Sunday 30 October 2011

Saturday 29 October 2011

Surface, Unpacking, and Sewing Goals for 2012

A few weeks on and I am near half way through Surface - hours of stocking stitch, with occasional waist shaping are perfect for no-brain-required post-work knitting. I have just unpacked three boxes of yarn and knitting books (which has made me realise I need no more yarn and no more books on knitting!). Only a little more has been done on the Afghan (entrelac with cables at the moment - not as demanding as it sounds, but certainly not for weeknights), and I ashamed to say, no more samples either. BUT I plan to post a couple of sewing pics from my time in DC - shorts, and a wrap pencil-style skirt, both made from thrift store material and sewed by hand in my DC apartment, during the spring and summer of 2010. The shorts are great for lounge and sleepwear, and the skirt has been worn to work, but it does have closure issues which makes me anxious when I wear it (ie that it will fall off!). I also unpacked a bunch of sewing patterns I have stashed over the years today, most are vintage, circa 80s and 90s and either picked up from thrift stores or given to me by friends having clearouts, but I do have a couple of Amy Butler bag patterns as well. My goal for 2012? Sew all of these patterns! Let's see if I can do it...

Monday 17 October 2011

Knitting for Every Mood

While the Yoga Wrap sits unworn on the cane armchair in my bedroom, waiting for an edging, I have been working on the Great American Afghan. Last night I started my ninth square - three squares completed this month, a record. Of course this is only because as the decorators have moved in, ALL my yarn has been boxed up and is hard to get to. But boredom is setting in, and I did manage to climb over some boxes yesterday, and, in desperation place my hands on the RYC cashsoft I had planned on doing something with. First I had thought another 3 hour sweater. Then I thought the Glengarrie and Yorkshire 2 hour sweater. (You can see where I'm going here can't you?)

BUT then I did a Ravelry search and found two Norah Gaughan patterns - Surface (from Knitty Winter 2008 - top picture below), and a free Berrocco pattern, Wishbone (lower picture below). Surface will be perfect for the cashsoft.
So my plan is to have the GAA on the go, plus Surface for times went I want to knit clothing, rather than a blanket, AND of course my samples for Module 3 of the City and Guilds in Textile Design (train knitting). 3 things OTN - something for every mood.