A Year of Projects Update - week 13

I have been so productive this week!!  Better get on with it.

FO's

I finished a hat for Daniel.  It's using the same simple cuffed hat pattern as my hat.  I used Malabrigo worsted as I love that yarn.

I also finished the smooth operator socks that I did in west Yorkshire spinners cocktails in the tequila sunrise colourway.  Love these and they fit perfectly, but I probably won't do the afterthought heel again as I prefer the ease of the fish lips kiss heel and you can still use a contrast colour.  Susan's instructions were fantastic and I finally mastered the kitchener stitch.

I also started and finished a dog jacket that I was asked to make.  It's not perfect and I think if it fits the dog in question I will do a second in the round (I really don't like seaming).

WIP's

There are several!  

I have made progress on my Xmas jumper and I have joined a sweater KAL to try to give me more impetus to finish.  I promised my students last year that I would have my own knitted one this year!

I have started Thomas's hat, using again the same pattern, and again in Malabrigo worsted.

I am nearly done with the sock blank socks, just a bit more leg and then the cuff to go.

I only had one sock on the needles so I had to cast on more!  I also joined a second KAL with Brityarn to knit socks with wool of British origin.  So I am using my West Yorkshire spinners in the birds colourway (I believe bluetit, but I could be wrong).

 And that, I believe, is that.  We haven't done much else this week.  I have updated all my projects on Ravelry, so if you are a member you can see all the details there.

Have a nice week!

A Year of Projects Update - week 12

I've managed to miss another week.  What with Goodwood and work, I ran out of time!
I have no FO's this week, but I have several projects that are almost there, so hopefully. next week...

WIP's

 I'm coming along very nicely with my tequila sunrise socks.  I am following Susan B Anderson's smooth operator pattern, and so have done an afterthought heel.  I am overly happy with my Kitchener stitch!  I have always winged it a bit with Kitchener (all it would have really taken was a glance at You tube of course), but I followed Susan's instructions and it was a breeze and look at it... You can't even see the join - I am very chuffed!  I probably wouldn't do an afterthought again though, I like the fish lips too much.

 I also started Daniel's hat, in a lovely soft Malabrigo worsted, the pattern is a simple cuffed hat.

I have also made great progress with my sock blank socks.  Pattern is the blueberry waffle, toe up with a fish lips kiss heel.  I am about to do the heel on the second sock.  No second sock syndrome with these as knitting with this blank is lovely.

I have made some progress on my Christmas jumper and nearly finished my next sheep but I will post those next week.

And that's all for this week. Hopefully I should be all back to normal next week and finally get around to catching up with all of the YOP posts.  Click the link on the side to catch them all.

A Year of Projects Update - week 10

I missed last week as we were on holiday (a tiny bit on that later)  - I was going to post midweek but then I came down with something and felt dreadful for a couple of days.  So anyway, it means I have lots to update on!
FO's
I started and finished a hat.  I bought some Malabrigo worsted so that I can knit everyone a squishy hat and started with mine.  I have since added a bobble and I love it - it is the ribbed cuff hat by the Purl Bee a free pattern.

In another finish, I have made this bag with my quilting cotton and grommets.  I have used it since and I love it so much that I have made a second in flower fairy fabric.  That one is not quite finished so I will post that one next week.  I have also made a batch of bags for my shop, but won't bore you here - they are in the shop.

WIP's
My socks from the sock blank are progressing.  I love the way this is knitting up and this will not be my last sock blank.  I am doing the blueberry waffle pattern and have done a fish lips kiss heel - I am now just knitting and knitting until I get to my half way marker on the sock blank (so that I use every last bit of it).

 I am continuing with my smooth operator socks - I am much further on from this pic now as I have put in the waste yarn for the heel and am working y way along the foot.

 I have done a little on my Xmas jumper, but not enough to show progress - I shall see if I can do some more this week!
Acquisitions
This came while I was away.  It is some Suffolk and shetland top for me to spin.  I have lofty ideas about spinning it and dying it!!  We will see.

I also purchased the Mina Phillips beyond Vanilla collection (sock patterns) mostly enabled by Ruth, who pushed me over the edge, and I am definitely eyeing up the new sock pattern by Joji Locatelli because I could do with more sock patterns....

I am very sad today as tomorrow we go back to school. I know I am in a privileged position to be able to have such a long holiday and to be able to do the things we do, but I am still sad - I love spending the time with the boys and just doing as we please for a bit.  Here are some highlights:

To find out what my fellow yoppers have been up to click the link in the sidebar.