Just enough time for a blog post

I don't know where the evening has gone! All I've done is put a load of washing on, had dinner and wrapped up my parcel for the UK Swap. I am hoping Tony will take it to work to post as the box is massive and I don't fancy taking it to Birmingham on the train tomorrow!
I think there is just enough time for some finished objects before Skins starts on E4!
I ventured down south this weekend to see Owen in his birthday jumper....



I managed to finish my Cranford Mitts on the train

And I have been keeping my hands nice and snug in them today. The best thing? I can still knit whilst wearing them. Yipee. Perfect for commuting knitting.

Started: 1st March
Finished: 9th March
Pattern: Cranford Mitts by Jane
Yarn: Yarn Yard Merino. I used about 1/2 a skein of the MC (Mysteron) and a tiny bit of the contrast Gaskell)
Needles: 2.5mm dpns
Comments: A really quick knit. The horseshoe lace pattern is very easy to memorise. The increases for the thumb are so simple I would never have thought of it. The are a lovely snug fit perfect for keeping my hands warm whilst knitting out and about. I think I might make more of these as Christmas presents! I also intend on using the horseshoe lace pattern for a pair of socks sometime soon.
I also started on my Mr Greenjeans cardigan. Not much to see at the moment. One more pattern repeat before I take off the stitches for the arms. I am loving the Malabrigo and the purpleness of it all.

Models

Owen's Birthday jumper was finished on Sunday evening and in the post on Monday. I ended up wrapping it sat at my desk at work, which is where this photo was taken

Pattern: Catch Sweater from Louisa Harding's Miss Bea's Playtime.
Yarn: GGH Samoa, 50% Cotton 50% Microfibre. 1.5 balls Turquoise and 2 balls of green)
Started: 14th February
Finished: 24th February
Comments: A very quick easy knit. I modified the pattern to knit in the round up to the armholes. I also knit the neck edging in the round and grafted the shoulder seams.
This morning I got a picture from Non's phone of the birthday boy in his new jumper. Yeah! It fits :0)

On Sunday I managed to find another model for a recent knit. Josh looks very cute in his tank top!

And it was all yellow....

I think I've worked out why I feel compelled to knit some yellow socks. I saw these in the garden of the new house today. I love spring.

I bought this "sproingy" Posh Yarn Emily last Sunday (along with a few things for my UK Swap Pal).

It feels amazing and I can't wait to get started. Just have to choose a pattern. I'm thinking Uptown Boot Socks or maybe Conway
Any suggestions? I want something fairly easy to memorise so I can knit them on the train.
I won't have to wait too long to cast on, as my February "Socks from the Stash" are finished:

Pattern: Monkey from Knitty, but with knit instead of purl stitches.
Yarn: Yarn Yard Sock Yarn in Peppermint Pink, about 60g.
Needles: 2.5mm circulars and dpns
Started: 30th January
Finished: 21st Feburary
Comments: Brilliant pattern, really fast doing the no-purl version. Love them!
I've done the random number generator and the socks for March need to be knit with this:

Tonight I'll be trying to finish Owen's birthday Jumper only about 1/4 of a sleeve to go.

Belgium and Birthday Presents

Firstly Belgium.....

The first two days were great, we wandered around Brussels, went to Bruges, did some shopping (for beer, I didn't buy ANY yarn despite visiting a couple of shops), drank beer, chilled out. The Tony got food poisoning from some evil quiche, so we spent Saturday night and most of Sunday in the room at the B&B watching BBC TV - not really what you go to Brussels for. Never mind, every holiday can't be perfect!
However, the time spent in the room did give me chance to finish Tony's Birthday socks.

I'm not entirely sure what went wrong, but the second sock is loads tighter than the first. I wonder if my gauge has really changed that much since October (when I knit the first one)? Or maybe I used a 3mm needle without realising it for the first one. Or maybe it makes a big difference knitting socks in one go rather than for 20 mins a day on the train. Who knows.. they fit ok and he will probably only wear them in the house so it doesn't really matter!
Pattern: Retro Rob Socks from Favourite Socks (Interweave)
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Denim
Started: October 2007
Finished: Feb 2007 - (one sock was finished for Christmas!)
Comments: Really easy pattern and I think it looks quite good in the variegated yarn. It is a pity they aren't the same size!
I also managed to finish the Flowers Wrap in time for my Mom's Birthday.

Pattern: Flowers Wrap from Interweave Crochet Winter 2007
Yarn: Pura Lana Ecologica in Charcoal (about 17 skeins)
Hook: 4mm
Comments: The pattern is well written and easy to follow. The finished wrap is really quite soft despite it being made from pure wool. It is also quite heavy, but should be a good cover up. I bought a shawl pin so my Mom can fasten the wrap across her. I'll try and get some modelled photos soon!
Now onto the last birthday project for a while... a jumper for my Godson, Owen, who will be 1 in a couple of weeks.
This is Catch Sweater from Louisa Harding's Miss Bea's Playtime. I knit in the round until the armholes, have finished the back and don't have too much of the front to do. It will have turquoise arms and green cuffs. A jolly spring jumper I hope... and I am convinced it won't be too small!

In knitting for me, the second of my Monkey's is at the heel flap and I've swatched for Rogue, which will be the next thing on the needles I think! Hope you are all enjoying the sunshine this weekend.