Rainbow Cotton Candy

Happy Friday everyone.  My week has just flown by, so fast that in fact I forgot to write my post for today until just now!  My Mom arrived this week, to watch the kids while hubby and I go on holiday next week for 8 days.  It is the first time we've ever gone anywhere just the two of us in 7 years.  We are on a reconnaissance mission, for the upcoming move. I'm a bit nervous to leave the kids for that long, but at least I know my Mom is brilliant, so all will be well.

I've finished two small and fast projects this week. I do so love instant gratification and stash busting. 

The first up is a garter stitch cowl.  I bought this yarn at my LYS in the clearance bin over a year ago. Oh how I love a reduced price on anything, and even though it was only one skein, I couldn't help myself. It is Colinette Point 5, Sweet Dreams.

I wanted something that would show up how lovely the wool is, and since it is super chunky this cowl was done in a matter of hours.  Then I popped some buttons on and away I went.  I didn't even need to make button holes, because of the toggles I used.

It was my intention to have the girls take a picture of me wearing it, but as the week really has gotten away from me, it didn't happen and I currently have bed head.  Hopefully I'll get there soon and post it later on.  It looks better on my than Polly!

The second project I made was a camera sock.  I made this to protect my camera in my handbag while we are on holiday.  I used some DK I had in my stash, and 4mm needles so it was really rather quick.  After I knit it up and popped my camera in, it occurred to me that I had no way to take a picture of it!!  I used the camera on my phone, which is old and doesn't do a great job.  But hey ho, you get the idea.

And that's it for me right now.  Take care, have a lovely weekend, and I'll see you all next week!

Seasons

I have always really loved the autumn.  This year I just haven't been feeling it, until yesterday.  I think I've been too occupied with being cold in this stone castle, and worrying about the cost of heating it. Then yesterday I went outside and the air was cold, and crisp, and the leaves are falling.  And I felt it again, the love the autumn.

This morning as I let the chickens out I was greeted by this view:

Which inspired casting on a new project:

No matter what I tried I could not get a decent picture of this, but trust me when I say they are going to be fetching fingerless gloves.  Partly inspired by cold hands, but mostly inspired by this. I am stash busting on this as well.

I'm still working away on my other two WIP's, Rori's shrug..............

..............and my stress blanket.  I just love how this blanket is turning out, though my stress levels have been down and I've neglected it this past week.

And if I can control myself the rest of the day, that's it for WIP's.  I am really pleased to say that everything I've been knitting has used only the yarn I have in my stash.  I've been trying to thin the herd before we move, and it really has been great fun.  

Happy Crafting!

Love!

I am really rather excited to share not one but two FO's today!  The first up I am super proud of:

Paton's Stretch Socks yarn

I finished my Hermione socks!  I took ages on the first one (I swear, almost 2 months) but the second one flew off the needles.  I think I was faster because I knew how happy I was with the first one, and I wasn't working on the Citron anymore. I love them.  I love the colours, the pattern, the fact that I made them.  Hurray!  I think the pattern was great for my novice sock knitting skills.  It kept me entertained, but wasn't too complex while I worried about turning the heel and all that.  And now, I can't wait to knit more socks!

The second FO is a hat.  Or rather, a beret.

I used a mystery ball of yarn that my parents brought me in July.  Hence I used the Meret or Mystery Beret pattern on Ravelry.  Very fast knit, really rather pleased with it.  Yup, going to have to keep this one for myself.


And that's all I've got for this week.  I have another project almost off the needles but that will have to wait for next week.  Happy Crafting!

Stress blanket

Hello friends!  Big news this week--we are moving!!

To cut a long story short, we are moving, again. Abroad, again.  Things are progressing much faster than anticipated, and we will be leaving Scotland at the end of next month.  Suffice to say I am stressed. Seriously stressed.  But in a good way.  I'm really excited about our future, which I'll share with you in good time.  I like things to be fully squared away before I share, I'm just a bit superstitious that way.

I do have a couple of WIP's this week.  I've made progress (ok, a little bit) on Rori's shrug.  It is harder to work on right now because I have to focus on what I'm doing, the sleeves and the back work off different row numbers.  "Ouch" says my over-taxed brain.  But I'm getting there.

I'm also working on what I've dubbed "The Stress Blanket"  We were calling it by all manner of names, and still do, but really it is just a stash busting masterpiece that is lovely for all of its ugliness.  I'm letting my girls pick the yarn as I go, and Isla's already claimed it for future use in front of the tv.  I can't ask for more than that.  It is a super easy pattern, especially for my limited crochet skills, and it eats up the yarn.  I really want to use up any yarn that isn't set aside for future projects.

Happy Crafting!!

A Bit Late in the Coming

Well, I finished the Citron. I was supposed to post about it weeks ago, but life got in the way of things. No matter, because the main thing is, it is done! The pictures are terrible, and I do apologize.  I have been ill, with a cold that manifested into something altogether more sinister, though I am well on the way to being back to normal now.  

My kids did a fine job taking the pictures, I just look rather rubbish in them.  I had the girls take the pictures to send to my Mom, as it is her shawl after all, and I was planning on retaking better ones for this post.  But really, I can't be bothered, they are good enough.  It is ok, though, as you won't be looking at me, but at the shawl!

Stats:
Pattern: Citron
Yarn: Artesano 100% Alpaca 4Ply, Forget Me Not

I'll tell you what, I am glad this project is done.  I've admired all you ladies out there making shawl after shawl for a while now, but I found it really hard work.  I did 9 repeats and by the end I was bored, and it seemed to take ages with all those stitches on the needle.  Saying all that though, I like it a lot, and I think it is very pretty.  I think the blue will be lovely with my Mom's eyes.  I think the yarn is lovely, and I would definitely use it again.  So while I am in no hurry to make another shawl, at least now I can say I have made one, and I am happy with the results.

Shrug it off

I've got two WIP's this week, both in the early stages.  First up, I've started my second Cornwall Park Shrug.  Ah twins, the joy of two of everything. This one will be in red.  I've said it before, I'll say it again, I love this shrug.

I am also embarking on a project that is, uhm, rather not my style.  I am making "white rabbit wrist-ees" and I hope they turn out as lovely as they look. I'm using Manos del Uruguay Serina in lily pad. This yarn has had many different incarnations.  Nothing has ever been right for it.  I hope this will be. And I do hope I'll wear these, because I love this yarn (even if I ordered it on accident), the colours are beautiful. I only say they are not "me" in that I like to wear things I know will be warm, rather than fashionable.  And these are small, and cute, and I am not :) 

Well that's what I'm working on at the moment.  I've been spending waaaaay too much time on Ravelry lately trying to pick out a crochet blanket pattern to work on. I want to stash bust again, and it is hard to choose!! Happy Crafting everyone!