So since I can’t knit, crochet or spin let’s play catch up. I recently participated in two Ravelry Australian Knitters Swaps, the first being a 100gram challenge and the second being a No Sheep challenge. Here are my final projects.

100 gram challenge made for shanbliss
Pattern: Swallowtail Shawl
Yarn: Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18 in Plum from The Elegant Knitter

I was a little scared at taking on a lace project on a deadline but figured it would be good motivation. It is quite a simple pattern once you get used to it, the biggest challenge being the p5tog nupps but I got better at them after the first few rows of the border. I used a larger sized needle for the cast off and I think it was too large, because it’s actually a bit loose, but I figure better loose than right. The yarn is great and I must thank the ladies at TEK for hunting about for the perfect colour. Overall I’m pretty pleased with the result and would definitely make it again.

No Sheep Challenge Project 1 - Project 2 made for madaco
Patterns: Violet Points Scarf - Elisa’s Nest Tote
Yarns: Mi Inca Baby Alpaca - Lion Brand Cotton Solid

The Violet Points Scarf was probably my first real attempt at a crochet pattern, a chart at that, which was interesting. Overall I’m pleased with how it turned out, though you can probably see I did the ch5 loops wrong so they are a bit too obvious at the side. I love this yarn, soft and squishy but really warm.

The Elisa’s Nest Tote I knit in the round and did a small portion of stocking stitch at the bottom for a more solid base. I hate doing icord so I did a crochet band at top and crochet handles. I’m definitely making one of these for myself.

Next update: my swap goodies and spinning news

But in typically “me” style I neglected to include one critical ingredient (baking soda) so my cake didn’t rise (I’m usually a pretty decent baker, yet I will never live down the ONE time I accidentally used salt instead of sugar in my anzac biscuits. Not my fault they kept eating them to spare my feelings!). So Mother’s Day morning I snuck out, got some baking soda (and a new mixer just for fun) and tried again. The recipe gave me a ton of mix, enough for a cake and about 30 mini cupcakes, so next time I would halve the ingredients.

Being late in the day before I had a successful cooled cake I didn’t have time to make the chocolate covered cake balls, so I improvised by frosting some mini cupcakes and whipped up some more minis in cookies and cream. Tasty!

I still have a massive bowl of crumbled red velvet cake so I’m going to give the chocolate covered balls a try tonight for a belated Mother’s Day dessert.

I actually made two bags, I was a bit nervous about my knitted version so I whipped up a little tote style bag at the last minute.

Before we got matched I had bookmarked all these felted bag patterns for options, but it turns out my pal doesn’t like wool so I had to rethink and ended up making up my own (I dare not say design, because it wasn’t that well planned) bag. I hope it is well received despite my inability to sew in a straight line.

Apart from that I have finished a few hats in preparation for winter, my favourite of which is Foliage in Lettuce Malabrigo from Yarnandkisses. Who knew Malabrigo was so deliciously soft and yummy! Unfortunately word got out that it was finally available in Australia and quickly sold out of some colours so we have to wait for a new shipment to arrive.

I also finished the obligatory Clapotis using 2 skeins of 8ply Merino/Silk from The Knittery, but it’s still blocking. I’m now working on Seraphim (lace shawl) by Miriam Felton in Rowanspun 4ply so I hope it will be cosy and warm despite being full of holes

I’ve also been trying to find the time to practice my spinning. Up until now I’ve just been using an Ashford student spindle, having a bit of trouble with merino but then I got two new green jade spindles from Butterflygirldesign at etsy, which I love muchly. They spin so fast! Im trying very hard to resist her 3 month spindle/fibre club.

This is a small amount of brown Corriedale from EGMTK (much love for the yummy fibre store) that I have been somewhat successful at spinning. Those toilet paper rolls are handy!

Otherwise it has all been work, work and work. In fact so busy at work that I took this semester off uni because I didn’t think I would cope with the workload between work and other problems. Anyhooooo, all is well despite the occasional drama

Let’s make some Knitting Resolutions for 2008. This would be if there is a new technique that you would like to learn or downsizing/enhancing your stash, learning to spin, taking on a project, etc.

Back in May I posted my Summer (Winter) knitting goals. While the list was short I did manage to achieve them all.

Summer (Winter) Knitting Goals

1. Cast on and finish knitting the body to my Hourglass Sweater (sleeves already done) and get to wear it before it gets too warm. * Finished and worn several times despite the warm weather

2. Master (or at least get used to) knitting with DPNs so I can knit socks, socks and more socks. * OK so I might have overestimated my love of sock knitting. I have finished one and a half pairs of socks, but got second sock syndrome.

3. Decide what to knit with the beautiful Art Yarn that I received in the knitted purse swap and time permitting knit it. * I knit my first pair of socks with it!

4. Buy a drop spindle and give it a whirl! * I did buy a spindle but haven’t been too successful with it (see 2008 goal #1 below)

2008 Knitting Resolutions

So given that I managed to achieve almost all of those goals, here are my 2008 resolutions:

1. Learn how to use drop spindle properly and spin some of the yummy fibre that is patiently waiting.
2. Knit something with cables.
3. Finish at least one lace project.
4. Knit at least one thing from every knitting book I purchased in 2007.
5. Learn how to knit two socks on magic loop.
6. Knit from my stash as much as possible.
7. Don’t buy single skeins of handpainted yarn unless I have a specific project in mind.
8. Knit at least one gift for someone who didn’t ask for it.
9. Incorporate knitting into my uni work (hopefully this semester during sculpture)
10. Have fun doing it!

Isn’t it pretty? I love the little specks of red throughout and it’s the perfect yarn for the weather right now, nice and cool against the skin but I think it will also be effective in keeping the cold off my skin in colder weather.

I also got these goodies:

- Kitty stickers (those illusion kind that change depending on the angle … can’t think of the name!)
- Stencils (will be great for applique shapes)
- Charms (including cool map of NY that’s going to become a necklace)
- Shawl/hair pin (at least it’s going to be used in my hair too)

So spoiled! Thank you so much Tami

I forgot to photograph the other things, there were some Tim Tams, handmade stitch markers and some variegated wool yarn in blues and greens. ETA: you can now see pics on my pal’s blog.

As I’ve previously mentioned this pattern is Shifting Sands by Grumperina knit in Filatura Di Crosa Zarina yarn. It blocked quite well, if a little thinner than I expected so I hope it’s warm enough for my pal. I’d definitely make this again, but it did take a long time so I’d probably do it as a “now and then” project.

On the subject of ISE5 I made this project bag one for my sister (since she can’t sew) to send her ISE5 pal.

Whew. Still working on a Christmas present or two but now I’ve gotta get stuck into uni work before my grades start slipping.

Includes cocoa butter soap, lollies, DIY earring kit, paper cranes and bath salts (which we almost mistook for some sort of drink due to foreign labelling … close call!).

Beautiful sparkly fibre. I’ve had to get the spindle out and give it another try to hone my skills before I attempt this fibre.

Thank you Emily for sending such lovely, thoughtful packages and being an all-round great pal!

This is the last SP11 package I sent to my pal including The Knittery Merino/Cashmere yarn in Autumn, vanilla body shop sachets, bamboo DPNs, pink Tim Tams, chocolates and a handmade project bag.

The first is a cosmetic case that I made following queenofdiy’s tutorial at Craftster forum. Totally genuis way of inserting zippers by the way, I’ve always had trouble with them but this made it much easier. I love this fabric, it was on sale at Lincraft for $4.95 a metre. The lining is a plain cotton that matches the flowers on the outer fabric.

Next up was a make-it-up-as-you-go-along messenger bag. I’ve had this embroidered cord fabric in my stash for ages and it was time it become something.

It’s also lined with bright pink fabric but it didn’t photograph well. The hardware and strap fabric is from Nicole Mallalieu Design, who I highly recommend by the way

Of course I couldn’t try to photograph something without getting a little help from Erin. I think her attention has more to do with the fact that we’re out of Friskies and she’s angling for treats.

Still making slow progress on my ISE5 scarf, I procrastinated about the pattern to use and got halfway through using a stitch pattern from one of my dictionaries then decided I really did like this one better. Halfway there with only two weeks to go until posting date!

Pattern: Shifting Sands by Grumperina (My version is 37 stitches).
Yarn: Filatura Di Crosa - Zarina (beautiful to knit with).

The first pic is a better representation of the colour. Never mind those little loose stitches and the like, I’m hoping blocking will take care of those.

That’s all for now. My first lesson from Sharon B’s Develop a Personal Library of Stitches class has arrived so I need to get busy stitching.

I was going through some photos and uploading to Flickr when I realised that I never posted any of my printmaking assignments, which someone had asked me to do. This was my final project, which was to create a “book” using various printmaking methods. My “book” can be folded up or hung on the wall (it’s currently stashed in a drawer waiting for some hooks to appear on my wall). They are all lino prints, the red was printed first and then I cut again to create the black border of the flowers. They were printed on vellum which had been pre-prepared in my inkjet printer with tiny cursive text (song lyrics). The single word on each print are scrapbooking transfers.

It was one of those units where there was very little direction or instruction, basically just a bunch of short tutorials and then figure the rest out yourself. Sometimes that sort of learning works and sometimes it doesn’t. I thought I was doing OK considering the lack of tutoring and was quite happy with the result (even though it’s nowhere near perfect) but my tutor wasn’t incredibly impressed and preferred my messy collograph work, which I actually didn’t like at all! Can’t please them all I suppose.

I’m still on break from uni and deciding whether I can cope with going back to study with the chaos at work. It’s been nice to have some time for knitting and relaxing in general but I do miss the work.