Finished projects

Have spent the morning updating variuos projects on ravelry. Find me as Pollykerenza on http://www.ravelry.com/. Well worth signing up to if you are of a knitting inclination. There is a wealth of patterns and information from local groups.

So I thought I would share a couple of the bigger ones on here too. Firstly here is the finished Jumper for John, on John himself:

I have also completed my ode to Sarah Lund. A raglan sleeve jumper, knitted in the round from handspun cotswold wool. It has become my favourite jumper as it is so warm and cosy.

Beetroot chutney

Today is chutney making. This is a delicious and sweet chutney with a slight chilli hint.

700g beetroot
450g cooking apple
1pt vinegar
700g onions
450g granulated sugar
1tsp salt
1-2tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes

Boil the washed beetroot for about 1 hour until tender. Drain and cool, and slip the skins off.
Peel and chop onions and apples into small chunks, put into preserving pan with half the vinegar. Bring to a gentle simmer for about 10-15mins.
Peel and chop the beetroot into small chunks and add to the pan along with the rest of the vinegar, sugar, salt, ginger, and chilli flakes. Stir well to combine and dissove the sugar and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about half an hour, sirring occasionally until thickened.
Bottle in sterilised jars and close while still hot.

I have also cast on another jumper, adapted from a childs pattern so mum and son can match.

Another cushion!

This one knitted in Hammervale jacob wool on a moss stitch and cable pattern.

New year

New year, new cushion covers.  There is nothing like being in the sitting room in daylight to make you notice the cushions need updating.

Carding tastic

I have to confess that carding is my least favourite part of the spinning process.  Today's session was carding Kerry Hill fleece.  Google them, they look really funny!  My lovely husband and daughters helped me along by singing and playing carols on the piano.

Knitting at the pool.

Have taken my daughter and her friends to the local pool, bit of a win/win situation as I get to be nice mum and get an hours knitting time. ( plus meanwhile dh is cooking roast dinner!)

Cotwold Jumper

I have abandoned the first pattern for this jumper as the stitch definition wasn't good enough in the handspun, so am instead going for a plainer jumper knitted in the round with  a cabled yoke. Well that's the plan anyway.  Have managed some indigo dying this week also, with the focus on variagation.  More to come tomorrow on a madder/walnut/onion skin theme.