With the current challenge of not purchasing any more knitting related items I've been working hard on finishing projects that were just collecting dust.

One of these, the "Fair Isle Sampler hat" designed by Mary Jane Mucklestone from the Winter 2004 issue of Interweave Knits was something I had always wanted to make. I ordered the yarn from Jamieson & Smith soon after receiving the magazine but, after starting on the fair isle ribbing, decided that I'd go blind if I did this to give it a pass until a later date.

Once I picked it up again I realised how much fun fair isle was. I'm not sure if I'd want to try a full sweater in a fair isle design at this moment in time though.

Well J, the iPod and camera are nearly paid off and I'll be back to building up my stash again soon. :-)

I have been putting off adding to this blog mainly because I am not as exciting a read as some other bloggers in that I don't really design my own sweaters, unless you call tweaking a pattern "designing". I merely call it customizing to my own tastes.

Since the last entry I have completed a bunch of projects including: 2 pairs of fetching gloves, 2 pair of infant sized toe-up socks and 3 twisted rib watch caps which are to be sent to the Dulaan project and one teddy bear who is awaiting stuffing. These projects are all due to an ongoing bet of sorts with my son-in-law.
The story behind the non-monetary-but-honour-is-at-stake-bet is that I bought some expensive toys including an iPod while still paying off part of a camera. The intention was to pay them off using income earned from my part time job. This income also used to pay for my knitting addiction. I jokingly mentioned that I wouldn't be able to buy yarn for awhile, at least not until I paid off my debts. My SIL mumbled that I wouldn't be able to do it. Of course, with me being a very competitive type, I jumped on it. There have been some tough moments where I just wanted to run out for a ball of some yarn but stopped when I realized that SIL would gloat over his "victory". I am tougher than he is!
Hubby offered to pay off the bill but I insisted on reimbursing him (and his interest rates are better).
An upside to this yarn diet is that all my unfinished projects are now getting done.