Free pattern: Close to me

This is what happens when you cross a small amount of Shilasdair 100% cashmere handspun yarn and a need (or rather want) for a light scarf. As I only had 68g of yarn, I couldn't make anything too big, so I started hunting for either long thin scarves, or short fat cowls. I found one or two things that I liked but didn't seem quite what I was after. The more I hunted, the clearer the picture became in my head of what I was after. I therefore made it up and it turned out perfectly (in my opinion). Please excuse the rubbish photos.



I combined the idea of a long thin scarf and a short fat cowl to create a long thin cowl that creates a cosy double loop around my neck. It's perfect for this yarn as it feels absolutely gorgeous and is so light you wouldn't know you were wearing save for the cosy feeling around your neck.



It's a really quick knit too, only 30 rows of knitting. It uses garter stitch with some very simple detail at the borders.



Gauge
Not critical

Things
I used:

• 1 68g ball of Shilasdair 100% cashmere handspun (I didn't use quite all of it)
  
• 6mm 80cm circular needle
  
• Stitch marker
  
• Sewing needle for finishing 
  

Abbreviations

• k – knit
  
• p – purl
  
• k2tog - knit two stitches together
  
• yo - yarn over 
  

Instructions

Cast on 172 stitches (or similar even number of stitches - just keep going until it looks right)
Join for knitting in the round, placing stitch marker to indicate the start of the round.

• Row 1: k all
  
• Row 2: p all
  
• Row 3: k all
  
• Row 4: p all
  

• Row 5: *k2tog, yo, repeat from *
  
• Row 6: p all
  
• Row 7: k all
  
• Row 8: p all
  

Repeat rows 5-8 one more time

• Row 13: k all
  
• Row 14: p all

Repeat rows 13 and 14 four more times (or more if you prefer a wider loop)
Then repeat rows 5-8 twice
Cast off very loosely, use a larger needle if necessary
Weave in ends

Still here and knitting

It's been longer than I thought since my last post - oops. I've been up to quite a lot over the last few months, some of it worth blogging about too!

The most important thing is that I'm knitting again and really enjoying it. I've had a bad cold for the last few weeks (will it ever end!) and knitting had been helping me through it :o)

I'm not doing as much Christmas knitting this year. Partly to give my poor relatives a break, and partly to avoid causing myself stress. I've finished one item (bar blocking) and I've got one more to go (to start actually...).

The first thing is a shawl for my Mam in bright purple angora. It feels gorgeous, like fluffy clouds. I'm very chuffed with myself as it's the first lace pattern I've ever finished. I really enjoyed knitting it and started to understand the pattern and memorise what I needed to do. I was also able to work out if I had made a mistake quite quickly. As it is quite an easy pattern, it wasn't too difficult to tink back to fix it - although having said that, there are one or two unique 'design features' in my version of the shawl ;o) It's smaller than I hoped, but hope blocking will help toward making it look better and bigger...



I'm also planning to knit a shawl for my boyfriends Mam, hopefully I've got time. And then I want to knit a lace scarf/stole for my auntie but that will be after Christmas perhaps for her birthday at the end of January.

I've also made a cardie for a friends little girl:



A little tree decoration for a Secret Santa swap on Ravelry:



In October we went on holiday for a week. We so needed a holiday. We went to Skye, and although it was a very long drive, it was so very worth it. I'd not been to Skye before and I loved it! We rented a lovely little cottage near the sea with fabulous views over the hillsides beyond. It was cold and quite wet, but we went out on days that we could, only two days were too stormy for us not to want to leave the house. On those days we curled up in front of the roaring fire, and I knit or read as I fancied. Wonderful!

I visited two yarn shops while I was there and spent far more than I should have on yarn. I went to the Handspinner Having Fun, as well as the famous Shilasdair. At the latter I bought a few odd skeins, one for my Secret Santa swap and two purple yarn for me - one was their 100% cashmere. I thought it would be good for some fingerless mitts, but decided to make a cowl instead. After looking for a pattern that I liked for while, I decided to make something up myself. So I did and I love it, it worked out very well. I might post the instructions at some point.



Well, I'm fairly sure I had more to write about but it'll keep. My head hurts. Between starting and finishing this post the shopping arrived - yes, I got ASDA to deliver and I'm very disappointed in myself (they use FAR too many bags and I always end up buying the wrong things, or not being able to find what I want and just giving up) but neither of us are feeling well so we gave in. We've got my boyfriends two boys this weekend and they were being very helpful carrying the bags to the kitchen and helping me unpack until one of them dropped a big jar of passatta and it smashed covering the kitchen floor in a thick layer of glass and sieved tomatoes. Joy. My other half had popped to the shops so I had to deal with it myself. Took a while but I did it, without any harm to bare footed boys too! My head is a different matter entirely...

SP12: This post is brought to you by the colour pink

First there was purple, then red, now my SP has sent pink yarn - and fabulous stuff it is too! As well as the pink yarn, I got chocolate and shower gel - all very very lovely stuff. Here's the pic...there may be some chocolate missing :o)



I had no idea who my pal was throughout the swap, one or two hints have been dropped recently and I think I've worked out who is...still not entirely sure though. Everything that I was sent had German labels, so I naturally assumed my pal was too! The last parcel had her Irish address on it which flummoxed me a bit!

I've really enjoyed taking part in his swap and I've had a great pal, but I don't think I've been able to put in as much time as I thought I would have had when I signed up. I'm not going to do the next one, but may join again in the future. It's a great idea, and I love being spoiled and spoiling someone else (although I do get a bit stressed during the wait to hear if they like what I send), so I'll see how I feel in the new year (new year! is it really October already?).

Having said that, I've signed up for a small swap on Ravelry. But it is really small, so I'm not too worried about it time-wise. I'm quite looking forward to it actually. Maybe I should head off now and do a bit of shopping :o)

I'll just finish with a final Thank You to my SP. Let me know if I guessed right!

Taa-daa!

I've just finished Sheldon. I'm very excited.

Unexpected quality knitting time

I definitely seem to be getting back into this knitting lark again. I'm actually feeling excited in the 'just one more row/section/piece' way. This has mainly been due to having time on my hands combined with a need to keep off my feet. I was off work on Thursday afternoon and Friday due to my arthritis playing up and attacking my feet. First the right foot, then the left. I therefore turned on the TV/radio/CD as the mood took me, sat on my arse, and picked up my knitting.

I'm fairly close to finishing the pinwheel cardigan, just two more rounds to go, then the sleeves. The most excitement has been with the toy tortoise (or rather turtle as the pattern states). I'm making Sheldon for my friends little boy, he'll be two later this month. This is a fabulous pattern. I love that it's in two pieces, the shell is like a jumper that fits over the little body section with it's huge head. I'm loving it, although it's quite hard going on my hands. I've gone down a few needle sizes so that it makes a firm fabric that doesn't stretch to show the filling inside, but it can be a bit tough going at times, at least the shell was.

I've almost finished the body, can't complete it until the safety eyes arrive and are attached, I ordered some today. I've done one leg - didn't manage to do the others due to impatience wanting to do the top of the shell. I've just finished the top and cast straight on for the bottom. Have had to stop to give my hands a break.



Yesterday saw the toy stuffing that I ordered online arrive. It came in a tiny plastic post bag which was bulging at the seems. I opened it to find it in another plastic bag with all the air squeezed out. When I opened that one, the stuffing expanded to about 10 times the size! It was amazing. Talk about tardis packaging. I'm only going to use fraction of it for this tortoise, so looks like I need to find more toy patterns. A dragon next I think, if I can find a good one.

Having had a restful weekend, my feet are a lot better, almost back to normal. Looks like work will be cutting into my knitting time next week :o(

Quick update - I've been knitting!

After what feels like a low that has lasted forever, I'm trying to pull myself together and get back on top of things. This, of course, includes knitting and I did get some quality knitting time in over the weekend. I suppose rain does have it's advantages...

I've decided to make knitted gifts for a friends two kids whose birthdays are less than a month apart. I'm making a pinwheel cardie for their little girl - I love this pattern and I had some machine washable pink and purple long colour-change yarn in my stash (Wendy Fusion, same stuff that I used for my clapotis but in a different colour way - got it really cheap in a sale and bought more than I'd ever need). It grew very quickly, although there was a lot of tinking involved at a few points where I'd missed a yarnover or two (grr).



I'm making their little boy a toy tortoise. They do have a real tortoise, so this will double as a friend for it too. It does look a bit ambitious, but we'll see how I go. Not got the link to hand for the pattern at the mo, and I've only done 4 rows so far, so not worth taking a photo just yet.

Photo updates

Just a quick post with some photos.

First, my second SP12 package:



Next, my clapotis sofa throw. I've been meaning to take a photo of this for ages, it lives on the sofa, even though I've not finished the ends yet (just hidden them). I'll finish it one of these days. The way the stripes worked out still hasn't grown on me which is a shame, but I do love the colours.



Lastly is my shawl. I've not picked it up for ages but I was enjoying it. I'll get back into it, hopefully.



That's all for now.

SP12: More goodies

My secret pal has done it again, I got another great parcel the other day. Photos to follow but it contained yarnie goodness (lovely red washable stuff), hand cream (tried out this morning, very good), latte macchiato chocolates (partly consumed) and some apple and ginkgo
flavoured green tea (not tried yet). Thank you secret pal!!

In other news, I'm still not knitting. Not doing much at all, well, nothing constructive. I just can't seem to snap myself out of this mood. It feels like it's been going on forever. I've not got as much on my plate now either - I didn't get the job but did pass that qualification - I thought I would feel better, but no. I'm even completely behind on my blog lurking, my bloglines reader is sagging under the weight of unread feeds!

Oh I dunno, maybe I'm exaggerating. I've had a bad day today and am feeling sorry for myself. Ignore the dark cloud.

sp12: Question of the week 6 and other brief comments

I am trying to post regularly, really I am. It's just not happening at the moment I'm afraid. I've got lots of things I want to blog about, just no time or energy to do it. More in a mo, but first, question of the week 6 (determined to answer it before no. 7 appears!).

What is your favorite type of project to take along on holiday/vacation?

This is an easy one. I've not been on holiday (proper holiday) since I started knitting so I have no idea what I'd take! I've also never knit in public. Not got any plans to either, at least until I've seen more people knitting English style and I'm satisfied that my technique isn't the worst and slowest in the entire universe...

I've not been doing that much knitting recently, just bits, nothing solid since I finished my clapotis - and I'm not actually finished that, still got ends to finish and mistakes to fix. Not even got any photos of it.

I pick up my new sock project every few days and do a round or two. I've almost got 10cm done, when I get to 15 things will start getting more interesting. I treated myself to some Posh Yarn and I adore how soft and gorgeous it feels. I wasn't too keen on the colour at first, it wasn't what I was expecting having seen it on the web, it was far more brown that I thought it would be. Once I started knitting with it though, the other colours, although subtle, really start to make a difference. It's a very dark, boyish choice but there really is a rainbow of colours in that darkness. I've called them my Goth Rainbow socks on Ravelry. Photo to follow when I've got more done.

I did some dyeing too a few weeks ago. It didn't go all that well, and the yarn - specific yarn for a specific project - has decided to change gauge. Completely. Not sure what to do, but it's a whole blog post in itself.

I've stopped and started various projects, just not able to keep to anything and loosing interest as soon as I cast on it seems. I've started something new today which I seem to be enjoying, even though it's on little needles! 3.5mm! I'm making a shawl, I think I'm going to give it to my Auntie. I've been looking at designs for a while now, but finally bought some yarn today and cast on a Swallowtail Lace Shawl.

I know exactly why I've found a sudden focus on knitting today. It's because I took the day off to prepare for a job interview that I've got later this week. I'm really scared, it's a job I really want, and I've got to do a presentation. I've therefore barely done ANYTHING constructive to help me get the job, but have bought a new coat, some yarn, internet shopped for some shoes (I don't wear leather so shoe shopping is tricky, thank goodness for the internet - quick survey: will bright red shoes go with a silvery grey skirt and black top? No, I'm not sure either, but so long as I don't look like a clown...otherwise, it's long black boots with buckles on the side - I got away with this outfit for a recent funeral, not sure how it would go down in an interview). I'm also writing here, rather than doing more to my pitiful attempt at a presentation.

I've also got it finish (...start...) some edits on the report for a professional qualification that needs to be handed in by the end of the month...

I wish it was August.

What I'm not doing

Not working. Not studying. Not applying for a job. Not doing anything that has has been consuming me recently. I'm having an evening of nothing other than sitting with a glass of wine and watching some rubbish TV (Bonekickers, is that really the best the BBC could do?), then a long soak in the bath I think, then bed with my book. Lovely.

SP12: Question of the Week #4 & #5

Apologies again at being so rubbish at keeping up with these questions. My answers aren't very inspired I'm afraid...

1) What yarn (that you don’t have/haven’t used) would make your stash “complete”?
2) What yarn do you never want to be without?

Surely that's 2 questions?

1) I don't think it's possible to make stash complete is it? I do need to find something that does the long colour changes like noro, but is machine washable. I'm very into stripes at the mo.
2) I like lots of things. Usually the yarn I could never be without is whatever I made my last project with, but that would be my clapotis, and I didn't like that yarn.

1) Where is your favorite place to go for vacation/holiday?
2) Where is one place you’d like to go?

1) Other than 'home' (the North East of England), I love going to the coast in any weather - Northumberland and Norfolk have fab beaches. I also love the Lake District.
2) Iceland (Norway, Canada, USA, Germany, Australia...)

SP12: Yey! First gift installment

I have a wonderful secret pal who's first gift (of three apparently) arrived yesterday.



The theme is 'purple'. There's 400g of thick, scrumptious purple yarn (the type of stuff you can bury your face in), lovely smellies and some blueberry and lavender chocolate. I'm impressed that even the chocolate has an injection purple!

My pal has done a very good job, I can't wait for the next installment! Thank you secret pal!

p.s. The package came from Germany, the chocolate and smellies have German writing...so either my pal is from Germany...or are doing a very good job of hiding where they're really from! ;o)

SP12: Question of the Week 2 & 3

Ok, sorry for being crap and answering these a bit late, not spent much time at the pc of late. I'm sitting here dyeing my hair red (again), I've got 20 minutes until I have to rinse. My hair is quite dark so I never get the bright colour that I would like, but it generally gets a good tint.

So to business:

As a kid, what did you look forward to most about summer vacation/break/holiday?

I used to love just messing about. There was a big field just next to my parents house and all the kids used to gravitate there. It was a great field with a hill which varied in slope with a big expansive flat bit at the bottom, perfect for sledging or bike riding. We also used to play tennis/football/kerby/made up ball games in the street - but there were less cars back then (70s/80s).

I was also quite fond of entertaining myself and could loose myself very easily in books, Lego worlds, toy car towns with the streets drawn out on a blackboard on the floor. Oh those were the days. I wish it was as easy to loose yourself in things as an adult as it was as a child. (Knitting sometimes comes close).

What would you consider the perfect amount of stash?

Hmmmm. Less than I have, but more focused would be ideal.

When I first started knitting last year, I quickly got into buying stuff (even before I knew that other people did that too - I was relieved to find out it was a bit of a knitters weakness). I made a lot of purchases then, of stuff I probably wouldn't have bought so much of now. I also get sucked into sales, and buy loads of stuff without having an idea of what I'm going to do with it. I'm also a hoarder, so find it difficult to part with things!

So not sure that there is a perfect amount of stash, but having good stuff that you know what you're going to do with would be ideal. I will never have that stash.

Right, I've got red gloop running down the side of my face, I need to go rinse this stuff off my hair, face, hands etc...

Claptastrophe

Oh it was all going so well. I finished the straight section and was storming into the decreases. I was very pleased with myself...until I noticed, completely by accident, this:



Can you see where I messed up? I've missed dropping 3 stitches!! I know exactly how I did it too (now I've sat down and studied it). The decrease section is the first section where you have to drop stitches at each end of the row, it's only been at one end until now. It didn't even cross my mind. Additionally, I'm using the spreadsheet (will update where I got it from later) which doesn't make it clear. I should have realised though. I feel so stupid!

So...it looks like I'm going to be doing some snipping (there's no way I'm frogging back!). I've been sitting looking at it and I think I have a plan. If I take a long length of yarn (in the right colour), and weave it across a row, following the stitches, so that it crosses each of the three drop rows that I missed and a bit further - leaving the stitches that are to drop unlooped (I know what I mean, but not sure I can explain it). Then I can safely snip the undropped stitch on the doubled up row and unpick it across the row, then weave in all the ends. The cut stitch will set the drop row free and I'll be able to drop it up and down, and the new yarn means nothing will fall apart. I think. Am I missing something? Hope not, but will find out tomorrow. Friday nights are for knitting, not surgery. I'm too tired to sort it out tonight, but I am actually looking forward to it! How weird is that? I've never cut my knitting before! Oh please let me not be missing something...

Clapotis progress and PIF

Well, my clapotis is coming along. Just two more pattern repeats to do before I'm finished the straight section. I love the pink, purple and blue, but not that keen on the green - it just doesn't seem to fit too well with the other colours.



I'm a bit worried about this tuft though...



Fairly sure it didn't used to be like that and I have no idea how it happened - did I do it, or is it something about the yarn I'm using? (Wendy Fusion) Hope it doesn't get any worse...

I've also just added my two PIF projects to Ravelry. Two people signed up with me to PIF and I sent out their gifts a few months ago. I made them the same gift, used Frances Swiecki's Brown Bag pattern, but in different yarns. It's a great pattern, I really enjoyed making them, and felted them on the same day - so both bags qualify as my first proper felting project.



I'm really pleased how they came out. They're slightly different sizes as I made a few adjustments to the red one due to having a little less yarn. I filled the bags with knitting nick-knacks and chocolate.

Not feeling too great day. I'm going to relax and do some more clapping while supervising my boyfriends two boys make secret fathers day cards. We've already been out the the shop to get him some chocolate and beer :o)

SP12: Question of the Week

What is your favorite summertime drink??

Hmm...well...depending on mood, it would either be a large glass of chilled dry white wine, or an ice cold G&T with a huge slice of lime. I can only have one though (stupid medication restricts my alcohol intake), so it would have to be good! I'd then have to move on to ice cold cranberry juice or fresh orange juice with all the juicy bits.

Clapping

I'm working on my Clapotis again, yey! After avoiding it for a about a week or so after I made a stupid mistake, I managed to fix it in less than half an hour. Just goes to show what I can achieve when I'm in the right mood. I tinked back to where I prematurely dropped a stitch (I have no idea how I managed to do that - I'm going down the purl route so it should have been blatantly obvious, gah!) and away I go again. Still not sure about the striping of the yarn... The mood didn't extend to working out my sock troubles, but I'm sure it will at some point soon.

Normality

Normality resumes, well, as much as ever.

Report is handed in, just waiting for feedback, so may have to do more work. Just had a fabulous weekend away with my family in Scotland, staying in a teepee in a forrest! Gorgeous weather, gorgeous surroundings, had great time. Really suffering now though, absolutely knackered and the arthritis is prickling - one shoulder is particularly bad so I'm trying to keep it still so am typing this with one hand. It's gonna be a short post due to that.

I did a bit of knitting last week. My clapotis was making good progress until I managed to drop a stitch too early and not notice until the next right side. Not good. Put it down until I'm in the mood to fix it. I hate unpicking. I made a quick hat and fingerless mittens over a coulpe of evenings to take to scotland. My socks are waiting to be fixed too, they developed a small hole and I'm not sure how.

Secret pal 12 has begun too! I got my pals details through today :o)

SP 12 Questionnaire

This is my first time taking part in a secret pal swap. Be gentle with me.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I’m still on a journey of discovery regarding yarns. I don’t like scratchy ones, and not that keen on boucle or eyelash either. When my other half pointed out how silk was made I was devastated so avoid that now :o(

Thinking about the yarn I’ve worked with, I really liked Rowan RYC Cashsoft Chunky, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky, Lion Brand Jiffy, Trendsetter Yarns Yosemite, Cherry Tree Hill Potluck Bulky, Manos del Uruguay 100% Wool and also really loved Noro Iro but that’s off the list due to the silk thing :’o( I love the way the colours change in Noro yarns.

I find narrow gauge hard to work with due to my arthritic hands. I’ve found 7mm needles to be quite a comfortable size and don’t often use smaller that that. Anything that knits up on 7mm-20mm is good.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I’ve got a big cardboard tube for my straights, I’m partway through knitting a cover for it. I’ve got a gorgeous needle roll for my other needles.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I was taught by my Gran when I was little, but never got away with it. I asked my Mam to show me the basics just over a year ago and this time it sunk in. I taught myself a lot of techniques using books and the web. It has become the most time consuming and expensive hobby that I’ve ever had!

I think I’m an intermediate. My Mam (who has been knitting all of her life) now asks me for help! Too weird!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Nope.

5. What's your favorite scent?

I’m not keen on strong perfumes, I used to work with someone who wore so much it would make my head ache! I currently wear Cerruti 1881 but once this bottle is finished I want to find something more natural with greener packaging (I’m on a ‘reduce-plastic’ thing at the moment and have just converted to shampoo and conditioner bars to avoid throwing away all of those empty plastic bottles), I’ll probably go for something patchouli based, I also like lavender and rose.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Yeah, fairly :o) but I’m trying to cut down because I need to loose some weight. I’m a fan of Green and Blacks milk chocolate, I adore Turkish delight but I’m a vegetarian and it’s not often I see any that I’m able to eat as gelatine is often used which isn’t veggie friendly – that goes for a lot a jelly sweets too, I used to love those!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I’m generally quite a practical, crafty person but don’t actively do much about it – knitting is the exception. If I had more time, energy and far far more talent I’d love to draw and paint, or sculpt or have a go at silversmithing or other metalwork. I have GCSE Woodwork so would be good to do something down that line too! My stupid arthritis doesn’t help with this kind of thing, my hands are quite weak.

I’ve been thinking that spinning looks like good fun and the videos I’ve been watching on youtube make it *look* really easy...

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I’m mainly into rock and alternative, with a bit of indie and classical thrown in. Can’t stand a lot of the music that’s in the charts...

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I’m a fan of rich, dark colours and muted tones of purples, reds, oranges, some blues and green, and of course black and silver :o) I’ve lately been getting into brighter colours such as pink and rainbows, not sure where that came from as I used to be a bit of a goth lol! I’m not a fan of pastel shades or gold.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I live with my boyfriend and he has two boys (7 and 9) who come round regularly.

We have no pets (we live in a rented house which forbids it) but we would love a couple of cats.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Scarves and mittens yes, hat sometimes, but not ponchos – although I do have poncho UFO...

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Not really thought about this before, but I think I’m quite fond of bags and hats, they’re generally small and quick so boredom doesn’t kick in, and you don’t have to make two!

13. What are you knitting right now?

I have lots of WIPs but the main two main ones I’m working on are a Clapotis, and my first pair of socks.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yep :o)

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I’ve tried all kinds, each new thing becoming my new favourite, but once I tried an Addi turbo I fell in love with circulars and smooth metal. This led to me trying the knit picks options – I didn’t buy a set, but a selection of tips in both the wood and metal. I adore the metal ones and can’t imagine using anything else – ever (apart from their metal dpns which I’m using for my socks, I adore those too).

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

Not yet, but I hope to one day.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

About a year old.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

At the moment, just not going to work would be the perfect holiday! But if we’re talking going-away holidays I love the Lake District, Northumberland and Norfolk in the UK. I love the going to the coast in all seasons and weather conditions – bleak is good. I’d like to go back to Italy too, I fell in love with Venice and would like to take my boyfriend there.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Not formally, but we do have a lot of dragony things around the house, and our CD collection has far outgrown our CD storage! Does yarn count? I have a fair collection of that.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

No books spring to mind and I’m fairly well set up with needles. New yarn is always welcome (by me at least, the boyfriend isn’t so keen), especially stuff that’s not available in the UK – I don’t have anything specific in mind as I’ve not really looked.

I used to subscribe to Simply Knitting, but it turned out that it wasn’t my thing; I rarely liked any of the patterns.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Crochet, I need to learn how to do that as there are some fab toys I want to make, I have a basic learn-to book and a set of hooks but have tried and failed to follow a pattern a number of times. I can do freeform though! I made a pot and a peg bag by just going for it – and they both turned out just like the pictures I had in my head – I was astounded.

I’d quite like to have a go at natural dyeing too, well, any kind of dyeing but using natural dyes appeals to my green side.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I’m a wannabe sock knitter, but not sure if my hands are going to let me. My shoe size is UK 6.5.

23. When is your birthday?

24th November

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

von

Not Knitting

...but sinking under a report I need to write. It was supposed to be finished yesterday. I spent the whole weekend working on it (usual avoidance tactics apply). I may get it finished this weekend. It's for a qualification I'm not even sure I want. I'm not having fun but I've done too much work towards it to give up now (I keep telling myself). Knitting will hopefully resume shortly.

Clapotis and socks

I've not actually made any progress with my clap today, but this is how its looking so far...



...see what I mean about the colours? They're lovely, but...predictable. I'm making it with Wendy Fusion (got it v. cheap) and I'm getting a little concerned about how it's going to work out. I've not long since started my third ball and the colour changes aren't all contained within one ball but carry across two. The first ball had the dark pink and green as its main colours, with smaller sections of purple and blue. The second ball had purple and blue as it's main colours with small sections of pink and green - but I made sure the colour started in about the right place by unwinding a bit of the start of the ball (can't remember what colour it started with, but it wouldn't have looked right). The third ball is like the first. Looking at the rest of the balls, they all start with the same colours, so this two ball repeat thing may not last. I hope I've explained that ok(?). I'm trying not to worry, it could just be me being paranoid.

The only knitting that I've done so far today is starting my socks again. Only a few rows in, but it's progress :o)

Not much going on...

It's been a bit quiet on the knitting front lately. Just as I was getting my oomph back my arthritis has decided to start playing silly-beggars. I'm hoping it's starting to settle down but my hands, although not overly painful, feel a bit swollen and aren't working as well as they might. Tsk.

My socks have been frogged and are waiting to be cast on again. As well as making a mistake with the toe increases (which I was going to live with) I made quite a few mistakes once I got into the pattern. It got to the point where it would be easier to start again that try and fix it. So, that's what I'm going to do. I was surprised at how well I got on with the tiny needles, so as long as that continues, I'll have a pair of socks...in about a year ;o) Oh and Sarah - thank you so much for offering to finish them off if I don't make it, that was such a lovely offer! Although I'll keep it in mind, I really hope I don't need to take you up on it :o)

In other news, I've started work on my first Clapotis. I had a strong start, but things have slowed because of my stupid hands. I'm still doing a few rows each day, it's good exercise. I love the colours of the yarn I've chosen, but not so keen on the uniform colour changes. Pictures to follow. I've just done my third drop stitch. It's on 6mm needles and those don't seem too bad to work with.

I've got another project in mind. More details when I've got more time but briefly, it's a pattern that is for a discontinued yarn. I've not been able to find a suitable sub but did manage to lay my hands on enough of the right yarn in the wrong colour. I'm going to dye it black. This will be my first dyeing experience.

Lastly, I've signed up for Secret Pal 12. Other than Pay it Forward, I've never taken part in a swap before. Hope it goes well!

Sarah's Fault Socks...

...that's the official title of my new knitting project! I have no idea if this project will ever be complete, but it's been fun so far. This is what I've been up to today:



Yes, it's the beginnings of a pair of socks. It seems that Sarah put something contagious in that PIF parcel! In no time at all I found myself adding a lovely, shiny set of knit picks 3mm dpns to my Options order - even though I hate dpns. Then I found myself browsing the web for sock yarn, found some on Etsy that I liked - even though I hate using thin yarn (I also surprised myself with the colour choice, but loving it so far). Finally I found myself searching Ravelry for a free sock pattern (I mean, is there anywhere else to look these days?). I definitely wanted to do toe up so that if I got fed up I could just make them really short!! I also like to idea of trying them on as you go. Found a pattern that I'm hoping I can do called Cut & Paste Socks.

I'm getting on remarkably well considering! My hands can be quite temperamental when either holding something small or holding something tight for a little while but so far they've not complained too much. To be honest, I'm finding the small dpns easier to manage than larger ones - although I've never used 5 before now, I generally use 4, so not sure if that has anything to do with it. I have a feeling it won't last...

I'm quite happy for this to be a pick-it-up-when-I-feel-like-it project. It will be quite interesting to see how I get on.

Itchy!!

Well, would you believe it? It's weeks now since I lost my oomph. Not just my knitting oomph, my everything oomph. I've been slogging away at, well, everything, as you do, but sans-oomph.

But it seems, since finishing the hoodie, my knitting itch has returned! I've been itchy all day, although haven't been able to scratch it as we've had lots on today. Not sure when I'm going to get a chance actually, but I'm very happy it's back.

Finished item: Santa Cruz Hoodie

Really love this little top – although it’s not as little as it maybe should be. I’m feeling quite nervous as it’s currently in the washing machine...I ummed and arred about hand washing it initially but decided that since it’s 100% acrylic and machine washable, maybe I should just go for it. I’m hoping this smoothes out some of the stitching as there’s a section on the back of the hood where I made a mistake that is a little loose now, and the grafting along the top of the hood isn’t completely invisible.



I made a few changes to the pattern, which I’ve mentioned on my Ravelry project page. I need to think about the balance between this blog and my Ravelry pages, I’m never quite sure where to put what!

The main thing I did was use a substitute yarn which gave me a smaller gauge. To avoid writing the pattern totally, I (and my Dad) worked out that stitch-wise, although I was aiming for the 6yr old size, I could follow the stitch count/instructions for the small adult size. The pattern handily included detailed pictures of the individual pieces and their dimensions. This meant that I could knit to the right lengths for the smaller size. I know, it all sounds very risky, but it seems to have worked out – I was nervous when I got to the raglan seams, as I hadn’t really taken those into consideration!

Other things I did include knitting the moss stitch cuffs in the round to avoid the need for a seam, which means they can be worn down, or folded back. The rest of the sleeve was knit flat.

I also did the hood a little differently. The pattern indicated knitting the hood minus the moss stitch ending, then picking up around the edge and adding it last. I didn’t fancy doing that, so I just knit the hood complete with edge. As the top of the hood is grafted to avoid a seam, it meant I had to graft moss stitch! I tried not to think about that bit until I needed to. When I did get up to it, I googled but nothing jumped out. I eventually remembered how to cheat graft!! This involved knitting an extra row or two in a contrasting yarn, then doing the graft with the live yarn, following the lead of the contrasting yarn. I started by doing two rows in contrasting yarn, but I found it a bit confusing, so I pulled out one row and that made it better to see what I was doing. I made the graft, then pulled out the contrasting yarn. All worked out well! I’m sure it’s the only way to go about grafting moss stitch.



I’m fairly sure the top is going to be a little big for my nephew, but he’ll grow into it...I just hope he doesn’t need to grow into a new shape!!

ETA: It came out of the wash looking the same size (yey/phew) and far more lovely, soft and fluffy. The stitches have evened out a little, but my tention on the graft was obviously a bit tight (still doesn't look too bad though). I really love it. It's so soft I just want to snuggle my face into it!

Pay it forward: Fabulous socks!!

There was a parcel waiting for me when I got home from work today. It was my Pay it Forward gift from the lovely Sarah! You have no idea how excited this made me. I've been quite down in the dumps of late, the timing couldn't have been better!

Even though the anticipation was killing me, please be impressed that I savoured the moment and managed to take a 'before' photo:



Isn't it such a beautiful and inviting package :o)

And this, of course, is the 'after':



How gorgeously fantastic are they!! (the photo just isn't doing them any justice) The colours couldn't be more perfect. I'm so impressed that people can make such small, perfect and beautiful things. Thank you so much Sarah, you are a very talented knitter! I really love them and am wearing them as I type. I loved the knitting based card that you sent too (just peeping out in the photo above), my other half is going to roll his eyes when he notices it on the mantelpiece :oD

A further 'after' shot will follow...when I've shaved my legs ;o) and the light is better.

My own PIFers should not loose hope! I'm almost finished, so hold tight, it won't be long now. I still only have two, I'll be looking for a third soon. If anyone is interested, sign up on the original post here.

That's all for now from this cosy toed Von, I need to get some knitting done as I've got a Birthday deadline to meet.

I think it might be returning

I can't say for sure, but it does seem like my knitting apathy is starting to fade. It was weird that I kept knitting throughout this time, but then, it wasn't just my knitting that I was fed up with, it was everything!

So, I started making a hooded top for my nephews third birthday in April. I'd thought about it for a while, and took a while to find some yarn that I liked. I chose Lion Brand Jiffy as it's chunky, feels nice, is machine washable, and comes in a good range of colours. I'm going for a red top with gray sleeves.

I hoped I'd get near gauge with this yarn but I didn't. Going up a needle size got me closer, but not near enough. Normally, I would see this as a challenge and launch into rewriting the pattern to suit my gauge, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I was hoping to cheat and make one of the larger sizes, with just a crazy hope of it working out. I asked for help on the Ravelry forum to help me work out what to do since my brain wasn't playing. I was warned off doing anything stupid and I listened. I love Ravelry.

I took this project with me when I went to my parents house over Easter, hoping to make a start. My Dad helped me work out the gauge issue. It's nothing I couldn't have done myself under normal circumstances, but I was glad to have some help. We worked out that stitch-wise, I could actually use one of the larger sizes, we calculated that it would work out (give or take half a cm). Length-wise, the pattern gave a schematic of each of the pieces and their measurements which meant I could use the measurements of the right size. The only bit to worry about is getting the increase and decrease spaced correctly, especially for the sleeves. Everything seems to have worked out for the back, I finished that over the weekend.



I sat down last night and rewrote the sleeve appropriately (well, here's hoping). I was also encouraged to find myself making additional changes to the sleeve to make it better (for me). Now, **that** is progress. The sleeve uses moss stitch for the cuff, then stocking stitch for the rest, and is knit on straight needles. Now, because I'm not sure of length of my nephews arms, and because the pattern shows the cuffs as being folded over, I want to avoid having an ugly seem. I'm not sure if my nephew will need to fold the cuff - so I can't predict which side to put the seem on. I therefore decided I'd do away with having a seem on the cuff at all! I'm going to knit just the cuff in the round, then change to knitting in the flat for the rest. I think I've taken everything into consideration that I need to, will just have to see if it works out.

I've made a start on the first sleeve, just a few rows into the cuff. I stopped to write this. But what I **should** be doing is writing a report that needs to be done by the end of the month and I've only got today and tomorrow free. I've also got some other non-work work to do...not sure how much of anything I'm going to get done. Best make a start though and at least get dressed (I'm sitting writing this in my pyjamas and dressing gown)...then have another coffee...and then see where all my other avoidance tactics take me :o/

Trying to make progress

I'm trying to get back into my knitting. First, I decided to make one of those soap jumper things - where a bar of soap is completely knit into its jacket, the theory being that as you use it, the wool felts and shrinks with the soap. I bought my boyfriend a pre-felted one for Christmas and have jealously watched him use it. He didn't think that much of it actually, but I want to try for myself.

I've been planning on making myself one for a while, and had plans of cables and fancy things. A very very cheap ball of Rowan Big Wool (I think it was - 99p in Dunelm Mills!!) spurred me to action over the weekend. Couldn't be bothered with cables when it came to it though (not a good sign). I did however make things more interesting by attempting to avoid having to do any sewing. I used the magic cast on (didn't need to look it up, I remembered how to do it after just playing round with it a few months ago to see how it worked!!), magic looped it on my Denise interchangeables (3 of the longer length cables joined together), decreased straight into the icord, then attached the other end of the icord to make the loop handle by picking up alternate stitches from near the top of the main body, and casting straight off - a complete experiment that turned out good enough. Just need to try it out now :o)



Can't say I was particularly inspired though. Curses.

I also read my first ever knit-lit over the weekend, The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood. I'm generally more of a fantasy person, but fancied a change. It was a quick read but not very inspiring (which I was hoping for). The characters felt too manipulated, with extreme problems and just didn't feel 'normal' or easy to identify with. Fairly disappointing really :o( Maybe I should have read some reviews or something rather than buy something on a whim. There's a lesson there. Either that, or it's a great book and my mood is just making everything seem rubbish.

So, back to the knitting. A lonely skein of Noro Iro called to me and I decided to make a birthday gift for my parents next door neighbour. She's in her seventies but you'd never think it. I thought a bit of simple garter stitch would help me get into the swing of things so made my second Long Cut Scarf. All went well, the result is great - as expected. Tempted to keep it for myself. Didn't get into it though - what's wrong with me?



Maybe my next project will help me. I've decided to make my nephew a hooded jumper for his birthday, he'll be 3 at the end of April. Cute kids clothes will surely get me back on track...

My first knitting anniversary

Wow, I can't believe it's a whole year (give or take a few days) since I started knitting! It feels like five minutes and forever all at the same time. I've never had a hobby that's become so addictive, so obsessively long lived, and that I've happily spent huge* amounts of money on!

Having said that, I may celebrate it by not knitting...I seem to be going through a patch where I can't concentrate on anything. I've not knitted anything successfully for a few weeks now. I've either not bothered picking anything up, or just not got into any of my projects. There are so many things I want to make too, it's frustrating, but this feeling isn't confined to my knitting, I'm feeling the same way about everything at the moment. There's a lot going on for both me and the people around me, it's a strange time and one that's got my mind in some kind of close-down.

I even tried to teach myself to crochet a few days ago to encourage myself to perk up a bit. There are loads of great crochet patterns that I'd love to make. I can crochet free-style, by which I mean I can make things that are about the right shape to match the pictures in my head (I've made a pot and a peg bag), but don't know what the stitches are called and can't follow a pattern. Armed with a learn to crochet book, my trusty laptop, and a pattern for a felted skull, I gave following a pattern a go. I started off OK, but things went down hill quickly, and rather than take up the challenge like I normally do, it became clear that I didn't have the energy, and I gave up. I'l try again when I'm in a better frame of mind.

Anyway, enough of that. I thought I'd write about what started me off knitting. It seems like such a tiny spark of a non-event, it's amazing really.

It all started with this



my then new phone, which didn't come with a cover and was rattling around in my bag. I wasn't too keen on that idea as it had cost a lot of money, so I hit eBay looking for a suitable, protective case. I found this



an innocent, fluffy, hand knitted cover. I liked it the best out of the covers available, nothing more than that. I bought it, chose the colour out of the options offered, and someone made it and sent it to me.

Unfortunately, when it turned up, I realised that my phone was a bit bigger than average and the cover didn't quite fit...



I was disappointed, but it was my own fault for not checking the size. I thought about emailing the seller and asking for a price for them to make a bigger one for me, but didn't get that far. As it happened, I was heading to my parents house that weekend, as I showed them the comical cover, a thought crossed my mind. A phone cover would surely be quite easy to make myself, there's not that much going on...is there? I found myself saying 'Mam, would you teach me to knit?'. And that's what she did. She'd not knit herself for years**, but dug out some needles and yarn, taught me to cast on, knit, purl, which side was which so I knew which was a knit row and which was a purl, and I was off. When I got home, I headed off to Hobbycraft after work the next day, bought some supplies - needles, a few different yarns, and made myself this



The phone cover I was after. I think beginners luck had a lot to do with it working out so well. The flap is shaped into a triangle shape through casting off, rather than a more knowledgeable decrease - but how fabulous! I made it (I still use it everyday, even though it's starting to fall apart).

From that point, I started buying books, and needles, and yarn, and yarn, (and a bit more yarn). I was off. I devoured new techniques, experimented, worked out how to follow a pattern, read blogs, looked for help online. It's been great, it had been years since I lost myself in anything like that.

I'm very proud of myself, I can properly knit! I'm quite surprised to find that I seem to be quite a fearless knitter. I'm generally quite willing to try things that sound difficult, work things out, make changes to patterns, or rewrite something completely to suit my needs. I've mastered all kinds of techniques, although still have a lifetimes worth to learn. The most pressing technique for me to improve is the weaving in of ends. I've tried a few different ways but I've not found anything that looks ok, those horrible little ends always seem to poke themselves out of the right side after a while - not a good look. I'll sort it though at some point soon.

It's all so amazing when I stop and think about it. I know my current blip will pass and I'll be knitting again very soon. In fact...maybe I'll just go and have a tinker now...


*huge is likely to be poor estimate, in reality, huge doesn't cover it. A more accurate term is perhaps immense, but lets not dwell on it...
**knitting seems to be contagous as my Mam has started knitting again, or at least picking it up now and then, making kids jumpers for charity - one and a half so far, but she gets me (me!) to do the sewing up.

Knitting confidence

Another finished item to report. I've made my Mam a hat for mothers day. Not sure how long it's going to be until my family get fed up of me making them things...but I'm still thinking it's nice to get something that you know someone has worked on, over numerous hours, with just you in mind.

At some point last year I made my Dad a chunky black hat with earflaps. I keep getting reports that my Mam keeps wearing it, and that she wishes the earflaps had a button on them so she could fasten them under her chin. I've never seen her actually wearing it, but the pictures in my head are horrific!! I decided that I'd make her one which is a tad more feminine and fulfills her earflap/chin fastening requirements - not to mention improving the pictures in my head....

So, after I mooch around Ravelry (it's been a while since I looked anywhere else!) I found the perfect pattern in 18 Seconds Before Sunrise. It has lovely cables, earflaps, i-cord chin ties. Perfect! Well, almost perfect...

...there was one thing about the pattern that I definitely wanted to change - the cables were all in stocking stitch, even though they extended from partial cables. I decided that I wanted to continue the stocking stitch, as well as the reverse stocking stitch, down through the earflap so that it looked seamless.

Once I read the pattern, I discovered that the hat was created first, then the earflaps added as a kind of afterthought and the stitches picked up. I instantly decided that I did like the sound of that and wanted to knit it all in one go as one piece.

It took me a while to work out how to achieve both of my pattern changes. I wasn't sure how to go about earflap inclusions - knit the earflaps from the top down on a provisional cast on and graft it onto the main hat? knit the hat top down and just continue on with the earflaps? knit the earflaps bottom up and join them to the hat on the cast-on row? That last one is actually the way I did it. I then had to look up and learn how to make the increases in the right directions so that the earflaps grew wider from the i-cord in an neat way. This tutorial was spot on: www.knittinghelp.com/videos/increases, I used the M1L and M1R. Worked brilliantly.

I know it's not brain surgery, but I was chuffed with myself to discover that I actually have the skills to do this. Then I thought about it some more and I realised that I do seem to do it quite a lot - just small scale stuff, but I often tweak patterns. Almost without thinking. The whole thing reminds me of a conversation I had with my Mam a few months after I started knitting. She's knitted forever but was stunned that I could make up my own patterns (my first knitted things were made up designs, it took me a while to build up the confidence to follow a pattern). She has always followed a pattern to the letter, never made any changes or improvements, wouldn't dream of it. It kinda surprises me that she thinks like that.

Anyway, I've wittered on far more than I meant to. Just wanted to log that I was chuffed with myself - for future reference. Oh, as well as to show my finished mothers day hat!

Knit Picks interchangeables, a change of heart - and other stuff

I've decided to slowly build up a custom set of the Knit Picks interchangeable needles. It would be silly of me to buy a full set when I don't use small needles, and I'm not sure I'd ever be able to decide between the wooden and the metal tips. Building my own set means I can mix and match.

I was spurred on after reading a discussion on Ravelry where someone suggested buying single tips of each type to try them out before buying a set. Not sure why I didn't think of that myself! I went straight to the Get Knitted and bought a pair each of the tips, and a couple of cables. I was gutted when they arrived (after a few more days than I would have liked) to find that they got my order wrong and sent two sets of the metal tips. I sent two emails over the course of a week to try and get the correct needle but didn't hear anything. I'd only used Get Knitted once before and had heard really good things about their customer services so I was getting annoyed and impatient to say the least! Am desperate to see what the wooden needles look like in real life, and have a project ready and waiting to jump on them! I eventually found the note on their website saying that they'd been having email problems, which calmed me down a bit and made me a little more sympathetic to them...although I'm still really peeved. I rang them up on Friday and she said the correct needles would be sent that day - I hoped they would arrive in the post on Saturday, but they didn't. Grr.

One good thing I found about the stuff that arrived correctly was that you get two end caps and locking pin with each cable (all for 99p!). Although this was all shown in the photo on the website, it wasn't included in the description, so I assumed you would just get the cable. Bonus. This helped with my decision.

Even though I'm not Get Knitted's greatest fan just at the moment, I have just sent them another order, including more cables and needle tips. It's not like I can go to any other supplier as, as far as I'm aware, they're the only ones who have them in the UK!

I just need to think of a storage solution for them as I'm going to be case-less. I'm going to look into fishing tackle cases as they are generally cheap, often take the form of a neat, zip closed binder with a number of transparent, sealed pockets. Sounds perfect for circular needles! I just need to find a nice looking one...

So on to knitting progress!

I eventually finished my scarf. It's a short, button closed affair and I love it! The softness and gorgeous coloured yarn works out really well. Very happy, although could have done without the numerous froggings of other patterns, I could have knit the scarf 3 times over, easily!



I also made birthday gift for one of my friends. It was an early gift, her birthday isn't until March, but she was calling in over the weekend so I thought I'd save the postage and give it to her early. I also wanted to see her reaction...but curses, she didn't open it but said she'd keep it for the big day. Ah well, I wasn't going to force it.

I used Noro Iro which is a very beautiful yarn. I made a narrow scarf which set the striping off wonderfully, and made some flip top mittens to go with it. I was very impressed with myself regarding the mittens. They're the fiddliest thing I've worked on, especially as I didn't have any suitable needles to magic loop them, so had to use the dreaded dpns. My boyfriend was fascinated with them, I regularly caught him staring at me working on them. He had very nice things to say about the finished article too and was really appreciative of how much work had gone in to them. Aww. He wasn't too happy that it took me a whole evening to do the sewing and weaving in of ends as I needed the main light on in the front room which is very bright and spangley. Ah well, I finished in time to settle down and watch Jools Holland in our more customary mood lighting.







I've come to a stop with my shopping tunic. I'm two thirds done and am at the point where I could try it on. With some help from my boyfriend holding the needles, I wiggled into it and stood in front of the mirror. We were both in complete agreement as to how TERRIBLE it looked. It's supposed to be quite fitted, but this thing is far too tight, and being quite chunky it makes all my bits that are quite big enough look HUGE. Disaster! To try to salvage something I'm going to play with my swatch and see how much it grows in the wash. I've made two of the same size so I can compare after one has been washed and blocked. Too fed up to face it at the moment though.

I've been doing a bit more of my PIF knitting too, but keep needing the needles for other things. This is one project that will come along much faster once Get Knitted send me the RIGHT needles!

I also got to the free limits of Flickr this week. 200 photos! After much thought, I invested in a Pro account but didn't really want to. I'm quite happy with having a Pro account for my general photos, as I have a lot of friends and family I share them with. I don't want to put all my knitting stuff on there as it would take it over. After getting frustrated that I was taking photos and not adding them to Flickr (and Ravelry), I decided I would be happier just biting the bullet and spending the extra money. Happiness over frustration...and it's not *that* expensive...although all these things add up.

Well, I think that's enough rambling for now, I need to do some stuff round the house - although the weather is so lovely, I’m fighting the urge to curl up and have a snooze in a sunny patch - cat like.

This and that...

I can't quite remember the full conversation, probably because of the shock, but the other day, my boyfriend said he didn't mind how much yarn I bought...! *sharp intake of breath* ...so long as I didn't keep it in the front room. I just wanted to log that for prosperity. I've been stopping myself having a huge yarn splurge all week!!

I'm toying with the idea of buying some of those beautiful knit picks harmony options interchangeable needles. It's a difficult one as they're not an ideal solution, and I've already got my pink Denise interchangeables, which I love dearly when it comes to functionality, but they're not the most aesthetically pleasing little things.

The thing is, the majority of the harmony needles are in sizes smaller than I generally use. At the moment I'm going through a 7mm needle phase and my hands seem to like this. They were hurting the other day when I was working on 15mm, which surprised me as I've found bigger sizes to be kinder to my hands in the past. It might be something to do with the type of needles too - my favourites at the moment are my 7mm addi turbos (80cm - the 40cm ones in the same size have a shorter needle body length and are less comfortable). The length of the needle in my hand is comfortable and I like how slippery and shiny the metal is. Would the harmony ones have the same comfortableness? Also, 7 of the 9 needles are smaller than I would use - unless my hands suddenly change their minds about what they can cope with. So that's only TWO pairs of usable needles (although I'd probably use some of smaller ones on the left when knitting in the round). I'd also probably buy some of the larger needles separately (on an as-and-when basis) which takes the price up by quite a bit. I looked into buying the bits I'd use separately, rather than starting with the full set, but it would cost even more, and Get Knitted don't seem to sell the end caps and cable keys separately - so that would be a bit of a problem. You small needle knitters have it so easy!

Anyway, enough about that. I've actually started to make some headway with some knitting for me! I've not actually made myself anything to wear yet! I'm making myself the Shopping Tunic from Twinkle's Big City Knits. Annoyingly, the pattern only goes up to a 33" bust, so I've had to do a bit of guess work to make it a little bigger. I'm also using a different weight yarn as I need it to be machine wash. I love all these gorgeous yarns, but my hands can't cope with hand washing big items, so I need to think carefully about that in my choice of yarn. I've gone for Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in black. It's cheap, machine washable, and actually feels really nice too. I used this converter to help me recreate the pattern to my new gauge. I just hope it works out.

I'm also knitting myself a scarf. It's been a bit of an epic as I've tried and failed a few patterns. I've frogged it so many times I'm not sure the yarn can take much more. I've ditched the My So Called Scarf pattern as I made too many mistakes which I found really difficult to fix - especially with the thick and thin yarn I'm using. I've finally gone for Misti Chunky Ribs & Ruffles Scarf, it looks ok...but not great in this yarn, but sod it, I can't rip it out again, it's this or nothing!

Last weekend I finished a belated birthday gift for my neice. She's really into Harry Potter so I made her the Dark Mark Illusion Scarf. I was really pleased with it but couldn't really tell if she liked it or not...



I've also started my PIF knitting, but haven't got too far, I want to finish my top first.

I think that's all for now.

Free Pattern: Camera Sock

This is a finished object that I’ve not blogged about until now. It just made it on to my finished item list of 2007 :o)

I made it one cosy evening between Christmas and New Year while I was staying at my parents house with all the family around. I used leftover yarn from my Christmas knitting – and about an hour later, I had a fab sock to keep my camera in! I got the camera from my lovely boyfriend for my Birthday in November but it didn’t come with a case and I really want to look after it well and keep it safe.

I made the design off the top of my head, I knew what I wanted it to look like – long and ribbed so that it was snug and self-closing – and so I could hold the camera strap without the sock falling off. It worked out better than I could have hoped!!

Like all my other projects, I put it on Ravelry. Someone left a comment asking for the pattern – so here it is.

Let me start with a warning, I didn’t make any notes when I created the sock, so these notes are done by memory and analysis of the finished item. I’m a little concerned about the decreases – I’m fairly sure I’ve got it right, but won’t know until I knit it again (which I plan to do, maybe in stripes).

This is a quick and easy knit and needs no joining, just a couple of ends to weave in – bonus!

Size

• To fit a camera 4 x 5 x 11 cm (give or take a few mm)

Stuff you’ll need

• Less than 50g of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky (didn’t take very much)
• Set of 7mm double pointed needles, or a long 7mm circular needle (I used the latter and the magic loop method of circular knitting – great instructions here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtBSmxGomPk)
• Spare 7mm needle for cast off.

Gauge

• 15sts = 10cm

Abbreviations

• Sts – stitches
• K – knit
• K2p2 – knit 2 purl 2
• K2tog – knit 2 together

Instructions

• Cast on 20sts using the thumb method, or other stretchy cast on – great instructions here: http://www.learn2knit.co.uk/knitting/cast-on.php (basically after a bit of negative ease so that the sock stretches around the camera – I measured the circumference of my camera to be 17.5cm, so using 20sts at the set gauge will make it stretch a bit)
• Join round making sure the stitches aren’t twisted and place marker at the beginning of the round
• Work in k2p2 rib until work measures about 17cm (or about 6cm longer than the length of the camera) [20sts]
• Then knit about 6 rounds [20sts]
• Next round: k2tog, k2, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k4 [16sts]
• Next round: k2tog, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k2tog, k4 [12sts]
• Next round: k2tog, k4, k2tog, k4 [10sts]
• Next round: cast off using three needle cast off on wrong side (great instructions here: http://www.crazyauntpurl.com/archives/2005/12/one_bassackward.php)
• Weave in ends
• Put camera in sock and enjoy!

That’s about it!

[Edited to amend decreases]

Chanting (my so called scarf)

Amongst other things, I'm currently working on My So Called Scarf. I love the look of the stitches (even though I'm making it in a thick and thin yarn) and I really can't wait to finish. I'm making it as a short but wide neck warmer and am planning to add a button or two to keep it crossed over at the front.

Thing is, I occasionally find that I've dropped a stitch and I find it an absolute nightmare to unpick these stitches!! I suspect I'm loosing my stitches on the purl row, where you have to kinda purl two together then purl the first stitch again before you drop the stitch off the needle - I suspect I must be loosing concentration and occasionally just puring two together.

I'm also finding this project quite hard on my hands, which isn't good. The fewer mistakes the better (for my poor hands).

I therefore seem to have taken up chanting to keep on the right track! I'm chanting the rhythm of the stitches in my head as I go along - in the hope that I'll realise straight away if I go wrong! Not sure if this means I'm starting to go insane. I suppose it's an extension of the counting that I usually find myself doing in my head - even if I don't have to count the stitches! When I do that, when I don't have to, and without realising I'm doing it, 9 times out of 10 I'll end up with a number that *isn't* the amount of stitches I'm supposed to have, so I'll panic and have to do a full recount - it'll always be something like 29 when I'm suppose to have 30.

I may put off worrying about it until I start doing out loud. Even worse would be if I start doing it out loud without realising...

My 2007

What a strange year.

A year ago, if you told me that I was about to take up knitting and it would completely take over my life, I really wouldn’t have believed you - not the knitting part and especially not the taking over life bit! I have no idea how or why I caught this bug, I had no idea that other people had it too, but I’m glad it found me. Even my boyfriend has accepted it and bowed to my taking over part of the living room to store books, needles, yarn, multiple projects etc. He also knows that I have lots more hidden upstairs and seems to understand that this is something which just shouldn’t be spoken of ;o)

As well as knitting, 2007 brought lots of emotions with a cancer scare for me; a settling of my arthritis and the medication used; my Dad having cancer, then not having cancer, then having cancer again (confirmed a few days before Christmas); and the death of a much loved pet, to name a few. It also brought some big personal decisions which will be played out over the coming year(s).

But to get back to the knitting…as a child, when I was first taught to knit by my Gran, I was rubbish – totally rubbish. I persevered for a while but eventually gave up and didn’t even think of trying again until March last year. All it took was my Mam to show me how to cast on, knit, purl, cast off and I was away! I experimented, taught myself new things by trial and error, and looked things up on the net when I got really stuck – but essentially, it just clicked. Who could believe that I’d be able to make identifiable things! Who’d have thought I’d be able to not just follow a knitting pattern, but understand it too (more or less)! …and I don’t even want to think about how much money I must have spent on all the kit I seem to have collected.

I’ve really enjoyed reading other people’s knitting blogs too. I am a lurker by nature and do read an awful lot blogs both from the UK and further a field. I should comment more but don’t always have anything to say. Ravelry has been a really great resource too. How did people cope before Ravelry?

Since March, I have made the following things:

• Mobile phone cover – the first thing I knit, completely made up (before I had attempted following a pattern). It’s getting tatty but I love it and use it every day!
  


• Long fuzzy scarf – a beginners must do kind of a thing


• Massive yarn store bag made from scraps – a really terrible looking thing which is hidden away upstairs


• Three sets of chunky hats and scarves, as well as various other hats
  


• Gilet for my Mam - she wears it when I'm around...wonder if she does when I'm not ;o)
  
• Massive chunky cardigan – given to my SIL
  


• Sleeveless top – waiting to be frogged and turned into something nice


• Girlie cable tassel hat and matching leg warmers – made up patterns in my excitement of having taught myself to cable
  


• Chunky cable throw – much appreciated by the recipient, and I hope loved...
  


• Cable hat and matching mits – I think the recipient liked them...
  


• Sweater bag – much loved by the recipient
  


• Two skull illusion scarves and matching hats – again much loved by the recipients even though the hats were a bit big...
  (they deliberately made them look worse for this photo!)
  


• Dog snood - went down very well with my brothers family, especially his dog :o)
  
  
• Camera sock – much loved by me, and made specifically for my camera to my own design
  

And that’s just the stuff I’ve finished! It’s not a bad list and I can really see an improvement with each finished project. Go me! I have one more gift on the needles (and then my PIF gifts) but then I focus on making stuff for **me**!!!

I think that’s about it for now.

Happy New Year!