The body has now been cast off and I just need to pick up and knit the stitches on the neckband and pick up and knit the sleeves. I've been at this point for a while but I'm waiting until Eleanor comes home from university so that I can get her to try it on and see how long she wants the sleeves. She comes home a week on Tuesday but it's a quick turnaround and then she'll be out the door again. She's spending a few days in London with her boyfriend before they go to see Ed Sheeran at Wembley.
I'm knitting up some hats with yarn from my stash. I'm hoping to get quite a few completed over the summer months so that I can drop them in at a shelter for the homeless. The weather was terrible towards the end of winter and a call was put out for unwanted coats, I didn't have any to donate but I'm hoping that the hats I make will help this coming winter. I've knit three already and as you can see, a fourth is on the needles. I'm using a variety of patterns.
My knitted square blanket has been restarted. I hadn't got far with it, only four squares. You can read about it in A New Obsession post. I came across a different pattern for the squares, one in which you don't have to count the stitches in each decrease row, which makes things much easier. As I was right at the start of the blanket I decided that I'd start again from scratch. Just three squares so far.
Of course, I've got a pair of socks on the go. These are going to be my Dorothy In Oz socks, knit in Giddy Yarns Dorothy colourway. I'm using the Mercury Socks pattern by Kim Drotar which is free on Ravelry, it's a lacy pattern and I'm loving it so far.
There's another couple of projects waiting in the wings but I've resisted casting them on so far. I'd like to get Eleanor's sweater finished soon, which I'll be able to do once she'd tried it on, and then I'm free to have a big cast on session.
If I had more than one knitting on the go, nothing would get finished. I am enjoying all the different crafts I do. Love your new socks, can’t wait to see them finished.
ReplyDeleteIt's just the same as having different crafts on the go really, each thing gets its turn, though nothing gets finished as quickly as it would if it were the only thing being worked on.
DeleteYour knitting is an inspiration - I knitted lots of dishcloths while studying for a stupid science test 2 weeks ago and then since Mum died 10 days ago (6 weeks from start to finish :( with pancreatic cancer - its been truly horrific and then trying not to drop out of uni at same time and keeping up with it!!!), I've knitted and knitted and knitted and knitted.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your mum, it makes it even more shocking when it happens so quickly. I know you've got a lot on your plate at the moment with uni so you've do well to keep up with it all. Sending you lots of hugs xx
DeleteBusy, busy! All looking great. I don't think I could anything with 400 stitches, amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt was just plain stocking stitch so the 400 stitches soon knit up, it was good TV knitting.
DeleteLove the yarn colour for those socks! I'm also still working on a fingering weight cardigan, for myself though. Mine is knit in sections so I've done the back panel and one front side panel and am a good ways into the 2nd front side panel. My main concern is with stitching it all together - I've never done that before & am not a sewer to boot so I'm a bit worried about how it will look in the end. But there has to be a first time for everything and even if it doesn't end up looking that good, it will at least be a learning experience :)
ReplyDeleteI used to knit garments in pieces when I was a lot younger and my worst bit was always sewing it all together at the end. There's many more patterns for garments knit in the round these days, much to my delight. I think that's why I enjoy knitting socks so much, no stitching at the end.
Delete400 stitches!!! Yikes, just getting them counting is a chore. Nice hats, they will be well received I know. LOVE the ghan start. Going to check out the pattern as well, because I like the idea of not having to count. Such pretty yarn for your socks.
ReplyDeleteSandy's Space
I must admit that I was a little worried about my counting when casting on, I'd have hated to get to the end of that first row and find I'd miscalculated. Hats are so easy to knit and don't take very long so I should get a few knitted up before winter sets in.
DeleteLooking forward to seeing the jumper. It will be nice to have Eleanor home for the holidays.
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to having Eleanor home, though it's hard to believe that she's coming to the end of her second year already. Time flies.
DeleteAs you know, I don't knit. But knowing myself, if I did, I'd not be able to "handle" multiple projects! ,-) Just me.
ReplyDeleteI know I need to do one thing at a time, and get it finished. Which probably wouldn't be the best way, for a knitter.
Although, other knitters, like you, probably can keep multiple projects going. And some may be like me, have to stick to one at a time.
Suppose it all depends on the individual... :-)
A 'Nana'
I used to knit just one project at a time but I've found it's good to have different things on the go. For instance, I don't want to be knitting something complicated when I'm watching TV, but when I'm doing nothing but knitting it's good to have something a little more challenging. Larger projects can take a long time so it's good to have a break from them every so often and work on something in between. I agree though, it definitely depends on the individual and it's best to do whatever works for you.
DeleteI'm really impressed with your Boxy sweater knitting. It's beautiful and neat. I'm looking forward to seeing it when it's finished.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea to knit up some hats for the homeless shelter. I'm sure they will be appreciated. X
I'm surprised I'm saying this but I wouldn't mind knitting another Boxy sweater, it's been a good, mindless project to work on, easy enough to pick up whilst having a chat or watching TV. There isn't much knitting to be done on it now so Eleanor will have it ready to take back to uni with her for the autumn term. I'm hoping to have quite a few hats to donate and it's a good way to use up some of the yarn in my stash which has been there for a while.
DeleteYou have lots of lovely things on the go, I love the sock yarn, so pretty xx
ReplyDeleteI enjoy having a variety of things to choose from when I pick up my knitting. The sock yarn is lovely to knit with, so soft and squishy.
DeleteOh WOW,loving all the knitting projects.xx
ReplyDeleteVariety is the spice of life.
DeleteSuch a lovely variety & there will be some very lucky homeless people next winter. The socks are pretty, which isn't something I think about when I look at feet, but you are making me feel guilty about not trying to do some for myself. I must get on with some knitting which I have already started & as it is winter, they'd be very handy. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI like having different projects on the needles, I'm itching to cast on some new things but I'll be on with the last bit of Eleanor's sweater soon and I want to get that done. There's some really lovely sock patterns, you must give socks a go, especially as winter is on its way, they'd keep your feet toasty warm.
DeleteI do like these projects, especially the hats for the homeless, what a lovely thing to do, I'm sure they will be appreciated during the winter. xxx
ReplyDeleteI hate to think of people sleeping on the streets in all weathers, it's a terrible state of affairs. I hope these hats will help a few of them.
DeleteGreat projects, like your hats, such a good cause well done. I am excited to visit the two yarn shops in Reading, sounds like they stock a variety of yarns, so nice to see and feel rather than guess over the net, might even find some sock yarn! xcx
ReplyDeleteYarn shops were few and far between, knitting seemed to go completely out of fashion, but more and more are opening their doors again now that it's become a popular hobby again. I'm sure you'll find lots of lovely yarn that you won't be able to resist.
Delete4 ply can take so long to knit up can't it Jo especially when knitting for a big person rather than a little person. I made a jumper to wear to Yarndale last year that must have taken me about 9 months to complete I thought it would never get to that point. The hats are a lovely idea. I've started making squares to donate to blankets for the homeless as it was certainly very cold around here this last winter, but may try and make some hats too from my wool stash. Its nice to have lots of projects on the go but its the getting back to finishing them off I struggle with so I try not to have anymore than one knitting, one crochet and one cross stitch at a time to try and stay focused on what I'm doing. Hope you enjoy your time with Eleanor albeit brief. Still you can't begrudge a girl going to see Ed can you.
ReplyDeleteMitzi
It's a long time since I've made a big garment so 4 ply probably wasn't the best thing to start with, but I've really enjoyed knitting it and there was no rush to get it finished so it doesn't really matter that it's taken so long. My heart went out to all the homeless people last winter, it was so cold and I know the shelters were struggling trying to help them. I'm sure they'll be thankful for any donations. Eleanor's been to see Ed Sheeran before so she knows what a wonderful time she's going to have, I wish I were going with her. She'll be back here afterwards for the summer so I'm looking forward to spending some time with her.
DeleteIn the past I have knitted hats for sailors and Big Issue sellers! Love the sock yarn and the lacy pattern.
ReplyDeleteHats are such easy things to knit yet there's so many people who are appreciative of them. The sock yarn is really lovely, very pretty but very soft too.
DeleteThank you so much for weighing-in in comments, on my last post. I did a reply to your comment, on my blog comments. Which I don't usually do. But it seemed right, this time..... To maybe continue the dialogue.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I always pop back when I've left a comment on a blog to see if there's a reply as I nearly always reply to comments in this way myself. I'm not sure how many people do check back though.
DeleteI don't know how anyone knits a sweater out of fingering weight yarn. But I admire those of you who do!
ReplyDeleteI've been knitting hats from stash yarn, too. I'm enjoying it, but not using up as much yarn as I had hoped.
I reconciled myself to the fact that the sweater would take me some time to finish, I think I'd have been disappointed had I hoped to finish it quickly or for a set date. It's been a nice project to pick up and knit when the mood has taken me. I don't have too much heavier weight yarn in stash so I'm just using up what I have and then I'll probably buy more, I'll see how far the stash yarn goes first.
DeleteI find it so hard to believe that Eleanor will be home next week ... that's two years of study isn't it! Time goes by so quickly. She is going to love her new jumper.
ReplyDeleteI think those hats are a great idea, and I love the colour of the socks you are knitting.
All the best Jan
The years fly by so quickly, I can't believe that Eleanor's done two years at uni already, just one more to go. The socks are flying off my needles, it won't be long until they're finished, such a lovely pattern.
DeleteHow lovely that you can knit the sleeves to the right length. Shop bought sweaters always have sleeves that are too shot (in my opinion).
ReplyDeleteWell done on the hats, what a fab idea.
Which pattern are you using for your square blanket?
I like the look of your socks, both the yarn and the pattern.
x
The pattern for this sweater has sleeves just below the elbows but because of the oversized design, I really need to try it on Eleanor to see how long to knit them. She's also got the option to have long sleeves if she prefers, it's up to her. I'm using The Coziest Memory by Kemper Wray, a pattern on Ravelry, though I've altered it slightly. I'm enjoying this sock pattern, and the yarn I'm using is lovely too.
DeleteOh I love the Dorothy yarn, what a gorgeous mix of colours!
ReplyDeleteYou have such patience (and skill) to knit the jumper for Eleanor. I know if I was ever to knit anything it would have to be quick and easy.
I'm sure those hats will be appreciated very, very much. Such a kind thing to do.
Lisa x
I love the Dorothy yarn, each colour represents something to do with Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, I shall explain it when I do a post about them. Eleanor's sweater is an easy knit, it's just that there's so much fabric in it to make up and the yarn being so fine, it takes some time. Knitting some hats for the homeless is a very small way in which I can help, it must have been terrible for them last winter when it was so cold.
DeleteLoving that sock yarn, a nice lace pattern too ... more things to add to the 'might like to knit' list.
ReplyDeleteI've just seen Christines Sockline post and remembered you have already knitted your pair for it, oh to be organised and here's me catching up after a week of non-blog reading again. White rabbit syndrome here!! LOL
Have a lovely weekend xx
There's too many great patterns out there, I don't think I'll ever get round to knitting all that I want to. Yes, I've got my Yarndale Sock Line socks all ready, I just need to add the tags and then they can be sent off, I'm ahead of schedule for a change.
DeleteIt's lovely to see my Dorothy colourway knit up. That was an original colourway! I can't believe it's been a whole year since I opened! I might have to re-dye some Dorothy soon.
ReplyDeleteI think I may have been your very first customer when you opened your shop. I love the Dorothy colourway and the yarn is lovely to work with.
Delete