Posts Tagged 'Knitting'

Giveaway Winners

Published May 25, 2012 Uncategorized 3 Comments
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Thanks so much to everyone for their lovely comments on the new pattern, the Stripy Stashbuster Vest,  I released yesterday.

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I drew the winners thanks to  random.org and have already sent the patterns off to the winners on Ravelry. Congratulations to:

SAHM

Eb/Blacknut

Sezzaknits

Khai

Lori Howlett

I hope to see some cute stripey vests in lots of different colours springing up on your Ravelry pages in the coming weeks!

Links don’t seem to be working on quickpost tonight, but you can see projects and purchase the pattern here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stripy-stashbuster-vest

FO: Colour Me Pretty Hats

Published April 30, 2012 Uncategorized 1 Comment
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ImageWinter’s coming!  Must be time for new hats.

Well, it’s Autumn anyway, and you know that I’m a total hat addict, any excuse for a hat knit… And while knitting a hat is fun, knitting two is better.

Hard to believe, but these two cute Colour Me Pretty hats are my first time knitting any of Elena Nodel’s gorgeous patterns. Surprising mostly because she designs gorgeous patterns, mostly for little girls. And I do love to knit for my girls! I have quite a few on my want list for this winter, and I have serious difficulties deciding which ones I love the best. I think Paprika might win out for the next cast on for Miss 5.

I had lots of fun knitting these hats. First up was one for Miss 5.  I made hers from some bright pink Spotlight Moda Vera DK weight yarn, with white contrast. The pattern suggests that you can use multiple colours for the different colourwork parts in the hat, with even a rainbow of colours shown in the chart. But having looked at the projects on Ravelry, I decided a simple contrast would be effective. Also I wanted to knit this from stash. I managed to get this out of one ball of yarn – just!  I had nothing at all to spare when I cast off.

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**note my attempt to get a photo of Miss 5’s four missing front teeth being foiled by a cheeky tongue!**

I followed all of the instructions but I got the first bit of colourwork a little bit tight. I’m pleased to say that the rest is okay, and the second hat was fine.

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Of course no sooner had I knit this than a second hat was required. In green. Some children are SO predicable!  But with no cute greens in stash, I needed a quick trip to the yarn shop… I grabbed some lovely Naturally Loyal DK in a lovely light green, which Miss 3 loves. She knew exactly what it was for when I unwrapped it. And insisted I cast on right away.

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Each of the hats took 2 nights of full on chart following to knit, plus a bit more time for the easy bits. I did enjoy it despite this – I’ve rated it as Medium on Ravelry – nothing especially difficult is involved, but it does take a lot of chart following to get this done.  That said, I’d do it again if I was asked. But I am all out of small girls to knit for!  Ah well, there’s always the matching sweater I could knit…

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FO: Mockingjay Dishcloth

Published April 28, 2012 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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When I was putting together my package for our recent magic yarn ball swap, I got assigned a swap partner who is adores The Hunger Games. I figured that I could put together a parcel that was Hunger Games related. A quick Ravelry search came up with some Mockingjay charts, which seemed like the perfect idea for a dishcloth.

The chart that I used was intended for colourwork, but instead I used it to make a reverse stocking stitch pattern on the dishcloth, as I didn’t think that the reverse side of colourwork would be that practical for in the kitchen.

I worked it double stranded using Dk weight bamboo yarn, Patons Serenity, which was a stashed yarn, leftovers from a project more than two years ago, and I used 5.5mm needles. 

I could have centred the design slightly better – but when I had finished the chart the cloth was very rectangular, and so I kept knitting until it was more square.

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I matched it with some ‘nightlock berries’ stitch markers, a little felt pouch, and some gorgeous China Glaze Hunger Games nailpolish.  It didn’t feel like a lot of goodies for a magic yarn ball, but I was fresh out of themed ideas, time, and budget.  But, my recipient ended up winding the yarn rather than knitting it out, so I don’t feel quite so badly about it now!

This was a fun little project, and I have always enjoyed the gratification of quick project, and this was no different – that said, it did take a couple of nights of chart following, but I think it was worth the result.

 

FO: Making Waves Cardigan

Published April 26, 2012 Uncategorized 8 Comments
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ImageSome months ago I finished this cardigan – in the height of summer. Now that the weather is cooler, it’s time to start wearing it. And therefore, I really should blog it…

So, without (any) further ado, may I introduce to you my Making Waves cardigan. This is a great transitional cardigan – knit in 4 ply it would be ideal for spring and autumn, and hopefully winter too in my new classroom which has a heater that is far more effective than my former classroom’s one!   I used gorgeous Madelinetosh yarn – this is the Tosh Merino Light, in the stunning Amber Trinket colourway.  I have had my eye on this colour since the lovely Lina at Photo.Knit.Dog knit a cardigan in it way back in Feb 2011. I was lucky enough to score three skeins on special mid-way through last year at Hidden Purls, waiting for me to decide on what to knit.  Late last year they had another sale and I had to stop myself buying more yarn when I hadn’t knit what I had already bought. It was just the push I needed to choose a pattern and cast on.

I chose the Making Waves Cardigan as it had caught my eye on several occasions. I like the simplicity of this top-down seamless raglan. the fit across the back and shoulders is just the lovely fitting silhouette that suits the 4 ply cardigan, and the understated ruffles suited the tones of the yarn which is neither a true semi-solid nor variegated, but a complex mixture of amber tones.

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As with all the MadTosh yarn I’ve used so far, there were definite differences in the skeins. I alternated though the second and third skeins which seemed to contain a mixture of the tones from the first skein.

The knitting could not have been simpler. I had not a single issue with the pattern and knit it completely as written. What a pleasure to find such an accessible, well written pattern from an independent designer.  Of course, that does make me want to try another of her patterns. I’ve got my eye on the Elphaba Pullover, another gorgeous 4 ply knit. 4 ply is ideal for the mild winters we have in the North West, so I just cannot stop myself from looking at (and buying, and making) knits/yarn in this weight.

Image This is just as lovely to wear as you would imagine. The yarn is a single ply yarn, so very very soft. I had worn it a number of times before the photos were taken,  and as you can see it is still in very good condition. There is a small amount of pilling, not anywhere as much as you might expect. Instead it is just delicious cosy.

I am so pleased with this, I’m sure that it will get lots of use in the coming months, and hopefully the coming years.

New Patterns, and a discount

Published April 19, 2012 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Over the past few months, I’ve been working on a number of patterns. Tonight I have released two of them for sale, and they are cousins of the popular pattern, Benji.

First up is the Benji Beret. I was approached by a knitter who had made a number of Benji beanies for a newborn babies at her local hospital. She enjoyed knitting the Benji pattern but felt it would not suit her – could I tell her how to make it into something loser and more flattering? I worked up the Benji Slouch hat, but she decided a beret style would suit her better. So thus a whole set of Benji hats started to emerge…

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Image I made both samples from a yarn that was new to me – the lovely Rare Essentials yarn. An 80% Alpaca, 20% merino yarn in DK weight, I used around 60g for each hat, and used various contrasts: the darker hat uses a white Patons DK Merino, and the light blue hat uses Madelinetosh Tosh DK in Silver Fox.  You can use either DK or worsted weight yarn for the beret. The DK drapes beautifully, and I think this will be a very enjoyable hat to wear in the late autumn when the chill starts to set in.

The Benji Slouch Hat is the other pattern released tonight. This is a fun design that incorporates pleats that give the hat its slouchy structure. This adds a little more challenge to the pattern, but it is very achieveable all the same.

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This sample is knit up in 100Purewool 3 ply worsted, undyed, with some lovely Ladybug Loops yarn variegated yarn as the contrast yarn. This was a cute, fun contrast and is bright and cheerful.

Each of these pattern are available on Ravelry, and if you would like, you are also able to purchase them together with the Benji beanie pattern as an ebook.

AND if you already own the Benji pattern, when you purchase either of these patterns you will automatically receive a 50% discount at the checkout.

 

Yarny Magic

Published April 18, 2012 Uncategorized 2 Comments
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I had the most delicious yarn delivery earlier this week. I had signed up for a Magic Yarn Ball swap, faithfully sent mine away (just a day or two late) and sat back to await my own one. I wasn’t disappointed either – Miss 3 and I opened my parcel to reveal…

ImageA beautifully wrapped parcel. Oh, the excitement! (Oh the embarrassment, I didn’t wrap mine in anything but bubble wrap!)

And inside…

Image Gorgeous 10ply hand-dyed yarn, in the most delicious shades of red. I love me a good semi-solid, and I’m such a sucker for red.

Now, the general idea with a magic yarn ball is that wrapped inside are treasures, and that you knit out each one. So, I had to cast on! I chose to cast on a hat pattern I had admired but not had a chance to knit. It is the lovely Brambles beret, a free pattern from Knitty.com. I have used some modifications that I spied in other FOs on Ravelry, so you’ll have to watch this space for the finished hat when it’s done. I’ve got a bit of other knitting on at the moment, so I’m making sure I do some on this every evening – to try to get the parcels out from inside of course!

The yarn was sent to me by the lovely Emma, from the brand new yarn dyers Olive and Emma. Emma has just opened up shop, although she has been dyeing yarn for several years for herself, swaps and the odd custom job. I’ve always admired her work, so I’m delighted to have the chance to try is out for myself.  It is super pretty so far!  You should check out her shop stocking – Wednesdays at 8pm NZ time – so, she’ll be loading stock up this evening.  She’s posted some gorgeous pictures of her work there, along with links of some knit up – I’m sure you’ll love her yarn too if you get your hands on some.

Happy New Year!

Published January 14, 2012 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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I thought it was well past time I popped on to wish you all a very happy New Year. 

 

If you thought I must have been busy, you’re right! We welcomed the new year at home and since then have travelled to Christchurch, tonight will be our fourth set of beds in a week.  AND we’ve had three different candle-blowing-out occasions (with a grand total of thirteen candles blown out, despite the birthdays totalling 115 years. Some things just don’t add up! And that’s with one person getting TWO lots of candles.)

I have been taking my needles and knitting with me though, and I’m making good progress on my first project for the year, which is a lovely cardigan, Making Waves by Mary Annarella. I cast on in lovely MadelineTosh Tosh Merino Light, which is a 4 ply single, and is knitting up beautifully. The colourway is Amber Trinket, which is a stunning combination of colours – I adore these photos of Lina’s cardigan which made me fall in love with this colourway. In typical Tosh fashion, no two skeins seem to be the same, so I’ve had to alternate skeins through the body and I’m hoping the sleeve skein has enough of the various colours in to avoid having to do so in the arms too though.  Looking good so far – about four inches down the first arm. 

Apologies for the links rather than photos – guess who forgot to bring their camera??

FO: Ziggy Hoodie

Published November 30, 2011 Uncategorized 1 Comment
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I was just uploading some photos when I stumbled across this picture and realised that I hadn’t posted it here – so, here goes the lovely, suggly, and very unseasonal Ziggy Hoodie. You will be pleased to know I actually finished it several months ago in the winter, rather than today, the last day of Spring!

ImageAnd, where there are hoods, there are stupid hood shots.  In fact, so many that there really were not any shots *without* hood silliness. But hopefully you can see past that to the actual item in question!

So, may I present to you a Size 5 Ziggy, a beautiful hoodie by the talented Tikki.   Well, in fact, it’s not just a hoodie – the pattern has a cute wee collared version too. And it looks utterly stunning in a variegated yarn too, the zigs and zags mix it up enough to stop the dreaded pooling. Not that I did variegated… mine is in super snuggly Naturally Sensations, a with just a touch of angora to ramp up the snuggle factor. And in what better colour than pink? Got to keep the Little Miss happy!! I was delighted to use it on this, I had six 50g skeins, not really enough for an adult knit, but too many to waste. And in pink too… I’ve got less than a skein left now, which is great, a good use of the yarn.

Ziggy is knit in the round, bottom up for a change, and has raglan shaping all done with no seams.  The hood is also constructed with no seaming, and is a big hit with my girl.  There is something about hoods that I dislike – the time I take to knit them. It’s almost like they are a speedbump for me that I never quite have the momentum to get over… I think I might have been the world’s worst tester finishing this off so slowly!!

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Now, this is just one of Tikki’s Ziggy patterns – there’s also a skirt, legwarmers, vest and hat in the set – you can grab the e-book with all 5 patterns in or seperately.  I’m tempted by the vest next I think!

 

 

FO: Jacques Cousteau Hat

Published September 20, 2011 Uncategorized 3 Comments
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While I’m on the subject of knits I’ve neglected to blog… I have a confession to make. It’s not just one or two things I’ve not blogged about… there are literally months worth of items I’ve knit that I’ve not posted on here (or on Ravelry).  Yes, I confess I’m a bad blogger… but that hasn’t stopped me knitting! So, it must be catch-up time. 

So, for today a small, relatively quick knit.  This is the lovely, and free, Jacques Cousteau hat pattern. There are so many men’s hat patterns out there. As this was for DS, I wanted something not too intricate, as I wanted him to actually *wear* the hat. But I also wanted something interesting to knit. So I chose this pattern – because while it is essentially a ribbed beanie with a fold over brim (as per the photo above), the decreases fascinated me…

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One thing I love about knitting is the seemingly infinite variations you can use to create a useful object.  And so, funky crown decreases it was!

The hat pattern offers two different sizes – don’t tell DS, but I knit the ‘woman’s’ size for him.  It was 20 stitches smaller, meaning less ribbing… Ribbing isn’t my favourite stitch to be honest! The fit is fab, his head could be a whole lot fatter and it’d still fit. So it all worked out in the end.

The yarn I used was some John Q Heathered Dk yarn, which I picked up for $3 a ball at a Knitworld sale 18 months ago. I’ve had such good value from these balls of yarn – most have become hats, and I love the look that the heathered yarn gives as opposed to a flat solid colour.  It adds a little interest to what would otherwise be a plain hat too, without making it too busy for my teen to wear.  The 50g ball was not quite enough for this hat – just as well I had two.  (No yardage chicken for me on this one!)

This got lots of wear when DS did a stint as a relief newspaper delivery boy, as well on many chilly mornings. Finally, some knitting for him that he likes and wears (after he left a handknit sweater on the soccer field overnight I banished him from my knit-list).  And of course all he had to reward me for it was a few photos to blog… A good deal? I think so!

Bai Hu Baby Sweater

Published September 18, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Months and months ago I knit this gorgeous wee baby sweater, and totally forgot to blog about it. I was just catching up on some blog reading and saw another version of this, which reminded me. So, here goes…

 

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This is Bai Hu – Tiger of the West,  a gorgeous sweater designed by Julie Gilliver, a good online friend of mine.  This is part of the Chinatown collection, which also features the cutest wee jacket. While they are unisex, they are designed especially with boys in mind. Julie is blessed with a houseful of boys, which is great for all those knitters who are hanging out for great boy’s patterns!

My version is the newborn size, and I knit it in the softest, most gorgeous Sublime Organic Merino yarn. Of course I also managed to run out of yarn (well, I was pushing it!), so I ripped back the bottom and added some cream Sublime yarn left over from knitting teddies, and then did the sleeves with a bit more of the cream too.  I think the contrast looks sweet, which is just as well! I got the yarn on clearance from WEBS and I wasn’t keen on paying international postage for another ball!  So, it took two balls, two and a bit would have been better.

I loved the sweet wee mandarin collar (which has an fun contruction), and the sweet wee neckline detail too.

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A simple, seamless knit, this was fun to make and super soft. It is long since gifted – and no doubt grown out of too! But there are always new babies coming along in my group of friends, so I’m sure that there will be more occasions to make this gorgeous wee sweater, or its jacket-cousin.

(Yes, I *know* I’m meant to be packing the house for shifting. But I am a procrastinator extraordinaire, and clearly blogging months-old knits is faaaaaar more important. That and I’ve run out of boxes!)

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