Destashifying!

And the winner is...

2011-05-03T22:34:00.003+01:00

After a bit of mature reflection, I decided on what the next wip would be and even better than that i decided on a wip schedule! Sunday - Tuesday will be wip days, where there's a decent stretch of time to make a serious dent in the thing. Conveniently I finished the brown cardigan on a Sunday which fits with my lovely new plan.

Next Wip on the block is a Paxton cardigan in fern green Stylecraft Life. For some reason I seem to have gotten fed up of this a few cm from finishing the body! At this minute in time I've the 4 boarder rows to knit, the cast off and then to start on the two sleeves which don't take very long at all.

I'm actually enjoying the whole wipdown thing. Getting that brown cardigan (I have to stop calling it that, its a very nice, warm and snug cardigan knitted in Sirdars Big Softie) finished was a relief and its just unfortunate its the wrong season for wearing it (we are meant to be getting rained on this week though)

Maybe by the end of this month I'll be wipless.... have to get that crochet blanket sorted though, I lost the corner somewhere in it, lol.

Oh my goodness!

2011-05-01T18:57:00.001+01:00

BIG SOFTIE CARDIGAN
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

After languishing in a bag, half done since November 2010, the cardigan that was meant to be my mums christmas present is finally done.
So here's the question, what wip do I work on now? I have socks in progress, a baby shrug, a crocheted blanket and a baby cardigan. Im thinking the socks... but also the baby shrug because its also been sitting for months, maybe a year, not worked on!! I'll have to have a think.

finally

2011-04-16T09:53:00.001+01:00

marks socks
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

these socks have been on the go since February and I got them finished last night. since I'm working on my wips this month, its time to drag another out of the box and get cracking.

This is the third wip that I've finished so i'm nearly half way there... the rest are cardigans of various sizes though so could take a while. Still, I've 2 weeks to make some progress.

blanket bunny mark 2

2011-04-04T21:30:00.001+01:00

blanket bunny mark 2
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

this is the first things I've finished in ages!!! I did one of these before but when I showed it to a girl in work she said it should have had a face... so I knitted one for her gandbump and spent an hour trying to do the face. Never again, lol!!!

blanket buddy

2011-03-07T21:15:00.001Z

blanket buddy
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

This little blanket buddy is the first thing I've finished in ages! Seems that real life is getting in the way of my knitting time... it could also be because I'm knitting many things at the same time, lol

Finishing Sunday

2011-02-13T17:21:00.001Z

frankensocks
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

Seem to have been on a finishing roll today. Managed to finish a one row handspun scarf this morning knitted out of yarn I've had since November 2007 - Patons Rumor. Its nice yarn although the aplaca fluff made me sneeze, and there were some bits that were nice and loose while others were very tightly spun. Kniting from inside and outside made no difference.

This afternoon I finished socks for my sister. I used two different sock yarns (using my scraps) and they turned out ok. Just have to wait until she gets home so she can try them on.

Right now I'm about to work on another WIP. My BSJ needs buttons so I'll sew those on and then try working on the brown cardigan... its about time that was finished.

The pain!

2011-01-31T16:15:00.001Z

baby surprise
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

All month I've been knitting this, one baby surprise jacket, and its taken all month to do. I have come to the conclusion that, although it was one those "must knit" patterns, I didn't like it. I think it was because I didn't really get the pattern and had to use other knitters spreadsheets and things. But I'm glad I did it, just never going to knit it again.

Wips and other things

2011-01-23T20:51:00.002Z

The SnB board on ravelry is having a baby surprise jacket knitalong all this month. My plan was to knit it on wednesdays while there but everyone else has their finished or nearly finished, so I've spent this weekend trying to catch up.

Despite the jacket having squillions of projects and being the best thing in the world, I dont think I like it. There's just something about it and I can't put my finger on it. I'm hoping to have it done in the next few days (just about to do the cast off 5 at start of each row thing) and then it'll be over and done with.

Maybe when the BSJ is done I'll get the chance to work on a few other wips. The brown cardigan needs its sleeves sewn in (well, 1.5 sleeves) and a bit of the seams finished, I've a second sock a few inches in and then old wips from the start of 2010 and before.

I've had a severe craving to buy yarn the last week or so. I've managed to resist despite looking on ebay etc. Only 9 months before I can buy yarn!!!!!

Happy New Year

2011-01-10T18:00:00.003Z

Happy New Year
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

Its always good to start the first post of the year with a nice new pair of socks. And here they are! My mum went to Florida in 2007 and brought back two balls of Kroy sock yarn.... two balls in different colours. Many moons later I knitted these up over Christmas and New Year.

I had a great time knitting them though and even weaving in the ends wasn't a pain. I think I'm in complete sock mode now as, as soon as these were done, I cast on another pair.

But this month isn't going to be about socks. Its about wips. I've far too many on the go at the minute and its time to have a wip-down! Some projects just need sewn up and they're done, some need more knitting and one needs a refreshner crochet lesson. All reasonable. So I've recruited Nicky to have a sewing marathon this weekend to see if I can get some things done... or even just one. I'm not fussy.

Its been a while

2010-11-28T10:19:00.001Z

galaxy socks
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

But I'm back with a shiny new pair of socks just finished yesterday.

My Christmas knitting is nearly done but my list of Wip' s is ever increasing so my plan for December is to finish the Christmas stuff and then work on the wips. Hopefully I'll start 2011 with only 2 wips.

As for 2011 itself, I'm going to knit BIG! I've a cardigan, two vests and a top that I want to get knitted up. Those 4 things alone could take a while, and then there's SOS11 to consider. Should be enough there to keep me busy.

I'm still planning on knitting from the stash, have managed to get it down to 40 miles, and hopefully another 5 or 6 miles will be knitted up next year.

My sister asked for a hat this morning, so off to hunt out some yarn for that! Have to keep her ears warm in the snow you know, lol

Ball 100

2010-09-19T22:01:00.002+01:00

Reached 100 balls out of the stash today. Unfortunately not all of them were knitted but I've still time to catch up on that one.

So far the total is 58 gifted out and 42 knitted. But I've still got 3 months to get the knit total up and I've a cardigan planned that will take 13 balls, so thats good news. Hopefully by the end of the year I'll have knit the same number of gifted balls, that would put me WELL over the 100 ball mark.

At least now the yarn I have in my stash is yarn I like, have plans for and am looking forward to using. I've just weeded out the stuff I'm not keen on. Just need more knitting time I think!

weekend effort

2010-09-12T18:11:00.001+01:00

weekend effort
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

I know, I'm behind in my posting, but i have the evidence of a weekends worth of knitting.

The cardigan was started last week and finished it a few minutes ago. The pattern doesn't have buttonholes, so I put three in. Just have to locate some nice buttons now and its properly finished. Also managed to use a skein of Red Heart I've had since November 2007. it was in my precious stash :D

The brown thing is a cowl, quite a quick and nice knit. Used a ball and a half of Sirdar Click Chunky... LOVE that yarn. Its so soft and warm and squishy.

The green thing is a ribbed hat, also in Click Chunky. Again thats a ball and a half used up.

Thinking of putting both half balls of Click together and trying to knit some matching ribbed fingerless mitts.

Think Superman had one of these?

2010-08-30T17:51:00.001+01:00

my hero
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

This is part of the boyfriends birthday present. His favourite superhero is Superman and I saw this on ravelry and thought it would do him nicely. Hope he likes it!

lukewarm hot head

2010-08-29T10:17:00.001+01:00

lukewarm hot head
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

Was at a bit of a loose end last week knitting wise. I've a big project that I seem to not want to do and there's a deadline for it, hence me casting on everything I see.

I knitted this hot head in deep stash yarn. I got 2 balls of Patons Inca for 50p each many many years ago and never knew what to do with it, so Hot Head it became for a girl in work.

I tried it on before the decreases and though it was long enough so decreased away, finished it, tried it on again and now I'm not sure. I've enough yarn left over to make it longer though so I shall ponder and think on it. Yarn's really nice though, can't believe it was in the stash for so long, lol.

Blackpool Illuminations

2010-08-28T10:19:00.001+01:00

blackpool illuminations
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

This is pair 5 for Summer of Socks, and the last pair I'm going to do. I've managed to do my sock Christmas knitting in the alloted time, got a pair for myself done, and removed a few balls from the stash.

These socks were HUGE! Daddy sized socks. I ended up knitting both socks to 7 inches up the leg and stopping. The yarn was being used up fast and I needed to split the rest of it. So I had to wait until I came home from holiday to finish them. Serves me right for not splitting the yarn before I went though.

Pretty happy with them though but they're 3 stitches wider than his first pair, shouldn't really make a difference should it??

Easter at Christmas

2010-08-23T20:49:00.001+01:00

easter at Christmas
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

This is pair 4 for SOS10. Started these for my sister straight after the ones for my brother. These are in Regia Exotic Colour (Easter) and were quite a quick knit compared to the men socks, lol. Have some of the yarn left over but i've plans for that.

oh what a circus part 2

2010-08-22T10:59:00.001+01:00

oh what a circus
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

So before I went off on holiday I managed to finish pair 3 of my SOS 10 socks. These ones are for my brother and he really does seem to appreciate the socks I make him. The last pair he got were started in Canade in February. When I gave them to him, he put them straight on and went out. Apparently that night he was in the pub with his friends, took his shoes off and put his feet on the table with a "look what my sister made me". If thats now appreciation, I don't know what is, lol.

Holidays

2010-07-30T18:33:00.001+01:00

I'm off on holiday later tonight, and am expecting wonderful things to happen while I'm away. Specifically 3 pairs of socks and a bakhus. Yup, overachieving again, lol

3 done

2010-07-24T12:03:00.000+01:00

My third pair of SOS10 socks are just finished. Would post a pic but the camera suicided itself on Wendesday at SnB... something about working conditions and not getting paid enough. Anyway, I'm sure pics will appear eventually.

Pulled out a new bag and lo and behold, pair 4 is for my sister... a small pair of socks at last!!!!

La stash

2010-07-13T13:08:00.001+01:00

la stash
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

A girl on our rav board wanted to know how everyone stored their stash. I hauled mine out this morning, took a photo of it as it was (i.e.like this) and then reorganised it all. Alas, can't remember where anything is now!

Unfinished Concentric Squares

2010-07-12T09:39:00.003+01:00

concentric squares
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

This is the project that I really do love, but ran out of yarn 16 rows from the end. Really messed up my day that did. However, I've put in a 911 call and everything is going to be ok (i think) It'll be finished soon thankfully cuz this is the THIRD unfinished blanket I currently have sitting in the WIP basket.

So I decided to start a new project, and sat on the sofa all day beside a sleeping, snoring Westie who always makes himself at home on anything soft. After a few movies, many hours, the Holland v Spain World Cup Final and nearly 3 balls of Sirdar Click Chunky later, I've nearly finished a shrug for myself. Just the second ribbed edge and some seaming and its ready to wear!

I like this shrug. Its the unshaped shrug on ravelry, and this is the second time I've knitted it. First time was for my sister in a nice Sirdar Escape pink colourway swore she'd wear it and now doesn't. That shouldn't surprise me really... just means I'm second guessing what I was going to knit her for Christmas. Anyway, my shrug will be worn. The rib is all in a nice darkblue and the inside is a light blue, it actually looks really nice, plain but nice. My thanks to Nicky to assistance with the colour changes. There might even be a photo of me wearing this tomorrow, shock, horror, lol!

And as promised...

2010-07-11T10:07:00.001+01:00

huge socks
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

I give you the newly completed pair of socks. I knitted them in Regia Jet Set Colour that I got in Vancouver for $2 (bargain!) but its a bit rough. So rough in fact that it took the shiny off my addi needle. Not impressed with that but the needle still works and it'll be a constant reminder of these socks, lol. The socks are for the boyfriend and havent decided when he'll get them yet. Could be his birthday or it could be Christmas. Shall have a think about it.

Progress!!

2010-07-10T23:12:00.002+01:00

I've been making knitting progress. Ive been knitting the Concentric Squares blanket since the WWKip dayon 13 June, a row or two every day cuz there's 200 of them lol, and I ran out of yarn today, just 16 rows from finishing it. I've put in an emergency 911 to Las who lives in Houston so hopefully she'll be able to get me some more. But still, 16 ROWS!!! AHHH!!!!

In happier news, I've finished pair 2 of SOS10. Next pair I pulled out of the brown lunch bags was not a good choice. Its another LARGE pair of socks, only this time for my brother. Grrr, why couldn't my hand have landed on Siobhan sized socks?!?!?

I'll get photos of the blanket and socks up tomorrow, but right now I'm going to rest my hand from overexertion on tiny needles.

Summer of Socks 2010

2010-06-28T20:41:00.001+01:00

sockies
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

SOS10 started last Monday. One week to the day I have my first pair finished (and on my feet too)

I've the next pair selected from the brown bags I made up a few weeks ago. Alas, the next pair is for my dad, and he has rather long feet. So while I made a cracking start I don't think I'll be able to pull a pair a week off my needles again until the socks are either for me or my sister.

And instead of casting them on right away, I'm going to knit on a blanket. Might start tomorrow instead :D

FINALLY

2010-06-14T22:23:00.001+01:00

blue pebbles with buttons
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

I have actually managed to put buttons onto Pebbles, after everything (buttons, needle and thread) sitting beside the laptop for quite some time. But its all done and dusted now and in the gift box. To be honest, I like it so much I just may keep it for myself :D

All His

2010-06-14T20:08:00.001+01:00

all his
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

This is a little cotton soap bag thing for in the shower or bath. Cobbled together from a few colourways to use up all the "bits". Don't like it. The colour difference it just too much. Ah well, the next one will be better hopefully.

wwkip day

2010-06-13T21:43:00.001+01:00

wwkip day
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

There were BIG plans for WWKIp day this year... sunshine, picnic, knitting!

Alas, in true Belfast style, it rained on us. We went into Belfast Castle for some chips, cream scones and coffee, a little bit of knitting too. But then we decided to call it a day :(

So Nicky and I retired to my car to have our own WWKip where she finished 3 projects, finished 2 balls of yarn and I cast on a baby blanket (because I'm not allowed to knit socks)

I think next year I will skip the WWKip organising and turn up if one is planned. It always seems to rain on me...

New Layout...

2010-06-12T10:50:00.000+01:00

I only wish I had a new FO to show off. Alas, I don't.

Still itching to start some socks. My ravelry queue has a fair few nice looking patterned ones in it that I think I'm brave enough to try.

Is it the 21st year? Or can I cheat and start early??

WOW!

2010-06-09T22:42:00.001+01:00

clapotis
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

Look what finally made it off the needles? After being on them for 10 months, the clapotis is now officially finished. And you know what, I love it!!

3 WIps to go and I am itching to start some socks!

socks r us!

2010-06-07T20:49:00.001+01:00

metallica sock
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

Just finished my 4th pair of socks for the year. As its June and therefore the 6th month of the year, I'm 2 pairs behind to make at last 12 pairs this year. I want to knit 13. Thankfully, SOS10 starts in 2 weeks and I'm hoping to knit at least 4 or 5 pairs, so maybe the sock tally won't be so dismal.

So in the meantime, I'm working on my wips. There's the broken clapotis that Nicky fixed for me today so I'll be cracking onto that very shortly, the kiddy cardigan thing that may run out of yarn before completion, the olympic crochet blanket thats lost its corners and the eternal donegal blanket that is being taken to Donegal in July and worked on.

I'm hoping that in the next fortnight (before SOS10) starts I will finish at least 2 of the above. Yeah, back to the overachieving lark again, lol.

At last!

2010-06-06T13:37:00.001+01:00

shrug back
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

After a false start, the shrug is done. By false start I mean that I went away last weekend, knitted 3/4 of the thing to find out that it didn't fit her. Second time round its really rather cute. This is a pic of the back (obviously)

I'm getting geared up for SOS10 which starts in 15 days. I'm going to attempt 4pairs which will be the start of my christmas knitting with a pair thrown in for me. Just have to get this current pair finished first, lol.

iris

2010-05-28T08:52:00.001+01:00

iris
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

Have finished this cardigan and given it to Ann. She really likes it but there's a few things wrong with it that I can see. Best to keep these things secret, lol.

Off to Donegal today with the intentions of knitting a sock and a shrug while I'm away. Still overachieving, lol.

Metallica sock

2010-05-16T15:19:00.001+01:00

metallica sock
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

This is the sock I started on Wednesday before the Metallica concert. I was going to knit it just plain but theres something about it that says "I need to have a pattern on it" so I had a look on ravelry and found a spiraling eyelets pattern that I'm going to start just after the heel and have a nice patterned leg. I can't really see the point of patterns on the foot cuz no one sees it. Maybe in time I'll change my mind about that.

Still on the sleeves of the cardigan. so much to learn on this thing!

Metallica!

2010-05-13T21:09:00.002+01:00

So last night was the Metallica concert. At SnB I cast one a brand new sock, one to make up for the berin socks that my brain decided were to fit my sister.

I got some scrummy Natural Dye Studio Darling sock yarn from my stash in a nice green that I've had for quite some time. It was part of the precious collection and I thought I'd use it.

So its coming along nicely, toe's done and I'm onto the foot now and so far it seems to fit ok. Just leaves a trace of alpaca/merino fluff behind when knitting it, lol.

Poor clapotis

2010-05-10T21:27:00.002+01:00

As you may recall, I dropped the wrong stitch on the clapotis. On Saturday, Nicky showed me how to pick up all the stitches and set me the task of having them all picked up for Snb on Wednesday. My task is complete and I've tinked back a few rows to the next dropped stitch. Alas, I'm afraid to tink back any further so shall leave it in her capable hands.

On the cardigan front, I took it into work today to show Ann. She loves it. I've 1cm to knit before I start on the sleeves. Still really quite proud of myself for (a) mock cabling (b) reading a chart, and (c) knitting with more than one colour.

I think a quick knit next... I've a DS lite cozy queued on ravelry and have one ball of SWTC Karaoke and think I'll knit it out of that. It'll keep the DS warm and toasty and decrease the threat of it ending up broken at the botton of my bag, lol.

Question: Whats the chances I'll be able to keep my knitting, and knit at Wednesdays Metallica concert???

twice in one day

2010-05-09T13:57:00.003+01:00

ann cardigan - mock cable and chart
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

I know, two posts in one day. But I had to show off the start of the cardigan. Here's the bottom rib mock cable and the first chart. Isn't it cool!!!

I'm very easily amused :)

Little Pebbles

2010-05-09T09:47:00.003+01:00

blue pebbles
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

I think I love this project. It's fantastically quick and super cute. Although the photo has no buttons on it, I went to Ards knitting yesterday and visited the wool shop there and after much deliberation it was decided that bright green with white stripes would be the buttons of the day. Just have to sew them on now.

Good news on the Clapotis front... Nicky has started to pick the dropped stitches up and I've to have that finished by Wednesday and the knitted rows ripped back to the dropped one so that it can be repaired... all without frogging back rows and rows. Guess I live up to my ravelry name now, lol.

Started a new project yesterday too. A girl in work saw this pattern in my magazine in September and has wanted me to knit it ever since. Lot of learing in this one cardigan - mock cable, reading a chart and knitting with more than one colour! But its really cute and I'm just about finished with the bottom heart. Bit of a break with rows of stocking stitch and back to the colours again

Poor clapotis

2010-05-03T16:26:00.002+01:00

I started knitting my clapotis last August. When I finished one ball I got bored and put in away until after Christmas knitting was complete. At the start of this year I knitted another ball and put it away again for a while. Last week I took it out again with the aim of completing it and using the last ball up. So there I was, merrily knitting away, until it dawned on me that I had 92 rows to knit and the yarn was decreasing quite rapidly... 5 decrease repeats and the last 1 rows left to knit and the yarn runs out :(

Seems the clapotis doesn't want to be finished. Thankfully, Ravelry has helped me source a knitted who is selling my colourway... so I bought 2 balls to only really use one. bit of an odd way to use yarn up, lol

Beautiful Berlin Socks

2010-04-27T20:34:00.001+01:00

Beautiful Berlin Socks
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

Finished my third pair of socks this year, and they're from the first ball of yarn I bought in Berlin.

Alas, they were meant to be mine but didn't fit (can't count) so my sister is getting them.

Next ones are MINE!

A finished item!

2010-04-24T19:49:00.001+01:00

slouchy hat
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

At last another finished object! I knitted this hat for Nicky's birthday and finsihed it last week at the Armagh Planetarium. Its just over a ball and a bit of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino and its really soft and scrummy. I want to replace ALL my stash with lovely scrummy yarn and not the stuff I have at the minute.

I'm managing to work though the stash for the 100 ball challenge only I've been giving the yarn away more so than knitting it, but somehow there'll be 100 balls gone. Maybe more!

I've put together a basket of projects to be knitted. Once they're all done I'll refill the basket etc etc until the yarn is all gone :) Alas, the basket idea will be stalled in June when Summer of Socks starts but maybe I'll have a fair few refills done by then!

Happy Birthday SnB!

2010-04-14T22:51:00.002+01:00

Today is our SnB's 3rd birthday, and to celebrate we had a bit of a yarn swap. I managed to donate 17 balls to the party and came home with 5 which was a pretty good trade I reckon.

I got 3 balls of Freedom Spirit and 2 different colourways of Wendys Pampas which I think would make a nice striped scarf. I don't know what to do with the Spirit yet but I'm sure I'll come up with something.

So donating the 17 balls brings the gifted/donated total to 46 and alas the knitted ball total only stands at 6. i'm working on a few balls at the minute so hopefully that will increase or else the 100 ball challenge will be all gifted balls, lol.

Chatterbox cardigan

2010-03-31T22:00:00.001+01:00

Chatterbox cardigan
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

Look!! I've actually finished something!!! Its a little cardigan for Nicky's friends newborn baby. Just managed to get the buttons sewn on tonight which finishes it off properly.

Just 5 more WIP's to go before I'm wipless :)

Back to knitting!

still alive!

2010-03-24T23:08:00.002Z

Knitting has taken place, I've even got a crochet project on the go... alas nothing has been finished in a very long time (well, I did knit socks on holiday, must get a photo of those up)

I've got too many WIP's on the go at the minute - a sock, a crochet blanket thing, a baby cardigan, a toddler shrug, a clapotis and I'm sure I'm forgetting something.

I did buy yarn while on holiday and I totalled it up the other night... over 2 kilos!!!!!! Majority of it was sock yarn, so i've more than enough to keep me going for a while. So much so that when I came home I had to buy new storage for it. I've the sock yarn stored in chronological order, a tub of yarn for projects in my ravelry queue, a basket of things to knit now and the rest of the yarn in more tubs. Its crazy! I don't need any new yarn for quite some time.

Back on the cold sheep/100 ball knit down challenge (although this year I've gifted more than I've knitted, lol)

An actual photo!

2010-01-31T21:44:00.002Z

Yes its been a while since a photo of something other than a box of sock yarn has graced my blog, but one can't show the world secret knitting projects!

This little cardigan is for Bump, who is due to make is grand entrance at the beginning of March. I really like this cardigan, so much so that I may churn a few more out to have handy.

Finishing this cardigan means that I've used 0.50 miles this month which is an ok start to the year, lets see how we progress next month shall we! Its Ravelympics after all.

oh dear oh!

2010-01-10T20:55:00.005Z

I've just did a quick count of my yarn on ravelry. As of today, I have 405 skeins of yarn. 405!!! Now I know why I need to knit from stash for quite some time. And ironically, last year I managed to reduce my yarn by 100 skeins.

Yesterday I did add 21 skeins of yarn to the stash, however I know precisely what I'm doing with it, and some of it has been placed in a "knit this next" basket that I've started.

When I go to Canada and America next month, I'm going to have to show some restraint. And wanna know why (as if the 405 skeins wasn't enough), its because this below is my sock yarn box and the lid doesn't close!!!!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-05T21:01:00.002Z

So, as the New Year has rolled round, I've been doing some maths. Last year (2009) I came up with the following:

Total Mileage: 7.54
Bought yarn: 3,950g
Used yarn: 11,830g
Gifted out: 1,646g
Gifted in: 500g
Completed: 45 projects

You know what? I'm really rather proud that this year the difference between the used and bought yarn is more than 22g (the difference in 2008)

My 2010 knitting resolutions are as follows:

1. Continue the 100 Ball Knitdown challenge. I would like to knit the majority of the 100 balls but I'm not adverse to gifting them.

2. Cold Sheep. Last year I decided to go cold sheep for the whole year. That didn't quite work (see the approximate 4,000g that came into the stash) and instead I've decided to try in on a month by month basis. Since I didn't buy anything in December, month by month could be the way to go.
There are an exception or two to the cold sheep exercise. I'm going on holiday to Seattle and Vancouver and yarn shall be purchased. Also, I can buy yarn to finish a project if nothing else in the stash will do. I can also buy yarn to knit a gift if there's nothing suitable in the stash.

3. WIP's. I've 2 wip's at the minute, my clapotis and the Donegal Blanket of Doom thats been on the go since 2007. I've to finish the clapotis this month before I can cast on anything else. The blanket will be finished by the end of this year as its a lot of seaming with some crochet (which I don't know how to do)

4. Projects. I'm only going to have 2 projects on the go at any one time. One socks, and the other something else. Also, I have a list of things I would like for myself, so this is the year of me.

5. Giftages. Baby stuff to be knit throughout the year, together with charity items and Christmas/Birthday gifts so I don't end up rushing in December.

I think this is me done. I'm going to continue my £1 per completed ball and 50p per completed project reward scheme, saves me some potential yarn money, lol.

Off to complete a Christmas gift, and when its done, it'll be my second project completed so far this year. Start as you mean to carry on and all that!

OMG!

2009-12-24T17:10:00.002Z

I have just literally finished my 100th ball for 2009!!!! I'll get the excitement over before I add that I didn't knit all 100, but I did knit 70 of them... the year isn't over yet so who knows how many more balls I may yet use :)

Ta da!!!

2009-12-07T22:06:00.001Z

aquarius socks
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

May I proudly present my socks, pair number 12 for this year. These are for my cousin for Christmas and were started in Berlin last Wednesday and finished yesterday morning. The photo is really quite accurate colour wise for a change, but I have asked Santa for a new camera for Christmas so maybe next year ALL the photos will be accurate, lol.

As for new stash... lets just say there was plenty of it. I am tempted to post pics of all the yarn but for a weeks worth of purchasing, it might be a little scary - 15 balls of yarn came home with me. Only 4 balls of that WERE NOT sock yarn. Yeah, I don't need to buy sock yarn for at least the next 4 years!!!

Right now I'm off to work on more Christmas presents.

Bon voyage!

2009-11-24T20:53:00.000Z

Going to Berlin in the morning. Don't know how much knitting will get done but I'm prepared with 2 pairs of socks to chose from. I can't promise that yarn won't be purchase, I'm on holiday after all :)

What a weekend!

2009-11-15T23:39:00.002Z

Have managed to finish two projects over the weekend AND start/finish a third, which is just fantastic! Can't mention too much about them since Christmas is coming and everything, lol.

I can say that I've knitted/gifted 92 balls of yarn this year (I've colour coded the balls so I can count exactly how many I gifted and knitted) and I could actually get to 100 by New Years Eve. I have probably cheated a bit since I've noted down partial balls and things, for example if I knitted a dishcloth last year using half a ball of P&C and finished the ball this year, then I'm counting the ball in the challenge. But hey, the yarn is leaving the stash and if it motivates me then I'll stick to my system.

Onto the next project!!

Berlin Thorpe

2009-11-14T14:16:00.001Z

Berlin Thorpe
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

Ta da!!!!! I have myself an ear flap hat for Berlin in a fortnight... less than a fortnight actually. And in only one ball of Patons Symphony so that it matches my cowl :)

I didn't do the braid things on it, and as much as I like the hat, I think its a bit crazy... but as long as it does the job I'm happy :)

I buyed yarn.

2009-11-10T19:24:00.005Z

robinson
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

Yes, I caved and bought yarn but its to knit this:

Isn't it cute!? Its called Robinson and is from Patons Nursery Story pattern book.

Here's my plan, and I believe it to be a rather cunning plan at that.

I had a look at the pattern and noted that the age 2-3 required 5 balls of the main colour (brown in the photo) and 1 of the contrasting colour (cream), and I handily enough had 5 balls of one colour...

These balls to be more precise:

The colourway is called Misty and randomlythe photo is quite a good match for what the colour is like in person. My plan is to knit the above cardigan and therefore have purchased 2 balls in order to knit up 5 (yes, there are 5 there) which I think is quite a good method of using the stash and getting a lovely cardigan at the end of the day.

So these are the 2 balls I bought, as the contrasting colour, nice and green. I was thinking of doing the ribbing in the green to brighten it up a tad, and also in case there's not enough of the blue, but I have a while to think about it.

So... do you think my yarn purchase was justified?

a little ramble

2009-11-08T13:14:00.001Z

Just did a quick count of the number of skeins of yarn I have, based on the info on ravelry. I have 411. Now I knew I had a lot, but with the stash knitdown that I was (am) doing, I had hoped to have decreased that number (I’ve used/gifted 89balls this year which isn’t too bad really, hope to get to 100 by New Years Eve)

However, I have added 58 balls to the stash in many varying weights and honestly its mostly sock yarn. Given that I’ve managed to knit 11 pairs of socks this year and my sock stash is rapidly increasing, I really should knit nothing but socks for a while, lol.

Why am I waffling like this? Simple. I was in a bad, but the only LYS we have here, and they had nice aran yarn for 99p per ball. Conveniently I have a pattern book for kids knits in this yarn and I thought to myself “here’s a chance to get something nice and knit it up!” hence the yarn count. I was going to buy at least 6 balls but have just realised that this is rather silly due to the huge number of balls in my stash that aren’t leaving. Instead, I’ve decided to purchase one ball, and one ball only to knit the pattern using the yarn I already have that’s required. One ball to use up 5 that I already have isn’t too bad… is it?

Also, I don’t even think I’ll get round to knitting the kids cardigan hoodie thing this year so really I’m buying yarn to carry over to 2010. I need to finish my Christmas knitting and start planning my 2010 knits… which will be for me and me alone!!!

christmas socks

2009-11-07T10:00:00.001Z

christmas socks and tintin
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

I've just finished my first pair of socks to be gifted for Christmas... for my two cousins who have been asking for socks for ages. Just have another pair to do, with about 10,000 other things too, lol.

More progress...

2009-10-25T19:09:00.003Z

The cardigan was taken home last Wednesday and apparently it fits the 2 year old perfectly. I saw a photo of it on him and it looks quite good... couldn't steal the photo though.

In other knitting news, I've the first sock of 2 Christmas pairs very nearly done... another 2 or 3 inches and its done... with just the mate to go. I also finished my sisters cowl tonight while watching some James Bond, so I could actually get all my knitting done before Christmas without taking more stuff off the list.

Here's hoping!

the torture is over!

2009-10-20T22:29:00.001+01:00

cardigan sleeve
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

i have just literally finished the baby cardigan. Its only been on the go for 6 weeks or so which is just too long. But here's a very bad photo of the cables on the sleeves, the rest of just plain. Didn't have enough blue buttons so I used a nice light yellow instead.

Socks tomorrow for snb. Have to rip out and redo the heel though, that won't be fun but at least its not a cardigan!

Birthday cowl

2009-10-19T17:21:00.001+01:00

birthday cowl
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

This is the cowl I was talking about last time, for my friend Jolene. Please ignore the shiny plastic chair but it was the only decent surface available for picture taking :)

In this cowl you can at least see the pattern, and she seemed to like it, which I hope is a good sign.

I'm just about to start seaming the sleeves of the baby cardigan. Its been floating around far too much and it is starting to get on my nerves, lol! To the needle!!!!

knitting has taken place

2009-10-12T18:00:00.001+01:00

symphony cowl
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

I finished this cowl for myself last Monday and haven't taken it off since! Its lovely and soft, snuggly and quick to knit. I knitted it out of patons symphony and took a grand total of 6 hours!!!!

I have another on the go too, and the baby cardigan is nearly done too... just the ends, sleeves and buttons to do.

Have Christmas socks started as well, so much knitting and no finishing going on, lol. Hopefully that will all change tomorrow with SOMETHING being finished!

pisces socks finito!!

2009-09-20T17:38:00.001+01:00

pisces socks finito!!
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

Finally these socks are done! They've been hanging around for far too long. No more! Come tomorrow they'll be on my feet :)

it only took just over half a ball for the entire pair, so another pair of these will be knitted in the future.

Onto Christmas knitting!

My current knitting

2009-09-06T13:59:00.003+01:00

pisces socks
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

So as I changed the knitting rota, I've been chugging away on these socks. I finished the cuff on Wednesday night at SnB and cast on the second one. I managed to get the foot and the heel finished last night, with a bit of the leg too.

But, as today is Sunday I thought I'd start something else for the coming week (as per the on a week, off a week scheme) so I settled on a cardigan for a 2 year old. The one I'm doing is the one on the top left but without the stripes. (see how I tried to cover everything else on the page, lol) I'm hoping it won't take too long, but come Sunday its back to the sock!

Or maybe not

2009-09-01T21:27:00.003+01:00

So I was totally convinced that the split week thing was working until I realised it had taken for a fortnight to knit one single, solitary sock. Add into the mix that one christmas gift took me 3 full weekends makes me slightly rethink the plan.

New plan - one week each, lol. The socks getting its week so see how much of the thing I can knit and next week (except Wednesday) the new Christmas project will get my full attention (doesn't help that scouts restart on Monday so I lose a nights knitting)

So there we have it, the new plan and hopefully this one works out. Failing that, its a lot of monogamous knitting in my future!

This may actually be working...

2009-08-23T17:38:00.002+01:00

The whole splitting the week thing seems to be working for me. This second half the the week I'm made some serious progress on a Christmas project... I've gotten more done today and yesterday than I had all last week! Even though I'm meant to stop knitting this project at 6pm (to restart the sock for its half of the week) I think I'm going to continue on a bit as I reckon the ball is very nearly done, hooray!!!

So back to the Christmas project I go!

Madness strikes again!

2009-08-19T07:54:00.002+01:00

I calculated how many weeks worth of Christmas knitting I have to do - 19. I then calculated how many weeks it is to Christmas - 19. Most of my Christmas knitting is socks, but I've also two toddler cardigans and some other things to do as well.

So I hatched a plan. Sunday evening to Wednesday night are sock days, while Thursday to Sunday evening are everything else days! I'm hoping that this works or else some projects will have to go which I don't want to do. I've my first pair of socks on the go as well as another gift. I think I'm going to have to do the quick things first, like my sisters socks, and leave the slow ones like my dads socks.... or should I do it the other way round?

And here was me thinking I'd started early enough!!! At least I've two pairs of socks done and 2/3rds of another gift done!

Edible art

2009-08-17T20:16:00.001+01:00

CIMG4966
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

A few weeks ago in Starbucks, the knitters got to their table and were faced with this masterpiece. It was make of white and brown sugar and was really quite delightful... unfortunately it didn't last too long. This picture was taken, the sugar swept into a dirty mug and the knitting commenced. It was pretty while it lasted I suppose.

And finally....

2009-08-10T21:18:00.002+01:00

hug
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

This is the last FO I can show here until Christmas, super secret knittings took place but since my mum won't be poking around the blog, I'm safe enough to post a photo of them.

These are her bedsocks and knitted out of one ball and a tiny bit of Sirdar Hug in Murmur. They're actually really nice and I might have to hunt out the Calm blue and knit myself a pair. They were really quick to knit up too which makes them idea last minute present material.

Currently knitting the clapotis since the headwrap for a girl in work is done, just have an end to weave in and I'll hopefully be able to post a very bad photo tomorrow!

FO: Part Deux!

2009-08-09T18:59:00.001+01:00

twin sock
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

Here's more evidence that I knitted in Donegal on holiday - a nice pair of socks for my brother's birthday (which is in October incidentally) They are my first pair of perfectly matching socks and I managed to try them on him without him looking!!!

So far my sock total is 9 pairs this year, which is pretty good since my goal was to knit 13 pairs! I've 5 pairs to knit for Christmas and a pair to do for mysef so I could end up with more pairs than I bargained for!!!

We have a FO!!!

2009-08-07T17:16:00.002+01:00

patons vintage cardigan
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

I have not fallen off the face of the earth, I went on holiday. I went with the intention of knitting a lot of things and to come home with one completed vintage cardigan... and I did! It wasn't a fun experience though.

It took a while for me to get the knitting finished, and once that was done it just sat there for days because I didn't want to see it for a while. Once it was washed though, I think it started to really annoy me with the "I will not dry" streak - 2 days before I lost the plot and spent an entire day seaming it while it was still damp. It was then flung unceremoniously upon a radiator and told it wasn't moving until it was dry!

Weaving the ends in (again) and the buttons took another huge chunk of time that I don't want to think about. I did want the entire thing finished before I came home... the last button was attached at 11:40pm the night before we came home - thats what I call cutting it fine!

But the mother likes it very much and has already had it on, it fits nicely and the sleeves are a nice length too (they're short 3/4 length in the pattern) so all in all its nice now that its finished but I won't repeat either the pattern or the yarn again (once I get rid of these last two balls that is)

It's done!!!

2009-07-13T16:29:00.004+01:00

green emerald
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

Look what I finished now 10 minutes ago?!?!? I worked on it all weekend and little emerald is now in the conservatory, lying on foam boards, soaking up the summer sun to dry out!

Thats one cardigan down, another to go!

madness takes its toll!

2009-07-10T08:51:00.002+01:00

because I am slightly mad (it will seem apparent why I'm mad momentarily) I have decided that before I drive off on holiday next Friday, I must have finished the following two items:

1. Patons Vintage Cardigan - this is currently in a bag thinking about what it did wrong! I was knitting away on it last weekend and realised I was running out of allocated yarn for that part. I measaured the front against the back and the front is currently approximately 4 inches too long!!! And it's not even finished yet!!!! So it's going to have to be ripped back, or frogged. I haven't decided yet.

2. Emerald -this is the project thats being worked on. The sleeves are attached, the raglan decreased and being slowly worked and its getting there. Blessed be the chunky yarn though. Unfortunately, due to the stitch count and the weight of the thing, I can only do a few rows at a time before I need to put it down. I have a long way to go on this one too.

So you see, trying to finish two cardigans in various states of completedness by Thursday is just pure madness!

Totals, totals everywhere

2009-07-02T19:29:00.003+01:00

Its the beginning of the month, and so I bring forth the monthly total for June;

Used 549g
Bought 0g
Gifted to me 50g
Mileage 0.56miles.

Mileage is fairly erratic, especially when I'm just kniting socks and cardigan bits. Maybe I'll get back up to the high miles when I get a few consecutive days off!

Tofutsies socks

2009-06-28T22:19:00.001+01:00

Tofutsies socks
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

I finished my second socks today - i didn't knit any more of the Emerald OR start the other side of the cardigan. But look, another finished project AND ball of yarn!!!!!!

WOW!

2009-06-28T11:17:00.003+01:00

Emerald
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

Look what I picked up again last night! It's the Emerald-that-would-not-be-finished!

To be honest the only reason I lifted it was so I wouldn't have to start the second front of the Paton's Vintage cardigan, plus this Emerald is on the cable rows. However, I really should be knitting the Vintage one, so shall get back to it - Emerald is now 3 rows longer that it was previously!!!!

Yesterday I turned the heel on the second tofutsies sock so that needs finished too.... so I think I'll take it in turns with the projects - do some Vintage, some Emerald and some sock, to ensure that I don't get bored, lol

Not knitting!

2009-06-27T15:56:00.002+01:00

This is a photo of my Westie Tintin. It was his birthday yesterday and he reached the grand age of 12 (thats 84 in dog years apparently) He's a greatwee dog and thought I would give him a mention on the blog and post a photo of his cuteness for all to see :)

Found this is the garden earlier - it was hidden behind a tree and I didn't see it - there are 3 other foxgloves against a different part of the fence but they aren't as nice as this one!

Onto knitting I suppose!

Another sock completed

2009-06-21T21:26:00.001+01:00

Nicky, Jolene and I went to Ards to join the SnB there. The girls were really lovely, had gorgeous yarn and a yarn shop nearby! So 4 hours later I had a good bit of the leg done (the other pic is where it was before I left yesterday morning) and we went for a wee drive towards Portaferry where the sock was completed

For this one I attempted a picot cast off. I don't know if I like it or not - the picot rolls down and sorts folds in on itself, its a bit weird. On the plus size, there was no rib to do and no cast off so tight it would cut off circulation. I'll knit the other one and do the picot edging there too and see how I feel after a few wears.

cardigan front is a go!!!

2009-06-18T21:08:00.001+01:00

cardigan front
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

Finally cast on the Patons Vintage last night, and this is the result of last nights effort.

The colour isn't that great becaue my camera sucks but the pattern is ok... not great but ok. I don't think I care that much to be honest. I'll see how it turns out once its a bit further along.

regia socks are done!

2009-06-14T08:37:00.001+01:00

regia socks
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

I knitted the second sock yesterday , in one day!!!! it was the one on the left by the way, and once again I could have made them sightly longer - it is my fear that I will knit them so long that I won't have enough yarn for the rib at the top. I'll get there eventually,lol.

Also yesterday I finished both sleeves of the vintage cardigan. Just the two fronts to do now, and i might start those later... I am swayed to finish the toe of the new sock I cast on last night, but we'll see.

Evil knotty yarn!

2009-06-12T09:38:00.001+01:00

I've half the sleeves for this cardigan finished - I'm knitting them both at the same time so that if I make a mistake on one sleeve, I make it on both, lol.

I'm not loving the yarn though, in every ball I've knitted there's a big knot somewhere where they've tied two ends together to make the ball. Its seriously a pain. But on the bright side, I'm halfway through the cardigan and therefore halfway through the yarn - only 6 more balls left for the cardigan leaving me with a grand total of 2 balls left and no idea what to do with them!

My new mantra for this project shall be "only 6 balls left to go, only 5 balls left to go" etc. Hoping I get the sleeves finished today and then the mantra shall commence, lol.

footie regia socks -halfway there!

2009-06-07T10:03:00.001+01:00

footie regtia socks
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

Last weekend I split a partial ball of Regia Stretch to make some footies for my sister (she's only 10 and therefore has small feet)

I cast on the toe on Tuesday while watching Angels and Demons in the cinema, and finished it last night.

I have been knitting the back of the paton's vintage cardigan at the same time, so this is a bit of a shock that its done already - I do have to thank an emergency dentist appointment on friday morning who made me wait for nearly 3 hours before seeing me ( that got me WELL up the foot I can tell ya!)

So now to move onto sock 2

Total time!

2009-05-31T17:11:00.000+01:00

I thought it might be interesting to put out there just where I am on the knitting front.

I have just moments ago finished the 37th ball - I have knitted 33 of these and donated 4 to other people. I'm happy with myself although you can't actually see the small hole where these 37 balls used to be, lol.

So from January until May we have the following:

January - Bought no yarn, used 391g so for the month I was +391g

February - Bought 700g, used 748g so for the month I was +48g

March - Bought 900g, used 1358g so for the month I was + 458g

April - Bought 1000g, used 688g so for the month I was -322g

May - Bought no yarn, used 250g so for the month I was +250g

Generally it seems that the numbers are going in the right direction, and the used yarn doesn't count the gifted to me or by me stuff. I'm destashing slowly but surely, and this month was basically socks, lol.

I think the important thing is that for two months this year I have bought nothing. There's 7 months left, lets see how many more yarn free months I can do!

More socks done!

2009-05-30T09:41:00.001+01:00

prisma socks
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

Look what I finished last night, and you can probably tell from the picture where they were finished.

These ones are for my little sister, and I'mglad she has small feet - I can use up those pesky part balls of sock yarn to make her socks, lol.

Because today is a really good day here in good ole N.Ireland, Nicky and I are heading to Belfast Castle for a bit of a walk and a knit. I shall not be starting new socks (they would have used the other part ball of tofutsies) but instead I shall continue with the back of the Paton's Vintage Cardigan.

Enjoy your weekend!

New project!

2009-05-20T22:10:00.001+01:00

CIMG4903
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

I finished my socks at the weekend in Donegal... and Nicky fixed Emerald for me (although technically I didn't touch it at all) I don't like the socks very much, I got bored with the pattern and therefore made the legs too short, lol, I'll wear them though.

I started a new project last night (do I hear cries of "why don't you just finish Emerald and get it over and done with?!") and its this cardigan. I bought lots of Paton's Vintage in February or March I believe, and I'm hoping to get this cardigan out of the 14 balls I have... it might be a close call though. I even have the buttons purchased!!!

As you may be able to tell from the bad photo, there's the patterned bit on the front and on the sleeves. Well, its there o the back too, so I'm going to omit ALL the pattern bit, except for the fronts.

I have one further thing to add about this cardigan. If my mother, its intended recipient, doesn't wear it, she's NEVER getting a hand knitted item again (the zebra socks still haven't been worn you know.)

As for Emerald, I'll get there eventually :)

I am determined

2009-05-14T20:01:00.000+01:00

to come home from Donegal on Sunday night with some totals to put on the "I knitted this month" board. I've been knitting those stupid socks forever now and I'm fed up of them not being done! But by jove, I will have those suckers off the needles this weekend.

I'm also determined to get SOMETHING done on Emerald. Yes, poor emerald is still hibernating away, but since I'm going to Donegal where nothing but knitting takes place, I'm hopeful that progress will be made on it.

If, on the off chance, I come home and emerald hasn't been touched, feel free to send evil nasty things my general direction :)

Weekend Frolicks!

2009-05-10T19:28:00.001+01:00

custom house
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

After much plan making, plan changing, plan cancelling on Friday, Nicky texted to let me know that she wasn't staying in work like a good girl, but was very determined to run (hobble) screaming from the building.

We met up for a Starbucks SnB where much crafting was done before heading to Nados for dinner. After nice munchies, we were heading to Cityside's Ben and Jerry for ice cream (its cheaper than the Odeon) when we heard music wafting from Custom House Square... there was a bit of a music festival thing going on, so we sat on the steps and listened for a while. The band we heard was called Frightened Rabbit and were really very good.

We decided that we would possibly repeat the evening more regularly which will be great fun!

Saturday was a first aid course for the Scouts so no knitting was done. However, when I got back, I completely cleared out my room in preparation for it being redecorated. You know, I knew I had a lot of yarn... but it was EVERYWHERE!!! Seriously, I have far too much of the stuff... time to get some serious destashing done!

As for today, I've been knitting on my Dan Bar socks and have finished the foot and heel, so am now on the leg and the end is in sight!!! Hopefully they'll be finished soon, but as all the yarn is in the cubby, the next project could be difficult to locate, lol

Guh!

2009-05-02T19:39:00.000+01:00

Well, despite the low mileage total for April, I have knitted a lot. I finished socks, a baby blanket and a cardigan thing and I can't believe the total wasn't higher!

So this month (so far) I've been knitting away on a new pair of socks and am now onto the leg of sock #1. These ones may take a while since they're fully patterned but I have until the end of May to finish them... I've to try and fit a quick pair in somewhere to bring me back to my regularly scheduled pair per month thing. Might knit a pair for Siobhan out of the leftover tofutsies.

I've also knitted a few rows of a new cardigan for my mum out of the rest of the Patons Vintage I have... this is the stuff I already had but bought more to do the garter swing cardi and then I bought EVEN MORE of the stuff for this cardigan. I think I'm defeating the 100 ball knit down challenge here, lol. But I'm getting there, especially if I knit the stuff I've bought which I plan to do.

As for the Emerald... still hasn't been touched and I'm a bad knitter for leaving it languishing in its bag. It's the bank holiday weekend though, so miracles may yet happen and the sleeves may be attached after all.

lets wait and see, lol

And here it is!

2009-04-24T17:24:00.001+01:00

baby blanket
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

Here's the finished article, the baby blanket!

My brother had stolen the card reader and left me mildly paranoid for an hour before he replied to my text, evil being that he is.

Onto socks!!!

C'est finis!

2009-04-23T21:31:00.000+01:00

Well, the little blanket is done. The ends have been woven in, pictures are taken, and just as I was about to upload them I hit a snag. I actually don't know where the card reader is. Seriously. Me who can find ANYTHING in my room can't find this. Its in one of three places:

1. I've tidied it away from its usual spot beside the laptop and can't remember,
2. One of my siblings borrowed it and didn't tell me, or,
3. Its been accidentally put in the bin.

I've only known of its disappearance for a 15 minutes and I miss it already! It was one of the best presents I've received!

Whoop!!

2009-04-22T22:01:00.000+01:00

I've just finished knitting my 29th ball, which means I'm over quarter of the way to the 100 ball knit down challenge. However, the downside to this excitement is the fact that I've bought yarn nearing 50 balls. I'm taking one step forward and two back with this challenge thing.

So I need an incentive. I'm not buying anymore yarn. If I manage to stave off the yarn buying bug I can go to the spinning class that we're hoping to organise with the SnB ones. If I buy yarn then I can't go, simple.

Ideally, I'd love to have knitted 100 balls AND the new yarn too by New Years Eve. One can hope :)

it just never ends!

2009-04-19T21:48:00.000+01:00

I've been knitting a very simple, but pretty, garter stitch baby blanket for the past week. It's only going to take 200g of yarn, but it feels like I've been knitting it forever! I'm 3/4 of the way there and hope to have it done by the middle of next week.

And because I'm still on this blanket, the emerald has been neglected (again) I'm just not feeling the love for it at the minute since I had to tink the joining row. Maybe if I let it ferment a while longer I'll get it finished.... maybe even by the end of the month!

yardage sucks!

2009-04-13T17:10:00.000+01:00

Despite the fact that I've just finished a pair of socks, the yardage meter isn't moving as fast as I'd want it to. In that vein, I think I'm going to accept the fact that this will be a low yardage month and be done with it.

Onto more knitting!!!

Zebra sock takes over!

2009-04-12T10:01:00.001+01:00

Zebra sock
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

Although the side total isn't moving, knitting is indeed taking place. This is half a pair of socks for my mum in tofutsies and they're getting on well. This sock was finished yesterday while watching Raise the Titanic, a movie based on Clive Cusslers book. The book was better in so many ways that if I went on a little rant, the rant might not end. But at least I sat and knitted for 3 hours near enough.

The second sock was started last night while watching the Dr Who Easter Special... something about a bus on mars or something. It was interesting to say the least.

My Easter plan is to start Emerald again. It was taken apart and now needs put back together. Might take me a while but I'll get there eventually!

Pictures as promised!

2009-04-07T21:20:00.000+01:00

The other day I said I would post pics of the four dishcloths, all knitted with the same cotton, to show the effect... well here they are:

This is the openstar dishcloth and the first one I did. I quite like it although something funny went on at the edges... carried on with it regardless, lol.

Next up we have the wheatfields cloth, and this was the one I finished the other day. The last cloth for a while. I quite like this one too, although it might be a bit difficult to see the pattern in the colourway of the yarn.

Thirdly, we have the diagonal slant cloth. I like the effect of this one, and,

Fourthly, the classic chequerboard effect cloth. This one shows the colourway of the cotton up best. Just wish my camera were better.

And there we have it. 4 different clothes in the same yarn equal different effects. Nice.

Still here!

2009-04-05T10:45:00.000+01:00

I'm still here and still knitting away, just nothing that's photoworthy yet.

The Emerald has languished in its pink bag for 2 weeks now because of the evil row, and really I should have sorted that out ages ago and be wearing the thing by now! But no, I'm scared of the billion stitches I have to tink back, afraid of messing up the stitch marker placement and thats holding it all back. Shame on me! I'm going to try and get it done today, I promise!

Other than that, knitting has actually taken place. I have a cone of peaches n cream that is now very nearly done thanks to the 3 dishcloths I've knitted from it. Cloth 4 is currently in progress and once they're all done, they shall all be posted together to show how different the colourways look depending on the patterns... I've also not taken photos of them all yet, lol.

I've also started socks for the mother in tofutsies, however the way the colours go remind me of snake skin and that might be a problem if she notices that too, lol. These are pair 3 for 2009 which means I'm a pair behind.... I blame last Saturday's tragic incident. Traumatised I was!!!

Off I go to do something knitworthy!

WIP finishing session

2009-03-28T20:44:00.001Z

DPN storage device
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

After the diasterous start to the afternoon, I decided to finish some wips. I have a few current Wips:

1. Emerald cardigan
2. garter swing cardigan
3. DPN holder
4. Donegal blanket.

I decided to tackle the easiest, and here it is. My wooden DPN's are quite short, so this was convenient for me since I didn't want to finish it, lol.

Eyelets to thread the tie though and a picot cast off (to try it out) and it's quite cute.

I was going to try to put a Stargate symbol on it, but maybe the next one!

Tragedy!

2009-03-28T17:01:00.000Z

I lost my knitting today and I am gutted. I had just cast on a sock last night with some random Russian yarn scraps and my 2.5mm addi needle and it was all going swimmingly. Until today when I lost it somewhere between the bottom of Ann Street and the cinema.

I rang Subway where I had it out knitting but it wasn't there. I retraced my steps from Ann Street to the cinema, and it wasn't there either. I just hope someone found it and is going to finish the sock for me.

scarf season!

2009-03-24T22:17:00.001Z

bigga flirty
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

I decided tonight that I didn't want to sort out emerald, or knit the acidic cardigan, or even start a sock. Instead, I wanted to knit a scarf. And, 4 episodes of Stargate later, I have one very heavy charity scarf.

It's two colours because I had 3 balls of the light and 1 ball of the dark. I split one ball of light in half and knitted the ball and a bit, then the dark ball, then the other ball and a bit. I like it though.

Socks are done!

2009-03-19T22:29:00.001Z

glacier lakes socks
Originally uploaded by ropeadope_ie

I have now, officially, finished my first pair of patterned socks! I quite like them and shall be showing everyone in work tomorrow!

One thing I liked was the pattern was VERY simple to memorise, but it did get a bit tedious. However, since the pattern was memorable, you could stop and start at will and not lose your place!

Another pair to start tomorrow - wonder what the sock club will give me this time? (I'm only a month behind on the sock club thing by the way - maybe I'll catch up during the summer)

Another FO for the collection!

2009-03-10T21:16:00.000Z

All knitting had ceased while I knitted a scarf. It's meant to be Spring here but as it was snowing on Sunday I thought the scarf was a necessary project. Its a double dropped scarf and knitted in King Cole Spot On DK and was quite a nice acrylic to knit with.

Onlyproblem is, I cast on too many stitches and its a tad short but hopefully I can block it longer!

blah

2009-03-06T22:09:00.000Z

Currently trying to knit a top down cardigan for Siobhan out of yarn I had a few balls of but bought more... its my first attempt at a top down item and needless to say its not going well. I've already ripped it once and I tried it on Siobhan and its too tight across the back. Blah. I tried it on her friend Chloe and it seems to fit her ok so I'm going to finish it and give it to her.

it sucks that I'm going to have to reknit it AGAIN! The year of the reknits continues it seems :(

the sound of silence...

2009-03-02T21:38:00.000Z

its been a bit quiet round here and thats because I'm still knitting the socks. I did manage to get the first one finished last night and started the second too.

Be prepared for the silence to continue for a while until something more interesting happens!

socks galore!

2009-02-22T15:55:00.000Z

On wednesday at SnB I started a sock. This was the second time this particular sock had been cast on... I tell a lie. it was the third. The yarn is King Cole ZigZag in Cloudy and it was my intention to turn it from a ball of yarn into a pair of broadripples. After sourcing the DPN's I proceeded to cast on, cuff down. I didn't like that so went online to thisisknit and bought a 3.25mm addi. Once it arrived I cast on again, toe up. After a few pattern repeats, I realised that you couldn't actually SEE the pattern, so ripped it out.

Attempt number 3 was a plain sock. I'd had enough messing about with patterns and just decided to go for a plain attempt. I cast on Wednesday, took Thursday off work sick and turned the heel. Then I decided that I could maybe possibly do an easy pattern on the leg. Enter the Glacier Lake toe up socks! Nice simple pattern that even I can't get wrong... and for my first pattern it's going rather well I think.

Hopefully my first pair of patterned socks will be done by mid March... but I'm also knitting Emerald at the same time so who know if the socks will be done at all!