This does mean that I have a worrying collection of unfinished objects lurking in bags/boxes/cupboards all across my house. We’ve been clearing out our spare rooms and loft recently in preparation for the hoped for arrival of small people to share our home and this has lead to me having a tidy up of my knitting projects and stash. This, coupled with my new obsession with Ravelry has led me to face up to my problem. Having entered all my completed projects into Ravelry, and my stash I had to put in all those UFO’s and suddenly they were no longer lurking but were out there in the full glare of daylight…and there were lots…like more than 20…actually more like 30…..

The worst thing is that a good proportion, around 50%, were only unfinished because they hadn’t been sewn up. The knitting was all done they just needed the pieces to be fit together and I had a completed garment. So I have set about completing some of them. I tried to do this at the beginning of this year by listing them all here on my blog but they could hide away there too easily – I needed to have them shouting and waving at me….”Wendy, here we are, finish us!!!”

So in the past week I have completed (ie sewn up) these items –

Child’s Aran Cardigan

Age – 1 year; started Oct/Nov 2006
Pattern is from a Sirdar Booklet – Sirdar 299 Toddler Aran Knits
Yarn is Sirdar Snuggly Aran
Size is 5-6 years

I knit this last winter when I was making loads of things for my sale to raise money for Breakthrough and never got around to sewing it up. After a couple of evenings of CSI here it is, ready for either a Christmas present for one of the little people currently in my life or to wait for one of the little people soon to come into my life.

Orchid Sweater

Age – 2 1/2 years; started une 2005
Pattern – Orchid by Kim Hargreaves from Rowan 31
Yarn – Rowan Linen Drape colour 847 Splash
Size – S

This was part of my Linen Drape obsession in the summer of 2005. After getting Rowan 31 I fell in love with Linen Drape, bought up a ton of it on eBay, finished the Flame vest in Watermelon which I wear all the time. I knit this as I thought it would be a great wear for evenings on holiday but never got it completed for holiday 2005 (Tunisia) or 2006 (Turkey).

I’m pretty happy with it except that the sleeves are rather long, they are supposed to be long and come over the hand but they may be a little tooooo long. I do have to buy a backless bra ……

The stash still contains 14 balls of Watermelon and 1 of Splash!

Stripey Hat & Mittens

Sorry, don’t have a photo of both mittens completed but they are done (honest!)

Age – 1 year; started Winter 2006
Pattern – Patons PBN C 4847
Yarn – DK Acrylic
Size – Child

These were another item intended for my sale last year. My mum bought the DK Acrylic to knit a sweater for my nephew but it didn’t knit up correctly for the pattern she had so she donated it to me for my sale. I made a whole load of mittens and hats but these were never finished.
The Patons pattern leaflet is one I’ve had for years and is brilliant, it has gloves, fingerless gloves, mittens and hats in 4 sizes for toddler, child, woman and man. I’ve made so many gloves and mittens from this over the years in all the sizes. I’ve spent more than one Christmas Eve finishing up gloves as last minute presents from this pattern!

These are in the child size so could well end up being a Christmas present this year.

Little Girl’s Bolero Jacket

Age – 1 year; started Sept 2006
Pattern – Alpaca Bolero from Baby Style by Debbie Bliss
Yarn – Bab Softspun 4 ply in lavender
Size – 24-36 months

This was started last winter as a possible christmas present. Finished all the knitting then it stalled. This photo doesn’t do it justice the colour is a lovely shade of lilac.

I still have the following to be sewn up

1. Baby striped cotton sweater (started summer 2006)
2. Echo striped sweater from Rowan 38 (Feb 2006)
3. Toddler duffel jacket from Debbie Bliss Baby Style (Jan 2006)
4. Checked jacket in Sirdar Snowflake (umm, not sure – 1999??)
5. Polly Pocket dress from Miss Bea’s Seaside (summer 2006)
6. Snowflake Bunny sweater from Sirdar (winter 2004 …probably…)

and these to be completed

1. Rose Dangle Crochet scarf from The Natural Dye Studio (June 2007)
2. Nell from Rowan 28 (Aug 2005)
3. Rose Bud Cardigan from Debbie Bliss Nursery Knits (Feb 2006)
4. Chrissy sweater from Rowan 31 (July 2006)
5. Friday Harbor Socks from Knitting on the Road (July 2007)
6. Mad for Fairisle Socks by Tina Lorin (May 2007)
7. Bayerische Sock by Eunny Jang (Jan 2007)
8. Cherry Leaf Shawl from Victorian Lace Today – this only needs the edging and it’s done (July 2007)
9. Miranda Pattern Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks – suffering from SSS! as I don’t like the fit, may frog (July 2007)
10. Mad Weave socks from Sock Madness (April 2007)
11. Binary Scarf by Christine Dumoulin from Knitty 2006 (Jan 2007)
12. Everlasting Bagstopper by Amy R Singer from Knitty Summer 2007, ok for this I just need to find the right ribbon for the straps but haven’t been anywhere that sells ribbon. (July 2007)
13. Snicket Sock by Sabine Riefler from Magknits Sept 2006 (March 2007)

as well as the “current’ projects which I am actively working on (I can’t work on just one as I get bored)

1. Gryffindor Scarf for Jon from Charmed Knits (Sept 2007)
2. Amigurumi Monkey from Super Happy Crochet Cute (Sept 2007)
3. Child’s French Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks (Oct 2007)
4. Cardigan for Arwen by Kate Gilbert (Sept 2007)
5. Prickly Girl by Cristiana Brenna from Knitty Summer 2007 (Sept 2007)
6. Weasley Sweater from Charmed Knits (Aug 2007)

So my aim by the end of the year is to get at least half of these finished – so please lend me your support!

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Tags: finished

For the contest I need to post my summer knitting goals so here goes –

1. Complete this –

it’s for a gift so I do have a deadline!

2 Complete this –

it should be this –

Jasmine from Rowan 39

it will be finished THIS summer (it’s been a UFO for the past two summers ‘cos I needed to learn to crochet to finish it!!!!!) I really want to have this to wear on those summer evenings.

3 Knit the tank-top from One Skein Knits in the cobweb mohair from The Natural Dye Studio.

4. Knit something beautiful with this -

my first Kool Aid dyeing experiment – if you want to suggest a pattern for me you could win some yarn – check this post

there’s probably lots more but these are the important ones!

And don’t forget to check out the prize draw!!!

technorati tags:contest, competition, yarn, rowan

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This is my new yarn swift made for me by my fil Lord Nibbo in mahogany – isn’t it pretty? You can see the making of shots here on his blog.

Spending the weekend in Cornwall with my in-laws so got to collect this – and immediately put it into action to wind this….

…into….

…this!

“this” is DK Camel from www.poshyarn.co.uk which was purchased to use for ISE4 but I am not sure if it is quite right for my pal. I’ve started knitting Brooke’s Column of Leaves scarf and it looks lovely in this yarn –

The camel yarn is unbelievably soft – very close to the Garnstudio Alpaca I knit a while back. I just don’t think this is the right colour for my pal so it may well end up being a gift for someone else…have to look for something different for ISE4…..hmmmmm….

(btw – note the use of my new antique point protectors!)

Other projects here on holiday in Cornwall are –

Snicket Socks – the pattern is by Sabine Riefler and is published on www.magknits.com. I’m knitting it in the Lucia Sock yarn from www.poshyarn.co.uk which my Sockret Pal sent me. The colour is Passion and I’m loving it in this pattern.

These are holidaying with two real Newfoundlands as well as this smaller version.

This sock is the Fancy Silk Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks knit in Lorna’s Lace Shepherd Sock i the Desert Flower colourway. These are a commission from my friend Emma – if you’re reading Emma I’m about to turn the heel on the first sock so should have this finished soon, I need to check it on your foot before I finish the toe so I’ll call when I get home!

The pottery was made by my multi-talented hubby when he was doing “A” level pottery at school. On the left is a Bellarmine Jug with a Red Indian head and on the right a twisted vase. In the photo on the right you should be able to see the sea at Talland Bay but it’s a bit grey today and it burnt out a bit on the photo.

We’re hoping to get out walking tomorrow, we’re chilling today to get ourselves working on Cornish time – everything’s done “dreckly” (directly, which means sometime in the next year, no hurry!!!)

Have a good weekend.

technorati tags:ISE4, socks, poshyarn

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However, this post is a catch up on everything I’ve been working on since my last post nearly a fortnight ago.

This –

is what I did with the Winter Scarf Knit Kit I posted about in my last post. It’s a super long. super warm scarf in the wonderful Manos del Uruguay. Evelyn suggested the “my so called scarf” pattern but (sorry Evelyn) I decided I have lots of shorter scarves and fancied a really long one but also a scarf that was reversible so I just improvised with a rib pattern from an old knitting book.

this was knit on 8mm needles (US 11), cast on 24 sts (any number divisible by 6 works)

Row 1 (k3 p3)  to end

Row 2 (k1 p1) to end

repeat these 2 rows until the wool runs out, cast off.

I added a fring by just pulling through doubled lengths of wool and knotting.

I really love this scarf and it knit in 2 evenings, I’ve been wearing it ever since. The colours go with so many things – blues, reds, browns, purples…..

My second completed item is another scarf, this was also wool received in a swap – the Magic Yarn Ball Swap - the wool was Garnstudio Drops Alpaca in a lovelyn shade of blue. This wool was SOOO nice to knit with, it’s very, very soft and it just slips over the needles.

The pattern was from the Garnstudio website and is one that my swap partner, Embla, printed and sent along with the yarn ball. It was a very easy repeated pattern to remember and so great knitting for watching tv. I knit it over the past 3 weeks in between other things. It was on quite small needles so took a litle while.

This scarf is wonderful to wear as it is so soft and, being quite long, it’s easy to double up and wrap around so very cosy.  I like the way the pattern bunches up and looks like tree bark -

This was one of my projects for Project Spectrum.

Final finished object is another Halfdome hat

A friend of ours is having radiotherapy at the moment and has lost a lot of hair so just shaved his head. We’ve been having some cold weather and he needed something to keep his head warm but that would be soft on skin made sensitive by the treatment – he needs all the TLC he can get!

I had knit J a Halfdome a few weeks ago and knew it was a super-quick knit so ordered some more Cashmerino Aran which is very soft and knit this in one evening.  Hoping to deliver it tomorrow.

Several UFO’s still going strong …

…yes, that is the second “Monkey” sock in the Sockret Pal yarn finally on the needles.

I have also been continuing to teach myself to crochet, I have been practising with simple granny squares using left over yarn. These three were the tiny bits of yarn left over from knitting socks (l-r, Socks that Rock “Xmas Socks“, Natural Dye Studio “Jewel” and “Cherry Blossom“)

I intended to just use these as practise but I like the way they are turning out and am thinking of making a crocheted blanket from squares made from left-over yarn from other projects as a sort of “Memory Sampler” to remind me of things I’ve knit. Will post more as I complete them.

All of this crochet practise was intended to enable me to complete Jasmine which I am still confident of doing but I’ve also decided to start a crochet project as a surprise gift (can’t say too much – blogs have ears you know!)

This is a sneak look at the yarn and a few completed squares - 

Well, there you go – I haven’t just been sitting on my hands! Off now to decorate J’s birthday cake and prepare for the dinner party we’re having tonight to celebrate. 8 people for dinner – I must be mad.

technorati tags:crochet, knitting, scarf, socks

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This appealed to me as I like the idea of the challenge of working within a limited colour palette. Obviously my creations are likely to be knitting but as I want to have a try at dyeing there may be some colour creation going on as well.

The February/March colours are Blue, White & Grey and these are the ongoing projects I have which fit in this colour band –

The full list of current projects (some are detailed on my UFO page) is

1   Gentleman’s Plain Winter Sock in Opal (Magic I think – not sure which colour as I’ve lost the ball band) knit from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush on 2.5mm bamboo dpns

These are the current sock for the VIntage Sock KAL as well.

2   Garnstudio Scarf in Drops Alpaca. The yarn was sent to me by Embla in Norway for the Magic Yarn Ball swap, she also sent me the pattern printed from the Garnstudio website where they have lots of free patterns, many in English. The Alpaca is beautifully soft and a lovely shade of Royal Blue.

3   Railway Pattern Sock – grey & blue, details in my previous post!

4   Chrissy sweater from Rowan 31 in Rowan All Seasons Cotton indigo colourway. More details on my UFO page

5   Baby Shawl in Patons Fairytale 2ply in white.

For more details about Project Spectrum check Lolly’s blog

technorati tags:knitting, Knitalong, project spectrum

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They are the Railway Pattern Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks, knit with Regia 4ply in Grey with Regia Stretch in Denim for the contrast stripes on heel and toe. I used addi 2mm dpns. The only mod was making them much longer than the pattern dictates (like 93 rows from the gusset not 69) as my DH has very long feet, no need to make them wider though as he also has very narrow feet.

These were one of my listed UFO’s so that’s another one ticked off the list! So far I’m managing one a month – I really need to finish two a month to stand a hope of getting them all off the list by the end of the year. Especially as I keep starting new projects along the way…

Anyway, J appears very pleased with them and they look like they fit perfectly. I haven’t blocked them but I’m not sure they need it. These are also perfect for Project Spectrum Feb/March colours!

technorati tags:sock, sam3, railway pattern sock, Nancy Bush, knitting vintage socks, knitting, Knitalong

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Of shoes–and ships–and sealing-wax–

Of cabbages–and kings–

(the Walrus and the Carpenter, Lewis Carroll)

This is blog is of many things: of squares–and swaps–and UFO’s, of crocuses–and cats–

So, non-knitting content first -

Snow

 Some more photos of the snow yesterday. It only lasted until about 9.00 before it melted away so all the photos are in the dark before the sun came up properly.

These were taken at 7.30 – sunrise is about 7.45 at the moment so just pre-dawn light with a close up on my fairy, Titania, who is staring at the snow in her cupped hands.

These were taken just 15 minutes later at 7.45 – just about sunrise. Simpson is looking out disgustedly and deciding he’s staying in the warm.

Crocuses

And a day later – just to show the amazing nature of English weather this is my garden today,

how’s this for a Springtime shot? These crocuses are in the pot containing one of my acers which yesterday had 3 cms of snow over it.

the primroses are out as well

and the hellebore – Christmas Rose – which my friend bought me for Christmas.

So, enough gardening - on to the knitting content

UFO update  

Of the 27 (yes Twenty-Seven!!!) UFO’s I dug-out and listed at the weekend there are still 26 unfinished. However I have been working on two of them.

Chrissy – All Seasons Cotton jumper – is in my current knitting project bag and I have knit to within 10 rows of the shoulder shaping on the front so quite a lot of progress there

Echo – striped Rowan Tweed/Kid Classic jumper – as this has lots of stripes there are hundreds of ends to weave in where the yarn couldn’t be carried up the side. I spent yesterday evening weaving in ends and completed all the ends on the front! just the back and two sleeves to go…..

Afghan Squares Swap

I have knit another two squares from which to pick my 4 to send for the Crazy Afghan Squares swap

This one is Jaegar Matchmaker Merino in a bright pink colour on 4mm needles. The stitch is a “knot stitch” pattern. Very easy ; row 1 – p1 (k1tbl p1) to end; row 2 – k

Looks quite good

and this one is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran on 4mm needles. A trianglur texture pattern which is quite effective – and looks good both sides actually.

Here is Simpson helping me with the blocking out

because, as anyone who lives with a cat will know, nothing ever happens in his house that doesn’t concern him!

Another swap

Finally – yet another swap. I have signed up for loads recently..I love getting parcels in the post

This is a Magic Yarn Ball and it’s my first go, here are some of the things I’ve been gathering together to wrap up in the yarn ball – and the RYC Lux I’m thinking of using.

The sign-ups close on 31st January so – still time to sign-up if you fancy joining us (Europe only I’m afraid) its on swap-bot here

For some time now I have been thinking that I really need to sort through my stash of yarn and bags of UFO’s. There are loads. I know that. I am not a finisher. I love to start things – I love the idea of learning a new skill or technique, trying a new material or a new idea – but when I near the end of a project and all the new challenges have been met I lose interest and start looking for the next challenge.

Often this means the current project gets left in a bag as I move on to try the next new thing – I fully intend to complete the original project but I get sucked in and before I know it the new project is no longer new and…yes I look for something else.

These abandoned, unfinished projects sit in a bag in the lounge until I need to tidy up for visitors or something at which point they get cleared away into a cupboard “just for now” and then they really get forgotten.

When we moved into this house, 6 years ago, I had a couple of boxes of yarn and UFO’s and since then things have only got worse. So, SOMETHING had to be done.

As a sort of New Year Resolution I decided that THIS year I would finish these UFO’s…I thought that as a discipline I would make myself complete one UFO before I started each new project. I was pondering this when I became aware of the UFO Resurrection Challenge on Kat with a K’s blog. Perfect! So I signed up.

And today I dug out all the hidden bags and boxes and sorted through them (although I think there are probably one or two proving elusive and not wanting to be found so I’ll add them when they resurface) and made a list  – very scary!

Some of these were started so long ago I had forgotten all about them, some I don’t know where the pattern or the yarn came from. You will notice that many are fully knitted and only need blocking and sewing. The problem here is that I love knitting but hate sewing up..

 Those of a nervous disposition may not want to look but those who do I’ve added a UFO page

I will update this with my progress throughout the year but to start with here are two of the UFO’s I have made progress on this month –

Patons Symphony Sweater

A completed UFO already!!! This was unforgivable to be sitting in a bag as a UFO. It was knit, blocked and every seam sewn except one sleeve! So I sewed that seam this evening and – voila!

This is really soft yarn and a lovely comfy sweater. Just in time for the cold weather which is about to hit England!

I bought the yarn in Trago Mills in Cornwall years ago and knit most of it quite quickly.

Finished it about a year ago and sewed most of it up – don’t know why I didn’t sew all of it!

Someone once told me that when you write a to-do list you should always put at least one item on it which you have either already finished or are about to finish, that way you can cross it off and that motivates you more than having a long list of items with  nothing crossed off! So now I have one UFO ticked off!

Binary Scarf

Not so much a UFO as a current project that gets picked up and put down a lot. Started before Christmas and intended as a present for J but other Christmas knitting got in the way….now hope to complete before winter is over.

Pattern: knitty.com – Binary

Yarn: Stylecraft DK

Needles: 5.5mm dpn’s

Started: late December 2006

Hot-Socks Sockret-Pal Monkey

Finally, an update on these socks. One sock completed and I’m really pleased with it: