Silver Sample

Hi Everyone 

Each week, I’m including an example of one of my ongoing Sterling Silver Makes. I’m hoping I can use this prompt to help me organise and plan my work, more efficiently. This weeks Silver Sample is a pair of tiny stud earrings. I have a batch of these earrings underway, each is unique although the scale and type is similar. The sample in my photo story is around 7mm in diameter. I’ve created the Stud part from PMC (precious metal clay) and made various surface marks during the moulding stage which gives the unique design for the earring. I have also hammered and carved some earrings after the firing stage to provide more surface patterns.

I like to wear small earrings for everyday wear, so am keen to keep going with this design. 

               

I have given my sample Studs a slightly distressed surface and will keep this pair for myself. I need to add the posts and give a final polish and then, they are ready to wear. Hopefully, there will be some earrings left to sell ! 

Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend. 

I’ll be back on Monday with more Making projects.

The Woodbine Sweater

Hi Everyone 

I’m sharing an update on my current sweater knit today, the Woodbine Sweater by Fiona Alice. You can read all about the progress of the project here ,here and here.

 I’ve developed the main body of the sweater and have almost completed one sleeve. The sweater is a good fit. There’s plenty of positive ease and it’s just the right length. I wanted a short, boxy shape which is slightly different from the original pattern by Fiona Alice. I’ve also changed the sleeves, I have made a plain stocking stitch design rather than the lace version in the original. I liked the look of the lace combination but felt I would prefer a plain sleeve for my own particular look. You can see the original version here on Ravelry.

        

The various sections of the sweater have come together beautifully and I’m definitely feeling, I’m on the last stages of the knit. The right sleeve is almost done and I’m pleased with how the sleeves are working out. I’ve changed the rate at which the sleeve is decreasing from the shoulder, the sleeves feel good - plenty of room for layering. My next dilemma is to decide how to finish the cuff - do I go for a rib as per the pattern or continue with a slight roll of stocking stitch ? I’ll wait and see how things look when both sleeves are completed.

I love my sweater and am keen to complete the sleeves, then there’s only the neckline to knit. I’m especially pleased with the fact that I have made and/or dyed all the yarn for this project. The idea was quite overwhelming, initially, but it’s given me lots of ideas of how a I can integrate my hand spun into larger projects. Very pleasing !

Thanks for calling in today.

More Sock Knitting

Hi Everyone 

Today, I’m starting my final gift sock for this year. I don’t knit lots of Christmas gifts, there are very few knitworthy folk on my list ! This time, I’m going for a series of green coloured yarn from West Yorkshire Spinners, I’m not sure of the colours ? - all the yarns have been used for previous projects so, I’m using up my leftovers (always satisfying). 

My plan is to knit a simple rib sock with a heel flap. I’ll use each of the colours for the rib, the main body of the sock, the heel and the toe. I like the combination of these colours and the finished socks will be just right for the recipient.

Here’s a quick look at the yarns :

          

I’m hoping I can complete my socks over the next week or so. However, they are the largest socks I ever knit - size 12 feet ! The foot part seems to go on forever. I’ll share the final items when they are finished.

Thanks for calling in today.

New Mittens

Hi Everyone 

I mentioned knitting mittens while on my mini holiday last week, here is a quick look at the finished items.

               

I was inspired by the Azzurite Mittens pattern designed by Sonja Bargielowska for Blacker Yarns. I knitted the original pattern, last year, which includes a simple colourwork design. You can check out the design here.

I especially like the cuff construction and also wanted to include some colour contrast in my design. I’ve chosen to use a number of stripes, this is a very simple way of using colour and works well with the mittens. I have a pearl row either side of two knitted contrast colours. Both of the yarns used are from Blacker, Swan and Gotland DK.

The pattern design is straightforward but I’ve changed the size, a little. I felt my original Azzurite Mittens didn’t fit very well and as a result they were not that warm to wear. This time, I’ve reduced the width of the mittens and lengthened the thumb, only slightly. The finished items are a snug fit and feel as if they will be warmer.

I started these mittens (around this time) last year and had completed only one mitten. The project sat in a project bag and I’d almost forgotten about them. When I took the first mitten out of the bag, the quality of the work was dreadful. So, I’ve re knitted both mittens (some parts) several times, and have definitely improved the quality of the finished mittens. The weather is staring to get cold and I’ll be wearing my new mittens today.

This project has been part of my aim to complete all my unfinished Making projects. It’s one down, lots to go !

Thanks for calling in today.

Spinning Update

Hi Everyone 

I’m back from a lovely week in North Yorkshire, I could do with another ! However, such as life ! There was lots of sitting around time so I was able to knit several pairs of socks and mittens. Weather was good and we walked about and ate lots of very nice meals. Generally, I had a great time.

This week, I’m concentrating on planning to complete all my current unfinished projects. There are quite a few. I’m hoping to clear out lots of rubbish and will hopefully come across all the unfinished projects. Some will probably be abandoned but there are sewing projects and knitting project which I know I would like to complete. Hopefully, I can make a list which will be scheduled ! Wish me luck.

Other news; over the last month or so, I’ve been trying to practice my spinning skills each day. Just a short session but it’s certainly helping to improve the quality of the yarn I’m producing. I want to keep going with this practice so will need to make time each day alongside the unfinished list. Here is a quick look at the latest spin progress. It’s just a small amount of yarn to add to a yolk pattern for a cardigan. I’m not there yet but you can see the first bobbin load, transferred to my niddy noddy.

             

The knit project is a cardigan, the pattern is the Epistrophy by Kate  Davies. You can see the pattern on the yolk section of the garment. This will be knitted in my me spun yarn, the rest will be Baa Ram Yew Dovestone (now replaced by Winterburn) in a dark grey colour. I’ve been thinking about knitting this garment for a long time and am excited to use my own yarn for part of the project.
My yarn is in a lovely bright green shade called Lichen, the fibre is Perendale. The fibre produces a tough yarn, with a similar feel to Shetland. I’m hoping the yarn will soften, a little, after soaking. There will be more about this project over the next few weeks.

That’s about all my news for today. Thanks for calling in.