Wednesday, 18 April 2012

In Progress: variety is the spice of life

Whenever I start a project that will take a while (like a massive shawl), I start thinking about little things to make alongside it, and strangely, seem to get more done. This week I've already finished a little item with Pixie Moon - we'll show that to you on Friday - and started a couple of other things as well as working on the Knitalong project.  
READING: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
MAKING: 1. A decorative 'something' for the kitchen (crochet & fabric)
2. Framlingham - a sweater sample for Joanne at Not So Granny (knitting)
3. Stripe Study Shawl by Veera Valimaki (for our knitalong)

I can't tell you much about the sweater yet as I've only managed to cast on so far, but this yarn has been sitting here a while with my name on it (since I decided Chele needed something with more drape). The little kitchen decoration is hopefully going to be finished this week so I'll save the details until then.
The Stripe Study Shawl is going well. I updated on that yesterday but have to say that I tried draping it around me last night (as much as I could with a cable that's too short) and it feels A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! It's the softest most snuggly thing that I have ever held against my skin. I can just imagine how lovely it would feel wrapped around sun-kissed shoulders for a walk along a foreign beach at dusk. Sadly that's probably as close as it'll get to sun-kissed shoulders OR a foreign beach this year. Dreaming is fun, though.

As well as draping knitting about the place, last night I also finished Robin Hobb's Assassin's Apprentice and have to say I really enjoyed it. It's the first part of the Farseer trilogy and as such is pleasingly slow paced with a host of characters whose intentions and loyalties are slowly revealed as the protagonist (the bastard of the late King-in-waiting) grows from a 6 year old to a trained Royal Assassin. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series...but that will have to wait. 
Did I mention that I was invited to join a local book club? We are due to meet next week and I need to read the chosen book before then. It's Me Before You by Jojo Moyes and judging by the pinky and very 'girly' looking cover, it's not the type of book I'd usually select for myself. Hopefully it'll be a pageturner and I'll be able to whizz through it quickly to get onto the next in the Farseer Trilogy. 

Well it's almost time for Little Miss and I to head to the gym/creche (*groan* I am so unfit after my surgery/recovery) so I'll leave you with links to more Works in Progress and the Yarn Along xxxx

49 comments:

  1. I keep trying to drape my shawl around myself too ;) I'm really glad I chose to use my pricey Wollmeise, because it really does feel gorgeous :)

    Looking forward to seeing the sweater, I think you have the right idea about changing the yarn for Chele - drapey sounds good.

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    1. Yes, me too. This silk/cash yarn is the most expensive I have ever bought (the 2 skeins were £22 each) but it was worth it - i feels amazing!

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  2. I can't wait to see what you've made for Pixie Moon...she's such a sweet doll.

    I do have to say, I love reading your blog, it really inspired me to get off the internet and start making something. Although, now I have a list as long as 55 arms, of things I want to make!

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    1. Thank you so much - that's really kind of you to say so.

      I too have a really long list of things I want to make and it keeps growing - I'll never get through all of them! :)

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  3. LOve your shawl. I have to knit myself one soon ;)

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    1. It's such a great pattern, I can totally see why so many people have made it.

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  4. How do you do gym, kids, knitting, crochet, blogging, reading.....do you sleep?..........I am in awe and take my hat off to you!

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    1. Well in order...

      I don't always get to the gym, but when I do the big kid is at school and the little one goes to the creche for an hour. We both enjoy that hour, so it's worth making it happen when we can.

      Knitting - I do it when the kids are in bed
      Crochet - I don't get to do nearly as much of it as I'd like, but little things are so quick that this week's project was done while the kids were eating supper and having a bath.

      Blogging - it's important to me so I *make* the time - it's not always easy but each post doesn't really take that long, especially if you already have a picture or two to share. Sometimes I write the posts late at night, but usually I grab the chance when the kids are occupied with something else - it might take a few sittings to finish a post,

      The thing I don't have as much time to do is to leave lots of comments on all the blogs I read - mainly because people seem, by default, to have the captcha spam thingies activated and that can take three times as long to leave a comment (so you don't get around as many other blogs) or sometimes I'll write a long comment from my phone or ipad and then it won't be able to post due to the spam thing. It drives me mad.

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    2. I hope you don't think I was being cheeky....good on you for getting it right....you're an inspirational rounded (now that does sound cheeky ;-) by that I mean not one tracked) blogger, .....I know everyone has their days when plans go out of the window or the 'to do' list goes a bit haywire and we could all do with a few more hours....anyway, I'm rambling which is not a good use of time! Just impressed!

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    3. I didn't think that at all! And I am very "rounded" at the moment, not in the good way! Hence hauling myself to the gym today!!! :D
      xxxxx

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    4. I hate those Word Verification thingys too Sarah.
      So much so that I just added the cutest blog button to my blog - did you check it out yet? I didn't realise you could turn the darn thing off until someone tipped me off about it.
      Kind regards
      http://lizofdandeliondaydreams.blogspot.co.uk/

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    5. Yes, of course I've seen your blog - it's looking great. I think the badge is a great idea. I might even make one up in more "cwtchy" colours and pop it up here.

      Delete
  5. You are making me want to knit a shawl! Can't wait to see it finished :)

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    1. Do it!!!!! It's a really nice relaxing knit - it's not plain enough to be totally boring but it's easy enough not to need too much concentration :)

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  6. Wow you are making so much! You'll have to let us know what the book is like. Not normally what I would go for but if it's good I might give it a try

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    1. I think this is the good thing about the book club - it will make me read different genres.

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  7. Oh my, your shawl sounds divine. I can't wait to see how it looks. Jacinta

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    1. Me either, Jacinta! I can't wait to have a play with it when it's off the needles :)

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  8. Loving that stripey colour combo of your shawl.......I must really get around to knitting a shawl........it's such a big project though.

    Thanks for your comment re my crochet blanket.
    lily x

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    1. It is a big project, but as long as here isn't a deadline it's not so bad - you should give it a go.

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  9. I'm with you about needing a smaller project on the side, when doing a bigger knitting project. A quick fix, if ever a knitting project can be called that!

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  10. Love the color choice on your shawl! And I so know what you mean about having to have a smaller something going while the larger one is on the needles. Did you also know that having projects on different sized needles is healthier for your hands?? (Can't we rationalize multi projects???)

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    1. Oh great, thanks for that Steph - I shall quote you on that :)

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  11. wow your such a busy bee. I agree though when doing a big project I always seem to get lots of little things done too.

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    1. It's strange isn't it? I wouldn't have done those other things if I wasn't knitting something big!

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  12. Beautiful shawl! I wish I had a book club to go to that met on the weekends. That would be fun!

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    1. Oh you should start one! :) I love your blog, by the way.

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  13. I love when I make something that gives me cool dreams like yours. And i know what you mean about big projects and small short projects, I do the same thing :)

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    1. Of course the reality is, it'll probably be used as a scarf against the cold and wet summer here!

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  14. Ooooo. Your stripey study shawl caught my eye at first glance!

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  15. this: "how lovely it would feel wrapped around sun-kissed shoulders for a walk along a foreign beach at dusk" love Love LOVE! <3 <3 <3

    (my shawl feels more like a sunburn, because of the scratchy yarn, heh...)

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    1. This comment really made me laugh out loud!!!!! :D

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  16. These all look so lovely, especially your stripe study shawl. The cuddliness comes right off the screen! There's no way I'm going to be able to knit along, but I've put my yarn aside for when I actually have the time - you guys are really inspiring me :)

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  17. You had me with the sunkissed shoulders on a foreign beach. Wish my vacation looked that, but I guess I'll have to dream too. I searched for the sweater pattern you mentioned but couldn't find it ... I guess because it's still in the test-knitting stages. Can't wait until the reveal!

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    1. It's not listed on Ravelry yet but I'm sure it will be soon :)

      My holidays for the last few years have involved lots of Umbrellas and days stuck inside! Luckily we had some great holidays that I can reminisce about and look forward to the children being a bit older to enjoy the kind of holidays we like (sittign by a pool!)

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  18. Your shawl is coming along nicely. They teal is just so pretty.

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  19. It's great to have variety. Joining a book club sounds fun.

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    1. I hope so, although I'm 10% of the way through the book and not really enjoying it so far :(

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  20. I love how your study stripe shawl is going so far, the colours look great together! I hope you like the book, I saw it in WHSmith and it sounded interesting, but not really my sort of book :)

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    1. Thanks - I'm not sure it'll be my "thing" to be honest but I'll persevere anyway.

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  21. I know what you mean about finding time to comment, I love all my blog reading so much that I try but don't always manage!
    You work is looking lovely and I know you will enjoy the book group, I used to run one and we had such a giggle!

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    1. I read a LOT of blogs in my Reader on my phone or ipad and if it's not easy to comment then I don't often remember to go back and comment from my laptop - and even if I do, I don't always have time.

      I think the book group will be fun and I'm really looking forward to it. I only know one of the members quite well, and the others to say hello to, so it'll be a good chance to get to know some different people too.

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  22. Hello Sarah,
    I love how your study stripe shawl is looking!
    Even so recognizable to think about smaller projects in addition to a large project. This keeps everything nice to do and your gray cells remain active and creative.
    Thanks for your message on my blog:)

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  23. Ooooh I am thinking a shawl would be so nice... I follwed you from WIPW. Here is my latest project: http://likemamalikedaughter.blogspot.com/2012/04/crafting-on-with-needle-and-thread.html

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  24. Robin Hobb is my favourite author ever, I got her latest book for my birthday last Saturday and I'm already half way through :-) Love the colours in your shawl, it's going to look beautiful when it's finished

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