Fire Opal Tee

I finished something other than socks! The pattern is Fire Opal Tee by Allyson Dykhuizen (try saying that three times fast) and it can be found in Knitscene Spring 2014. Apparently this was the last issue I was able to get through the library Zinio account for free which kind of sucks but at least I have lots to knit from the back issues I already have.

I used Hjertegarn Blend Bamboo which is 70% bamboo and 30% cotton. I really like the smooth feel of it although it was very splitty and thus not so nice to work with. I feel like I always have this problem whenever I am not working with wool yarn. However, the color is vibrant and the finished top lovely. If I look a little frozen in the photos try not to mind  -  it actually snowed a little earlier today!

Cross-stitching

I have been cross-stitching again, and it's fun! Late last year I bought myself a cross-stitch book, Storyland Cross Stitch by Sophie Simpson, aka Delilah. You can find her work here. I am totally in love with the book! My first project is, of course, probably the most demanding one in the whole thing. I am going to make this handsome owl into a canvas bag. I am stitching it on bed sheet fabric and not all my stitches are perfectly the same size. However, I love it and I think this pattern allows itself perfectly to not being perfect!

Wise Owl

Spring Projects

Here are some new projects for you to enjoy :)

Calla by Rachel Coopey in a beautiful yarn by The Yarn Yard I won from her in one of her KALs on Ravelry. 

And then we have a new washcloth though I am unsure whether or not I will ever be actually using it but it was a fun side project to use up some leftovers. The pattern is available free on this page.

I've also finished a shawl, another mystery pattern by Susanna IC. It's now available for sale on Ravelry, and it's called Fialka. I am really bad at buying patterns as you can get so many free, and you can also get some free if you are in the right place in the right time, like this one. The yarn I used is Malabrigo Lace in Cypress, it's a really really dark green, you can't even really tell unless you are in good light. I also used dark green beads. I love the beads and I have some leftover but I don't really know what to do with them. It has to be something lovely.

I have also finished Crenate, another sock pattern by Rachel Coopey.

And Pointelle from Cookie A.'s Knit.Sock.Love. in yarn I dyed myself, first with red cabbage and later, unhappy with the earlier result, with red food coloring. I love how earthy the result is although the final color came from unnatural ingredients.

Apparently I love lacy socks! Have a great spring everyone!

Bonsai

I've been working quite a bit lately so I haven't had as much time to knit as before. However, I enjoy my work a lot and not having as much time to knit only makes it that much more precious when I do have time. My latest finish is Bonsai by Anna Yamamoto, a free lovely shawl pattern. I used Evilla artyarn 8/2, something I've picked up in Tallinn maybe seven years ago. I love the result!

Ravellenics 2014

During the winter olympics, Ravelry had its own little happening called Ravellenics. There were many fun events including but not limited to sock hockey, aerial unwind, sweaterboard cross, WIPs dancing and cable cross-country. I participated in several, and my Lestrange Cloak (see last post) was entered in WIPs dancing along with two pairs of socks, Saxifrage and Narcissa. I also entered Heart Washcloth in Alpine Abode Enhancement and Single-skein speed skate and Foliage Hat in stash skeleton, cable cross-country, hat halfpipe and lace luge. It was my first time participating in Ravellenics and it was fun!

Heart Washcloth

Narcissa Socks

Saxifrage

Foliage Hat

Having finished Saxifrage means I have now knit through the entire Coop Knits Socks book. Narcissa is also designed by Rachel Coopey and found in Harry Potter knits. The washcloth and hat are free patterns found on Ravelry. Free patterns rule!

Lestrange Cloak

Here it is, finally, my Lestrange cloak, all finished up! I am so so happy with it! I had some troubles setting in the sleeves but otherwise it was pretty smooth going, a lot of knitting yes, but all good fun.

I couldn't be happier with it!

Lestrange Vest

As promised, here are some progress pictures of my Lestrange cloak. For now, it is known as Lestrange vest as it is sleeveless and very short, too! I have already knit both sleeves, I started with those so that they wouldn't be left undone for a long time as sometimes can happen. I haven't yet attached them as the collar and lower edging are worked unto the body piece and the less heavy it is, the less strain it will be for my wrists and hands. As you can see, I have already finished the collar and I love it, it's so squishy and big! Now I'll start knitting the lower edging and with that and some blocking the cardigan should grown quite a bit in length. I did knit a shorter version, though, as I wanted a cardigan, not a cloak really. (the sample almost hits the knees)