Mystery Socks

I finished the mystery knit along socks this week -

The pattern is SKA May 2018 Mock by verybusymonkey. I used yarn from a Canadian hand dyer Tanis Fiber Arts (Blue Label fingering weight) in the colour way Chartreuse. 

I also got caught up on the 1880 Sampler Sew Along blocks from the Temecula Quilt Company. I changed some of the blocks so they would have fewer seams (they are 4" blocks).

Another thing that happened this week is that I finished combing my last raw fleece. Three bags (full) ready for spinning!

I love getting comments, and I am happy to answer any questions, but please make sure I can reach you (a few recent questions were asked by 'no-reply bloggers', and I couldn't find a way to reach a couple of people - sorry).

All the best!♥︎

Woven Table Runner

I finished the woven table runner I started last week.

It is about 16"x25" (not including the fringe) and is woven with leftover handspun yarn from my Granny Stripes blanket.

The warp is crochet cotton, but you can't see it in the weaving because the threads are sett so far apart (this is a weft faced weaving sett at 7.5 threads per inch). The crochet cotton does make a great fringe (this one has four threads twisted together).

I also finished knitting another beaded bracelet. This one is long and narrow and wraps around my wrist three times. Made from handspun natural linen with #8 seed beads. I also made the clasp from 18 gauge wire.

The mystery knit along socks are coming along nicely. The last clue comes out tomorrow. This has been such an enjoyable knit, the lace pattern just flows beautifully so it has been very easy. It is a free pattern on Ravelry - SKA May 2018 Mock.

We have had great weather this week, so I have been doing a lot of outside work.

I divided and moved perennials to make this flower bed just perennials for a change.

We did have an unusual storm in the middle of the week - really interesting clouds, lots of wind - lots of swirling dirt and only a sprinkling of rain.

It even freaked out our little visitor!

All the best!♥︎

Knitted Bracelets

This past week I was given a small amount of dog hair from a friend who has Kerry Blue Terriers, to try spinning it. The fluff was easy to spin (the yarn soft, with a nice shine and halo), and since she is not a knitter, I wanted to make her something with the yarn (I only had a little 9g skein).

After a search online I found a knitted cuff from a Craftsy class "Knitting with Beads with Laura Nelkin". The pattern is Pioneer Cuff by Laura Nelkin, a super quick knit, and part of my Year of Craftsy.

I had so much fun making it that I had to make one for myself out of a leftover bit of handspun.

Now I am making myself another beaded bracelet (this one is inspired by another Laura Nelkin bracelet). I am using some handspun linen. Hooked on knitting with beads!

I finished a couple of other things this week - 

A skein of yarn for socks (this is a merino/nylon blend that I had dyed).

I also finished the pillow I made with the piece of embroidery my Dad made.

I put a long warp of crochet cotton on the loom to have something to weave over the summer. I am making this first table runner with leftover handspun yarn from the Granny Stripes blanket.

I just wanted to mention something that happened this week -

I ordered a couple of knitting books (both were highly recommend and I am really pleased with them),

but the box they came in had a big warning sticker. Maybe it is the digital/ebooks age, 2 books are considered heavy now!

All the best!♥︎

Cross Stitch

My Dad made this lovely piece of cross stitch for me -

The pattern is from a Veronique Enginger book (Mon Atelier) I brought back from Japan.

I am turning it into a cushion cover. This week for the Temecula Quilt Company 1880 Sampler Sew Along the block was the same as a previous block (just different way of piecing), so I made a couple of 4" blocks from earlier in the sew along. I just have to machine quilt the top and add a back.

Since finishing my Granny Stripes Blanket I've started a few things but can't seem to settle on a project I enjoy as much as that blanket!

I did skirt and wash another fleece - I just saved a bit of this one because it was so dirty, but it is incredibly soft.

I also started a mystery sock knit along (I usually participate in one a year), the pattern is SKA May 2018 Mock by verybusymonkey. The clues come out on the first four Tuesdays in May.

Since the weather has been so nice (31ºC today) it has really been a time to work outside - cleaning up the yard and washing windows.

Little plants enjoying some sunshine.

All the best!♥︎