Horizontal scarf

I have made a new scarf for Blythswood care and this time a horizontal scarf.
I used DK yarn blue and  light grey casting on 210 stitches on 5mm needles. I used garter stitch and changed colour every 2 rows, I kept knitting until the scarf was 6 inches wide.
This made a scarf 49 inches long so a good length for a child.
I added a hat as well in the same colours so it can be used with the scarf or not depending on what they want to do it.
These will be sent off with the first scarf I made with e flower on it, I hope they will prove useful.

I will sort out yarn for next scarf and may use a pattern I have stored away, it will make the scarves I send all different and fun to knit.

Harmony Blanket KAL

I started late with the KAL as everyone was at week 35 so I am playing catch up.

I love the patterns and any that may be a bit to difficult for me I can use a substitute, so far I have found most to be okay.
Here are 9 that I made so far.

I am going to make some in bright colours and some in more muted colours that way I can add a bright colour at random creating a colourful blanket that is not to be too dazzling.

I am now going to try and work this weeks square

Not sure how I will do with this as it is something new for me but will give it my best shot. It is a chart and I am not a fan of charts as the grid can ne tricky for me with my Macular Degeneration . I can do them I just have to count all the stitch numbers for knit and purl to get it right, a bit fiddly to do but worth it.
I made this dish cloth using a chart

This proves I can do it I just need to plan ahead and then the next thing is using a different colour mid row. If you see smoke coming from the blog you will know I did not master it LOL.

First Blythswood care scarf

I had some yarn I wanted to use up and decided to make a scarf with it. A simple garter stitch using two strands of DK yarn held together on 7 mm needles. It turned out nice and squishy not too open and 41.5 inches long. I had 100grams in total between the 2 yarns.

I added a knitted flower on each end instead of tassels to brighten it up, I thought it would be different and less for little fingers to get tangled in.

A scarf for a little girl to wrap up in and stay warm,

A gentleman from Blythswood phoned me as I asked if there was drop off point near me, there is not, but posting is not a problem for me as I can send 2-3 scarves at a time. I may try a hat or two but they are not my strong point so may stick to scarves. I can never get the gauge right for hats, they turn out too big or too small. I have problems counting the rows to get gauge as my sight is not that good. Maybe scarves are safer with possibly mittens if I can find some easy ones to make.

Onto a scarf for a boy I have some nice blue yarn that would make a great scarf and maybe this time a Horizontal stripe as I can add another colour or two to make it interesting. Maybe 5mm circular needles and 200+ stitches would make a decent length I will have to research that and see how long it would turn out.

I am collecting scarf patterns and want some that are easy but interesting that way it will be fun for me knit and fun for the person getting them.

Charities I knit for

A new start means  new charities to make items for. I decided to make things that I can easily send by post or give locally.

AGE UK
Age UK provide help for the elderly and have a lot to offer. I have used them myself and find them friendly and willing to help.
This year Age UK are taking part in the Big Knit in making Innocent Smoothie hats. I am taking part in this and will post pictures of my little hats.
Age UK Milton Keynes

BLYTHSWOOD CARE
Blythswood offer help to those in need and getting something for Christmas is always special. Bringing a smile to someone is the greatest gift there is.
Blythswood Shoe Box Appeal
Items required:
Hats, scarves, mitts or gloves for children and adults only

CATS PROTECTION
Knitting a blanket or a toy catnip mouse helps bring both comfort and play to cats and kittens alike.
My own cat Jessie is a rescue cat and having a blanket that she was familiar with helped her settle into her new home.
I make various blankets for my local Cats Protection and they always need more. I like to add catnip mouse as well with each blanket
Catnip Mouse

Cats Protection advises that when knitting a toy or blanket, it's best to avoid the use of stretchy yarns or small plastic items – such as those that can be used for mouse eyes - to reduce the risk of injury to cats and kittens. Loose weave blanket patterns involving the use of large needles are best avoided too.


MISSION TO SEAFARERS
Piracy, shipwreck, abandonment and separation from loved ones are just a few of the problems merchant seafarers face. Around the world, The Mission to Seafarers provides help and support to the 1.5 million men and women who face danger every day to keep our global economy afloat.
Imagine getting on a ship in summer in the Philippines, dressed in shorts and t-shirt. Soon you find yourself transiting freezing Arctic waters with only your overalls to keep you warm. Seafarers often set out on new contracts not knowing where their ship will end up or travel through, and they may need to stock up on warm clothes to see them through some of the chillier parts of the globe.
Items Required:
Balaclavas, scarves, gloves, hats
Mission to Seafarers

TWIDDLE MUFFS for DEMENTIA CARE
Twiddlemuffs  occupy patients’ hands and can reduce interference with dressings or cannulas they also help to reduce stress.
The Milton Keynes Hospital has been doing this for a while and I will make some as they will hopefully provide comfort where needed.
Having helped to nurse a loved one with dementia I know how they can often become stressed and need something to help soothe them. I wish someone had thought of this years ago as it would have helped so much in keeping restless hands occupied for a while.
TWIDDLE MUFFS

I will make something for all the above in an effort to provide comfort to others. I know getting something when you need comfort and a little support means a lot and if I can help in the smallest of ways I will be giving back something I myself received.

The Nutty Knitter returns

Two years down the line I am making a return to both knitting and posting in my blog again.

So what has happened in the last two years?

My husband has heart problems and had many trips to the hospital that meant a lot of travel as he was in hospital 40 miles away.

My sister was ill and I needed to get to see her and that was hard as she lived in Yorkshire and I live in Milton Keynes. Sadly she passed away.

Then last year my husband had a heart attack, he is okay now but it was a hard time for both of us.

I am now his full time carer and have been getting life back on track.

Dividing time between caring for the man I love, household chores, organising the home so it works for us and getting the garden sorted out. It was a jungle and needed a good old fashioned thinning out.

From the tangled mess to neat and tidy and a lot easier to keep nice.

The Patio is now tidy and we can sit in the garden and enjoy it without seeing all the work that needed to be done. 

I still grow my own herbs and I had a really good crop of raspberries and strawberries this year.

So now I am able to get into the garden and potter around and enjoy it. Colin, my husband, can sit on the patio with me and not feel guilty that he can't do things in the garden as he used to.

Life changed and that meant adjusting things to fit and coming to terms with things and that takes time and love.

Slowly I got back into the swing of things and made time for myself so I could get back to my hobbies.

So here I am making a new post to say Hi!

Blue for a boy!

I love knitting blankets they are easy to make and you can use a variety of patterns to keep things interesting. Having all sorts of colours in my stash to use up I tend to make the blankets for cats colourful to use up the yarn I have.
This time I decided to use two strands of yarn using Purples and Blues creating a blanket more for a boy cat/kitten.
This is a simple pattern that is for preemie babies but works well for cat blankets as well.
Simple Blanket Patterns                                                      

This is the end result I went with Daphne's Blanket and really like the result it looks nice and cosy I lessened the amount of stitches as I wanted a small blanket that will fit into a cat carrying basket or used on a chair. Lets face cats will decide which chair is theirs and will allow you to share it if they are not using it.

PATCHWORK CAT BLANKET

I wanted to use up some of the stash that I have and decided to create balls of yarn in the same colour range. So now I have balls of yarn that are useable from odds and ends.

I made a series of 3.5 inch squares using 6.5mm needles and held two strands of DK yarn together. I cast on 13 stitches and knitted 18 rows and then bound off.

I alternated the squares so one was straight and the other on its side to create interest and to add to the patchwork effect. I finished it off by adding a simple crochet border.

This will be given to the Cat Protection Charity.