the knitting continues...

i finished this knit over a week ago but today was the first time jessica allowed me to photograph her with it on...

a little over a year ago, i knitted up this same pattern and my goodness, the colour is nearly the same. that wasn't intentional, its just that i bought this yarn online and it looked a little more violet in the photo sample. i have even knitted the same size. i could have (probably should have) knitted the next size up. jess is at a funny stage with sizes, every thing new swims on her while every thing old in her wardrobe is getting too small even though they are only a size smaller. as i like to get quite a bit of wear out of her clothes, it is making choosing sizes quite difficult.

the pattern for this sweet little knit came from pickles and i did find it easier the second time round. i am pleased to say my knitting skills must be improving as i only made two mistakes (both on the two buttonholes). buttonholes? i can hear you say. yes they are hardly there as a result of my mistake so i decided to go with some ties and pom poms instead. i like the result much better.

the yarn, cascade yarns 100% superwash merino wool, was so beautiful and soft to knit with. i am hopeful that this little vest will get some wear over the coming cooler months. jess has had it on for short amounts of time but then discards it saying 'its for winter mum!' maybe it is super warm... 

the vest from last year was barely worn. mainly as a result of one of my (many) mistakes. it kept falling from her shoulders and would annoy her. jessica doesn't 'do' annoying clothes. 

i am wondering what to do with the old vest and one idea i had was to unravel it and knit myself a scarf from the yarn... what does one do with one's failures?

can someone out there please explain to me what 'blocking' is? is it necessary? what does it do?

knit knit

another knit completed...

despite having started this beanie five times i really enjoyed knitting it. i just couldn't get the size of the needles right to begin with. my pattern was for a beanie made with hand spun yarn and i had 8 ply, hence starting five times trying to get it right! 

it is a beanie for alistair made using cleckheaton's perfect day alpaca wool. so beautiful and soft and the natural colour is very pleasing to my eye. since al is away i had to make do with my very obliging little model, very happy to be wearing daddy's new beanie. i can't wait to give it to him and i am hoping it fits perfectly.

i am finding knitting to be so calming and i really must make sure that i always have something on the go. that way whenever i feel a little stressed or moody i can pick up the needles and knit.

a fun hat

the day was hot. too hot to be out in the afternoon anyway. so what did i do? knitted a very warm beanie for jess, of course.

its the fun kids hat, a free pattern from the purl bee and the yarn is knit collage gypsy garden. it took around an hour and a half to complete and that was including learning how to use double pointed needles using this tutorial. i had never used double pointed needles and when i was getting organised to start knitting had just two needles out and wasn't sure why they had put five needles in the packet. maybe incase you lost a couple? mmmm... i had no idea! the tutorial was great though and i was soon on my way knitting and feeling very pleased with myself for having learnt a new skill. all of a sudden socks don't seem quite so daunting.

i think this hat is super cute. i have had it pinned for ages wanting to make it, so very satisfying to have completed another little project found on pinterest. it maybe, just sort of, justifies spending time on pinterest? maybe not!

jess loves this hat, probably something to do with the sparkly bits. she was more than happy to model it for mum and dad that day, then for big sister a few days later and then again when i asked if i could take some photos of it. so it would seem it is a hit and will be worn quite a bit when the cold weather rolls around... eventually! (we seem to be having a bit of a heat wave this past week... autumn? where are you?)

quick knit

i have completed a couple of quick little projects recently.

the first is the super easy hood pattern i found on pinterest ages ago. it is designed by courtney spainhower and you can find the recipe here. i added a pom pom to the top. its a little early to be wearing winter hats but my little model obligated long enough for me to snap a few photos.

another pinterest inspired project is the fabric wrapped hoop. i had been meaning to do this for so long. we had an old hoop sitting in the shed. the dog had chewed making it too rough for young hands. i bound it first with thick tape and then wrapped scraps of material around, gluing whenever i started a new bit of material. half and hour the job was done. 

i have a number of projects on the go at the moment so expect to see more finished products in the coming weeks.

sunday

sunday at our place...

a morning walk to the beach, the sky and sea looked so blue today and there was a big swell which i always find exciting.

what a beautiful calm day it was.

i finished the vest for jess late last night. she helped me to choose the buttons from my stash this morning and i finished it off. the buttons are okay but i may replace them if i find ones i like better when we go to town next. 

i am pleased with the finished product... don't look too closely... there are a few mistakes but i think its okay for a first attempt at something like this. i am sure i will use this pattern again and it will be very easy next time.

a bit of weeding took place, planted out a few seeds, did a bit of cooking, a bit of sewing this evening.

i am feeling happy that day light savings has ended. it was nice having dinner in the warm glow of candle light as it was beginning to get dark.

friday's here

friday again... so soon.

i just don't know where the week has gone. i feel like i have been chasing my tail all week.

i have been without a camera for half the week so my project 366 is a little behind. i have still managed to take a photo each day but the quality is just not there with an ipod or iphone and i am still yet to load all my photos from the week onto the computer. hoping to catch up with that tomorrow.

also my computer has been incredibly slow all week so that has slowed down my blogging, as it has been all too hard for the last couple of days. oh well, better luck next week!

i am in between books at the moment, so am feeling a little lost sometimes... thinking there must be something i should be reading...

in between sewing projects as well. or should i say i have finished all the items i had cut out and ready to sew up and the sewing basket is empty. have another batch of sewing in mind though, just need some more fabric...

i am about to start knitting the vest for jess... finally have the right yarn and needles ready to go. very excited... although... i might need a bit of luck to come my way with this one...

my packet of umbrella prints trimmings arrived in the mail today. i am so pleased with the selection and the colours they sent me. they are just perfect, neutrals, navy blues, a touch of tan and a touch of mustard. super happy and can't wait to get started on my little project for their competition.

looking forward to a weekend of days at home and catching up on everything...

sock love

 i picked up some needles and yarn recently and have begun making a small jumper for jess's favourite teddy, angus. 

a little project to practice on before i tackle a vest for jess.

but my thoughts are with knitting socks.

i love woollen socks and would really love to be able to make my own. 

as my knitting skills are very basic i am not sure how i would go with socks. they look complicated but can they really be?

i have downloaded a free pattern from ravelry and maybe i will give them a try soon. i think i may need a book from the library for some tips and pointers too.

images from top

1. from etsy, love these but a little out of my price range for socks (okay a lot!)

2. also from etsy found here

3. my favourite from my pinterest board

4. the pattern i downloaded from ravelry

5. also from ravelry but look far too complicated for me.

surely, knitting socks can't be too hard to do!