Fibre Birthday ... to me :D

I feel a bit deflated after all the excitements of the London 2012 Games, the closing ceremony was somewhat disappointing if you ask me. But I did like the part where Freddie Mercury popped up on the big screen and got the crowd going, wasn't he fabulous! Brian May's solo was also fantastic, they are true legends.

At the beginning of the Ravellenics I entered three projects which were blogged here and here, then as a last minute madness I decided to finish one of my WIPs that's been hibernating for a while, and here it is:

I called it Mohair Minimalist Pullover, a mod version of the Mohair Minimalist Top. It's just plain stocking stitch knitted from top-down and it's seamless without any finishing, just cast off, weave in the ends and Hey Presto! It was started in April and should've been finished ages ago, but I got distracted and it went in hiding with one sleeve to go, if it hadn't been for the Ravellenics it might not see daylight for some more months yet.

This week I started a project for my mum whose birthday is in October. She likes geometric shapes especially if it involves circles or portions of a circle, so I thought she might appreciate this one. The pattern is from DROPS and calls for two strands of their yarns, but I have this beautiful Shadow Tweed in my stash and the gauge was spot on (yes, I did swatch this time!). As you can see the two front pieces are done, the back piece may not be so quick as it's just plain stockingnette. I'm taking a leap of faith on this one and hoping fervently that the assembled piece is wearable!

Today is my birthday, I'm not into birthday celebrations, not since I hit 30 anyway and that was a lifetime ago! The old man has been asking what I wanted for my birthday and I told him that I wouldn't mind learning to spin. See I used "wouldn't mind" - it's a typical expression that runs in P's family, it means "Yes! I really would love that!" - shows I've been married for too long, ha!  Anyway, he said "why not, go for it!" So I did.

I found an Introduction to Hand Spinning course run by the Handweavers and Spinners Guild of Victoria, the classes run over five weeks and cover contents from fleece preparation, wheel adjustment, to different types of twist, fibres and dyes. The classes were due to start last Wednesday, but I got a phone call a few days before telling me that the classes were cancelled due to lack of enrollment. I'm sure you can imagine my disappointment.

But, life has it's ways of working things out. This morning I got this present from P:

Isn't he sweet! The old man's mellowing with age and learning to be romantic... just hope I can handle this little thing and don't get my wits into a twist!

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As I was typing this post I got another phone call from the Guild informing me that the Introduction to Spinning classes will run again starting in September and would I like to join? Oh Yes Please!

So, to quote The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - "Everything will be all right in the end. If it's not all right, then it's not the end." - Happy Fibre Arts Friday! :-)

Thanks for dropping by, there is more fibre arts fun at Wisdom Begins in Wonder. Indulge your creative side and join the party!

Lush Lace Pullover, and Grannies!

This is my very first Fibre Arts Friday post, I am excited and hope there will be many more to come. I love knitting and crochet in equal measures, sometimes I do more knitting and other times I do more crochet. For the past two/three weeks I've been in a crochet mood and this is what I was up to :-)

This was an impulse make, I was losing momentum on a fitted jacket and my Essential Cardigan was pulling my hair out because I absolutely *dislike* (I won't use the word hate) seaming - why did I choose to start on a seamed item in the first place? what was I thinking?! ... Anyway, the Ravellenics was still a few weeks away and I wanted something quick to make to cheer me up a bit, and I was glad with the choice.

Project: Lush Lace Pullover
Pattern: Lush Lace Pullover by Lionbrand available for free, Ravelry project page here
Yarn: Linate Angora DeLux
Yardage: 1099 meters / 1200 yards
Hook: 4.5mm
Notes: The pattern calls for worsted yarn and 6mm hook, but from I'd read in others' notes I knew that the sizes run large in general. Plus my crochet gauge tend to be bigger than most peoples' so I chose to make it in size S and using a 4.5mm hook (the yarn is listed as DK). I didn't make a swatch, I know I know, it's naughty of me and a bad habit. But I figured that if the swatch didn't turn out right I'd rip back and start again, so what's the difference if I make a start with an educated guess and start again if it didn't work out? (it has been on my mind however, one day I will make an honest swatch, one day!).

I followed the pattern almost to the T, except replacing ch3 with ch2 on the sleeves for the first 5 rounds after the cuff, so that the sleeves are not puffy as some people have found. Oh I didn't exactly follow the pattern at the neck (I did say almost), just did what seemed right.

The verdict: A very satisfying project, quick and easy, and the result is a light and warm pullover that will get plenty of use. I'm happy as Punch :D

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Oh, here's something else I've been playing with:

I haven't decided what to do with them yet, but I have a cunning plan ...

Thanks for dropping by, there is more fibre arts fun at  Wisdom Begins in Wonder. Indulge your creative side and join the party!