Ongoing projects

Well having posted about finished projects, I thought I would show you how my ongoing projects are getting on:


Rachael choose some sock yarn dyed with onion skin and then overdyed with indigo to get a pretty green colour. I have chosen a pretty sock pattern to complement the yarn. It is called 'Hanging Vines' by Kelly Porpiglia and is available free here.

It is knits up quickly and is very cleverly written, which makes it a joy to knit.

2nd project on the needles is the jumper for Lyn's daughter. The upsized version of a child's sweater. The back is almost done now and this picture shows the patterning.

The final project is to re-write 'Fiona' - a walking sock pattern, so that it can be completed in 100g. The plan is to work up a series of sock patterns for kits. Here is the first slimmed down version, although sadly still about 10g too heavy. So it's back to the drawing board and see if I can shave those all important grams off. This sock is infact still generous, so taking out a bit of width will be very possible.

Well then - back to the needles!

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Finished projects

Have spent the morning updating variuos projects on ravelry. Find me as Pollykerenza on http://www.ravelry.com/. Well worth signing up to if you are of a knitting inclination. There is a wealth of patterns and information from local groups.

So I thought I would share a couple of the bigger ones on here too. Firstly here is the finished Jumper for John, on John himself:

I have also completed my ode to Sarah Lund. A raglan sleeve jumper, knitted in the round from handspun cotswold wool. It has become my favourite jumper as it is so warm and cosy.

Beetroot chutney

Today is chutney making. This is a delicious and sweet chutney with a slight chilli hint.

700g beetroot
450g cooking apple
1pt vinegar
700g onions
450g granulated sugar
1tsp salt
1-2tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes

Boil the washed beetroot for about 1 hour until tender. Drain and cool, and slip the skins off.
Peel and chop onions and apples into small chunks, put into preserving pan with half the vinegar. Bring to a gentle simmer for about 10-15mins.
Peel and chop the beetroot into small chunks and add to the pan along with the rest of the vinegar, sugar, salt, ginger, and chilli flakes. Stir well to combine and dissove the sugar and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about half an hour, sirring occasionally until thickened.
Bottle in sterilised jars and close while still hot.

I have also cast on another jumper, adapted from a childs pattern so mum and son can match.

Another cushion!

This one knitted in Hammervale jacob wool on a moss stitch and cable pattern.

New year

New year, new cushion covers.  There is nothing like being in the sitting room in daylight to make you notice the cushions need updating.

Carding tastic

I have to confess that carding is my least favourite part of the spinning process.  Today's session was carding Kerry Hill fleece.  Google them, they look really funny!  My lovely husband and daughters helped me along by singing and playing carols on the piano.

Knitting at the pool.

Have taken my daughter and her friends to the local pool, bit of a win/win situation as I get to be nice mum and get an hours knitting time. ( plus meanwhile dh is cooking roast dinner!)

Cotwold Jumper

I have abandoned the first pattern for this jumper as the stitch definition wasn't good enough in the handspun, so am instead going for a plainer jumper knitted in the round with  a cabled yoke. Well that's the plan anyway.  Have managed some indigo dying this week also, with the focus on variagation.  More to come tomorrow on a madder/walnut/onion skin theme.

New jumper

Next project is a jumper in homespun Cotswold. 

New yarn

There is nothing quite so lovely freshly dyed yarn drying in the sun. All ready for saturday at the Roadshow in Brackley.

Travelling

I have taken the opportunity to indulge in some crafting on the go today. We are visiting my mum in Cornwall as it is half term. I am making use of the 5 hours in the car to get some knitting done. A pair of fingerless gloves in home spun jacob, a pair of baby socks in zwartbless and one slipper sock in jacob done so far. :-)

Busy in Banbury.

We have been pretty busy here at the folk festival craft fair. Here is a picture of the first sale of the day. 

Shop update.

New lace yarn has now been added to the shop! 5 different colours. To see them in the flesh, come to Banbury town hall on Saturday between 10.30 and 4 or Kings Sutton Memorial Hall on Sunday between 10 and 4.

Todays colours

I have been dying lace yarn today, which will shortly be appearing in the shop. First was the turn of tbe humble onion skin.  Two skeins of BFL lace weight went in, and one was modified with iron to give a lovely green.  Other dyeing today was done with walnut, yarn isn't out yet but looks promising- a lovely chocolate.

And because i am not quite ready to leave the blues behind, I painted our bedroom window frame blue!

Die another day.

After yesterdays variable results, I revived the vat again this morning and things have been much better. I am getting some nice blues.

50 things to do before you die.

Paint window frames,
Do the shopping,
Have lunch,
Ebay shopping for daughter's hobby

then and only then can I get some dying done! Having joined the  weavers, spinners and dyers online guild last month, i was really excited to join in the indigo workshop, but with all tbe other things there are to do it has taken me the best part of the month to get to the part where I get to put yarn in the indigo vat. The first batch has been done and serms to be teal coloured. very pretty, but not blue!

Knitting in Northampton

A big thank you to the knitting ladies of Northampton for being so welcoming this morning. I had the fabbest time knitting at A Most Marvellous Place to Shop.  Look out for more dates next month.

peglooming at chacombe

I have just finished the second peglooming session at a local care home. Now I am going to combine all the pieces into one hanging to represent the craft group.  Next months sessions include making necklaces and broaches.

update on jumper

john's jumper has progressed to the neck. looking good.

Jumper for John

Well it has been a great summer, lots of camping, folking and familying - just generally having a great time. But I have had time for a few project in between all the fun. My projects this summer have all been alliterative:

Jumper for John (not finished yet, so more on that later)

(This has progressed significantly further than this, and I will go and take an up to date picture the minute I finish this blog!)

Ruby's Rabbit (This little fellow is being sent all the way to Australia!)

.... and finally: Socks for Simon('s dad)