What? A new post?

It's been a few years but I thought I'd resurrect this blog. So what's happened in the since I last posted on here? I've knitted.... a lot, and spent far too much time increasing the size of my queue on Ravelry, acquired a vast number of WIPs, got an allotment, taken up bee-keeping, started playing indoor bowls and become an aunt for the first time.

The other day a friend commented about the size of my WIP list - I think it hit home just how large it is, even though the OH had been trying to tell me this for months. What can I say? I have startitis.

In an attempt to make the pile of project bags shrink I joined the '7 WIPs in 7 Days' group on Ravelry. I have good intentions, I've made my list. I've gained some enthusiasm for some of my hibernating projects and they have moved on again. A couple haven't been touched yet as I have been out during those evenings so far.

My list consists of:

• Monday: Perianth Blanket
• Tuesday: Stasis Cardi
• Wednesday: Nuvem
• Thursday: Grey Cardi
• Friday: Rams and Yowes Blanket
• Saturday: Garden Gate Socks
• Sunday: Rams and Yowes Blanket (again)

This list is my ‘evening’ knitting. During my commute to work I’ll be working on a small project from this list - at the moment the Garden Gate Socks - or a sleeve etc, something a bit more portable.

Although I've realised that I've selected too many large items for my first list, I need more smaller items to get the list of WIPs smaller. I may need to revise it.

Even with all these good intentions I've decided to cast on (yet) another project - the Starsky Cardigan. My reasoning is that the weather here has taken a real turn towards Autumn this week and I'd love a large snuggly cardigan. I've ordered some Cascade Eco+ in the turtle colour and can't wait to get started. It's chunky weight wool and on big needles, it should be finished soon right? Please agree with me. Then I promise my 7WI7D list will get right back on track.

Magic Loop Socks

I hate DPN's. I'm sure that one day I'm going to poke my eye out! Browsing through Ravelry I came across the magic loop method of knitting socks (and other tubular items). My first attempt was not good. I used a 32"/80cm needle but it kept on twisting and was very awkward. Reading other people's comments the choice of needle brand seems to have a difference. So I ordered a 32"/80cm Addi 2.5mm needle and it's great! I now love the magic loop method.

The Addi needle is so much better to use, the stitches slip onto the needle very easily and it doesn't all get twisted up. Another reason I like the Addi needles is that they have the size printed on the cable - so no more putting them down and having to work out which size they are.

A very good tutorial on how to do the magic loop method can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtBSmxGomPk

So yet another project started is the Ribbed Lace socks for myself (from the Sensational Socks book) in a very bright Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Merino (sugar maple). I've also started the Wicked sweater. I'm using the Cascade 220 pumpkin spice colour that was meant for the Snow White project (which i've now frogged due to sizing issues). I may restart the Wicked sweater and include short-row bust adjustments as the 35-39" size should fit my back but I'm having to make a 40-43" to fit my bust. I've ordered the Big Girl Knits book which apparently has a good section on how to work out how many short-row sets to do depending on size and gauge - I'll write a longer review once it's arrived.

Keep knitting!

Projects a-go-go!

Well, I've scooted through several projects since the end of November - a pair of bright red socks for me, the Cobblestone pullover for Simon plus a hat from the same designer in the leftover wool, endpaper mitts in two shades of green and the February Lady Sweater in a mallard blue (a blue and purple yarn). If you're a member on ravelry then more pictures are up on my account.

The February Lady Sweater is lovely. I treated myself to some nice buttons which set it off a treat. I really do like the Cascade 220 yarns - this was my second project (the first being the Cobblestone pullover). I've ordered some more, in a pumpkin spice colour, to make the Snow White sweater which should be arriving any day. My ribbing often goes a bit 'funky' so i'm going to try the method in which the stitches are knitted (or purled) through the other side of the stitch. I've done a small sample and it has evened out my ribbing quite nicely although my tension has changed (now a bit tighter).

I've also ordered some Rowan Kidsilk Night in dazzle red to make a laceweight seascape shawl for my cousin's wedding in July - hopefully I'll be able to find an outfit that matches!

Ravelry Rocks!

Blimey Ravelry is addictive! If anyone is struggling to find a new project I'd recommend you become part of the Ravelry rabble. I now have so many projects I want to knit. The free patterns are great and I've had so many nice helpful comments.

The Cobblestone Pullover has been started and I'm loving the Cascade yarn. It sits so well and feels good. The only problem I've encountered so far has been trying to cast on 230 stitches onto a circular needle without getting them twisted. I finally got it sussed after the fourth cast-on attempt! Pics will appear soon.

Has anyone got any tips on how to knit with skeins? The Cascade yarn is in 220 yard skeins and is getting twisted. I've unravelled a couple of the skeins and rewound them into balls but this is quite time consuming. So all tips are appreciated.

Three projects finished and being worn!

Blimey. In the last couple of weeks i've really had a push and i've finished three projects! Yay.

The Central Park Hoodie had been staring at me for months so i finally stopped feeling guilty and got the thing sewn up. I used mattress stitch to insert the first sleeve and sew the side...but that was months ago and it took sooooo long to do. So, i decided to use the over seam method. I know it's not recommended by some books but it's come out quite nicely. Unfortunatley i didn't sew the buttons on well enough so two have already come off but they'll be put back on soon.

So armed with my sewing knowledge and a bundle of enthusiasm I finished the Sirdar 8777 pattern. I increased the body length by an inch (i'm a bit taller than the average female) but this meant that i was running very short of wool to knit the collar so i only knitted it for 1 & 1/4 inches. I just had enough wool left to sew up the shoulders in the original colour and scavenged some bottle green DK remanents from my partner's mum. Again, when looking at the side seams, unless you look closely you can't tell it's a very slightly different colour but i'm pleased with the sewing.

And finally, i've finished my first ever pair of socks! They are knitted to a standard Regia 4 ply pattern (the freebie pattern they give out) on 2.5mm needles. My partner has size 11 UK feet so it took quite a while to get them finished but he seems to like them. One problem i did have is shown in the photo. When decreasing i followed the pattern and decreased on the last stitch. When the socks are being worn they have huge holes in them due to the stitches being stretched. I'm wondering if i should decrease using the 2nd/3rd to last stitches as is shown in other patterns - any advice would be appreciated as the holes don't look very attractive.

Next up - Cobblestone Pullover from Interweave using the Cascade 220 heathers yarn in olive heather for my partner.....just waiting for the wool to arrive.

Central Park Hoodie

In need of a new project I decided rather than spend hours in a little old wool shop, leafing my way through masses of folders in search of that one pattern that was designed for someone under 60 year old, I turned to the internet and discovered the angel yarns forum. Why hadn’t I done this before? It hadn’t even crossed my mind that patterns would be available online, let alone people doing knit-a-longs (KALs) and blogging! Welcome to 2008 Paula.

One of the popular KALs was the central park hoodie, from an American knitting magazine and the pattern was available to download. This is what I’d been looking for – something a bit funkier. The next problem was to find a yarn that could be adapted for the pattern. I’ve never been that adventurous with my knitting – usually knitting the sizes and lengths given to the yarn specified. I eventually settled on Debbie Bliss Donegal Aran Tweed in pillar box red.

It didn’t take long to make, only three or four months (that’s quick for me). I decided to knit the 40” chest and without trying on the finished article it seems to be the right size for me.

My downfall is my sewing up. I’m not a fan of sewing and I get impatient, so usually end up making a hash of it and spoiling the item. As a result I’ve only partially sewn up the hoodie, just the second sleeve to put in, that side to sew up and the buttons to place.

The picture above is of the back section. Due to the wool being bobbly some of the rib section looks a little odd but when the garment is stretched out it's less obvious. I’ll post some more pictures when it’s all sewn up.