F.Os and W.I.Ps

I'm tired and grumpy. I can't be bothered to do anything. I'm a big grumpy grumpo.

So here's some photos of recent craftyness, to prove that sometimes I can be productive...

Green aran weight cabled fingerless mitts for Sister Number 4's 15th birthday.

Pattern : My own.
Yarn : Stylecraft Ltd Special Aran with Wool
Needles : 4.5mm DPN
Time : A week maybe?
Cost : 0p. Stash busting!


Blue hat for me.

Pattern : Adapted from Felicity
Yarn : Random blue
Needles : 4.5mm circs and 3.5mm DPNs
Time : Two days
Cost : 0p. Stash busting!


The bags I made for the UK Swap Blog


Two knitting totes, with detachable zip purse and space for needles and notions. And one really badly sewn on Ruin Me Designs label. Real proof that I should never hand sew!


And two W.I.Ps...

Re-sizing and re-backing a patchwork blanket that my mama made.


Making a rather large quilt for my bed, using up all my cotton scraps.


See. I can work when I want to.

W.I.P - Pi Shawl and a mystery gift!

My little Pi Shawl has grown, although quite slowly! I've been a big knitting slacker lately.

At the end of January...


Now look at it!


Ugh fuzzy photos suck. Next to it is something I recieved from my secret UK swapper pal. Me love this book! I've read the first chapter already. Thank you, whoever you are!



Another thing that's been growing is my bonsai tree. I planted 7 seeds at the start of January, and finally sometihng sprouted! It's the tiniest thing in the world, but I love it.

Topic of the Week #3: Project Process

Q: What is your process when planning a project? Do you shop for yarn and then find a suitable pattern? Do you find your pattern and then go out to buy the yarn? Or are you stash-busting? If your stash is out of control, how did it get that way?


Normally, I just buy yarn whenever I fancy it. I've only bought specific yarn for specific project about 3 times. I usually buy the yarn first, then find a project to suit it.

However, the situation has now changed - since I'm stash busting, I have to use what I can find in my stash. My stash isn't massively out of control, but when you add all my yarn, fabric, trimmings, buttons and whatnot, it's just madness! I'm on a big de-stash this year, and vow to get rid of a lot of stuff. The main reason being that I moving out within the next year, and I want to move as little crap as possible. After all, I'm not the strongest person in the world.

Topic of the week 1 and 2

I'd like to point out that I'm very forgetful, so here's the two previous TOTW that I forgot to post.

2. Q: Do you subscribe to any magazines (knitting or otherwise)? Or do you prefer to purchase magazines at the newstand? Do you subscribe online to any knitting magazines/newsletters? What does a knitting magazine need to have to catch your fancy and get you to fork out that well-earned cash?

The only one I currently subscribe to is Yarn Forward. It's had a shaky start, but I really want to support an independant magazine, with something more to offer than the other British knitting magazines.

A knitting magazine must have articles - I love to read while I knit, so a good legnthy column about entrelac or cables is always good. And of course, pretty patterns are a bonus.


1. With 2008 in full-swing, do you have any knit-years resolutions you are trying to keep to? Stash-busting? Knitting just for yourself? Gift-alongs or starting Christmas knitting early? Do your knit-years resolutions affect your other resolutions? Such as watching your spending, or putting yourself first, or even loosing weight (yarn weight....)?

Stash busting! Always with the stash busting! I have a stupid amount of yarn, and I really need to shift it. I can't resist sale yarn, or a cashmere sweater that dying to be unravelled. I've got to learn to be content with what I have, and only buy when necessary.