WIP Wednesday - Crafting on a deadline

Oh my goodness, October seems to have crept up on me, and now that it's here, I have deadlines for my planned projects! Many people are afraid to think about it, but Christmas is on it's way, and I don't plan to be rushing or stressing with my gift-making. I want to make quite a bit, but my bare minimum is socks for my family, so I've started knitting my Dad's pair.

I'm using the same Churchmouse basic pattern as I did for my brother's, and luckily, the same measurements. I love that I don't have to pull out the tape measure all the time, it makes everything so much easier.

Just to shake things up a bit, I've also decided that I need to get a wriggle on a commission from friends for an amigurumi penguin. I'm using FreshStitches Howie the Holiday Penguin (minus the hat), and hopefully he'll be approved and part of a wedding next year! This lovely mess are all the little pieces I made last night, so I hope I don't lose any motivation.

If you'd like to see more WIP-y goodness, visit WIP Wednesday at Tami's Amis!
Renee xo

FO Friday: A day late, but not a project short

I can't believe, that with all the catching up I have to do, I almost forgot about finished object Friday! It's currently Saturday morning here, but I'm sure it's still Friday somewhere in the world.

I'll start off my catch-up posts with the shawls I've made recently, because I have made plenty of them lately! The oldest one that I haven't yet shared is the Pogona.

If you remember, I had quite a few issues at the beginning of this project. I freaked out about the uneven yarnovers, even when I followed the instructions for a more symmetrical yarnover. I decided to use kfb increase instead and happily finished knitting it. It took me a while to get around to block it, but I'm very happy with the finished result. It's perfect for wearing around my shoulders, and although you can't see it in the photo, the A Stash Addict Fantasy Sparkle really does sparkle and shine in the light.

My next finished project is a very early Christmas present for my sister who asked that I make her a scarf. She picked out the pattern - Travelling Woman shawl in extra small for wrapping around the neck and A Stash Addict Witches Brew.

This was my first ever lace project and the first time reading a chart. I learned to get over my fear of the yarnover after the Pogona issues, and I'm so happy I did. It knit up quickly and my sister was so delighted with it that I had to let her have it straight away. I'm pleased to say that she has been getting plenty of use out of it while the weather is still cool.

That's it for this week! If you have a completed project you want to share, join in with FO Fridays at Tami's Amis.
Renee xo

WIP Wednesday - mostly monogamous

For the past week and a half, I've resisted casting on anything new, and have been giving most of my crafty attention to my colour affection. I'm finally on the short rows, after almost getting fed up with how simple garter stitch is. The only problem is that I'm not too sure about my second contrasting colour...

I'm worried that it's too much contrast, and I'm starting to doubt my colour choices. It could just be that project monogamy drives me a little crazy, and I need a distraction, too! Does anyone else have this problem?

In light of this, I've decided to work on my beekeeper's quilt because it's not a new project, but each hexipuff feels a bit like a finished object itself.

To see more crafty progress shots and news, visit WIP Wednesday with Tami's Amis.
Renee xo

WIP Wednesday - on the bandwagon

It feels really strange to say it, but I only have one project that I'm working on at the moment, and it's a ridiculously popular one: I'm working on the Colour Affection shawl!

I'm loving it so far, it's a really easy knit, and now that I've started adding the stripes, I can see it becoming addictive. I'm using Sweet Georgia Yarns tough love sock in Silver and Charcoal and A Stash Addict rainbow fantasy sparkle sock in Tropical Rainbow Elmok. My plan is for my shawl to look like a rainbow across a grey sky, and it's working well so far.

To check out more WIP-py goodness, head on over to Tami's Amis for WIP Wednesday.
Renee xo

WIP Wednesday - small things

I almost forgot about WIP Wednesday this week, again! Starting work at 6am when you're not used to it can do funny things to your brain. That's why I've been knitting small things - the pair of socks I've been working on, and my very first hat.

I finished my very first man-sized sock for my brother and am well under way with the second. I'm getting the bigger socks out of the way first so by the time I'm on the fourth and fifth pairs they won't be so big. For those playing along at home I'm using the Churchmouse Basic Sock pattern and A Stash Addict sock tweed in Tomato. Definitely a winning combination, I must remember to get close up photos of the colour twirls, I love the overall effect.

This hat is a bit more exciting, but still really easy as I find working in the round to go faster (it's a bit mesmerising, actually). I'm using leftover Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 10 ply and Tiny Owl Knits Orchids and Fairy Lights pattern. Like I said, it's my first ever hat, but it's also my first time working with cables. I was surprised I picked it up so quickly, as I used to be so intimidated by the weird-looking cable needle. Now I know it's nothing to be afraid of, I find myself seeking out more cabled hats (and other things) to knit.

I'm joining in with WIP Wednesday at Tami's Amis, have a crafty week!
Renee xo

FO Friday - Catch-up #1, an almost UFO

Sigh, the hardest part about returning to blogging after a break is all the catching up you have to do. I'm really pleased to say that I have quite a few finished objects to share, but I think it might all be a bit too much for one post, so I'm going to round them all up over the next few weeks.

The first thing I wanted to show off is something that sat on my needles and almost became a UFO. The Ships and Seaside cowl. Last time I updated my progress I complained about the needles I had been using. I picked them up at a craft store because I was desperate to start knitting! Alas, the wrist pains I got because of the bend in the the needle, completely discouraged me. I worked on quite a few things before I decided it was high time to get myself a decent set of interchangeable needles. I ordered them online, and waited very patiently for them to arrive, finished up what I was working on first (I'm trying to combat startitis), then jumped back into the cowl. I finished it in about a week, just before winter officially ended! I'm hoping that unpredictable weather patterns mean I'll actually get some use out of it. Now, for the pictures...

Bits and pieces:
Pattern - Ships and Seaside by Tiny Owl Knits
Yarn - Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 10 ply in Stone, Koala, Lake and Navy
Needles - 5mm
Size - 38cm wide and 80cm circumference. I have left this unblocked so far as it is perfect for just throwing over my head, and not fussing with.

If you've finished something up, or just like to check out what other people have made, head on over to FO Friday with Tami's Amis.
Renee xo

WIP Wednesday: The return

I've been extremely quiet in blogland for the past couple of weeks, initially because of a chest infection and then just because I needed a break. The first post after a break is always the hardest, so I thought WIP Wednesday would be best as I'm always working on something!

Firstly, I had my first ever experience with having to frog something. This was my attempt at knitting the Daybreak shawl, but the colour combination just wasn't working. See the dark purple stripe? It just didn't pop enough for me, so I decided to leave knitting this pattern for another time.

I was still determined to use the pretty yarn from A Stash Addict, though! I searched and searched and eventually settled on the Shinkan-Zen pattern. It's from a series of patterns based on trains and I think I might give them all a go (there's one called Hogwarts Express, need I say more?). I chose this pattern in particular because of the moss stitch bands, I've never worked moss stitch before and it's much quicker than I expected.

I've also made humble beginnings with my goal to knit a pair of socks for each member of my immediate family this Christmas. I'm using the Churchmouse basic sock pattern because I wanted simplicity and customisation. I'm not quite familiar with how socks work just yet, but just by reading the pattern, I've started learning about sizing and sock anatomy. Might have to invest in a good sock knitting book, too, so I'll start doing some research.

Joining in with Tami's Amis WIP Wednesday for lots of crafty goodness!
Renee xo