Year of projects - Happy Easter

Happy Easter one and all!

I'm not sure what its like elsewhere, but here it is glorious!

This week's YOP post is brought to you from sunny Scotland, we arrived in beautiful Fionnphort last night.  It's the first time we've been to Scotland, and we are not disappointed.

First up, I finished my Miss Winkle....in fact  finished it on the journey here, I've only recently discovered I can knit while being driven, which for me (terrible traveller) is a miracle.  We got stuck in a long queue at roadworks for best part of an hour, so out came the knitting.  I have yet to block it, but hopefully it will be done while we are here.

I've started a small baby blanket for a friend who has just had a baby boy....Yay!  Hopefully this will be mainly done by the end of the week.

After a lovely relaxed Easter Sunday roast (and a good bit of chocolate egg), we stretched our legs a bit, and took in our surroundings.

Littlest boy not being a bit put off by our feeling sorry for the rabbit after he had bitten his ears off!

To catch up with fellow YOP-ers check out the ravelry page here.

Year of projects - 23.03.14

I've been meaning to do a post about my makes for a couple of weeks, but as you can see, it didn't quite happen.

My temperature blanket is on going, I must not rest on my laurels though, as I will find myself with a back-log of 'days' to catch up on.  It does seem that the weather has brightened a lot, so it doesn't look like I'm going to get any freak lows (dark blues) unless I make them up!

My wonderful hubby on his return from South Africa, well trained that he is, came back with two beautifully hand-dyed skeins of Merino...and a shawl pattern to go with.....now what more could a woman ask for....he knows what makes me smile!

I finished the shawl yesterday and blocked it overnight.  It's a simple small triangular shawl called Sunny Days Shawlette, designed by Carle' Dehning. The shawl was made in her own Nuturing Fibres yarn in a blue/purple/turquoise colourway. I used a darker blue for a couple of garter stitch rows at the end to accentuate the design.

I'm not sure I had the whole of the pattern, as there had to be a bit of guess work at the end, but I'm pleased with the shawl, and the simple design sets of the colours perfectly.

A few weeks ago, obviously when I was feeling a little chillier, I decided to make myself a Capucine, a lovely hat with bags of space for a big haired lady like myself!  The design is worked from the rim up, and unfortunately that was my undoing!  There's a lot to be said for something you can try on as you go....mine ended up being pretty big (even for me and my hair!).  I have still got a pom-pom to put on and some plaits at the sides, but with the sudden cheeriness in the weather, I think it may well wait for another season.

A couple of weeks ago, I introduced you to a new knitted teddy, the library book that I got the pattern from, also had some clothes, so I whipped up a hooded cardi for him to keep warm, (and to cover up those squonky ears!)

One last make, from a few weeks ago, was littlest boy's World Book Day costume.......its always the boys' choice, and this year, littlest said he wanted to be The Gingerbread Man (thankgoodness not too difficult!)

I was rather pleased with my more methodical approach and the finished costume.  I made this with a cheap fleece blanket, and plenty of patience.....it is now in use as a warm onesie for bedtime.....I'm tempted to make one for myself!

Anyway....I'm on to the next thing......another shawl wouldn't you know!  I couldn't stop myself, although I made a concerted effort for a while there.  I've decided to join in Sarah's (Crafts from the Cwtch) knit-a-long......more about that next week!

To see other Year of Projects work,  check out the ravelry page here.

Year of projects - 02.02.14

This week I have a finished thing, started a new thing and made a flight of fancy.

The first thing and finished thing, is a car seat blanket for my cousin who has had a lovely new baby boy.  I was so excited at the prospect of a new blanket, and then suddenly remembered the stars I had started on last year...or the year before?....

I saw this lovely star design on another blog, and on finding out that the pattern for the star square was from a book, I decided to work it out myself.  I did seem to remember (obviously wrongly) making loads of these squares, but when I dug them out from the corner that they were lingering in, there were only just a handful, so I made a few plain ones and striped ones to fill it out a bit.

This is one of those times, that I wish I had written down what I did....but hey, I didn't and I will have to work it out another time when I have the time to do so.  This blanket was made in Stylecraft for ease of washing and drying.

The second item that I have just begun is my temperature blanket.  I have sectioned up temperatures in 3 degree increments and allotted each range a colour. Each day I am using the highs and lows to make these lovely squares, taken from Snowcatcher's blog.  Such a well written pattern and great explanation as to joining as you go (which I am not doing because of the construction of my blanket).

I am enjoying the squares, but just find myself wishing for some freak weather to mix it up a bit...maybe a boiling hot day in the middle of January is a bit hard to believe though.....

Last thing is my flight of fancy, taken from a book I picked up from the library....not sure why....just because.

This bear had the odds stacked against him, as sewn on nose, mouth and eyes were called for, but then to top it all...ears sewn on too.  I think the first mistake was the eyes which looked alright, but were maybe not, and then the ears sewn at a jaunty angle made everything a bit squiffy...ooops!  The pattern also has a hoody, which I hope to make this week...maybe he can pull  his hood up and hide his 'bad ear' day.

Ah...but he's still smiling eh!

Lastly......but not leastly.....I received a wonderful package from across the pond from the lovely Sue from Mrs. Micawber......it was a Saturday late afternoon, so I placed it at the bottom of the table (out of sight but not out of mind) until I could cook for and feed the boys.

It was such a treat to open....the chocolate (yep....all long gone!) the buttons, the felt ornament, the lovely necklace which has a beautiful bird with the words 'wing it' and a fabulous knitting magazine.....it made me feel all warm and fuzzy.  The magazine is a cracker and loads of lovely things to make plus plenty of inspiration for my next jumper project.....

Thankyou Sue!

Year of projects 08.12.13

So I told you last time, I had a few days to make a gift for my MIL who was off to S.Africa for Christmas, well, I did it, with time to spare and here it is.....

Clapo-ktus by Loredana Gianferri

A really enjoyable and quick knit....although, I have to admit to spending a long time trying to figure out what to do....but ravelry's read the useful projects search came in to its own.....once started I didn't stop and I think is was around three evenings to do.

I knitted it in Sirdar Baby Bamboo which is a DK weight with a lovely sheen, which helped when you dropped the stitches to run down.....what a weird experience!

I spent some time trawling about for a shawl pin for myself and one to package with the clapo-ktus, and then had a 'bing moment' when I emailed the local jewelry shop Be-gemmed, who hadn't got any, but said to leave them to it.

I gave them free reign really and they came up with a few designs, from which I picked these two.....

Stunning!

The second shawl pin includes a rose quartz stone,  beautiful in its simple design, but with attention to detail with the hammered finish.....

I am so pleased I can't tell you.....if you are in need of something special, consider dropping Phil and Helen an email or phone call....handmade, therefore with its own unique beauty, and supporting  real craftspeople in a trade which can be forgotten in a factory mass-produced age.

Be-gemmed Handmade Jewelry

Right.... on to the next thing....this time....just for a change.....another shawl....but for now that's all I'm saying ;-)

To see other people's YOP work, check out the ravelry page here.

Year of projects - 17.11.13

It's done!  My Miranda jumper, finally finished, ends sewn in and sort-of-blocked, (the blocking was a bit of a disaster, as with the weather getting colder and living in a house with no central-heating it just wouldn't dry, so I gave up trying and just dried it without stretching.)

I am pleased with the finished sweater and am planning on taking it out on it's first night out this evening!

The hood is plenty big enough, I have a huge head and lots of hair, so I made sure I added some more to the mix when measuring against the pattern.  I did the same with the length as I can't stand a jumper which you have to keep pulling down...apart from that and my 'make-it-up-as-you-go-along method' of widening the cable section, its pretty much as the pattern says.

I used some nice Rowan Silky Tweed in Bolero, size 5mm circ needles and off I went.

 

(I am standing on my piano stool to try and see myself in the mirror!)

 

I'm quickly onto the next project...no dilly-dallying as this is a gift that needs to be done this week.  It is Clapo-Ktus which is knitting up a storm (now that I understand what I have to do!).  This will hopefully be done in the next few days and then I'm slightly off-piste with some Christmas knitting....I think I may be off-piste a while!

Last, but not to least, my little give-away from last week.

The winner is Lily Razz

I'll  email you now so I can pop your goodies in the post!

To catch up with my fellow YOP-ers, check out the ravelry page here.

Year of projects - 10.11.13

So don't fall off your chair, but I might just have pulled off two weeks in a row (although that does actually depend on me pressing publish!)

This first picture is a ravelry pattern which I thought would make a good gift for a friend who has just had a baby boy.  (I've looked through all the patterns on ravelry and for some weird reason, none of them look familiar so I'm not sure which one I used!)  I made it with two different yarns, Picasso by Robin and Sirdar Click both at a bulky weight, so the finished blanket was quite heavy, I'm not sure if this would make a better floor mat for that reason.  I've wanted to make a star since seeing the beautiful one made on HillyTownBlue probably over a year ago.  Mine didn't end up growing that big and I think I maybe didn't count carefully as it didn't sit as well as it might have.....

I  hoped my Miranda would have been finished this week, but  I  have still not been able to cast on for the hood.....but I am getting there.....maybe next week.

Well this week, as I told you  last Sunday, my friend and I went to Christmas Crafts at the NEC in Birmingham.  I was lucky enough to win tickets from Sarah at Crafts from the Cwtch

 

 There was plenty to see, do and to spend your pennies on.  We tried our hands at some Decopatch and also Fimo modelling.  We also spent ages rifling through this huge pile of reduced wool  at one stall, it would have been tempting to just launch yourself in, but I restrained myself!

 

So I bought..........some yarn, some bags of ribbon, some decopatch bits and bobs (see the big ram's head?) a rainbow quilt starter set from Dickory Dock Designs (a lovely stall with so many colourful fabriccy things for kids), some paper strips to make 3-D stars for the Christmas tree, some embossing inks and powders...oh, and lots of inspiration (which was free!)

(My friend's fimo creations left, mine right)

The fimo tutorial was brilliant, I learnt a few techniques which were just genius and I brought my little stash of things home and baked them in the oven.

Anyway, I know this post has been a little off track, but wanted to share my lovely day with you all....I know that some of the makes that I show off in future will have been inspired by this day out.

I felt quite christmassy seeing all the festive ideas around me, so I thought I would put together a couple of things to offer as a giveaway on my blog. 

So here you are, if you would like to have a chance to win the above Scandinavian Christmas 3-D Star Kit (plus a few extra bits to inspire you, hopefully), then leave a comment below.  I'm not worrying about where it gets posted to, so go right ahead and add your name to the hat, why don't you!

To see other Year of Project work, check out the Ravelry page here.

Year of projects - 03.11.13

So if I just sneak in at the back, quietly and not make too much of a scene d'you think anyone will realise I've not updated my year of projects progress for....uuummmmm....six weeks.......

Somewhere along the line I have a three/four post cork which is stopping progress.  I have a post about the long-gone summer, two posts at least about Austria and then one about our walking adventures...but it can't go on, and I have to get back on track...I hope to get them done in the next week (or ten!)

So onto all things YOP.  I have finally got around to blocking my New Beginnings shawl by the brilliant Boo Knits.  I started this shawl while we were on holiday in Austria...this is the one that I posed with on the glacier at Grossglockner...(to answer the question, it was totally posed...if I had actually sat there to knit I think my hubby would have had a huge melt down!)

 

This is a beautiful shawl, I used a lace weight yarn that I bought at Wonderwool last year.  The colours are gorgeous and although would probably make most think of the ocean (especially with the ripple waves) for me it reminds me of the melted glacier waters in Austria.

I did buy beads to add on in the end rows, but decided near the end to leave them out and do the alternative straight edge.  I love my Quite Continental shawl with the beaded edge but I wanted something simpler this time.

While I've been putting off blocking the shawl, I have joined a KAL for Josee Paquin's Miranda sweater I was lucky to buy some Rowan silk-mix yarn from a clearance bin online and away I went.  Its a top down in the round sweater and when I get to it, it will be hooded also. 

Its a great knit so far, although I haven't understood the increases during the cable section, so have decided to do it my own way (which could actually be the way you are supposed to do it, but I'm being blonde!)

So there we have it....this is a little bit of the goings on....... with the sudden downturn in the temps and the wind and rain, I'm seeing some more woolly things down the road.  This week I am going to Birmingham NEC to the Christmas Craft Show after being a lucky winner of a pair of tickets from Sarah Crafts from the Cwtch I am hoping to come back with lots of inspiration and maybe a small pressie, as it has been far too long since there was such a thing around these parts.

I expect everyone is doing a somewhat better job of keeping up to date than me...check out there stories here.

Year of projects - 01.09.13

Well we are all home after our epic holiday to Austria...epic for the miles driven (2626), for the miles walked uphill and mountain, for the fun had, for the number of wow moments.....it is lovely to be home, but know that a little part of my heart remains in the mountains.

So here I am after more than a few weeks away from the Sunday updates...not sure how I managed to do it every week before, as now it seems near impossible.

The things going on at the moment? 

This was a quicky project for a birthday gift which I filled with a mix of chocolates, all tied up with cat paw ribbon, for a cat loving friend.

My multi-stitch stripe blanket, following Little Woollie's CAL is out of the bag again, and in fact travelled to Austria to be crocheted on in the evenings, so it is a little further along, although a way to go.  It is bright (my hubby does not love it) and I am so enjoying each section of it....how lovely it is to whizz along with my crochet hook after a lot of delicate knitting.

And last but not least, I am part way through my second Boo Knits shawl...and here I am at the foot of the Grossglockner (the tallest mountain in Austria) This is New Beginnings knitted in a part ball of fingering silk/BFL blend yarn  in a blue-green colourway.in fact it is rather glacier like, so may get a name to suggest it, as it has been worked on here at the glacier.  We drove through the High Alpine Roads to the stop point and walked down After we had recovered from the walk down to this point, we walked down onto the Paterze glacier...awesome and scary all rolled into one.  This was one to add to our memories.  It was a gruelling walk down, and far worse back up...tears from the boys and nearly tears from me too if I am honest!  Some of the stones here looked like they were made from silver....amazing!

Impressive eh?  This imposing peak is not the biggy...the Grossglockner is out of shot to the left.  No matter which picture I look at, none of them show the sheer vastness of the area...this one was taken from the glacier zoomed right in.....mind blowing.....

 

Sorry, a quick meander of topic... to catch up with other YOP projects, check out the ravelry page.

Year of projects - 07.07.13

I have to say I was more than a little disappointed at my lack of things to show for my efforts last year, I think there was a brioche hat extra, that I remembered after placing the pics together...but still, not much eh?  Then I remembered the Little Woollie blanket, the two Veera shawls, the toe-up socks, the Jared Flood blanket, the various other 'I couldn't resist' projects....so really not so bad after all.

So what I take from last year and not completing everything, is that I end up doing lots of extras.....so where does that leave this year's list?

New Things

I want to make some crocheted bags...probably similar to the Attic 24 stripey bags.

I would like to make myself another knitted jumper, but as of yet, have not decided which.

A pair of knitted socks....when I totally forget how boring they are to make!

Some washcloths (I do keep banging on that I am going to, but have still not got to it!)

A temperature blanket

I would like to join in some CALs and KALs as I find I get so much from them, something challenging!

Re-visiting!

Ten stitch twist as shown above only partly done.

Little Woollie mixed stripe blanket

Crocheted star blankets

Fingerless gloves

So there we have it.....vague eh?!  But I'm guessing that may keep me from feeling tied down too much.

So....while I have you attention, I wanted to pick your brains....I've just this week started making a Quite Continental shawl by Boo Knits as part of a KAL with Sarah from Crafts from the Cwtch I keep looking at the sides and wondering where I'm going wrong and should I rip it out?  But without knowing how to rectify things, I think what's the point?

Can you see the increases on the left in the picture are far more 'gappy' than on the right....am I missing something....will it just block out and not worry about it....I admit, I'm not sure I am the only one, so is it a common problem to have the tension different and what makes it like that on one side and not the other????   I am distorting it in the picture by pulling it, to make it more obvious. 

Any advice very gladly taken...the rows begin and end with...

K2, kyok....kyok,K2

K2, yo....yo,K2

Righty-hoh!  If you'd like to catch up with any fellow YOP-pers, check out the ravelry page.

Year of projects - 21.04.13

Well, as you can see, I finished my Vintage Crocheted Throw.  This has been a really quick project (when I found it again!) and a real pleasure to make.  I used (if I remember correctly!) Sirdar Wash + Wear Crepe, and following the pattern for the Afghan size, I used slightly less than a ball of each colour, so a pretty low cost project.

 I do love a stripe, as you all know, and I really enjoyed the autumnal colours I used in this, it's a bit more muted than some of my crocheted blankets....don't you think the pattern of the chevron is clever?

So you may think I would be at a lose end now....but then again, anyone who knows me, would know that wasn't true.....onwards and upwards with another blanket.  This one is Wool Leaves and I think it is absolutely stunning.  The blanket is for a friend of mine who is getting married in a couple of months ( this being a slightly more pressured make!).  According to others who have made this, it is all about the blocking, but I am enjoying the pattern, and being such a chunky knit it grows fairly quickly (and also goes through balls at a rate of knots)...so watch this space, hopefully it will be done soon.

Today is grey and dismal, but yesterday, it was warm and sunny.....perfect for a wood walk with the dogs, I'm so glad we got out and about yesterday.

Fancy a walk?

To catch up with other knitters and crocheters progress, take a look at the Year of Projects ravelry page here.

Year of projects - 15.04.13

This week, in between some school holiday activities , I thought I'd do a quick, fun project from  my YOP list.

My hubby, looked over one evening to see what I was making, noticed the title and said, 'well what's so magic about that?' in a totally uninterested voice, so I showed him further down the pattern, and his 'Wow, that is clever' said a lot for the idea.

Any ideas?

Magic Cinderella 

Now isn't that a clever?  I have no idea who she is for, and there are a few more details I could add, like the head scarf for cinders and a few patches on her skirt....maybe a huge diamond and Sapphire necklace for cinderella.........

I enjoyed making this doll, such a fun project, and open for your own modifications to the dress and jewelry.

Now wouldn't you love a dress like that, encrusted with diamonds around the skirts?

To catch up with all the other work that my fellow Yoppers have been doing, check out the raverly page here.

Year of projects - 28.10.12

Well, as you can see, I have finally finished Oor-Flap Muts, modelled here by my biggest boy.

I used Sirdar Click with wool (aran weight) and used just over a skein of each colour, which as it was in the bargain bucket in my LYS, I feel it was money well spent....plus its very cosy for the cold weather that seems to have landed in these here parts.

As it is Brioche knitting, it is fully reversible, a two sided thick and toasty fabric.

The light in the photos is maybe not the best for seeing the project at its clearest, however, I couldn't stop taking pictures as my biggest boy looks so beautiful in the light from the fire......maybe beautiful isn't a word that should be used about a boy....but he's just that....set to break a few hearts I think!

Biggest boy is not the only one enjoying the fire....we call this pose upside-down-head....I think it means she's relaxed!

Right, better get going on boy's bedtimes, which are a little later than normal but as its the start of the half-term hols tomorrow (YIPPEE!) that's not too important.

Looking forward to catching up with y'all....have a great week.x