Swapping

I recently participated in a swap over on Ravelry for a little something handmade with yarn. Oh, and some little extras too.

I got lucky with this gorgeous cowl and hat set knit especially for me and some yarn to keep me busy for the next little while, well after I get through some of the current projects.

These are the other goodies that turned up in my box - pretty buttons, a bookmark, lip balm, hand cream and a gorgeous and practical bag.

All of it is lovely!

Of course I had fun putting together a little package too, included were the blanket you've seen here before and the finished Nessy Pecker.

I put my sewing machine to work to make a project bag from some Australiana fabric that was taking up space in the cupboard and made a matching little pouch for keeping the little things all together in there.

Two of the coasters that have been flying off my hook lately also made the trip.

All these goodies are now happily residing in their new home. 

Hope you found a little spot of sunshine today.

Runner by another name

I continued my starting spree all the way to Friday and at the same time I really wanted to finish something. No logic in that really, the projects I am working on are all too big.

As my car had an appointment with the mechanic Friday morning I packed a new small project and set off. Leaving the car with the men to work their magic I found a quiet and comfortable spot in the local library and set to work, as it was rainy outside. There was an interested librarian who chatted with me about crochet generally and my project specifically, she really wanted me to finish before I left, but that wasn't to be.

I did make a good start though so she could see where it was heading.

Only the beginning

I'm still using threads that were gifted to me, this one had no tags but it is a beautiful soft cotton and was just lovely to work with.

 

There were two of these white cotton balls with about the same amount left on them, not any more.

I stayed up late with the FNSI ladies and kept my hook busy, one end of the doily was completed by the time I called it a night.

Really like the way the pineapple pattern is so simple and versatile.

I finished the crocheting with my morning coffee on Saturday. Now all I need to do is weave in the tail, give it a bath and block it so it sits properly flat.

Oval Pineapple Doily by Michelle Starkie

Oh, I know I should find something other than the skirt I was ironing to show you how lovely this is but the table underneath is white, meaning all the detail is lost when I put it on there, and I needed to get a picture before I rushed out the door. I have the perfect recipient in mind and she has the perfect oval table to use it on.

There has been progress on the green shawl but it is going very slowly now that there are a LOT of stitches on the needle, even more slowly when one isn't concentrating and follow the wrong row of the chart and then another before undoing it! That yarn is not only skinny, but it likes to slip-slide off the needles whenever it feels like it so not helpful in the unknitting process.

It will be finished and soon (or it will be allocated to the bin).

Thanks to Wendy for hosting FNSI and to all the participants for sharing their gorgeous projects.

Happy Australia Day to all.

See you in your creative space again soon.

 

Finished for the year

The doily turned out to be a giant at almost 30 inches across - perfect topper for my round kitchen table (if I could just locate the table top?)

Cluster stitch doily from American Needlecraft 1955, using unidentified cotton thread and 1.5mm hook.

The Green Artifact socks were completed in time to become the Father's Christmas gift. He was very happy with the addition to his sock drawer.

Artifact toes by Sarah Huerta knit in repurposed unidentified sock yarn with 2.5mm needles.

The pretty teal silk mix yarn became another pair of socks from the Little Bonbons pattern.

This time in size medium for gifting to J's mum.

Knit in Cascade Heritage silk on 2.5mm and 2.75mm needles - this yarn was just delightful to work with and I will be saving some pennies to acquire more soon.

Thanks to Kris and Peg for hosting OPAM again this year and to all the other participants who post their amazing finishes each month which inspires my own creativity.

Thanks to Linda and Ana for the Stash Buster challenge this year. It has been both fun and challenging to work through some of the yarn stash and see everyone's wonderful finishes throughout the year. Lots of inspiration to keep the needles clicking.

Wishing all the people who come here for a peek in my creative space a Wonderful 2014.

Enjoy whichever way you like to celebrate and stay safe and cool.

Granny groove

After last weeks success with the little doilies I couldn't resist the challenge of working on something a bit bigger - this one will be size large when it is finished. I'm still working my way through the same cone of thread and I have no idea how many metres were on it to begin with but after working on this giant, I finally feel like there has been a small reduction. Lots more project potential still.

Cluster stitch doily from The American Thread company 1955

This is almost half of the crocheting done though there are only 10 more rounds to go they only get longer from here. Lots of little details to keep things interesting and my hands busy. Using a 1.5mm hook this time.

I wound my new yarn into a pretty ball and started working with it - this is all kinds of wonderful.

Wonderful to work with on my little round needle as it slides along nicely and wonderful to the touch. I am very happy with this yarn. Cascade Heritage Silk in a deep teal colour not the green that the picture looks like.

Sure I played with the drawing thing on my camera app.

Regular Melbourne weather patterns here with sunny and cloudy on the same day.

I love walking at the beach in the late afternoon and seeing this kind of amazing sky. Looking east with the setting sun behind me you can see a little pink tinge on some of the clouds.

Wishing you all kinds of lovely for the weekend ahead. 

A little thread

The past week has been all about Christmas gatherings with friends.

The evening craft group has a little lucky dip swap, the only criteria is that the item needs to be handmade.

I played with a little thread and a teeny hook to hook up some coaster sized doilies.

Current reading material inspired by a lecture by the author

Simple vintage pattern created from a couple of basic stitches.

Totally legitimate copy a lot of Coats patterns are available free on their website as a scanned copy of the original leaflet - much fun. A wonderful feature of these vintage patterns is multiple sizing attained by changing yarn and hook weights and there are quite a few listed on this leaflet.

First one done was a bit slow going, checking directions and counting stitches, not to mention dodgy hook but it turned out looking just like the pattern.

I changed hooks not size, as I totally misplaced the one I started with and the second one was a much better shape for making the combination of pattern and thread.

Dodgy overcast day photo, but you can see that the thread is off white rather than white or cream as it appears in the other pictures.

A set of four coasters received with thanks by Mel.

I was lucky enough to receive a new home for my knitting projects, made by Brianna, but as yet I haven't got a picture.

Wishing you fun and colour in your creative space this week.