My First Shawl

is blocking

Finally

Animal Magic done, no magic felt here though. Garter stitch and took nearly 2 months. Wanted to follow pattern but ended up improvising. Free to do something I will enjoy, but what? So many ideas perhaps socks to start with, hopefully quick

Strawberry Cap to go with a Strawberry Cardigan

Finally finishing the Animal Magic Cardigan which has been a real struggle. Should have been really simple as garter stitch but found changing colours every 2 rows tiring. Worked body seamless which was OK , sleeves fit perfectly. Wasn't happy with neck shaping so crocheted around edge down to strips to stiffen it. Even without this button holes were too far in. Was also unhappy with finish of edge on the outside where had carried yarns up. Actually ended up folding edge over and sewing it, only way to neaten it and solved problem of button holes being too far in. Really disappointed had to go to this measure, tried doing a crochet edge but didn't work at all. Now have to re-do the matching cat hat which I had completed but not in the round as thought would be safer to follow pattern , was really unhappy with the seam so tried undo destroying the hat in the process. Have tried a few different patterns from Simply Knitting Magazines and always given up on them, would have done the same with this if it wasn't an order.

After finishing this on Friday woke up Saturday  inspired for a matching cap for my strawberry cardigan. Originally was just going to do the pattern I used for previous beanies. But woke thinking more of a beret design would go better , searched for pattern to work out roughly how many stitches I would need and just went from there creating this

to make  this set, so now have 2 of my own designs

Was after a bit more of a beret effect but happy with this. Aim to finish the cat hat to in next day or so can get on something I really want to do. Just the ears will be an issue following the pattern just didn't so have go something of Ravelry that hopefully will help

This arrived in the mail today complete with DVD

Have borrowed it from the library a couple of times and really loved it. I do online surveys and one of the companies now issue Fishpond vouchers for rewards, so this cost me just over $6 so bought without guilt as budget is really tight at the moment.

Back to Normality

and work tomorrow... urghhhh

The R & R I was hoping for during the break didn't come to fruition and any knitting planned was not done due to previously explained circumstances, so not looking forward to work, but then I always find in hard to go back after a break.

Feeling much better and back to cooking proper meals , all the Christmas leftovers are gone. Just have to try and get to bed at a decent hour. Back to surfing Ravelry and thinking of new things to cast on. But have to finish some baby clothes first, not enjoying it , but must be done.

Happy New Year Everyone