Skully mini tote

I made this a little while ago for a prezzie, now it is safely with the recipient I can post a picture :-)



Pattern: Mini Skull and Crossbones Tote by Hello Yarn
Yarn: Cascade 220 shades 8555 (black) and 8401 (silver grey)
Needles: 6.5mm
Yardage: around three quarters of the MC (black) skein (100g skein) plus a small amount of the grey

I completely forgot to take a picture pre-felting to show the amazing difference. This is knit with larger needles to give a slightly more open fabric, something I have really only now appreciated is required for good felting. The bag was put in the washing machine at 70 degrees, inside a zipped wash bag (the mesh kind), with a large bath towel for agitation. As we have the standard UK automatic washing machine it went through the full wash cycle, and it emerged as a fully felted piece. There is zero stitch definition left. I am very happy with the end result, and there is plenty of yarn left to make a second bag in the reverse colourway.

I finally finished the back section of the CPH a few days ago, and have just started the first front piece. I thought about knitting both fronts at once but decided not to. I've been noting row counts for the back piece so I can use those to match the pieces up with hopefully a reasonable amount of accuracy.

I've started a new work routine recently and am still adjusting, so I've had less time than usual to visit blogs. I'll visit when I can, it might be a while after posts went up and I might be reading several at once, but I'll get there eventually :-)

Thanks everyone for the book recs in the previous post too. I've actually read The Shipping News, a few years ago now, what a wonderful book. They made a half-decent film of it too! I'm about half way through Postcards, it's fascinating, and AP writes such evocative prose.

Smooch

Finally complete after being put to one side in the dismal summer weather:



Pattern: Smooch by Kim Hargreaves, from the Rowan All Seasons Cotton collection
Yarn: Rowan All Seasons Cotton in Pansy
Needles: 5mm and 4mm bamboo straights
Yardage: around four and a half 50g balls

Pattern amendments:
I realised one reason I was avoiding finishing this was the (in my book) fiddly way of making a slipped stitch edging on the armholes and neckline. I decided to simply slip stitches and to be honest it looks the same.

Very glad to have finished a long-standing WIP, and it's a good fit too.

I made this cloth/potholder as a gift recently:



The cloth is knit in Debbie Bliss Cotton DK, using this pattern from Caffina's Creations. The idea for adding some fabric backing and cotton batting came from the Easy-Going Potholders pattern from Magknits. I hand-sewed the backing, which was my first proper sewing for many a year. I was quite pleased with how it turned out, despite hand sewing not being my forte. Next step is tackling the sewing machine!

The remnant from the skein of cotton used above was just enough to make this Simple Lace Headband (not such a great photo I'm afraid):



Another Ribbed Noro Hat for a birthday gift, in Silver Thaw shade 13 (takes a little under one skein):



In books, I finished and thoroughly enjoyed "North and South" while on holiday from work recently. I've also read the new Terry Pratchett novel, "Making Money", which had me laughing out loud as usual. I've now started something different, "Postcards" by Annie Proulx. I believe it is something in the vein of Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath". I read quite a number of his works in my teens, and he is one of the authors I intend to rediscover. I'm also quite keen to re-read some of the Thomas Hardy novels. I know he is not universally liked but I loved books like "Far From The Madding Crowd".

As regards the Pay It Forward exchange, unfortunately hazy is not now able to participate, but I have decided to make a third gift as a surprise for a friend instead, rather than throw the field open again. I feel it's in the spirit of the PIF if not the letter.