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...

Raglan Shaping

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...

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ready-to-rib

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.

sleeve

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!

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Two months ago I wrote that I had completed one purple bootee, and one pink bootee. And that is exactly how that project languished until the other day. Finally, however, I had two pairs of girlie bootees, all sewn up and one trimmed with ribbon.

Really, they're so quick to knit it is ridiculous that it took me this long to get around to it. It didn't help that I'm not exactly (or even approximately) sure when my step-niece is expecting to deliver, but that's not much of an excuse.

Now, I just need to package them up and send them on their way to Wellington to my brother, so that he can deliver them. Hopefully they won't still be sitting on my desk in a few weeks like last set of bootees waiting for a trip to the post office for stamps (I knew it was a bad idea to get a non-prepaid package to send)!

In other knitting news, my first ball of hand-dyed yarn is becoming yet another Calorimetry head scarf. I'm very please with how it is turning out! Socks are on the go, too.

I've invited my parents to visit me this weekend, and at this point it looks like I'll meet them in Papakura, where a Knit Out is being held. Dad has a golf thing on Friday, so they're thinking of coming down on the Saturday morning; not a lot of point them coming here from Rotorua in the morning, and then us going over to Papakura together in time for the event starting at two in the afternoon. So, I need to take a look at bus or train timetables. The last time I was on a train was a trip from Hamilton to Christchurch - I can't imagine that an hour or so away could be half as bad!

Life has been pretty quiet. My brocolli has gone to seed, I have more silverbeet than I've ever eaten, and my houseplants are still alive. I started being the "weigher" at my WW meeting. Otherwise, I'm a little sad, a little bit angry, and disappointed, but I'm OK. Knitting is keeping me out of trouble, and Ravelry is keeping me in knitting.

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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.

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Rolling On

The last time I posted an update on my very red project, I was still undecided as to what I was actually knitting, a vest or a jersey. Since that time I've settled on a jersey, and was all set (after much ado) to work raglan sleeves and a roll neck to go with the yarn-over cables.

Necking

Now, those cables are gone. I didn't work a single row more than is shown in the first and last update photo before I unravelled back to the 3x2 ribbing and settled into super-easy stocking stitch (a bunch of knit rows, as I worked in the round). As I reached the armholes, and prepared to switch to straight needles, the raglan shaping disappeared as well. I've be lying if I said I hadn't contemplated knitting a v-neck vest after all. The only thing that has stayed constant is the redness (on which everyone who sees it passes comment).

Now I'm working on the rolled neck. I've stuck with the 3 by 2 ribbing (originally chosen to work with the cable pattern), and am having to concentrate as the neck grows; because it is inside out (so that it is correct once rolled - no piking out with a turtle neck) I'm doing knit two, purl three, something my mind and muscle memory seem to find a bit of a challenge.

Only twelve or so more centimetres of ribbing before I start on the sleeves. I haven't decided yet if I'll knit the sleeves in the round too (from the cuff up), or on straight needles. Plenty of time for that, I figure, knowing how long it took me to get it to this stage!

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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... ;-)

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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.

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Yarn Over Cable

When I purchased the wool for my Dad's vest, I also grabbed some cheap Cleckheaton Country 12 Ply in a bright red for me. At the time I didn't know exactly what I'd knit for me, other than something not socks (I purchased enough for a classic sweater).

I've started knitting with it now, and still don't really know how it will end up, a vest or a jersey. I should have decided by the time I've worked my way to the beginning of the arm shaping, at which point I'll need to start thinking about shaping for a scooped or v-neck if I'm going to make a vest. If not a vest, I'm leaning towards a roll-neck jersey (not too fond of round necks).

I do, at least, have the design sorted, a simple yarn over cable (Sensational Knitted Socks is great for patterns to be worked in the round (as I will be to the arm shaping), and this one shouldn't be too difficult to switch to straight knitting (as long as I switch at the right point in the 4 pattern rows). As with Dad's vest, I'm working the back in stocking stitch, because I can't see back there anyway.

So, I have another project in progress, one which I am quite excited about, despite the somewhat unknown outcome. Actually, my excitement is due to the indecision - I'm making it up as I go along!

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This Vero Tweed, made in Italy for Naturally isn't a light-weight knit. No, this 12 ply (90% wool, 6% acrylic, 4% viscose) blend of colours is strong and sturdy, and quick to knit - at least with 36 stitches a round!

One Foot

The foot is nice and snug, worked with 4 mm needles, and the leg a little roomier on 4.5 mm. I did buy three balls of yarn, but after contemplating splitting the third ball so as to end up with two matching socks, I decided to just stick with one ball per sock. This has given me a relatively short sock (for someone who generally prefers longer pairs), but one still with enough length to keep my ankles warm and toasty as I pad around the house.

I'm really pleased with the yarn - with my firmer gauge on the foot it feels nice and solid, and hopefully durable. And I think the woven stitch (almost like basket weave) works well with the weight and tweediness of the yarn. One foot done!

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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...

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