Ugly Duckling and Some Things New

It has been awhile.  No excuses, just haven't been feeling on top of things lately (again....).  If this low goes on for much longer, I will have to seek some help.  I'm taking a mental health week next week.  Hopefully this will improve things.  I think we will go away, maybe to the beach and that really would be lovely.

I finished the Hanami on our Easter long weekend:

I think at the moment it looks rather like the proverbial ugly duckling.  Her Dad is going to make some stainless steel blocking wires and also some ss blocking pins.  At the moment, I am waiting patiently.... When blocked, I do have faith that the swan will be born.  I don't know that I would knit it again.  Once you get the hang of the pattern, it does drag a little as it is the same over and over.  However, I have seen some stunning versions on Ravelry in black, so that may tempt me to make another.  Of course, I also have so many "firsts" I want to knit that repeating seems a little like a waste to me.  We'll see.....

A few weekends ago, we travelled to Ballarat for another chess tournament.  Not one of The Girl's best tournaments, but she has bounced back now.  They held the event in The Old Ballarat Gaol.  That made me giggle a little - chess players are such a subversive lot that they certainly do need locking up (or perhaps their parents do for being so barking loony to be taking them all over the country) :)

Beautiful building:

 

and

I think my favorites were the original gutters (I know, I know the pun is just too obvious...) and the chimney:

I've got lots more on the history of Ballarat and some of its beautiful buildings, but they can wait for another post.

I have begun two new projects.  Here is just a taste of both:

and

Any guesses at what they might be?  Leave a comment if you have an idea and I will give a small knitterly something to any who guess correctly.  I'll leave it open until this Friday.  Have a go - I usually have nice "somethings" to give away!

Enough for now....

Comments

[Shelagh]

Hi Deb. I'm almost finished my Hanami as well. Even though the last bit is a little boring, I wouldn't mind making it again as a gift for someone. I just have to do the finishing rows, but I don't think I'm going to do the ruffle. I think just garter stitch with more beads. I want to get something for blocking wires too.

Isn't the gold coloured yarn for the Moroccan Days shawl? I have no idea what the pink is, but it's very pretty.

I have to finish the tunic from The Knit Stitch before I start any new big project.

I also acquired some very pretty yarn that I'd like to use to make something like a hoodie for my granddaughter. Now I have to find a pattern.

Love, Shelagh