WIP’s – Making good progress

Tags

blanket, blocking, crochet blanket, crocheting, granny squares, granny squares blanket, handcrochet, handknitted, handmade, Knitting, lace knitting, lace shawl, on my needles, Shawl

Even though it should be Fall here, it is still stunning weather, with warm and sunny days.  The weekend was perfect, and being outside and enjoying the sunny weather was delightful.

I did however work a lot on the Blues Blanket, and completed the final round, in a pretty grey colour “Fog”.  And as it should happen, I ran out of yarn, less than 3 squares to go.  Lucky for me the LYS has stock, and I need to drop by for a bit more.

Blues Blanket Square progress

Ran out of yarn

Ran out of yarn

 

But that gave me time to finish my Tanis Triangular shawl.  I did stop the lacy edge shorter than the pattern, and I am still very pleased with it.  It is already blocking.  I may have to wait a bit before wearing it, as Fall is not really here yet.  Today is a stunning 30 degrees Celsius here, very hot still.

Tanis Triangular Shawl – Now blocking

Tanis Triangular Shawl – Now blocking

Tanis Triangular Shawl – Now blocking

I may just knit another one of these, with the bigger lace edge, it is an absolutely stunning pattern, and it knits so extremely quickly and easily.

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Got a lot done!

Tags

crochet, daughter, handmade, Handmake, Knitting, lace, lace knitting, lace yarn, Little black Dog, scarf, Shawl, vintage, yarns

Here I am!  Back Again!

I had a little medical emergency that landed me in hospital for a week. And then another week at home resting up.  But I am all well and healthy and on the way to recovery.  I have DVT (Deep vein trombosis) and could not walk, but I’m back on my feet now and making very good progress.  I had a nice window and could see a little bit of garden outside.  The weather was cold and some days were cloudy.  I was very well looked after and the treats and snacks were just superb.

My view

My view

Treats

Of course my little doggie had to go and visit with my daughter and son in law, and she absolutely love being with them, but I did get the impression she was much happier keeping my legs warm when I returned home again.

Missing my Mommy

My Mommy is Home!!

I got a lot done, I must admit.  I knitted my daughter’s light grey speckled cowl, and cast on a dark grey speckled cowl as well.  And I started a beanie for my son in law.

Light Grey Speckled Cowl

Light Grey Speckled Cowl

Dark Grey Speckled Cowl

Dark Grey Speckled Cowl

Nic’s Beanie

Nic’s Beanie

I was able to finish the little tapestry I was working on.  I am thinking I want to make a project bag maybe, and have the tapestry as part of it.  I also blocked my lacy leaf shawl and vintage look doily, and the doily is already in use.

Lacy Leaf Pattern Shawl

Lacy Leaf Pattern Shawl

Lacy Leaf Pattern Shawl

Tapestry Work

Vintage Look Crochet Doily

Of course I also had lots and lots of time to read, and I absolutely loved these 2 books that I had time to work through from beginning to end.

The Knitters Bible

Crochet 2

These are beautiful, and I intend using some of the new ideas and techniques in them that I found very interesting.  One always seem to learn something new somewhere in a day.

Happy crafting to you all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some finished items, a bit of progress and a new project

Tags

chunky, cowl, crochet, crochet doily, daughter, filet crochet, handmade, Handmake, Knitting, lace knitting, lace yarn, scarf, Shawl, tapestry, tapestry stitching, vintage, vintage crochet, winter

Finally I was able to finish the Leaf border shawl I was working on, and I also finished the Vintage Doily I was working on.  I want to crochet more, this is always such a fun time and one of the crafts I absolutely love.  They both still need to be blocked, but I will wait for a lovely warm sunny weekend firstly.

Leaf Border Shawl

Leaf Border Shawl

Leaf Border Shawl

Vintage Crochet Doily

Vintage Crochet Doily

Vintage Crochet Doily

My little tapestry with the Kitty on is nearly done as well.  Just a few more areas and then the white.  It gets dark earlier now, and I am really only able to work on this little one during the day when I am at home and its bright still.

Tapestry stitching

Tapestry stitching

And I am ready to cast on.  This is such a beautiful yarn.  Warm and chunky with a super cute colourful speckle in it.  It is a little something for my daughter, and it is going to be a super quick knit.

Grey Speckled Cowl

Grey Speckled Cowl

Grey Speckled Cowl

Heather Gray Knits

Tags

autumn, fall, FAll weather, Giveaway, handmade, Handmake, Knitting, lace knitting, lace shawl, Shawl

Finally Fall is here and the days are cooler, actually pretty colder even in the mornings.

This morning was the perfect Fall morning with a thick layer of fog / mist in my neighborhood when I left for the office.  You could actually smell the damp in the air.  Simply amazing.

And a really good excuse to grab this beautiful little soft and warm shawl I got from the very talented Heather Gray.  She is just amazing.  I entered into her free giveaway and was the very lucky and successful winner of this really pretty shawl.  I could not wait to wear it and today was perfect for it.

 

Heather Gray Knits

Heather Gray Knits

Heather Gray Knits

Update on my current WIP’s

Tags

crochet, embroidery, Handmake, Knitting, lace knitting, lace yarn, Shawl, tapestry, yarns

Summer is slowly making way to Fall here, and I am slowly getting a lot more crafting done.

It is still pretty warm during the day and we still go out as much as we can to enjoy the last of Summer, but I am really looking forward to Fall and Winter.

My Leaf Shawl is making progress, despite having to frog twice.  I do not use a pattern and am making it as I go.  I added some texture to the shawl with this very soft and light blue yarn, that has a little sparkle in it as well.  I am loving the way it is turning out so far.

Leaf Shawl – Progress

Leaf Shawl – Progress

Leaf Shawl – Progress

Leaf Shawl – Progress

 

My little tapestry is getting regular attention now, and I have completed the background and even substituted the grasshopper with a ball of yarn for the cute kitty.  Kitty is up next and I have the tapestry yarns I need.

Tapestry work – progress

And I am crocheting again, another vintage look doily.  These are just my absolute favourites at the moment, and when I find myself crocheting, I always look for a vintage look yarn and pattern.  This pattern is from a book I bought about 30 years ago, when I just started working and collecting books and patterns.  It is still one of my favourite pattern books to look for when wanting a pattern.

Vintage Crochet

Giveaway time

Tags

4ply, alpaca, bamboo, cotton, DK, double knit, Giveaway, Katia, katia air, katia air alpaca, lace knitting, lace weight, lace yarn, organic, organic bamboo, organic cotton, silky bamboo, yarn, yarns

It is my Fourth Year as a blogger!

I can hardly believe how the time here has gone flying by.  I have grown so much! And made so many online friends.

I have never had a giveaway here, but since I visited the Hobby X Expo last month, and got such nice goodies and yarns, I want to share these with you.

So four years means four shared gifts.

I have different types of yarns, and they are all locally from South Africa, except for the Katia Alpaca, which is important to SA.  I really want to share some of the local South African goodness, and then hear your opinion on these yarns, and how they compare to yarns from your part of the world.  These local yarns are called “One of a kind yarns”.

Organic Cotton in Double Knit.  

This is a super soft 100% natural yarn,a wonderful viscose/organic cotton blend super light and absorbent with both the viscose and organic cottons positive qualities its wonderful for all your knitting and crochet projects.

Organic Cotton is very light and soft and has a unique look to it,in both knitting and crochet its super for garments,decor and blankets because of the anti allergen factor.

Silky Bamboo in Lace Weight

This is a super soft 100%BAMBOO with a high sheen,its wonderful for all your knitting and crochet projects. Bamsi T has a lovely drape in both knitting and crochet its super for garments,decor and the ultimate for babywear and blankets because of the anti allergen factor. Bamsi T looks great on its own,but it could be used as a double strand and the results are amazing.

Organic Cotton 4 Ply

This is a super soft 100%Organic Cotton,its wonderful for all your knitting and crochet projects.
Organic Cotton is very light and soft and has a unique look to it,in both knitting and crochet its super for garments,decor and blankets because of the anti allergen factor.

Katia Air Alpaca 

54% Superfine Alpaca
46% Polyamide

To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment on the blog and tell me which one of these yarns caught your eye, and why?

This giveaway is open worldwide and will close  April 23rd.   The winner will be announced via a blog post in the week thereafter.

Have a great weekend and happy crafting!

xoxox

 

 

I got Spoiled!

Tags

Birthday, birthday gift, daughter, gift, Gifts, handknit, handknitting, Handmake, Knitting, lace knitting, lace shawl, lace yarn, Shawl, surprise, swift, yarns, yarnswift

If there is one knitting and crafting tool (toy) I have always loved and dreamed about, it was a Swift.  Yes, my very own yarnswift.  Around here, they are extremely scarce.  They are expensive and only imported.  The LYS just don’t keep them.  So i have always just made a plan and got by.  The ball winder was a good way to roll already, and I was happy.

But then (for my birthday) my daughter and son-in-law surprised me with a big package.  My surprise knew no end and my happiness has totally over the moon when I opened it and pulled out a Yarn Swift.  Beautiful, brand new, and gorgeous.  I don’t think I quite had the words to say Thank You enough times.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday

Birthday Gift

Birthday Gift

 

Now I am ready to roll lots of yarncakes and start knitting and crocheting even more.  With Fall soon arriving here in Johannesburg, now is the ideal time to stash dive and get projects planned and patterns ready.

I have been knitting on my leafy lacey shawl.  It is coming along just nicely.  I have now done a few pattern repeats, and you can start to see the leaves develop.

Elk Leaf Lace Shawl

Elk Leaf Lace Shawl

Elk Leaf Lace Shawl

Elk Leaf Lace Shawl

 

This weekend will again also see the Hobby X craft and hobby expo in Johannesburg, and I plan to go and see what they have on offer this time.  I am sure I will see lots of new and awesome goodies, and lots of yarny goodness.

 

Back to Normal…….

Tags

autumn, bear, fall, fall sweater, handmade, handmade bear, Handmake, handsewing, knitted bags, Knitting, lace, lace knitting, lace scarf, lace shawl, lace yarn, mohair, mohair knitting, project bag, project bags, Rowan summer tweed, scarf, sewing, Shawl, Summer Tweed

There is probably nothing quite like a bit of cooler weather and the promise of a change in the seasons to get me creative again.  It has been a great summer and I had a wonderful, long summer break.

But I find that things are slowly getting back to normal.  For me at least.  I am on a creative crafting roll, and have so much that I would like to start on.  But I have to keep myself at bay and set limits, to some extent at least.  I am slowly working on the blanket, although with my fingers itching for other projects, I have to wonder if it will be ready for winter.

I did finish off my Smocked Lace Scarf in Burgundy Mohair.  It is amazingly soft, and I look forward to wearing it in the coming winter.

Since my scarf is off my needles, I am starting a shawl.  I don’t have a set pattern for this, as I just have an idea of what I want it to look like in the end. I am keeping my fingers crossed on this one.

And I really think it is time for a bit of needlework and stitching.  This cute 30cm bear has been around for a while, and I finally cut the pieces.  Now for some sewing!  She is pretty easy and straightforward to make.

 

Two other knitting projects are also lurking in the shadows, and may just find their way onto my needles in no time.  The Rowan Summer Tweed is for a Fall top/sweater for when the days turn cooler, and the bulky yarn I have taken out to knit a project bag or carry all, slightly bigger in order to carry the bigger knit or crochet projects.  I will be on the lookout for a pretty piece of interesting fabric to use as a lining.

It’s February already!

Tags

blanket, daughter, handmade, Handmake, Knitting, lace, lace knitting, lycra, mohair, moss and diamond blanket, scarf, silverspun, socks, tweed yarn in Oatmeal, winter

Wow, it’s February already!  Where has January gone to?

I look at my calendar, and wonder where the month has gone.  Its been a pretty hot summer month, lots of sunshine and heatwaves.  With a little bit of rain, finally.

I did finish my daughters socks.  They turned out great, even if I have to say so myself.  This yarn is absolutely fantastic for socks, and with the bit of lycra in it, the stretch makes for the most perfect fit.  She wanted cabled socks, and I love knitting cables, so they have a little cable running up the outside of the sock.  They are soft and comfortable and I am sure will make for great winter comfort.

 

My Smocked Lace Scarf in burgundy mohair is nearing the end.  I have finished the middle section, and have started the last lace section.  Only a few more inches and pattern repeats and I can finish it off.  I love this yarn and colour, and look forward to wearing this scarf in the coming winter and showing it off.

And I did work a bit more on the blanket I am making for the winter.  It does not look very wide, but when stretched, its just fine.  I just want a small blanket to cover one up in the winter when relaxing on the sofa with a book or a movie.  I am thinking it needs a pretty border, and I know I have an old pattern (from my grandmother) somewhere that she always used to add to her knitted blankets.  I just may need to dig deep in my old patterns and goodies, or maybe there will even be a similar version out on the web.

It is a new year, welcome 2016!

Tags

baable hat, Books and gifts, crochet, daughter, handmade, Handmake, Happy Holidays, Hats, Knitting, lace knitting, Little black Dog, mohair, scarf, socks, speckled yarn, yarndye, yarns

It is 2016!  A New Year!  How quickly the holidays have gone.  Thankfully I had a good break and a typical warm and sunny Festive Season here in South Africa. The most exciting thing that happened was probably Miekie having to have some of her teeth out on New Years Eve.  She recovered super fine, and is enjoying all the attention and great food and treats.

I intended to just rest and do as little as possible, but that will never happen.  🙂  I can not sit idly and let my hands do “nothing”.

So I did do a bit of this and that.  I decided I need a little splash of soft colour for my home, and worked on these three canvases.  I did the basics and some background, but I am not done yet.  They still need a bit of finishing off.  I have some pretty bronze paint to still add to them.

Thanks to AndreSueKnits and her lovely podcasts, I got totally inspired to also dye “Speckled Yarn”.  She made it look so easy and I could not wait.  These are done using food colouring, and I had lots of fun, despite having “speckles” all over myself as well in the end.  🙂

I did knit and crochet during the holidays, but only on small projects that I could take with me while on vacation.  I had been wanting to make colourful and summery coasters for glasses or mugs, and decided on these.  I also knitted the Baable Hat (Pattern by Donna Smith) This is a super pattern that I knitted up so fast.  My daughter promptly asked for one as well, so I knitted another.

Currently I am still working on my winter blanket, but since we have been having a pretty warm summer with heatwave warnings, the knitting had been few.  I am working on a pair of socks in Silverspun yarn from the Feel Good Yarn Company. This yarn has the perfect name, and I know they will be perfect gifts.  (for my daughter again)

And I am knitting with super soft Mohair from Istanbul, that my LYS had stock off, making myself a Smocked Lace Scarf.  The pattern is by Veronik Avery and is featured in the book “Knitting 24/7” that I was gifted.

And that is how my year ended and the new one started.

I wish you all a Wonderful and Fantastic 2016!  May it be an Awesome Year for us all.

Happy Crafting!