I Heart Winter

I've just been having a discussion with a friend of mine, he lives in Australia and it's winter over there and he doesn't like it at all, but I love it!

Even my taxi driver commented on how the nights are drawing in, and I can't help but feel glad. Summer's great, and seemingly everyone elses favourite season, but I'm definately a winter bunny. I guess winter is the best time of year for a knitter to feel the benefit of their hard, but enjoyable work. Though I've adored winter for years before I picked up needles.

Most people will know that here in the U.K we've had an amazing and uncommon amount of sunshine and heat this summer, an I have made the most of it, as long as I was heavily covered in factor 50, plus I'd spent too much money on new clothes, so I've had to wear them. A picnic in a park (sunscreen and sat under a tree), a day trip to Dudley Zoo & Castle, shopping trips, walking around, BBQ's (I've never eaten to much BBQ in my life in such a short space of time), but all of this, even just running errands, has left me tanned, which I cannot stand, I'd rather go for the 'pale and interesting look', though I'm happily not as dark as so many people that I know.

This all adds up to how much I love winter! There's no accidental tanning, there's no unstoppable sweating and I can snuggle up to my cuddly boyfriend without fear of over heating. Believe me, there's nothing worse than not being able to cuddle. There's the added bonus of layering, practical accessories, and knit wear to die for! Cute cabled hats and mittens with sequined snowflake motifs. Then there's snow. I love snow, I never get tired of it, not even earlier last year when we had it for weeks. Every time I stepped outside I got the childish glee of finding a crunchy part no-one else has stepped on. I even built a snowman with my boyfriend. I love the colours of the winter pallet. But, of course, winter means Christmas, which means decorating the tree, and that is my favourite part. Glittering baubles and twinkling lights, wrapped in a duvet watching a Christmas film (I have several on DVD) and drinking hot chocolate.

Nothing beats winter.

CSI Socks

I bought a pattern 'Slip Step Socks' by Eleanor Doyle and adapted it for my own design! Rather risky I think, as it was my first pair of socks, but they've come out well! The only thing I kept from the initial pattern was the heel flap, as I liked that effect.

I adore this wool, it's Tivoli Drift DK shade 247. I've just found out it's discontinued too, booo hiss! It's 4 beautiful shades of green that just work together. On the first foot it came out stripey, but the 2nd sock became a splodge!

The reason they're called C.S.I socks, despite my obsession with the show, is that when I started these socks, I was playing C.S.I Hard Evidence.

Golden Snitch Hat

Yay! This is my first hat! I got the pattern from here: http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/features/crafts/knitting/goldensnitchhat

It's easy enough. I made a couple of alterations, like using 5mm DPN's for the ear flaps, and added tassles (I love tassles!) I can't wait for winter so I can wear this.

This was the first time I've picked up stitches, so it's all educational.

Gryffindor Scarf Bookmark

Yay for this, my first knitting in the round project! Only little but ah well, and it's the first time I've ever tassled anything! As a bookmark it works best with paperbacks. I've started collecting alternate cover art for the Harry Potter books, this Chamber of Secrets is one of them. The pattern is from Charmed Knits, but in all honesty, it is a really simple pattern.

July Update!

Hello all.

I'm currently working on a few projects right now, and I've planned a fair few more.

In Progress

• Stripey Jumper - This is a Christmas present for my boyfriend, designed to suit his tastes.
• Golden Snitch Hat - A pattern I found here: http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/features/crafts/knitting Because I am a Harry Potter Nerd.
• Gryffindor bag - a contest entry on deviantart.com for a knitting group I'm part of.
• Learning to crochet - I can do the foundation chain.....
• Ebay store - Once I have enough designs I shall start selling.

Planned

• A TARDIS plushie.
• Dolls - Perhaps a Dumbledore one.
• Bellossom doll - gotta love those Pokemon.
• Nauticle jumper dress - because it looks cosy.
  

Cherry Brooch

I've knitted this today, I think it's rather cute.
I've learnt i-cord and a different decreasing method today, I'm rather proud.
Pattern :http://fluffandfuzzknitting.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/free-cherries-knitting-pattern-from-fluff-and%C2%A0fuzz/

The Little TARDIS

I thought I'd attempt making a TARDIS from Doctor Who. I intend to make a 4 sided one at some point. Btw this one does have the light at the top, it's just the flash didn't seem to want to show it.
I think I got the perfect blue for it though.