Still here, and still knitting

 I keep forgetting I have this blog. I do mean to write more, but then life happens, and I go AWOL. I am still working on my hybrid blanket, and enjoying doing so; I am also reworking my Iona. Not as much as Hybrid, but that is because Hybrid is my new favourite pattern. Because I am reworking Iona, and not doing it for the first time, I already know how it looks. Whereas Hybrid is all new, and I am still not sure how it will look once completed. I think it will look good once finished, and the colours will look good. I'm not so sure that the hybrid part will really show up, but, I know it is there, and that is what matters. 

Knitting grounds me when things seem to be unsettling. I may not finish things in a timely manner, but I do usually get them finished. I like the process of knitting, and speed isn't that important to me. I'm told I am a fast knitter, but I doubt that very much. It takes me way too long to get things finished. Even if I did just work on one item, which is very difficult to imagine, it would still take me a while to complete. Part of that is because I stop and look at other patterns, and how I could do them. Then I try to remind myself that I really should get something finished first.  

Rework of blanket

 I said I would put up some pictures of Iona as I reworked her. Here is the first square. Yes, I am making it a double sided blanket - means I don't have to worry about all those ends. While doing this, I am still working on my hybrid blanket - the 10-stitch/log cabin blanket. That is also being worked as a double sided blanket, and again, because it means I don't have to worry about all those ends. 

Anyway, here is the first square of Iona.

 

Just don't

I have decided - for reasons beyond understanding - that my Iona blanket needs a facelift. This is a blanket that I completed and has been on the bed for over a year. It needs to be unpicked - the sewing - which as you can imagine after such a long time, is no easy job!!! Why I do this to myself is really beyond me, even though I know it will look sor of better once is it redone. It does, of course, require me knitting some new squares, but that is half the fun- isn't it? At least this is a pattern that I am very familiar with, so it won't be too hard of a job. 

If you ever think of unpicking something that has been completed for some time - think really hard about it. Part of me is regretting this, but part of me also knows it is going to all work out in the end. Anyway, I've unpicked too many panels now to stop. Just have to keep going now.

I will post pictures once I've started reassembling the whole thing. 

Further to hybrid blanket

 In an earlier post I said I was trying out a hybrid blanket. Well . . . I have been thinking about that, and decided it wasn't really working out as a true hybrid. So, while knitting the next log cabin section of said blanket, I got to thinking. Why not try it as a true hybrid? I'm sure someone has done this before, although I've not seen it. So, I frogged that section, recast on. I am trying the ten stitch as the first two rounds, and then will do the next two rounds as log cabin. The final round will also be log cabin style. Fingers crossed this works.

My hybrid blanket

 As I said in an earlier post, I am doing a hybrid blanket. It is a ten-stitch/log cabin one. Here is a picture of the first two pieces put together. The next ten-stitch is not going to be as striking as the first, and that is because I will be using up bits of balls that I have from previous projects.

Both pieces are a decent size, which means I may be using more of my stash? That has to be a good idea, doesn't it? Back to the next section of the blanket. 

Oh, and it will be big enough to fit a queen size bed once it is finished.

This is so typical of me

 As some of you know, I am knitting a ten-stitch blanket, but I am also knitting a log cabin blanket. So ... I have decided why not combine the two? By that I mean knit a 'square' on the ten-stitch, and knit the log cabin to the same size, and then sewing,[or crocheting] the two together. Like squares, but different? Anyhow, I can visualize this and reckon it is gonna look quite something. Might even keep my interest, simply because it is a little different - and it is a good stash buster. Goodness knows I have enough, it will of course be done in 4-ply, as that is what I have the most of. As usual, pictures will follow, just give me a chance to get this log cabin to the right size.

Nothing new

 I've not cast on anything new to knit, which in itself is a surprise. Instead I have been working on some UFO's, which is a good thing. I had been working on my 10stitch blanket, mostly to show Mum how it was done. But, I've now gone back to trying to finishing a vest I bought wool for. I am trying so hard to be a good girl, and get some things finished, and not listen to all those patterns that keep calling out to me. They will just have to wait until I have a few needles to free up.

Yes, this is a short post, but I really just need to get some knitting, and reading done. My right hip has been so sore, and pain is so very tiring, it doesn't really leave much room for thinking clearly. Which is why my knitting is just simple - or what I consider easy. I suppose that is why I have the 10 stitch blanket on the go, it needs no thinking. 

I had such fun

This was such a fun project to knit. I love working with color, and this was right up my alley. It is a Kaffe Fassett pattern, called simply Striped Scarf. I have had fun picking out different combinations of colours for this and have already cast on for another one. I have blocked this one, but it will persist in curling. It annoys me, so much so that I have decided to make it a double sided project. Using different colours of course - hey, it's a good way of using up some of my stash!!!!!  and it is such a fun project. 

I had thought about folding it, and sewing up the long side, but didn't like the look of that. I felt all that beautiful colour was getting lost. Hence why I am making another one.

Next project already being sorted

 And I haven't even finished this current project!!!  I am doing a Kaffe Fassett pattern, an easy one - lots of colour which I like - and done in stripes. It uses 14 colours which wasn't hard to sort out. But, I am already looking at how I could do it with 7 colours instead. I have even worked out which colours to use, but that might change as I have some glitter yarn which I think would look super nice in this pattern. Of course it would need some other colours as well, but that shouldn't be a problem. It's not like I have a shortage of wool in my stash. I will be doing it in 4-ply, as that  is what I have the most of in my stash. See, I am trying to use up some of my stash - that has to be a good thing doesn't it?

UFO's becoming FO's

 I've been a really good girl - don't laugh, it's true!!!! I've been working on my pile of UFO's and they are getting finished. True, I have been looking at new projects. But, at least I am getting better at working on one project to the end - not necessarily from the beginning, but I am working on that project for longer than normal. My latest completed project needs blocking, so I've not taken a photo yet. I need to wait for the weather to warm up just a little. I was going to bloke it today, but it's a tad cloudy out there, and don't think it will work. I do have two vests that I should get completed, but this cold weather has triggered the need for me to make fingerless gloves. Got a book from the library the other day, and have a book with winter knits in it. I've started a pair of mittens, and will get them done before I go back to anything else. At least they are only mittens, so shouldn't take too long to knit. I have had to change the pattern just a little by adding four stitches. It means I have two edge stitches at either end of rows.

Follow up to last post

 I said I would put up pictures of the shawl I am working on. Well, here they are. This is the same pattern, I am just using different colours. 

I am loving the contrast of the second shawlette. They are both sparkly yarn, and working up really nicely in this pattern.

Struggling here

I'm struggling with my knitting. Since finishing the vest, I can't seem to settle on any one project. I am still knitting, but mostly because I have too many on the needles to ignore. I am trying so hard to be a good gork, and get another project finished, but none of them are anywhere near the finish line. Ahh well. . . I keep going, and will do my best to continue to be good. I am knitting a shawlette that I really like. I've made this one before, and it is a pattern that you can use any wool and needles to match. I am doing this one in sparkly yarn, two colours, and I think it looks really nice. Pictures will follow.  

Pictures needed.

I thought I should put up a couple of pictures of the latest projects that I have finished. It's all well and good saying I'd finished them, but how about some photos? These two are actually quite warm to wear. The coloured one is meant to be loose, and I am actually happy with it being like this. 

I really like the colour of both vests, and know there will be a lot of wear out of them.

I actually finished something, again.

I was a good girl, and actually finished something that had been on the needles for rather too long. And even better? I've not started something new. I have a new pattern, and the wool to go with it, and am longing to start it; but I have not done so. I am trying to finish some things first. I had actually finished a vest, or, almost finished it. But decided it was just not right. So, to the frog pond I went - even had to unpick the sewing together!!!!  I have another pattern that that wool will look good in, and now I know to go up another size. It is an older pattern, and the sizing seems to be rather small. In the meantime I am working on something else, and trying to ignore the calls of the new pattern. How long I will hold out is anyone's guess. I did buy the wool for this particular pattern, which is why I am longing to start it. I've not used this wool before, and it feels so nice!!!

Been a little quiet here

But I do have a good reason for that. We found out on Friday that Mum is in the last stages of heart failure. Her legs are swelling, and there is nothing more they can do for her. We have known for a number of years that she has heart failure, which is why she gets breathless, and can't always get a full sentence out properly. But with her legs swelling as they are, it is not a good sign. The worse thing? We don't know when her heart will stop. As hard as it has been for me, I can't help thinking about how much harder it is for Dad. They have been married for over 60 years.

Anyway, I have continued to do knitting. I find it helps to keep me from just sitting here and thinking about what will happen,and when. Mum is keeping in good spirits, and is continuing to make plans, even if she knows she may not be around to see those plans through. But, what else can she do.  

I finished something

 I finished a shawl I have been working on for a while - in between other projects. This shawl has no name. The pattern was given to me by a lady at the library after I had admired the one she was working on. It is a really simple pattern, and I did some changes. I want to make another one, but this time in two colours, and sparkly yarn. I reckon it would look really cool in sparkly yarn. You could do the lace in plain,then the garter in sparkly. I've not got any in my stash, so will need to look at getting some. I haven't even started anything new either. I am working on a tank top that I haven't had on the needles all that long, but I do want to get it finished. Anyway, here is a picture of the shawl.

I have finished this in time for the cold days that we know are coming, it being close to winter over here. The picture makes it look more blue than it really is. But, hey, it still looks good. 

Too many projects

 Yes, you read that right. I admit that I might have a few too many projects on the go. Have started another 'cull' of UFO's, and am freeing up some needles. And no, I am not starting anything new. I know - amazing!!!!! Some of my projects are long term ones, so I am not too worried about them. They will get completed, some time. There are others that I really need to get to work on, because they are just sitting there for a little too long being ignored and are starting to be heard - only by me it must be admitted. 

For my birthday, which was on Saturday, my wonderful husband got me a gift certificate to the local yarn store. How can I be that good when he has so kindly done that?!?!? At least I have 12 months to use it , like it's gonna take that long to use it???? I don't think so. 

Talking of my birthday, I really don't feel like a senior citizen, yet that is exactly what I am considered. I will admit to being a gold card carrying person, but senior?!?!? Hmm...I think of seniors as older than me - and no not my husband. What age do we get to before we call ourselves senior? Or is it all about perspective? I don't feel senior, so maybe I'm not there yet? 

Anyway, back to knitting, and reading. Gotta keep up both. Reading because it opens a whole world up for me, and knitting, well; because I must? Although, I do find it also helps to relax me. As long as I am not knitting during an exciting game, or movie either. Then my tension goes haywire, and I can make too many mistakes. I wonder if that is normal? I know it is for me, because it has always been like that. Anyway, I can hear my knitting calling out to me - quite loudly.. So I must attend to that noise.  

Bad me, but not worried.

 I have been naughty, and started a few new projects. I reckon I have ADHD when it comes to knitting. I really do have trouble sticking to just one project. I think I've started another four - I think that is the number. Of course, most  have been from stash, but one I actually ordered the wool for this project, and that is because I knew I didn't have enough in my stash. Lets see how long these projects last, before I decide that I really don't want to do them anymore. I'm not going to say what they are called, just because they might not last. Only time will tell. 

Stash diving

 I have started something new - actually a couple of new projects. I just can't help myself. Anyway, on the good side, I did go stash shopping for both projects, so there is that. I know I still buy yarn but for the most part, I buy for particular projects now. One of the new projects is called Glimfeather, and I am knitting it with pure alpaca. What beautiful wool this is to work with!!!!! The pattern has been a bit of a challange to start with, but I seem to have got the hang of it now. This is a project that I have been looking at for sometime, so it is good to finally have it started. 

Something completed

 I can finish projects. I really can. I know I have way too many going, but hey, I do work on them. I have just finished a project that actually hasn't been on the needles for too long. It is a pattern that I had wanted to do for some time, but finding the right wool has always been the challange. Anyway, the name of the project is called Metamorphose by Lucy Hague. It is a cowl, knitted as a long tube, then both ends are connected. I have actually enjoyed making this, and I know it is going to be nice and warm for this winter.

I used just over two balls of Fleece Bluefaced Leicester DK, colour Quarry. Nice colour, and nice to knit with.