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Due to a chronic lack of time I am no longer able to write this blog. I've been really struggling recently to find time to update my two blogs but it just seems impossible. I decided to choose only one blog to keep and it's going to be my photoblog (I've been writing it for much longer than this blog and it's just closer to my heart). From now on you can read about my adventures in knitting here:

http://www.yarn-poetry-bliss.com/

Thank you all for visiting this place and for all the lovely comments you've left. They are always welcome :)

Happy knitting,

Kasia

Been busy.

Few days ago I finally finished my Arleen. It was a test knit for Dona and I really enjoyed knitting this project. Large amount of plain stockinette was very relaxing to work on and I absolutely love the button slit: it makes a simple raglan more interesting. It is a lovely detail.  I'm very satisfied with the finished garment and it will be worn this winter a lot. My next Arleen will be with long sleeves.

Pattern: Arleen by Dona Knits

Needles: 4mm/ US6

Yarn: Cascade Yarn 220 Heathers in 'silver spruce', 2.75 skein

Modifications: I modified waist decreases and increases to adapt them to my body shape (3 decreases every 10th round starting at 5cm from underarm, knit 20 rounds straight, 3 increases every 10th round) and made the body a bit longer.

And why is it so difficult to choose buttons...? After few days of searching I bought these coconut shell beauties but wasn't sure about them until I sew them on... 

I had some yarn left from Arleen as well as some old Cascade 220 Heather in 'birch' (roughly 25 grams) that had been sitting in my stash for way too long. I decided to use it for Norwegian Star Earflap Hat (link below). I think this blue and mustard colours make lovely combination together.

I cast on for the hat last night and got so much into knitting it that I got up at 6am this morning to carry on working on it. 6am for a sleepy head like me is quite an achievement :)

I cast on for child size but it turned out to be in adult size. I like it so much that I might wear it (though I'm not a big fan of hats on my head but on the other hand it's getting really freezing here so a hat would be nice).

I will make another one for G. from different yarn and one for C. in darker colours (black/grey or brown/beige). The pattern is easy and fun to knit.

Pattern: Norwegian Star Earflap Hat by Tiennie

Needles: 4mm/ US6

Yarn: Cascade Yarns 220 Heathers (less than 0.5 skein of 'silver spruce' and less than 0.25 skein of 'birch').

Modifications: I didn't purl the first rounds and applied simple crochet chain for the edge.

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I started making some decorations. I want to be ready whet our Christmas tree arrives. These knitted Christmas trees are quick to make and I'm planning to knit plenty of them (great way to get rid of all unused old yarn stashed in the back of my wardrobe).

Pattern: Christmas tree by Baiba Dzelme.
Needles: 3.25mm/ US3

What are you working on these days?

Happy knitting Everyone!

Quick update.

Recently finished:

Simple beanie for G. She loves this little owl and I'm glad I finally got rid of this odd skein of Artesano Aran that I bought impulsively long ago in I Knit shop (just couldn't leave the yarn shop empty handed, could I?)

 Currently in progress:

"Arleen", test knit for Dona. This is a therapeutic project, loads of smooth stockinette is what I really need these days. And I love the yarn (Cascade 220 Heathers). And the colour (silver spruce). I ordered buttons today (it was difficult to pick up the right ones...)

New in stash:

New Lanark  Aran (90% wool, 10% silk, blue, 10 skeins)
New Lanark DK (100% pure new wool, fawn, 10 skeins)
Lovely, lovely wool. I just had to cheer myself up (well, it is Wovember, isn't it?)

On my bedside table:

 Some delicious books :)

FO: Something for her: Aidez

Do you remember this unlucky project? I decided to frog it and use the yarn for some more satisfying projects. Aidez, for example. I wanted to knit it the moment I first saw the pattern in Ravelry pattern base. It didn't even matter that this cardigan is knit in pieces (I'm not a fan of sewing pieces together), I just had to make it and I'm so happy I did. This cardigan is definitely my favourite knitted garment so far. It's very warm, just perfect for chilly autumn days.

The pattern itself is fun to knit, cable sections are easy to memorize and it knits up really quickly. It took me some time to block it and sew all the pieces together (and yes, there was some struggle involved) but it was all worth it. This is one of those project I wouldn't mind to knit again.

We had some great fun today in the park :)

"Something for her"

Project notes:

Pattern: Aidez by Cirilia Rose

Yarn: Cascade Ecological Wool, 1.75 skeins

Needles: 6mm/ US 10

Modifications: replaced ear of corn and cross-stitch cable patterns with simple cable pattern (details and more photos are on my Ravelry project page, here)

FO: Prestwick.

I'm so happy with this one that I almost regret it's not mine (it was knit with love for C.)

The story behind the title: my parents were here visiting and last weekend I had to take them to Prestwick Airport for their flight back. We knew we would have to stay at the airport whole night as their flight was scheduled in early morning hours so I decided to take some knitting to keep me awake. I needed something quick and easy and Thermis seemed the best choice. And it was. I cast on on the train to Glasgow and by the time we got to the airport half of the cowl was done. I really wanted to carry on knitting but the light at the airport was really poor and it was so cold: I couldn't feel comfortable knitting with my jacket on. So I finished it the next day, at home.

I liked this pattern a lot and I will definitely knit more of these cowls. My mum ordered one and I'm planning to make one for my sister and my niece. It only takes 0.75 skein of Cascade 220 (large size) and knits up really quickly!

Project notes:

Patter: Thermis by Kris Knits

Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers, 0.75 skein

Needle: 4mm/ US6

And one bonus photo:

Little G., having her bad hair day but still modelling beautifully (and patiently) for her mama. ♥

FO: Spring haze.

I know it's autumn not spring time but this project took a long nap in my knitting basket. I was occupied by other projects (most of them turned out to be failures- see previous post) so in desperate need of regaining my knitting mojo I decided to dig this cardigan out and finish it. So I did and I couldn't be more happy with the final result. Though there was some crying involved... I really loathe picking up stitches :(

Project notes:

Pattern : Peasy by Heidi Kirrmaier

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed DK

Needles: 3.25mm/ US 3 and 3.5mm/ US 4

Modifications: I stopped following the pattern after raglan increases. I knit the body first, omitting body decreases and eventually doing increases only. I wanted the sleeves to be quite snugly so I knit them straight for about 14 cm and then did decreases every 20th round four times. The yarn blocked very nicely.

I like this pattern a lot and I'm already planning to knit a pullover version of it.

Oh, and one more thing. Have I ever mentioned how much I love Rowan yarns...? :)

The Dude abides.

Not much has been happening lately in my knitting world. I have few projects snoozing on the needles and the only thing I've been working on almost every day is The Dude  but I'm struggling with it a lot. The first excitement is long gone, replaced by frustration. In two months I've only finished back and left front. I'm tired of constantly ripping it off and redoing. I'm sure more than ever that knitting in pieces is not for me; I'm overwhelmed by the amount of loose ends, the fair isle worked flat is a nightmare and I feel like it's killing all joy of knitting. Not good. Especially that I have to carry on knitting it: C. is in desperate need of warm cardigan and I really don't want to waste this lovely (and expensive) yarn. Oh, boy. I hope I'm done with it soon.