princessdeia

Stromtroppers, Heroes World Tour, 6 Month Anniversary, and trips to the dentist have all meant I have very little time to knit.

All I have been able to go is knit a few lines here and there. My Gretel Beret is nearly finished and last night I cast off the cuff on my first Baudelaire sock. I am pretty pleased with this sock as it was my first attempt at a toe-up sock, I loved the figure 8 cast on.

Hopefully, I will be able to post soon with some lovely finished items - I seem to just love everything I have knitted recently, I’m almost longing for the autumn so I can start wearing them.

Speaking of Autumn, I am trying to organise a New Fall Season Swap at the Pop Culture group on Ravelry, it is just a mini-swap - just some yarn for a nice small Fall project (enough for a scarf, hat or gloves or socks) and a TV watching treat (candy, chocolate or hot drink), pop over and join.

Inspired by the group on Ravelry, I have decided to try and knit from my stash again. With my knitting budget linked to Knit Wars (I have nearly 30 pounds saved up), a guilty feeling every time I see the two boxes of yarn in the corner and this bi-monthly colour triad for Project Spectrum (why do I collect purple yarn).

1. Texere Top Cotton, 2. Araucania Patagonia Nature Cotton (to make a v-neck sweater).
3. Natural Dye Studio, (Pomatomus Socks) 4. Knit Picks Palette - Brown -(top-up socks, maybe Baudelaire).

I have been working on my Central Park Hoodie most the week, following Lauren’s lead on at the KAL, I decided to knit this baby in one working on the back and sides at the same time.

I have adjusted the pattern slightly to accommodate knitting as one piece, eliminating a stitch at each edge for selvage, then adding an extra set of cables – which will be under the arms (where the seam should be).

Also, I have finished my Silk Shrug, I am just waiting for some sunshine to get outside and take some decent photos.

1. Purple scarf, 2. Little Leaf Scarf, 3. Fish Tail Scarf,
4. Multidirectional Diagonal Scarf, 5. Minisweater, 6. Lucky Wrap

I haven’t really been taking part in Project Spectrum this year, I have been obsessed with knitting socks, trying to knit from my stash and having problems finding the time to knit… However, I have really been looking forward to this triad mainly as I have a queued project in purple and with autumn around the corner I love thinking of browns and caramels.

Last June, during the blue month of Project Spectrum, I began knitting blue squares for the knit-a-river campaign. Over the last six months, I have only been able to knit 5 squares. However, as the deadline is a beginning of February it seems only fitting that my first post of PSII should include my Knit a River squares.

Last September, I promised my sister I would make her a grey cardigan similar to one she had seen in Top Shop. Over the last few months the cardigan has been and gone in the stores, I think it was even reduced in the January sale, but finally I have got around to making it.

I am knitting it from the top down on my addi turbos (my new favourite needles) using Cascade 220 in Slate Grey.

After, I joined the fronts to the back (when you put the sleeve on the spare yarn) I started to add a cable design. I am kinda making it up as  I go along, but I have decided to increase on the sides (just under the join) so the cardigan has a little flare - like the original design.

Finally, I have caught up on all my bloglines reading - it seemed a little odd reading about plans for Christmas in January - but then I have never considered myself to be normal.

Whilst reading, I came across a few interesting things, Project Spectrum v. 2.0 is starting next month, I have to say I am looking forward to it. Last year, I loved looking over the Flickr group at the array for projects, I also got some great ideas for future knits.

I am not sure if the postcard swap is running this time, I think that was what I enjoyed the most, I got to “met” six different people, got to create some cards and in return ended up with an amazing display of card - the cards where only taken down just before Christmas.

The next interesting thing I found was Knit From Your Stash 2007! I have always tried to manage a small stash, only buying yarn for a set project, not planning to far in the future and showing amazing power in John Lewis. However, over the last few months my stash has steadily increased. I received a lot of wool as gifts last year - from exchanges and birthday gifts, couples with my new obsession of buying yarn online. I now have a stash.

What I loved about Knit From Your Stash, is the simplicity of the rules (and the fact you can change them to suit your needs) - you have to love rule 2.a. Sock yarn does not count. What? You think we are made of stone?

 I am going to try and link both projects, however, it may be a slight problem as all my yarn is blue or grey, so I will be extremely busy in February and March. With not much in knit in April, as I have no yellow or pink wool (although I have nearly finished my green cardigan).