Made By Hand - Link Up

'Made By Hand' is a weekly creative show and tell, with an aim to foster community, conversation and inspiration.

My aim is to craft a life of homemade, home grown happiness. 

So, what are you creating right now?
Join in by leaving a link below.

I missed our creative show and tell last week. However, I was too ill to put together a coherent blog post and at times like that I know I need to listen to my body and rest. 

This week, my creative energy has been channeled in to knitting a small sweater. I uncovered the pattern in a thrifted, vintage Patons knitting book (Book 921) and was drawn to the texture of the fabric. I also found patterns in the book which are identical to a hand knit sweater and cardigan that I found at an op-shop. They were baby blue, beautifully knit and unworn. Both my children have since worn and outgrown them. I can't help but wonder if I brought the book and hand knits from the same op-shop? And if perhaps the notations in the book are the work of the same knitter? 

So, lovely readers, what have you been making of late?

Thank goodness

Before the sun had risen today the garbage truck woke Cohen. He has a love hate relationship with garbage trucks; part fascination, part fear. And this morning, snuggled into my warm bed, begrudging the early start, I was hating them a little too.

I have been feeling the effects of an accumulated lack of sleep lately. I know I'm not alone in this. It comes with the mothering territory. Those three feeds a night seemed manageable at first. But the irritability that eventually accompanies interrupted sleep? It is not at all helpful when trying to appreciate the noise and questions that accompany a three and a half year old boy. A toddler is a wonderful gauge of one's patience...

Thank goodness for knitting. The quite moments, repetitive actions and introspection. Thank goodness for toddler naps, Lego and time in the garden. Thank goodness for toddler songs ("I'm songing" as Cohen says), toddler dancing and a vivid imagination. Thank goodness for grey, cold days without plans. Thank goodness for the little thrill that a finished project brings.

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Raglan Sweater for Emerson (to grow in to.)

Yarn: Bendigo Woollen Mills 4ply

Pattern: Gifted vintage pattern, Fontana 1280 Raglan Jumper

Buttons: Thrifted card of Vogue buttons 

Ravelry.

Thrifty, crafty, rainy days

When our plans for fruit and veg shopping at the markets were washed out yesterday, my sister Fiona and I undertook a little wander through a craft shop, an op-shop and an independant fruit and veg shop instead. My goodies from the day included a cute hand knit baby cardigan for $3, a vintage knitting pattern featuring men in hand knits discussing a riffle (thrown in for free), a bundle of lovely old covered hangers for $2, a white (wool storage) basket for 50c, some great old Tupperware in perfect condition and $2 a piece, as well as wool for two new projects. 

I couldn't wait to start playing with the Noro-like Moda Vera yarn, casting on another Age of Brass and Steam kerchief yesterday afternoon, this time for Fiona. I am enjoying watching the colours unfold with each row. High on my to-do list is learning how to knit socks, which meant of course that I could justify buying the Noir sock yarn above, given it was reduced from $12 to $5 a ball. Another project added to the queue...

Any thrifting, crafting or rain for you this weekend?

My Creative Space

Completed back, front ribbing begun

I have been waiting on the arrival of some wool, but felt the need to have something on my needles in the meantime. Especially given all the moments to knit I have been finding lately. (Though who knows for how much longer.)

After completing my first ever raglan sleeve garment, I felt quite optimistic about trying another one, though for the baby this time. I discovered this old knitting pamphlet amongst some gifted knitting booklets and retrieved a ball of 4ply wool from my stash - which had been brought for a project that has since been abandoned. 

I love that this pattern has a 4ply and 8 ply version. If I can knit it with success this time, I dare say I shall be knitting it again in the future. I did have a fair bit of ripping out to do after I realised I had been K2tog, P2tog, when I should have been K2, P2tog for the raglan decrease. I'm also hoping that blocking it at the end will have the fabric looking less holey that it does at present, though perhaps it is the wool?

What have you been making?

Ravelry.

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