Cosy hands and toes

Sunday was the last day of Knit in Public Week and just happened to coincide with a monthly yarn group which meets at a cafe, there was lots of lovely knitting going on.

I took along both my in progress projects and managed to do most of the finishing there, though of course when I came home I realised that I am not very good at counting in public and needed to redo the top of the second mitt to make it match the first one.

Finished Strawberry Ripple Mitts - a test knit of Ripple Mitt pattern by Alicia made in vintage Patons Bluebell.

The pattern makes the mitt cling to the hand and while this is actually a little on the small side for my hand it shows the pretty pattern. I already have a willing volunteer to takes these off my hands - Ha!

The Mauve Triumph socks are a perfect fit for my feet. While I was unsure about crochet socks and put off trying them I think these will be perfect for wearing with boots. The sole does not have the same lace pattern as the top of the sock so it is a little thicker than a knitted sock but very comfortable to walk on.

These really a pinky mauve colour - but blue is what you see in this cloudy weather

Triumph Socks by Victoria Selnes and Bendigo Woollen Mills 3 ply baby yarn. 

The crochet socks took a little more yarn than knitted ones do - bonus for the stashbusting efforts.

Back to gift making - I'm thinking a pair of crochet socks for The Father as he has requested more socks!

Enjoy your Monday.

From Toe warmer...

to sock.

The crochet sock project has been demanding attention at every available opportunity this week.

The pattern was very straight forward and easy to follow.

Both the foot and leg were completed in a long spiral shape leaving a hole for the heel, which is another spiral completed at the end.

This construction makes it very easy to try the sock on regularly and make adjustments to fit.

Most of the deviations I made from the pattern were unintentional, but do not alter the way the sock fits me.

I did choose to close the heel with a double crochet join rather than sewing the two sides together, I think it works better with the stretch of the crochet fabric.

Now to complete a partner that matches with all the deviations.

Happy weekend crafting.

The same, But different

Sure there has been a little knitting and some crochet too.

New to me stitches - practised here

The first of the strawberry ripple mitts is done and the second is cast on but I have been distracted by my hook for the last two days (the sock is considerably further along now).

Triumph lace socks in mauve and Strawberry ripple mitts

Inspired by a crochet sock here, I have started my own sock - I know different pattern and heading in the other direction. The pattern is Triumph Lace socks from Dragon Heart Designs and the yarn is Bendigo woollen mills 3 ply baby yarn in mauve (yarn inherited from granny, probably '80's vintage).

I can't be sure whether the sock will be a success or not as while I got gauge with a smaller hook than the pattern suggested, all the patterns warn of the lack of stretch in crocheted socks compared with the knitted ones. The fabric on mine has quite a lot of stretch!

I'm currently reading 'About Time - Growing Old Disgracefully' by Irma Kurtz, it takes a look at the privelege of the aged and how similar they are to the young in society. Both entertaining and enlightening with actual accounts and reflections on a lifetime lived by the author and a cast of characters still working well past the 'normal retirement age'.

Joining the yarn along here where I'll find a whole lot more inspiration for new projects.

Happy creating.

Beautiful Weekend

Sharing a lovely sunny weekend with family and friends - Perfect!

A little knitting for World Wide Knit in Public day. (no surprises there)

Strawberry ripple mits

A lovely tour of the Botanical Gardens - there is much to see no matter the season. 

Plenty of people were out enjoying the winter sunshine.

The leaves that forgot to fall

There are some amazing structures and monuments around the gardens.

This monument to Queen Victoria actually has four separate poses celebrating different events in her life.

excuse the finger!

There was cake, well this long weekend is in celebration of the Queen's birthday.

Delicious.

This model of an old treadle sewing machine is animated like the real thing and plays music when you open the drawer. 

A gift from SJ - about 6 inches tall

Hope the sun is shining in your part of the world.

Friday Night with Friends

Thanks for your company ladies I was most productive with almost a finish and a start.

The blue mitts just need the thumb of the second one to be completed and the ends woven in, as this yarn is a very dark navy I have mostly worked on it during the day.

When the sun went down I got out this pretty pink yarn and started a new mitt. The colour reminds me of Strawberry milkshakes and the pattern is a ripple. A perfect match I think.

The best bit about mitts is they are super quick to make.

I'm off to enjoy the sunshine.

Wishing you all a wonderful Saturday.

The Gatecrasher's...

almost became lunch.

(a certain person suggested a little rotisserie chicken)

Today's gathering at Mill Rose cottage was a lot of fun with much laughing (it is a wonder there was any progress) and some very special guests. There was gorgeous show and tell, but you wont see that here, my camera forgot to get out of my bag!

My new project which is not a sock!

A simple idea which my neighbour was stitching - too sweet.

 Hope your Sunday was as much fun.

May Opam

All my starting in April made for a good number of finishes in May.

Seven crocheted hats, two pairs of socks, one wrap and one jacket.

There was a finish of a previously resting project too.

All this woolliness should make for a cosy winter for me and some lucky recipients.

A perfect start to winter here with lots of raining - hope it fell where it was needed most and not just around the water's edge.

Almost time to head out to my local knitting group and I still haven't decided what to start next/
Will it be a should be or a want to? Too many lovely choices.

Hope you're all having a lovely Saturday.