Naima...

I've finally finished my scarf. I've called it Naima which is an African name mean 'graceful'. The free knitting pattern for Naima is now available, just click on the 'free patterns' link on my side bar to the right.




I came across a great charity project to give me a break from the sweater I am designing. It's called Supergran and is raising money for Age Concern All you have to do is knit a little hat and send it to Innocent Drinks. Details can be found on the Innocent Drinks website. These are the hats I've made so far...

Don't dread the small stuff...

It's funny how things that we dread sometimes turn out to not be so bad once you sit your butt down and get on with it. There are a few things in knitting that I tend to avoid like the plague for example cabling, charts and blocking. I don't know why I avoid these things, I've read about them and they don't seem overly difficult but I just think I can't be bothered with all that. Today however I made my first attempt at blocking. I've finally finished the scarf I designed for my sister. I love the result but it curls like hell despite my none-rolling stitches at the beginning and end of each row so I decided to give blocking a go. The stitch pattern I used is quite textured and the yarn label just says 'mixed fibres' so I decided to spritz block instead of wet or steam blocking. I got out my ironing board and pinned the scarf in place using some push pins I had lying around. I thought the process would be very tedious but actually found myself enjoying spreading my piece out and being able to see it in full detail for the first time. After a good spritz to get it damp I am now waiting for it to dry. I felt a real sense of satisfaction as I watched it drying, the satisfaction that comes from one - getting over a silly mental block and two - knowing that you have done something properly.

I am working on a sweater design now and have a few hours of swatching ahead of me. I haven't decided on the stitch pattern or the yarn yet.

I must reduce my stash in time for the January sales so I can stock up again so watch out everyone who knows me, there is a scarf or a sweater coming your way soon!

The beauty of routine...

Today I am back to my old routine after many months of being run off my feet. I mentioned in my previous post that I have been decorating for a while and this turned my life on its head. My son had to go and stay with his Grandmother for a fortnight as we were sanding and varnishing, the house was full of dust everyday it was terrible. It was so good to get back from the school run this morning and not have to arm myself with a paintbrush or an airgun or a stripper, it was so good to come back and have everything clean and in its place. Everytime I finish decorating I vow I will never do it again and this time is no exception but after a few weeks away I feel plans to decorate one of the bedrooms formulating in my mind and despite my attempts to supress it, I already have the paint and there is a dark oak floor I am practically salivating over that would look absolutely perfect in my living room, but for now I am enjoying wallowing in the comfort of my routine.

Here are the pictures of my latest design...



I know it's just a scarf but I came up with the stitch pattern myself.



It should be finished within the next few days.



I've got a whole load of ironing to get through before I can get to work so that's all from me for now.

Funny how time flies...

I've been home from Antigua for exactly a week yesterday. It's a very easy habit to get out of.


Funny how time flies when you're not blogging, I can't believe I haven't blogged since June.

I haven't been doing much knitting anyway. Since the last time I blogged, I've been sick twice with some sort of flu bug thing and sore throat, decorated my kitchen, stripped and varnished my downstairs doors and staircase (something I will never do again), as well as spend 17 days in Antigua which was a well earned rest after what was supposed to be a peaceful and relaxing summer at home which turned out to be anything but.

As you can see Antigua is a very beautiful island. It was my second time in the Caribbean but the whole family agreed Barbados is still at the top of our list when it comes to favourite family vacation spots.

This is a shot I took of my son after yet another 'exhausting' day lounging on the beach. I love the silhouette, I think it looks very arty with the sunset in the background, my husband just can't see it though to him it's just another photo, where is his artistic soul I ask myself :)

On the knitting front, I am halfway through a scarf I designed for my sister with some 'oddity' yarn in camel I brought on eBay a few months ago. It is so soft and pretty I am thinking of keeping it for myself (I'll post pictures tomorrow). I really love this yarn and doing my best to track down more of it though I think I have enough to make up a sweater I am designing at the moment.