SAL “Bag Ladies” # 8

Time seems to be speeding up this year!  It really doesn’t feel like 3 weeks ago since the last update, but the calendar doesn’t lie.  So . . . here’s where I was last time

And photo of where I am now.

That’s 3 bags completed and 4 cats , even though it’s mostly only heads or tails peeking out of bags, with a 4th bag and 5th cat well underway.  I’ve done as much backstitch as I could on this section, so I won’t have to worry about going back on myself.  Am pretty pleased with progress so far, as I estimated this design would take about 20 stages to complete.

Let’s pop over and see how fellow SAL stitchers are getting on with their projects.

Avis,  Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Steph, Linda, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Catherine, Deborah, Connie, Clare, Mary Margaret, Renee, Jenny, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon

Next update on 7th April.

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picking up a UFO (only 6 years after starting)

I pride myself on the fact that when I start a project, I usually finish it (eventually) . . . so don’t think I have too many UFOs lurking in my sewing room (although I haven’t searched very thoroughly).  There are a couple though, that have been in the back of my mind for a while, as worthy of my attention.  One of them being, a latch hook kit.

I treated myself to this way back in January 2013: “Puppy” by Versaco.

Quite an expensive kit but it was a treat to myself for my birthday that year.   First hooking began way back in February 2013, and then poor puppy was pulled out occasionally over the following 2 years.  Last seen in September 2015 looking like this

I’m not sure why I ran out of steam.  Possibly because I can’t latch hook while sitting in my rocking chair, watching TV.

Anyway, suffice it to say, this poor puppy has been waiting too long for completion, so I’ve picked up my latch hook, and begun work again because, honestly, I’d come too far not to continue!  I’m not setting myself a “to be finished before” date, but at least the UFO is now back to being a WIP.

SAL update–“Bag Ladies” #7

Goodness me!  These last 3 weeks whizzed by rather fast!  And I didn’t do much cross stitching – naughty, naughty.

This is the photo I posted last time

And here’s what things look like today.

Not brilliant progress but . . . I have finished the pinkish bag, filled in a little more of 2 cats and begun work on a fluffy white tail, which is poking out of the top of the pink bag. 

Anyway, enough of what little progress I made.  I wonder how everyone else did?  Here are the links to other SAL members and we welcome Sharon to the group today.

Avis,  Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Steph, Linda, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Catherine, Deborah, Connie, Clare, Mary Margaret, Renee, Jenny, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon

Next update on 17th March.

SAL update–Bag Ladies #6

I’ve been rather side-tracked with knitting over the past few weeks, so sadly don’t have as much progress as I would like, to show for the SAL.

Last time, this was my photo

This is how things look today

There is progress, but no new “finished” sections to boast about.

This update, we welcome two new members to the group:  Carmela who lives in Italy and Jocelyn in Canada.

Full list of links

Avis,  Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Steph, Linda, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Catherine, Deborah, Connie, Clare, Mary Margaret, Renee, Jenny, Carmela, Jocelyn

 

And we’ll be back on 24th February!

“Cheri” by Martin Storey, for Rowan

After the relative success of my dusky pink cardigan, I decided I needed to get more practice learning to assemble knitted garment pieces before I took the plunge to tackle another adult sized cardie/sweater.  So, with that in mind, I rummaged through my computer files, where I save any free patterns that take my fancy.  And this is the one I chose to knit.

The model “CHERI” designed by Martin Storey for Rowan yarns.  I immediately knew I wasn’t going to bother crocheting the cherries.  My crochet skills don’t need practice, and I honestly thought the dangling cherries were just a bit “too much”.   What attracted me to this pattern was the short sleeves, short bodice and very much a bolero style.  The idea being, to have a pattern which would knit up quickly, to give me the chance to try my hand at assembly. 

And here’s my very plain version of this pattern.

I think you’ll agree there is definite improvement in my assembly skills.  I chose pattern size 2-3 years (Daisy measuring 92cm tall, so not quite a size 3 years).  I used leftovers of my dusky pink and knitted on 3.75mm and 4.5mm needles to get the correct gauge. 

And had a good rummage in my button box, where I found some very discreet pale pink plastic buttons. 

I am so pleased with how it turned out.  My confidence is soaring . . . but not quite ready to attempt the XL men’s sweater for the Husband just yet. 

What I have done though . . . is cast on to follow this pattern a second time.  My second version is going to be in a size 1-2 years, and for Baby Viking.  She is 5 months old now and sooooooooo cute lol.  Anyway, I thought this pattern style would be perfect and a 1-2 year size should be good for this autumn or next spring.  Here’s a sneak peek of yarns I’m working with.  I’m using Stylecraft Special DK in “citron” for the garter stitching, and a very zany Marriner Mermaid DK for the rest.

That’s the 2 sleeves already made.  Now to put on my sunglasses and have more fun watching this Marriner Mermaid yarn change colour.  Viking parents have said I can go as bright as I like, so I’ve taken that literally!

SAL update “Bag Ladies” #5

It’s time for our regular 3 weekly SAL update!  The first one of 2019.

I started stitching on “Bag Ladies” a couple of months ago, and my last update was

Since then I’ve been flitting here & there . . . gradually filling in bags, and making a start on two future cats.

As requested by Kate, I also added backstitch detail to the black & white cat . . . that mouse/hamster had better hurry up and hide.  I think at least one cat has spotted him!

Time to do some blog-hopping and see what other SAL members have been up to.  If I remember correctly, from last time, there will be a few ladies starting on brand new projects this time.  We welcome back Mary Margaret and also give a big warm welcome two new members:  Renne and Jenny.

Avis,  Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Steph, Linda, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Catherine, Deborah, Connie, Clare, Mary Margaret, Renee, Jenny

We’ll all be back on 3rd February, so hope to see you then!

what I’ve been up to since Xmas

I’ve been enjoying reading blog posts of everyone’s New Year resolutions.  Always happy to encourage and cheer crafters along, it’ll be interesting to see how people do (you know who you are!) as the year moves on.  Age has taught me that it’s pointless me making any resolutions as I never keep them.  Hence 2019 simply started as it will carry on: with me just picking up what I fancy, when I fancy.  There will no doubt be lots of starts this year, and hopefully, many finishes . . . but the plan is to enjoy what I’m doing and not set myself up to too many deadlines.  I suppose that in itself is a resolution? Please note, I say “not too many deadlines” – ha!  I’m not ruling out giving myself deadlines when there’s a very important & urgent special occasion on the agenda.

Anyway, since xmas, I haven’t done a huge amount of crafting.  There has been some patchworking (F2F blocks which I can’t reveal just yet);  a little xstitch and some crocheting.  My cardigan is awaiting the final stage of sewing together and knitting of button/button hole bands, but I’ve been having too much fun with my hook to even think about knitting.

This is my current crochet project.  Doesn’t look much at the moment as there are still quite a few small pieces to make (arms, legs & teeth for instance) but it is definitely taking shape already.  This will be a “Little Ella in her monster suit” (design by Little Aqua Girl) when finished, and is one of the many colourful projects published in “Amigurumi Monsters”.  The pattern is really well-written and crocheting keeps me quiet in the evening.

Other crafting going on here is

“Chicken Sampler” a kit by The Stitching Shed, which Avis gifted me this Christmas.  It’s a lovely, simple design which is very relaxing to work on (a bit of light relief from my SAL project)

It’s actually the choice of colours which makes this such a fun design, although I’ve already made a few changes along the way.  Anyway, almost 4 chooks stitched although mine don’t have eyes yet.  Another reason I love this kit (apart from the fact I’m stitching chooks) . . . The Stitching Shed is a small UK company, based in Morecambe, Lancashire.  A totally useless fact you didn’t know about me is:  I lived in Morecambe for a year during my student days!   I was a student at Lancaster University and during our second year, students had to find digs off campus.  So I lived in Morecambe for a year, with my friend Janet, in a little basement flat.   It was in the 80s, so decades before The Stitching Shed came into being but, seeing their postal address on the chart brought back some fun memories.