Trying New Things

 (With no reference to aging canines!)

In my knitting I actively look to try out new to me techniques and tools, within reason as I obviously can't afford to buy every new, this will make your knitting better gizmo. So far this year I've tried more complex brioche and cabling without a cable needle - both something I will do again (actually no choice with the cabling as I've still got a lot of pullover to knit!). I'd also like to get a steeking attempt in this year.

With my sock knitting a lot of my eperimentation currently is around needles - which method works better for me and which brand. WIth my latest sock I've decided to knit the whole item on a small circular.

I've done sock legs on a small circ previously, but switched to another method for the heel onwards. This sock has a heel flap and I thought that may prove too difficult but as you can, sort of see, I managed it. I actually kept all the stitches on the small needle while working the flap and it wasn't too awkward. I'm not 100% sold on the small circulars, they will probaly not become my go to sock knitting needle, but I will more than likely use them again, And for info the needles I am using are knit pro zing short circulars (purchased by me) and the beautiful yarn is from Yarn Pixie, bought several years ago and has finally been paired with the perfect sock pattern.

As a new garment sewist most techniques and tools are new to me. I became aware of the use of sewing weights to hold patterns in place through the Great British Sewing Bee and my sister kindly bought me a beatiful glass tile set for my birthday.

I had to cut out some small curved pieces from some chunky cord and wasn't having a great time pinning them so this seems the ideal time to try patterns weights and a rotary cutter. I think it was pretty sucessful; I love the flatness of the weights, the rotary cutter follwed the pattern piece neatly, i just need to figure out how you transfer marking and notches (I managed it but I suspect there's a better way).

All in all I'm pleased with my latest experiments. 

Long Weekend FNSI

 This month's FNSI took advantage of the long Easter weekend (four days in the UK) which meant that I had plenty of opportunity to join in with the fun over the weekend, when I thought I would miss April's FNSI.

A random selection of crafts were undertaken...

Serious progress has been made on the temperature cross stitch, byt the end of the weekend I was only a day or two off November which means I have less than 70 motifs to go (still sounds like a lot but definitely decreasing). I'd like to get this finished soon so I can start on one of my other cross stitch projects - for a non-cross stitcher there is quite a queue of projects appearing!

I put some time in on my Tree Tram Tro slipover. I'm using this to practice cabling without a cable needle which is working well until I need to undo a mistake and then things get very fiddly (and usually require a cable needle.

And I even managed to fit in some block sewing prep.

These are destined to become a mini Sparkle Pow quilt (designed by Elizabeth Hartmann), hopefully they acieve their destiny faster than the fabric I cut out for my first Sparkle Pow quilt!