Knitty Knacky Noo

Oops, Catch Up part 3

2009-02-11T15:21:00.006Z

There shouldn't really be catch up part 3, because I was going to post more often but clearly that hasn't happened so think a catch up is required.

So first off we have Tree Jacket

Tree Jacket is a pattern from Zephyr Style and is a top down construction so no sewing up, hurray. The yarn is King Cole Merino Blend DK in French Navy from Texere

Next up is Baby Cables and Big Ones Too

Baby Cables and Big Ones Too is also a top down jumper, do you see a theme appearing. As you can see it's a bit tight because my tension was a bit off, but that's nothing new, I really should pay more "attension". Do you get it, attension instead of attention, I really need to get out more!
Pattern available as Ravelry download.
If you are signed into ravelry click the link and it should take you straight to the pattern instead of the front page.

Then we have Official Kittyville Hat

I made 2 of these hat's at the request of my sister as Xmas presents for her friend's Faye & Jonathan. She wanted the kitty ears but not the ear flaps. The pattern is from Stitch 'n Bitch Handbook The yarn is Texere Airedale Aran from Texere.

That will do for now.

Catch Up - Part 2

2008-07-06T11:10:00.006Z

1. Brea Bag

I wanted to make the bag bigger so I used larger needles than stated in the pattern, it didn't really work out well. It's now too stretchy.

2. The Gabu

Made for my sister using Rowan Cotton Glace.

3. Leyburn Socks

Made for my sister, I can't find the ball band so I can't tell you what yarn I used.

4. Green Gable

Made using some GGH Scarlett that I had in my stash.

That's it, you are now up to date with all the things I've finished over the last 6 month's. If you want a bit more info about the thing's I've made, and you are on Ravelry, have a look on my Ravelry projects.

Catch Up Time - Part 1

2008-06-25T14:13:00.009Z

After 6 months of no blog updates I think it's time I got off my bum and bring you up to date with the things I have made.

1. Endpaper Mitts

Made with Sublime Yarns Cashmere Merino Silk DK. Very nearly ran out of the cream though, substituting yarn isn't really my strong point.

2. Forcast Cardi

I made the bobbles with 3 stitches instead of 5, knit the sleeves in the round and decreased along the garter stitch portion of the sleeve.

3. Crochet Grocery Bag

I've made my mum 3 of these shopping bags.

4. Golden Snitch

Made with embroidery silks.

5. My So Called Scarf

Made for my mum using Sirdar Juniper yarn.

PART 2 COMING SOON!

Technical Difficulties

2007-12-13T16:24:00.000Z

I'm having a few technical difficulties with my computer at the moment, Internet Explorer keeps throwing a wobbler and closing down on me. If anyone has any suggestion's on how to fix this problem please let me know.

Not Slipping Back into Old Haddits update

2007-11-22T16:45:00.000Z

I received my Ravelry invitation on Monday so I have been trying to get to grips with that.

Unfortunately I miss spelt my username, hitting T instead of Y so instead of being knittyknackynoo I'm down as knittyknacktnoo, rubbish! But if you go onto the people page and type in knittyknackynoo you can still find me. So if you are on Ravelry come say hello.

Ignore that last bit. The lovely people at Ravelry have corrected my miss spelt username for me.

Finished Backyard Leaves Scarf.

2007-11-09T17:03:00.001Z

Pattern Backyard Leaves, Scarf Style.
Yarn Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo DK, colour #136 - Tulip.
Needles 4.5mm.
Finished Measurements 12cm wide, 200cm long.

With hindsight I should have ether cast on more loosely than I did or used a cast on method that had more stretch to it, because after each half had been pressed, the cast on row was narrower then the rest of the scarf, so I had to improvise slightly when I was sewing the two pieces together.

It took a while to get off the ground but after I'd translated the pattern chart into text I found it much easier to understand.

Not Another Bag!

2007-10-31T11:56:00.000Z

That's what my mum said when I told her of my plan to make Brea Bag from Berroco.I found the pattern ages ago, but never got around to looking for an alternative yarn, Berroco yarn isn't available in the UK. The yarn I'm using is some cheap and cheerful acrylic DK from my local market. I've done one side already. It knits up really quickly, because you decrease eight times every other row. Here is a picture of the first side of the bag, though I think in this photo it looks a pair of big knickers.

I decided to knit the bags gusset next after reading on a forum that someone found it really tedious to knit, because it's just moss stitch. I'm over half way along, she's right it is tedious, but the good thing about it is that you don't have to concentrate very much.

I've also finished the first half of Backyard Leaves scarf from Scarf Style and am half way down the other side. The colour of the yarn is actually paler than it looks in this photo.

Perfect timing finishing this post, have just enough time to go to the loo, get a drink and some biscuits and get parked in front of the TV in time for Jericho.

Funny Fruit

2007-10-26T19:15:00.000Z

This year my mum decided to try growing tomato's, she's always liked gardening, but never tried growing anything to eat. The result of growing her own tomato's has produced some weird and wonderful shapes.

Firstly we have a duck. Quack

And then we have the old English gent with a big nose and a magnificent moustache. 'what what!'

I know it's daft, but I have a very small brain and they made me laugh!

Sorry again.

2007-10-18T15:43:00.000Z

Sorry for the long gap in posts again. I was just thinking a few weeks ago that I really should update my blog, but then my nana past away suddenly, so as you can imagine blogging was the last thing on my mind.
Strangely I've been knitting more since my nana died, she was always interested in what I was making, so it seems like quite a good way to remember her.

I started thinking about what Christmas gifts I was going to make a couple of months ago, I so far have have 2 projects on the go, a scarf for my auntie and socks for my uncle. The scarf, which is Backyard Leaves from Scarf Style,
was almost a non starter, it took a little while to suss out the first 8 rows, once I'd worked those rows out, I then got stuck on row 9. No matter how many times I pulled it back and knit it again I always had 1 too many stitches, I decided to leave it alone for a while 'cause I just couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. I picked it up again to give it another go earlier this week and as soon as I looked at the pattern I realized where I'd been going wrong, instead doing SSSK like the pattern tells you to, I'd been SSK.
Note to self, pay more attention when reading patterns.
The biggest issue with the pattern is that there is no written stitch pattern, only a chart. I can knit much quicker if it's written, otherwise I have to remember what all the squiggles and whosamwhatsits mean.

The socks that I'm making for my uncle are Spey Valley from Knitting on the Road. I'm about half way through making the first sock, but I wanted to give the scarf another go, so they are on hold for the moment.

That's it for now. I'll try not to leave it so long before I blog again, though I think I've said that before.

Another Bag for the Collection.

2007-06-23T16:04:00.000Z

I very seldom buy bags - it's not really my thing, but I do seen to have a habit of making them. My latest is a felted clutch from One Skein. It took no time at all to knit, though the fact that it was knit on a 10mm needle was slightly problematic when it came to placing stitch markers, I didn't have any big enough, so I improvised by using some key rings.
Anyway, here it is before felting.

Here it is after felting, finished off with a brooch that belongs to my mum.

I made the clutch to go with an outfit I'd got for my cousins wedding.
I don't have a photo of me wearing the said outfit, but I did do have one of the dress, shoes and clutch before I packed them.

The wedding was in Poland, the bride is polish, so all the family went over to Poland for 5 days, the wedding celebrations lasted for 2 days. We all had a great time. We drank vodka and had a bit of a dance, had more vodka and danced a bit more, which was remarkable for me, bearing that I don't normally do either.

Bookmark and Stuff.

2007-05-26T13:45:00.000Z

It's a while since I've done any cross stitching and I made a couple of little mistakes on the bookmark, but unless you know where they are you can't really see what I've done wrong. I also wish I'd made have made it a little bit longer, but it doesn't really matter. The pattern came from a 1998 edition of Cross Stitcher magazine that my mums friend gave me.

Thought I'd show you some of the other cross stitches I've done. I made my mum these silhouettes several years ago. I haven't really done much cross stitch since making the silhouettes, apart from the odd bookmark, because I think you are quite limited as to what to do with cross stitching, but that could just be my lack of imagination.

I've added some new links to my blog in a little music section, if you're interested. They are all MySpace sites, cause it's the easiest way to hear some of the bands/artists music. My current favourite is Kate Nash, I heard Foundations the other week and at first I wasn't really sure, but by the time the song had finished I loved it. The only trouble is that there isn't an album yet.

Progress

2007-05-20T16:14:00.000Z

Well a bit of progress anyway. I've started knitting my Jaywalker socks again, after giving the other one to my mum to rip out for me - I never have the heart to do it myself. Now I've change up to bigger needles it's turned out fine, though I did get a bit carried away when it came to decreasing for the foot, so I had to pull it back about four rounds. I've finished one and am now onto the second sock, which is really quite appalling considering I would normally have knitted a pair of sock within a week, I must have been working on this pair for at over a month.

When I blogged last it was supposed to bring up to date everything I've made in the past few months, but I forgot all about these placemats that my mum and I made for Christmas. Mum made the mat's and I then sewed the snowflake onto them. You can't really see in the photo, but the snowflake is sewn in silver coloured thread, which wasn't much fun to sew with, it kept snapping. One of the many, many times it snapped it whipped up and hit me in the head, lets just say that a few expletives were used!

The only other thing I'm working on is a cross stitch bookmark. Cross stitch was kind of my introduction to craft and I've made several of these bookmarks for family a few years ago, but I never made one for myself. I've started to run out of bookmarks recently, because if I get a bit bored of a book I put it down for a while and read something else, but I've done it quite a few times now, hence my decision to make one.

Back to Blogging

2007-03-26T19:00:00.000Z

It hasn't taken quite as long as last time to post again, just over a month, but in my defence I was on holiday for 2 weeks during that time. I was in Corralejo, Fuerteventura getting prickly heat instead of a tan, oh well maybe I'm just destined to be "pale and interesting" forever. I'm really annoyed though, people always used to tell me I'd grow out of it, but I'm 24 and I still get prickly heat.

I made a summer skirt before I want on holiday, before I posted last actually, but to be honest with you I couldn't be arsed to take a photograph. I got a chance to ware it while I was on holiday, though I had to careful because Fuerteventura is quite a breezy island and it's quite a full skirt, it nearly ended up around my ears a few times. I don't have a photo of me wearing the skirt in sunny Corralejo, but I do have one that I took the other night, which is better than nothing.

Right now I'm working on a crochet bag for myself. I'm not following a pattern as such, though I am using a Essential Crochet pattern as a guide. I've been finding it quite difficult to concentrate on things that I'm making for myself lately, I haven't picked up the bag for days. If I'm making something for anyone else I'm more disciplined and I'll get of my lazy arse and pick up my needles or hook and crack on with whatever I'm making, but at the moment I would rather go on the internet and play games or look at random photos.
I've go a few months though before I need the bag, so hopefully my crafty slump will have ended well before then.
There really isn't much point in showing you a photo of the bag so far 'cause it's just a white rectangle at the moment, so I'll show you a photo of the latest pair of socks. I started them while I was on holiday, but it wasn't until I'd nearly finished the ankle part of the sock that I noticed how narrow it looked and realized that I couldn't get the sock over my heel. So that has been temporarily abandoned.

2006, Bad Year For Bloging, Good Year For Crafts!

2007-02-19T15:33:00.000Z

I know it's bit far into February be referring to the new year, but I've been really lazy when it comes to updating my blog over the last few months, so I'm going to try to bring you up the date.

First of all I have 6 new books, Knitting on the Road, Scarf Style, Essential Crochet, One Skein, Happy Hooker and Spin to Knit - Spin to Knit was a Christmas present from my sister.

Speaking of Christmas presents, my parents got me a Boye Needlemaster

Are they not the most beautiful coloured knitting needles you've ever seen? There is only one thing about my Needlemaster I don't like, the case the needles are in. With all the lovely coloured needles in the Needlemaster you would think that they would have continued the colourful theme, but I'm afraid not, what colour did they chose, shitty brown. I mean black would have been better then dysentery beige. I might see if I can cover it somehow or make a whole new case.

I'd been trying to think of a way of keeping my double pointed needles together, all I could think of was cigar holders, and the ones I saw on the internet were like £8 or something. One day my mum presented me with a toothbrush case. They are the perfect length for DPN's, there is also enough room for a pencil and the best bit is that they are only 50pence.

Now onto the knitting. I've made 5 pairs of socks in the last few months, but I only have a photo of 2 of them.
1st. These are what I made for my mum, with a pattern form Knitting on the Road.

2nd. Jaywalker socks for my sisters friend Faye.

Most of socks I made were for Christmas presents. My sister asked me if I'd make some for her friends Faye and Jonathan again, I also made a pair for my auntie and my nana.

And finally I've made 2 little crochet bears, photographed next to a CD to give an idea of the size.

I found the pattern onCrochetville. The bear in the original pattern was about 7 1/2 inchs high, but I used a smaller hook and crochet cotton for the white bear and random bits of pink & cream embroidery silks for the pink one.

Branching Out

2006-05-25T19:26:00.000Z

I know I haven't posted for ages, but I've still been knitting, as well as sewing. So I'm going to try and bring you up to date.

First off here is a photo of my finished Nicole from Rowan mag no. 39.

nicole pattern rowan mag#39

I had to rip the stitch pattern out on the back a few times, but once I got the hang of it, it came out really well. It took a while to find the buttons, but I'm glad I kept looking, I think it finishes it off well.

For some reason I've been making a lot of bags lately, previously not being that much of a bag person.

abyssus nauta(hello sailor) bag

ribbon bag

The basic bag pattern came from Stitch n' Bitch Handbook, then I just added the ribbons.

My mum used to make clothes for my sister and I when we were little, so when I decided to give something a bit more complicated a whirl I asked for her help. I'd been looking around that shop for a summer dress but I didn't see one that I liked, so I came the the conclusion that is what I should make. I found a pattern and fabric at a shop in Leeds and, with the help of my mum, I got to work.

summer dress
It's a Simplicity design from the New Lookrange.

It actually worked out a lot better than I expected. The body side seams and the skirt side seams don't quite match up, but I don't think it's too bad for my first item of clothing. I had to cut about 5in of the bottom so that I didn't look like I was standing in a hole, but on the hole I'm really pleased with the result.

It was my birthday at the end of May, and for my birthday my parents got me Kit in a Tin. It's made with Rowan Holiday and Summer Tweed, I don't know if you've seen rowan holiday, but it's quite a weird yarn to knit with.

knit tin bag

I decided to condence my photos with Mosaic Maker so that the post isn't really long, but if you want see a bigger photo of the things I finished you can look in my Flickr Gallery.

Sorry

2006-05-04T14:39:00.000Z

It's been so long since I've blogged that I'm having trouble remembering what I've done since I last wrote.

I had 2 knitting projects on the go last time I posted. I've finished the After Bertha Socks that I was making for my sister, I used Opal Uni 4ply leftover from the socks that I made her last year, so again she mismatched socks.

Pattern After Bertha from Socks, Socks, Socks.
Yarn Opal Uni 4ply.

And I've very nearly finished Nichole. Not before I ripped out the patter detail a few times though. There are lost of yarn forwards and lifting stitches over other stitches in the pattern, not to mention that you are decreasing at 1 st at each edge at the same time, I got so sick of counting stitches to make sure that I hadn't lost any when I shouldn't have!

nicole front

Since I took that photo I've sewn the sides together. I just need to sew the straps to the back and find 4 buttons for the front, so far I haven't seen any that I like, but there are one or two more shops I can try.

I'll post again soon with my current projects, knitting and sewing - I'm diversifying :D

Do you remember...

2006-03-18T16:27:00.000Z

this?

first fingerless glove

Well the second glove hasn't been in the bottom of my knitting bag waiting to be finished, it's been in my coat pocket along with the other one where they're used every time I go out.

finished pair of fingerless gloves

I finished them before Christmas, but I put them straight into my coat pockets and kept forgetting to get them out to take a photo of them.
If you would like to make these fabulous fingerless glove you can find the pattern on Kimberlys Blog

Since coming back from holiday I've been feeling crafty again. I've finished my After Bertha socks made with Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn.

finished After Bertha socks

I've made a row counter bracelet. I first saw row counter bracelets on a Australian web site called The Wool Shack and thought they were a bit expensive, then a few months agoKimberly put a photo of one that she had made herself on her blog. So I was inspired to have a go at making one.

my row counter bracelet

As for things that I'm making at the moment I have 2 projects. Project 1, more socks for my sister. She liked my After Bertha socks and asked if I would make her some, I still had some Opal socks yarn left from the other socks that I made her so that's what I'm using.

project 1

Project 2 is Nicole from Rowan Magazine #39

project 2

There isn't much I can say about it at the moment. I think the fun will really start when it comes to shaping the neck!

nicole vest top so far

Holiday Snaps

2006-03-05T12:11:00.000Z

I got back from my holiday in Gran Canaria last Monday, I had a really nice time, Gran Canaria is beautiful and I will definitely go back again.
I thought I'd share some of my holiday with you.

view from the bungalow where I stayed.

I saw a few different types of lizard, but this was the only photo I took.

mountains seen from maspalomas.

view over maspalomas

I can't remember where this church is, but although it looks really old it was only actually finished about 20 years ago.

this was taken on a day trip through the mountains

also taken on day trip through the mountains

Secret Socks

2006-02-03T20:45:00.000Z

I've been keeping something from you, I made 2 more Christmas gifts than I've been letting on. My sister asked me if I would make some socks for her friends Faye & Jonathan, and me bring the fabulous sister that I am, I said yes.
I email her some photos of the different types of Opal sock yarn that she could choose from, she picked Opal Prisam.

sock yarn

The reason I didn't tell you I was making them is that Faye sometimes looks at my blog, so I didn't want to give the game away!
For Fayes socks I used the same pattern I used for both mine and my sisters socks.
For Jonothans, we didn't know what size feet were, so I used the After Bertha pattern from Socks Socks Socks, it's a heelless sock so I could keep knitting until thought it was long enough.
I forgot to take a photo of the socks before they got wrapped up, so I asked Faye if she could take some photographs for me.

Fayes socks(I do a very good job of matching the stripes)

Jonathans socks(quite a good match, more though luck than management!)

Faye & Jonathans socks together.

There hasn't been much knitting happening lately, I'm in a bit of a slump. But I'm going on holiday on Monday for 2 weeks and I'm going to take some knitting with me, hopefully knitting in the sun will get my knitting groove back.

Christmas Gifts

2006-01-12T23:02:00.000Z

This year I got my first knitting related Christmas gifts, my lovely family got me a pair of beautiful beaded knitting needles, a Chocolate Bite stitch marker and a sewing Needle Case, all from The Wool Shack.

needles

I also got 2 books, The Pleasures of Knitting by Ann McCauley and Quilted Bags in a Weekend by Ellen Kharade. My sister got me the Quilted Bags book, I think she only got it so I'll make her lots of bags, or it could have been because it was on my Amazon wish list:D

christmas gifts

After Christmas, when Get Knitted reopened I they had some Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Iris Garden was on sale, so I decided to treat myself to a couple of hanks.

treat for myself

I also bought January's Simply Knitting magazine, which had some free labels that can be sewn onto what you've made, and some Clover coil knitting needle holders.
Here is the Lorna's Laces so far.

lorna's laces sock so far

The pattern is After Bertha from Socks Socks Socks, it's a heelless pattern so I won't waste any Lorna's Laces yarn.

The Christmas gifts I made were well received. Emily(cousins daughter) loved Fifi and my Nana was really pleased with her Hotwater Bottle Cover.

Merry Christmas

2005-12-24T18:46:00.000Z

Just a quickie to wish every one a Happy Christmas.
Paula.

Which Reindeer are you??

2005-12-19T14:06:00.000Z

You Are Donner

The most loveable and sweet reindeer, you're also a total dork!

Why You're Naughty: You keep (accidentally) tripping the other reindeer while flying.

Why You're Nice: You're always smiling, even if you've fallen flat on your horns.

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

First Fingerless

2005-12-18T19:04:00.000Z

Knitting progress was hampered slightly at the beginning of the week because of a finger injery that I got while putting up some flat pack furniture. So it was bit difficult to knit for a few days, but I did managed to start and finish one ofKimberlys Fingerless Cable Glovesthis week. I little bit smaller than Kimberlys by casting on 40sts instead of the 48sts in the pattern, though it is a little tight - I might try 44sts next time. I really pleased with it.

first fingerless cable glove

I was surprised how quickly it knit up. I was slightly confused when I came to the make1, but I looked at theKnitting Help web site that Kimberly mentions in the pattern to make sure I was understanding it right, and thankfully I was. I never knew there was so many ways to M1!

Another Christmas Present Finished

2005-12-11T20:17:00.000Z

Fifi

Fifi is finished. I spent most of yesterday putting her together, the hair and the feather trim were the hardest to sew on. I found the pattern lacking in instructions on how to put Fifi together, so there was a lot of guess work in how she should be put together. I'm really pleased with how she turned out.

Fifi slipper

First Christmas Present Finished

2005-12-03T16:09:00.001Z

I've made a hot water bottle cover for my nana for Christmas.

hot water bottle cover front

At first I was going to make yarnagogos hot water bottle cozy, but when I didn't get the right tension on the 4.5mm circular needle that the pattern called for, I decided to use 4mm straight needles and use yarnagogos as a guide and make some of the pattern up myself. I'm quite pleased with the result, though it could have done with being a little bit bigger.

hot water bottle cover envelope back

I've made it so that it has an envelope type back so that you can get he hot water bottle in & out when the cover needs washing and I've also made it a roll neck so you can fill the bottle without taking it out of its cover. It's knit in three pieces with Debbie Bliss Merino DK colour 700.

hot water bottle cover top

The yarn to make Kimberlys Fingerless Gloves came this week, Debbie Bliss Merino DK colour 615. It's a really similar to one of the colours in the scarf I bought last month - I know, I'm a bad knitter for buying a scarf and not making one, but it was bloody cold and I didn't have the time.

yarn for kimberlys fingerless gloves

A Bit Disappointed

2005-11-25T20:47:00.000Z

So yesterday off I want to the Harrogate Knitting & Stitching Show, with cash in my pocket to buy lost of wonderful knitting type things. What did I get, a tiny knitting book, bought mostly because of the cute knitting charm attached to the ribbon bookmark.

tiny knitting book

charm bookmark

There weren't as many exhibitors as I thought there might be. I counted the number of exhibitors at Harrogate and compared it with the numbers of exhibitors at Ally Pally, there are twice as many exhibitors at Ally Pally than at Harrogate.

I was hoping to get some yarn to make Kimberlys Cable Fingerless at the Knitting & Stitching Show, but I didn't see the yarn I wanted, so I've just ordered some Debbie Bliss Merino DK from Get Knitted, that I think should work.

Harrogate Knitting & Stitching Show

2005-11-22T19:49:00.000Z

I was wondering if anyone's going to the Harrogate Knitting & Stitching Show or has been to any of the Knitting & Stitching shows? I'm going to the Harrogate Knitting & Stitching Show on Thursday.
I'm taking my mum along, who also has crafty tendencies!
It will be the my first knitting show, is there any knitting show etiquette that I should be aware of, should I take my knitting with me, do you have any tips for a first timer?
Is it sad that I'm really quite excited???

I love a cheesy quiz!!

2005-11-13T16:13:00.000Z

The Traditional Princess

You are generous, graceful, and practical with both
feet planted firmly on the ground. You tend to
be a little on the old-fashioned side. You
value home, hearth, and family life and love to
be of service to others.

Role Models: Snow White, Maid Marian

You are most likely to: Discover a hidden talent
for spinning straw into gold.

What Kind of Princess are You? - Beautiful Artwork (Original Music is BACK!!!)
brought to you by Quizilla

Still a Rubbish Blogger But...

2005-11-12T20:55:00.000Z

I have finished my Chelsea Bag. It was really easy to knit, just one straight continuous strip.

chelsea bag before embroidery & seaming.

Here it is after I'd started the embroidery, when I remembered that I wanted to take a photo of the bag before I started the embroidery! I also meant to take a photograph of my bag before it was felted, but I forgot to do that too.

finished chelsea bag.

It was my first felted project. The strap hasn't shrunk as much as I had hoped it would, and as a result is a little bit long, so I've tide a knot in it. I changed a second pink zigzag type stitch at the bottom for pink blanket stitch instead.

Bad Blogger

2005-10-27T15:30:00.000Z

I am a disgrace to the knitting blog world! Hopefully now after this lapse I will get off my bum and update more regularly.

I have been knitting, even though I haven't been posting about them, so I'll give you a little run down for the 3 things that I'm knitting at the moment.

Firstly we have Genoa, that I'm making for myself,

Genoa pattern & yarn

Genoa jumper

well the start of it anyway.

Then there's Fifi.

Their Fifi.

My Fifis dress, beret, arms & legs

I'm making Fifi for my cousins daughter for Christmas.

And finally there's Chelsea Bag.

Chelsea Bag

This pattern is in the autumn/winter Rowan Newsletter that came the other week. I had been looking around the shops for a winter bag that would be a bit more water resistant than the bag I had been using in the summer.

Other than knitting I've made a Gallery of all the things I've made over the last few years.

Socktoberfest 2005

2005-10-11T19:37:00.000Z

Just in case you haven't seen Socktoberfest 2005 whilst doing your knitting blog rounds, Lolly has started Socktoberfest 2005. Her aim is to get as many people knitting socks throughout october as possible. Unfortunately I won't be one of them, I have quite a long list of things to knit already. I just thought I'd spread the word, not that Socktoberfest really needs it, a lot of people seem to know aready. Happy sock knitting!

Lots of New Stuff

2005-09-25T16:39:00.000Z

It's been a bumper week for delivery's, this week. First came a bag of Jaeger Matchmaker Merino 4ply from English Yarns, for a v-neck jumper from a Jaeger 4Ply pattern book.

jeager matchmaker merino 4ply, in cyclamen.

Next came lots & lots of DPN's also from English Yarnsfor all the socks that I am planning to make out of Socks, Socks, Socks.

lots of DPN's

And finally 3 balls of RYC Cashsoft 4Ply from Angel Yarnsfor Septembers free Rowan International pattern Fifi from the Knitted Babes book, which I'm planning on making for my cousins daughter for Christmas.

RYC Cashsoft 4ply

Dizzy

2005-09-09T21:21:00.000Z

I'm taking up spinning, well I if I can figure out how it all works! I've been thinking about it for a few weeks and on Sunday I sent off the order form for a drop spindle kit from Twist Fibre Craft Studio. It came on Wednesday, it has a drop spindle, instructions and 100 grams of 3 coordinating colours.

drop spindle kit

I haven't had a go yet, but I'm going to find time to try over the weekend. I read some of the instructions and was mostly confused. Does anyone have any tips for a total novice?

Socks, Socks, Socks also arrived this week. There are at least 10 sock patterns that I like. I feel the need to buy lots more yarn.

sock patterns and reading material.

Thank You

2005-08-26T18:40:00.000Z

Thanks for your recommendations, I was all set to buy Knitting on the Road, because it got the same amount of reccomendations as Socks Socks Socks and out of the two it was the only one they had on Amazon,. Then I just happen to go on Amazon yesterday and low and behold there was Socks Socks Socks. The dilemma!!! Anyway, I've decided to get Socks Socks Socks, as it has 70 sock patterns compared to the 18 in Knitting on the Road. I also decided to get It's My Party and I'll Knit If I Want To! by Sharon Aris.

Not much news on the knitting front. I've finished a second pair of socks for my sister. I might wait until Socks Socks Socks arrives before I make the final pair, see if she would like something different.

Seen as I don't have any knitting progress photos to show you I thought I'd show you how I store my needles that aren't in use. There not the prettiest needles on the planet, but right now I have more sense than money!

jug of needles

However if I had more money than sense, I might buy these knitting needles from KnitKnack

beautiful

Recommendations Wanted.

2005-08-19T20:50:00.000Z

I'm thinking about getting a book of sock knitting pattern's, I've seen a few on Amazon, but I don't know which one to get. The only sock pattern I've used is the free pattern that came with my Opal sock yarn, so I'd like to try something different. I was wondering if anyone can recommend any?

Finished Patchwork Cushion

2005-08-13T20:00:00.001Z

Patchwork Cushion

I finished all the patches a few weeks ago, then started putting all together last week. It took nowhere near as long to put together as I thought it would. I'm really pleased with how it has turned out.
The patch that I found the hardest to knit was the small blue heart on the left hand side. After several attempts of trying to knit it I left to do the rest of the patches, after finishing the other patches the pattern just clicked in my brain and I did it. It's weird, one week I was looking at the pattern with a puzzled expression thinking "WHAT?", then the next week it just came to me.

Rowan 38

2005-08-05T16:05:00.000Z

Rowan 38

My Rowan 38 came this week. There are a few things I like in it, but I think the chances of me making them are quite slim. I decided to tot up how much it would cost to buy the yarn for each item I liked, here lies the reason that I probably won't be making any of them.

Jumper on left would cost £51.50

cardi £55.00 & jumper £56.00

without pink the thing £31.50

scarf £42.75

£49.50

£27.50
Am I the only one who thinks that they're a little expensive?

Have you noticed I've changed my template? I was getting bored of the pink. If anyone knows where I can get free backgrounds and stuff, let me know?

Remember Peppermint Twist?

2005-07-29T18:48:00.001Z

Peppermint Twist is now a 100% finished, instead of been in pieces. It took many attempts to get the strips to line up on the second side seam. The first side went together no problem, but the second side was a pain in the arse.
The pattern tells you to slip the stitches onto holders, sew the pieces together, then put all the stitches on you circular needle to make the neckband, but I couldn't figure out how to do that, so I decide to cast off and then pick up the stitches later, which I managed on the second attempt.
So here is the result.

finished peppermint twist

I'm really happy with how it's turned out.

I've also finished the first pair of socks for my sisters. In her infinite wisdom she decided that she wanted one light pink sock and one dark pink sock. I do worry about her sometimes!!!!

first pair of sisters socks

No Animals Were Harmed...

2005-07-24T15:41:00.000Z

in the Making of this Card!

hee hee

I saw this in a card shop the other day and it made me laugh, so I just had to buy it.

Let the reading begin.

2005-07-16T17:13:00.000Z

Harry Potter is here. Whoooo.

In the post this morning!

Yes, I'm 23 and I love Harry Potter books. I'm not so fond of the films, they miss out too much of the story for my liking.
I'm reading The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon at the moment, but I afraid that it is going to have to be put to one side for the time being.

Socks, socks and more socks.

2005-07-13T19:25:00.001Z

I finished my Petticoat socks about a week ago. I hit a slight snag part way through the second sock, with the colour pattern in the yarn. For some reason the yarn decided to go really dark, so I had to cut out about a meter or so. But apart for that they seamed to knit up really quickly. I'm getting the hang of this knitting of socks malarkey! I think I'm going to get another ball of Petticoat, because I think I'll be able to make 1 sock with what I have left from the first pair and if I get another then I'll have 3 pairs of lovely Petticoat socks.

finished petticoat socks

In other sock news - hence the title, my sister has requested some pink socks. So I got her 2 shades of Opal Uni 4 ply.

Opal Uni and Clover Wonder Knitter

sisters sock so far, on my foot.

I made a Clanger!

2005-07-06T19:13:00.000Z

I started making the Clanger in May for my sister, though she didn't know after I'd knit all the pieces I put them in my knitting bag and kind of forgot about them for a while. Then last week I decided it was time to unite all the pieces and make them one. I put on all the other bits on over the weekend.

naked clanger

The plan was to give it to her as I surprise, but that plan was foiled when she found it in the cupboard and wondered what the hell it was - it was a naked clanger at the time. Once she found out what it was she was really pleased.

finished clanger

Needles Galore

2005-06-25T10:55:00.000Z

Look what my auntie gave me.

lots of needles.

All of her old knitting needles. She doesn't knit any more.

I got bored of the Knitter's Bible cushion and I still can't figure out the Rebecca Pale Blue Jacket pattern, so I started my Petticoat socks. I'm really liking the colours. It's knitting up a lot quicker than the first pair of socks I made, thankfully.

first part of petticoat sock colour pattern.

At some point in my life I hope to go to Glastonbury, but at the moment I glad I haven't gone this year!

slightly wet Glastonbury!

Faster than the Speed of Light

2005-06-17T18:37:00.000Z

I ordered some more fun knitting stuff from Get Knitted. I ordered it on last Wednesday and it came two days later, on the Friday. I got some more Opal Sock yarn in Petticoat and Knitting magazine. I'm not that sure if I like the Knitting magazine, there was only really liked the pattern for the top on the front cover, but I do love the colour of the Opal Petticoat, it's really pretty.

faster than the speed of light!

No progress has been made on the Rebecca PBJ. I've had a go with a bit of spare cotton glace, but I've haven't got very far. I've mostly been knitting the pieces of the Knitter's Bible cushion, which is coming on nicely.

some of the pieces for knitting bible cushion.

Ready to rumble.

2005-06-08T14:20:00.000Z

All pieces of Peppermint Twist are present and correct(I think), so all I have to do now is put it all together. Which should be interesting. Instead of casting off you slip your stitches on a stitch holder, for when you knit the neck band, So I'm not really sure how to go about it. Any ideas?

So, I ordered the GGH yarn to make the Pale Blue Jacket from Get Knitted at the end of March and it finally came at the end of last week, through no fault of Get Knitted, I have to add. They didn't have the colour I wanted in stock so they had to order it from Germany, it took forever. I think I emailed Sue at Get Knitted every week to see if there was any news, she was really helpful, I think was as frustrated as me. Anyway it's here now and I've done my swatch, got the right tension and cast on, now I'm trying to figure out the rest of the pattern and I think with this pattern I might be in over my head, but I've waited so long for the yarn to make it, I'm not going to give in that easily.

Yarn for PBJ and a little bar of soap that came with my order.

Rowan International Member

2005-05-27T18:43:00.000Z

My Rowan International membership came. The next Rowan Magazine isn't out until August, so there is a bit of a wait for that, but with my membership number I can download the free monthly pattern from the Rowan web site. The free gift is 2 balls of Kidsilk Haze with a free pattern for a Froth Scarf. I have no plans to start it just yet, I enough projects to be going on with.

Rowan Membership

I went to Whitby on Saturday, had a look in Bobbins knitting shop with the intension of getting some Rowan 4 ply Soft, to use this months free sock pattern from Rowan, but they only had it in cold colours and I was hoping for something bit more warmer, but a little bit later I was just about walk past Boyes -a shop that sells a bit of everything- I remembered that they used to sell yarn. So in I went, and found, nothing to make socks with, but yarn to make the patchwork cushion.

Patchwork Cushion Yarn
I've made 3 patches of the cushion already, though I've only taken a photo of one. I'm liking the fact that because they are small pieces if I do something wrong I can rip it out and not be all that bothered.

first patch

In other news, while at Whitby my mum & dad bought me a beautiful Whitby Jet ring for my birthday. It's Jet at one side and plan silver at the other and I love it, so I thought I'd share it with you.

Whitby Jet ring

Problems.

2005-05-19T14:16:00.000Z

Peppermint Twist was abandoned for a few days at the end of last week. I fell out with it after some confusion over the arm shaping - the shaping on the sleeve was a longer length than the back. I think it's the sleeve that I've done wrong, so I'm probably going to end up ripping that sleeve.

Finshed Peppermint Twist back.

While peppermint twist was unceremoniously dumped in my knitting box I decided to have a go at some of the lace patterns in my knitter's Bible. I wasn't very successful though, so I didn't bother taking any photos. I seemed to go okay at first, but when it came to repeating the pattern again it just looked a mess.

I got my first Rowan newsletter the other day. There wasn't really that much in it, but it has made me decide to join Rowan International. You get 2 Rowan magazines a year and a free pattern a month.

Rowan newsletter

New knitty book.

2005-05-08T16:38:00.000Z

I bought a new knitting book called The Knitter's Bible. It's good, it has the differences between American weights of yarn and British yarn weights, a stitch library with over a 100 different stitches and 25 projects to make. I've taken a few photos.

front cover

stitch patterns

more stitch patterns

might make this

I might give this a go too

My Peppermin Twist is coming along nicely. I've finished th first sleeve and I'm now about half way up the back. I'm really liking the stripe's. I like that you can see how much you've knit, sometimes when it's one colour I seem to be getting know where fast.

peppermint twist back

All finished.

2005-04-29T19:34:00.000Z

I've finished my Lucky Clover Wrap, well I finished it he other day but I wanted to take a photo of it. The seaming went well, considering I've never done mattress stitch before. The only real problam I had with the seaming was the way the pattern was set out. It tells you to sew together the side seams and the sleeves, then it says on the left side seam sew until 5 1/2ins thn sew in the tie, which I didn't notice until I had sewn the whole side.

Finished Lucky Clover Wrap.

Due the lack of the GGH yarn I ordered from Get Knitted to make Rebecca's Pale Blue Jacket - I ordered it at the end of March, the colour I ordered isn't kept in stock, so it's having to come from Germany - I've started the Peppermint Twist Jumper. My tension - gauge - is different to the one stated in the pattern, but I like mine more so I've had to calculate the difference between the amount of stitches I need to cast on.

Peppermint Twist sleeve.

That was painless.

2005-04-22T19:27:00.000Z

Lucky Clover has been blocked and is now ready to sew together. I was a bit nervous about doing the blocking - I thought I was going to make it a weird shape - but was really easy.

Lucky Clover blocking.

I have also decided to make myself a coin purse. I've seen lots of beautiful purses around in the shops, but as I am a bit of a cheap skate I thought "I can make one for less than that". So I'm having a go.

Material's for purse.

Purse so far.

Not long to go now.

2005-04-17T13:45:00.000Z

This is my attempt at cable. It's the cable that is used it a Stitch 'n Bitch pattern. I thought I'd ripped it, but I found it at the bottom of my knitting bag. I'm not sure if it should pucker up like that in the middle though. I have no idea what yarn I'm going to use yet though.

cable practise

I'm onto my final Lucky Clover sleeve, not long to go now, hooray. I made the neck band last weekend, I thought it would take a lot longer to knit than it did. I managed knit about 7" in 40 minutes.

second clover sleeve.

It's been a while.

2005-04-07T21:08:00.000Z

As I don't really have much to report on the knitting front - I'm onto my first Lucky Clover sleeve - I thought I'd share my knitting paraphernalia.

knitting paraphernalia.

I have elastic bands, I used them when I first started knitting my socks - I was worried that the stitches might fall off.
Cable needles, I haven't used them on a actual project yet, but I have practiced on a random piece of yarn.
A pencil, I keep track of patterns by writing down which number row I'm on.
I have 2 crochet hooks, one 8mm and one 4mm.
Post-it notes, to stick on patterns and keep track of where I'm up to.
2 different sizes of row counters, always handy things to have.
Tape measure, well that's pretty self explanatory.
Pencil sharpener, also self explanatory.
Stitch markers & safety pins, I use safety pins if I have a lot of stitches to cast on.
And finally Yarn needles in few sizes.
Oh, and you can just see a Yankee Lavender candle under my computer screen :)

Don't panic!!!

2005-03-27T20:10:00.000Z

I had a bit of a panic on Friday night with my lucky clover wrap. I thourght I'd put the increases & decreases in the wrong pleases, I was just about to put a post on the Lucky Clover KAL, when I realized I was just reading the pattern wrong. Duh!

I now have a whole pair of socks:o) I finished the second sock on Saturday morning. I'm a lot happier with the grafting on this sock. Isn't grafting fabulous? It makes this neat join that you can't tell where starts and where it ends.

Opal socks from the front.

Opal socks from the side.

Cooking with gas

2005-03-24T21:10:00.000Z

I've finished the right front of my Lucky Clover Wrap. I have just started the left front. It's surprising how fast it knits, it's the first time I've used 4ply cotton, I thought it would be slow to knit, but it's not.

lucky clover wrap right front.

I have decided on at least one item that I am definitely going to make from my newly acquired Rebecca, its called Pale Blue Jacket on page 26. I've found a UK based web site that sells the yarn called for in the pattern, so I'm a very happy bunny.

pale blue jacket.

It came!

2005-03-19T20:24:00.000Z

Guess what came today? My order from Angel Yarns, well it didn't all come today, yesterday part of my order, which had a Dune poncho pattern, plus yarn(I'm going to make for my mum), and Rebecca29 magazine.
It should also have had the Rowan Cotton Glace for the Peppermint Twist jumper, but because my original was lost in the post, they didn't have enough Bubbles left in stock for what I needed, but they had plenty of the Passion, so my mum said why not substitute the Passion for the Bubbles and vice versa, and that's what I'm going to do, so they sent it out yesterday and it came today :o)

Came yesterday.

Cotton Glace.

I'm not going to start the Peppermint Twist jumper yet. I think I'm going to knit it over the summer in time for next autumn/winter.

I love the Rebecca magazine. I haven't decided what I'm going to make yet, I will keep you informed.

Back

2005-03-14T20:33:00.000Z

I've finished the back of my Clover Wrap *does little dance* I've made it a little shorter then the pattern and the lace pattern is a little off at the bottom, but hay ho, you can't have everything:)

Clover Wrap back

Do you like my duvet cover? I did the embroidery myself.

Back on Track

2005-03-11T20:13:00.000Z

I think I've got the hang of the Clover wrap. I a bit stuck on the increasing part, after I'd got that sorted out I had to go back a few rows, somehow I managed to miss out a hole on 1 of the clovers. But now I'm back on track. This is where I'm up to at the minute.

Clover Wrap so far.

After a few more emails to Angel Yarns my yarn has been declared lost. So they are going to resend it. I think in future if I can get the yarn in town I will and leave mail order for things that I can't get here. But I'll definitely use Angel Yarns again.

While writing this I'm watching Comic Relief. If you would like to make a donation, please go to the official web site http://www.rednoseday.com/

Not a Very Productive Night of Knitting

2005-03-05T14:24:00.000Z

I think the universe is trying to tell me something, that I'm not meant to make the clover wrap! I did something wrong in the pattern and couldn't figure out what it was, so I pulled it all out. I cast on again, then I realized that I had cast on with the wrong needles, I decided to leave it for the evening and went to bed. This morning I cast on, again, did the rib, changed the needle, note the word needle and not needles! I realized on my second row that I was using 1 small needle and 1 bigger needle. I am a numpty(that means daft) there is no other explanation.

My First Knit Along

2005-03-04T14:38:00.000Z

I've joined my first knit along, Lucky Clover Wray Knit Along.
I got the yarn yesterday from my local yarn shop, it's not Rowan, but I am reliably informed that it's the same difference. It was only about £13, total bargain.

This is the yarn I got for my Lucky Clover Wrap
I started it last night, this is what it looks like so far.

So far, so good.

Ladies & Gentlemen we have a sock!

2005-03-01T22:13:00.000Z

My first ever sock!

The toe points upwards. I thought it would go across my toes.

Getting the hang of it!

2005-02-28T20:29:00.000Z

I've finished my first sock. What do you think? I'm not sure if it should look like that at the toe. But I'm very pleased with the way it has turned out. It's the most complicated thing I've ever made.

The rest of the yarn to make the Peppermint Twist jumper, still hasn't come. So I emailed Angel Yarns today to ask them if they had sent my order, they emailed me back, according to there records it's been sent, so it looks like Royal Mail has screwed up again! They are going to look into it, and if they can't trace the order they say they will resend it or refund me.

I think I'm getting the hang of this blog thing!

This week I will be mostly confused!

2005-02-23T11:51:00.000Z

So, I managed to post the photo, even though I'm not quite sure how I did it, and I didn't really want it on a separate post.
Now I'm trying to figure how to put on links to other Blogs and Websites. I've spent hours on the internet looking through various websites trying to find out, but so far I'm none the wiser.

Look what came yesterday.

My Stitch 'n Bitch books came yesterday, as well as my Rowan Cotton Glace, Glee. The Glee is to make the Peppermint Twist jumper on page 150 in Stitch 'n Bitch. I had to order the Glee from different web site to the rest yarn needed for the pattern, as they didn't have it in stock. I'm still waiting the other yarn and bits I ordered to come.

2005-02-20T21:55:00.000Z

Opal Sock Kit

2005-02-20T21:52:00.000Z

Opal Sock Kit.

I got my Opal Sock Kit from yarn-shop.co.uk at the end of January, but I only started on them last week, as the pattern that came with it was most confusing. It could just be that I've never knit anything like socks before, my knitting porfolio at the moment is 2 Wavy Scarfs(knitty.com), 3 Hotwater Bottle Covers and 2 Cushion Covers. When I desided that I wanted to have a go at making socks I thought it would be easier to get a kit, I thought it would be geared more to a beginner rather than a seasoned knitter, but unfortunately I was wrong. I had to go to my local library to get a book that could tell me to knit into the round, because I had no clue. That turned out not to be such a bad thing though, because that's when I found the marvelous Stitch 'n Bitch. I found it so useful I've ordered a copy for myself as well as Stitch 'n Bitch Nation.
I was going to put a photo on with this post, but I haven't figured out how to do that yet. Even though I've downloaded Hello and Picasa2. So if anyone is reading this, and you can help, it would be much appreciated.

Lets see how easy this really is.

2005-02-18T15:25:00.000Z

So I've entered all the info required, what do I do now? Lets have a look.