SpringKAL

Well, for a moment there, I was quite convincing, "I've made more than enough shawls", "I've got lots of other projects already started", "I haven't got any yarn that really lends itself for this", "There's house work to do"............

Hhhhhmmmmm.............see, you were pretty convinced weren't you?

I finished my Sunny Days Shawlette and within a couple of hours, I was downloading the pattern and looking at my woolly shelves.........

So I've made a start, but haven't had much time to actually knit, so I'm on ten loops, which may stay that way into next week as its a busy weekend ahead with biggest boy's eleventh birthday, bowling, eating cake, singing, eating....you get the picture.

Oh....but this is a lovely knit.....glad I joined in!

To see other SpringKAL-ers pop on over to Crafts from the Cwtch

So last week, I cast off my Sunny Days Shawlette and within hours I found myself pressing download on the pattern and 

Striped Study Shawl KAL

What a weird-weather day it has been today, I woke up to hailstones, then we progressed on to blue skies  and sunshine, we've recently had a downpour and now the sun is streaming through the windows......how is a girl supposed to know how best to dress???

Well here I am with an update of my shawl, and quite honestly (not wanting to moan) I don't want to go outside to photograph my shawl in the rain, but the sun is pouring in through our leaded-light (this sounds posher than the fake UPVC that they actually are) windows, and  I am getting shadows....

So there we have it, my 80cm circulars are making it impossible to photograph now, as it would be a big crumpled mess and me stressing about the stitches making a quick run for it, and diving off the ends.

I have done seven stripes now, there are five stripes to go, then a border of the multicoloured sock .... ..so I'm guessing there is at least a week left in it for me, with limited knitting time (unless I forgo my motherly duties of course!)

I am loving the knit, really simple to plod along with, and now I am back to good health there is no stopping me!  Thanks for all your get-well comments, I am soooo much better........yay!

Sarah, Crafts from the Cwtch has been reminding everyone of the Knitting and Crochet blog week that starts next week over at Eskimimi Makes, and this morning I've signed up too.....it sounds like a good challenge with lots to be inspired by.  Why not take a look and think about signing up too? This is the third year that it has been done (obviously the first time I have done it) and this year they have lovely  prizes connected to the different post challenges for each day.

Well, better go look out weather we are having now and plan my wardrobe accordingly!



Year of projects 15.04.12

At the beginning of the week I decided to jump on board with Sarah (Crafts from the Cwtch) and Nat's (Misadventures in Craft) Stripe Study Shawl KAL.....and I have to say in the beginning it took every ounce of concentration, but now it is straightforward and dare I say......enjoyable.  I use the term tentatively as yesterday when beginning some kind of lurgy and being a little sleep deprived (smallest boy being very sick in the night) I decided unwisely, to do some knitting and ended up stuffing up a few rows which I took a good half-hour to realise this morning.....typical......lots of ripping out and starting again...it does seem to be a familiar theme when it comes to knitting and me!

Although I've obviously caught a sickness bug, I seem to have escaped with just horrible cramps and nausea, which is fine by me as I am not a fan of being sick.  I have done little else but lay about, and that has been about it.....

So here it is, I am five stripes in, each stripe taking gradually more time, so I guess I am a while off yet, and probably a bit behind everyone else.  But it is a relaxing knit (when you are running on all four cylinders)

Fallen by the way-side is my baby blanket (and I guess if I admitted it, lots of other half started projects) which I must fit some time in on, as the baby will be a teenager before he receives it!  I have to say I am liking the yarn for this pattern, it's very delicate.

Well, it sounds like the rabble have finished their roast, which I cooked but could not face, and once it has been cleared away, I may return to the kitchen, although the smell is making me feel a little wobbly. 

I think we may get some fresh air this afternoon, as outdoors is looking a lot more inviting than yesterday.

Looking forward to reading about all your progress later........thanks for your lovely comments, always soooo enjoyed.

Actually, while I think of it....those knitters among you, which circulars do you use?  I am finding the ones on my shawl hard to work with as the stitches always get caught in the join from flex to needle.  I was looking at those circulars with inter-changeable heads and wondered if the same thing happened?

Your thoughts very much appreciated!

Blue skies and KALs

Well, these Easter Holidays are turning out well.  The sun has been shining for the past few days, and we've got out and enjoyed it. 

Chester has been treated to some lovely beachy walks with three boys to keep him busy....and then flaked out infront of the rayburn for the rest of the day.  His running really isn't that of a graceful sprinter, as his puppy legs still don't have a huge amount of co-ordination and seem to splay out in all directions!

In crafty news, I've decided to join in with Sarah from Crafts from the Cwtch and Nat of Misadventures in Craft in their Stripe Study Shawl knit-a-long.  I fancy a little knitting project, something to stretch my beginner skills.

I thought that an inspiring trip to the LYS was the way to go, but soon found that it was not meant to be, after struggling with a wild six year old, a tantrum-ing three year old and a stroppy nine year old  only to find it closed.

Having a strong stubborn streak and determined not to be put off, I decided to have a rethink and look at what I had at home. 

I found quite a lot of four-ply but the colour I really wanted was half  a shawl, that to be honest I had had a serious disagreement with (as I didn't really remember where I was in the pattern repeat).  Soooo, some frogging and winding later, problem solved and I was casting on.

Now this shawl promises to be straight forward and an easy pattern to follow, so how come I  ripped it back twice....three times before I got the correct number of stitches?  Hubby said to me last night 'I thought you knitted because it was relaxing?'

.......well, I think I am at last on track and it is indeed, a nice pattern, I think I am just over-thinking it all.....or maybe I'm just a little blonde!

purple yarn is Life 4-ply from stylecraft

sock yarn is from Knitglobal

I must admit, as much as my first love is crochet, I am loving knitting  too......is it normal to hold your breath when you count up the number of stitches when you finish a row?  

It is maybe a little brighter than I might have first gone for, but I think as the larger panels of purple start to work in, it will be better balanced (well, thats the theory anyhoo!)

I have to say....looking at the rest of Veera Valimaki's designs, I think I may be doing another after this one and then I can change gear on the colours.

Well, my tummy is starting to rumble which must mean we are nearing lunch time, so I will bid you all a fond farewell and go organise  lunch.

I hope you are all enjoying a sunshiney week too!xxx