Lacy bits

All the individual pieces (back, 2 side fronts - not even the same 2, but a matching set - and 2 sleeves later) have been finished. But not yet sewn together, not that that stopped me from casting on the lace. It's a 4 row pattern repeat and not to hard (ie: I've only had to unravel it once so far when I lost track where I was up to). Finding a stitch counter solved that one...

It won't take long to finish the lace for the sleeves, but the lace piece that wraps from centre back neck down one front side, all the way around the back and up the other front is probably going to be about 1.5m long. I'll need to sew it all up & measure it properly.

The blankie hasn't progressed much further, though more sewing has been done. There is also a blah blah secret knitting plan under way. And hubby would like some bedsocks (as would I) and a certain small person has lost her school mittens and a replacement pair will need to be made. So more is being added to the list than crossed off.

Whilst I restrained myself from the Lincraft sale today, I did wander past the bookshop and slipped. Two lovely books with cotton knitting patterns are now adorning my bookshelf waiting for me to add more to the to do list...

Slow progress

The pattern in the rug is starting to take shape. It's not difficult, but row 2 is against all my knitting instincts, so I need to go slowly. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it after a few dozen rows. Still have the black clouds of unfinished projects haunting me - and the sewing really does need to get done soon.

Casting on the throw rug

I have figured out what I'm going to do with the throw rug and will cast on shortly. A double moss stitch border with a lacy pattern in the middle. 116 stitches on a 7.5cm circular needle, 8 st on each side continue the border, lacy pattern from 400 knitting stitches book.

Here's some cushion cover pics:

Cushions and things

Hoorah! The green cushion cover is complete and wrapped around the cushion even. In fact crocheted together around said cushion at each end & side edges sewn. Possibly could have been more neatly finished off, but the bulky yarn made it a bit difficult.

Went into town on Sunday for something else entirely. Tapestry Craft were having a sale on their yarn & all knitting things, needless to say there was more stash purchased. Enough of the Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed to make a long cardi-type coat and some Inca for a scarf. I was soooo restrained....

Finished the first side front of the lacy wrap cardigan - now for the other front bit. Once I wrapped my brain around the dec at the ends of the various rows from the armhole up and wrote it out, it only took an hour or so to knit.

The sewing has been languishing after the first burst of enthusiam - need to get back to it.

Pyjamas and stuff

I have made 2 kiddie size flanny PJ pants in cute pink prints - they are already in use! Have cut out PJ pants for me using an actual pattern (as opposed to making it up as I went along based on last year's purchased variety - which is what I did for the kiddie sizes).

One 3 teir ruffled pinwale cord skirt has been constructed, with 2 more cut out & ready to be sewn. One pinafore has also been cut out, though I'm a bit worried it might be too small so I'm waiting to see the results before I get too enthusiastic about cutting more out. I may have to enlarge the pattern.

I managed to wrap my head around the requisite maths in order to start the front of the cushion cover - even graphed it out (which is a bit more technical than I usually get). The other knitting is plodding along... though there is decreasing both sides of the front of the lacy wrap from armholes up with different intervals between the rows of decreasing. I need to write it down and get it straight in my head before I start on that or it will end up in a mess.

More plans having been running about in my head, but haven't formulated anything specific yet.

Shaping up

The Lacy wrap cardi is shaping up. I finished the back last night see photo below & started the left front. Lots of casting on at the beginning of the knit rows in St st. The shaping becomes slightly more complicated - but not too much. I am more worried about doing the shaping neatly on the purl side.

I need to do some maths in order to finish off my basketweave cushion front. And other things are in the planning stage - more cushions, a throw rug and kiddies jumper.

Moved, knitting again

Instead of finishing the ongoing scarf & mitten projects (and the Zhivago cardi, not to mention the really ancient stuff that should get finished) which are still sitting about looking neglected, I have started on a cushion cover. As easy as a scarf and not nearly so long! Using the doubled green cotton on 7.5mm needles (70st x 90 rows for 47cm2) it has knitted up very quickly - the back is already done, and the front cast on. Waiting for inspiration re the front. I think the yarn will be too bulky for neat cables and lace could end up a right mess as well. I think a k/p combo of some description will be the best bet.

Also bought a few more balls of wool (Cleckheaton's Country Silk 8ply) in a nice green for another cushion cover. That should cable or lace up nicely. I think I'll leave the fancy stitches for that one (and it will be smaller).