Ceramics

Going to veer away from knitting for this one. For the last few years I've been going to a ceramics class every Tuesday morning with my mum-in-law at Brushstrokes ceramics at Waltham Windmill near Grimsby.

Thought I'd share with you a few of the projects that turned out well.

First is the Christmas present that I made for Jim; he has a huge shed out in the garden which he near enough lives in, (which presumably most men do!). So I thought I'd make him a name plaque for it. It was a lot of fun because normally we just stain or glaze the pots but I made it all mushrooms and leaves etc from clay myself. The glazing turned out well too (it can be a little temperamental; you don't often know what it will look like until after it has come out of the kiln).

I've also been doing a few plates with my own artwork on the first was an Islamic inspired plate that is glazed:

Since I was 18 I have also been to a local botanical watercolour painting class (slipped a bit recently - oh well) though I still do a bit at home. So I thought I'd paint a plate covered in clematis; found it a bit odd using acrylics instead of the usual watercolours but I think it turned out well:

I have quite a few clematis in the garden; it's such a beautiful versatile plant, this is photo of one my sister-in-law bought which is flowering this week.

Entrelac Shawl

Also finished the entrelac shawl so I can wear it at the Proms at Calke Abbey in August. Thought it would be nice and warm to wear on a summer night. Really love how it has turned out; even though I can't block it I don't really mind as it gives it a 3D shape so it looks like it is woven. Plus it is definitely big enough without blocking.

Absolutely adore the tassel on the bottom, it really finishes it off well. The wool has worked out well too; the changes in colour have ended up looking random and well balanced. Don't think it would have turned out that way if I had tried to change the colours intentionally.

Cathedral Window Wedding Gift

Finally finished; I've been planning a Wedding present to give to my oldest friend. I've known him since Primary School and unbelieveably we've kept in touch over the years.

He's getting married on Saturday and my husband is one of the ushers. Hopefully it will be nice weather because they are having a marquee reception. Their colour theme is chocolate brown and gold so I've used those colours to make them a cushion.

It contains lots of silks to make it look sumptuous; I purchased most of the silk from The Silk Route who do a lot of coloured packs, which are perfect for Cathedral Windows.

I had most of it finished early on; then just had to hand stitch all the windows in and the border on. When I came to put the back on my sewing machine decided to go poof!! With two weeks to go - aaahhh! Got it to the repair centre quick and it's all sorted now and finally able to finish the cushion; which I absolutely love (quite like to keep it myself - but I won't).

p.s. The wedding was lovely; a little rain at the beginning and the bride looked absolutely stunning. Seemed to have a little of a 50s theme; the bridesmaids had seamed stockings and lace gloves. Waiting to hear after the honeymoon what they thought of the cushion.

Noro Swallowtail

Made my first triangular shawl - using the Swallowtail pattern by Evelyn Clark; the pattern can be found here. I bought a skein of Noro Kureyon Sock from Tricot in Scunthorpe.

Originally I was going to make a pair of socks; then realised it was hand wash only, which would have meant the socks would not have been worn very much. So I thought I'd make something that would show off the colours better, it was a choice between the Swiss Cheese scarf and Swallowtail shawl.

The Swallowtail seemed to be more interesting to make. Was really quick and didn't realise until I started to knit how a triangular shawl is made; for some reason I had assumed you start at the pointy end!

Anyway about a week later; voila my very own Swallowtail.

Entrelac Progess

My husband bought me Scarf Style by Pam Allen for my birthday. Really loved the Lady Eleanor Entrelac Stole but the yarn suggested would end up costing me and absolute fortune. For it to work well it really needed to change colour throughout; Noro was an obvious choice but again it would end up being very expensive. I noticed a few people on Ravelry used James C. Brett Marble and they looked really pretty. I found the Marble in my local haberdashery store and for 6 100g balls it was only £9 which is approximately $13.

My first attempt at entrelac has turned out to be very enjoyable. It is really easy to do; all you need to know is how to knit, purl, pick up stitches and in the odd triangles at the edges know simple increases and decreases. It is really satisfying to see the woven effect grow. Quite a few people on Ravelry seem to have missed the knotted fringe off but to me it looks a lot more elegant with it. The photo is of my progress so far.

Myrtle Leaf Lace Shawl

Finished the shawl and I am so pleased with it. The Heirloom Merino Lace blocked beautifully and the shawl actually feels like air; and it's so soft.

I have plenty of time to spare before my sister-in-law's birthday too. It was quite and easy knit too though slightly problematic when I dropped a stitch as the lace pattern is on both the right side and the wrong side of the knitting which made it tricky to pick up lost stitches. The border was a lot easier to do than I thought it would be.

Loved the wool so much I think I'll make something else. Heirloom Knitting seem to have introduced a few more colours this week in their range. I was thinking of buying the violet and making the South Seas Stole by Laura Patterson. The pattern seems to change throughout so thought it could be a quite interesting make.

Honeycomb Socks

Honeycomb Socks

Finished my Honeycomb Socks; made from Anne Campbell's Circle Sock pattern from Ravelry. I really love the finished effect. I made them for my Mum using the Kaffe Fassett Regia sock wool.
Absolutely love the wool the colours are just fantastic.

I really like the effect of the 3D circles on the socks too. They weren't difficult to knit at all. Basically it was just knit and purl with a few slipped stitches to make the circles.

Mum loves them and they fit really well. Took a bit of adjusting to get the stripes to marry up; don't think they were perfectly matched but close enough.

Myrtle Leaf Beginnings

Started the Myrtle Leaf Shawl from the Victorian Lace Today. Took a few froggings to get on track. Had big metal needles to start with and the stitches kept falling off. Got some gorgeous Knit Pick circular needles from Get Knitted and seem to be getting on a lot better know.

I've done a 4 repeats of the pattern and I'm starting to see how it works and whether I've made a mistake or not (which helps to prevent the frogging?).

The Heirloom Merino seems to suit the pattern quite well. Looking at the yarn used in book it seems to be near enough identical in size. It's really soft and I like the fact that there are plenty of colours to choose from. Not just restricted to black, grey or white.

Heirloom Knitting

The wool from Heirloom Knitting arrived this week. It's really nice. The merino is everso soft. Can't believe how fine the Grey Jamieson & Smith is; should be great for a cobweb weight shawl I have planned.

Victorian Lace Today

Bought Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby. Loved so many of the shawls and scarves. Just had to have a go.

It is a really lovely book. Think the front cover isn't as enticing as it could be; but there is plenty of lovely patterns inside. I'd hesitated about buying because I always think all things Victorian are a little heavy and well "out-dated"! However, the shawl patterns seem (to me) to work with modern clothes. There are one or two patterns I wouldn't make; but it is only one or two there are a good twenty odd that I would like to knit and wear.

Ordered 3 balls of Cranberry red Heirloom Merino to make the myrtle shawl and a 250g cone of 1ply jamieson & Smith Shetland Supreme in grey ( sure I can find something scrumptious to make with it ) - ordered them from Heirloom Knitting which has loads of supplies if you are interested in lace knitting. Just looking forward to getting the wool and seeing what it is like.