What is wrong with me? For three years I've not been able to go to any knitting "festivals"/wool events and I was determined to get to one this year.
For me, there's 3 main ones:
Wonderwool, Wales (April)
Woolfest, Cumbria (June)
Knitting and Stitching show, Harrogate (November)
and
other 'minor' ones are:
Fibre-east (July)
Gaelic Wool Festival, Argyll (July)
Knitting and Stitching show, London (October)
Fiber flurry (October)
Masham sheep fair (September)
Knitting and Stitching show, Dublin (November)
I'll get to the Knitting and stitching show in Harrogate - they put on a coach every year. I can do that. . . I hope. . .I forgot about it last year. *sigh*.
anyway
I'm at home, it's the last weekend of April and. . .
I forgot about Wonderwool.
No - I remembered it, but transposed the date with Woolfest. Then I forgot about "that".
*waaahhhh*
(No, I can't go tomorrow, as I've got my cousin's christening to go to. It should be fun. There'll be family there I've not seen in years.)
Nevermind. I'll remember it next year. *crossing everything*
Besides, if I start a "wool fund" for Wonderwool now, I should have a nice little nest-egg for next year. *grin*
Later.
28 April 2012
25 April 2012
General Update on some projects....
Well, I scanned posts back to January a couple weeks ago, and realised I had forgotten "things".
So here's what I've done (or not done) with some of the knitting and gardening.
Gardening - nothing. My garden lies ignored. I hadn't planned on it, but things happened and I got distracted from the garden. I'm hoping I'll fix it next year. I'm not going to start work on it now because I'd need to start seedlings and it would get too cold for harvest for some of the plants.
Knitting. Ok.
(Jan 2012)
Cable-icious ear-warmer/scarf - I'm knitting erratically on it. It should be finished by now, but it's not. I don't know why as it's a fun knit and completing it would mean I would have finished off the set.
Not-so-Raspberry-as-Cherry Dream Stole - I completed 2 1/2 repeats on it and put it to one side to work on later, but later hasn't arrived yet. Again, I don't know why I'm not working on it. It's fun.
Mochi-Mochi Elephant, Chickens and Hearts - Well, The Elephant is at a fiddly stage. I need to do the legs and tail. I'm not in the mood to mess with them. The Chickens need stuffing (I stuff them as I make them) and with no stuffing, I can't make anymore. I will buy stuffing on Thursday (27th April). The hearts aren't working out. I made 2 sides and they look pathetic. More work needed on them.
Eyelet Gloves - Well, I just got overwhelmed. While the yarn is 4-ply, the needles are tiny and it seems like I knit a million rows and knit an inch of glove (lovely warm fabric, though). I'll work on them eventually. I like them.
Mitered Vest/Jacket - I said I was going to frog and re-start it. I haven't frogged it yet, don't know why.
(Feb 2012)
Indiski Shawl - I'm chugging along. It's a bit better than the gloves. With lace work, the light fingering yarn and small needles don't seem too bad. I feel like I'm making somewhat acceptable progress. I'm still on the first set of borders. I'll be glad when I start work on the second set of borders.
Patchwork Jacket - Well, I'm sewing in an end or two every week. It's heavy and too warm in my lap (for all the lovely soft alpaca yarn) and I'm dreading blocking it. I'll get all finished eventually.
(March/April 2012)
Blue Leaf Shawl - It's just been finished and blocked. I love it. It came out bigger than I expected (I did end up using 5 balls insted of the 4 expected in the pattern), but it's great. All resolved itsself wonderfully, and the beads in the border are perfect.
Reading Shawl #2 - Well, I fixed the hole, but I need to weave ends in and I was wrung out fixing the hole (tiny area, lots of pins to keep loose stitches in place so I knew where to go and multi-strand black yarn - it doesn't seem like a big thing, but it was).
Brea Bag - I've finished knitting the pieces, and skeined the rest of the yarn to finish off and seam the pieces. Dyeing needs to be done next. I've worked out the ratios of dyes I'm using (2 greens and 1 blue from Dylon) as the yarn weight exceeds the amount by weight a single packet of dye will cover. I'm using 66% Green #1, 66% Green #2 and 12.5% Blue.
This bag is part of the Cable Knitting I wanted to start doing more of. I haven't found a pattern for a beret I like enough, and I still need to find the right yarn in order to start the cabled yoke cardigan that I want to make. I'm not having any luck so far.
Kerchief Cowl - Done, blocked and with the rest of my "winter" knits. I'm planning on making a pair of flip-top mittens with the remainder of the yarn. It'll be a nice set. I had thought of a making a hat, but I've more than enough of those.
I've just re-started work on the Mariposa shawl in the last entry, as I wanted something "new" to work on, but didn't want to start a NEW project. Right now I REALLY want to work on old projects. It's not a matter of finishing them, it's more a case of wanting to feel less like being stuck-in-a-rut. Stagnant. So if I'm making progress on them, all is well.
By the way, my "inner knitter" (go read Yarn Harlot's journal entry for April 11th, it's perfect) is all better. She's in the mood to knit now. She's being a pest, in fact, but I'm just managing to ignore her. I have other things I need to do...like...
I had caught up on my reading 3 days ago, but I looked at Goodreads last night and I'm behind again *sigh*. The reading never ends. *dramatic (with hand on forehead) sigh*. Never mind.
I "won" a givaway in Goodreads, and it arrived Friday (20th). I'm now off to start reading it. It looks interesting -in a good way.
Later.
So here's what I've done (or not done) with some of the knitting and gardening.
Gardening - nothing. My garden lies ignored. I hadn't planned on it, but things happened and I got distracted from the garden. I'm hoping I'll fix it next year. I'm not going to start work on it now because I'd need to start seedlings and it would get too cold for harvest for some of the plants.
Knitting. Ok.
(Jan 2012)
Cable-icious ear-warmer/scarf - I'm knitting erratically on it. It should be finished by now, but it's not. I don't know why as it's a fun knit and completing it would mean I would have finished off the set.
Not-so-Raspberry-as-Cherry Dream Stole - I completed 2 1/2 repeats on it and put it to one side to work on later, but later hasn't arrived yet. Again, I don't know why I'm not working on it. It's fun.
Mochi-Mochi Elephant, Chickens and Hearts - Well, The Elephant is at a fiddly stage. I need to do the legs and tail. I'm not in the mood to mess with them. The Chickens need stuffing (I stuff them as I make them) and with no stuffing, I can't make anymore. I will buy stuffing on Thursday (27th April). The hearts aren't working out. I made 2 sides and they look pathetic. More work needed on them.
Eyelet Gloves - Well, I just got overwhelmed. While the yarn is 4-ply, the needles are tiny and it seems like I knit a million rows and knit an inch of glove (lovely warm fabric, though). I'll work on them eventually. I like them.
Mitered Vest/Jacket - I said I was going to frog and re-start it. I haven't frogged it yet, don't know why.
(Feb 2012)
Indiski Shawl - I'm chugging along. It's a bit better than the gloves. With lace work, the light fingering yarn and small needles don't seem too bad. I feel like I'm making somewhat acceptable progress. I'm still on the first set of borders. I'll be glad when I start work on the second set of borders.
Patchwork Jacket - Well, I'm sewing in an end or two every week. It's heavy and too warm in my lap (for all the lovely soft alpaca yarn) and I'm dreading blocking it. I'll get all finished eventually.
(March/April 2012)
Blue Leaf Shawl - It's just been finished and blocked. I love it. It came out bigger than I expected (I did end up using 5 balls insted of the 4 expected in the pattern), but it's great. All resolved itsself wonderfully, and the beads in the border are perfect.
Reading Shawl #2 - Well, I fixed the hole, but I need to weave ends in and I was wrung out fixing the hole (tiny area, lots of pins to keep loose stitches in place so I knew where to go and multi-strand black yarn - it doesn't seem like a big thing, but it was).
Brea Bag - I've finished knitting the pieces, and skeined the rest of the yarn to finish off and seam the pieces. Dyeing needs to be done next. I've worked out the ratios of dyes I'm using (2 greens and 1 blue from Dylon) as the yarn weight exceeds the amount by weight a single packet of dye will cover. I'm using 66% Green #1, 66% Green #2 and 12.5% Blue.
This bag is part of the Cable Knitting I wanted to start doing more of. I haven't found a pattern for a beret I like enough, and I still need to find the right yarn in order to start the cabled yoke cardigan that I want to make. I'm not having any luck so far.
Kerchief Cowl - Done, blocked and with the rest of my "winter" knits. I'm planning on making a pair of flip-top mittens with the remainder of the yarn. It'll be a nice set. I had thought of a making a hat, but I've more than enough of those.
I've just re-started work on the Mariposa shawl in the last entry, as I wanted something "new" to work on, but didn't want to start a NEW project. Right now I REALLY want to work on old projects. It's not a matter of finishing them, it's more a case of wanting to feel less like being stuck-in-a-rut. Stagnant. So if I'm making progress on them, all is well.
By the way, my "inner knitter" (go read Yarn Harlot's journal entry for April 11th, it's perfect) is all better. She's in the mood to knit now. She's being a pest, in fact, but I'm just managing to ignore her. I have other things I need to do...like...
I had caught up on my reading 3 days ago, but I looked at Goodreads last night and I'm behind again *sigh*. The reading never ends. *dramatic (with hand on forehead) sigh*. Never mind.
I "won" a givaway in Goodreads, and it arrived Friday (20th). I'm now off to start reading it. It looks interesting -in a good way.
Later.
16 April 2012
Frustrated, frustrated, frustrated. It happens sometimes...
Well, so far this month, I've not finished a project without incident. I was going to finish off 3 projects that were close to completion (or quickie project) for the month of April and feel smug doing it.
I think it was the smugness that undid the plan....
It's the 3rd week of the month, and I had to re-knit the first project - 98-12 DROPS shawl - (from it being 70% finished) because I didn't have enough yarn and had to order a new batch +2 balls - the new batch was just different enough in tint. . . I added beads to the new knit and then had to frog back 4 rows because I didn't like the way they looked. It still needs blocking as I don't want to deal with it. It'll get done next week.
The second project - Mariposa shawlette - is sitting in a heap, pulled off the needles in mid bind-off row because I didn't have enough yarn to finish it - even with having to miss out the last two rows of the border. After getting over the frustration, I'll re-knit it on smaller needles (3.5mm instead of the 3.75mm I used). I'm a bit miffed at this point....But it sort of helps the project that I'm using Knit Picks/Pro Harmony needles on it and I'm using the 120cm cable on another project so it'll be awhile before that gets started. . . . . . . .
drat.
The 3rd project was a pair of should-have-been-a-quick-knit yoga socks that don't have a heel or toe. I've only done the first sock and I hate it. It's a bit scruffy and the cast on stitches for the leg/ankle section looks like hell and I just don't want to frog it back and re-do it. They're stuffed into a baggie in a bag nearby. I'll might/probably pull them out next month (or I might not - I'm putting all possibilities in here) and do the odious job and finish them off in 2 weeks.
There's nothing else on the needles that are far enough along to finish in the next 2 weeks.
Nevermind. It happens sometimes. I think I'll take a bit of a break from knitting for the rest of the month and catch up on reading for my annual Goodreads challenge as I'm 3 books behind (I should be reading 2 books a week). It'll also probably help my inner knitter as she's sulking in the corner, snacking on chocolate pudding with a shovel.
Later.
I think it was the smugness that undid the plan....
It's the 3rd week of the month, and I had to re-knit the first project - 98-12 DROPS shawl - (from it being 70% finished) because I didn't have enough yarn and had to order a new batch +2 balls - the new batch was just different enough in tint. . . I added beads to the new knit and then had to frog back 4 rows because I didn't like the way they looked. It still needs blocking as I don't want to deal with it. It'll get done next week.
The second project - Mariposa shawlette - is sitting in a heap, pulled off the needles in mid bind-off row because I didn't have enough yarn to finish it - even with having to miss out the last two rows of the border. After getting over the frustration, I'll re-knit it on smaller needles (3.5mm instead of the 3.75mm I used). I'm a bit miffed at this point....But it sort of helps the project that I'm using Knit Picks/Pro Harmony needles on it and I'm using the 120cm cable on another project so it'll be awhile before that gets started. . . . . . . .
drat.
The 3rd project was a pair of should-have-been-a-quick-knit yoga socks that don't have a heel or toe. I've only done the first sock and I hate it. It's a bit scruffy and the cast on stitches for the leg/ankle section looks like hell and I just don't want to frog it back and re-do it. They're stuffed into a baggie in a bag nearby. I'll might/probably pull them out next month (or I might not - I'm putting all possibilities in here) and do the odious job and finish them off in 2 weeks.
There's nothing else on the needles that are far enough along to finish in the next 2 weeks.
Nevermind. It happens sometimes. I think I'll take a bit of a break from knitting for the rest of the month and catch up on reading for my annual Goodreads challenge as I'm 3 books behind (I should be reading 2 books a week). It'll also probably help my inner knitter as she's sulking in the corner, snacking on chocolate pudding with a shovel.
Later.
01 April 2012
Been busy
I didn't mean to miss a post in March.
I've just been busy reading and knitting. I've set myself a challenge for the next 6 months to get as many projects and books finished as I can. I've taken one day off knitting and one day off reading in the last month.
I've only started 2 new patterns in March (a cowl (Kerchief cowl) and a bag (Norah Gaughan's Brea Bag), I've only completed 2 projects (Reading shawl and Kerchief cowl) I "punched" a hole in the reading shawl while washing it before blocking (obviously didn't happen, I just dried it flat). I'm still repairing the hole - I've got it done, but have to sew in the ends - and I'm then planning to get it dry cleaned, then I'll dry block it and spray it 'til it's damp. I really hope all goes well. It's a nice shawl.
The Brea Bag is going relatively quickly considering I hate knitting moss stitch. I've got 1side done, part of the gusset and I'm working on the other side. The yarn I'm using (Drops Lima) is gorgeous. SO soft. I'm hoping it stays soft after it's dyed (I bought off white ayrn and I'm planning to dye it a medium slightly blued green).
As for the rest of the knitting, in April I'm planning to concentrate on finishing a Drops shawl (I call it blue leaf) knitted in Drops Alpaca yarn so I can wear it to a third cousin's christening on the 29th. I'd like to take the bag with me also, as I'm expecting that the knitting will be finished in the next week (or so), but, I need to find large D rings and a strap (I'm NOT knitting a strap as I don't have enough yarn). I don't know quite what I'm looking for, but I'll look around for cheap (leather) handbags and if I see a sutable strap and I'll buy it. I'm also going to line the bag in this lovely cotton with a leaf pattern on it I had planned for a reversable shopping bag. Yum. I can't see all that being finished in April. No way. I'll settle for the shawl being finished - at least that's realistic.
I'm also (still) working on other shawls and sewing in the ends of the Patchwork Jacket. It's long time it was finished. I really think it's more of a case that I'm scared of blocking it. It's a heavy monster and it's not going to get lighter when damp/wet. *sigh*. I'm tempted to get it dry cleaned and block it after I've let it air out for a bit. Yes, that sounds like a good idea. More news on that when it happens.
On that note, I think it's time I quit for the night.
Later.
I've just been busy reading and knitting. I've set myself a challenge for the next 6 months to get as many projects and books finished as I can. I've taken one day off knitting and one day off reading in the last month.
I've only started 2 new patterns in March (a cowl (Kerchief cowl) and a bag (Norah Gaughan's Brea Bag), I've only completed 2 projects (Reading shawl and Kerchief cowl) I "punched" a hole in the reading shawl while washing it before blocking (obviously didn't happen, I just dried it flat). I'm still repairing the hole - I've got it done, but have to sew in the ends - and I'm then planning to get it dry cleaned, then I'll dry block it and spray it 'til it's damp. I really hope all goes well. It's a nice shawl.
The Brea Bag is going relatively quickly considering I hate knitting moss stitch. I've got 1side done, part of the gusset and I'm working on the other side. The yarn I'm using (Drops Lima) is gorgeous. SO soft. I'm hoping it stays soft after it's dyed (I bought off white ayrn and I'm planning to dye it a medium slightly blued green).
As for the rest of the knitting, in April I'm planning to concentrate on finishing a Drops shawl (I call it blue leaf) knitted in Drops Alpaca yarn so I can wear it to a third cousin's christening on the 29th. I'd like to take the bag with me also, as I'm expecting that the knitting will be finished in the next week (or so), but, I need to find large D rings and a strap (I'm NOT knitting a strap as I don't have enough yarn). I don't know quite what I'm looking for, but I'll look around for cheap (leather) handbags and if I see a sutable strap and I'll buy it. I'm also going to line the bag in this lovely cotton with a leaf pattern on it I had planned for a reversable shopping bag. Yum. I can't see all that being finished in April. No way. I'll settle for the shawl being finished - at least that's realistic.
I'm also (still) working on other shawls and sewing in the ends of the Patchwork Jacket. It's long time it was finished. I really think it's more of a case that I'm scared of blocking it. It's a heavy monster and it's not going to get lighter when damp/wet. *sigh*. I'm tempted to get it dry cleaned and block it after I've let it air out for a bit. Yes, that sounds like a good idea. More news on that when it happens.
On that note, I think it's time I quit for the night.
Later.
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