Christmas Knits

I have finally finished my sister's bolero - all I have to do is make it up. I will crochet the seams instead of sewing, since the type of pattern allows me to. Photos will come later :)

I am now working on a lovely jumper dress in this month's issue of Simply Knitting. Vanguard have a lovely electric blue yarn which I am using - it's a double-knit and 100% acrylic but I normally wear something under jumper dresses so the acrylicy feel won't affect me at all.

I want to try something more adventurous soon, but I normally don't wear very fancy clothes. This means I stick to plain knits more often than not. In a way that is great because I can knit while watching TV - I would definitely make too many mistakes in complex knits if I were to watch TV at the same time. Yes, i know, I often cannot just sit and do the one thing!! :)

Anyways that's it for the moment but I will be back soon with pics of my stuff. Camera's charging right now...

Back on track!

I usually 'get knitted' round about this time of year, more than anything else. Because I discovered crochet in the summer, I thought I was hooked to the point of forgetting my lovely needles, but now that winter has really hit, I am back on track with the needles, and will leave the crochet hook until warmer days.

I have so, so, so many things to make. I am using 12 balls of Wendy Narvik to make a shrug for my sister, just like the Wendy Pampas shrug I made for myself earlier this year. I used Iceland (641) as a colourway, as it is rather versatile - the greys and whites tend to match with most things that one would wear. I've also bought a number of skeins in the Polar colourway, as I plan to make a long jacket designed by Artesano. I don't have a design name for it, so I will wait until it's done to upload a picture. you may have to wait a while ...

The current (January) issue of Simply Knitting has some really gorgeous knits that I can't wait to start either. There's the lovely jumper dress, which I bought some spanking new royal blue yarn in DK. Actually, I did try to look in my stash for a suitable yarn, but I did not have the right amount, or the amounts available were not in the right weight. Since there's some shaping involved, I preferred to use yarn of the same weight so I can concentrate on the pattern without having to think about adapting it. There's also a lovely party top which I plan to make in a ribbon yarn instead of the expensive silk chosen, and of course Alan Dart's Snow Queen.

To top it all, my LYS has got a new colourway for Wendy Fusion so I bought enougb yarn to make a cardigan. I figured I'd need it- I always need cardigans on top of a shirt or poloneck. And I bought three in the aquamarine colourway to make one of the lovely scarfs on Ravelry...

Is this list long enough...?? I just don't think I will finish them all by winter, but I will definitely try!

Beginnings and endings

The thrill of beginning a new project, whatever your hobby, is as great as completing one. Of course, a lot of work goes in between, and unless you persevere you will find that you begin many, only to complete very few.

Just now I finished my double moss-stitch scarf, which is a project that I left off when the weather got warmer last April or May. That's two skeins of yarn from my stash.... but so many more to go! I have been working on my Shaker-Style throw and my Jean Greenhowe Pirate in fits and starts - though I have indeed been so busy that days have passed without touching my needles.

I was about to start Simply Knitting's winter wrap, when I realised that I still have a pair of socks that I started just before going abroad last month. The yarn was bought from Lidl (manufactured by Zettl GmbH, and is 75% superwash new wool (whatever that is) and 25% polyamide. The yarn is really thin (is this what sock-weight is really like ?) so it will take rather longer than planned to finish these socks (and I'm only at the beginning!) but never mind... I'm getting on a little better than I thought I would when I first cast on.

I have many, many plans for projects but time is always a factor. That, and the fact that my elbow aches (down to my wrist, and up to my shoulders), especially after a day of typing translations, which leaves me little room and time to knit as hard and as fast as I would like to.

Nevertheless, efforts are always rewarded. I've had this idea of giving the double moss-stitch scarf as a present, or selling it on etsy... we'll see how that goes.

Beach Boys and Bunny Babes - Alan Dart

I bought these two patterns, and afterwards (before I'd even looked at them), I bought 'Irresistible Gifts to Knit', which included these sets of patterns as a whole.

I am therefore trying to sell them on ebay, if anyone's interested. I've not even used them, and they are still in the envelope as received :)

I've finished my Sweet Pea Shawl, and mum took it to Spain with her on holiday. We'll see how she gets on with it - I'm flattered she wanted one. I have other cotton yarns so I might as well get crocheting another one! I'll include a pic shortly!

I've also started again with my Shaker-Style Throw. I've bought until issue 37 but shamefully I'm still at Square 12. Nevertheless, if you apply yourself it will pick up very quickly, I'm told, as the work is not that difficult...

As to other projects - lots of people I know seem to be preparing to have babies.... or having babies... so that will be a lot of nice knitting of toys or shawls!

Winter ...

It's suddenly turned chillier, and of course we're getting rain a tad more often. All of a sudden I've realised that I've not finished my summer projects (at least 3 left, with yarn and patterns handy) and have yet to start my winter stuff. I definitely have some gifts to make, but I'm now seriously wondering whether they will be ready on time. One of them is half way there but it's still too warm to handle such thick yarn. In this country each season is so short that you have to knit really quickly for that season, or you'll miss the boat.

Of course, I am trying to keep my own limitations in mind. When the party season opens, which is soon. I get less time to do my own knits and often have to prepare for a party, or spend a lot of time resting afterwards. Still, I plan to make the maximum effort possible to at least have a few projects to be proud of this winter!

Rediscovering creativity

The weather has taken a sudden turn for the cooler, and so I can now handle my knits again. This week I met a very nice lady from the UK, who came to Malta on holiday. I originally made friends with her through Simply Knitting, but then discovered she comes to Malta very often and so we've met up. I enjoyed the chat with her, and pity we could not stay on longer, but it was definitely very good to meet up.

I have taken up my Sweet Pea lace shawl again, and have also decided to give many hand-made presents this year. I have all this lovely yarn and cannot afford to continue to spend on it - so why not have an excuse - making stuff for others. I already plan to make toys for my nephews, as well as a couple of christening presents. That should work out really great. I will try to post pictures as I go along :)

Meanwhile, I have so much to knit and yes! you have it! not enough time!

Summer progress ...

The summer is moving on and the middle of August brings with it, at least in Malta and Italy, the largest amount of holiday-makers. Most companies and workplaces are on summer shutdown so that little gets done by way of trade.

I have spent much time swimming and boating lately, at the expense of my craftwork. I've not picked up a hook or needle in a couple of weeks, after having finished my mum's crocheted bag with beads sewn on. I am still working on my Blissful halterneck top and this is progressing quite nicely. However it does look a little small - perhaps it will improve once I've steam-blocked it as per the instructions. some of the comments I found on ravelry were quite disheartening on the subject - people have found it too small, or too flimsy or too daring to wear. About the daring, mum informs me that it is possible to buy cups for the bodice part of tops so that they are not so transparent! interesting!

Today I've picked it up again but have hardly progressed a single row because the row i'm workin on involves a 2-treble bobble in each stitch - almost triple the work!! But I did stop to write a little note here, just to keep you all informed.

Hope you're all enjoying summer and I'll be back soon with more news!