tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79587284631985447212024-02-20T09:57:32.344+00:00My Makes and MusingsMusings along my way into makings with yarn (and other crafts)Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-64199100941606850182013-06-03T22:16:00.000+01:002013-06-03T22:22:33.818+01:00It's been a while...Since my last post (how can it be more than a month?!) I've been to Poland on holiday (visiting family) for a few days and up to Glasgow for a weekend to celebrate my husband's birthday. Both gave me a chance to do some knitting or crochet, with mixed success. <br />
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- I had a go at crocheting on the plane, with the idea of making a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/b17-26---crocheted-blankets-with-animal-motifs-in-muskat">crochet version</a> of the snuggly bunnies I've enjoyed knitting. Unfortunately I don't think I've got the hang of crocheting a sphere yet and the head of this snuggly was pretty creepy! I think I was getting better at doing neat circles though so it's not all bad. I think I'll probably rip it out and see if I feel like trying again...<br />
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- I also started another <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/zigzag-moebius-cowl-3">zig-zag möbius cowl</a> with some merino yarn from my stash, but got into a tangle while I was travelling so it had to wait until I got home. I managed to rescue it by going back a couple of rows and was very pleased with the result in the end. This pattern is definitely one of my favourites: I love that the 3 cowls I've made so far are all so different in texture and drape but that they all worked. I like the practicality of a circular scarf too; it's quite windy where I live so it's good to have a scarf that can't blow away.<br />
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This cowl has now been sent to a friend as a long-distance hug. It also counts as <u>Stash-buster Project 12</u>, and used 70g.<br />
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My other travelling project is a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/spiral-blanket-of-awesome-a-tutorial">Spiral Blanket of Awesome</a> which I think will be a baby blanket (SB Project 13) - probably for my expected niece/nephew. I'm using a couple of balls of Sirdar Crofter from the stash:<br />
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It's been a nice simple knit, which was perfect for the train journey to/from Glasgow. I may well have a go at another if this looks good once it's finished. At the moment it's a little tricky to see what the final size and shape will be but I'm happy so far.<br />
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In other news... I'm trying to get myself a bit fitter again. My back was playing up while we were on holiday, which hasn't happened for a long while, so I'm switching to a different Pilates class and trying to do some walking. I did a lap of our village this evening (about 1.75 miles) at a brisk walk; this is a neglected habit which I think was good for me. I hope the weather holds so I don't have any more excuses to stay indoors!Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-23881575948804763602013-04-25T23:19:00.001+01:002013-04-26T07:36:22.784+01:00Completely normal!We've got a few days away planned, which involve 4 flights, 6 hotel nights and a couple of car journeys. We're hoping to meet with family we haven't seen in years and I'm looking forward to it.<br />
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Which means I'm doing my packing list ready for next week. And the item needing the most planning? Well, it's my choice of knitting of course!<br />
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...and reading other yarny blogs means I <i>know </i>this is totally normal ;-)<br />
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(although I might not admit this to my husband...)Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-80281742026923293372013-04-20T22:50:00.003+01:002013-04-20T22:51:08.271+01:00Can anyone help inspire me?I made quite a good start to my stash-busting efforts for 2013, but now I've reached a bit of a dead end. I still have a fair amount of yarn... but it doesn't seem to go together to make something I can complete and either give or use.<br />
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I need help!<br />
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Looking at the yarns I have in bigger quantities, there is:<br />
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<li>one more skein (100g) of the Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend. The first skein was made into a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/chinook-scarf">scarf</a>, so I'm looking for something different to do with this</li>
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<li>6 balls of a moss-green cotton (300g, approx. 780m), which was bought for a now-frogged cardigan.</li>
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<li>3 balls of a medium-weight sock yarn (300g, 1170m), which was bought for a lightweight blanket which I'm no longer sure would work... I probably want to keep one or two balls for a blanket and add some contrasting yarn to make it more interesting. The colours in the yarn are close to those I often wear.</li>
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<li>various baby dk yarns, mainly acrylic and shades of cream, pastel blue and green</li>
<li>and I've inherited 10 balls of Patons Diploma Gold dk in a nice blue-green shade (just under 1200m) which I'm not sure how to use. </li>
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<u>Ideas</u></div>
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I've realised I'm probably a process knitter, but I do still want to make something useful or which can be given and appreciated... </div>
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<li>I'd quite like a more interesting project, to balance some of the garter stitch knits I've been making recently.</li>
<li>I'm going to a family wedding in August which could be an opportunity for a wrap or shrug, but I don't know what colour my outfit will be yet.</li>
<li>I'm going to be an aunt for the first time later this year - I gave my brother and his wife a blanket when they were married so I've been thinking about making a similar idea for the baby...</li>
<li>I always seem to know a few people expecting babies these days - some of them may appreciate small knitted pressies.</li>
<li>I like scarves but find them a bit frustrating towards the end. I've probably knitted as many cowls as I need for now; that feels a bit more of an autumn/winterish knit than a spring project.</li>
<li>I've been admiring a few shawl patterns although I'm not sure how/if I'd wear one myself. Can I find something interesting to knit which could be worn wrapped around my neck instead?</li>
<li>I don't enjoy sewing in loose ends or doing lots of seams.</li>
<li>We have a short holiday coming up so something portable would be nice for that.</li>
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I'll keep searching but any suggestions will be very welcome!</div>
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Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-82032973209310387292013-04-17T19:00:00.000+01:002013-04-17T20:11:29.711+01:00WIP Wednesday - BSJ no. 4 and rubber duckyTwo WIPs to show today (the<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/lets-go-shopping---market-bag"> market bag</a>'s taking a bit of a rest at the moment):<br />
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First is my current <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/baby-surprise-jacket-4">BSJ</a>, which is close to being completed now.<br />
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This is my fourth BSJ, and I think I've pretty much worked out my favourite modifications:<br />
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<li>slip the last stitch of each row purlwise to give a neat edge (knitting into the back of that stitch to begin the following row)</li>
<li>do the increases as kfb on the marked stitch and the stitch before (RS rows)</li>
<li>purl the marked stitch on WS rows, to give a clear diagonal line at the increase</li>
<li>do the 5 stitch cast-off as written (or possibly a couple of rows earlier), starting on a RS row</li>
<li>decrease by one stitch at either end of each RS row until starting the button band so that the neck is a bit bigger than the original pattern. This time I knitted the first 3 stitches, ssk, knitted to 5 stitches from the end, k2tog, k2, slip last stitch purlwise.</li>
<li>this meant I started the centre section at 150 stitches instead of 158 (based on starting the neck at 152 as written)</li>
<li>pick up the 10 stitches at either side of the body length so that the stitches are visible on the RS of the jacket (ie. pick up by purling on the RS row and knitting on the WS row)</li>
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All that's left now is to finish the last few rows of the button band. I plan to make the button holes on both sides, so that it can be for a boy or a girl, although I've not decided exactly which row to do them on or at which points in the length of the button band. I'll probably do an i-cord cast-off to finish off.</div>
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This is definitely one of my favourite designs for baby knits :o)</div>
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I'm also still working on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/rubber-ducky-face-cloths">practice project</a> for continental knitting. It takes a bit of concentration, partly for the technique and partly because I need to count the stitches to give the pattern, so I need to choose the right moments for it. </div>
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I don't think it will be neat enough for a present but I'll definitely keep it as a memory piece.</div>
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<a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/work-in-progress-wednesday-140.html"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzPM4cLsOtUFIZcSURC1-R3u-esu5yIXWgPR921xjbSOtzGxOK25V6tNTCoQezwWMIxHcF-O5RvHe9sZwzv-rVc1d5pPYRkCsO4vxMM6NFmVAKeuS26B3XnOSNcWoR2XLj6iohKxUf78/s200/tami_wip.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-20399916477525335252013-04-08T22:40:00.001+01:002013-04-10T22:02:26.243+01:00Trying something newI've started one of my knitting <a href="http://mymakesandmusings.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/some-knitting-goals.html">goals</a>: I've tried continental knitting for the first time, and so far I'm very pleased with the result...<br />
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I've started with a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rubber-ducky-face-cloths">washcloth</a> using some of my stash (turquoise cotton, although this photo doesn't show the shade very well). The tension's very loose compared to my normal knitting and not too even yet, but I'm very happy for my first attempt.<br />
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It takes some concentration though... <br />
My hands felt very clumsy at first: my right hand kept grabbing for the yarn, but it learned over the next few rows to just concentrate on moving the needle. It feels a little like crochet in that respect. <br />
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I chose a pattern which began with a few rows of garter stitch to get the feel of knitting before attempting to purl. I watched a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDCWA8yB8x4">YouTube video</a> for the Norwegian purl method, which does seem easier than bringing the yarn to the front. I may even decide I like moss stitch if I can get the hang of this!<br />
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<a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/work-in-progress-wednesday-139.html"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzPM4cLsOtUFIZcSURC1-R3u-esu5yIXWgPR921xjbSOtzGxOK25V6tNTCoQezwWMIxHcF-O5RvHe9sZwzv-rVc1d5pPYRkCsO4vxMM6NFmVAKeuS26B3XnOSNcWoR2XLj6iohKxUf78/s1600/tami_wip.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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I've found a lovely wee pattern which is ideal for small baby gifts... I've called it a Snuggly Bunny (the original design is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cuddly">Cuddly</a>).<br />
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I've made three so far... the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/cuddly">first</a> was bright lime green:<br />
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...<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/cuddly-2">then</a> a fab turquoise:<br />
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...and the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/cuddly-3">most recent</a> (Stash-buster project 10, 25g) was a companion to a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/one-piece-baby-kimono-3">baby kimono</a> I made a couple of years ago, and has been given to welcome some friends' 2nd daughter:</div>
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They've all been made with cotton yarns from my stash (even before I started the stash-buster challenge) and I'm so pleased with the effect. The face is always a bit of a challenge to get right though!<br />
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I've made some small mods to the pattern to try to make the head a bit easier to shape but otherwise it's been perfect. I like that the head is stuffed with a small bundle of leftover yarn so that there's no white stuffing peeking through any gaps, and of course I'm always happy not to have any seams to sew up!<br />
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The pattern can be made in an evening or so; perfect for when I want to make a smaller, personal gift.<br />
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<br />Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-19748013679372801442013-03-28T22:03:00.000+00:002013-03-30T09:32:24.585+00:00March Makings<b>March's Finished Objects...</b><br />
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<u>SB Project 6 (60g):</u><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eoQzRJJJi7uSQT-CNDOxUv3yVTSfujxWf4AmklHzpZngB7bKdA5AmKykhJhaaQRdT4QH1X1Fqo7CuyWYnDB1XRYPF51MZJmTC6Vsinl0KDCKNJd-CrjLkp7wEn5ImZOZz59bRO7qwSgK/s1600/P1000480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eoQzRJJJi7uSQT-CNDOxUv3yVTSfujxWf4AmklHzpZngB7bKdA5AmKykhJhaaQRdT4QH1X1Fqo7CuyWYnDB1XRYPF51MZJmTC6Vsinl0KDCKNJd-CrjLkp7wEn5ImZOZz59bRO7qwSgK/s200/P1000480.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21ZPqe7hw4YA97nlSi9quWHRGBDK0lW36TgSTRxsN08PHO-BBL10B4uegycTNxUA5mJrF6U7EPWjQHb9l4HHTB3VjksBAIgySQ1WyTce76zqob3WfB8-UkkTNMEygTqBW8xjUM_l_-5p0/s1600/P1000534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21ZPqe7hw4YA97nlSi9quWHRGBDK0lW36TgSTRxsN08PHO-BBL10B4uegycTNxUA5mJrF6U7EPWjQHb9l4HHTB3VjksBAIgySQ1WyTce76zqob3WfB8-UkkTNMEygTqBW8xjUM_l_-5p0/s320/P1000534.JPG" width="171" /></a>I had some King Cole Mirage yarn which had been bought for a mitred square project but the colour repeat was too long to work with that pattern. So I tried various other ideas after that but nothing quite worked...<br />
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I finally settled on this <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/rollercoastertriangle">Rollercoaster Scarf</a> design.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21ZPqe7hw4YA97nlSi9quWHRGBDK0lW36TgSTRxsN08PHO-BBL10B4uegycTNxUA5mJrF6U7EPWjQHb9l4HHTB3VjksBAIgySQ1WyTce76zqob3WfB8-UkkTNMEygTqBW8xjUM_l_-5p0/s1600/P1000534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><u></u>
It was interesting enough to work on, and the colour repeat was almost perfect for the ribbing, but I have to admit I'm not totally happy with the result. Perhaps there just wasn't enough yarn to make it the right size, but the finished scarf doesn't want to wrap nicely around my neck. If I was to try again, then maybe a bigger needle would have given a better drape, although I think the yarn just doesn't want to relax enough to give a comfortable shape (despite blocking). It's a shame because I do like the colours, but at least I tried.<br />
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<u>SB Project 7 (30g):</u><br />
I had a single skein remaining of the Debbie Bliss Paloma, so made a pair of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/simple-wristlets">wristlets</a> for myself. They were an enjoyable knit during a couple of car journeys, with some extra time for the thumbs. I've made the thumb cast-offs slightly too tight for comfort, so will probably need to unpick those and redo, but otherwise I love the soft warmth of the yarn.<br />
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<u>SB Project 8 (55g):</u><br />
We visited Kirkwall in Orkney last year during a mini-cruise for our 10th wedding anniversary, and I bought a couple of balls of yarn as souvenirs. One ball became a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/zigzag-moebius-cowl">Zig-zag Möbius Cowl</a> which I wear daily, and the other has been used for a pair of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/fetching">fingerless mitts</a> for myself.<br />
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I've really enjoyed this yarn; it's been very forgiving to work with and, although slightly scratchy at first, is lovely and soft to wear. It makes such a difference using real wool and I'm sure these mitts will become firm favourites once the unusually freezing spring weather has subsided.<br />
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I also managed to pass on 2350g of random yarns to our church knit and natter group.<br />
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So that gives me a grand total of... very nearly <u>2500g stash-busted in March</u>. I'm very pleased :-)<br />
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<br />Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-53394744788426840602013-03-26T21:22:00.000+00:002013-03-30T09:51:27.530+00:00In search of inspiration (or "why use silk when you have cotton?")I seem to have built up quite a collection of cotton yarns... Two in particular are taking my attention at the moment, where I've got a few balls to work with but just don't know what to make from them.<br />
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First, there is the yarn from an unsuccessful lace <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/leonora">cardigan</a> I was making myself a couple of years ago:<br />
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I got the decreases wrong for the sleeve and couldn't work out how to fix without starting over, so now I have 6 balls of green cotton dk yarn without a project.<br />
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And then there are the 6 balls of cotton 4-ply which I bought for a song from a local shop's bargain bin:<br />
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I'm using some to make a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/lets-go-shopping---market-bag">stretchy market bag</a>, but I'm stumped for how to use the rest.<br />
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Neither yarn has a friend to go with them, and I don't want to waste the larger amounts I've got... so I'm in search of some inventive ideas for my cotton stash.Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-9535895347969425992013-03-13T22:55:00.000+00:002013-03-26T20:42:35.135+00:00It's a chilly spring so far<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Spring's on the way, but it's still pretty cold (-5°C yesterday morning!!) so my current stash-buster projects are some warm fingerless mitts...</div>
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<u><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/simple-wristlets">Stash Buster project </a>7:</u></div>
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I did most of the work for these during a car journey to and from a friend's birthday party 2 1/2 hours away. They were a satisfyingly quick knit, although I've been slow in getting round to doing the final thumb... almost finished though. </div>
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I could have done with making them slightly bigger but I do like the feeling of the soft yarn.</div>
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<u><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/fetching">Stash Buster project 8:</a></u></div>
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And I've also made one of a pair of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fetching">Fetching</a> mitts. I cast on during the knit & natter at the church weekend away - some passers-by were a bit baffled by the double-pointed needles ("you're knitting with 4 needles!") but I made good progress when I wasn't chatting too much. I think I may have miscounted when to do the cable row once or twice, but I like the feel of knitting with proper wool. I don't have a ladder where the needles changed, and I'm sure it's down to the yarn texture.</div>
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So that's two active stash-buster challenge projects.<br />
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And I'm also working on another BSJ... this one is intended for my cousin's baby which is due in June. I won't see her until a couple of months later though, so I'm using a slightly thicker yarn and bigger needles.<br />
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I've found the perfect buttons already. We were looking round a craft fair a couple of weekends ago and found a stall selling various handmade items from a <a href="http://www.cumbrialivingroom.co.uk/">local enterprise company</a> for people with learning difficulties. We bought a few cards and I managed to only buy 3 sets of buttons:<br />
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I was impressed with the range and quality though (did I mention the handmade bags?) so I'll be keeping an eye out for more craft events from them.<br />
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<a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/work-in-progress-wednesday-135.html"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzPM4cLsOtUFIZcSURC1-R3u-esu5yIXWgPR921xjbSOtzGxOK25V6tNTCoQezwWMIxHcF-O5RvHe9sZwzv-rVc1d5pPYRkCsO4vxMM6NFmVAKeuS26B3XnOSNcWoR2XLj6iohKxUf78/s200/tami_wip.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-90064411850458531122013-03-06T21:57:00.000+00:002013-03-07T21:25:22.055+00:00Facing reality and boosting the destashLooking through my stash, there are a number of bits and pieces that I'm probably not going to get round to using... but perhaps I can use them to inspire others. My church is having a weekend away, and one of the ladies is planning a knit and natter session for the Saturday afternoon. I've offered my stash of dk acrylic yarn as something for any newbies who might like to join in. She also knows someone at a local charity shop (<a href="http://www.hospiceathomewestcumbria.org.uk/">Hospice at Home</a>) who will happily take in yarn to make into sellable objects.<br />
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So... first there's the freebie yarns from magazines (about 550g):<br />
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The dk yarns come to about 1000g:<br />
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The giant granny square they're sitting on is about 125g. I'm not sure what to do with that just yet...<br />
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and this bag of random yarns that I took off someone else's hands during a destash(!) is about 550g:<br />
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I also have half a ball of scarf yarn which is left from a Christmas present I made about a year ago. I'm not likely to make another from this, but perhaps someone else will enjoy it (95g):<br />
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So that gives me a grand total (without the granny square UFO) of about<u> 2200g</u>!! <br />
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It would have been nice to try to make something out of these myself, but reality kicked in to tell me that just wasn't going to happen. I hope they'll be able to go to a good home though, and maybe even help create some new yarn addicts at this weekend's knit and natter time...<br />
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And it feels good to have a newly empty box in the cupboard.<br />
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(a day later...) oops! I found some more: there's another 150g to go in the bag (half freebie yarn, and the rest is the remains of the Fab dk from the BSJ).</div>
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So that bring the given-away-total to 2350g... (My husband's very pleased!)</div>
Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-3079275718689496482013-02-28T21:43:00.001+00:002013-02-28T21:43:18.443+00:00Some knitting goals...- to learn continental knitting. I may try a dishcloth or something small to see if I can get an even tension. <br />
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- something other than baby knits and scarves! Although I'm not sure I've got the patience to do an adult jumper at the moment, so perhaps a bag will be a good option...<br />
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- ...which may mean I need to have another go at lining with fabric. I've done this once before (complete with phone pocket) but it still feels a wee bit scary.<br />
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- design something myself? I've adapted a few things, but I don't think I've started anything from scratch. Chunky garter stitch scarves don't count!Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-73987974936755595432013-02-25T18:00:00.000+00:002013-02-25T18:00:01.386+00:00Frogging and planningI have one WIP on the needles, which I hope will be finished during February, but then... there aren't any active projects! So I'm planning again...<br />
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A couple of years ago I knitted some <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/one-piece-baby-kimono">baby kimonos</a> from the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/mason-dixon-knitting">Mason-Dixon Knitting</a> book. I love the simplicity of this design but part-way through <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/one-piece-baby-kimono">one</a> of them I noticed a change in shade when I started a new ball of yarn. It was supposed to be the same lot but I'd bought it from an oddments bin so no chance to take it back. I do like the yarn though (a bright green cotton - <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/wendy-cotton-dk">Wendy Cotton DK</a>), so I've frogged it and will find something small to use the main part on.<br />
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I've got one skein left of the Debbie Bliss Paloma, which I started making into some <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fast-and-fearless-fingerless-mitts">Fearless Fingerless Mitts</a>. Unfortunately I've realised I need more yarn than I have, so this will also be getting frogged:<br />
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I'm looking for similar patterns which only need one skein so perhaps I'll be more successful if I plan better...Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-87562747303008526242013-02-24T20:37:00.002+00:002013-02-24T20:42:52.713+00:00Stash-buster update <b>February's Finished Objects...</b><br />
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<u>SB Project 2 (100g)</u>:<br />
The <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/baby-surprise-jacket-3">BSJ</a> has been taking a back seat a little during the month, because I really couldn't decide if I liked it or not. I've finished it now though...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0acawP4mW-dprowuGU_dph3KJmDSCsyMtXomL5QtroqsJnDe3IVkxJhw8coLZneCGJJs6rOru2giCce-mel2mPTgRMNXartwdsGNvtTBN69q56Z32J8FCwsCpjS8Nzyd0eW5_12a73If4/s1600/P1000466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0acawP4mW-dprowuGU_dph3KJmDSCsyMtXomL5QtroqsJnDe3IVkxJhw8coLZneCGJJs6rOru2giCce-mel2mPTgRMNXartwdsGNvtTBN69q56Z32J8FCwsCpjS8Nzyd0eW5_12a73If4/s320/P1000466.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is definitely one of my favourite patterns, and I love that I can make small changes each time so that each BSJ is completely unique. This time I did the increases by knitting into the front and back of the marked stitch and the one before it on the RS, then purled the marked stitch on the WS rows; that gave a diagonal line of knitted stitches over the garter stitch which was quite effective in the finished jacket. I added a vertical knit line by picking up the stitches for the button band the "wrong" way.<br />
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I also cast off a stitch at the beginning of each row after the first neck cast-offs until the button band, in order to get a slightly wider neck. This worked quite well, although the edge would have looked much neater if I'd finished it off with an i-cord edging. The buttons were from my button stash, and were originally salvaged from old clothes - I've no idea what now.<br />
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I'm quite pleased with how it's turned out, but I don't like it enough to give to my friends when their baby arrives. It's nice, but not right for their style. I'm planning to give it to a local charity shop instead so that they can get some benefit from it.<br />
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<u>SB Project 3 (100g)</u>:<br />
I've already written about completing the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/chinook-scarf">Chinook Scarf</a>. I did manage to block it in the end, by pinning out each of the points and leaving the straight edge unpinned. That seemed to work quite well, and I was very happy with the finished result. I've already worn it a couple of times for work; it feels lovely and soft against my skin and is warm without being too much.<br />
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I've finally managed to get a couple of daylight pics:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYIq8X_gl8_bTRbbchleZOIBFD6O75rEdyi1JJ8JHrggd4nTwwccr_RqzWRmLEazVbNK5FD3ZL4LZBv-vWl47gD5XpbMyoI0rxBAQmmRbnG5hjUuqUIiufq_isFvMpFtzVBCAMkpWvYRi/s1600/P1000441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYIq8X_gl8_bTRbbchleZOIBFD6O75rEdyi1JJ8JHrggd4nTwwccr_RqzWRmLEazVbNK5FD3ZL4LZBv-vWl47gD5XpbMyoI0rxBAQmmRbnG5hjUuqUIiufq_isFvMpFtzVBCAMkpWvYRi/s320/P1000441.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXSQcJdXIi5VDxl5D3OsVPLp7WNz1PAv7pfiaL_CqdRQcxxXL_5VRs7fiO4V7Tjg9wYPSAU1KTU9D4p6i6wZ2XbXosv7nLr87_DhqB-uLJg_zGzxeVmnKFxUtBx0heaXotaiZ743U4_7i/s1600/P1000440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXSQcJdXIi5VDxl5D3OsVPLp7WNz1PAv7pfiaL_CqdRQcxxXL_5VRs7fiO4V7Tjg9wYPSAU1KTU9D4p6i6wZ2XbXosv7nLr87_DhqB-uLJg_zGzxeVmnKFxUtBx0heaXotaiZ743U4_7i/s200/P1000440.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
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<u>SB Projects 4 & 5 (150g)</u>:<br />
I made myself a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/bandana-cowl">Bandana Cowl</a> to use some of the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/LaalMe/stash/paloma">Debbie Bliss Paloma</a> yarn I bought with a birthday voucher last year. The yarn is so soft and squishy and I'd been waiting for the "right" project to match it with. This cowl worked very well.<br />
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I cast on fewer stitches than the pattern said, since I was using a thicker yarn, then did fewer decrease rows so that it wasn't as deep. I liked the simple design and it was perfect for wearing while in town looking around the shops. I gave the first one to my 93-year old gran while she's in hospital, and I hope she likes it. I'd love it to be a hug from me while we're far apart.<br />
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So then I made another for myself... I used 3 skeins in total, although perhaps I'd have preferred the 2nd cowl (mine) to be slightly wider - I'm not sure if it was different to the first, but I was so keen not to run out of yarn that maybe I stopped a row or two earlier?<br />
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I'm happy with the cosy feel of this cowl - again, it's quite lightweight but it's lovely and snuggly for the recent cold mornings.<br />
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So I'm pleased to have completed 4 projects this month, and to have destashed 350g. There's still a long way to go!<br />
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Thanks again to Linda for hosting this challenge. I'm feeling inspired by all the creative ways people have found to use up their yarn supplies. And I've enjoyed remembering the stories behind my own yarn purchases.<br />
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<br />Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-82395888021772605822013-02-09T22:46:00.002+00:002013-02-09T22:46:50.645+00:00Knitting and rugby......make a good opportunity to work on a scarf for myself!<br />
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The Six Nations 2013 rugby competition started last Saturday, so I took the chance to work on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/chinook-scarf">Chinook Scarf</a> while I watched my national side lose bravely (if somewhat predictably) to the English last week, then comfortably beat the Italians today. It's turning into an interesting competition this year: by the end of tomorrow there should be 4 teams with one win each, the French with no wins (surprisingly) and either the English or Irish with 2 wins. It's wide open at the moment which makes for fun viewing.<br />
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The side-benefit of this is that I completed my second stash-busting project during today's match. This was a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chinook-scarf">scarf</a> pattern for some <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/chinook-scarf">Silk Blend</a> I'd bought a couple of years ago then not been able to match to the "perfect" project...<br />
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The pattern is fairly simple, but had some interesting touches. <br />
- This was my first built-in i-cord edging and I did like the way this neatened up the edge and added to the sense of quality. <br />
- The lace border took me a few repeats to get into my head but then was a fun start/finish for the rows. <br />
- And the stocking stitch body made for a nice mindless section (perfect for during a good rugby match).<br />
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It needs blocking I think, although I'm not sure how I'll do this yet - the i-cord edging is lovely but could be a bit tricky for pinning out evenly.<br />
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I wasn't sure at first if I was going to like the finished result, but when I tried it on this afternoon I was very pleased. It isn't too big but should be a cosy, pretty addition when the weather's a little chilly (which is quite frequent around here!)<br />
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This is a wee bit late for Tami's FO Friday, but I don't really want to wait another 2 weeks (I won't be able to get online next Friday) so I'm going to sneak my link in to yesterday's post. Well, better late than never!<br />
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<a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/fo-friday-124.html"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9-mJa0pKuacus5LgqLKTAu0lbGjPODjEDLKIeDCAP0JQ4XDPQTcRiZaiMk4W9MW2ee5hRDrc1BbW3zxKItuZwEa2z3Rul72KwPv_1x1pMk_T_z5ur9iviXigZFiuQi3AdPPZBGO4Z94/s200/FOfriday.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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And for the Stash-Buster 2013 Challenge... this is project number 2 and has used up 100g of a lovely soft yarn.<br />
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Project 3 (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/baby-surprise-jacket-3">BSJ</a>) has also been growing during the rugby-viewing, and I'm looking at ideas for the next bit of my stash to be busted. More to follow once inspiration strikes...<br />
Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-53328743526888180942013-01-29T21:05:00.001+00:002013-02-01T20:38:34.081+00:00Be prepared<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been keeping a migraine at bay for the last couple of days, so decided not to go to my usual exercise class and have a quiet evening at home instead. It started by listening to the radio while I cut all the buttons off a t-shirt I'm getting rid of...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FC6Tp8rBeBpiVkuqUQmEhDliAPC7QZvkuKGo5-Zu7Z11dcSVo5Q_DwwTWFj5o77XGx11MmOFpbw_Pv_6JJusoVVAlfOCaR1E8NLOlZcSD1wGmPbHSmSzVHB69Bth5YAXhPLEY3zsEMOO/s1600/P1000401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FC6Tp8rBeBpiVkuqUQmEhDliAPC7QZvkuKGo5-Zu7Z11dcSVo5Q_DwwTWFj5o77XGx11MmOFpbw_Pv_6JJusoVVAlfOCaR1E8NLOlZcSD1wGmPbHSmSzVHB69Bth5YAXhPLEY3zsEMOO/s320/P1000401.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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There were quite a few! I just couldn't bring myself to put them in the bin though, and the t-shirt wasn't really suitable for passing on to a charity shop. They're so pretty!<br />
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I've been thinking a little about my yarn stash and why it's there, and I think the root is that I like to be prepared. You just never know when I'll need that particular colour and weight of yarn, or when I'll want to rustle up a quick novelty scarf (ok - perhaps not the scarf!)<br />
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I also have a small library of books I might want to read again, CDs I may listen to, and countless other sets of craft materials which may come in handy. The buttons are the same. I know many people will have bigger button boxes than me (women mainly, since of course men collect nails and washers instead) but I still have a collection of buttons which I don't know I'll ever use. But that's just it - I don't know... and if I throw them out then I know I'll <i>need </i>to use them the very next day.<br />
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So I spent a relaxed half hour this evening painstakingly snipping away each of these pretty buttons to save them from the bin. Now I just need to find a project to make use of them... and hope I've got the yarn to match!<br />
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As far as the stash-busting goes though... the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/baby-surprise-jacket-3">BSJ</a> is coming on well:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFAajAAMweY-IlT5n2sl6d7_eLz26-_PB2UoEfdv4Kc0oqcWFcVj_kRVH1pf1HQZCu5JoqhQrRUIACqTeOZGknCmVqAdvarfL5yvs4HYzymDSswAD5WsjyGQMeogRAEy_3uTS5lbo8xJG/s1600/P1000406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFAajAAMweY-IlT5n2sl6d7_eLz26-_PB2UoEfdv4Kc0oqcWFcVj_kRVH1pf1HQZCu5JoqhQrRUIACqTeOZGknCmVqAdvarfL5yvs4HYzymDSswAD5WsjyGQMeogRAEy_3uTS5lbo8xJG/s320/P1000406.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Although it seemed to be going for my eyes when I was working on it at the weekend, so I've put it aside for now. I'm still a bit undecided what I think of this one - I love the pattern of course, but I'm not convinced by the yarn. I've got a 100g ball still to start, but I probably won't keep the remaining bit once this is finished. I'll see what I feel when the time comes though.<br />
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But I am enjoying the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/chinook-scarf">Chinook Scarf</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKp06KEqxyBmhCzMxK5QxXGEGcFBe0WAjitJkuel9C9szmFXF7IRyrMcapOjTJobGaCYFlH385vfb1bU1GKguyCQ5X4MebxJevXzB3nkYXnYWv3_g0TzuWBM8gJh0ef4rcvBHw96J9vRl/s1600/P1000407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKp06KEqxyBmhCzMxK5QxXGEGcFBe0WAjitJkuel9C9szmFXF7IRyrMcapOjTJobGaCYFlH385vfb1bU1GKguyCQ5X4MebxJevXzB3nkYXnYWv3_g0TzuWBM8gJh0ef4rcvBHw96J9vRl/s320/P1000407.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I weighed the remaining yarn this evening and there was 75g, so that means I'm about a quarter of the way in to this. The colour's somewhere between these two pictures, but I guess that's the joy of taking photos during a Cumbrian winter. No daylight to be had!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDh99dNjH5FMTUQRgpHZdAmf1W_oomZTgOEO9Zy-xxBQCXazMdhi9TIaZ-eH3LLF546Z1vwudnGwv3V-HZ2eu6gULVV0eDh3XvZ1NVzryC3uPjWhscieOI9PXVChgJNoTE0HeSiJv_wYg/s1600/P1000409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDh99dNjH5FMTUQRgpHZdAmf1W_oomZTgOEO9Zy-xxBQCXazMdhi9TIaZ-eH3LLF546Z1vwudnGwv3V-HZ2eu6gULVV0eDh3XvZ1NVzryC3uPjWhscieOI9PXVChgJNoTE0HeSiJv_wYg/s320/P1000409.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/work-in-progress-wednesday-129.html"><img border="0" ea="true" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzPM4cLsOtUFIZcSURC1-R3u-esu5yIXWgPR921xjbSOtzGxOK25V6tNTCoQezwWMIxHcF-O5RvHe9sZwzv-rVc1d5pPYRkCsO4vxMM6NFmVAKeuS26B3XnOSNcWoR2XLj6iohKxUf78/s200/tami_wip.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-82336260387553186682013-01-23T22:07:00.001+00:002013-02-01T20:38:34.085+00:00Biting the bulletWell, I've started on a new pattern for the Silk Blend. I decided to have a go at a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chinook-scarf">Chinook Scarf</a>, and have done two pattern repeats this evening. It's a bit early to say what I think of it yet, but I'm happy to have a go.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVvkntGTM1hFdD-SR_mQrn8Be0S_PA7-VhzP2cKp1otZcDOUXtwfvncTEQjIWkzluyq_N_A18qxQSjTKZRjzimISPFUnOt42WhB8rKX5-AvnucUOa7hN181x2O1XRtMmpH946FnMwo6GM/s1600/P1000398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVvkntGTM1hFdD-SR_mQrn8Be0S_PA7-VhzP2cKp1otZcDOUXtwfvncTEQjIWkzluyq_N_A18qxQSjTKZRjzimISPFUnOt42WhB8rKX5-AvnucUOa7hN181x2O1XRtMmpH946FnMwo6GM/s320/P1000398.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My plan is to make the whole scarf out of one skein or so, and probably use the remaining skein for a pair of mitts or a hat or something similar.<br />
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I've also been working on the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/baby-surprise-jacket-3">BSJ</a>, which is a favourite for me. I love the simplicity and elegance of the design, and it's great for when I'm chatting with friends and don't want to concentrate on a complex knitting pattern. This picture was taken a couple of days ago; I'm almost ready to decrease for the neck now.<br />
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So... just a quick post again because it's getting late, but I'm pleased to be able to see some progress in the stash-busting. I'm still trying to decide if I want to make lots of granny squares from the acrylic yarn, or if it's better to donate most of it to a local charity. It's not worth anything to sell but perhaps there have been a couple of community yarn-bombs recently so they may appreciate some extra yarn for that.<br />
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<a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/work-in-progress-wednesday-128.html"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzPM4cLsOtUFIZcSURC1-R3u-esu5yIXWgPR921xjbSOtzGxOK25V6tNTCoQezwWMIxHcF-O5RvHe9sZwzv-rVc1d5pPYRkCsO4vxMM6NFmVAKeuS26B3XnOSNcWoR2XLj6iohKxUf78/s200/tami_wip.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-78349289845043074692013-01-21T22:17:00.001+00:002013-02-01T20:38:34.083+00:00planning...So far in the stash-busting endeavour I've completed one project - the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/cuddly-2">Snuggly Bunny</a> (30g) - and I've got one WIP (a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/baby-surprise-jacket-3">BSJ</a>). So my mind is turning to what to make with the rest of the stash. Ideally, I want my next project to be something slightly more challenging than the garter stitch BSJ (much as I love that design).<br />
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I've been browsing Ravelry, and have some ideas for what to make with the Manos Silk Blend. I've got 2 skeins and have wound one of them into a ball to try to get a feel for it. I can't say that's helped me as much as I hoped... but I think this yarn wants to be a scarf/shawl for myself. I probably wouldn't wear it as a shawl, but a shallow triangle wrapped round my neck would work well with jeans or when it's chilly at work. If there's some left over then I'll make some fingerless mitts to match.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhK6a3VdNgsS4IBh37b-mOwrA9dGu05YgDQ6n9nGkKuptIoQ8p85Lvc4IG045FhzGhfhKF38RXoKAHgr7ReTHQMpoH4wGINndbs12g3I69wsPdhaxowk4AwrkOMPi6lK5ldRnhV79IAeO/s1600/P1000390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhK6a3VdNgsS4IBh37b-mOwrA9dGu05YgDQ6n9nGkKuptIoQ8p85Lvc4IG045FhzGhfhKF38RXoKAHgr7ReTHQMpoH4wGINndbs12g3I69wsPdhaxowk4AwrkOMPi6lK5ldRnhV79IAeO/s320/P1000390.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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At the moment the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chinook-scarf">Chinook Scarf</a> seems to be winning, although a small <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/boneyard-shawl">Boneyard Shawl</a> or a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/springtime-bandit">Springtime Bandit</a> scarf also look interesting... or maybe a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stockholm-scarf">Stockholm Scarf</a>... I want to decide fairly soon though - right now I seem to have stalled on choosing the "right" pattern; but that's probably why it's still in the stash in the first place! This is my first time knitting with a silk yarn so I need to learn not to be so precious and just cast on.<br />
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In other plans... I think some of the Debbie Bliss Paloma might become a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gumdrop-slouchy-hat">slouchy hat</a>, but this time I've got 4 skeins to play with so I don't want to end up with too little for anything else... oh the decisions!<br />
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And for the dreaded dk acrylics, I spotted a crocheted granny square sampler idea in <a href="http://lindacraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/granny-square-sampler-afghan.html">Linda's Crafty Corner</a> blog, which has got me thinking. I'm not sure if I've got the patience to do that properly, but it's worth a thought.Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-86997890543978024112013-01-20T22:01:00.000+00:002013-02-01T20:38:34.087+00:002013: the year of the de-stashWe've been living in our house for 10 years now, and last year was something of a turning point for beginning to declutter our home. Over Christmas we emptied the kitchen cupboards and the dresser with the aim of only putting half of the contents back in. It sounds fairly trivial, but it was significant for us. We've slowly made progress in other parts of the house (we can almost fit our books onto the shelves, and we're working on the CDs - no mean feat!) and now I need to think about my yarn stash.<br />
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I was hopping around some links from the <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/fo-friday-121.html">FO Friday</a> gathering and came across a <a href="http://lindacraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/stash-buster-challenge-2010.html?showComment=1358529126409#c4657391580778645741">StashBuster Challenge 2013</a> link. It looks like a great idea, so I'm joining in...<br />
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Step one feels a bit like going to an AA meeting: "Hi, my name's Lorna and I'm a yarnaholic. It's been 2 months since my last yarn purchase"<br />
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Step two is to take some pictures of my stash. Most of it is tucked away in the wardrobe in our spare room. Some of it is even in proper boxes:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyzgxsHSjZ2QFUkbW8cve_Cdd3vpnicAbfWTQ58skGlqRrP8MUpu2MNz1kehXhByxF2r6g094c7NRY4FceZAFm1FLa5KbYz3OE_z_WPFVsc0yPLuXWyGsQ8RTAuLxWquBP2USOjtqn0jw/s1600/P1000365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyzgxsHSjZ2QFUkbW8cve_Cdd3vpnicAbfWTQ58skGlqRrP8MUpu2MNz1kehXhByxF2r6g094c7NRY4FceZAFm1FLa5KbYz3OE_z_WPFVsc0yPLuXWyGsQ8RTAuLxWquBP2USOjtqn0jw/s320/P1000365.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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So... here's some of the detail:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0LUXf1ONjqxDTZ5U0qOhFaV2O_AULYI_CWODh3s3Ugs7h0PFQ6F8i3oT_c4UzVT-Rc7YJK8gBT1LYYmtRPhRbulULkz8CVFVhExNlkm9PF8nd2APiubJsGtp-4ZU5NdPdXTIW6ENjk3b/s1600/P1000366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0LUXf1ONjqxDTZ5U0qOhFaV2O_AULYI_CWODh3s3Ugs7h0PFQ6F8i3oT_c4UzVT-Rc7YJK8gBT1LYYmtRPhRbulULkz8CVFVhExNlkm9PF8nd2APiubJsGtp-4ZU5NdPdXTIW6ENjk3b/s320/P1000366.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I'm calling this the "what was I thinking?" box. Most of these yarns were bought when I started knitting and before I'd got some idea about what I like knitting with. I guess we have to learn somehow. I think I'll try to find people who like novelty yarns to take much of this. Although you never know - I might get over my dislike of knitting toys and make a fluffy teddybear.<br />
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This box was originally sock yarns (the bottom half in the picture) left over from knitting baby blankets, but some chunky yarns seem to have snuck in. The 3 skeins at the top right are of Artesano Embrace, which I received as a gift for taking out a magazine subscription. I wasn't too keen on the pattern they came with, but haven't worked out what I'd rather do with them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngWAaM94mJD0im4lvbO59pezhlwlHRb3pAIekX4XOoSxn_XgFTQ7gNFa2cKNNi7_jK4-d7gI2f-Q7KH_R08xEl5VTFLJs4KSBXzOpPr0CzvXMUqrby5vxoxDxKP_Skb5S110gR6RhzsOZ/s1600/P1000371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngWAaM94mJD0im4lvbO59pezhlwlHRb3pAIekX4XOoSxn_XgFTQ7gNFa2cKNNi7_jK4-d7gI2f-Q7KH_R08xEl5VTFLJs4KSBXzOpPr0CzvXMUqrby5vxoxDxKP_Skb5S110gR6RhzsOZ/s320/P1000371.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Lots of small balls of dk acrylic yarn. Again, I bought most of these in the early days, without much of a clue what I'd do with them. There are more scattered around the house from when they've come in handy as oddments.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHF93ZqEKllHiLsJYlbHs6ItFeQ5GNogwMVb3IlzjljpcXFZTGlZ1a2MH_H_6M-Z6RWQP8ZclTE5BMS4brs2a4N1-so-vLwoo5DLkFThJlOeYv_Q-_zH4sjMo6eL8caeJ6UaqQKzWjg4jP/s1600/P1000383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHF93ZqEKllHiLsJYlbHs6ItFeQ5GNogwMVb3IlzjljpcXFZTGlZ1a2MH_H_6M-Z6RWQP8ZclTE5BMS4brs2a4N1-so-vLwoo5DLkFThJlOeYv_Q-_zH4sjMo6eL8caeJ6UaqQKzWjg4jP/s320/P1000383.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
This box started as baby yarns, but I can see a couple of chunky yarns which have snuck in there too...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_-Z1KKMN6MIZl6GoP9rYFzouGClZHEkvO8oWy2Sfl1uU40j9cqCqCrJGLHOAHGFmQU3hTgldYHwEzcx5VOVeQZMoWmBIWt3xhLJDGY6gX6rg6x_5S66RAfI4jyoi0NSGj4AQDwIaiPJP/s1600/P1000381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_-Z1KKMN6MIZl6GoP9rYFzouGClZHEkvO8oWy2Sfl1uU40j9cqCqCrJGLHOAHGFmQU3hTgldYHwEzcx5VOVeQZMoWmBIWt3xhLJDGY6gX6rg6x_5S66RAfI4jyoi0NSGj4AQDwIaiPJP/s320/P1000381.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
And this was originally cotton yarns (mainly dk) or yarns with a similar feel. I quite like these, and perhaps I'll do a couple of face/dishcloths as quick knits to use them up a little. I can see a couple of balls of sock yarn which have found their way in here; perhaps they're hiding from the rampant chunky yarns!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9KynxaLmYrlCiPLngLUMUBI8WA6qcEKmCMGjr2kn16QNYPbcChNNWQ6vxxc_IywMWWjXelFL2ldsV2L_k_S28V_ul00v28EyM-gYZYmWHebKIhLlTq7JtwCDlo9OOM-rIoD8qloVPWi3/s1600/P1000385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9KynxaLmYrlCiPLngLUMUBI8WA6qcEKmCMGjr2kn16QNYPbcChNNWQ6vxxc_IywMWWjXelFL2ldsV2L_k_S28V_ul00v28EyM-gYZYmWHebKIhLlTq7JtwCDlo9OOM-rIoD8qloVPWi3/s320/P1000385.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Back in the early days I started a granny square in some acrylic dk yarns from a local shop. I kind of fell out with it, but perhaps I can find a way to like it again.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtc-af2wfnhnh7Sq2NtMqkT1xiCa7-Yx6GAG8l4Q8w2CfbUPLy-j9K_ycftlXdDDwljnhd09fbpidi4CSJ9oE97gFi71Y9eObk4n8hUvDGdd0sHUzf-1mcy6xkU79Znu1rGrX1JjrpE9ze/s1600/P1000373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtc-af2wfnhnh7Sq2NtMqkT1xiCa7-Yx6GAG8l4Q8w2CfbUPLy-j9K_ycftlXdDDwljnhd09fbpidi4CSJ9oE97gFi71Y9eObk4n8hUvDGdd0sHUzf-1mcy6xkU79Znu1rGrX1JjrpE9ze/s320/P1000373.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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And finally, this is an example of the non-boxed yarns. Hiding in here are some forgotten balls of Rowan 4-ply wool and some lovely soft sock yarn (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/LaalMe/stash/trekking-6-fach-6-ply">3 skeins</a>) which I bought to make a light blanket with. I've decided that probably won't work, but I haven't decided what to do instead - maybe I need to buy some more in a different colourway to get a nice combination (no! mustn't buy anything more!)<br />
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There's more than this (including a number of giveaways from magazines), but these are the main culprits for now...<br />
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I have a couple of more special yarns to think about though: 4 skeins of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/LaalMe/stash/paloma">Debbie Bliss Paloma</a>, and 2 of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/LaalMe/stash/silk-blend">Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend</a>. I don't want to waste these, but I do want to use them so I'm looking for some good ideas for these first.<br />
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<br />Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-87199025487132278022013-01-18T18:21:00.003+00:002013-02-01T20:38:34.090+00:00Snuggly successJust a quick post today... I'm off out soon! The good news is that the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/cuddly-2">Snuggly Bunny</a>'s finished. I'm going to try to get a better picture in daylight tomorrow if I can, but it's done :-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3_xl6OlkfeoxP00Up-_jJJrHdHbB0GJAEfHkLakItOxCZpyzCdqTCamGVBgVyGMU_iShXTbceMjyRgWJHDhhEwhCiUn0SIkAE_yiuXlXqbMBMf3B7H4fyQIT2eEvoUaG4e_28Nwx6OGA/s1600/P1000353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3_xl6OlkfeoxP00Up-_jJJrHdHbB0GJAEfHkLakItOxCZpyzCdqTCamGVBgVyGMU_iShXTbceMjyRgWJHDhhEwhCiUn0SIkAE_yiuXlXqbMBMf3B7H4fyQIT2eEvoUaG4e_28Nwx6OGA/s320/P1000353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm not quite as happy with the face on this one compared to my first; perhaps it's because of the paler yarn I used or perhaps I've just not stitched the eyes and nose quite as well. I'm still fairly pleased with it though. It's slightly cuter than it looks here so if I can get a better photo I'll be happy!<br />
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This time, I used the 3-needle cast off to join the 2 halves of the body and made the neck 2 stitches narrower for a row or so. I knitted the head in the round again but otherwise followed the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cuddly">pattern</a> as written. I do like this design and I'm sure I'll do another soon.<br />
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<a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/fo-friday-121.html"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9-mJa0pKuacus5LgqLKTAu0lbGjPODjEDLKIeDCAP0JQ4XDPQTcRiZaiMk4W9MW2ee5hRDrc1BbW3zxKItuZwEa2z3Rul72KwPv_1x1pMk_T_z5ur9iviXigZFiuQi3AdPPZBGO4Z94/s200/FOfriday.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-8877177749985149822013-01-16T22:09:00.001+00:002013-01-18T18:33:19.970+00:00Stash-bustingWe've been thinking about moving house this year, and we're likely to end up in a smaller place than we have now ...which means I need to reduce my yarn stash.<br />
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So I've been planning my next makes around what I need to use up.<br />
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First, I've been using left-over cotton dk yarn for a baby toy. I made a brightly coloured <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/bliss-blanket">Bliss baby blanket</a> for our friends' first son a couple of years ago. This <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/cuddly-2">Snuggly Bunny</a> is a great use for the remainders. The shape is a bit weird before the head is stuffed, but my first was so cute once I'd completed it. I've done all but the eyes and nose since taking a photo earlier this evening:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvps29a_Cpgu2ga5_zdC0VfuTiIM4HnuwtDn8VsY4-Qqr8IAug6c0Cc17y2GdcT_irJ8FRpR5YEP16Li-CdmmPxfBcKoY66QLQIf4sn9wUJjdA-ZnddIPJt2FiTmoEgucDa2W476sPLb6/s1600/P1000342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvps29a_Cpgu2ga5_zdC0VfuTiIM4HnuwtDn8VsY4-Qqr8IAug6c0Cc17y2GdcT_irJ8FRpR5YEP16Li-CdmmPxfBcKoY66QLQIf4sn9wUJjdA-ZnddIPJt2FiTmoEgucDa2W476sPLb6/s320/P1000342.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Second, I thought I'd do another <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/baby-surprise-jacket-3">BSJ</a> (my third) to use up some Fab dk which has been hanging around for a while. It will look very different to my earlier one which were a bit more stripy, but I think it should still work. The yarn's soft enough, and it's washable so I hope it'll be practical for the new parents.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipH1XSsGK7-3U8S8XISEtwD_Bn0ZQVCFQMhNVkHm6Mo8Pvi5N2L0xI-5ZlQLOQI9YnjZ0rP-7__rbkiRHK-aikV_rNKtZpSEXZIO5b_rKpp1Zx4fFpW50uhMpNcvqaX2tdbKo5MO8nQAyO/s1600/P1000352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipH1XSsGK7-3U8S8XISEtwD_Bn0ZQVCFQMhNVkHm6Mo8Pvi5N2L0xI-5ZlQLOQI9YnjZ0rP-7__rbkiRHK-aikV_rNKtZpSEXZIO5b_rKpp1Zx4fFpW50uhMpNcvqaX2tdbKo5MO8nQAyO/s320/P1000352.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Which gets me on to a couple of yarns I've been waiting for the "right" project to use...<br />
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I've got some Debbie Bliss Paloma in a deep (but not dark) purple, some Zitron Trekking sock yarn in another purple mix, and some Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend dk in a lovely green/blue/silver mix which I picked up at Woolfest last year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6VJ9TVde0hcg_60z7Y9UENpUQijAAsR7_snNKFdh46t5D2WC8u4OYRQ4WSYiDasSlDrewEk6p5HxmFZ39EFNZSftRN_FttmOVm5UbAPlRcipxV4lrXFctGxOTgWAsux2u8Gs8kFj98B3/s1600/2012-07-20+16.05.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6VJ9TVde0hcg_60z7Y9UENpUQijAAsR7_snNKFdh46t5D2WC8u4OYRQ4WSYiDasSlDrewEk6p5HxmFZ39EFNZSftRN_FttmOVm5UbAPlRcipxV4lrXFctGxOTgWAsux2u8Gs8kFj98B3/s320/2012-07-20+16.05.16.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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I'm looking for something for myself from these, but not sure what yet. They're all yarns I don't want to fritter away or waste, but I do want to use them so I need to get my thinking cap on!<br />
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<a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/work-in-progress-wednesday-127.html"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzPM4cLsOtUFIZcSURC1-R3u-esu5yIXWgPR921xjbSOtzGxOK25V6tNTCoQezwWMIxHcF-O5RvHe9sZwzv-rVc1d5pPYRkCsO4vxMM6NFmVAKeuS26B3XnOSNcWoR2XLj6iohKxUf78/s200/tami_wip.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-35892699903663721532013-01-11T22:06:00.000+00:002013-01-18T18:33:19.966+00:00not a BSJWell, I'm pleased to say I've finished the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/snug">Snug Baby Jacket</a> :-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdo9yDSd_iJAcknwG2W_hmWT7B2T1FXYrtGJHdYE4ywH10OsfumqQ4rafRVFCUGKNizbFkCd2KxatPoJMRIHHukCwnpI73IYLDZdGg_46lnCjGyWjIv0jB2etdgHcp6PH2Zb_yMEPY2SX5/s1600/P1000334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdo9yDSd_iJAcknwG2W_hmWT7B2T1FXYrtGJHdYE4ywH10OsfumqQ4rafRVFCUGKNizbFkCd2KxatPoJMRIHHukCwnpI73IYLDZdGg_46lnCjGyWjIv0jB2etdgHcp6PH2Zb_yMEPY2SX5/s320/P1000334.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was a strange mix of interesting and boring to knit...<br />
- The initial part of plain garter stitch (with a couple of short rows of waste yarn for the armholes to keep me on my toes) was dull, dull, dull. <br />
- The arms were quite fun to pick up and knit, although I managed to have two ridge rows next to each other so the shoulders aren't quite invisible. I think I must have misread the pattern, or else I should just have had the confidence to do what I thought it should be... I don't think it matters though - there's nothing wrong with being able to see where the shoulders are.<br />
- The front portion which was also the front and sides of the hood was a new construction for me (as were the sleeve holes), and I liked the idea of the hood merging into the rest of the jacket.<br />
- I was pleased with my grafting at the back of the hood once that hole was filled; I don't think you can see that join. The seam between the hood and back of the neck is far from invisible though - that's the only real disappointment. But again, no-one else will mind.<br />
- And this was my first time doing a sewn bind off. I liked the effect this gave, with a nearly invisible cast off row which merged nicely into the rest of the fabric.<br />
- The yarn (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/sirdar-denim-chunky">Sirdar Denim Chunky</a>) was a bit frustrating at times. I like the feel of it and the colour, but it didn't like me unknitting anything - it tended to split quite badly, so the reknitting looked scruffy. It didn't help when I totally underestimated how much yarn I'd need to cast-off the hood and front (twice!) which left me a number of unnecessary ends to sew in...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcurjHn0i_03O1aic9zBS4YBHcxock7EXwFqEJb-ko-dA3THH4-325BhCsiQYeEqmw-xKwyjVINZGGwp9dt1PQEyYQXcuhUadfG9mLwXKfS1ck-8laezJbFcalfcUkSvQAqm_P8JA8IVz2/s1600/P1000340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcurjHn0i_03O1aic9zBS4YBHcxock7EXwFqEJb-ko-dA3THH4-325BhCsiQYeEqmw-xKwyjVINZGGwp9dt1PQEyYQXcuhUadfG9mLwXKfS1ck-8laezJbFcalfcUkSvQAqm_P8JA8IVz2/s320/P1000340.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, I'm pleased I've finished it, I think my friend will like it, and I do like the squishy softness of the yarn which should suit a baby. I'm not sure I'd make this again though... perhaps with a different yarn, but I'm not sure.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/snug-9">pattern</a> used a lot of Elizabeth Zimmerman's techniques and was based around her design ideas. I liked it but I think the moral of this story is... I just can't beat the Baby Surprise Jacket!<br />
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<a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/fo-friday-120.html"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9-mJa0pKuacus5LgqLKTAu0lbGjPODjEDLKIeDCAP0JQ4XDPQTcRiZaiMk4W9MW2ee5hRDrc1BbW3zxKItuZwEa2z3Rul72KwPv_1x1pMk_T_z5ur9iviXigZFiuQi3AdPPZBGO4Z94/s200/FOfriday.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-71282688774952070042013-01-09T20:10:00.002+00:002013-01-18T18:33:07.844+00:00Simple pleasures...There's less to report this week... I've been taking a bit of a break from knitting to do some other things. But I've managed to sew in the many loose ends in the Snug Baby Jacket which means it's ready for adding the toggles and loops (pictures on Friday I hope!).<br />
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I've also found a few minutes to add to the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/cuddly-2">Snuggly Bunny</a>. I've tried to leave a long tail when I finished the first half, so that I can do the 3-needle cast-off to join without needing to break the main yarn. I was planning to go for an invisible graft between the two halves, but the Snug jacket has reminded me that I prefer not to have loose ends to sew back in. This way, I should be able to just keep knitting to make the head without breaking and joining back in...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jB9c0xHbSALCr9Dszyd7qtfUFbivPXzOKzgBHs7m8NbINxFEYgJZ1aovT5fIegIKIRR5CzJFGla_VRSJSVm_yYb9h8qUyrnhOLVfOKzmHnUb5guyk63AWcfZEd5Ni0bQnFtqe4qVE3BG/s1600/P1000328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jB9c0xHbSALCr9Dszyd7qtfUFbivPXzOKzgBHs7m8NbINxFEYgJZ1aovT5fIegIKIRR5CzJFGla_VRSJSVm_yYb9h8qUyrnhOLVfOKzmHnUb5guyk63AWcfZEd5Ni0bQnFtqe4qVE3BG/s320/P1000328.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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...which got me thinking a bit about what I enjoy about this quick project and some of the others I've completed recently:<br />
<ol>
<li>Pulling the yarn from the centre of the ball. I only "worked out" how to do this recently, but it's so much better! No more yarn running across the floor, or around the car.</li>
<li>Garter stitch with simple shaping. Great for mindless knitting while talking to friends or watching tv, but occasional increases or decreases provide a more satisfying level of interest. Actually, stocking stitch is similar, but I do like the way garter stitch doesn't curl at the edges.</li>
<li>Happy colours. The Snuggly Bunnies have been made with brightly coloured cotton dk yarn and they're so cheerful. Great for a winter's evening</li>
<li>Small knits. Portable, and with a finished result to enjoy quickly.</li>
<li>Knitting with friends. I meet with 3 friends regularly as a prayer group; two of us knit (the other 2 can, but choose not to!) I enjoy sharing ideas and watching each other's work grow as we chat; we've learned a lot from each other.</li>
<li>"Seamless" knits. I do like patterns where I can avoid having lots of seams to sew, or loose ends to tie in. Classic designs like the Baby Surprise Jacket, or a mitred-square blanket are fantastic (so long as I remember to weave the ends in as I go).</li>
<li>The personal touch. I like that this bunny will be a unique present for a friend; it won't take very long to make, but will hopefully have more meaning because it's just for them.</li>
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<a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/work-in-progress-126.html"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzPM4cLsOtUFIZcSURC1-R3u-esu5yIXWgPR921xjbSOtzGxOK25V6tNTCoQezwWMIxHcF-O5RvHe9sZwzv-rVc1d5pPYRkCsO4vxMM6NFmVAKeuS26B3XnOSNcWoR2XLj6iohKxUf78/s200/tami_wip.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-65598293006283695972013-01-04T19:12:00.000+00:002013-01-04T20:37:26.623+00:002 UFOsUnexpected Finished Objects :-)<br />
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By the time I'd finished the Red Leafy Scarf for my mother-in-law, I didn't think I'd be able to complete the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/any-yarn-scarf">scarf</a> I'd been working on for Grandma as a Christmas present. But I'd got far enough to be able to start the decrease section, so it grew surprisingly quickly. I had a very late finish on the Saturday before we were due to head north and it was pinned out to block before I went to bed. I was able to wrap it on Sunday and we left on Monday. Hooray!<br />
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It's proved very difficult to get decent pictures of this project - I think maybe the colours haven't given enough contrast - but Grandma was wearing the scarf all Christmas Day. Success!<br />
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So then my fingers were fidgeting but without a project, so I decided to make the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/moebius-cowl">Möbius Cowl</a> that I'd considered for my other gran. I cast this on while at my in-laws' for Sunday lunch and an early Christmas meal, then knit most of the way up to Scotland (with the car light on when it got too dark) and did the final few rows once we'd arrived. I do like the Möbius construction and this original version gave a lovely lacy effect. I hope she enjoys wearing it.<br />
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Oops! I nearly forgot another finished project... It was made long before Christmas, but I couldn't post until it had reached its new owner. I sent my friend a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/zigzag-moebius-cowl-2">Zig-Zag Möbius</a> which I hope she'll find comfortable and practical since it shouldn't be a fight to keep on in the wind...<br />
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It's another challenging make to get a decent photo of, but I liked how it looked in real life.<br />
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<br />Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-74591921362862730582013-01-02T22:36:00.002+00:002013-01-02T22:38:03.992+00:00Back on the needlesI had a few days' break from knitting over Christmas while we were visiting family and friends, so I'm happy to have something new on the needles. <br />
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I'm knitting a 2nd <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/cuddly-2">Snuggly</a> for a newborn (not sure who yet though)... the first was a lovely quick knit and I'm pleased to be able to use up some of my stash while making something which is fun. I'm using a bright cotton yarn which was left over from a baby blanket.<br />
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It's put together as 2 separate triangles which I grafted together last time, and a head added in the middle with a couple of floppy ears. The <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/cuddly">first one</a> was a bit odd while I was making it, but really cute once it was finished:<br />
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And we've also had some good news! Our friends' baby boy has finally arrived, on his big brother's 2nd birthday, so I can finally complete the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/snug">Snug Baby Jacket</a> I've been making. It's a chunky duffle coat which been waiting until I knew if baby was a boy or a girl... now I just need to sew in the loose ends and add some toggles to fasten with.<br />
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The design is almost seamless (although sadly not invisibly joined since I got it slightly wrong... no-one else will spot that though!) and I chose it as an alternative to the BSJ. I did enjoy the technique, but perhaps not the endless garter stitch at the beginning.<br />
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<a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/work-in-progress-125.html"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzPM4cLsOtUFIZcSURC1-R3u-esu5yIXWgPR921xjbSOtzGxOK25V6tNTCoQezwWMIxHcF-O5RvHe9sZwzv-rVc1d5pPYRkCsO4vxMM6NFmVAKeuS26B3XnOSNcWoR2XLj6iohKxUf78/s200/tami_wip.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958728463198544721.post-58231631078970993412012-12-21T21:43:00.000+00:002012-12-21T21:48:53.410+00:00Ready for ChristmasThe <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LaalMe/summer-stream-scarf">Red Leafy Scarf</a> is finally finished! <br />
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As <a href="http://mymakesandmusings.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/against-my-better-judgement.html">predicted</a>, by the end I was getting to be quite frustrated with its neverendingness, but I'm pleased with the final result. The unblocked version was nice, with a bit of a shell effect at the ends, while the blocked scarf is quite elegant. I'm sure my mother-in-law will appreciate the effort and I hope she'll feel spoiled - it's been a long autumn for her. <br />
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And just to complete the scarf-set (excepting the one which will now be for my gran's birthday in January), the 2nd & 3rd crocodiles were finished last Saturday:<br />
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The green croc either looks as though he's half asleep, or maybe he's enjoyed a Christmas tipple or two. I'm not sure!<br />
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<a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/fo-friday-117-and-candy-skein-treat.html"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9-mJa0pKuacus5LgqLKTAu0lbGjPODjEDLKIeDCAP0JQ4XDPQTcRiZaiMk4W9MW2ee5hRDrc1BbW3zxKItuZwEa2z3Rul72KwPv_1x1pMk_T_z5ur9iviXigZFiuQi3AdPPZBGO4Z94/s200/FOfriday.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Lornahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704104209600598405noreply@blogger.com3