Saturday, September 19, 2009

My Autumn Hoodie

Finished just in time to take to Canada with me tomorrow.
The front:
Autumn Hoodie
And the back
Autumn Hoodie
Pattern: Heather Hoodie Vest by Debbie O'Neill from Knitscene Fall 2009 (Ravelry Link)
Yarn: Patons Inca - 50% Wool, 30% Acrylic, 20% Alpaca in colourway 7023 - Grey. Bought for 79p a ball from Kemps. 10.5 balls
Needles: My new knitpro interchangeables - 6mm
Started: 10th August
Finished: 18th September
Buttons: - Mussel shell (reverse side) from Textile Garden
Comments: It fits! The hood was a bit of a pain, I picked up less stitches than called for and knit quite a few less rows but it is still massive! However, I cast off a little too tight so even after blocking it sits a bit weird.. however it looks ok and I want to wear it on holiday so I'm not going to tinker with it any more. It is really warm and cosy. I'm happy :o)

Now I'm off to try and decide what holiday knitting to take. Decisions decisions.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

iKnit Weekender

Yesterday morning I got up earlier than I usually get up on a work day. I was booked on the 7.44 train to London in order for me to go and play at the iKnit Weekender in London.
I made a beeline for the p/hop stand to have my photo taken with the infamous barn raising quilt. I bought raffle tickets too - but didn't win. Looks like I'll have to make my own!
iKnit Weekender 2009
(Thanks to Jane for taking my photo!)
I was obviously too busy shopping, chatting and knitting to take any more photos. I wore my wedding shawl and it was admired by many people. I had fun spotting other Aeolian shawls - 4 or 5 at least!
Here is my little haul:
iKnit Weekender 2009
I surprised everyone by choosing the orange Herdy mug rather than the purple. I did try really hard not to buy any more purple yarn, but couldn't resist the buttery soft "Desire" from Skein Queen - it is destined for a hat - I'm thinking a beret with twisted stitches. The Laceweight turquoise yarn is from new indie dyer Sparkleduck - the yarn is a merino and silk mix and has a real sheen to it. Maybe Laminaria - certainly an appropriate colour. Finally some Malabrigo Lace - as I can never resist this yarn (and all of the crazy rainbow colours had sold). Oh, lastly a vest pattern from Blacker Designs. They had some gorgeous UK spun yarn from a wide variety of sheep - the alpaca yarn was fabulous.
Talking of Alpaca, I spent most of the day knitting on my Autumn Hoodie.
The second front is done. I joined the shoulder seams and blocked it this morning.
Autumn Hoodie
I found some mussel shell buttons from Textile Garden yesterday. The lady there let me pick through them until I found 5 matching ones - the side I'm going to use is the wrong side, but it matches my yarn really well.
Autumn Hoodie
Just a hood and button bands to go now. Will I be able to finish it in time for our honeymoon in Canada? We leave next Sunday!
Autumn Hoodie

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Something old, something new and something secret too!

Something old:
Hexagon Blanket - Sept 09
My Noro hexagon blanket, started back in March 2006. I've crocheted a few more hexagons over the last couple of weeks (not joined, at the bottom of the picture). I've got about 3 or 4 skeins of Noro left- but need some to edge the blanket in. Going to aim for 8 more hexagons and then some half hexes and see how it looks. It is already big enough to keep my knees/legs warm whilst watching TV :o)

Something new:
Autumn Hoodie
I fear you may see a lot of these in blogland - Heather Hoodie Vest from Knitscene. This is knit in Patons Inca - a chunky yarn with Alpaca - this is the back and I'm about 1/2 way up the left front. I was hoping it might be finished for our upcoming trip to Canada - but I've been distracted by this....

Look away now if you don't want to see the September Socktopus parcel...

Spoiler

Alice has really outdone herself this time!
September Socktopus Sock Club
A Yarnissima pattern and Wollmeise yarn! Neither of which I have used before. I was soooooooo unbelieveably excited when I opened the parcel.
AND we got that fabulous sock bag (just like the ones Roobeedoo made the other week which I was very jealous of) AND some little Matryoshka doll stitch markers!
Here is my progress so far - Judy's magic cast on and everything!!!
September Socktopus Sock Club
I think my sock mojo is back. Yipeee.