Testing Testing 1 2 3...

Sorting through all of my yarn in my anticipation of moving at the end of the month has been slightly fun but very nerve wracking. 

How did I get so much yarn? 

I really have too much of everything to be honest. In an emotional state I sorted through my cupboard and got rid of more than half my clothes. And since doing that I haven't actually reached for anything and realised it was gone, so I really must not have been wearing much of it. 

Anyhow, it also inspired me to pick up some of the acrylic yarn I haven't touched in years. Vanna White (Lion Brand yarns) really does know her stuff. That acrylic, while it can never compare to the likes of alpaca or extra fine merino, does have a nice feel considering it's made of polymer. 

Here is the hot water bottle pattern I'm working out. I am also working on these mittens. 

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I am encouraging myself to actually write up the patterns for these things. I really wanted the mittens to be yellow and blue at the top but I think I might run out of the yellow wool. The brown and blue do look nice, but they are reminding me too much of these: 

I like the colours in the fingerless ones best, but I'm trying to use up the odds and ends still from the ex-boyfriend (so weird saying that!) and his abandoned projects. 

Life awaits

 So, we all know life doesn't wait for us. We have to go out and make it happen. 

Unfortunately I haven't been very motivated, but changes are coming and I have been coping quite well considering! 

I am moving house in the next 4 weeks and I hate moving. The worst part is I don't know where I want to move to, which has never happened to me before. When moving into our flat I had the excitement of the new prospect of living with my boyfriend. And sadly we are parting ways and so I am now left to decide - What do I want to do?! 

Having to sort through my stash and decide what I really do need to keep and what do I really need to find a new home for was sad. But also, inspiring to use yarns that I had cast aside ages ago (ahem acrylic).

You will soon get bored of pictures of Hot Water Bottles, but I had a ton of them I got for a good price ages ago, and since I'm moving I plan on making a bunch of covers up and selling them as sets. And for once I might actually take them into work and see if anyone there will buy things, rather than just Etsy. 

You might be pleased to know that I am working on drawing up a pattern for a 1.5L hwb cover. Just working out the schematics for DK, aran and chunky weights! 

Quick - Entertain me!

I need to be entertained a bit more today - stress and all.  So, I thought it might be nice to do a recap of all my recent FOs.

There was the toddler spiral cap, for which I'm working on a written pattern. I didn't like the way the top went a bit uneven so I'm doing another prototype in the same pink as the bunny booties below...

Bunnies! Gifted and happily on the feets of a little angel. These are Debbie Bliss Bunny Bootees . Fairly intricate to knit, but sooo cute! The ears and face I postponed for AGES but they really do make a sweet gift so I'm sure I'll struggle through another pair. They're intermediate, but if you're willing to do crazy things like knit the row you're on while knitting it into a row 7 below then you're ready for this project!  

These are my asparagus/celery coloured Aidez rip off mittens. Really must come up with a name and perhaps write the pattern for them too!

And this weekend's masterpiece - A Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk hot water bottle cover using the Muckle Mitten colourwork pattern. I do love the pattern! This HWB is squishy, soft and I am selling it on Etsy! 

If you want a pattern for a hot water bottle let me know. I've been working on some but so many factors can change - bottle size, yarn weight etc, that I am stumped as to which to publish!

Quick Gnits.

(How come knitting isn't like gnome? gnitting. Knome. Bizarre)

Anyhow, the real point of my blog today is to emphasize that sometimes a simple knit can really get you back into the swing of things!

I have been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster the past few days with some personal live decisions ahead of me and they have affected my ability to knit. And with so many things that I want to start or finish I should be using this spare mental energy to DO something.

So, my Cobalt cardigan was taking too much energy. The surprise I'm making for a surprise friend definately takes mental capacity (sorry, not giving away much am I?!). But Hot Water Bottles.

They are comforting, simple and so satisfying! I cast on using aran yarn this morning, after contemplating colour combos, design options, etc. I finally chose a purple on purple in cashmere merino silk and decided to use the Muckle Mitten colourwork pattern that I love.

I spent a few hours on the train to and from London today and was on the slow train so I had a bit of time to work on it. And once the colourwork was done I was able to read my Kindle while knitting which had me feeling like a total geek but so proud of myself at the same time.... (geek.)

This is the progress I made on the train. This is only a 600ml water bottle, not the standard 2L which would obviously take much longer to make! I've gotten quite a bit further; up to the neck now. 

I'll be selling this in my Etsy shop once it's complete. I have more train journeys tomorrow so maybe it will be done then... :)

Keepin' me warm

I think two years ago my knitting obsession took over. But then it was all about slippers. Then mittens.

Now. Sweaters!

Here are a few of my "Dreaming about making" that are making my short list!

This one is the Schoodic Cardigan from Kelbourne Wollens. Looking at their list of patterns I've actually had a few in my favourites for a while! 

Then there's the Agnes Pullover from the latest issue of Knitscene. So cute! There's always something in that magazine that I absolutely love! 

Houndstooth anyone?! This one is by Claire Montgomerie from an old issue of Yarn Forward. I would want to shorten it though, as it's more of a coat length than a work-suitable cardi! 

And any by Alexis Winslow would be great! 

This one is the Vera cardigan! 

SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM!!!  If you have any opinions on which I should make first lemme know! I need help choosing!!!!