Lots of things

It does not feel like I get a lot of knitting done these days, but when I look in my at my knitting photos on Flickr I see that I am in fact finishing things.

I've finished a tiny Tuscany shawl

I used 4mm needles and one ball of Rowan Damask. A pretty viscose/linen/acrylic blend. Very nice and shiny! I wish I had used one size bigger needles, after washing and ironing the shawlette it did not become as drapey as I thought it would.
I came up with a little cufflink thing to use to fasten it around my neck. The buttons are from a knittyboard secret pal round. The leaves go so well with the lace pattern on the Tuscany. I think it's very pretty (and smart).


I usually wear the the tiny thing like a neckwarmer, like this:

It can also be worn in other ways, but I prefer the one above.


Then I finished the Roza's socks I started sometime in september. I was a bit disappointed in these socks. I do like them, it's just that I was a bit bummed about not realising the yarn in the two balls I used was wound in opposite directions. Especially since I made an effort to get the stripes to match in the beginning of the socks. (also blogged here)

The pattern was great though, and the brioche stitch made the knitting easy but not boring.

Then I'm trying to get Marie ready for winter and snow.
I had mentioned for her that I could knit her a pinc "ice cream" hat, and a month ago she started to ask me (a lot) about when it would me done.
It finished it a finished it two weeks ago and the hat is already in regular use and is very much loved. "Mom, the other kids are pretending I'm an ice cream and are licking my head" she told me the other day.

I learned that I have been doing my backwards look increases the wrong way while knitting this hat. I frogged half a hat when I realised it, and then there was some minor ripping incidents later on too. There are only two increases that are the wrong way now. I did not see them until I had bound off.
I also love this hat because it's the first thing I have knit from my own handspun. I had to use the yarn double stranded to get a nice fabric on 7mm needles. I adjusted the cast on number too, to make the hat child sized.

Marie also has new mittens. I knit them with the leftover Cascade 220 from my Subway/Flexus mittens and some mystery leftover yarn I've had "since the dawn of time". They are loosely based on the Subway Mittens pattern too. The thumb is the same and I used twisted rib for the cuff. The rest was made up as I knit.


(as always all photos can be clicked to take you to Flickr to see larger versions if you like)

Why this long and full post? I'm sitting here with a small suitcase beside me, holding all the important things you would pack for a long weekend in London. Except knitting... I did not bring any, I don't think I can fit any knitting in between being social with my collegues, spending a day with my friend Boyce, seing Lord of the Rings (musicla), spending hours looking at and tasting food and beverages at Borough market, etc. I did remember to bring my camera. There will probably be a picture or two taken. Maybe I'll try to look up one of the yarn stores. Are there any pubs near by do you think?

Also, another thing I'm really happy about; one of the bands my brother is in have released a new cd and are getting great reviews. After listening to it and seeing the cover I do understand his x-mas gift wish "anything as long as it is in black and white and looks vintage".
This band has the greatest drummer ever! He's a sweetie:)

Have a nice week end! I will!