tiny happy

I braved the cold and did some gardening this weekend. Our poor little garden is mostly starved of attention at this time of year, mostly because of the weather, busy life reasons, and daylight hours (or lack thereof). But I should make the effort to dig in the dirt more often and weed around the plants more often. It really makes me happy! I planted some winter herbs and salad greens, silverbeet, spring onions, and sugar snap peas. I also uncovered a sweet white cyclamen that had been hiding out under some weeds. Isn't it beautiful?

Inspired by plants (spring flowers in particular – though it's much too early to be thinking about them), I made something new to wear to work. It's a camisole-top top, made from drapey black rayon-crepe fabric, and embroidered around the neckline with plants like lily-of-the-valley and leafy branches. To make the top, I used the Ogden Cami pattern, which I've used a few times, it's a good one! I'm hoping to wear this over long-sleeved tops for the office. I have a black and white striped merino top that I think will be a good match. 

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Another finished project from last month was this little hat that I knitted for my baby niece. She turned one and I wanted to include something handmade in her birthday gift. I used the Beloved Aran pattern (free on Ravelry) and held together a strand of grey angora rabbit yarn with pale pink Rowan Kidsilk Haze. The result was a super lightweight and soft fabric. The colour is a bit like the inside of a sea shell. I made the pom pom from some yarn I dyed with avocado in the summer. My Ravelry notes are here (and here – for when I made two hats from this pattern last winter).

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I have some ambitious making plans for this winter, but I'm not sure I'll be able to fit everything in! On my wish-list is a linen dress, a Birkin Sweater (I'm currently about 1/8th of the way through), some hot water bottle covers, slippers and some embroidered project bags. I also have half a punch-needle piece to complete. If only the days and nights were a little longer! 

As well as knitting and sitting by the fire, this time of year is perfect for watching something good on TV, don't you think? Tom, the kids and I have just finished watching the newish mini-series of Les Miserables together. So sad but quite excellent, I thought! We also saw the James Acaster Netflix special together, which we found to be brilliant, and now often-quoted in our house. ('Too good for a free banana' is a particular favourite.) I also watched the NZ show The Casketeers while doing some late-knitting over a week or so. I absolutely loved it.