Knitting Nanna

Most of my regular readers will think that there is a typo in my blog title as you have seen me making wire chains using the old fashioned French Knitting or Knitting Nancy. No the title is correct because I will finally show you that once upon a time I was a very prolific knitter. I knitted jumpers for me, my hubby, my children, toys, shawls and just about everything and anything. Then around 20 years ago when my children were still quite small I really found that I just did not have the time and also I discovered cake decorating and card making so my knitting ceased. One of the last things I knitted was a tooth pixie doll for my daughter to put her milk teeth in as they fell out. In those days the fairy brought 50p...I wonder how much is the norm now?
As my darling grandbaby will be making an appearance very soon I decided that I just had to make a couple of knitted things so I decided to try to find my old knitting patterns.
In one of the wardrobes I found my old knitting pattern box and pulled it out. It is an old chocolate box with a great picture on the front.

 I opened it up and actually laughed out loud when I saw these fantastic 1980s patterns....how retro are these! Just look at the Flash Dance headbands!

I have knitted every single one of these and they were great at the time. In fact cotton yarn had just come in and the jumper at the bottom on the far right in white I made in lemon cotton yarn. It was a terrific make which I wore lots.
I also found the aran jumper pattern I made my Hb

and guess what...my Hb still has the jumper which he wears if it gets really cold...here it is...needless to say it is not in lemon.

It is a blue/grey and is still a good looking jumper

I had fun with the pattern and finished this jumper when I was pregnant with my daughter in 1985/6.
What I was really looking for were my baby patterns which I was delighted to find as one of them I knew makes up as a sweet little matinee jacket, the one at the top as I had made it in the past for my daughter as a baby.

As we do not know the sex of our grandbaby I decided to use white yarn. So I got knitting and in no time at all I produced a back....

and after making the other parts I had one little jacket all complete with stripey buttons

All ready to keep a November baby snug. I am also just finishing off a couple of little hats which I will share with you in another post.
I must admit I was astonished how you never forget a skill. I was clicking away with my needles just as I did as a 20 something year old. Happy days.
I had a lovely catch up with my darling daughter yesterday who in now only 2 weeks away from her due date..here is her very neat bump (she has only put on 13lbs in weight so it's not surprising we think our grandbaby may be small...but we are a petite family). Needless to say there is no problem her tucking into her hot chocolate with marshmallows.

I thought today's card should be a birthday card. It is a GD card I have made for Nicecrane Designs. I know it features a girl but it happens to be one I have not shown yet on my blog. We will either be welcoming a little granddaughter or grandson very soon, I will be thrilled whoever comes out to meet us. Names are being decided for a boy or a girl as we speak.

It is a criss cross card which features this super cute image from the  Vintage Birthday greetings set available here

How cute is this image? Ignacio often puts great Freebies on the Nicecrane blog, do pop over and see what is availbale. The current freebie is a real vintage cutie and there are some great DT cards for inspiration there too. This is the link here
The card has an insert which pulls out

I used my Martha Stewart punch around that page punch to make the detailed border. The papers are really old Wild Rose Studio. I used some gorgeous Hobby House and Wild Orchid Crafts mulberry roses which I blinged up with stickles glitter. The faux lace border is Cheery Lynn as is the olive leaf branch which I added glitter too.  The sentiment is by Britannia.
I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

Allsorts Ribbon and bows
4 Crafty Chicks multiple layers
Bunny Zoe Ribbon
Crafty Ribbons anything goes with ribbon
Emerald Fairies sparkle
Live and Love Crafts Use Pink
Sentimental Sundays Shaped or easel card
Whimsy cards shabby/vintage
Cheery Lynn vintage
Party Time Tuesdays Use glitter

I hope these gale force winds forecast don't come to much, the trees are still in full leaf and will really suffer. Happy Tuesday everyone,

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x