Tuesday 22 October 2013

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


21 comments:

  1. Ah Jane I have a box of patterns from the same era, in fact I think we may even have some of the exact patterns . What a mirrored life we lead. I love your sweet little matinee jacket, baby clothes are the best clothes to make.....so cute! :)
    I'm still convinced that your card is the wrong colour!!! ;)
    Happy Tuesday my friend , we have had a beautiful day here today, I even had to take my coat off walking from town!!
    V xxx

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  2. Jane, Now I really know you are amazing! That sweater is lovely and perfect for baby boy or baby girl! I had no idea you could knit too, now you are Knittin' Nannie like me : )
    What a beautiful baby bump on your "Lovely"
    xoRobin

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  3. I adore this card Jane,,,,,,,so cute little girl,,,,and these stunning dies,,,,,,,,I am falling in lovw with your glittered rose.....wowwwww,,,, You are Rock..

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  4. Hi, Jane! I adore your little matinee jacket - knitting is still something that eludes me! I can do the basic stitch but find it quite laborious and my tension is all over the place. ..it annoys me as my Mum is a fabulous knitter and can do in front of the telly or reading a book!
    Can't believe how neat M is, you know what they say, looks like a boy bump, but then again , I went to the size of a house with Joshua!
    Love your pretty baby card with it's sweet image, gorgeous colour combo and fab crisscross shape! Hugs, Lisa x

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  5. stunning card Jane and the cardigan is just perfect - the tooth fairy comes regularly to our house and the going rate seems to be £2.00!!!!! Its getting expensive!!!! Hugs Rachel x

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  6. Love how you added the white Cheery Lynn Designs border around the card! I love the pull out with sentiment...such a fabulous card!! Thanks for playing along in this week's Cheery Lynn Designs challenge!
    -Karen

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  7. Fabulous card!! Thank you so much for joining us this week at 4 Crafty Chicks for our "many layers" challenge!

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  8. Jane what a sweet card. Your glittery roses are just beautiful. Thanks for joining the Cheery Lynn challenge. Good Luck to you

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  9. Jane you are a wonderful knitter! And there is nothing like becoming a nana to make you start knitting again (it happened to me too!) Your little matinee jacket is lovely (and how impressive is that arran!) The new card is very sweet, I love the colours.
    Helen x

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  10. A fun trip down memory lane, Thank you Jane.
    Your knitting is adorable. Perfect for a November baby.Lovely to see the old patterns!

    I'm glad you could see Millie; I'm sure 2 weeks will fly by. Here's to lovely pink (or blue) cards!!

    Anne and all
    PC22

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  11. Beautiful knit work Jane, love the card
    Thanks for joining the Crafty Ribbons Challenge
    x Gretha

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  12. Jane your card is very pretty! Thank you for participating with us at Party Time Tuesdays!
    Good Luck! - Sandy

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  13. I love your choice of image ,beautiful details, and the design too, thanks for joining Allsorts challenge, good luck.
    Happy crafting
    Tracy x

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  14. Yes I used to knit too the baby cardigan looks very familiar lol. Only two weeks to go, oh my gosh, not long now.
    Love your pretty card, beautiful colours and design.
    hugs {brenda} x0x

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  15. how fabulous love this just wonderful and I remember all those old knitting patterns to:)
    Hugs Kate xx

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  16. Hi Jane, one of the things I loved getting the most, when my two were born, were the hand knitted cardis from my German in-laws. I LOVE knitted baby clothes and yours is especially nice. You must be so excited with such little time to go! Bethx

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  17. Hi Jane! Bravo - I'm so happy to see that you have been knitting! Oh those pictures reminds also me about my early knittings. My hb has also 'fisherman's' pullover.
    Give my best wishes to your daughter! I pick the lovely pea necklace! x Teje

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  18. Jane, love the nitting!! Your card is a jawbreaker for sure! The way you have use the vintage cute picture and how you coloured it wow just wow.....my mouth is empty for words just WOW WOW WOW!!
    Good luck in the challege and thank you so much for playing with us this week at Cheery Lynn Designs..hugs Amy

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  19. Hi Jane,

    What a terrific post, I wonder how long it takes you to write one, you share so much and in such a sweet natural fashion, thank you.
    Your knitting is very impressive indeed.
    I use to knit quite a bit as a teenager and completely gave it up. I don't think I could take it again as easily as you have...

    Take Care

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  20. Wow, your knitting is fabulous. I enjoyed your post. And your card is just adorable, what a sweet little image and wonderful design. Good luck and thanks for joining in on the fun at Cheery Lynn Designs challenge.

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Jane x