Flower Basket Shawl - finished !!!

The Flower Basket Shawl is now finished and I am really pleased with the way the Rowan Tapestry knitted up. It is the first time I've used any soy fibre and I found it very soft and silky. The striping effect is also very pleasing. I like this shawl a lot and would like to make it again in the largest size. This is the smallest shawl and it only took a couple of yards over two balls of Tapestry. The smaller scarf size version is one of my most worn knits from last year. I made it in some Colinette dk that I bought on Ebay.
Tonight I also finished the granny square scarf and have pinned it out to block in the loft. I wasn't sure about it until I blocked it and now I love it. I am definitely a born again blocker. I used to avoid washing my knits unless absolutely vital but now realise how important this stage is for getting a really professional finish. It should be dry in a couple of days if the good weather continues and I will post pictures. Also finished today at work - another pink curly wurly scarf. The ends need sewing in, so photos will follow tomorrow. This one is destined to be a Christmas gift.
The Dishcloth KAL is proving quite interesting. There is lots of Finished Object Gratification. Last Friday I managed to crochet 5 of them in one evening. Very satisfying ! I may dedicate next Friday evening to dishcloths as well. I expect that my output will slow down once the initial enthusuasm has worn off. It has been commented that they are too cute to use - I am fighting this feeling at the moment. After all, it is pointless if you don't use them.

This week I have mostly been making ..... dishcloths ! Having joined the Dishcloth Knitalong I felt an obligation to get stuck in and knit some. So far I have made 7, with one yet to be photographed. The simple ones only took about an hour each and the others were pretty quick. I'm thinking that these could be quite handy about the house if i can bring myself to use them.

The Flower Basket Shawl is also complete but still needs blocking. I think it is going to look stunning. I've also started on a crochet scarf from First Crochet which is coming along nicely. It is lots of little granny squares joined together. It's about half done .

I had the best surprise this week - a parcel arrived from my downstream One Skein Secret Pal, the lovely Ruth of www.rooknitting.blogspot.com . She sent me a fabulous skein of Colinette Giotto in a most beautiful shade of green. Having read my blog after the August "reveal", she can be pretty sure that I am very well pleased with this. This just proves to me that Knitbloggers are the most generous and friendly people. I am constantly surprised by how willing they are to share their enthusiasm, skills and even their stash ! This may have to become another drop stitch scarf. Thank you so much Ruth - I love it !
Last night I crocheted my first Curly Wurly scarf. The pattern is from the book First Crochet by Lesley Stanfield and the yarn is Rowan Soft Baby. For a one evening project I am very pleased with this. It was fun to make, didn't take a lot of concentration and is a lovely scarf to wear. It took very slightly over one ball and I am wondering whether to try and get a matching beanie hat out of the leftovers or buy another ball and make another scarf. This is another possible Christmas present project.



















My first couple of skeins of handspun are looking quite good . I plyed the larger skein - not very well, but I had a go. I am more pleased with the singles . My technique is improving with practise and I am very much enjoying the spinning. I want to make something with these but can't think what. Any ideas ?

Another Flower Basket Shawl

Last week there was some serious knitting time at work. Of course I took the opportunity to start yet another new project when I really should be tackling one of the numerous UFO's. I decided to start another Flower Basket Shawl with the Rowan Tapestry. The last one I made was in Colinette dk and was the scarf size. The Tapestry seems to be going a long way and it's looking as if I will get the small shawl size out of the two balls. I have one more pattern repeat and the lace border to knit and then it's finished. The colours are just great - really Autumnal.
Yesterday I lined the Fit To Be Tied clutch bag that I crocheted weeks ago and it is now officially a finished object. It's quite cute. I like these simple projects that use a single skein of yarn and can be embellished in various ways.

I am thinking that these could be great Christmas gifts.

I knitted a few more rows of the Madeline Wrap and am now past the armholes and ready to start the lacey front edging.

On Saturday morning my final parcel from my One Skein Secret Pal arrived. The wonderful Hazel sent me a brilliant pair of fingerless gloves - the pattern is Fetching from Knitty. They are totally gorgeous and go really well with the scarf that I knitted with the skein of Feza Premier that she sent me last month. She is a talented lady and also makes jewellry - as I have discovered from reading her blog www.knityoga.blogspot.com . She also included a beautiful beaded pin that will make a perfect fastening for my crochet One Button Bolero. It is also nice to know that my downstream pal really liked the stuff that I sent her. The whole exchange has been a lot of fun.

I frogged the too small sleeves of the Sweetpea Cardigan and made them again with a larger hook. This time they fit the armholes - yay ! I'm going to try and finish this one during the coming week. That would be if I don't get caught up with my new spinning wheel. Spinning -I love it ! It really only took a few minutes of fiddling around to work out what to do and I am feeling quite pleased with myself. Now it is a case of practise, practise, and more practise to get a really good even yarn. My very first efforts have converted this pile of Masham fleece into a spindle of yarn. It's a bit lumpy but on the whole I am really proud of it. There is enough fleece left to fill another spindle so I will probably make a chunkyish plyed yarn with it. There should be enough to make something like a hat. I want to make myself something out of my very first handspun yarn.

I managed to restrain myself from purchasing any more expensive yarn this week but did pick up this bag of lovely 100% wool 4 ply from a charity shop for £1.49. How could I pass up such a bargain ? There should be enough for a couple of pairs of socks or maybe a scarf. I also bought a couple of pattern magazines from Interweave Knits which are full of amazing patterns that I will probably never have time to make. I will very much enjoy thinking about making them though.