Wednesday, December 28, 2011

80s Knitting

Christmas at my folks in Scotland: my mum has two of my teenage-years knitted creations out... quite surprised how skilled I was back then. Managed a superb countryside intarsia polo jumper complete with 2 bunnies and a metallic oversize jumper that my mum actually still wears! Brought back one of my old books too "Picture Knits".. check them out!

Also finished sock number 1, one evening. I'm not into the cable really... think it makes my ankles look chunky although it makes them.ultra cosy! All the rest of the time spent eating and drinking to excess and chatting to numerous members of my family (17 at Christmas lunch).

My family have totally tuned into my passion for knitting ..... what a delightful number of craft-related gifts I received!
*Mochimichi book x 2 (my hubby suggested to his parents and two days later absent-mindedly purchased it himself (he'd been a bit stressed of late))
*Vouchers for local wool shop
*Cath Kidston floral knitted bag
*The 12 knits of Christmas
* Knitted tea cosies book
*Noah's Ark knitting book plus all the wool and the needles for the animals
What a glorious collection!

Visited my favourite Great Aunt on Boxing Day and she had looked out a pattern for knitted fun "fur" collars and cuffs that she had made once and thought I'd like. Can see these as a future project.




Friday, December 23, 2011

Flow & mindfullness

The single sock is progressing. Need to pay attention and tiny needles means lots of work for little noticeable growth! But I'm onto the toe decreases now so nearing end of first one. Feel as snuggly as imagined when I'm trying on for length.

Reading a book about mindfullness. Can't recall the title but it encourages the reader to live in the moment i.e."being". A wise former colleague of mine encouraged me to consider a raisin. So THIS is what he was talking about. I am seeing a link between the flow you feel when doing something you enjoy (for me one of my mindful occupations is, what do you know, knitting). My past experiences of Tai Chi, Chi Gong and Yoga all taught me to focus on the now, observing thoughts. Might explore this subject further in my blog. No followers as yet so might as well pander to my own musings.


Saturday, December 17, 2011

Socks are slow going...

Maybe its cable on 4 needles or the mulled homemade cider at our neighbours' house earlier this afternoon. Slow progress but not as hard as the cable gloves!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Snuggly socks from The Gentle Art of Knitting Jane Brocket

The penguin has flown the nest (sent to my best school buddy who left a ring behind when she stayed this w/e).

Have started on my first pair of socks for myself from a Jane Brocket pattern. Her book is totally wonderful! My favourite knitting read currently. Got it out from the library a few months back and then delighted to see it cut price from the BookPeople.


Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Cloth magazine

A lovely friend of mine Catherine left a copy of this on my doorstep. Her friend is a publisher and she knows I'm into craft (her second career is baking). What a delight this slim quarterly magazine is! Very tempted to discard the hooks and knitting needles and get out my sewing machine. Love an inspirational craft read! Will be recommending Cloth to other crafty ladies.

Actually I did turn a piece of Indian silk into a toga for my daughter (she's doing Romans at school) this week using my machine - a large rectangle transformed into a long strip. Should be able to reuse. Made curtains from the material originally ten years ago.


Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Crochet penguins

Finished one penguin. Making a mate!

Thinking socks will be next given the recent unpredictability of our boiler!


Sunday, December 11, 2011

Knitivity stable complete. Da Darh!

So happy. After much thought I nailed it. The log cabin just wasn't the thing. Looked at Google images for knitted nativities and worked out I needed a box without a lid on its side with an open top and a upside v shaped cardboard roof. Once I assembled this I covered the floor and inside back wall in rustic wallpaper remnants and crocheted a mossy roof with three colours of yarn together. Made a tiny crib out of yellow card and its done. My mum will be more than delighted! A close friend on seeing it said she would cry if someone had given her it! Still very much enjoying out own knitivity!

Have now moved on to the crocheted finger penguin puppets. Initial go was massive more like a mitten than a finger puppet but #2 seems more snug. Must find a way to post photos on this blog!



Thursday, December 1, 2011

Knitted beret!

Gave up on the crochet hat after three different Ravelry patterns failed to produce anything suitable. Decided I needed to investigate this so-called chunky yarn Tivoli Woolmix. Found a knitting pattern for Sirdar chunky (made a man's hat for my Dad last Xmas. It was rather small incidentally, he has a massive head (big brain he claims). Switched the needles for a size smaller because yardage was more, made the rib needles a further half size small (my rib is always way too loose) and at last I have mydesired grey hat to match poncho, sophisto scarf and cable gloves. Wore it yesterday on school run (one teacher striking, other not.)