FO Friday- Slippers

I have a new plan for choosing projects. For a few months I am going to try to pick small projects that use stash yarn and can be made during weekends. This should help clear up the odd balls and scraps and means I don't get distracted by wanting to knit when I should be working during the week.

The first project to get this treatment was a WIP. I bought some Regia slipper soles and had started to use the free pattern that came with them to make slippers. I was using two lots of handspun from the tour de fleece. Baby alpaca and a beautiful alpaca/merino blend from the Wonder Why Gal.

They were coming out a funny shape and I was going to run out of yarn so I frogged the alpaca blend section and restarted the foot using some Debbie Bliss chunky cashmerino from my stash. Instead of following the Regia pattern I worked a basic short row heel sock with a ribbed top to the foot.

I think I need to look at a photo or video tutorial for short row heels the next time I do them, they come out ok, but I think there is something a little odd, maybe I am twisting some of the stitches or getting the wraps wrong.

Sewing the soles on is not the easiest task. The first one I put on and sewed while I was wearing it. This requires rather more yoga style moves than I am really capable of so I had to take it off to finish it. The second one was not so bad, I pinned it all the way round using dressmaking pins while I was wearing it, then took it off to sew. 

I think I would have been a little happier with slightly longer cuffs. If I was redoing them I would work toe up to use all the blue yarn, then finish off with the handspun on the cuff.

Mmmmm, cosy. Because the only thing better than wearing a pair of handknit socks is finding a way to wear two pairs at once.

I have been wearing these every evening since I finished them. They are super cosy and the ribbing holds them nicely in place. The soles felt a little narrow when I first wore them, but they seem to have settled in and are a good fit. I may be making some of these for Christmas this year (see, planning early!)

FO Friday- Must make sweater

That's right, I have finished an actual full sized adult garment, something considerably bigger than socks, although if I am being honest it probably has fewer stitches than a pair of socks.

Last year I deicded I needed to knit something big, a sweater or cardi type thing. Being a lazy knitter I found some chunky yarn so it would knit quickly. I tried Lia by Mandie Harrington but although I think it loooks great in the pictures the ribbing did not do flattering things, it was frogged and I eventually found this: 

Pattern: Moshup by Norah Gaughan

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Chasmerino chunky

Needles: Can't remember, really must be better at writing these things down, 6mm I think

Mods: worked back and shoulders, then fronts, attached front to back and worked sleeves in the round. Three rows of garter stitch at base of back. Sleeve length altered to "when one ball runs out its done".

It has been a FO for a while and should have been done even sooner but I dragged my feet about sewing in the ends (suprise suprise!).

I absolutely love it, the pattern is very simple and works up quickly because of the chunky yarn. I in no way made the correct gauge so it is a tiny bit fudged but fortunately it all worked out. The only thing I would like is a little more length in the body, but that is just personal preference. I have not quite worked out how to do that. The back would be easy, just keep knitting down, but more increases/rows on the front would mean more on the raglan shaping and lead to a wider back, more thinking needed here as I would consider making the pattern again.

It took (I think, again with the need to wirte stuff down) about 8 balls, which is not bad for a big cosy jumper, I have enough left to make something else, but I am not sure what, super squashy mittens perhaps, or a hat, but as previously mentioned all hats make me look ill.

I should have crossed the fronts over more for the photos, since it is a wrap around that gives it more shape and makes me looks less *ahem "fluffy".

The yarn is gorgeous, super soft and a beautiful colour. I am a tiny bit worried about it pilling and fluffing, but so far it is ok. I bought it from a Ravelry destash (which is how I could afford a sweater quantity) so can't comment on the price.

I was not sure about the detailing on the back, but it looked a lot better once it was blocked and flattened out (before it looked like I had made a flap to accomodate a tail, I do not have a tail).

Last week I read a FO post with a dancing picture, it made me smile, so here is me dancing because I totally love my new cardigan.

There are likely to be more cardigans in the future, although they may have to wait until the year of socks is over.

I will try to find something interesting to tell you all next week so it is not all FO and Year of Project posts.