Today's Spotlight Haul!

I went to spotlight today for their massive end of year sale. I also had 2 coupons for $10 off. And what I came away with is unbelievable!

7 50g balls Patons Inca blue 7026
7 50g balls Patons Inca brown 7030
12 50g balls cleckheaton green 1301
12 50g balls cleckheaton grey 0216
20 50g balls cleckheaton wide olive green 0006

And all it cost me was $77!!! Unbelievable! Going by retail shelf prices it should've cost me over $350! I'm honestly amazed and thrilled. I have enough for 3 sweaters for myself and 2 for my son.

I love sales!!!!!

Loving my Owls

After finishing the "Ugly Socks" I got back into knitting my owls sweater, even though the season is completely wrong! I'm wearing strapless dresses due to accidental- but severe- sunburn. It is hot! So knitting a jumper seems a bit silly, but after finishing my February Lady Sweater, I remembered how much I love knitting sweaters.

I had two unfortunate projects, a grey and black striped sweater and my basic black cardigan, which kinda turned me off sweater knitting for a while. I am also a little unhappy with the fit of my Seneca sweater, I do not like the extra fabric in the back, and I should've made it longer.

So it was these projects which took away some of my enthusiasm. But I have realized that as long as I knit to fit me, and add in the design elements, I seem to be happy.

My owls sweater has nothing to do with the pattern so far, knit out of dk and not a bulky weight, I have had to do a lot of recalculating for the body and sleeves. My first attempt at the body was too big, second try a perfect fit. The sleeves are a perfect fit as well, although I did not take into account wearing a long sleeved top underneath. But I'm not going back now. I should finish the first sleeve today.

The yoke will obviously have the owls pattern in it, but it will be significantly smaller than the original design. But I think I'll prefer that anyway. Once I join the sleeves I will probably knit for a few rows, then do a decrease round to set up for the owls pattern. Follow that with 2 more yoke decrease rounds after and it should work out to plan, I hope. Looking forward to the challenge either way.

Ugly, hideous socks!

I finished the socks that I said were not my colors, and I think they are hideous! On one sock the skein had a color progression error, so they barely even look fraternal. I do not like them.

I have also reached another conclusion, I do not enjoy doing afterthought heel socks either. I do like how the color progressions stay intact, but I find them boring to knit. I miss my slip stitch, short row heel. I love doing them! Plus I find they fit my feet a lot better.

I have never cared whether my socks match, to me the fit is most important, along with the enjoyment of knitting them. So for me, back to colors I prefer, and the design I like best. You may need sunglasses for these socks though!

Presenting: The February Lady Sweater!

I have not posted in a long time, between having bronchitis, working, buying a new car, working and the approach of the silly season, I barely had time to knit, let alone have anything to discuss. I desperately needed a more interesting project other than my 2 stockinette projects, but I did not have the energy to cast anything new on.

But first, I'd like to present the finished February Lady Sweater, which has become one of my favourite cardigans already, along with my Tangled Yoke and my Central Park Hoodie. I wore this all day yesterday:

I do apologise for the quality of the photos, It's not always easy taking a picture of yourself in the mirror! The image of the cardigan isn't the best, but you can see that it fits well, is the perfect length and size. So happy with the end result.

At first I was sceptical about choosing such a dark color, but it is just right for me. I think the darkness of the yarn combined with the lace pattern within the cardigan gives it just enough elegance and youth to make it an everyday sweater for me.

Hopefully, I will continue to blog more frequently, I'm on holidays now, my needles are clicking and the main chaos of the holidays has passed. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Only Stockinette in the Round

At the moment I have only two projects on the needles, my Owls sweater and a pair of afterthought heel socks. All I have is miles and miles of what feels like endless stockinette in the round.

Working on the February Lady Sweater reminded me of how much I love the various stitches that can be made in knitting, how interesting it can be. So tonight I did a mass printout of lace shawl patterns.

I haven't cast anything on yet, I can't decide what I want to do yet. I also have my eye on a few other cardigans that have lace in them, for summer. Cables for winter.

I also have my eyes on some color work sweaters for me and a circular shawl as some of my goals for next year. For now, I'm over the mindless stockinette!

February Lady Sweater, Unblocked

So, my February lady sweater has all the knitting finished, and I still have half a ball of wool left. I chose not to keep going, when I tried it on and stretched it a little, it was the perfect length.

Now I need to weave in ends, give it a soak and block it. Very exciting! I'm very happy with it so far, and expect to be even happier with it once it's blocked. I love the fact that once you have cast off that last stitch, you are done! The beauty and magic of seamless knits.

Both February Sleeves Finished

I was off sick yesterday, a lovely case of bronchitis. I have been watching Sanctuary, a new series which I really enjoy. I also got stuck into my February Lady Sweater, and am pleased to say that both the sleeves are now complete.

I have tried it on and it fits beautifully, the sleeves come just past my elbows. Unfortunately, I ran out of yarn during the cast off on the second sleeve and had to start another ball to finish it. Definitive proof that not all balls of yarn have the same meterage.

I have continued on the body, and now have one and a half balls left which should give me the perfect length. On the home run now!

One February Sleeve

I fished the first sleeve yesterday. It used up a full 50g ball of wool so I'm happy I chose to do it before finishing the body. I kept the extra 7 stitches in because I have wide arms, and I'm pleased to say they fit perfectly. So far, unblocked.

I'm not a big fan of top down knitting, it is so awkward knitting the sleeves. I much prefer bottom up knitting, even if the first few rows after adding the sleeves are a little fiddley, I still enjoy the process more.

But on we go, I've picked up the stitches and I'll begin the second sleeve.

Not My Colors

I started a new sock today, another afterthought heel, and I have chosen a yarn that is the complete opposite of what colors appeal to me. I love blue undertones in my colors, a lot of blues, greens, purples, maroons and occasionally a bit of pink. I've never been drawn to yellows, oranges or bright reds.

And that I think, is the beauty of sock yarns. You can play with colors you wouldn't normally use, or colors that do not look good on you, because in the end, they'll be on your feet.

I first discovered this with the last pair of socks I made, the pink and green were not colors I typically would wear, but I loved knitting them. And I hope it's the same for these. Either way it'll keep my project page bright!

My Daughter Is Wearing My Socks!

A lot of the socks I have made myself are too small now, either due to knitting them with only 56 stitches, my gauge being too tight, or they have accidentally made it through the washing machine and dryer.

I have discovered that when they are too tight, they itch me like crazy, and are also generally uncomfortable. So I suggested my daughter try some on and if they kinda fit she can have them as bed socks. And to her absolute delight they fit! Well almost.

The socks seem to fit really well in circumference, but still an inch or so too long in the toe. Plenty of room to grow I said. So, I will now continue knitting my bigger socks for me, and pass on all the pairs that are now too small for me. I'm just glad I found a recipient, I did not want to have to throw them away!

FO: Afterthought Heel Socks

I have finished my first afterthought heel socks, and they are very similar. I expected there to be a big difference in how they looked, much more fraternal rather than identical, but they sort of worked out the same. Almost.

They fit well, however I may add an extra 1/4 inch to the foot as they feel a little bit too short. Not enough to make them unwearable, just a tiny bit noticeable. Overall I'm very pleased with how they have turned out, and the afterthought heel is so easy!

I really enjoyed knitting these colors up as well. The dark/black sections and the gorgeous blue are certainly my colors, and I'd never really liked pale pinks or bright lime greens. And yet the combination of all of these colors made a bright, colorful and happy yarn that lifted my mood every time I picked it up. I definitely want some more of these bright colors in my future.

February Lace

I began the lace, then split for the sleeves on Monday. It seems like the cardigan will fit, but I think I need a few more inches in length to truly be able to tell. I'm thrilled with how it's going, love the way it looks and have memorized the lace repeat already.

I think I will be working in the sleeves soon, to make sure that I will have enough yarn to make my February lady sweater the length I want. I still have about 5 50g balls left. It should be enough. I feel like I'm getting some knitting mojo back, for a while it wasn't exciting me much, even though the obsession barely wavered. And with this cardigan, the passion is coming back, I think I will need to have lace on my needles more often!

February Lady Sweater

I have cast on for the February Lady Sweater, actually, I cast on on Saturday. I spent all day knitting on it and really enjoying it. Until yesterday, when I got to the yarn over increase row. This was when I started to worry about the size of the cardigan, I don't want it to be too swingy. But not too fitted either.

Then I got stuck on the length of the yoke. It was way too short if I decided to do the lace where recommended, even though the pattern says to knit garter until the fabric nearly touches under the arms. I'm having a lot of trouble figuring that out as I can 't get it to sit right. But I think I'm there now, so I'm going to start the lace tonight.

I'm using Cleckheaton 100% wool in a navy blue color, and I'm liking how it's coming out so far. I just really hope it fits nicely.

FO - Brambles Hat

The Brambles hat is finished, ends woven in, but not blocked yet, and not sure if I will either. Very happy with how it came out, but I probably could've knit it on 4.5mm needles instead. Fits well but I was expecting it to be slouchier. I know blocking can fix this, but I don't want it to have the beret style shaping to it.

The pattern is wonderfully eritrean, easy to follow and a very quick knit. Highly recommended . The yarn was really nice to knit with as well, soft and squishy and it feels very warm knit up.

Loving Brambles

This afternoon has been spent working on my brambles hat, and loving it. It's been a long time since I had a pattern with cables and texture in it, it has been so engrossing knitting it up and seeing the pattern develop. The yarn is working up into a lovely, thick and soft fabric and I know this hat is going to be so nice and warm. Pity the weather is warming up.

I have finished the body of the hat and am ready to start the crown decreases. I plan to try to finish it tomorrow, soak it and block it, probably with a plate. We'll see.

Pretty Little Facecloth

About a year ago now, I purchased a lot of cotton yarn on sale at Spotlight. It is called "Bella Baby - Evelyn". The yarn is 100% cotton, and predominately white, with a single ply of color blended in, for a very pretty and muted color.

I finally decided to start knitting it up, and I wanted facecloths. So I found the pattern, "grandmothers favorite dishcloth" and did a slight variation due to the fact that the yarn I'm using is a fingering weight rather than a worsted.

So I'm knitting my cloth up on 3.25mm needles and my midpoint to change to decreases was 60 stitches. I'm very happy with the size and the texture, it is nice and soft and fine, perfect for the face. I'm sure there will be many more to come.

Beginning Brambles

I have been eyeing the Brambles pattern from Knitty for a very long time now. As I have multiple stockinette projects on the needles I decided what better time to start a new hat, than now. I plan to knit the longest version, I like as much slouch as possible. I'm looking forward to knitting the pattern, it looks very interesting and like a lot of fun.

I'm using Cleckheaton perfect day 8ply wool. It's a 70% merino 30% alpaca blend, completely natural with no dyes used in the coloring. The yarn is a lovely light brown/grey color and so soft. Definitely going to be an enjoyable knit.

FO: One Row Alpaca Scarf

I don't think I've mentioned it before, but I was given 2 skeins of a handspun alpaca blend yarn in a really nice green with flecks of blue from katinspace at an s'n'b. She had purchased it for herself and decided the colors weren't her, and lucky for me, they were mine!

I decided to knit up the One Row Scarf pattern by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. I needed a scarf and I loved that this pattern is reversible, easy to memories and can use up every last inch of the yarn.

I plan to knit this scarf again, probably with a gradient handspun yarn, in fact I think I know the one I want to spin for it .........

First afterthought heel

I have completed my first afterthought heel, although as you can see it was not done after the sock was knit. I didn't want to risk making the sock too short, so I decided to knit the heel after a few inches of the foot.

I also admit I was too impatient to wait, I wanted to see how the heel would fit. I love it! The fit is really comfortable and the sock is a lot easier to put on. I love how the stripes continue on, and even though I know the socks will be fraternal, I still look forward to knitting it.

My new favourite heel I think!

FO - Travelling Woman

I have finished, blocked and weaves in the ends of my xs travelling woman. I love the pattern, it was very enjoyable to knit and I may have to knit myself a bigger version, or perhaps my mum.

I am still completely in love with my handspun, the color, the fineness (for me) and the softness. It knit up beautifully if I do say so myself.

A big surprise was how much yarn I had left, I'm wondering whether my calculations were accurate for length. All I did was measure the length of the unwound skein, multiply it by 2, then multiply it by however many lengths of yarn there were. A bit primitive I know, but all I've got for now.

FO: Variegated Monkeys

I have finished my variegated monkey socks, actually I finished them last week, but i hadn't had time to take pictures. They do seem to fit well, as long as I'm cool. If I'm hot my feet swell and they get a bit small.

I absolutely love the color and I really enjoyed the pattern. But I don't think they will be on my needles again, was a bit bored with them by the end.

On my needles at the moment is my traveling woman shawlette which I'm pretty much knitting on exclusively, and loving it!

Muddy Baktus

When I went to the Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show back in July, I purchased Mountain Mist Merino/Bamboo top which you can see here. It is a gorgeous top, I adore the colors and the bamboo/ merino blend was unbelieveably soft. As soon as my Mum saw the top she wanted me to spin it up for her. So I did.

I'm not sure how much I like the finish product, it is definately growing on my. I had never spun anything quite so colorful before, and I just spun it. No color seperation, no attempt at any control, just spinning. It was really pretty as a single, and one I made it a 2 ply, the colors muddied together til you were left with what you can see above, an interesting color with no obvious or distinct colors. At first I hated it, although now it has kinda grown on me.

The way it looks below appealed to me, and my sense of color. But I gave it to my mum. I knit the baktus scarf. But because of my spinning, which I mostly blame on not having spun for a long time and the fibre I was spinning, the finished product was closer to a worsted weight and certainly inconsistant. 

I did not enjoy spinning the blend, I found it very slippery, very difficult to control and it kept breaking on me. I struggled to get any consistancy within the fibre, and the thick and thin spots were as if it was a first spinning project. I think I will stick to animal fibres for my spinning. After all why spin it if you don't enjoy it? But the fibre was beautiful, and soft and I wish I had enjoyed it more. But I guess it's all part of the learning experience.

Beginning my travels

I have begun my traveling woman shawl in xs fingering weight. Very happy with the results so far. My handspun is knitting up beautifully. Can't wait to begin the lace charts!

Cashmere Bush Shawl

When I went to Bendigo Sheep and Wool show in July, I managed to find and buy a gorgeous fingering weight skein of an 80% merino, 20% cashmere blend in stunning reds, from a brightish red, through to a depp maroon and crimsons. I decided to knit up a shawl with it, because honestly, what else do you do with a cashmere blend?

So I decided on the Bush Shawl by Carlotta Cecchi. It is a very simple design, which is what I was aiming for because I didn't want the colors to get lost in something complicated. I also chose this pattern because I figured it would be relatively easy to continue on past the end of the pattern so I could use up as much of the yarn as possible. It was quite a large skein, I think around 450 meters. I was able to do about an extra 6 repeats of the lace pattern rows, which I'm glad I did, because I finished up with barely any yarn left at all.

Unfortunately I could not get a photo that showed off the true beauty and depth of the colors, but you get the idea. I would definately recommend this pattern for any project that you want to show off the yarn, with enough patterning to keep your interest.

Time to try an afterthought heel?

I cast on for a new sock a few days ago, just a basic stockinette sock. But I'm wondering if it's time to try an afterthought heel? Part of me is a little apprehensive after my toe-up disaster, they were the most uncomfortable socks ever. But I do like the idea that other than adding a small piece of scrap yarn, I can knit mindlessly for a very long time.

I think I might give it a try, still have a few inches to go before I need to decide.

Gorgeous Green Handspun

I finished spinning up the roving I bought from the spinning guild at Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show. It is the most beautiful green, the roving consisting of dark greens, Kelly greens, teal and jade. Rather than splitting the colors up, I just spun them as they came.

The skein has turned out beautiful and pictures don't do it justice. I think it is the most gorgeous green I have seen, with the color variations giving the wool a lot of depth and personality.

I spun it on a faster speed than usual and managed to make each single a lot finer than usual. In the end, the merino became a 2 ply fingering weight at about 300m. I still have a small quantity on the bobbin, but not enough to do anything with.

I think this skein will grow up to be a small traveling woman shawl. I know it will definitely be a shawl, it is so soft and pretty it must be worn close.

Maybe I'll cast on tomorrow.......

Slow progress

I'm back at work and as expected my knitting time has dropped dramatically. But I'm slowly getting there. I have been working on my owls sweater, and have completed the first set of waist decreases. I know the calculations for the shaping, according to my body and gauge. I also have plans for a new way of shaping the sweater to my bust. I have found all my sweaters and cardigans have too much fabric at the back, but fit fine in the front. So after reading up on shaping, in particular "fit to flatter" I am going to increase up to the size underneath my bust, then do dome short row shaping to fit my bust. That's the plan anyway.

My second monkey has just finished the cuff, and that's it. Very slow progress, a row here and there, but that's all. I have been enjoying knitting my sweater on larger needles for now.

On a sad note, another pair of handknit socks have died. I really hope that my new socks on 64 stitches will last longer.

Not a stitch in sight

I moved house yesterday, and it was the first day I can remember that I did not knit a single stitch. Or spin.

The move took 3 truckloads, over a dozen carloads, but now it is almost over. The other house still needs a massive clean and there is a lot of stuff to go to the tip. All this will have to be done by others because I go back to work tomorrow.

I was up til 2am setting things up. And a bottle and a half of Shiraz. Today I'm in agony. My body is aching.

I also feel a bit nostalgic about the other house, so much happened there and I'm kind of sad to leave, even though a fresh start is exciting.

Today I have the second monkey sock and my owls sweater to work on. And of course my spinning. Hoping I get plenty of time for knitting and spinning today.

Still a little small

I finished my first variegated monkey and I'm not so sure it's fitting right. This is really disappointing as the last pair of socks I knit with 64 stitches on 2.25mm needles fit perfectly.

But the monkey seems a bit tight, particularly when trying to get it over the heel. I'm not sure if it's the lace stitches reducing the stretch ( which I assume it is) or if it's that the needles I used are too small. I know the pattern suggests 2.5mm needles but this size is not as readily available here in Australia. Not impossible, but not as easy to find.

I have located some addi turbo 40cm circulars in 2.5mm on eBay, which I might order, or I'll have to go for a drive to sunspun, which is a yarn store that sells knit pro and addi's I believe.

I'm still loving the color, but I think it'll be the last pair of monkeys I knit. But I think I will look at more cookie a patterns to knit, I have enjoyed them.

I am married

A little off topic, especially since I have barely knit a stitch in the last few days, but as of Saturday, I am a married woman! We have been together for almost 11 years and have 2 kids, yet it was still a nerve-wracking experience. But now it is over, I had a wonderful time and am very happy.

Variegated Monkeys

I have started a new pair of monkey socks by Cookie A. My last pair popped in the ball of the foot. Hoping these ones last longer. They are a nylon blend this time. I'm knitting them with King Cole Zig Zag sock yarn in purple. Was lucky enough to buy this skein and 2 others on sale.

Unfortunately I don't own a pair of 2.5mm needles and couldn't find any at the shops. So I'm using 2.25mm needles. This is what I used last time as well. I briefly considered going up to 2.75mm but thought they would probably be too big.

Either way they are so pretty and soft!

64stitch socks

I completed a new pair of socks, using 64 stitches instead of my usual 56. I was finding that on a few pairs the socks were getting tighter and one pair in particular was unwearable. I also found a few pairs popping in the ball of the foot. So I threw them away.

But this got me thinking that perhaps I was making my socks too small, with too much negative ease. So I knit a pair with more stitches, and I am pleased to say they fit really well. Snug but not constricting.

We will see how they go over time, but I am hoping they are more durable, long wearing and comfortable.

As a side note, they are knit from Moda Vera Noir sock yarn from Spotlight. Colorway is unknown, but a mix of pink, purple, orange and green. Very happy with the results.

Food dye blanket

I have completed, washed and blocked my log cabin blanket. This blanket has been made from wool that I dyed back in January, using vinegar and food dyes. The blanket is colorful and my kids love it.

The wool I used is not the softest, but ideal for a blanket, and it is lovely and warm.

This photo does not do the blanket justice, the colors are deep, vibrant and so happy! I have some wool left which I considered making as tassels, but for now I can't be bothered.

I am very happy to be finished with it though, the garter stitch was getting s bit numbing, and the blanket was getting very awkward to knit on due to it's size.

Now to focus on socks, an adapted version of the owls sweater and probably a lace shawl as well. No garter stitch for a while!

Making Progress

The last few weeks have not been the best for knitting, with life being busy, I just wanted something to knit that required no thought at all, so I worked on a pair of vanilla socks in a really nice blue colorway from Patonyle. This became my only knitting as I was enjoying it all over again. Now they are done. And sorry, no pics yet as I had to wear them immediately after the final ends were woven in, so I will take a picture after they have been washed. But now I have cast on another vanilla sock:

 You'll have to excuse the blurs, I didn't realise at the time! As you can see I have begun the cuff of the first sock and it's being knit out of Moda Vera Noir, Pink Mix. Not my favourite sock yarn, but I have it in my sash so I'm using it. I think I'm ready for the leg now, I usually only knit the ribbing for an inch or so, until it bores me.

 I have also cast on the one row scarf from the Yarn Harlot. On the weekend at my S'n'B, I was given 2 skeins of handspun alpaca in lovely teales and blues. I had originally cast it on as a Saroyan, but the stitch definition was terrible. So I chose the simpler "one row scarf " and it is working up lovely. Pattern is memorised, I love the texture, and I like the idea that I knit until there is no more!

 Lastly, I finally made some progress on my Handspun Seneca. I have finished the body to the armholes, and had to begin a sleeve, but I wasn't in the mood to do the horizontal cables, and last night I finally had the desire to work on it.......and I'm so glad I did. It was nice working on something that required some concentration, but also so much fun watching the cable develop.

I'm looking forward to being able to wear the Seneca soon, I think it will be a really warm and comfy knit. For now though, I'm just happy that my joy for knitting is back.

These socks make me Happy :)

After my unhappy ending for the Leyburn Socks, and the boring finishing of the Classic Black Cardigan, and Nathan's jacket being too big.....I needed to knit something for me, something pretty and something soft. So I chose socks. Basic, predictable pattern, at least that way there can be no surprises and I know what to expect.

So I chose this yarn, Patonyle shade 1111 (very exciting name isn't it?) and am knitting the Knitmore Girls Vanilla Sock pattern which you can find here. And I am loving it. The yarn is so soft and smooshy and feels so nice being knit, and the self-striping shades of blue are fun and pretty too! The pattern, now that I've memorised it, is easy especially for times when you need something to knit and don't want to learn anything new.....or think too much.

So with these socks I know that they will fit and fit well, and this project should be free from frustration, disappointment and boredom. And I know that as soon as these are done, another pair will be on the needles, I think I also need the quick satisfaction that a pair of vanilla socks provide.

In conclusion......these socks make me Happy, very Happy!

Lost Needle Gauge........Again

Although I suspect that the gauge has either decided to play an impromptu game of hide and seek or has run away for good. I don't like to think of how many needle gauges I have lost ( or ran away) from me. It is very frustrating. I do not want to go to Spotlight to buy another, yet I have searched everywhere and I cannot find it. I'm sure that it will make itself known once I have ownership of another, because, that's what always happens.

And doesn't these things always happen when you NEED them? I NEED the needle gauge to locate my 4.5mm circulars, of which I need two, so that I can begin the sleeves for my Handspun Seneca. And so instead of being able to quickly stick the needles into holes and them keeping or rejecting them, I have been holding the needles together with the existing 4.5mm that has the Seneca body on it........and attempting to assess if they are the same size or not. Very tedious and filled with self-doubt.

But in the end I think I have located the needles, and really hope that I am right. I have finally finished off my other projects (coming soon) and have begun a pair of gorgeous blue self-striping socks from Patonyle, which are my travel knitting (or knitting while on lunch, on the exercise bike or while cooking dinner). And I NEED the Seneca to make some more progress, it has been left to the side for too long and for no good reason.

So, here's hoping my nimble fingers can accurately gauge my needles, and that the sleeve I cast on tonight will be the right size. It would be just too sad if it wasn't.

FO - Leyburn Socks :(

So I finished the Leyburn Socks. Not so happy. Not even sure if they will live out the week.

They look ok, and the pattern was alright, but I just don't like them. I had one of those moments back at the beginning of sock 1 that I ignored, and I shouldn't have. I did learn from these socks, I learned the provisional cast-on, and got the general idea of how a toe up sock works. Unfortunately the pattern assumes you know how to knit a toe-up sock, and suggests you "use your favourite toe and heel". Not much help for me there. But I found the Generic Toe-Up Sock Pattern by Wendy Johnson which was very helpful.

Now the first problem I have with these socks is that I do not like the way they fit my feet. I do not believe I did anything wrong, I just think that the shaping of the foot of this type of toe-up sock is not for me. I know that so many people prefer knitting toe-up socks, and prefer the way they fit, but for me, I much prefer cuff-down. Not only for the fit, which I find is really excellent for my feet, but also for the construction. I founf the toe-up method a lot more fiddly and less enjoyable. I will admit I cast on a cuff down vanilla sock within minutes of weaving in the final ends of the Leyburn socks!

My other problem, and this is probably because I have wide feet, is that the socks feel too tight, and there is no give in them. They were just not very comfortable. In fact, it felt like my feet were actually bandaged up. I know I got gauge so that is not the issue, I think it is just a combination of the inflexibility of the lattice pattern and that my feet are wide. So unfortunately, I think I may frog these socks and make another pair from a different pattern. Ordinarily I wouldn't be fussed, but I do not know of anyone else who may benefit from these socks either.

But in the end, I made them, and although they were a bit fiddly I learned a lot and still enjoyed the knitting. And that's what's important........right?

FO - Chunky Cabled Beret

Last week I spent an entire day knitting this:

A nice, thick and very warm beret for the days I am outside all day in the freezing cold.......which is every day at work lately. We are setting up a new store and my days are spent checking stock as it comes out of the shipping containers. The building is not finished yet either, so no office, no seats, and no heating. I have never been so grateful for my warm woollen handknits!

This hat seriously only took 1 day. 1 day of knitting it exclusively all day. But in the end so worth it. And I really loved the pattern and I knit it out of some left over 10ply I had from making my father-in-laws vest and my dad's christmas beanie and fingerless mitts, which I am very pleased to say are being worn.

I plan to knit this hat again, but there are so many in my queue, that phase 2 may be a long way away.

This weekend is about finishing for me, so hopefully I will have a few more FO's to post about, and if I can actually get on rav, then hopefully i can update my project pages. For some reason unknown to me, my laptop will not let me on rav, which is very frustrating!