2nd Year of Projects - Week 4

After taking an extremely long break from blogging awhile ago, I have really gotten back into it and am loving it.  Yesterday however I wasn't able to blog, well we left home at 08:00 and got back home at 20:30 just in time to watch the swimming at the Olympics.  And I was shattered as soon as the South African's had swum I was in bed and asleep.

We went to Benoni to watch my niece dance, she does Scottish dancing and it was really nice to see them all as they live in Natal.  Boy they have grown up, it astounds me every time I see them, which is not as often as we would like. 

Then it was off to my Daddy who always has a Christmas is July party.  So we had Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings.  It is always good to eat that amount and not feel as sick because of the heat.  As Christmas here in South Africa is slap bang in the middle of Summer.  There was just under 30 of us and it was good.

I have had the feeling all morning while laying in bed, yes it's almost 10:30 and I'm still in bed.  Ha, ha, ha.  Love having kids that can feed themselves in the mornings.  I missed blogging yesterday and this is why you are getting a long winded one today.  Making up for lost time.

This will be my last contribution to YOP until after the Ravellenic Games, so see you then.

Teacher Year End Presents (Middle November 2012)
1. Dream Stripes (30 June - 05 July) FO Friday Post
2. Holden (04 July - 08 July) FO Friday Post
3. Shizuku (09 July - 10 July) FO Friday Post
4. Saroyan (11 July - 13 July) FO Friday Post
5. Amari (14 July - 16 July) FO Friday Post
6. Oaklet (18 July - 21 July) FO Friday Post
7.  Ugly Ripple (23 July -25 July) FO Friday Post
8-21

  

To take part in the fun of the YOP challenge and to see other bloggers lists and progress go the Come Blog-a-long group on Ravelry.

FO Friday - Week 16

TGIF.  But I have woken up with a headache from not sleeping well.  I have taken some paracetamol so hopefully it will go away.

Today is all about getting ready for MASS CAST ON tonight.  That's right the Ravellenic Games finally start tonight!!!  I am so excited.  The downside to having so much time to plan is that I have begun to doubt myself on getting my project finished so I have changed it numerous times and am still not convinced I am going to start the one I have planned.

I finished the Oaklet shawl and am not happy with it, for one reason the yarn doesn't show the lace edge.  I loved the pattern and it was so easy to complete and I will definitely make another in a less busy yarn.

I also finished the ugliest scarf ever just so I could get that yarn finished and done with.  Hooray all destashed.

  

Thank you for all the lovely comments that you leave, I love reading them all.  For more amazing FO Friday's pop over to Tami's Ami Blog.



WIP Wednesday - Week 15

I have yarn in my stash that I bought for a specific project.  For some reason that project didn't happen.  Now that I am only using stash to make any project I am faced with a dilemma some of my stash doesn't inspire me.  Take this fiesta yarn, I have finished the Oaklet Shawl and am very disappointed with it.  But that's a story for FO Friday. 

I found myself with just under 200g left of this yarn and I was determined to get it out of my stash.  I cast on about five projects with it and wasn't happy with any of them.  The my friend asked me to teach her how to do the neat ripple blanket by Lucy at Attic24 so I thought I had better brush up on my ripple skills cause it's been awhile since I have done it.  So that is what this yarn has now become.  A ripple scarf.  I am not happy with it, but that's the yarn's fault. I know it's because of the colours more than anything else, they are not my colours.

    

I have done 8 rows and will see how much yarn I have left after 10 rows to see if I carry on or stop.

So go to Tami's Amis blog to see what other people are doing before the Ravellenic Games start in 2 DAYS TIME.

WIP Wednesday - Week 13

After posting yesterday and coming to the realization that I've been putting off finishing a blanket because I only have a limited amount of yarn left and I'm not purchasing any more.

I sat down and finished the Shikuzu scarf and then did 3 rounds on the blanket!!

I'm only doing a very simple border as its for Monster (eldest son).

As always I will be off to Tami's Amis blog to see all your fabulous WIP Wednesday projects.  Please join in the fun if you already don't

One a Day Project - Tuesday's Tallies Week 3

I need to get back on track!! It's week three and I've done three rounds instead of, well many many more.  My eldest son (Monster) says "Mum, you've done one a week!"  Smarty pants.

    

I think part of my issue is that I am unsure of what to do next.  I only have one ball of the blue left and I am not purchasing anymore.  Today I am going to conquer this baby.  Here I go.


I'm off to do grocery shopping.  When I come back I will make a cuppa tea and get myself cozy and go and look at all the other amazing One A Day projects listed on Carole's blog.

One a Day Project - Tuesday's Tallies Week 2

As I am busy moving.  I don't have much to update on my one a day project.  I have done 2 rounds of the blanket and that is not where I wanted to be this time this week, but moving has overcome our lives and has left me too tired to get it out and add rounds.

So no pictures this week but I want you all to go over to Carole's blog and see how other people are fairing with their projects

2nd Year of Projects - Project List

As much of this list as possible will be made with my current stash.  I know that this year I will stick to my list as I have this list every year.

01 July 2012 - 31 December 2012
Nephew Birthday (November)
Stepsister 1 Birthday (December)
Shake Shake Birthday (December)

Teacher Year End Presents (21) (November)

Daddy Christmas
Shake Shake Christmas
Sister Christmas
Niece Christmas
Nephew Christmas
Stepsister 1 Christmas
Stepsister 2 Christmas

Monster Blanket 1
Monster Blanket 2
Pudding Blanket 1
Pudding Blanket 2

01 January 2013 - 30 June 2013
Niece Birthday (March)
Daddy Birthday (April)
Stepsister 2 Birthday (April)
Sister Birthday (May)
Mother's Day (May)
Father's Day (June)

Teacher Year End Presents (To be updated in January 2013)

Now that you have seen my somewhat boring list , go to the Ravelry Group Come Blog Along and see other people way more exciting lists.

End of Year Presents Thursday Update - Week 1

Total to be made: 27
Total made to date: 6
Total still to be completed: 21
Total gifted: 1

In South Africa our school year runs from middle January to early December.  Thursday will also be where I show my progress for Christmas presents that I will make

My boys go to an amazing school, Crawford Preparatory Sandton. They started last year afterI finally made the decision to move them from a previous school which was notbad just not the right school for my boys.

Last year was a huge adjustment for them. Monster was in his second lastyear at Preparatory School and it was hard for him to fit in as the other kidshad made their bonds, but he doesn't give up. He made some good friends andmade some that proved not be lasting. He excelled at school bringing home marksthat I never thought in my wildest dreams he would. He received two all yeardistinctions at the end of the year. This is from a boy who the previous year Ihad been told he needs to repeat because he won't make the grade the followingyear!

Pudding was another story, he didn't want to change schools. I had hopedhowever that his transition would be easier as he started in the first formalyear of Preparatory School. Grade 1. It wasn't, it was the hardest year I havebeen through with him. He was miserable to the point that the doctors nearlyput him on antidepressants, at age 7. I was however determined to keep himthere as this school once he accepted it was perfect for him. With a lot ofwork by his teachers, therapists and his family he is now done a full 360without antidepressants. He loves going to school, has made a bff and otherfriends which really helped. He is flying, his teacher said that if his socialissues were not an issue she would have petitioned for him to skip a grade. ButI agree with the decision to keep him where he is for now.

My point is.....

The teachers and staff at Crawford Preparatory Sandton are amazing!! I have neverexperienced staff like this before.

Last year I was emotionally drained come the end of the year and I have tosay apart from one teacher I didn't make or give any thank you presents.

This year is going to be different. I am making the wonderful teachersscarves or shawls. Between the two boys I need to make 27 gifts. I keepforgetting Pudding's two therapists.

I have made a start and thankfully I had as the boys much loved music,marimba and drum teacher left unexpectedly at the end of this term. I giftedthe Boneyard that I had made with him in mind to him last weekFriday and he absolutely loved it. Mr V you will be missed.

As this is a catch up post I will now show you all the presents I have made.

Boneyardby Stephen West

BandanaCowl by Purl Soho

Citron byHilary Smith Callis

Granny Kerchief by ME

I have made two of the Bandana Cowls! I shared the Wingspan FO on Friday. I also made the Stingrayshawl, however it came out way too small, and have given it to a little girl inPudding's class for her dolls!.

This is the what my main project for Stash Down will be. But to keep my life interesting and notjust churning out the same thing over and over again. I have set myself achallenge. Each will be a completely new pattern, nothing that I have knittedor crochet before. Also at least every second project must have a newtechnique for me to learn. Get me out of my comfort zone.

One a Day Project - Tuesday's Tallies Week 1

The boys asked me for blankets this winter and how can I say no, the rest of the family have them in heaps all made by me.  And my boys have nothing.  The boys each have three different bed sets and are very bright.  The first one that I thought I would takle is the Turquoise and Yellow set. 

I have run out of cotton for Pudding's and his will have to wait until my LYS has a sale, I'm not getting the cotton at the regular price for this blanket.  I still need at least 20 x 50g of cotton.

Monsters is well a disaster!  I made granny sqaures of six rounds and joined them all together and have realised it's to skinny and too short but again I am running out of yarn and have no plans to purchase anymore for this blanket.

Get on with it you say

I am going to go around Monsters blanket until the yarn runs out!  I know soooo original you say, but I can't bring myself to pull it apart and make more granny squares, not in a crochet mood at the moment, but to get it finished I will do one round a day.

I pulled it out yesterday and did one round in Turquoise.

Pop over to Gingerbread Girl's blog to see more one a day tallies and add yourself there to.

Bad Blogger

I have been to worst blogger for a long time now and have missed it some days and other not so much. 

I am reading blogs everyday and find them very inspirational and creative.  But haven't felt the need to blog myself for awhile. 

I decided today that this is going to change I am going to blog more often and go back to joining all the wonderful and inspirational blog links that I have missed, funny cause it felt like that was all I was blogging about before I stopped.

So I am going to do WIP Wednesday's and FO Friday's with Tami Amis.  I am going to do the Year of Projects but differently this year which starts on the 01 July and I am hoping that I can join the Shawl along by Sarah at Crafts with Cwitch.

So I will be seeing you very soon

Oh dear

My eyelids were too heavy last night. I didn't finish to halfway. Only 4 rows to go today and on track to finish by end of April!!

Monday Determination

Sitting on my bed! Determined to be half way by end of day! 18 rows and 6 colors to go.

Monster Waves

As of right now I have 30 rows and 9 colours to complete for the first half of this blanket to be finished!

Granny Kerchief

I have been making loads of these as we are heading into winter.  I have been asked to make a pattern.  Example of my kerchief

I have used double knit and used a size 4mm and a size 6mm hook, it just depends on the drape you want, the looser the drape then I recommend the larger hook.  But after four rows you will be able to tell if you are happy with the look and feel of your kerchief

Yarn:    Any yarn will work
Hook:   Recommended for yarn you choose
Gauge:  Not important

dc = Double Crochet

Row 1
Chain 3.
2dc into the 1st chain
Turn.

Row 2
Chain 3.
2dc into the same place as the chain.
3dc into the 3rd chain from previous row.
Turn.

Row 3
Chain 3.
2dc into the same place as the chain.
3dc into the space between the groups from previous row.
3dc into the 3rd chain from previous row.
Turn.

Repeat row 3 until the kerchief or shawl is the size you would like.

I have made this many many times, however please let me know if there is anything that I have left out.  I will attempt to update this with pictures.

Get Rid of WIP's - Daisy Cowl (Finale)

I made these Daisies last year but I can't remember what size hook I used.  I do remember that I played around with different hook sizes until I was happy.  I like the square but don't like how small it is.  It would take alot of these squares to make a blanket and I'm not that much in love with it to carry on.

I hate having 20 squares sitting in a box with no project in mind.  I got them out and tried to make a scarf with them but I would have to make more as it was too short. 

I grabbed my 4mm hook and some left over white and joined 5 groups of 4 together.  Went around the group once in double crochet and then sewed those 5 groups together.  Then finally I went around the top and the bottom once in double crochet.  I didn't twist it as I'm not a fan of the wrong side of crochet.  But looking at it, I should have.  Oh well next time!

Get Rid if WIP's - Earth Granny Finale

The weather was miserable! Overcast and windy. Bonus there was a ODI (one day international) on as well! South Africa vs Sri Lanka (Cricket). The two of these combined made it possible for me to finish the blanket!  South Africa won which means 2 wins out of 5!!  3 more wins!

Get Rid of WIP's - Earth Granny

I started this as a quick present for my sister in Cape Town however I never managed to finish it before my niece and nephew went back!!!  I wanted to make her a lap blanket for in the lounge.  She loves natural colours. 

I went through my stash and found 6 balls each of StyleCraft Life that I don't enjoy knitting or crocheting with as it is very thin double knit.

I doubled it and am using a size 8mm hook and chained 150. 

Each colour is 13 rows.  I have since done more that the photos show.  I have completed 2 brown and 2 green so 2 more of each to go!!!  This WIP should be finished at least by Monday!!  Fingers crossed.  I am planning on going around the blanket and that's what Monday is going to be dedicated to.

2012 and Blogging

I have been thinking about my blogging in 2011 and decided that all I was doing was participating in other people's along's.  While that is not a bad thing I have decided that this year I am going my own way.  With that in mind I am also going to look at my Ravelry groups and do some house cleaning!

In 2012 I want to be more organised with my crafting and get rid of my stash.  I love my stash but I really want to reduce it. 

January I am dedicating to finishing 4 out of my 5 WIPS

• Ruffle Scarf
• Icelandic Shawl
• Granny Stripe Blanket
• Red Marble Cardigan

Starting February Iam going to be working one row of the gigantic ripple blanket.  I need this finished by mother's day (May 19th).  Also I want to make a birthday present, a christmas present and two end of year thank you presents.  That makes 4 projects a month.  I can so do that, can't I?

During the week I will be dedicating one day to updates

• Gigantic Ripple
• Christmas Present
• Birthday Present
• End of Year Present
• 12 new skills
• New Ideas
• Goals for the month and week ahead

So that's the plan.

Rippling is addictive

With IRB RW Ripple on hold, it's too big and too hot to work on.  Of course I needed to do another.  So I scratched in my way to big stash and found some Vinnis Nikkim Cotton.  Now this is a cotton that is made by previously disadvantaged ladies in the the Cape.  It's all hand dyed so you get really interesting colours.  And because I'm proudly South African, I LOVE the stuff!!!!

Why does the Neat Ripple Pattern by the amazing Attic24 make me so happy?  Also it's so addictive, I don't even want to work on anything else. 

I am flying to Cape Town for a long weekend on Thursday and was very upset to find out that I can't even take a yarn cutter on the flight so I will have to take a new one colour project with me. 

This ripple is supposed to be finished by the time I leave Cape Town as it is a present for my Niece but I don't think that is going to happen. After working on it solidly for just over a week I am not even half way done.  So it will have to be posted once I am finished.