Tuesday 25 February 2014

One finished cardigan...

Hurray! I've finished something (I've also started several new projects, so my list of things to do is growing rather than shrinking!)  Nevertheless, I do have one finished cardigan (albeit quite a small one!)



I decided to add a variety of coloured buttons to add to its jaunty nature and am really pleased with how it turned out. The only modifications I made were to add some length to the cabled section, and crocheting the button band rather than knitting it. I may yet add a crocheted border to the bottom hem. The only problem I have with it is that it goes with practically nothing in my wardrobe, apart from a necklace!  Ah well, I'll just have to make some dresses to wear under it!

I've been attempting a sort out of my studio and rearranged some paintings on the wall. I've put my latest little scraperboard up there too, to see if it's finished yet. I decided I didn't like the whiteness of the background so I varnished it to stabilise it, and added some acrylic washes over the top. Still not sure what to make of it though. I may just abandon it and move on to something else.




Tuesday 11 February 2014

A burst of colour...

After rain, rain and more rain, I felt a serious need to inject some Spring colours into my life. How could I resist, then, when I saw these gorgeous balls of Rowan wool cotton in Marmalade Yarns.



They are perfect to crochet up a couple of colourful cot blankets. I know I said I wouldn't start anything until my 2 cardigans were finished but these babies will be here soon! They will be living in Rome, so I don't want the blankets to be too heavy and hot. I had thought to use 100% cotton, but the combination of wool and cotton in this yarn makes for a much softer and drapier fabric. Being 4ply makes it nice and light too. I love these fresh colours and plan to make lots of circles with a cream edging for a modern, graphic look.


I've also received a new order of Planet Penny cotton which I shall use to make some more heart bunting. 



This always sells well and I've got a craft sale coming up at Bath Library in April.

I've now got to psyche myself up to take Mabel out for a walk (just how much mud can one dog roll in before realising that this is not a desirable activity?) before spending some time in the studio experimenting with more colour!

Monday 3 February 2014

Slow but steady...

Progress is slower than I would like on my two knitting projects, but I suddenly seem to have loads of ideas for future work - both yarny and arty! I'm determined to get these two finished before starting anything else, but I'm not sure I can hold out!


                                I've reached the cabling on Peggy Sue and the stripes on Paulie.


I made some more stitch markers...


and finished a scraper board picture, based on a painting I did a while ago. Not sure about this one, but I just needed to get back into the swing of things, and not worry too much about the outcome.