Caribbean Custard

Socks.

I have an issue with knitting them that I really can't fathom.  When I look at it logically, they're just a pair of mitts with one less opening.  But while I LOVE making mitts, making socks has always seemed at bit of an ordeal.  Strange, no?

Well anyway, here I am - socks on the circs and I'm getting there!  Who knows whether this will be another loner sock destined only to be worn when I can't find anything else.  I admit it - I do sometimes wear one shop-bought, one-handmade sock.  I'm not proud.  BUT, this will be the turning point.  Right here.  No more sock-neglect.  My toes deserve better!!

Plus, the combo of the colourways "Caribbean" for the blue and "Custard" for the yellow is enough to keep me entertained all by itself!

Same Old

 

Who would have thought it? - I'm sticking to the resolutions I made!!

I've been working on this new pair of Nadolig as the first in what will hopefully be a long line of my "stuff to sell" branch of knitting projects.  Please excuse the crappy photos -I tried waiting for some better light, but by about 1 o clock I realised that was as good as it was going to get.

I'm pretty pleased with how the colours have come out together.  I wasn't sure if there'd be enough contrast between the red and pink but hurray!

If you'd like to make a pair of Nadolig for yourself, you can find the pattern by clicking on the "knitting" tab above.  Please remember though that the pattern should be for your own personal use.

As well as knitting, I also got out the graph paper as promised and have been working on a new colourwork pattern.  Unfortunately I only own one pair of 3.25mm circs, and they're stuck with the second Nadolig at the mo.  Still, it makes the suspense a little more exciting, eh?!

Kim x

Resolutions 2012

If you follow me on twitter you've probably already seen me desperately trying to get my head round last night's Sherlock (if you don't know what I'm on about, put everything else on hold and get yourself over to iPlayer).  [PS.  Don't tell me how it was done.  I'm on a spoiler diet.]

If you follow me in real life (??!!) then you've probably seen me embarrass friends by stopping to take photos of wallpaper and soft furnishings in various bars and cafes (you haven't seen anything till you've seen me in B&Q).


An absolute corker, I'm sure you'll agree!

And if you want to know what links these two rather odd little observations, it's this: The Wallpaper Had it Coming by beforesunrise.  It's nice to know I'm not the only wallpaper-spotter out there ;)  I've already threatened to transform this motif into a deerstalker, which on reflection is probs a tad ambitious... A pipe case perhaps?

Anyway, I digress.  It's a bit late to the party, I know, but this is a resolutions post!  Apparently 20% of people broke theirs in the first week of January, but I've cleverly avoided this statistic by only just coming up with some.  See- procrastination is a GOOD thing!!

Here they are:

My blog-specific promises for 2012 go as follows:

1. Post more often. Easier said than done at the moment, but there it is.

2. Stop trying to emulate other blogs. I’m here to do my own thing.

3. Worry less about what to post. Stick to things that inspire/reflect my creativity.

My craft-specific promises for 2012 go as follows:

1. Stop doubting my ideas. Perfectionism can get fairly self-destructive if not kept in check.

2. The BIG one: Participate in at least one craft fair in 2012.

That last one makes me feel a bit giddy if I think about it for too long. But if I assume that said craft fair will happen for next Christmas then there’s PLENTY of time to prepare.

I’m relying on you guys to make sure I stay on track with this lot!

Have any of you made any resolutions? I’m also curious about any 12 in 2012s that are going on… what are your crafty plans for the year?

Until next time,

Kim x

Nadolig

Yesterday was a mixed sort of day.  Yes, I did finish off the second mitt I've been working on, but I did also set off the fire alarm in the process (long story, but what I will say is that when the fire alarm klaxon starts a-hooting, it's best not to vacate the building still with knitting in hand...).

Anyway, once the alarms were turned off, I was free to set about taking photos of the finished pair from every possible angle.  I love taking photos of FOs (I'm resisting being very sad and writing FOtos)- aside from being able to finally wear them, it's perhaps my favourite part of the process!

I'm going attempt to put the pattern in for testing today (if you'd like to test knit this pattern, keep your eye on the Free Pattern Testers group on Rav), and then hopefully it should be ready to publish by early December - just in time for a Christmassy knit ("Nadolig" is Welsh for Christmas, it's almost like I planned it! :P)

Have any of you read this book by Alice Starmore?  It arrived in the post yesterday and I've been dipping in and out inbetween knitting.  So far I'm VERY impressed.  The introduction alone could be its own book - a history of the Shetlands (Fair Isle in particular) and theories about how Fair Isle knitting first came about - it's all very much speaking to my inner geek ;)

 

It's a bit freaky how much I'm getting into all this - I'm seeing inspiration for Fair Isle everywhere!!  Next time, I plan to share with you some of the things I'm using as inspiration for colourwork designs.  I just need to remember to bring the camera out with me!!


Kim x

Eggbirdy Updates

Looklooklook!!  The first of a pair of stranded mitts!  I'm so so happy with how they've turned out so far.  There are a few little bits that are niggling, but they should be fairly easy to work out when I re-knit the pattern.  I'm about a third of a way through the second mitt, and by the end of this week they should be ready for testing!

It's fair to say that I've been bitten quite severely by the Fair Isle bug.  Already I've charted out ideas for 3 more patterns!!  So many ideas, so little time!  Hehe

It's been quite the little hive of production recently - I finished the Star Crossed Slouchy Beret last weekend - it's an AMAZING pattern.  Super-dooper quick (always a good thing!) and so simple to work.

I decided to treat myself with the suggested Malabrigo which is unbelievable!  It was a real pleasure to work with.  I've decided to treat myself to wool more often :D

Also on the needles pottering away is my stripey blanket

It's really quite exciting seeing all the colours mesh together.  Using odds and ends is a really good way of finding new colour combos which you might not have thought of otherwise.  Plus, it's made entirely using knit stitches, which is so soothing after a long day

And there we have it!  A little update of all things craft :)

Much love,
Kim x

Drumroll, please!

It's time to announce the winner of the Honeycomb pattern giveaway!  Here's my lovely assistant Miriam picking names from the project bag...

And here are the names she picked!

Step forward Tickety-Boo, omlair and Roaming Knitter!!  You are now the proud owners of the Honeycomb pattern!  :)  I'll send those through to you via the contact details you left later today.  I can't wait to see your take on the mitts - enjoy!!

Thank you to everyone who took part, I look forward to hosting another giveaway soon :)

But for now - you may have spied a new knit on the needles lurking behind those winners' names...  well I'm exceedingly (awesome word) excited about them.  So excited in fact, that this morning I woke up at 5 because I couldn't stop dreaming about getting the chart just right.  Absolutely bonkers, really, but oooooh it's gonna be worth it!!  ;)

Until next time,

Toodle-pip!!

New Pattern [A Giveaway]

Deep breath: today I released my very first knitting pattern on Ravelry!  It's very VERY  V-E-R-Y exciting (and also for some reason a little nervewracking... hmm, perhaps that's just all the extra excitement particles getting a bit confused?).  Well anyway, nerves aside, I figure that this is cause for celebration, and I'd like to invite you all to join in with the celebrating by taking part in eggbirddesigns very first giveaway!

I'll be giving away copies of the Honeycomb Mitts pattern to the first three names to be pulled out of a hat - and all you need to do to enter is leave a comment below: simple!!  :D

Please make sure that your comment includes a way that I can get in touch with you (email/Ravelry name).  The giveaway will end on Wednesday 9th November, and on Thursday it'll be names-in-hat-picking and winner-announcing!

Good luck everyone! :)

Kim x