Yarn Along

Deep sigh. I am writing on this, the first morning of the summer holidays : )

My students have all finished their handwork projects, beloved teachers have been hugged, flowers and cards have been given and received. Yesterday my small boy received his golden key and walked out the door of the kindergarten for the very last time. Bittersweet.

 Lots to take in.. and let go of. But mostly, lots to feel ever so grateful for.

And so I am happily joining Ginny and the gang over at Small Things for this week's Yarn Along, and for a change I'm not dashing ; )

Having made all those handwork samples for school (phew!) I'm finally making something for us, for the home. A round cushion to brighten our couch, inspired by Lucy's pattern over at Attic 24. Only round cushion pads are not available in these parts, so I had to fashion one from a square. Which turned into quite a fluffy affair, being that I'd bought a feather-filled cushion and am a fledging in the use of a sewing machine. Suffice it to say to that I'm still coming across the odd feather floating around!

I just need to crochet both sides together now and I'll post next week. This was a project I promised myself I wouldn't buy ANY yarn for, but just work out of my scraps basket. Soooo, the colours have turned out a bit pretty, just a little bit too sweet somehow. I would go for more edgy colour combinations normally. But I think I can live with it and it will certainly bring some cheer into our living space.

Smallie finally got to bring home his 'Peter'. The rising class one children worked so lovingly on these felt puppets. One of their teachers proudly told me that the children used three different types of stitches in this project. Impressive and inspiring to me always, the teachers and the children.


 Hey, I just now realised that this month marks one year of my blog!
 I think that calls for a giveaway on next week's Yarn Along post, so stay tuned : )
Here is my very  first Yarn Along post a year ago. A beginner knitter very much aware of all I did not yet know, and working on the jumper you see my son wearing in the photo above. He has asked to wear it pretty much every day since I gave it to him. Makes my heart swell. 


Thank you for stopping by, as always x M

Yarn Along

Lovely to be joining Ginny and the gang over at Small Things for this week's Yarn Along.

These are a couple more handwork samples I made, to come up with a truly simple bag pattern for my class one kids, comprising pretty much everything they've so diligently learnt in this first year...how to cast on, knit plain stitch, change colour, decrease, cast off and seam. That's a lot, right?

I always feel that making a simple little bag is a great project for children, it fulfils the beauty and purpose ideals, but also children of this age still love to gather, collect, bring, find and carry. Though I do feel that these bags should really be lined, being that coins and stones seem to be high on the 'cargo' list  for the lads ; ) We've run out of time this year but I'll make sure to work that part in to next year's lesson plans, great to develop their sewing and seaming skills too.

 I avoid projects that seem to go on forever for this age group, favouring instead smaller projects where children who need more time can make a smaller version if they like, and children who need less time can make a bigger/longer version. Getting the children to this stage is a lot of work and I have learnt sooo much in this new role, but when I look at and hold their work I am constantly impressed with their capabilities (a couple of finished ones below) And what a joy to see their pride and satisfaction when they finish and take their work home, I do feel honoured.

Loved seeing Ginny's daughter knitting away so carefully on her previous post : )
And how about you, what are you working on..? And if you have little ones in your life who knit/crochet, what do they like to make..? Love to hear.

Thanks so much for your visit x M

Yarn Along

Happily joining Ginny and the gang over at Small Things for this week's Yarn Along.

A busy time at school, helping the children to finish their projects before year's end.

And I myself have a small boy playing through his last few weeks of kindergarten blissfully unaware of the big changes ahead, that of transition up to the main school, for class one next September. I feel both sad and excited at once.

 In fact, I will be his handwork teacher, hmmm....how that will go who can say! ; )

The children crochet cases for their wooden flutes in class two, many of them are finished now and they've moved on to making the hat I posted about here last week. Their flute bags are made to be worn around the neck during performances etc. I now wish we'd made them in wool rather than cotton, it stands up so much better to regular use and handling. So we'll line these with cotton fabric to strengthen them. (Thank you Gitta!) It's an ambitious enough project for them and once again I'm deeply impressed with their achievements.

So how about you, what yarn is passing through your hands these days, and is yet another school year drawing to a close in your part of the world...?

I so appreciate all of your visits and comments : ) Many thanks for the lovely feedback on last week's post, loved reading it. Looking forward to seeing all the wonderful things y'all are working on out there, always inspiring x M