Sunday, November 25, 2007

WIPs, WIPs, wherever I turn...


Even though Pinwheel is still in the naughty corner, it has at least meant that I've been forced to look elsewhere for knitty gratification. I'm aware that with approximately 15 projects on the needles at the moment, I cannot possibly justify casting on something new. Even if I did, the WIPs would be crying away in the [usually ignored] guilt corner of my brain and ruin said newly cast on project.

So I've knuckled down and got on with it - the blocking project photographed is a Noro Silk Garden scarf - folded in half to block, as there is nowhere big enough to stretch it out full. It's two colourways striped every two rows. It was knit lengthways because at the time I thought this would be more gratifying as there would be less rows ... that each row took an eon to finish was something that dawned on me later.

This scarf is to replace a threadworn big grey scarf my granny bought me a few years back - I always wear it at work to keep me toasty and it has two big pockets. So I made this scarf with two pockets also. The grey scarf has been worn so much that it is full of holes and I'm going to have to say my goodbyes to it soon.



I pushed the needles into the carpet with this funky thimble I got from Tokyo - makes the job much easier!





Earnshaw has also been making progress - look: a back, an almost complete front, and an almost complete sleeve! [Yes, it is abundantly clear to me that this a knitted dress ... I'm ignoring it so please don't mention that I'm flogging a dead horse, or I may cry]

Earnshaw is more of an endurance feat than an enjoyable hobby at the moment. Ella at my knitting meet was reminding me how I was the same with Central Park Hoodie - convinced that it's never growing, measuring it every row, and generally whinging to all that will listen that I'm bored of it.

I don't know how this happens. I mean really. I find a new project, get hyper-excited about it, look halfheartedly in my stash, then buy some yarn [I wanted some shiny new yarn really]. I can't possibly wait for it come standard delivery, so pay a fortune for express shipping.

It arrives and sits for a bit, while I work up the motivation to gauge. Then I realise I don't have the right size needles, so I have to send away for them too. I gauge, then wait until the weekend to wash and block the squares. While waiting for the squares to dry, a little of the excitement of the project wilts.

Then it's cast on time and excitement all over again! I'll do this every lunch, teatime, every evening and all weekend and it'll be done in no time.

By the time I'm halfway up the back I'm getting restless. I can see what the yarn looks like knit up, I know how the pattern works, I'm looking for a new challenge. Maybe I'll just cast on a wee hat - that'll break up the monotony. Before I know it, there's 15 projects on the needles, and all of them bore me.

Fortunately I'm feeling the love for Earnshaw again ... for now anyway ...

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

An FO


Ever since the Pinwheel fiasco of late [still in the naughty corner] all my WIPs are taking on a 'blah' feeling. When this is combined with Christmas knitting which cannot be mentioned there was little left to blog about really.

My iPod cosy knitted a couple of years ago [with Bernat Handicrafter Cotton] has finally worn from overuse. Sure I could have frogged it and re-knit - but I felt it was time for a new design. And more importantly, time to get an FO out there just to make myself feel the knitty love once more.





Ta-da! A lovely snug cosy made from the remnants of the technicolour sock: Schoeller + Stahl Limbo Colour DK sock yarn in colourway 2539 Rainbow. It's so autumnal and the iPod cosy looks much better made from a finer yarn and smaller [3mm] needles.