Jubilee Bank Holiday Progress

We've just celebrated a four day celebration for Her Majesty the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Fantastic stuff, loved all the pageantry and celebrations, although I didn't personally go to see anything. I really can't stand crowds plus I think, it would feel like I was going back to work, as the nearest bridges to me would be London Bridge or Tower Bridge (for the Flotilla) or trying to get to St Paul's, etc., as I work in the City. Too much for the Bank Holiday, besides I had a brilliant view on my TV set and I didn't even get wet!!!

However, I did manage to get a couple of photos of the boats beginning to congregate at London Bridge on Friday, (sorry not as spectacular as Sunday's Flotilla) but still quite exciting at this stage:

(Note: Tower Bridge is in the background):

Anyway, for this weekend I decided to finish off/work on some WIP's that have been lying around for quite a while - one for at least 18 months or so. A Beret and matching Scarf (my own design), which I did manage to complete yesterday and I am very happy with these I must say. I will probably publish more on this in a later blog.

I have also made much progress on my Lace Leaf Wrap, only 3 more pattern repeats to go, before I am finished and can I be honest?.... I can't wait for this to be done. It seems like its been on the needles forever, although actually its a lot less time than the Beret and Scarf. Here's where I am so far:




I don't think I've done so bad this weekend. I kept my resolve, although you don't know how sorely tempted I was to cast on something new- even winding some organic merino wool that I had lying around (as you do) into a ball - but no, I persevered with the older stuff, freed up some needles and now feel good for it.

Oh and I finished some socks.

For more WIP's (Bank Holiday ones or not), please check out Tami's Amis blog.


- Cheerio

Starting But Not Finishing

Hi all, I think I have now caught the dreaded "Uncompletion-itis" disease.

First symptom appeared about two weeks ago.

I finished the body of a facecloth I was knitting and decided that I wanted to do some lace edging for it.  So I dutifully researched the lace edging patterns on Ravelry and chose the Diamond Lace Edged one - so far so good.  I casted on and did 10 pattern repeats and now, I am b-o-r-e-d.... I really don't know why I do this (see previous blog), I'm really not good on lace edgings, I find them a bit of a chore. Here is the progress so far:




Then because I was flying to New York last week, I thought that besides the lace edging, I would need another plane project..so the Jewelled Cowl was chosen. The night before my flight, I took out my beautiful swift and wound the Malabrigo Lace yarn from my stash and threaded approximately 750 beads onto the yarn. (The pattern calls for 728 beads but I decided to do more, as a "just in case" measure).

Oh My Days!!!! Can I just advise you to learn from my experience - never, I repeat NEVER, thread the beads on for this project - do as the pattern tells you and put each bead in place with a crochet hook. I spent most of the flight (there and back) detangling the yarn and beads and have been doing so ever since - Nightmare!!!!



Here is the progress so far, suffice it to say I'm not really enamoured with this project, so not feeling the need to finish anytime soon:




Anyway, whilst in New York, I happened upon a local yarn shop and bought the most delightful Cascade Ultra Pima cotton in luscious green.

Now because I don't want to work on my lace edging anymore, am not liking my Jewelled Cowl (which by the way, I was looking do forward to making) and let's not start on my Lace Leaf Wrap (which is surely in deep hibernation and snoring away by now) - I casted on the pattern for the Grey Loop cowl, except mine is going to be called Green Loopy Loop. Haven't got very far but here it is:



I'm on holiday at the moment and whilst I'm now enjoying the start of my Green Loopy Loop, I'm eyeing up some cashmere lace yarn in my stash and thinking....mmmm maybe I should cast on for a shawlette.

Oh please send for the knitting doctor...please, I really need to finish something!!!

There are more people who suffer with this disease, I'm not sure how bad they've got it though. So you may want to check out Tami's Amis blog, if you want to research further!!

- Cheerio

Productivity

It seems that I have been on a month and a bit break but I can safely say, not an unproductive one. I've been busy, I've had a birthday in between, tinkering on my brand new swift and I've been finishing off some projects as follows:

Firstly, I made a Mizzle for myself, with Rowan RYC Cashsoft 4ply Aran yarn. I'm not going to show a photo of it, purely because I'm not sure that I like it.  For some reason it doesn't look right on me, so I may frog...I've left it for a while though in my little knitting box of FO's, just in case I change my mind - but it's not looking good (unless someone rescue's it!).

Secondly, I finished the following Noble Cowl, made for my friend who like me, loves throwing things around her neck:





I made this from some spare bamboo yarn in my stash and I must admit I love it and she does too. I wasn't too sure at first, messed up the pattern early on because I wasn't concentrating (as you do), so frogged and re-started.

Thirdly, I finished my Birthday Scarf (aptly named because I started it on my birthday...dah, dah).  It's correct name is the Chinook Scarf, by Ali Green. 

It is modelled by the lovely Jade (who I have bought out of retirement...well therapy, (she was suffering from the symptoms of neglect, although my daughter doesn't see it that way at all!).  Jade also had her hair cut and braided for the occasion, the ultimate professional, despite her ongoing troubles  :)



 

Love this scarf, love this yarn, its called Katia Tupa, in Navy Blue - 50% Merino Wool & 50% Silk - beautiful.  Not very warm (I think) but hey it makes a great accessory.  I think this is going to be a staple in my wardrobe.

I am still beavering away on my Lace Leaf Wrap, Lord knows when I will finish this one, it surely is a Work In Progress (in every sense)!!!

I've also started two new projects during my hiatus, which I will let you know about on WIP Wednesday.

So all in all, I have been an extremely productive lady...how about you??  What you been up to??

To see more productivity, check out these knitting professionals on Tami's Amis blog.

(Disclaimer (or something along those lines): I hope you all are Ravelers or you may have difficulty viewing some of the links!!)

- Cheerio

Progress Check

Yes, there is definitely a nip in the air, an easterly wind blowing and I my friends, have been busy.

Since my last post, I have knitted and finished two cowls (one for me and one for my son - think I may have told you about this one already but didn't post any pics), anyway I will tell you about these on Friday.

I'm definitely in the "Cowl" mood, so I have now casted on another one for Mr H.  It's the first time that I am knitting on 9mm needles (nearest I have come to these are 6.5mm, so this is a bit of an achievement!).  Think this one is going to go very fast, which is good because Mr H will need it as he works outdoors.

See my shiny new Knitpro needles....bought these at the Knitting & Stitching Show...love them...they are soooooo shiny.!!!

Remember my Baby Blankie, well I am progressing (albeit slowly) on this.  The body of the blanket is now finished and I am working on the lace to go around it but its boring.   I have to do approx. 468cms and I am BORED!!.  I think I have about 5 repeats of the pattern to do, which in the scheme of things is not long, but I can't work up any enthusiasm to finish it....arrgghhh!!!  I will have to though as baby is due in approx 5 weeks time and I will need to give something..(wonder if they would like baby booties instead (*sigh*).  Here's a bit of the knitted lace anyway:

The Greenleaf Wrap is still in the same condition it was in, in August.  Nothing to see there, so move on....  Same for the scarf from hell (and that's going back to April)....moving on...

Oh and I frogged the Mohair Wrap, wasn't working for me!  Will have to re-do but not until next year now!!

So all in all that's it.  I have to cast on one more cowl, this time for my daughter and then I need to finish all WIP's before the New Year (or so I tell myself, unless I see another Cowl pattern I like (which I have and then....well.....I've been eyeing up this book - putting on my Christmas list):



For more WIP's check out Tami's Amis blog:

Until Friday then...Cheerio!

WIP August 2011

Hi Folks, I know I have been missing for a while but I have been incredibly busy working on the secret projects and because I couldn't take photos, decided it would be boring to tell you how I was progressing on them. 

Anyway all three secret projects are now finished....whey hey...yeah...whoop whoop...thank the Lord!!..., (if you read my previous blog you'll see why I am so happy!!!).  Unfortunately, I can't show you what these projects are until next Friday (FO Friday - not this Friday, next Friday...get it???), I can hear you saying ..."Oh the suspense!!!"  Don't worry here is some nice photos of my progress on the Lace Leaf Wrap and the Baby Blankie, to keep you going..... 

Unfortunately, no progress on the Mohair Wrap: (sad face):


For more WIP's, check out Tami's Amis:

WIP Wednesday Update

It seems such a long time since I have blogged, I've been busy on other things including working on my knitting projects.  However, I think it's time I updated you on what I've been knitting lately.

I think I am developing an obsession with shawls/wraps and stoles, hence the following projects:

My Lace Leaf Wrap is progressing well.  It's a new technique for me as I told you previously but I think I now have got the hang of it, (it helps with my brilliant "Ticking Chart" of course):


I'm still loving the colour (Green) and the yarn Sirdar Balmoral.  It's my current take out of the house and work on - project (i.e. on the train).

The next project is my Mohair Wrap in lovely red.  I had to frog this project and re-start, as I had no clue what I was doing (first time knitting with mohair) and it didn't look right - but now I feel that I'm getting the hang of it and the project is already feeling so light and airy.  Can't wait to finish this - it's my current stay at home project (I don't feel too confident to bring it out to knit in public, as I may get it wrong!!)






The final project is new, it's a Baby Blanket, for someone close to me who is due to have a baby in the Autumn.  This is my Weekend Project, (not sure why the photo is the wrong way round but you get the picture...ha..ha get it "picture"...oh well never mind, I thought it was funny!!!)

The pattern called for Sirdar Denim Chunky and Denim Sport, the only problem is that I found out when going to buy them that these yarns were being discontinued...near disaster, until I found an online store that was selling at a very reasonable price (obviously getting rid of stock!!).  I later found some in a local yarn shop at more than double the price - so I'm quite happy....RESULT!!

Looks like it's going to be a pretty quick knit, so may get finished way before the Autumn.

So that's my quick catch-up, for more WIP's check out here.

Blessings.




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