falling light

The clocks have gone back and in the 20 minutes since I turned the PC on it's now dark. I caught the last of the day's light to take the photos below. With the cold winter weather coming my mind has turned to warm and snug things to wear. When I came across this book, Northern Lights by Lucinda Guy. I had to buy it as I had fallen in love with the Hulda Pullover and the Twined Socks.

The book takes inspiration from northern European countries Scandinavia, Iceland and the Shetland Isles.

The Hulda Pullover is in the Icelandic section of the book, so I found this shop, and bought my yarn from it.

My yarn came in a dizzying selection of colours, but I followed the exact shades from the book, as that is what makes it, I think.

The reds that go just around the base of the jumper, which lift it.

I love these oh so subtle changes from off white up to black in the yarn selection. This is what makes the stripes so lovely in this jumper with the gradual gradation of colour.

Now have I actually got any time to make it? Not really!

wool week freebies

The weather is slowly turning. Cold wet winds are trying to push out our warmer days and banish summer for another year. This change in temperature and climate makes me start thinking of blankets, crumpets, hot drinks, boots, scarves and hats!

So with great timing it's just been UK Wool Week (or Love Wool UK). It's time to get your needles or hooks out! I was in Leeds over the weekend, where there was an event on in the Corn Exchange sponsored by Rowan. On display were some lovely knitted & crochet goods and the lovely people from Rowan have put the patterns for free (yippee) on their website!

Union Jack Heart Cushion

Ripple Patch Cushion



Moss Stitch Ripple Large Cushion

Crochet Swirl Cushion

My main reason for being in Leeds was to see the Kaiser Chiefs at Kirkstall Abbey on Saturday afternoon/ evening. It was a really good gig, the band are from Leeds so it was a homecoming concert (and it kicked off their UK/ World tour).

I travelled by train, and I'm glad to say they were all on time and they all turned up!

Advice please?

Hi

Can anyone recommend to me a really good how to book on cable knitting? I have loads of sewing books, but only one on knitting, and unfortunately that does not go into cable knitting.

You may have guessed that my hat that I'm trying to knit is not going well : (

Edit ::

I have realised my BIG mistake, I was reading the chart the wrong way round!! Left to right and not the correct right to left. I was too preoccupied with the cable knitting, and forgot to get my chart reading mind into gear!!!

I'm hoping this IS my ONLY mistake, but I need to knit a few more rows to be sure.

I am stupid!

a tale of 2 (3) hats

As I travelled to work last Friday, on the train, I took my lovely 100% lambswool Howies hat off, that I have worn for a few winters with love, and put it on my lap. Then I got my bag of crochet, and popped that on my lap, and proceeded to ripple along merrily.

The train was busy, so as my station approached, I hastily put the crochet back in the bag, stood up and squeezed my way past a load of commuters, and got off. As I got off, a horrid thought went through my head, "where is my hat?" And I knew. There was no way I had time to get back on the train either. Yes, I put in a call to lost property, but they never reunite you with your belongings.

And at the moment it is still cold out, and my head needs a hat. So the following day I went to town in search of a hat, but none were to be found. So I knew what I needed to do. Knit one for myself.

Of course, as I'm such a procrastinator of projects, I had the perfect quick knit wool in, that I bought, 7 or 8 years ago, waiting for a moment such as this. I also am on ravelry, so I looked up some big knit wool hats and combined a few patterns. I decided to go for this look, the Banana Republic Knock off Hat but my wool was a heavier weight than the one in the pattern, so I tweaked it all to something like this:

Hat #2 was quick and easy enough to sew up, but it's not the most perfect hat. Luckily inspiration wasn't too long to be found. I test drove my new hat to the park. And while there I saw my perfect new hat. It was a pull on woolly hat, but with a criss cross stitch (lattice) over it.

Again Ravelry came to the rescue, as I scoured it for yet another hat pattern. I discovered this, the Koolhass Hat, by Jared Flood, published by Interweave Press. And it looked a very good match, to the hat in the park.

So I purchased some suitable wool, although after a lot of toing and throwing with the woman in the shop, who didn't believe the instructions!

I cast on yesterday, 104 stitches, knitted about 15 rows, this is my first ever, in the round and cable project, realised my cable was out of sync, in half the hat, but fine in the other half? So I unravelled and have recast on today. Which is just as well as I was doing the rib wrong as well!!! I read it as k1, p1, p1 repeat, it's actually k1, p1, p1, k1 repeat, I did think my rib as wrong, but never realised yesterday!!!

This is going to take a while this hat. It might even be summer before I can wear it, who knows? But if it works out, I'll be very proud of my new achievement.

Hat

I have made this hat for a friend who has just had a little boy. I added the stripes, but apart from that I kept the pattern the same.

The pattern is from Debblie Bliss' Baby Knits for Beginners which is a lovely book, and really well written and easy to follow.

Big New Project

I am so so guilty of starting one project (or 3) before completing another. Or buying in supplies for other projects as well. For example, while making the Pirate Jumper, I bought wool for the following; goldilocks and the 3 bears finger puppets, a dinosaur toy, and 14 balls of yarn for a blanket AKA the big new project.

Even though I said I WOULD NOT start this project before the jumper was finished, I did. Bad, bad me! I'm also trying to support local businesses, but there was NO WAY I could justify £45- £50 on yarn for this blanket, so I bought the yarn on Ebay. Small projects I'll buy locally. I'm sure other people have this issue too.

Anyway, the pictures aren't great this time but I hope you can see that it's a textured blanket, posted about here. The pattern is moss stitch hearts and stars with a moss stitch border around each individual heart and star, and the edge as well.

I started it 3 times (167 stitches to cast on) I really want this to be an excellent blanket that I'm going for as near to perfection as I can get it.

It's another Zoe Mellor design from one of her books that I took out of the library! The book is The Big Book of Kids Knits.

Although it's a lot more yarn than the jumper, I'm hoping it'll be easier, as there's no shaping, no sewing together pieces and no panic whether it will fit or not. When I'll get it finished by is anyone's guess! I wonder how many smaller projects I'll do before this gets finished up. (my inner voice is saying to me make the 5 minute skirt courtesy of Amy Karol. And it seems like I'm not the only one with the same inner voice! x and x and x) Will let you know!!

Although I know it won't be 5 minutes!

Finished!!!!!!!!

I finally finished my son's pirate jumper (started in Nov/ Dec) while getting over tonsillitis (I'll go into detail another time!) This was by Zoe Mellor in the Adorable Knits for Kids Book and also her Big Book of Knits.

Ever though my son is 21 months old and the jumper is aged 3-4 (I think) it only just fits him. I checked my tension, and that was perfect so the pattern is just on the small side. My son is below average size as well. So the best thing to do is measure child, then work out if the finished piece will give enough room.

The other thing I had an issue with were the sleeves, which I messed up a bit. I had to increase the stitches every 4 rows, and end up with c 56 stitches, and for it to measure a certain length from the cuff edge. Well there was no way I was going to get the final 56 stitches across at the desired length, so I had to unravel and add in more stitches. Next time I will work out when to add extra stitches and not rely on the author!

I did have a lot of sewing in of ends to do, and I probably could have minimised that more by bringing the yarn up through the stripes. Still it was a learning experience.

I found the intarsia fine to do, and was less daunting once I got started on it. Again it's the sewing in the ends that takes a while.

For my first jumper I learnt a lot but overall am very proud that it turned out mainly ok. And my son, for the shortwhile he gets to wear it looks adorable.

PS Of course I'm on my next BIG project!!!

Art of the Note - Gocco Swap

Look over there ----------> and you will see a Gocco Swap banner, from Cloth Paper String, which is just the thing to get me going on my little, yet fabulous machine! I'm going to get my thinking cap on, and design a few different things. Any ideas welcome!

My jumper, yes the Pirate one, is nearly there!!! I'm on the neckband. Of course the fear that it won't fit my youngest is quite strong!!! I'm not convinced by the sleeve length etc! That didn't work out at all in the pattern. When I'm finished I'll have to do a thorough report on the issues I found with it.

Are my knitting needles trying to win me over?

This afternoon I popped into Purl to by some thread (for sewing) and Debbie, the owner, said that she had a book for me.

Apparently a few people complained about the instructor on the course I did a few month's ago there, and as the course tutors work for Rowan, Rowan sent along a book called Finishing Techniques for Hand Knitters by Sharon Brant for all the people who were on the course. I was impressed by the course, and got a lot out of it. The teacher did expect us to go pretty fast though, one thing I'm not so great at.

The book looks pretty good, nice clear photography and instruction, so I'm very pleased.

Knitting needles 1 VS sewing machine 0 !!!

Knitting I've Done, and dream of doing....

This is where I'm up to with the front section of the pirate jumper. It's quite time consuming but I'm enjoying myself! I quite like following the grid, you know where you are with it, if you see what I mean!


........Back .................................. Front ..........
The back shows all the strands, and it was in quite a tangle, but I sorted that out and cut strands that were not needed any more, to make it less of a mess. But from the front you'd never know what was going on at the back. I'm not sure about weaving in, I may have to go and get some expert help on that.

All the projects are from Zoe Mellor books. I think the animals are gorgeous. But whether I get to make any is another thing altogether!!!

The mice are adorable and I love the owl. Very sweet. I think the colour choices make all these things extra special.

The dinosaur has been requested by my eldest son, so I might indulge him. Although I like the goldilocks and three bears finger puppets. They probably wouldn't take long to do either! A possible present for friends!




If I had a daughter I'd definitely make that hat! I think it's so sweet.



I love this orange blanket. I think I will make that. Just looks great.


The cable knit is beyond my knitting knowledge at the mo, so I might ask Great Grandma to make it for my youngest as his Xmas present. I will definitely learn cable knitting though at some point.

I love this blanket as well, but I think I'd do the orange one first!
The books are The Big Book of Kids Knits and Knitted Toys: 25 Fresh & Fabulous Designs . I've borrowed them from the library. The pictures in the books are beautiful and I can't help but feel they are selling a lifestyle that just doesn't exist! Not to me anyway. Still I can't help but be seduced!

Learning new things all the time

Yesterday I attended a knitting workshop at Purl. The workshop was all about finishing techniques, and was so helpful. I learned so much, and even the experienced knitters in the group also learned new skills, so I think it was great for everyone. Also Debbie, the shop owner kept us going in teas, coffees, cakes and biscuits, plus lunch. So everyone had the best time. It was 10-4pm and 6 bhours raced by. My head was a bit groggy towards the end of it (do I do a knit stitch, is it a purl?) but the lady next to me kept helping me, she was very kind.


I learned how to do a neckline, decrease (where to drop the stitches for a nice look) and how to pick up stitches to do the ribbed neckline. The rib at the bottom I totally mucked up, and I've got all sorts of things going on in there!!!


I also learned how to do a 3 needle bind off, which I'd never seen before, but it certainly gives a nice finish.

Plus the mattress stitch.

Now you see it:

Now you don't!

Plus how to do a cable cast on and make a buttonhole. Ta dah!:

The teacher works for Rowan, and she was great. Plus we got really clear handouts, so when I no doubt forget half of it I can read those and look at my samples that I made!

Now I have requests for jumpers from my husband and my sister, but they've got a long wait, as my skull and cross bones pattern is taking ages, although the intarsia is fun!

Intarsia advice

I found this site, and it has certainly saved my bacon!! Thought I'd share it with everyone, if you are knitting with more than one colour and don't know what you're doing, like me!!! Intarsia video help. I have just started the intarsia bit of my pirate motif, and have guessed how to do it (incorrectly) and wondered why I was getting gaps in my knitting between 2 colours, now I know I have to twist the yarns to avoid the gaps!!! Marvellous!

I also found this site with more tips.

If anyone else has any Intarsia advice please please give it to me!!!!!! Thank you!

Great Things

Yesterday I discovered a new yarn shop, Purl, relatively near to me. I didn't even know it was there! Although, in my defence it's only opened in the last few months. The best thing about the shop is that they are running classes for both children and adults. As you may remember I'm making a jumper, slowly! The shop has 2 classes which would be really helpful, one in finishing items and another in intarsia and fairisle. So I'll be booking myself on those, to get some proper instruction from someone who knows what they are doing! I'm lucky I have my husband's grandma for advice, but she's 300 miles away!

Easter Countdown

I haven't done much lately, but I have big plans for the 3-4 days that I should have alone over Easter.

Firstly I have some repairs.

1. Some of my earliest doorstops have not stood the test of time, due to far too much flinging around by my children. So I'm repairing 2 or 3 of them, going to add in a zip, and resew over the seams a few times to make them stronger, plus wash them!

2. A jumper that has split on a seam, resew that.

3. Repair pocket in husband's jeans.

To make:

1. Some tote bags. I want to eradicate all plastic bags from my life!

2. Amy Karol Pleated Tote bag (forgotten what it's called) Completed on 21/3/08!

3. Maybe a Betz White felted project.

4. Tidy up and sort out my office area

5. Sort out photos!!!

I'll have to see just how far along I get, but will certainly post piccies of any sewing I get done!

I cannot wait, I just hope my sewing machine doesn't bail on me!

Pirate Jumper

Ages ago, I started a jumper. Then I put my knitting down, had Xmas, New Year and suddenly it's the end of February!

So I picked up my needles and got going. I did have a probelem understanding the pattern, in shaping the neckline, but one call to my husband's grandma sorted that out! So here is the back piece of the jumper! The front is where it'll really get interesting!

Glutney and Pirates

Yesterday I finally picked the rest of our tomatoes (still green) yes it is about 2.5 months late, but the plants were alive and well on our microclimate balcony! But with no sun, there wouldn't be any more progession for the tomatoes. So today I made green tomatoe chutney (1/2 from my M-I-L's recipe and 1/2 from Hugh Fearnly-Whittingstall's River Cottage Year. They filled 2 largish jars, and in 2 months we can start using them. Very pleased with my belated Autumn harvest!

Quick knitting update, I've not done quite as much as I would have liked, but I do a few rows every day. This is the back of the jumper btw. Luckily I have 2 years to complete this in.

Pirate Update

Here is the first photo of my pirate jumper, so far so good. Although needles do hurt my fingers, especially on the purl stitch! I'm giving myself c2 years to get it done!

From Cakes to Pirates

Cake bit:
I don't think I have mentioned this, but in October I started a cake decorating evening class. I felt it was time to improve my efforts for my children's birthday cakes. Anyway, our first project is decorating an Xmas Cake (I used the Delia Smith recipe for an 8" cake - you can't go wrong with Delia, IMO.) We are following our teacher's design, which is quite traditional. A tree, to be decorated with Xmas Roses, Holly, Ivy and Red berries. I had to make some at home, as I'm never going to get it all done in the class, I'm not that fast at doing it. But I am enjoying it very much.


Pirate Bit:
And I am going to aim to turn this:




Into this:






Yes the wool just arrived, in the end I had to cancel the Navy yarn, and find another shop who actually had it in stock, instead of pretending they did!!! Is it that hard to update your website, or advise customers of stock issues??? Never mind, it's here, and I shall get knitting tomorrow. I'm knitting a few sizes bigger than I need for my son, as I'm going to take my time!!! I've never done anything like this before, you see. Any comments/ advice very much appreciated.