A Year of Projects Update - week 26

It's Christmas!!
No I'm not about to break into song.
I'm writing this in advance, so all I have to do on Christmas morning is download.
Happy Christmas everybody!

I am hoping that by now the socks that I am going to show you are nearly done and that I have cast on a second slightly larger pair for myself and that I cast on my Christmas Eve cast on yesterday.
FO's
I have 2.  I finished a sheep - here are three of them for my flock - I have given one away, so I have knitted four.

I have also cast off the hand dyed socks.

WIP's
I promptly cast on some candy cane socks for Daniel.  This yarn is making me deliriously happy and I can't wait to cast some on for me.

I also still have my sock club socks, but these are with me so are hopefully coming along nicely.

Now I only have two more WIP's.  I have done a little more to my Christmas hat (won't be done for Christmas) and have a second mitered triangle sock to do.  Both will now have to be finished later in the year.
Planning
I have been tidying up my Ravelry queue.  I hope that is now reflected in my YOP list (I have tidyed that up too).  The aim is to try to control my stash.  Next year I want to use some of it and am only going to allow myself new yarn when I have a purpose for it.
Anyway, best go.  Hope you all have a fabulous Christmas/holiday and make some time for yourself.

A Year of Projects Update - Week 25

Oh not long to go until the big day (if you celebrate).  We are off to my mum's on Thursday and the likelihood of me posting on Sunday is very remote, but I will post in the subsequent days.
FO's
I do have finished items, but they have all been wrapped so I have no evidence!  However, I have now completed all 7 gift hats and they are ready for gifting or have been gifted.
WIP's
I am trying to get my WIP's down for the new year.  I have a Christmassy hat that will not get finished, I have a forth sheep that may get finished, a second mitered triangle sock that is unlikely to be finished and I have some Rachel Coopey sock club socks that will be finished but are unphotographed.
Otherwise, I have a pair of my dyed socks that should be finished in the next few days - here they are. They are the Pebble socks by Mina Phillips.

Stash enhancement
I take part in an annual secret santa swap with a group on Ravelry, and my parcel came this week.  It was fabulous.

The yarn is gorgeous and I'm really looking forward to using it (it is from Hazel knits).  It also contained stitch markers, DPN holders, chocolate and tea.  I haven't tried the tea yet but the chocolate was gorgeous!
Hope you all have a productive but restful week and if I don't post again have a lovely Christmas.

A Year of Projects Update - week 24

It's all beginning to look a lot like Christmas here.  It does mean that less knitting has been going on.
FO's
I finished the commission that I was working on.  Some people had asked about this - I didn't charge as much as I would have done if it was a stranger that wanted them.  As it was it was a very good friend and they were knit out of a DK weight yarn.  Otherwise, I would have said no!

I also finished my Dad's hat for Christmas - I'm now up to 5 out of 7 and I'm half way through number 6.  I've wrapped it up now without taking a photo, so you will just have to take my word for it..
WIP's
I cast on number 6 and am making my way through that one.
I also have made good progress on my home dyed socks, I have turned the heel, but that is about it.

I hope everyone has a great week.

A Year of Projects Update - week 23

This week seems to have gone by in a flash and as a result I don't appear to have done much.
WIP's 
For the second week in a row I do not have a finished hat and I have 3 more to do.  That is mainly as I have been working on a commission for some socks.  They are nearly done, so when they are completed I shall get back onto the hats!

Here are the socks - they are knit in a WYS DK wool and nylon.  I am not following a pattern just making it up as I go and I think I have about 2 inches before I start the toe.

I have made a little progress on the own dyed socks (pebble socks by Mina Phillips), but that is about it.

FO's
I only have a sewing finished object.  I bought some tea towels from a fellow teacher who was raising some money for her daughter with the intention of covering my cushions and that is done - here they are.

Otherwise, we went to Tulley's Farm yesterday to see father Christmas.  Here we are aboard the sleigh to get to his cottage.

 Hope you all have a great week - to see what others have been up to click the link to the right.

A Year of Projects Update - week 22

It's been another busy week here, and that's without thanksgiving.  Of course it's only going to increase in the next few weeks, hopefully only in good ways.
FO's
I finished the Christmas jumper this week!!  I did the finishing touches (noses and collars) and now he's ready to wear it.

WIP's
My socks have not progressed much since last week as I was finishing the jumper and progressing on another new project.
Thomas wanted some mittens - so I used some John Arbon that I had in stash.  This is, I think, the nicest yarn that I have ever knit with.  It is John Arbon Knit by numbers and is splendid.  I am making up the pattern as I go.

I have also wound up the yarn for some more socks - however, Daniel has decided he wants some first, so we will see if we can get 4 pairs out of it.  It is candy cane by Mothy and The Squid.

Stash Enhancement
Last week I said I was expecting some bits and pieces.  One was the candy cane already wound.  I also took ownership of some yarn that I wanted for a special project.  I wanted to join Dani of Little Bobbins podcast with her Christmas eve cast on of socks.  She did a special kt in collaboration with Helen Stewart of Curious Handmade, who wrote a pattern called vintage fairy lights and she made a bag and there was some yarn from an indie dyer.  I new that I would miss out on it as there were only 20 kits made so I made my own.
The material for the project bag came from Plush addict and is fully lined.  The yarn and stitch markers came from Mothy and the Squid in the frosted holly colourway - it has stellina so is all sparkly.  I also purchased the pattern so I am all set!!

Now I just need to finish a few projects for presents and to free up the needles for the new year.  To see how the others are doing click the link.

A Year of Projects Update - Week 21

I was about to write that I had no FO's this week, but wait ....  I do!
FO's
Thomas's socks are finished.  These are blueberry waffle with a fish lips kiss heel.  Yarn is the Knitting Goddess sock in the Scooby Doo colourway.

Also I finished mine - this is WYS in the birds collection - bluetit.  I have them on right now - just a vanilla sock with a fish lips kiss heel.  I have a lot left so will use it up in gift socks next year.

WIP's 
I have no hat this week, but I did start a hat for dad in my own dyed yarn - will show you next week.
I have made great progress on Daniel's Christmas sweater - I am just finishing the sleeves two at a time.

I have also cast on two new socks, but haven't got too far with these.
first pair is Pebble by Mina Phillips in my own dyed yarn.

Second - the bottom colourway is the sock club yarn and pattern by The Knitting Goddess.  This is July - Cilegia.

Stash Enhancements
I have none and have had none for a while, but I have lots coming this week as I have a plan!!  Will reveal next week.
All the details are on my Ravelry project pages and to catch up with the other Yoppers - click the link to the right.

A Year of Projects Update - Week 20

Another week flies by in a flurry of school, homework and meetings!  I have got some projects done though amongst it all.

I did a craft sale yesterday, which meant I could do a certain amount of knitting on my WIP's in between sales.

WIP's
I am nearly done on Thomas's socks, just the ribbing to be done.

I have nearly finished my blue tit socks - a little more leg and ribbing here to go also.

I cast on a sweater for Daniel last week.  This is to be Flax by Tin Can Knits in my left over Christmas jumper wool.  He wants reindeer on it so a couple more inches and reindeer here we come!

I also wound up this wool, since I am nearly done with my socks, I want to be ready for the next ones.  The brown will be a hat for dad.  The pinky colour is a sock club yarn, so will be Cillega by Rachel Coopey and the speckle will be a pair of socks for me - probably pebble by Mina Phillips.  The brown and the speckle were the yarns that I dyed in the holiday.  I really like how they turned out, so much so I am thinking of getting a batch of yarn to dye for my breathing space and for another sweater to be determined for next summer.

FO's
At the beginning of the week, I also finished this hat as a present - I am now up to 4/7.

That's it for this week - have a good week.

A Year of Projects Update - week 19

If you have a peak in the FO thread, you will see that I have finished something!!  Miranda is done and was worn last night at the fireworks!
Here she is:

So that was my FO for the week, all details are on my project page on Ravelry.
WIP's
I have made a little progress on my 2 pairs of socks.
The bluetit socks are on the home straight - I have turned the heel (fish lips Kiss) and am now just seeing how far along the leg I want to go

I have picked up Thomas's socks and am nearly at the heel on these as well.

That is about it for this week.  I have also been planning a parcel for a secret santa that i am involved in.  I will take a picture but will post after they have received it.
So that's it for this week, I think that is enough!
Do check out the other posts in the YOP group - link on the side.

A Year of Projects Update - week 18

It's been the half term break this week.  We have had much fun and I have done a fair bit of knitting.
We went to Hever Castle, a year to the day that we went last year.  We went to the wildlife centre and we carved our pumpkins.

 FO's
I started and finished two objects this week.  First up I converted the dog sweater to being knit in the round and here it is - I will pass it to the new owner and try to get a modeled shot from her!!

I also finished another hat for Christmas - that's three now - four more to go and various pom poms.

WIP's
I am still going on both pairs of socks and the cloth, because I have been rocketing through my Miranda.

I have bound off the body and am now about to start the sleeves.  I want nice long sleeves but this just flies off the needles so I am hopeful to have it finished by next week (I want to wear it to the firework display).

To keep up with the other Yoppers and their projects, click the link on the side.

A Year of Projects Update - week 17

I've done some bits this week, but mostly it has been preparation for this coming week, as it is the mid term break and I have lots of plans.
FO's
I have one - another hat again in Malabrigo Rio's and the cuffed hat.  This is number 2 of 7.

WIP's
My bird socks are progressing slowly - I am nearly at the heel.  I will be doing a fish lips kiss heel and making a nice long leg!

My Miranda is also coming along nicely, I still love this pattern and yarn.  The yarn is Madelinetosh pashmina worsted and it is a delight.  I have a few more rounds to go to get to the pocket.

I have also cast on a cloth as a Christmas present, I have stalled slightly on Thomas's socks but hope to get these on track this week.  In other crafty plans this week, I hope to dye some yarn this week, I have some undyed yarn from Devon Sun Yarns and I have some undyed to spin, so I will try to get that ready for the end of the week.  That is the plan anyway.  We also have pumpkins to carve and cakes will be baked!!

A Year of Projects Update - week 16

I seem to have made little progress this week compared to last, but that is because I have been completely obsessed with one project!

FO's
I do have one of these - the next hat.  I am doing these for the whole family and teachers, so I have 7 now to make as presents and this is the first.

 WIP's
I have made a little progress on both pairs of socks, but not a lot.
This is the project that has taken my time this week.  I cast on Miranda by Josee Paquin.  I am loving it, the pattern is lovely and the yarn is just delightful.  It is Madelinetosh pashmina worsted in baltic and is fantastic to knit with.

I have no more this week!

Acquisitions
No knitting related acquisitions this week (well not directly).  I purchased some peanut hottie (a peanut butter hot chocolate drink) that I tried this morning and it is gorgeous.  I also took delivery of some Christmas teas from the English Tea Shop.  I have tried 3 of them and they are all splendid so far (I have tried the gingerbread, Christmas punch and apple spice).
To find out what the others have been up to or t join us please click the link on the side.

A Year of Projects Update - week 15

I meant to blog late last week, but it just didn't happen.  We went to the last meeting of the season for the touring cars on Sunday and that put me out for the week - we did have a great time though!
I do now have lots to show.
FO's

I finished Thomas's hat complete with pom pom but I haven't photographed it so you will just have to take my word for it.

I also finished the sock blank socks that are gorgeous - I now really want a Christmas one - I will be looking out for one!

 I also finished my Xmas jumper - yay, only 2 years in the making.  It went really quickly in the end.  I am not happy with the bottom ribbing, since I started it such a long time ago I think I cast on the wrong size.  I could rip out the bottom and reknit, but since I will wear this at my mum's at Christmas and at school for festive Friday (I promised my form I would finish it this year) I shall live with it.  As an added bonus I have enough yarn to knit Daniel a sweater so I chose Flax by Tin Can Knits.  Of course now Daniel has decided he wants the reindeer image on his sweater so we will see what we can do!

 WIP's
As a result of my finishing the sweater, I have gone cast on crazy!
I continued with my bluetit socks.

 I cast on another hat, this time for my dad...

And I caked up this yarn for a hat for my mum.  Both are some Malabrigo worsted that I had in stash.

 I cast on some socks for Thomas - Toe up this time so I can make them nice and long for him.  Yarn is the Knitting Goddess scooby doo colourway.  I am going to do blueberry waffle and fish lips kiss heel (to make a change!)

 I have also caked up the yarn for my next sweater - Miranda and the yarn is Madelintosh pashmina worsted in baltic - it's gorgeous and I can't wait to get underway.

 Hare is the leftover yarn from the Christmas jumper all ready to be made into Flax with a reindeer twist!

 And finally, just because it is ridiculously cute.  My friend sent me a picture of her dog in the jumper I knit it - look at him!!

To see what my fellow Yoppers are up to click the link on the side.