Dark photos and OTK

Below is a very dark and difficult-to-see photo of Grace, from a very old edition of Knitty. It was knit in Rowan Kidsilk Haze, and came out way too short in the body for me (I am tall and seem to have a freakishly long torso as I always have to lengthen patterns - I made the mistake of not lengthening this one!). Kidsilk Haze is not easy to rip, and it looked very beautiful, so I gifted it to Linda, who is very petite, and it looked lovely on her when we met recently for dinner. I will try for a better photo next time!

OTK: Top Secret - worked on that all weekend! Intoxicating got picked up again, and discarded again; my yarn choice is just not right so it is going to the frog pond. The Versielles shawl from Knit Magazine, Issue 2 is my train knitting, and I might just cast on another Footlights (from Popknits, Issue 1) tonight - my last attempt was too roomy and gifted to Julia after sitting in my closet for a year.

Grace - an older knit

Sunday Secrets

Sunday is knitting group day for me, and at present on Sundays I am working on a secret project, and actually I have very little else on the needles. However, I have started a non-secret project - a cardigan, in some Rowan Little Big Wool. I cast on top down, and completed about 2" of moss stitch, and have commenced the sleeves/body with yarn over raglan increases in stocking stitch. After I break for the sleeves, I'll do some kind of all over lace leaf stitch for the rest of the body under the arms. The sleeves will be stocking stitch, and the borders in moss stitch.
It is not progressing very quickly though as I can't put my mind to anything much at the moment; to many other things to think about, like home, and family. Hopefully I will feel clearer in a couple of weeks.
See below for a piccie of progress so far on the Little Big Wool Cardigan.

Non secret project

Two Thrift Projects - About

Last Monday was a deliscious Bank Holiday here in the UK, and I found myself with a whole day to pass. Of course, I could have done some housework, or caught up with friends I hadn't seen for a while, or caught up on some work, but instead I knitted and sewed two projects out of materials I had:

Project One: A Lovely Old Lady Bag from Eithne Farry's book "Yeah I Made It Myself", made from a vintage curtain which had been left in the cellar of our house, found when we moved in. The bag handles are from John Lewis, and I bought them a long time ago with the aim of making this bag. The bag is lined with hot pink satin, from a market haberdashery stall, and again lying around in my fabric/yarn cupboard. The brooch is from Topshop and again was lying around on my dressing table.

Project Two: Inspired by the Trangular Garter Stitch Shawl from "Knit: Handmade Style".
This shawl/scarf is made from odds and ends of jewel-toned yarns in my stash, mostly leftovers from other projects. It includes some Debbie Bliss Cathay, two different Louisa Harding yarns (sari silk and another one, unknown type), some Jaeger Pure Silk, Noro Cash Iro, Patons Washed Haze and Cargo, and Rowan Scottish Tweed. This mix makes it feel luxurious and soft - and although slightly unsure about it after finishing it I wore it shopping in the high street today and felt great in it. It was very, very therapeutic to knit, watching the colours change as the simplicity of the garter stitch induced an almost trance like state.

More blogging soon - there are projects finished to blog about, and in the pipeline.

Two thrift projects