Handy!

I recently bought a couple of hand mannequins from ebay to display my fingerless mitts better.

They're great for photographing items for my Etsy shop and of course very useful for the craft fairs I do.

The next one is this Friday 26th November at Sainburys in Truro - please drop by and say hello if you're in the area!

Pictured here is a new fingerless mitt design in a gorgeous aubergine shade, which sold straightaway at the craft fair last weekend. Pity I hadn't had chance to make more - or photograph it once it was finished!

It is knitted in the same shape as my Fabulous Fingerless Mitts but with a moss stitch edging instead of reverse stocking stitch. I used Drops Nepal yarn which is a great wool/alpaca blend - soft and cosy.

I then played around with some Rowan Kidsilk Haze from my stash and knitted up a couple of simple short-row garter stitch rosees which I sewed on the back of each hand.

The roses were finished off with 7 tiny plum glass seed beads sewn in the centre.

You'll have to take my word that made up they are beautiful. There will be more of these in future!

Spring Moss unveiling

It's done! I have finished the Spring Moss Jacket at last.

It had sat in a bag whispering mournfully at me for a while, and last night I finally got around to putting on the fastenings to finish it off.

I have to say I'm not keen on seaming moss stitch. If I did another moss stitch project (which I might) then I would try to make it completely seam-free.

I ended up using popper fasteners with buttons on top for show - the main reason being that I forgot to do the buttonholes while knitting the front!

I'm really pleased with it - and also that it was made entirely from my (almost vintage) stash of 500g of Rowan All Seasons Cotton.

Perfect for the spring.

Monochrome crochet

I recently finished a very long crochet beaded wrap necklace, and have just listed it in my Etsy shop.

When I say long, I mean l o n g! If I stand up and hold with my arm outstretched it trails on the floor..

I've used Rowan Shimmer yarn in shade "Jet", with a selection of clear and black beads threaded on before I crocheted the long loop. In the middle is a gorgeous starfish pendant.

It seems that most things I do now are inspired by the sea - I wonder why?!

You can also see my star buy of this week - a lovely dressmakers dummy in great condition on a pine stand for just £25. There's always something interesting to be found by browsing through the classified ads in your local newspaper!

Nearly there!

My spring moss cardi is nearly done! The back and fronts worked all in one piece are now finished, and I did a 3-needle cast-off to seam the shoulders.

I am going to have to seam the sleeves and sew them onto the body, but that'll be the only sewing in the whole piece.

Eldest DD wants one of these now; if I did do another I may change the shoulder to a modified dropped shoulder with grafted sleeves. After all this is an aran weight yarn worked in moss stitch so I think seams will be pretty bulky.

Anyway, on with the final sleeve!

Chugging along

The moss stitch cardi is coming along - s l o w l y.

There are around 170 stitches per row at the moment as I'm doing the back and fronts all in one. Pro - no seaming. Con - only time for about 8 rows per knitting session!

I've also been taking photos of my jewellery at every possible moment when there aren't too many clouds around. That's not today then!

I made lots of items a few months back and didn't get around to photographing them.

Here is my latest Etsy listing - a cute pair of Little Princess earrings!

All mine

I don't know how long it's been, but I suddenley got the urge for a new knitting project - for myself.

I saw this Elissa shrug in the Truro Fat Face store recently. I liked it a lot but wanted longer sleeves and a cotton blend yarn. Time to dig out the trusty Knitware Sweaters software!

I've included three-quarter sleeves in my version and the yarn is 500g of Rowan All Seasons Cotton in the lovely raspberry pink - from stash. (Note the halo.)

I've printed out the front chart and modified it for the curved shaping, and I'm planning on knitting the fronts and back in one piece on a circular needle, bottom-up. The first sleeve is done in two evenings..

Oh yes.. knitting!

Yes, that is what I used to blog about isn't it - knitting and crochet projects?!

Well I think it's about time I showed some more progress..

A few days ago I sold the gorgeous cranberry  hand/wristwarmers which were one of my absolute favourite knits.

The yarn is Sublime Angora Merino DK - so very luxurious, like melted butter on the skin!

I love the Sublime yarns and therefore I happen to have more of this yarn - in a very pale cream shade (linen) and a rich deep purple (berry).

Of course I had to make more fabulous wristies with it.

They are a quick knit, with enough interest in the lace hand-covering part to keep them interesting. I'm modifying the edging slightly on this pair - the last one was good but a little longer than I wanted.

A current crochet project (note "a" not "the" - I like to have choices!) is a set of coasters for a family member for Christmas.

They are in her favourite colours of Rowan Linen Drape - lilac and purple.

The yarn is giving a lovely crisp stitch texture but should have the absorbancy I like of these coasters.

I seem to be almost following a colour scheme through my projects for now!

Lucky pieces

I do love knitting baby garments. They're so quick!

Just 5 days after finding out the needles and yarn (stash = halo) I have all the pieces of Lucky finished.

Now comes the part I love (excuse me?) the best. Seaming. Still, at least that should be pretty quick too.

As for finding the right button... Well that could take some time.