FO: Stash Busting Block No. 1

My challenge for January (& February as it's turned out) was to use my yarn stash rather than buying anything new. I haven't had much time for crafting (or blogging) lately as I've started easing my way back into work and pretty much have no free time. So I have just about finished my first block! Yup, it's taken me this long to knit six 3" squares.

I need more practice on cutting cubes, and the squares are a bit too big which makes the cover a bit loose.



 

But it's not too bad for an off-the-cuff projects with no pattern.

WIP: Stash-Busting Blocks

This is a very quick post just to prove that I am still about. As part of my January challenge to use up the yarn in my stash I am going to start knitting some blocks for Evie to play with. There are loads of patterns out there, but my plan is to just knit a load of 3" squares, then sew them all together and stuff them with a foam cube.

In an attempt to get this project started, here is the first block. Nothing dramatic, just a simple stocking stitch square (try saying that quickly!) to get me going.




I am hoping to include some patterned squares containing letters, numbers and maybe some pictures, so if I do design anything I'll try and post the patterns here.

I do hope that this project will get me back into knitting as I feel a bit lost without a big project to work on, having finished Evie's Red Riding Hood.

FO Friday: Red Riding Hood

It's finished! The duffle coat from Debbie Bliss' Ultimate Book of Baby Knits, was finally finished on new year's day. It's a lovely coat and a great fit for Evie. I made the 3-6 month size and it does have a bit of room to grow into. The knitting (all garter stitch) was very straight forward, unfortunately my making up needs a bit of work - but I won't let this put me off. The yarn used - Debbie Bliss Rialto DK - is lovely and soft and I love the colour. Plus I have 1 and a half left over balls of yarn, so may make a hat.

I am  so pleased with this. I love the hood and cute little pockets, and will most likely make it in the next size up. (I would love to try and scale it up for me, but I think that's a bit beyond my skillset at the moment.)

Now off to Tami's blog to see what everyone else has been up to...

WIP: Christmas Crafting

It's been a bit quiet on this blog lately as I try to get myself ready for our first christmas together as a family. I am so excited and really looking forward to it. As ever I have left everything til the last minute so I have been knitting a few last minute christmas presents. Some of them I can't show you til after the big day, but here are a few photos.

This is a fair-islse hat I have knitted for Evie. I just need to make a pom pom for the top. It's the first proper fair-isle item I have made, and I am pleased with it.




So pleased, in fact, that I am happy to show you the inside of the hat and how tidy it is. Will definitely be doing more in the future. And as it's a baby hat it only took me a day to knit.




This is a close up of another christmas present, which I'll have to show you a bit more of after christmas.