The object is finishing

As in, the object of starting something is to be able to finish it, so that one (or the recipient, if it is a gift) can use it and enjoy the outcome.

I have a long list of objects I am trying to finish at the moment: jumper for Scott (just cast on the front), Sockalpal2za (pattern and yarn selected, although I'm yet to cast on), Scarf for mum (just over 3/4 of the way, in just over 1 year...), and a few others are waiting to start. And that's just the knitting.

I did finish one object this week at least. Here is Clapotis:


The vital statistics:
Pattern: Clapotis, by Kate Gilbert, from Knitty.com
Yarn: Lorna's Laces "Lion and Lamb" in Vera
Needles: 5mm Bamboo straights
Pattern Variations: I did two less repeats of the increase section (2)and then weighed the knitted section, reserving the same weight of yarn for the decrease section. Then I knitted 19 repeats of the straight section (3), and then did the decrease section (4). I used Russian Joins to make a couple of the yarn joins, and used purl stitches to keep track of the pattern instead of stitch markers. I have a little bit of yarn left over- not much though!

While I'm ejoying the outcome, I'm not as excited by the finished product as I had hoped. It is a great length, fantastic for a scarf, but it's quite heavy worn as a scarf and is really too narrow for a wrap. It is getting used though- it managed to nudge Klee off my neck a couple of times last week. I stole a moment in the sun this afternoon to show it off for the camera:

I must admit, it does look better with my black work attire, but today was so gorgeous and sunny (like spring) you'll just have to imagine it.

In my last post I mentioned some sewing goodies for sale: I'm afraid that you will have to stay tuned to see these- I still need to make some finishing touches, and with a ski weekend planned for the coming weekend (fingers crossed that the snow doesn't all melt before then), this will take me a little while longer to finish off. I hope the wait will be worth it.

A quickie

I'm still diligently plugging away on Clapotis and mum's scarf, but they look the same so I will spare you progress pics. I'm trying to get one or other finished before I start on the Sockapal2za socks. The finishing process isn't going super quick because I've been allowing myself a few relaxing indulgences (sort of makes up for the ongoing headspinning that I'll be enduring at work for the next couple of weeks) including some sewing (to be revealed soon), knitting meets and reading.

And for some instant satisfaction, I find a little quickie on the side is always a good way to lift your spirits:

I popped into WoolBaa and ran out with 4 balls of Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran in Venetian, Merlot, Casket and Alabaster.

In the space of two hours, I’d recreated the S’n’B Hot Head beanie for Scott.

There is yarn left. Some more quick knits will follow- maybe a scarf and a beanie for me.


Although I don’t know if I really want another scarf at the moment. I’ve been wearing Klee on a daily basis. So soft and warm and the colours are a great pick-me-up.

(click for a larger image)

Backtack

A little bundle arrived on my doorstep yesterday:

My backtack goodies, all the way from New York, from Kay. I’ve already told Kay how delighted I am, so now I’d like to tell anyone else within eyeshot. As I’m sure you can see, the colours are luscious and beautifully coordinated: Reds, oranges through to greens with a splash of violet and teal. (As always with my pics, click for a larger image)

I feel so privileged to know that I now have in my possession:
- Kay’s first sewing attempt since junior high school: the needle roll, which is perfect to sit in my French market knitting bag
- her first needle felting project: The button pin cushion, which is already hosting some yarn needles,
- some buttons that she’s covered (this brings back some childhood memories.. it’s years since I’ve made fabric covered buttons!)
- and a little sample of Kay’s knitting in the form of an “I” cord on the needle roll.

I’m also relishing the other goodies she included in the package:

A gorgeous Denyse Schmidt card, Brittany birch needles (my first! I’m looking forward to trying these out), some superb stitch holders (at last!!), a piece of Kaffe Fasset fabric, hand dyed rayon ribbons, a skein of Noro Kureyon (another first!) and a skein of Koigu Kpppm.

As someone who is always nervous about buying on-line due to a fear of inaccurate colour representations, I was astounded at how perfectly the Koigu from Kay matched the Koigu I was considering for Sockapal2za. Could a Charlotte’s Web be looming soon I wonder?

In summary, I'm delighted and excited and already putting some of the goodies to very good use

well it was here yesterday...

I'm back tracking again- Blogger decided to eat a post this morning. If I hadn't received comments about it I'd think I was going potty. I know it was here. Now it's just vanished!

So, just very quickly, what I had blogged about was my back-tack creation, soon to arrive on someone's doorstep. A quilted box bag, with a tool pouch (inspired by Thimble's tutorial), and a pincushion (incpired by Craftapalooza's tutorial) and a soft folder for sewing needles (made with a very back-tacky fabric), and stuffed full of stitching and snipping notions with some tea, a notepad and some Lotta Jansdotter cards.


And a little something left over for me- the trial pincushion with some trial beading (not totally successful, so no beading on the back-tack goodies)- seen here along side my knitting bag with Stitch and Bitch retractable sewing scissors (Thanks Mum!) and current projects I'm focussing on: the lace scarf for Mum and Clapotis for me.

Mamie reminded me...

If you love magazine inspiration of the fashionably stylish and artistic type, you may like to head over to Selvedge to sign up for a free issue.
I saw a copy a little while back (courtesy of trendsetter Kylie) and really loved it. Sadly the subscription fees for the print mag place it beyond my indulgence capacity, but you can also sign up for the "e-mag" to view on-line.