socks done, sleeves done ... eyes done....

yes chosen (I think), award received, and a note to myself to think of which of the many fellow knit bloggers to nominate, Owl sleeves grow, and the body needs to ... the bags continue to sprout/proliferate/develop, and socks are done with no late nights as payment.

Hello, its Sunday early evening, and I feel like I've just stopped to sit and sup a cuppa tea, its been one of those weekends, you know when you run from one to the next thing, with not much space between anything. There have been so many little things to do and sort and get done ... including knitting. I've finished BSB (Blue Sky Baby), completed two sleeves at once, returned to knit more length into the body, and made a new bag ... and then there is an award (shucks).

First up, Owls, I've finished the sleeves, and tried on the body and decided that the body need a few more inches, 1.5 to be precise to be a good fit on me, so tonight I will set aside the sleeves and work a little more on the body. Which means that in the near future I will have to decide how many Owls, and where they go on the yoke ... cause I'm only inspired by Kate's Owls, and since I'm not knitting the pattern as written, I get to play with things like the ribbing(add cables) and the steeking (cut it up) and the number and type of Owls ...


Then there are the Owls eyes, I could leave them blind ..... or


I had bought these buttons from from a work-mate, who was shutting up her commercial fashion studio and selling off odd stock ... But these buttons gave my Owls huge eyes. I'm worried if I use them I will end up with a row of circles around my yoke as the button eyes might dominate over the cable Owls so ....



a good friend in California sent me these, toy eyes of a size to fit ... very realistic ... with a promise of more, and then ....


and then I found these, 6mm black buttons online at Trademe (I was cheeky and asked the seller if she had black, and she did, we negotiated a price thru the comments, I hit buy now and they were sent very promptly).... which seem the best option bet so far. I've almost decided the front closure will be a snap finish, sliver snaps on a black twill tape set into the steek ... not a zip ... almost but decision not finalized yet. I know I promised photos .. and the tape is in the bottom of my hand bag (its not manage to find a way to a more suitable storage place yet), but ... well I have not had time. Next time?

I've also been working on a project bag for lace, not a bag to take out to knit night, but a bag to store a lace project in that keeps it from getting tangled with other projects. And something more akin to lace than a plastic ziploc, something of a finish and quality to suit lace. So far I have a compartment for the yarn, a section for the lace (or other knitted thing) and a little upside down pocket to tuck the needles into. My idea is each project needs its own bag, and in a knitters basket several projects can all be kept tidy and neat and untangled in separate pretty project bags. I'll keep you posted on how this develops ... as its off to a lace knitter for testing tomorrow. I don't consider my self a propper lace knitter. I know there will be a few more prototypes ... I still have no idea where or why this bag thing is going, but its fun to tag along with my mind as it works over bag construction problems and solutions.


And socks, I finished Blue Sky Baby on Friday morning, Ravlery tells me two other knitters finished earlier .. so I'm happy with an official third place ... not that I was racing or anything you understand.... just so we are clear about that, no speed knitting or staying up late past bedtimes or other heroic acts of knitting were taking place at this house. No Sireee, not by this knitter (this time any way).

and awards, OM-gosh, Jocelyn nominated me, which is amazing (thank you), and I'm just in awe of all the really good bloggers out there .. so I'm going to take my while and think hard and deep about the bloggers to pass this on to.

Monday looms, Friday was our 21st Wedding anniversary, I'm not skiting, as I'm not exactly sure why we lasted so long and others didn't. I suspect we are a little more stubborn (I'll be dammed if I'll give up this person/family), and a little more easy than many others. V-day brought me a new book, Icelandic Knitting - Using Rose Designs by Helene Magnusson. What a bear! That is probably why we are still together, I got him a darkroom safe digital timer - maybe I answered my own question. We are together because we both know its not about gifts of roses and red knickers, but knowing its the knitting history books and darkroom equipment that suits better. Chocolate-dark in or out of the shape of hearts ... now that is a whole different story. Saturday was market festival day, and of course Valentines (I got one - blush - online- blush blush- not bear, blush, blush. blush), today brought a sewing session with a fellow spinner-knitter, and Toby had a friend over ... will you excuse me while I go and play Mum with two cubs and tuck them into bed ready for school tomorrow?

na Stella