Five on Friday - A Crafty Five

As the evenings draw in, time for crafting increases. The garden pots no longer need watering and as the light fades in the afternoon the knitting needles and crochet hook come out. For some odd reason I have no problem with sewing during the daytime, in fact these days I need daylight to stitch. However, sitting and knitting or crocheting during daylight hours at home seems totally decadent. and downright wrong. Crazy, as knitting on the train or waiting for appointments is fine but if I sit down on the sofa at home to knit, I immediately feel guilty. One of the bonuses of darker evenings means more knitting and crochet time.  

So for Five on Friday with the lovely Amy at Love Made my Home this week here are five crafty projects, some completed and others in progress.

1. Birthday Gift

These bags and notebook were completed for a friend's Birthday. J and I have known each other since school days and have shared knitting and crafting projects through the years. She travels regularly from her home in Cheshire to London and had asked if I could make her a bag for the smaller projects she takes with her on these journeys. I found this great fabric with knitting sheep (we share a love of sheep too!) and thought it would be perfect for the project.

Even the sheep's face was the  perfect size for the covered button on the larger bag.

I am happy to say J was delighted with her gift.

2. Gothic Lace Cowl

This lovely baby alpaca has been sitting in the stash for a while. It was found in the "end of line" basket of a department store and I could not resist the gorgeous, squishy softness of it, not to mention the bright, cheery colour. There were only two skeins left and surprisingly they found there way home with me - does that happen to you or does yarn just leap into my basket? 

There was not really enough yardage for a shawl but I found a cowl pattern Gothic Lace by Tin Can Knits. Rather than being joined or knitted in the round like many cowls it fastens with a row of buttons so can be worn as a collar too. I like adaptable patterns and the lace is a simple 12 row pattern. The alpaca is knitting up beautifully and sooooo lovely and soft to work with. When finished it will go in the Christmas present box - another one ticked off the list.

3. Taggy Blanket

The Taggy blanket started a few weeks ago, mentioned here, is finished and ready for the new arrival next year. The pattern from Kate at Just Pootling is so cute and was a pleasure to make. The rabbit's ears are perfect for chewing. 

4. Shirley Notebooks

The notebook stock has been going down slowly so some time was spent earlier in the week creating a few more Shirley notebooks. A black sheep has joined the flock along with some new red covers. 

5. Christmas Crochet

On Wednesday I met up with a friend for tea and some hooky time. As my current crochet at the moment is small Christmas gifts for our craft group, I could not take them with me. The free magazine gift above has been sitting in the work room for a while so was ideal for our get together. 

The cute stocking pattern turned out well and a string of them would make a lovely garland. I must get back to pressie making though and if there is enough time, a garland may be created. If not this little one can hang on the tree. 

Perhaps if I get over my fad about crocheting/knitting in the daytime it might help! 

   

  

Travel Bag for sock knitting

The sock knitting is making progress all be it very slowly, but there has been lots of crocheting and sewing too.

 I actually managed to turn my first heel last weekend without too many difficulties. I think that was mainly due to Christine Perry's excellent book Super Socks. She takes you through each step with clear pictures at every stage, whether you use a small circular needle, DPNs or a long circular needle. I am using a small circular needle and DPNs and just getting the hang of using the continental method of knitting with the yarn round the left hand. Don't look too closely as my tension leaves a little to be desired but there are no holes, just the odd wobbly stitch.

I love the way sock knitting is so transportable. It is small and light and would easily fit into a bag so great for taking round to my mother's house, waiting for physio appointments or trips to the hospital. The only problem is I use a small handbag, (it is so much easier to deal with when you use crutches) but it is not big enough to squeeze my knitting into.

I have taken it in a larger bag to appointments but the ball of wool has tried, with some success, to escape, which can be rather embarrassing. Scrabbling behind people's chairs in a waiting room tends to causes a bit of chaos, not to mention odd looks.

So there had to be a solution to this problem.

I enjoy making bags so why not a travel bag for sock knitting.

And here it is............

The pattern is a bit like origami with two squares of fabric. A few simple seams and a couple of folds and you have a draw-string bag with a pocket on each side.  The contrasting fabric creates the interior of the side pockets, so there are no raw edges.

Plenty of room for the knitting............ 

................ and pockets for accessories such as stitch markers, and scissors.

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It is big enough to keep the DPNs safe when they are not in use.

Everything is wrapped up neatly and ready for adventures.

 Whilst working on the sock the ball of wool can sit inside the bag to stop it rolling around.

It is working well at home so I am looking forward to testing it out in the wider world.

 It might lead to some sock knitting adventures!