Christmas frenzy :: Knitting ::

* You can still enter my current knitting pattern giveaway here*

Happy Wednesday everyone! Well, I am knitting non-stop, or it feels that way. I should really be finish projects I have started - including this bowtie scarf (someone's request) - except that I am starting new projects rather than finishing projects. So I am knitting a few projects at the same time, thankfully there all involve garter stitch and the patterns are easy to follow. Still it is hard to choose one to pick up when I get some knitting time!

Also do you find that you have a lot of single sock skeins in your stash, or is it just me? I have many, and was not sure what to do with them. But instagram came to my rescue, and Masgot I had to knit. You need 3 different skeins of sock/fingering yarn! I love the shape of this shawl/scarf, it gives an oversized scarf look but can also be worn as a shawl. It grows width-wise very quickly. I wanted the shawl to be soft around my neck, and decided to use skeins that were a blend of Alpaca and Cashmere. I bought the skeins on Etsy from here and here - both shops are based in the UK. 

I hope I will be able to give it as a present - and not keep it, otherwise I will have to start yet a new project! Also I'd better be getting on with more knitting, if I want a chance to also fit in a beanie hat for Mr MiH's Christmas. 

What are you all knitting? I am linking up to Ginny's today. 

The Peaceful Lion | Le Challenge

Every month le challenge deadline arrives, and I am wondering whether I will finish what I intended to make - texting Lu in-between for some moral support. This month's theme was 'mix' and I knew I wanted to make something that would be a mix of fabrics - with hints of vintage. I knew quite quickly that it would a cushion for Little Baby MiH, but that was about it - and then I fell in love with this picture and I just had to make it happen (how did I survive before Pinterest, who knows?). 

I did not have the background  fabric in my stash - but found this great organic herringbone fabric at Ray Stitch (they have a great range of organic fabrics). It is quite sturdy which is great for home dec' projects. I had the felt - probably intended for a Christmas project many years ago, and the vintage fabric is from the vintage sheet swap organised by Mary. 

All set in the Moses basket, and yes the bumper basket is out again

The project was easy to put together once I finished making the template. I never make templates - I just get on with it usually and hope for the best (well to be fair I follow a lot of patterns). But this time I spent some time trying to create a picture and played a bit with the colour scheme. I made the template not knowing what I actually had in my stash, but the colours/fabrics I found are nearly the same one as the ones I had on my original template. 

All the pieces were ironed on the background fabric thanks to the wonders of fusible web - which makes unfortunately the embroidery step just that bit harder - and I really missed having a thimble handy. I drew the eyes and the mouth and just went for it with some black thread. 

I don't have any great pictures of the back - but I used the herringbone fabric and added a zip (thought that it might be wise to be able to wash if needs me). 

I love it despite not being perfect. The face could be a bit smaller, I may have been over-enthusiastic with the embroidery of the nose, and I am really not sure about my French knots technique. But overall the cushion is what I imagined it to be - it is a great mix of vintage and modern fabrics. It is also quite different from high street ones, and makes me happy every time. 

For all the other Le challenge entries, go here. If you enter a recently completed project that fits with the theme 'mix' - and let's face it this is quite easy - you could have a chance of winning a $25 Fat Quarter Shop gift certificate. Please remember to include the button or a link to Le Challenge in your blog post or Flickr description and use the hashtag #lechallenge if you're linking up from Instagram.

#thegreatdestash

And it is time for a second sale on the blog. I really hope you will be inspired by it. I have tried to have something for everyone - crochet, knitting and quilting. So I am hoping this is going to appeal to a few people. I did mention it last time, but we are a smoke free, pet free home. Also everything that I sell is barely used (the balls of yarn are still in their original packaging, and the books have only been opened a few times). 

The prices exclude postage, but I am happy to ship internationally. I will let you know how much it will be beforehand and make sure you are ok with it. Of course it is a better deal if you are based in the UK. 

Let me know in your comment box which item you want and your PayPal address. 

First to comment on an item, first to get it!  I will try to ship as quickly as possible. 

Just a note that the yarn is actually discontinued now, although you can still find it online. 

There are still a couple of skeins left from the first sale as well.  

Happy shopping everyone!

#thegreatyarndestash

Here we are... My first ever sale on the blog. I really hope you will be inspired by it and knit this yarn - the skeins are really beautiful but not really my colours. And although I could probably make presents out of them, if I am not excited about a colour I usually procrastinate about the projects. 

The prices exclude postage, but I am happy to ship internationally. I will let you know how much it will be beforehand and make sure you are ok with it. Of course it is a better deal if you are based in the UK. 

Let me know in your comment box which skein you want and your PayPal address. 

First to comment on a skein, first to get it!  I will try to ship as quickly as possible. 

Don't hesitate to contact me for further details. For the TFA skeins there are patterns published for just that one skein on Ravelry. Happy shopping!