It's a short episode this week. I talk about plans for 2016 and new explorations in fibre. I'm really enjoying making these little videos and sharing them with the world. Thanks so much for popping by!
Show notes
Works in Progress
Socks for my father-in-law: my own vanilla pattern, yarn is Socks Yeah! by Coop Knits and The Bear went over the Mountain by British Bea Knits
Baby cardigan: Baby Vertebrae by Kelly Brooker, yarn is Sirdar Supersoft Aran in Scrummy Plum Planned Projects Birthday socks in Blink from Truly Hooked
An as yet undecided project for the god-daughters in Faerie by Hand Dyed by Kate
Birthday socks for the Father-in-Law in Vincent and the Doctor by The Yarn Tree
Pretty socks following the Scandi Socks pattern by Erica Knight, featured in The Knitter, Issue 92 using Deep Space and Shot Through the Heart by Felt Fusion
So today I was brave, or silly, I can't decide which, and I recorded my first ever podcast! It is something I have been considering for a while and today I decided to just do it.
Show notes
Works In Progress:
Socks for my father-in-law: my own vanilla pattern, yarn is Socks Yeah! by Coop Knits and The Bear went over the Mountain by British Bea Knits
Socks for me: Petty Harbour pattern by Rayna Curtis Fagan, yarn is Mirasol Sulka Legato
Baby cardigan: Baby Vertebrae by Kelly Brooker, yarn is Sirdar Supersoft Aran in Scrummy Plum
Mystery Knit Along hoodie: Twisted Trails by Lisa K. Ross, yarn is Wendy Aran with wool
Cardigan for Mum: Lady Sunnyside by Tanis Lavallee, yarn is Sirdar Supersoft Aran in Scrummy Plum
Snowflake jumper in Sirdar Snuggly DK and James C. Brett Marble DK
Both patterns are by Tin Can Knits and will be knit as birthday presents rather than Christmas presents. Both patterns are easy to follow. I have simply run out of time!
Mother-in-law socks - Petty Harbour pattern (see details above), yarn is Schachenmayr Regia Springtime Color 4933 (now discontinued) and my own vanilla pattern, yarn is Alize Superwash in colour 4656
Hats - Boyfriend Beanie (see details above), yarn is Stylecraft Alpaca Tweed DK, and Everyday Brew by Clare Devine, yarn is James C. Brett Marble Chunky
Smock jumper - Smocked by Jenny Wiebe, yarn is James C. Brett Marble DK
It has been ages since I blogged. Life has been crazy! And I have been casting on like mad, and I've been casting off a few things as well...
A finished pair of orange socks, which my mother-in-law seems to like so they will be in her stocking this Christmas.
My finished SummerTide MKAL shawl on my new blocking mat. I've never properly blocked things before so the mats are changing things a lot for me! Knit with 4-ply yarn from Wrap and Turn in Glow and Rust colourways.
Two hats from the Tea Collection by Clare Devine. The top one is Lapsang and is for me, and the bottom is Everyday Brew for my sister-in-law for Christmas. Both done with James C. Brett marble chunky in MC52.
Another pair of socks for the mother-in-law, knit with Alize Superwash sock yarn in colourway 4656. This time with a properly calculated toe as I signed up for the Craftsy class 'Socks my way' with Lara Neel.
And finally, it's not finished but I had to mention it, my Exploration Station shawl knit with Blacker Yarns 10th Anniversary Cornish Tin 4-ply which is a special project for myself. Currently being housed in a lovely project bag from Knit Stitch and Bits.
There are several other WIPs, but I'll save them for another time.
Last month I signed up for my first ever knit along, and not only that but it was a mystery knit along. And it's great fun! I signed up for the #childforallseasons autumn knit along and am now part way through making the boys pattern. This mystery knit had two pre-pattern clues that were released, and then all three patterns (boys, girls, accessory) were released in their entirety.
The sleeves were my first ever two at a time magic loop project!
I actually did a swatch!
Its an interesting experience as the construction of the garment is completely different from anything else I have done before, and it also contains the most complex cables I have ever attempted. So a pattern of firsts!
I am enjoying the process of a knit along so much that this month I signed up for another one. This time to make something for myself. I chose to join the #summertideMKAL mystery knit along. This has a different format whereby the pattern is released in 4 clues over the month. So far I have completed clue 1, and clue 2 gets released today - can't wait!
For this knit along I treated myself by buying some gorgeous hand dyed yarn from Wrap & Turn on Etsy. It is the most I have ever spent on yarn for a project, and I regret nothing!
Beautiful 'Rust' colourway of greens, subtle blues, yellows, and oranges.
Gorgeous 'Glow' with shades of yellow, orange, and some light browns.
One of the things I love about knitting is that with each pattern I learn something new. Both of these patterns contain firsts for me, and I'm loving every moment.
I want to love sock knitting! I don't dislike it now, but I just don't love it and I really want to. I have completed two pairs of socks so far. The first pair I ever knit were in chunky weight, fluffy yarn (what was I thinking?!?) and I gifted them to my mother-in-law who thankfully didn't take it as an insult and uses them as winter house socks.
Pair 1 made with James C. Brett Passion
The second pair I kept for myself. They are knit from DK Alpaca yarn and I use them as year-round, sofa-snuggling, house socks. I suspect that come winter they will become my go-to walking boots socks too.
Pair 2 made with Stylecraft Alpaca DK (getting there!)
Pair number 3 are orange. Bright. Orange. I thought the yarn would knit up into some funky tiger-like stripes. Turns out I'm not that good at reading yarn. The colour is growing on me as time goes on, but time is really going on and these things are not getting any closer to being finished.
Pair 3 - Just keep knitting, just keep knitting...
(It should be noted that I did attempt a different sock pattern in this yarn before attempting pair 3. However, after finishing sock 1 I decided it was so hideous that sock 2 would never exist and sock 1 would be kept as a reminder to never make anything that ugly again!)
The orange Frankein-sock of 2015
Over the coming months I am going to be experimenting with different needles. So far I have tried the following: ChiaGoo 9" Red circulars (they get a solid 6.5-7/10) Knit Pro Symfonie 100cm circulars (5/10) Pony circulars (not fun!)
I am also going to be experimenting with different yarns, including wool free sock yarn as most of my blood relations have an allergy to wool.
I am on a quest; to fall in love with sock knitting. I love hand knitted socks, I love sock yarn, but making them, hmmmm, I think a little more red wine and candle light is needed... Mrs B x x
When I was in primary school my mum taught me how to knit and purl. And when I was 14 my great-aunt taught me to crochet granny squares. And for years I did nothing much with either...until a couple of years ago. I was desperate to make a baby hat for a friend who was expecting, and I tried for ages to teach myself magic loop knitting using online tutorials. It was a frustrating mess! In stepped my awesome friend Sarah who is incredibly talented (I'm in love with her home-brewed sock collection!) and she showed me how to knit in the round. It was a revelation and I haven't looked back since! This past week I have had time off from my regular day job, and I have filled my time with yarn based goodness as well as day trips with the husband. I discovered a new source of yarn, fabric, buttons, and other yummy things (www.eternalmaker.com) with a friend and have started new projects that are stretching my skills. Here are some of my current WIPs:
Pattern - Evergreen Lake Mitten by Sunne Meyer from her Craftsy class: Stranded Colorwork: Basics and Beyond
This is my first attempt ever at stranded colour work. I think it's going well so far and I like the combination of colours. I'm using Sirdar Click Chunky in Gull Grey and Heather.
Pattern - Smocked by Jenny Wiebe available on Ravelry
This is a smocked tunic that I am making for my youngest goddaughter for Christmas. Although I got my guage just about bang on, the top is measuring smaller than it should. I'm using James C. Brett Marble DK in Mt4.
Pattern - Granny Square Blanket by Staci Perry of Very Pink Knits
So I've known how to make granny squares for many years, but I have never been able to join them together. I have several large 1m x 1m squares languishing in my craft box. Well, thanks to the lovely Staci Perry of Very Pinks Knits and her wonderful tutorial I have now been able to join squares up! I feel a stash busting blanket in the making... I have a couple of other things cast on, but I'll save them for a later post. Have a wonderful weekend! Mrs B x x
