!!!WANTED!!!
I desperately need the pattern to knit this alien. It's my boyfriend's childhood "teddy" and my sister has demanded one for her bubby. Please help!
Sunday, 1 March 2009
One Skein - The Shibori Experiment
It's frustrating that I can't knit up some of the beautiful patterns that I'm lusting after, but I can't give up one week into the stash challenge. Anyway, choosing a pattern for the yarn rather than the yarn for the pattern requires a completely different mindset that is pushing me to be more creative.
I had a beautiful skein of black 100% alpaca but no idea what to do with it, so I googled for a bit and then decided to get on the shibori bandwagon. Cue a day of stocking stitch with my trusty 4's. Yawn. But I kept going because I knew the fun bit was to come.
I couldn't cast off quickly enough! I don't have enough control with my washing machine as there is no way of prising open the door mid-cycle (it doesn't stop the bl**dy thing leaking though), so after I shaped the material with five and two pence pieces secured with elastic bands, I immersed the lot in a vat of boiling water.
The water quickly turned pee-pee yellow and although I have never encountered an alpaca, after a couple of minutes on the stove I had a pretty good idea how one smells.
Three minutes in, I checked how the felting process was getting on. It wasn't.
10 minutes later I checked again, and swooshed my scarf round the pan for good measure.
After 30 minutes I gave up. It hadn't worked.
I achieved the below effect with a hairdryer and my boyfriend's hairspray. I'll never be able to get it wet ...therefore I'll probably never be able to wear it out ...therefore it's a totally unpractical scarf.
Lesson learnt: Knit a sample before you commit to knitting a garment up for felting. Thank heavens it was only a scarf.
As an afterthought. My fellow likes the smell of soggy alpaca.
Thursday, 26 February 2009
Bargain Knitting - A Tam and a Scarflette for £1.65!!!!!
The first challenge! A lovely 100gm ball of pea green Hayfield Bonus DK. 100% acrylic, but surprisingly soft. Cost - £1.65. This yarn screamed Tam at me, so I had a look online for free patterns and came up with a wonderful wonderful site http://www.woollywormhead.com/, where I found a lovely pattern for a hat called the "meret".
This is the finished article. I made the medium size hat with smaller needles than called for in the pattern, (I used 4mms). I didn't knit in the round as suggested because it was a little too tight ...probably because of the needle downsize ;-)
I stitched some vintage buttons onto the front ...I'm in LOVE with them!
...then - and this is the best bit - I had enough yarn over to knit a scarflette. It's what I call an "organic" design, i.e. I made it up as I went along, and I'm really happy with the finished effect.
This is the finished article. I made the medium size hat with smaller needles than called for in the pattern, (I used 4mms). I didn't knit in the round as suggested because it was a little too tight ...probably because of the needle downsize ;-)
I stitched some vintage buttons onto the front ...I'm in LOVE with them!
...then - and this is the best bit - I had enough yarn over to knit a scarflette. It's what I call an "organic" design, i.e. I made it up as I went along, and I'm really happy with the finished effect.
Another vintage button to secure the scarflette round my neck.
Pea green isn't to everyone's taste admitedly, but I adore my little duo and I recieved plenty of compliments when I took them for their first outing.
A hat and a scarflette for £1.65. I'm starting to like my little challenge :-)
The Promise - I Will Not Buy Any More Yarn
...until I've used up the yarn I already have. In the spirit of make-do in the current financial climate etc etc, I'm trying to save money.
I love our bedroom and so does my fella, but my yarn stash is starting to take over. It's over-spilling it's designated basket and is getting in the way.
That said, it's not exactly the biggest stash ever and so it's not that daunting. I can do it. I can resist.
It's a bit of a mixed bag. I've got some nasty nylons ...but I've also got some vintage delights, leftover cashmerino and two skeins of rowan kidsilk haze...
I love our bedroom and so does my fella, but my yarn stash is starting to take over. It's over-spilling it's designated basket and is getting in the way.
That said, it's not exactly the biggest stash ever and so it's not that daunting. I can do it. I can resist.
It's a bit of a mixed bag. I've got some nasty nylons ...but I've also got some vintage delights, leftover cashmerino and two skeins of rowan kidsilk haze...
Why did I buy these!!! I don't machine knit!!!
Baby Boom - Free Pattern - Mittens
My lovely fella's lovely mother gave me some lovely yarn, so I designed some baby mittens with my brand new stash of pastel Wendy Peter Pan yarns.
As it was free I thought I'd give my pattern away for free :-)
EQUIPMENT
One pair 3.25mm needles; one pair 2.75mm needles. Scraps of wool. 2x buttons.
INSTRUCTIONS
RIGHT MITTEN – REVISED FOR 3.25MM
With 2.75mm needles and white cast on 34 [36 : 40] stitches
1st row: K1, P1, to end
Repeat 1st row once more
Next row: (K1, P1) to last 3 stitches, Sl1, K1, PSSO, P1
Next row: K1, M1, (K1, P1) to end
Repeat 1st row once more
Next row: Cast off 7 stitches in rib, P1, (K1, P1) to end – 27 [29 : 33] stitches
The remainder of the mitten is knit in a blue and white stripe every two alternate rows
Next row: With 3.25mm needles and blue beg with a K row work 6 [6 : 8] rows in stocking stitch
Thumb
1st row: K19 [21 : 23], Turn
2nd row: Cast on 5 [6: 6] stitches, P11 [12: 12] , turn - 11 [12 : 12] stitches
Work 6 [8: 10] rows in stocking stitch
Next row: (K2tog)5 [6: 6] times, K1 [0: 0] - 6 [6: 6] stitches
Leaving a length of yarn long enough to join seam, break yarn and thread end through stitches, draw up tightly and fasten off. Join seam.
Next row: Right side. Pick up and K6 [6: 6] stitches from base of thumb, K to end
Work 11 [13: 15] rows in stocking stitch
Shape top of mitten
1st row: *K1, Sl1, K1, PSSO, K8 [9 : 11], K2tog, rep from * once more, K1
2nd and 4th rows: P to end
3rd row: *K1, Sl1, K1, PSSO, K6 [7 : 9], K2tog, rep from * once more, K1
Leaving a length of yarn long enough to join seam, break yarn and thread end through stitches, draw up tightly and fasten off. Join seam.
LEFT MITTEN
With 2.75mm needles and white cast on 34 [36 : 40] stitches
1st row: P1, K1, to end
Repeat 1st row once more
Next row: P1, Sl1, K1, PSSO, K1, (P1, K1) to end
Next row: P1 (K1, P1) to last two stitches, M1, P1, K1
Repeat 1st row once more
Next row: P1, (K1, P1) to last seven stitches, cast off remaining stitches – 27 [29 : 33] stitches
The remainder of the mitten is knit in a blue and white stripe every alternative two rows
Next row: With 3.25mm needles and blue beg with a K row work 6 [6 : 8] rows in stocking stitch
Thumb
1st row: K14 [15 : 17], Turn
2nd row: Cast on 5 [6 : 6] stitches, P11 [12 : 12], turn – 11 [12 : 12] stitches
Work 6 [8 : 10]rows in stocking stitch
Next row: (K2tog)5 [6 : 6] times, K1 [0 : 0] – 6 [6: 6] stitches
Leaving a length of yarn long enough to join seam, break yarn and thread end through stitches, draw up tightly and fasten off. Join seam.
Next row: Right side. Pick up and K6 [6 : 6] stitches from base of thumb, K to end
Work 11 [13 : 15] rows in stocking stitch
Shape top of mitten
1st row: *K1, Sl1, K1, PSSO, K8 [9 : 11], K2tog, rep from * once more, K1
2nd and 4th rows: P to end
3rd row: *K1, Sl1, K1, PSSO, K6 [7 : 9], K2tog, rep from * once more, K1
Leaving a length of yarn long enough to join seam, break yarn and thread end through stitches, draw up tightly and fasten off. Join seam.
One pair 3.25mm needles; one pair 2.75mm needles. Scraps of wool. 2x buttons.
INSTRUCTIONS
RIGHT MITTEN – REVISED FOR 3.25MM
With 2.75mm needles and white cast on 34 [36 : 40] stitches
1st row: K1, P1, to end
Repeat 1st row once more
Next row: (K1, P1) to last 3 stitches, Sl1, K1, PSSO, P1
Next row: K1, M1, (K1, P1) to end
Repeat 1st row once more
Next row: Cast off 7 stitches in rib, P1, (K1, P1) to end – 27 [29 : 33] stitches
The remainder of the mitten is knit in a blue and white stripe every two alternate rows
Next row: With 3.25mm needles and blue beg with a K row work 6 [6 : 8] rows in stocking stitch
Thumb
1st row: K19 [21 : 23], Turn
2nd row: Cast on 5 [6: 6] stitches, P11 [12: 12] , turn - 11 [12 : 12] stitches
Work 6 [8: 10] rows in stocking stitch
Next row: (K2tog)5 [6: 6] times, K1 [0: 0] - 6 [6: 6] stitches
Leaving a length of yarn long enough to join seam, break yarn and thread end through stitches, draw up tightly and fasten off. Join seam.
Next row: Right side. Pick up and K6 [6: 6] stitches from base of thumb, K to end
Work 11 [13: 15] rows in stocking stitch
Shape top of mitten
1st row: *K1, Sl1, K1, PSSO, K8 [9 : 11], K2tog, rep from * once more, K1
2nd and 4th rows: P to end
3rd row: *K1, Sl1, K1, PSSO, K6 [7 : 9], K2tog, rep from * once more, K1
Leaving a length of yarn long enough to join seam, break yarn and thread end through stitches, draw up tightly and fasten off. Join seam.
LEFT MITTEN
With 2.75mm needles and white cast on 34 [36 : 40] stitches
1st row: P1, K1, to end
Repeat 1st row once more
Next row: P1, Sl1, K1, PSSO, K1, (P1, K1) to end
Next row: P1 (K1, P1) to last two stitches, M1, P1, K1
Repeat 1st row once more
Next row: P1, (K1, P1) to last seven stitches, cast off remaining stitches – 27 [29 : 33] stitches
The remainder of the mitten is knit in a blue and white stripe every alternative two rows
Next row: With 3.25mm needles and blue beg with a K row work 6 [6 : 8] rows in stocking stitch
Thumb
1st row: K14 [15 : 17], Turn
2nd row: Cast on 5 [6 : 6] stitches, P11 [12 : 12], turn – 11 [12 : 12] stitches
Work 6 [8 : 10]rows in stocking stitch
Next row: (K2tog)5 [6 : 6] times, K1 [0 : 0] – 6 [6: 6] stitches
Leaving a length of yarn long enough to join seam, break yarn and thread end through stitches, draw up tightly and fasten off. Join seam.
Next row: Right side. Pick up and K6 [6 : 6] stitches from base of thumb, K to end
Work 11 [13 : 15] rows in stocking stitch
Shape top of mitten
1st row: *K1, Sl1, K1, PSSO, K8 [9 : 11], K2tog, rep from * once more, K1
2nd and 4th rows: P to end
3rd row: *K1, Sl1, K1, PSSO, K6 [7 : 9], K2tog, rep from * once more, K1
Leaving a length of yarn long enough to join seam, break yarn and thread end through stitches, draw up tightly and fasten off. Join seam.
Baby Boom - Duck Cardigan
Next up was this little sweetie, a vintage Sirdar pattern I found on e-bay. ...I've no idea who Doris is.
I chose a pale blue Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerinio yarn and designed little ducks to embroider on the front to make it a bit more girly.
I chose a pale blue Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerinio yarn and designed little ducks to embroider on the front to make it a bit more girly.
Baby Boom - Peppermint Cabled Mittens
I'd never made mittens before, so gave it a go with the leftover peppermint Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino yarn from the vintage jumper.
I chose a vintage Teddy pattern. They turned out a little long ...I guess they'll stay put on baby's hands.
I chose a vintage Teddy pattern. They turned out a little long ...I guess they'll stay put on baby's hands.
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