hello, I must be going

kusha kusha scarf for my niece on her 18th birthday



I haven't been well and am going away for a couple of weeks to rest.

I will, of course, be taking my knitting with me and hope to have something to show when I return.

Take care and happy knitting!

Gloomy Saturday

I don't know if it's the skies we've had over us all day or if it's just one of those Saturday afternoons but I can't shake the gloomy feeling.

Here is my ancient UFO finished for this week.



It's so old, I can't even find the pattern. I have looked high and low.

Spurred on the by Harlot's finishing, I whipped out my Mystery Stole 3 which has been languishing in the bottom of my knitting bag, only to wish I hadn't.



I knew it had some mistakes in it. I had decided I could live with them. I've changed my mind.

Also, there's the little problem of the 'wing' section facing the wrong way. That is, I began that section with the wrong side facing so it is back-to-front. The red line shows which way it ought to go.



I'm trying not to be too discouraged. I did enjoy the knitting and I have learnt a few things from this project.

I'm taking my girls swimming tomorrow in an indoor heated saltwater pool so that should blow away the gloom and freshen things up. Have a great weekend!

Socks are go

I've been knitting quite a bit, making progress on Mr Greenjeans and the Lacy tee but I wanted to show you my first project for the Southern Summer of Socks.



The yarn is lana grossa meilenweit Cotton Maya, which is 45% cotton, 42% wool and 13% polyamide. The pattern is a basic sock for 7 stitches per inch from Ann Budd's new book, "Getting Started Knitting Socks". I have to say I really like this book. It is for beginners (obviously) but it explains each step so clearly, with great photos and many alternatives (quite a number of which I don't know) that it's a real pleasure to read. For example, in the section on "Ways to Pick Up and Knit Along gussets" it gives 3 different methods. I am not an experienced sock knitter, so I'm finding it very useful.

As for my goal for the Southern Summer of Socks, that's easy.

Knit these.



Yes, I paid big bucks to be an international member of the Rockin' Sock Club 2007 and I haven't touched one skein. Oh, the shame.

OMG it's Friday already

I'm just scraping it in with my Big Finish this week.

This is the little Pea Pod Baby set by Kate Gilbert. I'm sure you will have seen it. It's a free pattern over at Interweave.




I had a little problem with the armholes. It seems that I was so busy concentrating on the leaf pattern at the front that I forgot to start the armholes at the correct place. I kept on knitting and ended up with teeny tiny holes into which the sleeves certainly would not fit.

Sometimes I do wonder about myself.



Anyway, I ran the sewing machine up and down a bit, cut the stitches and the sleeve went in quite nicely. I do hope the whole thing stays together. It's so cute.

blossoms

This Spring, more than any other that I can remember, I am enjoying the blossoms.







I finished the cable jacket on Friday while enjoying the view to the mountains.

The farm is wonderful for knitting and reading. I read my first Man Booker shortlisted book - The Reluctant Fundamentalist - and was completely enthralled by it. I had hesitated - something about the title deterred me - but that was quickly overcome once I began reading. Meg has a thoughtful review here.

I need to go make a cup of tea now and tackle the laundry. Then I can settle down with Mr Greenjeans. I might have had it finished but I ran out of yarn. Can you believe that?!!

Prize knitting

I'm just about to scoot off to the country for a few days, but I wanted to share some pictures from the Royal Melbourne Show.

The lace was lovely.



I admired the garment design, particularly the delicate short-sleeve garment on the left.



There were gorgeous fleeces.



And finally, not handknitting but very enjoyable was this quilt made from reclaimed tartans.



Friday Finishing will appear on Monday next week. Have a great weekend!

Little jewel

little girl, one day old, in her lacy cashmere bonnet