Travel Socks//WIP Wednesday

It's always around this time of year that I seem to go out more; maybe it's the lighter days or maybe there are just more events centered around spring/summer. Last year, as a very new knitter, I wasn't sure what a travel project should entail - what size, how complicated etc. I spent much of last summer taking out complicated shawls (Hogwarts Express) or a baby cardigan that I made so many mistakes in that I didn't gift it. Fast forward to this year and I realised; as a more experienced knitter; that I needed something small, easy and without too many stitches. I asked on Ravelry and the vast majority of people voted for socks - I haven't knit socks, ever. I've tried using the magic loop method but failed due to length of needles, wrong yarn, complicated pattern - it just wasn't happening.

 

However I finally got my sock kit together, I bought a sock knitting book a few years ago called How to Knit Socks by Edie Eckman - it's a range of patterns that starts a new sock knitter off using DK weight yarn (instead of 4-ply sock). The first pattern in the book is a very basic sock, knit on 5 (or 4) dpn's - I happen to have gained some dpn's; and they were in the right size. I had bought some very pretty debbie bliss rialto print DK yarn that just seemed perfect - and off I went:

 Within just 3 days I had finished my first sock!! I had a blast knitting this; the rib went really quickly - then it's just plain knitting and turning the heel - I did put in a lifeline at this point because I was freaking out just a little bit however it actually went very well....... as did picking up stitches for the gusset. Don't get me wrong sock #1 is not perfect, but it fits really well and it looks super pretty - I'm very happy with it and I might be slightly addicted to sock knitting. I have started on sock #2, but it's going a little slower because it's been a super busy few days:

I will admit that I haven't travelled much with these socks; I wanted to get used to the structure of socks and feel comfortable knitting them before taking them out. I'm now fairly certain I could take my socks anywhere (with the pattern) and not have issues with mistakes. I can't believe how afraid I was of socks - they look really complicated, but I think the best thing for me to do was start with a thicker yarn and bigger needles just to explore sock knitting. I plan on knitting a couple more pairs from this book and then moving to something in a 4-ply (need to get some smaller dpn's). What are your favourite 4-ply sock patterns?

Next week I will be working on a special design project, as my family are all away in Belfast for the week, I will share a couple of small sneak peeks but nothing too major. I also need to get Kristofer's puppy finished, Robbie's dinosaur started and the start of a Monkey gift - it's going to be a hectic knitting time but I'm looking forward to getting stuck in. Lastly Kristofer has asked me to knit him some socks; he also claims that "my mummy can knit everything" - I swear he thinks I'm magic.

I'm playing along with Tami and Ginny as usual; go check our their blogs to see what everyone else is working on.
V xo

Cadbury Owls//Finished Object Friday

My Cadbury Owls Sweater has been officially finished for over 2 weeks; but due to hail/snow/rain/sleet it was difficult to get photos outside. Last weekend we finally had a day that was dry enough and sunny enough to get some pictures - so thank you to my lovely MIL for being willing to stand outside when it was less than warm!!!

 



This is my favourite spot in our garden, I take alot of my FO photos here:

 Of course I had to to a close up of the Owls, I'm really pleased with how neatly they came out - the really do look like Owls!!! I was going to put buttons on all the owls but then I found these in our button bag (there was only 6 - and I need 2 spares, just incase) so I sewed them on and fell in love:

 And of course a standing photo, I'm glad I did the extra length on this - I think it would have been far too short if I hadn't. This angle makes my boobs look giant - they are actually not quite this big IRL! hehe:

I already have some yummy dusty pink yarn to make another Owl's sweater, maybe with large pearl beads for eyes this time? I think I will make it a little longer - more tunic length if I can but I love the short sleeves - I like to layer.
What have you finished lately? Pop over to Tami's blog to check out other FO's.
V xo

Knit the Queue//Knit Life

I am still playing along with Knit the Queue over on Ravelry; it's taken me a good while to settle on my final queue for 2013 but it's finally done; I have 22 items on there with just these 5 that don't have yarn yet. So what's the plan? I am going to buy the yarn for these last 5 knits; then I'm on a yarn diet (except for gift knits) until the end of year. Then in 2014 I shall join in Knit the Queue again and try to use at least half of my remaining stash - so we'll see if it works. I think I shall probably do some destashing also - it's good for the bank balance and such!!!!

 

New Era Mitts

 Owlings Mitts

 From Norway With Love Hat

 French Press Slippers

 

If you've looked at my queue you will have noticed a couple of toys with no yarn choices - these are both gifts; one is for my oldest son and the other is a baby gift - I'll get yarn for those as and when I need it.

 

Notions (needles, soak, buttons etc) will not be included in my stash list - so I can still buy a few things. Next on my list is a swift and ball winder - those are pretty important for me.

 

How do you destash? Are you on a yarn diet?

V xo

Practice makes Perfect?//WIP Wednesday

I would love to say that I have worked tiredlessly on all of my projects this week, but that's just not true - I have done a little bit of work on most of my projects but not enough to share them all with you so I'll just share my practice pieces with you!!!

 

Firstly my lovely MIL bought me some Debbie Bliss cotton DK yarn for Easter; I really wanted some cotton to get started on amigurumi - did it work? Not so much; I did some practicing on a tiny piglet but amigurumi is small, the stitches are small and it's hard work - I will be persevering, but maybe on the weekend when the children are with their dad!! These are the pretty yarns and the super cute bag my lovely wife bought for me (UK people - the bag is from Primark):

One of the projects I have done quite a bit of work on this week is my fair isle practice piece, which will be a felted needle case. I'm over halfway done with this now; just 30 more rows to go. I'm really gaining speed and confidence with this piece; my tension is getting more even - it's hard to get tension when you're knitting both english and continental in one piece!!! Anyway here it is:

 What have you been working on this week? As usual I'm playing along with Tami and Ginny - go check out their blogs and see what everyone else is working on.
V xo

Sarah//Knit Nerds

This week's lovely knit nerd is Sarah from Sezza Knits!!! Sarah is a lovely knitter, she designs the prettiest knitwear for herself and her lovely children. Sarah is mega talented, and I'm really pleased to have her on the blog!!! Here she is:

 

1. How long have you been knitting/crocheting and who taught you?

My Mum taught me to knit when I was a small child. I did complete a few things as a child, but didn’t really pick knitting up again till my sister was pregnant with my first niece. I learnt to crochet a few years ago, but haven’t ever really explored it beyond a granny square blanket, one day!

 

2. What is your favourite yarny thing to make?

I love all the things, but socks are probably my most favourite. It just seems so clever, and they are so lovely to wear.

 

3. Who is your biggest yarny inspiration?

I have quite a few! I love seeing all the projects of my friends on Ravelry and Bloggers I follow.

I have been really inspired by Georgie Hallam of Tikki Knits (who hasn’t been!)

http://www.ravelry.com/people/tikki

and Morag of Vintage Purls Yarn (dyer of the BEST sock yarn in the world).

http://www.vintagepurls.co.nz/

They are probably my biggest yarny crushes.

 

4. What is your favourite completed object?

This is a very tricky question!!! I have a most recent favourite project - my daughters Maggie http://www.ravelry.com/projects/sezza/maggie-3

but my all time favourite project is probably a toss up between these crazy Chain Reaction Socks I knit as a RACE in 4 days having never done colorwork before

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/sezza/chain-reaction

and a gorgeous yellow Paprika, that I really must make again, in a bigger size now my daughter has grown. http://www.ravelry.com/projects/sezza/paprika

5. What inspired you to start your blog?

I was just attempting to design my own patterns, and it seemed like a natural step to attempt to document it. I have found the knitting blogging community to be so incredibly friendly and welcoming and I am really pleased I did jump in!

6. As a designer, what is you favourite of your own designs?

I am probably most proud of my Shelley Bay. There were a few times I wondered if the pattern would ever see the light of day, but in the end it all came together and I love it. My daughter gets huge compliments when she wears it, and Its one of those knits that make me smile when I see it on! http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shelley-bay

7. If you could give 3 pieces of yarn advice, what would they be?

Knit with colours you love, even if you don’t think they will suit you. I can't wear yellow on my torso, but it looks awesome on my feet!

Support local yarnies whenever you can.

Stash it on Ravelry! I love this feature of Ravelry, its wonderful when considering an upcoming project, you don’t have to dig through stash, just click and look!

You can find Sarah in all of these places:

Blog http://www.sezzaknits.blogspot.co.nz/

Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/people/sezza

Twitter https://twitter.com/SezzaNZ

 

Sarah also has a lovely giveaway for you, my readers:

Buy One Get One Free.

Just add 2 Sezza Knits patterns to your cart, and use the code Knit Nerd. Valid for 48 hours. Lower Priced pattern will be free.

Bella Mia Ebook Included, but all other EBooks are excluded from this promotion due to already being discounted.

 

So you can go grab 2 patterns between now and 8am (BST - ah it's summer!) on Monday; go treat yourself to something new for Easter. Make sure you leave some love for Sarah and go check out her blog.

V xo

And Released//Design

You might remember towards the end of last year I finished knitting one of my own designs, the Queen of Hearts Shawl:

I've done my very first test knitting; it went very well and my testers enjoyed the pattern. So I am pleased to announce that my shawl pattern is now available to purchase on Ravelry - at a usual price of £2.50; however I do have a promotion for the next week or so - you can purchase the pattern for just £1.25, by using the code Knit Nerd.

Although the store page does state a specific yarn, you can choose to use any you wish and knit to whatever size you want too. I think this shawl could work in multiple colours too - in colourwork blocks or stripes; there are options!!!

I have to say a huge thank you to the people who have supported me during the release of my first pattern - I'm truly grateful.
V xo

And So It Grows//WIP Wednesday

Last Thursday we spent the afternoon in St Andrews - which is one of my favourite places; especially for hunting in the charity shops. I always have a look at their bags because some of my favourites came from charity shops. So what did I happen upon? This pretty little knitting bag, it's big enough for a small project (or two) and it's super cute. I love thinking about how much it was used before it was mine:

 This past week I've spent alot of time working on my fair isle piece; so everything else has kind of taken a back seat - except this:

That's right my crochet blanket is getting even bigger, it's so big that positioning it well so I can crochet is king of proving to be difficult - any tips? I'm now on skein 3; so just 3 more to go - I love seeing this project grow and the subtle colour changes. I would normally link to my project on Ravelry, but there appears to be some kind of glitch getting on there this morning!
What are you working on this week? I'm playing along with Tami and Ginny, as always I encourage you to go check their blogs out and play along.
V xo