Books, Lovely Books

I've bought so many lovely knitting books over the last few years but I have to admit to not really making much from them. I tend to just use them as reference books, pulling a book here and there to read and then putting it back on the shelf.

The other day I was feeling totally uninspired, staring at some dark blue sock yarn wondering what the heck I could make with it. I started two or three patterns, didn't like any of them, frogged it and stuck it back amongst my other yarn where it still sits.

So, I thought...what now? I needed to do something simple but challenging enough to renew my interest so out came my books and after a flick through, I ended up with this one.



Right, I had never made toe up socks (there was the challenging part) and I had some Kaffe Fasset Design Line yarn which could be knitted up in stocking stitch to show off the beautiful colours (there was the simple part).

The result was these...



I was very pleased with them and delighted I had actually made something from the book. I even made them matching!

Mmmm, I like this idea I thought so when I met my friend's three year old grandson who happened to mention he loved snails, I ran home, grabbed this



and made this



I would say, that if you are like me, with a lovely collection of patterns which are actually in books, have a look through and try making something from them...you may be pleasantly surprised!

Talking of being pleasantly surprised, look what else I have done! I joined a Dishcloth-Design-Along on Ravelry a little while ago where a very kind lady gave a tutorial on how to design a cloth - I thought it was too much fun not to give it a go.

I amazed myself by actually designing and writing up a pattern for this! Enchanted Mushroom Dishcloth



if you would like an Enchanted Mushroom of your own here is the link for my free pattern Enchanted Mushroom Dishcloth

I'll leave you with my second design which I have completed but have not yet written up



and another which I am still playing around with





STOP PRESS!

I completely forgot to show you my finished Norweigian Scarf!





This was a real labour of love but worth every frogged stitch =)