Finally an update and FO!

Life has been more than a little busy lately I'm afraid, and so my part in the internets has waned considerably! But now I've got a chance to get back in touch - comment on the 50 or so posts I've missed, and update with my gifting progress! :)

I've finished one of my great big 2nd Quarter accomplishments - yay!! Gran's Flowerbasket Shawl was finished and gifted much to everyone's delight.

Gran loves the shawl and admired the lacework which made me feel very special of course! Gran was the first person to introduce me to knitting many years ago when I was about 8, and although I didn't keep it up then, I feel so glad to have shown my appreciation to her with this lacework gift :)

Now I really must re-assess my goals and what needs doing! I've been knitting to releive stress and simply for enjoyment while I've changed jobs, moved house and so on! But now things have settled a little more I think I can take another look and get on track! :)

Keep on keeping on everyone! I know I've been absent for a while, but knowing this blog is ticking along has still been inspiring - thanks everyone!! :)

June Gifts...

Well I've been on a FO frenzy the last week or so...

Purple Syncopation Bag:


Child's size Carie Lynn:


Pink Picot Edge baby cardi (Debbie Bliss cashmerino) - although I confess that I knit this a long time ago, just needed to add the botton and closure to make it an FO!


Unbiased Bag with recycled Sari Silk:


Half-Linen Stitch scarf (I don't think I posted this one yet!)



Phew! Ok.. .still working on the Voyager Stole for my Q2 Challenge. I thought I was done, but need to make it a bit longer.


JavaNut

Late and long update...

Since June is approaching half-way point I figured I should post my May update... pics included for those that weren't posted previously.

May List:
Carie Lynn/Liz/May 15 => DONE
Carie Lynn/me/May 15 => this is the third bag I've done w/ this pattern and I think it's my favorite... so I'm keeping it!



Baby cardi /Baby W/May 30 - this is the Daisy pattern from Knitty.com. Easy design but I would have preferred a solid color for the seed stitch edges if I could have found one to match.


Fluffy Lap Blanket/Grandmother - this is from Weekend Knitting. LOVE it and when it gets colder will probaby make an afghan size one for myself.


Baby vest/baby Fife/May 31 => DONE

I'm keeping the June list short since it's already the 11th, but will try to add to the list if time permits:

1. Bias Bag/tbd (carryover)
2. Half-Linen Stitch scarf/tbd
3. Felted Bag/E.P.

And still working on my Q2 Challenge: Voyager Stole (almost done!)

seamless baby kimono

completed.

not entirely sure about the felted heart, may change for another embellishment down the track

free pattern... I made some modifications

baby afghan

my third FO for this month... finally I feel like I am back on track again... yay

this adorable baby afghan

Socks Finished!

I finished the socks for my Dad yesterday. I made myself knit only them this past week because I was worried I wouldn't finish in time, and it paid off! I'm quite happy with how they turned out.



In other progress, here is where I am on the honeymoon cami and the modern quilt wrap. I'm using different colors for the wrap and mixed in some kidsilk night as well. I'm pretty happy with how it's coming out.

Modern Quilt Wrap

I have been a monagamus knitter with the Modern Quilt Wrap since the beginning of May, and it is finally completed!  Here it is in it's pre-blocked state. I need to get blocking wires, so won't be able to block until next week.  It will be a Christmas present for my best friend (we met in junior high) who loves all things quilted.

Not sure what our Q3 challenge will be, but I plan to spend the rest of the month knitting little gifts - I'm ready for some instant gratification.  

Happy June knitting to everyone!

one down, four to go...

decided to make a scarf for my brother... navy and white are his football team colours, but I deviated from the traditional footy style scarf

if I have time I may make some fingerless mitts in navy to go with it, or just include some football tickets with the gift

de-stressing cables - back washer

This gift was one I made for a cable swap at Woolaholics.

It is my own simple design.

The free pattern can be downloaded from my blog or through ravelry.

These thick luxurious cables are designed to massage, de-stress and exfoliate. Gently cleanse your back without straining. This is the ultimate back washer. A perfect gift idea, or an indulgent addition to your own bathroom.

Knit this fabulous washer in cotton so that it is easy to care for. After use, you simply rinse and allow to air dry. It can also be machine washed and tumble dried.

Tam B

Tam B finished!!
Yarn: Cascade 220, Noro Silk Garden #267
For my Mom, for her birthday, in November.
I made a few changes to the pattern, including a solid rib on the bottom, and not carrying the noro all the way to the center. I am still so pleased with how quickly this knit up. I'll have no problem knitting tam c this year.

In other knitting progress, the first sock for my Dad is almost finished. I'm knitting fast to try and get them done for father's day. Also, I finally broke down and bought the yarn needed for the modern quilt wrap (though I'm substituting different colors), because I just know my grandmother would love it, and her 80th birthday is coming up this August. I really really want to cast this on right now, but I'm holding back until the socks for my Dad are done, since those are due much sooner.

desmond the lion

Didn't have this one on my May list... I guess I wasn't as organised as I thought I was!

It was my nephew's 2nd birthday, so I designed this lion from recycled yarns. He's very cuddly.

First FO of the month!

I call these 'Happy Socks'. I just adore the bright happy colors. The are for me, and knit up super quick.

I'm making good progress on the socks for my dad. Since they are a surprise I need one of my guy friends to try it on and make sure the size is about right. No progress on 'my so called scarf' and I ripped the ribbed hat I was making. Instead of that, I cast on for another pair of dashing and have one of the pair done so far. I'm planning on casting on for tam B tonight. So I'm slowly making progress on my May goals, I've just scattered my efforts about.

Hurrah! An FO!

I finally have an FO to report!!

Dad's hiking socks which have been on the needles since.. *ahem* ... before Christmas are finished!

I'm so excited - can hardly wait to gift them to him :)

I'm very happy with how they've turned out, after languishing for so long neglected on the needles they were very quick to finish when I set my self to them!

(Haven't taken a photo of both socks yet! Was so excited to post about them I didn't want to wait!)

Mothers' Day Gift

My Mum has been unwell for quite some time now, and I was really stumped about what to make her for a gift this year. I wanted something that would cheer her up... not necessarily something practical!

She has been in need of regular platelet transfusions... so I had the idea of creating an EMERGENCY BAG OF PLATELETS as a novelty gift idea.

Here it is... She loved it... and it made her laugh and laugh and laugh!

May FOs

Two completed FOs for May... #1 & 5 on my list:

Carie Lynn for my friend, L... she saw one I'd done and loves neutrals. I love the color combo - the brown is less-gray than in the picture but didn't have good lighting. And don't notice that I got myself off on the slip-stitch pattern and the bottom... just wasn't paying attention and didn't notice.

And then baby vest for baby boy due next week... this was a fun quick knit (worsted weight) done by modifying a pattern from DROPS.



Happy Saturday!!
JavaNut

April's FO

Finally I finished the April's FO. I don't like the sewing and so it's a little bit later.
It's the third St Claus Sock.

April FO picture

Here is the picture of my April FO. It is a golf club cover for my husband. It matches his golf bag and this particular one is for a 5 wood. The stripes on the cuff correspond with the club they are for. I messed the first stripe up a little on this one. I still don't have a digital camera, so I brought the FO to work and borrowed their camera. I'll have May and Q2 updates soon. Happy Knitting everyone.

April/May update

Yikes- we're well into May already!! I've been out of blogland for a while but wanted to post my update...

April List with photos of FOs I hadn't posted yet:

Celtic Tote/tbd/April 10 => DONE
Changed: Roses at Midnight Bag/SD/April 30=> DONE

Carrie Lynn Bag/tbd/April 30 => DONE
Carryover: Ballband bag/kelly/April 30 => DONE

Pebble Beach Socks/tbd/April 30 => DONE
(made with Socks That Rock in Pebble Beach colorway)


And now for my May list:

Carie LynnBag /Liz/May 15 (almost done with this one!)
Carie Lynn/me/May 15 (cast on)
Baby girl tbd/Romina/May 30
Jaywalker Socks/tbd/May 31
Baby boy/cousin/May 31

And I'm still working on the Voyager Stole for the Q2 Challenge. I also hope to make myself a sweater but won't consider it an entry since it's for me instead of a gift. But I want the challenge-motivation!

Phew! Better get goin' on this list!!

Sara's April Recap.

April has totally gotten away from me. I did get some knitting done, but after a trip to the yarn store, my knitting got side-tracked from what was on my list. This is what I was planning on knitting:

April List:

1. Finish Socks, for me just because; 1.5 down, .5 to go

2. My So Called Scarf, xmas gift box.

3. More washcloths, gift box

4. Dashing, Brian, xmas

And here's what I actually knit:

1. Finish Socks, for me just because; DONE

2. My So Called Scarf, xmas gift box, WIP

3. Fetching (again), gift box, DONE

4. Dashing, Brian, xmas, DONE
5. Tam A, Mom, DONE
6. Ribbed Hat, Ken, WIP

Twisted Rib Socks
Yarn: Meilenweit Magico


My So Called Scarf
Yarn: Alpaca Soft, Knit Picks Gossamer; held together


Fetching
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca
Note: I remember a post way back with someone having trouble with the bind off curling. I've found if you block it out, it turns out lovely and doesn't curl.


Dashing
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca, held double



Tam A
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca, Noro Silk Garden.
Note: My first fair isle project!! Tons of fun and knit up pretty quickly. My gauge was a little off though, so it turned out a little small. I hope to knit the other 2 tams as well in the future.