Orange is the new Black

Or it is for me!
I may have had a long break from blogging but I've kept going with my crafting. I've got back into knitting again after many years. I used to knit a lot when my girls were small but I kind of lost the enthusiasm for it along the way. So a quick catch up of some of my finished projects (yes, I've actually finished some) and an explanation of the blog post title.
In the last month I've completed 2 projects in orange. One is this wonderfully cute baby dress. The pattern is called Ellis dress and can be found here. I used Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk. This yarn is now discontinued but if you can get your hands on some I would highly recommend it. It feels wonderfully soft and knits like a dream. I made it for a friend of my youngest DD who is expecting her baby girl within the next couple of weeks! I had to make some adjustments to the pattern to make it small enough but it looks OK.

Ravelry is a dangerous place. Whilst browsing innocently, minding my own business, I got mugged by the wonder that is Hitofude. If you see the amount of projects you can see I'm not the only one. I wanted to make it a light summer cardi so chose cotton yarn. It also helps it was heavily discounted on eBay. Apologies for the not brilliant photo but I'm waiting to block it so this is a quick snap as I hung it on the back of the chair.

I have to say on reading the pattern I was completely confused. How on Earth does this work? I followed the advise of many and just started knitting and it suddenly became a cardi. No joining or nothing!

I crocheted 2 baby blankets but didn't take photos. I hate when I do that. I like to look back and see what I've made.

Other bits in brief.....

My first socks

Lara's Hat (Susan Ashcroft)

Lara's hat is one of 6 patterns I've made from the very talented Susan Ashcroft. She, and her designs, can be found on Ravelry too.

Paint Boxes Cowl (Susan Ashcroft)

The ever popular Clapotis by Kate Gilbert.......

Plus a few other bits and pieces!

I have 2 current projects, both are Rowan patterns. I'm making Eldora by Marie Wallin. This is a pattern from the current Spring/Summer Rowan magazine.

I'm calling mine Rose Garden. I've chosen shades of green, cream and coral.

The other WIP is the Rowan Mystery Afghan KAL. I've started a little late but have almost finished clue 2. Clue 4 is being released tomorrow so I hope to be caught up by clue 5.


We wont mention the mammoth expansion of my stash. No! Best not to, really!

One month later and Tuesday Tallies

                                    

It's been a whole month since I've last posted. That's shocking! Where does the time go? Work has been manic (and not in a fun way) I also got to go on holiday last week to Norfolk so that was lovely.

I have a confession to make though.....
You know my Realta blanket I was making? The one I said I was going to finish and I was NOT going to start any other project befor I HAD finished? Weeeeellllll.........
I haven't done any of it since the last Tuesday tally over a month ago. I also started a few other bits as well.
I made this cowl/infinity scarf/snood for my youngest DD. It's made from James C.Brett Monsoon yarn and I love the colours in it. It's so autumnal and is very snuggly. Pattern is on Ravelry here http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/calm-cowl

 I started making another but decided to make it longer. This was not so successful. It was so long it was a trip hazard and the although I used the same yarn in a different colourway it just didn't look right. It's in the frogging pile!

I started a scard for myself using crocodile stitch using this pattern and Chenille gold yarn and this pattern on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crocodile-stitch

It feels so luxurious and is incredibly heavy. It's long enough to be worn but I'm going to make it a little longer I think.

And finally...

I wanted a project to work on while I was away. If I were sensible I would have continued with the Realta. I've been accused of many things in the past but being sensible isn't one of them. I started on the Wool Eater blanket on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-wool-eater-blanket
It's a very easy pattern to work with once you get the hang of it and makes a lovely, thick material.
I'm enjoying it a lot but will it be a blanket or a cushion cover....it's at cushion size already so the question is, do I continue?

I look at all your lovely blogs and see your finished projects and wish I had the patience and dedication to finish something like a blanket but I think I'm a cross between a goldfish and a magpie. I have the attention span of about 5 seconds and am easily distracted by anything bright or shiny.
Has anyone got any blinkers? Maybe if I don't look I might get somewhere!

Please don't forget to check out all the other lovely "One a Day" projects via Gingerbread Girl's blog.

Monday Musing

I've had a bit of a change with the look of my blog. I was getting fed up with the way it looked before. After a coiuple of hours work I'm liking it much more.

The blanket is progressing nicely.....

 I'm just about to go back into blue again. It is about 4 colour changes off being big enough for a single bed.

I've also completed the front of the cushion. I'm liking it more as time goes on.....

Just the back to do which shouldn't take too long at all.

I was going through my stash to find a pink for the cushion when I unearthed 2 WIP. I was convinced I'd thrown them all out.......

I can't honestly see me completing either project. I'll probably unpick the granny square one as the yarn is quite nice. It's a shame there's not a site for abandoned projects in need of adoption.

Enjoy the rest of the bank holiday :)

Sunday round-up

This week has been a week of extreme lows and highs.
My DH had a heart attack on Monday and was taken to hospital by ambulance. After waiting in casualty for 7 hours he was finally given a bed on a ward at just gone midnight on Tuesday morning. Our eldest DD got on the first train down from Manchester to offer support. He was given a stent on Thursday and he was home on Friday.
We are trying to look at it in a positve light. He was a very heavy smoker who didn't want to give up. He used to say to me that he probably already had lung cancer anyway so what was the point (we lost his mum and dad and my mum to lung cancer) The hospital gave him a chest xray and his lungs were clear. Since coming home he's been brilliant. He's gone from over 60 a day to under 20 a day and is making the gaps in between cigarettes longer each day.
We are all so thankful to have him home safe and sound.

It will come as no surprise at all when I tell you I didn't work on my blanket during this time. I picked it up again yesterday though and made great progress.

Nearly finished with orange!

I'm just about to start with the red section. I'm going to use Stylecraft yarn in Shrimp as a transition colour.

I am beginning to question the sense in making a blanket when it is over 30 degrees though. It's so muggy in London.

DH must be grateful to be home. He didn't even blink when I told him I'd ordered more wool last night. I usually get a small whinge ou of him but I just got 'alright love' I feel vaguely cheated somehow! I've never ordered from Deramore before but I've heard good things so I'll be looking out for a package on Tuesday. That will be my purples and more blues and greens.
Cant wait!

Crochet, Crochet, Crochet

The crochet bug has bitten. I started mucking about with various granny square variations (like I usually do) but decided I wanted a project.....so after a search I found this wonderful blog and this pattern for a bag http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/crochet-bag.html

I this realised it was posted on Ravelry and there were conpleted projects for me to browse too.

After just 1 day I completed my bag. I decided to turn it into an across the shoulder style.

After a bit of thought I decided to line it. I added 2 internal pockets and after firing up the sewing machine I ended up with this.

 All I need to do know is find some sort of magnetic clasp and it can be used.

 I'm considering making another one but this time after crochetting to the required size I'll continue to crochet half the row to form a flap over.... wathc this space...

After the success of the bag I checked out Lucy's other designs and fell in love with her ripple pattern. I had a look on Ravelry to see what others had made and loved the blending of the colours in this blanket http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnitKnatKnotUK/neat-ripple-pattern I intend to use a mix of my stash and buy the colours I don't have. I'm going to try to keep the cost down by using DK acrylic yarn. I have a couple of shops locally that sell different brands at about £1.50 a ball.

I've made the width big enough to fit across a king size bed and I will cycle through the colours of the rainbow before repeating the colours....so after green I'll start on yellow. Oh....I don't have any yellow wool....It looks like I'll have to buy some...what a pity :D