The Best Laid Plans . . .

I have loads of knitting plans right now, spurred by my burst of inspiration a little while ago. I even have a list of things I want to make in the immediate future! And I would be making them right now, except that I have a stinky cold, and can't concentrate on anything more complicated than stocking stitch in the round. :( Don't worry, I'm sure it's only a cold, not swine flu ;)

My immediate queue is really good too, lots of things that I really want right now, but I'm just not feeling up to it. I've been working mostly on pairs of plain socks made from a self-patterning yarn (magiknit by James C Brett).



(please excuse Tupac's teddy in the corner of the photo there!)

I say pairs because I made a pair for myself (they'll be really cosy in winter), and then thought that my sister might like some for Christmas. I know, it's not even July yet, but if I knit them now, I don't have to think of something else to buy or make her later in the year ;) So I went back to the shop and bought another ball) And it's just as well I already started them because they're about all I can handle.

My immediate to-make list consists of (I'll link to the ravelry pages for each since I'm assuming anyone who's interested will be a ravelry member):

Simone from French Girl Knits
Jaali from Twist Collective fall 2008
Tamarai from The Inside Loop Winter 2008
Joesephine Pullover from Interweave Crochet fall 2006
#21 Two Colour Top from VK Spring/sumer 2009

And that's just the sweaters! I also want to make:

Ground Flower Hat which is a ravelry download
Bandana by Kalinumba (also a rav download)
Aestlight Shawl by Gudrun Johnston (rav download)
Checkerboard Lace Scarf (another rav dl)
Edgy from Knotions fall 2008
stem and leaf cowl
And these Baby Dragon Amigurumi which are just adorable!!

This post is basically just a big list-fest, but that's all I can do right now. I've even rearranged my ravelry queue so all this stuff is at the beginning, easy for me to find and pine over while I can't get around to making them. I've even planned out the yarn for more than half of those projects! I have tons more knitting and stuff to photograph, but I just can't face it right now. Colds suck!

Inspiration Overload

Have you ever had those times when you want to do so many creative things, and are just so inspired that none of them actually get done? That's where I am just now. I'm browsing patterns and yarns on ravelry, and I want all the pretty coloured yarns and all the fantastic designs RIGHT NOW! But my hands can't move fast enough for my brain. I've been making the Bacchus socks from Interweave fall 2008, and they seem to be taking so long! It's not really been long at all, probably about a week and a half, but it feels like forever. I love the pattern, that's not the problem. I've finished the first sock and am so pleased with how it turned out, it's very cute!



I'll definitely make more of these in the future, and I can't wait to have the 2nd one finished to wear, cos I love them so much, but my brain is annoying me to get on with other things, ALL the other things I can think of in fact. It wants me to make my entire queue all at once, and have them all finished by tonight. And to buy the entire contents of any online yarn store I visit. If only I didn't have to pay the rent next week! (And we'll forget about the bookcase and 2 big boxes full of yarn in the spare room. That's not even getting mentioned!)

Sigh. It's wonderful to feel so creative recently, especially after that little slump I had a while ago where I didn't feel like making or doing anything. I just wish I could keep up with all the ideas!

Free Pattern: Rib Stripe Armwarmers

I've been getting really into this pattern writing malarkey recently! A while ago, I wrote about some armwarmers I made (post here), based on ones that I saw worn by a dancer in a belly dance workshop. I promised then that I'd write up the pattern, but it seems to have taken me ages to get around to it. But I'm in the pattern writing up mood just now, so I've finally done it!



These are now officially known as the Rib Stripe Armwarmers, pattern available for free on ravelry.com. download now

Enjoy!! :D

Ogawa Sock Pattern Available For Sale

I've designed these socks, and put them up for sale on ravelry. You can buy the pattern there for £2.00, if you're a member of the ravelry site. If you're not, click here to purchase it. (Thanks to Kate for letting me know about this feature!)

When I first saw the yarn (regia color 4 ply, in shade 1936), the colours
reminded me of the stream that runs through the village I live in. I chose a stitch pattern which creates a back and forth effect, like water rippling through reeds, and designed some socks which capture the spirit of that stream.

The socks are knit cuff-down, and the stitch pattern is achieved through the use of cables or (my preference) twisted stitches. As mentioned above, I used regia colour 4 ply, but any other fingering weight yarn can be substituted. The pattern is written in one size, but instructions are given on how to customize the fit.

Hope you like them :D