Project the third: Zip & Zing

Seeing that the last two projects were for gifting to other people (my offspring included). I, and the remaining chill in the air, have decided that I should benefit from my knitterly skills this time around.  So last night, after spending a lovely while poring over (a fraction) of my knitting magazines, I decided to cast on for Zip & Zing.

Simply Knitting Issue 68 Summer 2010

It’s a teen knit, but the sizes go from 8 years to size 14. A pretty unusal size range to be sure. It’s a nicely straightforward knit with very little shaping.

Zip & Zing by Ruth Maddock

As usual, as those of you who have read my blog for a while will know, my take on Zip & Zing is unlikely to look anything like the garment pictured above.

My take on Zip & Zing

The pattern suggests Stylecraft Sirrocco & I’m using a mix of  Patons Smoothie in the red colourway & Stylecraft Life in a colourway called Berries.

So far so good, apart from Smoothies usual splittiness. This minor irksome feature of this yarn is more than made up for with its crisp stitch definition and beautiful handle (i.e. it’s heavenly to touch).

Now, I’m going to get back to knitting my hoodie.

Happy crafting folks!

 

A Pause in Motoring Leads To…..

…..a resumption of my latest work-in-progress.

Funny, how the two activities seem mutually exclusive at this point.

Cranberry Mixtures Front & Back

 

Spring & Cranberry Mixtures

The weather is absolutely beautiful today.

I loved the quality of the light streaming in through the windows.

Walking the dog was a lovely chore this morning.

Spring

I spent most of the day admiring the wonderful day from inside as I decided that since Spring is most definitely in the air, that carrying out the cleaning named for this season would be appropriate.

I know that many would be horrified by the prospect of staying indoors on such a lovely day if they had the opportunity to spend hours out enjoying it. If I had to stay inside I’d probably feel the same. Today, however, I was glad to stay inside and put my free time to use by reclaiming my living space. Exams are time sucks and my poor home was definitely showing the effects of my diverted time and attention. Heck, I was feeling the effects of my exam focused attention.

Pretty Peppers

Now that my living space has been reclaimed and my yarn is cosily stored in its own corner I can set my sights on my next project. I emphasise the ‘my’ in that sentence. Like many knitters, most of my projects are intended for recipients other than me. I’m definitely feeling in need of more ‘me’ focused time right now so…..

V-Neck Sweater by Sirdar

Such an original name for a pattern :insert dripping sarcasm here:

It’s from June 2010′s Knitting magazine, Issue 77.

Knitting June 2010 Issue 77

Not unusually, I’ll not be using the suggested yarn. Although, instead of being a natural offshoot of my innately rebellious nature, this substitution is the result of the suggested yarn not being available locally. This is a rather irksomely common occurance (that’s a vent for another post).

So, this is the substitute.

Life Chunky by Stylecraft Shade 2319 "Cranberry Mixtures" Dye Lot 40416