Fetching

Another project from Knitty.com .

The yarn is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran and 4mm dpn's were used along with a cable needle.

It was pretty quick to do and the feel nice and soft. Definitley don't need them on at the mo though. I already wear gloves all day at work and thats enough in this weather thank you very much!

The Holiday is Over

Well, today is the last day of our 3 week break from work. Everybody else will be starting their's now the kids have finished school so its going to seem like our holiday was ages ago by the middle of next month!

The weather has been kind to us, only perhaps 2 or 3 days when its rained. We had a big thunderstorm last night which cooled things down a lot. But we also had a power cut which lasted just over an hour so we went shopping! Never been supermarket shopping on a Saturday night before!

We had a great week in our big caravan on the East Coast with nice walks along the beach most days, it was just like walking along the beach in Teneriffe or something! I went to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers in concert which was good. We spent loads and have been out a couple of times for a meal or drinks with friends which is something we don't do very often.

I've finished my first pair of socks, a Clapotis, gloves and started more socks! So its been productive!

So, back to work tomorrow. I'm not looking forward to it, not just because its work, I'm not looking forward to having to wear gloves all day and it being so warm. I was hoping it might cool down but I don't think it will. Our building is an old one, so its cold in the winter but really holds the heat in the summer.

Oh well, only 7 weeks till our next week off!

Stash!!

There's nothing better than having a good stash day!

I ordered this little lot from Get Knitted Saturday tea time and it arrived this morning.

I got some different sock yarn from Lorna's Laces in a purple/black colour which I'm looking forward to starting. Also, some Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in a sort of rusty colour. This is for the fingerless gloves (yes, I do know how hot it is outside!!) in the latest Knitty. They are called Fetching. There is a bit of cable on there as well, which I haven't done since last year when I did the Coast bag and scarf.

The other thing in the picture is some 4mm double pointed needles as they gloves are worked in the round (4 needles on the go). I prefer the wooden ones to the metal ones. I found the metal ones very slippy and stitches easily fell off the end of the needle. These are Clover bamboo ones.

Also, yesterday, we went into town and I bought some Sirdar Snuggly wool and a pattern to have a go at making a baby cardigan. I've not really ventured into clothing yet so i thought something small to start off with might be ok. Also, I know somebody who had a baby on Saturday and somebody else who is due anytime.

So, that's this weeks stash! I don't think there will be anymore this week, but you never can tell!

Bags, socks and other bits

Ok, some quick pics of a few things I've knitted. I'll post more of my stitching later.

First up, a bag made of Sari Silk from a free pattern on www.knitty.com. It didn't take long and was easy to do, just knitting and increasing rows as you go. I've done 2 of these. They're quite strong and unlike other bags, I haven't needed to line it.

Another bag. I can't remember which wool or pattern I used now but it was my first go at felting. It came out ok, it works as a bag anyway, but I will try it again.

A pair of socks! This is my first attempt. I used some Opal sock yarn called Zebra. I say its my first attempt, I had lots of attempts, but this is the first successful one! I think I'm addicted now!

Clapotis!! Another free pattern from Knitty.com I used some Hipknits silk rather than the one they reccomended. I can't remember what shade now. Once I got going, I really enjoyed it and hope to do another one soon.

Lastly for now, another bag. This was using Pattons Washed Haze and Coast. It was also my first attempt at cable. There was a scarf pattern as well which I did for somebody I work with.

I have got pics of scarves I did for Christmas last year somewhere and I haven't put everything I've done on here, but this is just to give you an idea of the sort of stuff I'm doing. Hope you like!

Hello

Its always difficult to think of a name for these things. The reason I chose this one was because I always knit alone (well apart from hubby at the side of me or somewhere!). Apart from a bit of a crash refresher course last year from my mother in law, everything I've done has been just me. Unless you count the internet. Its great thing, just type in something you aren't sure of in Google and you find it most of the time. The same goes for support from other knitters or stitchers, there is always a forum of people who can help out. So, I suppose I'm not really alone am I?

I started knitting just a year ago. The first thing I knitted was Popcorn Bear from Designer Stitches. Not an easy first project, the stitching up is harder afterwards, which is why its still in bits in the bag it came in I'm afraid.

I think the next thing I knitted was a poncho. Knitted in Pattons Coast (i think) it didn't take long to do and I soon had the bug. People got scarves for Christmas (even though they might not have wanted one!). I've knitted a few bags, just finished my first Clapotis and pair of socks all in a year.

My first crafty love is cross stitch. I've been stitching since I was about 14. Starting off with tapestries at first, I don't remember cross stitch being as popular at the time. It certainly wasn't cool to stitch at that age, so I always kept it quiet. I haven't done a tapestry for years but do enjoy cross stitch. I could probably start my own ebay store with the amount of stash I've got. Its all getting saved for my retirement in another 30 odd years!

I've also tried card making, stamping, mosaic and encaustic art but I think that knitting and stitching will be the things I stick with.

Anyway, I'm going to upload some pics of stuff I've done and post again another day, hope you like what you see