Lino printing

My studio is a tip. I keep finding images of beautiful workspaces on Pinterest and vow to keep my little space tidy but it just isn't happening! However, I had to ignore the mess today and just get on with doing a test print of a Lino I finished cutting ages ago. This is a commission to make a print of someone's house and it's larger than the linoprints I normally do.

I used to moan about not having enough space to print - now I have the space, but seem to have filled it with just as much clutter as everywhere else in the house. Still, I managed to do a rough print just to see if I needed to cut away any more of the block. Overall I'm quite pleased with the outcome - just a bit of fiddling with it before I do the proper print.

I also need to get cracking with paintings and crocheted bunting for the Christmas Craft Fair which is coming up in a few short weeks (why does this always take me by surprise?) but that hasn't stopped me from casting on a couple of knitting projects! The first is a pair of socks in some beautiful stripy yarn which was a birthday present. It was the perfect project for the flight to and from Rome. Secondly, I'm mixing a lace weight yarn with some kidsilk haze to make a soft and fluffy scarf/ stole thing. 

Rome was wonderful - we had glorious weather, delicious food, fun with friends and cuddles with gorgeous babies! I also got to see the Sistine Chapel for the first time - it was breathtaking. 

Now it's back to reality and time to tidy up!

Citron Shawl

I've finished another shawl and am determined not to cast on another until I've completed a pile of unfinished projects first! This time I made Citron, a free pattern on Ravelry. The yarn was a lace weight ombré alpaca and silk mix and I didn't want to detract from its gorgeous colour change with too much pattern. The Citron is a lovely knit with easily created ruffles. I made an extra section to use up as much of the skein as possible.

I did knit a chunky little number over the weekend in Debbie Bliss Paloma but it felt like knitting with broomsticks after all those hours knitting with lace weight yarn!

My shawl and top are being modelled by my new sewing buddy! My youngest has forbidden me to give her a name as he says she's creepy enough without one but I think she might secretly be a Maud! I have also invested in a new sewing machine - my old one is now 32 years old and deserves a quiet retirement!

Trouble-free sewing here I come!