A scarf remake

 I have a very special scarf that I spun and knit many many years ago. At a time of deep pain, it was the only thing I felt like doing. I was a new spinner and yet to embark on my textile studies. 

Now, I don't wear it, as long scarves don't really serve their purpose. So, it is time for it to be reknit and reworn. A new life. It seems to be the right time.

So, I've unpulled it all and washed the resulting skeins. 

I did a favour for a friend and as a reward she gave me the book 'Knit Fold Pleat Repeat' by Norah Gaughan. On first looking at this book, I wasn't sure if I really liked it, but as I was getting it for free, I thought I'd give it a go. Well.....I've knit the cover scarf, which is named Pinion, and am in the process of knitting one of the tops inside. And now there are a few other things on my wish list.

For this I knit my yarn trying to use as much as I could, whilst leaving enough to knit a pair of matching fingerless mittens. To make the cowl effect, I twisted it in the grafting to make a mobius scarf. Am very happy with the big bulky warm scarf. Just right for Winter at the beach.

It feels like quite an achievement to give this scarf a new life. Warming in all the right ways.

Stormy days

 I've challenged myself to take photos throughout the week; to capture a moment. I have my new little pocket size Lumix camera which I have added to my backpack. Further confirming the feeling that I carry everything, including the kitchen sink! 

I do carry alot....my kindle, keep cup, zip up carry-bag, sunglasses, etc. etc.

This week the weather was the driving force with some strong winds and heavy rain. I did manage to get out on Saturday, in between storms to have a coffee at my favourite coffee shop in Rhyll. The view across the bay was dark and forboding and the swans, who don't usually congregate here thought it might be the safest place. 

I haven't changed anything in the photo. 

Qualifying and the First Round

 Boy, the Qualifying sock for Sock Madness 17 was fun but very time consuming. An exercise in knitting intarsia in the round. It's a trick, and you knit back and forth and end up with a sock in the round.

The Round 1 sock was completely different. Socks knit flat, another trick. Sewn up at the end. Love it, it's like a scar! Unfortunately, had to rush these as we were around from the weekend and being in Team Rambutan I thought that we would be quite fast. I had to resew the seam, so was a little more stressful. But I did make it! 

They are a bit small...not sure how that happened, so someone else is going to get these.

Moving and Spinning

 

This was another project to take along to my Sit and Knit group, SNB Rosanna. But it did take a long time to finish. Originally, I was going to block it before sewing it together and finishing the neckline and cuffs. However, it sat there unable to find space, as I spent the year, getting our house ready for sale, and, eventually, selling and moving. Currently, I don't have the space to block, either, and despite the fact that it's Summer and I don't really need it, I decided to finish it off, and, wear it.

For the past couple of years, I've been spinning up the fleeces and tops that I had in my stash. These are natural colours and I have lots of different colours, but not enough of one for a whole jumper. So, I have been searching for patterns that have multiple colours.

This pattern is from 'The Knitter'. It's knitted in two pieces, bottom up and include the sleeves. 

It was pretty easy to knit as most of the rows were either stocking stitch or garter stitch. There's one row where you do short row knitting to get the bobble. This row takes ages!

Fortunately, the yarn fit to the pattern pretty well. 

Sock Madness has started....again....for the 17th time

 Yes, indeed, Sock Madness has started again. Registration is up until the 14th February. If you want all the details about Sock Madness, it's on Ravelry at https://www.ravelry.com/groups/sock-madness-forever. If you're not on the worldwide knitting community that is Ravelry, perhaps you should have a look and see if it's for you.

Anyway, Sock Madness is, basically, a sock knitting competition, where everyone knits the same sock in two weeks. Over the 7 rounds there are fewer and fewer knitters as the time frame shortens and shortens. The patterns are amazing and you learn alot about knitting and yourself, and, you get a drawer full of beautiful handknit socks.

But I do have to ask myself why I keep doing it. I have an overwhelming number of handknit socks. My first Sock Madness was SM9 where my first socks were the Stroop Stroop socks, which were the warmup sock pattern for that year.

I've just finished this years warmup sock, which was one of three!

I continue to look forward to the challenge. It can be challenging, there are difficult patterns to interpret and knit fast. There are invariably, a new or nearly new technique to look up on Youtube, or figure out, along with fellow competitors. Again, the designs are amazing and done especially for the Madness. I love that people do this for free, they are so generous. We get a veritable library of patterns. 

I also like the competition. It's friendly and in many ways, collaborative as we help people with their difficulties, knowing that there will be someone to help us. But it's still a competition and that deadline, whether it's time based or numbers based motivates you to knit faster.

It's going to be interesting this year with one pattern apparently having a main colour and 34 different bits of colour.

I have bought myself a set of sock blockers, not so much to block the socks, but to be able to photograph them without have to get my feet in all sorts of positions. I hope it helps the moderators to view my finished socks also.

I've downloaded the other warmup socks, but don't have the time to knit them, I may never, but I have them. So, now, I wait impatiently for the 14th and the drop of the first pattern, the qualifying pattern. 

Finished - first for 2023

 

I started this simple t-shirt as an easy project to take to my sit and knit group (SNB Rosanna - on Ravelry-  for more info).

It's basically a stocking stitch t-shirt, however, the asymmetrical neckline gives it a twist. I do love asymmetry. It was lovely to knit and looks good on. Very happy with the result.

The pattern is 'Dora' from Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2022.

The yarn is Papyrus 8ply by Fibra Natura, a lovely combination of 78% cotton, 22% silk. I purchased from Wonthaggi Fabric and Yarns, a great place to shop. Small but a great range. 

So glad I finished this in time for Summer. Now I have to find another mindless knit.

Change - an exhibition for Environmental Sustainability

 As part of my residency at Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub, I was invited to put in my large work, 'Water' into the exhibition 'Change'. I was very happy to accept and we'll add further pieces and have it grown throughout the exhibition. A statement about the amount of plastic and in relation to the exhibition, how we have to change the way we view water, the most vital of all substances.

It was very exciting as I'd had my eye on the open window which is part of the gallery and that is what was proposed. Hanging my 8m piece so that it's in the main foyer as well as in the gallery. It looks good.