Seeing red

Spent Saturday morning in Bicester with husband and daughter (and managed to return home empty handed as usual) Nipped into local Oxfam when we returned home and picked up 9 skeins of bright red Gefjun Lopi - for a grand total of £6.80! Brilliant! More than compensated for returning from shopping trip empty handed.

Knitted a swatch this evening, as I suspected it might knit up like Rowan Big Wool. And it does! Give or take a few mm's.

In my head I have visions of a knitting a big red swingy cardigan for me, which would look great in spring with jeans and Birkenstocks. I suspect it will probably end up as a rug or something infinitely more practical.

Name and Shame

I thought a good place to start this blog would be to catalogue every project I have on the go at this moment in time. Even though this year I vowed to complete each project before starting another, I have still managed to accumulate about 5, and it's not even the end of January yet. Maybe if I see them written down it will shame me into finishing them....mmm. Maybe.

1. 'Cameo' Shawl which I'm knitting in 3 different Louisa Harding wools, in shades of blue and silver. Gorgeous. I'm loving it. Although it does require complete concentration for every row, and I keep having to file my nails as they get caught and snag the wool. Already have a commission from a friend who wants one to wear to a wedding this summer. And because it's tricky I need to have another project on the go, for times when i want something repetitive to knit, hence...
2. 'Clam' jumper for my husband in Rowan Wool Cotton. Dove grey. Going to be lovely, a classic really. but going to take a LONG time as I am knitting the biggest size on what seem to be the smallest needles in the world. (I like quick results and I'm happiest with 7mm and above). But it's been a long time coming. Poor bloke has only ever received one hand knitted item from me - a scarf - and he only got that last November.
3. Brown and grey striped cardigan in RYC Alpaca Soft for my sister in law. Nearly finished but needs sewing up and all the ends sewn in. Very Boring Bit.
4. Cardigan in Rowan Ribbon Twist in a really nice greeny colour. Actually for me and I started back in April last year whilst on holiday in France. Not quite sure how it ended up in a box under the spare bed, or whether it will ever come out again.
5. Shawl in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Astrakan in a cream. Picked wool up this year in sale, and wasn't sure what to do with it or even what wool would look like knitted up, so started knitting a shawl/wrap for me. Not sure about it. Might frog it and think of something else to do with it. I've got 6 balls, so if anyone has got any ideas....
   

I think that is everything. Famous last words. Expect to see a revised list tomorrow.