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.

Zombie Bunny

I must admit I have a Zombie fetish at the moment.  I am hooked on a TV series called "The Walking Dead" and fascinated by Zombie-like creatures.   So much so, I just had to crochet this Zombie Bunny when I found the pattern as part of a Zombie crochet along, provided here http://thetheoryofcreativity.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/hey-guys-i-got-little-bored-so-to.html

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.

A-line Skirt

I finished my A-lined skirt just in time for the end of the month.  You may recall CurlyPops had a sew-along this month, details are here http://www.curlypops.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/make-it-in-may-skirt-sew-along.html and I found the perfect retro material for my skirt. 

I found Curlypops' pattern extremely easy to follow (thanks) and even managed to do an invisible zip (I think this is probably a first for me, as I tend to avoid zips).

Skirt Sew-along

I'm going to participate in a skirt sew-along.  I found some retro fabric which I fell in love with, so thought the synchronicity of finding the sew-along and fabric was speaking to me loud and clear.   Stay tuned for the progress.....

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. 

Handspun - Merino Wrapped with Angora and Thread

Here is the third month of working through Jacey's "Spin Art" book here and and this month's fibre is TORNADO.  I used Ocean Blue Merino from Kathy's fibres  here (I find her dyed merino is the most competitively priced fibre around).  I wrapped the fibre with commercial angora/boucle and two other commercial threads (one glittery).  I quite like the end result and because I have spun 100gm, there will be enough to make either a hat or put it towards my handspun circle vest I am currently making.

Handspun - Merino/Milk Top with Bockens 35/3 Linen

This is the second month of working through Jacey's "Spin Art" book and this month's fibre is AUTOWRAP.   My spinning wheel has an outie which makes the process a little more difficult but I am still quite happy with the end result.  The lovely 80/3\20 blend of Merino/MIlk top is again from "Ewe Give Me The Knits".



Jerry The Giraffe

Another CAL completed - this challenge was on Ravelry and Sharon's awesome design http://laughingpurplegoldfish.blogspot.com.au/.  Gerry is a crochet giraffe in Magnum acrylic and I think he is just gorgeous.  He has a lovely chain mane which unfortunately you cannot see in this photo.

Art Yarn - Textured

Recently I purchased Jacey Boggs' new book "Spin Art" and her group on Ravelry is working through the book, one yarn per month.  

The first yarn is "Racing Stripes" and I enjoyed spinning this yarn so much that I did it twice - I am hoping to use the yarn from Jacey's book in a vest so will be attempting to use similar hues/tones (greens/blues/purples) for the spinning along. 

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)

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/

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.

Hermione the Unicorn

Just completed another one of thge wonderful Dawn Toussaint's CAL's - this time I would like to introdeuce Hermione the Unicorn. This was a fun creature to crochet thanks again to Dawn's exceptional instructions http://dawntoussaint.blogspot.com/2011/08/september-cal-hermione-unicorn.html.

Dandelion Beret

Just finished a Ravelry KAL - Dandelion hat by the talented Jen Adams http://www.littleyellowcat.com/. I intended on spinning the yarn but in the end decided "no", and bought some Heirloom Merino Fleck which I just love. The pattern was a dream to knit, and it's a lovely slouch hat which won't flatten my curls too much.

Fairy Floss

Well not really, but it certainly looks like it. I received these lovely goodies from SPIN FUSION http://www.spinfusion.net/and the "fairy floss" is actually merino, tencel, bamboo, faux angora, firestar and angelina (I think I'm in heaven). It is part of a WIZARD OF OZ Spin-Along and I chose the Glinda, The Good Witch pack. There is also some pearl beads, sequins, ribbon, gorgeous stitch markers and a really sweet Glinda magnet. I'm really looking forward to putting on my thinking cap to see how to incorporate all the add-ons.

Bushfire

Travelling through Victoria, past Beechworth I spotted a humbling reminder of the horror hundreds of people lived through; remnants of the bushfire still present.