Finished Sweater, finished socks, further plans: Update on my year of projects

I decided to join the A Year of Projects Blog-Along on Ravelry >> - you can find details here >>

So here is my update on what I achieved in recent weeks. And there are quite some weeks since I posted my last update >>, this was middle of March!

Finished: My Riyito sweater is done

Finished on March 22: My Riyito sweater from sock yarn

When I last posted, I was working on the sleeve of my Riyito >>, and I finished it a week later - see here >> I quite like it - it could be a tad longer in the front. As it is so wide, there is some "air circulation" at the seams which should idealy not be there. But I neverthless like it, I wore it quite a bit already and I also can highly recommend the pattern book "Short Row Knits" * >> by Carol Feller

Finished: Plain vanilla Opal socks , Business trip knitting part 1

Finished March 29: My plain vanilla socks from Opal Gallery

I was quite advanced with my Opal socks >> made from Opal Illusion self-striping yarn * >> when I last posted. I finished them by the end of March. Those were mainly knit as early-morning knitting, i.e. I knit on them for about 30 minutes each morning after waking up. However, most of the first sock was knitted during my business trip to Bologna middle of March.

Finished: Forest Moon of Endor sock, business trip knitting part 2

Finished April 6: Forest Moon of Endor socks from Buttinette yarn

I also mentioned this in my last update: There was another buisness trip on the horizon beginning of April, via train to Paris this time. I knitted the same pattern in April 2016, when I was last travelling to Paris for the same trade show. So I casted them on>> from the last ball of my Buttinette yarn. To use up that yarn was part of my 6-in-2019-resolutions >>

The pattern looks way more complicated than it is, and it has an alternative heel construction which I quite enjoyed.

However, the reason why those were done in about a week is not such a pleasant one: When I was already sitting in the train that was supposed to take me back, there was an announcement at the Gare de L'Est: Due to a computer problem, no train was going to leave (or come into) the station on that day. You were supposed to "look for an alternative way of transportation" *grrrrr* - thank you very much!!!

So, my colleague and me took the metro to the Gare du Nord and took the Thalys train which goes to Cologne via Brussels. I have never been to Brussels before (well, and still have not been, we just passed the central station...), so why not?

At least I was at home nearly the same day (at 1 a.m the next, to be exact) AND I got a lot of knitting done!

Next sweater in the making: Spring striped shirt from stash yarn

Shortly after separation for front and back: My spring striped shirt from stash yarn

After finishing already two>> pullovers >> in 2019, I really do not want to knit anything else than pullovers - no shawls, no small stuff, just pullovers!

In addition, as both of those sweaters had stripes, I really like stripes at the moment, so why don't make another striped sweater >>?

So I searched my stash and found some more of the Meilenweit comfort sockyarn with bamboo *>> and some of the Aldi yarn I bought beginning of the year >>. I casted on the Spring Striped Shirt >> , a free pattern from Purl Soho and I quite like it so far.

I just separated front and back and I hope I will be able to finish it if not before, than shortly after Easter - we will see.

The weather was pleasantly warm last weekend, so I started the outdoor knitting season last weekend. Winter is back today, it is only 4 degrees celsius, and it snowed in areas of our city which are a bit more elevated...

Starting outdoor knitting season by April 7 2019 with my Spring Striped Shirt 

#Bakerstwine virus and another train incident

There is a virus going around in my local knitting group: Everybody is knitting the Bakerstwine potholders by Rosa P., so I also casted on some >>, using leftover cotton yarn. You use that yarn doubled,which creates a thick, squishy fabric ideal for potholders.

My Bakerstwine potholder, without its lost twin

I casted mine on last Saturday and finished the first one before I drove to knitting group (by tram) yesterday. I casted on the second there and made good progress- I actually knit all what you can see on the photo above during knitting group.

However, I got distracted and by mistake casted on 1 pattern repeat less than for the first one - well, no big deal, I thought... I ran out of the olive green yarn, but this was the second one, and I wanted to use up the yarn anyway, right... ?

Well, I took the tram back and nearly missed the stop I had to get off. When hurrying to get out, I seem to have lost potholder no 1.... So, now I have a single potholder in the making and I have to dive deep into my stash to find some somehow matching yarn to make its twin - I was really furious yesterday!

I think it might be a good idea to wait a little before deciding what to do here.
In addtion, I have to say that I am not totally bitten by the bakerstwine virus - it is a fun pattern, but I do not feel the urge to produce loads of them currently.

Inspiration from knitting group: Additions to my queue

I assume I am not the only one who takes back a lot of inspiration from going to knitting group >> So there have been some additions to my queue from yesterday's trip to Karlsruhe:

Sweater Pattern Magpie Tendency

Cropped sweater from sockyarn: Magpie Tendency 

One of my knitting friends had this pattern by Skeinanigans >> on her needles, a cropped layering sweater to use that precious skein of sockyarn. I am really into cropped sweaters currently, so I plan to do this soon.

Gumdrops shawl by JumperCables

Nice eylet shwal: Gumdrop shawl by JumperCables

Another knitting friend was wearing this shawlette >> and I really like it. Once my shawl knitting mojo is back, I will cast this on.

Wellenreiter: Nice strucured lace pattern

Very nice from self-striping sockyarn: Wellenreiter

A third knitting friend was working on the Wellenreiter scarf >>, using a gradient yarn (Schoppel Zauberball * >>, to be exact) . As already mentioned, I am not into shawl knitting, and I do not really like knitting rectangular scarfs, but I loved the stitch pattern! I would probably not even block it to keep the highly structured, nearly sculptural pattern.

So, this was it from my side - how has your knitting been?
Please let me know in the comments below!

Linked to Auf den Nadeln >> and Stricklust >>

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Finished Shawl, sweater on sleeve island and italian sockknitting: Update on my Year of Projects

I decided to join the A Year of Projects Blog-Along on Ravelry >> - you can find details here >>

So here is my update on what I achieved in recent weeks.

Finished object: My Read Between the Lines shawl

Finished March 2: My Read Between the Lines Shawl

When I posted my last update >>, I just attached the Drops Nord yarn to my RBTL-shawl >> I knit on it mainly as my "sofa knitting and reading" project from then on and was able to finish it after a week by the beginning of March.

I already wore it together with my Breathing Space pullover >> , as planned, and I quite like how it turned out. I especially like the "illusion" part of it, which unfortunately does not show that much when it is worn.

The "illusion knitting" part of my RBTL shawl shows nicely in this photo

On sleeve island: My Riyito sweater

When I last posted, I was shortly below the seperation for the arms for my Riyito sweater. Meanwhile I finished the body and are close to finishing the first sleeve.

Nearly finished: First sleeve on my Riyito sweater

I changed my plans regarding the yarn - I decided not to use the Opal Hundertwasser yarn * >> as originally planned, but a plain brown Drops Fabel from very old stash as I wanted a more neutral colour on the bottom hem.

My Riyito sweater: After some hot steam, the bottom hem lies flat

I was a little concerned after I bound off the main body, as it showed to be very ruffly and curly at the hem. But after a little treatment with a hot iron and a damp cloth, it now lies nice and flat.

I weighed what I have left for the sleeves and will make them in the same stripe/ colour block sequence as the body and see how long they will be in the end. I am currently thinking about doing app. 3/4 or maybe 7/8 sleeves, but we will see how long the yarn will last.

I also already attached the Icord to finish off the neck, using the self-striping yarn and I quite like how it looks. However, it again is more on the wide side, so I hope I will not again have to knit another shawl to cover my neck...

I hope that I will be able to finish this before the end of the month.

Dice roll for Knit 6 in 2019: Project Number 4

By the end of February, the dice rolled again to decide which will be the next project to knit for my "Knit 6 in 2019" >>.

Next in the Knit 6 in 2019 project: Number 4, the Which Way Shawl

It will be number 4, which for me is the "Which Way Shawl" >>. It is a 2 colour shawl which I planned to knit from my handpainted sockyarn. The problem is: I really do NOT want to knit this shawl at the moment!

Just not at the moment, in principle, I still like the pattern. Well, I have until the end of April to knit it before the next project will be diced out, so we will see if my mojo comes back until then or if I will leave it "on the backburner" somehow...

As I started the Riyito sweater early, I could also change numbers 4 and 6...

Business trip knitting needed: Started some plain vanilla socks

I had to travel to Bologna in Italy this week, so I needed a portable project with only one ball of yarn attached to it. So I dug into my self-striping sockyarn stash and started some plain vanilla socks >>, made from the Opal Illusion yarn * >> I got myself for my birthday.

Business trip knitting: Plain Vanilla Socks from Opal Illusion yarn

I did get to shortly after the gusset decreases for the first sock and plan to make this my early-morning-in-bed knitting project for the next weeks.

There is another business trip coming to Paris by train beginning of April, we will see if I will start a new pair of socks by then or will still be working on these.

So, up to you: How was your week, knitting-wise?
What are you planning ?
Please let me know in the comments!

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No finished objects and slow progress:. Update on my year of projects

I decided to join the A Year of Projects Blog-Along on Ravelry >> - you can find details here >>

So here is my update on what I achieved this week :

Slow progress on my Riyito Sweater

Slow progress: My Riyito Sweater in the making

I think I mentioned in last weeks post >>  that I was planning to make my Riyito Sweater >>  my "Early Morning Knitting".  This is what I did, so I knit on it every morning for about 30 minutes.

However, as the rounds are quite long, I only get about 2,5 rows done every day, which is not a lot as you can see. I attached the progress keeper (that little owl) last Monday and I took the photo on Friday morning - not really a lot of progress, but a little...

At least I finished the audiobook I was listening to * >> and moved over to the next one, called "Ein Café To Go in Togo"`>> - quite entertaining so far.

Started a new ball of yarn on my "Read Between the Lines" shawl

Attached a new ball of yarn to my Read Between the Lines Shawl

This shawl is my "knitting on the sofa" project >>  at the moment. I knit on it while reading on my e-book reader (this book, currently *>>) as I can do this without looking.

I finished what I had left of the handpainted red-pink yarn and replaced that with a ball of Drops Nord in a cyclam purple as the contrast yarn.

I made good progress here and I hope that I will be able to finish it by the end of next week. I will then probably start a new pair of socks for "early morning knitting", probably with scrap yarn.

I am eyeing the "ugly duckling socks" >> pattern at the moment, but have not decided yet.

This would mean that the Riyito sweater will graduate from Early mornning project to sofa knitting - but we will see.

In addition, there is the dice roll for the next round of "Knit 6 in 2019" >> next Thursday, so we will see which of my planned projects will be next to cast on.

So, how was your week, knitting-wise?
Any plans for the future?
Please let me know in the comments below!

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Two pairs of socks and a new shawl: Update on my Year of Projects

I decided to join the A Year of Projects Blog-Along on Ravelry >> - you can find details here >>


So here is my update on what I achieved this week and the week before

Finished: My Buttinette socks

Remember my Buttinette socks >> that I started for Early Morning Knitting middle of January? I just started my second sock when I posted my last update >>

Finished my Buttinette socks by Feb. 6

Meanwhile those are finished and I really like them! I added one pattern stripe on each side of foot and leg using the Basket Weave Rib pattern >> and I really like how they turned out! I will probably more using this pattern - it is not all plain vanilla, but not too complicated.

Another pair of socks: Plain vanilla from Opal Safari

Finished: Plain Vanilla socks from Opal Safari in the Simbabwe colourway

So, as I finished those Buttinette socks, I needed a new pair for early morning knitting. I wanted totally plain vanilla, so I chose a ball from my great self-striping Opal sockyarn * >> that I mentioned here >>.

As you can see, those were finished >> very quickly - in 6 days only! But I knit on them not only that half an hour every morning, but also on a 2x 4 hours car trip to my parents 50ties wedding anniversary, so this is why they were done so quickly.

I also changed the audio book for my early morning knitting, I am now listening to "Die Schwester von Mitford Manor"* >> - this is ok, but not as good as the ones I listened to before. 

Good progress on my Riyito Sweater: All plain stockinette from now on

Joined front and back of my Riyito sweater

Though I concentrated on the socks mainly, I made good progress on my Riyito sweater >> : I joined the front and back after the armholes, and it is all plain stockinette in the round for about 25 cm from now on.

As I do not have a pair of socks on the needles, this will probably be my Early Morning project for next week - there is only one ball dangling from it, no thinking required - ideal!

Knitting group with the best chocolate rawsberry cake EVER!

I also took that Riyito sweater with me for our knitting group meeting on Saturday- it was so much fun again! We meet in a local café about once a month on Saturdays and I had the greatest chocolate-rawsberry cake with nuts yesterday - sooooooo yummy! I am normally not so much into chocolate cakes, but this one was just delicious! I absolutely have to google for a similair recipe to make one for myself!

A new shawl on the needles: Read Between the Lines

Illusion knitting: My Read Between the Lines shawl

When vitising my parents, I was wearing my Breathing Space sweater >> and it was a little chilly around the neck. So I decided to use the remaining yarn from that project to make a matching shawl >> 

One of my fellow knitters wore that shawl >>  during another meet up and I really like how that illusion knitting looks. As you can see, this lives in my new project bag which I won >>

I knit on it yesterday during knitting group as well and make good progress. But as the  rows get longer with time and there are two balls attached to it, I think this will change form morning knitting to be my "on the sofa knitting" project.

So, this my progress so far!
How was your knitting week?
Any plans for the future?
Please let me know in the comments below!

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Lots of sockyarn knitting: Update on my Year of Projects

I decided to join the A Year of Projects Blog-Along on Ravelry >> - you can find details here >>


So here is my update on what I achieved this week and the week before

Progress on my Buttinette socks: Started second sock

Casted on number 2 of my Buttinette Socks

I started these 2 weeks ago and only knit on the Buttinette socks >> as my "morning sock", so it took me quite long to finish sock number 1. I meanwhile finished the "Gutshaus"-Audiobook *>> and also the Michele Obama-Book * >> (can highly recommend this!).

I was on a business trip for 2 days last week and I took another project with me for that, so there was a little break. But I hope I will be able to finish them by next week.

Further sockyarn knitting: Footsies for my Mum from the Aldi sockyarn

Remember when I told you that I got weak and bought sockyarn at Aldi >> ? Well, at least I already used a bit of that - yeah! I actually was able to use up app. 60 grams - not for a "real" sock, but for two pairs of "footsies", so a kind of slippers made from normal sockyarn.

Footsies I made for mum back in 2013

I made her the footsies >> back in 2013, and they are meanwhile worn out. So she asked for a new pair to replace them. The pattern is from a German book called "Socken Stricken" by Heidi Grund-Thorpe * >>

She tells you to knit half the foot length plus a little in garter, then work in the round and add a normal toe. I did not take detailed notes on sizing for the old pair, but I somehow had in the back of my mind that I made them way smaller then.

But I knit the first pair exactly as given in the pattern - and they are very generous in sizing >>....

Top: Smaller pair, bottom: first pair - app. 3 cm smaller, unstretched

I took them with me on a business trip to Paris - lots of TGV knitting, even more though the train could not go at maximum speed due to the snow on the rails in Champagne. So when I was back home, I sew them up and tried them on - well, very relaxed fit. My mum's feet are a tiny bit bigger than mine, but not that much.

So I casted on for a second pair, smaller this time - and I like them much better!

Second pair of footsies from Aldi yarn - fit way better!

Further sockyarn knitting: Started my Riyito sweater from sockyarn

You probably remember that I was thinking about an oversized sweater from sockyarn and the Riyito sweater was one of my 6 in 2019 projects >> On that list, I also said I wanted to use all that Buttinette sockyarn. So I thought: Why not combine the two ideas and knit that sweater from sockyarn?

So this is what I did: I chose these balls of yarns below and casted on by end of January.

My yarn choice for the Riyito sweater

I will knit the top yoke (which is formed by short rows, as this is a pattern from the book "Short Row Knits "* >>) in the solid green yarn and will then somehow fade in the other two balls - I do not know how exactly, I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

Not a lot to see yet: The cast-on of my Riyito sweater

So I casted on last Sunday and I really did not get very far. I did not knit on it this week, I prefered the more portable projects.

Guess what: I won something for my Tipsy Toe socks!

In my last Year of Project update >>, I spoke about the Use what you have KAL in the Mrs.Mumpitz Ravelry group >>

I was then only thinking about the purple Buttinette sock, but I than casted on the Tipsy Toe socks from scrap yarn >> When I finished them - relatively quickly, as this is a really fun pattern - I recognized that these would qualify as well: The yarn is in my stash from earlier than 2019 and also is the pattern which I first came across some time last year.

My finished Tipsy Toe socks, made from scraps of Buttinette yarn

So I entered them in the finished objects thread >> , also Mrs. Mumpitz inspired me to knit them in the first place. Well, and guess what....

I am the winner of this great project bag!!!

When I checked my Ravelry when I came back from the business trip on Friday, I found out that I was the winner of this great project bag with knitting sheep on it!

#happydance

The bag is made by Nadelmikado and if you are not a lucky winner like me, you can buy here great bags in her Etsy shop >>

My bag is on its way to me and I can wait to use it!

So, what else happened the last two weeks?

We changed phone and Internet provider which went better than I dared to hope...

Our Internet works ok, and we can also phone other people with our normal phone. The only thing that does not work yet is that our phone receives calls. If I call my line with the mobile, I just get the normal "available" signal, but no bell rings and I cannot take the call from the landline.

So I hope that is a minor problem that can be solved within the next days.

So, how was your week, knitting-wise?
Did you maybe have the same phone problem and what did you do to solve it?
Just leave it in the comments below!
Have a great week!

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The UFO has landed: Update on my Year of Projects

I decided to join the A Year of Projects Blog-Along on Ravelry >> - you can find details here >>


So here is my update on what I achieved this week

First UFO finished: Breathing Space Sweater

Remember that I started to work again on my Breathing Space from sock yarn >> ?, Well that went quite well! Last week, I was halfway through the first sleeve >>

I finished the first sleeve beginning of last week and the second sleeve on Saturday afternoon. We had beautiful sunny (but cold) weather, so I laid it out on our garden table to dry. I wanted to avoid that it stretches when hanging over our living room chairs, as I did with my Cria.

My Breathing Space sweater drying in the winter sun on our garden table

As you might be able to tell (though the photo is a bit blurry, sorry!), this table has a mesh structure, so the air can reach it from all sides, which makes it ideal for drying knitted stuff.

A little closer: My Breathing Space from (mostly) handpainted sockyarn

I really like it so far (though I still have to try it on) and it was fun knitting.
Yes, I gave it a loooong break during summer, but I really like the construction and can well imagine doing another one, but not at once. There is enough fingering weight yarn in my stash for at least 2 more... ;-)

First pair of socks in 2019 finished: The Kaffe Fassett socks

First pair of socks in 2019: Stinos from Regia Kaffe Fassett

As I guessed last week >>, I finished my first pair of socks in 2019>> on Tuesday. I quite like how they turned out, though I still like the fabric I get from slightly smaller needles better.

2nd pair of morning socks in the making from Woll Butt sockyarn

Basket weave rib socks from Woll Butt Taunus

As I finished the socks for my "morning knitting", I had to cast on a new pair. Part of my knitting resolutions >> was to use the Woll Butt yarn I still have in stash form 2017 christmas gift yarn, so I casted that on.

I did not want a totally plain vanilla sock, so I added just 2 ribs each of the Basketweave Rib pattern >>  on each side. I quite like how it turns out so far.
I am about to start the heel for the first sock now.

Sock qualifies for the Use What You Have KAL in the Mumpitz group

When browsing Ravelry, I came across the Use What You Have KAL in the Mumpitz group >> In this KAL, you can enter projects that are made from yarn that was in your stash before January 2019 and with a pattern you have not made before, but which has been in your library from earlier than 2019 as well.

So, that yarn is from 2017 and the pattern has been in my queue for a while and I have not made it before - so that is a win! I guess I will be able to enter quite some projects in there over the year, as part of my resolutions is to do exactly that: Use what I have in patterns and yarn.

I am weak - I bought sockyarn...

This sockyarn attaced me when grocery shopping and wanted to be adopted..

Yeah - speaking of "use what I have".... I was weak and bought two packs of sockyarn when grocery shopping at Aldi on Saturday. There are 4 50 g balls in each package, 2 selfstriping and 2 solids. The solids is a pale lilac (not blue as it shows on the photo) and a pale pink-purple, the selfstripings are in matching colours.

I know - I do not really need sockyarn... but those are so pretty! And you can always knit a nice pair of socks, right? Or maybe another Breathing Space sweater or so...

Still contemplating on what to cast on next

So, as I finished the first UFO of the year, I only have the morning knitting socks left on my needles. I am not sure what to cast on next as my "big" project, i.e. that project I knit when sitting on the couch in the evenings.

I am kind of reluctant to start another sweater sized sweater, so I guess I will start the Tipsy toes sock >> I talked about last week >> using some leftover sockyarn from last year - that will make it qualified for the Mumpitz KAL, yeah!

But I will take my time and enjoy browsing Ravelry for something new to start....

So, over to you: How was your week?
What did you knit?
What do you plan to knit?
Please let me know in the comments below!

Half a sleeve for my Breathing Space: Update on my year of projects

I decided to join the A Year of Projects Blog-Along on Ravelry >> - you can find details here >>


So here is my update on what I achieved this week and the week before (as I did not post an update last week).

Half a sleeve done with my Breathing Space Sweater

Remember that I started to work again on my Breathing Space from sock yarn >> ?, Well that went quite well! I finished the bottom ribbing last sunday .

My Beathing Space sweater after finishing the body part on Jan. 6 2019

And I started knitting on the sleeve also last Sunday. I picked up 81 stitches when the pattern tells me to have only 71, so I decreased 2 stitches every fourth row.

After I already decreased to 67, it came into my mind to look up what stitch count I had with my last version of this pattern >> Turns out it was only 71 stitches and I noted that the sleeves are "on the tight side"....

So I wass a little afraid that mine would be too tight now. On the other hand, I used a cotton yarn with close to no stretch at all for my first version >>, so I was hopefull that the sockyarn I am using now might have a little more stretch.
Well, there is only one possibility to find out if a sleeve is too tight or not: You just try it on!

*sighs with relief* I am really glad that this sleeve is not too tight

 So I did exactly that on Friday, Jan. 11 - and it fits! Not too tight, I would say.
I am making good progress on this as the stripes are kind of addictive...

So my new goal will be to finish the first sleeve and get at least half way with the second sleeve by next Sunday - we will see...

I am already planning my next striped sweater - I really like classical, "marine" style striped sweaters or T-shirts - White with red, White with blue...

I am thinking about an oversized, sligthly cropped sweater, a little similair to the Boxy sweater >>

Or maybe the Wasabi sweater >> from this book from Wendy Bernard * >> which I already own (use what you have, remember?... ;-))

If you have any pattern recommendations, please feel free to leave them in the comments!

Finished my first Regia Sock in "morning routine knitting"

I made good progress on my sock >> from Regia Design Line Kaffe Fassett * >>

I knit on it for app. 30 minutes each morning in bed, while listening to an audiobook, and I really like that!

Currently I am listening to "Das Gutshaus" from Anne Jacobs * >> (sorry, I do not think there is an English translation. It is already part 2 of a series, and I did not read the first part, but that is not a problem.

The book is situated in the Northeast of Germany, on a former noble mansion in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The story takes place in the 1990ies, shortly after the Germen re-unification. This is a historic time which I remember from personal experience - though my experiences of being a college student in the Northwest are totally different from what the Eastern German characters in the book have in their daily life. I am about half way through I really quite like the book, I am already thinking about reading the first book as well.

This is my first book from this author, but she is quite popular here. Her "Tuchvilla"-series * >> is a bestseller in German speaking countries. 

Well, but this blog post is supposed to be about knitting, so:

I finished the first sock and I am now shortly after the heel turn of sock no. 2 

So it is quite likely that I might finish my first sock of the year by next sunday.

Further knitting plans: Tipsy Toes

Well, and what do you do when finishing socks? Casting on the next one!

I recently saw Mrs. Mumpitz version >> of the Tipsy Toe pattern >> She used leftovers for that and I really like this! As I have "produced" some leftovers since last year, I think it would be great to start those...

Great for leftovers: The Tipsy Toe Sock Pattern from Sybilra (free on Ravelry)

Achieved a Year of Projects Goal, just different

One of my year of project goals >> was to use the undyed, rustic brown yarn I had leftover from my Antler cardigan >>

I had the leftovers, 5 full 100g skeins, up for trade on sell on Ravelry >> for nearly a year now and I thought, well, nobody wants them...

Turns out: Somebody wanted them! That somebody lives in the UK, but to save money on shipping, I sent them to Munich where a friend will pick them up for her. So I kind of used these, yeah!

So, how was your week?
Do you have any suggestions for my stripy sweater plans?
Please let me know in the comments!

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First finished object of 2019: Update on my Year of Project

I decided to join the A Year of Projects Blog-Along on Ravelry >> - you can find details here >>

So here is my update on what I achieved this week and the week before (as I did not post an update last week).

Happy New Year to all my readers!

First and foremost:

I wish you a very good start into a healthy, successful and totally wonderful new year 2019!

I hope you had a relaxing holiday period and a good and productive start into the fresh new year of 2019!

First finished objects of the year: My Cria Cardigan

Finished knitting on January 1st: My Cria cardigan

I finished knitting on my Cria cardigan >> on January 1st exactly. Unfortunately, when I washed it, it grew quite a lot, app. 5 cm, in length. Now it is not as cropped as I want it to be. And it could also be a little smaller, it is less fitted as I wanted it to be, especially around the arms.

Nevertheless, I would call this a success: I like the colour, I like the construction a lot and it is definitely wearable, just different than I planned it to be.
I also very much like the buttons which I got from my LYS Wollparadies >>

I really like the seamless saddle-shoulder construction and I can well imagine to make another one, more cropped and less wide then.

Finished my Opal Monet socks and love them!

In my last update >>, I told you that I invested my gift voucher into 5 balls of Opal Monet yarn * >> and how much I love it.

Finished my socks from Opal Claude Monet (colourway Venice)

Well: I finished these socks on December 29 >> and I really love them!
I learned that I am currently in a "plain vanilla sockknitting" mode, I do not want to do any additional pattern to these gorgeous self-striping yarns. It really is a pity that these are too big for me as they are meant to be a gift.

But I will definitely make at least one pair for me as well. I might even be able to use this colourway, I may have to add contrasting heels and toes, but this is fine with me.

Another pair of plain vanilla socks in the making

A fresh pair of socks started at Silvesterstrick in Karstadt Karlsruhe 2018

As I said: It is plain vanilla sockknitting all the way here! When going to our annual "Silvesterstrick" >> knitting meetup, I bought another ball of self-striping sockyarn, i.e. Regia Design Line Kaffe Fasset *>>

My Regia vanilla sock

The event is held in the restaurant of the Karstadt department store in Karlsruhe, and they happen to sell yarn in the basement.... So guess who first went to the basement, bought the yarn, then made another stopover in the ground floor to buy the latest issue of the German version of Vogue Knitting * >> - yes, you got it!

I was too lazy to search for one of my 2,25 mm needles * >> which is what I usually use for sock knitting. The 2,5 mm were still in my project bag, so I took that. However, I like the fabric I get with 2,25 mm much better, so I will definitely use these with my next pair again.

I meanwhile finished my first sock >> and the cuff of the second, so this works quite well so far.

UFO-Finishing Plans:
Re-working on my Breathing Space

Back from hibernation: My Breathing Space Sweater

I decided to join this idea of the Wolliges Geplauder Youtube-Channel >> Jenny rolled the dice for the first time by Dec. 29, and it was number one - which is my "Breathing Space" >> , the only real UFO I have currently.

I casted this on at Easter 2018 and had it abandoned during summer. I am quite confident I will finish this soon, I started the bottom ribbing of the body yesterday. So I hope to be able to finish it by the end of January at the latest

Some yarn purchase - but sock yarn does not count, right?

More sockyarn from my Buttinette voucher

Yes, I still keep up my resolution to not buy yarn, but first use what I have in my stash. Nevertheless, I am a weak human knitter... I got a gift voucher for my birthday from the Buttinette online store which I invested in some Opal yarn >>
It is the "Safari" range * >> and one ball of the "Illusion" range * >>


So, this was it for me for today!

How was your knitting / crafting start into 2019?
Any goals achieved yet?
Please let me know in the comments below!

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