Another day

Sunday, 8 September 2013

Year of Projects update

Well, considering I returned to school this week, I have been quite productive! I completed another dishcloth and continued with the first crocodile scarf.

This is the start I have made to the Amy Miller KAL. Not done much on this and the next one should be out today, so am feeling a little behind at the moment. This week, however, I should be able to make it my priority.

Have finished Little Gradient - made a couple of little mistakes, but nothing that couldn't be disguised! I'm very pleased with this as a first sweater.

Gone KAL crazy this week - not only am I signed up for the Morticia KAL and currently working on the Amy Miller KAL, I have also signed up for a dishcloth KAL with yarn attic. My theory is that I need dishcloths for presents anyway, so I may as well add a little more pressure to help me get them done!

On a totally different note, I have completed the rose part of my brother's wedding cake. Now just need to make the cake and finish it off.

Here's to another productive week!

Sunday, 1 September 2013

A Year of Projects Update - 1st September!

Wow its the first already and its almost the start of a new term for me and Thomas. Thomas goes back on Wednesday - year 1 already - time flies! I go back on Tuesday but we have effectively 2 days of INSET so only 2 days this week with students - hurrah! I think we are all ready - at least we have tomorrow to sort out the loose ends.
It is also my husbands birthday tomorrow - I was going to get him tickets to the Goodwood revival that we have been going to for a few years, but it is sold out - what is going on there! Should have got the tickets earlier - but have instead got him a days hire of a Caterham 7. He loves these cars and I can't afford to buy one so a day will have to do!!
Didn't post last week as we were on holiday in Somerset staying with my mum and dad again. We had a lovely week - went to Creally Park, Clarks village (to get shoes!) and had a beautiful day at the beech - posted about these Here.

Anyway - this is not what this post should be about.
This post should really be about beads!!
I signed up for the Morticia KAL with Boo knits on Ravelry 2 weeks ago and have since been following the KAL thread. It has become very obvious that I should be worried about beads!! I have never done beading before so this is new to me.
I have, therefore been looking through many bead stores online - I have purchased some basic clear beads in the correct size, but since then have seen many more. The question I have, is that if I end up purchasing millions of beads (which is wholly possible) and I can't stand beading - what am I going to do with them?! A possible answer is coming up later!
This week I have completed a couple more hexipuffs and made a good start on both the Gradient sweater and the first crocodile scarf.
The Gradient is nearly finished as you can see here on my project page

I am really pleased with this - especially as it is my first sweater - hopefully will finish this weekend.

Pictured with the sweater is my answer to the beads issue!!

In one of the magazines I have been reading I saw an advert for row counters that were pieces of jewelry. I had a close look and thought that I could probably do that!! So I went to my local Hobbycraft, perused the beads and jewelry making section and came up with this.

I am very happy with this to the extent that I reckon, with more beads I could make a few more of these as presents!!

The crocodile scarf is also progressing but not as fast as I want to finish the sweater.

I have also signed up for another mystery KAL with the Amy Miller group (the designer of Little Gradient). I have gone for 4 cowls (as opposed to 4 mitts) and hopefully these will be up sometime today. There will be 4 patterns released each week of September - hopefully to use some of my stash - although I know I will probably find a way to invest in more!

In summary, my list now looks like this:
Firstly, gifts for Christmas

For Daniel and Lily - a toy- ?dragon and rabbit using stash yarn

~~For the sisters in law - wristwarmers~~ - finished 14/08/13

For my mum and brother - pot covers

For Thomas and Luke - crocodile scarf - one started

For my mum and mil - dishcloths and bag - finished 3 cloths!

Then, there's all the projects just for me

~~Finish tote bag~~ - hurrah - finished 04/07

~~Hat for me~~ - finished 09/08/13

Socks for me - definitely using my A Stash Addict yarn

Placemats - in time for Christmas I hope!

Scarf for the husband

~~Shawl for me - Dragonfly wings by Boo knits - will be my next project~~ - finished 14/07

Winter hats for the boys

Additions!

Little Gradient for Thomas - Nearly finished

Hexipuffs - more made

~~Bonnet for SCBU~~ - finished 14/08/13

Vanilla socks as first sock project - yarn bought from Mellifera yarns

~~MKAL with One skein -~~ scarflette - finished 26/07/13

MKAL with Boo Knits - Morticia - start 01/10/13

MKAL with Amy Miller group - start 01/09/13

Sunday, 18 August 2013

Year of Projects - 18th August update

Have just managed a spot at the laptop (my son is usually hogging it!) and settled down with a cup of coffee to update.

Well I have had a busy week!!

I have blogged the details here but most is not knitting related!! In summary, we went to Hever Castle, Drusillas Park, London Zoo, went swimming and did some pond dipping. Today I need to clean - but we will manage a trip to the park.

On the knitting front, I finished the wristwarmers and packaged them for Christmas, knitted a bonnet for my local premature baby unit, did some more hexipuffs, completed my third dishcloth and printed off the pattern and bought yarn for the next big project.

The next big project is to be little gradient by Amy Miller link here

I say that but I am going to start the first of the crocodile scarves this week as well - so will try to do both at once. We are going to Somerset again this week so may take Little Gradient with me along with some hexis as back up!! So may start the scarf tonight.

I have also decided to do a mKAL with Boo knits. It is called Morticia and will be a big shawl with lots of beading. I decided I enjoyed knitting Dragonfly wings so much that I would push myself a little further knowing that the Boo knits are so well written and there is always help on hand. I have never used beads before so that and the fact it will be so big will push my knitting further - that is the theory anyway!!!

So here is how the list looks at the mo