Scarf update

So this was meant to be a quick post to update you on the progress of my scarf. Unfortunately progress has almost ground to a halt as the stitches have got so tight that it is impossible to knit the next row. I think I'm going to do a bit more reading on knitting and then start again on a whole new scarf.

Tonight I have been having a bit of a spring clean of my flat and tidied the living room, kitchen and bathroom I have been epically busy since November last year that a good sort out was long overdue. This didn't leave me much time for crafting but I managed to cram in half an hour or so of creative time before bed.

As the scarf was a complete no go I got out my promarkers. I had printed out some more digi stamps earlier in the evening which I am planning to use to make some cards, some for particular occasions but some for challenges which I am becoming addicted to. I just love making cards for the challenges but also love seeing how other people have interpreted the theme.

I love using my pro markers I find it really relaxing to just sit and colour in the different images. I mainly do animals but am trying to learn how to get skin tones correct so tonight have been working on this cute stamp of a girl with a cupcake. It's still not finished got a bit too tired to concentrate on it, am going to finish that off tomorrow.

Starting the Scarf

So this morning I finally started knitting my scarf. I have chosen a grey wool which I love becuase it varies in shade of grey throughout the wool so hopefully will give a nice effect when I finish the entire scarf.

I am kind of expiermenting as I go with this project, so instead of following any sort of knitting pattern I started by casting on 50 knit stitches. I am then just knitting rows each with 50 stitches not really sure how many rows I will need so just going with the flow.

When knitting I seem to encounter the problem of getting the stitches to tight which makes it difficult to attach the next row, going to have a browse on the internet see if I can find out where I am going wrong and rectify it. In the end got distracted with some shopping and cinema today so only ended up doing three rows but at least it's a start. Im determined to have a new scarf by next christmas!

Scarf so far.....long way to go! 

Stash Storage

As I mentioned in a previous post over the last two months I have amassed a huge amount of stash for a whole range of crafts. I seem to be one of those people that when I take up a hobby I really go for it.

I had been storing all this stash in various ice cream tubs and larger crates as well as just piled up on the floor. This meant it was right faff to find what I was looking for and wasn’t good for keeping things neat tidy and organised.

Most of my stash in some sort of order

Over Christmas I was lucky enough to receive a beautiful sewing box which I have used to store all my embroidery, cross stitch and sewing machine accessories in. This means it is much easier to locate exactly what I am looking for and all the threads are organised by colour and all the needles by size.

I also received a small draw system that included four draws that were all split into little sections. The sections were variable in size because you could move the dividers around to suit what you needed. The top of the draw section also opens up to reveal a large compartment.

Sewing box 

I have used this to store embellishments of varying kinds and some stamping materials. I had amassed a huge amount of sequins, beads, buttons, stickers etc. which I split up into each of the sections.

I also used it to store some of my smaller tools and basic materials including glue spreaders, foam pads, small craft knife, quilling tool and small alphabet stamps. The draws are all see through so I think this will make it much easier to find the particular embellishment or tool I am looking for each craft project.

Over Christmas Dunelm Mill had a sale as well as a further 20% of certain products, I took advantage of this by purchasing a mid size three draw system for only £7.99 which I have used to store larger tools, paper, cardstock and various glues, glitters, stamps and inks. It is completely full with a wide array of products all ready.

I still haven’t managed to store everything I have bought, I have 50 pro markers which are currently in a roses tin which is fine for keeping it tidy but makes things difficult when looking for a particular colour pen. I still have lots of paper which I have stored in a large wooden box and a number of balls of wool which are also in the same box; not to mention the enormous amount of magazines I have purchased over the last 2 months. At first I considered just removing the pages I was interested in and recycling the rest of the magazine but have actually changed my mind and decided to keep all the magazines as I think they will come in handy when looking for inspiration, information and instruction-now just need to figure out how to store them. 

Knitting Part Two

Apologies for the delay in posting, I have been away for xmas and new year without access to the web. Whilst I was away my Nan took the time to attempt to teach me to knit and I seem to have cracked the basics.

I understand how to do the knit stitch fairly well and even managed to give the purl stitch a go. In order to learn I just cast on 20 or so stitches and knitted rows, to start with I used the plastic needles that came with my knitting magazine but after speaking with my Nan she said it would be better to start with some thicker needles. Once I changed to the thicker metal needles I found it considerably easier and seemed to get into a rhythm with the knitting.

Although I found the knitting enjoyable it didn’t seem to be that creative as I was purely knitting the same stitch in the same colour over and over again. I’m sure once I am able to master the many other stitches and learn to decrease, increase and follow patters it will be a more entertaining past time.

It is something I am going to continue to experiment with and try to get better at. I have purchased some chunky grey wool and plan to knit a scarf with it in my spare time when I am looking to have a chill out evening. That seems to be the great thing with knitting it doesn’t take too much concentration and can be done sat in front of a good drama on the television. So hopefully in a month or so I will have a completed scarf to show you so keep your eyes peeled and keep checking up on my blog for regular updates on scarf progress. 

Learning to Knit

Tonight I have been trying to learn to knit, I think my grandma tried to teach me when I was little but I never got the hang of it. Im hoping now that I am a lot older I will be able to master it.

I have been looking around in Hobbycraft for a starter kit for knitting aimed at beginners but haven't been able to find anything suitable. I was in Tesco earlier and spotted the Knit and Crochet magazine which comes with a starter set of needles for knitting and a crochet hook as well as six yarns of wool. I decided to give it a go. There are lots of little projects included in the magazine which look really fun, but first I need to master the basics (casting on, the knit stitch, the purl stitch and casting off)

Thats the task for the next few hours so I plan to blog again later on and let everyone know how I have got on. Fingers crossed or should that be needles crossed!