Mohair lacy scarf

Although I'd knit lace before, but only as garnish and never in fine wool. Then one day I saw some lovely kid mohair in the shops and I just had to have it, and I knew just the perfect project. So I started this lacy scarf to test the wool and my lace skills. The pattern calls for 3.5mm needles and for some reason I haven't any in my needle bag, no matter, I'll use another size. Toying between 3.25mm and 3.75mm, I finally decided on 3.25mm, my reason being I don't really like wide scarves. I haven't done a swatch, but in this case that's not really necessary, is it? We shall see.

Cast on today, a bit slow to get started, the fine wool and its lightness took some getting used to. But I've got the hang of it now, I think. And so far so good.

Mindless knitting

I always knit while watching TV, it seems a crime if I didn't, all that time would be wasted! But I was taught a lesson Sunday night, it was the Wimbledon men's final Federal vs. Roddick, both my favourite players. I was knitting some socks for my cousin's birthday, the pattern was quite easy and has a nice rhythms to it. So I was clicking away cheering for both, then halfway through the match I suddenly realised with a horror that I had picked up stitches without shaping the heel!! The sock was looking more like a sack! I didn't rip it back there and then as it was way past midnight by the time I realised it, the sock was finished the next day. Note to self: better choose something less shapely when watching Wimbledon finals, it's obviously more absorbing than average TV programmes.

Vests finished

I have finished knitting the vests for the boys, the smaller one was knitted in flat pieces and sewn together and the larger one was knitted in the round. As I'd planned the design in my head I didn't write down the pattern while I was knitting it, the instructions are quite easy but the cable chart could be tricky, not sure to do it on the computer or draw by hand. Procrastination is beginning to bite....

Body warmers / vests

Melbourne's winter can be quite cold, although not nearly as cold as in the northern hemisphere. I suppose that's why the school uniform does not include a coat or parka, but on a frosty morning things can still get quite chilly. That's why I decided to knit body warmers for my sons, for them to wear over their uniform teeshirts. I have chosen the wool in their uniform colours, dark blue and green, and I'm going to follow their uniform: solid in one colour with contrasting stripes on the collar and at the hem. To add a little interest I'm going to add a cable panel at the centre front then branch out along the v-neck on each side. I've never written a pattern before, so it's going to be a challenge. The knitting part will be easy.

Knitting again

When I was growing up I can remember that mother was always knitting, it was a skill necessary to keep your family warm during the harsh winters. I was taught this skill when I was about eight, along with crochet, a craft mother always favoured. I vaguely remember making scarves and gloves when I was a teenager for my then boyfriend, then a couple of jumpers for my now husband (when we were courting), then a baby blanket and a cardigan just before our first baby was born. After that I hadn't touched the kneedles and hooks for a good 10 years, I even gave all my kneedles to mum as I was so wrapped up in other things I didn't think I'd need them again.

Since becoming a freelance interpreter, I often find myself having considerable period of time between jobs, sometimes an hour, or even couple of hours, just sitting in the car listening to the radio. My hands were itching to be occupied, so I turned my attention to knitting/crochet again. That was a few months back, now my house is once again filled with my stash and UFOs, and I am feeling very content :)