End-of-year Round-up 2008

So we find ourselves on the last day of 2008. Say it aloud, it's hard to believe.
Anyway, here is the traditional round-up of projects for 2008.
Colours are for fun and all are knitted unless stated.


Scarves
Manly Ribbed Scarf in Twilley's Freedom Spirit and Sirdar Peru, improvised, for Jonathan.
The Duke's Scarf in Rowan Felted Tweed, my interpretation of the Sanquhar Duke's pattern, for twelfthknit.
Touch of Tainted in Rowan Colourscape Chunky, based on Tainted by Sarah Hatton at Rowan, for Fiona.
Pink Ice in Hand-dyed alpaca, Ice Queen by Rosemary Hill, Knitty Winter 2007, for me.


Waistcoat singular
Stony Waistcoat in Jonelle Knitting Cotton DK, Lisa Richardson Rowan 43, for me.


Cardigan singular
Shades of Blue cardigan in Twilley's Freedom Spirit, Sirdar Jacket 8750, for me.

Headscarves
Adamas headscarf in Patons Cotton 4ply, Adamas shawl by Miriam Felton, for me.
Nautical headscarf in Patons Cotton 4ply, improvised, for me.
Crochet increasing headscarf in Adriafil Swing, improvised, for me.


Socks
Lacy Ankle Plain Foot socks in Opal Uni, Simply Lovely Lace Socks by Karen Baumer, for me.
Dark Galaxies in Regia Galaxy Color, Simple Sock Pattern by Sue Morgan, for Jonathan.
Candy Socks in Regia Bamboo, Dublin Bay Sock by Ryan Morissey, for me.
Pink Boot Socks in Regia Crazy Color 6ply, Prism by Jaya Srikrishnan, for me.
Navy Galaxies in Regia Galaxy Color, Simple Sock Pattern by Sue Morgan, for Jonathan.


Hats
Purple Gretel in Rowan Pure Wool Aran, Gretel by Ysolda Teague, for Deborah.
Tetris in Noro Kureyon, Tychus by Brooke T. Higgins in Knitty Summer 2005, for me.
Green Tychus in RYC Extra Fine Merino DK, Tychus by Brooke T. Higgins in Knitty Summer 2005, first up best dressed.
Snug Tychus in Noro Kureyon, Tychus by Brooke T. Higgins in Knitty Summer 2005, for Roddy.
Heathery in Noro Kureyon, Tychus by Brooke T. Higgins in Knitty Summer 2005, for Jonathan.


So, where are the beautiful jumpers and lacy shawls?
Where's all the colourwork supposed to take place in 2008?
We're hitting on the resolutions for 2009 methinks.


My own favourite finished item of 2008 was this, which took months to make, involved a learning curve and a lot of planning, and was for a dear friend.
Ravelry link















My most admired project has been this, which took one evening, was as easy as pie, and was for me. Ravelry link
Don't get me wrong, the Duke's scarf was admired, but this one really grew wings and took off.
It's so funny the way things work out, isn't it?


Enjoy your Hogmanay and here's to another great year of knitting in 2009.
Thank-you very much for visiting KEDkrafty this year. All the best, Kathleen xxxxx

Knitting Festival

see more puppies

Groovy man

A couple of months ago I took these screen shots of word clouds of KEDkrafty created on Wordle .

Now seems as good a time as any to show them as the year draws to a close.

Ok, must dash, suddenly have the urge to see what an up-to-date version of the word cloud would look like.

Keep enjoying the festives. x K

Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas everyone!

Very best wishes to you and yours.

Kathleen x

Some looks for Winter 2008-2009

First catch your sea-front.

In this case we have chosen Blackpool, you may prefer a sea-front closer to home.

Next model your Ice Queen from Knitty Winter 2007 made in Alpaca hand-dyed by a friend. (Alice or Clarkette, whichever you prefer.)

This is my "walk along the promenade" look.

"Going to visit Father-in-law".

"Shetland Wifie"

"Out to sea"

"Cozy toasty"



"Hair out of your face"

Festive Treats

A couple of Fridays ago I went to the Grand Opening of my knitting buddy Lilith's new dyeing and spinning studio.
Linky

I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere of the Yule Night in the town of West Kilbride and I came away with some beautiful treats.

I don't have the yarn in front of me so I can't read the labels so I'll have to provide the information as per Ravelry.

Old Maiden Aunt

Hand-painted

Superfine Alpaca Silk DK

Colourway Espresso

280 yds

Old Maiden Aunt

Hand-painted

Superwash Merino 4 ply

Colourway Wisteria

400yds

Old Maiden Aunt Laceweight Merino 2 ply

Hand-painted

Colourway Black Coffee

1600 yds

If you fancy some Old Maiden Aunt yarns for yourself, you'll find a selection here

I also managed to score some Cascade 220 Paints from Eileen at http://www.happyhills.co.uk/

So, here you have my pre-Christmas crackers. x K

Warm neck, warm ears

I don't like things up tight around my neck. For example if you put me in a polo neck I'd be clutching at the fabric and panting like a rabid dog and making generally distressed noises within seconds.

Almost every top I wear has a V neck and at work I am usually seen in one of my thirteen 3/4 length sleeved V neck knitted jumpers from Evans. All different colours, but some more different than others.

But then again I don't like being cold on my early morning walks to the bus stop and I like to give my throat a wee bit of protection otherwise no speaking (I speak all day at work) or singing (if I refrain from singing for more than five mins, check for a pulse).

So, here's my pull-on pull-off cowl, made to Rosemary Hill's Ice Queen pattern in Knitty Winter 2007.

Nan of Stitching Time first recommended this pattern to me last year. Rowan Kidsilk Haze is the yarn called for, but I scored some lovely hand dyed Alpace from my knitting buddy Alice in a recent swap shop, and thought it would fit the bill. It's a lovely semi-solid yarn which was a delight to work with but a total nightmare to ball up. That all seems like ancient history now as I admire the finished object. I used some Jaeger beads left over from Swallowtail.

There are dozens of fudges in this, it seems that every time I took a photo I saw a new imperfection but it really is no big deal to me at all.

I would like to show you how it's a lovely cozy collar which reaches down into the top of your coat and makes your shoulders snug, while remaining nice and loose and comfy at the neck. Or pulled up over your head to keep the wind out of your ears. But outwith working hours there is just so little daylight at the moment. And this coming from someone who can finish at 3:30 some days. Hopefully I can show you some action shots in the near future.

In the meantime, thank-you Alice or Clarkette to give her her Ravelry name, for such lovely yarn. x K

Consumerist refuseniks

Hiya,
If you're interested in anti-consumerist and anti-consumption ideas, why not call in on my friend's new blog?

It's very new so he just has one design to showcase so far. He hopes it can be used on T-shirts, hoodies, mouse mats etc. in the fullness of time.

This link is for adult users.
Consumerist refuseniks

Enjoy! x K