More finished projects :D

Well I stayed up till 1am last night, just to finish the DB Alphabet blanket. I used 13 balls of DB Baby Cashmerino but I felt the expense was worth it, the blanket is lovely and soft and as I said to my daughter, it can become a family heirloom :D


I also managed to finish a cross stitch of a Yorkshire Terrier, in memory of my wee dog who died the end of February.

I've also stitched a Christmas card for my mum and dad :D

Long time no speak

I didn't realise it had been so long since I had last posted. I've been busy with the knitting. I'm almost finished the Debbie Bliss Alphabet blanket :D I've also managed to knit one sock for my mum' Christmas, just need to cast on for the second one.

And a close up of the pattern...

It's Trekking XXl sock yarn but don't ask which one, I can't remember. The pattern is Waving Lace socks from 25 Favourite Socks.
I also bought the Debbie Bliss Essential Baby book and knitted the Hooded Carrying Bag, though I prefer to call it babys' sleeping bag. This was knitted using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran.

FELTED MITTENS

I used the pattern from my new Felted Knits book and the Patons Jet to knit a pair of very large mittens.

I thought I had made them too big. Anyhoo I finished knitting them in two days and only used 3 balls of the Jet. I decided to risk throwing them in the washing machine despite what the book said about using a top loader and constantly checking the felting process, which is something you can't do with a front loader. This is the result

They are a lovely fit and so snug and warm :D

AY WINTER WARMER

We're in the middle of the latest Angelyarn forum secret swap, which has been called Winter Warmer :D
I received this lot yesterday

A lovely canvas bag

This lot was inside, the chocolate was very tasty but I did share it with my hubby and two sons.

A close up of the yarn which is 100% merino and really soft and lovely to knit with. I have already cast on using the lovely Peace Fleece needles. I decided that wool this lovely and this soft just wants to become a lacy scarf so I'm using a pattern called 'knotted threads' from Big Book of Knitting Stitch Patterns. Will post a progress picture later :D

It's my Birthday

So I thought I would make you jealous by posting pictures of my presents :D
My darling hubby, Gus had these delivered this morning, aren't they lovely

They were accompanied by this little fella

My youngest son Will bought me the Dalmation Nintendogs, so I am now the proud owner of a Boxer pup called Jack. My daughter bought me Knitting Lace Triangles which is out of stock just now, she also bought me

I'm planning on knitting the middle size. The Cascade yarn is actually slightly more lilacy purple but I couldn't get a decent picture.
My mum & dad sent me money so I also bought

I'm planning on doing the mittens for myself first. And I have quite a few ideas for Christmas pressies.
So it looks like I will be doing quite a bit of felting. I decided it was time I added another string to my bow :D

A month already

Didn't realise it was so long since I had last posted. Never mind, I'm here now. Well I've finished this lot in the last month






Have also started the Fibertrend Sheep Shawl in a lovely laceweight in Eternal Sunshine bought from the lovely Cazza aka middlearthknitter . Not much to show yet but I'll post a picture once I have knitted a bit more.

NEW CHICKENS
I decided to get more chickens as I do miss the fresh eggs everyday and the old girls haven't laid any for months. So I bought a Bovan Nera, a Sussex Star and a Speckled Star. Have decided to name them Katie, Judy and DeeDee.

Katie is the dark one with her rear in the air, something tasty down there I presume, Judy is the white one and DeeDee is the grey/white speckly one.

NEED MORE HOURS

I could do with having a few more hours in the day so that I can knit, crochet and cross stitch to my hearts content. My mum thinks I could do less crafting and more tidying and dusting :-/
Anyhoo I have been busy, I finallly succumbed to the lure of Tess Dawsons' crochet book, and I have to say I found the instructions really easy to follow and the projects are lovely. I managed to crochet a scarf in just a few hours using 1 ball Rowan Kidsilk Haze in Marmalade.


I have aslo started another lacy scarf from VLT, this time I'm using Kidsilk Haze in Jelly, what can I say, I like the stuff. This one is on page 98 and has French Trellis borders with bramble leaf centre. I've just started the centre section.


I'm also knitting a pair of 'plain' socks for my son Wills' girlfriend, she goes off to uni in less than two weeks. I'm using Opal sock yarn which has been hand dyed using Koolaid.


Must go and do some work or should I say, pick out a laceweight yarn for a KAL I've just joined. More details later when I finally decide what yarn/colour I decide to use.

Finished two cardies

I've finally finished the Opal Magic cardigan, it seemed to take ages to knit. It looks a bit big but hey, it means Lewis, my brothers' grandson will get to wear it for longer. I hope they like it.

I also asked my brothers' wife whether their neice would like socks, mittens or maybe a cardigan for her dolly, as I didn't want her to feel left out, so my SIL said a cardie for Annabelle.
I used a pattern from Sirdar Early Arrivals 1 and knitted the second premature size in Jaeger Matchmaker Merino 4ply.


INTARSIA KNITTING CLASS
Went to http://www.hkhandknitonline.co.uk/ on Wednesday night for the Intarsia knitting class held by Carol. It was great fun and I now feel confident enough to try knitting a project with more than one colour. This is what we did...


And guess what was sitting on the table in the front shop? a copy of 25 Favourite Socks which I have been after for months, so I am now the proud owner of this book and I can't wait to get knitting, the only problem being, which one to try first.

BEEN BUYING, AGAIN
Yes I've been adding to my large yarn stash, and yes it is more sock yarn. Went to visit Cazza aka http://www.middlearthknitter.blogspot.com/ as she only lives down the road and I was after some of her hand dyed yarn. It was a hard choice as she has some lovely stuff but in the end I got these 3 lovely sock yarns.

From left to right 100% Merino in Bubblegum, 75% BFL 25% nylon in Shrimp and finally BFL/nylon in Arwen's Cloak. And I can only say it is lovely yarn in really nice colours. I'm thinking of crocheting a shawl with the Shrimp, and possibly the Bubblegum too. Just need postie to bring me my Tess Dawson Crochet book and of course I had to order some of Tess' Merino DK in Teal and Cherry, and some Merino 4ply in Cream, Camel and Chocolate.

S.E.X.

I met up with Natalie from the Yarnyard yesterday so that I could get my hands on some of her yarn and pencil rovings. We don't live that far apart so met at the Gyle in Edinburgh. It made sense as 1) I grudge paying postage when I could be spending on more yarn and 2) the post is a bit erratic just now. So here are my purchases :-)

The photo doesn't do them justice they are much nicer IRL. Especially the Cherry Pie one, it is just scrummy. The other two are TdeF55 (browny) and TdeF57 and are destined for socks for my DH and my dad. I'm thinking that the Cherry Pie is just too tasty to be hidden on a pair of feet so I think I'll knit a scarf with it.

I also bought some pencil rovings in Bedazzle and Leaf, I think it is obvious which is which, I hope. Natalie even gave me a quick demonstration as to how to untwist and gently pull the rovings apart ready for spinning. Will have a go later.

Natalie also gave me a peek preview at the new sock yarn, Merino Tencel, all I can say is it is absolutely gorgeous and soooo soft, and the colours are just lovely. But I think my darling hubby would shoot me if I buy any more yarn :-/ I also got to see the finished rectangular shawl knitted in Wicked, it is lovely, I can't wait for the pattern, I think mine may be knitted up in Cherry Pie. And then of course Natalie also had her neck warmer which was knitted using handspun wool. Very busy woman is Natalie so I would just like to say a BIG THANK YOU to her for making the time to meet me.

And of course seeing as I was in Edinburgh I just had to go to John Lewis and Jenners. Bought cross stitch kits of Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet and Tigger as DD is doing the nursery up with a Winnie theme.

Got a row off DD as I also bought a Pooh bear the other day, well you know how it is, he was sitting on the shelf all by himself and he just kinda jumped into my arms and said 'take me home, Granny' lol.

Almost finished knitting the Opal cardigan in Opal Magic. This is for my brothers' new grandson, Lewis. Just need to do the garter stitch at the end of the sleeve and pick up the stitches and knit the collar, I think it might need blocking before I try and sew it up.

What a lovely day :-)

The sun is shining and it is quite warm out there so I will stay indoors, I come out in a rash if I show any skin to the sun.
Finally got my long awaited exam results. I sat the first module of the Certificate of Professional Competency, this module was 'understanding the legal and business context for road transport operations. So that was a relief, only two more modules to go, three if I decide to sit the module involving International coaching Law.

Just finished unpinning my now blocked Melon Scarf. I finished knitting on Sunday but had to wait till yesterday when I would be able to get more pins. I'm really chuffed with this, I think it looks lovely, even if I do say so myself.

I've also managed to finish the pair of socks, details in the last post.


I've already cast on my next pair which are for my DS2s' girlfriend. I'm knitting them using hand dyed Opal sock yarn but I'm not sure if I did it using Ashford dyes or Koolaid or if I bought it. Kathryn picked the yarn herself and I decided that seeing as there was a lot of different colours it might look better knitted in plain ol stockingstitch.


So I'm now going to make myself a nice cup of tea and maybe start another baby cardigan :-)

Been busy...

desperately trying to get the Melon scarf from VLT finished. I was originally supposed to be knitting the Alpine Lace scarf but my laceweight 'snapped' when I tried gently stretching it as I was knitting, I was none too chuffed I had done about 8 or 9 inches by this time. So I restarted it using another wool only for Trudie to bring it to me one day, minus the ball of wool, luckily I had only done a couple of inches but I took this as a sign from my Guardian Angel that I wasn't meant to knit this. Instead I ignored the book for a month then after much deliberation decided to knit the Melon scarf using Jamieson's Ultra in natural white and started knitting. I'm on the second long side knitting the border and that will just leave the one short end and then I will only have to block it.

I've also been knitting a cardigan in the yellow Opal Magic. I'm using the all-in-one knit from sleeve to sleeve Opal cardigan. It's for my brothers grandson who was born a couple of weeks ago. Might also knit the beanie and socks too, will see how I feel when I get the cardi done.

And finally the usual 'carry about in the handbag' sock project. I got quite a bit done at the hairdressers today, I was getting highlights done and I didn't fance reading any of the magazines. And they are quite handy to have when waiting at the doctors' surgery cos they are always running late. I'm knitting these using Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn in Indian Summer.


And for some reason my lacy scarf picture is big despite me making it smaller. Never mind the trials etc of blogging.

Been busy sewing buttons on a cardi I finished a couple of weeks ago.

Knitted using Sirdar Snuggly DK in Safari and a Debbie Bliss pattern.

I finished this tonight. I bought the hand dyed sock yarn at Woofest from Natalie at http://theyarnyard.co.uk/newsite/ . I'm about to cast on for a baby cardi in Opal Magic but this one is for my brothers' grandson who was born a couple of weeks ago.

My very first post

I decided to create my own blog so that I can show those interested what I have been up to. Just now I am busy knitting baby things for my first grandchild who is due 29th December.

I have also knitted another wee cardi with matching hat but as yet haven't taken a photo.

I am also crocheting a sleeping bag, this will be my second crochet project, only learnt to crochet a few months ago.

I also enjoy spinning, I own an Ashford Kiwi and two drop spindles, and I have been experimenting with dyes, both acid, http://www.ashford.co.nz/dyes/dyes-frameset.htm and natural, http://pure-tinctoria.designsales.co.uk/en and onion skins.

The three skeins on the left are dyed using the natural dyes, Kango (Myrobalan) and Pacific (pomegranite).