Sock knitting and exchange stitching

I finished my first pair of knitted socks! YAY! I have always been a bit afraid of the idea of knitting a heel so that has been the main reason for not knitting socks. But when I decide it is time to do something I usually do not quit until I am able to do it. So, I managed to do it! And off course it was not nearly as hard as I thought it would be.

Socks for Karítas
Pattern: Basic Child’s Gradiance Sock in Foot Prints by Laura Lough (Ravelry Link)
Yarn: Alpaca Select 4 Ply
Needles: 3mm

And some stitching. Yes, I finally finished a stitching project. I signed up for an exchange in my Icelandic stitching group with a pink theme and figured that the needleroll that I started as a SAL in January would be a great exchange piece. So I finished that one up and sent it along. The pictures are not good at all since it was night time when I was shooting them, and absolutely no natural light to be found anywhere.

Antique Hearts Needleroll – Shepherd’s Bush Kit

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Two SAL updates

Thanks everyone for the comments and e-mails of support about me stitching more! You guys are amazing!
I started a SAL with Carolyn after my latest post. We are stitching ‘Antique Hearts Needleroll’ by Shepherd’s Bush. Here is my progress.

Antique Hearts Needleroll – Shepherd’s Bush

As you may have noticed, I got the wrong lace in my kit. It was supposed to be wider and with hearts on it, but mine was slim and had flowers on it. I don’t mind really, it will just make mine unique 🙂

I am also stitching a small monthly SAL that I started up in my Icelandic stitching group. The group has not been very active lately, and this is an attempt to keep both myself, and other stitchers busy and their needles flying. The rules are pretty simple, it is a monthly SAL, the design has to be relatively small and available as a freebie online. Here is my progress of this little project.

Petit Chat by TraLaLa
40ct Raw Linen – 1 over two
Hickory Sticks and Secondhand Rose by Crescent Colours

The pictures are not so good since it is dark most of the time these days and these were taken under my OTT-Lite. The best I could do in these dark filled days really.

Christmas Ornament Exchange

I stitched! Can you believe it? And I really enjoyed it! Like, really, REALLY enjoyed it!
I organized a christmas ornament exchange in my stitching group like I do every year and decided to take part in it myself, just to challenge myself to some stitching. I honestly thought that I would maybe not enjoy it, or even not know how to do it anymore (not really, but still!). I decided on something small, but cute. And this is the outcome.

Fabric: 28ct Reflections from Silkweaver
Pattern: Snow Faces by Just Nan
Threads: DMC
Beads: Mill Hill

Cute isn’t it?

I have spent some time going through my blog the past few days. Man, I have really done a lot of stitching. And most of it is pretty damn amazing even if I do say so myself. I miss it. I figured that out while knitting this little thing. So, I am going to stitch at least a little each week (maybe just for a day or something) in 2011. I have SO MUCH STASH! It is heartbreaking to just watch it collect dust in my stash cabinet. I realize that I have to go through it and sort out what I know I will never stitch, but I haven’t had the time or the heart to do so as of yet. I will though, but only after I figure out more about what I want to finish and what not. I looked over this list that I made in September 2008 and most of these projects are still something I want to do. Do you have a project on that list and would fancy a SAL? We could dedicate one day a week to it and post pictures and encourage each other on. Please let me know, I know I need some encouragement at least!

I am not giving up on knitting at all, I would just like to do some stitching also! I really, really do miss it!

Heart Exchange

Finally, I was able to give the Heart Exchange to Björg. I was supposed to deliver about a month ago but Karítas got sick, then I got sick, then work was busy, then Björg was out of town etc. My parents were going to her house for dinner last night (Björg is my dad’s sister) so I seized the chance and asked my mom to deliver it to her for me. Word of mouth says she loved it, so now I can happily share pictures.

Pattern: ‘Heart Stitcher’ freebie from A mon ami Pierre
Fabric 32ct white Lugana
Thread: NN

I really like how it turned out. And yes, I can still stitch, haha! I have been fondling some of my stitching stash recently and I do miss it, but there is something that is keeping me away, not sure what. Oh well, I am sure the bug will bite me again pretty soon! It is not like the stash is going anywhere really, and I am quite happy knitting at the moment.

Speaking of knitting, I am knitting wool sweater (lopapeysa) for my cousin Bjarki. I have just attached the sleeves to the body and will be working on the chest pattern today. Getting very close to getting it done! I got many, many other projects lined up so I better get to it. Stitch Markers are selling pretty well, least through etsy though. I have sold some at work, my mom at her office, some in Denmark and yet others through Facebook. I made a whole bunch last night and posted them on the Little Lillies and Roses page on Facebook. Become a fan if you want 🙂

Heart Exchange – From Rósa

I got my Heart Exchange today when I went to lunch at Rósa’s house. This is a part of a Heart Exchange that we started in our Icelandic stitching group. I was speachless when she handed me this beautiful bright red heart shaped wood box. Beautiful! And when I opened it, I saw the beautiful extras she included!

I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. Thank you my darling Rósa!

Öskudagur and weekend knitting

I have been sick since Friday. I am feeling a lot better but still have a slight fever. Hopefully this is the last day with a fever since I have a very busy week ahead of me at work. So I have been staying home, watching movies and Seinfeld. Oh, how I love Seinfeld.

I have been working on a shawl for myself that I am absolutely in love with. I bough the yarn (Noro Kureyon Sock) while I was in England over Christmas and knew instantly that it would become a shawl. And when I saw the simple design that is the Boneyard Shawl I decided to make that my first knitted shawl. It is very simple and plain, just like I had imagined. The yarn really does the design, makes it look very pretty. I love the colour variation of this yarn, it reminds me of the traditional Icelandic sheep colours.

Boneyard Shawl by Stephen West
Yarn: Noro Kureyon Sock S149
Needles: 4mm

I have also been working on a Lopapeysa for my daughter Sumarrós. That one is coming together great. I am mixing and matching several Lopi designs to fit her wishes. I can’t wait to start the pattern for the chest piece.

Pattern is a mix of several Lopi designs. I will list them once the sweater is finished. Yarn is Létt Lopi from Ístex.

I am also working on a stitching project that is getting very close to being finished. Pictures of that later this week as it is for an exchange that is due tomorrow.

And this last week was Öskudagur, which is basically our Halloween of sorts. The kids dress up in costumes and go out to stores and sing for candy. Sumarrós decided to be a Disco Queen and Karítas was a princess, off course.

WIP updates, new yarn and more.

So, first up is the WIP picture of my Necessities Sampler by Little House Needleworks. Started Saturday November 15th in the cabin with the girls. I am changing the blues to reds since red is much more my colour than blue. Pardon the wrinkles, I am stitching it in hand and will not press it until it is finished.

Necessities Sampler by LHN
Fabric: 40ct Antique White Newcastle Linen
Threads: DMC

First half of Baggy Bolero that is being knitted for myself. Working in the second half right now and am almost to the last increasing.

Pattern: Baggy Bolero found here
Yarn: 1 strand Einband in black and one strand Plötulopi in dark purple

Last night my friend Guðbjörg came over with bags full of delicious yarns that she was selling for a friend of ours. I bought the following.

Schoppel Wolle: 420m = 100gr – 25% Nylon 75% wool. Out if it I am going to knit this scarf, featured in Lopi 29.

Posh Yarn – Impress: Elinor, superwash pure merino sock yarn. 400 yds / 100 gr.

I am going to knit a shawl out of these two delicious hanks of wool. I have not decided on a shawl yet, but am browsing Ravelry like a crazy person these days for some inspiration and ideas. Have my eyes on a few, but nothing has been decided yet. Besides, I can’t start a shawl until after Christmas sometime.