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.

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

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.