princessdeia

I can’t believe the six month of Project Spectrum are finally over, it has been a whirlwind of colour. Unlike a normal knit-along, this scheme spilled over into all accepts of crafting and even everyday life. You just have to look at the Flickr group to see how people were inspired by colour all over the place.

One of the add joys of this project has been the Postcard Swap over the last six months I have been introduced to six new bloggers, have been impressed with the cards they have send me which, has lead me to be embarrassed with the poor quality of cards I have sent them. At the moment, my final card is somewhere over the Atlantic, winging it’s way Jody at Java Jem probably waving hello as it passed the card she sent me.

September, has become left-over month for Project Spectrum a time to finish up projects from previous months, this is going to be great for me, really all I finished as part of the project was my pink capelet, the two tone pink socks and green surprise socks for my sister’s birthday.

As I didn’t really make anything in April – Yellow and Orange aren’t really my colours, so it was easy to finish my pink projects from March. I just managed to finish the socks in May –on the morning of my sister’s birthday.

My list of unfinished objects is a lot longer, in June, I tied in the World Cup KAL with PS, to make a blue cardigan – which is almost finished. From July, I have a half finished Purple scarf and finally, my Brown mohair sweater from this month.

I believe Lolly is thinking of repeating this Project next year, I would strongly recommend it to all crafters, it has made me more aware of colour, I see it everywhere, in nature, whilst crafting, and even in simple things like a cup or hotel room. If you still need convincing about this check out the Flickr group it has become a place for inspiration, seeing new techniques and to see new knitting patterns (I love seeing peoples FOs).

Tags: Project Spectrum

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I have been away for a few days – and since getting back have been suffering with a cold – so tonight is the first time I have been able to get near the laptop.

When I got home, I found a huge grey bag awaiting me – the kind you get with yarn in – only I knew I hadn’t ordered any yarn. I hadn’t checked my mail in while so didn’t realise my Secret Pal had sent out a parcel.

Once I ripped open the bag, I found the handmade box, adorning each of the sides and top are images from Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Tiffany & Co. Including a diamond ring with the Tiffany’s setting (I am not obsessed with Tiffany’s honest). You can see them better in the close-ups of the box.

Within the gifts was a little card – with my Secret Pal’s identity – Thank you Helen at Helishlyknitting.

Amongst the goodies, where some Kidsilk Night – she caught on to my obsession with KSH – I am not sure what to make with it – but am thinking a top.

Also some SW Trading Company’s Bamboo. I have never used with yarn – or any SW yarns for that matter and can’t wait to try it.

There was also some scrap-booking/card-making supplies – I really should get on and make some cards, just to try out all these new toys.

Finally, there was a mini hand-made box to match the bigger one – which currently is holding my stitch-markers.

Thank you once again Helen, I look forward to reading your blog and finding out more about you.

Tags: Swaps

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As sun seems to have gone on holiday and the shops are full of autumn clothes , I have put together a list of things I have seen in shops, that I fancy knitting.

1. Even though, I never got around to making my crochet dress this summer, I am thinking about a chunky knitted dress.
2. A simple stripe cardigan (I’m not sure what colours I will make this in).
3. Deep V-neck lurex top.
4. a cable hoodie – although, I think I will make Central Park Hoodie.

I haven’t even been to Gap lately and I always love their winter knits – I will be busy.

As well as planning some knits, I have been busy knitting the mohair stripe sweater, I am knitting this with 4.5mm circular needles so it is knitting up very quickly after about a week, I have knitted over 12 inches of the body, and am about to start shaping the armholes.

I have almost finished my other Striped Sweater (that I started back in May), and I have discovered a problem with knitting stripes, weaving in the ends.

As much as I love knitting, I hate seaming, which is why I love knitting on the round – sewing with always come back to haunt me last night I spend several hours weaving in the ends and I am still no where near finished.

Tags: Grey Dress, Mohair Striped, planning, Project Spectrum, Striped Sweater, Sweaters

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Yesterday I met up with my sister for lunch in Putney, so it was the prefect time for me to check out Stash Yarns. I treated myself to Knit 1 and the newest Knitscene, as well as some Addi Turbo’s so I can finally start my brown sweater. I am re-working the pattern from Vintage Knits, so it is made with Double Knit Cotton and Mohair, instead of 4-ply and KSH. I spent the night designing the pattern and swatching. Whilst I had my design hat on, I started planning my next project.

Last week, my sister and I saw a amazing grey cardigan in Top Shop, but it acrylic, being a yarn snob, I couldn’t allow my sister to buy it. as an alternative I offered to knit her the sweater in wool.

Tags: planning

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Yesterday started off well, I received a parcel from my Secret Pal – unfortunately the postmark was smugged so I have no idea where she lives, her address is on the back but I don’t recognise the postcode – I will have to google it to find out.

She got me New Knits, this book has been on my wish list for over a year, I always over look it buying the newest knitting book. It’s a great book to put on the coffee table to let non-knitters flick through to show them knitting is more than just chunky scarves and baggy jumpers. In fact my sister as already requested the boudoir slippers.

Also, the perfect t-shirt for my blog – I am thinking of changing the colours to pink to match this shirt – Miss Golightly looking fabulous as always. And an assortment of sweets, I really need to rent some DVD’s to eat all these snacks.

After the excitement of opening presents, Jason and I met his mum and nephew at the Science Museum for a quick educational and fun day out, I hadn’t been there for a few years and it has been brought up to date with exhibits on DNA and global warming.

After Lunch we had time for a quick trip to the Natural History Museum, to see the dinosaurs - just enough time to take some photos. I pass this building numerous times and I never really noticed it, now it become my favourite building in London, it has some amazing architecture, hidden monkey, dinosaur and fish gargoyles around the doorways and windows. 

Tags: Project Spectrum, Swaps

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I know everyone love receiving parcels, isn’t that the whole reason for signing up for Secret Pal exchanges, and this time around I get twice the fun. On Thursday, I got on of those “we tried to deliver a parcelâ€? cards on the doorstep and I had to wait until Saturday to go and pick it up because of their silly opening times – don’t you just hate it when that happens.

What I picked up was a parcel from Hawaii. Jason and I are planning our trip to Hawaii for our honeymoon so I am obsessed with the islands, which has been enhanced since discovering my One Skein Secret Pal lives there.

The yarn OSSP sent me was a hank of Araucania Patagonia Nature Cotton in purple shades, and as she pointed out three of my favourite things for yarn, the colour, cotton and hand-dyed. I can’t wait to use it.

Even Jason commented that the parcel was very me, as it also included some Honey Roasted Macadamias, I am always snacking on peanuts, pistachios or cashews nuts – they are my dieting downfall. My favourites nuts are the honey roasted kind – which these where. I am waiting for a good t.v. night to open the packet.

Speaking of one skein secret pal, I have sent out my yarn for June and July and am half way through their knitted gift, I spent the majority of the weekend on it, as well as sorting out my UFO’s, expect a lot of completed projects soon.

Tags: One Skein, Swaps

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Yarn: Karabella Aurora 8 color 1547.
Pattern: The Clutch You’ll Never Give Up from One Skein and various flowers from iVillage.
Needles: 5mm circular.
Notes: I had this yarn in my stash and although it wasn’t the right gauge, I adapted the pattern. Casting on double the stitches and knitting twice as many lines on smaller needles.

The flowers where made with odd wool from my stash, the cream is a Morning Star made with Cascade 220, the Navy is Pinwheel, made in Rowanspun DK. The other flower was part of the wrapping from my One Skein Secret Pal parcel from June.

Tags: Felted Bags, Finished Project

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As I have been concentrating on OSSP, I seem to have neglected Project Spectrum, I received this lovely card for Claudia over the weekend, hidden in the mosaic is eye which has been staring back whilst I type this.

I also invested in some Double Top Cotton in brown, from Texere. Which I am going to turn into the mohair stripe sweater from Vintage Knits. I have some left over Destiny Mohair (also from Texere), from my Wavy Gravy Scarf I made last year. 

Now I have a little confession – even since I started knitting again, and invested in Stitch ‘n’ Bitch, I have thought about trying some of the techniques like kool aid dying and felting – but have never actually ventured outside of my normal knitting.

Last month, I decided to dive in and make a felted stash-busting bag and also the felted clutch from One Skein. This is the stash-busting bag – pre-felt and my Clutch is blocking at the moment, I just need to add some crocheted flowers.

Tags: Felted Bags, Mohair Striped, Project Spectrum, Sweaters

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