2nd Year of Projects - Week 7

I have not been on the Internet for awhile and have missed blogging but have not been able to turn my notebook on and actually write anything.  But I am back today and even though I will be posting this I am not going to be adding this post to the Ravelry group.  I feel like a traitor for not commenting on all the amazing other blogs.

 

I must also update my Million Row counter!  Will have to work that out today and update it tomorrow!

 

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. Wingspan Teeny (7 August - 9 August) FO Friday Post
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Blankets
1. Pudding Blanket 1 - Zig and Zag 100%
2. Monster Blanket 1 - Monster Bulleyes 100%

 

Birthday Presents

1. Stepsister 1 Birthday (December) - Bright Squares Modified Blanket

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

2nd Year of Projects - Week 6

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. Wingspan Teeny (7 August - 9 August) FO Friday Post
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My Ravellenic Games project was the Zig and Zag blanket for Pudding and as it is also one of my YOP projects I set out with determination to start and finish his blanket.  However life had different ideas and I am still just over half way through this project.  But I will continue with it just on a slower pace.

Blankets
1. Pudding Blanket 1 - Zig and Zag 50%

I have also joined a new group on Ravelry called the 1 Million Row Challenge.  Its just a challenge to knit 1 million rows out of stash only.  And as that is what this is what I am doing this year I thought it would be fantastic to see how I can achieve that.  Now you can start anytime and you start with your current WIP's I have only added the Zig and Zag blanket at the moment but will add my Super Wonder Blanket tomorrow when I knit some of it.  I haven't counted how many rows I have done on that one yet.  All you do is join the group register at TickerFactory.com and away you go.  My counter is posted at the top of my blog and I will be updating only once a week.  Hopefully that way it will grow quickly!

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

Ravellenic Games - Day 14 (FO Friday - Week 17)

     

I am going to end my Ravellenic Games today even though the closing ceremony is only on Sunday.  I have learnt a lot from taking part in these games and will definitely participate next time around, one thing I do know is that I don't want to be team captain again.  I want to just really enjoy the experience.

Here is my Ravellenic Wingspan

  

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.



Ravellenic Games - Day 13

  

It's Women's Day here in South Africa today and the weather has come to play.  Apart from the odd wind gust it's lovely in Joburg.  Thankfully after the awful weather we had earlier this week, which included SNOW!!

I can't convey how much I am loving this teeny wingspan, I have made the larger version before and yes it's lovely, but oh my the little triangles are so sweet and knit up so quickly and with the variegated yarn just works so beautifully.  This one is going to the end of year teachers presents as I don't wear these colours but I am definitely going to make myself one of these.

I am not going to do the last 4 rows of garter stitch I am going to knit until the yarn runs out and then use a crochet bind off that doesn't need any additional yarn!  Yes you read right.  I have recently been looking through some of my old magazines and saw it mentioned so am going to dig it out and see how to do it.

Here is my progress shot of teeny wingspan on 15 completed triangles, but already today I have knitted an additional 2 triangles.

Ravellenic Games - Day 12

  

I cast on a Wingspan yesterday late morning and I decided to do the smallest one that she recommends in the pattern which is 45 stitches and then cast on 10 to make the points.  I have to say I absolutely LOVE the little wings it gives and the fact that it just flys.  I am typing this post much later than I normally do cause I just can't stop knitting it. 

I am knitting it in Elle Escapade DK in Atlantic Surf, I wasn't sure about the colourway as it looks very white but the beauty of this yarn is that it is always a surprise.  I am knitting from the inside of the ball so I wasn't sure what variety of colours was going to come out and it's beautiful.  I love it.

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
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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.



2nd Year of Projects - Week 3

I am loving stash busting and knowing that at the end of the school year I won't have a mad rush to buy teachers presents and land up spending way more than I wanted to.  I am sure I will get one more done this week before the Ravellenic Games start on Friday and hopefully another 200g stash busted.

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)
7 - 21

    

  

Now that you have seen my progress, go to the Ravelry Group Come Blog Along and see how the rest of the crafters are getting along with their YOP2 lists.



Stash Down Saturday - Week 5

After completing the Amari Shawl, I had loads of small amounts of the stash down yarn I had chosen.  They were not really inspiring me to make anything, not even a baby hat for charity.  I put them into a bag and sent them to school with Pudding to give to his art teacher.  She was over the moon. 

Now I want to give myself something to do while I was waiting for the Ravellenic Games to start but I didn't want to over commit myself and then have a WIP sitting around.  I have already chosen the next 350g of stash and have started to knit the Oaklet shawl with it.  I admit defeat to this yarn, I love it knitted.  I have made crochet items with it and really didn't like the way it pooled, but it really works knitted. (well for me that is)

So here is my container this week (less 150g of 'fiesta' yarn)

Here is what I have chosen to stash down this week as we head into the final days before the Ravellenic games where I will put this container on hold to make a dent in another container.

Here is the Oaklet Shawl at the point where I am just about to start the lace so that means the stocking stitch section is complete.

Total to be stash down week ending 28 July 2012: 350g

Total stash downed week ending 21 July 2012: 1250g

Come back next week Saturday to see what I will be stash busting!

FO Friday - Week 15

HOORAY its FRIDAY!!  After what has felt like a very long first week back at school, we are all looking forward to this weekend.  We are going to be doing things at the other house, but it's alright, no getting up when its still dark!

The first FO I have for you is my Saroyan scarf, which I ran out of yarn for and had to go stash diving at my friend to complete.  It definitely needs blocking but  again it will have to wait.

The second FO is the Amari Shawl, now I'm not very happy with this as I was stash busting and ran out of yarn so the lace is not as wide as I would have liked.

   

I am still busy with the Oaklet shawl and haven't made didn't do much yesterday, karma wasn't kind and I had a day from well hell and by the time I could get to knitting all I really wanted to do was climb into bed and sleep, so I did.  But have no fear I will knuckle down today and make up for it.

You know that you want to go and see the other FO's that are linked to Tami's Amis blog.  Off you go.

End of Year Presents Thursday Update - Week 4

Total to be made: 27
Total made to date: 12
Total still to be completed: 15
Total gifted: 1

I have finished two more since last week and have an Oaklet on my needles at the moment.  It seems to be flying off, not sure if that is a good thing or a bad omen as I have yet to tackle the lace edge.

I thought I would take stock this week and make sure that I am on track with the amount of presents I have to make.  What I mean is I think I need a tally of Ladies presents and Men's presents.  I have been happily knitting Ladies presents and suddenly realised last night that I haven't checked to see how many I have made.

Total to make:
Lady Teachers:  15
Men Teachers:  10

I have made:
Lady Teachers:  10
Men Teachers:  3 (1 gifted)

Oops I need to get my needles clicking on some more Men Teacher gifts.  My biggest problem is my stash is not exactly geared to males.  As the males in my family are not really keen on knitted wear.  But I will sort it out and see what I can scrounge together.

On Sunday I need to check my original Year of Projects list and make sure none of the other projects I have put on it are due soon or I could be in for some late night fast speed knitting.

WIP Wednesday - Week 14

I wasn't going to start anything new and this is why my post is later than normal today.  I was going to work only on my Super Wonder Stash blanket that is my One A Day project but as we still have 9 more days until the Ravellenic Games start, I thought what the heck I can squeeze in at least one more shawl before then.

So here it is, the small start of an Oaklet Shawl.

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

2nd Year of Projects - Week 2

I had a bit of a slow week as I have my stash down choices were not very inspiring to me.  But I forged ahead.
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)
5. Amari (14 July
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Now that you have seen my progress, go to the Ravelry Group Come Blog Along and see how the rest of the crafters are getting along with their YOP2 lists.

Stash Down Saturday - Week 4

I have been a bit stuck this week with the one ball of yarn stash that I chose last week.  I sat for what seemed like hours just looking at in, searching Ravelry and going through my little personal library.  But until Wednesday I really didn't find anything I wanted to do.

Then I made my Berry Shizuku Scarf, but that didn't help my mojo as I was so nervous that I would run out of yarn I didn't make it long enough and in the end I think I have about 30g left!!!!  I posted pictures of this on FO Friday.

My next project I was really excited to make, I have had my eye on this for ages, and really wanted to make it.  The Saroyan Scarf.  I love it. 

This week I have to say I have made no dent in my container.  So I won't be posting a picture today.

I will show you again the stash that will be destashed this week.

I have also cast on a Wonder blanket but this is going to be part of my One a Day Project as it's so big.  Come back on Tuesday for more on this.  But yes it is going to be only made with stash.

Total to be stash down week ending 21 July 2012: 300g

Left over from Week 3 to be stash down: 300g

Total stash downed week ending 14 July 2012: 950g

Come back next week Saturday to see what I will be stash busting!

FO Friday - Week 14

I have been a bit slow this week, I have two FO's.  One only took a day but I haven't been able to finish the third as I am going to raid my friends stash to see if she has the same yarn that I have run out of!!!

I finished my Neon Orange Holden that I have to admit I love, pity it's already earmarked for a gift.  It's perfect for a day like today where it's overcast.  Adds pop to a miserable day.  Yes it's not blocked as I still don't have blocking wires.  I will have to do a mass blocking when life is alot less chaotic and Hubby makes the wires for me.

I also finished the Shizuku althought I am not too happy with this one, I could have made it longer but the nerves about running out of yarn got the better of me.

Now you have seen my FO's go and see all the other beautiful FO's on Tami's Amis Blog.  And don't forget to add yours.





End of Year Presents Thursday Update - Week 3

Total to be made: 27
Total made to date: 10
Total still to be completed: 17
Total gifted: 1

I finished the Dream Stripes (FO Friday), Orange Holden and made a Berry Shizuku.  So that's another three off the list!!  Come back tomorrow to check out the FO Friday post for all the pictures.

Lost my crochet mojo yesterday and have decided to frog the blanket.  Really it doesn't WOW me.  I have a plan, I found a pattern for the boys blankets, they both love it and are helping with colour combinations.  I am going to knit one during the Ravellenic games so you will have to wait to see it.

I have also started a Saroyan scarf.  Why of why have I waited so long in my knitting career to make some of these amazing patterns.  I love this pattern.  I kept saying to myself last night, just one more leaf, just one more leaf.  I am halfway although the picture below only shows the start.  Really if you haven't made this pattern, what are you waiting for.

This pattern has made my creative juices flowing, for designing, maybe a scarf/shawl pattern coming from me soon?

2nd Year of Projects - Week 1

 

I am currently knitting like a storm trooper to get the Teacher Year End Presents done.   These I am moving to the top of the list as I have a fair amount of them to do

Teacher Year End Presents (Middle November 2012)
1.    Dream Stripes Shawl (30 June - 05 July) FO Friday Post
2.    Holden (04 July -
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Now that you have seen my progress, go to the Ravelry Group Come Blog Along and see how the rest of the crafters are getting along with their YOP2 lists.

Stash Down Saturday - Week 3

Alright I think I'm getting the hang of exactly how much I am capable of destashing in a week.  The first week I took too little, last week I took to much.  This week I am hoping I have taken the right amount.

From last week I still have these to start a project with

I am busy with a Holden Shawlette in the neon orange that I actually like now its being transformed.

So this week my container looks like this

And this is what I am planning on destashing this week

• Total to be stash down week ending 14 July 2012: 300g
• Left over from Week 2 to be stash down: 160g
• Total stash down week ending 07 July 2012: 750g

Come back next week Saturday to see what I will be stash busting!