Up on last year!

Just the yearly updates for 2011:

Weaving 1,847 m

Knitting 10,613 m

Crochet 10,587 m

That is a grand total of: 23,047m

Happy with that - overall net loss, I think.

However, would be even more happy if I were to put it over the 25k m in 2012.

Well, ya goatta havva goal!

Happy New Year.

Weaving!

The loom has been in the house for just over five weeks, and already I'm in scarf heaven.

This black and white number was my first attempt. The selvedges aren't great, but I'm pleased with it as a first effort.

Then came this multi-coloured effort. It's 100% acrylic, but surprisingly soft. I bought it at Ally Pally a couple of years ago, because I fell in love with it, but never knew what to knit. It's interesting, on the skein, it looked more pink and lilac, so I was surprised at how much yellow came through, but it seems to be well received.

And this was my first attempt at solo warping. I thought that it was going to go hideously wrong, but actually, it was fine. Again, a popular effort.

More to follow - as the stash (at last) reduces.

Recent publications

I've been a lousy blogger - apologies. But here are a couple of recently published items.

Men's accessories for Let's Knit.

I was in the flattering position of being emailed to ask if I could come up with something (given my success at a man's tie!).

Adapting some other patts (including the Long Suffering One's never ending scarf), I came up with the attached. It's in King Cole Mirage - a 50% wool yarn that I really like, it's soft and warm. I had initially suggested blacks and greys, so was surprised when this colourway turned up, but I was very pleased with how the things turned out.

The second pattern (in Inside Crochet) is, again, an adaptation of an old knitting idea, but this time adapted for crochet. The yarn (James C Brett Pure Merino) is beautifully soft.

Something for me!

This is a cropped cardigan made to wear at my friend's wedding.

Based on an Ann Budd knitting pattern (from the "Handy Book of Sweater Patterns") and adapted for crochet.

Hadn't bought enough yarn at first (by over half!), but managed to get more and same dye lot. The border is worked in a different dye lot, but that's a chance I'll take.

Beautiful yarn, plain top

Latest publication - Inside Crochet.

The yarn is gorgeous - Louisa Harding, Aimee. Cashmere and Cotton mix. Great to work with.

Turned out nice again....

.... well, actually, turned out better than I'd hoped! This is the latest published creation (only one more to go, at the moment). This was the second to be made in the "Spicy" colourway of Sirdar Calico and I was very pleased with how it turned out.

Here's looking for more inspiration.....

The joys of being a great aunt....

... I get to make little things!

The bootees are from a really cute pattern by Irene Strange, in last months' Inside Crochet. Made from some generic acrylic 4ply in the stash.

And the jacket is, of couse, a BSJ. This was made from King Cole Mirage. I fell in love with the yarn when I saw it and felt compelled to buy a ball. I'm glad that I've put it to good use.