Fabric : Fibre : Family
Liz Abinante’s Traveling Woman is complete and I’m thrilled with it.
Here’s some of the detail.
It’s just scrumptious and a lovely pattern to knit.
Next up, yet another Chloë cardigan for Button, this time in red Debbie Bliss Eco. AND I’ve made the toiles for the tiny bridesmaids dresses. This afternoon I’m having a bash at dying silk for Plan A bridesmaids dresses.
Wish me luck!
It’s 2 1/2 years since Mr S and I began our adoption journey. It’s not a journey you undertake lightly, but the rewards are beyond measure.
On Thursday we took another step towards the end of our journey.
Button’s Adoption Day Ceremony was held in front of the Judge.
Followed by lunch at one of our local Gasto Pubs where we raised a glass to Button finally being officially ours
Gifts were gladly opened
And a good time was had by all
Hopefully it won’t be too long before we do it all again for The Boy!
Don’t tell Button I let her Daddy put his feet on the table. She’d be extremely disgruntled! Anyway…back to the socks.
You’ll recall the pattern is from The Knitting Man(ual) and the yarn is Superba Print.
All in all, I’m pleased with these socks other than they are a little loose around the foot, even though I knit them to the gauge in the pattern.. If I was making these again, and I may use the pattern with a different stitch, I’d use a size smaller needle to get a slightly tighter gauge.
That said, Mr S is pleased with them and feels they are the perfect sock for wellies and walking boots, so I’m pleased too.
Next!!!
This time last year my Dad was still with us and we hadn’t even met Button. By 8pm in the evening the landscape of our world had change irrevocably.
It really doesn’t seem like a year.
But today the apple tree my dear friends bought me in celebration of Button and remembrance of Pa blossoms to remind me that the raw edge of the pain of loss fades but the happy memories stay fresh and vivid.
And though we still miss Pa each and every day, we are blessed to have Button and The Boy to help us through.
Well, the broadband is down Chez Stitches so this is a quick post from the iPhone.
Today Button’s adoption was approved. Although she’s been ours in our hearts since the first day we met (which is a year ago next Thursday), today the courts agreed with us.
We are overjoyed.
One down, one to go!!!
When I bought the yarn for Mr Stitches’ Snowflake Jacket I bought waaaaaaaay too much of it. I can almost hear Mr S snorting “no surprise there, then!”.
So what’s a girl to do? Ma Stitches and her lightning fast needles to the rescue, and two cute knits for Button and The Boy:
The Boy’s sweater is Gavyn by Amanda Blackford. Button’s is Eyelet Yoke Cardigan by Sarah Hoadley. Both are available as free downloads on Ravelry. Aren’t people just so generous with their talents. Thank you to both ladies for sharing these patterns.
And there’s still enough of the grey left for another Gavyn, which shall soon be winging its way to my nephew, Jacob. Just in perfect time for the British summertime! Today’s Spring is overcast, cold and wet. Just right for new knits.
Thanks Ma.
The good:
::sneaking out for a swim today whilst the wee beasties were visiting grandparents
::making bread from the recipe by Richard Bertinet in his book “Dough”. Seriously. Go buy it now! It’s amazing.
::It’s sunny. In Lancashire. Crazy but true.
::We start work on the garden this weekend. The landscaping chappie comes in 6 weeks.
::The Boy shouting “Mama, Dada” at the top of his not inconsiderable voice.
::Button climbing on my lap just before bed just to tell me “I love you, Mummy”.
::Button telling me I have pretty hair. Aaaaah, the innocence of children.
:: Mr S giving me a Sunday lie-in until 10am. Bliss.
::Escaping for supper on Saturday to celebrate Himmelbjerget’s birthday and eating the most amazing food in the most wonderful company.
::Coffee and cake and sand pits and climbing frames at Lara Croft/Indiana Jones’ on Sunday. Button learned to climb. I never want her to lose the feeling of absolute joy in her achievements that she felt.
::The socks for Mr S are so nearly finished I can taste it!
The bad:
::Button deciding a new brother is the perfect segue into the terrible twos. Who knew she’d be so good at it?
::The Boy deciding that 5.45am is the perfect time to get up. Every day. Bleugh!
::I’m too tired and too busy to sew. Since my last post all I’ve managed to do is buy lining fabric (we’ll not mention the jersey I also bought for a top. Sssssssh!), wash and press the fabric, and draft a pattern for an a-line skirt. Good grief.
::Still not studying. Supposedly I’m working on an assignment tonight, but here I am, chatting to you. Ooops!
The ugly:
::Hmmmmm. Nothing to tell. What can I say…life is good.
3 days in to The Boy being home, we are slowly establishing a new routine.
Despite having to take a reciprocal saw to our old sofa to enable us to get it out of the sitting room. Then having to remove the sitting room window to enable us to get the new sofa in!
And despite Button developing chickenpox yesterday.
As I type they are both having a nap, having played happily together all morning. They are as thick as thieves already and totally inseparable. We couldn’t have asked for more.
So, my mind is turning to sewing. Maybe, just maybe, I could squeeze a summer skirt or two into the mix over the next few weeks (especially as Mr S is on leave for another week). Hmmmmmmmmmm, where are my patterns????
Button and The Boy were together in foster care for a couple of months before she came home to us.
That was 11 months ago.
Yesterday they were reunited:
Today they have been getting used to being at home together:
When we dropped The Boy at his foster carer’s tonight, Button’s parting shot was “come back”. We only have two more sleeps until he is home. It looks like we’ll all be glad when he is.
Finally, we have met our little boy. 
He is wonderful…and worth every second of the wait for him.
We are overjoyed.
Tomorrow he and Button are reunited after 11 months. As she says… “how exciting”!
I promise better pictures (not iPhone pics).