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.

WIP: Tree Blossom Fairy

I haven't had as much time for knitting and crafting as I'd like this last week. Mainly because of work committments, Evie being awake a lot more, and planning my birthday celebrations!! Yes, it's my birthday tomorrow, and today is my last day in my twenties. And I don't feel a day older than 17.

I will say my twenties have been pretty great. I met my current husband. I graduated uni. I moved into my house. I got married. I gave birth to my daughter. I've made some great friends. I've met some amazing people.

So all I can really say is - Thirties, you've got some living up to do! :D

Onto crafting news, I have finally finished all the knitting for my first fairy, just need to find the time to sit down and sew it all together.

Hopefully it'll be ready for FO Friday.

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: Knitted Fairy

I've had my days a bit out of order this week so completely missed WIP Wednesday yesterday. Here is what I am currently working on. It's the Blossom Tree Fairy from Fiona McDonald's 'Knitted Fairies' book.




I am using yarn from my stash, as per my January challenge and don't have the recommended yarns, but  have found quite good alternatives and it should look almost similar. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished fairy and get a feeling this could become quite addictive....

A new year, a new challenge

Happy New Year! 

What a year 2011 was.  The highlight being welcoming my beautiful daughter into the world. I am really excited by 2012, I have so many plans and ideas - crafty and otherwise - and so many interesting opportunities and ventures ahead. But most of these will be covered on my other blog.

As you know I like my lists and challenges. It helps keep me organised and focussed, and this little blog has encouraged me to try new things, read new blogs and actually focus on finishing projects so I have something to show for FO Friday. And the promise of a new year is an ideal time to set some new crafty goals.

1. To have a fnished object to show EVERY Friday.
2. To work my way through my Crafty Bucket List.

That's it. I have a lot to focus on this year but I don't want my crafting to take a back seat and I hope this blog will encourage me to keep going.

And now, for my January Challenge - to use the yarn in my stash. I have plenty of yarn that's been hanging about for a while and it's time to start using it up to make way for some new and wonderful skeins. Luckily I have a few projects up my sleeve, ideal for such a challenge. Making some knitted blocks for Evie and knitting fairies from Fiona McDonalds lovely book.

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.

WIP: Red Riding Hood Update

I've had a busy couple of weeks with family visiting and planning a Christmas Market, which has meant that I haven't had much time for knitting, crafting or blogging. Which sadly means I have failed 2 of my November Challenges.

Having said that I have made some progress on Evie's Red Riding Hood Duffle Coat. Here is the back, and the left and right front pieces with hood in progress. (Apologies for the crappy picture.) Looking forward to having this finished in time for Christmas.

In other news, I have helped an old friend from school start a 'stitch n bitch' group at a local pub. No further progress has been made on my socks. And I have started my Christmas shopping. I can't believe it's December tomorrow, but I do have a potential challenge in mind..... tune in tomorrow.

In the meantime check out Tami's Amis Blog for other WIP Wednesday Posts.

FO Friday #7: A Sleeping Bag

A quick FO Friday post (as I'm meant to be packing for my weekend away!) to show you my first ever knitting commission.

After showing off the sleeping bag I made for Evie I was asked to do one for a friend's nephew.




There's a little pocket with J on (for Jude) & a footprint to use my new found embroidery skills.




The bag (and pocket) were lined with a super soft fleecy blanket.




I was left to my own devices to come up with colours & design, but it's gone down well & I am really pleased with it too.

I don't think I'm going to get a chance to look at the other FOs til next week, unless I can get my packing done quickly - but you can go check out Tami's blog to see what everyone else has been up to.

WIP: Red Riding Hood

I finally finished the 'big' project I have been working on - but I'm going to wait until Friday for the big reveal.

This has meant I've been able to cast on a new project, Debbie Bliss' duffle coat from 'The Ultimate Book of Baby Knits'. I'll be making it in red, hence the name. There's not really much to show as I only cast on yesterday, but I am hoping to have it done for Christmas.

In other 'WIP' news, here is a quick progress photo of my sock. (Yes, it's still on going! At least I haven't given up yet.)




Check out Tami's blog for plenty more WIP Wednesday inspiration.

A knitting meme

I completed this meme over 2 years ago on my other blog and thought it would be interesting to see how much has changed in that time. All items in bold I have done and those in italic are things I would like to do.

Total number on list: 105
Items completed: 47 (March 2009 - 36)
Things I'd like to do: 36 (March 2009 - 43)

Afghan
American/English knitting
Baby items
Bobbles
Buttonholes
Cable stitch patterns
Cardigan
Charity knitting
Combination knitting
Continental knitting
Cuffs/Fingerless Mitts/Arm warmers
Darning
Designing knitted garments
Domino knitting
Drop stitch patterns
Dyeing spinning fibre
Dyeing with plant colors
Dying yarn
Entrelac
Fair Isle knitting
Free-form knitting
Fulling/felting
Garter stitch
Gloves
Graffiti knitting
Hair accessories
Hats: Cuff-up
Hats: Top-down
Holiday related knitting
Household items
I-cord
Intarsia
Jewelry
Kitchener stitch
Knitted flowers
Knitting a gift
Knitting a pattern from an on-line knitting magazine
Knitting and purling backwards
Knitting art
Knitting for a living
Knitting for pets
Knitting for preemies
Knitting in public
Knitting items for a wedding
Knitting on a loom
Knitting smocking
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on one or two circulars
Knitting to make money
Knitting two socks on two circulars simultaneously
Knitting with alpaca
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Knitting with banana fibre yarn
Knitting with beads
Knitting with camel yarn
Knitting with cashmere
Knitting with circular needles
Knitting with cotton
Knitting with dog/cat hair
Knitting with dpns
Knitting with linen
Knitting with metal wire
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Knitting with self patterning/self striping/variegated yarn
Knitting with silk
Knitting with someone else’s hand-spun yarn
Knitting with soy yarn
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Knitting with wool
Knitting with your own hand-spun yarn
Lace patterns
Long Tail CO
Machine knitting
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Moebius band knitting
Norwegian knitting
Participate in an exchange
Participating in a KAL
Pillows
Publishing a knitting book
Purses/bags
Rug
Scarf
Shawl
Short rows
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Slip stitch patterns
Slippers
Socks: toe-up
Socks: top-down
Steeks
Stockinette stitch
Stuffed toys
Swatching
Sweater
Tassels
Teaching a child to knit (My neice?)
Teaching a male how to knit
Textured knitting
Thrummed knitting
Toy/doll clothing
Tubular CO
Twisted stitch patterns
Two end knitting
Writing a pattern

Socktoberfest Progress

And so we reach the end of another month and my second monthly challenge. October's challenge was to knit a pair of socks. Unfortunately I didn't get as much done as I hoped.

I guess I thought that being on maternity leave would give me plenty of time for knitting, but the days go by so quickly and I have so many things on the go it's difficult to fit it all in.

I did nearly finish one sock. This is my progress:

I really don't have much left to do and I am disappointed I didn't finish at least one. But I did enjoy knitting it and (depending on how the finished item fits) I can see the appeal of sock knitting. It is quick, is something I would wear and has plenty of sock for experiementing. I do still want to finish the pair and hope to do so before Christmas. Keep an eye out for future FO Friday posts.

FO Friday #5: Evie's Cardigan

Pattern: Debbie Bliss' Classic Cardigan, size 0-3 months

Yarn: DK yarn from stash (don't tell Debbie!)
Started: Sometime while I was pregnant

Finished: 12th October 2011

This should have been posted last week, but better late than never, right? I was also hoping to have another FO to show off but baby & life have got in the way of knitting/crafting stuff. 

I'm pretty happy with the cardigan, it was a lovely pattern to knit and I got to practice my making up skills, which I think are improving. I just wish I had made it with a better wool. (Sorry, Debbie, I definitely won't do it again!) 

I'm now heading off to Tami's Blog to see what everyone else has done.

A Craft Update

Kids Clothes Week Challenge Fall 2011

Well, I didn't do as well as I'd hoped. What with visitors and having to sort out my spare room so they had somewhere to stay and looking after Evie I didn't have a chance for much making. So the only thing I did get round to 'making' was the cardigan - which was practically done anyway! I do plan to sign up for the Spring 2012 one though, which gives me some time to practice and Evie will be around 6 months old.

On the plus side, my craft room is a lot tidier and I have space to make stuff!

October Challenge: Socktoberfest

I have nearly finished my first sock.



It's looking good, though not quite sure how I'm going to get the second one to match colours. Still not quite sure how I feel about sock knitting - I can already feel 'second sock syndrome' setting in! And I chose some pretty expensive yarn. I am looking forward to wearing the socks, have found some lovely patterns and they (so far) haven't been as complicated as I thought they would have been. I'm not sure I'll become a sock addict, but I will knit more pairs. Providing the second one goes as well as the first....

Sleeping Bag Commission

I am also knitting a sleeping bag I have been commissioned to make. My first commission! It's going well, the yarn is lovely and soft and the colours remind me of a beach scene.

Crochet Blanket

I haven't made much progress with the blanket as I've been working on the two projects above, but I did find some random crochet squares I may be able to add in.

Evie's Duffle Coat

I still haven't cast on the duffle coat for Evie, as I feel I should finish at least one project before starting a new one.

KCWC Fall 2011 : Days 2 & 3

One thing I didn't factor in to this challenge is the fact that my 'craft' room is in need of a sort out & with a little one I don't really have the time to be searching through everything to find what I need. So yesterday (Day 2) was a planning rather than a doing day. Today (Day 3) started out as a buying day, but I did manage to find some time to do some making too.

Today I went to Knitters & Sewers World to see knitting designer and maker of beautiful yarn, Debbie Bliss. Who is also the author of one of my favourite knitting books - The Ultimate Book of Baby Knits. I spent yesterday going over and over the book trying to decide which patterns to knit next & what yarn I needed to purchase today.

I decided on the Duffle Coat, which I plan to do in red for a bit of a 'Red Riding Hood' thing.

As far as my making goes for today I did sew on the buttons to my cardigan - actually completing it! I'll take photos tomorrow.

October Challenge: knit a pair of socks

I can't believe October is here. September went so quickly & little Evie is over a month old. Though as everyone told me I can't imagine life without her, nor remember what I used to do with my time.

September's Challenge was to finish off some UFOS. I managed 2 of them - the sleeping bag & green booties, and have made my excuses for the blanket. I have no excuses for the cardigan - but I do plan to finish it. Maybe this weekend....

So, on to the challenge for October. I have 2. The first is to knit a pair of socks - or at least have one complete by the end of the month - as part of Socktoberfest. I have attempted socks before but didn't get very far and would like to see what all the fuss is about! I have bought my yarn ready & just need to find a pattern.

Pretty sock yarn

The second challenge takes place between the 10th & 17th October - the Kids Clothes Week Challenge. The aim being to spend 1 hour a day for a week making clothes for kids. There aren't really any rules. Clothes can be sewn, knitted or crocheted, upcycled - as long as you are doing something every day. I have no idea what I am going to do. I'm hoping to be inspired by everyone else once the challenge gets started, but I will have a look around this week to see if I can get some ideas so I can order or find the supplies I need. (Though this may be a great opportunity to try being thifty.)

I will also be working on my crochet blanket and have been commissioned to knit another sleeping bag. I guess I should probably look at finding ways to knit faster too....

If you are involved in Socktoberfest or KCWC11 let me know so I can see what you're up to.

I've been shopping...

As the title says - today I went shopping. And in town there is a rather fabulous shop called Knitters & Sewers world, that holds lots of yarn, buttons, thread, patterns, everything you could possibly need (or want) - a knitter's dream shop. I can quite happily spend hours in there deliberating over yarn colours and patterns. I even went in with a specific list of what I wanted in the hope I would be quick while hubby was shopping elsewhere - but no. I was completely distracted by knitting possibilities!

I went in to get yarn for my first ever commission - a baby sleeping bag. I chose Sidar Supersoft Aran...but couldn't decide on a colour scheme. So planning a couple of swatches tonight to see what looks best. Colours look a bit odd in the photo below....but you get the gist.

I also bought some sock yarn, to attempt my first pair of socks for Socktoberfest.

And this fabulous Big Bamboo yarn from Sirdar, a little bit inspired yesterday's FO Friday post by AutumnGeisha, it's already been knitted into an i-cord tube! It comes with a scarf pattern on the ball band, so will knit a test one (for me) but can see this becoming a very handy Christmas present idea....

FO Friday #2 Baby Booties

Pattern: Greemy Baby Booties

Yarn: 4 ply baby cotton. (From my stash - can't remember the brand.)
Needle Size: 3mm straight & DPN
Started: 20th August 2011 

Finished: 23rd September 2011

Well, I just about made it to this weeks FO Friday! 

Apart from not changing yarn colour and using different yarn to that specified, I followed the pattern exactly. This is a quick and straightforward pattern, and I could happily make a few pairs to match Evie's outfits. Best of all, they stay on her feet - unlike the socks that she managed to kick off before I've managed to get the second one on!

This post was inspired by a linky set up by Tami's Amis & Other Creations.

FO Friday #1 Baby Sleeping Bag

Pattern: Baby Cocoon Sack by Bernat
Yarn: Lamb's Pride Worsted (Pistachio) & Cascade 220 (Cream), approx 1 skein of each for sack, plus oddments for flowers
Needle Size: 4.5mm, circular, 3.75mm crochet hook for flowers
Started: 20th July 2011
Finished: 16th September 2011

I didn't follow the pattern exactly as I just wanted the stripes rather than texture. I added the little crochet flowers & a button to make it a bit more girlie, and lined it with a light fleece blanket to make it super soft & cwtchy.

Crochet flower embellishment

Super soft & cwtchy fleece lining

It was a pretty easy project as it was knit in the round and, apart from the lining & flowers, there was no making up to do. I am not entirely happy with the flowers, they look a bit thrown on at the moment, but I'm not sure how to improve this. Maybe by adding some leaves? (Any suggestions appreciated.)

I will definitely experiment with the general shape of this bag and plan to make another one for when Evie is too big for this. I also quite fancy one for myself....but really don't think I have that much patience.

This post was inspired by a linky set up by Tami's Amis & Other Creations, which I discovered via Crafts from the Cwtch, and I hope will become a permanent fixture on this blog.

Hexipuffs & the Beekeepers Quilt

One thing I have been looking forward to since I found out I was pregnant is creating memories and family traditions. I love looking at the albums I have from when I was younger and the little traditions we had at Christmas time and birthdays, and I can't wait til Evie is old enough for us to start making our own.

I also remember the granny square crochet blanket, made by my Mum, that we used to cwtch up underneath when we were ill, or to watch TV together. So, when I saw the gorgeous Beekeepers Quilt by Tiny Owl Knits, it was love at first sight and I definitely have to make one for our own cwtchy nights in. 

This blanket has been designed to look like a quilt with little knitted hexagons that are stuffed and sewn together. Each little hexipuff (as they have been named) is a tiny little project in itself, and will hopefully appeal to the crafty side of me that needs instant gratification. As they only need a few grams of yarn each, this is also an ideal stash busting project - for which Hubby will be eternally grateful I'm sure. :)

I am not going to put a deadline on it, but hope to make at least one little hexipuff a day. These little knitted puffs have really taken off in the knitting world with plenty of fans and knit-alongs on Ravelry, a Facebook group and plenty of blog posts showing people's progress - just search Google for Beekeeper's Quilt.

I made my first hexipuff yesterday (definitely need some practice) which isn't quite perfect and did take some getting used to, though it does give me a chance to try some new cast on and cast off techniques. I will post progress weekly & look forward to meeting all you hexipuff addicts. Very glad I'll have some time to get started while on maternity leave.....