Three Weeks!!!

And no blogging.  I'm so sorry about that but I have been working away in my studio on a very special project.  I can't actually blog The Big Reveal post yet.  I need one more photograph which (for reasons that will become clear in a couple of weeks when I can tell all) I can't take that photograph yet.  However if you follow me on Instagram (and if you don't you can by clicking the button on the right of this post) you may already have a pretty good idea.

a tiny part of the BIG Project

But I have not just been working single mindedly on The BIG Project, I've had a few new ideas and there might have been a little yarn buying and swapping.  I've been taking photographs as I go too so I thought I would share some new beginnings with you much in the way of my ten random things blog of a few weeks ago

1. I got to do a little spinning with my drop spindle

2. I had a light bulb moment about how to use up some stash, including hand spun, (while buying a little more...) I will make an Enchanted Mesa

3. I came upon a pattern for a sock that you begin knitting the top of the instep first, as a lace square on five dpns, then the toe, the sole, the heel...

sock #1 underway

4. There's been a mini yarn swap with my friend Kathleen of KnitLikeYouMeanIt and the lovely SSK knitting pattern books (SSK1 and SSK2). I am going to make the elegant long gloves from SSK2 called Heddy Lamar.  I sent Kathleen a skein of this

AND she sent me these to choose from...

I haven't chosen yet (you can just see the beautiful gloves on the left of the photograph)

Now, which to knit up and which to send back?

5. I am designing a new shawl, based on a very old pattern.  The pattern (and FO) will be on Ravelry soon

6. The waistcoat I made for the WW1 film has been worn and seen in stills for the first time

I made the one in the middle!

7. I am in discussions and swatching for another item for the WW1 film

we will incorporate this old stitch pattern int a large fringed shawl

8. I'm rushing to finish this for a KAL party at the lovely Purlescence HQ on Friday, eeeek!

Lush by TinCan Knits in Sweet Georgia superwash DK

9. And there's this, the little sweater to go with the cardigan, both by Susan Crawford.  I want to wear the set to a workshop with Susan in three weeks (aspirant teachers pet that I am).  So far I've frogged it twice, it was coming out far to large.   It serves me right for using a different yarn but this Angelus from The Natural Dye Studio is like butter - how could I resist?  I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will even out when blocked.

10. Finally my holiday prep.  As every knitter knows a new knitting project goes on the list with sun hat, sun cream and strappy top.  At the moment I'm thinking of this, my yarn choice is also from the natural dye studio

The pattern is Water Lilly in the spring edition of Pom Pom Quarterly

So many projects and so little time...

Xx

C