FO - pictures finally

Couldn't resist starting on the Colinette jumper

The sweet pea shawl, back and front
And this is a fluffy something that's going to be a christmas present. Starting early? Hell yeah!

Unpicked and ditched the rug - didn't like the black wool anyway!

More FOs

Was intending to post pics, but Blogger is playing up! The sweet pea shawl was completed on Friday night, owing to my spending two hours waiting for trains! Even though I'm pleased to have completed my challenge, I'm still NOT IMPRESSED!

A FO - bag!

Finally finished a bag last night - had to remake the lining for the Rowan bag, because it was too small, and lined this one from an offcut. It's a pity you can't feel how lovely and soft it is on the screen! Found the button in my spares box, it was a button that came with a suit I've long since got rid of. I think I should have made the catch a little shorter, but will see how it progresses. It was a bit of a pain sewing the lining in - I did seriously think about shaving the bag a few times!I just need to sew the lining into the Rowan bag, and that'll be finished too.

Was going great guns on a fluffy scarf, on the chunky machine, when I realised there was a gaping hole in it. No point trying to frog back on the machine, it's way too fluffy! Will have to rewind and start again, never mind. Serves me right for going too fast!

Took the refurbished knitting machine around to W's on Wednesday, she was really pleased with it. Found another set of punchcards so didn't have to make up some more, quite pleased about that.

NEC and works in progress

Nope, couldn't resist buying some yarn at the NEC this weekend. Well, come on - there were 6 or 10 traders in one square mile? What can I say?! Two balls of Noro Kureyon, two balls of Adriafil Felis, one skein of Opal hand-painted sock yarn (believe me, it was purtier in the skein!) and one ball of recycled sari silk. Couldn't resist starting unbiased. Those little pulley-shaped things are pom-pom makers, thought they might come in handy....

This is the September challenge shawl. I calculate I need about another ten rows of shells to complete it. And yes, it's getting too big to photograph in one piece!

And the recycled bag - taking a bit of a back seat at the moment...

Woolly the wool monster

Apparently this is my new nickname. Managed to come back from the NEC with some hand-painted Opal sock yarn, some Fila felted stuff, and not enough sari silk - serves me right for trying to convert oz to grams in my head. Bah!

Made a start on the Colinette Lasso top, but alas, the lacy pattern is far too complicated for my slow brain. Only made it to row 9 and already I think I've messed up. Am planning on making a few tension swatches with the other ball, and converting the pattern to MK. Far faster and less prone to error methinks.

Bumped into a few colleagues from college at the show, J recommended I got my money back as "the qualification isn't worth anything anyway." Hmph! It's my money, and I shall do with it as I choose.

Scandinavian CO

Tried the Scandinavian cast off for the first time this morning - it's really easy, and poss. even easier than the standard method. You basically purl two sts together, then place the new st back on the left hand needle, and repeat. You get a neat row of bars on the RS, and a chain stitch appearance on the WS (almost like a crocheted edge).

Impressed!

Back to the steel...

Finally got back to my machines last night after a break of some 2 weeks or so, and did the MK part of my secret project. Will post pictures next week, it's only secret because it's a present. It was waaay too hot to knit much last night, plus I didn't get finished on my chores until 8pm.

I really need to finish the three stalled bags, then I can feel more justified in starting on this:



Pic from the Colinette website. Not sure what the model is saying: "Hey, that's a large spider?" or "Blimey this jumper is itchy!" ? Hope it's not the latter!

Lizard afghan - MK version

Working on converting the Lizard Ridge afghan from Knitty Fall 06 to MK. Watch this space!

There's some reasonable Noro on eBay.... must resist, must resist! Argh! Bought a dye kit from D T Craft & Design, must dig out some white cotton or wool now. I can safely say I've spent far too much money on yarn this month, and I've the NEC show to go yet! Think I might have to comfort myself with just the programme :)

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Finally met H, the manager of the local hobbycrafts - really nice lady, and a fellow knitter. They have a whole new range of yarns called "Pallette", very pretty. Lots of R2 (paper yarn) and Sirdar New Fizz on sale, plus a bit of Rowan. The R2 is interesting, but the only patterns they seem to have are for shrugs and mini ponchos - a poncho that only comes down to nipple level. Can't see the point of that meself. It might be ok for an edgy, street kinda jumper I suppose, but you'd have to guess the quantities....

Good meeting last night, wonderful to see D again! Afraid I didn't talk to her much, there was so much going on! Did a bit more on the shawl, and she did a bit on the recycled carrier bag. The Rowan project is stalled again - I started an arm, but it doesn't look wide enough. Plus I really want to start working on that Colinette. Pah! I should really finish up the three (yes, three!) bags in the UFO queue first - it's the sewing bit, you see, and it requires some time and concentration, neither of which I have much of at the moment.

At the NEC on saturday, on the MK stand. Must dig out my Yarn! t-shirt, methinks.

Inspiration

From Knitty: I really want to make this - it would cost nearly £94 though!
From Knitty: An excuse to buy some sari silk?

This is really cool - why didn't I think of it? Thanks to di_laughing for the heads up!

The Rowan waistcoat-cum-cardigan continues apace - I'm now on the first sleeve. Looks like I will have more than enough for a cardigan. I've done another two rows of shells on the sweet pea shawl - I must say, after a few false starts on the "straightening" rows I'm getting the hang of it. I still don't think it could have been completed in a day though - I'm no slouch when it comes to speed and I know *I* couldn't do it that fast! Luckily I've another 19 days to complete it anyway.

I need to make a start on my college work now, plus I've a little project I must complete this week if at all poss. So many projects, so little time!

The addict's choice - 2nd place!

Woohoo! My blog got 2nd place in the addict's choice, in the machine knitting category! Not bad for someone who's still learning how to use the thing!

See here for more winning blogs!
:)

That Wales stash in full... and MK course blues...

Yikes! Luckily yarn is squashy, and we had room in the car! So much for destashing! Ok, I admit it - I'm an addict!

I can also shamefacedly admit I got nowhere on the Rowan cardigan-waistcoat thingy... I need to match it against the other side, and then it's full steam ahead....

Spoke to Kath about the MK course I'm half way through - she agreed that I can do it "distance learning". It's no longer running on Saturday, as there'd only be 3 people attending and they need 12. It's a real blow for my friend W, who was half way through the sewing course. I was hoping to attend that next year, fat chance! :( However, this may well work in my favour - Saturdays were a big commitment, and as long as I make time to complete in the evenings, Kath offered to meet me on a few evenings if I get stuck. So all is not lost.

Ruddy government. Mind you, when I enrolled, the lad behind me had 5 courses to take, at £220 each. Yikes!

Colinette!

Had a smashing time on Tuesday night, the Builth SnBrs made me an honorary member!! They're such a lovely bunch! Hope Vicky has fun in Oz, sorry, such a lot going on I didn't get to say goodbye! Everyone admired the sweet pea shawl, if it turns out well it's a keeper!

They told me we were only an hour's drive away from Colinette, and there was a light railway for G to look at and.... and... and he agreed to take me! What a sweetie! En route, we checked out Newtown (lovely little town!) where I got a better crochet hook, and we checked out the weaving museum. Then onto Colinette at Llanfair Canaerion - I could have spent all my wages in there, especially on the coned yarns in the sale area. Settled on 5 hanks of point 5 and some other bits and bobs. The riot of colour in that warehouse has to be seen to be believed! I wanna go again!

Then onto Welshpool, where I located a combined yarn and sewing shop, that also sold sheet music! Weird! Bought two nice fat quarters and some baby DK.

Another yarn shop!

Rhayader for the first time, to get supplies. A yarn shop (not signed) - the ladies there are attending tonight's SnB, taking their shop. Got talking, they have a knitting machine to sell, a pity I didn't know about them before getting one on Ebay. Bought some Wendy luxury cotton for the Sweet Pea shawl (from the Happy Hooker).

A local yarn shop, or two...

Made first trip into Llandrindod Wells, and discovered a yarn shop after about 100 yards. Do I have a knack, or what? They had some fabby slubby yarns, all the neon colours I love. However, settled on some yarn for a pressie for a relative. Might pop back in the week....

September challenge shawl

Made a slow start on the shawl - not sure I've picked the right yarn, it was supposed to be mercerized cotton and I've only got unmercerized, Carrying on for now. Not sure I'll find somewhere to get the right stuff this week, but I'll have fun looking!