Today’s Table – Super Hero Swap

As I’ve mentioned a couple of times, I’ve been working on secret projects for a swap on Ravelry. The theme was Super Heroes. The person I’m spoiling loves Captain America, and so my mission was to make something for her in the theme of her favourite Super Hero.

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I ascertained that she loves hats, but not beanies, and the iconic shield leant itself neatly to a beret shape. So I worked top down, and made it up as I went along.

Of course once the beret was finished it needed matching gloves to set off the outfit!

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So this made up the basis for my package. There’s a bunch of other little things on theme as well. I hope the recipient likes them!

Today’s Table – Shantung Silk Scarf

I have been working on a few projects for another swap I’m doing on Ravelry at the moment. The theme is Super Heroes, and I don’t really want to post pictures of those projects until after they’ve been received in case I’m being stalked for information! So you’ll have to wait a little while for those pictures. I’ve been working hard on them and they’ve been taking up most of my time!

But, you’re all in luck! I have also been unable to put down some of the beautiful new fibres I came home from the craft fair with, so I thought I’d show them all off to you!

Though I’ll begin by telling you about the one lone, single, solitary, button which is also in the picture below. I purchased it from Luena and the photo just doesn’t do it justice. It’s made of shell, so when the light catches it at just the right angle it glows with all the colours of the rainbow! I couldn’t leave it there, and I think it will make a wonderful statement piece or brooch! Maybe I can turn it into a shawl pin?

All 3 yarns I got were from Bart & Francis who just have the most amazing and inspiring collection! We spent a fair amount of time in front of their stall listening to all the technical aspects of how the yarns are made and put together. I hadn’t left myself enough budget to purchase any of the really fancy yarns (think; brushed silks, mohair, cashmere …) But I couldn’t walk past the cobweb weight baby alpaca (right), and when I got to the register there was the impulse purchase of the 100% Mulberry Silk (left)!

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The silk impulse purchase was aided by the scarf they had made up by the register which showed off the luster of the fibres to perfection! My photo doesn’t do it justice at all unfortunately!

Also by the register was my other impulse purchase. The Silk Shantung. It’s so fine, so delicate, and yet, being silk, a really strong fibre. The swatch piece they had made up to show off fabric made from the yarn, was soft and airy and with a simple but regular pattern. This showed off the texture of the yarn to perfection! Hence, upon coming home and having a quick flick through my stitch dictionaries, I cast on immediately.

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This is the perfect knit night piece. It’s easy to follow, and quite a brain dead knit being only 3 stitches in combination. So I can talk and drink while knitting, with little worry about going wrong in the pattern. With all that taken into account though, it still creates an airy, interesting, and textural fabric. I love it!

And yes, I am knitting with something that is the equivalent gauge and density of sewing thread on that spool. Would you expect anything less of me at this point?

Today’s Table – Mittens and Caplet

The weather has turned dreary. With the rise in temperature came the rain which took away the blue skies, and the snow, and the ice. There is no more white stuff on the ground, there is no more ice in the canals. I’m holding out hope for one last cold snap in February! C’mon Amsterdam! You can do it!

It has however made for the perfect weather for sitting inside, all snuggled up, and knitting! Since finishing the Evenstar shawl, I have been wanting things that are smaller to work on, and these two projects have been fitting the bill nicely!

On the left I have the mittens which are challenging my colour work skills, and on the right we have the caplet which should be wonderful for throwing nonchalantly over my shoulders once the weather warms up a little bit!

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I do have another massive shawl which I need to pick back up and finish. I’m just taking a little break after the Evenstar before diving back into Estonian nupps!

What have you been working on?

Today’s Table

I began Boxing Day 2011.
It took 1700m of yarn.

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It has been worked on in 3 countries (New Zealand, Australia, and Nederlands).
I have finally finished (except for weaving in the ends).

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Here is the Evenstar in Midnight Blue. (size EU40 shoe for scale)

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And here are some close ups.

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End of an era. *heaves a sigh of relief*

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Next?

Today’s Table

I thought I’d show you some of the things I’ve been working on. I also thought that if I made myself show you what I’m working on each week, it is the incentive I need to have something finished to show you! This will also help me make smaller projects that finish faster to help me not get bogged down in projects like the never ending shawl which I have now been working on for over a year! Sometimes the unending projects can be soul draining. Instant gratification can really help (in small doses)!

With that in mind, I’ve been working on some watercolour illustrations which I’m hoping to have up on Ghoti Industries and Etsy for sale shortly. I’m really digging flamingos at the moment. Had you guessed?

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There’s also this pair of mittens which I began just before Christmas to have something small to work on that was easily transportable to knit night. Of course, I haven’t had the time of energy to go to knit night since beginning them, but that’s okay. I’ll get there next week.

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Sorry that picture’s so dark. I ran out of sunlight when I put lunch on for a friend!

So what are you all working on? What are you up to with yourselves?