New Socks to Knit

Hi Everyone

We are back from our Grand Tour (2016). We had a great time and the weather was amazingly good. Unfortunately, I didn't manage any to post any photos online - as usual connections were unreliable ! I will share little snippets from the Tour over the next week or so.

We were very busy but I did manage to get a new pair of socks going. I've designed this pair of socks from scratch and have started the design a few times to get a good fit. Finally, I think I'm there with the size. The sock design is based on the same approach as my last pair but it's using a thicker wool and I've introduced a knit line, purl line pattern in the front panel (begining to show in the image below). This design has evolved but is the first knitting pattern I've created myself. All the specifications have changed (from my previous sock pattern) from the number of stitches used to the number of lines in each part of the sock. The new sock is using the hand painted wool I acquired earlier in the Summer (read back for details). Here is a quick look at the early stages of the sock.

                                  

Tomorrow, I'm going to paint my own (first) hank of yarn - to be used for my next pair of socks. I'm super excited about this little project. I will share every detail as I go.

Thanks for calling in.

Dye Job

Hi Everyone

Great news - I've booked to go to a workshop session next month - dying yarn. I'm super excited about this and have been researching various methods of yarn dying. It's only a month but I can't wait, so ........... I'd like to share a new project for me today ! I've collected some stuff, 4ply sock weight Merino yarn and some Kool-Aid in green and blue (a powder drink product). I'm going to dye some yarn.

                                    

I've got a clear idea of what I'd like to produce and hope to knit a pair of socks with the resulting dyed yarn. I'm going for blues and greens.

However, we are picking up the last stage of our annual Grand Tour in a few days and I'm going to leave my dye job until I come back. 

As usual, I will try and post a few photo stories while 'On Tour'  but again (as usual) the phone reception is always a challenge ..... will do my best.

Have a great weekend.

Bracelets Galore

Hi Everybody

I've got another couple of bracelet projects to share today. A beaded super duo bracelet which I've made a few times to get the colours and bead size just right :

                                   

The bracelets feels great to wear but I need to wear it all day while I go about my business - I want to check how robust it is while gardening and doing a bit of cleaning (only a short session of cleaning !!).

The second project is the knitted item I started and featured yesterday. I found some yarn which is Ok as a compliment to the Turquiose  I-Cord and I have are a number of options in my stash for the bead element :

                                 

It's time to sew the I-Cords together and add the beads. I've got high hopes that the finished item will look good. My intention is to try and develop the design in some way to make it my own. As mentioned yesterday, this design is by Betsy Hershberg.

Thanks for calling in.

Knitted Jewellery

Hi Everyone

I'm sharing a little experiment with yarn and beads today. I did work on the crochet and beads idea from yesterday and got nowhere. Lots of little ideas came to nothing with the crochet so I decided to opt for the knitting approach. I had a little more success and will keep going with different beads and varied yarns. Here is a quick look at the knit result :

                                  

This is a twisted, short purl band (only 5 stitches wide) with a size 6 seed beads at each end. Using the purl knit stitch seems to make the band twist. I'm going to try to make a bracelet with a metal clasp. I'm hoping the clasp will be light enough to allow the twist to stay in shape.

My second experiment is to produce another knitted bracelet style :

                                 

This new bracelet will use a slide clasp (as in the inspiration photo). I need to choose my beads and find another yarn to compliment the first colour (bottom left) - this photo looks more blue than the actual colour of turquoise.

PS - I've not given up with the crochet idea, I'm going to try some different yarn and bigger beads today.

Thanks for calling in.

Beading and Crochet

Hi Everyone

This week, I've come across a few references to beaded crochet items which have 'hooked me' (no pun intended). I've searched for a few days and not quite found anything (specifically) which I want to make using this technique. I often find myself being drawn to a book with examples of whatever make it is but this time I can't quite find what I'm after. I have seen this image on Pinterest which I quite like. I guess it's more to do with not really knowing what it is I'm looking for ?

                                   

These examples are the type of thing I'm looking for but not quite. The rope like examples are created by somebody called Adele Rogers (read her story

HERE) - there's a great tutorial which I'm going to try. 

I'm not sure what will turn out, I'm just going to go with it.

Thanks for calling in.

Vita News

Hi Everyone

I'm still working on Vita, her body is almost there - just arms and legs to go. I've been spending most of my time working in the garden or watching the Rio Olympics so not much time left for anything ! I can crochet and watch Tv (almost) but can't cope with too much concentration work - several parts of Vita have needed to be done again !

However, she is coming on and with the inspiration from my latest TILDA book (read back last week for more on this) - I'm thinking fabric for her dress. I've also got my mind on a stand for Vita. This is a wooden item which allows the doll to stand upright - I've got a drawing and will get my friendly woodman to make it ASAP.

Here is a quick photo of Vita, as she is :

                                   

This is how Vita will aim to look after she is dressed -

                                  

I like the 'wings' and the spotty leggings - will see what I've got in terms of fabric before making final decisions about the detail.

Thanks for calling in.

TILDA Inspiration

Hi Everyone

I have a new Tilda book by Tone Finnanger. It's amazing. Every project in the book has me inspired to make it. The image I've chosen to share is the Handmade Angel, the dress is very much like the dress I will make for Vita (read back earlier this week for more on this). I love the Angels and am definitely going to make a version for one of my Christmas Trees.

The whole book, Handmake & Happy is presented in a Winter/Christmas setting but with a different display, almost everything could be suitable for any occasion. The TILDA dolls have the usual distinct look but use paint to develop the head which I really like. I just need a few weeks spare to make everything !!!

One of the other things which I like in the book is a great little Christmas Tree (I'm feeling guilty thinking about these things in August) - it's solved my problem for the new annual Christmas tree project. You will need to wait until December to see how this turns out. No more talk of the 'C' word.

Moving on ............ here is the image of the dolls that has me so excited :

                                  

Thanks for calling in today.

Have a great weekend.

A New Yarn Project

Hi Everyone

I wanted to share a little idea I have for a new jumper. I've been looking for a jumper pattern for cotton yarn for a while and think I've found one. I love the idea of knitting on a round needle and eliminating as many seams as possible. I find knitting in the round approach produces a neat and shapely result every time, especially around the shoulders. It also allows a great fit for length of sleeves and finished garment length as it's possible to try on the developing piece as you knit. The pattern is a free download from Ravelry - which is amazing. Thank you to Heidi Kirrmaier for access to her pattern.

I'd like to knit the jumper in some great yarn from Wool and the Gang - a denim style cotton which produces a very soft knit. Here is a few images to illustrate the project.

                                   

My jumper will be a loose fit around the body but as I've mentioned I can make the arm length and the bottom of the jumper exactly to my size.

Thanks for calling in.

Fabric and/or Crochet ?

Hi Everyone

I'm working from my new list today. I've given myself a bit of balance with gardening, house and 'making' jobs each day. If I don't get time to complete each daily element - I review. If the job is important it stays and I move it to the next day. The long list gets a review each week. That's it, keep it simple.

My main thing is to keep relaxed and enjoy everything.

One of my projects is my Vita crochet doll - this is my current yarn project (replaces the socks from last week). I've been using my TILDA book by Tone Finnanger to get ideas for Vita's clothing. I'm ok with the crochet dress kit but I do like the Tone Finnanger dress idea and will go for fabric to dress Vita. I will finish the doll before developing a pattern for her dress. Vita is a different size doll and will need a custom job ! Here is a quick look at the two doll styles :

                                  

I love the fabric patterns and the colours.

Thanks for calling in.

What's on the list ?

Hi Everyone

It's quite a challenge to stay focused at the moment. Lots of things are 'under development'. I'm technically on holiday but I'm not quite sure where my work /not work starts and finishes !! Not even sure if I get holidays ? My whole life is a constant juggling of projects. 

Currently, I'm keen to try and get our garden into some vague form of order, its going ok but it's quite exhausting and although I've given the garden an hour everyday, this is not enough at the moment  I'm also trying to keep my own little 'making' projects rolling on and am struggling as well as doing the everyday Mum stuff. However, it's all pressure I put on myself ! I'm not complaining, I have a great life - I'm just sharing my frazzeled thoughts. My solution - I'm going to take a deep breath and make a new list of priorities - all will be well after that.

In the meantime, I've made a silver ring ready for my first PolyGem. I've talked about this before (read back on the blog) and made the PolyGems a while back. My idea is to make a standard bezel cup for the Gem and attach to my new silver ring.

                               

I'm not sure when I will make the bezel - depends on my list !

Thanks for calling in.

Great news !

Hi Everyone

I've had a very busy weekend gardening and going for a great long/up/down walk. I'm finding it difficult to walk this morning. 

However, great news. I've finished my latest pair of socks (just a day or so late for my walk). I need to graft the front and sew in the threads but that's it. Will come up with my next knit project, later today.

Here is a quick look :

                                 

More gardening and lots of breaks today.

Thanks for calling in.

New Inspiration needed !

Hi Everyone

I'm a bit weary today (as a result of three days heavy gardening !). I have a scheduled hour in the garden later today but I've been avoiding work of any sort for about an hour. However, I've found something again (which has been in the back of my mind for a while) to inspire and rejuvenate me. As if I need another project !!! Moving on ..... I'm keen to try out an idea inspired by this cute little house - 

                                   

I want to make a similar item to frame and hang - like a picture. The little house is tiny and made from Popsicle sticks - I have some Balsa wood instead. I'm going to make some bits of furniture - not sure what yet ? I love the whole thing and it fits very nicely with my current obsessions ie making dolls and The Papersack Village (read back on this blog over the years for more on these obsessions). 

I found the project (pictured) a month or so ago while browsing YouTube. It's a great tutorial and it's lovely to watch the house coming together. Go and watch it now HERE. Not sure when I will start my version - I've almost got going with yesterday's projects ! 

Thanks for calling in.

Projects 'in waiting'.

Hi Everyone

my photo story today says it all -

                                  

I'm hoping to choose a PolyGem to turn into a ring and will hope to get Vita going.

Thanks for calling in.

Garden Tidy

Hi Everyone

I'm committed to making some time for our very untidy garden. We have quite a small patch but it's been sadly neglected for ? ...... can't remember when it was tidy. I don't want a 'clinical' look - just pretty to look at and easy to maintain. The job is a big one ! 

The garden is quite important to me - my workspace looks out directly onto the garden and I often find myself looking and being inspired.

I've decided to break the garden into tiny little rooms and am tackling one at a time. It's so easy to get disheartened but I'm soldiering on. I do enjoy gardening when I can dabble and do creative little jobs. The big overhaul of the moment (required) is somewhat more demanding. I'm working for an hour or so each day and it's slowly happening. I've been trying to get the kids involved too ! - another big job but they have done a few specific, directed tasks which is a great help.

Here is a flavour of the situation - two days in .......

                                  

So much more to do.

Thanks for calling in.

Gift to Self

Hi Everyone

A little photo story from my holiday last week - we visited a great little tea room/ shop selling lots of lovely things, including hand painted yarn ! Obviously, I had to buy some yarn. Here it is :

                                  

I'm not sure what to make ? It's double knit - so soft and lovely colours.

Thanks for calling in.

More Sock News

Hi Everyone

Back from our Grand Tour and all refreshed and upbeat.

Just a quick update on the development of my holiday socks :

                                  

As you can see, I've managed one sock and started the other. My estimate is next weekend for the finished pair. I've only got an hour or so each evening. Lots of plans for the week, so not much time !

Thanks for calling in.