26 August 2014

summer 2014

I know it is still officially summer, but for our house, today it ended, as this is the first day of the school term. Back to early mornings and school uniforms. To cheer myself up I have done a wee review of summer 2014.

I got much pleasure from my garden with all its blooms.......


There was a lot of al fresco knitting, while I sat in my favourite spot in the garden, we are lucky to have a very private garden which is nice.


I have also been working on a new knitting pattern, which is being tested at the moment. As well as knitting, there was time to do a bit of felting, for a competition, but more of that in a future post.
Till next time, Ali.

12 August 2014

free macaron pattern


FRENCH MACARONS

THIS PATTERN IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED 
 ONLY FOR PERSONAL OR CHARITABLE USE
ITEMS KNITTED FROM THIS PATTERN CANNOT BE SOLD FOR PROFIT
 DO NOT REPRODUCE OR USE FOR ANY COMMERCIAL PURPOSE 
Pattern knitted in the round with dpns. I-cord technique is also used.

ABBREVIATIONS
rd(s): round(s)
st(s): stitch(es)
k: knit
p: purl
tog: together
rpt: repeat
pwt: pull wool through (thread yarn onto needle and then through sts on    needle) 

MATERIALS
four dpns size 3.00mm  (US 2½)
two colours of dk (8ply) for macaron and filling
polyester wadding or ¼ inch foam or polyester toy filling
tapestry and darning needle 

MACARON outside half (make 2)
Cast on 36 sts, leave a long yarn tail.
Divide sts equally between three needles (12, 12, 12).
Join in the rd and place stitch marker.
Rd 1: p.
Rds 2 & 3: k.
Rd 4: (k2, k2tog) rpt to end of rd (27 sts, 9 sts on each needle).
Rd 5: k.
Rd 6: (k1, k2tog) rpt to end of rd (18 sts, 6 sts on each needle).
Rd 7: k.
Rd 8: (k2tog) rpt to end of rd (9 sts, 3 sts on each needle).
pwt.

MACARON inside half (make 2)
Cast on 36 sts, leave a long yarn tail.
Divide sts equally between three needles (12, 12, 12).
Join in the rd and place stitch marker.
Rd 1: k.
Rd 2: (k2, k2tog) rpt to end of rd (27 sts, 9 sts on each needle).
Rd 3: k.
Rd 4: (k1, k2tog) rpt to end of rd (18 sts, 6 sts on each needle).
Rd 5: k.
Rd 6: (k2tog) rpt to end of rd (9 sts, 3 sts on each needle).
pwt.

CREAM FILLING
Cast on 3 sts, leave a long yarn tail.
Continue with i-cord until work measures aprox 36cms/14ins. Check to see if the cream is long enough to fill the inside of the macaron by coiling it round, starting at the centre and coiling outwards.
pwt, leave a long yarn tail. 

To assemble
Right side for outside half is the stockinette facing outwards. Right side for the inside piece is the stockinette facing inwards.
Reinforce the pwt centres by threading yarn throught the stitches again. Pull tight to close up circle tightly, secure with a few stitches and loose yarn on reverse side.

Gently block by pressing on the reverse side with the tip of a cool iron, do not press down hard.


Cut a circle of wadding or foam (diameter 5cms/2ins)
Place pieces with right sides facing outwards and yarn tails at opposite ends. Using yarn tails sew two pieces of the macaron together to make one half. Leave a gap of about 2cms/1inch. Slip wadding, foam or stuffing inside. If using stuffing do not overstuff. Close up gap and loose yarn tail inside.

Coil the i-cord filling round the inside of one of the halves and sew in position.
Attach the other half to the filling to complete the macaron.
copyright Alison Hogg 2014

4 August 2014

staycation

Last week my son and husband went to the Commonwealth Games, to watch the hockey. Left at home, my Plan A was to paint my sons room while it was vacant, or Plan B, which was to have some fun. Needless to say it was Plan B which won! I went on numerous days outs and thought I would like to share some of my photos.
One morning was spent at the seaside town of Whitehead. The houses along Marine Parade are painted the most delicious of colours. Equally yummy is the wool at Lighthouse Yarns at the Bank House, well worth a visit. The yarn in the photo is Signature 4ply - "Sweet Shop" shades.


Another day I drove in the Millisle direction. I had a wee cuppa at the Eden pottery, where tea is served in the mugs which are made at the pottery. I then had a stroll along the beach and stopped at the Ballycopeland Windmill on the way home.

  
As usual I headed to my favourite spot - Whitepark Bay. I enjoyed a lovely picnic and had the beach all to myself.
 
 
 
The boys are back now so it's back to porridge!
I'm still working on my Macaron knitting pattern and hope to post it in the next few weeks,
Bye for now, Ali.