knit n bitch

Major cock up!

I am so embarrased!  I shouldn't even be writing this post and telling you about this!  I should DEFINITELY know better!

I have been working on a Jo Sharp Singlet pattern, in her Mohair (I am using the Twilight, which is a pale blue) and after having got halfway through, I discovered (and yes, this is what I am painfully embarrased about) that i must have twisted the stitches when I put them on the needle, and now I am left with a mobious cowl effect!  Bugger! 

I am knitting them on circulars (my first attempt converting a pattern in the round!).  If anyone can offer a solution (other than frogging) it will be deeeeppppllllyyy appreciated!

First Haircut! Oppps!

10 month old Luka (my icklest boy) needed a fringe cut badly.  Hair was in his eyes and obviously irritating him.  I decided to use our hair clippers, as didn't want to take a pair of scissors near a baby!  As you can imagine, he was fascinated with the noise from the clippers and therefore wriggled quite a bit.  As a result, the poor bugger has received his FIRST (I am sure there will be many to come) dodgy haircut!  What with his hair being very straight (unlike his big brother Joe who has curls) the bodge was impossible to conceal, so he'll just have to live with it!  Ah well, at least we got a bit of hair for the baby book!

Summer Tweed Paisley Carpet Bag

Last night I dreamt about knitting (a normal occurance for a yarn store owner and don't tell me you haven't dreamt about a knitting project!!) and it was about the Summer Tweed Paisley Bag that I have been drooling over with Miss Nicole.  It's from the very interesting book Loop d Loop & made with 7 hanks of Rowan Summer Tweed and I am giong for an 'Eau Naturale'  look, with the browns, pale blues and creams.  It's basically 54 paisley pieces knit up on double pointed needles, in 4 layers of colour. They are then all joined to form the main body of the bag, plus lining and handles.  Might be able to talk the IV girls into it, although Marge very nearly vomited when I showed her the bag.....each to their own I guess!

 

Before & After

Last night I polished off the knitting for my Sophie bag, and this morning I chucked it in the washing machine, 90 degrees, front loader, no extra agitation (I was experimenting).  Here's the final before and after shots, and it shrunk HUGELY, much more than my last Sophie bag.  Although compact, I am still really happy with the result and the fact that one wash was enough to felt it perfectly!

 

Another Sophie Bag

I decided to make another Sophie Felted Bag only this time I am using Lornas Laces Bullfrogs & Butterflies (colour Vera) as I hear it felts like the clappers.  This is my progress so far, and I should have it finished in no time!  Will post the felted version ASAP.

Spiral Scarf in Lion & Lamb

It's my favourite Aunt's 50th Birthday in December (when I will be in the UK to celebrate with her) and I decided to knit her a spiral scarf from Scarf Style and this time I used a hank of Lornas Laces Lion & Lamb (colour was Black Purl).  I basically knit it on 5mm needles and kept going until the hank ran out.  It's not as long as the original pattern, but it looks gorgeous and I'm sure she'll appreciate a little silk and wool round her neck!  Great for a dressy night out!

 

Organising My Embroidery.

I have rediscovered embroidery (I go through phases) and decided to organise my threads.  The wonderful Miss Nicole (always full of bright ideas), has a great system that she bought from Spotlight, so I hot footed it down there to buy all the necessary gubbings!

 

I also stumbled across a couple of very grubby samplers that I made ooooo, about 15 years ago!!

   

mmmmm...new fabric!

I recently aquired some new fabrics (mainly in shades of red) and I am keen to start a lovely big quilt in this colourway.  These were from Quilt Home.  I may even spice up my design this time!