{quilt} while you're ahead

58//2012 {{Mr M's socks}}

Mr M destroyed his last pair of handknitted socks.  Don't ask me how.

It was at least two years ago.

Mr M has long feet.

Knitting socks for Mr M takes months.

Not anymore!

On my recent visit to Mrs Moon I purchased a ball of REGIA sock yarn.  150gr (plenty for big manly feet) in a slightly thicker sock yarn so instead of using the usual 2.5mm needles I used 3.25mm... 

And the socks took less than a week.

(well they would have if I had only worked on them instead of fluttering about from craft to craft like I usually do).

Standard top down socks, short row heels, grafted toes.

And warm because I know it's supposed to be spring and sunny and warm... but it ain't... and Mr M's feet deserve to stay warm.

(colourway 06502 "world college color")

32//2012

Still here.

I think I am.

I'm enjoying the warmer weather and the blue sky and the company of dear friends.

Patience is required.  But how to re-fill when empty?

Knitting is good.

29//2012 {{ scrappy shawl- 2 }}

It's finished.

And it's been 'tested' already, with very positive results.

The crochet border stops the shawl from rolling and adds a whimsical touch.

And it didn't cost a penny.

 

My favourite so far.

 

26//2012 {{scrappy shawl}}

Happy Valentine's day to you all.  Be nice and loving today, ok?

The sun is shining palely but surely so I can show you the 'scrappy shawl I'm quite obsessively knitting at the moment

Lots of tiny left-over balls of yarn

randomly chosen

as yet unfinished

and a little crazy.

I'm thinking a thick crochet lace edging.

But first my children are demanding food.  As always.

Locusts.

22//2012 {{happy socks}}

Or you can call them "Flagstaff socks" because the yarn was bought on a hot and rainy summer's day in Flagstaff AZ during our last summer holiday.

OR you can call them "the waiting socks" as they've been mainly knitted whilst, you got it, 'waiting'.

Waiting during swimming lessons, waiting during karate lessons, waiting for the boys to come out of school, to finish their homework etc. etc. etc.

The pattern is the usual.  Well the usual for me: from the cuff down, short row heel, grafted toes.

2.5mm needles

Patons Kroy Socks Jacquards (colour 1004 I think, the band is very faded...)

The socks are pretty symmetrical a part from where a mysterious blip in the second ball created a 'lilac' stripe instead of a blue one.  Very strange.

Another UFO bites the dust.

Which means I can start something else, right?  

 

 

 

140/2011

Once upon the time, many years ago I purchased about 8 balls of Rowan Scottish Tweed Aran.

Nice and dark, with tiny coloured specks... and less than half price (the shop was unfortunately closing down).  

Whizz forward five years and I think I have finally found the right project.  I knit a swatch, go down a needle size... all's well.

Right?

No.

After 5 inches (I almost learnt how to do pockets folks!) my gauge is totally wrong.  I mean soooo wrong it wasn't even funny.  I mean so out that it would have fitted Jabba the Hut.  I'm not kidding.

So I frogged it.  Sigh.

Back to the drawing board.

I found another project, I knit a swatch, go down a needle size... all's well.

Right?

No.

My measurements were so out AGAIN that I wanted to cry.  And destroy something.  And swear.  Ask my children.  I was evil.

See this?  This is a rogue ball of Tweed CHUNKY that was sold to me together with the other balls of Tweed ARAN.  

And for some mysterious reason that it's impossible to explain both time I knitted the swatch with the 'aran' yarn and then started knitting the garment with the impostor 'chunky' yarn.

Sigh.

Is it me?  Is it only me?

I decided to stick with the Annabel Cardigan and started again... don't hold your breath though.

130/2011 ** cullin cowl **

Cullin Cowl.

Knitted in Puffin (colour Delft 108), with 8mm needles because I still can't find my 9mm.  Even so my gauge was only slightly out.  The pattern recommends 10mm... I knit so loosely that with those it would have turned out like a belt!

The pattern is very easy and well written AND fast.  Even at my snail pace it only took me a couple of hours.

If you are in need of a quick immediate result this is your pattern.

And if you don't mind a SLIGHTLY demented expression this is how it looks on!

(I find it impossible to take picture of myself without looking somewhat possessed!)

116/2011 ** felted bangles **

Pattern from here

Brilliant stash-busting easy project.

I dare you to be able to stop at one.

113/2011 ** Thorpe **

Thorpe

Knitted for a groovy cousin

Rowan Aran held double for extra chunkiness and warmth.

No idea what the coloured stuff is.  But it's soft.

5.5 mm needles.

The perfect hat for snowballs fight... and for walks on frosty morning... for those cold days on the beach in the winter...

Oh yes.  Bring it on.

110/2011 ** parade **

Parade

(Twist collective)

Madelinetosh - tosh sock - in posy.  One skein.

2.5mm needles.

These socks have history... and haven't even graced my feet properly yet!

The yarn was bought during a lovely day out with a friend.

They've been knitted in three countries and two continents.

They've been knitted in the cars, and campervans, on airplanes and on trains.

 On sofas and kitchen chairs on soft grass, benches, beds and picnic blankets.

Whilst watching football matches, and movies, whilst chatting to friends, on the phone and during snatched minutes of peace.

They are already the favourite pair. I know that I'll remember being in a plane and wondering when it happened that the boys can sit quietly for a few hours without needing to be entertained or wanting to walk up and down the aisle studying other passengers.  I'll remember the endless deserts we drove through and the foreign landscapes.  I'll remember the laughter shared and quiet thoughts knitted in the stitches.  Days with friends and evenings at home.  I'll remember my old country whizzing behind a train window, bleached by the heat and noting that no matter how long I'd been away the place is still in my head and my heart and that I still remember everything even if I think I don't. 

Who said knitting is boring?