It’s nearly April and my draft entry has become irrelevant since I saved it. Perhaps this blog was in fact meant to be monthly?
I’ve managed to squeeze a lot of knitting in lately. I’m not sure if that means I’ve been hiding away from the outside world more, or if the grim weather has just been the perfect opportunity to hide away with a pair of needles and yummy yarn. Either way, there’s lots of new projects to see and read about.
One of the first is my 1930’s style sweater. I’m not sure how true it is to the original pattern, there wasn’t a photo, only an artist’s impression. I made some changes to the pattern because I thought using 10mm needles would result in a fabric the was too loose, even on 8mm needles it still seems a bit floppy.
I like it mostly, but I think I made a mistake with the crochet edge. The pattern didn’t specify the hook size needed and I think I used 6mm. In hind sight I think I should have just gone with 8mm like the main body. I thought about redoing it, but I don’t have enough yarn and it doesn’t look so bad.
I finally finished up the black beaded scarf I’ve been working on seemingly forever. I decided in the end to call that project ‘Sloth’. It took so long, and I spent ages trying to avoid working on it, hence ‘Sloth’.
I made my cousin socks for her upcoming birthday and for the Selfish Knitters KAL on Ravelry. I love the colours in this but if you look closely you can see that the socks are fraternal twins only, rather than identical. (which is why I only took a photo of one!). It also meant I got to use up some of the oldest sock yarn in my stash 
I did ruin my yarn diet a little though by buying some Noro yarn to make what I have dubbed ‘Ponchirto’. The yarn didn’t stay in my stash long, I finished the project the same weekend I bought it, but I’m still kind of annoyed that I couldn’t stick it out. But anyway, the pattern was for ‘Ponchette’ by Bonnie Knits, but I figured it would kind of make a cool skirt too. (Poncho + Skirt [Ponchskirto] = Ponchirto!).
I learnt how to do Purl long-tail cast on for this. I didn’t expect it to have made a big difference but it was a really good result. I figure I could take this with me when I go camping. I bet it would make a good pillow as well as keeping me snug when I’m chillin’ (no pun intended) in the evenings.
Speaking of camping, I finally bought my sleeping bag. It’s so exciting, I’ve never had one before so I had to try it out as soon as I could. I could fit about 3 of me in it but I still think it’s great! Needs a pillow though
Next a tale of woe. My ‘Scat’ that I made with my Christmas yarn was dismantled to make way for an alternative project. Too many people laughed at it and I lost the confidence to wear it anymore 
All is not lost though. I kept the pom poms and made a pair of Super-Comfy Slippers instead. I like them a lot and think they’re much nicer than my store bought pair which only make my feet feel sticky and not necessarily warm (eughh). I forget I’m wearing them after a while too.
(Do you like my socks? I know it seems like I have a pink stripe obsession with this pic but it was just coincidence)
I’ve made some progress with my baby blanket too. It’s plodding along, I’m pretty sure that years from now when it’s done there’ll be a little bambino to gift it to.
Finally, I cast on for Wisp. I got a bit bored of my Kool Aid dyed shawl and Wisp is so easy to memorise. It’s my ‘Sheffield yarn’ and I’m really pleased with the way it’s worked in this pattern. I’m actually trying to talk myself out of buying any more Kidsilk as I’ve got plenty of lace weight to get rid of already.
I think the yarn and pattern complement each other really well in this project. I’m hoping to get some shell buttons in purple to finish it off. I even found some crushed velvet ribbon too that I can use to make the ‘hood’.
I’m looking forward to starting up some new projects too, I’ve got so many plans for the rest of my stash, it seems almost cruel that I can’t knit any faster.
I hope this entry makes up for the lack of news for a while but thanks for reading and hope you’re back soon.
