Match, Set & Design

It's Wimbledon, so I'm trying to be topical - did it work???

Anyway, It's FINALLY finished, 18 months later and I'm officially done.

You would have heard me speak of the dreaded scarf knitted on small needles, that was never ending?? Yes that one... well I'm done and in case you didn't realise, (its been so long), it is part of a matching set:- beret, scarf and fingerless mittens.

I made the beret first and it sat languishing, waiting for the scarf to be finished. I couldn't wear the beret until the scarf was done - I know but that's just me!!

The beret was knitted from a pattern in an edition of the The Art Of Knitting magazine. I loved knitting this and it was so quick to complete but thought a scarf would complete the look perfectly.

So I just started knitting the scarf, no pattern just made it up as I went along...guess you could call it my first real knitted design piece. It wasn't until I was a quarter of the way through and realised that it was taking way too long, that I changed the design somewhat to a kind of "scarflette". I had to look up how to make buttonholes, so I guess you can say I learnt a new knitting skill in the process. I picked up the button at the Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace, last year, when I thought I had a couple of weeks left before it was finished......Oh the joys of hindsight!!!

The mittens were an afterthought. I had so much yarn left over when I finished and I had never knitted mittens, that I thought why not and casted on. In fact I've still got a lot of yarn left that I'm thinking I may make another beret, this time reversing the colours (i.e. main colour green).

Here's the final result, (hat & scarf modelled by Miss H):








Oh and by the way, to carry on the sporting theme, the Olympic Rings are now up on Tower Bridge....yeah!!"

- Cheerio

Soooooo..... Excited!!!!!

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it.....yes folks, my tickets have come for the Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace on Saturday, 9th October. I'm going with my daughter, who's into sewing, she's excited too.

Oh what to do with myself before then I do not know well actually I do...I have a plan of action, as follows:

1. Printed out list of exhibitors from Ravelry, I'm in the process of "Googling" them and then highlighting the ones that I really want to see/buy from - I'm on a budget. (See I can be focused!).
    
2. Make a list of what I am in need of, want to buy and may buy if I have any money left at the end of the day.
   
   Then on the actual day, my plan of action is to:
    
3. Leave early and drive (it's going to take at least an hour and a half but apparently there's loads of free parking - result).
    
4. Wear trainers (loads of walking - I'm wearing my sketchers fitness trainers, so I can keep fit at the same time - I can multi-task!!)
    
5. Wear layers (just in case it gets too hot/cold).
    
6. Bring cash only, no cards, (I'm on a budget, see point 1 above).
    
7. Bring packed lunch, water, etc. ( no time to sit and take in a leisurely lunch. Too much to see. Also I am on a budget - see points 1 & 6 above).
    
8. Bring a big enough backpack to store purchased items in, so I am not carrying huge amounts of bags around and looking like a "bag lady". (Pity daughter is not at the baby stage so I could have a pram, to cart said purchases around in...mmmm - wonder if I could nip out and put things in the car and nip back in again, may have to ask the question).

So you see I'm organised for this one (not like the last show, where I wasn't, ended up overspending (including buying some awful yarn (see previous blog) and couldn't look Mr H in the eyes)!!! If you're going to Ally Pally on Saturday....see ya there!!

Anyway, for those of you looking for a quick WIP update, I've finished my son's cowl (you'll see an update on Friday) and I've just casted on my Stockholm Scarf, which I've named "Greenness Cowlness" (don't ask me why, 'cos I dunno!!). Loving the yarn - Rowans Cashsoft DK:




For more WIP's, check out Tami's Amis blog.

Cheerio