The knitting of small things

For the past couple of weeks I've been knitting small, almost-instant-gratification projects. It's good to have a change from large items for a while. I've also been doing some mystery knitting which I can't show here yet. I've even started a sewing project - something I've not really done since I was at school! No photos of that yet as I've only got as far as cutting out the felt, but stay tuned.

First up, my first batch of hats for the innocent fundraising for Help the Aged:



These are great for using up leftover yarn. I've added the hat-ometer to my sidebar, the target has been raised again this year as they exceeded last year's by quite a bit.

There was almost a full skein of BSA cotton left over from Flair, so I made another 3am cable hat, this time for me:



I love how the cables "pop" with this yarn. I couldn't believe that I still had leftover yarn after the hat, so I knit a moss stitch headband too (not pictured). I had to finish the last few rows with some green Cotton Fleece but it's made a very useful soft band for keeping my hair under control. I've been growing it all year and it's not long enough to be able to tie back yet, but still long enough to need taming at times.

On the subject of yarn, my stashalong is officially over! I have not celebrated by buying crates of yarn (not yet), but I did snag this from The Land of Temptation last Sunday:



Posh Yarn Helena merino 4ply in "Glen"

We're on holiday from work for the next two weeks and a trip to Colinette is imminent! Stand by for some stash enhancement. I'm also hoping to warp up my loom, and get the sewing machine out and learn to use it properly.

I thought I'd mention some of my WIPs that disappeared from the sidebar too. I started the Simple Knitted Bodice in March this year but never got more than a few rows into it, that was frogged back a few weeks ago and I'm looking to restart this autumn/winter. I was using Jaeger Shetland Aran but am considering trying Rowan Summer Tweed instead. I started the Spring Things shawl earlier in the year too, and got to the end of the first section, but with gritted teeth! I find KSH a little difficult to handle, and the problem was being able to see it at night - even with a daylight lamp it was very awkward. This was actually sent on to a good blogging friend who will hopefully be able to finish it one day.

Here's my first attempts at needle felting. This was a kit sent to me by another blogging friend for my birthday, and it was a great introduction to the craft.





Both sides of the little wool purse from the kit, with the heart shapes made using a tiny metal cookie-cutter template that was included. The flower was attached to the purse so I had a go at embellishing it without the aid of a template. It's highly addictive and takes very little time, I really enjoyed this and have since bought the Clover felting tool which holds multiple needles, and a single needle mounted in a soft-grip handle. I also bought a few more shades of the Filz-It felting wool, and a bigger foam pad to work with (all from Get Knitted).

Here's something I forgot to add to my previous post. On our visit to the Wool Clip, we ended up buying a painting! The Watermill Cafe exhibits the work of local artists, this is a scene looking out over the Solway Firth (we think, we forgot to ask for the card next to the painting), and is by Jean Alexander, acrylic on boxed canvas:



We both love paintings of the sea, especially where the artist has painted wave action and caught the movement of the water. This now hangs over our fireplace, and in fact the two other (smaller) paintings in the room are both of the sea too (both bought in Cornwall).

Before I forget, I got my invite to Ravelry last week too! I am knittyinpink on there. It's an excellent and as others have noted addictive place! I've not had much time to add projects or stash on there yet but am hoping to do that fairly soon.

And finally - I will be holding a giveaway soon - it may even be up in the next couple of days. Watch this space!