Year of projects 11.03.12

Well as March is zooming on by, the weather is slowly becoming warmer and the light intensity is changing.  My walks this week with the dogs, have been a guilty pleasure not a chore. 

We've just got back from a lovely Sunday afternoon run on the beach and I took loads of lovely photos of the boys and the dogs.....but this one just about sums my family up........

My hubby was saying why is it we can't go to the beach without one of the three boys getting sopping.  This is my oldest boy pulling the littlest out of a rock pool which ended up coming up to his waist.....wellies are a waste of time in my boys' world!

Our walk was lovely and I was toasty warm..............guess why..........I've finished, its not a masterpiece but it is done and comfortable.

I have completed my first jumper........it was initially too short despite lengthening the pattern, so I ended up knitting two panels and stitching them to the bottom, it isn't invisible but it makes a unwearable jumper wearable. 

If I keep up my walking over the next couple of months, I feel it will probably fit me a little better.....my poor son had a hard job to take photos where I am saying try not to get my double chin in.....try not to get my tummy in...etc...etc....  I was being a very difficult model!

So there you have it, another project ticked off the list......having just completed something knitty I feel I have the bit between my teeth and I'm itching to try something else, which is interesting as I came in to this, to crochet.  I don't think I am getting ahead of myself, but I do fancy pushing a little more.

Well.......time for herding children and dogs me thinks......catch up with other Year of Projects work here.  I know I will be later on. 

Thanks for all the moral support and holding of hands during my first big knitting project, much appreciated.....as in all speeches....'I could not have done this without you!'

I will leave you with another pic of all the sandy ones........

Year of projects 04.03.12

I've just spent a minute or so deliberating the date, if it's wrong, I apologise, but gosh aren't the weeks whizzing by?

Sometime mid-week, I thought to myself, 'hope the weather is good on the weekend, as I will be able to wear my new jumper and take some pictures of it.' 

Well, you'll be pleased to know the weather has been glorious today.....only problem.....I haven't finished my jumper!

I've done a little more since taking the picture, and only have the cap of both sleeves to do and then sew it up.  It feels really soft and warm and I'm soooo looking forward to trying it on (and hopefully it fitting!).  The yarn is Life Chunky by Stylecraft.  It is a wool acrylic mix and is called Nutmeg Marl, a kind of grey/blue/mushroom colour......are you picturing it?   This yarn is super soft and really reasonable.  There is also something to be said for the fact it is machine washable so won't spend months sitting at the bottom of the wash basket waiting to be hand washed.

This has been a great project, just the right amount of sitting on the edge of my seat, learning new skills, 3 needle bind off, picking up new stitches, wrap and turn....and even the knitting itself, as I have done the whole thing continental style.  I have the sewing to go and will use mattress stitch as everyone rates it so highly.

I take it I should join the sleeves to the body and then sew the sides and the sleeves up.....is there an order to do things? 

Anyway, despite not having a jumper to wear, we have been to the beach this afternoon for a blow around.  It was extremely cold and windy.  Just look at this clever bloke on his surfy-kite thing.

I am looking forward to supper, bathed and sleeping children and sitting down with my cup of tea to check out all the other projects.  If you want to see other Year of Project work, check the ravelry page here.

Thanks as ever for all your helpful advice.  I have blocked the body of my jumper and it is behaving a lot better now.........just have to get on with the last stretch and the sewing up!

One a day (which day?)

It is still Tuesday?

Well, if I use the excuse that I missed the day, I will never get back to it........ so,I'm late I know.....but enthusiastic!

So I actually finished my last one-a-day project (which came in the shape of a sunnyspread blanket) in November and then did some Christmas presents, but I am back in earnest now with a WIP blanket, here on in known as the boring blanket.

I actually started this when I first learnt to crochet...I was young, naive and a little wet behind the ears!  I soon realised I had no staying power and was drawn into quick crochet flings, promising bright colours, quick fixes, no commitment.........

So I am back, admitting I've done wrong and wanting to put things right.

This week I have done five hexagons and actually found since my crochet has improved they didn't take too long (although I still haven't learnt to sew my ends in!)  I will probably end up doing two a day I should think.

So here comes the maths, I have done 89   hexagons so far, with 5 added this week that makes 94 and I think I need ......well, lets not think about it, as that is why it become the boring blanket a year ago!

To see other people's one a day projects, pop on over to  gingerbread girl's blog.

In other news, I have discovered that knitting is not quite like riding a bike.  As I've previously mentioned, I have got it stuck in my head to knit a jumper, and today, I began!  Funny how it didn't come naturally at all and it took some time to remember I needed to reposition the yarn to purl.....sooo..as my brain works, I have been looking this evening at continental knitting thinking that if I could get my head around it, it would probably sit better with my crocheting position, particularly as I am a yarn grabber.  Anyone have a preference?  Wish me luck as knitting is maybe not my forte!  But I'm very determined!

Year of projects 15.01.12

Well here we are again, Sunday update for my Year of Projects

As hoped, I've finished my blackberry salad stripe which I gave to my friend this morning for her new baby boy. I made a small car seat/pram sized blanket....hopefully small but perfectly formed.

I am very pleased with the end result as it was squishy and warm, everything a blanket should be!

Can I go a little overboard with pics?

Right....swiftly moving on......a question for the knitters. I can knit a bit and in fact it was starting back at knitting, making a cardigan for my friend's little girl, that brought me very nicely to crochet, and I'm forever grateful!

Anyhow, I'm wandering a little aren't I?

I have some Sirdar Juniper, not entirely sure how much, as my mum thinks she has more at home. My question is, I've been itching to knit myself something hooded, I rather like this but it calls for super chunky, which I don't think mine is (the details say USA 11 and my ball band says USA 10.5 is that a huge difference?) and to be honest this part of things is a bit foreign to me. The other projects with Juniper, did not appeal.....

Anyway....if someone who is clever on the maths front understands my issue and has the answer, I would be very grateful to be let in on the secret....also if anyone knows of a lovely hooded jumper that is not beyond the ability of a knitting crocheter then suggest away!

Thank you for your continuing help and encouragement, it's all much appreciated!

If you would like to see other YOP work, check out the group page on ravelry.