Blocked

Today I finally finished the sleeves for my counterpoint pullover. I also got around to blocking the scarf I made for a colleague's birthday this week. Sadly, I blocked the scarf without thinking this morning so had an interesting job when I needed to block the sleeves too. Still, I don't think I made a bad job of it. Hopefully I can get the sleeves seen in to the sweater then it's done. 

Last night when I couldn't sleep I sewed  the front and back together and put the collar on. I should be finishing this with literally millimetres of yarn to spare. 

I'm already tempted by the idea of making it in a cotton yarn, perhaps in purple as the alpaca may well prove too warm for day to day wear. 

Anyway, here is my blocking

Almost had a day off...

Well Saturday afternoon I went to my Grandma's party and a great time was had by all.

I promised myself a hook free weekend... and failed.  I've started my next project, a Donna jumper for a good friend of mine who's having a big birthday in a couple of months.  I decided to get started then I don't have the horrendous time that I had last time.

I've also been reading a fascinating book about the history of cell research and the woman who unwittingly started it all.  I highly recommend it.The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Then, to top it all off, my husband's bands (yes plural) had a photo shoot at the Another Place sculpture installation at Crosby beach in Liverpool so all in all a very busy weekend was had!

Finished...Finally!

I've been a little busy trying to get my Grandma's cardigan finished in time for her birthday party (today at noon and I finished sewing buttons on at 8:30am!)

I started off trying to make the comeley cardigan from the Curvy girl crochet book. After 4 frogs and multiple rude words I gave up on trying to get the ribbing to match the base and went with the Essential Cardigan (again from Curvy Girl Crochet). I amended it in a few ways, first I went with linked trebles rather than straight trebles which, for Grandmama, I think was the right call. The second was that I ditched the picot edging. At 90 her skin is very fragile and I worried that it would irritate her skin so I decided Togo for a contrast blue for the first row of DC and just missed off the picot ending. I'm quite happy with how it turned out. Only time will tell what she thinks of it. 

I am now hook-loose and fancy free. I should really finish off the sleeves for my red jumper but I may read a book for a little break first. 

Batala Break

As the weather has been cracking today I've taken a break from the hook and headed out into the big wide world to watch a friend perform with Batala Liverpool at Warrington Disabled Awareness Day.  It was a great day too.

Met some other friends for a picnic first and then had a mooch through the exhibits before the Batala began.

Then it was yummy ice cream and visit the FIL time and now I'm home with my feet up and about to pick my hook up again.

Here is my favourite photo from today.

Taking the blocking pads for a spin

I've blocked out the back of my sweater now (I lack the space to do all of the pieces at once, so I'm doing each piece as I finish it. 

Important things I learned from doing this:

If you can't walk all of the way around it, start with the bit furthest away from you or life gets difficult!

Masking tape in a square around it was a great idea to give me straight lines to work to. 

I used the spritz method as the yarn I'm using is mostly alpaca. 

As it's rather warm here today I may have another little spritz later. 

Backed up

Well I'm really pleased with this. 

Tonight, I finished the back. 3 evenings is all that it has taken me. I'll block it up tomorrow when I've obtained the pins from the sorting office. 

I got through 7 of my 20 balls so I'm hoping that I have enough. I may do a sleeve next to check I have sufficient! 

Progressing well

Tonight I've shaped the waist and am probably about 10 rows from the arm hole shaping. I'm hoping to get the back finished tonight and blocked over the weekend while I start on the front. 

It's been a great wind down and I've managed not to lose or gain any stitches. 

All in all not a bad day.