Summer is for socks

As if I don't have enough projects on my needles, I cast on a new one. I got an incredible urge to knit socks--so I did (one anyway).

The pattern is My Cup of Tea free on Ravelry. I love tea, these socks, and things that are free. I'm using the Cascade 220 fingering from my Roxborough Dolman that I didn't like. I know, I know, there is no nylon in this yarn but I don't really like the feeling of it for a top. So far, I'm happy with it for socks. Which is good, since I have plenty. I'm working on the second one right now, and finding them rather compulsive!

Happy knitting friends!

Sewing

I am, by no stretch of the imagination, a seamstress. In fact, I think I'm rather terrible at sewing. And yet. And yet I just keep on doing it. In the last few weeks I've had two sewing projects, some pillow covers, and a basket liner.

I bought those blue pillows in Australia......for very little money. They were great, until they were worn out. I used the previous covers as a guide, and I did put zippers in so they would look neater than an envelope pillow. They got better as I went along, so that by #3 I was rather pleased with how the pillow looked. I bought this fabric at JoAnn's on sale, and I really wish they had the exact same but with a different color flower pattern. I've got a few more pillows to recover (yes, we have a ridiculous amount of pillow on our huge couch). I'm also toying with the idea of knitting a few. Like I don't have enough to knit right now!

So this is my computer desk--covered in two different knitting patterns, a tape measure, and a knitting project on the left that is currently hibernating. I barely turn the computer on it seems.

Speaking of knitting, the next project was a basket liner--specifically for knitting. I have quite a few baskets for my WIP's. I do love baskets. This one in particular isn't a very nice one, I bought it on clearance at Michael's for a Christmas present that didn't happen. It is sort of rough and I don't want it snagging any of my projects. I did an internet search for a pattern, and then sort of cobbled it together.

I couldn't be bothered sewing a tie, I just hate to turn them right-side out. So I used ribbon instead, and it works just fine. I used some stash fabric from when the girls were little. They haven't seen it yet, but I'm sure when they do they will try to steal this. I should have known better than to use pink........

And that's all for now. I've cast on yet another knitting project (socks!), which is ridiculous but such is life. One day, I'll finish one of the projects I'm working on. I'm still loving the Grandpa Cardigan (in the picture above), but I've got a while yet to get to 15" in length. Take care, happy crafting!

WIP's

Hello all. What's up with this May Michigan weather? It is June 1st and I'm worried it might freeze tonight. Not cool Mother Nature, not cool. I got a little excited and planted a bit too early, and now I've got to be an eagle eye on the weather. I can't lose another tomatillo plant, I just can't.

I've got several WIP's right now, and I'm feeling pretty good about them all. First, I'm chugging along on my Grandpa Cardigan. It is my first pattern by Joji Locatelli, and I'm excited because I like so many of her patterns.

Yeah, it sort of matches the floor, sorry about that

I hit a roadblock a while back and ripped the whole thing out and started over. I'm glad I did, since when I joined the back and sides I noticed they were on different rows. I fixed that the second time around and I'm MUCH happier.

I started on Rori's Britania. I'm using Berroco Vintage DK. It is my TV knitting right now, though last night I was so tired I knit a round of the wrong row. Why is it you always figure that out at the END of the row? I'm knitting this the same as Isla's (sleeveless) but I've gone up a needle size because she is a squinch bigger than her sister. These girls are growing like weeds.  

So are the feathered girls:

Lastly, I'm working on a Sweet Summer Shawl. It was my original TV knitting until Rori asked me to get started on her Brittania. I'll admit, she had to nag me because I'm digging this shawl. It is pretty and blue and easy, I like it. I'm using Bendigo Woolen Mills 4 ply in the colorway lake.

So that's what I'm working on at the moment. I'm enjoying each of the projects. Thanks for stopping by! One last picture, taken a few days ago. 

 Gratuitous dog picture. Have a great week!

I like the cables, I really do

Hello and welcome! My FO today is near and dear to my heart--my second ever Aran jumper! It took me about 5 months to  knit (off and on) and I finished it way back in March and didn't get around to posting it (due to the move). So here she is, in all her cabled glory!

My first Aran knit was a project I finished for my Mum-in-law for my Grandma, I posted about it here. I had so much yarn left over, that I decided I'd make a sweater for myself. I call it my feed mill sweater, because I plan on it keeping me warm during work in the winter. One of the many layers I'll be wearing.

It is a free pattern, raglan aran pullover, by Hayfield. I loved knitting this, and I even liked that it was sewn. There is something so satisfying about finishing a section and starting the next. I wasn't too sure about the first at first, because it is shorter than a traditional Aran jumper, but I've grown to really like it. The yarn is Hayfield bonus tweed. I did have to buy a small amount to finish, but really, I needed less than 100g's to do so.

If you haven't ever knit an Aran jumper, I do recommend it. It is so very addictive and fun!

I like stripes, but not enough to keep this

I'm going to admit, I'm front loading blog posts today. I have a couple of FO's to talk about, and I'm trying to get the posts written while it is raining and I can't (or won't) play in the garden.

I worked off and on for months on my Roxborough Dolman, and I finished it about a month ago. It was touch and go if I'd have enough yarn to do the neck and sleeves, but I did. And I don't like it. It is supposed to be a slouchy shirt, and it is not. I think even if I washed & blocked it, it just wouldn't be roomy enough. I'm not sure what I did wrong, I thought I had gauge, but I guess not. And I'm not going to knit it all over again, because it was BORING. I thought the stripes might entice me, because I love stripes, but not even that will. I think I will frog it, and make some socks. 

The yarn is Cascade 220 fingering in silver and green. 

I won't lie, I'm pretty happy not have to weave in all those ends. I tried to carry my yarn up the side, but it wasn't working, so I ended up just doing this. Probably a big mistake, but I'll learn from it, I swear. Until I muster the energy to frog it, I'll set it in the "disappointment pile."

See you next week with another FO! 

Happy Crafting

She likes sleeveless

Hello, thanks for stopping by! I seem to be getting my knitting groove back (the rainy weather probably helps), and even though I'm getting some stuff done, I am having trouble blogging about it. It has been super busy at work, and getting the garden ready for summer, and protected from the deer. In fact, nothing is protected yet, and we've just been lucky. The chicken coop is done however, so at least the girls can sleep out there instead of in the garage.

They are such wee cuties, and they are growing so fast!

I finished Isla's Britannia a couple of weeks ago, and then never got around to weaving the ends in. Now it is chilly again, and she wants to wear it. It only took 5 minutes, I don't know why I waited so long. She's very happy with it, and wants another with long sleeves. That can wait until the autumn however.

She's just like me, and can't stand having anything tight on her neck. The first time I did the neck opening it was too tight, so I ripped it back and then went up several needle sizes. It looks a wee bit floppy in the pics, but I haven't washed it yet, as I can't get it off of her. The yarn is Berroco Vintage DK in ruby. I like the yarn (currently using it for a cardigan for myself). I like the pattern, and I like that I can make an adult size too. Bonus!

That's it for me, happy crafting!

 

It's all for me

Why, what is all this sunshine and spring weather? I just don't know what to do with all the energy this sun instils in me. Tonight when I got home from work I took a bike ride before I made dinner. Then after dinner I took a walk in our woods. Yup, we have woods, and I love it.

I'm still trying to recover from this move, and I have the feeling my Dad is right and it might take 6 months for things to settle down. I still get friendly (and not so friendly) reminders to close out old accounts, change addresses, return internet equipment (OK Charter, so I forgot for a week, stop pestering me). I know I will get there though, so I'm trying not to get too stressed out. I lost my knitting mojo for a while there too, and it took all my concentration to finish something, but I did.

I finished Isla's Britannia, mostly because she loves it sleeveless and that saved a ton of time. I still have to weave in the ends, but it is 99% done! Maybe I can get it finished for a Friday post! And while I know I should start Rori's instead I started something for myself. In pumpkin. It is such beautiful yarn!

I know it is a bit hard to see against the wood floor, but I did my best late at night. It is called the Grandpa Cardigan, and the yarn is Berroco Vintage DK.

That's all I've got for now, I hope everyone with spring weather is enjoying it. Happy Crafting.

2015, finding balance

Hello! I has been months and months since last I wrote on the blog. I'd like to feel bad about it, and maybe a small part of me does, but man oh man, we've been busy. 

We bought a house!!

I guess because of my history with international moves, I should state that we are still in MI--for good. This will be the last move for a long time, if we have our way!

The first week of April we moved in to our new house on 11.6 acres. I am so very excited/tired that I almost stopped knitting for a few weeks. It felt so good to pick up my needles the other night! My parents have been here to help, and we still have a few boxes to unpack, and life swirls on as normal. I did finish a few things before we started packing (and bought a wee bit of yarn), like this Aran jumper:

But more on that later.


We have big plans for the new house and land of ours. We started on it yesterday, with the purchase of 15 chicks. They are darling, and I'm pleased the girls get to watch them grow (the last time we had chickens, in Scotland, we bought them almost full grown).

So while I get unpacked, and help Dave build/finish the chicken coop, keep on knitting. I may not be posting, but I most certainly am reading. I'll be back one of these days, unless the sun stays out and then I'll be playing in the garden.  I've got this patch of ground to fill with veggies:

And Sally, if you are reading this, this dog, she loves the country.

Girl's Knits

This will be one fast post. We are off down the road to try find a commuter car for Dave. We've been a one car family for as long as we can, and now we really need that second car. Dance class, soccer, you know how it goes.

I finished Rori's Alchemist. She seems to like it, and both her and Isla have been taking turns wearing it. I should have knit the armholes one needle down, but I didn't, and that's ok. The yarn is Plymouth Encore.

Lastly, here is a long-overdue picture of Isla in her Tiny Tea Leaves. We forgot for ages to take a picture, and then the day we chose was freezing cold. We ran onto the porch, grabbed a couple of pictures, and then ran inside again. Brrrrrr, winter is here.

We definitely got the most from this pattern. Two pullover sweaters and two cardigan. Brilliant.

That's all from me for now. Happy New Year everyone, I hope that 2015 treats you right!