Knitting shawls & hats

For baby Wastell, the scheme for the shawl is based around Guernsey stitches, with pride of place in the four corners being the Humber Star. The main body is nearly complete, and I shall soon be knitting the border of points.... more pictures to follow in the new year for this project.

In the meantime, Papa to be Wastell, aka my son, has asked for some socks, and yes the yarn is now in the stash, but little heads and new babies just cannot wait.

So for Kaye's new grand-daughter, I've knitted up a couple of super little hats. The pattern 'Leaf Top Hat for Baby' comes free on the Internet, and in Baby Cashmerino by Debbie Bliss look like big bluebell flowers. The first hat was knitted on 3.25 for the main body, but at Kenilworth Knit and Knatter, we thought it would fit a new born or premature baby, so I've knitted a second hat on 3.75 needles. It is slightly bitter and with the looser tension, will stretch for a much bigger head.

The effect is just lovely, and reminds me of the flower hats worn by 'the little people' in fairy tales. I think I shall knit up a little collection for Baby W: I can just think of ones which the Primrose and Strawberry fairies might like to give her.

Christmas Spirit

Last night we spent an evening listening to some superlative music at Lord Leycester's in Warwick, where we heard Passamezzo give the 'Christmas Music in Shakespeare's England' concert. With the virtuoso of the singers and instrumentalists, the detailed costumes, replica instruments, candles and the ancient hall, it will be an evening never to forget.

Since then, the Christmas Spirit is truly upon me. I am quietly content, and counting my blessings, not anxious to attain some unattainable level of competence, sophistication, or preparedness....well not yet!

As I was washing up this morning a few snowflakes drifted down, and the garden started to look like myself and the kitchen floor, which was slightly covered in a dusting of icing sugar.

It took just 45 minutes from weighing out the ingredients to covering the cake. What Delia failed to explain was that it would also take about 15 minutes to wash up and clean the floor! The home made marzipan is so easy to make and malleable and therefore very easy to apply and smooth.

It is now 'curing' under a beautiful antique serviette until sometime next week when it will be rough iced. I like this term 'rough' ice.....