Monday 16 February 2015

Miscellany

Lots of bits and bobs to talk about today.

As you probably know, my love for yarn, like fabric, knows no bounds.
I have started a new cardi for myself and I'm taking part in a KAL (that is a knit-a-long for the non knitters amongst you)- the Alana-along KAL on the 2 Knit-chicks Podcast discussion board on Ravelry. The KAL is based on the patterns designed by Alana Dakos. I chose "Entangled Vines" from her book Botanical Knits. The KAL is running from Feb 1st -April 1st 2015. It is great fun posting photos of our progress so there is still plenty of time to join the group and cast on. I had finished the hat too quickly (Oak Trail featured here) and love her patterns so much I wanted to do something else. She is the designer of the Playful Stripes and Wee Wildflower cards I knitted for my grandchildren too.

So, progress so far.




Sleeve and shoulder detail
The wool is Bergere de France Magic+, a 80% wool/acrylic mix in the "Fonte" colour. It is a grayish brown and if I were to take a guess I would call it Nutmeg. Whatever, it is a useful color that will go with lots of tops/dresses until the weather warms up. In all honesty I did go to my LYS looking for something more Spring-like. 
 I am knitting on 24cm Chiaogoo fixed double point needles (4.5). The yarn is easy to use, does not split and I think will be pretty hard wearing. The design is knit from the neck down which I have done once before in a child's cardigan. It needed quite a bit of concentration to start with to follow the twisted cables and motifs on the sleeves but the chart and written instructions were very detailed.  I have now divided at the underarms and the rest of the body is in stocking stitch so ideal for watching TV and knitting. The sleeves will be picked up and knit on DPNS.

I'm so keen to knit this cardi quickly that I took it to the hairdressers, so......
just for a laugh....



I have been trying to catch up with my English Country Garden BOM and have now almost made 9 of the 10 patterns released. Here are the latest blocks.


The pansy is cut out and prepared for some hand sewing on Tuesday 17th. My lovely Honey Bees are coming to lunch and I will be able to host the day more easily if I stick to the hand sewing. There may be 6 or 7 of us so I'm hoping the large Victorian boardroom table in the conservatory plus the kitchen island and table will be enough room for sewing machines and cutting boards.

Now for a photo of a stocking-filler present that my husband bought for me at Christmas.



It is a vintage thimble case made of cockle shells. The stripes are a pretty greenish colour.  I am not sure if this has been added or is natural. Mike thinks it may be Victorian. The thimble which was included is nothing special but does fit me. I think it is so sweet.

This week I'm linking to Wool on Sundays, Needle and Thread Thursday and Yarn-along. All links in the right side column.

Have a fun week.

Catherine


12 comments:

  1. Love the new 'do' - going for the sci-fi look? ;)

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  2. I just went to look and Entangled Vines is a lovely pattern. I'm tempted to make it myself but I'm determined to finish the hexies and mittens before I start any more yarn projects! And I love your hairdresser picture - true dedication to the KAL indeed :)!Your Bom blocks are also looking great and the little thimble case is charming :)

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  3. Love the pansy and the rose especially but all these blocks are so pretty. Such a lovely idea altogether!

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  4. Love your country garden blocks. I'm a slow knitter so joining in a KAL always leaves me finishing a year behind everyone else! I do like that colour yarn though and the vine detail is lovely.

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  5. Knitting is Greek to me but love those quilt blocks. Both are beautiful.

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  6. My yarn stash is growing too! Lovely appliqué blocks and the shoulder detail is very pretty

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  7. The shoulder detail is looking good will be a lovely cardigan. The country Garden blocks are beautiful. Pretty thimble case.

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  8. I can knit but I'm even slower at it than at sewing. I do love you knitting though and also your flower blocks. I can't get over the thimble case...It's very lovely.What an amazing husband you have.

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  9. I've taken my knitting to many a strange place, but never the hairdressers! Lovely to be working on something you can't put down :) Clever hubby finding that gorgeous little antique thimble case, it's so pretty.

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  10. Pretty cardi. Those BOMs look lovely sitting all together. Love the antique thimble, it is very sweet. How wonderful to sit in that lovely conservatory of yours and enjoy some stitching amongst friends!

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  11. How extremely lucky you are to have mastered knitting. I can only figure out how to crochet.. knitting is way to hard lol... bravo to you!

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  12. Your knitting is beautiful , looks very complicated :-) oh I love the thimble case !

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