Here's the 'real' version. I'm sure Graeme will be glad it's finished as I got a little obsessed with the detail and spent ages watching an episode I'd recorded over and over again and then pausing to study further.
If I made him again I'd probably made the head wider to match the image. It looked pretty massive when I first made it.
Here is Jacob also sporting his new big boys shoes.
I've recently been making a few things to sell at craft fairs. These keyrings were made out of left over sock yarn. Anne kindly aggreed to stock these at The Knit Studio and suggested I package them in a more professional way. I'm really happy with the way they look and have started making more.
Christmas is 76 days away (so the man who runs the village post office told me) so I thought I'd try something seasonal. I've used various crochet patterns, crochet cotton and a 2.5mm hook to make these snowflakes. I tried stiffening them with starch, but I found that the larger ones needed something stronger, so I had to resort to PVA glue. Should be fine as long as they don't get wet. I thought they'd make good christmas decorations.
We had a day in Lincoln, visiting the cathedral and castle, a visit to Sherwood Forest visitors centre and the Major Oak, and a trip to a Sherwood Forest Farm Park which Jacob loved.
We also went round Rufford Abbey, which was a short walk from where we were staying. All in all a fun holiday. It all reminded me of various school trips and childhood family visits as it was an easy distance from my parents house.
On the way back north we stopped at my parents for a couple of nights and Jacob got to have his birthday all over again. He's really getting into the presents now, getting excited when he sees them. He's still not sure whether he's allowed to rip the paper off or not.
And playing with his new duplo.
One of the places I really enjoyed was the Herbarium in the Old Town. It was originally the garden kept by the nuns that ran the hospital. They grew medicinal herbs and other plants and that was the theme of the garden. It was also a beautiful garden. It was gratifying to see that some specimens weren't as good as my plants at home. Testement to the dry weather there rather than my skill though.
Going on holiday with a 9 month old wasn't the most relaxing thing ever, but it was a welcome break from work and home, particularly following the exams. We still managed to have some lovely food and drink.
For the sheep-enthusiasts among you here is the flock of sheep that graze on the salt marsh. I took this picture from the promenade in St Valery. They were just across the river. They taste pretty nice when cooked too, especially with the local speciality, samphire.
A mushroom, also from Amigurumi Two.
I saw Meriel's Eden Scarf at the Centurion knitting group and took a shine to it. I didn't have the pattern so I made something up that seemed similar. I'm happy with how it turned out, although I think it would have looked better in a varigated colourway with a larger repeat, but I just used what I had in my stash at the time.
I'm in the middle of a couple of things too. This sock uses the pattern Rick from Cookie A's recent sock book, 'Sock Innovation'. It's done in Cherry Tree Hill 4 ply.
This is the Echoes of Northumberland Throw, which is made from a kit I bought from Ingrid Wagner at her studio in Northumberland. It is extremely large, which you can't tell from the picture. I did enjoy knitting it but I got a bit distracted from it. It's a bit antisocial as you can't sit next to anyone for fear of knocking them out with the large needles. Will look good in the living room when it's done.
And here's a photo of Jacob.
A baby Koala from Amigurumi Two by Ana Paula Rimoli.
A pair of Froot Loop socks, in a silk-wool blend from Knitting4Fun (purchased at WoolFest many years ago).
While we were in 6 form Chris used to play in our friend's rather noisy, and lets face it, fairly crap rock bands (wearing earplugs). He's now into the more folky side of things, playing with Harry Bird and the Rubber Wellies. He's one of the wellies. They've recently had an album out and they're travelling round the country. Have a listen and if you feel inclined you could pop along to one of their gigs (I now with I'd written this sooner) or buy their album. I can certainly recommend it. We had a great time.
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It was lovely to get out and have some time for just myself. It's just good to be able to give all your attention to the conversation. It totally wiped me out though and poor Jacob was not happy until I was home and had given him a cuddle and some milk. I don't think we're quite there yet.
It's enormous. He could get in it.
2 degrees this morning. Hurrah! The thaw has begun.
In the best icicle on the street competition the winner is Number 14:
Jen leant us her Bumbo seat, which Sophie doesn't like at all. Jacob really likes being able to sit and look at things.
I completely failed to take photos of the couple of Christmas knits I did. Mainly tea cosies. I am nearly finished with another item of secret knitting and some tension squares for some piecework knitting I signed up for. I thought it might be something I could do at home when my contract runs out. So not much that's blogable on the knitting front, but I am actually getting time to do some.
We also have a good amount of snow. I don't think I've ever seen this much since living here. It's been consistently cold for a couple of weeks, so it's actually hanging around. It looks like it'll be here for another week at least. I know it's not much by North American standards, but here's our back garden.
