annarella | handmade : beaded stitch markers and original hand knits, london

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sunday, 24 february 2008

I seem to have caught a bad case of finishitis

I could have sworn I was immune to this rarely discuss condition which compels the sufferer to dig out and finish the various UFOs disseminated more or less all around the house. At its most severe stage, finishitis will result in the affected knitter jumping from one project to the next until there will be only one on the go at any one time. I am relieved to report that I've yet to reach this critical stage, so my flat does still contain a befitting amount of WIPs, worthy of any self-respectable knitter. However, I'm proud to report that in the last few months I have completed:

Alex's flappy hat which I gave her for Xmas, merely one year after I'd promised I'd knit her a Peruvian style hat ;)

My mum's Clapotis, which I finally gave to her for Xmas (actually, I just missed Xmas by a few days, so she got it for New Year's), a whopping 14 months after the original deadline. Although I completely forgot to take a picture to show you, so for the time being you'll have to take my word for it, till I get a change to take some shots. I may be biased (no pun intended - ha ha!), but it's come out beautifully! I love it, love it! Hope it gets much wear (Mum, if you're reading this, don't forget that it still needs to be blocked, so it'll grow considerably and will wrap around you even more!). Yep, the unconsiderate daughter that I am, I gave it pre-blocking as I couldn't find a big enough flat surface to block it on.

This has been a love/hate project, I knew it would be gorgeous once done, but boy, did it take forever! I used almost two 250g hanks, and it felt I'd never get to cast off. Am glad (relieved seems to be more fitting) that it's finally completed, but there's no way I'd do it again. A mini one, perhaps, but never again a full sized wrap. I actually wanted to use up as much as I could of my 500g yarn, so I kept going and going, I have no idea how many repeats I ended up doing, but trust me, they were a lot!

A cabled hat in Wendy Fusion for my friend Myriam for Xmas (again, I forgot to take pictures!)

A multidirectional scarf also in Wendy Fusion for my brother for Xmas (guess what? No pics here either!)

A tube hat in Handpaintedyarn.com which is my favourite kind of TV knitting: mindless stocking stitch and a three needle bind off:

Three crocheted scarves also for Xmas, only one of which I managed to photograph:

A beret in Noro Silk Garden, for moi, which I've yet to block, but it does convey the general idea:

A cabled scarf in Handpaintedyarn.com in a mish-mash of forest-y greens not really worth of mention, as I *hate* the colours, but I HAD to finish it, regardless! Ste's claimed it already, so all's well that ends well!

That's not to say I'm all done, I've still got the following WIPs on the needles (sheds a tear):

• Crinkle
• Very berry sweater (sweet Jesus, I can't even remember where this one's hidden!!)
• Flounce trimmed jacket
• Redcurrant zippered sweater
• Electra cardi
• Lipstick cropped cardi
• Crocheted cushion covers
• Wormy hat for pigtails
• Ankle socks
• Forza Napoli scarf [this was meant to be a Xmas (2007!!!) gift!!]
• Making up as you go along beret (train knitting, so this doesn't count!)

Thinking ahead, I'm planning on making something along the lines of this vest using this gorgeous multicoloured Italian mohair for the body and some contrasting yarn for the trimmings:

And dulcis in fundo, a kitty shot which cracks me up :)

Lana in a pillow case

Right, back to knitting, boys + girls xxx

sunday, 24 february 2008

Just a couple more things

• annarella stitch markers are back and there's even a wee bit of a sale going on, not to tempt you or anything, just thought you'd like to know... ;)
• I'm selling some stuff on eBay if you want to have a look

Over and out - spk soon xx