Nevisknitter

Nearly finished the GAAA

2011-08-29T20:04:00.006+01:00

The end of the aran afghan is finally in sight, all 24 blocks from the book have been knitted, I've even designed my own block too so I have a 5'x5' square , I'm now in the middle of sewing all the blocks together then its just the border left to do.
Its very snuggly, DS2 has already decided its his.

I'm determined to get this finished by next monday to show off to the knitting group at the library.

Spring stash dash update

2011-05-31T18:49:00.003+01:00

Well, this is whats left of the Spring stashdash basket, I still have 2 1\2 x 400g balls of aran destined to be knitted into a Great Aran American afghan, 3 balls of wendy happy which will become mythos and a skein (now balled) of moondance which will be the mystery shawl from Wendyknits. The orange fluff is a fibre with mohair in, I'm aiming to spin a spindle full of fine yarn which will be plied on itself to hopefully produce a laceweight yarn.

This is what I've achieved from the basket so far since mid April

A cardigan in king cole mirage for Mums birthday, she says it fits perfectly 4 and a bit more squares for the Great Aran american afghan

I finished Kvothe, kitted in zauberball

And spun 5og of oatmeal BFL (front) and 20g of browngrey BFL (back)

Hopefully I dont get too distracted and manage to work my way through more of the basket.

Spring Stashdash

2011-05-06T20:16:00.002+01:00

I decided to join in the Spring Stashdash taking part over at the Stash Knitdown group on Ravelry. The idea is you fill a basket with stash\ current projects and only work on those until the end of June.

Heres my basket with the planned knitting in it.

And it all spread out on the bed, theres a bit of fibre there too to spin with

So far I have finished the shawl at the left front (the orang and purple yarn) and knitted up 2 balls of the blue striped yarn,
I think I might swap the grey skein for another as I am going to knit my neice some socks for her birthday at the end of June.
Wonder how long it will take for me to get fed up with these projects, or whether I will see the bottom of the bin by the end of June.

Its been 6 months .. what have I been up to

2011-05-03T13:36:00.003+01:00

Hi, since last blogging I completed the naknitmo challenge. I originally thought I could knit 30000 stitches in a month, I managed 68992.

Knowing I knit that much means theres no reason why my stash is as big as it it. I took pics for 'flash your stash' day on Rav at the start of April, I can just get it all squeezed onto a double bed

I decided at the start of the year to only buy more yarn if I could buy it in person, so made sure that I stocked up when away at Skipnorth in March. Some of this has now been knitted up

Naknitmo

2010-11-01T22:49:00.002Z

Havent blogged for ages, but still been busy knitting. For the month of November I've signed up to Naknitmo, the idea is you set yourself a target number of stitches to knit during the month. you can up your target during the month but cannot decrease it.
I've set my target at 30,000 stitches to start, no idea if this will be easy to achieve or a struggle, time will tell.

The first project I'm working on this month is the lacy sweater from Adorable knits for Tiny Tots by Zoe Mellor, I knitted this 2 years ago for a friends wee girl but she has now outgrown it and her mum had requesed another in a bigger size. I'm using James C Brett Kool Cotton, purchased at Texere in March 2009 on the way to Skipnorth.

Will post progress pics and stitch totals later in the week.

Yes, I'm still here

2009-12-16T21:47:00.003Z

Crocheted this christmas tree for the local library where I work as a relief library assistant, we have no spare plug sockets for a tree with lights. Its 7" high, and the lights are hama beads I also made some cranfords from the leftovers from my crochet jacket, these are too small for me but are now keeping a friends hands warm

These are 2 more strips I made for 'stitches on the bridge'

The scarf above is stolen moments

and I'm sure you all recognise clapotis.

I dont think I will manage to finish 12 sweaters this year, I've finished 4 more (photos soon) and have the sleeves to do on no 11 but been sidetracked by other knitting. I still have 10 more sweaters than I did this time last year (and my mum got one too). I still have plans to knit more sweaters next year but found being tied to one type of project too stifling.

Halfway through Nakniswemodo

2009-08-22T22:01:00.002+01:00

Dont know if you remember back to the start of the year, but I set myself the challenge of making 12 sweaters this year, as part of the nakniswemodo (knit a sweater a month dodecathon) group on ravelry, the only rule being they had to be adult sized.I've now passed the halfway mark, this is a crochet cardi for me crocheted in Yarnyarn lochan, I got the main colour at woolfest last year and the purple contrast this year, the pattern is an old one from Me magazine (late 80's or early 90's) which was a jumper, I've adapted it to a cardi.

Sweater no 7, 8 and 9 are all on the needles and now the baby stuff is all finished (for now) I might manage to actually finish all 12 by the end of December

Bakewell tarts and skye bridge scarf

2009-08-15T18:01:00.003+01:00

Crocheted these bakewell tarts for Rhymetime in Fort William library to use with the song '5 currant buns in a bakers shop'. They were used for the first time last week, the toddlers loved them so much that some tried to eat them.

This is a Broomstick crochet scarf for the stitches on the bridge project on Skye, I did a panel measuring 26cm x 200cm, hoping to go over to Skye for the day when all the panels are on the bridge, they will be up from 22nd to 26th October if anyones interested.

A to Z

2009-08-14T18:10:00.002+01:00

Knitted this Alphabet blanket for my niece's bump, its due next month.

Also knitted this blanket buddy for the bump.

and crocheted this sun hat for a friends wee girl, she liked it so much she wore it Sunday and Monday even though there was no sun.

Not much knitting done this week as I have been helping with the Kilmallie free church holiday club doing crafts, the craft theme was the armour of God so plenty of swords, shields etc. We had around 100 kids each day who all seemed to have a great time.

Mums belated birthday present

2009-07-29T21:21:00.003+01:00

Knitted in James C Brett marble, for my Mums Birthday. Made up pattern myself, based on various modular knitting techniques. Front view

Back view

baby bits and socks

2009-07-28T10:56:00.004+01:00

Knitted this travel blanket and hat for my niece, she's having a baby boy in september, pattern is Sejia set from the happy hooker, yarn is James C Brett marble, shade MT2

Alos knitted more socks for my stepmup and stepniece. The top ones are knitted from the yarn I dyed with koolaid at Skipnorth , basic sock pattern, the bottom ones are knitted in Regia Kaffe Fasset mirage, shade earth and the pattern is Cafe Curtains

Rainbow Girls and tour de fleece

2009-07-23T19:35:00.007+01:00

Been taking part in the Tour de Fleece over on Ravelry to coincide with the Tour de France

The fleece was the blue bag I got from Woolfest, its coming out at 20 WPI, it will probably be a shawl when its all spun.

I also made these wee dolls for the last day of Sunday school for me class of 3-5 yr olds. They all loved them, some were even named before church had finished.

The patterns Rainbow babies, a free pattern from Jean Greenhowes site, I adapted it to add a skirt, made the heads smaller and added hair.

Been busy knitting , I've nearly finished my 5th sweater of the year, just got to sew on buttons, and am now busy knitting baby stuff as my niece is having a baby in september.

Woolfest 09

2009-06-28T15:56:00.002+01:00

Just spent 2 1/2 days in Cockermouth at Woolfest, helping Wyesue and Ambermoggie on the Kindred Knitters stall. Ambermoggie and Mr Mog had made shawls and swifts with profits going to charity, Wye sue had leaflets about shadow knitting and mitred squares with a donation to charity for the leaflet and there was a competition to guess the weight of a bear, with a skein of Laalbears laceweight as prize. £150 was raised, split equally betweem Medicine Sans Frontiers, sheep for Africa(woolfests chosen charity) and Ambermoggies local hospice.

I saw loads of people from blogland/ravelry, it was great to meet up with familiar faces and to meet new people and put faces to names too. Not going to mention everyone I saw as I know I will forget someone, but it you saw a plump person with greying curly hair, talking quickly in a Yorkshire accent on the Kindred knitters stall it was probably me.

Despite being on the stall for most of the time, I still found time to shop.

The black at the back is 5 balls of DK weight merino, the blue skein is Yarnyard toddy, the blue ball is sock yarn, the pale purple is Yarnyard Lochan, the dark purple is Knitwitches laceweight and the pinks is 200g of knitwitches cashmere/merino.

I also got fibre, a spindle and other oddments

The fibre is a bag of blue oddments from winghams, spindle is from
Whorl drop spindle, The big stick is a broomstick for broomstick crochet , bag is from ambermoggie and theres a sock keyring and some crochet hooks there too.

At the end of Saturday Wyesue and Ambermoggie both gave me things as a thankyou for helping out so much.

This is 2 skeins of Sues handspun, one with fish in it the other with bells, I think the fish one will become a bag (along with other yarn) the bells will either be part of a hat or a shawl edging.Ambermoggie gave me one of her lovely shawls, I'm sure I will get plenty of use out of it up here. Now hoping for this heatwave to end so I can snuggle into it.

Been busy

2009-04-16T21:13:00.005+01:00

Computer went on the blink last month so it was away getting fixed but I have been busy knitting, here are my latest finished projects. Socks for my husband knitted in the Yarnyard sock wool I got last year at woolfest.

A hottie cover for my mum for mothers day, got the wol for this at the SECC craft show, its new lanark DK

Eerie from Rowan 43, in Kidsilk Spray, this was being knited into a spiders web shawl last year, but didnt like the way the yarn and pattern worked so frogged it and knitted it into this. It took just under 4 balls so very light to wear.

This is MS4 that I did the first half of last year, got the second half finished last month and grafted it when we were at my mums in the holidays (thats my mum doing the modelling)

This is a crochet hat I did on the train when I went down to glasgow for the SECC craft show, its adult sized but fits my son too so very versatile.

and just finished Hey Teach (from Knitty) in washed haze aran, this took 6 days from start to finish.

Now I'm dithering what to knit next so swatching for 3 different jumpers.

back from Skipnorth 09

2009-03-24T11:51:00.005Z

I spent the weekend in Haworth at Skipnorth, with a large group of knitters. I went via Texere in Bradford and got this.

Its James C Brett Kool cotton, a ball of dishcloth cotton and 2 circular needles.

On the Friday at skipnorth we did workshops.

I dyed 2 skeins of yarn using Koolaid and also did some modular knitting.

Later on there was a yarn swap with donations to p/hop too. I got this.

I'm going to make a top for my friends wee girl out of this.

On Saturday we got on 2 coaches and went yarn shopping. First stop was coldspring mill just outside Haworth.

I got 900g of this yarn (3 skeins) so there should be enough to make a cardi or 2. It was £2 a skein but no label, though at that price I'm guessing its a high acrylic content.

Next stop was the Skep and a haberdashery shop in Leeds.

I got 4 balls of the blue/purple sock yarn, it will become a stole or cardi, a ball of the bright sock yarn and 5 balls of mohair.

After all this we went to the KCG just outside Holmfirth, we got to see examples of knitting from the early 1900's and then were let loose on the 1p a gram yarn mountain. I was very restrained and just got this.

Its 5 x 25g balls of 2ply pure new wool in a light grey shade, enough for a shawl.

That night I improved my spindling and learnt to andean ply,

This is my first plyed skein of yarn , its somewhere between DK and Aran in thickness.

On sunday we went to Winghams and boosted by my spinning I got some fibre, so now I have a fibre stash as well as a yarn stash.

The grey and black is merino, the aim is to spin it and knit a scarf and gloves in grey with a black edging.

The blue is a wee sample of merino silk blend, I got it so I can see how different it looks when spun and plied, it will probably look a lot different.

The stash is all safely stowed away at home now, I reckon theres enough here to keep me going until woolfest at least.

Skipnorth was great, it was lovely to meet loads of knitters and pick up hints and tips, a big thanks to Lixie and Nic for organising it all.

finally got some blocking done.

2009-02-28T22:12:00.004Z

Finished Secret of the Stole III last autumn, finally got round to blocking it now, this was knitted in Lane Borgosia, shade denim, with seed beeds throughout the pattern

I also blocked the Goddess knits anniversary shawl which was finished just before the new year. I chose clue 1A, 2B, 3C and 4D

I have also been knitting Mystery stole 4 which I started last year, now only got 20 rows of clue 6 to knit plus the 2 sides to graft together,

rip it out and start again

2009-02-21T11:19:00.002Z

I started knitting the half spider shawl from VLT last summer,

I had knitted 2 1/2 balls of the Kidsilk night when I realised I wasnt too sure about this shawl worked in KSH so I decided to frog it.

I decided last night to cast on the frogged KSH, I am now knitting Eerie (rav link)from Rowan 43.

This week the Angel Yarns forum which I posted on regularly was taken down without warning. 2 members of the forum (Traxia and Zyle) have done great work getting a new forum up and running for all us displaced angels, its now called Pheonix knitting forum, hopefully all the AY members will find their way over there.

Blurry Jumper

2009-02-18T21:02:00.002Z

This is 'to dye for' from the first stitch and bitch book, called blurry because its knitted in Sirdar Blur , (used 2 1/2 balls) and not because I'm having a dig at my sons photography skills.

This is my secend Nakniswemodo jumper, now dithering what to cast on next so working on MS4 from last year and socks for DH while I decide.

Knitting meme

2009-02-07T19:06:00.002Z

This is the first ever meme I've done, Saw it on Kate's, Kai's and Fiona's blogs and thought it a good idea.
You need to mark with bold the things you have done, mark the ones you plan to do sometime in italics, and leave the rest.
Afghan
American/English knitting
Baby items
Bobbles
Buttonholes
Cable stitch patterns
Cardigan
Charity knitting
Combination knitting
Continental knitting
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/arm-warmers
Darning
Designing knitted garments
Domino knitting
Drop stitch patterns
Dyeing spinning fiber
Dyeing with plant colors
Dying yarn
Entrelac
Fair Isle knitting
Free-form knitting
Fulling/felting
Garter stitch
Gloves
Graffiti knitting
Hair accessories
Hats: Cuff-up
Hats: Top-down
Holiday related knitting
Household items
I-cord
Intarsia
Jewelry
Kitchener stitch
Knitted flowers
Knitting a gift
Knitting a pattern from an on-line knitting magazine
Knitting and purling backwards
Knitting art
Knitting for a living
Knitting for pets
Knitting for preemies
Knitting in public
Knitting items for a wedding
Knitting on a loom
Knitting smocking - have ribbed then smocked, but never knitted it in
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on one or two circulars
Knitting to make money
Knitting two socks on two circulars simultaneously
Knitting with alpaca
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Knitting with beads
Knitting with camel yarn
Knitting with cashmere
Knitting with circular needles
Knitting with cotton
Knitting with dog/cat hair
Knitting with dpns
Knitting with linen
Knitting with metal wire
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Knitting with self patterning/self striping/variegated yarn
Knitting with silk
Knitting with someone else’s hand-spun yarn
Knitting with soy yarn
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Knitting with wool
Knitting with your own hand-spun yarn
Lace patterns
Long Tail CO
Machine knitting
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Moebius band knitting
Norwegian knitting
Participate in an exchange
Participating in a KAL
Pillows
Publishing a knitting book
Purses/bags
Rug
Scarf
Shawl
Short rows
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Slip stitch patterns
Slippers
Socks: toe-up
Socks: top-down
Steeks
Stockinette stitch
Stuffed toys
Swatching
Sweater
Tassels
Teaching a child to knit
Teaching a male how to knit
Textured knitting
Thrummed knitting
Toy/doll clothing
Tubular CO
Twisted stitch patterns
Two end knitting
Writing a pattern

Even tough theres a lot of bold things there, some of them I have only done once or twice, or tried and not bothered with again.

What I hope to learn this year is to spin, knit something from my hand spun, have a go at dyeing and to design my own pattern and write it down. I have designed a pattern before but that was a garter stitch tank top for my teddy when I was 7.

1st jumper of 2009

2009-02-06T17:37:00.003Z

I finished my first sweater of 2009, I'm hoping to knit 12 this year so need to knit a bit quicker I think, Its the mitered jacket from knitsimple Fall o7, but with Wendy fusion Subbed for noro Kureyon. It reminds me a bit of a faded denim jacket.
and I also finished the socks for my stepmum.

We had our first decent snowfall of the week today too so my older son built this snowman.

knitting progress

2009-01-31T13:24:00.006Z

I'd forgotten how long knitting a sweater takes, heres progress so far.

The pattern is mitered cardigan from knitsimple fall 2007, knitted with Wendy fusion instead of Noro kureyon, mainly because the fusions machine washable (and I got it on sale from Kemps), the shade is White pepper, just got to finish the second sleeve and the front, and stop getting distracted by socksThese are for my stepmum, the yarn is opal rainforest, just doing plain socks so good TV knitting.

Belated happy new year

2009-01-22T21:47:00.005Z

Hope this year is going well for you all so far, our family have been succumbing to the usual round of sniffles which my younger son very gererously brings home from school to share with us, but it hasnt stopped the knitting.

I've joined in the 24 in 2009 challenge on the Crafty threads and yarn forum, here are my first two items.

Socks for my stepniece knitted in the leftover opal rainforest from my ravelympic socks with a wee bit of neon on one toe as I ran out of yarn

and crochet dishcloths using the patterns in '200 crochet blocks' by Jan Eaton.

I have also joined NaKniSweMoDo on Ravelry where you aim to knit a sweater a month. I am 3/4 of the way through my first one, a mitered sweater in Wendy Fusion but no pics as camera batteries have died.
I'm on stashalong again too so hopefully my stash should be much reduced at the end of this year though I am hoping to add to it at Skipnorth. I'd better get knitting now to make some space.

We three kings.

2008-12-31T18:07:00.006Z

Well the kings for my nativity are finally finished,

so now its all complete.

I have also sewn up a hoodie for my younger son and reknit the border of the goddess knits anniversary shawl, just need to block it now.

Christmas knitting

2008-12-26T13:03:00.002Z

I knitted these cute little baby socks as stockings for all the kids in my sunday school class ( I teach the 3 & 4 year olds). They each had a sweet and wee toy inside and the kids loved them.

The rest of my christmas knitting ground to a halt, the nativity kings still aren't finished, but I suppose they could get done in time for January and the hoodie is still waiting to get sewn up.

I decided to dig out the goddess knits mystery shawl, I ran out of yarn while doing the border on this so I ripped back the border last week and restarted it using black Jaggerspun zephyr (left over from MS3), so have been knitting that all week and finally finished last night, just got to block it now.

I'm now going to spend the rest of this year finishing off some of my outstanding WIP, so hopefully I should have some more finished things to show you this week.

NOvember update

2008-12-16T23:28:00.002Z

Well after vowing to cast on no new projects in November, my knitting ground to a halt thanks to DS2 very generously sharing all the germs he brought home from school. I also was invited to a wedding at the end of November so made a cross stich sampler for the happy couple, forgot to take photos but they loved it.
I have been knitting this month though, finished the aran hoodie for DS2, just needs sewing up now, and the chunky jumper got frogged and knitted into a cloud bolero and urchin beret, my kings are almost done too, need to knit the hats and presents and then sew them all up, guess I'm going to be busy with a needle this weekend.

NOvember

2008-10-29T19:10:00.004Z

Yes, its nearly November already and after looking at the piles of WIP that I have I have decided to repeat what I did last year and make November the month for NO casting on of new projects. Currently I have OTN :-

Great American Aran Afghan (I am ashamed to say this was being knitted last November too)

Spider Web shawl from VLT

MS4

Goddess Knits Anniversary Shawl

Nativity - just the kings to do now.

Aran Jumper for DS2

Chunky Jumper for DS2

Socks

Crochet hat

and have just signed up for Woolly wormheads mystery hat.

Hopefully I should have made a dint in these projects by December.

Anyone else up for the challenge?

Guess who got a spindle.

2008-10-29T19:01:00.003Z

Yes, I succumbed at last after seeing all the lovely fibre on various blogs . The spindle was from the Yarn Yard with some lovely fibre as packaging too. The fibre I spun here was part of the hipknits project club, and was intended to make felt beads.

Its a bit thick and thin and isnt spun very tightly in places but I am so proud that I made it.

Its a mystery !!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-05T21:20:00.007+01:00

Yes, its been a month since I blogged, I have spent all last month working on 3 mystery shawl KALs.

I started the Goddess Knits anniversary shawl in July, but have been knitting it on and off, finally got to the edging this month to discover this

yes, I ran out of yarn 5/6 of the way around the edge, think I will have to frog the edging and reknit it in a contrast yarn, I have about 40g of black Jaggerspun zephyr which should do.

I have also been working on Secret of the stole III, I am knitting this in Baruffa cashwool, in denim

This is clue 4 just finished, I am behind on this as clue 8 has just come out, however I am hoping to have this finished by the end of the month.
I am also taking part in MS4, using yarn from ebay, I have done up to clue 3 so far and clue 5 has just come out

I also took part in a swap on the crafty threads n yarns forum and got a lovely package from Linz, I was very well stalked as she had read somewhere that I love the gingerbread men that you get from Greggs in Yorkshire.

The socks are monkeys in opal prisma and fit perfectly.

I crossed the finish line

2008-09-01T23:52:00.006+01:00

Well the ravelympic knitting got done, finished the socks and the February lady sweater just before the finishing ceremony.

After all that I was all knitted out for a couple of days. still slowly knitting the Goddess knits mystery shawl, now 4 rows from the edging. I have also joined Secret of the Stole III, just finished clue 1, hoping to get clue 2 finished this week before clue 4 is published on Friday. I'm using Lane Borgeosa cashwool in a denim shade from stash for this.

For respite from all the lace I knitted a hot water bottle cover, again using stash yarn -2 x 50g balls of Knitpicks telemark. Pattern was with last months Knitting magazine, its in the artesano supplement.

It's now hidden in my younger sons bed, where his big brother cant find it. I can see me knitting another soon to stop any arguments.

olympic knitting

2008-08-10T10:05:00.002+01:00

Currently I am taking part in the ravelympics on Ravelry, the aim is to cast on during the opening ceremony and finish before the closing ceremony. I am knitting the February Lady sweater for team Mission Possible 2008 (replacing the vine leaf cardi on my list) and a pair of socks for team Scots can do it too. No pictures at present as I cant find the camera, so will post pictures at a later date.

More GAAA squares

2008-07-24T10:49:00.007+01:00

Well here are the rest of the GAAA squares I have knitted so far.

I also knitted this wee cardigan in James C Brett Marble in Marble DK for my friends wee girl, the pattern is the Albert coat from 'The Knit Stitch' by Sally Melville.

GAAA

2008-07-19T10:22:00.002+01:00

Been knitting squares on the Great American aran afghan. I was hoping to have this finished by christmas so will have to do a square a week.

The Goddess knits anniversary mystery shawl is still coming on slowly, up to row 34 now on clue 4, and it looks like a blue blob. I still have 75 g of yarn left so not even half way yet.

Slowly knitting

2008-07-09T20:01:00.003+01:00

No pics today as blogger is playing up on this computer, cant upload pics
The Goddess knits mystery shawl is coming on slowly, on clue D and done 14 rows (out of 96), this will take a while.

I have also realised that I have to dig the Great American Aran Afghan out of hibernation and do a square a week if I have any hope of finishing this year, will post the first pics of my squares next week. (blogger permitting)

Woolfest Goodies

2008-06-30T18:49:00.004+01:00

Well, I am just back from woolfest having spent a fantastic 2 days there. Here is everything I got.

Collected my Yarn forward sub , got the skein of laceweight for resubscribing and got 3 back issues as a present for a friend.

Collected my Hipknits project club bag, I asked Kerrie if I could collect it from her at woolfest rather than getting the refund, the yarn is lovely, going to have fun making beads this holiday with my kids too.

Got an Ilga Lega pattern from KCG trading along with a tape measure, and a booklet on broomstick crochet from another stall.

Got 800g deep purple 50%wool 50% acrylic, some of this is destined for the above Ilga Lega pattern.

Various yarns destined to be socks.

Sock yarn from the Yarn Yard (I also ordered 3 skeins of merino tencel in porage but as n only had 2 of each shade at the show, they will arrive later.

3 balls of wool and knitting needles for my younger son, he wants me to teach him to knit. He has already found a project bag to keep it all in. I think I will get him to knit strips then we will make them into a pencil case.

Goddess knits mystery shawl, clue 2

2008-06-24T23:02:00.004+01:00

Started this last week, using Cherry Tree Hill merino lace from stash, clue 1 was pattern A, clue 2 was pattern B

Hipknits silk cardi finished

2008-05-04T17:22:00.004+01:00

The hipknits project club silk cardi is finished, and heres a close up of the fairisle pattern. I modified it slightly by doing one band of 2 rows on contrast rather than 2 single rows between each fairisle band.

8 months early or 4 months late?

2008-04-28T18:53:00.003+01:00

Well, these are the shepherds as part of the nativity I'm knitting, they are made using left over sock yarn, think these are mostly the blue stripy colourway in sirdar town and country.

Need to knit some more bright socks now so I have more leftovers to make the kings, got some opal neon lined up for my next socks.

My first fairisle attempt.

2008-04-22T18:29:00.004+01:00

Well, I am finally up (or should that be down) to the colourwork on the hipknits silk cardi. Here is progress so far

and here is a close up of the fairisle.

I am really enjoying knitting with the silk now, think I could get used to luxury yarns,

slowly knitting

2008-04-10T18:07:00.002+01:00

Still here and progressing slowly. Central park hoodie needs one sleeve and the button band, and the hipknits cardi is halfway down the raglan shaping. Hope to have the CPH finished by next Saturday but we shall see, not looking forward to all the button band ribbing.

I also bought my first yarn for 2 1/2 months, some black crochet cotton, now I am busy making a shrug for my duaghter.

4 ply shawl, CPH and Hipknits silk cardi

2008-03-24T21:36:00.005Z

Finished the 4 ply baby shawl, this is for a friend who's daughter is expecting a baby in summer. Wasnt difficult, just repetitive and seemed to take forever.

I also cast on for Central park hoodie, think everyone seems to have knit one, Its going well so far, here is the progress on the back

The latest installment of hipknits project club also came, silk to make a short sleeved fairisle cardi. This is the first top down cardi I have tried, and the first time knitting with silk. You can see my progress in the bottom right of the picture

Sweet pea shawl

2008-03-19T16:19:00.002Z

Pattern from 'Happy Hooker' made using SWTC oasis, one of my Mission Possible projects, started as a clapotis, then frogged and transformed into this.

Lace,lace, lace revisited

2008-02-29T09:36:00.006Z

Well, the 3 lace projects from the start of the year are now all completed.

This is the bobbin lace I was doing, finished and sewn onto a hanky, this is for my Mum for Mother's day so I hope she doesn't read this until Sunday

This is Della from Hipknits, took nearly 6 months, the first time I have knitted with such fine laceweight, I really like it now its blocked

This is the Wildflover shawl knitted in Posh yarn, a very simple knit, I did a different edging

Knitted animals

2008-02-20T18:03:00.004Z

Mum knitted these chicks with a creme egg inside to be sold at church to raise money for youth activities. This is the 3rd year she's done this so think its now a tradition. Here's the pattern for those of you that are interested.
Using DK yarn and size 3.75mm needles cast on 26 stitches.
Work 8 rows in garter stitch (each row knit)
Increase a stitch at the beginning of next 6 rows (32 sts) Cast off 10 st at beginning of following 2 rows (12 sts)
Work 8 rows garter st
Cut yarn leaving 12" -18", tread yarn through loops on needle and pull tight.
You can sew eyes and beak on now or when it is seamed up, (sew down head, across cast off sts and down to cast on sts).when it is seamed up place toy stuffing or a cotton wool ball in the head and insert egg in, you may need to work a couple of sts into cast on edge if the eggs are loose (depending on how tight you cast on)

This pony purse was crocheted from all my leftover aran acrylic for my niece, thers a bag of dolly mixtures in it. The pattern was from here She has loads of cute patterns.

This was bunny purse from the latest issue of Yarn Forward, this is for my nephew and also has dolly mixtures in its tum.

Della is now finished and is blocking so hope to have pictures soon.

Hipknits project socks done

2008-02-03T17:26:00.000Z

Finished the socks today, they are lovely and soft and the pattern was a good one to knit, this was only my second pait of toe up socks and the first with a heel flap done toe up so I am pleased with how they worked out.

Mission possible

2008-01-30T16:14:00.000Z

Joined the Mission Possible group on Ravelry at the start of this month, the aim is to pick 12 things from your stash to knit up and if they aren't done by 31 December then you have to donate the yarn, my 12 are in my side bar, I have finished 2 of the list, halfway through the hipknits socks and 4 squares (out of 24) of the aran afghan done but still have a few large items in there so hoping it all gets done. If not, then next year will begin with a yarn give away.

Knitting from stash for me.

2008-01-21T15:05:00.000Z

This is an einstein coat, pattern in 'the Knit stitch' by Sally Melville. It was started in September then put to one side, but picked it up last week and got it finished. Very easy to knit as its all garter stitch with minimal sewing and cosy to wear too. Knitted in Sirdar bonus chunky thats been in stash for a year.

Knitting from stash

2008-01-14T16:06:00.000Z

Girls cardigan size 5-6 for my niece

barbie trousers and calorimetry headscarf from knitty, made as pattern but in 4ply sock wool using 3.25 mm needles, both are for my niece.

The wildflower shawl is blocked too, but no pics yet, della has ground to a halt, I'm knitting a cardi for myself for this cold weather

lace, lace, lace

2008-01-04T12:12:00.000Z

This is the lace pillow I brought back from my Mums, havent touched it for 20 years but hoping to finish this hanky edging this year.

This is Della, from Hipknits project club, I am now ready to knit the border, done an extra repeat of main shawl and still have loads of yarn left.

This is the wildflower shawl in Posh yarn, pattern from posh yarn site, but the border is from VLT. It just needs blocking

Happy New year

2008-01-01T10:18:00.000Z

Hope the hangover isnt too bad. Decided to post my new years resolutions here so I can refer back to them and see if they are being kept.

Limit WIP to 3 -a sock or other small item, something with fine yarn (4ply or less) and something with DK wight or above,
Knit up all the yarn I have bfore being tempted by new projects
try some fairisle knitting
finish youngest sons cross stitch birth sampler
have a go at bobbin lace again

and the non crafty one

go swimming once a week

knitivity

2007-12-24T11:56:00.000Z

Well, here is Mary, Joseph and Jesus, will carry on with the rest of the figures next year ready for next Christmas, hope you all have a good Christmas.

2 days to go..

2007-12-22T18:38:00.000Z

and nativity is coming along nicely. Mary, Joseph and Jesus are knitted, just need minor surgery to attach arms and hands. Hopefully I will post pics by 25th

Knitting has been slow this week due to my kids generously sharing their cold germs with me, think I got 2 sets of germs as was just getting over the cold when another one came.
I am now concentrating on knitting gloves and scarves, we had a frosty week and have loads of gloves, sadly not many pairs so going to sort out the mismatched ones and knit new sets.

hipknits project club

2007-12-07T22:30:00.000Z

Got the next parcel in this on Monday, 100g sock yarn and a hank of sarisilk. The sarisilk knitted up into this hat.

and this is the socks so far

bye bye NOvember

2007-12-01T14:32:00.000Z

Yes, I completed NOvember, no new projects cast on last month at all, though very little finished, (bayerische and gloves and scarf to match the dinosaur hat), just closer to finishing 2 shawls and a cardi. I am going to cast on something new soon, going to knit a nativity, I have been thinking about doing one for at least 20 years but now have loads of leftovers to use. Still deciding which pattern to use, Jean Greenhowe or one from Simply kintting last year but have decided that this is the year it gets made. Hoping to get at least Mary, Joseph and Jesus done so watch this space.

Finished bayerische

2007-11-18T13:56:00.000Z

Finished these at last only to discover that I had cabled the other way round on the second sock. Hopefully its not too noticable in everyday life.

My first VLT project blocked

2007-11-17T18:30:00.000Z

Finished the scarf a while ago but finally blocked it this week, gace it to a friend as a present and she was pleased with it.

I also finished the bayerische socks today, but too dark for photos, so hope to have those done this week.

Now going to try and finish at least one of my shawls before this month ends.

Still knitting

2007-11-13T23:32:00.000Z

well. now halfway down the foot of the bayerische socks, the end is in sight!!! Hopefully will finish this weekend
Up to row 140 on Della, and blocked the VLT scarf that was finished ages ago, also knitted 2 pairs of gloves for a swap, getting posted tomorrow so no pics of them until they arrive, should have some pictures to show soon.

NO-vember update

2007-11-06T11:19:00.001Z

Well, i am still resisting the lure of new projects, and making good progress on bayerische, now up to the heel on the second sock and really enjoying it, so hopefully should be finished this month. I have also done another pattern repeat on the wildflower shawl and more of the einstein coat, and am going to do 2 rows a night of Della so hopefully should make some progress.

NO-vember

2007-11-01T16:24:00.000Z

Seeing as its the start of the month I have decided that November is the month where I start no new knitting but finsh all my other projects first, hence the title.
So this month I will be knitting

Della shawl, currently on row 126
wildflower shawl (halfway through)
Einstein coat (10% done)
Bayerische socks (1 done)
Great american aran afghan (1 1/2 squares done)
balaclava for son

Hopefully some of these will be finished this month

Ravelry - I'm in

2007-10-29T22:20:00.000Z

Got my invite last week, so been having a nosy on there, along with having loads of college work to do, so not much knitting at present. Theres a definate nip in the air here now, and fresh snowfall on the hills so need to start on the winter woolies.

Miss Potter mitts

2007-10-20T19:37:00.000+01:00

Made these today using left over Sirdar Bonus flash DK, shade Tahiti. The pattern is from the latest issue of yarn forward magazine and they are for a friend to match the clapotis I made her last year.

Grr Dinosaur

2007-10-18T19:15:00.000+01:00

Made this hat for DS2 for winter using cascade 220, enough left to make a scarf.

and this is the modelled photo.

ccc back complete

2007-10-12T22:38:00.000+01:00

Finished the back of the CCC cushion, just got to decide which way to stitch it.

Boys like the 'in your face ' striped look

I like the subtle version, what do you reckon?

Sorry about bad pics, very overcast today.

Wildflower shawl

2007-10-09T10:13:00.000+01:00

Started this last night, pattern is from the posh yarn website and the yarn is PY baby lucia. Lovely to knit with. I'm using 4mm needles for this.

Still knitting

2007-09-25T21:08:00.000+01:00

Havent posted for over a week but still here and knitting away. Finished the back of the modular cushion, but no batteries in the camera for pictures. Nearly finished the VLT scarf (on second border) and done a square of the american aran afghan. Also college has started in earnest so got to study as well as knit. Hope to get new batteries soon and post progress pics.

I've started Della

2007-09-15T10:10:00.000+01:00

This is the first item in the Hipknits project club, its going to be a lace shawl and I am plodding along slowly, now up to row 65

CCC is finished

2007-09-13T16:51:00.001+01:00

Finished this this morning, really enjoyed doing it. Think I am going to knit a garter stitch square for the back

My first toe up socks

2007-09-09T17:18:00.001+01:00

Finished these last night, pattern is 'falling in lovve' from Magknits, yarn is Posh Yarn Emily in shade Jig, they are lovely and soft and the yarn was a joy to knit with.

Baby knits

2007-09-08T23:24:00.000+01:00

Did this baby cardi and hat for a friends wee girl, yarn used was James C. Brett Marble DK, lovely to knit with, and cardi pattern is the wee einstein cardi from 'The Knit Stitch' by Sally Melville. Going to make myself the ladies version for winter. I've also been knitting socks, will post pics tomorrow, but knittings been slow as caught an awful cold/ sore throat from kids.

I can steek!!!!

2007-09-02T21:23:00.000+01:00

Diane M on the AY forum kindly did a tutorial on steeking (cutting holes in knitting for armholes etc) This is my sample and also my first attempt at fairisle too.

Here is the sample after cutting, the edge was neatened with crochet prior to cutting.

This is the edge that was cut then neatened with blanket stitch, it unravelled a bit but the stitching has hald it in place, i've given it a good tug and stretch and it hasnt unravelled.

And finally here is an update on the modular cushion, now done 14 shapes.

Mystery knitting

2007-09-01T08:30:00.000+01:00

Well, ms3 is finished and blocked, here is a picture as modelled by a coathanger,and I've now joined another mystery knit, this time its a cushion in modular knitting organised by woolly thoughts, now up to clue 8. sewingnoddy told me about it.

Bank holiday Challenge update

2007-08-27T19:12:00.000+01:00

Well, heres how I got on.

My DD got a new top made for school,

Made a pair of gloves for my friends birthday

and I finished MS3 (had nearly all of clue 7 to do) Now I'm going to try to finish a cardi for my friends wee girl while I have the urge to finish things.

And yes mum, I did do the housework too!!

Bank holiday challenge

2007-08-24T18:15:00.000+01:00

The folks on the crafty yarns and threads forum have set a challenge to make a garment in a weekend. I have decided to make fetching from knitty and to sew a top for DD for school. Both need doing asap, the gloves are for a friends birthday next week and DD has been back at school for 2 weeks. Come back monday evening to see if I was successful.

The tangled skein took all weekend to unwind, and I have now worked 20 rows of shawl, will post pic next week.

Look what the postie brought

2007-08-18T11:42:00.000+01:00

Well, I was sitting there this morning winding (by hand) the skein from the hipknits project club when postie knocked on the door. I had a parcel, Angel Yarns forum have organised a dishcloth swap and this is what I got. Thanks stuffie.

Here is a close up of the pattern.
The downside is that I had to put my skein down, my son had a look and it now looks like this.

Guess what I will be doing for the rest of the day.

Talented Daughter

2007-08-16T11:49:00.000+01:00

My oldest son was 11 on Tuesday and DD offered to decorate the cake, she picked a pokemon theme and drew it freehand using writing icing, then painted the colours with food colouring. DS1 was most impressed. Seemingly its a space virus rare pokemon.

On a knitting theme, I have finished my sons socks

He insisted that I match the stripes too, normally I dont bother, what do all you sock knitters do, match or not?

I also started a scarf from VLT in malabrigo lacewieght, pattern is victorian ruby. Its for a friends birthday.

Finally nominated

2007-08-11T19:04:00.000+01:00

Decided to nominate http://www.yarnstuff.blogspot.com/ for a rocking girl blogger award, not only does she do this blog but also did a great one about being backup for a runner in extreme racing. I found it entertaining even though i am totally non sporty.
Knittings been on the backburner this week as I have been helping with crafts at Kilmallie Free Church holiday club. We had over 60 kids each afternoon and the theme was based on the story of Joseph, it was a very enjoyable week.

Thanks Linz

2007-08-06T00:11:00.000+01:00

Just been nominated by Linz for a rocking girl blogger award, Thanks for this, especially as i have been blogging for such a small time, though been posting on forums for longer. Now got to try and work out how to get the button in my sidebar, and how to link to other peoples posts. Will let you know tomorrow who I nominate, will sleep on it first.

Socks, socks, socks

2007-08-03T18:32:00.000+01:00

Thought i'd show you the socks I have on the needles at the moment . First up are socks for my son in Sirdar Town and Country, using a basic sock pattern.

Next is bayerische, knitted as part of a sockathon on the Angel Yarns Forum

And finally my first ever toe up sock, 'falling in love' from magknits, using Posh Yarn for the first time

Hoping to get at least one pair finished this month to enter in the sock a month challenge on the Crafty threads n yarns forum.

Rainbow star

2007-08-01T15:11:00.000+01:00

Finished this for my son today, used 6 x 100g balls of DK, its on an 8ft trampoline to give you an idea of size.

MS3 clue 3

2007-07-17T15:09:00.000+01:00

finished this yesterday, finding it a bit easier to keep place on the charts now, but can only do about 10 rows in a session before brain overloads.

zippy socks

2007-07-15T08:57:00.000+01:00

Finished these yesterday, pattern from yarn forward magazine issue 2, knitted using Tofutsies, lovely to knit with and feel gorgeous on.

MS3 part 2

2007-07-08T09:30:00.000+01:00

Well finished part 2 this morning, heres a picture, along with a blurry close up of the beads, you can really see the pattern now, wonder what next week will bring, can't wait until Friday.

My first Booga bag

2007-07-07T15:55:00.000+01:00

Well, everyone else seems to have made one so heres mine for posterity. Nice and bright to contrast with the dull summer weather. Hope to post more MS3 once I have finished clue 2 (20 rows to do)

yarn spree

2007-07-03T17:29:00.000+01:00

Went shopping today for fabric, and while there got 6 balls of DK for mindless summer crochet, one ball each of red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple. Yes, I'm making a rainbow throw for DS2. wanted something to do while watching kids, and MS3 is a bit too intricate for that. No pics as camera batteries dies, now recharging them.

MS3 beginnings

2007-06-30T21:51:00.001+01:00

Started this yesterday, along with over 3000 other knitters. I'm using ebony zepherspun and grey iridescent beads. done 50 rows so far.

Opal rainforest socks

2007-06-28T18:27:00.000+01:00

Finished these today after a break, so long a break that I sat down yesterday halfway through the second sock and thought I'd look at the first to see how much longer to make it, only to discover I'd lost the first sock. Panic and frantic tidying followed, finally found the first sock so now I have a pair.

Baby Albert coat

2007-06-23T13:04:00.001+01:00

Finished this baby cardi this week, a present for my childminders newborn grandson. It's knitted in Sirdar Countrystyle, pattern from The Knit Stitch by Sally Melville, very easy to do as all garter stitch but boring. Now going to do a bigger version in a raspberry colour for a friends daughter.

Another WIP finished

2007-06-18T18:24:00.000+01:00

Finished this cardi yestersay, been on the needles since christmas, its from a magazine from at least 25 years ago, knitted in acrylic which I got for £1 a ball, the yarn has a shimmery thread running through it.

Queen of the waves is blocked!!

2007-06-17T13:59:00.000+01:00

Finished blocking this yesterday,heres the fence modelling again, Dh tried to take pictures of me wearing it and failed dismally, now cameras out of batteries. Its stretched a bit during blocking but think I could have blocked it a bit harder.

Queen of the Waves is finished

2007-06-16T15:08:00.001+01:00

Finished this at 11pm last night, its blocking now. the pictures shown are prior to blocking , displayed on the garden fence with a close up of the pattern too.

Even more shawl knitted

2007-06-15T13:44:00.000+01:00

Well, I'm on the home stretch now, 150 stitches left on the needle, halfway through the last garter stitch section and one pattern section to go, then final shaping. Hope to have finished this over the weekend.

decisions, decisions

2007-06-14T13:14:00.000+01:00

Well I got the yarn and beads

for my next project, its the Pink Lemon Twist mystery shawl 3, yarn is ebony zephyr but do I use silver beads at the top or grey AB (think oily puddle) at the bottom, veering towards grey but not sure, well I still have a few weeks to decide.

more progress pics

2007-06-12T18:58:00.000+01:00

Well after rescuing the dropped stitch, got a bit more done today, now halfway through the first pattern block and its about a foot long now, definately feeling it knit up quicker now theres less stitches on the needles.

progress so far

2007-06-11T18:02:00.000+01:00

Wel as mentioned the other day, making Queen of the Waves, getting on quite well with it, heres progress so far.

The shading in the yarn is starting to become more clear, unfortunately just after taking this picture I discovered a dropped stitch 10 rows down but managed to save it with a crochet hook. Phew!!!!

Start of another shawl

2007-06-09T09:32:00.000+01:00

Cast on for Queen of the waves by Ilja Leja on Tuesday. It starts at the hem and decreases so loads of stitches to cast on and you feel lke you are getting nowhere. 5 days and 20 rows later I can see the pattern emerging. Hopefully it will speed up a bit as the rows get shorter. Enjoying knitting it and as its nearly all garter stitch its a good pattern to do while watching TV.

first felted bag

2007-06-05T19:45:00.000+01:00

Made my first felted bag a couple of weeks ago but only attached the handle at the weekend.

Now to cast on for the booga bag.

Escapee

2007-06-01T18:29:00.000+01:00

Well here is a picture of the newest addition to the family, Speedy, we got him on 7 May

and he escaped today as my toddler left the cage door open by accident, finally tracked him down to under the boys bed. Luckily I'd moved my stash from there 2 days ago (it was in a banana box) otherwise Speedy might have found some new bedding. Think we should rename him Houdini.

finished Kiri

2007-05-31T20:42:00.000+01:00

Well, I finished Kiri last night and it was a close thing, had 18" of yarn left at the end. Can't block yet as mum is visiting so no spare floor space as kids are sleeping there so here's an unblocked piccy. Hope to get it blocked next week, along with a scarf and stole.

My stashalong mountain

2007-05-29T15:12:00.000+01:00

As mentioned yesterday, I'm on a stashalong (use up yarn instead of buying it). Heres what I have to use up.
On the needles - Kiri in KSH , Cardi in acrylic, socks in opal rainforest, baby cardi
In Stash - 4 balls KSH , 2 skeins Posh yarn laceweight, 1 skein Lane Borgeosia, some CTH Lace, 1 skein (250g) Kauni pure wool, 6x100g sock yarn, 5 balls Sirdar Blur, 2 balls Arteseno Alpaca, 2 balls cascade fixation , 6 balls acrylic chunky, 500g cotton mix, 4 balls aran and kureyon for a booga bag. Hope to hold off buying anything until end of July as Ive plenty to keep me going.

My first foray into Blogging

2007-05-28T20:33:00.001+01:00

Well after reading many knitting related posts I've finally bit the bullet and started a blog, busy on a stashalong at themoment so hopefully I should have finished knitting to show soon, here's the stuff I finished this week

The socks are Monkey from Knitty and are a present for my Mum and the two crochet afghans are for friends who are expecting babies.