Saturday 9 June 2012

Stitch Markers and Down to Earth Book

Last week I bought Simply Knitting magazine and it came with free stitch markers, I liked them so much that I wanted more than the 6 provided so out came my beading supplies. 

Beads and charms on pins and add large jump rings.
And Voila!

They came in handy when casting on knitting, put them every 20 stitches, made counting so much easier.  Even for counting rows.  Can add them to the ends of the needle to represent each row needed.  I simply removed one at the end of each knitted row.  I am terrible at counting rows, I think it's what takes me the longest, having the danglys on the needle helped me.  Though my husband said it made for noisier knitting,


The book I used as background is Down to Earth, written by Rhonda Herzel.  I've been reading her blog for years and she always writes the most wonderful posts about living simply.  Whenever I want to look something up, such as bread making, Down to Earth is my first choice.   I found my copy at The ABC Shop.
I was wondering what project to get on with after finishing the Lacy Duster so decided to check on how much work was needed to finish some of my UFOs.  One knitted cardigan has been sitting for close to 10 months waiting to be finished, with my history that's not long at all, there's one that's over 5 years old.  All I had to do to it was unpick the seams of one shoulder, stitch it and the side seams as well as knit the ties.  Probably too me all of an hour.  Had been worried it wouldn't fit me I had gone with a smaller measurement but it fits fine, even wore it out today. 
The pattern is Chicest Link by Pat Menchini and featured in Simply Knitting magazine May 2011.  The yarn used was Moda Vera Marvel, 3 1/4 and 4 mm needles used.  No modifications were made.  Can't tell how many balls of yarn were used, I bought quite a few and had enough left for another project. 

My thighs are aching tonight, yesterday I got out in the sun and did some toning exercises I found in a magazine.  This morning could feel that my stomach muscles did some work, my legs were fine but as the day wore on my thigh muscles let their protest be known.  I took the time to meditate in the sun as well, the sunshine showing through my eyelids as red but there was a few moments when it turned green.  I noted there was music coming from a neighbour a couple of doors down which helped with relaxation.  After I finished I noticed the annoying little dog next door was barking it's head off, nothing unusual about that but I didn't remember hearing it while meditating.  The dog pretty much yaps constantly, it obviously had driven my father to destraction, I heard him screaming at it to shut up from over the fence.  He ended up getting the whipper snipper out to drown out the noise.  The poor dog is pretty much bored, the new neighbours bought it after moving in and it has nothing to do or to distract it. 

Thursday 7 June 2012

Am just a couple of rows away from finishing the Duster, I knew I was going to run out of yarn when I got to the last ball.  Left the last few rows on the body and moved onto the sleeves, hoping that the sleeves would take less than one ball.  Sent emails to stores looking for the right dyelot and got 3 answers back, the closest being 30 minutes away, I had been planning to head to Mittagong until that answer came in.  Picked up the extra ball today, making a total of 8 balls.  I didn't want to have to adjust the length and the sleeves have taken more than one ball. 

I'll finish the Duster tomorrow, too tired now.  I had been hoping to have it done by today to show it off at Crochet group, even still everyone was impressed and a few asked for the website.

I may wear it to a wedding Friday week, I had planned to make a dress but time is running out and I was asked to cover for the boss this week and next week, he has Jury Duty and then for a family bereavement.  Couldn't refuse, it's only a couple of extra days I still have Wednesday and Friday off.

 I looked through my wardrobe, there are a couple of dresses I could wear in there, one a simple black dress I wore to a niece's wedding.  I had added a silver and black shawl, used the same fabric to embellish the bodice.  If I go with the silver and black, am thinking of  wearing the shawl backwards with a twist and draping in the front for more emphasis.  If I go with the duster, will need to find beads/gems to match the colour and add that to the bodice.  Can't forget a zingy blingy necklace either.

It's been cold here and wet too.  Just 2 days ago I was wearing a short sleeved tshirt wondering where winter was, now I know.