Zoe's blanket

After 4 months I finally finished the blanket for a recent family addition (not ours!). I actually finished the main blanket part in good time, but then had to teach myself crochet to do some edging and decorative touches - where would we be without YouTube?! So thanks to the KnitWitch and Bobwilson123 for the handy hints!

So I'm proud to present Zoe's pram blanket - made from 100% bamboo using chinese wave stitch for the body, and double, treble and scallop edge crochet.

For my next project I think I'll try a simple dress/jumper as it's called in the US. It will be my first attempt at knitting in the round - could get interesting!

Ho, ho, ho

Happy Boxing Day holiday everyone :-)

We had a good Christmas Day here - much of the day was taken up with volunteering at our community's first every Christmas lunch - open to anyone that wanted to share a meal. It was a fun time with loads of volunteers and community members - and even a few passing tourists! The organisers had done a great job - the hall looked very festive with a tree, presents, and decorations and streamers made by the kids a the local primary school.  The kids had also done loads of drawings that had been laminated and were used as place mats which was a lovely touch.

We enjoyed turkey roast with veg and gravy, followed by Xmas pud, icecream, custard and strawberries. Then shortbread with tea/coffee. Many local businesses had donated items for the day, and community members had also donated small gifts for everyone that attended. There was also a pianist playing carols. I think we had about 80 people there - not bad for a community of around 3,000.

 After we'd finished cleaning up we went to mums for presents. Jerry bought me a fab bag...

or so I thought - it's actually a knitting bag!! Much more glamorous than the old shopping bag I've been using! The ball holder / yarn loop arrangements is VERY groovy - no more tangled wool!

I made socks!

And here they are...

Glossing over their (many!)  imperfections I'm quite pleased as they are my first ever attempt at socks. I did cheat and use a 2 needle pattern as I still can't get my head (or hands!) around DPNs. They will certainly be good enough to wear around the house with slippers or as bed socks. They are in a 4ply cotton that I bought from the outlet store at Bendigo Woollen Mills.

Now for my next project....I wanted to try and make a cardi but I only have 15 balls of the wool I want to use and its not quite enough. So I think I might make another shrug either this one or maybe this one. Decisions, decisions............

Shrug it off...

or on rather!  I've finally finished my first knitted garment!  OK so it's a mini-garment - just a fairly simple shrug, but it fits and you can't see the few mistakes I've made so it's all good as far as I'm concerned :)

 

Suddenly I see a whole new possibility in sleeveless dresses knowing I can whip one of these up to make myself some pretty sleeves! In fact I'm off to find a pattern for a lighterweight one for summer to make up in  some lovely varigated mossy green bamboo cotton I got at the wool mill discount store.........................

And now for something completely different

In the last 6 months or so I have become strangely obsessed.

With knitting.

...pause whilst those that know me well compose themselves after rolling about on the floor laughing hysterically...

Better now? Can I move on? Good.

Right, where was I ... oh yes, knitting. Last year it was a knitted Christmas all round with hats, fingerless gloves, scarfs and lapghans all around. Not to mention the knitted dishcloths, face washers and kitchen fingertip towels.

This year, however, it's time to make something for me. So I've made a poncho/ wrap (still needs to be sewn up), and a matching basic beanie style hat and a pair of fingerless gloves. I will be the style queen of my little town LOL. If you are VERY good I may post a pic of me wearing the entire ensemble. After all, we all need a good laugh now and then.

I think this beanie needs a pompom...or maybe even a few pompoms - what do you think?