• About me
  • Awards
    • I got Liebster-ed!
    • I love blog awards!
    • One Lovely Blog Award
    • Super Sweet Blogging Award
    • One Lovely Blog Award
  • More about me (turning 50!)
  • The story of the little black dog

littleblackdogsa

~ We Blog Here!!

littleblackdogsa

Category Archives: winter

New Blanket in the making

14 Thursday Jun 2018

Posted by littleblackdogsa in 2018, Blanket, Knitting, My home, on my needles, winter, Work in progress

≈ 17 Comments

Tags

blanket, hand knitting, handknit, handknitted, handknitting, handmade, knit, knitted, Knitting, knitting blanket, squares blanket

About a year ago, or maybe even longer, I was working on this blanket, but I was really not making much progress.  The pattern I was using was not easy to follow, and you had to concentrate and count mostly all the time.  I also attempted to knit the whole blanket all in one.

After a while of not getting anywhere with it, I frogged it and put the yarn to one side.  The intention to still make a blanket from it was still there.

So finally I have started this rather ambitious project again.  🙂 This time I will rather knit big squares, that I can work on any time, and hopefully over a period of time, I will knit all the yarn that I have set out for this.  Then I can just join it and have a blanket.

After a few attempts at working on a square that I would like, and would be able to pick up and put down, I think this one is the one that I really like and enjoy.

 

Blanket Square

Blanket Square

 

 

 

Advertisement

The last of my #Wip’s

07 Thursday Jun 2018

Posted by littleblackdogsa in Knitting, on my needles, Shawls, winter, yarns

≈ 31 Comments

Tags

handmade, Handmake, knit, knits, knitted, knitted shawl, Knitting, off my needles., Shawl

The last of my current wips are now off my needles.  🙂

I finished the Chasing Blizzard shawl.  I did not use alternating yarns as per the pattern, as my yarn already had all my favourite colours in one ball.  This is a stunning pattern that is absolutely a pleasure to knit.

The yarn is lovely and warm and the yarn cake was big enough to make a large and very cozy and warm shawl with.  It wears well and drapes beautifully.

Chasing Blizzard Shawl

Chasing Blizzard Shawl

Chasing Blizzard Shawl
Chasing Blizzard Shawl
Chasing Blizzard Shawl
Chasing Blizzard Shawl

Now time to dive for some yarns and patterns and ideas.  I have already got a stitching project ready.  🙂

Winter is here ….

04 Monday Jun 2018

Posted by littleblackdogsa in bears, Blanket, Crochet, Handmade Bears, Johannesburg, Mini Bears, winter

≈ 22 Comments

Tags

bear, bears, blanket, crochet, crochet blanket, crocheting, handmade bear, Handmade Bears, Johannesburg, johannesburg mornings, johannesburg weather, Mini Bears, miniature bear, misty, vintage look bear, winter, winter is here

Winter is here,

Friday morning started off very cold, and very misty.  The mist burned off when the sun came out, but it remained a typical winters day here in Johannesburg.

Misty Mornings

Misty mornings

That of course, meant a cold and wintery weekend.  And lots of time for crafting.  🙂  Yay.

I finished the crochet blanket I was working on.  Miekie loved the idea and could not snuggle under it soon enough.  I used a very plain stitch and pattern and it went amazingly quick.  I love this yarn and colour, “woodpecker” colour says the label.  It works well and fast.

Woodpecker Blanket
Woodpecker Blanket
Woodpecker Blanket
Woodpecker Blanket

And Old Ned, the little green and red bear, also got done.  He turned out so cute, and the perfect little friend for Old Blu that I did a while back.  I really like the fur with the two colours.

Old Ned
Old Ned
Old Ned
Old Ned

It is a chilly Monday here and this morning was a mere 3 degrees C but it warmed up again to a nice winters day.

Happy crafting all.

Just in time

14 Monday May 2018

Posted by littleblackdogsa in Beanies, Hats, Johannesburg, Knitting, winter

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

beanie, Beanies, cables, Hats, Johannesburg, knitting cables, knitting hats, Pompoms, winter

Just a quick update.  🙂

I finished the cabled beanie for myself on the weekend.  And just in time.

I woke this morning to a very wet and chilly Johannesburg.

Cabled Beanie 1
Cabled Beanie 1
Cabled Beanie 1
Cabled Beanie 1
Cabled Beanie 1
Cabled Beanie 1

Happy crafting to all, and those down south, winter is here, keep warm.  🙂

The Joy of Winter :)

08 Tuesday Aug 2017

Posted by littleblackdogsa in General, Johannesburg, Knitting, on my needles, project bags, Road trips, Sweater / Cardigan, winter, Work in progress

≈ 21 Comments

Tags

Bee Eater, box project bag, box project bags, cables, celtic cable, cheerful, grey, handknit, handmade, Johannesburg, johannesburg mornings, johannesburg weather, Kingfisher, knit, Knitting, linda's treehouse, project bag, project bags, sheep, south african yarn, stash, Sunshine Grows, sweater, travel, wool, yarn, yarns, Yarnstash

I find winter in Johannesburg very pleasant and a joy.  It is not extremely cold, and the sun is pleasant and comforting.  I would not mind very much if we had our fair share of snow, since I do love snow.

But in Johannesburg we make the most of the pleasant winters days.  Like spending a glorious sunny cozy morning, having a cup of coffee and enjoying the stunning view of the country clubs’ lawns.  I bit dry in patches, which is to be expected in mid winter.

Winter Mornings in Johannesburg

Winter Mornings in Johannesburg

I have been patiently knitting away at my grey sweater.  I have already reached the under the arm length, and have now cast on for the sleeves.  The progress is steady, and I am loving the way the cable insert is turning out.  I have no pattern for this, so I will need to look at the top construction as soon as the sleeves are long enough.

Grey Sweater Progress
Grey Sweater Progress
Grey Sweater Progress
Grey Sweater Progress
Grey Sweater Progress
Grey Sweater Progress
Grey Sweater Progress
Grey Sweater Progress

And I spoiled myself with a little bit of happy mail.  Stunning bright, cheerful yarns from Linda’s Treehouse, in Kingfisher.  I chose Bee Eater and Sunshine Grows.  I think these would be great summer wear items.  🙂  Or winter, as they are so cheerful.

New Stash Yarn

New Stash Yarn

My latest find in project  bags are these Box Project bags.  They are square and deep with a zipper.  If you open them all the way, you can fold the top back and they double as a portable fabric yarn bowl.  The cute sheepies print on these were just irresistible.  I got two sizes, one for sock size projects and one for shawl size projects.

Box Project Bags
Box Project Bags
Box Project Bags
Box Project Bags
Box Project Bags
Box Project Bags

Why I just love winter!!

19 Monday Jun 2017

Posted by littleblackdogsa in cowl, Knitting, My home, Shawls, winter, Work in progress

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

3d art, canvas, canvas art, cowl, crochet, crocheting, greenteatipple, hand crochet, handknitted, handknitting, handmade, scheepjes, scheepjes yarn, secret garden, Shawl, stormy day shawl, stormydayshawl

Winter is my favourite time of the year.  It is that time of the year when its just a little to chilly to spend so much time outdoors.  And when it happens to be a long weekend, you really get around to all those creative projects that had been lingering for so long now.

This weekend I got around to working on these canvasses I had done about a year ago, if not even longer.  🙂  I have had various ideas, but none of them really took off.  Then finally I decided to add to the canvasses and make them slightly 3D.  I have been looking for interesting pieces to add, and so far, these are the ones I have accumulated.  I painted them is the same colours as the original canvas colours, and added them so long.  It is still a long way to go, as I will be looking for more pieces to add, but I am very happy with the content so far.

3D Canvas Art (In Progress)
3D Canvas Art (In Progress)
3D Canvas Art (In Progress)
3D Canvas Art (In Progress)
3D Canvas Art (In Progress)
3D Canvas Art (In Progress)
3D Canvas Art (In Progress)
3D Canvas Art (In Progress)
3D Canvas Art (In Progress)
3D Canvas Art (In Progress)
3D Canvas Art (In Progress)
3D Canvas Art (In Progress)
3D Canvas Art (In Progress)
3D Canvas Art (In Progress)
3D Canvas Art (In Progress)
3D Canvas Art (In Progress)
3D Canvas Art (In Progress)
3D Canvas Art (In Progress)

 

My Stormy Day Shawl is looking good.  I have been working on it steadily, and have progressed into the various gradient changes.  This is an amazing pattern, and I love working on it.  It is the perfect name for a shawl for winter, as we have been having some pretty windy days here lately.

Stormy Day Shawl Progress
Stormy Day Shawl Progress
Stormy Day Shawl Progress
Stormy Day Shawl Progress
Stormy Day Shawl Progress
Stormy Day Shawl Progress
Stormy Day Shawl Progress

Stormy Day Shawl Progress

I ordered a ball of Scheepjes Secret Garden yarn a little while ago, and it has been calling to me since the day I received it.  So this weekend I broke down, and cast on an open cowl with some 100% Wool (Turkish) and my pretty Scheepjes.  I am using a mock cable / open eyelet pattern that was my Mom’s favourite stitch.  I love the way the stitches show up with the white yarn.  The Secret Garden yarn is amazing with it.  It is going so quickly, and this weekend I will get some buttons to add to the side for fastening.

New Cowl
New Cowl
New Cowl
New Cowl
New Cowl

New Cowl

 

 

 

 

 

Winter is here!

12 Monday Jun 2017

Posted by littleblackdogsa in Crochet, Johannesburg, My home, winter, Work in progress

≈ 20 Comments

Tags

baking bread, bread, cozy food, crochet, crocheting, curry, dog, handcrochet, handmade, Little black Dog, Miekie, stormy day shawl, stormydayshawl, winter, winter is here

Winter is here.

Woke up to this stunning sunrise and the promise to a beautiful day.

Winter Sunrise

Winter Sunrise

And with the colder weather, came time to spend with the family.  Good times, to bake and cook and crochet.

This is what the weekend held.  Baking beer bread, making lamb and vegetable curry, and crocheting on my Stormy Day Shawl.

Winter cooking
Winter cooking
Winter cooking
Winter cooking
Stormy Day Shawl Progress
Stormy Day Shawl Progress
Stormy Day Shawl Progress
Stormy Day Shawl Progress
Stormy Day Shawl Progress
Stormy Day Shawl Progress
Stormy Day Shawl Progress
Stormy Day Shawl Progress
Stormy Day Shawl Progress
Stormy Day Shawl Progress
Stormy Day Shawl Progress
Stormy Day Shawl Progress

 

And of course, Miekie enjoyed the cold weather, being a little thief and stealing the hot water bottle for a cozy afternoon nap.

Winter Naps

Winter Naps

SA Cosy Winter Swap

07 Wednesday Jun 2017

Posted by littleblackdogsa in 2017 Swaps, Knitting, Swaps, winter, yarns

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

autumn, birdie, birdies, birds, candies, candy, cards, jelly beans, SAcosywinterswap, stationery, tea, teas, yarn, yarns

You may remember the Alpaca yarn to sent to my buddy in the SA Cosy Winter Swap.  🙂

My package arrived as well, and it is stunning.  I have been looking online for some pretty autumn coloured yarn, and each time I got distracted.  Good thing, as my swap buddy sent me 2 gorgeous skeins.  How amazing is that.

SA Cosy Winter Swap
SA Cosy Winter Swap
SA Cosy Winter Swap
SA Cosy Winter Swap
SA Cosy Winter Swap
SA Cosy Winter Swap

She also spoiled me with teas, candies (I love jelly beans) and stationery.  Plus the sweetest little birdy ornament.  She also sent me a lovely shawl pattern, that I have already printed out and it is awaiting me, patiently sitting on my workdesk.

SA Cosy Winter Swap

SA Cosy Winter Swap

Loved this quick and easy and cosy swap.

It’s a wrap

06 Tuesday Jun 2017

Posted by littleblackdogsa in Knitting, Shawls, winter, Wrap

≈ 26 Comments

Tags

easy, finished object, handknitted, handknitting, handmade, knit, Knitting, quick knit, stratus wrap, turkey yarn, turkish yarn, winterwrap, Wrap

That sounds a bit of a cliche! 🙂  But it actually is a wrap.

My Stratus Wrap is all done, and ready to wear, just in time for the cooler weather.  It was faster to knit than I originally thought it may take, as the rows after about midway became pretty long.

Stratus Wrap Completed

Stratus Wrap Completed

Stratus Wrap Completed

Stratus Wrap Completed

Stratus Wrap Completed

Stratus Wrap Completed

It is gorgeous, even if I have to say so myself, it is so soft and warm and comfy.  I love the 100% pure wool that I used for it.  It is a wool from Turkey that knits up beautifully and quickly.

Stay Cosy Winter Swap

30 Tuesday May 2017

Posted by littleblackdogsa in 2017 Swaps, Alpaca Yarn, Knitting, project bags, Shawls, Stitch Markers, Swaps, winter, yarns, Yarnstash

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

alpaca, bags, Made in Peru, Notion Bags, Peru, Peru Yarn, Pompoms, project bags, Rowan alpaca, Rowan Alpaca Colour, Sirdar Colourwheel, Sock pattern, stitch markers, stitchmarkers, swap, Winter swap, Yarnbling

It is winter here, and of course, time for a nice Stay Cosy Swap.  It was just a quick and comforting swap, as no knitting or crochet was needed, just the kind and warmheartedness of buddies swapping something warm and cozy, with would mean Yarn, of course, and something nice and warm to drink.  My buddy likes coffee, so I got her a lovely toffee flavoured coffee to enjoy and my favourite Dutch cookies (Koffieleutjes).  And since she has recently indulged in knitting her first pair of socks, I could not resist sharing a pretty sock pattern with her.

Winter Cozy Swap Goodies

Winter Cozy Swap Goodies

But since I was in the yarn store to get her some Alpaca, which was on her list, and she has never knitted with it before, I could not resist bringing some lovely Alpaca home for myself as well.  These lovely neutral colours just had to be part of my stash.

Rowan Alpaca Colour
Rowan Alpaca Colour
Made in Peru
Made in Peru
Rowan Alpaca Colour

Rowan Alpaca Colour

The yarn store also had some new goodies, like these super cute (fake) fur pompoms.  Not so widely available here, and I was lucky to come across these.  They also had a Sirdar Colourwheel, that I had not seen yet, and I opted for something cheerful, but not overly bright.  I think this cake will knit up pretty well into a comfy shawl for those very grey chilly winters days, when you just need to feel like Spring is around the corner.

Furry Pompoms
Furry Pompoms
Colourwheel Yarn
Colourwheel Yarn

And the lovely Sally at Yarnbling updated her store.  New Project Bags!!  The fabric of these are stunning, with butterflies and dragonflies.  I got a really huge bag this time, for those big projects.  And some notions bags to match.  She also had a few bags left in a previous range, and I ordered this stunning white bag with embroidered flowers on.  Just the right size for a lace shawl, or my sock projects.

Goodies
Goodies
Project Bags and Notions Bags
Project Bags and Notions Bags
Project Bags and Notions Bags

Project Bags and Notions Bags

I was very pleasantly surprised when I opened the one little notions bag, and got these super cute stitch markers inside.  What a lovely surprise and way to spoil a person.  I love these small markers, they work so well on lace projects.

Stitch Markers

Stitch Markers

← Older posts

Recent Posts

  • Little Miekie
  • Worldwide Knit in Public Day 2019
  • Beautiful Namibia
  • First up – my finished projects
  • Hello again

Top 100 Knitting Blogs

Cut Out and Keep

One Lovely Blog Award

One Lovely Blogger Award

Liebster Award

Liebster Award

Wordpress Family

Super Sweet Blogger

Categories

  • 2014 Swaps
  • 2015 Swaps
  • 2016 Swaps
  • 2017 Swaps
  • 2018
  • 2019
  • Alpaca Yarn
  • Awards
  • Beading
  • Beanies
  • bears
  • Blanket
  • cowl
  • Crochet
  • Cross Stitch
  • Embroidery
  • Europe
  • festive season
  • Frogged
  • General
  • Giveaway
  • Giveway
  • Handmade Bears
  • Happy Holidays
  • Hats
  • Holl and Lane
  • Jewellery
  • Johannesburg
  • Knitting
  • Little black Dog
  • Miekie
  • Mini Bears
  • My home
  • My pets
  • on my needles
  • Online magazine
  • project bags
  • Road trips
  • Rowan Kidsilk yarns
  • Scarf
  • sewing
  • Shawls
  • Socks
  • Stitch Markers
  • Stitching
  • Swaps
  • Sweater / Cardigan
  • travelling and events
  • Uncategorized
  • winter
  • Work in progress
  • Worldwide Knit in Public Day 2019
  • Wrap
  • yarns
  • Yarnstash

Archives

  • January 2020
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • June 2014
  • February 2012

Top Posts & Pages

  • Little Miekie
  • Worldwide Knit in Public Day 2019
  • Beautiful Namibia
  • First up - my finished projects
  • Hello again
  • Europe is so gorgeous!
  • New projects and Wips'
  • New Blanket in the making
  • The last of my #Wip's
  • Winter is here ....

Blog Stats

  • 21,069 hits

And so we say ….. :-)

littleblackdogsa on Little Miekie
Verónica on Little Miekie
littleblackdogsa on Little Miekie
theknittingmagpie on Little Miekie
littleblackdogsa on Little Miekie

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Blogs I Follow

  • A HankiDori Day
  • Coastal Crochet
  • The Knitting Magpie
  • Sticks & String
  • While Walking My Dogs
  • Muddling Through Life
  • insearchofitall
  • The Contented Crafter
  • Wild Daffodil
  • nanacathydotcom
  • The Ravell'd Sleave
  • Emma's Craft Projects
  • Hillview Embroidery
  • sweetfallenangels
  • Julia's Creative Year
  • LITTLECHURCH KNITS
  • Little Golden Notebook
  • U N D I I N
  • Jennifer Makes ......
  • LucyAnn &Luna craft

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

A HankiDori Day

my beautiful chaos

Coastal Crochet

All things crochet inspired by coastal living...

The Knitting Magpie

Musings of all things knitting, crafts and associated loveliness.

Sticks & String

While Walking My Dogs

Ideas, Inspiration and Instruction... all thought of while walking my dogs.

Muddling Through Life

Random thoughts as I muddle through life....

insearchofitall

Looking for answers to life's questions

The Contented Crafter

A blog containing random thoughts, bits of life, creations from my art room and tales of a cat named Orlando and a puppy named Siddy

Wild Daffodil

the joy of creativity

nanacathydotcom

Wool, Wiltshire and All Manner of Wonderful Things!

The Ravell'd Sleave

Emma's Craft Projects

Everyday craft inspirations

Hillview Embroidery

Teaching and Learning One Stitch at a Time

sweetfallenangels

Sew What... Sewing, Embroidery and handmade

Julia's Creative Year

my year of trying to be more creative in different ways

LITTLECHURCH KNITS

Knitting Patterns by Cheryl Toy

Little Golden Notebook

U N D I I N

k n i t t i n g is my c h o c o l a t e

Jennifer Makes ......

All sorts of lovely things!

LucyAnn &Luna craft

crafting,dachshunds including other bits & bobs

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • littleblackdogsa
    • Join 216 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • littleblackdogsa
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...