Lenten Rose Socks

After writing my blog entry this morning I decided it really was time that I finished the Lenten Rose socks. So here they are in all their (long-awaited) glory!

Look what came in the mail!

It's my latest installment from the Petal's collection. Beautiful isn't it!

I am so far behind with my installments that it's ridiculous:

• Back in January I received my shipment of the Lenten Rose sock yarn... and the 2nd one is still on the needles!


• In March I received the Birds of Paradise colourway.


• And in May the Dahlia colourway (my absolute fave so far!)

Given my slower than slow progress with knitted socks, I decided to jump on the Chevron Scarf bandwagon, and make one of these beauties using the Birds of Paradise and Dahlia colourways.

(Besides, this yarn is far too pretty to be hidden within a pair of shoes!)

La Piazza dell Arte

This weekend we headed into downtown Denver to admire the work of the street artists at 'La Pizza dell Arte'. Here are a few of my favourites:

And of course I was drawn (no pun intended!) to this one (it bears a slight similarity to Bella!):

Rowan Shingle in Cotton Tape

It's true... I finally got my act together and finished Shingle! I hope my pal is as pleased with the end result as Buster seems to be.



Aside from getting stumped on the slipped stitch edging, this was a good simple knit. I am really happy with the drape of the yarn, and pleased that I could get this nice versatile neutral colour. My friend loves it too, so that makes me especially happy :)

It doesn't get much better than this

A yarn store that sits right next door to a chocolate shop!

In the UK

I've been enjoying time back in the UK. Here's a typical view of the English countryside...

The weather has been delightful, and it's soo good to be back with family and friends. More pics to follow this coming week...
Sam

Primrose needlepoint draught excluder

We all piled in the car to go to Colorado Springs this afternoon to pick up my primrose needlepoint pillow form the finisher at Needleworks. I love the end result and now need to decide the perfect spot for it. Originally I had thought that I would use it as a door stop. But it's too nice to go on the floor and I certainly don't want to risk getting Bella's drool and dog hair all over it! For now it will take pride of place on my sofa...

Happy flowers

I know it's not Friday... but here's some eye candy:
My husband brought these lovelies home for me this weekend -- we are celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary. When we married, I had Gerbera's at the wedding reception, in the very same colours. Happy flowers -- I love them!

The B&B team, on the other hand, seem less than impressed! ;o)

Stumped no more!

I picked up Shingle again this weekend.

I wasn't looking forward to it -- when I last put it down I couldn't figure out how to reverse the slip stitch edging from the left front, and apply it to the right front. I was stumped.

Now I'm pretty sure if you are reading this you are wondering where the trouble was... and you'd be right. All I can put it down to is a brain freeze, because when I picked up and knit a swatch this weekend it came straight away! Yay!

Baby Kimono by Debbie Bliss

Pattern: Debbie Bliss' Kimono from the Baby Knits book
Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece
Modifications: Smaller sizing for a preemie; tubular cast on for the trouser waist (to hide the elastic).

I think this turned out really well and is a fun gift for my friends who run the local Taekwondo school. Yes, I do love Debbie Bliss baby knits :)

Kimono progressing nicely

I had my wisdom teeth pulled this last Friday (yuck!) So under doctor's orders I've been taking it easy this weekend... which translates into quality knitting time! Consequently I've made some great progress on the baby kimono -- it's blocked and drying in the sun as I type.

I also started the matching trousers. I made a small modification to the waist -- I think it's a tubular cast on with a picot edge, (I'm not up on knitting terminology, but it's a tube that will allow me to thread through some elastic. The pattern calls for elastic to simply be sewn onto the inside, but I'd prefer it to be hidden). Here's hoping that I can finish up today, and get back to Shingle for my very patient friend.

Baby Kimono

I'm currently working on a baby Kimono and Trouser set from Debbie Bliss' Baby Knits book. The pattern begins at a size 3-6 months but I'm trying to size it down a notch so that it will be suitable for a newborn. And I've substituted the suggested Debbie Bliss yarn with Brown Sheep's Cotton Fleece.

Why a Kimono? My friends (the soon-to-be-Grandparents) run the local TaeKwondo school, and their daughter (the soon-to-be-Mom) is a talented black belt. Given the family's love of martial arts I decided that this might be a fun pattern to make. (I have a dorky sense of humour, but I hope they get a kick out of it too.)

Austermann Step Man Socks

I completed some socks for Joe in the Austermann Step yarn. And since I started them after April 1st they count towards the 5280 sock challenge!




Size: Men's Large
Needle size used: 2
Yarn: Austermann Step
Method: Cuff down on dpns
Who the socks are for: Joe
Date finished: May 1st

Hedera: Vacation Knitting

I just returned from the most wonderful vacation in Nayarit, Mexico. We stayed near the quiet town of San Francisco (known as San Pancho to the locals) in a lovely hotel that overlooked the Pacific.

I did sneak in a little knitting - Hedera in Koigu yarn. Now it's back to reality and the grindstone...

Bella turns 2!

Bella turned 2 recently! Here she enjoying a birthday kiss from Buster. (This picture makes me smile every time I see it -- I love my furball kiddywinks!)

Other news: The left front of Shingle is now complete.

I anticipate that I'll make some good progress over the next couple of days -- we are expecting a blizzard in the Denver area this evening and through tomorrow. Fingers crossed for a snow day!

Happy Easter!

I made this little Egg Cosy with some leftover Koigu... Just what every household needs! ;o)

Shingle progress

The back on the Shingle cardigan is done. It knits up quickly and the finished fabric is nice and soft.

Now onto the front...

Rowan Shingle

I've started the Shingle cardigan from Rowan's cotton tape collection.

A good friend of mine asked if I'd make her this, if she funded the yarn. :) I am desperately hoping this will turn out really nice for her.

Urban Fetching by Adrienne Vittadini

I spotted this sweater in Vogue knitting some time ago and it had been on my mind. I love items that are fairly simple, but with some inque detailing. This fits the bill with the interesting Aran detailing on the shoulder.



Pattern: Adrienne Vittadini's Urban Fetching (Vogue Knitting International Fall 2002)Yarn: Adrienne Vittadini's Trina



The yarn was lovely to work with. And the project was fun after working on all the lace recently. This one had big needles, chunky yarn, a lot of stocking stitch, with a little detail to keep it interesting. Very happy with the outcome - a very wearable sweater.

Alphabet Blanket by Debbie Bliss

This is the Debbie Bliss Alphabet Blanket that I've made for my boss's new granddaughter. I've had my eye on this pattern for some time and was looking for an excuse to make it. It's been quite an effort, but worth every stitch.



I'm so happy with how well the pattern turned out. And love the Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn that I used. Such a pretty colour.



Pattern: Alphabet Blanket by Debbie Bliss
Yarn: Baby Cashmerino by Debbie Bliss