Knitting and bags.

Well, I completed the linings on my two bags.






Each bag now has a large side pocket which can hold at least one magazine, a zipped pocket large enough to carry a purse and other special items, and a smallish pocket for a mobile phone. I found a rather fun ladybird tag for the zip. Much easier to grab hold of than the tiny tag at the end of the zip.

The following pictures show a project bag I made for myself some time ago.











I made the strip of seminole patchwork a year or so ago for a different project. It didn't suit the project, so never got used. Now it makes rather a nice pocket for this bag. The pocket is a little shallow, but still useful for little bits and pieces which could get lost within the bag itself. At the moment it holds my sock knitting projects.



Yes, I have already bought myself some new sock yarn. I still haven't been able to progress with the current socks since I am still steadily knitting on with my shawl. I am very happy to report that I have now knitted over half the edging on my shawl - 154 repeats of the pattern! There are 288 repeats altogether.......... but I'm getting there!

Getting things done - slowly.

Well, I've been busy, knitting and completing my shopping bag repair.

The photos above show all four sides of my newly completed bag. I just don't have the heart to use it as a shopping bag any more. Well, not everyday. I shall probably have to use it for a little while since my second bag now needs a lining. I shall be adding a big pocket inside this second bag, as well as the zipped pocket and a small open pocket for my mobile phone. I always seem to lose mine somewhere deep down at the bottom......... Why do they always ring just when its impossible to find them?


The original lining on my third bag is also beginning to go, so I shall have to find some suitable fabric for that one too.


The lining I am using for the second bag used to be the cushion cover for a large oblong beanbag. Its now washed and ready to hang out on the washing line to dry. The old zip which fastened the cover is now sitting with the rest of my zips ready for a new use. Sadly, it was far too big to use for the lining I am planning to make.



As you can see from the next photo, I have finally reached the stage of adding the knitted on border to the shawl. Its been a little bit of a struggle since I regularly get myself into a dreadful tangle with the wool, needles and dropped stitches. Still, I'm getting there and it seems to be getting a little easier - oh dear, should I have said that?











The edging looks as if it has been knitted using a darker yarn. I am still using the variegated yarn I have used all along. This part seems to be one of the darker lengths. It looks better when seen as part of the whole shawl. The wooden needles to the left are the ones that I am working the border with. The circular needle to the right is just holding the invisible cast on stitches.





The shawl is being knitted as part of the Elizabeth's Year group knitalong. Its such fun to be part of such a large and friendly group. Many of us are knitting the shawl his month. I have found the project a steep learning curve, finding so many new techniques that I have needed to learn - invisible cast-on, knitting on a border to name but two. It certainly helped being able to learn from the others in the group.

When reading through other Blogs this morning, I visited Christine's Blog. She is another member of the Stitching Sisters group - we are working on a Band Robin project together.
In her excellent Blog, Christine mentioned the Blog without obligation site. I have added the link to the side of this Blog. The basic idea is not to feel guilty about blogging - especially those times when life gets in the way and the Blog doesn't get added to regularly......... Its so nice to be encouraged to give myself permission not to feel guilty.
Do visit Christine's Blog - its delightful. She also has a costume Blog too. Christine is one of those talented people - she makes the most amazing period costumes.

Shawl and socks.

Well, its been a busy week on the knitting front.




Firstly, I got both my socks to the gusset stage. I shall be getting on with these another time, but I had to get started with another project which should have been started on the 1st of July.

This is my shawl. I am a member of the "Elizabeth's Year" group. We are knitting projects from Elizabeth Zimmermann's "Knitter's Almanac". The first project was to be the shawl. I only managed to get everything together this week. I am using Malabrigo lace weight yarn in Baby Merino.

More knitting.

Well, I am busy learning new skills at the moment. Its scary to think that I have been knitting on and off for over 40 years now (actually its 46 years!), but I am still keen to try anything new. Well, new to me........

So I have knitted my very first pair of fingerless gloves. I've wanted a pair of these for ages, but not seen one until a podcast mentioned Knitty..............

The pattern is the excellent "Fetching" by Cheryl Niamath from Knitty, Summer 2006. I have used the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, which is gorgeous to knit with.

And I have started my very first pair of socks.

The pattern I have decided to use was sent to me by Charles of the "Stitchstud and his bride" podcast. Sadly, Blogger doesn't like this photo, so I shall tell you about it instead. Charles was very kind to send me a copy of his knitting tutorial, "Design your own toe up socks" after I responded to one of his podcasts. Since the instructions were so clear, I decided to follow this instead of a patterned pair of socks. Because the pattern I am following is plain, it should show the patterning of the yarn to perfection.

This is where the learning new tricks comes in. To start the first of this pair of socks, I have had to learn Judy's Magic Cast On. It took me three attempts to get this far, but then perhaps I have been stuck using the same cast on technique for rather too long.................. I must admit that I started using my usual way of casting on when I got fed up of waiting for my grandmother to help me to start yet another project. She was really clever, my wonderful grandma. I'm now certain she knew that if she kept me waiting just long enough, I would be able to work it all out for myself............

The yarn I am using is Cotton Surf Color by Regia. The actual colour is rather more of a subtle orange than shown in the photo and is so soft to knit with. A delightful surprise, since I ordered the yarn through the internet - I usually like to handle yarn before buying, but couldn't find anything suitable in my local shops.

Since starting to put this Blog entry together, and taking the photo, I have managed to get to the 16th round of my socks. This is so much fun. I love watching the pattern the yarn makes emerging under my fingers.

Hello again.

Still busy, but managing to get some knitting done. I completed the back of my tunic yesterday.

I have just started the front, and was starting the first lace row after the garter stitch border. whilst waiting for Blogger to upload my photos. The tunic is sitting on the top of my shirt quilt.

Since I last posted I have made another piece of felt. This was made using bubble-wrap rather than the more traditional rolling. This was because I used a range of bits and pieces, not all of which were wool.

The following photo is a close-up of the "top". It shows some of the bits and pieces I used - some really curly Wensleydale fleece (amazing stuff!), metallic rayon yarn scraps, and some threads.

The last photo shows the "back".

This was the last piece I made at the Textiles course. I am not sure what I shall do with next. We are supposed to be adding stitching, but I still haven't made up my mind. The felt now hangs from the message board, waiting for inspiration.

I must completely mad, but I have joined up with the "Elizabeth's-year" group started by Kelley of the Knit Picks podcast. This should be an interesting challenge, since we shall all be knitting pieces designed by Elizabeth Zimmermann. I must admit that before I heard Kelley's podcast I had never heard of Elizabeth Zimmermann. We are starting with a shawl. I have to wait a little longer since I have ordered the books I need from Amazon.com and they will not get here until later this month. Then I shall have the fun of sorting out suitable yarns.

I've been tagged.

It has been interesting these last few days since Jenny tagged me, trying to think of seven things about myself. Seven things isn't too hard, its the thought of trying to make it interesting.

Also the thought of sending the challenge on to others. Who to send the tag to? So many of the people I initially thought of have already been tagged............... and recently too!
I shall send emails to those I would like to tag and then come back to mention their names here, when they have agreed.

Seven things about me:

1. Well, I love cats, dogs too. I have two gorgeous felines - now aged eleven, they are loving and dear friends and companions. All my life I have been lucky enough to have been surrounded by really affectionate cats and dogs. My mother has a delightful photo of me in my pram, being chaparoned by Whiskey the cat and Kimmy, the dog. Both were black and white, great friends and took it in turns to guard me in my pram.

2. Music is another passion. I love playing music as well as listening. My tastes are decidedly eclectic - varying from Early Music (pre 1750) to Folk Music. I'm guided by my mood at the time of listening.

3. Textiles - I always have some projects on the go at the same time. or example at the moment I have the following projects: a knitted tunic, a shopping bag - the rebuild which has previously been mentioned, the black, red and white quilt and a japanese quilt which I have taken out of storage (it has been in a cupboard for over a year, waiting for something to be done to it.)

4. Family - need I say more? The support of my family (and friends) means such a lot to me.

5. Home - I love the area in which I live. We are lucky to have some wonderful areas to just go and have a walk or a cycle ride.

6. Podcasts - I love listening to these whenever I am working. I have learnt so much as a result of listening. Thanks to all podcasters out there.

7. Radio - I suppose this follows on from the podcasts. Though really I have always been a big fan of the radio. The podcasts have come along far more recently. My big favourites are BBC7 with its wide range of broadcasts stories and comedy shows, and Oneword - a broadcaster with a very similar range of programming.

Still here

Its been a while since the last posting - its been a busy, but not terribly creative time!


Firstly, this is a photograph of the Band Robin which I completed for my friend Ktj:



Its just arrived, I'm relieved to say. Its always a heart-stopping moment when a piece of work is passed on to Bob at the Post Office. He is very kind, but it is nerve-wracking especially when it usually takes around two weeks to get to the USA from here.
The next photo shows a detail of the section I did - its the lowest one on the photo. Here is a close-up.



The section above mine is the most enchanting design I've ever seen. Its based on a knot garden. This was stitched by Margaret.
I was blown away by Margaret's design when I received this. It took me some time to catch my breath and explore ideas. Luckily, the cherry blossom was just coming into flower in the gardens around my house..,. Hence the design. I kept it simple. The sketch below is the one I used for the Band Robin.






The other photos are ones I took as references. First, the flowers:



Now the bark:



I really love the texture of the bark, so used french knots and bullion knots to try to imitate this.
At present everything else is continuing quite slowly. I still have not finished the shopping bag. It is sitting next to me, the side seams are all stitched, with the bindings pinned. These need to be handstitched in place.
Why is it that I always prevaricate with the last bits of anything I work on? It seems to happen with everything I make. Whatever it is, it sits there for at least a couple of days before I get around to finishing off the last touches. How silly..........
Oh yes, the new piece of knitting is carrying on. I have ripped it back three times so far. I kept on misreading the instructions! Its been far too many years since I last knitted lace.