Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Fingers and Thumbs and Needles

So in the last few weeks I've tackled projects requiring two new skills - cables and double pointed needles. Not the same project, I'm not that crazy!

The cable project is fingerless gloves (flat with seams) for my assistant. They are knitting up very well and I'm loving them. Holding the cable to the back is a bit tricky, I'm not always sure whether the yarn goes behind or in front. It was cool enough before Christmas to get started on them (they're alpaca which is very warm) but since then it's just gotten too hot to think about.

So I decided to get started on a cotton blend baby blanket instead. Not for me (everybody asks) but for a friend up in Tamworth. It's a circular blanket knitted on dpns. The biggest challenge was casting on 8 stitches and trying to join them up and knit in the round. Took about 3 goes but I'm well established now and sailing along. Here's my progress so far.

Radiating Star Baby Blanket

Friday, December 26, 2008

On the sixth day of Christmas Eclectic Rose knit six dishcloths

Now all the presents have finally been handed out I can show off the dishcloths I knit. I quite enjoyed knitting with the Sugar n Cream worsted weight cotton - it's very easy to see where you have gone wrong and work back to it. A good place to start learning about lace knitting. Hopefully their recipients will find them helpful with the washing up. Now it's time to knit one for myself!

Fountain lace dishcloths

Scalloped Dishcloths

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Christmas Haul

I think it may be a sign of excessive interwebbing that I want to post pics of my Christmas presents online. Hmmm. Oh well who cares!

Christmas haul

My hubby got me some lovely jewelry, he really does have lovely taste and seems to read my mind sometimes. I was thinking about a dressy new watch and look what I got!

My mum-in-law is a very clever, crafty lady. I don't know where she found the time but she made all of us little Christmas bags (visible on the left) and a placemat to take home. She also made this fabulous quilted knitting/all purpose bag for me - I love it!

Knitting bag 2

My grandparents and great-uncle also gave me presents (jewelry etc) that are just perfect and I know I will wear and/or use.

The cutest stories is definitely two small friends of mine, aged 8 and 6. They both bought me something out of their pocket money! AS got me a paper clip holder (which I asked for) but ES gets an A+ for initiative - she picked up on my knitting love and bought me a ball of yarn. Gorgeous acrylic 8ply, very bright pink/purple/teal. Not something I would wear but of wonderful sentimental value - I will make a small carry-bag or i-pod cosy with it.

Carnival 8ply Christmas Present

 
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