Tuesday 12 July 2011

The Knitting Plan

I need one. I do. The reason?
(source)
This pattern is called Lauriel and is in my new book Little Red in the City. I need to knit this. I've fallen in love with it, and the best part?! I think I understand the pattern, and adding in extra bust shaping is simple to do for this pattern. I've also found some yarn that in my opinion is the perfect compromise between price and quality (it's here if you're interested. I like the 'olive' colour). As it's my first garment, I don't want to invest lots of money for it not to turn out. However, when I was babbling away about it to Dom and asking his advice on yarn colour and what not, he pointed out that I've got a few projects on the go and yarn stashed for three more. Damn, I thought, he's right! 
So the knitting plan. I've been flicking from project to project and not really making much progress on either of them, and some not at all. So I'm going to focus on one project at a time and only then can I move on to the next.
First up is the baby cardigan. Can you believe I've only got to sew up the sides and add buttons?! And I just haven't done it!
Then I plan on finishing Dom's pair of socks. I've now finished the first sock completely, so I've just got to do it all over again!
Next up is my cable wrist warmers. I've also finished the first one of these, so this is another one where I just need to do it all again.
Then I can move on to my Rosebud socks. I've now finished the first repeat on my bigger needles, so they're taking a while.
Then there's this:
I frogged it, as it wasn't interesting enough to hold my attention. I've found a new pattern that's prettier and much more interesting. Now this one I'm happy to keep as WiP, as sometimes it's nice to be able to take a break from what you're knitting and work on something else.
As for the three other projects that I have yarn for? Well one is the ever popular Antro-inspired scarflet using the Debbie Bliss yarn. I've looked at other people's projects on Ravelry and it seems I'll need another ball.
And the other two projects? Well they'll have to remain top secret, at least until the Crafty Christmas Club blog is open again! Yep, these projects are going to be Christmas presents! And they're perfect for the recipients! :)
I've tried to put them in order of how much time they'll take. This should mean that I can reduce the number of WiPs pretty quickly :)
And then. . . I can buy the yarn and needles for Lauriel. And I can start on my first ever knitted garment!! :D
I will of course keep you updated with my progress. Oh, and I've cut the fabric for V8648 too! I can't wait to start on this :)
Ashley x

14 comments:

  1. Gosh, you have been busy!! Love the Lauriel!!

    I've been doing more knitting!! I finished my socks and a beanie for Mr G and am currently knitting a Harry Potter style jumper for W (it's chunky on big needles so v. quick!!) and am knitting a bunny!!

    Mostly down to being inspired by you to stick at it so thank you!!

    S x

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  2. Oh my goodness, I can't believe how many projects you have on the go! The good thing is of course, that most of them are almost done or at least half done. I'm also envious of you organised you've been with regards to your Xmas gift organising...so very impressive!

    Thejumper you have fallen in love with really is gorgeous, I hope you get to knit it up soon ;o)

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  3. Yay, I'm so glad you've stuck at it! :)
    I can't wait to see the jumper, it sounds great (big fan of Harry Potter!)
    And a bunny?! That's sounds so adorable! I'd never really thought about knitting stuffed toys, but I bet my little sisters would LOVE it if I knitted them a cuddly toy (they love cuddles). A Christmas present maybe? :)
    Ashley x

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  4. Please please do the jumper! i love it! i want to make one. you have been so busy and i am very impressed with the socks and cable. xx

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  5. Hi Marie :) I never mean to have so many projects on the go, it just sort of happens! lol
    I'm only so organised because I came across a particular pattern on Ravelry that I knew was perfect for a friend and happened to come across the perfect yarn for pretty cheap so thought why not? Then I found another pattern that I thought was perfect for another friend. And again was lucky enough to find yarn that was a perfect match, also for pretty cheap :)
    I hope so too, it's perfect for going over full skirted dresses :)
    Ashley x

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  6. I almost can't wait Miss Ginger! But having so many projects on the go means I lose stuff or forget where I am in a pattern.
    I am thinking of leaving the Christmas presents until a bit later, so I can start on the jumper sooner. I have got until December to do the xmas presents which is ages! So I might start a little sooner :)
    Ashley x

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  7. I wish I could knit things as well as you!!! I love the look of cables but they sound confusing! I've been trying to learn to knit in the round on circular needles but I'm finding it hard to get my head around it and am finding what is supposedly one of the more complicated techniques (magic loop) the easiest so far. I see you use doublepointed needles, are they easy to use? I really want to make myself some hats for winter!
    Lucy x

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  8. Go with the joyful stuff - there is nothing like a boring slog to put you off knitting forever! If you really really want that cardigan I think you should knit it NOW!

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  9. Aww thanks :) Cables are actually one of those things that look pretty impressive, but are actually pretty easy. I'd recommend a cable needles though. You can do cables without one, but they're so much easier with one!
    I love knitting in the round! I like the magic loop method too, I'll get to use it for one of the xmas presents :) If you're having trouble with circulars, try youtube. There are loads of great tutorials, and if you're like me you'll find it easier to see someone else do it than trying to figure it out from written instructions.
    I got these dpns from a knitting class for toe up socks, so I didn't get them by choice. But saying that, I do like using them. Again youtube was great when I was learning. If you don't like circulars, you might prefer dpns :)
    Also, are you a member of Ravelry? Its free to join and there are loads of great free patterns on there. Its also great for keeping track of your WiPs, and you can store info on the yarn that you've got, you can favourite patterns and queue patterns too. I'd have signed up sooner if I realised how useful it was!
    Ashley x
    ps. I just realised I'd meant to mention the blogger award from you in this post but completely forgot! I'll have to thank you in my next post :)

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  10. Oh no Roobeedoo don't tempt me!! lol Hmm, now you've got me thinking . . . maybe I could finish up the baby cardy (been working on it today and just a couple of buttons to do) and then do Dom's other sock as its an 'I love you' kind of gift, you know the kind that doesn't really have a reason (plus he might not mind so much when I buy more yarn!). And then maybe tidy away the other WiPs so Dom can't complain about mess. Then perhaps I could buy supplies and start on the cardigan? Hmm, you're a bad influence Roobeedoo!! lol :)
    Ashley x

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  11. Hehe like you I seem to always have lots of projects on the go - I think I need a plan too! Your knitting is all looking fabulous, and I think the cardigan looks very cute, i can't wait to see how you get on with it...perhaps it will inspire me to dip my toes in the garment knitting waters (yet more to add to my WiPs...I really should get on with finishing some of them!!). Btw I have also started thinking about Christmas presents...I hope to get involved with the Crafty Christmas Club this year!

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  12. Thank you :) Well I *think* I've just worked out how to put in the short row bust shaping, but I'm not 100% sure. I've written out the instructions for them and I think makes sense . . . Doesn't 'short row bust shaping' sound scary? lol
    Ooh, yay, we can be members together! :) I'm excited for xmas already this year as I can't wait to give the presents!
    Ashley x

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  13. Fab projects, Ashley. I'm working on a baby cardi & beret and a crocheted shrug for me. Was also doing a toddler cable hooded cardi but left it so long I couldn't remember what size I was knitting!

    Lis xoxo

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  14. Thanks :) I've got my eye on a couple of hat/beret patterns for me, there are some really pretty ones!
    Oh no, what a shame! I use Ravelry, so I store all the info I need on there :)
    Ashley x

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