Monday, January 30, 2012

Ishbel's flying off the needles

I got so immersed in my Ishbel yesterday, I made it through chart a & b twice. This lace pattern is reasonably easy to memorize, a lot of fun and quick to knit up. I think I have to knit a lot more lace, every time I do I love live love it!

Sunday, January 29, 2012

FO - Rustic Owls Sweater

Today I wove in all the ends, grafted the underarms, sewed the collar and am pleased to say that the sweater is perfect! It fits well, and the finishing is great if I do say so myself. I'm particularly pleased with the collar, once turned over it had a wonderful clean and finished look. The owls definitely need blocking which I will get to soon enough. For now however, I'm pleased to present my Rustic Owls:

Pansygolightly Ishbel

I picked up a skein of Pansygolightly by dream and color smooshy a few weeks ago and knew I had to cast on immediately. Although I love the colors, I knew it wasn't mine and was destined to be a shawl for my closest friend.

I looked through existing projects for the yarn on ravelry to see how it had been used, to get ideas. I fell in love with another ravellers Ishbel in the same Colorway, and knew instantly that this was the yarns destiny.

So far I have finished the stockinette for the smaller size, and completed chart a. I intend to do the lace for the larger size so I can use up as much of the yarn as possible.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Need to go green

Today I was so aware of the gorgeous greens around me, a car, a dress, plants and grass. It made me realize I need to knit with green. I have so much green in my stash for sweaters, it's just a case of starting a project and I can relax in the bliss of green.

Nothing on my needles is green, Nathan's sweater is blue, Alicia's ishbel is purple, my socks are pink (perhaps with a hint of green but not enough) my dishcloths are mostly white and although the square I'm working on for my crochet sock yarn blanket is green, I need to knit, not in a crochet mood lately.

As to when I'll get to knit with green again, who knows. Chloe has put her hand up for a purple cardigan next and I don 't have any green sock yarn either. An excuse to buy some?

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Forgot the January 2012 socks!

Today is Australia day, and I realized that January is almost over, and yet I hadn't even finished my January 2012 socks, or even finished one! So I pulled them out (it, only 1 so far) and finished the foot, Kitchener stitched the toe and took the necessary photo.

Very happy with the sock, so pretty and the short row heel really is the best fit for me. The 64 stitches also seem to be just right. Now to get the second sock cast on and hopefully the leg completed before February.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Almost finished owls

Last week I finished the knitting for my owls sweater, now I just need to weave in ends, sew together the underarms and sew the collar. I have made the collar long enough that I can roll it over and sew it down, a much nicer look in my opinion.

I was going to do all the finishing last weekend, but with having to go to bendigo, it wasn't going to happen. The new plan is next weekend. The sweater fits well. I'll try to get a photo of me wearing it! But for now you'll have to settle for this:

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Knitting with bulky

I bought some patons inca in the big spotlight sale and have started a sweater for Nathan. I know it's the wrong season, but I'm hoping to be prepared once the weather gets cooler, although we are having quite a few scorchers at the moment.

I haven't knit with yarn this thick before and while at first it felt awkward with such large needles, I must admit I'm loving it. Brilliant for quick results and satisfaction. I cast on on Saturday, have finished the body and 1 sleeve, begun 2nd sleeve and hoping to join them all tonight.

There is no pattern, just basic Elizabeth Zimmerman bottom up raglan construction. Easy, memorized and effective. The yarn has 3 main plus and one is a different shade, giving the fabric a bit of depth and interest. Photos to follow soon, probably when it's finished, though, which is hopefully very very soon.

Monday, January 23, 2012

My mum took my February lady sweater!

I visited my mum on the weekend and she saw my February lady sweater for the first time and loved it. I suggested she try it on, and I'll knit one for her.

She wouldn't take it off. She said she had to keep it, loved everything about it, and my generosity that comes after a bottle of red, said "then it's yours".

I miss it now, will just have to knit another one. What a pity.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Knitting in the Park

The weather is nice today, that pleasant temperature between scorching hot and blistering cold. The sun isn't burning and the breeze is lovely. So after work I bundled up the kids and the dog, and we all walked to the park.

Sitting here in the shade with the dog while the kids play is a really nice way to spend an afternoon. The kids are playing on the equipment, and hopefully burning off their excess energy.

During lunch today I reached the first decrease round on the owls sweater and began the first row of the pattern. It's nice to have less stitches on the needles, and to work a pattern. Can't wait to see how it works out.

My sock is growing as well, I have turned the heel, picked up stitches and now am working down the gusset. I really have missed doing this heel. Definitely more interesting than the afterthought heel.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Second Square Finished

I finished the second crochet sock yarn blanket square today. I think I'm going to like this blanket and it will be relatively lightweight as well. The goal is to attach them as I go, and catch up so that as I finish a pair of socks, I
crochet a new square.

I was planning on joining them with white, but now I'm thinking black may be better after all. Not really sure though.

I do like the speed of a crochet square though, and the way it distributes the colors differently than in knitting. Certainly keeps life interesting!

Monday, January 9, 2012

January 2012 Sock

I figure I'll probably only get one pair of socks done per month, especially if I take into account all the sweaters I intend to knit, the squares I'm crocheting, the facecloths and anything else that takes my fancy.

So I'd like to introduce you to "January 2012". The yarn is Moda Vera noir, Colorway pink mix I think. The yarn stripes with a dusty pink and a speckled blue/green/cream which I really like. All the shades are muted and this Colorway really appeals to me.

I'm halfway down the first leg, and will be doing a slip stitch heel flap and short row heel. Can 't wait!!!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

I'm hooking again

So, with the goal to use my leftover sock yarn for good, I have decided to make a blanket. That of course leads you to the dilemmas associated with patterns and yarn quantities. Not to mention whether to knit or crochet.

In the end I chose to crochet, so I have something different and quick going, plus I love granny square afghans. So I chose one of the smaller leftover balls and crocheted a square, large enough to use the majority, but leaving a little over for the final border.

I'm reasonably happy with the result, but it has been difficult retraining myself in hooking. I don't do it often! I intend to crochet the squares together with white yarn in a single crochet, to give each color square a nice border to keep the colors apart so the stand out on their own.

The home for this blanket will be my car. A big blanket, large enough to fit both kids under during long drives.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

I had to frog :(

Do as I expected I made errors in the ribbing of the socks, the depressing thing is I stuffed up before I had even had a drink, and still didn't 't realize. I also realized my counting needs work.

I had 62 stitches instead of 64, so I ended the second needle with Knut stitches, and began the first needle with knit stitches! Rookie mistake and I laughed when I real used, then promptly ripped it back. I cast on fresh this morning, have finished the ribbing and am happily working down the leg. Photos soon.

On another note, I calculated the yoke for my owls, and I have about 3 inches more of stockinette before I begin the pattern. I'm excited to see how it works out, but I'm expecting it to have a similar look to the tangled yoke in relation to the size and location of the pattern. So plenty of stockinette for the few drinks I've had tonight, as we have gone out to dinner with the kids.

Unfortunately my husband (love saying that!) hates me knitting in public, so while the kids are in the playground, and he is playing pokies, I am blogging. But it's proof that knitting is always on my mind.

Friday, January 6, 2012

No knitting today

Today I went to my great uncle's funeral. It was sad, but I didn't know him very well, so I'm still standing. I think the worst thing about funerals is that they make you think about your own mortality. I was glad to be there for my dad, he doesn't 't really have anyone at the moment, or since he divorced my mum.

The funeral was nice, although many of the religious aspects made me uncomfortable. I don 't follow Christianity, and the prayers in particular I found awkward. But the turnout was quite good.

I enjoyed catching up with family, even if it wasn't under the best circumstances. My grandparents are not looking too good themselves, although after 80, every day is an achievement. And seeing my pa smile at me was definitely a highlight.

I cast on a sock this morning and have only knit a few rows of ribbing, and they were after a few drinks, so I hope I don't have to tear anything back tomorrow. Wish I was at a stockinette portion, but oh well. My owls is, but I haven 't calculated how much to knit before decreases and the pattern, so I'll leave that til tomorrow.

I'd love to hear from anyone reading this blog, what you like, what you don't. Enjoy your life, appreciate your life and live your dreams!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Oops! I did it again!

A little bonus money this week meant another trip to spotlight, especially considering they had other yarns on sale. Not quite as significant a bargain as last time, but still so much fun!

After bringing home my last yarn haul, I realized that I could easily do with a few extra balls in most of the colors I bought for sweaters, and if there's too much.....hats and fingerless mitts!

Today's purchase bought me a chocolate brown sweater, my daughter dark and light purple sweaters, and the extra balls for fun. Tomorrow I 'm thinking about going to knit'n'purl my local yarn store to see if there are any bargains there. So much fun!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

About to join the sleeves

I have finished the second sleeve and am about to do my favorite part, join the sleeves to the body and begin the yoke. The first few rows are difficult, with the tightness between the sleeves and the body, at least until you have worked a few rounds.

I'm still planning to wing the yoke with the owls motif, try and get the pattern nicely in the middle and keep the fit nice. I'm also hoping the sweater will still fit, I have put on a few kilos over Christmas, but haven't most of us?

I'm working on a dishcloth at the moment, the sweater will be a settling down project now. Once I finish the dishcloth, I look forward to casting on another sock.

Monday, January 2, 2012

12 Sweaters in 2012

I have decided my main challenge for this year is 12 in 12. I'm not going to restrict it to only adult sweaters, I will include any sweaters I knit for my kids as well. Of course, if I can get 12 adult sweaters I would be very pleased. But at the same time I am trying to be realistic.

I am going to include my owls sweater, as it still has a long way to go before it's finished. There are so many patterns I want to knit, and after my spectacular spotlight find, I have wool for plenty of sweaters, ready and waiting.

Now to try and save for the bendigo sheep and wool show in July!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Danielle 2012

Happy new year and welcome to 2012! Last year for me was a year of incredible changes, more than I expected. I returned to work after being a stay at home mum for 9 years, my daughter changed schools and my son started day care.

I made new friends, met lots of new people and grew a lot as an individual. I got married, moved house and finished the year by buying a new car, with my first ever loan. It feels like nothing is the same now, but that's ok. I like change.

But I think there was more than enough change last year and I feel that this year is a year for balance, calm, routine and growth. And I'm looking forward to it.

I have the usual health goals for the new year, drink less, eat healthier and exercise more. I hope to lose some weight as well.

Knitting goals are to develop my skills, and knit beyond my comfort zone. I want to knit a few fair isle sweaters, especially Hermoine's hooded jacket and the autumn rose pullover. I also hope to knit a circular shawl and develop my lace knitting skills.

I am certainly looking forward to 2012 and everything it will bring. I wish everyone a wonderful year!