Stockings, mice and elves

I usually don't get involved in Christmas knitting, mainly because we don't bother to celebrate Christmas but this year I got sucked in. How did this happen? Well I signed up for the Stocking up for Christmas swap on Ravelry. Spiraling organised this and provided us with this cute little pattern. Well once I did one for the swap I then decided to knit up a few more for the kids in the neighbourhood.

And here they are:



Then I needed a few fillers. Most of the little boys are getting little cars but the girls are getting mice and elves. These are Alan Dart patterns in the latest Simply Knitting.






Almost all the Christmas stockings, elves and mice are done. I'm still short a stocking and an elf but that will be done in time.

Home Sweet Home

This mound is the home of a spotted pardalote. The mound is in our backyard and we spotted these gorgeous little birds when they flew out of the nest. They are often referred to as the jewels of the bush.

Here is a close-up of the nest entrance. It's very strange that these little canopy dwelling birds choose to make their nests in the ground.



I have been busy knitting see:



All of this is a result of the Stocking up for Christmas swap on Ravelry. I sent my parcel off to my swap pal yesterday and only realised in the post office that I never took any photos of all the goodies I knitted for her. Ah well...

Ever since I have been knitting more things for the kids in the neighbourhood. All will be revealed when I've finished.

FO: Good Luck Cowl

I made this cowl in the hope that it will work as a bit of a bribe. My sewing is hopeless and my darning is non-existent. I have a couple of hand knitted socks that have developed holes and need darning. A friend of mine has darned some of my socks in the past and she did a splendid job. Now I need to ask her to do so again. I thought the good luck cowl might be a good incentive.



I still had a ball of the Cleckheaton Bamboo left after I had knitted my socks so I thought I would put it to good use.



It turned out to be just the right amount seeing as I now only have a few centimeters of yarn left.

I really like this yarn and I like the cowl so I think I'm going to have to get some to make myself a cowl or something. The only problem is the very limited colour range. But I won't let that put me off too much.

FO: Rib and Lace ankle socks

My socks are done and I love them.



In fact I finished them a few days ago but life has been a bit busy and I've not had a chance to get to the computer.

These socks took me down memory lane. They so remind me of the socks my grandmother used to knit for me as a child. The difference though is that Ouma Betty's socks were done in pure cotton. After a few washes they used to become hard and unyielding and very difficult for a little girl to get them on her feet. Ouma taught me a nifty way of folding them so that I could get them on my feet unassisted.

The bamboo makes these socks soft and silky. I hope they last as long as those cotton socks.

A time for lace

I had intended calling this post A Long Lacy Summer but after yesterday's snow and the wind storm overnight I had to rethink that one. We woke to find a lot of debris in our garden, a small tree over our driveway and our road blocked by this:



But despite the cold my mind is still on lace. I have completed another 20 rows of my AMS. Now that might not sound much to you, and I can't really see the progress, BUT every row contains over 500 stitches at this stage so I figure its not bad going.

And for more instant gratification I have started a pair of rib and lace socks. I'm using Cleckheaton Bamboo for these. I love the soft silky feel of this yarn. Its a bit of an experiment because I have no idea how well the yarn will wear. I'm unable to link this pattern because it is one I tore out of Creative Knitting quite sometime ago. I was going through a cleaning up spree and tried to declutter. Never made a note of the issues when I ripped the patterns out. Live and learn.



Now I have been tagged by Cathy. I’m to comment about the last ten persons who leave a note on my blog. If you’re mentioned below, consider yourself tagged.

1) Blue Kelebek is a great crocheter and a relative newcomer to knitting. Although you would never have guessed it because her work is fabulous. Check out her latest lace shawl - WOW!

2) Jack is a fabulous craftster. Her patterns are well worth investigating.

3) Val has become a great blogging friend. I always look forward to her next posting and eagerly await her comment on my blog.

4) I met T when she and J ran the Hanami Kal and I have followed her progress ever since.

5) Baruch has a special place in my heart. I love her photography.

6) Mary's lace work is gorgeous and an inspiration.

7) Phyllis' blog simply bursts with life.

8) I discovered Bells' blog through A long Lacy Summer. And man, can this woman knit!

9) And then there's Cathy who tagged me. Her blog is well worth visiting.

10) And finally Machenmachen who made me that gorgeous sun hat. She has some lovely designs on her blog.

You don't need to feel obliged to play along but it will be great if you do. Even if you don't wish to tag others please do check out the tagged blogs because its a great way to meet new bloggers and to pass on the blogging word!

FO: Isabella

I have completed my Isabella. I knitted this in Filatura Di Crosa Millefile Fine using 3.00 mm needles.





The only modification I made was to double the rows of the sleeve edging. I don't like getting the sun on the tops of my shoulders.



It was freezing when the photos were taken and thus the goosebumps!

I liked working with this yarn and it feels good on my skin. There is quite a bit of stretch in the yarn so it will be interesting to see how it wears over time. The yarn has a beautiful sheen which helps to show off the lace detail.

FO: New Heel Socks

I finally finished these socks.



The really good thing about doing socks using short rows (yep, that dreaded wrap & turn thing) is that it works really well when you are knitting two socks at a time on two circular needles. The downside of these heels is that it is so difficult to see the wraps when you need to pick them up. Unfortunately I read this tip from Ann too late. She suggests putting in a marker at each wrap. I'm definitely going to give that a go next time.



The other discovery I made is that I think I'm going off self striping sock yarn. And that is a bit of a problem because I still have several skeins in my stash. I guess what I need is an exciting pattern that works well with a self striping yarn. Any suggestions?