Cute piccy :-)
Remember the Little Red Sweater?
It did get frogged and reknitted and here it is keeping baby Kailey warm in the frosty Pennsylvanian winter!
Isn't she sweet :-D
For more baby pics visit Amanda, don't forget to say hello!
Labels: Finished Objects
Et Voilà!
Pattern: Swallowtail Shawl by Evelyn A. Clark, Interweave Knits (Fall 2006)
Yarn: Koigu KPPM P826 2 1/2 skeins, 4mm needles
Measures: 150cm (top edge) x 65cm (midpoint to tip)
Started Tues Jan 16th, finished Wed Jan 31st
I will definitely knit this pattern again - it was a lot of fun :-)
Labels: Finished Objects
Hooked
A long chain (sorry) of events yesterday all seemed to flow towards one ultimate conclusion - I crocheted a scarf.
It started with the arrival in the shop of Jan Eaton, author of several
crochet and knitting books and unofficial crochet expert at
Stash on a Saturday. She had been clearing out and had brought along for our classroom a pile of bits and pieces including a bag of crochet hooks.
A customer came in and happened to ask me about a technique from one of Jan's books, I waved her in Jan's direction and then furtively followed behind so I could listen in.
I then decided that I really had to unpull the one-skein sample scarf I'd made in Koigu as I never really liked it - any excuse to play with Koigu - and decided maybe I could crochet it this time. A bit of help from the expert and I was on my way.
See how it's coming together?... It may have ended there except that we were visiting Neil's sister for the afternoon and since she was confined to the flat after a knee reconstruction so were we for the duration of the visit. Afternoon became evening and pizza and I crocheted happily away through Star Trek and kitten-watching. Until suddenly I was almost out of yarn.
"Um... can I borrow your internet for a minute?" google 'crochet ruffle edgings', back to the couch.
Meanwhile, Neil was itching to get back to his computer (the kitten was asleep and the movie over and he didn't have any Koigu to play with) so I agreed to leave. Due to dodgy weekend tube service I finished the ruffles on the train and darned in the ends while waiting for a change. Blocked last night and thanks to the heating which we can't seem to turn down, dry this morning.
And here it is: The One-day One-skein One-der
Sometime I'll have a go at crochet pattern language and try and write it up for you :-)
Ciao!
Labels: Finished Objects, Patterns
Cafe Curtains
I’m finding it very difficult to photograph these socks effectively so you’ll just have to trust me. The lace pattern is very easy, and looks just a little like café curtains pulled back prettily on either side of a window.
Yarn
Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock, shown in colour ‘Lakeview’. I used one skein for small socks with a shortish cuff, allow two if you want longer socks.
Gauge9 sts/inch in stocking stitch
Abbreviationsyf – yarn forward as if to purl; yb – yarn back as if to knit; yo – yarn over; ssk – slip next two stitches kwise, return to left needle and k2tog through back loops;
PatternLace pattern is worked over 8 stitches and 8 rounds.
Round 1 and all odd rounds: *k7, p1* rpt to end
Round 2: *k2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, ssk, p1* rpt to end
Round 4: *k2tog, k1, yo, k4, p1* rpt to end
Round 6: *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2, ssk, p1* rpt to end
Round 8: *k4, yo, k1, ssk, p1* rpt to end
InstructionsCast on 64 stitches and join into the round, being careful not to twist.
Work p2, k2 rib for 8 rounds.
Commence pattern, work 8 rows of patt rpt 5 times or until cuff is desired length.
Work heel over next 32 stitches, placing remaining stitches on holder or spare needles.
Each yf or yb at the beginning of a row creates a yarn-over pair. These are knitted together at the end of the short rows to create a neat finish without holes.
HeelRow 1: k to last stitch, turn
Row 2: yb p1, p to last stitch, turn
Row 3: yf k1, k to next yo pair, turn
Row 4: yb p1, p to next yo pair, turn
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until 11 stitches remain between the yo pairs.
To complete heel:
Row 1: yf k1, k to next yo pair, k 1st stitch of pair, slip next yo pwise and slip first stitch of next pair kwise, return slipped stitches to left needle and k2togtbl
Row 2: yb p1, p to next yo pair, p 1st stitch of pair, p2tog (next yo and 1st stitch of next pair)
Row 3: yf k1, k to next yo pair, k 1st stitch of pair, slip next 2 yos pwise and slip first stitch of next pair kwise, return slipped stitches to left needle and k3togtbl
Row 4: yb p1, p to next yo pair, p 1st stitch of pair, p3tog (next 2 yos and 1st stitch of next pair)
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until the final k3togtbl, there will still be yarn-overs at the other end of the needle.
Recommence working in the round.
Next round: patt 32 sts (top of foot), k3tog, k to last stitch, p1.
Continue working pattern on top of foot and stocking stitch on sole. To balance pattern purl last stitch of sole stiches in each row. Continue until sock is within 2 inches of toe.
ToeWork short-row toe over stitches on top of foot, leaving sole stitches on a holder. Work as for heel until the final k3togtbl, there will still be yarn-overs at the other end of the needle, turn.
Next row: p to last three stitches, p3tog
Break yarn and graft seam using kitchener stitch. Darn in ends.
Labels: Finished Objects, Patterns
Santa has visited :-)
Santa Claus came early to my house this year, although he wasn't expected. Last Friday a mystery box arrived - open up ...
My new spinning wheel, a week early! All unpacked and assembled it looked like this:
I didn't get much chance to spin on the weekend as I was working, but Monday was a day off and in the afternoon I set to to spin up the hand-dyed rovings I bought from my friend Claire ages ago. She had very thoughtfully dyed them in even colour repeats so I simply split each section and spun them one after another in order. Looking at the colours reminds me of why I said "I'll have those!" as soon as she had posted the picture.
After a quick navaho ply last night, and an evening on the needles, I have one Fetching :-) way to go Joy!
This is one awesome Christmas present. Thanks very much to hubby Neil, and Michelle and Nathalie from work who all put in for the purchase.
Labels: Finished Objects, Weekends are for spinning
Super Cosy Beanie
This hat is thick and warm. Just the thing for the snow or, as I discovered, for keeping the ears warm at the top of
Butte de Lion on a cold winter’s day at Waterloo. Use a soft, chunky yarn and knit it up before the cold catches you!
Yarn requirements: 1 skein Malabrigo (215yd/100g) or Manos Del Uraguay (130yd/100g) worsted weight yarn.
Gauge: 14st/4” in rib, 5 - 5.5mm needles
Size: to fit small-medium women’s head.
Cable stitch: C6F – slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, knit next 3 stitches, knit 3 stitches from cable needle; C4F - slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, knit next 2 stitches, knit 2 stitches from cable needle
Pattern
Cast on 84 stitches.
Ribbing: k2, p2 each round for 6 rounds.
Begin patt
R 1 and all odd rounds: *k6, p1, k1, p1, k1, p2, rept from * to end of round
R 2: *k6, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, rept from * to end of round
R 4: *C6F, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, rept from * to end of round
R 6 and 8: as for R 2.
Repeat these 8 rounds until hat measures approx 5”, finishing with R 3.
Crown
R 4: *C6F, p2, k1, p1, p2tog, rept from * to end of round (77 sts)
R 5: *k6, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, rept from * to end of round
R 6: *k6, p2, k1, p2tog, rept from * to end of round (70 sts)
R 7: *k6, p1, k1, p2, rept from * to end of round
R 8: *k3, k2tog, k1, p2, k1, p1, rept from * to end of round (63 sts)
R 9: *k5, p1, k1, p2, rept from * to end of round
R 10: *k2, k2tog, k1, p2, k1, p1, rept from * to end of round (56 sts)
R 11: *k4, p1, k1, p2, rept from * to end of round
R 12: *C4F, p2, p2tog, rept from * to end of round (49 sts)
R 13: *k4, p1, k1, p1, rept from * to end of round
R 14: *k4, p1, p2tog rept from * to end of round (42 sts)
R 15: *k4, p2, rept from * to end of round
R 16: *k4, p2tog, rept from * to end of round (35 sts)
R 17: *k4, p1, rept from * to end of round
NB: To achieve neat decrease pattern on last few rounds, end of round will shift each time.
R 18: k4, k2tog, *k3, k2tog, rept from * to end of round (28 sts)
R 19: k
R 20: k3, k2tog, *k2, k2tog, rept from * to end of round (21 sts)
R 21: k2, k2tog, *k1, k2tog, rept from * to end of round (14 sts)
R 22: k1, then k2tog around (7 sts)
Break yarn and draw end through remaining stitches. Darn in ends.
Labels: Finished Objects, Patterns
Have finished a WIP!
I managed to delete one WIP from the list - as the cold snap whistled through last week Neil started bugging me for his scarf so I made it a priority for a couple of days. However, as you may have noticed, the list is not, in fact, shorter but longer :-( There's something about sitting all day surrounded by beautiful yarn ...
I did manage to finish something else - it never made it to the list as it was started and off the needles in only two days of frantic my-ears-are-really-cold knitting. It is a cloche style hat in Lorna's Laces Swirl DK. I had lots of fun with developing the pattern and inventing a border. Sorry, I haven't got around to taking photos yet but I will have it up soon and the pattern will follow shortly after. Here's a
taster while you wait ...
Here are a couple of the things from the ever-expanding list:
A store sample in Koigu using the cool
Dream Swatch from Knit and Tonic. I love the colours! The pattern is fiddly but fun and I definitely recommend it. (Store samples don't count as wip's right? Nathalie's making me do it...really...no encouragement from me at all...)
And here is the latest sock - look, HEEL FLAP! Yes, I am finally doing a heel-flap :-) I'm hoping this sock will stretch as it's a bit tight at only 54 sts on 2.5 mm needles. But it was a nine-stitch pattern repeat so what do you do .... maybe my feet could go on a diet ....
I tried to put up a photo of the shrug as well but all four pictures were blurry so I gave up. You'll just have to imagine it :-D
Ciao ;-)
Labels: Finished Objects
A finished object
Well, the scarf is finished, blocked and wrapped all ready for tomorrow. In answer to Badger's question 'How do you manage to knit so much?' - easy, I set myself ridiculous birthday deadlines and then have to go mad to meet them :-) The only birthday deadline I have now is the second of a pair of socks to be finished by Sept 15th - that should be okay. Of course there's always Christmas...
This scarf, as you may remember, started out as a
sock. After knitting about half the foot I realised the colours were just going to keep on pooling yukkily so I frogged it and decided to do a scarf. Simple rib was the pattern of choice which is nice and soft in the fuzzy alpaca. I was knitting away happily (this was sometime last week) and had done about 10 inches when disaster struck again :-/
While browsing Anni's blog I saw
these gorgeous scarves and thought 'Wouldn't this alpaca look much nicer in a scarf like that!' So I frogged again and started afresh. I am very happy with the pattern and would have been disappointed for ever with the boring rib but it did make for a pretty tight timeline!
Here 'tis:
I used the trellis lace pattern which I also saw on Anni's site but changed it to garter stitch for speed. It was very easy and is beautifully soft. The scarf is a birthday present for a dear friend who lives in the country not far from Melbourne. I will be visiting for a long catch-up this weekend, and a few tears I expect as she is quite ill and there's just a chance I may not see her again. I hope she likes her cuddly alpaca.
Ciao :-)
Labels: Finished Objects
Antique Rose Socks
Materials:
50g of Live 2 Knit Elizabeth yarn
Gauge:7 stitches, 9 rows = 1 inch in stocking stitch
Pattern:
Toe
Using waste yarn and crochet cast on, cast on 24 st.
Row 1: P all sts.
Row 2: K23, turn work.
Row 3: Yo, p22, turn work.
Row 4: Yo, k21, turn work.
Continue in this manner until: Yo, p10, turn work
Next row:Yo, k9, untwist next st (yo from previous row), k2tog (yo has been knit tog with next st on needle), turn work.
Next row:Yo, p10, sl next 2 sts knitwise, one at a time, to right needle, sl these sts back to left needle and p2tog tbl, turn work.
Next row:Yo, k11, untwist next 2 sts, k3tog, turn work.
Next row:Yo, p12, sl next 3 sts knitwise, one at a time, to right needle, sl these sts back to left needle and p3tog tbl, turn work.
Work as for previous two rows, working each row 1 st longer than the last.Until: Yo, k22, untwist next 2 sts, k3tog.
Remove crochet chain from CO and place resulting 23 live sts on needle, k these sts, m1.
Next row: k3tog (last 2 yo), knit to end of round, 48 st.
Commence patternThere are two repeats of the lace pattern on the top of the foot, the sole is knitted in stocking stitch.
Row 1-3: knit
Row 4: *(k2tog) twice, (yo, k1) four times, (ssk) twice* rpt once for top of foot. For sole of foot k24.
Repeat these four rows until foot is two inches less than length of foot sole.
HeelWorking only on the 24 stitches of the sole of the sock, shape heel using short rows as for toe beginning at row 2.
CuffContinue working 12 sts of pattern over 48st of round for a further 4 pattern rpts (16 rows) Next row: knit around
Picot edging 
Cast off 2 sts purl-wise. *Slip remaining stitch back onto left needle, cast on 1 st , cast off 3 stitches purl-wise, repeat from * to end of round. Darn in ends.
Labels: Finished Objects, Patterns
Pretty as a peacock
Here they are finally finished. After deciding I had oodles of time to knit these socks before the due date I put them away and knitted something else instead. Then (of course) I realised that I still had lots of sock to go and only a few days so I have been knitting these exclusively for a while. I like the way they turned out :-)
Basic toe-up pattern in 'peacock' colourway from Live 2 Knit. Difficult to see in this pic but there is a diamond pattern created simply by placement of purl stitches.
And all ready for the party tonight. Hope she likes them!
Labels: Finished Objects
Pattern: Swallowtail Shawl by Evelyn A. Clark, Interweave Knits (Fall 2006)
I’m finding it very difficult to photograph these socks effectively so you’ll just have to trust me. The lace pattern is very easy, and looks just a little like café curtains pulled back prettily on either side of a window.
