Another beanie

Slowly but surely my balls of knitting wool are diminishing; another beanie completed making the odd balls of double-knit wool left only suitable for something with lots of stripes.  I feel that they may languish forever in their storage place!

 

I do like making stripy things; be they jumpers for small children or hats or crochet blankets, its the sewing together I am not so keen on ... matching the stripes can be extremely time consuming [and boring]. 

Beanies

I have been busy clicking knitting needles and have completed [and posted away] the two beanies 'ordered' on Sunday. 

 

Thankfully I was able to use wool here.  Knitting something as quick as these beanies give a real sense of satisfaction ... a job completed quickly.

Knitting finished

Two years ago, at least, I began a jumper in merino possum yarn ... I had made one previously, misjudged the size and it was too big.  Tentatively I began another, not sure if I had enough yarn that was bought in New Zealand ... if there wasn't enough the problem would be how would I access more wool easily.  So, progress was slow.

The back completed, I decided to make a sleeve, which would allow me to be halfway there.  Hooray, I had enough, though to be honest the front and the other sleeve were not finished promptly.

Now, at the end of winter, the jumper for Significant Other is now finished.  The weather is almost too warm for this jumper to have much use this year, but next year it should come into it's own!

A learning curve

How do we approach a new craft?  I will admit to procrastinating over socks for many years.  The idea of four needles scared me.  However many years ago I found a lovely pattern for a yoked jumper with fair isle on the yoke ... but by then those magic needles with cat-gut like stuff in the middle were around.  I coped!

Gloves were an important accessory in the cooler part of NZ where I spent most of my life, but there were lots of glove patterns on 2 needles! 

The ear flap hats featured earlier were on those magic needles, but I changed to 4 needles when near the end as I spent too much time shuffling stitches along the 'cat gut' insertion.

Everywhere people were knitting socks!  I procrastinated for weeks, but after a member of the DTE Forum posted a pattern for sports socks that wouldn't waste too much wool should I make a real blunder, I crossed the bridge [so to say].  Not wishing to buy new wool ... waste not, want not, is a mantra I almost follow, I hunted through my 'wool stash', and yes I have a considerable haul of that as well, I found some 4-ply, bought a set of double pointed needles at the Op Shop for $1, and excuses ran out.

The first sock is complete! 

I agree it leaves a lot to be desired, especially in closing the toe in Kitchener Stitch, which I had never attempted before.  Thank goodness for U-tube!!!  Now I have it's mate to complete, and yesterday whilst in my favourite craft shop I found sock wool.  Yes, I succumbed!  Two balls, each sufficient for one pair of socks, travelled home with me.  Next winter [I know my limitations, and I do have other projects screaming for attention] I will be the proud possessor of two pair of lovely warm socks!!  [she says, with fingers crossed.]

Ooops, slow to post

June scampered away and already this year is over half-way through.  Needless to say the list of my projected projects for 2012 has not shortened as weekly I find other items that scream to be added. 

With the almost confirmation that the Higgs Boson particle exists perhaps the next hope for mankind is space travel to a place where time goes slower?  I hope we have the opportunity to participate in such time-travel, and that there will be room for my sewing machine, my increasing stash of fabrics, my knitting needles and yarn, not to mention the fast-growing number of magazines that I must buy just in case a pattern catches my eye.

I haven't been idle!  Well for almost a week I felt a little under the weather; not enough to send me to bed, but enough to slow me down.  I blame those folk who insist on going shopping when they should be home; those same folk who sneeze while rotating their head and do not possess a handkerchief nor a tissue ... germs simply love that freedom and increase in number with glee.

Christmas is less than 6-months away!  I have begun on my 'list'.  A table runner that is rather large; I anticipate it's use on a wooden outdoor table for the Christmas feast.

Weather in NZ has been wintry, with snow and icy conditions.  Bearing this in mind, plus the fact I was for a few days, completely 'sewn out' I embarked on a knitting spree.  Woolen hats seemed the order of the day, although I originally intended only making a pair of gloves for youngest grandson.  When they were completed it seemed sensisble to carry on and make ear-flap hats from a pattern found via Google ... Norwegian star earflaphat.  It is many years since I have used double pointed knitting needles, you know the ones with what looks like fishing line holding the points together!  The first hat was a trial, but my technique did improve.

Today I have just completed a bag for a swap, but as my swappee has broken a wrist, I will wait before posting a photo.

What next?  Well ... there are two BOM blocks to be made,plus  another BOM from Promises and Borders by Jenny of Elefantz, and a couple of cushions for a birthday next month. 

At least that should keep me out of mischief!