Not Enough Time

I've been having so many orders and requests, I barely have time to knit for myself! I have only two projects for me - Fingerless Mitts and a shawl. I'm stuck on the second mitt and no date on the horizon to start the shawl!

First, baby hats for charity; then, a friend of my mom who is having a little one. I finished her hat, but not the cardi yet!

Then, hats - little sister wanted a beret and a cowl, and I got an order for a hat like the Almost Spring Hat, but in red.

I also made grandma a little gift card cozy for mother's day!

All in all, thank god I finished mom's things back in march - I would be going crazy if I had to make them around mother's day, which was last sunday.

I've been knitting so much, my arms hurt a bit and I haven't had time to touch my chemistry books for a test (although, to be honest, I don't really want to... Oh well.)

Well, now that I finished most things - all I have to do now is a cardi, mom's hat for her bday and maybe a little something for little sis - I think I might be able to finally finish my mitts! Can't wait to use them :)

Love, Tina

Winter Joy

Ah, it's finally cold!!! Last night temperatures dropped to 5C in my city... Below zero in some towns. This is bliss for me!

Why? Well, more tea, more knitting and crochet (so much more!), more watching tv on the couch with blankies on.... Using my knitted socks...

I could go on and on :)

I am so happy I was able to finish this scarf (shawl? cowl?) in a few weeks, just before the cold arrived. First time I ever made something in this shape. Got about 218 stitches, so the largest thing I've ever knitted!

If you want to make one for you, here is the pattern. It's so, so easy! You memorize it in no time and I made this while watching Vikings :D

The yarn I used was a gift from a friend who I love. She sent me this italian merino, and it's so, so cozy. And the color? It goes well with EVERYTHING! Just my kind of thing!

Can't wait to use it. Before I finish, here's a little something from our garden - little sister's gold oranges. Well, they're not gold just yet, but they will be! :)

Love, Tina

A Lace Story - Ajur Cowl Pattern

So, if you have read this blog before, you will know that looong ago, I started a lace scarf. A simple project using a stunning yarn.

I was my first time with lace. I have made eyelets and simple lace before, but this was an all lace project.  I had no idea how this would turn out like, but I was excited to use the Drops Delight yarn I got as a present from a friend who lives down under!!!

The search for the right pattern took me quite a while. I was not sure if I wanted to make a cowl or a scarf, but I soon said to myself - something simple, with no shaping. After all I would be having to pay attention to the lace!

So I settled for a scarf. I looked at Ravelry but nothing really caught me eye (Call me crazy!) so I went looking for patterns and stitches on some books both of my grannies have given me.

I finally found the right stitch at a book from the 80's! (I do think it's actually older than that, since it was definitely NOT the first edition!) It was a simple stitch, that is around online for ages (after I knew what to look for, there were thousands of different ways to do this.)

After making a few changes, I started. Not only I used a lifeline, I also used stitch markers. For a 44 stitch scarf!!! I give you the permission to laugh at my extreme caution :D If this is your first time with lace, I urge you to do the same! It will save you from lots of headaches later, trust me.

Lifeline and markers. Silly for such a small project, but highly effective!

I ended up finishing a 50gm skein, and I soon realized I had no more patience. At all. Scarves are great and fun.... Mostly when you are a begginer. Although  I'm pretty sure knitters who have far more experience than me love knitting scarves too. I just found out I need something that shows progress in a different way, and has at least a little bit of shaping. We live and we learn!

So I turned this into a cowl - I knitted a few more rows, and there it was. I actually have no idea why this didn't occurred me earlier - I love using cowls, scarves, not so much!

I'm quite happy with the result! So, here is the link for the pattern. You can use whatever needles and yarn you wish - there's not a gauge for this. In this cowl, I used 3.50mm needles and 1 skein of Drops Delight, 50gm. You can seam the sides and turn into a cowl, or you can just keep knitting and make a scarf! It's really up to what you prefer.

Keep in mind the stitch is not originally my idea! I'm actually trying to find information on the designer, so I can credit her/him properly. Keep your fingers crossed, I really want to find that person and say thank you :)

Have fun knitting this cowl/scarf! I can assure, it's great for begginers and experienced knitters alike!

Thanks for little sister, who took this photo!

Love,

Tina

Lots of things!

When it comes to projects, I'm not the most "controlled" person. I make one, two, sometimes 6 or 7 projects at the same time. This way, I'm always interested - There's always something new and different that needs my attention. I don't care if I finish them now or 2 months from now - As long as I'm having fun, that's what matters!

This month will not be different, I'm afraid... I finished a pair of simple baby booties and will start a baby vest today. Another sock is coming along nicely and I'm making a new pattern - (my very first knitting desing) a hat for mom. I also want to make something that requires sleeves... I've never made a garment that needs sleeves. Since I'm really enjoying working in the round, I want to try that out!

But, I did finish my cowl - I can't wait for this crazy weather to get colder, so I can use it. Working with cables is quite magical - From such a simple process, we see these different designs, new textures, coming alive. If you want to make a cowl just like this one, you can find the pattern here. :)

All this, and then there's school - and gaming. If it was not for Skyrim, I could be done with mom's hat by now, I'm not joking!

I'm also trying really hard to control this urge to make a thousand of different crochet potholder patterns. I have the yarn... The perfect yarn. But we already have so many of those... Argh, it's been hard, so hard... If only life was made of hardships like this one :D

Love, Tina