Tuesday 20 January 2015

New Projects

After finishing my Christmas Knitting, I had a bit of a break. I was knitting gifts right up to the big day and then, after receiving some lovely crafty gifts for Christmas, as well as having other projects waiting in the wings, I just couldn't decide what to start.

While I was thinking about it, I cracked on and made some dishcloths. They don't take long to make and I like handmade ones much more than bought ones. They last much longer too. I always use Grandmother's Favorite Dishcloth pattern, it's very easy to knit up.


In the end, I decided that I'd start a couple of projects which have been waiting since Christmas 2013. Mick bought me a huge pack of Stylecraft Special DK, it's made up of the 17 shades which are used in the Attic24 Granny Stripe blanket.


I've been wondering whether to use the yarn to make a Granny Stripe blanket myself or whether to use it for something different. In the end I decided to go with the Granny Stripe afterall. I have two cream leather sofas in my room so I'd like to make a couple of Granny Stripe blankets so that I can have one on the back of each, they will add a bit of colour to all the neutral tones in my room. I love the process of blanket making once I get going, though it has to be said that I'm not keen on those first few rows, making the foundation chain and the first couple of rows after that, but I made a start last night so it should be plain sailing from now on.


Another project which has been waiting since Christmas 2013 is the cross stitch kit which Mick bought me.


I've only attempted cross stitch once before, that was many many years ago and it never got finished. I started this one a few days ago but goodness me, my eyesight is worse than I thought. I'm finding it so hard to see the tiny holes so it's very slow going. This tiny patch which I've completed so far took me a very long time, I can see that this project will take ages to complete. I thought that cross stitch may be a nice winter hobby but I can't see a thing in electric light, I need natural light when stitching, so perhaps it's more of a summer hobby.


I've still got the Yarn From Skeggy to use. I'd like to make this in to a blanket but I'm not sure what style as yet, that's something else to think about. I also think I may add some more colours to those I've already got.


Edward's Menagerie is also waiting to be started. I've decided that the first animal I'll attempt is Emma the Bunny as this is supposed to be the easiest pattern to start off with.


Then there's my hare felting kit which Mick bought me for Christmas this year. I've no idea whether I'll find this easy or hard, needle felting is something I've never tried before.


There's a couple of knitted items I'd like to make. I've been promising myself a hat for the last few years but still haven't got round to making one. My ears get rather cold when I'm out walking Archie, especially when the temperature plummets as it did yesterday. In fact, it was so icy yesterday that I went flying whilst I was walking him. I did that thing that many people do when they take a tumble, get up and pretend it never happened and then have a sneaky look round a few moments later to see if anyone saw you. Luckily, I didn't see anyone about so I hope my fall went unobserved. I didn't think I was hurt at the time but I've got a very sore leg today. Anyway, back to the hat. I've seen a lovely pattern in Issue 128 of Simply Knitting so I'd like to get the yarn for that and I've seen a couple of patterns for scarves which I'd like to have a go at too.


So that's lots of new projects, either just started or waiting to be started. I think I'm going to be very busy.

50 comments:

  1. OOh I like the look of the hat. I'm more into crochet at the moment so I may add it to the list of things to learn to knit - after i have conquered the sock knitting that I am really hoping to learn this year. I used to cross stitch and you can buy a daylight bulb which is meant to make it much easier to see when you need the light on. I think you can buy them for most lamps these days.

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    1. I love knitting socks. I learnt on two needles before I progressed to four but I much prefer dpn's now as there's no sewing up to do. I've never heard of daylight bulbs, I shall definitely have to look in to that.

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  2. You have a lot of projects on the go. Mind you, so do I! I need to make more dishcloths for a start. I'm making a granny stripe blanket using left over yarn. Some of it is the same as your yarn from Skegness. I have a tapestry that I started years ago that I really should finish. But I have a feeling the same thing will apply to it as to your cross stitch - needs to be done in good daylight.

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    1. Most of the projects are waiting on the sidelines but they'll be started very soon. I just wish there were more hours in the day so that I could do everything I want to.

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  3. There certainly is plenty there to keep you occupied!
    I do like the pattern you've chosen for the hat. he colour in the mag is nice too.
    Good luck with the bunny!
    I love the Attic 24 bundles and I bet your blankets are going to look fab.
    Lisa x

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    1. I like the colour in the magazine too, though it wouldn't go with anything I've got so I'll probably choose something different. The Attic24 packs are great, such good colour selections.

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  4. Love your projects, I too want to do felting, tip for cross stitch, I buy the cheep magnify glasses from the pound shop,I have used them for years without any problems with my eyes

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    1. I do wear glasses for reading but I think I could do with some stronger ones, especially for cross stitch. I'm not very keen on this getting old lark.

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  5. Cross stitch and embroidery are really hard in this light. I've heard of daylight lamps & need to invest in one. I think they would be good for knitting too. I like your dish cloths, I succumbed to a magazine temptation the other day with a pattern for face cloths. I night give them a go just to justify my purchase.

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    1. I've never heard of daylight lamps so it's something I definitely need to look in to, as you say, they'll be good for other crafts too. There's lots of lovely facecloth patterns on Ravelry, it's hard to choose which one to use.

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  6. Did you know about daylight bulbs - brilliant for craft work. What holes per inch (hpi) is your cross stitch because you could get some aida with less hpi and it would make it much easier to do.

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    1. I didn't know about daylight bulbs, I'll definitely be looking in to them. The cross stitch came in a kit, it says on the back that it's 14 count - 5.5pts/cm. I don't know much about cross stitch but I think it's my eyesight that's bad more than anything.

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  7. it looks like you are going to be kept busy. I'm knitting another Blackberry Beanie but I love the one you've chosen. And a new crochet blanket, I look forward to reading more updates. Amanda x

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    1. I love having such a choice of projects to pick up. I've never made a hat for myself before so it will be a first.

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  8. You've plenty of choices there for a rainy day! Flighty xx

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    1. An a sunny one too. I'm going to be kept very busy.

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  9. Hi Jo, that all looks good! Keep you busy in the cold. I know what you mean about the eyes though, mine are getting tested tomorrow. Hopefully your blanket grows quick, so you can cover up with it while you work. Like the look of the toft book of animals. :)

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    1. Hope your eye test goes ok tomorrow. Mine could do with being tested again, I know I need stronger glasses than what I've got. I loved all the Edward's Menagerie animals when I saw them at Yarndale, I just hope I can manage to follow the patterns.

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  10. I've been making a knitted blanket for a while but I'm really trying to crack on with it now, otherwise it will be bloomin Summer before it's finished.
    Jean x

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    1. I've made a few crochet blankets now but never a knitted one, I fancy giving one a go though. I don't think I can add any more projects to the list just yet so I'll let that one simmer on the back burner for now.

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  11. Lots to keep you out of mischief there Jo. Hope you're leg gets better soon. Funny how we all do that God I hope nobody saw me thing when we trip or fall over isn't it. I know what you mean with the cross stitch. I have a magnifier that clips to my hoop otherwise after all the problems i had with my eyes last year I just wouldn't be able to see what I was doing. It will be lovely though when it's finished. I've managed quite a bit on mine this month and will put a pic up at the end of the month to show how far I've got. So far I am really enjoying getting back into cross stitch I do find it relaxing.

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    1. Thank you. My leg is getting worse as they day wears on, just bruising I expect but quite painful all the same. I've told Archie not to expect any more walks when it's icy, he'll have to make do with the garden as my fall has made me quite nervous now. The magnifier which clips to the embroidery hoop sounds like a great idea, that's something else I shall have to look in to. I'd definitely like to do more cross stitch in one go than I'm managing at the moment.

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  12. You have a lovely lot of different projects to work on. I like the pattern on the hat which I'm sure will be easy for you to follow and will be very attractive too. You certainly need one when out walking in this chilly weather. I hope you've got over your tumble. It's easy to do and I hope you didn't hurt your hands and wrists when you broke your fall. I thought I would try and do some cross stitching again on a picture I had left off because of eye strain, but I didn't get very far. Instead I started on some knitting a simple scarf, but now my right wrist is aching! Back to my reading challenge which is a challenge in more ways than one because of my sight problem, but I do love reading.

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    1. I fancied a hat with a nice pattern on, but one which is easy enough to follow, and I think this is it. I'm looking forward to ordering the yarn and getting started before spring comes around and it isn't needed any longer. Thank you, my leg is quite painful today but my hands and wrists are fine. The only thing which stung when I fell was my hand, I thought it might be grazed but it wasn't and it didn't take long for the stinging to go. I sometimes get aches in my wrists if I overdo the knitting or crochet, it's just a case of giving it a rest for a while and then taking it easy when you get going again. Have you tried a Kindle? I'm loving the Kindle I got for Christmas and the text can be altered so you're not straining your eyes, it might be a solution for you.

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  13. I think it's important to have a few WIPs on the go plus things that are a new challenge. x

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    1. I must admit that I don't usually have lots of things on the go. I used to tackle one project at a time but have recently started having two or three things going at one time, but it is nice to have different things to pick up as the mood takes you. I find it hard to stray out of my comfort zone and try new things so there's definitely some things here which will test me.

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  14. Looks like you've got some good projects in mind. I've started a needle felting project, but it's slow going. Good luck on yours.

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    1. I've seen Eleanor doing needle felting and it seems to take a while, but then it all looks to take shape all of a sudden. I can get quite impatient to get to the end of a project but then I'm sad that it's finished.

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  15. Now which one are you going to start first?
    xx

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    1. Well I've already started the granny stripe blanket and the cross stitch but I really should get on with the hat, in fact, I wish I'd got on with it sooner as we've got snow today and could really do with keeping my ears warm.

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  16. Oh dear, poor you, falling over. I'm not surprised you feel nervous about going out, it shakes you up doesn't it? I've got a daylight bulb in a lamp with an adjustable bendy arm so I can angle it how I want. It's brilliant, especially when you're dealing with similar coloured embroidery threads.

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    1. I felt ok at the time of the fall, it was only a while afterwards when I started feeling a little shakey. Your lamp with a bendy arm sounds just what I need. It's good that you're able to position it exactly where you need the light.

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  17. You are going to be a very busy lady! I will look forward to seeing your granny stripe blanket and how the different colour combinations work for you. It is fun playing with them, especially when you have so many shades to choose from isn't it! Happy crafting! xx

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    1. Indeed I am, but it's going to be fun while I'm busy. I'm choosing the colours quite randomly for my granny stripe blanket so it will be interesting seeing how they work out.

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  18. I'm not fond of the foundation rows on a crochet blanket either, Jo. After you get it going, though, it's much better. Yes, as others have said, daylight bulbs are the way to go. You should be able to get them from a sewing shop - or no doubt Amazon will have them too. I hope your leg feels better soon. You be careful out there!

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    1. I'm passed that foundation row now so the rest should be a doddle. My leg feels a little better today, thank you, but we've got snow today so I'm even more nervous of walking.

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  19. What a menagerie of crafts! From needlefelting to knitting via cross stitch (daylight bulb sounds good; and might save my eyesight as well!)
    Good luck with them all.... and I KNOW we'll be kept informed as to how far along you've got!

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    1. It's good to have an assortment of different crafts to pick up as the mood takes me. I shall have to do a few update posts to show how far I've got with them all.

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  20. I use an Ott Light for cross stitching even during the day. At 64, my eyesight is not the best but this light makes everything very bright. I couldn't make it without my light. I love the yarn pack for the blanket. I would love to do that some time but the shipping from England to the USA and the exchange rate is a little bit out of reach right now. I love all your projects. Good luck on them.
    Hugs,
    Sharon

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    1. I think these lights are definitely the way to go, I'll end up with eye strain otherwise. Have you looked on Wool Warehouse website? I know they ship worldwide but I've heard others mention that the postage to the USA is very reasonable, though I don't know myself, but worth checking out.

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  21. Can't wait to see all the finished articles x hope your leg's not sore for long! I I use to work as a kennel maid for a lady that bred Bull Mastiffs, I lost count of how many times they pulled me over on snow and ice!

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    1. You may be waiting some time, I'm quite slow when it comes to crafting. My leg's a little better today, thank you. Archie just turned and wagged his tail at me when he saw me on the floor, I think he thought I was joining him down there to play.

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  22. Wow, that's a lot of things, so go easy and don't overdo it. I'm with you on the cross stitch these days and as you know, I already wear glasses. Looking forward to seeing what you start on. Hope that leg is OK. Stay warm and take care.

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    1. I always take my time when crafting, I think it's there to be enjoyed, not rushed through. My leg feels a bit better today, but we've got snow here so I daren't go out in it at the moment.

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  23. You will be busy, but it's so nice to have lots of projects to work on, especially this time of year. Your cross-stitch is coming along nicely as is your dishcloth. I just got a small shipment of Stylecraft yesterday, I needed to replenish a few colors that I use a lot. Hope your leg is doing better today.

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    1. I've just ordered the yarn for my hat so that's another project I'll be able to get on with. The snowfall we had overnight has encouraged me to get on with it. My leg is much better today, thank you.

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  24. All those lovely balls of wool are just begging to be crocheted and knitted! I look forward to seeing some more 'work in progress' photos as the months go by. Jx

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    1. I'm such a slow crafter that the work in progress photos will be a long time apart. Still, it's so enjoyable working on a project that I don't mind how long it takes me.

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  25. Goodness, what a great selection of things to make you have.

    Only just found your blog ... my dear mum was a great knitter - is it a dying craft, I don't think so,

    All the best Jan

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    1. All these projects will certainly keep me busy. I think all types of crafts are enjoying a come back, I love to think that they're being passed on to future generations as it would be such a shame for them to fizzle out.

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