Let's have a Catch Up

I thought it best that I gave you a little catch-up on some of my finished projects, before I start babbling on about any new projects I have on my needles.

First up is Floating Checks. A beanie style hat pattern, from issue 93 of The Knitter magazine. Unfortunately, the two-tone coloured yarn I’ve used for this does not show the pattern detail to its best, but it was a lovely easy knit and fits really well. I would do this again but pick a nice plain colour to show off the pattern a lot more, as its simple but very effective.

Next up is Stormy Sky Lace Cowl. This is a free pattern from the Ravelry website, designed by Eaden Yarns aka Kristina Stacey. It’s made as a long scarf with buttons and buttonholes to fasten it together to make it into an infinity scarf or cowl.

I used one ball of Debbie Bliss Fine Donegal 4ply, which blocked beautifully and had a lovely soft finish. I’m really pleased, how this has turned out. A little bit of luxury.

Lacy Linen Snood by Sara Thornett was a free pattern card I received from a Rowan yarn purchase. I’m not the most experienced when it comes to multi-lined, pattern rows but so long as I can have a quiet moment, I enjoy the challenge. The colour and pattern on the pattern card appealed to me and I had some double knit cotton in a similar coral colour that was very suitable.

The only niggle I have with this, is that you produce a seam where you join the cast-on and cast-off edges, but otherwise I’m very pleased with it.

A triangular shawl is next, which I finished knitting last year but its been stuffed in a bag and languished in a cupboard waiting to be blocked and have its loose ends weaved in. I finally got around to it last week!

This again, is a free pattern on Ravelry called Easy Peazy Shawl by Megan Delorme, and it was easy peasy!

It was a great knit for watching TV with. I’m sure this shawl will come into its own, as we go from spring into summer, weather permitting!

Last, for now, is a pair of fun stripy socks using a ball of  Sidar Heart and Sole. These socks are made based on the Yarn Harlot aka Stephanie Pearl-McPhee’s  basic Sock Recipe found in her book Knitting Rules, but with an added rib pattern for a bit more interest.

I made a couple of pairs of socks about six years ago and I vowed never to make anymore!

But time, they say, is a good heeler (pun intended!) and I’m enjoying sock making again. You could say…make socks and heel the sole.

Oh dear! Time I really should go…

Till next time…

Forward Thoughts

 So where’ve I been since August?

To be honest, nowhere, here at home wondering where I’m going and what I should be do about my blogging. I’ve always had the thought that if I’m really not sure about something, I should leave well alone until I am.

My crafts have always gone in cycles. One minute its drawing and doodling, card and stationery making, the next its photography or sewing with experimental tangents of baking or candle making etc., etc., the list goes on.

But one craft has always stood out more than the others and it’s the one that I return to, time and time again, like an old friend. It’s there whenever I need comfort or just to relax with or to satisfy a creative need or inspiration challenge.

What is this craft?

The fabulous art of knitting.

At this point, I know some of you will be glazing over and rolling your eyes. I understand that, I see it in my colleagues at work whenever I mention the k word.

But I also know that there are others of you who share my passion for the wooly stuff, who love a conversation about any and all things yarn related.

I think you can tell where this is heading…?

Unashamedly, I will be blogging more and more about my passion for knitting and the joy it brings me, as well as the wonderful company of a like-minded community.

I hope you will stay with me on this journey and enjoy the comfort and challenges that knitting can bring. Not to mention the tea and cake that, always, goes perfectly well with this craft.

Till next time…

Beaded Shawl Finished

I finally got around to weaving-in those stray ends and managed to take some photos last weekend, whilst it was sunny. So, as promised, here they are...

I have to say I'm very pleased with the finished result.

Till next time...

New On My Needles

Like all good crafters, I haven’t finished one project before I start the next and the next. It’s no wonder that our new year’s resolutions always seem to include finishing off projects that went into hibernation.

So, true to form…the purple beaded shawl is all knitted and has been blocked, but it’s not quite finished. I’ve just got to weave in the loose ends and take some photos. I will share these as soon as I’ve got round to it. Meanwhile here are some pics of my latest projects.

 (notice the new needles put to good use!)

This is Beachcomber, a warm autumn shawl with a little bit of cable detail running along one edge.

This is my own pattern using Debbie Bliss Fine Donegal yarn. I love the flecks of colours within this yarn;it reminds me of a pebbly beach, hence the name.

This is a great ‘mindless’ project, which I can enjoy knitting whilst watching a film or favourite TV program.

In contrast, I’m also about to start a smaller project that takes a bit more concentration.

This is ‘Snood’ designed by Sara Thornett for Rowan. It was a freebie that I could pick, from a choice when I bought the purple lace yarn for my beaded shawl.

It was the coral colour that stood out to me and I thought it would make a great everyday cowl/scarf and would brighten up my dark coloured coat for autumn and winter. It is supposed to be done in Rowan Creative Linen, but I chose a cotton mix and bought enough so that I could loop it round my neck twice.

That’s the plan anyway.

Till next time…

Postcard Post - Yarn Heaven

I'd been meaning to visit Black Sheep Wools for a while, so with a rainy Saturday on the forecast I thought the trip was ideal. I had a little wish list for future projects, and I'd just been paid!

I parked the car and entered the craft barn. Well! I was a little overwhelmed, I'd stepped into yarn heaven. There was an amazing choice of everything to do with knitting, crochet and all sorts of sewing and embroidery. It was a good job I had a list to keep me slightly focused. Otherwise I would have traveled off on tangled knitting tangents.

So why is this a postcard post? Because I couldn't resist buying a couple of the yarn themed postcards that they had for sale, told you it was yarn heaven!

Here they are:

Now I can hear you asking, so what else did you get?
I completed my list of yarny wants plus an extra yarny bargain that I couldn't resist, from the bargain section, and I will let you see those in due course when I do the projects I have in mind.

 But here was something that I did treat myself to...

A new pair of 4.5mm needles made of carbon fiber, my wooden faithfuls had become splintered at the tips and kept snagging my yarn and driving me mad.

They have lovely pointy tips that you get with metal needles but without any of the weight or coldness. Can't wait to get them in my knitting. Whether I can knit any faster will yet to be proved, I doubt it though!

If you're in the Cheshire area, then a visit is a must. There is a lovely cafe too for that well deserved cup of tea (and cake) after making your purchases or if you need a breather to help make up your mind. If, however, you live nowhere near then you can always visit the website. Click on the logo below for yarn heaven.

Till next time...

A Grand Day Out at RHS Tatton Park

Last Saturday, me and my lovely Mum went to the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park. We'd packed a picnic for lunch and were excited to have a grand day out together.

We got lucky with the weather too, one small shower and plenty of sunshine. Here are some of the pics I'd taken.

The gardens were fabulous.

This was a beautiful shed, decorated with lots and lots of cut flowers.

The flower displays in the big marquee were amazing.

So were the Hydrangeas that you could buy from the local nurseries there. I have a soft spot for Hydrangeas, but I didn't buy one.

There were even mega crocheted flowers on display.

So what did I treat myself to? A small metal dragonfly ornament to go in the garden border and the potential for a 100 flowers...so long as I knit or crochet them from this book I bought...

Till next time...