English Adventure – Poppy Throw Progress Report 3

It is finished.  On Tuesday I took the throw to Oxford Yarn Store and Karen Draisey took some photos of it – which are far better than mine.

If you want to knit one – the pattern is the same as the English Adventure throw I knitted in Kureyon  only this time I used odd balls of lots of different aran weight yarns.

I haven’t done much knitting this week as I am decorating.  For some reason I decided to use a red and green colour scheme – I think I have been looking at poppies for too long.  The real reason is that I love poppies and decided to use them as a feature.  My walls have been a beige colour which is tasteful but boring.  I decided they looked a bit dirty as well as dull and so I have chosen a light green wall paint which is much more exciting then beige and will contrast well with poppy throws and red curtains and cushions. 

I bought a lot more yarn on Tuesday – I would love to knit another throw and several more scarves/shawls – with the amount of yarn I bought – I may finish them by January!  I know it has been said before but it is so true – “so much yarn, so little time”!  Perhaps I should knit a sign that says that!

English Adventure – Poppy Throw Progress Report 2

This week I have got back to the poppy version of the English Adventure throw.  There isn’t that much to do.  I have just got to knit the last few shapes to complete the 7^th row, add the 2 part shapes to complete the top, and finish the edging.

Yesterday, while I was knitting, I thought about how this design could be adapted for a scarf.  I could have a go at one to use up the left-over red and green yarn.  It could be used as a small sample project for those who would like to try the technique without the cost and effort of making a throw.

As the weather is still quite warm I decided it was an ideal time to wash the poppy throw that I knitted last year.  I used Noro Kureyon which becomes softer when it is washed.  I decided to be brave or reckless and put it in the washing machine on a cold wool wash.  It is OK.  It is also dry now.  Unfortunately while it was stretched out to dry – I thought: “Isn’t it lovely – I could make another one using different colours!”  I will add it to the list. 

I remember writing a list of things to knit at the beginning of the year – I think the only things I have finished - or even started – are those which were really works in progress rather than unfinished or new projects.  Nearly all of the new projects I have completed this year weren’t on the list!

A Portable Knitting Project

Now it is August - it seems more like summer at last and I have been travelling about.  I needed something portable to knit.  I am still knitting my latest throw when I am at home, but I needed something that is light to carry about and only uses one ball at a time. 

At this time of the year I usually start thinking about decluttering – and taking bags of unwanted items to work to pass on to the Cancer Research charity.  I found a scarf I knitted years ago and thought – that could go.

It is knitted from 3 mitred strips of multi-coloured yarn and is an ideal portable project.  I thought – I will go to Banbury Sewing Centre and buy 3 balls of suitable yarn to knit another one.  (Did you notice that instead of getting rid of a scarf – I have now acquired 3 more balls of yarn?)  They were in the sale!

They are Rico Creative Reflection which is 46% wool, 46% acrylic and 8% polyester.  The shade (003) is quite subtle, but will go well with black. 

I have knitted most of one strip of the scarf so far – I expect it will be finished later in the month.  I will type up the pattern then for any of you that would like to knit one.  I can’t seem to get a good photo of it yet.  At the moment it looks like a knitted snake!