STRESS RELIEF

I have my driving test on Thursday. I’ve been doing a 40 hour intensive course since last Monday. I haven’t picked it up very quickly and I have been so stressed out! I’ve found it really hard to focus on anything when I get home at the end of the day and my emotions have been all over the place! I’m not getting my hopes up for a pass on Thursday, but you never know.

I needed to make some Easter presents for my two nieces. I would buy them chocolate but they get so much of it and one of them isn’t keen on it. I’m not sure how any 9 year old girl can not like chocolate but there you go! I don’t think I have the concentration for crochet this week. I have hardly made anything as my mind is mostly with learning to drive. I really don’t feel like meticulously counting stitches etc. So I decided I’d do some needle felting which requires less heavy concentration AND I get to stab things… win-win!

I bought some polystyrene egg shapes a while back with the intention of making something for Easter. I thought rather than just making eggs I’d make them into little Easter bunnies. I’m really pleased with them and they’ve really helped me relax and take my mind off of my terrible driving. 

Knitting Practice

I bought 100 flowers to Knit & Crochet and 75 birds, butterflies & beautiful beasties to knit & crochet by Lesley Stanfield a few weeks ago after reading Attic24’s Autumn wreath post. This post hugely inspired me and if you have a look, which I insist that you do, you too will be in awe I am sure of it. It just makes me feel all giddy and warm on the inside. Even my other half, who is never the least bit enthusiastic about crafts really loved it (honestly that is seriously saying something). Making something similar is very high on my craft to do list!

Although I usually crochet I thought I’d have a go at a few of the simple knitting patterns in these books. I have to say I am not the best knitter at the world (understatement of the year)! It took the best part of a day just to knit one flower and I’m not even sure if I am completely pleased with the result.

However we all have to start somewhere and I thought it would be criminal to have books containing both knitting and crochet and never have a go!  I definitely prefer crochet but knitting offers new challenges for me and you never know, I could come to love it too.

First I made the “Large Blue” butterfly from Page 52 of 75 birds, butterflies and beautiful beasties to knit & Crochet. you may notice it’s not blue, but use your imagination…

I also stitched around the edges of the wings in and attempt to make it a little more exciting.

Then I thought I would try something from the other book. I picked the “Field Poppy” from page 48 of 100 Flowers to knit and crochet.Not bad for a complete novice eh? (If I do say so myself)

I want to have a go at some knitting in the round and I think there’s a few patterns in these books that are in the round. I’d love to be able to knit Fairisle, I am way off managing that at the moment but I think that’s my eventual knitting goal. I’ll let you know how I get on.