Getting back into it

I think I'm coming to terms with the fact that just as I cannot change who I am, I cannot change the way I knit.  With absolutely no monogamy to any project I start. While taking a short break from my Citron, I whipped up two projects I absolutely love.  

The first is the Cornwall Park Shrug.  Recently the girls and I were shopping and they saw a party dress they quite liked.  It wasn't in their size, but I said I could easily (ha ha ha) make a shrug like the dress had and they could wear it with a different (cheaper) dress.  They readily agreed, and I've completed the first shrug.  It is nothing like the one we saw in the shop, it is 100 times better.  I used stash yarn (hurray!), which is a black aran 20% wool 80% acrylic yarn.  I love the pattern.

Let's pretend the sleeves are not too long on the dress the model is wearing.

It looks great, even unblocked!

The second project I completed was a last minute gift for a friend of my daughters.  It is just one of those frilly scarves you knit up in day.  I used Katia Ondas, and it was a huge hit with the kids.  I didn't really enjoy the knit that much, but it was FAST (like a few hours fast), and I think I'll make up a few for Christmas presents.  I do love fast projects.

Well that's it for me this week. I can't wait to see what everyone has been up to, I'm going to go take a stroll through blogland.

Well, it is certainly on going.......

I will admit I've hit both a crafting wall and a blogging wall just lately.  I suppose they go hand in hand, since I do one based on the other.  I just wasn't "feeling it" with my knitting, but I have since been a bit rejuvenated.  

Remember a few weeks ago when I said I was excited that my parents had picked out projects for me...............well, uh, yeah, that was a good idea.  I'm still struggling along with the Citron shawl, which is easy, but one heck of a lot of stitches.  I'm on round 8, because my Mom wanted it a "good size" and I've convinced myself this will be the last round.  The problem right now is I have no idea how big it will actually be after blocking, as it is all bunched up on the needles.  I went out and bought another ball of wool to make sure I had enough for the ruffled border.  THAT should be fun, if I have the energy I'll count all those stitches.  But don't hold your breath.  All I know is it will be a LOT.

I really shouldn't include my poor neglected sock as a WIP on here, since I haven't picked it up in weeks, but perhaps seeing it will inspire me to finish.  I told myself I wouldn't pick up another project until the Citron was done..........then I cast on a shrug for my eldest (check that out on Friday!).  Then I told myself, "THIS time, I REALLY won't start another project until I've finished the Citron."  You can check out the other FO I created this Friday as well.  I am so terrible at listening to myself.  I love this sock though, and I know there isn't much left to do.  You know, after I finish that Citron and then make its pair.

Until Friday dear friends, Happy Crafting!!

Crochet FO's

I am overly pleased with myself this week, because I have not just one, but two FO's this week to share, and both are crochet.  The first one I have been working on for about a month, so it was a bit over-due.  Without further ado, my market bag:

It is big--there are 3 beach towels in the bag for the picture, and it has a nice shape.  At first I thought it was "too big" but now I just love it.  I can't wait to take it to the beach.  Or a picnic.  Or a farmers market.  Anywhere.  The pattern is free, and the yarn is Lily Sugar'n Cream cotton.  I learned quite a bit with this project, and my crochet skills are steadily improving.  So much so in fact, that I tried this:

A crochet wire and bead bracelet.  It was a bit difficult to use wire, but super fun.  It has given me loads of ideas to try in to future.  You can't see the back but I just added a simple clasp, I think next time I might look into magnetic clasp, as it is a bit tricky to get on/off.  I used a free pattern, and some jewellery wire I picked up in the local craft shop.  Fun stuff!!

That's it for me this week.  Happy Crafting!!

Adding to the mix

Happy August 1st!  I'm rather pleased to welcome August this year, as my hubby gets to move to a hospital closer to home. He's been commuting about 3 hours a day, and for the next year it will only be about 50 minutes a day.  Hurray!!

As if I didn't have enough WIP's, I decided I needed to start a new one.  One fun thing about having my parents around is that they have been suggesting knitting projects they might like to receive.  The other day while they were out shopping they snapped up these:

The Artesano is slowly but surely becoming a Citron shawl for my Mom.  The blue has small specks of light purple in it, it is gorgeous, and will look beautiful with her eyes.

And the Manos is going to become a hat for my Dad.  He has expensive taste--baby alpaca, silk, and cashmere.  I'll have to tweak the pattern he picked out, both because the yarn is finer, and his head is bigger, so watch this space!

For the time being I'm working mainly on the shawl.  I wanted to get it done before my folks leave on Saturday, but that just isn't going to happen.  I am enjoying working on it.  

Before I go, I thought I'd finally post the pictures of my Mom in the hat I made her when she first arrived.  It is a paper Sirdar pattern I have, which I've used time and again.

I suppose that is all for me for now.  I've got two days off work so I'm away to make the most of them.  See you again soon!!

Yarn Bomb Joy

Hello!! In all honesty my WIP's aren't much bigger than they were last week.  The beach bag is almost done, I just need to start finish the handles.  My sock is making progress, I think there are only about 3 more repeats until I can start the heel.  Hurray!!  Though at this speed it will be Christmas before it has a twin.  I love the stripes, they make me oh so happy!

So instead of boring you with my same old same old WIP's, I thought I would share some yarn bombing I've seen and participated in lately.  The first one I saw when visiting Stromness on Orkney at the beginning of the month.  I couldn't resist taking a picture.

The second is of a bust at work.  His name is Gladstone, and apparently he was a British prime minister.  At work we play a game that is sort of called "hide the head" all around the distillery.  Yes, we are children.  Yes, it is fun.  Even my boss plays.  My co-workers want me to knit him a hat, but in the mean time my daughter knit him a scarf with her little clover knitter.  It was a huge hit, and she was really proud.  Suits him, eh?

 That's all from me for now, I'm off to go watch some Doc Martin with my folks and work on that sock.  Take care

Have needles, will travel

Not a bad view from our holiday cottage, the girls asked if they could stay just a bit longer!

I'm back home from a short holiday on the Isle of Skye, just in time for WIP Wednesday!  Even though I've been doing a bit of sight seeing (nothing like a staycation and dry weather), I've been trying to work on a few projects as well. 

The market bag is getting some sides:

This pattern is free, and actually popped up on my Facebook page yesterday for the Crocheting Club.  For once, I'm ahead of the game.  Ha!

 

I cast on a new pair of socks, with some Paton's yarn my parents brought me.  I love the colours. I know you can't see the pattern in the picture, but I'm only two repeats in so there isn't much to see just yet.  I'm making hermiones everyday socks

I finished that hat I was working on for my Mom, so as soon as I can get a picture of it I'll get it posted.  She looks great in hats!

Lastly, if you would care to see any of my photos from Orkney, you can see them here.  It was incredibly foggy, but still great fun.  Good-bye from me, until next week!

A few new things

Hi everyone.  I've been having a great time with my parents, and we had a fabulous visit to Orkney/the north of Scotland.  I did manage a bit of knitting and crochet, but not that much to be honest.

The leaf cardigan is still a WIP......I've gotten far enough along that I am almost positive it will be too small, so I've lost all desire to finish it.  I will, I'm just not sure when.  So instead I've started a hat for my Mom.  As predicted, it is much colder here then they are used to, and I'm doing my part to keep them warm.  Progress is slowish, but I hope to be done soon.  It is a Sirdar pattern in Crofter Chunky, thistle colourway.  Hard to see the pattern right now though......

I've also been practising my crochet.  In all honesty it is getting most of my attention.  I'm working on a Market Bag, and it is fun!  I'm using some cotton yarn that my parents brought me, and I'm almost done with the bottom.  The sides are triple crochet, which I've not done before.  I am really loving learning a new craft.

As for books, I'm reading Mistborn, the Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson.  I was just telling my Mom this morning that I don't consider myself a fan of science fiction or fantasy writing (she is), but I'm a liar.  I'm starting to love it, and it is all my husbands fault!  This book is fabulous so far, though I'm only 60% through it.  Luckily there are two more after this one, so I'm set for a while.

Take care, and happy crafting.  If you have sunshine, please take a minute to enjoy it and think of me, suffering in an almost continuous downpour and covered over by grey cloud.  If you are suffering from the heatwave, I'll do my part and send cooler thoughts your way.