My dining/knitting room

I have been in this house almost 2 years now and I am in the process of redecorating.  The first room I did was my dining room where I keep my stash (well, not including the hidden bits!) and all my knitting-related paraphernalia.  I adore colour so I have kept the decor mainly white so that the colour can come from my 'stuff'.

The light wasn't amazing and still waiting for my own camera.  I really love looking at my shelves and browsing through books and yarns.  I'm not sure when I will be able to bring myself to use any of the skeins as I miss them when they're gone.  I started using a skein of Rowan colourscape chunky this week.  Whilst I miss it from the shelf, it is turning itself into a lovely throw.  Is this an unnatural attachment to my stash?  I know I buy the yarn to use one day but I also like the look of it on my shelves, like having my very own shop to browse in, touch the yarns and admire the colours.

There is a distinct lack of blues so I need to bear this in mind when I next allow myself another purchase.  But am I buying yarn to make something or to look good on my shelf?!

I'm back!

Hello, I'm back.  Welcome to my blog if you haven't been before and welcome back to those of you who have!

Well, what have I been doing for 5 years?  5 years!  I now have an 8 year old and a 6 year old so I guess that's what I've been doing.  Oh, and working full time and adjusting to life as a single Mum.  Oh, and moving house twice. 

Yes that's what has kept me away from my cyber-life.  And the fact that my computer was hacked into which made me slightly computer-phobic for a while not to mention what it did to the actual computer.  Anyway, it is good to be back and you can be reassured that I have not stopped knitting during these last 5 years.  Oh no, most definitely not.  My stash has reached its all time record and I dare not admit the number of unfinished projects that are hiding around my house somewhere.  No, the knitting is what has been keeping me sane. 

I have so many new things to share with you that I hardly know where to begin.  It is tempting to blurt it all out now but I must restrain myself and slow down.  I also have a bit of camera problem at the moment so I can't share any photos.  Once the issue is resolved I will be able to share my new creations with you all.  At the moment I am just bursting with another secret that is so, so, so exciting!  I was going to save it for another day but I don't think I will be able to keep it in.  I'll just whisper it quietly...

(I can crochet!)

There, I said it.  If I start on crochet now, I don't think I will stop so I mustn't say another word. 

But I am totally hooked.

Exciting!

I was really excited last Tuesday when I typed my tea cosy pattern up and posted it on my blog. I also added it as a free pattern on Ravelry.

I was even more excited when I checked my pattern, to see that people had added it to their queues! When I last checked, it was in no less than 36 queues! I am amazed and will be very interested to see if anyone actually knits it. Being in 36 queues just means 36 people have put it on a list of things they want to knit and if they are anything like me, that list never gets any shorter - just longer. Oh well, I am just so pleased that fellow knitters have liked it enough to even do that. Which is more than I can say of 2 of my other knitted designs - more about that next time!

Tea Cosy pattern freebie

Here is the pattern for the tea cosy I made my friend. She asked me to knit her a tea cosy which was green and didn't have a bobble on the top! After searching among patterns, I couldn't find anything suitable so decided to create my own. The knitted fabric is lovely and thick and the lid is detachable. Here it is:



Size: to fit large tea pot. My tea pot measures approx 52cm round widest part and approx 34 cm round base.

Needles: 1 pair 5.5mm (straight)

Yarn: 1 strand of each of the following:

Sirdar Click chunky
Patons Studio Mohair (dk)

Other materials: 4 beads or buttons
Row counter

Abbreviations:

inc = increase (by knitting into front and back of stitch)

k = knit

p = purl

rep = repeat

sts = stitches

tbl = through back of loop

tog = together

Sides (make 2)

Using 1 strand of each of the yarns together, cast on 24sts

Rows 1 & 2: Knit
Row 3: k3, inc 1, k4, inc 1, k6, inc 1, k4, inc 1, k3 (28 sts)
Row 4: k3, p to last 3 sts, k3
Row 5: k3, inc 1, k5, inc 1, k8, inc 1, k5, inc 1, k3 (32 sts)
Row 6: As row 4
Row 7: k3, inc 1, k6, inc 1, k10, inc 1, k6, inc 1, k3 (36 sts)
Row 8: As row 4
Row 9: k3, inc 1, k7, inc 1, k12, inc 1, k7, inc 1, k3 (40 sts)
Row 10: As row 4
Row 11: knit
Row 12: As row 4
Rows 13 & 14: rep last 2 rows
Rows 15 & 16: knit
Rows 17 & 18: Rep rows 11 & 12
Row 19: k3, k2tog tbl, k to last 5 sts, k2tog, k3 (38 sts)
Row 20: knit
Row 21: As row 19 (36 sts)
Row 22: As row 4
Row 23: As row 19 (34 sts)
Row 24: knit
Row 25: knit
Row 26: As row 4
Next 4 rows: knit
Cast off

Lid (make 1)
Using 1 strand of each of the yarns together, cast on 15 sts
Knit 2 rows
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: k2, p to last 2 sts, k2
Repeat last 2 rows three times more
Next row: k6, cast off 3 sts, k6
Next row: k2, p4, cast on 3 sts, p4, k2
Rep rows 3 & 4 four times more
Knit 2 rows
Cast off
Make a loop on each of the 4 corners of the lid to fit over bead/button

To make up:
Using 2 sides of tea cosy and with wrong sides facing, sew row ends together for approx 3cm from cast on and cast off edges. Sew in ends. Turn right side out and place on tea pot with cast on edge at top. Place knitted lid on tea pot and mark positions to sew beads (or buttons). The knitted lid should be slightly stretched when loops are placed over the beads. Attach beads securely. Fit loops over the beads to secure lid in place.

Any queries, comments, errata, please email me. Address on right.

One year on...

I cannot believe I have had this blog for a year! I cannot believe I missed my blogiversary! Definition in Urban Dictionary here. It was on 19th August and I had no idea I started my blog so long ago. I had a vague memory that I started this blog towards the end of last Summer but it really doesn't feel like a year.

I always imagined I would have a big celebration with giveaways, competitions, freebies etc. but I don't think I have blogged enough for all that hype! I still feel quite pleased with myself for keeping going though, so I think I will type up a couple of patterns as freebies. It is always nice to discover a free pattern through someone's blog and I would feel amazed if even just one person used one of my patterns. I'll start with a tea cosy I designed for a friend's birthday last week. I would also like to type up the pattern for a bag I made in July but I'm not sure if I wrote it down anywhere.

Anyway, a belated happy blogiversary to myself and anyone else out there!

Behind

I feel so ridiculously behind with this blog that I just don't know where to start!


It is one of those times when I just need to sit down and get on with it - then it won't be so bad. I seem to be comparing writing my blog to eating vegetables which is not good! In truth I don't really know why I have this blog. I think I like the idea of it but haven't really got into it properly. I have thought about stopping it but in my usual stubborn way, I think I'll battle on and see if things improve.



Anyway, what have I been doing?


1. I have a new baby nephew and managed to finish his blanket.

2. I've been to Cornwall and had a lovely, if a little wet, time.





3. I've bought a book to learn how to crochet but have yet to start.





4. I've broken up from school - hooray!





5. I have used up nearly half of my holidays already.





6. I have done quite a bit of knitting.

7. I've taken up running (a slight exaggeration). I've been for a very short jog 4 times! It's horrible but I really need to do some exercise.

Ok, so I lied...

... but I am back in less than 2 months! A week to be precise. I just find it very difficult to find the time to blog. Any precious time I have for myself I prefer to spend knitting to be totally honest. I WANT to blog but the reality of it is a little different. My head is full of so many ideas for my knitting which I would love to share. I don't get around to ever starting most of them. Some people say they have a problem with starting projects and not finishing them (I have that problem too) but I also have the problem of thinking up a million projects and never getting them underway at all.

I have been constantly knitting though. I am in the middle of a blanket for my children's first baby cousin which is due to arrive next month. I thought I should start early to give me a bit of a chance to finish it on time.

I've also completed a pair of baby socks for a colleague at work who is expecting a little boy soon. They were actually my first ever socks I've knitted.

My next post will be catching up on the knit a bag a month project! I really need to sort out where I am!

FO #7

I've been meaning to catch up on all my finished objects this year so far. With the help of Ravelry, I've discovered I have completed 8 projects since January.

FO # 7 is my entrelac cushion which I gave to my friend for her birthday last week. I was very pleased with my first attempt at entrelac but I did think it was a bit holey! Probably not picking up the stitches very evenly. I loved the yarn which was Patons Jet in reds, browns, pinks and oranges.

Pattern: Entrelac cushions by Kirstie McLeod, Simply Knitting Essential Home leaflet

Yarn: Patons Jet Multi, shade 8

Needles: 5.5mm

Size made: Medium (16")

The colours are a bit better in these photos I took at the beginning.

Where to start!?

I have been so busy lately and done loads of knitting that I just don't know where to start. I really need to take some photos as well. In brief this is what I have been up to on the knitting front:

1. Made a cushion in entrelac style (my first go at this and quite pleased with myself)

2. Bought some recycled sari silk and started knitting this bag with it (it's amazing but a little difficult to knit with)

3. Finished my bunny

4. Started Clementine by Emma King at last (been on my list for ages)

5. Bought some organic cotton and started a little bag

6. Made a pair of little pink Mary Jane's by Sublime for a cousin's baby.

I think that's about it.

7. Just remembered - added some finishing touches to my little pink cable bag from Let's Knit.



Really hoping to finish off lots of projects ASAP and take some photos. I will be on holiday from school after Friday so may have a little more free time (just a little!)

Bunny progress report

Here is the large bunny I previously mentioned I've been working on. The pattern is by Jody Long and is featured in Let's Knit magazine issue 4. As you can see she is nearly ready. I have knitted the cardigan and arms but not the basket or flowers yet. I was actually thinking of not doing the flowers as I can imagine they will be quite fiddly and time consuming and as it is supposed to be ready by next Saturday, I might not have the time!

Easter Baskets

Here are my little Easter baskets I made. I used cotton yarn doubled up. They will also hold a chocolate egg (or a real one).

I am thinking of writing up the pattern as a little freebie.

Thanks, Mum!

My Mum has been busy knitting for an Easter fundraising event that me and a friend are organising for our Brownie packs.

They will all have a chocolate egg inside them and she's also working on some chicks. I'm working on some little baskets and also a large bunny.

More bag pics

Here are the pictures of my January bag for the Knit a bag a month project. I used 8mm needles and 1 ball of Rowan Spray and I made up the pattern as I went along. Don't want to repeat myself so see yesterday's post for more details!

January bag(s)

Having thought for ages about what bag to knit for January for the Knit a Bag a Month project, I have finally started one (well two actually).

I absolutely could not resist 'Audrey' from issue 3 of Let's Knit. It's a cute little cable and moss stitch bag - perfect for my first attempt with cabling. I was really pleased with how the cables came out and they were really easy too. I just need to add a handle and find some sort of felted beads as suggested in the pattern.

The other bag I have started is one I have made up myself. I would say it's one of my own designs but to be honest I just picked up the needles and started knitting - there was very little designing actually going on. I used the Rowan Spray I received from my swap partner in December. Just need to sort handle/fastenings. Will post pics soon.

First FO of 2008

My second FO was finished about a week ago and the recipient was very pleased. In fact he was forced to admit he was impressed (which is a lot better than what he said about the chunky scarf I knitted him last year which ended up going to charity)! Anyway, here it is:

Pattern: My Own

Yarn: Sublime Extra fine merino silk

Needles:

Size made: Large

The other man in my life wore his classic jacket I made him yesterday. Keeping him to keep still was something of an impossibility though. This was in fact my first FO of 2008 (I finished it on January 1st after starting it several months ago). I made tons of mistakes but am quite pleased with how it looks. I'm the only who knows about all the bits that went wrong!

Happy 2008

Happy New Year! A little late I know but there we go.

Anyway, my knitting project for 2008? Well, I've decided to knit a bag a month. Basically it's an excuse to have something to knit each month and another excuse to make more bags. There are going to be a few rules (just a few, I promise otherwise it'll never get completed).

1. At least one bag must be completed in each calendar month.
2. At least one bag must be felted.
3. At least one bag must incorporate beads (my newly acquired skill).
4. At least one bag must be of your own design.
5. At least one bag must be cabled.

That's it.

If anyone would like to join the project, contact me or just knit a bag a month for fun! I will be posting on Ravelry about this and might even set up a separate blog dedicated to the project. I'm off to get knitting before January is over!

Too much knitting!

Help - I have too much knitting to do that I don't have any time for blogging. I'm also spending way too much time on ravelry. So this is what I need to do:

1. Don't go on Ravelry



2. Blog more



3. Have nothing to blog about because I'm not knitting because I'm blogging



Mmmm? !

Think I'll stick to ravelry as it is amazing. Not sure if I mentioned that before? Perhaps the novelty will wear off but to be honest I can't see that happening at the moment. I keep finding more groups to join and more projects to put in my queue.



Anyway, back to knitting. I've completed several scarves for Christmas presents. You can see them all on ravelry if you like. Whoops - I'm not addicted, honest. By the way I'm lollipopknits if you want to find me on aforementioned site.

So that was October

Well, October came and went and I think spent most of it messing about on Ravelry. I have become ever so slightly addicted - but it is brilliant. Mostly it has just made me add to my list of things I want to knit but it has also forced me to organise my stash (which was getting a little out of control).

Despite my Ravelry addiction I have managed to do some knitting. I made another pair of Sublime Mary Janes for a colleague who has just had a baby girl. I didn't take a photo of them before I sent them though. I've started 2 scarves, nearly finished a cardigan for my boy and am part-way through a jumper for my girl (see below).

I'm knitting it in Wendy Chameleon Chunky using a pattern from Knitting magazine.

I've also done a bit of reading (and I do just mean a bit) but will post about that later.

I'm on Ravelry!

Well, I finally got invited to join ravelry! After putting my name down on the waiting list back in August, I had kind of forgotten all about it. Anyway, I have spent the morning fiddling around on there. Will spend a bit more time properly later when the kids have gone to bed. Looking forward to sorting out my stash as I fear it has been getting out of control and I have no idea what I have been hoarding over the past year.

Other news is that I've finished two more projects. F.O. no. 3 is the felted kitchen set I made from Simply Knitting Issue 20. I've never done any felting before so was very nervous when opening the washing machine but I'm really pleased with the results. Will post a picture when someone brings the camera home!

F.O. no. 4 is a bonnet and pair of Mary Janes from a Sublime pattern. Again, will post pics when I get the camera.

The oven glove, pot holder and pot stand I felted using Rowan Big Wool.

I HAVE to knit this!

I came across a pattern for a bag I just really, really have to knit.

Now.

But I have so many other things on my list. Oh well, one more won't hurt. I found it on knitty earlier today and it looks amazing. Can't wait to get started.

A few months back I was ONLY going to knit bags. Then I deviated but I can feel myself going back to bags again. The only thing that annoys me about bags is the lining part. I'm not too hot at sewing but knitted bags really do need lining. The more I make, the better I'll get I suppose - that's a good excuse to knit more bags anyway.