Swatching

Wow, can't believe it's been nearly a month since I last posted, and this is the reason:


I have so many projects going that I'm trying to finish them one at a time and then, hopefully, I can keep my mind on one topic. However, I keep finding some knit lace patterns that I really would like to try, so I've been swatching them as I go, trying out different yarn and all that whatnot. I've also been trying out some new techniques, and these are the fruits of my labors!


Here is a cuff pattern from the latest Piecework issue. It's the first time I've tried nubs, and I managed to get them wrong. I didn't have internet at the time, and as such couldn't watch a video on how to do the nub stitch and, consequently, got it wrong. It's done in 100% cotton that I got at Michael's, but I don't have any idea what type it is (I'm not at the house and can't look at the label).

Next up is two swatches of the Mesilune from the antiCraft. Both were knitted with the same needle, but one is bamboo and the other acrylic. The acrylic (top) looks much more dainty, while the bamboo (bottom) is very thick and heavy. I think this yarn would be better suited to heaver knit projects rather than the lace. On another note, the bamboo doesn't have a full repeat while the acrylic has more rows and a repeat.

And, for the secret project..


I've been trying to get the full shawl finished, and I'm nearly there..


This is for a birthday present, and will be dyed in reds and black. Her birthday is still in summer, but she will need it before Christmas, hence why I'm working so hard on it. It will be my first fully knit lace project as I've put aside the Goddess Shawl for working on this (also because I made a mistake with the arms and will have to rip out quite a few rows to fix it..).

I'm also skeining some thread for when I dye this beauty. Might as well do it in one go, right?

I have more that I've been up to, but these were the only items I could carry without dropping them. More to come! ^^

Knit, Knit, Knit..

Been working on several items at once, so I thought I'd share. Sorry in advance for the blurry photos. I used my phone for them all.

The first is a pattern that I am trying to add to. It's loosely based on Ruth Perry's Eight Inch Doily that I've made while I was at the doctor with M. I couldn't remember the stitch count and didn't have the book with me, and let my fingers go. I'm adding on to it, and the second round isn't quite finished (it's rosetts, which are proving difficult):

And next are two knit projects, one is for my aunt on my mother's side:

She bought me that yarn years ago, and now I'm making her a scarf for Christmas. It's extremely soft, and if you've seen the movie Monster's INC, it looks like Sully's coloring! I'm a little further on this than the picture. When it's done, it'll be a zig-zag pattern, hence why it' leaning to the left.

And finally, a personal item to work on my knitted lacework:

This is the Gorgeous Goddess Shawl, from the Anti-Craft. I'm about half-way through if you only count from the rows. It's easy and is almost a no-brainer pattern. I love the background stitch!

I'm also swatching some more knitting for a secret project, which I'll share at a later date. 'Till then!

Earrings and Strawberries!

I have been working on these off and on for a while now.. Made the first prototype a while ago and then tried it with beads, and now I need some help!

This was the first one, done in Lizbeth Country Turquoise:


And the second, done in Lizbeth Antique Violet:


The second one has beads on them as well as an extra join, and I don't know which I like best! Maybe a combination of the two, perhaps? I like the placement of the beads, but not the extra join because it sort of warps the bottom two chains. Any thoughts?

And just to have a clearer picture, here they are side-by-side:


Because I don't feel these are "finished," they are not going to be counted in my 25 Motif Challenge. I have some more tatting to share, but can't get any pictures at the moment. I'll try to have them posted tonight!

Also, I'm going to offer this pattern, but I need to write it up. It's simple and based entirely on the number 3!

And now, on a lighter note.. ^^

It's the end of the strawberry season, and I'm lucky enough to have a start-up strawberry farm nearby. Nothing beats buying local, as the jams, jellies, preserves, what have you, have that extra taste of home that store-bought produce just can't replicate. I know it must sound crazy, but I prefer to get what I can local while staying away from the grocery stores.

So, about a week ago, my grandparents and I went and picked some berries. It was a beautiful day!


Unfortunately, there weren't many berries left as they had a huge crowd before we got there! I did manage to get some a few nice shots..


All the berries are washed and frozen, and hopefully I'll have some jams and jellies soon!

I can't wait for it to be blueberry season.. The ones we got last year were excellent! ^^

ALSO!! Nearly forgot..

I wanted to do a give-away at the end of last month, but then quite a few of the blogs I followed offered up some goodies! I decided to push it back for two weeks, and will be posting about it in the coming days.

'Till next time!