Hello...I am still here

I have not abandoned my blog yet again =)

I'm trying really hard to post once a week but the last three weeks have been so busy! I know I owe you a picture of my advent surprise but try as I might, I just cannot take a good one - it's long and not easy to photograph! I will perservere though as I think it's worth sharing.

Also, the little friend I was going to introduce you to still only has three legs so you will have to wait a little longer to meet him as he is a bit wonky when he stands up ;~)

I can show you a couple of projects that I have been working on though. I made a couple of bake free Christmas puddings the week before last - one for a swap and one for me!




It's a great pattern from Simply Knitting Irresistible Gifts.

I have also joined a KAL on Ravelry for a Lace Knitters Advent Scarf 2010 - the pattern can be found here Unikatissima's Blog



The designer releases a section of the pattern each day from 1st - 24th December and all being well on Christmas Day the group will have a completed scarf ready for blocking!

I was really dubious about joining this as although I manage to knit lace, it is not without a lot of trial and error. That being said, the sections in this pattern are very easy to complete. I think lace is finally starting to "click" with me and the thought of that delights me as I would love to be able to knit lace without frogging every other row!

How Much?

My daughter wanted a beret and has been looking in the shops. "How much?" says I, "I could make one for that...just look on Ravelry there are hundreds of patterns! Failing that my dear child, you could make one yourself."

So she took my advice, joined Ravelry, looked, dug out some acrylic yarn from my cupboard and cast on. She completed five inches of moss stitch (on size 8mm needles, superchunky yarn) and then realised it should have been knit in a round. I didn't have a circular needle big enough to finish it on so I tried to finish it flat. Unfortunately, the shaping went all out of control and she ended up with a beret with a rather peculiar point on the top!

We went back to the drawing board, frogged what she had done and I ended up casting on a completely different beret.

I started and finished said beret in one evening using a pattern that does exactly what it says "on the tin". It is a speedy cabled beret and it has made my daughter very, very happy!



Speedy Cabled Beret

(My Christmas suprise is nearly finished and ready for the end of month! Yay, go me! I also have a very sweet little friend to share with you...when I have completed his fourth leg!)...

Mittens for Teapots?

Yes, I have finished it and I love it! Every well dressed teapot should have one.



Pattern - Tea-Mitten

In the summer, a long time ago, when all the leaves on the trees were green, I made a Clapotis using Noro Silk Garden. I tried lots of different patterns to show the colours in the yarn the best way I could and I think this shows the changes in them beautifully.

It's a very Autumnal leafy coloured scarf and I adore it.



Here's a question for you now. What have pom-poms and left over sock yarn got in common?



Scarves of course! I was out for a wander in town this afternoon when this scarf jumped out at me as I walked past Accessorize. I pulled my daughter and Mum into the shop to have a good look at it and see how it was made. After taking mental notes, we left Accessorize knowing what my next big project was going to be...now has anyone got an empty cereal box and a compass by any chance?

Happy Halloween!

My parcel has been received by my partner and opened! I can now show you the knitted bits (I didn't take photos of the sweeties and bubbles I sent along too). The pattern for the oh so sweet bat and pumpkin can be found here Knitables along with so many more patterns I would love to knit!



This is the parcel that I received...



Isn't the cross stitched coaster adorable? Much too good to hide away all year me thinks!

On to other things...my teapot mitten is coming along. I got stuck on row 9 last night but after re-reading the pattern and frogging more times than I care to remember, I am now well on my way...



Interesting isn't it?

I have another surprise brewing for the end of the month and am knitting it as fast as I can...you will have to wait to find out what that one is I'm afraid x

Sssh...

I want to tell you what I have been making this week but I can't as it's a surprise for my swap partner on the Phoenix Forum - this time for Halloween.

I do have pictures which I promise to share when she has received her parcel and unwrapped it!

This week, I may cast on for a tea cosy! I recently bought a teapot as I was really jealous of all the tea cosies that had been knitted and swapped on the forum. I have just found a lovely free pattern for one on Ravelry which I can't wait to start. It never ceases to amaze me how many freebies there are over there and how generous the designers are to share them =)

Turkish Delight...Yum

Do you like my mittens? Do you? I do! The yarn was sent to me by a member of the Phoenix Forum who lives in Turkey.

On the forum, we took part in a "Bugs and Flowers" swap and alas, I have to say, my little bug flew away to who knows where and she, along with my parcel just got lost.

My partner very kindly offered to resend everything but as it was a small swap we agreed to put it down to experience and leave it at that - or so I thought...you see I did not realise how naughty this lady could be! Not too long ago, when I least expected it, some yarn arrived by way of compensation! These loverly, Turkish Delight Mittens are the result!

I give you...

Colin! On Sunday night, my dear daughter asked if I could knit a toy for her friend's birthday...this looked like a quick, easy pattern from the Let's Knit website.



He will be on his way to his new home tomorrow where I hope he will be loved.

Goodbye, Colin!