon, I hope.

There are a few other experimental projects floating about but those are the main ones, for now.

My head has been rather too busy for reading lately, although I have been dipping back into some On the Banks of Plum Creek to escape now and then.  I got to the bit in the story about the Ingalls first ever Christmas tree at the Church - it is so enchanting.

I'm joining in with Yarn Along today.

What's in your craft basket at the moment?

Easing back in...

I want to start todays post with a huge thank you for your warm wishes, thoughts and prayers. Your support has helped more than you can know.  Healing is going to take some time but I know that better days will come. 
Apologies if you're waiting for an email reply from me - I intend to tackle my inbox throughout the week.

I thought I'd ease myself back in this morning with some highlights from our weekend.

In an attempt to make up to Cameron for things having been a bit miserable, I arranged a movie night on Saturday.  I made Peanut Butter Ice Cream (also known as The Best Ice-cream EVER!) with white chocolate chips and we finally got around to watching Breaking Dawn Part 2, which we thought was a bit anti-climactic in the end.  




The Twilight thing was not my cup of tea but Cameron got into it and was desperate to know how it ended as all the girls at school are mad about it.

On Sunday we meandered to a car boot sale in the sunshine.  We timed it quite well because as it threatened to rain people were packing up and therefore lowering their prices.  




I picked up a Pyrex gravy jug and plate in perfect condition, a case stuffed full of knitting needles, a star-shaped ice cube tray and what I thought was a Pyrex mug but is actually Termocrista - a Mexican company that made Fireking knock-offs, from what information I could find online.  I don't mind that it's not genuine, I really like it and it's not a design I've seen before.  In hindsight I realise I haven't photographed it very thoughtfully - it does have a handle around the other side.



I spent a grand total of £1.70 (not counting the obligatory car boot bacon sandwiches) - pretty good going, I think!

How was your weekend?

Sometimes

Sometimes sadness is unavoidable. 

Sometimes it's too personal to share.

Sometimes it's impossible to pretend that it hasn't happened. 

Sometimes I have to write something, even if it makes no sense to those who read it.

Sometimes, even when surrounded by people, I feel so alone that I wonder if any of this is real.

Sometimes I wish I had faith to lean on.

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to put one foot in front of the other and move forwards. 

Sometimes I have to anyway and trust that time will heal.

Back Soon

Apologies for falling off the radar a bit.  A sickness bug has taken hold over here and I'm struggling to achieve anything much.  I'm really sorry I haven't replied to your lovely comments or visited your pages, I hope you don't think I'm being rude or taking you for granted.  
I'll be back as soon as I can x 

Granny Square Bag

I'm excited to be able to show you a finished item for Yarn Along this week.  I was inspired by Emma at the Knit and Natter group I attend to make a granny square bag.  It's so simple to make a box-type bag with squares to any dimensions you'd want and the finished results are pretty and practical!




My squares are based on the Hexagon How to from Attic24 but instead of adding the corners, I did an extra round before squaring off and joining as I went for the front and back and then made three strips of three squares for the sides and bottom.  Joining as I go looks a tad messy (perhaps because of my lack of experience?) so I added a row of (UK) dc stitches to the vertical joins and used the same method to join all of the pieces together and add definition to the outline of the bottom of the bag.

The straps were made with simple double crochet stripes - 120 stitches.  I had hoped to attach them with my sewing machine but as the squares are quite chunky, the machine was having none of it so I switched to hand sewing and was just really thorough so that they attached securely. 




I used organic, fairtrade Eco Aran for the colours in this project which is a yarn I absolutely adore and am so sad that it has been discontinued (there is still some limited stock left in my shop if you want to snap some of this up before it's gone forever).

Obviously, a bag like this needs lining and I used some fabric from my stash to make a simple lining using my sewing machine and then stitched it it into the crocheted bag with the help of this wonderfully simple tutorial.  I have never lined a yarn project before and I'm unbelievably amazed that I managed to do it neatly and have it be strong enough to withstand everyday use.  I keep going back to admire my handiwork!




This week I have been mostly reading The Essential Guide to Back Garden Self-Sufficiency - I have had this book for a few years now and love returning to it, it's definitely my favourite self-sufficiency/homestead style book.  

It's so exciting seeing all of those seeds popping up through the soil at the moment and I like to refresh my knowledge and also learn about plants that I'm trying for the first time.  There's always something new to learn with gardening.  
It's also really easy to be optimistic at this time of year and this book helps me dream about luscious plants and abundant harvests (before the slugs and other pests have had a chance to get at them!).

What are you crafting and/or reading at the moment?

Roasted BBQ Mushrooms

If I'm honest, 18 months ago - when I started making some big health changes - eating salad was a bit of a chore for me.  I knew it was good for me but I couldn't get excited about a bowl of greens.  It's been a gradual progression but now salad is the food I crave most of all.  In fact, I quite often choose to eat salad for breakfast as well as lunches and dinners.  



At first I'd stick to basic lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes - maybe with a bit of spring onions, carrots etc. but I soon worked out that the way to make salad interesting is to work with the add ons - dressings (creamy dressings made with blended cashews are definitely my favourites), sprinklings of seeds, crunchy seaweed, roasted veggies, sundried tomatoes, olives, some oily fish, sometimes leftover rice or quinoa or an occasional bit of cheese... there really is no end of ways to make salad appetising - why had it taken me so long to realise this?



A couple of months ago I started tinkering with different ways to use mushrooms and now this roasted BBQ mushroom recipe is something I'm returning to on a regular basis, particularly for breakfast salads.  It's super easy to make and requires very little fussing around.  

I make mine with a smoky chipotle chilli paste which adds some heat but with those smoky undertones that appeal to my tastes.  The result is a flavour reminiscent of the gooey, sugar-filled barbecue sauce that now languishes unused in the cupboard.



Roasted BBQ Mushrooms

200g button mushrooms, halved
1 teaspoon chilli paste (I use a smoky chipotle chilli paste)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon honey
Pinch of salt (optional, I use pink Himalayan salt)

Preheat the oven to 180 Centigrade
Mix all of the marinade ingredients together in a bowl until well combined.  Stir the halved mushrooms into the mixture until completely coated.
Transfer the coated mushrooms to a roasting tray, adding any additional marinade.
Roast for 12-15 minutes and serve.

So simple!
These roasted BBQ mushrooms would make a great side dish as well as being good on salad.

What's your favourite way to eat salad at the moment?

Cheese and Wild Garlic Muffins

I ventured out into the wild winds yesterday to Knit and Natter but before returning home I felt a strong call to visit the woods.  One of the things I miss most about no longer home educating is that we don't start every day with a walk, and it seems somehow an extravagant thing to do by myself.  Anyway, I set out on the muddy path - hop-skipping over the big puddles - for a blustery walk in the woods.  It blew away the cobwebs, helped clear my mind and (much to the delight of the other bus passengers, I'm sure..) I came home with a big bouquet of wild garlic!




Due to all of that snow we had, the wild garlic in my area is still quite young so not very strong in flavour yet. This is just the stage I like it at because it can be used much more like a vegetable than a herb.

I immediately set to making something for an after school snack incorporating wild garlic and came up with these Cheese and Wild Garlic Muffins, which are a variation on my Cheese and Chutney Muffins.  I thought you might like to try them, too.  They're absolutely delicious, Cameron has taken some of these in his packed lunch today.




Cheese and Wild Garlic Muffins
(makes 12)

175g self raising flour
120g grated cheese, plus more for sprinkling on top
large handful of wild garlic (ramsons), roughly chopped
80ml milk
60ml cooking oil (use your preferred kind)
1 egg
half a teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon mustard

Preheat the oven to 200 Centigrade/Gas Mark 6
In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, sugar, grated cheese and chopped wild garlic.  Set aside.
In a measuring jug, combine egg, milk, mustard and cooking oil.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until there are no visible bits of dry flour.
Divide the mixture between 12 muffin cases and sprinkle with a bit more cheese, if desired.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and firm.
Leave to cool slightly and enjoy!

What's your favourite way to eat wild garlic?

P.S. If you're new to the idea of picking up lunch ingredients in the woods then you might like my beginners guide to foraging.

Easy Breezy

Quite often people assume that I've been knitting all my life.  They look at my knitting and say "I could never do that", "that's beyond my capabilities" or similar.




I actually started knitting about a year after I started this blog.  I learnt with the aid of a children's library book and by watching YouTube videos.  It took me about two years to progress beyond knit and purl stitches and even longer to trust that I was capable of following a proper pattern and actually produce something resembling the design.  It wasn't that it took two years to learn any new skills, it just took two years for me to work up the courage to try and when I did, it was a LOT easier than I thought it was going to be.

I still doubt my own abilities.  I pop round the Yarn Along and comment on the beautiful projects women are making and say things like "Wow, you must have so much patience" or "such intricate work, I'm jealous" and I forget that I'm just as capable of beautiful knitting, I just need to believe in myself and take a risk.




Now that I sell yarn in my online shop I get another regular comment: "it's gorgeous but my knitting isn't good enough to justify the cost".  These comments make me want to scoop people up and give them a hug and tell them that their work is wonderful and deserves to be made with good quality, natural fibres.  And that £5-15 is not a lot to spend on yarn if it entertains you everyday for a month (or more), enhances your skills and makes something in the end that everyone you meet will admire.  How many other leisure activities give you all of that for the same price?




With all of these thoughts in mind, I started to think back to that stage when I was ready to progress from knit and purl but needed a pattern that was simple, clear and not intimidating but made something practical or useful and thus, the Easy Breezy Scarf pattern was born.



This scarf requires a cast on, knit, purl, a yarn over stitch - which is SO simple, you've probably done it while you were learning how to switch between knit and purl in the beginning - and a cast off.
The best thing about it is that it looks much more complicated than it actually is, which will fool everyone around you into thinking you're a master knitter, and once the pattern is established (6 rows in) it makes a great travelling project - you can throw it in your bag and knit a couple of rows here and there without worrying about losing your place.

The scarf is asymmetrical but is actually knit straight.  The mesh-style design does all of the work for you and if you knit it up in a self-striping yarn as I have done then it looks even more impressive.  Plus, the front and back are both really interesting textures (I think the back looks a bit like it's been crocheted) so it's reversible.



If you're one of those people who admires knitting but hasn't yet taken the plunge into something a bit more complex then this pattern is for you.  It's light and breezy (hence the name), which makes it  perfect for colder Spring/Autumn days when a scarf is still needed but you want to feel the air on your skin.  And it's free!



I teamed it with some new yarns that have just arrived in my shop:  Debbie Bliss Rialto DK Prints are self-striping, inspired by Italian ice-creams, and come in really dreamy colour combinations. Rialto is my favourite go-to DK yarn, it's soft and luxurious, non itchy merino wool but also machine washable - side-by-side with the more popular Cashmerino it is comparibly superior.
(For more advanced knitters - you might like the Rialto DK Prints Pattern book in the books and magazines section of the shop.)



Feel free to email me if you have any questions about it.

I hope you'll give it a try!

In baking, I take comfort

When the world feels upside down.
When nothing makes sense.
When hearts are breaking.
When it seems like there is no solution.
In baking, I take comfort.



In practical terms, of course, it fixes nothing.  But so long as there is flour and water, and yeast and warmth I manage to find my way back to a place of hope.