Beanie

My first knitting project for what seems years, complete with acute faux pom pom.

Tea Cosy

Recently I enjoyed a High Tea at a quaint old shop and they served their tea in a teapot (naturally) covered with handmade tea cosies.  Well, I just had to duplicate the tea cosy, which was not a complicated process, and viola, here is the outcome.  It is virtually the same tea cosy apart6 from the colours, with the same buttons and pattern.  All in all, it took about 2-3 hours to knit and sew.

Sock Along, Week 3

Ah, the heel is complete.  Thankfully when wearing my socks you won't see it!  One side looks fine, the other side, mmmmmmmm better to not comment !

Sock Along, Week 2

My sock is progressing well and I am still up-to-date, which is a bonus.  I am really enjoying the cables/ pattern and think it looks very effective.

Next clue is our heel, I always find this a little cumbersome using one needle but I manage to do it.

Sock Knit-Along

I am participating in another sock knit-along at Knit Purl Hunter http://knitpurlhunter.com/kal/.  We get a weekly clue to knit toe up socks.  I purchased some sock yarn today - I don't think I really need more yarn - Naturally Waikiwi which is Merinoo/Nylon/Alpaca/Possum in a lovely purple shade (do I really need another pair of purple socks, or anything purple really; just because it is my favourite colour!)

Here are my socks at the end of week 1, the toe is now complete.

Hooded Long Knitted Vest

I finally finished knitting this long vest.  It took a while because I changed the pattern a fraction so had to frogged it a bit until I got it just right, and then I knitted the vest which goes down to my knees (basically when I ran out of yarn).   The pattern is Fish Creek by Melissa Schaschwary http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fish-creek-adult-version and I knitted it in Woolznyarns' BFL/Silk http://woolznyarnz.blogspot.com/

Voodoo Zombie Doll Pincushion

Another Zombie item, ths time a Voodee/Zombie pin cushion.  The pattern was kindly provided by Crazy Dazy.   I felted the pin cushion to make it a little more sturdier.

Poncho

As part of a top-down project started last month at my spinning group, I decided to knit this poncho with handspun Corriedale.  The pattern is from Knit Ponchos Wraps and Scarves by Jane Davis.

The yarn was very old and scratchy, coated Corriedale handspun and cable plied.  I soaked it in Borax dissolved with warm water and it is much softer now.

Ponchos bring back fond memories for me from the early 1970's.

Amiga Neck Cowl

Another Ravelry KAL and CAL completed using the loveliest of wool - Socks That Rock (Superwash Merino/Silk) in "Walking on the Wild Tide".   This pattern combines both knitting and crochet, and I think it is probably the first time I have made the one article using both processes. 

Repeat Performance Socks

Phew, completed the second part of the Triplicity KAL just in time for the closure of the year.  Repeat Performance socks (see here for link http://knitpurlhunter.com/kal/repeat-performance/repeat-performance-revealed/). 
I purchased 100% spun BFL from my wonderful fibre supplier Karen at http://woolznyarnz.blogspot.com/ and dyed the yarn purple (it actually turned out a burgundy colour) and ended up twist the BFL with Gutermann glitter thread (not only to give it sparkle but to also add nylon to the mix)

Christmas Advent Garland

I did it!  I kept up with a Christmas KAL which finished today.   During December, every day we received a new pattern from Frankie Brown (sorry there is no link but you can search the name on Ravelry), the end product being a countdown to Christmas (Advent Garland).

I wish everyone out there a very happy holiday season and may 2012 be filled with love and happiness for you all!

Christmas Gifts

It has been a long time between posts.  I have been busy trying to keep up with my KALs and making Christmas gifts - here is a sample of what I have made.

Firstly, some Goats Milk Soap with French Vanilla.  I must say the soap smelt nice before adding the oil, but smells even nicer (if possible) after the few drops of Vanilla were added.   This was my first attempt at making soap and I got my supplies from http://www.hobbygalaxy.com.au/soap-making.html.  Next time, when I have a little more time at hand, I will make the soap from scratch.

The next item I made was some Bath Salts with Mandarin fragrance.  Basically I used Epsom salts, colouring and Mandarin oil (pure essential oil, naturally).  Mandarin has some wonderfully beneficial properties including antiseptic, good for circulation and calming.

 

Lastly, to tie all gifts together I knitted some cotton dishcloths.  If you look closely you will see a picture of a Goat (the purpose of this is to link the Goats Milk Soap to the dishcloth).



Big Snowy Owl

This was an incredibly quick and easy project to knit up - mind you, it is EXTREMELY large.  If I was going to redo it I would use the same chunky yarn but instead of a size 12mm needle I would probably go down to a 10mm to make it a tighter knit.   Anyhow, it is sitting on my bed very alert.

Click here to check out the pattern http://www.purlbee.com/big-snowy-owl/

Triplicity Shawl

Another KAL - this time it consists of four items spaced (generously) over equal months.

The first KAL was the Triplicity shawlette which I have just completed (and within one day of receiving the last instruction - can you tell I am pretty pleased with myself for achieving this). I knitted the shawlette in Lincraft's Supersoft which is 50% nylon and 50% acrylic - the yarn is very soft but splits when knitting, therefore extra care is necessary.

The next three items for the KAL will be socks, mittens and more socks and details on the KAL can be found here http://knitpurlhunter.com/kal/kal-info/

Tea Cosy

It took a while (not the knitting but the sewing up) but I finally finished my mouse tea cosy by Debi Birkin http://www.debibirkin.com/. Debi has many wonderful and unique designs which are very easy to follow.

Sassymetrical

A lesson in what not to do! Do not start a project unless you are 100% certain you have enough wool to finish it.

I started this mini cardigan over one year ago using Malabrigo Cotton. Unfortunately I ran out of the cotton whilst doing the last of three bands. The cotton is not available in Australia and it took me months and months to find one skein (well I actually only needed probably 1/3) to finish the cardigan. I am TOTALLY over the project and will probably never wear the cardi.

Anyhow.... it's no longer a UFO.

BTW, the pattern is Sassymetrical

Dairing Wool and Fabric Yarn

I had tremendous fun knitting this scarf (BTW, the photo doesn't really do it justice). The "yarn" was purchased from Dairing in Richmond and consists of wool and fabric strips attached randomly together. It is another example of arm knitting and knits up very fast indeed.

There is no need to actually purchase the yarn, it would be quite simple to make yourself from at least a 12 (but preferably 20) ply yarn and strips of fabric. I may try it again in purples/greens/ blues - my favourite colour combo; but then again, how many scarves does one need?

White Swan Scarf

In a previous post I shared the wedding winter batts from Nunnaba which I spun up into fine yarn; here is the finished scarf (designed by Kit Baldassara) and spun in the merino/glitz. I love the dangly bits. My daughter modelled the scarf for the photo and decided there & then the scarf was for her :(

Hard Core Spun Hat

This hat was spun using Southern Cross fibres as part of a SAL challenge. I spun the yarn using core spun technique and the pattern was "Hard Core Spun Hat" by Linda H ("Coollinda" on Ravelry).

Bridge of Roses Socks

I participated in another KAL and again with Knitters Brewing http://www.knittersbrewing.com/ whom I think has the best sock kits/yarn and also superb customer service.

The socks were fun to knit - I wish I could say the same as the embroidery (which I haven't done for years). The bullion roses were certainly a challenge and this is what delayed the finishing of the socks.