I've been flitting between lots of different projects this week after a flurry of inspiration had me casting on more new things than is probably sensible!
Today I thought I'd show you a daffodil that I knitted based on a pattern from this book. I'm not a huge fan of the author, I have a few of her books and I find that her patterns haven't been very well tested but I seem to be able to work my way around mistakes which is an indication of how far my knitting skills have come along in the last couple of years.
The stem of the daffodil is icord which means you can insert a pipe cleaner to make it stand up in a vase.
The snowdrops in the picture are from this (much better) book and they get a yearly outing to cheer up a windowsill in Winter. Now they have a cheerful yellow friend to join them.
I need to get some focus now, really, or else I'm going to have a basket of half-finished projects! I'm particularly liking the Shift of Focus pattern. It's lovely and simple and all garter stitch so a good project for watching films with or social knitting. I'll write a bit more about it when I've made some decent progress.
This week I have started reading Almost Amish, which I found recommended in the Yarn Along a little while ago. I'm only half way through and I don't have the words to do it justice but it's turning out to be one of those books that really speaks to me and I'm finding a lot of inspiration about getting back to my goal for a simpler, self-sufficient(ish) life.
As you might expect, it has a religious thread running through it but not in the way you might expect and it's certainly not preachy or imposing. I find a lot of the scripture particularly around nature to be very inspirational.
What's on your needles this week? Are you reading anything interesting?
P.S. Don't forget to enter my February yarn voucher giveaway - only a week left to enter!
I just had a look at Almost Amish, on your recommendation, and have bought it straight away. It looks right up my street.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it, Elaine :o)
DeleteHow nice it will be to have a vase filled with knit flowers, and you won't have to remember to water!
ReplyDeleteI will have to look into picking up a copy of Almost Amish. Living a simpiler life is always a goal of mine.
Exactly, Tracey - and they'll never wilt, either!
DeleteWell now I need to check out this book! I'm all for simplicity. Love your flowers they look delicate and real!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen :o)
DeleteMy husband bought me Almost Amish for Christmas this year - it's making the rounds with some of my family and girlfriends. I found it inspirational and affirming! And oh but I love that daffodil. So ready for Spring over here!
ReplyDeleteI'm ready for Spring, too. We had a brief glimpse of it this week but now it's cold again.
Deletelove those flowers!
ReplyDeleteA friend just gave me a half finished shawl that she got annoyed with, so that's another half finished project for me!
Sally :-)
Oh, that's very friendly of you, Sally!
DeleteThe book sounds like a very interesting read, I'll have to add it to my "must read" list. :-) Your knitted flowers are precious!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anke :o)
DeleteOh my that daffodil is amazing! I'm welsh and it is own national flower.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Emma :o)
DeleteI love the flowers. Daffodils are one of my favorite flowers, so sunny and happy!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jen :o)
DeleteThe flower is so pretty! I'm tempted to read that book, I'm a sucker for a nice looking cover!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Casey :o)
DeleteDaffodils are one of my favorite flowers too! Yours is very bright and cheerful!
ReplyDeleteI'm not doing Yarn Along this week. Nothing new to report - except that I'm on Chart C of my sock! ;-) Thank goodness I found it!
Thanks, Kathi. Your chart C story was so funny!
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ReplyDeleteoh..so springy. they are just lovely ! i read almost amish and loved it ! it is a book i would reread several times....enjoy
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eileen :o)
DeleteHow clever!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jen :o)
DeleteYou daffodil is shouting spring...I will have to look for your books..sounds great!
ReplyDeleteI'm attempting to push the season any way I can, right now!
Deleteyour flowers are lovely. :) what a great project. the book sounds interesting as well, i am always on the look out for a good book.
ReplyDeleteThank you :o)
Deletehow pretty your flowers are! i just found some wild daffodils here where i live, such a beautiful flower!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lori :o)
DeleteThe flowers are adorable, perfect for Spring.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nicole :o)
DeleteYour Daffodil is just beautiful! I shall check the book out, I really admire the Amish way of life x
ReplyDeleteThanks, Becky. I think you'll like the book :o)
DeleteWell, "Almost Amish" is now winging its way to me via amazon! It looks just the kind of thing for me too as I am convinced I am part amish. Thanks, as always, for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it, Jules :o)
DeleteI have the book with the snowdrop pattern in and I made some this year too for our seasonal table. I need to learn to crochet so I can make some of the lovely crochet flowers too. I knitted daffodils last year, I used a pattern I found on the net not sure where it was a blog I think!
ReplyDeleteYes, there are so many great crochet flowers in that book - all the ones I want to make, which is a bit of a shame that I'm a knitter, really!
DeleteThis book is on my wish list. It would be very nice to read your full opinion about it.:)
ReplyDeleteAnd your knitting is charming as always!
Thank you :o)
DeleteI love the little flowers! Great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Erin :o)
DeleteI also really enjoyed Almost Amish and it also spoke to me about some very simple ideals - especially the one about focusing on family - I really think it is neat how they live so nearby their two adult children.
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are just beautiful as well.
Thanks :o)
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