A little bit more.

STILL plodding on with gift knits… I’m on my 3rd attempt on the stranded knitting as I type, but the section I’m working on should be finished today. The Poms are finished though 🙂
poms-in-str-lw-cobblestone-county.jpg
The colourway came out ok in this pattern, yet in the Monkeys I started was all blue one side, pink the other. I’m glad I swapped over now. I’m posting these in the SKA KAL forum on Ravelry, seeing as I managed to just finish them in time for the August KAL. The black thing on the right is Joe cat’s tail. He was pining for something so was being all rubby while I took pics 🙂
Also, Pippa is complete-ish. She is knitted, sewn, felted and dried, but I just have to cut some flower and bag strap pieces, sew them on and I’m done. Hoorah! I’ll start that this afternoon if I can drag myself out of this stupid headache I have. Probably nothing at all to do with the pint of Magners and bottle of raspberry beer I had last night at the pub after work. Or the curry we had on the way home (I should point out I was home for 8pm, so it wasn’t exactly a late night). I only had a bit of okra dry curry, but the combination of spices and alcohol and my rapidly aging body apparently despises me and makes me hurty 🙂 BTW, if you haven’t tried it, fruit beer is gorgeous. There is a beer festival next weekend. 16 kinds of perry and cider alone 😀 Mmm perry.
Speaking of Posh Yarn, I could spend an absolute fortune on the sale this weekend. Best not though – my sock yarn collection won’t fit in the box anymore and is expanding into the bags full of yarn for future gift knitting in order to disguise this worsening issue. It isn’t that I can’t get the yarn knitted, it is that I dare not use the best ones yet in case I pick the wrong pattern, and naturally, my fave sock yarns in the stash are actually most of the stash itself anyway. Things like my Piece of Beauty merino in Robe and Bowl – the fibre content is no longer stocked at the site, so I dare not use it up yet. I’m sure her BFL sock yarn is as gorgeous, but this is just mmmmmmm. And some of my stash was gifted in various swaps and secret pal sessions, which means I’m unlikely to get another one very easily, so the pattern has to be JUST right for that. AND, some of the yarn is from one-off dye sessions and is probably unique and irreplacable. How on earth do you pick the right pattern for that kind of yarn?! So many beautiful yarns, and yet I can’t face knitting it in case it all goes horribly wrong… It would probably help if I bought mass produced yarn, but you know, when it comes to sock yarns, I get snobby. I can’t afford to buy luxury fibres for garments and stuff, so why not splash out on good sock yarn? Don’t get me wrong – the standard sock yarns are in the stash, and in the queue, but I just love getting those little luxury hanks out of the parcel, and smooshing them in my face and imagining how they would feel on my feet and petting them.
I’m also thinking the unthinkable and debating whether to try making that lovely crochet slouchy beret pattern that was on the Craftzine blog. I haven’t saved the link as I printed the pattern out, but trust me, it is very very cute. The onset of Autumn is making me think of things like this, especially as I’ve been wearing my Kim Hargreaves hat again and realised that hats look quite nice with a fringe (even a fringe that is now almost touching my lips).

Wow!

Well, you certainly picked out a pattern for me 🙂 I’m just watching 12 Angry Men (the original one) and am tempted to play devil’s advocate and try and persuade you to reconsider, but given that I agree with you, I’m not going to bother 😉
So, in order to get to the point where I can cast on for Juliet guilt free, I’ve promised myself that I’ll work on 3 projects each night – the secret knitting, some baby gifty knitting, and my poms. There will be about an hour each (but more likely 2 hours on 2 projects and half an hour on the baby knitting as it isn’t as urgent), and as I can manage an inch of knitting on the stranded one in an hour, and probably about the same on the poms, there is hope that I’ll have something to show you this weekend, then something again the weekend after, and a new project on the go.
And there are some definite more urgent personal knits in the queue now. I REALLY have to get some mittens, hand warmers and knee socks made, because today the office was freezing cold and my legs, feet and hands were all chilled to the bone, while the rest of me was shivery, and everyone was adding extra layers on. Autumn is officially here people.
Thanks for all your help guys 🙂

I need help.

Well, let’s face it, you already knew that. But I need help in deciding what to knit next. Regardless of gift knitting, the only way I can currently pull myself through the stuff that is lingering and WON’T go away is to think about what to do when I have the time. You’ve already seen the list of things I’d like to do in general. And some eagle eyed readers may have noticed that the everlasting knit that was Pippa is all knitted up and just needs sewing, felting and sewing again (hoorah! At last!). And the secret baby knitting is plodding along. The stranded knitting is starting again from scratch though 🙁 which probably isn’t all that bad a piece of news as I could do with more practice and it only took a weekend to make one with some solid knitting and lots of Lost on the tv…
But I digress a little. Here is some of the stuff I want to make next, but can’t fix upon.
1) Juliet from Zephyr Style. Very cute. Adaptable. The yarn is in the stash (bulky black 100% wool that I keep promising to all kinds of projects and just not getting to it). It would be a quick knit, which naturally draws me towards it the way things are at the mo.
2) Wispy by Kim Hargreaves. I got the kit some time ago, and started it, but ended up frogging thanks to poor gauge. I think I’ve got it down now, but I have to actually start knitting it again, and be prepared for some serious moss stitch.
3) Rowan Chrissie. Another one I have the yarn for. I love the way the finished garment looks, and the one I’ve linked to (Juliet’s gorgeous version), just makes me want to knit it more. BUT, it is 4 ply, and I’m not sure I can stand to knit something full sized at a fine gauge right now. But it is sooo cute! And it would be a lovely work jumper! Sigh.
4) Ms Marigold, another Zephyr style pattern, and another one I want to make to wear at work if it works out. I have Sublime Angora Merino in a plum for this, which I figure will be a good all round colour for every occassion, even if the yarn will shed. Probably another reasonably quick jobbie.
I think that’s it for now. There is loads more stuff on the wish list, and I just bought a ton more of the Sublime Angora Merino because Beatties where I bought it is closing its haberdashery dept 🙁 but is selling everything off with a 25% discount 🙂 I got a mix of mid blue and some cream, thinking I could make something with a little stranded knitting again, just as a bog standard sweater. No doubt that will change soon enough ;D
Sooooo, what do you reckon is the best choice? Stash busting or speed (although all the knits already have yarn allocated!)? Technically interesting or finished product? Gimme some help!
[edited to add] Bahhh. Just had to frog back my second pom sock seeing as I started knitting the second repeat at row 12. Ahem. I refuse to change the % counter, but I will not be casting on again tonight. It can wait, even if I should be finishing the pair this month to submit them to the sock KAL… Grr. Oh, and I really really really want to splash out and try some Sundara sock yarn… If I bought two hanks it would work out at 15 quid a hank including postage – that’s not bad compared to fancy yarns available here. Honest guv.

Nothing to see here

I was going to blog about having no knitting worth showing you as it is all either minimal or boring. BUT, I progressed rapidly on some stranded knitting today 🙂 I can’t show you it though 🙁 The recipient has been known for popping in here and I don’t want to spoil it. So, slowly but surely I’m progressing towards finishing the big pile of things in the basket, or at least knocking a couple of projects of the list so I can start something else.
Given that I have no photos for you (although some might pop up on Ravelry seeing as the recipient definitely won’t be going on there), I figured I’d make a list of plans once I’ve finished the bits and pieces in the basket.
1) Ms Marigold in kind of an plum purple Sublime Angora Merino. Yeah it will shed everywhere on my t-shirts and stuff, but it will be warm and cute. Especially if Heather’s is anything to go by 🙂
2) Some swingy cardis. I have a few of these in wardrobe at the mo, and yeah, they aren’t supposed to look that great on girls with lots up front, or indeed, just lots, but the ones I have I love, and I’ve had lots of compliments on them (particularly a red lacy number from Dorothy Perkins, which I plan to copy at some point too :D). I want to make these while they are still in fashion if possible 😉
3) Lots and lots of socks. I have SO much sock yarn now. Soooo much. I dare not even put it all on Ravelry it is that extensive… Besides, I have those lovely KnitPicks DPNs to try out!
4) Lace things. I enjoyed making the wrap for Sue’s wedding so much, that I’d like to make more wraps that could plausibly be used as scarves.
5) More stranded knitting. Some mittens, some fair isle sweater vests, that kind of thing. Anything that has a kitchy countryside value.
Ok, I’m off to work on my Poms seeing as they are supposed to be finished this month. They’ll be a nice break from mad stranded knitting hurrying scariness. I’m intrigued to know what plans everyone else has, for gift knitting for the holidays and just general winter sweater loveliness. You all know I like to join in 😉

Knackered, frankly

That pretty much sums up my week. It has been stupidly tiring, and I can’t quite put my finger on why. Must be to do with using my not-so-lively brain… Apologies if I haven’t replied to your comments this week. Said brain means I have no idea who I’ve sent emails to. I also want to thank you all for suggesting emailing Brittany for replacement needles. It is still a job to do on my list, but it will get done soon. Brain hurty. Need to brush up on library school stuff like cataloguing and classification. At least my reference enquiry skills are good because I’ve used them since graduating, but I just want to remind myself of what to do on the others. That means a glance through the wonderful AACR2 (concise version). It is quite complicated to read through, but the anal part of me LOVES it 😀 Not today though. Brain still hurty.
So, in order to justify an update and give you something to look at, here you go.
anastasia-1.jpg
anastasia-2.jpg
anastasia-3.jpg
Anastasia socks, finished at last! Love the yarn (White Willow Yarns Alice’s Garden – available on Etsy. Thanks again Brooke!), love the colours in it, it is warm and soft but sturdy. The pattern is fab too – very easy to follow, good relaxing knitting, but interesting enough to keep you going. Good thing too, as my Conwy cashmere socks are now in need of repair – the yarn is obviously a luxury one, not one made to go in shoes etc, and I’ve worn them so much that last night I discovered small piece of fluff in my slippers and a hole in one sock heel 🙁 I’m not going to make a fuss and mend them, as I have plenty of yarn left of the cashmere for another pair, and the Conwys were always a bit too big round the leg and foot. I think it will either be Poseidon or Widdershins socks with the leftovers. And Ruth R will be getting the remnants of the Alice’s Garden to play with because 1) they smell of raspberries and 2) Everyone should try this yarn.
Next up, a baby cardi from Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino 2 (the moss stitch border cardi, as it is imaginatively known), for my friend Nic and her baby daughter.
samantha-rose-cardi.jpg
Hopefully at some point there will be an action shot… 🙂
Only 6 more projects to go, and 2 more gifts to start. :S