Isla's Blanket

We've had a new addition to our family:  Isla Belle born three weeks ago.  As has now become a tradition in the family, I knit each new baby its own little blanket.  (in fairness it hasn't always been knitted).  This was a pattern I gleaned from the internet published by Kraemer Yarns.  The pattern is called Lots of Love - Grandma's Afghan by Nancy Harper.  It was very easy and quick to knit using some of my stash: Sirdar Snuggly DK

Shawl Chapter 3

At one point I really thought I wasn't going to be able to complete this project, but things could be worse.  I have now completed the first full pattern and now have started the repeat without making too many errors on the way and only needing to unpick now and again.  Yes still busy de-knitting when I lose track; this always seem to happen when, at the most crucial point in the pattern, the phone or the doorbell rings - do they know?

From knitting

Shawl Chapter 2

From knitting

It has been a bit of a nightmare knitting this shawl.  I made a mistake in row 42 that nearly drove me to drink!  The phone rang and I made the mistake of answering it; I dropped a stitch and couldn't pick it up.  I had to unpick 8 rows as I kept dropping stitches and couldn't reach a point where I could start to knit again in the correct pattern. Eventually I did reach a point where it was possible to start again although even this row wasn't without errors, but I thought I could rectify them once I started knitting. 

I have nearly reached the point where it all went wrong so I hope that it won't happen again.  This pattern is quite complex and requires my complete concentration with no interuptions.  I will not answer the phone until I reach the end of a row in future. 

New Project: Lace Shawl

For a change I am knitting something for myself.  I was very taken with my friend's shawl knitted in the very luxurious Rowan yarn, Kidsilk Haze.  It was so soft and warm that I really "needed" to knit myself something similar.  I went to John Lewis, Oxford street and saw the selection of beautiful couolurs available and was unable to resist the urge to buy some in spite of the enormous price tag.  Knitting is no longer an inexpensive hobby; the price of wool has gone through the roof.  However, it is still just about afordable for me and I still have a large stash of wool to knit, for when I can no longer afford to buy new.
Anyway, here are a couple of images of the shawl so far.  Watch this space!

From knitting

From knitting

Milo's blanket

Well it is finished; probably more a shawl than a blanket but after much unpicking and deliberations about the pattern it is now with its new owner Milo. Born 11 02 2009. M and I went to see him this weekend and he was very cute and good, hardly a whimper but he is only 3 weeks old.

From Nutty Knitter of Finchley

From Nutty Knitter of Finchley

January 2009

A bright if cold New Year and a great opportunity to do some more knitting. I am now dropping all other activities until I have completed this project; there is not much time left until the new arrival is here so need to get cracking again and finish the shawl. I have had loads of problems with this one as I can't seem to get the pattern right. I invented it at the start and was unsure how to proceed I even abandoned the shawl completely for a while. Anyhow, I am now two thirds of the way through the main body of the shawl and still have to decide on the edging. The picture shows the shawl on top and one abandoned shawl underneath.

From Knit 1

What's Going on in Finchley?

We are expecting a new addition in February. Knitting for the baby has rather taken a back seat lately as we were on holiday and I haven't picked up the needles for quite a few weeks. I have been knitting a fine shawl but I couldn't find a pattern I could cope with so decided to make it up as I went along. We'll see if it doesn't get unpicked again. I need to get cracking as I can't hang around.

The last thing I knitted is shown as the background to the title. It was just a pram cover the real blanket was beautiful.