Knitting Pretty

Along with my regular posts, I am going to be including a set of themed entries, which include a heap of knitting patterns on that theme. I may even include links to other items that fit with the theme. I was inspired to do this after the fun I had writing about Harry Potter inspired knitting patterns. So here goes! Today's theme is 'Leaves' because I love leaves, and think they are a great motif to see in pretty much anything.

First off, lets start with scarves and shawls. I have this love of oak trees – and acorns! – so I have to start off with a shawl from Elann.com that has an oak leaf motif. It is very pretty, and I think I would like to have a go at this someday, though I would like to make it wider than the pattern currently is. Another absolutely gorgeous shawl with a leaf pattern is called Diana, and is just such a marvellous creation, I can’t wait to try my hand at it!

Now I am going to move onto hats. These two are both for babies, but the fun thing with knitting patterns is it isn’t too difficult to up-scale the pattern so you have the right size for your very own bonce! Here is a particularly cute hat with leaf crown motif, it is just so pretty, and this is one of those that I have to make larger for myself. Next is a berry hat, again for a baby, that just has such a good quality look to it. One of those patterns that has just worked really, really well.

Next up, cardigans! I am not entirely sure if this is a leaf motif, but it came up when I was searching and has the right ‘feel’ to it. I think this is a very pretty cardigan, that I am considering making. This cardigan is also quite pretty, and I just adore the little leaf ends on the ties. So cute!

Lastly some odds and ends. This is a pattern for a pretty leaf, you can do 101 things with it, I’m sure, so its a good pattern to have on hand. Next up is a cute toy that has a leaf attached, a pretty peach. Lastly, here is a really groovy handbag – or laptop case, etc – with a lovely leafy vine feel to it. Seriously love this thing!

I hope some of these patterns inspire the knitter or handcrafter within you, and you get cracking on something special! I know I will!

When you are a young woman, and you are in a steady relationship, if you express the fact that you are nauseous to anyone, they immediately ask 'You aren't pregnant, are you?' I always feel rather frustrated by this, as if it is expected of me to have unplanned pregnancies. I don't know, I just find it irritating that everyone's first assumption is that you are with child, rather than just have the flu.

Yesterday or the day before, I can't remember now, I came down with something. I was so nauseous, I eventually lost my lunch, and have been going through the sneezing, coughing, asthma, and strangely enough, ringing ears. That's a new one for me, well, in regards to having the flu, anyway. So I feel terrible, just awful. I got up in the morning today, and it seemed okay. I had breakfast, and about 20 minutes after I knew it was a very bad mistake. I have spent the larger portion of today, curled up on the couch in my dressing gown, holding my poor stomach, fighting to keep down lemonade and dry crackers. Yep, that's what is has come to.

I am also dreadfully tired all the time, too lethargic to even sit up for long periods of time. I have to lay down regularly lest I feel utterly exhausted. As if that wasn't enough, last night as I sat there on the couch, my girl cat ran across my lap. Nothing unusual there, but because I moved, she totally freaked out, and clawed my legs. Nothing really unusual there, either, but this time, she managed to slice one of her claws into a vein in my leg, and puncture the other side of the vein. So not only was my leg bleeding, but it was also bleeding into the tissue around it. Now I have red areas where she punctured my skin, and dark blue-black bruise like marks around the red ones.  It truly looks horrible, and I am such a baby about that sort of thing. I had a similar incident happen when I had a blood test, once, and the resulting bleed out into the tissue nearly sent my into a panic. Of course, at that time, I didn't know what it was.

Okay so before I fall asleep again, here's today's pattern. It had to be something soft and cozy to snuggle up in, so of course it is going to be a shawl or wrap of some kind. I am going with this one because it would be good for sitting around in, and because of the button you don't have to keep it on you, it will just stay. Like a bed cape. 

Off for naps now.