Yarn Along - There's Something Spooky Going On

It's our half term break, much needed by all, and the clocks went back, not needed as since we have been up at 5:30am every morning!
So what have we been up to?  We went to Hever Castle on Monday and took part in some ghoulish goings on!

We also visited a farm near us well known for its Halloween festival.  My boys don't really do spooky and they certainly don't like rides, but they do like a good trail and love carving pumpkins, so we are now ready for the latter.

I have not been idle in this time, I finished my socks at the weekend and wore them today.

I have made good progress on Rhombing around, I am now torn between finishing the body in my second colour, saving my main colour for the arms, or finishing my main colour on the body and finding a match in stash to do the arms.  I don't honestly think I have enough to do the body to the length I want so I think it will have to be the first option.

Having finished my socks, I'm feeling a little low on WIP's!!  So I cast on a vest top in some new Louisa Harding yarn I just got.

I shall of course, need some new socks to CO, not sure what pattern now but do have a hankering for some lovely self striping - maybe this yarn?

Reading has not been progressing well and I think I may have to abandon The Seas for a read that keeps my attention.
Linking with Nicole and Ginny.

A Year of Projects Update - week 17

Some more progress this week.  I finished my socks.  These were Jesse by Rachel Coopey.  They were my first colourwork socks and I'm very pleased with them.  I knit the stranded portion inside out and they fit perfectly.  They knit up pretty quickly, given I knit them one at a time (something that I am loathe to do!)

I also knit up some more hot water bottle covers.

And worked on some baubles.

Photos aren't great this week as I took them early on my phone, and of course, it wants to turn them round!

It's the half term break this week, so hopefully, in amongst some day trips I should get some good knitting time.

For more updates check out our group here.

A Year of Projects Update - week 16

We have had a somewhat busy week what with meetings and parents evenings, but just one to go before the half term break.  This weekend has been nice and relaxing however, and I have managed to get some crafting done.
I finally finished my third sailor top.  I bought the material ages ago, so it was good to finally get it done.  I think this will be my last sailor top for a minute as I have come to the end of suitable material!!

I am plugging away at items for the stall as I have a couple of craft fairs coming up.  I am just doing another hot water bottle cover and am making lots of baubles.

I am also making progress on my second colourwork sock.  Pattern is Jesse by Rachel Coopey.

I thought now was the time to update the list.  We have a quiet day today apart from a party later this afternoon, so I am hoping to make progress and have a serious think about gifts this Christmas!
WIP's and Deadlines

• Christmas jumper - timetable is here - hope to finish by Christmas (2015!)
• Socks  - I aim to complete 6 pairs this year - Hector - finished July - I want to do the Rachel Coopey MKAL, Otis and Jesse
• Rhombing Around - sweater using Mellifera yarn in stash
• Outfit A Long - Vianne by Andi Sutterland and Megan by Tilly Walnes - finished August 2nd
• Second chance frog cowl - made with my frogged yarn from my cardi - finished
• Test knit - for Celtic Knits - Finished September 

Projects for me - knitting

• From Way Back - mellifera yarn
• Hitofude - Mellifera yarn
• Samantha
• Miranda - Sweater using Madelinetosh Pashmina worsted
• Wind Wave by Jo Allport form The Knitter magazine
• Drumcliff - vest from The Knitter magazine
• Byeline - by Jimenez Joseph

Projects for me and the boys - sewing

• Pyjama bottoms for me
• Coco top
• Sailor Top by Fancy Tiger Crafts - third finished 17th Ocober
• Outfit Along - Megan by Tilly Walnes
• Knickers!!
• PE bags - Finished
• Pencil cases - Finished

Gift knitting

• Quilted owl for mum
• Sun hat for Daniel
• Rainbow hat for Daniel - finished August 11th
• Ongoing swatch baby blanket - yarn bought - patterns from Lets Knit

Products to develop

• Hot water bottle covers - in progress October 
• Furry hats - started July 25th
• Hat and bootie sets - started August 11th

Techniques to learn

• Double knitting - September - now to do some socks
• Quilting

To catch up with more click here.

One test knit and some hot water bottle covers!

The test knit was released last week, so I am now at liberty to share. They are gorgeous mitts by Ruth at Celtic knits, they are called Dagda.
These are a fabulous easy to memorise knit that would make a great Xmas present and you still have time to knit several pairs!

I have also been knitting a few things for the stall - some hot water bottle covers to be exact.  Now I'm doing some baubles.

I also finished one colourwork sock - now to start the next.

I am still at the same place in the Seas - it's not that I haven't enjoyed it, it's just I've been enjoying my knitting too much.
Linking with Nicole and Ginny

A Year of Projects Update - week 15

Again a little progress has been made.
Firstly to show the test knit from the last few weeks.  It wasn't socks (I led you astray with the taat - I did them taat but they were mitts!)

The pattern is Dagda by our own lovely Ruth.  It is a gorgeous pattern, easy to memorise, but with lots of fabulous detail.  It's a fairly fast knit, perfect for gifting, so fab as a present this Christmas, and there is time to knit a few!
Yesterday, I finished my first colourwork sock and I love it and it fits!  In answer to some of your questions last week, I had forgotten to go up a needle size for the colourwork, but Lynn said to knit them inside out so as not to tighten the colours too much, so that is what I did.  And they are snug but comfy so I'm really glad I did.

Now onto the next...
We are at Brands Hatch today so it's another busy weekend, next weekend I hope to slow down a little and catch up with some knitting and hopefully some sewing.
To see what the others are up to click here

A Year of Projects Update - week 14

We have a fairly steady week here where progress is concerned.
I have made progress on Rhombing Around, but no photos yet as I hope to get to the end of the body before I show!
I have made progress on my socks and am doing as advised and am knitting them inside out as it were - I am really pleased with these.  This is how they look inside out!!

 And this is a sneaky look at the colourwork - love it!

I did make progress on my double knitting but then thought long and hard about where I was going with it.  The colours were not really me and the cast on was not good enough for the project to be gifted.  So I decided to use it as a means to an end - I learned double knitting and not to be afraid of it.  I have frogged the cowl and have found a double knitted sock pattern that I will knit when I have finished my current socks.
In the meantime I have repurposed the yarn and knitted a quick hot water bottle cover!  It needs a neck but otherwise is nearly there.

To see what the others are up to take a look here