Monday 10 July 2017

Joining a Seam, Stars and a Good Book

Thank you for all the lovely comments and good wishes for Imogen. Her knee is still swollen, but so much better than it was and she's getting round with more ease now. Also some good news for my parents, the operation my dad had to remove his cancer, though it was very intrusive has actually removed all the cancer with no need for follow up radio or chemotherapy. With his leaking heart valve, this is very good news indeed. Dad still has to have a scan to check out the mass on his adrenal gland, but the consultant said it isn't linked to the cancer he has had removed as it doesn't travel that way through the body. We're all hoping it may be a fatty mass and nothing to worry about, this will leave the open heart surgery then hopefully good, steady recovery and life resuming as much back to normal as is possible, onwards and upwards!

On the grandson countdown, we have under 4 weeks now until the due date. I crocheted a little blanket (the idea was from the blog Just Pootling) and knitted a little hat to match.



I love the off white stars against the dark grey background and I thought the pom poms gave the hat some more personality.





Andrew very kindly laid them out and took photos before they were added to the pile of goodies for Imogen to take to the baby shower on Saturday. I think one of my favourite things was a very soft, pale blue bunny with long floppy ears that I picked up one day in a garden centre, but I forgot to take a picture of it.





I thought as I've just sewn the pieces of the hat together, I'd quickly take a couple of photos to show how easy it is to sew knitted items together in a seamless way.




In the photos above and below, I've taken the needle and picked up the tiny stitches from 'inside' the larger 'V' of the knitted stitch. I then did the same on the opposite side, taking from inside the 'V' stitches again.



After working my way down both sides and pulling the thread, it looks seamless. It would be better if I'd shown you in a contrasting colour, but I just took the pictures as I was sewing it together.




The top of the hat is sewn in a similar manner and makes a neat seam.




When the knitted fabric meets end to end like this, I take my stitches by pushing the needle under both posts of a 'V' stitch (photo below).



I then too the needle under the 2 posts of the 'V' stitch that lays directly opposite it




Again, it makes for a good, smooth join.






I mentioned in my last post that I had a good book on the go. I See You by Clare Mackintosh. It was my first book from this author, but I shall definitely be picking up another of her books, I thoroughly enjoyed it.



A thriller (my favourite type), which kept me turning the pages from beginning to end. Set in London, an 'ordinary' woman spots a photo of herself in the classified ads in her local paper, very unnerving, yet her family think she's paranoid and it isn't her. The next week a different woman's picture appears and people start dying...


I'm having a declutter this afternoon, so back to the cupboards for me.

Take care
xxx

33 comments:

  1. Wonderful news about your Dad Cheryl and I am so glad that Imogen is healing.

    I am swooning over that little hat...it is absolutely gorgeous.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. Thank you, such a sense of relief, the cancer felt the scariest of the problems his dealing with x

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  2. That's such good news about your dad Cheryl. I wish him well for his next surgery and a steady recovery.
    The hat and blanket are just gorgeous. Perfect for a little boy. I love how you have stitched the seams. Very neat. X

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    1. Thank you, I think he finally feels things are improving and that helps his frame of mind x

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  3. Glad to hear Imogen is on the mend. Hope all goes well at the birth of your little Grandson, exciting times. Love the stars such a great embellishment.

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    1. The starts are quite cute aren't they, I may make myself a hat too x

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  4. Glad to hear Imogen is on the mend and your Dad is doing better.
    You are so talented! Love the blanket and hat.
    Sounds like a great read!

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    1. Thank you, Imogen's leg is strengthening every day x

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  5. I'm pleased to hear that Imogen's on the road to recovery and brilliant news about your dad, things are looking up at long last. The blanket and little hat are really lovely and your seaming is very clever, I must admit that my sewing up leaves a lot to be desired. You must all be getting very excited now, the baby's arrival is so close. I read I See You last year, and though I did enjoy it, I thought Clare Mackintosh's first novel, I Let You Go, was better, that one had me turning the pages from start to finish.

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    1. Thank you. Ooh, now I want to read her other book even more than before x

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  6. I just adore that little hat! It sounds like you've all been through the mill but really pleased that things are getting better...may the recoveries continue...looking forward to hearing all the news of the baby...congrats xx

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  7. I just read about your poor daughter, what a scare! So glad she got home and is healing. Great news about your Dad. Take good care of yourself.

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  8. Wonderful news about Imogen and your dad! The star hat is too cute! Your book sounds intriguing...now I'm off to see if my local library carries it!

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    1. Thank you. Hope you manage to get a copy, it was good xx

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  9. Oh I just love your blanket and hat, very cute indeed.
    Hope your dad recovers with flying colours
    Karen x

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  10. Hello Cheryl, that sure IS great news about your Dads progress. You will be feeling relieved. That little star hat & blanket are just sooo gorgeous,. Not long now til babies arrival, such exciting times!! xxx

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  11. Fantastic news about your dad! That's a huge worry lifted.
    I hope Imogen continues to improve.
    Oh my goodness that is the cutest hat! It has pom poms! I love it.
    The blanket is cute too with all those little stars.
    I almost picked that book up to take on holiday with me then realised that i'd already read it on my Kindle. I enjoyed it too :-)

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    1. Thank you, Imogen is feeling much better now , just a bit sore xx

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  12. So glad to hear that things are looking up for your Dad and for Imogen too, the new arrival must be bringing good things! The hat and blanket are just adorable and as for your seaming - perfection!

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  13. Such wonderful news about your Dad. Keeping fingers crossed about the scan.
    I love the blanket and hat you've made, the stars and pom poms are just fabulous.
    I like the sound of the book too, one which keeps you wanting to read on is a great find.
    Good luck with the decluttering.
    Lisa x

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    1. Thank you, it's made me want to make more Pom poms x

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  14. I'm happy to hear the good news about your father and Imogene's knee. The blanket and hat you made are so, so cute! I'm sure they will be much cherished. My best to you, Pat xx

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  15. Just so wonderful to read the good news about your Dad.
    Pleased to read that Imogen's knee is healing too.

    Yes, countdown to your new Grandson's arrival - exciting times.

    All the best Jan

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  16. Fantastic news about your Dad! I'm so glad to hear it. Chemo and Radiation can take an awful lot out of a person and with his other issues it would have been more difficult. Glad Imogen is getting around a little better. Your blanket and hat look wonderful! You must be getting excited!

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  17. What a wonderful relief for you that your dad is recovering well with no need for chemo or radium therapy. That hat is adorable and the blanket, how pretty. Exciting days ahead for you with your grandson's imminent arrival. How wonderful for you all.

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  18. Thank you for your kind comment on my blog.
    A lady at my book group is reading that book and thoroughly enjoying it.
    Nice knitting.

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