Socks & More Shawl Photos

As you might have gathered from my WIP post on Wednesday, where I showed you newly cast on socks, I have finished my Kaffe Fassett Socks.

I have mixed feelings about these socks.  In this picture they look great.  The striping matches, the ribbing is neat and they have a good length with a nice stretchy cast off.  I should love them, but when I put them on, they have a problem.

They have a baggy heel.  I think I need to shorten the heel by a few rows.  I'm hoping that when they have been washed and worn a few times the problem will be resolved by softening the seam which pulls the heel a bit wonky.  When the sock is pulled tight, it looks so different.

I do hope it works when it's been washed because I love these socks.

By the way, the nice neat ribbing is created by changing to combination knitting.  I love how tidy it looks.  I highly recommend giving it a go, as it is also really improving the way my Maplewing Shawl looks.  There is such even tension between the knit and the purl rows, I can't quite believe it.

So now the socks are dealt with, I can share the pretty shawl photos I took of my Blog Week Shawl before I posted it off.

Look at all the pretty stripes you all helped make!

After blocking, the shawl has really lovely drape.  Knitting 4 ply yarn, on larger needles, in garter stitch, creates a lovely loose yet bouncy fabric.

I'm really pleased with the finished size, after blocking.  I think the length is right for most women of average height.  I am ashamed to say that I didn't take finished measurements after blocking, because I am an idiot.  However, estimating by looking at this photo, the height of the shawl is about 26"-27".  I haven't a clue about the width, but it wraps round me nicely, and I am quite an ample lady.

I really am proud of how this shawl worked out.  I think it is an accessory that can be used throughout the year, because of it's light weight, and it's muted but varied colouring.  I am fairly sure that Cyprienne will enjoy wearing it.  (And if she doesn't she can send it back LOL)

To look at other finished objects, click on a button!

Hot Weather Knitting

I can't believe it is still hot here in through UK. We are not equipped for it! I continue to love it though.

I can't bring myself to sit at my pc as it is in the warmest room in the house.  This means my usual Internet use is much reduced. I have, however, been knitting like a demon. Maybe it's time to update you on my latest shawl obsession, Maplewing by Anne Hanson.  I have to confess, as the pc is in a very hot room, these photos are taken on my phone, so I apologise for the poor quality.

I have been obsessed with this shawl. It's a really lovely pattern that is fairly simple to keep straight.

I have, thankfully, reached the first decrease row. I'm knitting this shawl while watching the French Open Tennis Tournament. When the match gets really gripping I knit socks! This has meant finishing my Kaffe Fassett socks and casting on some Erika Knight Socks.

I'm sorry this is so short and sweet.  It's too hot to be worrying about blog posts!  Click on the button to see the projects of other people who aren't passing out with extreme weather.

Blog Week Shawl Winner!

I said that when I finished the Blog Week Shawl I would announce the winner of said completed shawl.  Well I can reveal that the shawl is currently being blocked outside and will be dry in a matter of hours!

This photo shows why it is easier to block this shawl outside, than try to make it fit indoors!  It also reveals why I haven't been online much this week.  This photo was taken at 10am!  Look how glorious our weather is!  This week has been wonderfully warm.  It is estimated that today the temperatures will reach 25°C or 77°F.  You would understand how unusual this is, if you knew that our average temperature for May is around 16°C or 60°F.  We normally only get these kinds of temperatures in the height of Summer, if we are lucky.  We have had temperatures like this all week.  I have been enjoying them, as has my cat.

My pain levels are much reduced in warmer weather.   This has meant I've been able to go out TWICE this week.  I'm hoping as the weather is set to continue until Sunday I may be able to go out somewhere over the weekend, or even have friends over!  I feel like I'm on holiday in the Mediterranean.  All this activity has left little time for blogging or knitting.

The warmer weather has reduced my compulsion to knit, but it has meant I have been outside with my camera taking photos of our woodland glade of garden.

I love aquilegias.  These grow underneath our apple tree.  I want yarn in this colourway! 

No overgrown UK garden is complete without dandelions and their seed heads!

These are the flowers we have hiding underneath our lilac tree.  The white flower is from one of the only shrubs we have planted in our 8 years of being in this house.  I think it's some kind of verbena plant.  It's survived well considering our neglect.  I do love our garden and I wish I was able to work on it, because with the right care it could be glorious, but instead, it is simply appealing.

So enough of our garden, and back to what you are really interested in - who won the Blog Week Shawl?

There were 68 people who left comments, I didn't get to use all of the numbers left in making the shawl, but everyone was included in the draw.   The number chosen by the True Random Number Generator was 37.  The 37th person to leave their number was Cyprienne Zed, who is in Maryland, USA and chose colour number 4!  I have emailed Cyprienne to let her know she's won and I will hopefully get the finished shawl out to her in the next week.

Thank you so much to everyone who took part in this experiment.  I think the finished shawl looks great and I hope that Cyprienne enjoys wearing it too.

To see some properly finished projects, click on the button!