Turns out that time flies whether you're having fun or not! The absence of posts here does reflect quite well the absence of any serious knitting or other interesting life highlights in the last few weeks. There has been more swatching, a decision to unravel and restart (with a completely different pattern and yarn) my Ravelry Scarf Exchange scarf, and a half-hearted attempt to make (garter rib) socks to match Dad's vest for Father's Day.

I am pleased to report, however, that not all of my labours (limited though they may have been) were fruitless. A couple of meetings ago, a fellow Knit Ranger, Kristie mentioned that a friend had delivered a tiny baby boy before he was expected, and that any little knitted things would be appreciated. Having a fair amount of baby wool left after knitting my nieces' kiddies, I cast on a pair of little booties.

That took very little time and effort (they definitely qualify as easy), so I then started on a bootie and mitten pattern from Sheperd Yarns. A week later, I'd finished one bootie, and barely cast on for the second. So, this morning I woke up determined to get them finished. And I did!

In the after-glow of satisfaction that follows from completing something (particularly something that has been languishing), I picked up the will-it-be-a-jersey-or-will-it-be-a-vest project, and yep, now that's completed, too. And it's a vest.

So, that's three completed projects for my Ravelry projects page. Now I still have my blanket, some socks "in progress", so I'm not quite on top of things, but I'm getting there! I've pruned my queue a little, and reordered, and I'm feeling "on top" of things, rather than feeling like I'm playing catch up.

Now, back to Dad's socks! And the bright tweed socks, and the brown ribbed socks for me. Oh, and that blanket...

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

It's been a while since I updated, and I will blame work busy-ness, parental visits, the resealing of the footpath making my floor vibrate, lack of knitting progress, and laziness. Feel free to determine for yourself the ratio of laziness to other factors.

Anyway, since I last updated here there has not been a lot of knitting going. My red jersey is still sleeveless, an may stay that way as I'm revisiting the idea of a vest (and feeling lazy). I attended the Knit Out my my parents (my Dad and my sister mostly along for the lunch beforehand), and enjoyed it (and expressed interest in helping out next year). Mum had a good time, bumping into the president of the Creative Fibre organisation. At Knit Rangers the next afternoon she was helping both with crochet and knitting tips - she's good like that! :-)

I particularly enjoyed meeting Mel Clark at the Knit Out (and getting my book signed) and purchasing some lovely Koigu yarn from her.  Definitely looking forward to purchasing more from her range when she's all set (and her card is tucked away safely if I can't wait)! That's one of the three skeins in the top right there. I've not settled on a project for it yet, but that's hardly matters!

Red Ribs & Cables

A pair of brown merino/angora socks is half done, largely thanks to my neglecting to take any wool to enable me to work on my blanket at Knit Rangers last weekend. If you're lucky enough to be in Ravelry you can check out the not terribly exciting project here. As I've now worn a whole in the heel of my blue pair, I should hurry up and finish these so my toes will be toasty in bed again!

Also Ravelry related is the swatching that I've started for a scarf exchange that's going on. So far I've got the red rib and reversible cable idea (see left) going on, but I do have other ideas to play around with before I decide on what my pal will get.

Yesterday I wandered down to Wild & Woolly Yarns and picked up two balls of Noro Silk Garden (one skein is shown above), and some Sublime Merino/Cashmere/Silk in a complimentary blue with visions of a scarf for me. More projects to contemplate, and no knitting! When the wool shop owner remarks that you've spent a fortune, and are a "very good customer" you do have to wonder if maybe it's time to take it easy. ;-)

Now for more swatching!

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Buttoned Up

After spotting Calorimetry at kiwichickknits the other day, I've taken to it with avengence (or at least like a person who doesn't have several unfinished items on needles).

I hate having cold ears. And I hate having to pull a hat down over top of my hair clip. Now I have a solution! This buttoned head scarf is a quick knit, and does exactly what I need it to. So, I've made three!

The first one served to further reduce the ball of Ashford Tekapo that I used for Maddy's jumper (and so stained my hands). I knit this on 3.75 mm needles, and finished it off with a funky oblong button I bought for some unknown reason a while back. It's a little looser than it might be (even on my big head) but is still comfortable.

Second attempt is knit from a Cleckheaton Country Naturals wool, a rich cream with browny flecks. The same size needles were used, but this 8ply knit up smaller over the same number of stitches (and a couple less rows), and is a snug fit, and pretty much perfect.

Tweedy

And the third? Well, rather than completing a pair of socks in the same yarn, I decided to use the unallocated third ball of Vero Tweed. I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't get an of the fuschia in the finished headwarmer (I have enough to try again), but the green, blue and purple does look rather funky. This yarn is a heavier weight, and I reduced the number of stitches to about 90 from 120 (no, I didn't get a final count), and used 4 mm needles for another suitably snug fit.

So, yay for warm heads! And woo for projects that don't require much thought (especially if you're a short-row fiend like this sock knitter); like my blanket, these are perfect for taking places like Knit Rangers (which was fabulous, and much more productive for me this fortnight than last) where I spend as much time (if not more) talking as knitting!

Other knitting news? Well, I stumbled across this event, which isn't too far away, and conveniently on my day off in a couple of weeks. And, I'm starting to have sock knitting withdrawal... since the friend I was hoping to celebrate my birthday with is either dead or ignoring me, tomorrow may be a sock knitting evening for me.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Mighty Mitres

My mitred square blanket is now a rectangular! Since taking this photo on Sunday night, I've completed the last two squares in the third row of my blanket, meaning I'm now halfway!

I would be more pleased with the progress if I hadn't just noticed (thanks to the last photo update) that it has taken my more than one month to complete four squares. Oh, bugger it - I'm pretty darned pleased anyway! Gotta love a project that'll keep your toes warm while you're knitting it.

I'm still stoked with the colours and how they're working out together. I was asked at Knit Rangers if there was a pattern to the placement, or if I am just making it up as I go along. Well, there is a set repeat, or at least a plan. Basically, I worked the first row using each of the seven colours in a grouping I liked. Then, the second row started with the fourth colour in that set,and then cycling through in the same order. The third row started with the fourth colour in that second set, and on I'll go.

I sat for ages with paper and coloured pencils plotting how I'd work the three solid colours and four variegated yarns into a "pretty" arrangement, with some attempt at symmetry. I gave up on that after much frustration, and I'm glad; the ordered randomness is working out great.

I do have additional balls of the charcoal grey to work a border, but the more I think about that, the less likely it is that'll actually happen. I don't think it'll be necessary to add to the size, or the "finish" it off. So, there'll probably be something grey being knit in the coming year - no doubt inspired by the abundant rain clouds.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Textured Cuff Bootee

Now that Mena and Ben have announced their news to the world, I thought I'd better get knitting. Any excuse will do! Having seen them with a co-worker's baby last year, I think they'll be great parents. And great parents deserve handknits. ;-)

I decided to use some undyed Treliske organic merino, grown in New Zealand , because well, if the the finished products is going to travel from here, they may as well be from here!

No traditional baby colours here (pretty hard to find traditionally baby coloured sheep roaming about).The natural brown and off white will suit either sex, so they'll be easier to pass on if/when they're no longer needed. From memory, I think I knit the 3-6 month sizes, but I'm not 100% on that (and well, I'm too lazy to check right now).

Both of the patterns I used are from 50 Baby Bootees To Knit, by Zoe Mellor, though of course knit in a different yarn. It's the first time I've made the little slip on style, and I was quite happy to find that I could get a pair of them out of the leftover wool after the textured cuff bootee (it's moss stitch - or seed stitch if you prefer). I added a little strap to go around the ankle for added security, though it is removable.

Now all I need to do is pop them in the post one day soonish. I figured I'd go ahead and post the pictures now rather than later, as I've had a slow knitting week (and I might have actually done these last weekend now I think about it), and needed to post some progress! Hopefully the mail service doesn't let me down now I've declared my intentions...

I still have to complete the partners to two booties I knitted for my (step) niece, but have just learned that her due date is later than I'd originally been thinking (or not thinking). Last night I finished up a pair of cabled gloves for a friend. I hope they're not too big even for his manly hands, but if they are (or if, as I suspect, he won't wear them), I'm sure the city mission or some other such place might appreciate them. I used the yarn I'd originally tagged for my wristwarmers, which was sitting to one side after I unravelled that attempt. In other knitting news, I've worked one more square on my blanket (pitiful progress after my initial burst of enthusiasm), and the red thing is definitely a jersey (to have, all going well, raglan sleeves and a roll neck), and has progressed (now with no cabling) to just about short of the arm shaping.

Knit Rangers this week, but I don't know yet whether I'll be working on one of these unfinished projects, or the bundle of chocolatey cashmere merino I want very much as a v-neck jumper. I suspect (wrongly, most likely) that after travelling on the bus and ferry with my laptop (work continues up to 2pm, when the meeting starts) on the way there that I might feel I deserve a new project. Of course, there may be so many new faces I'll do more talking than knitting anyway... ;-)

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Pink Sock

Having started, and restarted my eldest sister's birthday gift a few times, I've finally decided that she will be getting socks (whether or not she needs thick and cosy bed socks in Perth is not to be asked), and a few other treats!

I started this sock last night, and worked on it some more at Knit Rangers this afternoon (along with a few rows on one of my blanket's mitred squares). One thing about working with the Patons Inca again is that it's incredibly quick to knit! (what wouldn't be with a 28 stitch round). I got two balls of this shade for $3 each a wee while ago - don't tell my sister how cheap I am! ;-)

I'll be able to finish this one up tonight (once I decide how to finish it off) and will be in good shape to mail it off with a mate in time for the big day (and the birthday before one's 50th is indeed a big day). This sister is short and proportionately little-footed, so I hope that the size is going to be OK. I'm using the sizing guide in Sensational Knitted Socks as a guide, so fingers crossed.

A couple of new faces (she says being a three meeting veteran) at Knit Rangers this week, after the gathering got a mention in a local paper, which was cool. Justine was kind enough to pick me up from the ferry, so no bussing involved, and for the first time (for me) it wasn't raining! If you live in Auckland, and knit (or crochet, or whatever), come be social in a couple of weeks.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

I love red. Red shoes, red lingerie, and of course, red socks. Since I spotted the yarn a while back, I've been picturing myself is these warm socks, just the right length to wear with my boots (and satisfy my red fetish somewhat privately). Now, that (admittedly pretty tame) fantasy is nearing reality.

I started the socks on May 25, and then got sidetracked, finishing the first one Queen's birthday weekend at my parent's place, and started the second on the way home. I am getting a little bored with working the garter rib now (contributing to my relatively slow progress), but it's so simple (and effective) that I will probably do it again. Maybe Dad will get a pair of garter rib socks one of these days!

Anyway, the socks are 54 sts around, on 4 mm needles, with the last few rows worked on larger needles, and with a suspended cast-off for a sufficiently loose fit to suit my not necessarily slender calves. I've now got the method of Sensational Knitted Socks down pat, that I didn't really need a pattern, I could do it on auto-pilot!

More progress on these socks was made on Sunday afternoon at my first Knit Rangers gathering! After finishing up work sitting in the little cafe at The Packing Shed, I met with a really neat bunch of people (whom I will look forward to seeing again). It wasn't great weather, and travelling on the bus while still working is always a bit of a mission (and fun for Telecom as they charge me for my mobile broadband), but honestly, it was worth it! And perhaps next time, I'll be able to wear a completed pair of yummy red socks...

Read and post comments | Send to a friend