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Knitting and Crochet

I don't remember learning how to knit and crochet but I suspect Auntie Cath taught me.

I only began to explore different patterns in a grown up way after I was married. I remember a favourite fawn cardigan that actually fit me and was a way of practising patterns in rows. I don't know where it went but there is one photo of me wearing it.

I loved knitting jumpers for the children when they were little but was quite happy to let Auntie Cath take over that job as they grew.

Many of my garments have ended up swiftly in the charity shops or bins or unravellled and the wool used in weaving or making up into something else.

I have begun to enjoy knitting again, this time in chunky or aran mix for myself and grown up relatives, making up my own patterns from a basic pattern I have worked out that fits me well and can be a adjusted for other sizes.

There is something ancestral about knitting in front of a roaring fire and watching TV. I have also managed drop - spindle spinning of wool on the fences and fields or from local ladies' sheep which I washed, carded and even dyed using our home grown onion skins and some old saffron.

Tormore Aran Chunky This is my favourite that I have ever done. I bought large balls of aran chunky and did another practice cardy as I came back to knitting after many years but wanted to reflect Tormore and Skye. It grows through the colours and scenery of that beautiful holiday place from the sea to the heather covered moorlands, has a zip and is a fabulously warm jacket.		Leftovers Winter Aran Chunky After using reds and white I had lots left so I did more of the same practising patterns and made this heavy duty jacket. I have loved it for many winters.

Xmas Fairisle Chunky Seeing this pattern at Yarndale last year, the temptation to do it was too great. I was wanting to have a go at doing traditional fairisle too so it got me going.		Leftovers Fairisle Chunky Getting in the mood for big fairisle, I decided to practise many patterns using up my leftovers from years of knitting. This is the result, very warm and cheerful but it has rid me of the urge to knit more!

Ochre Aran Chunky Having a go at cable, I had done a few waistcoats for Babs, Tisha and me but this colour shouted at me in the shop so I did this with a few cable lines. I find it fascinating how easy it is to create an intricate pattern in cable but so difficult to keep tabs on where you are.		Gloves Other people can knit gloves with their eyes shut. I find them frustrating so this pair is the last I have done. They went to Babs in NZ.

Crochetted Granny Squares Blanket What else can I do with all the leftovers? Auntie Cath's generation all had them, really too old fashioned but I just love the colours. It comes out as an extra cover on the beds when we have a house full. When the awful situation in Syria became known on our TVs that winter, I felt I had to send this and the Laura Ashley pretty one to keep someone warm. I often think of whoever they may be loved by now.		Spinners' blanket On Tuesdays at Settle Spinners I find other ladies with the same passion for wool, spinning and knitting that I have! We knit and natter and last year I organised and finished off this blanket for Africa we all contributed to.

Crochetted Blanket Another way of using up the leftovers in great tradition is to start in the middle and see how big it gets. Rosie has one too. She likes red.		Rebecca's Shawl Amongst the things I have knitted and crochetted for Rebecca and Rosie, there are not many that they said they liked! Rebecca kept this one. (I think)

Crochetted Granny Slippers My own design with double aran leftovers. Rosie wearing a pair. These are so warm!		Crochetted Ankle Warmers Further paying with double aran leftovers, I had a go at shaping like a sock. Rebecca seen here liking these and needing the warmth in England, has taken them 'and probably has them in her bags at Matt's house for her visits.

Tea Cosies It has become fashionable again in tea shops in the Dales to have tea cosies and china crockery, not necessarily matching. But how great it is that the grandma sets, cheap as chips in second hand shops, are being used. I have designed my own cosies for my own tea pots as I still use a pot for multiple cups in the mornings. Hills, sheep, walls, flowers, moors and a Christmas pudding are here.		Blue Moss Stictch warmer After my bought housecoat began to look tatty and Covid 19 Lockdown times of 2020 called to be filled, I have used my favourite weight of Chunky Aran, 20% wool and put moss stitch details on to do for those evenings a bit chilly but not cold enough for the under floor heating to be put on. At last, too, a garment worthy of my 4 metal buttons made at the jewelery workshop in Settle.

Family bobble hat With left overwools, Mum used to create a sort of fair isle pattern for lots of knitting for us four girls. My favourite type of hat was one with two bobbles on long strings so I could pretend I had long plaits. I've tried my best to replicate them with this one for Ella. She loves it.		Wools from the fields A love of spinning with my drop spindle, then carding,spinning and washing the yarn before knitting is an old skill I have loved learning. This is my hat and scarf of the wool off the fields on our walks around Settle and Ribblehead. It's scratchy but warm.

Sock Wool Hat and Scarf I have tried to knit socks, completed 3 and said it wasn't worth the hours. But this selection of 4 ply including some greens NZ merino from Babs are all so colourful I have had to use them.