Calming

How can two pointy, wooden sticks and three stitches be so calming?

I don't know, but it sure is.

M xx

Socki Cardi

I have had the knitting of this little cardigan finished for Three for a few weeks now, but this morning I stole a few moments to sew on the buttons and take some photos.  It's funny how when you actually sit down to finish something just how quickly it all comes together.

Pattern:  Scrappy Socky Stripey Cardi by Fawn Pea

Yarn:  Knitabulous Merino Sock - Salwaar Kameez, this was the first parcel from the Indian Summer Yarn Club

Needles:  3.5mm Knitpicks Interchangeable Circular

I changed a couple of things with this little knit.  I shortened the length of the body to eight inches and the sleeves to six inches, and I knit button holes into the band because I thought the little loops might be too girly and Three won't be revealing his or her gender until June.

On the baby front, I had a midwife appointment yesterday and everything is all good and boring!  The best kind of pregnancy.

M xx

Got Yarn, Will Travel

For such a long time I have admired the very talented knitters who churn out shawl after beautiful shawl.  I have wanted to join in, but have always been a little scared.  All that lace.  Then it dawned on me that I have been knitting lace for ages now, just in a different form - socks.  This realisation led me to trawl through Ravelry and my yarn stash, and I came up with this:

 

My first shawl!!

Pattern:  Traveling Woman by Liz Abinante

Yarn:  Merino Sock by Knitabulous in Ruby Slippers

Needles: 4.5mm 

I really love it.  It is just the right size to wear as a scarf and the colour is just gorgeous.  I can see me getting around with this a lot this winter.

I really have no idea about blocking, but I just soaked it in some woolwash and stretched it out onto some of those foam blocks for kids and pinned it out.  Seems to work!!  

I did run into some trouble when blocking the bind off edge.  I think it is bound off too tightly - it doesn't seem to want to stretch all the way out.  I need to investigate some different techniques.  Just not for this one, I cannot be bothered to undo it and try again.

Oh and the foam blocks, got them for a steal at the crappy craft store that starts with L.