Sock Recycle

Well I bought some cozy socks last winter and they were fine to wear for a few hours but not the whole day as they seemed to limit the circulation to my feet. So I decided to find a use for them, especially the fair isle styled ones as they were my faves.
The least loved pair made a draught excluder, well it's a practical use and saved them from the bin/fire.

 These were my faves because of the design, so I converted them to mittens since I'm very prone to cold hands. I still have some of this sock left and have saved it as I plan to make some sock toys and plushies at a later date, once I have all the necessary materials and designs at hand.

Hervor Cap by Elsebeth Lavold

I've also completed this hat with leftover aran. However I never noticed that it was actually supposed to be in DK(done that a couple of times lately), still it worked out the same, just going to be warmer.  I like the principle of how it is knit  so may try it again at a later date with a different cable design.
Anyway this one was gifted to a nice lady as a thank you.

The pattern is from the book Viking Patterns for Knitting by Elsebeth Lavold

DROPS bolero 107-27

I had a little Aran yarn left after making the bernat sweater,  so I have started this bolero in the hope that I have just enough to finish it with sleeves.
It's a good quick knit, so fingers crossed I don't run out of yarn, having already shortened the sleeve length.

I've never made a bolero before so it's something different to do, I've had a few lapses of concentration on the final sleeve, probably due to being over tired.  As the next day I noticed that the rib was back to front, I'm glad I noticed this early on and not towards the end!

Shawl

I have this big cone of green yarn which I'm trying to put a dent in, but so far it doesn't seem to be getting any smaller.  I know it has but theres still loads of it left.
The latest project is the Laminaria shawl by Elizabeth Freeman. This is my first ever shawl and I'm really pleased with the way it turned out.  It looks like I'll have to get a blocking mat because I've never had to do that until recently and have just used the steam iron,  which is not ideal but it is ok for this yarn, luckily for me.
If you want to knit this for yourself then the pattern is available for free on Knitty .

So if you have a shawl you must have a pin! This is my DIY pin made from a twig (part of my recycled garden offcuts) It came out well with a slight bend and I secured two beads with pins at the top. Well actually the pin came before the shawl, guess it was my motivation to keep at the lace work.

Feminine Knits

Think this is a really good book for knitting. I've just completed a sweater, well it was meant to be a short sleeved summer top with pompoms. But I need long sleeves as I'm such a chilly lass!

I ended up making a size smaller as it was looking to big in my size and that was a good choice for me, the pattern was easy and I quickly got to grasps with it.  I took my time and slowed down with my knitting, after all there's no race to finish all my yarn is there?! 

The book is available at The Book Depository see the link on the left. And corrections for the patterns are available from Interweave.com.

You can find more images on Ravelry .

I wanted to make the Mother of the Bride cardigan out of the book Mother and daughter knits, but after 3 failed attempts at the back I gave up. It requires your undivided attention or you will end up losing stitches somewhere and since the pattern is quite intense it will not be easy to find where you lost them. 

I might take it on again when I'm a bit more focused or maybe it might be a good thing on a 3 hour ferry trip...lol 

So instead I'm making my very 1st shawl pattern which appears so far to be way easier than the failed cardi.

The pattern is available for free on Knitty.com  and I hope my attempt looks half as good as this one.

I expect it to take a while to make but we'll see.  I suppose it will go fairly quickly if I am fortunate not to be interrupted whilst counting ...... ooh how that annoys me!

Rosebud Edging

I've been at this rosebud edging for my lacey top for a few weeks now, I know it could've been finished ages ago had I really put my mind to it.

But as it was I kept losing my place or dropping a stitch........ something you don't want to do!!! with fine lace knits.

The pattern edging is available here  http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/lace/edgings.htm  if anyone wants to try it.

I have to say it was the perfect edge for the lacey top by Shiri Mor especially since I couldn't get lace trim anywhere to match.  Even the ribbon is Teal as it went better than the green that was in stock in the shop.

Now what to do with the rest of the cone as this didn't appear to make a dent in it!!!

Knitting bug

I've definitely caught the knitting bug. I don't know what I'll do with myself when I run out of yarn!

I've just finished this dinky vest from  Berroco.com it's a free pattern and is called Valpuri if you're interested in making it.

It's so easy and quick to knit and perfect over a long sleeved t-shirt on these cooler days.