Learn to Knit

So, I can do the basics and have knitted quite a few things in my time but I am very basic. Here are some of my little knitted makes. 

 When it comes to crochet I find that much simpler I tend to be able to find common sense in the patterns and if I struggle to follow the pattern I can generally work it out, I don’t find the same to be true for knitting.

I bought a bag of yarn in 2011 to make myself a jumper and it is still in its bag, I did get as far as ¾ of a sleeve but I had to frog it as I had cast on the wrong amount of stitches and I lost hope at that stage. 

Late last year I did try my hand at intarsia with dreadful results, I made a wrist warmer and it was about 4 sizes too small and would have fit a toddler.  Mmmm I need to walk before I can run I think and I need to go back to the beginning and master the basics like tension, yarn and needle sizes etc.

Maybe it is time to find a class and get some proper tuition, I think I will investigate this avenue, any suggestions or advice?

So if I do nothing else this year I will learn to knit and by the end of the year I will have produced a substantial knitted ‘something’.

I will be sure to keep you updated.

Things to Make

Ok so I thought if I get it all down in writing it would be a point of reference and I would get some satisfaction from ticking stuff off my list. I am a big fan of lists and am forever bleating on about the importance of writing stuff down, I sometimes add stuff to my lists that I have already completed just for the sheer pleasure of crossing them off!

Mad I know!

Well I have had a rummage through my crafty cupboard and have come up with a comprehensive list of all the WIP’s that I have sitting there, all the unopened craft kits and bundles of yarn and fabric sitting waiting for me and this is a quick run down of what I want to get on with. I will not buy another thing until I have made a good dent in this little lot!

List of WIP’s

Crochet Hexie Blanket – coming along quite well, I may run out of yarn before it get’s to a reasonable size though.

Crochet Mini Garden Squares Blanket – completed just over 100 of 400, very unlikely to complete this anytime soon, I feel a cushion coming on.

Lynette Anderson Christmas Quilt – two of the large applique panels are complete, I would love to have this done for next Christmas.

Small Hexies – I will not be making anything with these just yet but I know I will go back to them at some point.

Stitched CK pouch – I mean come on, how much effort would it take to complete this, maybe next weekend!

Completed Cross Stitch

Crochet Polar Bear – I am a bit stuck with it’s snout.

Blanket Squares Swap – need to join these together and do some more filler squares. Could I maybe incorporate the mini garden squares into this?

This is less than half of what I have sat half finished!

I thought it better to concentrate on things I wanted to progress as there is no point flogging a dead horse trying to plod on with something I am no longer in love with.

I had followed this list of things to complete with a list of things I have ready to start, but that list is longer than this one so I may complete that another day! Eeek!

Since I completed my list I have already made a start on a new needlework,

 and have been making crochet jar covers (from this pattern), 

there is no hope for me, my list is ever growing!

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First Make of the Year

The first week of the new year is here and so far it has been a bit pants, mainly due to the fact that we have all been a bit under the weather as have many people this year.  Yesterday was my first day back to work and boy was that a wrench.  You know when you just feel a bit pants and you have barely slept, pah!

New Years Eve and New Years Day were spent mainly in pyjamas and a dressing gown and I have been partaking of a little crochet, and started joining my crochet hexies to make a start on my blanket. 

I don’t have anywhere near enough to make a full blanket yet but I thought if I started joining it up it might give me a little incentive to crack on with it.

Did I mention I fell in love with instagram, well I did and I have been skulking around there for a few weeks now and have found some of my old bloggy buddies on there.  Heather, The Patchwork Heart, has just made a beautiful cowl (Heather has also started blogging again, yay!) and shared a photo with us on instagram.  I just had to have one too, and I thought I would use the yarn I was using for my blanket as it is so soft and the colours are really gentle.

I made myself a cowl.

Inspired by Heather and following the pattern published by the talented Kath of Inverleith.

Wrapped twice:

Wrapped three times:

(apologies for dingy grainy photos)

This is just ideal for grabbing when I’m off out for a walk on the beach and I don’t have any flappy scarf issues when the wind picks up!

This did not help reduce my list of WIP’s at all but, pah who cares I love it.

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Goodbye 2012

Well what a year!

On this last day of the year I am having a lazy day, mainly due to the fact that I have a cold I have showered and returned to my pyjamas.

My plan for this last day is to fill in my new diary and calendars, and to get a bit of stitching or crochet done.

I had a little look at my blog earlier to remind myself of what I have managed to make this last year, that is the main reason I created this little space of mine in the blogisphere as a kind of online picture diary.

This is a little snippet of my 2012 makes:

Jan - April 2012

May - August 2012

September - December 2012

Well I'm quite pleased with that little lot, I hope 2013 is as productive!

I finished what will probably be my last make of 2012 last night.  This was a little kit, a gift from my friend Lynda.

This was a pleasure to sew up with lots of different stitches and a little fat bee, and I just love bees! 
I have added this to the Monthly Makes Group as my last December Make.

All that remains is to wish you all a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year I will see you all on the other side xx

Merry Christmas Everyone

Well it's that time, work is finished for the year, the tree is up, the gifts are wrapped and the food shopping is done.

I have planned to throw myself into a week and a bit of special family down time, to include over indulgence on every level.

We finished our food shop and bought a beautiful fresh cream yule log, my hubbie managed to squish it with a box of eggs so I had to rustle up a little something to cover the damage!  

I had a couple of words with him ;0)

Yesterday I set aside a few hours and managed to complete a Christmas WIP from last Christmas, my appliqué Christmas quilted cushion.

I had to make a bespoke insert as it was an unusual size.

This will be my last Monthly Make for December and indeed for the whole year.  Many, many thanks to those of you who have contributed all year, and to our lovely Annie the Felt Fairy for her leadership.
The last of the December Monthly Makes can be seen HERE.

I would like to wish you all a special festive time however you spend it, hope the big guy is good to you x

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Winter WIP's

I have a couple of WIP's I am trying to complete so that I can get a start on my massive list of 'things I want to make in 2013'.

You know when something you enjoyed turns into a chore, well I am at that stage with my crochet flower hexie blanket.  I don't want to join together until I have enough so I can faff on with the placement of the colours, so far I have 84 hexies and each one is a little bigger than the palm of my hand.  I reckon I need another 30 or so, better get weaving.

I am so easily distracted...

I also found this at the bottom of my 'to do' box, it has been 80% complete for a year now I started it last Christmas!! 

I must at least get this one out of the way before Christmas, oh hang on that's only 4 days away... better get on with it!

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