Another completed UFO!

I'm really pleased that I've finally finished my aboriginal flag hoodie (size approx 7 - 9 years).  I started it quite a few months ago, but put it down when I got stuck on the first sleeve.  I was trying to add a sun on the elbow, but it wasn't working properly with the increases.  When I went back to it recently I decided that it wouldn't work at all, so just did the sleeves in black and red.  I think it would have been easier if I'd been knitting with 4mm needles, as the fabric would have been more dense, and taken colour changes a bit better. With 5mm needles it was all a bit loose, especially with the increases.  The main sun on the front would have been a bit tidier, too, but I think its roughness has a sort of rustic charm, which goes with the patchwork of red yarns - all 8ply, but the difference in weight varied remarkably between the different yarns.

I did the red side of the hood all in one red, so that the shape wouldn't be compromised.  The hood string is plaited lengths of the three colours, and I made it so tight that it's quite firm.  I got a bit stuck looking for something to thread it through the hem of the hood, and ended up using a stitch holder.  It got a bit hooked up once or twice, but worked well.

In all, I'm happy with how it turned out.  It's my first attempt at a colour pattern, and one that I've designed myself.  I don't know that I'll get into it in a big way, but I'd like to make jumpers for my nephews with their names on the back, footy jumper-style.

This one is going to K4BN, and if it's received well, I could see myself doing another one.  First I would adapt the pattern to work with 4mm needles; that kind of adaption would also be a first for me, but I think I can do it.  I have a few other UFOs to get through first, though!

I won't let a sore finger slow me down!

I have a tiny cut on my right index finger, but it's causing big problems! As well as stinging like crazy when I was cutting onions yesterday, it's bothering me when I knit!

I use that finger to push my left hand needle back out of the stitch, every 2nd or 3rd row, and I keep hitting the sore spot. It's even in the way when I'm sewing up, instead, when I push the sewing needle through... I do have thimbles, but I've never mastered the technique of keeping it on my finger while I'm sewing, and it makes me feel awkward.

An obvious solution is to not do anything to aggravate it while it heals, but it's so hard to go without making something! I won't know what to do with myself when I'm watching telly! So I'm going to continue knitting, but just try to remember to use a different part of my finger, until this little, tiny cut heals itself.

I did finish this beanie last night, and sewed it up this morning. It's following on from the aboriginal flag hoodie that I'm now sewing up. Just a mini-project for when I don't want to have to look at what I'm doing.

My next knitting project is Mum's second sock. Once the hoodie is finished, it will be time to select yet another UFO!

Recently completed

Having had a couple of sleepless nights earlier in the week, I had some extra time in which to work on my projects.

Firstly, I finished Mum's first sock. I'm pleased with how it came out, although it took me a few stitches to get back into the grafting groove. I don't think it's noticeable, though.

I was worried that it was a bit short, but Mum told me that mid-calf is good for her, so it's turned out to be the perfect length. All I have to do now is make the other one the same size!!

It's very comfortable, too. I had to try it on to see how it fit, and it's nice and stretchy, and nice to wear. I think Mum's going to like them.

After that, I finished sewing up the peaches and cream jumper. It's not as hideous as I thought it might be, although I'm still not totally sold on it for its looks. But it's gorgeously soft and stretchy, and I'm especially pleased with how soft and stretchy the neck is.

It's given me a boost in my neckband confidence, so I think I'll be more inclined to re-do (again) the neck on the grey jumper.

I'm not sure if Karen wants to have this one, but I did make it with her in mind. But if not, I'll take it to the market. If no-one wants it, I'll wear it myself. It will be nice for around the house in winter.

Besides, it's liberally sprinkled with Fred hairs, so it probably shouldn't go to anyone with a cat allergy!

I always feel good after I've fully completed something, and can tick something off my UFO list.

However, I was a bit naughty and made a beanie from the leftover wool, rather than start the 2nd sock straightaway, or pull out another UFO. But that's now finished (sewing up pending), and I've pulled out the aboriginal flag hoodie to work on again.

I hope to report some more completed items soon!

Mum's socks, progress report

This is one evening and one morning's work on Mum's socks. I love how the colours are striping like that! The white fuzzy streak is the knitting-in elastic. This wool incorporates it much better than the Patonyle, and you can barely see it. I think that if you didn't know it was there, you wouldn't notice.

I should be able to get to the leg shaping this evening. I have no plans other than watching telly and knitting, as I am brewing a cold and don't feel like doing anything else. Besides, Thursday night is my favourite night for TV :)

I'm also having a 3-day weekend. I need to do a heap of housework, but I plan to at least finish sewing up the peaches and cream jumper, and keep working on these socks.

Fun times!

O, the horror!

I thought things were going badly when I found a dropped stitch (!) while sewing up the jumper. It was at the armhole shaping, and I'd dropped the last stitch of the last row before the cast off stitches. After I got over my shock at a dropped stitch (!!) I realised that it would be a simple matter of sewing the stitch into the seam, and all would be well (except that I'd always know that there was a dropped stitch there.

So I continued sewing on the sleeve, without further drama. But on the 2nd sleeve (or it could have been the 1st sleeve, I suppose) I found ANOTHER DROPPED STITCH!!! It was just hanging there, on the sleeve, again at the edge (phew) of the shoulder shaping.

In each case, I can't fathom how I dropped a stitch and didn't notice. My only thoughts are that a) I wasn't paying enough attention, although I can't see how I managed it with the armhole shaping, and b) that knitting with 8ply on 5mm needles increases the chances of things falling off, as it's such a loose tension (for me, anyway).

It was especially difficult when trying to cast off super-loosely at the neck, and the needles just kept falling out altogether.

Apart from that, it's sewing up fine. But I'm always going to remember these dropped stitches.

Peaches and Cream

I've been working on a "peaches and cream" jumper for a few weeks now (on and off, as I do). It's pure Australian wool, and I put those two colours together as I didn't have enough of either for a whole jumper. It sort of works, I suppose, but it's not my favourite thing ever. I also made the first sleeve way too long, so after I'd done the 2nd sleeve correctly, pulled back the first one and re-did the top shaping. They are now the same length!!

Last night I picked up the stitches for the neckband, and tonight I finished it, and have sewn up the other shoulder. I decided to leave the rest of the sewing up for tomorrow. At least the neck is very stretchy - I have to work hard to make my necks loose enough. It's a roll neck, as well, which should be very cosy. The whole thing is nice and soft and stretchy, so should be very comfy to wear.

I have decided that I will start Mum's socks next. Followed by the brown vest....

Mum's socks

Mum asked me for a pair of socks for her last birthday (her birthday was in October; the request came a fair bit earlier than that). It's now almost a year later, and I only have half a sock done. And that's been sitting idle on the needle for a couple of months now.

The trouble is, I've decided that these socks aren't right for Mum. I'm using cream Patonyle, with a pretty grey-blue for the top band, heel and toes, and they're soft and lovely. However, Mum is now living on a boat, and I feel she needs something more robust. Mum is also more fun than cream and grey.

I have some great red/multicoloured wool (not Australian, though) that would make excellent socks, and I have heaps of it, so I can make them nice a long, maybe even with a top turnover, for better staying power.

My dilemma is that I now have a substantial pile of UFOs, and a baby nephew that I haven't made anything for. On the other hand, Mum and Dave will set sail off around the world some time in the near future, so I have to make sure that I get them to her before then!

I always find that as soon as I've told myself I'm not starting anything new until I finish my UFOs, something "urgent" comes up.....

Perhaps if I get this current jumper finished - the one with the probably-too-long sleeve - I can justify starting Mum's socks.

Maybe alternating is the way to go. UFO, new project, UFO, new project - so long as none of the new projects become future UFOs!!

And if I start soon, I could get them to her by THIS birthday!

Building stock

I've decided that I need to do a heap of smaller, accessory-type items to go with the larger items I'm going to try to sell. So I've started with some basic beanies - following on from the pile I did for K4BN. I'm getting a little tired of them, but they are soooo easy to do.

I want to have beanies, gloves, balaclavas, hoods, socks, legwarmers and mittens available. Smaller, less expensive items that people might be more likely to buy. Maybe!!

I've now done up my tag, and just need to find a good receptacle for storing all this stuff until the market in September, and then for carrying it to and fro. I also want to make a cover for the table (protect the table AND provide some friction for the items on it, so they're less likely to slide off).

I'm determined to now working on UFOs for a while, and get some of those knocked over, but I'm also itching to start Dad's jumper and Mum's socks!!

Tonight I want to finish the 2nd sleeve of the peaches and cream jumper. I should pin the 1st sleeve onto the body and see just how much too long it is, and how much I need to pull it back before redoing the shaping.... my secret hope is that it will turn out to be fine, and I won't have to change anything.

Mittens

I'm currently knitting up some multicoloured acrylic that I found in an op shop (I'm pretty sure it's Carnival), making kids' mittens and beanies. I have to redo the very first one I did, as I realised - when doing the left hand - that I'd made a mistake. The 2nd set is working out better. I don't know how I managed to mess it up, as they're easier to do than gloves. I was probably just too involved in whatever telly I was watching!

My plan is to have some knits to sell at the flea market I'm planning in September. I'm torn, though, between this, my many other UFOs, and dropping everything to make things for baby Alex.

I shouldn't be making these mittens, as I have so many other things on the go, but I wanted something relatively simple to make. I'd just made 10 beanies for K4BN, so the beanie was something I barely had to think about. Then I decided that some mittens would be cute with it.

After this, I really need to finish some of the UFOs I'm making to sell, and redo the neckband on the grey jumer. I also need to remember to take photos! I forgot to take a photo of the pile of beanies I made for the group.

I still have lots of K4BN yarns, so I will keep making things for them as well, but I need to think about my own situation first. Gotta pay the rent, service the car, pay for Dexter's operation, buy cat food, etc etc.