Mishka the Bear

 I love a small knitted bear, so when I found the pattern for Mishka the Bear, I knew I had to have a go, and thought he'd make a lovely gift too.

But although he's come out well, the whole project was a fight. Maybe my wool wasn't a good match for the project?  But trying to knit in the round with only 4 stitches in a fluffy wool was a challenge that I ended up giving up on and his arms and feet were knitted flat.

I think he came out smaller than expected, so then I had to downsize his jumper a bit and use tiny needles, I still think it's too big, but I guess it's cosy.

 

So all in all the project took a lot longer than I thought it would and a lot more swearing too.  I'm glad to have finished it and as I said I think he's come out well, but I don't think I'll be attempting this one again.

Glass Drop Necklaces

 

 Before Christmas I attended a Making Glass Beads workshop which I really enjoyed.  But as part of the learning process I also made lots of glass drops.  These were beautiful too.

But what to do with them?  I didn't just want to put them away somewhere to forget about.

 

Then the tutor Sarah, told us that she gives them a little silver top which you can then use to hang them - making a necklace or earings, or even an ornament. 

 

So this is what I did.  As I didn't have any chains, I then used paper string to make slipknot necklaces.  Keeping one for myself I then gifted some of the others.  I think they went down well.

I love them with a little sunlight on them.  So pretty.

Easy Crochet Cardigan

 So I saw this free pattern ages ago and wanted to have a go.  It looked so straight forward but kinda cool.  So I made it this Christmas for my mum, using a really dark purple chunky wool.

But I really should know by now that free patterns never have enough detail in them to do a good job.  For instance this is a crochet pattern but it didn't say if it was using UK or US terms.

Also the sizing - hooks and wool were pretty vague.  It would have been more helpful to know what the end material should be like.  In the end I had to buy more wool than expected and it was very thick, which means it doesn't have quite the drap I was hopping for.  In reality I should have used a bigger hook size (then I probably wouldn't have needed more wool), but there was no guidance on sizing other than the final size to make the cardigan.  

 

So I gifted it as a cardigan, but with instructions to cut the sleeves if it didn't fit or feel good and turn it into a blanket, something I think it would do really nicely.  (this is what she ended up doing.)

I do really like the texture of the material.  By crocheting into the back of the stitch rather than the front as I would normally, I've ended up with this sort of ribbing which is a nice detail.

It took ages to make.  I think I need to be more discerning about the projects I take on.  I really don't have time to spend on things like this - there are so many possibilies out there, of course there will always be things that don't go to plan - that's how we learn.  But maybe stick to more trusted sources in the future. 

The Sky Blanket - December

 

After a year of knitting, the sky blanket is finally finished!

To keep it's shape I finished the squares on 26th December, then spent the last couple of days giving the blanket a crochet boarder.  This helped me tidy up a little bit of left over wool and make the blanket look a bit more finished.

 

I can't believe it's finished.  It's been one of my longest projects I think.  I'm pleased to have completed it and within the year too, but I'm also glad it is finally finished.  What a year!

• 360 squares
• 154cm wide by 170cm long (apparently thats 2.61m2)
  
• 5 rainbows
• Weighs 5lbs
• 19 balls of wool 
• 1 year