D is for Damson, Dahlia, and a Delicious Dilemma

I was woken up in the middle of the night on Friday by a scratching sound by my bedside.  Since our lovely cat Sakura's death a fortnight ago I have heard the mice dancing a jig in our attic so I was a little fearful of what I might find when I opened a weary eye.  I need not have feared for I found Dahlia The Rabbit  standing on the tip of her long toes and shivering.

"What ever is the matter?" I managed to mumble.

"I'm cold", she replied. "These trousers you made last week are fine and dandy for prancing about on stage but I would be grateful for something warmer now the nights are so frosty".

I nodded sagely and went back to sleep until Angélique woke me up a little while later.  It was still dark but my conscience geared me into making a little something warmer for Dahlia and I smiled as I knitted for I reminded myself of the Elves and the Shoemaker although much bigger in size of course.

Dahlia is delighted with her overalls and she happily declared them damson in colour.

"Why not?" I smiled for they do remind me a little of the damson's shining black-purple coats with matt blue overlay.

Dahlia urged me to write down the very simple pattern I concocted in the dead of night so should any of you wish to make this adorable Helen Philipps' rabbit you too might be able to dress it warmly.

So for those who are interested you will find my Dahlia's Overalls pattern at the end of this post.

And now for the delicious dilemma!

For the first time in years my dearest husband will have a week off between Christmas and the New Year.  Can you imagine our excitement?  After our weekly family meeting we decided we would like to head off in search of snow somewhere in the mountains.  The Alps seemed the obvious destination.  My mother's family is from Savoie and whilst I spent all my childhood holidays there I have lived by the sea for many years in Normandy and have not so much as glimpsed a mountain for far too long.

It is time to return.

We have searched for a gîte and it was my husband who came up with the following idea:

"Why don't we look for a roulotte (gypsy caravan) on a mountain top?"

   He knows me well.  You see, dear readers, one of my dreams when we finally buy a house and garden of our own in the Loire Valley is to also own a gipsy caravan, decorated by ourselves, which would serve to house visiting friends, host birthday parties for the children, and maybe even serve as an extra B&B room.

So this is what we found.  Please take a peep and tell me honestly what you think.  Bear in mind that at Christmas there will be snow on the ground as it is located between Chamonix and Geneva.  Do you think, as a family of five, we would be nuts to sejourn there for a week?  We generally get on pretty well although we are not perfect, of course.  For those who read French you will see there is a farm nearby which would be wonderful for the children.

 I am waiting for your thoughts on this delightful dilemma.

   

Until then I shall leave you with a picture of my newest acquisition:

 

My fabulous Fairysteps shoes!

Despite my deceptively large legs displayed here I feel like a fairy when wearing these for they fit like a kid glove and make me feel as if I am walking on air.

Have a heavenly week walking on air and welcome to my new followers!  I should have some good news to share with you in my next post!

A bientôt,


Stephanie

And here as promised is my humble pattern:

Dahlia's Overalls

I used Rowan Felted Tweed (so very soft) and a pair of US 4 (3.5mm) needles.

Legs

make 2

Cast on 34 stitches

Knit 2 rows

Starting with a K row knit 24 rows in stocking stitch (or more should you wish for longer trousers)

Cast off 2 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows to shape the crotch

Knit a further 22 rows in stocking stitch

Next rowm *K6 K2 tog* repeat ** 3 times, K6 (27 stitches)

Purl 1 row

Knit 2 rows

Cast off. 

Bib

make 1

Cast on 20 stitches

Row 1: Knit 1 row

Row 1: K2, P to last 2 stitches, K2

Row 3: Knit

Row 4: K2, P2 tog, P to last 4 sts, P2 tog, K2

Repeat the last 4 rows 3 times (12 stitches)

Knit 3 rows

Cast off

Straps

make 2

Cast on 4 stitches

Working in Garter stitch, knit 24 rows.

Cast off.

To sew up overalls.

With right sides together, fold each leg in half lengthways and sew up leg seam.

Turn one leg right way out and fit this one insdie the other.  Sew up crotch seam and turn right side out.

Sew bib to front of trousers.  

Sew one edge of each strap to the back of the overalls, about 1 cm either side of the centre seam, cross straps over at the back and sew the other end to the top of the bib at the front, overlapping 1cm.  Sew a button ont he end of each strap although these will not undo.

Finished!