I was very excited today at the prospect of receiving a parcel which has been waiting since Monday at the sorting office, and am now very happy.

My springtime Secret Sants gift arrived, well, ok, beloved husband went to the sorting office to collect it.

My pretty parcel contained:

The large skein is posh yarns laceweight cashmere and silk which is beautifully soft, I think this will be a shawl for me!!
The smaller one is Enchante by Kaalund yarns, which is mulberry silk, again, lovely and soft, with a beautiful sheen.
There's also a pattern booklet, chocolate, and a sheep pencil.

The postcard is a clue as to who it is from, and I guessed right first time - thank you Fizz14

This has been a great swap, well organised, and it's lovely to see what other people have bought and received.

Now I MUST get some items finished before I cast on for me.

Delayed update!!

I have been reluctant to post as I want to show off some pictures of recently acquired stash!!
I can't, because I have sent some of it to my Secret Springtime Santa. (They might see what it is before the parcel is received)
Loads of people have already received their gifts, and it's great to see what people have bought, and how well they get to know other people on the forum.
Anyway, my purchase has been fondled and looked at several times, but I MUST finish at least some of my WIPs before I use the new acquisition. It is very tempting to just grab the needles though.
My grandson's sleeveless hoodie is finished, just needs a few ends to be sewn in. I have also done an angel cape, and want to do a matching dress as well.
The pile of baby items is growing too, if I get the slightest bit bored with something I am making, I do another hat, then back to the original item.
I do need to finish the Aran baby blanket - it has been a WIP since 1st December, and I'd like to get it done by the end of the month. Here's hoping!!

Well, I knew when I started this that I wouldn't update on a regular basis - usually too much going on in one way or another.

I have been neglecting my "standard" knitting, and am concentrating on baby items for the 2 charities. The hats, bootees and blankets are coming along just fine, but I have lost a ball of yarn, and can't finish the bands of a preemie cardigan until I find it.
As you can imagine, the house has been turned upside down searching for it, I can only think that I have put it away somewhere safe - and as always, forgotten where that "safe place" is.
And all that searching has had to be tidied up as well.

The 2 pairs of socks are well hidden at the bottom of a bag - one sock is ready for the toe to be grafted, the other almost finished, while the second pair are only just started - almost at the heel of the first one. I think when these are finished (if they are ever finished) I will try a plainer yarn with a pattern to keep my interest. I'm finding them a bit boring, and not much of a challenge, except the toe-grafting!!

I am also taking part in a secret gift swap, so have to decide what to buy. After much stalking of forum posts and internet browsing - I think I have decided, and now just have to see if it is in stock. I also have to think of a clue to send with my gift(s) so the recipient can try to work out who sent it.
It's a lot of fun, and the buying of the gift, plus seeing what other people have received is just as exciting as receiving my own parcel.

I have a bootee OTN at the moment, so will try to get the pair finished - almost a shoebox full, then I can post the first one off.

No new yarn until March!!!

That is my decision - there is far too much in the cupboard and OTN (on the needles)

I am currently working on:
A Kidsilk spray shawl for a gift - needs to be finished by the end of April
2 pairs of socks - I am hoping to learn toe-grafting at Stitch n Bitch this week
A multidirectional scarf - just to see how it is done!!

Then I need to:
Finish a sweater for my grandson for Mid-March, I am about half-way through this
Make another shawl for Mid-June

And finally, make some charity items, for the baby pack project, and Bonnie Babies.

I am hoping to finish the items I have started, plus a few charity items by the end of February.

No pictures at the moment - they are all unfinished!!

A Belated Happy New Year

Well, the knitting took over, and the PC hasn't been on much.

I have completed a baby blanket and matching hat, plus a multi-coloured baby shawl.

This is Sirdar Snowflake Chunky Magic , in "Raspberry Ripple" colourway, which describes it perfectly.

It is wonderfully soft - ideal for baby items, and very quick to knit.

And for Me .....

This is my finished shawl, hot off the needles, but it needs to pinned out to block in it's correct size. It doesn't look like an item at this stage!!

It's in Cherry Tree Hill Laceweight Merino yarn.

The pattern is Flower Basket from Fibre Trends

It looks so much better when it has been blocked.

And here's a close-up of the lace.

Happy Christmas everyone

The knitting is over - until I choose what to make next, or resurrect from the naughty corner!!!

The wrap is finished, blocked, and I just need to weave the ends in before it is delivered tomorrow. What a blooming relief!!
I decided not to do the santa stockings, no point in rushing and making a bad job of them.

I also added a "Bertie" scarf to my list, this one is in Artesano Alpaca - it doesn't have any beads, but is beautifuly soft - I'd like to keep this one myself!! It's finished!!!

The only unfinished item is DH's scarf, but as he already has one, it hasn't been a priority!!!
It's also very boring.... at least he doesn't know I am making it, so he can't be impatient.

Tomorrow is (quite obviously) Christmas Eve, and I will be making mince pies, sausage rolls and quiche, as well as cooking the turkey. When I get a moment I will knit, if I decide what to do next.

I am waiting for a pattern to be delivered, but may start something quick, just to keep me going - keep your eyes peeled!

A busy year

A knitting forum post asked "how many projects in 2006?"

I checked my photofiles, and discovered that it's over 30 items, a couple of which are still "on the needles" or OTN.

Several were quite time consuming (3 baby shawls and the intarsia jumper) while others were a bit quicker (baby items or novelty yarn scarves)

My New Year's resolution is to keep track of what I have made, also to make a note of my spending on yarn. I need to decrease my *stash substantially, not to increase it!
*stash = large amount of yarn waiting to be knitted, not knowing what said yarn is going to be made into, or who for.

* Nominated stash = slightly smaller amount of yarn that is going to be used soon, I have the pattern ready, and I know who it is for.

Here are a few other items I made that I am quite pleased with. Unfortunately they are all gifts, so nothing for me recently!! Scarves have been quite popular this year, but I don't think we have had a cold snap yet.

From top left:

Pink baby dress in 4ply

Blue beaded scarf in King Cole Anti-tickle DK

A very attractive but easy to knit pattern, designed by a forum member

Scarf in Opal sock yarn - colour "Rainbow"

4mm needles

One ball of this striking yarn made a long snuggly scarf

Lightweight scarf in Kaalund yarns Enchante

Colour - Taipan - a pretty mix of rust, yellow and green in muted tones. Knit on 2mm needles !!!

I just cannot get these to line up in a straight line!!! I guess practice makes perfect, so keep looking out for better posts!!!

Nearly finished!!

The 2 scarves are both finished, blocked and hanging near the radiator to finish drying. I just couldn't safely leave them pinned to the floor in the hall.

Now the Christmas knitting is nearly there - one wrap to finish, one more scarf, the train driver doll to stuff and sew up, and 2 Christmas stockings.

The scarf can wait if it must, that's for hubby, so I can knit until Christmas morning if I need to. The doll too, is wanted for Christmas Eve, so I had better get on with the stockings, that way I can have a sewing session when they are knitted, and do the doll at the same time.

I hope my grandson will love his jumper:

This was my first attempt at intarsia, so I used basic acrylic DK yarn

So much knitting, and not enough time!!!

But I went out anyway!!!

Our work Christmas do was a beautiful meal, but I wasn't feeling too well, so didn't have a lot to drink and came home early!!! I have knitted as much as I can on the current scarf - should be finished by tomorrow - that means 2 to block at the same time. Pictures soon!!!

Well, another hard day on the needles!!!

The doll I have been asked to make is a train driver, so I am adapting a pattern I already have. Fingers crossed that he looks like a train driver, but I guess to a 3 year-old if he's in the front of the train then he's the driver!!! All the parts are knitted, I need to buy stuffing tomorrow, it should be finished for Sunday.

3 scarves are in different stages - one is very simple, and I can knit in front of the PC, (but not while typing) another I need to follow a pattern, while the third has cables, I need to be comfortable and to concentrate more on that one. I'd like to do the simple one in secret if possible, the lucky recipient knows it is being made, but doesn't think he'll get it this side of Easter. It's just so difficult not letting him see the length of the scarf as I'm doing it!!!

Saturday is shopping day - or window shopping!! I will just go and have a wander, and a coffee - walking counts as excercise as long as you don't have a big fat doughnut with the coffee!!

Oh I am in a panic now - I forgot I had promised to knit 2 santa stockings for a friend's 2 girls, then I was asked to knit a doll as well!!

So I may not be posting on here much until Christmas, I fear I may still be knitting on Christmas Eve!!

I have ordered sock wool (after swearing I would never make them again) and would like to fit those in as well, but they are not a priority!!

I am off to get on with the doll, and check my stash for the yarn for the stockings. They are quite easy, but time consuming.

My last day at work for a while just flew by. I managed to finish everything I planned to do, even to shop for a new fairy for the tree!!

I had a lazy evening chilling in front of the TV, knitting of course, and the hat is well on the way. I might get the scarf done as well. Still no photos, as I keep forgetting to charge the batteries.


I have the luxury of not having to get up early for work for the next 5 days, but I guarantee I'll be awake earlier than normal. Sod's Law.


Housework, knitting and shopping are on the agenda, but I haven't prioritised that yet. Yeah, right!!

Well, another day over at work, and I have decided what to knit next. A hat and scarf for another Christmas present. I had a wander round the shops at lunch time today, and nothing appealed to me for this person, so that's the decision made for me!!!

I think cables may be in order for this one - I haven't done any for a while.

I found this on knittingpatterncentral, and think it fits the bill. OK, don't ask, how do I know this guy's called Bill?

So, a very short comment tonight, as I have 20 days to start AND finish this project. I don't normally knit to deadlines, so I'll update when I am not knitting.

I am off to have a coffee and cast on.

Sunday 3rd December

Well, this is my first post - I don't plan to add to my blog every day, that just depends on my mood and what's happening in my world. I imagine that it will be mostly knitting related + my weird thoughts on things that are happening both in my life, and the world in general!

It has been a very quiet weekend - the horrific weather put paid to all of my well laid plans, and I have been snuggled up on the sofa, watching TV and knitting.

Of course, at this time of the year it's a mad rush to get knitted items finished for Christmas presents, but I have managed to finish 2 over the weekend, they just need to be blocked, then I can add some photos.

I have several items in the WIP (work in progress) pile, but none are appealing to me at the moment, so I am carrying on with a very boring stocking stitch scarf, while I decide what to do next.

It's going to be a very quick week at work - I am only working until Tuesday, then I am on holiday until the following Monday, so loads of knitting and shopping time.

There is a lovely German market in the city centre, so I am planning a day out (weather permitting) and will probably pick up a couple of extra Christmas presents while I am there.

I like to get my clothes ready for work before I go to bed, so it's time for a hot drink, and I'll say goodnight for now