Some knitting progress

 One sock done - at last. It is a bit hard to photograph my own foot/leg. I did it quite long - the hem at the top is a bit saggy - I may need to add some elastic. I really want to get the second one done now so I can move on - these have gone on for too long.

The Vivian hoodie is nearer to completion - just need to get a zip....and as it is summer here, most of the time, then there doesn't seem too much rush

...and then there were two

Buttons added to the first...

and the second is now complete. There are pockets but they haven't photographed well.

As I hardly sew anything I am very pleased with these. Cute labels huh?

and now for something completely different...

This is the first sewing I've done for a long time. I am making two dresses for my niece's daughters -
here is the first. Just need some buttons and buttonholes to finish.
It's not the best of photos - I'll try again when I finish it properly - the bottom is gathered and there are side pockets. I'll also try to get photos of it modelled - if it fits....

New Year

Happy New Year. I've been away 2 weeks and didn't get a lot of knitting done. I finished a 3rd pair of the Betsy mitts and started on the sleeves of Vivian

You can't tell much from the photo but they are quite long and flare out at the wrists.
I love long sleeves so these should tick that box nicely.

Here's some I made earlier

Some people like making socks for presents - but I think my favourite thing for gifts is fingerless mittens. These I made for Christmas presents - I like both the red and pink versions. In fact I think I could make them in lots of different colourways....

Something completely different

Never turn down a chance to do a screenprint workshop - especially one at the Art School because they have all the necessary gear.
It was pretty fast and furious - but enough to churn out an image ....

 I chose the airplane image and Sam (the tutor) did a little manipulation in Photoshop - which was very handy as my Photoshop skills are very miniscule. The one above is red under print and black over top

 This one is a print I made on the scrap paper when I needed to clear the screen of the ink. I rather like it except the paper is very thin - will try and figure out how I can use it

 Tried black paper - this one was underprinted in red. My registration was a bit 'off' in a lot of prints but we were doing these pretty quickly - well that's my excuse

The one above is not underprinted - just a black image.
It was really fun - I could spend hours playing with these - except we didn't have that long

Just like Cinderella

It's taken a while - I'm onto my third Nightingale sock - but finally it looks as if I will be able to get it on and it will fit.

I could, just, get the second sock over my heel but it was an incredibly tight fit and I decided that, in the long run, it was not going to work.

My other project, the Vivian cardigan/jacket, has reached the armholes and I now need to make the sleeves. For that I need some big size DPN's (Double Pointed Needles) which I've had to order in - so that is on the back burner for a bit. 

Now I'll have no excuse for not making some decent progress on the socks.

Love, love, love

Well - the Nightingale socks are proving to be a real test of me. I have now started on my 3rd sock - as, although the 2nd did go over my foot, it was very, very tight and I finally decided that it would drive me nuts. So I've gone up another needle size....

Meantime some wool that I ordered back in August finally arrived. It had been on backorder and apparently is only made in fairly small lots ... it is Madelinetosh Chunky in this gorgeous shade of Georgia O'Keefe. Not cheap but, as my sister says, if you are going to put a lot of work into something and it will last a long time you should get the best you can. And Webs do generous discounts if you order over certain price limits.  I am making a hoodie called Vivian. I am seriously in love with the colour.

One of these socks is not like the other

Well things were going well with the Nightingale Socks until I turned the heel - and then it didn't fit. Actually it had been a tight fit all along - even with adding stitches.

So - there was only one thing to do - start again using a bigger needle.

I kept the first one to compare - when I'm happy with the second I'll frog the first.

I think the second one will fit - if it doesn't I may have to surgically reshape my foot

Another wip is done

The baby hoodie is finished. Even though it is intended for next winter it can be so changeable here I may as well give it to her now.
Still plugging away, slowly, on the Nightingale Socks - am negotiating the heel - will post a photo next week when hopefully there is something more to be seen

One wip is finished

 'Glad' is finished. In the pattern they have it tied around the breast area - which I think looks dumb.
The front pieces are quite wide - so they don't easily tie. I will probably wear it more like one of the photos below.

 Anyway  - the Rowan Kidsilk Haze is gorgeous and it is soft and warm. Perfect.

Not too much progress on the socks - about a centimetre I would guess. Still I have now started on the heel.

Wips, wips, wips

 I usually try not to have more than one project on the go because I fear I won't finish any. However I now have 3 on the go - mainly because some are easier to knit when watching TV and others need more concentration - so for those I do them when listening to the radio.
The one above is obviously one of the TV ones - it's a hooded jacket for a baby for my niece's second born. I made one for her first born and it has been a success so it seemed fair to do another.

Below is the final stages of my Glad cardigan. I have kind of blocked it - I think. I really have no idea. But anyway next is to sew some seams and do a little edge.

 And lastly is my 'needs concentration' project - the Nightingale socks.  Well you can now see a nightingale!

 The Glad cardigan is progressing - back and one sleeve completed.

And now I've started on another project - the Nightingale Socks - pattern and yarns form Vintage Purls
I'm hoping the link below will show the pattern - but not sure because it is Ravelry and you may need to be a member. Anyway - you will be able to see the nightingales as I progress. It takes a bit of concentration so it is good to have the cardigan for more mindless knitting (and TV watching)

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nightingale-2

Moving on

 Socks finished! These ones had a flatter line at the toe whereas the first pair had a pointy toe.
I think the flatter line works better for me.

The good thing about finishing a project is that you get to start on another one! And the next is
Glad by Sarah Hatton. It was in the Rowan 39 magazine. It is a short wrap cardigan and made using Rowan Kidsilk Haze - which is a little slow to knit but is soooooo soft I can't wait to wear it..

Update

 Well I have been away for a few weeks - mostly for a photog. workshop in Montana but also managed to get to Vancouver, Seattle, Portland and Yosemite. I took the socks with me but didn't get too much done - I've made more progress since getting back and catching up on my TV viewing.

The letters below I made as part of a "Pay it Forward" craft challenge - they started out as white and I painted, decoupaged and varnished (around 25 coats) them. The varnish has been curing in my absence and now they are ready to post. Going to Auckland, Washington DC and Mali !