Another Update on Sophie

I'm going to be so upset when the Sophie's Universe CAL comes to an end later this month.  It has been one of the most interesting and enjoyable projects I have done.  And it has certainly brought down the size of my stashed yarn.

Here are the four parts I have completed since I last shared my progress with you.

Part 13.

Part 14.

Part 15.

Part 16.

I have two more parts to complete and then the blanket is basically finished.  The designer of the blanket, Dedri Uys, over the next few weeks will be giving options for making the blanket rectangular (if desired), adding an edging and adding some surface crochet.  I'm looking forward to seeing her suggestions.  I can't bear the thought that Sophie will soon be all done.

Having worked on this project, it's made me think a bit more adventurously about my own crochet.  I've been experimenting with some ideas.  At this time they are very much at the trial stage, but hopefully I'll have something exciting to share with you shortly.

Until then, bye for now, have fun.

This Month's Squares

The Block-a-month crochet-a-long continues and this month there have been some rather nice patterns.

The main square is called KISS2 and it's by Sadie Cuming.  As with all the squares in the CAL, it's a free pattern.  Here is my version.

This is probably my favourite of all the squares we have made so far.

The filler square was voted for by the members of the CAL.  The winner was a pattern called 4033 Crochet Square.  It basically consisted of lots and lots of puff stitches.  These are my least favourite crochet stitch.  I just couldn't face a large square with this stitch, so I substituted another pattern instead.  The pattern I used  is by Julie King and is called Floral Kaleidoscope Afghan Square.  It was one of the options for this month but sadly didn't get enough votes.  I liked it and so here is my version.

Finally, the little square this month is called Pinwheel Square by Kim Guzman.  Another lovely pattern.  As usual I made four of these squares.

So that a running total of the equivalent of fifteen large squares.  When I lay them all out on the floor they look extremely colourful - brighter than I had envisaged at the start - but there's still a long way to go yet.

Looking forward to making the June squares, that'll be the half way point.  It might give me some ideas on how I'm going to position and join the squares.

Until then, I've got so many more projects on the go to keep me busy.  I'll share another one with you soon.

Fixed It!

So yesterday, I thought my dress was finished.  I'd hung it up in the wardrobe, waiting for the warm, sunny weather to arrive.

I had mentioned that although I liked the sleeves, they were rather tight and they restricted movement.  Even so as far as I was concerned that was that.

But then Caz suggested I rip out the sleeves and bind the armholes.  Why didn't I think of that?  This is after all an experimental dress.  My hubby was of the opinion I'd ruin it if I start messing around with it, but, no, I thought to myself, I'll definitely do something about the sleeves.

I knew that if I put it to one side I would never get round to altering the dress and then it would probably go unworn, what a waste.

So, I was a woman of action this morning.  Sleeves ripped out, armholes bound and what do you know, the dress fits perfectly.

No restriction in movement now.  In fact, I had previously said that I thought the waist was a little tight - not any more - it feels very comfortable.  I'm so glad I made the adjustment because now I know that for the next dress, I shouldn't alter the waist in any way.  It's a pity to lose the sleeves but no point keeping them if they aren't comfortable.

This whole bed sheet dress project has been so worth while.  And a big thank you to Caz for her suggestion.  It made me realise that I shouldn't view the dress as complete until I was absolutely happy with it.

It Fits - Mostly!

A very Happy Birthday today to my Mum, an avid reader of this blog.  Have a super day.

Today, I'm ready to share my finished bed sheet dress with you.  And here it is in all its glory.

I never thought it would turn out as well as it did.  Even fitting the zip went smoothly.

It's a wonderful pattern, very clear instructions and a lovely style.  This is the actual pattern.

It came to my attention from someone else's blog, I can't remember whose, but it was some time ago and they gave it a very good review. I've been sitting nervously on the pattern for a while until I plucked up the courage to make it with the bed sheet.

I love the pleats at the front of the skirt.  It gives it a good flare.

The darts on the bodice ensure an excellent fit and it even has side pockets.

I made the size 10, which gives me a good fit around the bust but I think my waist is getting thicker as it feels rather snug here.

I like the look of the sleeves but they rather restrict arm movement.

I'm going to make the dress up again shortly with the lovely dress fabric I bought.  I'll adjust for the waist but I think I'll make it sleeveless.

In the meantime, bring on the sunny weather I want to wear my bed sheet version.

Relaxing

Sitting in the pub, with my crochet, watching the football on the television.

A pleasant way to spend a weekend afternoon.
I hope you're having a lovely weekend, whatever you are doing.

May Socks

This is now my third pair of monthly socks, and I'm still enjoying making them.  In fact I'm already looking forward to casting on for next month's socks.  Who would have thought I would ever get so excited about sock knitting!

So here they are, my gorgeous May socks.

I just love the colours in the yarn, they remind me of watermelons.

I used the Hermione's Everyday Socks pattern, which is a free download on Ravelry.  It has a simple small textured pattern that is very easy to knit.

Unfortunately, I didn't think that the pattern was particularly well-written.  I did have a few issues with not very clear instructions, but nothing too serious.

But look at those colours!  I do love the socks and the lovely delicious colours.  You can see full details of the pattern and yarn used on my Ravelry project page, here.

Next month, I'm thinking of using a plain colour yarn to make some lacy textured socks.  I just can't wait for June!

Getting Ready for a Long Night

 It's General Election day here in the UK.  I've cast my vote.  I've collected together my works-in-progress.

So I'm ready for the long night ahead, watching the television to see the results coming in.

I may work on my Sophie blanket, I should definitely finish the socks I'm currently working on.  I may complete the little doily I started a few weeks ago.  I may even cast on for a new cardigan.

It's going to be a long night, so who knows, I may even work on them all.

A Question

Thank you for your lovely comments on the post about my new wool winder.  It was interesting to note that so many of you already have one of these gadgets.

So now I have a question for you.  When you have wound your yarn into the cute little 'cakes', do you then draw your yarn from the outside of the ball or from the centre?

I like the idea of the centre pull.  The ball doesn't roll about and wander off under the table.  What concerns me is, what happens when you are nearing the end of the ball?  Does it all collapse in on itself in a terrible mess?

This may not seem important, but I feel I should consider the options.  I would love to have your thoughts on the subject, so do let me know.

Far From the Madding Crowd

Out in cinemas in the UK at the moment is the latest film adaptation of Thomas Harry's Far From the Madding Crowd.

I went to see the film last night and loved it.

The star is Carey Mulligan, who plays the role of Bathsheba Everdene beautifully.

The photography of the film reminds of Pride and Prejudice (the Keira Knightley version).  It is soft and sweeping with gorgeous landscapes.  The musical score is also perfect.

And who could resist Gabriel Oak played by Matthias Schoenaerts.

I would strongly recommend  Far From the Madding Crowd (or as our cinema advertised it, Far From the Maddening Crowd) to anyone who loves a good period drama. Go see it and enjoy.

A New Toy

I'm not really a big gadget fan.  I like to keep things simple.  But this week, I couldn't resist the temptation to treat myself to a wool winder.

It's not an essential item.  The lack of one doesn't in any way impede your knitting or crocheting.  But there's something about the lovely squishy balls of colourfulness that the winder makes that appeals.  And I'm sure having all my yarn converted into these lovely 'cakes' will make my crocheting and knitting even more enjoyable than it already is.

Because once you start winding the balls, it's impossible to stop.

The first of many!

So that's my weekend sorted!  Enjoy yours, whatever you are doing.

Just Perfect!

Many of you may remember that earlier this year I was having a cardigan knitting crisis.  I seemed to have lost confidence in everything I knit.  I eventually finished the Que Sera cardigan and at the time I was reasonably happy with the results.  Time has moved on and I haven't worn that cardigan very much.  In fact I'm already thinking of frogging it and knitting up the yarn in a new pattern!

So, knitting my latest cardigan (from wool frogged from yet another cardigan that didn't quite hit the mark) you can imagine the doubts I was having.  Should I retire from cardigan knitting and put all my efforts into socks?  Thankfully, that will not be the case.  My latest knitting project has turned out perfectly.

It's just what I want from a cardigan, good fit, easy to wear and the right amount of warmth. For this cardigan I have returned to an old favourite.

It's my Olivia pattern and every time I knit it I'm amazed at how quickly it works up.  I've knit this pattern twice before and I know I will wear it a lot.

It's knitted in the classic way, bottom up, knitted flat, in pieces and seamed together at the end.   There's a delicate crochet border to add a special touch.  The all over lacy pattern gives it a very feminine look.  The sleeves are ribbed right up to near the armholes, for a slim fit.  You can see details of the project on my Ravelry project page, here.

I think my problem is, I have very definite ideas about the style and shape of the cardigans I wear, and I do love to wear them, I wear one EVERY day.  So when I try a new pattern, if it doesn't fit in with my idea of a wearable cardigan, I just can't feel comfortable with it.

Am I becoming an old stick-in-the-mud?  I hope not.  I may end up with ten versions of this cardigan in a range of colours.  Are you the same?  Do you find yourself going back to the same formula time and again?

At least I know this cardigan will be worn a lot, so why not make a few more?  Maybe grey or dark blue next time!

My How You've Grown, Sophie!

My Sophie's Universe blanket continues to grow and I'm still loving crocheting it.  Part 16 of the CAL has recently been released and there's five more weeks to the end of the CAL.

After my enforced break from crocheting due to eye strain, I'm back in the swing.  Last time I showed you my work in progress, I was up to part 7.  I was quite excited about the larger flowers that were growing up the sides.  Here's a close up after part 8 was completed.

Then came part 9.

Closely followed by part 10.

Part 11.

And I've recently completed part 12.

Isn't it just amazing.  I can't stress enough how much admiration I have for the creator of this wonderful blanket, Dedri Uys.  This is such an interesting project and the pattern is so well written and explained, and it's free.

I'm hoping to get another two or three parts completed this week.  But it's so addictive, I may well do even more.

Is That a Bed Sheet You're Wearing?

Haven't we had some lovely weather, here in the UK, this week (although, as I write this, the sun has gone and it's turning rather chilly).  Spring seems to have finally arrived in the northwest of England.  The blossom on our tree has decided to put in an appearance.

Although it isn't in full bloom yet, I think it's hedging it's bets!

With the sunny weather, I have no excuse not to be gardening.  I've managed to tidy up quite a bit, so it's not looking too bad.  My dandelion collection is thriving and there's more moss on the lawn than grass, but interesting things are growing and I'm happy with my efforts.

I'm hoping to get my knitted cardigan finished this weekend and I'm making good progress with my Sophie's Universe blanket.  This week, however, I've been concentrating on dress making.  With the sunny weather I thought it was about time I turned some of my fabric collection into wearable dresses.

All well and good, but with advancing years, I seem have become more and more cautious .  There was a time when I would happily hack into a length of fabric without a care in the world.  Now, the thought of that first cut fills me with dread.  So I decided to do a trial run of my dress pattern.  I think you're supposed to do this anyway with a new pattern but I've never had the time for sensible ideas like that before.  It seemed a shame to put all that effort into making something that was only for practice, a bit like having to knit tension squares before you start the actual garment.

So I had a cunning plan!  I bought a bed sheet with a pretty pattern from Primark (reduced to £4) with the idea that if it didn't look too bad I could at least wear the finished article around the house.

And do you know, I'm amazed at how great the dress has turned out.  I haven't put the zip in yet (need to buy one) and the neck facing and hem haven't been completed, but it looks wonderful when I've tried it on.

The darts went well, the pleating for the skirt fell together like a dream and even putting in the sleeves wasn't too stressful.  The pattern was so well explained (I'll give details of the pattern shortly).

I'm still patting myself on the back, and I think I may be able to get away with wearing this out and about - no one need know it's a bed sheet!

When I've sewn in the zip and finished it off, I'll post some pictures of me wearing it.  And then I'll make it again with the proper dress fabric I've bought - let's hope it all goes as well next time.

Cambridge and some Knitting

Yesterday, we had one of our regular drives down to Cambridge, to take Eve back for her final term.  My, how time flies.

This was the last time we would be doing the journey there and back in one day - thank goodness.  We're planning to visit Eve sometime in May and stay a few days.  Then our final trip down will be at the end of June when we all go down for her graduation.

My husband and I share the driving, but I have to admit, he is very good and actually does the greater part.  This is wonderful for me as I can get some knitting done on the journey.

I'm currently working on another cardigan.

This cardigan is one of my patterns, Olivia.  I originally knitted this in a mohair yarn, but it shed so much it was unbearable.  I reknit it  in a pretty pink wool / acrylic mix DK yarn and it was perfect.

It is so easy to wear, I love it.  It's also amazingly quick to knit.  I've been meaning to make another one for ages but something else always took priority.  Finally I've made a start and I'm enjoying knitting it as much as the previous times.

I'm using yarn I've frogged from a previous knit that is now unloved.  The yarn is the discontinued Sirdar Balmoral, a wool, alpaca and silk mix.  I love this yarn as it doesn't seem to go bitty.  The yarn was originally knit up as Patsy, a pattern by Kim Hargreaves.  A lovely cardigan but I didn't wear it as much as I would have liked.

It's good to reuse yarn in this way, and I must admit that I enjoy frogging and reknitting more than I suspect I should.

Anyway, I've finished the back, left front and I'm almost done with the right front.  Should be finished shortly - I still can't believe how quick the knitting is.  And of course it's in my favourite colourway - a lovely berry colour.

Whilst in Cambridge yesterday, we had a walk around St John's College.  I leave you with some pictures I took.

As Eve said, when we arrived yesterday, Cambridge is so pretty.