Woolly Love

Sometimes, the best projects start out as accidents. I wanted to test knit this Ruffle Skirted Soaker Pattern and I had a few quarter skeins of Paton’s Classic sitting in my stash that I’m cheap enough to hold on to for…well, forever. I’d been wanting to try some stranded colourwork soakers…and so, here’s the result:

I wasn’t sure if I loved or hated the colours together, but now that it’s done, I love them. And it looks freakin’ adorable on the Wee Girly, too!

Bonus pic:

I think it just goes to show that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on yarn to get a cute woolly. This whole soaker cost a whopping $5…yay for yarn sales and stashbusting!

Breaking the silence…

Because I’m so excited about my latest FO, that I just couldn’t leave it at pics in my ravelry notebook.

First off — the pattern is Sunday Market Shawl   and it is genius. Incredibly simple (all you need to know is cast on, knit, purl, yarn over, and bind off. That’s it) and very relaxing. It works up super quickly on large needles with worsted weight yarn…and it only takes a little bit of yarn! My shawl is knit of two skeins of Noro Kureyon, a total of 200 meters. The secret is all in the blocking…it magically takes what seems like a little scarf into a beautiful wrap.

Enough blabbering! Here’s the pictures, before and during blocking…

   

(Note the hi-tech blocking system. *snorts* )

And here’s the FO…

Isn’t it purty? I <3 this project, I truly do.

Self-Striping Dyeing Play-by-Play

I decided to document my first attempt at dyeing self-striping wool. It was fun. It took for-freakin’-ever, so I’m very grateful I had the common sense to choose a small project — one of the Three Tams — so it was a sane yarn amount to dye up…only 50g/approx 112yds, and it still took an hour.

And was totally worth it. I’m calling the colourway “Self-Portrait” because if I were yarn…this would be me.

Grab some popcorn and a cold one, and enjoy!

Would you like some tea?

I hope my little girly does! I had SO much fun making this Dreamy Day Tea Set for Elly. Easy and quick, and IMHO very adorable. OK, maybe not so humble…but I really like how it turned out. Wanted to go for more of a “shabby chic” look with it so used some “old” colours and hand-embroidered the flowers somewhat randomly as if they were handpainted on.

My 5yo has suggested I make some sugar cubes, teabags, and cookies to go with it — I think he is very creative, and will take his advice! I’ll probably knit the teabags, though, so they’re drapey. Maybe some little napkins, too….

 

Mail!!

I have been on a strict yarn budget of late, trying to burn through my stash. Was in a stash-burning game with some friends a few weeks ago, and look what I received as a “reward” –

4 ozs of Bluefaced Leicester Aran, hand-dyed by Rory’s Rump — the colourway is “Blowfish Revisited” and I absolutely love it. And check out the pretty stitch markers! I’m rather obsessed with my markers and yarn coordinating in a project, so this is fab.

What a fun mail day!

FO Quick-Fix

At last count, I think I had around 6 projects on the go. Keeps me busy, but sometimes means a long gap between FO’s…this scarf was a great remedy for it. It’s the One Skein Scarf — my favourite, always trusty quick-gift pattern. Using the K hook and a lighter worsted weight yarn make it drapey and soft, and it’s a fairly classic style.

Without further ado…a nearly-instant gratification FO.

The yarn is Paton’s Soy Natural Blends. I really detested knitting with it, but it crocheted beautifully…in fact, I’ll probably buy it again for crochet projects; the smoothness and sheen and soft drape work really well with hooking.

Do you ever throw away yarn?

Do you?

I can’t.

All my yarn “bits” (like from trimming ends) go into a small bag to serve as stuffin’ for felted toys.

I keep even the smallest remains of balls of wool…I have about a grocery bag full of them now…like probably 10 yd length at the most per ball! I think I might do a felted something or other with them soon, need to clean out the stash!

Is this a sign of sickness, or just my marvelously yarn-obsessed, frugal self shining through?

“Decadence” Soakies

Remember my Kettle Dyeing Play-by-Play? It came out looking like this   and I decided to call it “Decadence” because it brings to mind life’s little luxuries things like rich chocolate, red wine, or a really great cup of coffee.

Anyway, here is what it looks like all knit up: