Dragon no more

Current WIP count: 5

It’s a sad day for the amigurumi dragon. The poor thing hasn’t been worked on for months and months, and he’s been moved from pillar to post so often I’m not even sure where all the parts are.

He had reached UFO status and I’d rather lost interest, so I had a frogging session.

I still love dragons and amigurumi; he’s going to get made at some point, but not until I have a chunk of time to dedicate to him. Experience has finally taught me that I’m not organised enough to work on something with lots of parts over a long period of time without losing them.

Which, incidentally, is why Flax Light is perfect for me! Just one long piece on one set of circular needles that I can chuck in my bag any time. I’m actually really glad I frogged the first attempt now, as I switched to smaller needles and I’m much happier with it.

It’s funny how gauge can change so much from one project to the next.

Having lost a week somewhere in October (how are we only 8 days from Halloween already??) I very much doubt I’ll meet my goals for this month. Looking at them from this side, they seem wildly optimistic. Maybe my next goal should be to set more realistic goals…

Hannah

xXx

A mini make

Current WIP count: 6

I over-ordered the yarn for my Flax Light, so there was a whole skein and at least 1/3 of another left over. That wasn’t enough to make another one for myself (tempting as it may be) but I knew it would definitely be enough to make a mini version for my friend’s toddler.

So that’s happening. Her birthday is at the beginning of December so that’s my initial goal, but if I miss that then the aim is Christmas!

There’s been very little time at home over the last week so I haven’t made much progress on Morag. The loop stitch means it’s not quite mindless enough for working on at choir.

I have a train journey or two coming up at the weekend so I should be able to get a move on with her.

A question for everyone – what is your opinion on knitting or crocheting at a wedding and/or wedding reception? Yes? No? “You’re a terrible person for even thinking about it”? Asking for a friend….

Hannah

xXx

Changing Staircases

Current WIP count: 6

This thing is addictive.

I actually taught myself to knit continental just so I could keep going when my wrists got sore. There’s only this much of the skein left so it’s going to be finished pretty darn soon.

Thanks to my addiction, the only other thing I have to show is some miniscule progress on Morag.

That’s a body and one foot. Getting there, slowly. In my defence she would go quite slow even without another project distracting me; loop stitch is not a quick stitch and it’s on almost every single part. I might make the horns next just to get a wee break from it.

But for now, back to those staircases!

Hannah

xXx

September Review

My plan for September was to finally get some WIPs off my list so I could knock it down from eight WIPs to four.

I managed one of those things.

After what felt like forever with nothing, I managed four fairly big finishes:

There was my boyfriend’s Lego blanket.

A baby blanket made with the leftover bricks.

My Changing Tides blanket (nope, I still haven’t sewn the ends in).

And FINALLY my beautiful Flax Light

The baby blanket was a new addition so that got my WIP list down to five, but…then I got a bit of start-itis after being inspired by BonnyKnits, and cast on something new.

This is Changing Staircases by Dragon Hoard Designs, it’s free on Ravelry, and the yarn is Leaf Green Rainbow by Mothy and the Squid. I regret nothing.

So now my WIP list is sitting at six, which is an improvement so I’ll take it.

I think for October I’ll aim for getting it down to four again. A few of the projects are close to finished and should be easy to cross off, but I’m also going to start making for Christmas so I know there will be more added on.  I just have to resist all the Halloween crafts that are popping up everywhere!

Hannah

xXx

Remembering how to amigurumi

Current WIP count: 5

Gosh it’s nice to be back to small projects after so many blankets.

Work has resumed on Morag the Highland Coo, and somehow after a long break the loop stitch feels much easier than it did all those months ago. Maybe my brain just needed time to process it before jumping in?

This is most of a body. I’m using my stash of ends and scraps as stuffing, which is great motivation to keep the stitches tight; I don’t want those Lego brick brights peeking through!

I also have a pretty Toft project bag to keep all the pieces in so they don’t end up spread all over my flat like the poor dragon I started forever ago.

Yesterday I found out it is possible to be too ill to crochet, but I’m feeling human again today and really enjoying getting back to amigurumi. I must remember this next time I’m tempted to start three massive projects all at the same time…

Hannah

xXx

I’m on a roll

I finished the final rounds of Changing Tides last night. That’s two WIPs off my list in one week, and it feels goooood!

Yes, I’m ignoring all the ends. Since this is a blanket just for myself there’s a high possibility the ends will never get sewn in. I’m okay with that.

Look at all that texture

In the beginning I wasn’t sure about the mish mash of colours, but they actually seem to work okay, plus I’ve used up a good chunk of the acrylic in my stash so I’m doubly happy.  I’m looking forward to snuggling up under this now we’re in pre-Winter (those outside of Scotland may know it as Autumn), as it’s really toasty and has a nice weight to it. I’ve always wanted a weighted blanket!

Now on to Flax Light and hopefully I can get that finished as well before too long.

Hannah

xXx

WIP Wednesday 11.09.19

Current WIP count: 7

I think I might be able to cross another WIP off the list this week, as there’s now only a week and a half left to add to my Changing Tides blanket.So much lovely texture on these rounds.

Flax light is now my portable project again. It’s nice to get back to knitting, especially when that knitting is just stockinette for the next 7 inches. I only need to engage my brain to count the stitches for the garter panel every other round, so it’s been a perfect TV/choir/subway project.I’ve also got as far as taking the needle felt unicorn back out of the box, although I haven’t actually done anything with it yet. My thinking is that if it’s right in front of me and ready to go then I’m more likely to pick it up and make some progress when I have a spare 5 minutes. We’ll see how that works out!

Hannah

xXx

At last!

A WIP crossed off my list!!

I found myself with some unexpected free time on Saturday, so I decided to simplify my plan for the Lego blanket and just get it finished.

As you can see it doesn’t have a ring of bricks around the edge as I planned, and the border is just two rounds of single crochet rather than a continuation of the bobble stitches, so it’s not quite what I envisioned.

BUT it is undeniably a Lego blanket, I managed to hand it over on my friend’s actual birthday, and most importantly he loved it! I’m counting it as a success.

Man it feels good to get something finished at last. Let’s see what else I can cross off this week.

Hannah

xXx

Nearly there!

Current WIP Count 8:

I pretty much didn’t move on Sunday; I just sat on the sofa, with Parks and Recreation on my laptop, and sewed bricks together.  So now I’m about 3/4 done with the blanket and ooooooh it’s looking good if I do say so myself!

The bottom right corner is all laid out to make sure I got the colours in the right places – it still needs joining. So close!

But I’m not sure I’ll meet the deadline now, as my friend is in hospital and I’ve been spending my evenings visiting them instead of joining bricks. The blanket recipient will understand though so I’m not worrying about it. It’ll be done when it’s done!

Hannah

xXx

August Review

White rabbits!

This should be a pretty quick one, as I only worked on 3 projects last month. That’s about as close to a monogamous crafter as I want to get!

The main one was the Lego blanket. I have a week left and it now looks like this:

In between working on that my Changing Tides blanket got a look in now and then.

With Flax Light falling way behind at just a few row’s progress.

My goal for September is to finally cross some projects off my WIP list.

1. Lego blanket – as the only one with a deadline, this one is priority.

2. Changing Tides – this will be my next focus, simply because I’m now almost a month “late” for finishing it if you go by the end of the CAL.

3. Flax Light – Did you know I started this in February? I know I’m a fairly new knitter, but that’s still far too long so I want it done and wearable this month.

4. Needle felted unicorn – It’s small and cute, and will give my hands a rest from knitting/crochet so I’d like to focus on this one as well.

That would exactly halve my WIP list, which feels much more manageable. If I manage to work on any of the other 4 projects then I’ll just count that as a bonus.

Hannah

xXx

Party animal

This is my wild Friday night; sewing Lego bricks together, with Sabrina on in the background.

Oh and tea, of course. Perfect.

I’m having a weird experience with Sabrina. I’m currently on episode 17 and have been watching it for a few weeks, but I still don’t know if I like it. Obviously I don’t hate it, otherwise I would switch it off, but at the same time if it were cancelled and all episodes removed right now my reaction would just be “eh, okay then”. Has anyone else seen it? What do you think?

Hannah

xXx

WIP Wednesday 21.08.19

Current WIP count: 8

Lookit, I have the start of an actual blanket:

Granted it wouldn’t keep much more than a hamster warm at the moment, but you have to start somewhere.

It feels like they’re fitting together better than the last blanket, although it’s hard to say for definite having only joined a few of them, so hopefully the edges will stay straight and look more lego-like this time. I will report back when I’ve got a few more done.

I’m at that stage now where a project completely takes over your life; If I have a spare second you’ll find me either crocheting bricks or sewing them together, while studiously ignoring all my other WIPs. I might even be finished ahead of schedule at this rate!

Hannah

xXx