End of the Year

Well, while I am attempting to finish some more crafting before the end of the year, I don't think it will all be done. If I take my wheel to Scotland with me then perhaps it will.

So, here's my year in crafting. I've made over 32 things including 12 yarns! Most of the spinning was towards the beginning of the year when my wheel was new and I wasn't really feeling the knitting vibe. Since I joined Nerd Wars the crafting has picked up pace, with 16 of the 32 items being created since September 1st.



and missing from there?
My honeymoon shawl...



A great year for crafting, can 2012 be better? I hope so!

More Crafting!

So, I've photographed and uploaded some more of my projects!

First up, a crocheted bow tie!



Pattern:Crocheted Bow Tie by Craftzine
Yarn: James C. Brett Pure Merino - red.
Hook: 4mm
Modifications: None, but if I did it again I'd make the neckband a lot smaller! I have to tie it in a knot at the back to resize it due to the stretch of the yarn!
Verdict: Well, not a bad pattern, but doesn't take into account the stretch. Maybe in cotton it would be fine.

A Washcloth (here's hoping that the recipient doesn't read my blog!)



Pattern:Starfish Dishcloths by Coats and Clark
Yarn: various
Hook: 4.5mm (I think)
Modifications: None really. Didn't do the crab stitch edge.
Verdict: Good. The crochet is a nice texture and the pattern is pretty!

and a soap saver bag



Pattern:Pickin' Knits Spiral Soap Saver
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cotton (I think)
Hook: 4.5mm (I think)
Modifications: It's finer yarn and a smaller hook than recommended, but no other changes really!
Verdict: Good. The crochet is a nice texture for a scrubby.

I can't believe it's almost Christmas already! It's quite nice that we have a Saturday as Christmas Eve, a whole day of no plans for me and hubby.
Well, I say no plans. I have a bag to felt, some spinning and knitting to do, and I'd love to get through some more of hubby's prezzie. It's no way going to be finished on Christmas morning, but I'll be able to knit on it when he can see after Christmas so there's a good chance he'll have it before the New Year.

So, There may be another post after Christmas with some nice knited things.
Or not.
We will see.

Knitting owls, and Chickens.

Well, I'm still knitting! I've had a nice week so far, though the weight loss isn't really on track right now everything else is going well!

So, Still being inspired by Nerd Wars, I have two items for you today (and when I get the pictures uploaded I'll have some more!)

The first is this cute little stuffed toy



Pattern: Owl Puffs by Jenna Krupar (Rav link)
Yarn: Random Leftovers
Needles: 4mm
Modifications: Used buttons for eyes
Verdict: Cute! Ideally I would have used a firmer gauge. Also, it's quite small, so perhaps extra increases and extra rows for a bigger owl. But still, cute!

And the second is this lovely tie which I knitted for my hubby while watching the Buffy season 1 and 2 box sets.



Pattern: Knit Necktie by Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Pure North Ronaldsay Wool (from woolfest a couple of years ago)
Needles: 5mm
Modifications: cast on less stitches for a skinnier tie. Also, cast on an odd number so all rows begin k1, p1... makes the moss stitch easier!
Verdict: Great! I'm really pleased with how it looks, and hubby likes it too!

I have also completed a small bag, a bowtie and I've cast on for the re-knit of the Klingon sweater. All being well it will be more successful this time.
I also hope to complete hubby's Christmas present and some spinning I have on the wheel. I've no idea what I'll knit after that though!

January will be a month off in Nerd Wars, so I'm free to knit whatever I like! Not that I haven't knitted things I've wanted to knit over the past few months, but...

In other news, the chickens are well.



Buffy, the older of the three, laid her first egg on December 9th. She's laid 4 days out of 5 since then, so lots of lovely eggs now starting to be available. We had a lovely flan type thingy made with the first four eggs yesterday for lunch and it was very nice. Looking forward to my Christmas Morning eggs and bacon.
They all seem quite happy too. We let them out in the garden for the first time at the end of November



They seemed to really like it! We let them out for an hour last Sunday too, and they all spent the full hour hiding behing the shed. While this made me quite nervous that they would either accidentally get into the paddock out the back or else into next door through the hedge, they didn't bother about that! They all came back to the house for bedtime like good little hens. I'm getting more relaxed about letting them out in the garden to free range, though probably only when we're in. I'm looking forward to the summer when we'll be able to let them out after work for a few hours!

Well, that's all for now. I'll show you my other crafting when the photos are up!

No WIP left behind

Yes, it's December.
In fact, it has been December for almost a week.

Cue working out what I've made in the past year and whether I feel like it's "enough", and also reviewing my "goals" from last year.
I didn't really set any proper goals, but on the 4th of January I included a list of things I planned and hoped for in 2011 (I've re-worded some of them!)

Get Married!
Have an amazing honeymoon!
Get chickens!
Yarn and Knitting!		Where to begin? There'll be a knitting in 2011 post later...
Spinning Wheel!
Gym in the garage!
Join Zumba		Not my thing!
Lose weight at slimming world
Move roles at work		Woo!
Have an Excellent year!		Well, I think so :)

Nerd Wars Round 2 is over!

And I haven't blogged about it once. Shame on me.

Well, that does mean that I have quite a lot of finished things to share with you.

The challenges this time were more challenging (and the round three ones are REALLY hard!) but I eventually came up with something for every one of the six challenges.

I made a square on the diagonal which I've donated to an AIDS Orphans charity...



Pattern: cast on 3, increase by kfb 2nd stitch every row until sides are desired length, knit 2 rows, decrease by k2tog every row until 3 sts remain, cast off.
Yarn: leftover Karaoke and leftover Cascade 220
Needles: 4.5mm
Modifications: n/a
Charity link: Knit a Square

I made a snowflake, which will be a tree ornament for me.



Pattern: Snowflake 11 from Chez Crochet
Yarn: 4ply baby wool
Hook: 4mm
Modifications: I changed the final round slightly for ease, but can't really explain it!
Verdict: Once it's starched it will be fab!

And I made a heart (Spock's heart, so it's green)



Pattern: Baby Hearts (Rav link only)
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Pure Cotton (lime)
Needles: 4mm
Modifications: None!
Verdict: Nice pattern, would be fab stuffed with lavender or similar.

And I made this shawl.

























Pattern: Mizzle (Rav link only)
Yarn: Orkney Angora St Magnus D.K. (pink), Sublime Yarns Angora Merino (brownish)
Needles: 5mm
Modifications: Didn't do the garter ridges, otherwise knit as written.
Verdict: It's fab. It needs blocking, then I'll know if it's big enough!