Monday 30 March 2009

Am I a Designer?

I know, I've been rubbish.

It's more months than I care to admit to since I last posted, but now I have some exciting news.
Two weekends ago, I went on a workshop with Cookie A. to learn how to design socks. As a result I put together a sock - and I've had an amazing response. I'm completely blown away. So, I'm going to post my design here and then link it to Ravelry, if I can work out how to do that....

This is the first time I've written out a design for other people to use (it's the first time I've really designed anything) - so all comments gratefully received!

D:\Documents and Settings\jdaykin\My Documents\personal\Chelsea socks.pdf

Wednesday 7 January 2009

Hmm - Posting weekly

This whole posting weekly thing isn't working terribly well - it seems to be closer to monthly.

So anyway - Christmas has been and gone, and the memory is fading after three days at work. I was ill just before Christmas which messed up my plans for finishing work, but at least I was over it by the holdiays, unlike most of DH's family with whom we were staying. His Dad, Sister, Niece and Nephew were all ill, and I discovered that ill 2-year olds can be quite unpleasant. However, we also saw my 2-year old nephew who was his usual delightful self. He has learnt to say 'notwithstanding' but can't yet use it in a sentence.

With two weeks off, the knitting proceeded apace. I finished the eyelet vest whilst ill, but it seems to have grown since. I blocked it to size but it's already a little baggy - still nice and warm though. I have also finished the Express Lane socks which were quick and easy (as the name suggests, I guess) and I have a good bit of the yarn left. I made a bright red Swallowtail for MiL for her birthday at the end of Jan (at which DH started to appreciate the magic of blocking) and a Jacques Cousteau hat for FiL for his birthday in Feb.

The inlaws gave me 'Favorite Socks' for Christmas and I'm working on a pair of waving lace (just started the second sock) and the Lady Eleanor is progressing in the meantime. I placed an order with the Blue Moon Fibre Arts barnsale. It has finally cleared customs and should be on its way to me shortly, so I'm still hopefully of taking part in the February Lady KAL - and have lots of other goodies in there too - and finally, the first part of the Socktopus sock club is due to be shipped next week. This is the first time I've participated in a sock club so I'm very excited and hoping to learn new things. Much knitting as ever!

Tuesday 2 December 2008

Quickly

Can't believe how long since I posted - nearly a month.

Lots of FOs since I last posted. The Clessidra socks are done (and have elastic in the tops). They got a lot softer after washing too.

I've also finished the first Endpaper mit. I think my colourwork needs some practice, but it's OK. I taught myself the Italian tubular cast on for this, and now I need to find the notes again so I can cast on the second.

Finished Jane's Fishbowl Dumpling (just needs the snap sewn in). This was a bit challenging as I had to use cotton for the handle (due to allergies). I also crocheted the rings and modified the shape slightly. Pickies to follow at some stage.

Biggest news is that the Shetland shawl is done but not blocked. I'm hoping to borrow some wires tomorrow and then the excitement will start. I think I'm going to have to strip the spare bed to lay it out on. I might also re-block Fascination while I have the use of the wires.

Current wips (other than the mits) are a pair of Jaywalker socks and the final Christmas beanie.

I really want to cast on my Lady Eleanor, but I'm going to make more progress with the Christmas cards first ;-)

Saturday 8 November 2008

Socks

Time has got away from me again, so it's more than a week...
Last Sunday I went to the opening of the Socktopus shop with Alex. This led to much stash enhancement, although I have started using some (more later) - we also ate very yummy cupcakes and I did some knitting on Clessidra (first sock now finished, but I'm not convinced they're going to stay up on their own).
On the way back we were sitting waiting for a bus back to Sloan Square and Boris Bekker walked past so that was exciting too.
Despite the number of on-going wips I cast on another on Wednesday - Shurt'agal socks for DH for Christmas. I have finished the first, but he's home for the weekend so they've had to go into hiding. I'm using Malabrigo sock yarn in Eggplant that I bought at Socktopus, and it's gorgeous - really loving this one. Piccies to follow ....

Sunday 26 October 2008

... And Back To Work

Slows the knitting right back down again. However, I am making progress with the shawl (I did take piccies yesterday, but haven't got them on the PC yet). The Clessidra socks are a bit on the back burner. Then yesterday, I made a dumpling bag. I love it. Did the whole thing in a day (apart from sewing on the snap, but I don't think that counts). As soon as the 9mm dpns I'd ordered came through the letter box, I was helpless.

Other than that, I have swatched for a Ce'Ce cardigan. Although the yarn is thinner than it's supposed to be, I am getting stitch gauge with a little extra length (not much) but it's making the lace look holey. I can't decide whether to go down a needle size and up a pattern size or whether to leave as is - but I'm not going to start on this one yet anyway.

In other news, I'm feeling very pleased with myself having got the Christmas shopping well underway. I suspect I will be less smug when I look at my credit card bill!

Thursday 16 October 2008

A Week Off Work ....

.... leads to lots of knitting.
Clessidera isn't making much progress but I have done Pip's Harlot poncho - I used the Mission Falls 1824 wool (3 balls Thyme, 1 ball Denim, 1 ball Cornflower). I'm really pleased with how it has come out and I hope she likes it too.




I have also finished Fascination - blocked and every thing (round my neck at the moment).
Which means I have also made a start on the Shetland Shawl - it's going better this time (so far!). I have switched to straights for the time being as the circ was too long and annoying me. I had to buy 5mm straights. How is it I can have about 3 pairs of 5.5mm and NO 5mm? I'm also busy planning lots more projects, but that's it for now .....











































Tuesday 14 October 2008

Stash growth


DSCN0576
Originally uploaded by jmkdaykin
Hah - I went yarn shopping today. My plan was to buy Mission Falls 1824 wool to knit a Very Harlot Poncho for my sister. I succeeded but then things overtook me.....

So we have-
2 skeins of KPPPM in a gorgeous variegated orange / peach (strange since I don't like orange).
4 balls of Misti Alpaca Suri/Silk DK in dark green which I think are destine to become a Swallowtail
1 ball of Misti Alpace 2 ply lace in bright red
6 balls of Artesano DK in dark blue to make Knee High walking socks for Dad
5 balls of the Mission Falls, 4 of which are incorporated into the heap on the right hand side of the picture
1 kit for knitting a dumpling bag - got home and realised I don't have the pattern, I'll worry about that later.

Meantime Fascination has progress well and Clessidra are going slow.