Amazing lace

Rowan and Debbie Bliss have introduced new lace weight yarns in a wide range of beautiful colours. Perfect for spring and summer, this delicate little cardi was knitted by Mary in Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace (100% merino wool) from a pattern in the Rowan Lace book.

Both lovely yarns which knit to the same tension, the Rowan yarn being very soft 20% baby alpaca and 80% merino wool.

Spring is on it's way

Bring on the spring cheer. Faux wild flower wreath. A snip at £18.95.

The hyacinths are beginning to bloom on the windowsill.

Linda's tip - help keep them straight with old plastic knitting needles. Works a treat and looks pretty.

Crochet season

Linda has completed the spirograph crochet jumper too, using Artesano variegated silk wool dk. Ooh, but what a tricky pattern - published in Rowan Autumn Winter mag 2011, only part of the pattern is explained, then you have to work it out for yourself. Apparently it took up too much space to write it out - and we thought it was a pattern book. Linda has written the missing parts of the pattern - you will have to be very nice to her if you want it, or wait for Rowan to put it on their website as an erratum, which they have promised to do.

And from Dolce and Gabbana - a crochet handbag. Retailing at.....wait for it $2,900!!!!! Get those hooks out girls. The Granny Square is in.

Mini crochet

Bib for baby Genevieve Elizabeth, born 6th Feb 2012.

Pattern from Cute and Easy Crochet by Nicki Trench.

Knit and wine

First Knit and Wine of the year.

Hope you can join us. Tuesday 21st February, 7.30 - 10pm @ Jolie.

Lots of love

Better late than never.....

What a star

Mouse was called upon to give an impromptu interview over the phone on the Gaz Wesley show for BBC 3 Counties Radio on Saturday morning. They wanted to talk someone about young knitters and were delighted to find a 17 yr old who works in a knitting shop and LOVES knitting. Mouse did great, kept her composure and spoke really well. She just needed a couple of liqueur chocolates afterwards to calm the nerves.

And this is actually what she was knitting on Saturday morning. A toadstool which has become a key ring. From Lesley Stanfield's book 75 Birds, Butterflies and Beautiful Beasties to Knit and Crochet.

Brrr!

We've had white out in Walkern and down to -10 overnight.

Teddy's been wearing his fairisle.

The chucks are seriously unimpressed. They are still laying but the eggs we've collected have been frozen and split like burst pipes when they were brought into the house.

Billie loves it .....but I think she loves the fire even more.

Famous Names

Ooh what a tasty selection. There's nothing like a liqueur coffee - even if it is 11am on a Thursday morning. Xmas choccies in February warm the heart and more besides.

Flower power

Ooh, let's brighten up these winter days and bring some colour back into our lives. Even if they are faux.....beautiful blue delphiniums.

A bouquet of pink and purple wild flowers.

And some real daffodils, which look great with new season colours

in handknit dk cotton from Rowan.

Keeping cosy

Linda's latest creation. A bit random, but a great stash user upper! We all love this easy peasy 2 row scarflette pattern which gives a really impressive result.

Pattern exclusive to Jolie, available in store.

Mmmm

Wow, what budding chefs our children are becoming. Cookery at school has got very sophisticated - not only do they have to choose their own 3 course menu, but it has to be tasty and well presented. Libby made Milk Chocolate and Almond Mousse with Homemade Chocolate Macaroons - twas scrummy, Mummy!

Jolie's got talent

'Bring on the snow', says Susan, in her latest creation. A stripey moss stitch coat from Kim Hargreaves latest book Scarlett (£17.99) and knitted in Rowan's Cocoon.

We loved this one at Knit and Chat. Caroline has worked on this unique crocheted jumper in charcoal grey Alpaca Cotton (another Rowan yarn). The pattern is from the Autumn/Winter Rowan magazine, but we think it works really well in a single colour. Now, who remembers the spyrograph?!!

Queen of Intarsia

Linda has been a busy bee knitting the most beautiful fairisle jumper from Rowan magazine no 50, in Rowan Felted Tweed.

We have been watching the 'inarsia' progress. She went a little off piste (of course) and changed the colours, putting in a beautiful yellow rose.

Nearly there.....

Ta dah! Truly a work of art.

And a close up of the rose tattoo for full appreciation.

A little bit of Sandra in the sun!

The sun came out for Sandra's birthday on Thursday. Friends, chocolate cake, Muscari bulbs and a pearl charm bracelet. What could be sweeter on a cold day in January?

Anne the winners are....

Anne, for knitting her first ever garment.

And Anna, for finishing her stunning first ever fairisle cardi. Applause please!

Sew pretty

To compliment our handmade knitting bags, Karen our seamstress, has made some pretty embroidered needle cases with felt 'pages' and vintage buttons to close. £13.95

Sueper duper

Sue's birthday fell just after Christmas, but surprise surprise that fabulous lantern she had been coveting, miraculously reappeared in the New Year.....and some pretty Greengate goodies too.

Little Olivia also came along, wearing her gorgeous hat and cardi knitted by grandma Sandra.

To all our friends

Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2012. Love Dany and Linda xx

Chez Susan

Jolie has been closed for the week between Christmas and New Year. Susan kindly invited the Thursday group over for a Knit and Chat at her home and we had a delightfully relaxing afternoon.

Everyone contributed delicious goodies to eat and wow, what a feast we had.

Happy holiday

Dany and family had a day at the beach just after Christmas. We felt we needed some fresh air and exercise to walk off the pudding - and cake and mince pies and trifle and yule log and Quality Street.

Our nearest beach is Mersea Island. It was well worth it - the sun came out. Really it did.

Billie was in heaven and not at all tired of turkey sandwiches.

Caught the last rays on Monkey Beach.

We all came home renergised and looking forward to New Year.

Hipstamatic Xmas

Phil was taking pics on Xmas day - using the Hipstamatic app on his iphone - hence groovy retro pics.

My sister Venice personalised the wrapping on all her gifts. My mum had lovely pyjamas.

I had a pretty cardi on matching hand knitted coathanger.

My dad's wrapping! Guess what my mum got? Actually it was a really lovely bag.

Christmas eve

We had gifts and drinks at Jolie on Christmas Eve morning. Carolyn, Mary, Jo, Brenda and Linda enjoyed a Linda concoction of Prosecco with pomegranate and cranberry juice - delicious and now named Jolie juice.

Snow patrol

Winter's here - it's the last day of term, Christmas is coming and it's snowing.

Sort of settling.........doubtful if there will be snowballs, snowmen or sledging.