Smoulder

Is definiely smouldering away. It's almost complete - almost. It's the almost bit that is currently kicking my butt. I'm sewing in ends. It's so tiring that I can only do a small amount at a time. I don't allow my son to use the B word (boring) so I won't use it here. But is so is. I know the end result will be glorious, which is why, rather than leave the ends loose as is my want I'm taking time to do it right. In the mean time.....

Smoulder still in almost state

My technical problems persist, I've borrowed a friend's power pack for a while so I can use my laptop without curtailing my normal activities - like spending 200 hours a day on Ravelry!!!

I have started this (the dress) and this . They are both so scrummy - I'm loving both of them, although I have some misgivings about Sylvi. I will continue and see what happens........

Sylvi's sleeve

Pain

Oh the pain of a sick laptop. I have no power pack, its gone to PC essentials heaven. I am relying on my friend to come juice me up every few days until a new one gets here. Add to the mix another broken camera and it all fun in Johanne land!!

Pinwheel sweater

As you can see I'm working hard. I had to start a new project when I left my knitting project (Celtic) at my mums. It took me 4 days to retrieve the project. In that time, I started a pinwheel sweater. I just have the arms to do now.

Smoulder is also finally, taking shape. I blocked the pieces and have sewn up the seams. Now for the million ends!! I hear we are having a late warm week next week so I may, hope against hope, get to wear her.

I was sweating hard to make sure the pattern matched!!

Some serious blocking was needed, as you can see

Now I just need to finish something!!

Autumn stash

Having left my current knitting project at my mum's I found myself in need of some house knitting. The perfect time to look through my stash and begin a stash busting project. This is normally a project that is quick and easy - a kind of in-between project that gives my brain a rest from complex knitting

autumn stash
Originally uploaded by joandshea

and allows me to carry on knitting, rather than downing tools all together. It'sdefinitely quick and also addictive, don't seem to want to put it down. I want to get to the armholes - not sure why I'm so eager, I have to do a provisional cast on and I always seem to have huge problems trying to use this form of cast on. Here's hoping it will be plain sailing this time. I've found some very good video streams detailing the method.

Progress....

...... of sorts. I've given in to temptation and started a new project, even though the agreement I had with myself was to finish Smoulder and the curved edge cardigan before embarking on new projects.

I have sort of finished, they just need sewing up. In both cases I have to be in the mood to attempt such a fete. In the case of Smoulder because of its million trillion ends and the need to match up row for row. As for the pure silk curved edge cardigan, I have the longest border to sew on the outer edge of the whole cardigan. They are in a heap in a corner of the front room. I'm hoping to be in the 'mood' to tackle them so that I can give the curved edge to my mum, and I can wear Smoulder before it's too cold!!

My new WIP is Celtic from Rowan 40.

I've made some heavy modifications so far to make it mine. Hopefully they will work.

I'm also thinking of this for my winter hottie.

I'm having trouble with choosing the right yarn and colour. I seem to be gravitating toward blue this winter. I don't know anything about Briggs and Little Atlantic. I'm going to swatch with Rowan Cocoon, and Louisa Harding Hulda then see how I go. Oh and I've picked out some stash yarn for a pin wheel thingy..,..........

Guilty?

Should I feel guilty that I'm wishing our late summer away? It's sods law that as soon as Fontaine is finished we have the sun trying to do its best to re surge and pretend that it's the middle of summer - it's not on. I want autumnal winds and crisp cool afternoons so that I can stroll in knitted comfort. In part it's my own fault. If I had not been busy elsewhere in my life I'd have had enough time to knit my summer gear - so now I'm reduced to wishing it away!!

On the needles, Smoulder from Rowan 31

All pieces are now complete...........

Now I have to fathom out whether to sew the pieces together then sew in the ends or the other way round. Experience with the mystery blanket would favour sewing the pieces in first so that it's easier to match up the pattern without the hindrance of lumpy bumpy bits.

.......... and there are a million ends to sew in!!

In the meantime I have to figure out what do with the mass on vegetables that are coming from the allotment.

My kitchen after one afternoon of veg picking on the allotment

Runner beans in situ, now sliced and spliced in the freezer!!

Glorious tomatoes of 5 different varieties

I have been pickling, chutneying, saucing and jamming I think you all know what you are getting in your Christmas stockings!!!