Wednesday, March 29, 2006

A Finished Object at last !


Well, this one was a quick and fun knit once I actually got around to it. I finished it this afternoon and am really pleased with it - it is so soft and fluffy ! The pattern is Colinette's Daisy scarf from the Artyfacts booklet. The yarn is Fandango in the Velvet Plum colourway - it only took one skein . I made two of these as Christmas presents last year and liked them so much that I wanted one for myself. It took me a while, but I will definitely be wearing this one a lot. I love it ! I have also made this pattern in the Colinette yarn Point Five which works up very differently but still looks great. This is an inexpensive project s I can see myself making more of these in different colours.

Not much progress on the socks today but I guess one finished item in a day is fairly satisfying. I am hoping to finish my Rowan Cork jacket tomorrow. I had run out of yarn half way through the belt and had to order another. Luckily, the wonderful Janette from Janettes Rare Yarns was able to find a ball for me. She is incredibly helpful and has a store full of bargains.

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Works In Progress.... well, some of them !



So here it is, my current favourite WIP - the Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted gifts. I'm making it in Noro Kureyon, colour 134, and am quite pleased with the effect so far. I'm not sure about the way that the stripes work up wider on the sleeves than the body but I could get used to it. This yarn was a sale bargain from Laughing Hens - I just had to have it ! I really like the pattern so far. It is simple and stylish. This will be quite a warm sweater - I would like to make this pattern again in something lighter, maybe with silk.

Other WIPs that I really want to finish soon are the Colinette Fandango boa scarf in a lovely plum colourway:

Also on the needles, a Jaywalker sock -


And, an Opal stripes sock. Almost reached the heel !


This one is just a basic sock pattern. Nothing fancy but I like the way the yarn is working up.

Of course, there may be a few other WIPs lurking in my cupboards but these are the ones that I am plannning to finish SOON.

Saturday, March 25, 2006

So, here it is - my very first blog entry ! I've been knitting for many years but it's only recently that I realised that it could be such a sociable activity. After enjoying the many inspirational knitting blogs that have sprung up over the last couple of years, I have finally decided that I just have to join in. I've made so many garments over the years with varying degrees of success but have been inspired by all the wonderful knitting blogs to try new techniques and generally be more creative. I love knitting accessories - socks, scarves, gloves, bags ! They have been flying off my needles over the last year.
There are so many exciting and challenging patterns available today that it is hard to choose a project to commit to. The real difference has been that I am now making things that are loved and worn either by myself or whoever they are gifted to.
Last year I made my first pair of socks - the first timeI had knitted anything in the round.





Now, I always have at least one pair on the needles. Socks are such a great portable project as well as being fabulous finished items. So far I have mostly enjoyed using self-striping yarns but plan to try some more ambitious designs this year.

My favourite project at the moment is the wonderful Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts which I am making in some beautiful Noro Kureyon. First time that I've used this amazing yarn and so far it is an easy but interesting knit. Pictures of my progress to follow soon ......