Go Go Gryffindor!

Recently, I've been trying to clear out some of the projects on my looooooong list of things to make. This has involved finishing up half finished projects as well as doing some of the faster projects of things that I've been missing in my closet for a while now. The latter also crosses into finding tried and true knitting patterns that I can modify and change to suit my needs.

Which brings me to my Gryffindor Cardigan! I managed to finish this cardigan in just 5 weeks (Most of the time it takes me three months)! I'm really happy with how it turned out and that the pattern is simple enough to add things like inertia. Plus, it means I have a red cardigan!
Win, win, win!

 This one probably would have taken longer had I not decided to enter it into the Red Hill Show. My lovely grandparents, who live near there, offered to turn it in for me today and it gets judged tomorrow. I'm hoping to go to the show on Saturday if I can get off work.

I also entered in a dress that I had been working on (another "to finish" project) but
 I didn't get time to take photos before I sent it off.

Get the pattern here!
All of my modifications are noted here.

Evergreen

This cardigan took me about twice as long as my other two did. It didn't help that I went away half way through. I think I got a bit bored/fed up with the lace pattern. I wanted there to be something different about knitting row after row that wasn't predictable. That being said, I really do love the way it turned out. It was well worth the effort of pushing through. It is the most beautiful emerald green merino wool and the lace makes the cardigan not too hot, great for the cold summer we've been having here. 

The pattern is called Pomme de Pin Cardigan, pomme de pin meaning pine cone in French, which I really think the lace pattern captures. The cardigan is meant to be longer but I, yet again, cropped it to suit my own needs. My notes on the cardigan can be found on ravelry here.

Cardigan: Made by me

Dress: Op Shop

Berry crown: Made by me

USA Trip: Part VII

The final leg of our trip was spent at Disneyland. 

The first day we spent there was Halloween. We had a day's break in between and then went again before we flew out the next day. 

Disneyland, for me, is always a favourite. I find it genuinely magical and so much fun!

We looped Splash Mountain a few times, watched the parades from the tea cups, and had a ball taking heaps of photos. We didn't meet any characters since I've always been afraid of them and with only two days, rides took more of the focus. 

I'm already dreaming of the next trip. 

 

USA Trip: Part VI

Arizona-zona! 

Sun shines above it partner! 

I love it! Woo! 

Arizona's home to me.

Whenever I go to the US, I always have to go back to Tucson to see all of my old friends. The people I left behind there are like family to me and I love getting to see them whenever I can. 

It was also a lot of fun getting to introduce James to all my friends there. I love seeing my two worlds (continents) collide. James ended up getting an even better understanding of me by seeing the world I grew up in and the people who have stuck with me as I grew up and became the person I am today. 

Our time in Tucson was short and mostly spent indoors or with friends. However, I had to take James out into the desert while we were there and get him to see some of the wildlife that I grew up with. The perfect place to do that is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. 

The desert museum is like a botanical gardens, a zoo, and a museum all rolled into one. It's located about half an hour outside of Tucson. It's a good idea to go early and do the big outer loops first to avoid being out there in the afternoon when the sun is brutal. 

James and I both lived under our hats and as you can see I bought the biggest one I could find. 

Having said the days can be scorching, the desert nights are beautiful and many a night was spent out and about with friends.

Tucson will always be my home town.