princessdeia

Yarn: Opal Prisma in 1192 (Green).
Pattern: Sock it to ‘em pattern with decreases for the calf.
Needles: 2 mm DPN’s (5 needles).
Notes: As I have mentioned, my sister has awful taste in trainers so for her birthday, I had to introduce her to the wonderful world of Converse, but you can’t just have a pair of Converse you also need a matching pair of socks, and so for the last month I have been busy knitting some green socks - the perfect project for May’s Project Spectrum.

I wanted to make knee-high socks, so I started with 80 stitches and decrease a stitch at the beginning and end of each 10th round, to 60 stitches, then followed the basic sock pattern.

I also used Alison’s method for solid coloured heels, but I don’t think it works extremely well with this yarn as the stripes are too short, it looks better on the fatter stripes.

Tags: Finished Project, Project Spectrum, Socks

2 Comments »

I had a wonderful weekend helping my sister celebrate her birthday, on Saturday we went to Bicester Village, for some extreme shopping, my poor credit card. Then on Monday, we watched Friends with Money and had an amazing meal at Harlem (corn bread and mac and cheese).

Not much knitting has been done, I started the sleeve for my striped sweater, I am going to have cap sleeves, all in wine with raglan sleeve. I am hoping to finishe both of them this evening whilst watching TV.

I have also signed up for World Cup KAL, as I am already a football widow; it is just like the Knitting Olympics, only over 30 days rather than two weeks. I just need to think what I am going to make, I have some lovely Navy Aurora 4 Yarn that I have wanted to make into a cardigan, something like the Chanel Jacket (pdf file) from Knit Scene I guess I could make that in four weeks, or I could make the crochet dress (but this is meant to be a Knitting KAL). Once I have sorted out that dilemma, I can move on to my next one should I watch England in the final or complete the KAL (Yes I do Believe).

Tags: Daily Life, KAL, Striped Sweater, World Cup KAL

No Comments »

Yarn: Sirdar Town and Country 4ply Sock Yarn in Classic Grey and Cygnet Wool Rich 4ply in Rose Pink.
Pattern: Sock it to ‘em pattern with short row heel.
Needles: 2 mm DPN’s (5 needles).
Notes: I had about 75 grams of the grey yarn in my stash, and this pink wool I brought for some reason (I have no idea what I was thinking when I brought it), but I decided to make a striped pair of socks – originally as part of March’s Project Spectrum, as I had a limited amount of the pink yarn I added an extra stripe on the foot.

This project was also the perfect time to experiment with short-row heels, as I figured the grey heel would look more symmetrical, I think the socks fits more snuggly this way, but I have to get use to short-rows, I am still not use to this techinique.

Tags: Finished Project, Project Spectrum, Socks

No Comments »

Yarn: Sirdar Town and Country 4ply Sock Yarn in Classic Grey.
Pattern: Spun’s Summer Socks, Geisha Sock.
Needles: 2 mm DPN’s (5 needles).
Notes: I use to think knitting socks would be extremely hard – but this was my second pair and a little more adventurous, I also use to think knitting gloves would be impossible, but, this is really just a mitten pattern adapted for feet, and it really wasn’t that complicated.

I did have a little problem after I picked up the stitches to complete the round for the toes, I ended up with a tiny hole, however, this was easily fixed by darning the hole after the sock was complete.

* These socks were made for my sister to wear with her Nike Air Rift and not with Flip Flops

Tags: Finished Project, Socks

No Comments »

This week I have become obsessed with Topshop – not just because of the Laura Lees collection in there (I could have brought all the dresses in her range), but they also have the most amazing vintage print shift dresses in there. Then yesterday, I saw the most beautiful crocheted dress (the one on the homepage), the only problem it is in white.

I use to crochet a lot – there was even I time I preferred it to knitting – I thought my knitting was messy. But over the last 18 months it has been all about knitting. I have been thinking about crocheting again, but have yet to find an interesting project. Now, all I want to do is crochet a dress (I even dreamt about this dress in a blue colour)…

… Over to goggle, and I found this amazing pattern (pdf file) from Interweave, quick trip over to Texere and I found the their Double Top Cotton is the right gauge can comes in the perfect blue (shade royal). Now all I need to do is find my crochet hooks.

Tags: planning

2 Comments »

1. Which yarn is most like your personality (you can be specific or general with your answer- brand, type, color, fiber, whatever)?
This is a tough question – I am not keen on acrylic, but they have the place. I love unusual yarn like Louisa Harding Glisten, but tend to only knit scarves with them – rather than a full garment that would be expensive (I guess I like a bargain when looking for yarn). I love cotton and use a lot of it all times of the year.
2. What is your favorite color yarn to knit/crochet with?
I love blues, but have been using a lot of pinks and wines this year.
3. Have you ever used variegated, or magic, yarns?
Yes, Hipknit’s Silk, KSH Spray and Opal sock yarn.
4. Do you tend to favor certain fibers when choosing yarns?
Cotton, but I am drawn towards merino at the moment.
5. Do you prefer to work with center-pull or traditionally wound balls of yarn?
I tend to use traditional, but I am not fussed.
6. Have you ever worked with organic yarns or are you interested in trying them?
No, and yes!
7. How many and what projects have you made in the last year?
Scarves, jumpers, mini-sweaters and even a pair of socks (all here).
8. Will you be knitting any gifts this year?
Yes, I am currently knitting a secret present for my sister’s birthday and I should be knitting some stuff for Xmas (again).
9. What is your favorite one skein project?
Confession time, I have yet to knit anything from the book – but am looking forward to starting the clutch and some cupcakes.
General one skein projects, it would have to be KSH scarves (having made 10 last year).
10. How much yarn do you have in your stash and how do you store it?
Not a lot really, at the moment, I have a box with odd bits and three small bags -all containing blue wool, all ear-marked for projects over the next few months.
11. Do you have a yarn in your stash that you love so much you can never use it or part with it?
No. I often buy a nice yarn because I like the colour or feel, but end up wanted to knit with it and then knitting a quick scarf of hat.
12. Do you knit less or differently in the summer?
I tend to knit lots of little cotton jumpers.
13. Do you belong to any knitting groups (online or offline)?
Just a few online groups, see my sidebar.

Tags: meme, One Skein, questionaire, Swaps

1 Comment »

My card making for this month is early over, I have finished all 60 Save the Date Cards, that are all waiting to be posted next week. But before, I pack away my card making stuff, I need to do now is make a card for Suzanne at Luscious Fibers.

Here’s the cards, the inserts in the envelopes are via Martha Stewart Wedding (I love that magazine), I also made some monogram stickers from mini label stickers for the back of the envelopes.

I have both my match-ups from the two secret pal exchanges, and have been busy reading their blogs and trying to get ideas for gifts, which means I have an excuse to go yarn shopping (who am I kidding I don’t need an excuse). Note to self, I must buy some buttons for Mum’s twin set.

Having spent the last few days with my sister, my secret project is on hold and I have been concentrating on my stripy sweater. The front is complete (I knitted it first, so I could experiment with a lower neckline), and I have started the armhole shaping on the back. I am unsure what to do about the sleeves, to leave it as a vest, have a little cap sleeve or a regular short sleeve.

Tags: invites, Striped Sweater, Wedding, WIP

No Comments »

I have decided to start devoting all my time to just one project, I have about six items on the needles at the moment and I think I am spreading myself a little thinly. My major project for May is a surprise for my sister’s birthday, it is in green (for Project Spectrum)but that is all I am saying.

Apart from that I am going to finish all the little bits on some projects, sew buttons on my mum’s cardigan, block my circular shrug, sew up the toes on the socks! All which will only take one evening, but I just don’t have the free time at the moment.

This week, I have been busy designing our wedding stationary and making Save the Date cards - it is a little strange mass producing cards, normally my paper-crafts are one offs, now I have become a perfectionists over the silliest things.

I have seen a few people post this, so thought I would jump on the bangwagon!

http://www.hotfreelayouts.com/music.php

Tags: meme, planning, Project Spectrum, Wedding

No Comments »

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Any really, cotton, KSH.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
An old needlecase, my circular needles and DPN’s are in a bag.
3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I started when I was a kid (about 9), did a little during High School and College to relax – but started up a few years ago. I guess I am an advanced beginner.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes – here
5. What’s your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Anything berry-like, I love Bath and Body Works Sweet Pea.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Yes, I only like British Chocolate – but I love Jelly Belly and Twizzlers..
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I make cards and scrapbook. No, I don’t spin.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Mainly alternative, old school Britpop (Blur, Stone Roses, Verve).
Current tunes on my iPod, are Arcade Fire, Arctic Monkeys, Interpol and Nine Black Alps.
Yes – I can play MP3s.
9. What’s your favorite color? Or–do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can’t stand?
I loves Blues, but am using a lot of reds and pinks at the moment.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I got engaged this year to my long term b/f, we are getting married next year. No children or pets.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Hats, scarves and gloves.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Mini sweaters, like OSW, Circular shrug or the Anthropologie-inspired capelet.
13. What are you knitting right now?
Striped sweater and some socks.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes!
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Straight, but I am moving towards circular needles – as I hate seaming.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No – that is what I use my b/f for.
17. How did you learn to knit?
My mum taught me when I was a kid, then I have picked up tips from books and recently online.
18. How old is your oldest UFO?
Almost a year – it just needs buttons.
19. What is your favorite holiday?
Halloween.
20. Is there anything that you collect?
Birds of Prey Comics.
21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
New Knits: 20 Knitting Projects with a Contemporary Twist.
Scarf Style: Innovative to Traditional, 31 Inspirational Styles to Knit and Crochet.
22. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn?
I guess intarsia.
23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes. Size 7UK
24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
31st October (Halloween).

Tags: meme, questionaire, secret pal, Swaps

No Comments »