FO Friday 134: Verde Que Te Quiero Verde

Tarot of Dreams

Oh yeah ! I am totally feeling as victorious as this warrior: I have defeated my deadline challenge: woo hoo ! Go me !

I promise you that this looks way better in RL than it does in the photo - the color is far more vibrant, and the cover is not quite so crookedy. I have obviously much more hard work to do in the photography department. Still, I would become boring were I to be too perfect  ....

This is the 'Easy All-in-One Crochet Cushion Cover', a free pattern/tutorial by Emily Rainsford-Ryan; I used a 3.50mm (E) hook because the yarn is on the thinner side of DK - one more item I have used James C.Brett's Moonlight Sonata DK in the colorway SM7 for - you gotta love a bit of sparkle in your yarn. It comes in a 500m ball, and I used most of it - my cushion cover fits a 16'' x 16'' square cushion pad.

And then it took me about a day to make this, which I am calling the Granny Smith Cushion, because it's round and green like a Granny Smith apple, and has the same stitch 'set' as a Granny Square: Oh, yes, you may bow down and worship at the altar of my imaginative wit, if you like. I shan't insist, though.

 I made it with a 4mm (G) hook, using odds and ends from my leftovers pile. The pattern is 'Granny Stripe Round Cushion' by Karen Janine; and I did eventually get to use those cute green heart buttons - you can just about see them in the last picture.

Of course, the mad dash to get everything completed by today has wiped me out, so I am sneaking a nap before taking Sebastian to the vet: this week it got warmer, the sun came out, everything got dry - and all the flowers in the world burst into bloom ... and so his pollen allergy has also busted out all over, and he is scritching like a crazy mad scritching thing losing fur by the pound  ....

Don't forget to check out the lovely things at Tami's Amis.

Title, taken with gratitude, from Federico Garcia Lorca's 'Romance Sonambulo'.

WIP Wednesday 140: More Amphibian Color

Housewives Tarot

I am turning my back firmly on all the bad news out there this week, and using a birthday deadline as a cattle prod to focus me on completing 2 items this week - one is actually done, and in the washing machine as we speak. The other one ? Well, I have today and tomorrow to start and finish it. We do loves us a challenge, don't we ?


Sleep is only a luxury, right ? I am a big girl and I can stay up all night and still deal with the kids without melting down. Right ?

Well, lessee how we do. Let's not dwell too much about how we have done ...

I had completed all eight pattern repeats and was admiring my handiwork, when my pride wenteth before a fall, and my haughty spirit. ie. the shawl, wenteth before destruction: progress on the Irish Glam Shells is back to square one. Well, OK, actually square two really, but you get the idea. I found a glaring error that I could neither ignore nor fudge, so I had to rip it all out and start again:

This is the Jawoll Magic Degrade in the colorway 85.0075, which is far more interestingly and creatively known as 'Parakeet'. No, I don't know why I am on such a green kick at the moment either, it's weird and perhaps a tad unsettling.

And I keep meaning to remind you that Knit and Crochet Blog Week is back for the 4th year, starting next Monday 22nd April, 2013 ! Woo hoo !

All the introductory posts and instructions are at Mimi's blog. And to enable facilitate make things easier for you because, really, I am a nice person, here are the direct links you will need:

To find out about the Knit & Crochet Blog Week concept.

The daily topics.

To choose a House. 

How the Tag system works:

 It's a great opportunity not only to get into blogging regularly (and frequently !) but also a great way to discover a whole bunch of new blogs you had yet to discover: I have made some great friends through the last 3 Knit & Crochet Blog Weeks, too. There is a Ravelry community which will be discussing it as it happens here, too, if you are interested.

I am hoping to take part myself, and so I simply must prop my eyelids open with matchsticks and go read those links myself, so I know what to do on Monday ....

Meanwhile, I'm checking out Tami's Amis to see what everyone else is up to this week ....

FO Friday 133: Spring is Green

Inner Child Tarot

I have been hiding out in a very productive way this week - I've started the next item in my Ravelry queue (although I did swap the shawl I originally chose for a different one that I preferred), still using a green yarn as I am on a green kick at the moment.

And yesterday I completed the Spring Green Cardigan. Washed it, and got out the pretty heart buttons I had found for it:

To find that they were way too large for the skinny delicate button band; so a quick run into town this morning resulted in buttons that are an appropriate size, and color. But just boring in style and shape:

The kids are out rollerskating, so I have no-one to either model or take a photo of me modelling it, so I'm afraid will we have to make do with flat photos:

And because I am really trying to become little more adventurous, here is a somewhat arty photo. And I have worked out that I need a big piece of white card as opposed to heavy white paper. In fact, I need two - and then that odd shadowing on the top left-hand corner should disappear .....

I loved this Patons Lace Cardigan pattern: it is so pretty, and the yarn choice in 'Evergreen' has worked brilliantly; it was nice and straightforward without being mindless. Picking up the million or so stitches necessary for the button-bands and neckline were worth not having to sew them on separately. All I have to do now is see if it fits ....

See more successes over at Tami's Amis ....

WIP Wednesday 139: Let It Go, Louie

Gilded Tarot

I have not been out and about on the internet quite as much as usual since Mrs.Thatcher's death on Monday: I was very surprised to find the vitriol so strong after all this time, and comparisons to Hitler rampant. 

Wow.

Somehow I have managed to remain blissfully ignorant of any genocidal Holocaust she directed and her European Blitzkriegs. But perhaps I am an unwitting Revisionist.

 People (many of whom weren't even born at the time) rejoicing in someone's death just depresses me and makes me despair, similar to the American celebrations of Bin Laden's death - there is a difference between justice and vengeance.

Allowing someone's actions from over 20 years ago to spark such rage and hatred just seems to me like giving that person a generous donation of even more influence and power over one; it is a poison that prevents forward movement, a psychological and emotional own goal that strips one of rationality and humanity. If one considers Thatcher to be a demon, then how is displaying demonic behavior yourself any improvement rather than a degradation of your own soul ?

Yes, I can understand why you think I may have smoked something a little ... unusual ... seeing as I do not talk politics, religion etc on this blog. I am just so dismayed that people - even knitters - take such enjoyment and pleasure out of another person's death. Paulo Coelho puts it in a far more literary way.

And just to reassure you I have not lost my sense of humor really:





 

And with a massive heave, we return to our scheduled programming, hopefully not having caused any burning offence to anyone, as that was not my intention.


So. I'm going to hide out for a while and do some actual Stuff, in Real Life. For instance, getting on with my Spring Green Cardigan, which is nearing completion:

However, I think first I shall make time to distract myself with the creative loveliness available to see at Tami's Amis ....

FO Friday 132: Glee

 So it snowed and was grey all day yesterday; but like magic the sun and blue sky are back today, and you'll be glad to hear that my mood has improved exponentially with it.

Probably this has also been helped by taking photos of the completed Mrs.Tumnus Shawl, made from 4ply yarn hand-dyed especially for me by my friend Mimi:

The pattern was challenging, as it starts with casting on like a squillion stitches (OK, I cast on 449, which is 32 extra, which is the same as a squillion, right ?) and I was worried the short rows would be hassle - but they were an absolute doddle. I used 4.5mm needles throughout; I had 400m of yarn, and I did have the tiniest bit left over ...  8g out of about 100g.

I haven't yet figured out how to photograph this so you can see it at its best .....

On the other hand, the 70s Flower Cushion ? Looks eye-wateringly bright whatever you do with the camera:
 

 But, all the squares are crocheted together and made the right size of big square in the end - yaay for the Gauge/Tension Fairy. The back is just a 70s Granny Square nightmare:

It's crocheted purposefully on the huh to lend it even more visual interest. Uh-huh. Yes, indeed that is the truth.

But the this the best photo, because I think it's the most arty posh one; and I am really pleased with it 11/10:

And I am quite fond of the almost matching heart buttons that I found:

But I am really glad that it's over, and am basking in the hot glow that righteousness, piety and completion of an ooky task bestows on one ....

While I bask, I shall enjoy all the other finished objects at Tami's Amis ....

WIP Wednesday 138: No Bounce

Fenestra Tarot

 Man, sometimes things just feel like you're walking through treacle. 

The extended winter does not help, I am layered up like an Eskimo and still feel cold. I am not loving the project I am working on, but I feel impelled to complete it. Which means that I waste far too much time surfing the interwebz because I don't want to get on with it. And then I feel bad about all that wasted time, because it's not like I've used up that time on something semi-productive like housework. So the house is still messy as well.

Sigh.

But, this is supposed to be a hobby and/or pastime. Therefore, the idea is that it is something I enjoy doing. If I do not enjoy it, I should be able to just dump it in a dark corner somewhere without any qualms.

However, because I am an adult and because my parents endowed me not just with stubbornness but also imbued me with a don't-quit mentality, I now find that I am bogged down in the cushion cover from hell:

I need 16 squares. I have 10 and a bit, so at least I am over the hump.

Then again, this is the closest thing I have to Spring right now in terms of both color and flowers. I am off over to Tami's Amis to surf the works of happy, cheerful people .....

Spring Spree

Housewives Tarot

 Oh my, how time flies !

We made it to the end of term - just. And an odd weekend it was, too - with both snow falling at the coldest Easter for 50 years, the clocks changing to British Summer Time and DH home for all four days  ....

In addition, Belo had the kids on Saturday, for their requested sleepover, and took them to Auntie Fashion's on Sunday in order to OD on Easter chocolate, so we luxuriated in most unusual child-free silence and too many hours of sleep.

But that was after our little foray to Franklins in Colchester; and we had a little venture out to Twist in Woodbridge a couple of weeks ago for their sale: all totally justified as one trip was my Xmas present, and one was for my birthday. You'd think I'd be replete with yarn. But .... no. I am confident we can convert the Mushroom Incident into yarn too ....

My secret birthday present to myself, I bought 800m of this most amazing merino/tencel laceweight in the colorway 'Pumpkin Spice' from the lovely Kirsty at Wharfedale Woolworks; great yarns, great colors, great service. No, it wasn't the first time I've bought from her ....

 

  From our trip to Woodbridge, I managed to snaffle a NDS Dazzling 4ply (55% Blue-Faced Leicester wool, 45% silk) in the colorway 'Apple' from Karen's sale bin; unfortunately the photo on this sunny sunny day does not do it justice - it is a far more lively limey/yellow green.

And oops, look what else accidentally fell into my stash (color chosen by DH) - Schoeller&Stahl Shadow Fortissima Color:

And Franklins in Colchester had Sirdar Softspun DK on sale, so I bought approx 600m of these two colorways, having in mind some kind of end-of-term gift for the kids' teachers:

Faded Jade

Duskie

This was not in the sale, but Mini Diva has requested a shawl in something softer than the Cygnet 4ply I used; so Wendy Happy is a blend of bamboo and acrylic, and was chosen by DH in a blind fondle test as the softest, beating two merino blends:

I am so sorry, I have no more time to sit and chat, there is serious fondling and gloating to be done  ....