Finished the shawl today, although I decided rather than do a standard cast off, I crocheted it. Now, I am not a crochet man, and this is the first real time I have done it. I have produced chains in the past that were tighter than cramp, however, this binding off seems perfectly done, which was more of a shock than anything else. I had seen a woman doing that binding off on Instagram, and thought it would be a nice finish. Who knew I would manage to get it right first time.
The pattern was from The Knitting Circle, Mystery KAL.
Although I have been busy, I have still been knitting. I started a shawl for no other reason than wanting to do it. I was a mystery knit, so I had no idea what it was I was making at the time I started. I have about 12 rows to do until I cast off, and I am a little bored with the final part. The pattern is not all that exciting when looking at the rest of the shawl. I will complete it, probably this weekend as it is a holiday weekend and I am off work for 4 days.
I am using Patons Fab DK in Petrol (shade 02342) and Stylecraft DK in Silver (shade 1203).
I am also making a baby blanket for a workmate. I have not told him I am making it as I thought it would be a nice surprise for him. I am using Special Stylecraft for Babies DK in Baby Cream (shade 1245). The blanket is made up of 48 individually knitted squares and a separate border that are all sewn together. His baby is due in July, so I have no need to rush, and have made 10 squares so far, only 38 to go.
Once I have finished these two items I will be making a couple of hats and an enormous blanket that is over 7 foot wide. If you are a follower and regular reader you will know that I am most happy when I am making large complex items. The hats are “Rosalind Franklin Hats” by Mat Kladney, and the blanket will be revealed as I make it, the yarn of which will be over 4.5 times the height length of the Burj Khalifa, so I will be like a pig in mud.
My Instagram account is ram-packed with dogs and knitting, and yesterday in the feed there was a post by Fiber Hustle advertising their latest podcast/videocast. Now YouTube is not a place I frequent that much and as for video podcasts, they are a hidden world really. However, for some reason, I felt I needed to watch. Luckily enough we can “throw” videos from youtube to any or our TV’s, which is a little more viewer-friendly than using a phone or tablet. This was the first time I have watched their “show”, and although it is not slick or like some of the ones I have seen in the past I felt I needed to watch it all the way, 1 hour 3 minute. The hosts Aaron & Chip are quite entertaining and you can see they have a passion for their crafts. Aaron announced that he would be doing a KAL, and I thought to myself ‘I’m joining in’.
The pattern is Paris Toujours by Isabell Kraemer which is a really nice Shawl/wrap. I had looked for yarn and found some beautiful ones in merino, but at £15 a skein and it requires 3, I thought better of it and decided to go for a more economical yarn. I doubt it will be an item that I wear, so the cheaper yarn is more favourable. If after I have made it I think I would wear it as a scarf then I will order the expensive yarn and make another one. The project doesn’t start until 18th January, and it finishes on 15th February, M’s Birthday. We are away in Prague from 9th to early hours 12th Feb, and I thought it would be fun to have it finished for the trip and take it with us and do a photoshoot with it which could be fun.
I have bought two different yarns, the first one is Hayfield “Spirit” at £5 a ball, which is a new one for me. I have used Hayfield in the past and it is a nice yarn to work with. This one is 80% Acrylic with 20% wool. Very soft and 345m per 100g ball. The second yarn is 100% Acrylic and is the Woman’s Institute Premium yarn at £1.15 a ball with 250m per 100g ball.
wITH MY CURRENT JOB ROLE FINISHING UP IVE DECIDED TO DO A ROAD TRIP FROM SYDNEY DOWN TO the coast of VICTORIA AND ONTO SOUTH AUSTRALIA. wILL BE POSTING IN COLOUR
wITH MY CURRENT JOB ROLE FINISHING UP IVE DECIDED TO DO A ROAD TRIP FROM SYDNEY DOWN TO the coast of VICTORIA AND ONTO SOUTH AUSTRALIA. wILL BE POSTING IN COLOUR
Mr Knitter 