Friday 20 November 2015

Hooking in the Summer House




I don't know about you, but we have been very lucky weather-wise here in West Norfolk, recently. We went to Norwich yesterday to book our flights for Christmas in New Zealand, and had the best of the day in sunshine there, windy and rainy by the time we got home. Then again today it has been brilliant sunshine ALL day. Chilly, yes, but to be fair it hasn't been unpleasant. Jim's been working in the garden all day, and by lunchtime I decided the sun was too good to waste so I took myself down to the summer house to crochet. No heating yet, as we still have the electrics to be connected up, but was lovely and sunny and pretty comfortable with a warm cardigan and thick socks to keep me warm!

It really was peaceful, the clock ticking away in a slow, sleepy fashion, me hooking away happily, safe from marauding cold-callers on the phone, and, later, Jim joined me for a mug of coffee. We love our new sunny space! Do you want to see a few more photos of what we've done? Of course you do!


This is my view of where Jim sits, there is the coffee table I painted earlier this year, the pale blue oak chest Jim found in Ely Antiques, and the cheap mirror I found at The Range and painted chalk green. Just peeping into shot is the settle we found in a junk shop in Wymondham; I had intended painting it, but we like it the way it is. Two cosy quilts complete the picture.


Oh, and the little side table I painted mauve, was a tenner from another junk shop in Wymondham!


The settle before I put the quilts on it. The rug is an old, rather flood-damaged Laura Ashley which I can't bear to part with!

It has all come together beautifully, and we are extremely pleased with it. I'd been busy making crocheted throws for our chairs, way before the room was built.


They are made with Rico Cotton Blend and were lovely to work up. Jim's is, naturally, the more restrained blue and green one. I think they look rather good draped casually over the side of our chairs!



Once I'd finished the throws I was lost until I decided to have a go at Lucy's (Attic 24) Ripple Blanket. I have always loved this pattern but never believed I could manage the pattern (My crochet is very basic!) But her instructions are SO GOOD and very simple to follow, with photos every step of the way. So I took the plunge, and when we were up in Hexham the other month I found a lovely wool shop and she had the Ripple draped over a chair in the shop, with the yarns required in a basket beneath. Serendipitous, I'd say, wouldn't you? So I got stuck in, and once I had learned each stitch and how to do the increase / decrease, I was away.


And here it is! There are some colours which I'm not too happy with, so didn't repeat them, but on the whole I love it.


What do you think? And would you believe, I  have begun another using slightly different colours! You can just see a tiny bit of it in the header photo on my little side table.

So, it's been all go here, with one thing and another. Some majorly sad events at both world and domestic level, and we have all been deeply shocked and dismayed. I hope none of you have been personally affected. Suffice to say that I hope you join me in staying calm and refusing to be drawn into  victimisation. Unity is what they hate and fear, let's stand together in refusing to play their wicked game.

Finishing off- as one should - with the weather. We are expecting Wintery Weather soon in the UK. How seasonal! As long as the airports don't close down until we are safely airborne! Take care and catch up with you next time.

24 comments:

  1. Hear hear to your comments about the world situation! Love your bolt hole and the way you have furnished it - every piece having a little story behind it. I'd love somewhere like that myself! Do you take visitors? Have a lovely time in New Zeaand and hope the flight goes according to plan.

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    1. Ha! I've had plenty of offers for tenancy! We don't fly until Dec 23rd but really looking forward to it.

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  2. Quilts and crochet blankets, makes me feel quite at home. The summer house is lovely, it will be a boon next year, I thought about something of that ilk but decided that one room full of craft is enough. The weather can do what it likes tomorrow, I have plenty to keep me occupied and Ben had 3 walks in the end today so he will not complain about a lazy day.

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    1. Ah no, Pam, this is emphatically NOT a craft room! I made the rule, for both of us. Nothing to stop me doing a bit of sewing or hooking or for Jim to mark his coaching assessment papers or read his fishing mags here, but it is not going to be a re-run of my messy craft room! Yes, I shan't mind the weather as long as I don't have to go far in it!

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  3. What a lovely summer house! Is that a log burner I see? Jenny

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    1. Hi Jenny - no, I would have liked one but didn't have the £2,000 to spare! We have one in the cottage and love it. So I thought a little electric "cheat" would fit the bill. Looks nice though, doesn't it?

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  4. United we stand divided we fall!
    Love the whole look of the summer house. Yesterday I was in the back bedroom, south facing, finishing off sewing Christmas presents. So warm. This morning completely different, gale force winds and driving rain. Definitely not going out!

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    1. Hi Dc. As I type, the sun has come out in a very watery blue sky, and thew wind has backed off a bit. But I am not fooled! I know what is coming our way!! Stay in!

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  5. OMG Lynne this is fabulous! Just perfect for you...I've forgotten what my studio looks like, too busy with little Otto, hopefully soon I will introduce him to the space, and just hope he doesn't poop and pee all over the floor! This is just brilliant :) xxx

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    1. Isn't it great?? I'm so chuffed with it - well, we both are. Just a set of shelves and a cupboard I am turning into an 'armoire' but very slim so they don't overwhelm the space. Yes, little pups come with a continence concern don't they! But it doesn't last for ever, he'll be fine! Lxx

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  6. Hello, I'm a new reader....I absolutely LOVE your summer house and every single piece of furniture in it. The two armchairs are just gorgeous. My husband has said he'd like a small settle for our dining room. The throws are wonderful....I've only ever tried a ripple once, years ago, must have another go. You're right, Lucy's instructions are brilliant.

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    1. Lovely to meet you, Sooze; we have a fair amount in common I think! Next post will be an I'm Quitting Sugar catch-up which you might find interesting. We are very pleased with the chairs - I'd had my eye on mine for ages, then we got them both half price in the sale - win win!! I've also wanted a settle for years too, but we have no room for one in the cottage- this was my opportunity! Lxx

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    2. I've just gone back and read your first I'm Quitting Sugar post.....oh I'm so glad I found your blog! I am T2 diabetic, overweight and with high BP. My diabetes is well controlled, largely by my own diet efforts and keeping a check on my BG with my own bought testing equipment....our medical practice, whilst lovely, are all for the standard (wrong! so called 'healthy') diabetic diet and don't approve of T2's testing their own BG. Husband and I are currently following a very low carb/GF/full fat healthy eating plan, which we are both benefiting from. One of my big bugbears is yogurts....I love and eat a lot of yogurt (plain Greek full fat mainly), the shops are full of yogurts that scream out Low Fat, 0% Fat, but you try getting one that says Sugar Free....virtually impossible! It does annoy me. I shall look forward to reading your next post. And thank you for your kind comment on my blog.

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    3. Dear Sooze - I hope you find some support from the Quitting Sugar posts. I wouldn't advise anyone to stop any medication they've been prescribed BUT if you ask your nurse practitioner to monitor you regularly I'm sure you will come to a point where your medication would be reduced or stopped altogether. In just 6 weeks we have noticed great changes - my husbands BP has come down from 140 /95 to 120 /80 in 4 weeks! I'm going for a thyroid levels check this coming week so will get my BP and BG done at the same time. There are some other tips which I'll be putting on the next post. In the meantime, have a look at the videos I mention… Robert Lustig is a good place to start and there are plenty more… I'll look some up for you. Good luck! Lxx

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  7. Your Summer house is adorable! So bright and colorful and I love the bargain furnishings. My favorite things and the ripple blanket is so pretty. Wonderful job Lynne!

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    1. Hi Linda, thank you, we are so happy with it. The ripple blanket is soon (well, soon-ish!) to be joined by another - sooooo addictive! Lxx

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  8. Love the summer house I would love to have a place to sit in the sun. We have had the fierce winds on the far side of the Great Ouse but also lots of sunshine.

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    1. Hi Trish - thans for visiting! This space is going to be lovely not just in the middle of summer, but those days when it is sunny but too windy to sit outside - small garden but open to a LOT of wind!! I'm sure you have space somewhere to put a little she-shed! Lx

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  9. Well it's lovely and worth losing a chunk of your garden for - is it one of Crane's sheds? And will you heat it over winter - that's something I'm debating at the moment. And you have my favourite patchwork armchair too! Like you, I have basic crochet skills - and limited patience with fiddly stuff! - but it's amazing the beautiful things you can creat with just basic skills. I use Lucy's ripple stitch too, and for a knitted version, Jane Brockett's pattern is dead easy too.

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    1. Hi Edwina! In actual fact, we've lost the greenhouse (to be replaced by cold frames) and a 4 foot slice across the veg patch. To balance this Jim is losing is "Fishing Lodge (man cave!) and that will free up a nice patch to grow on. Lots of excellent topsoil saved too. So no real sacrifice - in fact I think it will be better used. Yes - Cranes seems to be the best, and are very pleased both with the building and the service- the chaps were just brilliant.We have the little electric fire you can just see for extra heat, and it is double glazed and insulated walls roof and underfloor. We intend to make the most of it! Oh, and I'm on my second Ripple now! And have encouraged another 3 people to have a go too! I'm not so into knitting to be honest, though I'd love to do some socks - I have the wool AND the needles! One day, maybe! Lx

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  10. Hello!
    I also love Lucy from Attic 24, I found you from your comment there!
    You have inspired me to try to make that striped blanket of Lucy's, I really want to have a go.
    Thank you!
    Love your room there, wish I could sit with you and do some hooking!!!

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  11. Hello Kay, lovely to 'meet' you! And thanks for leaving a comment. Yes, we are so pleased with our summer house, it will be a great asset- our cottage is so dark in the summer time - lovely in winter, it just wraps itself round us and hugs us warmly! I am pleased with Ripple Mk1 and have ALMOST finished Mk2 - and am planning my next blanket - can't quite make up my mind between the Cosy Stripe and the Sunshine Granny Stripe… knowing me I may end up making both. I'm sure there is a bed or a chair begging for a throw! I have made loads of quilts over the years but none of them ended up on our beds, several sold or were given away or are now draped here and there, but the blankets seem to fit right in! Catch up with again I'm sure! Lxx

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  12. Hello Lynne,

    I love your Pictures. Your work is awesome. Everything is looking so cozy and nice.

    Greetings from germany

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    1. Hi Judith, thanks so much for popping by! And leaving a comment. My crochet is VERY BASIC but I am really loving it. Lxx

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