New project

Last year I visited my cousin in Vancouver and she had one of these Kauni Rainbow Cardigan
I just loved it - it is fairly simple to knit - the effect being created mostly by the colour changes in the wool.
So I found some yarn there and now it's time to make it.
Next weekend I am learning about steeling - which will come in handy as this cardigan is steeked and I've never done that before.

And then there were two

Or perhaps that should read - finally there were two. The Nightingale socks are finished.
Taking a photo of them, when living alone, is a bit tricky. I lay on my bed and put my feet up in the air - ceiling makes a good background. I made them a bit longer - they are below-knee length. And the hem at the top is folded over so I put some elastic underneath so they will stay up.
They feel too good to wear - arghhhh

My First Sock Club project

Vintage Purls is based in Dunedin and Morag runs a Summer and Winter Sock Club every year. Each is for 3 months and each month the subscribers receive a pattern, yarn and a few extra goodies. One of the extra goodies was some yummy fudge which I ate immediately. I should have held out until I had finished the project - that way I might have finished it earlier. But it was a fairly quick knit. The lace part is new territory for me - I am not sure yet what I think about doing lots of lace - but good to try one project anyway.
Oh yes - I know - it's Sock Club and I've made a shawl - well sometimes they make something different just - because.

The colour is a bright acid, lemony yellow. It has been a little controversial. I like it because I would normally never choose it and so it takes me out of my comfort zone.
At the moment it is drying and I can see from the photo I should go and re-pin a few of the tips.....

Ta daaaaaa

Finally - my Vivian is pretty much finished - now that the zip is in. I will also cover the zip edges with ribbon but that may take a while to find the right ribbon as I'm fussy about that sort of thing.
But I can wear it now - so who cares about our lousy summer weather.
I'll get someone else to take some photos so you can see the back next. 

Foot stools

 I've had these decrepit stools awaiting attention for quite some time. Finally I attended to them.
I only took the one 'before' photo - but that conveys all you need to get the picture.

I sanded and painted the metal bases, stripped the tops back to the wood support and then added new foam and covered with oilcloth/Japara  fabric - wanting to achieve a kind of industrial look.

They seem to have taken ages - so it is good to finally have completed them - and good to have made something nice from such rubbishy beginnings

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