Stripe Study Shawl KAL Update #4

I must admit, I haven't done much on my shawl this week. I'm on the border, so technically it's nearly done, but the border rows are just so long *laughs*

At least the green wedges had some interest from the wrap and turns, and the sense of achievement at finishing them. Now I find I am lacking the motivation to pick it up and just get it done!

I've probably done about a fifth of the border, and it's at a stage where it's very much "so close and yet so far". I know I'll finish it, and relatively soon, but I'm not forcing myself to pick it up. I'll do a row and then work on something else for a bit. I love the way the shawl is looking, so I don't want to end up resenting it *laughs*

This of course means that I am going to be way behind the others in the knitalong, some of whom have already finished, but hey, it's supposed to be fun, right?!

Stripe Study Shawl KAL Update #3

I missed a week of the SSSKAL updates due to Knitting and Crochet Blog Week, but I'm back today with news of how the shawl is growing *smiles*

It's now impossible to photograph properly on the needles, not enough room to stretch it out without losing a lot of stitches!

I've (finally) finished the twelfth and final green stripe, so now it's just the loooooooong rows of the border to do. Luckily I'm still excited about the shawl, because those long rows are really a bit of a chore *laughs*

From a picture I saw on instagram yesterday, it looks like my co-conspirator Sarah has finished her shawl and is blocking it already. Go Sarah *grins* I'm a little way off, thanks to my finger mishap of a few weeks ago, plus focusing on my Narragansett when I realised how close that was to being finished...But hopefully I'll be there soon.

I've added a Mr Linky below, in case you're participating in the kintalong and want to showcase your post too - I'd love to read it! And I'm linking up with Frontier Dreams for Keep Calm Crafting On again this week.

Pop back later though, as I have another post coming (I know, 2 in 1 day!)

Focus

This week, I have pretty much only been working on a couple of projects - which demonstrates a lot more focus than I usually display *laughs*

I posted yesterday about my progress on the Stripe Study Shawl, which is coming along nicely and I'm still enjoying immensely (despite the rows getting so much longer already!) So I won't bore you by going on about it again ;)

Apart from that, I have been working almost exclusively on my Narragansett. I've finished the body and nearly finished the first arm. I have a few more rows of ribbing before that gets cast off and I can start the second arm/final piece *grins*

It looks a bit warped and lumpy in this shot - but I can assure that is more a reflection on my photography than my knitting *laughs* I am in love with this jumper. I've tried it on a couple of times and can't wait to finish and wear it - I'd show you a picture but it is currently a little too small. My swatch demonstrated that the yarn grows a fair bit on blocking, so it's a bit of a leap of faith at the moment!

I haven't been doing much reading again, but this book is perfect for dipping in and out of. It's just a series of small snapshots of bizarre scientific and psychological experiments that have been conducted over the years.

As ever, if you want more lovely knitting and reading content, head to Tami's and Ginny's *smiles* And no doubt next week I will be deomstrating far less focus, and will be back to working on all my WIPs at once ;)

Stripe Study Shawl KAL Update #2

Good morning and welcome to my second Stripe Study Shawl Knitalong update *smiles*

It's getting harder to photograph now *laughs* The rows seem to be getting really long, and yet the shawl itself still seems pretty small. Which does not bode well for the length of the upcoming rows!

Luckily I am still loving it, both the simplicity of knitting garter stitch and the striking look of the shawl. Each row adds to the overall look and I really like that. I'm part way through row 10 at this stage. I would have been further along had it not been for this:

I sliced open my finger (not entirely sure how either), which then swelled up and was incredibly sore. So that stopped me being able to knit for a good few days :(

I tested it out last night, and am happy to announce that it has healed enough to knit, albeit slower than usual!

As there are now a few people joining in with the Knitalong, I thought it might be worth adding a Mr. Linky, so please do drop your links in there so that we can keep track! And the fabulous Sarah, my co-conspirator in this knitalong, sent me the details of how to add a collage of the knitalong projects pictured on Instagram (if you want yours featured here, just tag your photo with #sssknitalong):

Oh, and I'm also linking up with Frontier Dreams, with Keep Calm Crafting on today too *grins*

Shades of Grey

Once again, my knitting picture appears to be dominated by grey yarn *laughs*

Good thing I love the colour grey really!

The only splash of colour comes from the gorgeous emerald green yarn (that appears teal in this picture *sigh*) that is part of my Stripe Study Shawl. As it's part of a knitalong, progress was updated yesterday, but I put it in today's picture so there was at least some colour *laughs*

Gran's scarf has only progressed a tiny bit, and boyfriend's sock appears to have stalled again. Sorry darling ;) I did finish my 2 at a time socks over the weekend though, so they will reappear on Friday.

The most progress (aside from finishing my socks - the fastest socks I think I've ever knit!), has been on my Narragansett. I've done most of the body now, and have started the detail on the hip.

I have about another inch or 2 to go with that before I start the bottom ribbing. I'm really pleased this is coming along so quickly, I can't wait to finish it!

All the progress does come at a cost though... I have no book on the go at all right now.

As ever, if you want more lovely knitting and (actual) reading content, head to Tami's and Ginny's *smiles*

Stripe Study Shawl KAL Update #1

It's Tuesday, which means it is the first update in the Stripe Study Shawl Knitalong that Sarah and I are doing *grins*

I took my grey skein of yarn with my to my mum's over Easter and she kindly helped to wind it (saving poor boyfriend the arm ache of a second skein of Wollmeise!). When I got back, I saw that Sarah had tweeted that she already had stripes! So I cast on immediately *laughs*

And now I have stripes too...

5 of them. I'm completely in love with this shawl already. I love the simplicity of it, the Wollmeise feels gorgeous once knit (I find it somewhat nondescript in the skein - pretty but not amazing to touch) and the colours are so vibrant.

This picture should show the colours a bit better:

I don't usually complain about the sun, but the way it was streaming through my window this morning made it very difficult to get a good picture of the wonderful bright green!

Don't forget to go and check out Sarah's lovely blog, Crafts from the Cwtch, to see her progress today. And if you're still wavering about joining us, here is an excellent Q&A post she cunningly put together to entice you. We've only just started, and the first bit is so quick, so you can definitely catch up!

And if you are participating, let me know so I can link to your blog too *smiles*

Here are some of the other participants:

Maya
Kat