The Joy of Winter :)

Tags

Bee Eater, box project bag, box project bags, cables, celtic cable, cheerful, grey, handknit, handmade, Johannesburg, johannesburg mornings, johannesburg weather, Kingfisher, knit, Knitting, linda's treehouse, project bag, project bags, sheep, south african yarn, stash, Sunshine Grows, sweater, travel, wool, yarn, yarns, Yarnstash

I find winter in Johannesburg very pleasant and a joy.  It is not extremely cold, and the sun is pleasant and comforting.  I would not mind very much if we had our fair share of snow, since I do love snow.

But in Johannesburg we make the most of the pleasant winters days.  Like spending a glorious sunny cozy morning, having a cup of coffee and enjoying the stunning view of the country clubs’ lawns.  I bit dry in patches, which is to be expected in mid winter.

Winter Mornings in Johannesburg

I have been patiently knitting away at my grey sweater.  I have already reached the under the arm length, and have now cast on for the sleeves.  The progress is steady, and I am loving the way the cable insert is turning out.  I have no pattern for this, so I will need to look at the top construction as soon as the sleeves are long enough.

Grey Sweater Progress

Grey Sweater Progress

Grey Sweater Progress

Grey Sweater Progress

And I spoiled myself with a little bit of happy mail.  Stunning bright, cheerful yarns from Linda’s Treehouse, in Kingfisher.  I chose Bee Eater and Sunshine Grows.  I think these would be great summer wear items.  🙂  Or winter, as they are so cheerful.

New Stash Yarn

My latest find in project  bags are these Box Project bags.  They are square and deep with a zipper.  If you open them all the way, you can fold the top back and they double as a portable fabric yarn bowl.  The cute sheepies print on these were just irresistible.  I got two sizes, one for sock size projects and one for shawl size projects.

Box Project Bags

Box Project Bags

Box Project Bags

2017 is going well.

Tags

fall sweater, finish project, Knitting, magic ball, mohair, mohair knitting, on my needles, Rowan summer tweed, rowan yarn, Shawl, summer knitting, Summer Tweed, sweater

2017 is going well.  I have finished the green sweater by finally adding the collar.  It is looking pretty now, and I am sure I will enjoy wearing it a lot in the coming cooler Fall days.  I am happy with the overall end result, and it feels good.

Summer Tweed Sweater

Summer Tweed Sweater

On my needles is this beauty.  A shawl in mohair and magic ball.  I am loving the mohair, and the colour is just perfect.  It is knitting up fast, and super soft.

Mohair Shawl

Mohair Shawl

Happy 2017 to all!

Tags

bear, bears, blanket, fall sweater, Frogged, handmade, handmade bear, knitting blanket, miniature bear, moss and diamond blanket, Rowan summer tweed, Summer Tweed, sweater, vintage, vintage look, vintage look bear

Happy 2017 to you all.

It has already been a pretty busy year, with 2016 WIP’s now being completed firstly before I allow any new WIP’s to make their way onto my needles and hooks.

The first one out the door for 2017 is Wilhelmina.  She is a cute vintage looking little green bear, and I am happy that I finished her during the holidays and she gets her special place now.

Handmade little vintage look bear

Handmade little vintage look bear

Handmade little vintage look bear

Handmade little vintage look bear

Then my green Rowan Summer Tweed Sweater.  We have had a very rainy weekend, and I took great advantage of it and worked on this sweater.  The drape is lovely, but I did not get good or proper tension on the yarn at all.  I don’t think this is a yarn I would use again, definitely not for a knitted item.  I’ve done the hems and even added the buttons.  It just needs the collar and then it is done.  I can still wear it in the Fall days, when we have the odd cold day.

Summer Tweed Sweater in Green Rowan

Summer Tweed Sweater in Green Rowan

Summer Tweed Sweater in Green Rowan

Summer Tweed Sweater in Green Rowan

And then on 1 Jan 2017 I made the decision to Frog!  Yes, I actually frogged this blanket I was working on.  It has now been nearly 18 months in progress, and despite the fact that I love this pattern, it is not going anywhere, at least not fast enough.  It will still be a blanket, and I hope to restart it in a pattern that I will knit up faster, and who knows, maybe even have a blanket pretty soon.

Blanket Frogged 😦

Blanket Frogged 😦

All the best to you all for 2017.

:) Watch me WIP!

Tags

blanket, cardigan, crochet, crochet blanket, granny squares, granny squares blanket, Knitting, on my needles, progress, Rowan summer tweed, Summer Tweed, sweater, wip, wips, Work in progress

Crafting have been slow and steady.

I worked on my summer tweed sweater, and the progress is good.  The back is nearly completed. I don’t have a pattern for this sweater, just an idea of what I want it to look like.  So I am sticking to my very old school knowledge and knitting the sweater in sections, as I can work it out in my mind and on paper as to how many stitches, size, length, etc.  I won’t try and get creative and knit it all in one, or such.  The yarn does not like to be frogged and reknitted.

Summer Tweed Sweater – Progress

Summer Tweed Sweater – Progress

Summer Tweed Sweater – Progress

 

The Blues Blanket is getting extra attention.  I have done the centre circles, and have for now started with 64.  It should then be a 8 x 8 squares blanket.  I may have to make more later on, if I decide I want it bigger maybe. I have done a sample square and wrote down all my notes.

Granny Square Blanket – Master Sample

Granny Square Blanket – Centres

 

Currently I am adding round two, which is a nice dark blue.

Granny Square Blanket – Round 2

Granny Square Blanket – Round 2

Granny Square Blanket – Round 2

 

We are having a heatwave here, and I have not crafted much during the weekend.  The only good time is late in the evenings, when the worst heat of the day is cooling just a little bit.