Sunday 28 November 2010

Its been a while


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

Sunday 19 September 2010

Ball 100

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!

Sunday 12 September 2010

weekend effort


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.

Monday 30 August 2010

Think Superman had one of these?


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!

Sunday 29 August 2010

lukewarm hot head


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.

Saturday 28 August 2010

Blackpool Illuminations

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??

Monday 23 August 2010

Easter at Christmas


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.

Sunday 22 August 2010

oh what a circus part 2


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.

Friday 30 July 2010

Holidays

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

Saturday 24 July 2010

3 done

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!!!!

Tuesday 13 July 2010

La stash


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!

Monday 12 July 2010

Unfinished Concentric Squares


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!

Sunday 11 July 2010

And as promised...


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.

Saturday 10 July 2010

Progress!!

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.

Monday 28 June 2010

Summer of Socks 2010


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

Monday 14 June 2010

FINALLY

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


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.

Sunday 13 June 2010

wwkip day


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...

Saturday 12 June 2010

New Layout...

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??

Wednesday 9 June 2010

WOW!


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!

Monday 7 June 2010

socks r us!


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.

Sunday 6 June 2010

At last!


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.

Friday 28 May 2010

iris


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.

Sunday 16 May 2010

Metallica sock


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!

Thursday 13 May 2010

Metallica!

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.

Monday 10 May 2010

Poor clapotis

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???

Sunday 9 May 2010

twice in one day

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


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

Monday 3 May 2010

Poor clapotis

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

Tuesday 27 April 2010

Beautiful Berlin Socks


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!

Saturday 24 April 2010

A finished item!


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!

Wednesday 14 April 2010

Happy Birthday SnB!

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.

Wednesday 31 March 2010

Chatterbox cardigan


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!

Wednesday 24 March 2010

still alive!

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)

Sunday 31 January 2010

An actual photo!


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.

Sunday 10 January 2010

oh dear oh!

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!!!!

Tuesday 5 January 2010

Happy New Year!

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!