Thursday 26 March 2015

What I have been up to

While waiting for the actual snow to melt, I recently took down my decorative snowflakes.  Spring weather, please come.  We are all in need of sun, green grass and warm weather.



Still working on this sock although I have stalled out almost completely.  Actually, I have veered off in other directions but keep trying to pull myself back.


This is what I have strayed with.  The barn sweater by Carrie Bostick Hoge.  I am using Cascade 220 and so far this has been a fast and fun knit.  I am just about ready to divide for the sleeves.



This little pile of squares caught my eye the other night.  This is Flowers in the Snow for my daughter.  I have close to 100 squares done and need 144.  Must get this done.



This lovely dk blue-face leicester is destined to be a gift.


I recently acquired these two balls of fibre-filled goodness. I am still unsure of what they will become.  Mittens?  Hat perhaps.



That's whats going on around here.  What about you?  What are you up to?

Sunday 22 March 2015

March Sock Challenge

Lots of scrap sock yarns + a little time and effort = Scrappy Socks.  I am really pleased with them.  Now I just have to sew in lots of ends.







Friday 20 March 2015

crafting space

I love seeing photos and info about people's crafting areas.  Some are fortunate to have a room or studio, I have what could be called a nook.  Don't get me wrong, I am very lucky indeed to have this space of my own.  The space alone will often inspire me and I spend time on a regular basis going through my yarns and other yarn related belongings. I don't have a huge stash and try not to acquire too much in the way of tools and books.  That said, I do have a fairly large selection of needles, many of which were given to me.  Books and magazines are kept to a minimum as I find I don't tend to knit from them. Mostly I buy or use free patterns online.  It does tend to get rather messy as I am often looking for something and things get ripped apart.

Anyway, this is my space. Knitting is such a huge part of my life and has been for 30 years so I feel it deserves a special place.  My knitting is given as gifts regularly so I think of what I do have as an investment.









A couple of quick pictures of the snow we had this week.  People are very overwhelmed and understandably fed up. The fact that it is beautiful is no longer working for folks.  It is just a lot of work to go anywhere and do anything. But Nature is amazing, isn't it?  I was in the basement where it is darkish and noticed my calla lilies were peaking out of the soil.  They know its time to start growing.  Wondrous! Happy First day of Spring and also International day of Happiness. Make the most of it.




Tuesday 17 March 2015

Sid Beanie

I finished the Sid Beanie by Tikki Knits. This hat is for my granddaughter, but she lives a distance away so I will have to send it to her.  I hope they will send a picture of her wearing it.  Purple is her favourite colour and I hope she likes it.

 This was a quick knit.  I used Berroco Vintage DK and I cannot say I love this yarn.  It is an acrylic/wool blend which is useful for children's knits.  But I think the hat is adorable and she will be as cute as a button wearing it.




The sun was shining over my morning coffee. Glorious!  We were hit with a snowstorm just 2 days ago and are literally just digging out and are expecting another tonight and tomorrow.  This is just the calm between the storms.



The sun was streaming in the windows so I had a little fun with my bunny collection and the blown glass ornaments my mother passed down to me and my rock collection. Ignore the dust please.



Where ever you are, I hope you have a sun filled day.

Monday 16 March 2015

Elinya

Finally a finished project.  I have quite a few sitting around, so I am trying to finish them off.

This is Elinya.  Made with Fleece Artist sock yarn in red(I can't remember the name)  and I cannot remember what the grey yarn was.  Something from my stash.  This pattern was easy and quick.  Just row after row of squishy garter stitch.  I did make a mistake in the switching of colours but chose not to rip it out.  It drives my son crazy, he would never have left it that way.  No matter, I love it. It will get lots of use. These colours are one of my favourite combinations.



Sunday 15 March 2015

Another Storm Day












No knitting to show you today.  We are being smacked with another snow storm.  We were prepared and cosy and warm in the house.  I love a good storm when my family is safe and sound at home with me.  If you are getting pummelled, I hope you are warm and cosy too.

Friday 13 March 2015

Around the house and working on...








-The cats are timidly enjoying a bit of sun.

-Socks are getting a wool wash and dry.

-Scrappy sock in process.

-One baby sock finished.

-One sock finished for Monthly sock challenge at Buckaloo View

Friday 6 March 2015

Basic Cowl

Just finished this basic cowl. While in my Local Yarn Shop about a month ago, I saw this yarn and fell in love.  It is soft and nubby and lovely.  The colours are soft and lovely as well.  I had no plans for it so decided that I have been wearing my old cowl every day;  time for something new.





This is worsted weight Bamboo Bloom Handpaints.  I have never seen it before or heard of it but trust me,  it is delicious. I mixed this with natural Lady Godiva by Handmaiden Yarns which is some of the softest yarn I have ever used. I did this because I was not sure I had enough for a long, wrap around cowl.  I was basing this cowl on a Noro one that I made several years ago.  I really love that cowl.  This one does not have the stretchability that the Noro one does and only wraps around twice instead of the Noro 3 times. Oh well.  I cast on 220 st using 6mm needles and did 6 rows of garter followed by stocking stitch for 8 rows and then 4 rows of garter, etc.  until I was ready to bind off and then 8 rows of garter.  Nothing exciting.  Plain and basic which describes me to a T.  I use to try all types of patterns but I am finding that I come back to the basics more and more.

It is a glorious sunny day here and I am off for the weekend.  Look out knitting, here I come.

Tuesday 3 March 2015

around the house

I love those posts on other blogs; you know the ones, corners of my home or whatever.  I thought I would occasionally do the same.  There is something about seeing how other people live, or decorate; the colours and textures.  We are all so different.  Anyway, there are many, many messy spots in my home.  I probably won't dwell on those too often.  I know some people have problems with blogs that focus only on the stylized, or perfected images.  We all know there are ugly parts of life but I choose not to focus on those here.  Also, more often than not, there will be something woolly involved.  Have a nice day.