figheade

Dishcloths

2012-02-14T02:39:00.000-08:00

I usually have these on the go as quick and easy little pick up/putdown things between bigger projects. I always need new ones as some of my existing ones reach the end of their useful lives. I finished these two over the past couple of days, quick and easy, durable, nice to use; using up bits and bobs of cotton from the stash too.

Knitted pot

2012-02-13T02:39:00.000-08:00

This is one thing I lvoe doing - knitting with fabric. The resulting item is always a surprise due to a lot of factors. this was a 50p skirt fromt eh charity shop, a wrap aroudn skirt for a very thin person! No good for me, but the tie-dye pattern in these colours was very pretty, so it came haome with me and has beenw aiting for a year or so to be used. I cut and tore it carefully into strips about 1 - 2 cm wide - not too acurately, I must admit, but it adds to the recycled quirky feel of the thing. The body is knitted in the round and the base is a crochet circle to fit, sewn in afterwards, and the loose ends secured and trimmed. I don't know what I'll put in it - maybe nothing at all as it's so pretty just to look at. Pleased with this :)

Lennie's beanie

2012-02-01T10:07:00.000-08:00

My FB friend wanted a beanie with a pentagram on it, so here it is:

I notice a couple of the stitches misplaced on the right hand bottom fo the oentagram but I shall leave it as it is, it's how it came out, and I like it. The wool was lovely - some Blue Faced Lecicester I picked up ages ago in a sale somwhere- very soft and warm. I'm sure he'll love it :)

The 4 hour and 58 minute hat

2012-01-29T11:00:00.000-08:00

Read about it here: http://unboughtdelicacies.blogspot.com/

New crochet (on the ) block

2012-01-26T12:56:00.000-08:00

Made a start on another blanket this evening; just a grannysquare blanket, one great big square; it's to use up the odds of chunky I have. I tried a ripple pattern with some of it, but it was too chunky to be successful, so will use odds of DK for that instead. I like the colours so far, but this one's for warmth, so there will be no colour scheme as such, just a cosy use it up one

Very taken by this too...........

2012-01-24T04:56:00.000-08:00

Isn't that beautiful?

From: http://annkingstone.com/blog/books/

Novel Knits

2012-01-24T04:47:00.000-08:00

Some lovely patterns here, very insipring...................

http://annkingstone.com/blog/books/

Gave me an idea too.........................

(Squidoo)

Another one towards the Ravelry 12 hats in 2012

2012-01-22T12:37:00.000-08:00

Like this one - nice and chunky in Sirdar Click, and random textures, with three rows of left over Cashsoft being used up; rather unique pie lid shaping on the crown ! lol Great fun to knit :)

Also started - a new crochet block project to try and get through some stash; small square this one, but would like each one to be different , that's a challenge in itself lol Will see how I go. I've also started a riplle afghan throw in shunky/aran to use those bits up, and the Sanquhar gloves are well on their way too. Busy times :))

Fusion hat

2012-01-20T04:12:00.000-08:00

Another candidate for the 12 hats in 2012 I'm doing on Ravelry no 4 this one. Crochet crown is based on TEchnolace hat by KN designs, the brim idea and design is mine, just done on the needles as I went along; very pleased with this, it's different. Used just one ball of Rowan Cahssoft, bought half price out the bargain bin at local wool shop - very nice to knit with, very soft, and a rather gorgeous shade of cherry red :)

Barter hat

2012-01-16T07:40:00.000-08:00

Knitted this this morning whilst on teh computer - it's for a barter I did for a weaving book and a book of WW2 ration cooking, and will be off to Kent soon :) The wool is Creative Poems aran, 100% pure wool, and beautiful to knit with, lovely colours and shading.I think she'll like it...............

Fair Isle cap donated to museum

2012-01-14T07:16:00.000-08:00

Love this story!

http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2011/10/25/bought-on-ebay-for-7-39-fair-isle-cap-now-has-pride-of-place-in-museum

I'd have been happy to pay a lot more than that for it too!

So far Sanquhar.............

2012-01-13T02:33:00.001-08:00

Just arrived today in the post :)

2012-01-11T10:40:00.000-08:00

A rather lovely looking booklet on Sanquhar knitting, complete with wool and needles - a wee treat for myself :) (end of resolutions, then lol). I picked this up on e-bay last week, £26.95, which I thought wasn't bad- the needles are even in authentic paper wrap, which I love. I've been a fan of Sanquhar for many years now,a nd started a group on Ravelry last year which is proving quite popular, and has diversified into various other traditional glove knitting detours- great stuff! Just about to cast these on whilst waiting for the sprouts to cook:

A quick trawl around the net resulted in the discovery of Traditional Scottish Knitting Masterclasses being held this year, so am waiting to hear back on details of thsoe - very excited; I might even be bale to go!!! Will keep you posted :)

Peerie beanie

2012-01-09T18:36:00.000-08:00

- as it turns out, not a tam after all lol

Peerie patterns are small geometric patterns in Fair Isle knitting, used on borders, or filling in between larger motifs on bigger garments. Patterns taken from the invaluable 'A Shetland Pattern Book' by Mary Smith and Maggie Twatt. This one is done in Shetland and lambswool, loved knitting it and am quite pleased with it :)

Peerie tam

2012-01-08T12:31:00.000-08:00

I love all knitting, not a thing I can think of that I'm not keen on, but this is what I love most - designing on the needles as I go, intricate and small patterns, choosing colours as it knits up. Peerie means small, and I'm choosing peerie patterns from the wonderful book 'A Shetland Pattern Book' by Mary Smith and Maggie Twatt. This is a tam in lovely Shetland and lambswool, a mixed bag bought from e-bay just before Christmas; knitting up nice and quickly - but maybe that's because I can't put it down.................

Project Bear completed

2012-01-08T04:13:00.000-08:00

Here's the final thing at last! Handspun from Alaskan Malamut hair from Kent; blended and spun with Dorset Portland bought in Glastonbury; dyed with acid dyes bought from e-bay, using citric acid to fix it bought in Stirling; knitted in Dorset, and now on its way to its recipient in Cumbria.
I loved this wool to knit with, very much my type of woolly spinning, and the colour is wonderful, a nice shade of woodland green. Very pleased with it.

Well, so much for good intentions!

2012-01-06T10:39:00.000-08:00

Have to report that my sort of resolution to use up my stash went spectacularly out the window this afternoon. Ah well :)

I bought the Rown Lace book, and 5 balls of their rather lovely lace wool to knit a wrap from the book.

This one, the Glorious Wrap

Sigh and lol

First off the needles in 2012

2012-01-05T13:41:00.000-08:00

Nice and easy, simple fingerless gloves as part of a rpesent for a special friend :)

The wool is Bergere du Nord, first time I've knitted with it; found it nice to knit with, although it does contain acrylic, but I think mans' glvoes need to be washed easily, so thought this would be fine. I like the one row contrast at the cuff, sets them off well I think.

Knitted partridge

2011-12-27T08:20:00.001-08:00

From The Twelve Knits of Christmas book, and yes, he does have a pear tree to go with him lol

Funny card

2011-12-21T07:15:00.001-08:00

Love this, got it this morning , makes me smile

Vintage bunny

2011-12-20T05:50:00.000-08:00

A friend of Bean's is having a baby, and wanted a bunny toy like the ones she's been knitting, so I was asked to step in and help with bunny prouduction. Nice project, the vintage toys are well constructed, pattern-wise, enjoyed doing this in a day or so. Might do some more!

Solstice hat

2011-12-18T13:01:00.001-08:00

Ex wanted it, so I knitted it lol

Hugh's jumper

2011-12-07T04:15:00.000-08:00

I was commissioned to knit a jumper in the style of the one that Hugh FW has been wearing recently in his TV series

This is the one, you can see the top of it here - a plain sleeveless jumper, but knitted in beautiful wool, possibly dyed with natural dyes - it has that air about it and I love it.
This is my version, soon to be en route to my customer:

Worked in Manx Loughtan wool, produced organically here in Dorset, just up the raod from me. I used a truly vintage pattern, and am delighted, and I think it will become one of my standby patterns and get a lot of use - very versatile, lending itself ot all sorts of variations, colour and pattern wise.

On the needles right now

2011-11-21T06:46:00.000-08:00

Various things are, but this is what I'm working on at the moment- a sleeveless jumper ( think HFW) in the lovely brown Manx Loaghtan organic wool I bought a couple of years ago at Dorchester show - produced only a few miles away from my home. It's a commission for a forum friend, easy to knit, so can do it while waiting for my turn on Scrabble etc. Have knitted other things, but don't seem to have managed to link them up with the camera and blog, must try harder lol

I've just bought and printed off the pattern for Tiny Owl's Beekeeper quilt too, so would like to make a start on that as a new pick up and put donw project, ideal for travelling too. I'm sure I can find some bits to use for it!

Another rare breed hat!

2011-10-25T03:27:00.000-07:00

North Ronaldsay hat for a friend. I hope to get a post/some posts up here on rare breeds soon, and a pet project of mine concerning them - watch this space.

I knit this fast..........

2011-09-16T06:04:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXCPOsM4S5A

Sheep - from lamb to loom, by Kate Lynch

2011-09-09T05:22:00.000-07:00

I bought this book on Monday at the Glastonbury Wool Festival. I was lucky enough to meet Kate Lynch herself, who happily signed my copy. Lovely, lovely book,can't wait to get stuck into it. Above is my favourite picture from the book - Christine knitting - the original of which was on show at her table. If I'd had the money, I'd have bought it there and then. Will report back when I've read it - shouldn;t be long!

Rare breed beanie

2011-09-07T06:26:00.000-07:00

Man's knitted beanie in North Rondalsay wool. I knitted this for my online blogshop Pocaid (http://pocaid.blogspot.com/), but I posted a pic up on River Cottage forum in the craft thread and sold it literally in five minutes.It never even got as far as being listed on Pocaid lol I also got two orders for slelveless sweaters ( a la Hugh) as well. A good morning's work :)

National wool week

2011-08-28T05:35:00.001-07:00

http://www.national-awareness-days.com/british-wool-week.html

Not just for knitting, ofcourse!

Glastonbury wool festival

2011-08-28T05:33:00.000-07:00

http://glastonburywoolfestival.co.uk/

I'm lucky enough to be going to this - anyone else? Will give a full report with pics, I imagine :)

Rainbow hat

2011-08-26T11:50:00.000-07:00

Just finished this off tonight for a ranibow themed swap over at the Creative Living forum:

I've not been a huge fam of knitting 'tape' yarns before, but this one was really nice to knit with, slightly stretchy, so will keep its shape really well. Still have another ball and a bit left, not sure what to do with it, might knit a hat for myself! lol

Feather and fan scarf

2011-08-26T08:49:00.000-07:00

An old favourite of mine, knitted many times; this in a shaded pure wool, lovely to knit with. For sale in my online shop Pocaid:
http://pocaid.blogspot.com/

Erin

2011-08-21T11:47:00.000-07:00

This is a beautiful pattern from Louisa Harding's new book 'Knitting in the Details'. I started it eysterday, too it out in the car, and due to a fortuituous very long detour, got the body of it done before I got home, and the crown last night; embroidered the daisies this afternoon. Very pleased with it :)

Nettle dyed shawl

2011-07-28T07:40:00.000-07:00

Finally got around to finishng this today lol Typical of a UFO, all it needed was the ends of the border joining and the ends darned in,now done. Elizabeth Zimmerman pattern from her Knitter's Almanac. It's almost 30'' across. I knitted it in lamswool, gleaned from a long ago visit to the Scrapstore, then washed it, and dyed it whole with nettles, alum mordant. Lidght unevenness due to dyeing it whole instead of yarn first, but not unattractive, and an intrinsic part of the process of handmade. I love it. :)

The irony of summer knitting..........

2011-07-03T06:32:00.000-07:00

Designing a pattern for a winter hat, now on the needles................

Update...........

2011-06-16T11:06:00.000-07:00

Well now. Yorkshire didn't work out, ended in tears and bitterness, none of my doing. In a nutsehll, back in Dorset, sorting out an off-grid living space for myself, on my own. In the meantime, knitting socks until my stash reappears from Yorkshire, hopefully quite soon!

I'm still here!

2011-04-04T03:01:00.001-07:00

I'm still around, still knitting, ofcourse. Private life has undergone major upheavals - marriage over and I've moved up to Yorkshire. I'm afraid blogging has taken a bit of a back seat up until now, but I'm getting back in the blogging groove, and want to get all my blogs and things updated as soon as I can. I'm busy knitting away for stocking an internet shop -possibly Etsy or Folksy, but haven't decided for definite yet, or it might be something independent of them. I've also got a meeting soon with a local knnitwear company to enquire about handknitting for them, will see what transpires with that. Watch this tension square-shaped space lol

More spinning..........

2010-07-11T13:40:00.001-07:00

Latest spinnings here :) The purple is Dorset Down, done in a random dye with acid dyes; something small wil be knitted with it, but I love the way it's spun up, better than I thought. I spun most of it when demonstrating at a local fete; many comments elicited by the colour and my matching purple dress lol
the basket of fleece is Cheviot cross; I sorted teh fleece yesterday -a very pleasant way to spend half an hour on the lawn in the sun :) Started spinning that tonight, straight from the fleece and in the grease for the first time. Pleased with that too, so far. Watch these spaces....lol

Knitting in summer......

2010-06-09T06:59:00.000-07:00

I'm still knitting, honest...............lol Admittedly, I'm not knitting as much at thsi time of year as I do in the autumn/winter. Sometimes it's just too hot to knit, the wool and needles getting sticky, frustrating when I want to get on with something. The other reason is the garden, combined with lighter evenings taking up more of my time. However, I've just cast on and started a new beret for the autumn; it's the North Star Tam from Arctic Lace by Donna Druchanas;lovely pattern to knit, I'm really enjoying it.

OH has finally got around to repairing my drum carder, so that will be in action later this week, as I've a lot to do for various projects. The other pic is the last pair fo sock off the needles, I need to get some more cast on, it feels strange being sockless lol

Sockpile!

2010-03-22T13:52:00.001-07:00

Yet more socks...............

Luckily I have found 3 more people who would like socks knitted for them, so I don;t have to stop! LOL

Snowball scarf

2010-03-03T06:49:00.000-08:00

A friend came into the pub last night to find me- she knew knitting group was on. She'd seen a scarf in a wool shop she'd liked, but the woman wouldn't sell it to her (a non-knitter), so she bought the wool and asked me to knit it. It's a fairly new one on the scene, Sirdar Snowball; I've seen it in several shops, and have seen it knitted up. It took a shade over an hour to knit, on size 8mm needles, so I was pleased to sit down and get on with it accompanied by a cup of tea this morning. I'm happy with it, it's turned out nicely - very, very soft, too. The good thing about knitting for others is it gives you the chance to try out yarns and patterns you might not necessarily pick out for yourself to knit.
I hope to get it round to her tonight, and see how surprised she is! Mind you, it's still cold enough here to need it!

Sea foam scarf

2010-02-26T01:08:00.000-08:00

Done for me, also for my Poet's Calendar project and the Guild's "elements" challenge. Commercially spun, hand dyed in the ball with acid blue and yellow dyes to give sea green and white foam effect; the pattern is New Shale, to continue the sea theme.
Pleased with this. :)

ETA - won the Guild "Elements" challenge with this :)

Sorting out.............

2010-02-22T05:37:00.000-08:00

This is just under half of what was lurking at the end of the sofa LOL I'm busy sorting it out into bags of separate projects, ubt it's taking some time. Some of it I just don't want I think, so will go off to the charity shop, but most of it is earmrked for specific things when I get round to them.
Scary...............

In between sock knitting...........

2010-02-21T12:29:00.000-08:00

I got these two finished this afternoon, delighted with both. Cropped cardigan is in Patons Vintage "Burnished" - only 59p per ball from Kemps online place. I'd been eyeing it up even at full price, so to find it so cheap was wonderful! The Purple one is the Samhain Hares tee from Yarn Forward magazine, in Donegal tweed (ooohh that wool.........). Both for me, delighted with them both.
Back to the socks now........lol

Couldn't wait, could I?

2010-02-20T07:17:00.000-08:00

LOL I cast off teh body of a jumper this morning after breakfast, so I decided to take one of the new balls of Noro in the car and start a pair of socks whilst doing soem messages - feedstore, tip, post office etc. Just as well I did, I also managed to get some al fresco knitting done whilst MrL had to change a wheel due to enormous pothole we went into tyring to avoid something steaming along in the opposite direction.............
Note - spare tyre space under boot makes a nifty wool holder :)
Knitting up nicely, one of those where you keep going "just another round" to see how the colours develop LOL

Treat

2010-02-19T06:58:00.001-08:00

This is a little treat for me...............:) I invested in two balls of Kureyon sock yarn, with 4.00 off a ball, down to 7.00 each, from http://www.blacksheepwools.co.uk/

I found the Kureyon whilst looking for something else, but couldn't resist it........lol I've never had any of their wool before, but always admired the colourways, so I'm really looking forward to casting on. Probably tonight LOL

Other bits...........

2010-02-17T05:34:00.001-08:00

This is a skein of Blue Faced Leicester aran weight, successfully dyed a rather beautiful shade of apple green. Not sure what I'm going to do with it, might lend itself to a lace hat of some sort?

Got out a paint brush and painted some Dorset Horn tops; pleased with how it looks so far, will see how it spins up.

More Dorset Horn on the wheel, not sure what for, just felt like doing some spinning! LOL

Current knitting

2010-02-17T05:26:00.001-08:00

This first one is the Samhain Hares tee from Yarn Forward magazine, but knitted in a rather gorgeous amethyst shade of donegal tweed, with cream hares and celtic knot pattern. Not much more to do on that; it's my go for our Winter Knitting Olympic Challenge at Creeative Living. Looks like I'll have time to do another one as well.

This second one is a cropped cardigan from another knitting magazine; knitted in Patons Vintage that I got at a great price from Kemps online; lovely peachy pink colours, nice to knit with, and I managed to find a single special button for it too. Might change the collar and not add the pockets, but I'll see when the time comes.

Viking jumper

2010-02-06T11:26:00.000-08:00

Now completed, pelased with this. Beautifully warm, quick to knit up - British undyed aran wool, bought soem time ago from e-bay (another one MrL missed out on LOL) Love the Celtic cable on the hood, and it sits nicely when down. I'm tempted to do another one, but more colourful - stripes perhaps? We'll see.

So that was 2009!

2010-01-20T06:13:00.000-08:00

This is my tally for last year, not bad:

Crochet hook bag - 1
Fulled slippers - 1 pair
Fair Isle hat - 2
Scarf, adult - 2
Neckwarmer - 1
Adult beret - 2
Lace scarf - 1
Teddy jumper - 1
Knitted bunting - 2 strings
Pot holders - 3
Hallowe'en beanie, adult - 1
Toy alpaca in alpaca yarn - 1
Adult dog jumper - 1
Knitted bunny (handspun) - 1
Puppy jumpers - 10
Hats, childrens' - 3
Tea cosies - 8
Shawls - 4
Bathroom cloths - 2
Child's jumper - 1
Sleeveless top - 1
Child's cardigan - 1
Waistcoat - 1
Nightcap - 1
Hats, adult - 19
Pairs of fingerless gloves - 4
Blanket squares, crocheted - 33
Blanket squares, knitted - 8
Tin cosy - 1
Pairs of socks - 14
Pairs of mittens - 2
Mug hugs - 1
Dishcloths - 20

I didn't achieve much on my list of aims, so am off to do another one for 2010, and pop it in the sidebar; will also start a 2010 tally list to keep trck of what I complete this year.

Lily Chin's top 10 ways to hide the Stash!!

2010-01-20T05:53:00.001-08:00

1. Tape a bag of yarn to the underside of all the chairs - who'll know???

2. Put a slip cover over a bag of yarn, stick it on the couch, call it a pillow.

3. Remove the cushions of the couch, stuff with yarn instead.

4. There are narrow books that don't reach all the way to the back of the bookshelves. That dead space behind such books is good for several skeins.

5. Do you wear ALL of your shoes at the same time? No, stick a skein of yarn in each unworn shoe (boots are great for this very reason).

6. Everyone has clothes in the closet that are never, ever worn. Sew up the bottoms of the garments,insert yarn. Do not forget to sew up bottoms of sleeves. There's enough in each sleeve for more than a bag's worth.

7.Never cook, only order take-out or go to restaurants. You've now got the whole oven!

8.Look to the china cabinet. That large soup tureen? Maybe a bag. Large teapot? A few balls. Covered dish? The same.

9. The freezer is advantageous for fuzzies such as angora or mohair. Make sure to place in plastic bag first. This is known as the high-fiber diet!

10. Get a really large box and fill it up with lots and lots of yarn. Put a tablecloth over it. Voila, instant table (but you can't get your feet underneath it).

This is taken from the lovely "For the Love of Knitting", ed Kari Cornell; really made me smile (and yes, nod my head!)

Another KAL from Ravelry!

2010-01-20T00:16:00.001-08:00

I couldn't resist starting this one - a lace shaw/stole, done over 12 months with 12 "clues" throughout the year. I got engrossed in this one yesterday, and completed the whole section, some whilst cooking supper, the rest in the pub at knitting group. The yarn is knitting up beautifully. I wouldn't normally use an acrylic for this sort of thing, but the colours are really nice, I think. I think there's some cotton in the mix too, it hangs and drapes nicely. Factor in the bargain of 50p for the cone in the charity shop, and I'm well pleased with it!

Progress

2010-01-18T07:47:00.001-08:00

Knitted these up in a hurry over the weekend for a birthday present for someone; the colour is much deepr and richer than it looks, and this is a particularly pleasing pattern when knitted up, so will use it again. A good basic pattern, ripe for customising!
There is just the hood to do on the Viking jumper; socks still on the go for OH; wool arrived for Smahain tee, also some other stuff at a price I couldn't resist - 59p per ball!
Stashbuster getting added to as I find bits and pieces of chunky to add in.
More spinning and work done on Poets Calendar project wool too, so, all in all, pleased with progress.:)

Viking jumper

2010-01-11T00:53:00.001-08:00

This one's for me, from Yarn Forward magazine. Not the recommended wool, but some heavy Aran I've had for 2 years+ now. I bought it for a jumper for OH, but I didn't like the way it turned out with Aran patterns on it, so that was shelved, until now.
Big over jumper type thing, with a nice cable design on the hood. I've never had a hoodie before LOL

Little bit of spinning

2010-01-05T07:17:00.000-08:00

Haven't done any for a while, so got my hand back in last night with this rather lovely blend of merino and silk; actually bought as part of a kit for a nuno felted scarf, but I decided, in my wisdom, it was far too nice for that!
Not much - about 27g, but enough for a hat band or edging of some sort. Gorgeous colours.

My First Zimmerman...........

2010-01-05T07:14:00.000-08:00

I've joined a KAL group on Ravelry to knit my way through the Almanac, starting with the Aran jumper for January. Quite a challenging apttern to sort out and set up, needed reading through quite a few times before I really "got it" enough to cast on. Now started, i"ve just doen the increases and will be working my way up the body now.

Goddess hat

2009-12-28T11:16:00.001-08:00

This one's for me! Rattled it off today, in between hot toddies and turkey curry making LOL. My own pattern using up some odd balls of wool dyed with acid dyes, got from a charity shop in their naked state a few years back. Quite pleased with it - it'll be warm anyway, as the intarsia gives a double thickness fabric.

More F O s..............

2009-12-28T11:14:00.001-08:00

Fulled slippers for me, and a nice fulled and lined bag to try and keep my crochet hooks all in one place (we'll see.............lol)

Knitted mini festive bunting

2009-12-20T13:07:00.001-08:00

Sunday, 20 December 2009
Knitted mini festive bunting

I'm pleased with the way this turned out; it's for a forum swap, so I'll have to make another string for myself! It's a good way of using up little bits of leftovers - this one used some chunky red, handspun multi sparkly green and some really fun twinkly white, which I think give the whole thing a lift and a fun feel. The little triangles are knitted individually, then joined at the corners and across the tops with crochet; an alternative way would be to just take a couple of stitches at the corners. Add on a string to hang by at each end, and it's ready to hang up, or drape on the tree. Very adapatable - make the triangles any size you like, all different colours, all one colour, anything at all - can be adapted for seasons (eg browns and oranges for autumn), or occasions, eg baby colours for a newborn, pinks for a girlie bunting, etc.

I used 5.5 mm needles and chunky-ish wool, and knitted in garter (plain) stitch.

Cast on 12 stitches and knit 2 rows.
Next row: dec 1 st at each end of row
Next row: knit

Repeat last 2 rows until 1 stitch is left on needle, draw yarn through and fasten off. Darn/weave in ends.
Make as many as you need, then join in one of the ways described above.

Hat Trick hats

2009-12-19T11:50:00.000-08:00

I managed to finish these two in time to get them off to Inverness for nieces' Christmas presents. Can't praise the Alice Starmore Hat Trick kit highly enough - top quality wool, gorgeous colours, well written patterns, just beautiful. Will be ordering another one soon.

Still knitting furiously...............

2009-11-30T00:33:00.000-08:00

Two scarves that came off the needles yesterday. The brown is in the Manx Loaghtan wool, for a Christmas present, knitted in the Ringwood pattern. The other is from two balls of fancy stuff I picked up at a market somewhere, this will go for sale at the WI market. I have a few hats done that just need finishing and labelling, so they can go off too. Currently working on a tea cosy order,and need to finish an order of fingerless gloves - just the sewing up needed, and posting.
I have been right through the library's catalogue of knitting books and requested huge piles of them - a couple are worth buying, will post on them soon. Otherwise, it's a good way to "try before you buy", and avoid expensive mistakes, i fthere's only one (or even none!) thing you want to knit out of it. Need to crack on with Christmas knitting this week too.

Celtic cable neckwarmer

2009-11-17T04:46:00.000-08:00

This is one I found on Ravelry; knitted for Bean I like it too, so will be doing one for me next!

http://thestormmoon.blogspot.com

More stash improvement!

2009-11-17T03:21:00.001-08:00

The sparkly green is for a Christmas tree shaped hat for the guild competition - it needs livening up a bit, so I thought I'd make something daft! It's green Suffolk, dyed with acid dye and spun up with some sparkly acrylic (I think); pleased with the overall effect, looking forward to getting on with it this week.

This lot is for socks for OH, bought on e-bay; Trekking XXL and Opel, so nice wool, looking forward to this too.

This last photo is of the hat I knitted for the blog giveaway at Unbought Delicacies; K's lad chose the colours himself; turned out nicely I think:)

Gorgeous new arrival

2009-11-14T00:16:00.001-08:00

This box of loveliness arrived yesterday morning. A slight hiccup in the ordering process was swiftly and nciely dealt with by Mairi at Virtal Yarns, the online shop of Alice Starmore. This is the box of hat Trick - wool and patterns to knit three of Alice Starmore's hats; two are destined for Chrismtas presents. The qool is top qulaity with beautiful, evocative anmes - Bog Bean, Kittiwake, Solan Goose..........the names perfectly suited to the colours. I was also delighted to see that it is made in Britain, which is important to me. I've a couple of things to be getting on with this weekend, but my fingers are itching to start with this lovely little lot. I'm sure I'll be ordering again................

More dyeing................

2009-11-08T06:32:00.001-08:00

This is dyed commercial spun wool, slightly less than a 4 ply, but lovely to knit with. I'm using it in its original colour for the Sanqhaur gloves I'm working on, but it has dyed very successfully, better than I htought it would. Acid dyes in blue and yellow mixed. When this was done, I added more yellow and dyed the fleece in the post down there..... I suspect this might knit up nicely into a shawl, but want to do one of my own design this time, with a view towards a project next year.

Beret fest.............

2009-11-08T06:27:00.000-08:00

I recently joined a Beret knitting group on Ravelry (yes, another group.....................lol); although I haven't yet knitted the designated beret from the group, I've done a couple since Thursday.
The pinky tweedy one is from the pink Suffolk and acrylic that I spun last week; very pleased with it, the wool suits the slouchy style of this quite well.

This one I knitted yesterday, using two balls from stash that I got in the charity shop for only 50p - and there's enough left to add in to another project later. I called this one Wintergreen, as I think the colours are very wintry; it'll be nice and warm to wear though, and the furry effect is fun.

Apple green fleece..............

2009-11-08T06:21:00.000-08:00

Quite pleased with this, it's turned out well; it should spin up nicely, as it's not completely uniform in colour. Not sure what it's destined for yet, but looking forward to spinning it - probably this evening!

Tweedy pink

2009-11-06T07:49:00.001-08:00

I've spun this up this week, very pleased with the over all effect:

The pink is Suffolk, washed fleece I bought from the Guild table last month; I dyed it with acid dye, the first time I'd used them - pleased with how easy it was, so will be using a lot more of them I think. The multi coloured is some acrylic (I think)bought from the table last year some time; this is the end of it now, but it's very effective when spun up; the two were plied, resulting in the skein in the picture. It is destined for a beret, probably for me, which is now halfway done as I couldn't wait to cast it on and see how it knits up! The effect is tweedy pink, and I think very pretty. Will post a picture of FO.
I've also been dyeing commercial wool too, one lot in a variegated green to white, dyed int he ball; the other lot is more of the Suffolk (it was a BIG bag lol), dyed to what I hope will be an apple green colour. Pictures when the dripping stops............

Good enough to eat................

2009-11-01T12:13:00.001-08:00

Very cherry scarf in Old Shale pattern:

Celtic cable edged hat, dyed with food colourings done too:

Current woolly squeezes...............

2009-10-25T09:48:00.000-07:00

aka what I'm working on.I started this on Friday, a new hat for me. It'a Celtic cable pattern, for the band, the stitches being picked up around a long edge when the band is completed. I dyed the wool quite a while ago, all food colourings; it's quite attractive knitted up, and I'm pleased with it so far. Any easy pattern of only 8 rows, but looks impressive!

It's been a while since I did a completely original design bigger than a hat, so I'm about to launch into a Charleston inspired sleeveless pullover for myslef - that's Charleston as in Bloomsbury group, not the dance lol. The colours in my Rowan stash are just right for this:

I maanged a couple of hours spinning this afternoon too - perfect indoor work for a chilly late autumn Sunday. This is washed Suffolk, spun from teh fleece, noc arding. It's nicet o spin, quite "woolly", and I'll do enough for what I have in mind, then have a go with the new acid dyes I got a while back, which I've never sued before, so that should be fun.

Ravelry love

2009-10-22T00:58:00.000-07:00

I love Ravelry. For me, it's one of the best things to appear on the knit-net in a long time! There is such enthusiasm, such willingness to share, friendliness and co-operation; well, that's how it's been for me so far. Seeing into the knitting worlds of others is great fun, and very inspiring. Some of my favourite bits:

-viewing others' projects
-plenty of links to knitting blogs and websites
-contact with knitters and other craftspeople all over the world
-inspiration
-the queue facility is a stroke of genius, but I'll never get them all done lol
-a daily visit to see what wild and whacky new groups ahve started
-lots of little niches for specialist topics and knittings
-good way of keeping up to date with what's happening in knitting worldwide
-shows you're not the only mad one around!

http://www.ravelry.com/

Finished shawl and some bunting!

2009-10-22T00:49:00.001-07:00

Another two thing done now, both private commissions. Pleased with the way they turned out. Loads on the lsits still to do - gloves for an order, tea cosy for an order, some knitted rosettes, Sanquhar glvoes, Christmas knitting...........I love an endless list LOL

Feather and fan in purples

2009-10-16T04:23:00.000-07:00

I'm enjoying knitting another \Feather & \Fan shawl, this time for an order. It's in a Sirdar yarn, not normally something I'd choose, but in three shades of lilacs/purples, and the yarn has a good drape on it which will suit the finished garment I hope. Nice to knit with, easy pattern, nearly finished.

Hallowe'enie beanie

2009-10-13T04:07:00.001-07:00

Mark II ...........I tookt he one below out, as I wasn't happy with the roll of the brim - it obscured part of the cats' legs, so you couldn't get the full effect of the black cat. So, here it is, much happier with this, ready to send off for a forum swap. Quite fancy one myself now..............

Hallowe'en hat

2009-10-12T00:54:00.001-07:00

Thought this wa a bit more interesting than the plain orange, but still with Hallowe'en type colours. It's for a forumj swap I'm taking part in; nice to knit up, quite quick, lovely soft wool - Patons Fairytale Colour 4 Me DK; it's labelled as baby wool. Hope to finish it today.:)

Finished bunny

2009-09-29T04:53:00.001-07:00

Please with this one! Didn't win a prize, but I didn't expect it to, but I enjoyed the project which is the main thing.

Handspun bunny

2009-09-25T02:34:00.001-07:00

This is kinitted in handspun Gotland fleece - not my favourite to spin or knit, it's a bit fluffy and light for me, but I've done this for a specific project. It's for a Guild competition, an item in handspun. I didn't fancy gloves or a hat again, so am doing this for a change. Will post up the finished bun when she's done; it's a lovely old pattern form one of those vintage Bazaar make books, of which I am very fond. Something quick and easy. :)

The other competition is for a 1 oz skein of handspun, so I whipped this one up. It's a mix of the Blue Face Leicester I did the hat in that was left over, and some sympathetically coloured acrylic I picked up on the Guild table ages ago. I think they work quite well together. The skein just needs to be rewound for better presentation. I don't mind not winning anything, it's nice to take part and see how my spinning's coming along compared to others - I usually find it inspiring (in a hhhmmm, must try harder sort of way!)

Puppy love.................

2009-09-21T08:52:00.000-07:00

.... my latest commission! 10 puppy jumpers plus one for mum for a publicity shot for a local bakery. I had to go armed with cakes and biscuits in appropriately coloured packaging to match up woll colours with their corporate colours! Caused interest in the wool shop LOL. There is also a themed tea costy to be done, and a couple of other dieas to be worked on too. 3 jumpers done, 8 to go!

The hardest choice...............

2009-09-02T04:46:00.000-07:00

We were in Hansons yesterday to get a ball of wool for Bean, and as an anniversary surprise, OH waved his hand about and said I could buy anything I wanted !! It was a mightily difficult decision, I can tell you LOL. Normally when I go in there I can point to about half a dozen things I'd like, but actually making the decision proved a bit harder - but make it I did and came home with some beautiful Rowan in three colours. I saw the colours together in the display, and that was it; so I've got enough for a cardigan or jumper for me, not sure what yet, but it will be something of my own designing I think, with sucj special wool to use. It's really lovely. I ordered the new Rowan book too, so that will be a treat a bit later on when that comes in. A few odd balls of end of line yarn int eh sale jumped in too, so I'm a happy wool bunny for now.
Can't wait to get started with it all! LOL

Handspun hat done

2009-08-26T07:54:00.000-07:00

This is now done from the handspun in the post below; quite pleased with it. great pattern, a very easy bias strip cleverly stitched together. I'll be making more of these, I think.

Blue Faced Leicester

2009-08-25T00:26:00.001-07:00

I've spun and knitted witht his wool before, and it's lovely to work with. I bought this ready dyed, but have spun the wool myself, it's on its way to being an interesting bias strip hat I hope. I'm pleased with the way the colours are working together - you can never be sure until it's plied, and even then, there's no guaranteee it won't lose something once it's knitted.

Cold Mountain and more socks..............

2009-08-16T06:19:00.000-07:00

The sock yarn is a Regia one, sort of fluffy, but I do like it quite a lot; two pairs of socks owned for barters, so these now underway with that. Nice to knit with. I've re-started the Cold Mountain wrap as I wasn't happy with the purple, the way it knitted up for this particular pattern, although it's lovely wool. This is a multi coloured twist over a light brown yarn which was sent to me in a swap. It's knitting up nicely, firmer than the purple, so pleased with it so far, but I think it's going to be a long haul, this one LOL

Even more socks.................

2009-08-13T00:25:00.000-07:00

LOL; another pair for MrL, these are the Kaffe Fasset ones finished. I thinkt hey're lovely, and he's pelased with them too. he's decided not to buy any more socks, so I'll ahve the sock needles out permanently I think :) Not a problem, as it's quite a handy piece to take about in a bag and in the car. Need to start on the left front of th cotton cardigan, and have two pairs of socks promised too,w aiting for the wool to arrive for that.
Talking of woola rriving, I did get a ncie surprise int he post eysterday, a cone of very pretty coloured wool in return for some dihscloths; I think I have a project in mind for it, so might at least get it on the needles this afternoon and underway.

Cotton cardigan

2009-08-05T05:24:00.000-07:00

I cast this on last week; it's a pattern I've had for a while, knitted in 4 ply wool, but I'm using some of a humungous cone of duck egg blue I acquired several years ago, with pink roses; the bottom and collar are lace trimmed, It will turn out much better than the picture promises, in my experience of knitting with cotton.I've done blocks of pink for the roses, and will Swiss darn the white details and green leaves between, as I find cotton's not good for intarsia. Back and left front completed, nice to knit, not too taxing so far.

Kaffe Fassett's Design Line

2009-07-27T00:25:00.000-07:00

I've started a new pair of socks for MrL using this wool - Regia is always good to knit with, but this one is particularly hard to put down as the colours are so lovwly. Managed to get the wool reduced price in a sale, but never mind paying full price for sock wool LOL

Finding Tamsyn G

2009-07-25T14:26:00.000-07:00

We had a quick detour into Gillingham this afternoon on our way up coutnry just over the border into Wiltshire; I finally found Tamsyn G's gorgeous shop - if you're up that way, give it a whirl - full of great colours and inspiration, and beautiful yarns - much stroking was done! I met Tamsyn in the shop, which was lovely, and felt very drab beside her - she was wearing some of her shop, I'm fairly sure LOL The pic show the knitting outside on theh bay trees in the planters - wonderful! I'd been toying with the idea of doing some for my garden here, so will be tackling that next week I hope. That'll shake the neighbours up a bit LOL - they need it here, and it will certainly add something to the garden. Good way of using up scraps of gorgeousness too small for much else I think as an added bonus. Will report back, lots of ideas going around in my head......

http://tamsyn-g.com/

More small knittings

2009-07-23T04:46:00.001-07:00

I seem to have been doing a bit less knitting than usual lately, and smaller things too. I've finished two orders for dishcloths and a retro -style tea cosy, so they're done and ready for the off tomorrow. Got sock withdrawal symptoms too, so did another pair for me from some wool that was being used for a jumper I fell out of love with and wasn't really very interesting - either to look at or to knit. I did cast on a cotton cardigan last night, for me, to have a bigger project on the go; it's going well so far. Duck egg blue cotton with pink and white cabbage roses along the borders, and a lace edging. I think I picked up the pattern in a charity shop a couple of years ago, but am hoping it turns out well, the colours are beautiful. I find intarsia with 4 ply cotton a bit awkward and slippy to do, so will Swiss darn the white and the green leaves when done. Finding it hard to put down thsi morning! LOL

Socks for Dave, and a bit of Sunday spinning......

2009-06-29T03:54:00.000-07:00

These socks are for my friend Dave, and will go off in the post to him this week; bartered for a nice griddle pan for outdoor cooking.

I spun this Black Welsh Mountain wool yesterday, ending up with enough for a hat, hoepfully; already on the needles, it's lovely to knit with, and I can actually see how my spinning is improving.

Handspun socks

2009-06-26T00:48:00.001-07:00

Teh knitting has definitely eased off with the good weather - the heat for one thing, and other duties outside call............
anyhoo, got the handspun socks for the Creative Living Sock Summat done, very pleased with them; I've proved to myself I can spin usable, knittable wool :) These are bedsocks for me for the winter. Hope it's cold enough, they're pretty warm!

Knitting crops up everywhere

2009-06-16T00:05:00.000-07:00

I'm sure I'm not the only reader of the Radio Times who loved the twinset Sheila Hancock is wearing in the photo at the top of the page on Monday 15th June! It's now cut out, leaving a neat little hole........LOL I love the colours, I love the contrast between the stripes and zigzags, I might have to knit one for myself.:)

I also read about Ny Family and Other Animals on a blog, where it says the mother knits everywhere, so I've ordered that from the library for a look too.
It's everywhere.............LOL

Currently on the needles

2009-06-15T04:28:00.000-07:00

One pair of socks owed for a barter, need to be ready by Sunday. The other is a stripy thing - knitted in lots of odds and full skeins of tapestry wools, bought cheaply in a local charity shop; it's to be fulled when finished, and made into something, but I'm not sure what yet LOL

Sea Glass shawl

2009-06-10T02:55:00.000-07:00

The feather and fan shawl is finished, and as promsied is going to be the June Giveaway over at my 21st Century housewife blog:

http://unboughtdelicacies.blogspot.com/

Very pleased with it, it's a nice weight and hangs well. Knitted in Rowan yarn, a mix of linen, rayon and something else. I call it sea glass as it reminds me of the polished textured glass found on the beaches, washed ashore after years maybe of pounding by the salty seas.

Teacosy and update

2009-06-10T00:44:00.000-07:00

Don't seem to have been here for a while...............still knitting, though! Have finished the tea cosy for a special order, turned out nicely despite my apprehension over colour choice.

Teh green shawl is one, a nice result with lovely colours, definitely reminding me of sea glass. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the shawl display thing I had planned for fundraising is off, so this will be the June giveaway on my 21st Century Housewife blog I think. Funny how things turn out. I'm presently spinning up a small quantity of Castlemilk Moorit fleece, but it's dirty and gritty, blobby and unyielding. I've half of it done, and will only end up with a tiny amount when it's finished. It held such promise with its rareness of breed, but to be honest, I've not enjoyed spinning it at all. I spent last Sunday doing a spinning demo at a local farm day - 5 hours of spinning and cups of tea, close to heaven! LOL
This is me in action, although the camera wasn't good at picking up on the speed or movement of the wheel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjPksj4hLXo
I've socks for a friend on the needles at the moment, so that's giving me some thinking time to decide what's next; might be more spinning of the Soughdown to give enought to knit something meaningful! We'll see.

Shawl update

2009-05-19T00:32:00.001-07:00

This is the feather and fan shawl, detail of. These shawls seem tob e evolving into a bit of a project; I thought I might aim for a Knitter's Dozen (ie 13) and stage a show to raise funds for the village hall maybe, or something. Need to look into cheap and cheerful, but effective ways of displaying them. Pleased with this, quite effective in this colourway, reminds me of sea glass.

BAthroom cloths

2009-05-18T00:01:00.001-07:00

Confined to barracks by rain and howling winds yesterday, I spent the morning int he kitchen cooking, with knitting in between. The pink cloths are for the bathroom; I'm about to re-decorate in there, pinks and bluses, possibly florals, so set to and got these done from the cerise cotton I got at the show a few weeks back. Very pleased with them, they're lovely and soft, and should wear well.

As for teh Shipwreck shawl - well!! LOL I have fallen out of love with the printed pattern, but not he shawl itself. Having a long hard look at it, I think the variegated greens aren't showing the patterning to its best advantage, so that's being undone. I've started another shawl with the green, a feather and fan pattern, nice and easy, but quite effective, and the pattern shows up better, being much simpler. Hey ho!

I got a lovely HUGE cone of very fine wool in a pale-ish grey at the scrapstore on saturday, might be destined for some lacey gorgeousness soon...........

Shipwrecked!

2009-05-15T08:07:00.000-07:00

Not just me, then! Getting frustrated by the Shipwreck shawl from knitty, but have done a bit of research via Ravelry, to discover the instructions have been modified a bit. Need to take out all the Madeira rounds and start tha section again. Won;t be beaten..............LOL

Jumper finished

2009-05-15T04:31:00.001-07:00

This is the finished Dennis the Menace jumper for a friend's nephew. Pleased with the way it's turned out, and the red's not to garish. This is the one being bartered for surplus apples for cider making later in the year. :)

New fleece

2009-05-11T01:05:00.000-07:00

WE had a lovely day out yesterday at a local village annual event. One of the highlights for me is seeing a man called Dave shearing the small flock of mixed sheep he runs on the estate, in addition to his own on his own farm. I bought a couple of fleeces two years back, and was determined not to crumble and get another one. But I did...........LOL. No charge this year, he was happy to give it to me, nice man. I was able to choose which one I wanted, and chose a Romney X, and the sheep was sheared right in front of me. He did invite me to shear, but I declined, but now wish I'd had a go. I have shorn a sheep with hand shears many years, ago, taking so long that the sheep dozed off...................
So, I have my very own custom-sheared fleece to process now; lovely wool, looking forward to doing it. Updates will appear here. The photo shows him in action ,shearing *my* fleece :)

Keep and Share

2009-05-05T00:46:00.000-07:00

Found this rather nice site mentioned in May's Country Living magazine:

http://www.keepandshare.co.uk/index.html

Their 12 packs of yarna re very tempting!

Dennis the Menace jumper

2009-05-04T23:10:00.001-07:00

I ws asked to knit this for someone, and have arranged to barter for some windfall apples (for cider and juicing) in the autumn - good deal, I thought. I have the back done, an easy knit in wide stripes.