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Friday, January 8, 2016

Friday Night with Friends...

It was the first FNwF for 2016 here in Australia last night. And all throughout the world as Friday night comes to the various time zones, bloggers will be working on various craft projects and then sharing these via blog posts. 
I was working on a project that I originally started in early 2011...no that wasn't a slip of the finger on the keypad...I started this project when I was on 6 months long service leave in 2011!!! In that year another blogger, Kaite Matilda from Bathhurst, invited myself and some other knitters/crocheters/textile artists etc to join her in her project, 'Knitted Minestrone', where the participants would devise projects to use up scraps of yarn. And there was a blog of the same name where we posted progress. There were some great projects but I can't direct you to the blog as when Kaite decided to change direction in her crafting journey she notified us that she was closing down the blog. 

I decided on just one project that I would work on for the Knitted Minestrone project...a throw. My 'scraps' were considered to be a bit long by the other participants but being mainly a 200 plus stitches on the needles 'project person', my 'ends' weren't enough for a full row so I went ahead with my throw. 
The smaller amounts of these went into my Knitted Minestrone throw.

So in 2011 I did bands of scrap colours stocking stitch interspersed with black garter stitch bands.
I loved doing it but I put it away when we went for a 7 week driving holiday in the US from early March that year. When we came back home I was doing other projects and forgot all about this one.
I think maybe I did some more work on this throw in 2014 as there was a third band of colour...but not much as I'd run out of scraps. And then last year, I somehow lost my mojo, but that was then! 

The other day I took out Knitted Minestrone. It had been carefully stored in a zippered jumper storage bag as there are woollen yarns in it and those moths/silverfish just love those yarns as we know. Also in the bag was a ball of scraps that I'd forgotten about...what a bonus!
Once again, I was enjoying the project and on and off for the last 2 days, I worked on it and late into the evening too of course!
So after dinner last night, I turned on the air con and continued on to finish the latest band of 'scraps'.


So I've now finished 4 bands of scrap multi colours and am working on a black garter stitch band.

Last night I also took out my scrap/oddments basket and ended up with a big ball wound from scraps...so I'll be able to work on when I finish this lot of black garter stitch. 

As well as my scraps, I have also been using some lovely hand dyed wool from Nanette. When she found that the moths had been in this ball of yarn, Nanette offered it to me to use as it would be just scraps when I cut out the 'motheaten' bits...which I did! 

Very pretty colours! ( this is only some of the scraps not what was salvageable from the whole ball!!!) 

And I figured that as the project was discontinued, there are no rules any more. So I also got out my 'Mystery ball' that I had bought from Knitch a little while ago...(sorry it doesn't seem to want to rotate!)
But some of the yarns in this ball are too thick, so I'm picking and choosing' what I include in my throw. 
Thank you Cheryll for hosting FNwF. Why not visit the other FNwFers using the links on Cheryll's blogpost?  http://stitchingcubbyhole.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/fnwf.html

15 comments:

Tracy said...

Last night I had a big clear out of my yarn baskets and have plenty to donate and a nice tidy yarn basket (only one now) ready for using. Gosh your Minestrone Throw looks fab.

Maria said...

Must be the year of dragging out very old UFOs ... Your Minestrone Throw is growing nicely...
I have pulled out my Postage Stamp project that I also started in 2011.. Let's hope we both get our projects finished....

margaret said...

good to see you are knitting up the scraps again and they had not been found by moths or silverfish! I have quite a collection of wools that I plan to use on the embellisher one day as I can no longer knit due to joint pains in the fingers.

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

That is gorgeous xxx

Michelle Ridgway said...

Lovely that you are making something wonderful from your scraps xx

Author said...

Loving the idea of your minestrone throw. I have plenty of bits I could use in one of these!

creations.1 said...

Love it! This is what I am planning to do with my scraps but crocheting. 2016 is the year of finishing off, using up and no buying for me!

Lin said...

Looking gorgeous Maria. xx

kiwikid said...

Great way to use up your wool scraps..the colours look wonderful.

Janet said...

Lovely project! It is going to be very striking when done and oh so cozy!

Nanette said...

I remember you and Kaite starting the Minestroni Knitting, your throw looks good. Bit embarrassed now about the moth eaten ball of wool I gave you !! lol

Cath said...

Oh, Maria.....I love that....what a lovely idea for using up your scraps of wool and such pretty scraps too! I do like how the special textures go with the plain garter stitch in black. Yes, I love it!

Cynthia said...

That is just beautiful with all the colors against the black.

Quilting Chemist (Danette) said...

Beautiful! I love how you're using all those yarn leftovers. Such a great idea.

Käthe said...

Wonderful knitting !
Best wishes
Käthe