Fabric Obsession

Well, I haven't written anything on the blog for about a month! The start of the school year has knocked me for six, and it has taken me a few weeks to find a rhythm in my daily life now that Sophia is in full-time school! I have, of course, been knitting, and have turned my thoughts to Christmas gifts - most of my projects will be coming from Noro Designer Mini Knits Two by Jenny Watson. I'm currently knitting some gorgeous fingerless gloves - a very quick knit and as it is knitted in Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn, the self striping nature of the yarn keeps me amused!
The picture above reflects one of my new found interests (or obsessions, as my husband would say!) - I have joined a quilting group! It is something I've wanted to experiment with for some time, but didn't want the commitment of a college course or evening class. I've found a lovely group of very talented ladies who meet on a Friday morning in an informal, pay-as-you-go setting, which is perfect for me. The fat quarters in the picture are all fabrics by the amazing designer Amy Butler which I shall be using to make her Pink Bliss Quilt. I've a long way to go though, as I haven't cut out all my pieces yet - I just like looking at the fabric!!

Baby Blanket

Well, things have been a bit quiet on the blog front - I blame the Summer holidays! Over the weekend I completed this baby blanket for my friend's third baby, Emily. I had a sneaking suspicion that she may be a girl from the start, but in a moment of panic just before she was born, I ripped back the very lilac project I was working on an made this neutral offering instead!! I should have stuck with my gut instinct it seems! This was a great project to do - the pattern was easy to remember so it could be picked up and put down whenever. The pattern is taken from Debbie Bliss' Simply Baby and is made in her Rialto DK in beige which I happened to have in my stash. I've decided to use this pattern as my stock baby blanket! I've another friend due next week so I may make another one - this time using another stash yarn: cashmere cotton. It is another Debbie Bliss yarn which has sadly been discontinued.

Frustration on the sock front!

For some reason, only known to myself, I have decided to make ALL my family socks for Christmas. That's 22 pairs, or 44 socks, as my husband kindly reminds me on a regular basis!

Anyway, I have completed one pair, for one of my four sister-in-laws, using the very tried and trusted Regia pattern, and gorgeous fyberspates yarn. I have started on another pair for my brother-in-law Martin, this time, excitedly, using a pattern from my new purchase, The Little Box of Socks. The twisted German cast on proved to be the first 'challenge', and as I started to knit, it wasn't looking good. Thinking I could 'get away' with it I carried on. Several silly errors later and after trying this very large partially finished (past the heel turn and way down the foot) sock on my beloved's foot I decided it wasn't to be... Ripped!

After several deep breaths, I have now started the socks again. I've gone down a size, the twisted cast on looks much better and I seem to have learnt lots of valuable lessons. I'll post a picture of the finished socks soon (hopefully).

Lazy Saturday

I've been confined to the house today with a sore throat and runny nose. This has been coming on for a few days but probably wasn't helped by a 4 mile run in torrential rain yesterday morning! Early worries that I may have swine flu have disappeared as am decidedly brighter by tonight. This morning's post brought some welcome additions to my stash in the form of Peaches & Creme cotton which I plan to use to make the 'Absorba' bathmat - of Mason-Dixon fame. The majority of today was spent drinking tea, watching cricket and knitting socks. I am trying to fight off the urge to start a new project and complete the socks as well as putting the finishing touches to my 'Willow' tank top.

This afternoon, between overs and sneezes, Sophia and I got the guest bedroom ready for my brother, Gruff. He is returning from a year of travelling and should be here lunchtime tomorrow! Sophia and I made him a Victoria sponge in honour of his return!

American Sock

I had hope d to finish these 'Stars and Stripes' socks in time for July 4th! Once again time has marched on and only one sock is completed! I must learn to complete a pair before moving on to the next ones - I seem to have an ever increasing pile of odd socks. This wool was purchased at Web of Wool and is a Socka Fortissima yarn. The pattern used was the ever faithful Regia pattern. Now to finish the other socks - father's day socks (very belated, I know) and a pair for my daughter's teacher! Surely a pair of handmade socks will be a welcome gift among the countless chocolates and bath products!

Potatoes!!!!!

Ok, admittedly this post has nothing to do with knitting in the slightest but I just had to share my excitement! Here is the firstfruit of my labour - my first-ever homegrown potatoes! This evening, whilst watering my raised bed, these two were pushing up through the soil. As I said, nothing to do with knitting, but a domestic art none the less!!

Afternoon tea...

A plate of knitted cakes! These are a gift for Mark, the sugarcraft tutor. Lisa and I have been attending his courses for the last few years - today is the last class ever so we have knitted him some cakes! Here is my contribution to the project - a lemon meringue pie, an iced doughnut and a piece of carrot cake!

Hooray!!!

Here is a picture of me, 'modeling',( ha ha), the finished Hearfelt jacket! It's bigger than I'd hoped, so I'm going to try washing it to see if it'll close in a bit. Never, never, never again!!!

For some strange reason I have decided to make my whole family socks for christmas. I've purchased lots of sock wool, including Zauberball, Violet Green, Fyberspates, Opal and Regia, and it's all gorgeous. I've also got two new books ' Socks a la carte' and 'The Little Box of Socks'. They only arrived this morning, I need to make time to peruse them properly. Now, you think that would keep me busy enough, but no, I had to go and buy enough wool to make Debbie Abrahams Lithograph blanket too! Sooo, if I can manage a pair of socks and a square a week I'll be laughing!

Willow Update

Willow is marching on! After a brief hiatus (!) I have picked up the Willow tank top again. It is a tank top from Kim Hargreaves' book 'Breeze'. The book has some gorgeous vintage inspired knits and I'm already planning my next project! I've now completed the back of the tank top so hopefully I'll press on with the front this week. I much prefer knitting fronts than backs and I will especially like knitting this one as it has a deep scoop neck!

Surf and Sand

Another dishcloth! This one is to be known as the 'Surf and Sand' dishcloth. I love the colours in this one - especially the, almost jade, green. I followed the ballband dishcloth pattern as per usual and used the fabulous Peaches & Creme Ombres yarn. This shade is 'Royal Verde', shade 174. I photographed the dishcloth on my washing line in bright June sunshine with Swansea Bay as the backdrop!

Lisa and I are coming to the end of our cake decorating course this week. We are both working on a selection of knitted cakes as a thank you gift for our tutor! As well as this I am wondering if I've left it a bit late to start on two pair of Father's day socks!

Dishcloths...

Well, I've finally got over my writers/bloggers block! It's been a while...

During my absence, I've also managed to knit a couple of dishcloths. Mine don't really have a theme, I'm just trying out different patterns. The last two cloths have been on Ravelry's Dishcloths R Us group, featured as the monthly k/cal. You'll have to excuse the colour combinations, they were chosen by my lovely offspring!!!

I agree with Rhian, dishcloth knitting is dangerously addictive!

Now, back to the Hearfelt jacket...

Wavepool Dishcloth

Be warned - this dishcloth knitting lark is highly addictive. Once you start you literally can't stop! I love the fact that dishcloths are small, finite projects, easily knitted in a few evenings. In my case dishcloths bring respite from slow-growing, difficult knitting projects! This 'Wavepool Dishcloth' is part of my nautical dishcloth collection - the pattern is available as a Ravelry download. It is knitted, once again, in the fabulous Peaches & Creme - shade 23, baby blue. I have more dishcloth projects planned and also a bathmat!!

Saturday afternoon in the Sun

It has been another beautiful day here! Sophia and I enjoyed breakfast on the beach this morning at Caswell bay before returning for an afternoon of pottering in the garden. I fingered through magazines whilst basking in glorious sunshine - 'The Knitter' issue 6 and 'Crochet Today'!

Completed Seaside Dishcloth

The Seaside Dishcloth is finished and is sitting proudly on my draining board! I still intend to make a series of 'Nautical' dishcloths inspired by more good weather and my love of the colour blue!

Seaside Dishcloth

Moving on from the 'Flintoff Dishcloth' above is the 'Seaside Dishcloth'. I picked up this mini-project again today after a brief hiatus, inspired by the good weather and sea views from my house. The waves have been mesmerising today - the shades of blue have changed as the day has gone on, beautiful in the sunlight. This ball band dishcloth is knitted in Peaches and Creme Ombres shade 195 - powder puff. The blue and white yarn made me think of the sea hence the 'Seaside Dishcloth'. On reflection shade 201 may have been a more inspirational shade - it's called seamist! Oh well, I may start a seaside themed group of dishcloths....

Together at last!

The 'Colette' socks are finished and the pair is complete! I absolutely adored every minute of knitting these socks! The wool was purchased at 'Wonderwool' last month - two balls of AdriafilKnitcol in shade 046. At the time I had no idea what I would use the wool for - I just liked the colours. After a visit to my visit to my sister-in-law Colette, in Leeds, I took up the DPNs and made her this pair. The wool, although not strictly a sock yarn, knitted into perfect stripes using 3.5mm DPNs and the ever fabulous Regia 6-ply pattern. Needless to say I am thrilled with the results - and I hope my sister-in-law will be too!

Heartfelt Jacket

I've finally gone back to a project I started just under a year ago! It's a jacket called Elizabeth from Kim Hargreaves book Heartfelt. I'm not really enjoying it as much as I'd hoped. Shaping the two front pieces was very confusing and I just hope that they look the same when the jacket is on! Just the sleeves to go, at least I can follow the pattern without too much blood, sweat and tears for those!!! I'm not that keen on the summer tweed either, it's a bit like knitting with string!

Colette socks...seeking a partner.

As you can see I've been knitting more socks...again!! These were started over the weekend while I was hibernating with a hideous sore throat. This sock is sadly a lonely one as it is yet to aquire a partner!! I had hoped this would have progressed this afternoon during 'Knit and Natter'. It was, however, more a case of nattering today!! Hopefully the pair will be complete by the end of the week!

Katerina Shawl

I seem to be in the habit of posting photos of just started items resting on their patterns! This picture is very like the one of my 'Willow' tank top posted last week! I assure you that it is a different garment completely!!! With the hope of good weather in the air I decided I needed a fantastic lacy shawl to wrap up on those cool summer nights! Just the thing for Proms in the Park and Shakespeare in the castle! I came across the pattern in the fab new magazine The Knitter and am busy knitting it using Malabrigo Silky Merino DK, colourway Bobby Blue. It is going very well - till last night when during an absorbing episode of Law & Order I ended up with a few too many stitches...

More Wonderwool

Here is Family H (H for Haden, our surname!) at Wonderwool. This pic of Andy and Sophia was taken by Diana from First4yarns. The backdrop for the photo is in fact the stall itself! You can just about see me crouching down fingering the Opal sock yarn! Most of my purchases were made at here and I hope to post pics of my Peaches & Creme and Colinette projects over the next week or so!!

In progress ...

'Willow' tank top is still in progress and I think will be for a while! I am finding the handknit cotton an absolute nightmare to work with!! I have used Rowan handknit cotton on several projects in the past and always loved it so I'm surprised that I am not enjoying this project at all. I'm not sure if it's the pattern or the yarn but my poor finger joints are aching so much that 10-15 rows per day is the absolute maximum!! It may just be age though...everyone warned me it was downhill after 30...they may not have been lying. Expect slow progress.

New projects.

Rhian and I really enjoyed Wonderwool. There was a fabulous array of wool and accessories to purchase. I was very restrained, but did buy a few things for a couple of new projects. I couldn't leave without some Peaches and Creme cotton to make dishcloths. My daughters have a ball each too, and are both slowly creating a dishcloth with some interesting features like holes, twisted stitches and loops! I managed to finish this one in two evenings, which is good going for me!

I also bought a felted slipper kit and some wool for a felted bag, even though I already have wool for a felted bag, sigh, I just couldn't resist it. Oh well, it's been stashed in the drawer with all the rest, but hopefully not for too long.

My current project is a pair of Regia socks. Very enjoyable and addictive, so much so, I've already ordered more wool to make another pair! Once I have finished these I'm going to start on the broomstick lace jacket. I have recently joined Ravelry, and there is loads of info and pictures of the jacket which I'm sure is going to help when I get stuck!!! The pattern is from Stich Diva and they have also posted YouTube videos about broomstick lace and how to increase and decrease - very helpful. I'm not very good at crochet, let's hope I can pull it off!

Wonderwool

Lisa and I did Wonderwool last weekend - plus two husbands and 4 kids in tow! It was a fantastic success, despite threats of rain and a very windy picnic! Having said that the picnic was very upmarket and we had a chair each as well as a buffet table - we weren't sure if the strange looks from passers by were looks of pity or frank jealousy!! I made several purchases, including wool for a felted bag project, peaches & creme cotton and some lovely Colinette sock wool. It all remains in a little heap still waiting for me to sort through it all!

Little Scout....again!!

My version of Little Scout is finally completed. It is modelled by a poorly Sophia, snotty and exhausted from Wonderwool yesterday. It is knitted in Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk DK - the colourway is 'Blush', chosen by Sophia herself. Not a bad choice for a 3 year old I say!!!

And finally...

Here they are at last. The three Blue Sky Alpaca Knit Chickens! I really enjoyed knitting them, but I do think the bone coloured one is too large. The small stripy one is the perfect size. If I was to knit them again, which is unlikely as I am 'all chickened out', they would all be small. They took longer to knit than I'd hoped, and I didn't make the Easter deadline!!! My ten year old wasn't bothered though as she was too busy munching her way through endless Easter eggs!

Rhian, Cath and I are off to Wonderwool on Saturday. The husbands and kids are coming too, so it'll be a fantastic day out with a fab picnic to look forward to. I'll have to set myself a strict budget though, as the temptation to buy, buy, buy will be sooo great and I don't want too many disapproving looks from the hubby!!!

Now for the next project...

New Book and Project

This is the first of my three new books! Breeze is a collection of 21 vintage inspired designs by Kim Hargreaves. I have started 'Willow',which is a lovely tank top knitted in Rowan Hand Knit cotton, in a lovely green colour. The precise colour is Pesto and it is a brand new colour for summer! Both the book and wool are available from Laughing Hens. Unfortunately 'Little Scout' has fallen by the wayside for the last few days due to the new found 'Willow' but I intend picking it up again this afternoon at knit and natter!

Weekend Festivities!

Not much knitting at my end over the last week - well no completed projects anyway! I have started 'Picnic' - an afghan from Blankets & Throws to Knit by Debbie Abrahams and have nearly completed a pink version of 'Little Scout' - Lisa's blue version was posted on the blog last week. Despite lack of progress on the practical front there has been a lot of knitting-related web-based research going on instead - the results of which should partly land on my doormat tomorrow morning!

Our Easter weekend festivities involved a visit to Folly Farm, where I met some angora goats! The goats were very camera shy and after several shots of their rear ends I gave up and photographed this informative poster instead!

Baby Easter Chickens!

These little chickens are adorable!! Very quick and easy to make and excellent Easter decorations. The pattern can be found in The Organic Cotton Collection by Rowan. I've knitted them using Sublime Baby Cotton Kapock in combinations of Milkshake (cream), Fairycake (pink), Scoop (lime) and Beaker (blue). I will attempt to embellish them before the end of the week with some sort of embroidery...watch this space!!! Now back to the Blue Sky Alpaca Knit Chickens both Lisa and I are knitting. It's a race against time!!

Little Scout

Here is a picture of my daughter's finished top...

Unfortunately it knitted up quite snugly, so I don't think it's going to fit her for long. I'm surprised at that as I usually knit loosely.

Now for knit chickens. It's a fabulous pattern by Blue Sky Alpacas, which has the most glorious, tactile yarn, which is organic. There are three to make, and I've made the small one - great fun. The yarn is working beautifully with my knitpro needles, but I just don't want to do anything else!!! Now I have to make the other two in time for Easter, wish me luck! I'll post a picture of all three soon...

The Flintoff Dishcloth

I have started knitting a dishcloth. The yarn I am using is Peaches & Creme in white, purchased on my recent trip to Mid-Wales. The pattern is featured in the current copy of Debbie Bliss Magazine. I started knitting whilst watching the England cricket team play the West Indies in a One Day International on Friday night. Andrew Flintoff bowled excellently, earning him the best bowling statistics of his career to date. The dishcloth, therefore, is to be referred to as the 'Flintoff Dishcloth' in honour of his bowling prowess!

More socks!

Another pair of socks completed and modelled by their recipient - my mother-in-law! The socks are made in Opal Rainforest 4 cassandra - it is available from Modern Knitting.

Look what I've got...

Yes, the deluxe set of Knit Pro symfonie interchangeable needles! Very exciting. I can't wait to use them on the felted bag project. They're so smooth and luxurious to touch, I'm sure knitting with them will be an absolute dream!!!

I do, however, need to finish my daughter's tank top first (so nearly there), but I'm chomping at the bit to get some yarn around these lovelies!

I've also ordered yet another project, I know, I know, involving a rather large pair of needles. It's a jacket using Rowan cotton glace and is a cross between knitting and crochet called broomstick lace. The jacket is quite fitted and apparently knits up fairly quickly.

Looking forward to knit 'n' natter tomorrow. Let's hope my 3 yr old allows some knitting this time..

Completed Socks!

Socks for Mother's Day!

Purchases from last weekend

I was away in Mid-Wales last weekend, staying near Newtown - just 18 miles from one of my favourite online wool shops! I dragged my husband and 3 year old daughter cross country in order to visit First 4 Yarns in the flesh. The shop has a great range of more unusual yarns as well as the Rowan and Debbie Bliss lines. We had a fantastic welcome - I had free range to browse the shelves while my husband and daughter had tea and CBeebies in the back room on comfy sofas. I made several purchases (transactions made in whispers so husband couldn't hear!) including some lovely Opal sock yarn and Peaches & Creme yarn in two shades - it's time to start knitting the dishcloths!

Cancelled knitting night out!

Unfortunately tonight's knitting get together has been cancelled. This is due to several factors including, ill children, unwell mums and an identity theft!!!

We will try to arrange another one, hopefully in two weeks time.

Will try and knit something tonight, let's see...

Knitting night out

Went to knit and natter yesterday, did lots of nattering, but no knitting - not even a stitch! My three year old had other ideas, again.

Still waiting for the sock wool and the wool for the felted bag project to arrive. It's probably a good thing that it hasn't got here yet as it's giving me a chance to finish a top for my 10 year old daughter. It's called 'Little Scout' from the Sublime children's double knitting book. I'm using the 'extra fine merino wool dk' in shade 007, which my daughter chose. I'll take a picture of it when it's finished.

I'm looking forward to our knitting evening in the pub tonight. It should be good fun. I bet we get loads done - no distractions (husband, kids, TV etc.)!

You're my wonderwool...

Just a quick post to draw your attention to Wonderwool Wales. This is an annual festival held at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells, celebrating Welsh wool and natural fibres. The dates for this year are the 25th and 26th of April. I am very excited about a road trip along the windy roads of Mid-Wales to this wool fest!

Work in progress

I have just returned from a lovely weekend in Mid-Wales and am steadily working through the heap of laundry we have managed to generate! My knitting sits abandoned on the kitchen sofa and am itching to get back to it! The work in progress is a pair of socks for Mother's day - knitted in Schoppel Wolle Intarsia shade 1746. I have completed one sock and am frantically working on the second! This pair is intended for my mother - I still need to start and finish a another pair for my mother-in-law. There is nothing like self-induced pressure!

Sock Wool...

I have now gone and ordered wool to make socks! As if I didn't have enough on the go already!!! I did, however, manage to finish the cardi and hat for my nephew, but forgot to take a photo before I gave it! Oh well, I'll have to find something else to take a picture of.

My South African mother-in-law told me something rather amusing. Apparently part of the Xhosa tribe, known as 'the amaPondo' are into knitting, especially the men!!! They probably need to knit as they come from a pretty cold (in winter, anyway) part of the Eastern Cape. She tells the story of a burly cane cutter who used to knit every evening after work! Funny, and many still think of knitting as a 'granny's' hobby. Two of my non-knitting friends fell about laughing when I told them of our plans to create a knitting group and blog! I'll see if I can convert them.....

Finished cardigan

I've managed to complete one of my projects today - hooray! Well, almost, I just need to buy and sew on 4 buttons. It's a cardigan for my 4 week old nephew. Photo to follow. Now for the matching hat...

Knitting Night....

We're having a knitting 'get together' in the Uplands Tavern, Swansea, on Weds 18th March at 7pm. I'm sure the booze will help get the tongues wagging and the pattern ideas flowing!!! If there are any knitters in Swansea out there please join us, you'll be very welcome. We won't be hard to spot, there'll be needles and balls of wool everywhere!! Oh and wine, beer, gin etc.

Funky Knitting Needles

One of the things about knitting that gives me pleasure is in the materials and equipment I use. I can spend hours looking and choosing beautiful yarns ...and hours buying it as well! When it comes to the knitting needles I only use wooden needles. The majority of my needles are bamboo, but recently I have developd a bit of a obsession as far as funky knitting needles go! My collection at present includes Art Viva needles with beautiful dotty tops, made from Tasmanian Oak and some gorgeous butterfly topped Serendipity needles. All I need to do now is slap on the handcream and start knitting some new projects - after I've finished my socks...and my hot-water bottle cover...and my nephew's blanket...and...and...why do I always have so many projects on the go at once!!! Rhian xxx

New project!

I'm very excited! Have just ordered wool to make a felted bag. It's Crystal Palace yarn, and, apparently, felts easily. I've never felted anything before, well, not intentionally anyway, so we'll see. I've never knitted a bag before either, so this really could be an imminent disaster! Let's hope not!!! I must just remember to keep the excitement at bay and read the pattern properly first...

First post on the new site!

Well, here we are at last, a blog of our own. It's still work in progress and some things may change over the next few days/weeks!

We set up our first knitting group today. What a laugh! Managed to swap some ideas and thoughts and show off our knitting. My unruly toddler had other ideas though and I only managed to knit 3 rows in an hour and a half!!!

I've currently got 4 projects on the go, and another 2 waiting on the sideline! Unfortunately, one project has been gathering dust for so long I've completely forgotten where I am, hmmm...

Happy knitting everyone.

Lisa.