There hasn't been a lot of action here on the crafting front recently, but I have been doing some things, if not all of the tasks and items intended. Lately, it's been baking goodies as thank-yous and pre-Christmas cheer. One decoration has been made! One! And not even a felt one as I so optimistically planned in August (with months to spare).
I've baked cranberry and pistachio biscotti (for that red and green thing), candied almonds and pecans, and some hazelnut and bran cookies that were very nice hot from the oven! Those have all been gifted to lovely people who have helped me out this year.
In the fridge I have hazelnut and almond chocolate truffle things, all individually wrapped as treats to take home for the family. Hopefully the collection won't get too much smaller before then! The hazelnut ones were a treat at my WW meeting a couple of weeks ago; nothing better than a low-point treat that is delicious. Mind you, given the rate I'm expanding these days, treats are not what I need! Trying not to get to caught up in that, but it's hard.
The star (which is to be adorned with a ribbon, rather than the knitted cord suggested) is from Paton's The Big Book Of Small Projects 2 (the first one has some cool patterns too, but no Xmas decorations). I worked one side in garter, as designed, and the other in stocking stitch (just to see what it looked like). I actually prefer the stocking stitch side, but am very pleased with the completed star. I was having a hard time picturing how it was knit on straight needles (and the making up/finsihing instructions are a little vague), but it was really very simple and quick. I will make more - I think they would make a neat rattle/toy, too.
]]>After fondling and ogling the Stella bamboo yarn from Naturally Yarns for a while, I caved and purchased some dusky pink and a pattern a few weeks back. I haven't made a lot of progress (on anything), but so far it has been a pleasure to work with.
The pattern is a sleeveless top in a kind of broken rib, a simple two row repeat that is very easy to memorise (and spot as you're knitting). It has been a while since I knitted a garment on straight needles, but as this yarn is quite soft and drapey I decided against converting to work in the round, as the side seams should add some structure and shaping that might be lacking otherwise. It's also easier to change between balls at sideseams when you actually have them (especialy in a tape-like yarn as this that won't felt or join so invisibly.
It's quite remarkable how light the yarn and knitting feels, and I'm looking forward to wearing the finished garment on a sunny day!
]]>I haven't really done a lot of knitting lately; I've been quite tired and tending to spend any spare time working or reading. Still, I have made some progress, clearing out a few old projects that were hanging around.
A pair of mohair socks that were three-quarters complete (that's one and a half socks) -and far too small for anyone I'd gift them to - has become one Christmas stocking trimmed with rick-rack, and a whiteboard duster (the leg of the second sock was folded, sewn, and randomly decorated). No way was I going to unravel the mohair knit on 3.25 mm needles, so it was either let them languish for many more months, toss them out, or torture myself by knitting an unneeded item. I'm happy to have found a somewhat practical solution!
A quick project was a pair of Saartje's booties, finished wish some neat "wooden" buttons decorated with leaves. I used a DK/sport yarn (Treliske Organic Merino) in a dark brown, on smallish needles; they're quite sturdy and pretty small. They're not for anyone in particular (though I've just found out that another niece is expecting...
Otherwise, I'm plodding along on a jersey for Mum, the Cozy V-Neck Pullover with Deep Ribbing from Fitted Knits. I've had to do some math, a I'm using an 8ply yarn from Bendigo Woollen Mills instead of the suggested heavier weight yarn. Lots of stitches, and lots of rows, but I think it will work out! Mum's not in a hurry, anyway. :-)
I'm also working on a hat (with cables) for a friend, and am probably just about halfway done on that; just need to focus! And this weekend I actually did some work on my mitred square blanket - I'm not officially further than halfway.
I still haven't made any real start on Christmas gifts. My table has been covered with supplies for who knows how long, but I've not jumped in yet. I will! And most likely before I finish the two pairs of socks I have half finished!
I've added a couple of crochet items to my queue, too - a tissue box cover and toilet roll holder! I'm not sure my crochet pattern reading abilities, and actual crochet skills, are up to it, but when I came across the patterns in a book when looking for tea-cosies (which I found), I couldn't resist. I'm sure I'll have fun with it, when I get around to starting...
]]>Well, my part in the Ravelry Scarf Exchange is over now. The scarf I knit for my 'downstream' pal has been received and enjoyed, which makes me vary happy! And I received from my 'upsteam' pal has also arrived! I love the scarf that was knit for me (and happen to be wearing it right now); it's really lovely and something I would not have had the patience to knit for myself.
I had fun knitting for my pal, and even more fun making and gathering up various penguin related goodies to put in the parcel!
I'd defnitely chalk this up as a great experience - knitting for someone I've never met, and having something knit just for me (and not by my Mum), was awesome. :-) I don't think I'll sign up for the next exchange for this group, but I'll definitely consider doing so in the future. And in the meantime, I have two new pals whose knitting I can keep an eye on! The knitting world is pretty big, so getting to know a couple of people better is really nice. :-)
]]>Well, just about finished! No seaming (because there is none), just some ends to weave in, and I'll be sorted. This has been a satisfying project, and I think I'll get a lot of wear out of it. I can wear it alone, with a cami underneath, or even with a funky long-sleeved top beneath!
The finished is really even less than somewhat cowl-like, as rather than working sixinches for the neck ribbing as called for by the pattern, and folding in half, I worked about half that, and then cast off. The extra weight on the collar may have caused the neck to be more "cowl" like, but I didn't think the look was worth the effort.
Now, on to those ends (or more likely, other knitting)!
]]>So, I found out not long ago that I'm a great-aunt for the third time this year. It was a bit of a suprise (well, a complete surprise, really), but I quickly realised it'd be more bootie knitting on the horizon. I just as quickly flagged that idea, and decided that I'd make something impractical out of felt instead.
I initially had visions of little animals, but searching through my felt supplies (yes, I have so much I need to search), I came across some stars I'd actually cut out and sewn last year as Christmas decorations, but discarded (going with ever so slightly more traditional colours). Perfect! They're blue, the baby is a boy; it was meant to be.
One Saturday, and some painted iceblock sticks from the emporium, a few buttons, and some embroidery cotton (and a lot of thinking), I had a mobile!
Now, I'm not expecting any more births in the near future, but should any be announced, I'll totally consider making another mobile as an alternative (or perhaps in addition to) a quick bootie pattern. I gotta use up that felt somehow!
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A friend (rightly) observed that my knitting reminds him that I'm clever, so I figure I'd better add some more evidence, lest he or anyone else forget just how darn clever I am! I've been working away on this project for a while now (probably not as long as it seems to me), but haven't really posted any great detail here because, well, it's basically a brown jumper, and that's not particularly exciting.
It's all documented over at Ravelry, for sure, but I realise that while there are thousands of people in there, a lot of people are still waiting for invites! Anyway, as I near completion (and have more to say than "I'm knitting a brown jumper"), I figure it's time to show it here.
Wendy's Somewhat Cowl is the first pattern I've purchased and downloaded; I've knit from free online patterns, and plenty of books, but never before had I handed over a few dollars for a PDF. I like to look at patterns before I buy them, so I was taking a risk with this, but I'm glad I spent the minimal amount for this (even if I did have to print it out at the library; one day I'll get ink for my printer). It's a pretty straight forward pattern, and I've enjoyed knitting it.
This project is also my first top-down effort, my first short-sleeved knit, and the first garment I've come this close to finishing and actually still wanted (oh so many discarded garments, I usually avoid them to avoid that feeling)! ye, it's a lot of stocking stitch, but once you join to work in the round, it's all knit, and pretty darn easy to work at.
What do I like best about this project? Quite possibly absence of seaming. Even that fact that I have four inches of ribbing on the arms (I've just started the first short sleeve), and then 6 inches of ribbing around the large "cowl" neckline (to be folded and tacked down) doesn't dishearten me. No seams. It's not that I don't like seams, but I have terrbile seaming skills!
Coming a close second is the yarn I'm working with - it's a cashmere/merino blend from Naturally Yarns, and it's soft, and warm, and delightful to work with. Combined with the shaping at the waist, the drape of the yarn is just right, and I love the fit. I can't wait to wear it!
For those knitting at home, I'm working to the 34" bust size. That's a little bit smaller than my "high bust" measurement (up under arms), and about 4" smaller than I my actual bust. I decided though that I didn't want this to be baggy, and going up 4 inches in size to account for my boobs wasn't what I was after. The low/open neckline is allowing me to get away with working the smaller size without any additonal bust shaping/darts, and the only modification I've done is add one extra waist decrease (and the accompanying inch in length) and two extra increase after the the waist to account for my curves. Perfect! Sure, it was a bit of a hassle to try on (precariously watching two circular needles you pull it over your head), but it was definitey worth it - I'm getting the exactly what I want, so I'll have no excuses not to wear it!
Hrm, what else have I been knitting that I've not noted here? Well, I posted a picture of Maddy with my colour play scarf, which has had a lot of wear! I made slippers (and a matching tea cosy complete with pom pom), and I've just started knitting a jersey for my Mum. Yes, after years of knitting for me, Mum's finally going to get more than a pair of socks from me - now that I'm over my garment embargo, I'm happy to knit something just for her. :-) Otherwise, I've been queueing masses of Christmas decoration ideas - I might have to have a tree this year!
]]>I'd planned (in as much as you can call a scribbled note on a whiteboard a plan) to spend my day off in the garden today, getting rid of the last of the weeds, and planting some spring/summer veges. When it came down to it though, I couldn't really be bothered - and besides, the weather is still so unpredictable at the moment, I rather not subject newly plante seedlings to hail and strong winds. So, I'll leave the gardening for my lunch breaks or that extra hour we're supposed to have now that DST is here.
The day was not wasted, however! I got out the book of kids knitting patterns I really should not have bought (though I have learnt I've become a great aunt again since its purchase, so maybe it will come in handy), and got to work. No booties or hats, or little jumpers though. I knit a penguin!
It's a pretty straightforward pattern (and one of a handful of toy patterns in the book I shouldn'thave bought), and despite me knitting it on 2 mm with 4 ply baby wool instead of the suggested 3 mm needles and double knitting yarn, not all that fiddly (the wings, feed and beak are worked separately). It was my first attempt at intarsia (for the white belly), and that went well. Even the sewing up went pretty quickly.
This is an "extra" for an exchange pal (not so secret now) but I do have enough of the black wool left to make another, so there may be another one made eventually.
In other knitting, I've been plodding away at my Somewhat Cowl, just about to start on the post-waist increases (more on Ravelry). And for a sister's birthday, I've completed a scarf (three strands of different fibres/textures in a creamy shade, as in the Purl Scarf from LMKG), and a cotton washcloth. I haven't made any progress on my Endpaper Mitts since last weekend, but there is no pressing need for those!
In non-knitting "news", aside from the surprise arrival of another great-nephew, I've been reading more, sleeping less (despite starting work an hour later), and getting back to planning meals, eating properly, and acknowledging that I've been feeling crap lately and that I have only my bad eating to blame. I'm trying not to visit the wool shop constantly or otherwise spend too much money, which explains the abundance of knitting books and novels I've collected from the library lately (gotta leave the house to break from work, and it's shopping or the library). I'm all geared up to start the gift making endeavour, and have ideas galore.
]]>What did you do in your lunch break? I sculpted Santa. Four Santas, in fact. I bought some polymer clay the other day to make a couple of little goodies to go in an exchange pack, and it was so much fun (shades of play dough and plastercine at kindergarten), I decided I could make other stuff for Christmas and, well, whatever.
So, now I have four Santa heads. Maybe they'll be magnets, or maybe I'll poke a hole in the hats (they're not baked yet) and make them into tree decorations. I can tell you they will not be earrings. Why people persist with the festive ear decoration I do not understand.
Check out the photo though. Somehow I ended up with three relatively happy looking men with facial hair, and one that seems oddly startled or scared. Maybe he's concerned at the lack of ears and noses? I figure after years of heading down chimneys a little missing flesh is only to be expected!
It's almost October, and stores will be sticking up Christmas decorations and peddling their festive wares soon. I'm very glad I do not have to be involved in that! I am learning from last year though, and getting more of a head start on my crafting. The table is covered with felt and embroidery cottons, and other ideas for gifts. There hasn't been much action there, but I'm ready to go.
There has been progress on the knitting front, a tea cosy completed, a start on Fair Isle wristwarmers, rows of my Somewhat Cowl, and assorted plotting and purchasing), but nothing that really makes for an interesting photograph yet! Check me out on Ravelry if you're intersted in the details!
I don't think Maddy's too concerned about the lack of knitting, he has plenty of scarves upon which to make his bed. He did have to sniff the polymer clay though, to make sure it wasn't something he should be eating (I was using a dinner plate as my work surface). Now he's frolicking amongst the daisies littering the yard - best to enjoy the sun while it's here!
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