Sunday 28 January 2018

A Year of Projects Update - Week 31

I have very little knitting to report on this week.  That is not to say I have not done any, just it's been on two projects and one of those I cannot show yet. 
What I can report on is my dress - or should I now say dresses!  I made a second Coco dress this morning.
I have made the Coco dress before, but it has never looked brilliant as I have always used what I now believe to be the wrong fabric.  I bought some fabric in the Christmas sales - some jersey and I love the way this looks.  So I have made two.  First up the red one

I have worn this a lot already - unknown for me, I have only ever worn a dress on a night out before.
And now I have a blue version
Now I just need a little cardigan to go with them!
Otherwise this week I have mostly been working on Penguono.  I cannot tell you how much I am enjoying this.  I love the construction, being little sections which magically fit together.  I love the fact you can use all the colours and all the stash.  I can't wait for it to be finished then I can plan my next Stephen West.
I have also been working on the test knit but cannot show that so that is that.  I hope everyone has a brilliant week.

Sunday 21 January 2018

A Year of Projects Update - Week 30

I seem to have done quite a lot this week, except wear and photograph the dress I made last week.  I shall definitely do that for next week!

I have some FO's this week.
I finished Chuck (and have sewn in the ends at the time of writing).  I love it, apart from the fact I didn't quite have enough yarn to make long sleeves which is my preference.  I will see if I can get a modeled photo of that next week as well.
I also finished the first three tiny socks for my advent garland.  I am very excited by these and already have the next three lined up.
I am going to leave the long tail until I know what I am going to do to suspend them all!
WIP's
I have been working a little on my new year sock cast on - just a simple pattern I'm making up as I go.
I have done a lot on Penguono this week as well.  I actually can't wait to have this done as I think it will be fabulous (in a wear around the home type of way!)
Finally this week I have started another test knit for Ruth at Knitterarium.  I've only just started these so have very little to show even if I could show you, but here is the yarn!
It is my son's 10th birthday tomorrow (where did that go?)  - he decided he wanted a tiger cake for some reason, so here we go.

Monday 15 January 2018

A Year of Projects Update - week 29

I am late again!  The weekends keep disappearing on me.

Lets get on with it.
WIP's
I am making great progress on Penguono.  This is the first Stephen West pattern I have attempted and I love it - it's so addictive and it's like stripey socks - you just want to get to the next bit.
I have also made a start on my little socks for advent next year.  I want to make a garland of socks in which to house next year's yarn advent calendar.  I've nearly finished these first three.
I am also making reasonable progress on Chuck.  I'm about half way along the sleeve but I want to make long sleeves on this one.
I also started and finished a dress (sewn) but I didn't take photos yet so I'm going to include that next week.

I think that is it for this week.  Next week is my son's birthday (next Monday) but hopefully, I will be able to get this done!  Hope everyone has a great week.

Sunday 7 January 2018

A Year of Projects Update - week 28

Back to school this week, so slightly less done, but it was a short week of work so can't complain.

WIP's
Most of the things I have worked on this week have been new cast on's (I hang my head... no not really - it will all get done eventually!)
The only thing I have worked on that was pre-Christmas was Chuck.  I am now making my way down the first sleeve.  I am hoping to get this done very soon and be able to wear this sweater to Unravel.  I was asked last week what Unravel was - it is a small yarn event near where I live.  It is the closest one to me and in reality the only one I can get to. 
I also cast on and cast off a second pair of Tchaikovsky mitts.  These are exactly the same but a bit bigger than the ones I knit for my gran.  Reason being I mistakenly knit the child size the first time but thought since they fit me ok that they would fit gran as I was sure she had smaller hands.  What I didn't factor in was the fact she has arthritis and her knuckles are quite swollen.  So I didn't say anything at the time as she loved them and kept saying she loved the colour even though I was sure she would have to force them on.  So I have knit her a bigger pair and will send them to mum next week to give to her.
I have been making great progress on Penguono - It is brilliant and I can't get enough of it.
Finally, but with no picture, I cast on some little socks that I am knitting as a garland for next Christmas.  I want 24 to hold next years advent calendar!
I also received some fabric that I got in the sales and cut it out for a coco dress.  I might be able to get to sew that up next week so may be able to show it then.
That is it for this week hope everybody has a great week.

Wednesday 3 January 2018

My Garden Project - January 2018

I have dabbled in the garden for a few years.  Before we had the boys I did it more seriously, but then the boys and working full time has taken it's toll.  Also, Darren has fallen out of love with the garden so I thought this year I will make the garden my project.

Planning
In planning this project I need to think about what I want from the garden.

  • Produce - I would like to produce some of my own food - I am under no illusions that I have enough time to become self sufficient, but if I can cut down on the veg that I buy in some months that would be brilliant.
  • Soft fruit - I would like to sort out the raspberries and strawberries
  • Patio - I would like to take down the decking and create a patio area, in time to build a barbecue.
  • I shall create a page on this blog with my overview of the year with tasks that need to be done
  • I shall try to check in once a month with my progress.
  • I have made an outline of tasks each month here.
Inspiration
This book:
Image result for delias kitchen garden

I got this a number of years ago, and so I am going to use this as a basis of my planning.
Ultimately, I would like to build a barbecue in the garden
Something like this:
There is no better thing than making a grill in your backyard to enjoy your time with family. You can buy a barbecue grill from local store and set it up in almost any space of your home’s outdoor, but here we recommended you to build your own brick barbecue in backyard. Building your own barbecue grill has […]

So that is the start - it is the start of January so I haven't done anything beyond planning.  I shall check in at the start of February and share any progress.

Monday 1 January 2018

A Year of Projects Update - week 27

A very happy new year to everybody!
I am a day late in posting this as we were busy yesterday.

I am not usually one for making new years resolutions as I don't tend to stick to them, but I am a member of the Ravelry group for the Yarniacs podcast and they have an ongoing thread for that quarter's goals.  I made a few goals yesterday an I thought I would share them here and I have updated my YOP list that you can see here.
 My goals for this quarter are:
  • only buy yarn for a specific project
  • go to Unravel, but keep the first point in mind
  • only buy patterns when ready to knit them and try to knit from some of the books recently purchased
  • finish the three sweaters now on the needles
  • continue with the wardrobe architect project and bear that in mind for future projects
  • make alterations to the clothes in the alterations pile
So we shall see how that goes!

Works In Progress
I have started some socks from the yarn in the advent calendar on Christmas day.

I am making up the pattern and just doing a slip stitch when the colour changes.
I have also cast on Penguono as I couldn't wait any longer!
I got Best Knits - Westknits for Christmas and want to knit my way through this book.
I have also made significant progress on Chuck but now I have been distracted with Penguono.

I think that is it for now - I wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year!