Year of Projects Update - week 26

As always Christmas flashed by in a blur of wrapping paper!!  The panto was great, even though there were a few tears at the dragon (we were a little scared) but we sang our way through and now they want to book for next year!  Christmas day was fab just the 4 of us and boxing day we went to the crematorium and lit candles and we all fared ok.  On Monday I am making my way across the country with the boys to spend a few days with my mum and dad - my husband has to work so we are leaving him behind.  He likes a little time to himself!!  He will work and play golf so he is happy!

Anyway to knitting.
I am almost finished on some more booties for the stall (I sold all the rest)

At the start of the year of projects I was going to do a baby blanket but that didn't happen so I am going to follow a knitalong with a magazine I get to knit up sampler squares  I am half way through the first one.

I have made good progress on my Raspberry Tart, but this will be my only project that I take to my mums so I hope to crack on with it there.

Also whipped up a bunny purse for Debs.

I thought I would finish the year with a look at the list to check on progress and update (added some bits in red!) where necessary - so here it is:

WIP's and Deadlines

• Christmas jumper - timetable is here - hope to finish by Christmas (2015!)
• Myrna - FINISHED 19th July (accompanied by Delphine skirt)
• 2 baby hats - for Thomas's teacher's twins - FINISHED 19th July
• Raspberry tart - test knit for 24th August - FINISHED 17th August - second started
• Wedding Outfit project - whole ensemble for 4th July 
• Rainbow KAL socks  - year long KAL with UK sock knitters will not do every pair but aim for some!

Projects for me - knitting

• See You There - gillaitt yarn
• Aquae tank top - mellifera yarn
• Spiced cocoa mitts - malabrigo rios - 4 pairs fnished
• Take it Easy - mellifera yarn
• Socks - will aim for six pairs - yarn from stash 1 pair completed
• Samantha
• Hat - Odd Stripes - Finished
• Fragile heart - shawl for the wedding
• Miranda - Sweater using Madelinetosh Pashmina worsted

Projects for me and the boys - sewing

• Pyjamas - pink gingham fabric - FINISHED 1st August - will continue to make more
• Delphine skirt - FINISHED 12th July to accompany Myrna
• Blouse for work - Spotty fabric in stash - Finished
• Dress - as part of wedding outfit - muslin completed 
• Quilted owl
• Coco dress in tartan fabric already purchased
• 2 Jumpers for boys - we think abate

Gift knitting

• Bunny purse for Debs
• Little Tourist Poncho for Lily - completed
• Sun hat for Daniel
• Ongoing swatch baby blanket - yarn bought - patterns from Lets Knit
• 3 baby hats

Products to develop

• Bangles and knitted jewelry - finished
• Small purses for boys
• Lavender bags - Completed - more to follow
• Wreaths - nearly finished 4
• Baby range - hats and socks - developed - more to follow
• Christmas decs - completed some - more to follow
• Pom Poms!

Techniques to learn

• Double knitting
• Quilting

Year of Projects Update - week 25

Are we nearly there yet?
I don't know about you, but I only think so.  Last minute food shopping to do and the tiniest bit of wrapping, but otherwise we are there... I think!

I finished off all my commissions this week - 4 cafetiere and tea cosies and a pair of wristwarmers. All of which I failed to photograph, which is very unlike me!

Otherwise, I completed my last present - a bunny purse

And I made some progress on my second Raspberry Tart - I am at the sleeve separation - hurrah.

Otherwise, we are off to see the Penguins of Madagascar at the cinema in a moment.  I rarely pay full price for the cinema but this time decided we could run to it.  I really want to make Christmas magical this year for the boys after the past 2 years (2 years ago Daniel was in hospital with pneumonia and last year my mother in law passed away) and I know that doesn't mean spending lots of money, but since we are ok at the moment, I've got a couple of treats lined up - today the cinema and tomorrow the pantomine (actually quite excited myself!!)

Anyway hope all is well and I wish everyone a very Happy Christmas.

For more of the same visit our little group here. 

Year of Projects Update - week 24

This will be a very short post with no photos this week!
I have just returned from my last craft fair of the year.  The craft fair itself went very well, but I came out to find I had left my lights on and the battery was completely flat.  Who knows how, given there is an alarm if you leave them on and I returned to the car.  Anyway after two hours and an attempted rescue by an elf (I kid you not), the AA finally got me going.

In terms of projects I have done very little other than working on things for the stall and a couple of commissions.

This next week is a blur of Christmas plays and end of term but I should get some knitting in and have something more productive with photos for next week!

A Year of Projects Update - week 23

Time is flying by now - I missed last week as there was too much going on (not knitting related  I hasten to add!)  My eldest was ill, but still insisted on seeing Father Christmas and of course I had to do the cake!  I started it and my son finished it!

In knitting I completed another set of booties.

 

I made a little progress on my Raspberry tart

And today I am at the first of two fairs before Christmas.  So not that much knitting carried out, and now of course there is wrapping to be done!

If you fancy seeing some more lists and joining the year of projects then click here.

A Year of Projects Update - week 21

Gosh Christmas is so close!!  I usually have the cake made by half term so I can well and truly douse it!!  Anyway, I am making the cake today and have finally gotten round to ordering food for the holiday yesterday.

Am thinking a snowman/snowflake theme along these lines this year as that is what the boys are in their plays this year.

I have been quite productive on the knitting front!  I knitted another tree decoration,

a penguin coffee cosy,

I finished both cosies for my commission (just 1 more to go now), (modelled on my too small teapot and improvised cafetiere!)

another bag for the stall

and... I finished my socks!!  Yay, not perfect by any means, but they are done and they fit!  I want to start a new pair quickly so just need to find a nice pattern.

A Year of Projects - week 20

I haven't got much to report this week - other than lots of booties!!

Decided this week to knit some for the stall.  So here they are!
I have made a little progress on the socks and a little on Raspberry Tart.  This week I am going to finish the first tea cosy set and, hopefully start on the second when the lady I am doing them for picks the colours.  Also I may see if I can finish the last of the three baby hats then they are done.
That's about it for this week its a bit busy at school at the moment and we have a series of various parents evenings this week so we will see how we go!

A Year of Projects Update - week 19

I have some projects finished last week that I have now photographed - a lovely hat - it's odd stripes by Joji Locatelli - love it.  I used up some Mellifera yarn and some Malabrigo worsted to make it, so a stash buster too.

Also made the first of three baby hats for three pregnant ladies!

I also finished the muslin for the wrap dress - I am very pleased with it and so will soon move on to making the real thing.

I finished the first tea cosy that I have been asked to make - not sure of the size so will check with the lady this week!

Oh and I nearly forgot these!!

Both boys are doing superhero related activities on the 14th, so I made them both a cape!!

I have made no progress on any of my long term projects, but thought that would be the case!

A Year of Projects Update

I am a bit late in posting this week because I have spent virtually the whole weekend putting up a bed for my son.  He was still in his cot and at 3 and a half we decided it was time he moved out of it!!  He has been delighted and we got him a cabin bed which is fab but has taken forever to put together and sort the room out afterwards!
Anyway to knitting - I haven't made as much progress as I thought I might.  I have made some progress on the sock - I am half way along the foot.

I have done a little on my second Raspberry tart.

And I have started another wreath.

I think that is where they will stop for a while since I have some other pressing knits coming up - 3 baby hats for 3 imminent babies!!  And I have been asked to do a couple of tea cosies for Christmas, so as soon as I have finished the wreath  will get onto these.
I have also completed a hat for me and my muslin for the wedding outfit, but I forgot to photograph them so will complete that next week.

I have updated the list and here it is:
WIP's and Deadlines

• Christmas jumper - timetable is here - hope to finish by Christmas (2015!)
• Myrna - FINISHED 19th July (accompanied by Delphine skirt)
• 2 baby hats - for Thomas's teacher's twins - FINISHED 19th July
• Raspberry tart - test knit for 24th August - FINISHED 17th August - second started
• Wedding Outfit project - whole ensemble for 4th July 

Projects for me - knitting

• See You There - gillaitt yarn
• Aquae tank top - mellifera yarn
• Spiced cocoa mitts - malabrigo rios - 2 pairs fnished
• Take it Easy - mellifera yarn
• Socks - will aim for two pairs - yarn from stash 1 1/2 socks done
• Samantha
• Hat - Odd Stripes - Finished

Projects for me and the boys - sewing

• Pyjamas - pink gingham fabric - FINISHED 1st August - will continue to make more
• Delphine skirt - FINISHED 12th July to accompany Myrna
• Blouse for work - Spotty fabric in stash - Finished
• Dress - as part of wedding outfit - muslin completed 
• Quilted owl

Gift knitting

• Bunny purse for Debs
• Little Tourist Poncho for Lily - completed
• Sun hat for Daniel
• Ongoing swatch baby blanket - yarn bought
• 3 baby hats

Products to develop

• Bangles and knitted jewelry - finished
• Small purses
• Lavender bags - Completed - more to follow
• Wreaths - nearly finished 4
• Baby range - hats and socks - developed - more to follow
• Christmas decs - completed some - more to follow
• Pom Poms!

Techniques to learn

• Double knitting
• Quilting

Year of Projects Update - week 17

And yet another week goes by!!  This week is the half term holiday, so I hope to have lots to report next week!

This week, I knitted myself some mitts - spiced cocoa is the pattern - I love the pattern and have done it 3 times before.  This time I bizarrely did the left twist differently but I don't know how!!  Anyway, they are for me so I will live with the difference!  The yarn is an aran by Mellifera yarn in the rain colourway.

I also finished the wreaths and made mini versions.

And made a snowman for the tree and another stocking.
As to sewing, I made a couple of project bags - here is one  it contains my 3 ongoing projects (second sock, second Raspberry tart and my Christmas jumper), none of which I have done much on this last week, so no photos!

I also made up my top, and will do the wrap dress today now I have the correct needles.
What are you working on this week?

Project WO

So this week I have made a little progress on the wedding outfit.
I couldn't sew up the muslin for the wrap dress as I realised that I needed ball point needles for the stretch fabric.  I have picked these up today so hopefully next weekend I should be able to sew it up.
I did take receipt of my fabric and yarn to make the shawl.

The material wasn't hugely expensive (from Minerva Craft), but feels lovely and has a bit of texture to it.  The yarn is a gorgeous silky sock from Mellifera yarn to make Fragile Heart a shawl by Boo knits.
Mel is also going to dye some aran in reflection for me so that I can make the bag to match.  She has aran in at the end of the month so hopefully soon after that I will get all the yarn I need.

That's about it on the wedding outfit front this week, I have made other progress but I will blog about that in my Year of Projects post on Sunday.

Linking up with Nicole at KCCO

Year of Projects Update

Some progress this week.  I finished one sock and it fits!!

I started the next one, but I'm only at the ribbing.
I am going to do my sewing today, so have nothing to report as yet, except that I went ahead and bought some fabric and yarn for the dress and shawl.  The fabric was another bargain from Minerva Craft, and the yarn was again from Mellifera yarn, a silky sock in reflection.

This last week was wreath week!!  I have done two!!  I shall be adding a ribbon to the white one and embellishing the stripey one with pom poms!!

I think that is about it this week, have a lovely week - we have one more week until the half term holiday - hurrah!!

Project WO and other WIP's

So one week in and what progress have I made?
I have bought the pattern for the dress.

I have also bought some material to make a muslin - some lovely cheap stretch material in a dark brown which I purchased from Minerva crafts online for just £3 a meter.  I have since cut it out and will sew it together this weekend, together with a few other sewing projects.

The other elements will have to wait until I have the actual fabric for the dress, but I may not be able to wait until December - will have to see how the weekend goes.
In other WIP's, I have made some progress on both the socks and the Raspberry tart.

The most progress has been reserved for the wreath (since I have designated this wreath knitting week!) - it is quite boring to knit at the moment - just loads of garter stitch but the end is in sight!

Linking up with KCCO

Year of Projects Update

Well bauble knitting week has gone very well!  However, I will need more bauble knitting weeks to make enough - they were very enjoyable so this is no hardship.  This week I shall designate wreath knitting week!

I have also made a little progress on the sock and my second raspberry tart, but no pics as the progress is not noticeable.

I blogged in the week about my new project here.  This is my whole outfit project to go to my SIL's wedding.  I will add it to my YOP list.  I have already bought the pattern for the dress and some fabric to make a muslin.

I have actually got myself ready for an epic sewing session next weekend when I intend to make all of the following fabric pieces into; a wrap dress, a tie top, 2 project bags and the start of a quilt.  Well that is the intention!

I also think I have settled on Fragile Heart by Boo Knits as my shawl and I have bought some yarn from Mellifera yarn to possibly make it with - some silky sock.

Well that is about it - my husband is cycling in a charity cycle today so I will be off to provide back up!!  Have a good day.

Project WO!

My sister in law is getting married next year.  My 2 boys will be page boys and my husband is giving her away.  As a result I feel like I should make an effort!!

I thought I would set myself a challenge.  This years challenge was to set up the craft stall and Etsy shop, which is done and ticking over nicely.  So for this next year I thought I would set myself Project Wedding Outfit - where I make pretty much everything I intend to wear.

Project WO will therefore, consist of:

A wrap dress - I have been reading 'What not to wear' and have decided this is the best type of dress for my figure.  I will need a pattern and think I have decided on the ultimate wrap dress by Sew Over It.  I have a day off (without children) at the start of December so I will source some fabric on that day.  In the meantime I shall order some relatively cheap stretch fabric to make myself a muslin first (I shall do this properly!!)

Shawl - I would like a smallish lightweight shawl to wear as although the wedding is in July I may need it to go into the evening.  I have knitted a Boo knits shawl in the past and found it easy to follow but lovely to look at, so am thinking of one of these - possibly Fragile Heart.  I can't buy yarn yet as it will depend on my choice of fabric for the dress.


Corsage - I have made a number of fabric flowers for the stall as in the tutorial so I will probably make one of these.

Knitted handbag with wooden handles - Again something I have made for the stall in superchunky, but I will make one to coordinate with the dress.  I may make it in a finer yarn but I will keep looking for a pattern for this.  Maybe something along these lines:


Shoes - I will not be making!  I am hoping my wedding shoes might be appropriate - I kept them from 10 years ago but have never worn them again.

Underwear - I will not be attempting a bra (will buy one!).  However, I have been seduced by the knicker kits at Sew Over It and may make my own - but we will see.

Jewelry - I have made my own jewelry, but it depends what it all looks like as to whether I buy some or make some.

Wedding Cake - I have been asked to make this - I know no more at the moment, so will update when I know.

So there we have it, my new project.  I am going to aim to blog about this regularly, hopefully, once a week although I may combine it with a WIP Wednesday if there is not much happening on the outfit front!!  I shall also add it to my Year of Projects list.

Linking up with KCCO

Year of Projects Update - week 13

And yet another week flies by!!
I have a few little finishes this week, one for the stall and 3 for us.
Firstly I have been trying to produce some little stockings for the tree that would hold some chocolate coins.  The first 2 ended up far too big (so these will be for us - lots of chocolate coins!!) and the third pretty much perfect.

I will try to knock up some more of these this week - although I have designated this week Xmas bauble knitting week - as you do!

Second finish was Daniels hat with a pom pom.  I knit him a snowman, so here he is!

Its not brilliant but all he wants is a pom pom to squish so it will do - when it gets colder I have a hat knitted last year for him.

Other than that I have knitted some on my second Raspberry tart and my second attempt at the socks is coming along nicely.

Thats all for now, will probably go swimming in a bit - will be visiting later.  If you want to read some more please visit us in the Year of Projects group on Ravelry.

WIP Wednesday - On Thursday!

Ok, so I fully intended to post this yesterday, but I had a meeting after school and once I had sorted out the boys it was too late!!  So here it is a day late.  I have lots of things on the needles at the moment, and that is how I like it right now!  A project for every mood!!
The hat for Daniel is nearly finished - I actually frogged it a bit to change the yarn as the original was too scratchy.

 This is my progress to date.

The new Raspberry tart is started, but haven't done too much on that.  I am loving the colour - it is Merino DK in Cerulean by Mellifera yarn

I haven't done any more to the Xmas jumper.

The socks are now progressing, but slowly, having frogged the original when I worked out all the measurements!

However, the second chunky bag is finished

And the Xmas stocking tree decoration is done.

So it is all good - linking up with KCCO for more crafty goodness.