so currently.....

I am knitting two projects. I am knitting another bow slouch hat, but using a different yarn to match my super long skinny scarf!! I will post the new pattern from using this yarn to give the pattern a few more options. So far its looking like this:



I have playing with trail and error for my next design pattern. I have stuck with the hat for now, but designed a beret/slouch style one. It has been finished now, however I have been playing around with it for a long time!!!! Unfortunately I still need to tune in the ribbing, which is at the start of the pattern for the hat. SO.......I shall be re-making it, but fingers crossed it will be the final one!!!!

Watch this space, should be here within this month for definite!!! Below are the pictures of the hat. A full pattern will be posted on here and Ravelry for anyone who wishes to also make it!

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a bit of patchwork mate!

Well, it has been a long time....i have missed my 'craft time'

I am now working on a patchwork throw. I am not actually designing this myself. I am doing it in crochet, and have been trying to teach myself to do it. Instead I am using a pattern from a magazine. The majority of the squares are using a different crochet stitch. The only difference is I am not using any of the suggested yarn.

The challenge is; to use all different types of yarn, including different thickness's/colours to make it really quite quirky and patchy. The other part of the challenge is to use yarn only found in end of line bins or from stashes from friends. I thought this would give just a nice twist.

Below is my first square, which I am about to cast off!!!



I have just been travelling through Africa, which was such an amazing experience. I made some such good friends and saw and did so much. It feels like since I have come back, I have literally returned to winter!!! Where did Autumn go?! I am going to have to get on with the knitting!! I always knit every Autumn/Winter, but I always knit for other people. My African travels were about myself for once and I think it may be nice to actually make some nice little bits for myself this year.

My plans for myself:
- bow hat for myself (already on blog)
- cable hat for myself (already on blog) with matching mittens
- A big ribbed slouch hat
- A lace thick shawl
- Big chunky knit cardigan (I do know this is unlikely to be accomplished, I have very high hopes!)

For other people:
- A hoodie for my friends newborn baby
- Some item undecided yet for another friends unborn baby
- Some winter acc for family

.....so just a few things. You wouldn't think I had uni this term, let alone my OSCE's as well :s

Cannot wait to get back into stitch n bitch with Zoe :)

Extra long cable knit scarf

So I finally finished this scarf, which took me so long. This is the negative affect of making scarfs as the novelty wears off!!

I used a pattern off Ravelry, however used a thicker yarn so it would be a little more substantial, yet still a skinny scarf.

I used Jumbo Double Knitting wool in a country/farmer style cream. I brought two balls of yarn and knitted using both yarns together so the yarn was thicker. This actually caused no problems, apart from carrying two large balls of yarn. I am planning to make some wrist warmers to match, and have already started a hat to match, both of which will be in the same wool.

I wanted this scarf to be really long, which I definitely achieved!! Once it is wrapped around, both ends are still draped on the floor. Therefore it can be slightly impractical, though I love it all the same.

This scarf was extremely simple to do, which is why ironically I made quite a few mistakes as I did not always concentrate properly. However these are not noticeable, and are generally just differences in the cable lengths. The pattern is made up of an outer ribbing, and the cable's in the centre separated by the purl stitch.

To finish the scarf I have added tassels, which I simple chose a length, twisted them up and pulled them through using a sewing needle. This has actually kept them securely in place.

This is my first knitted project that I have made fore myself, as I have only achieved making gifts so far, so am very pleased.

Slouch bow hat

So it has taken me a while to actually use this blog, and today is my start!! I hope to use this blog to present a lot of my creative projects. At the moment this is mainly knitted and crochet projects, however I do hope to also start dressmaking too. This shall contain projects of already published patterns (generally altered to own statisfaction) and my own personal designs.

As you can see from the pictures I have added a hat that I designed myself. I have made this for my housemate for her birthday and the pattern is below. This is a classic slouch rib hat that is folded over, and has a crocheted bow. It is a simple pattern and could be a perfect starting hat project for beginner knitters. It uses the two basic stitches: knit and purl. The bow is crocheted, it could be knitted, however crochet holds the shape a lot better than if knitted. The crochet includes the chain and half double crochet stitches.

Yarn: Robin Chunky - cream
- Bulky/12ply

Needles:
Circular 6.5mm (10.5 US)
Crochet needle: 4.5 hook

Size: Average ladies

Abbreviations:

k: knit
p: purl
k or p 2tog: knit or purl 2 stitches together
ch: chain stitch (crochet)
hdc: half double chain stitch (crochet)
*_*: repeat for the following rows

Pattern:

Cast on 81 stitches on the circular needles (slightly loose and not too tight)

- Join the stitches. Move the first stitch onto the other needle and knit them together (2Tog). Then slip this back onto the other needle.

- Each row should consist of 80 stitches.

- k1, p1 for all 80 stitches for 65 rows.

- Descending rows: k1, k2tog for 7 rows.

- Take the hat off the circular needles, and cut the wool leaving a long tail of wool.

- Using a wool/knitting sewing needle thread through all of the stitchs, pull tight and secure tight.

- Thread the wool through the stiches descretley.

- Fold over part of the hat of your choice: 10 stitches were folded over for this hat. Secure by sewing them together every 2 inches.

Bow:

Row 1: ch on 40 stitches
R0w 2: ch 2, hdc in each ch stitch
Row 3: repeat row 2 for 9 rows.
- Pull up last loop and pull thread through and weave through descretley.

Bow centre:

Row 1: ch on 15 stitches
Row 2: ch 2, hdc in each ch stitch
- Pull up last loop and pull thread through and weave through descretley.

Sew the bow centre around the bow, ensuring to gather it so it all twists out.

Sew the finished bow onto the hat. Do this at a slight angle, as this is more flattereing.

FINISHED: enjoy wearing this hat

I plan to do another exactly the same for myself. I shall be using a different wool though, which will change the pattern, I shall post this too! Below is a picture of my friend who I made the hat for!! :)

Cable slouch beanie and wrist warmers

I designed and made my boyfriend a scarf for christmas last year (which will be on here soon) and it was his favourite present, so i decided to make something for this christmas just gone. I found two patterns on ravelry that I loved, and am kinda jealous now because I want them myself!!!

I used a bigger yarn than was designed for the pattern, but then downsized on the needles so it would still work out as the correct size.

The yarn used was Wendy Viva; in a mixed grey, which is a chunky/bulky yarn and requires 10mm needles. Considering I used 6.5mm needles i was suprised the yarn worked really well pulled that tight.

I made the wrist warmers with the same yarn. This was actually very difficult, because I did it on cirular needles, which are just too long. I have brought some double pointed needles and plan to learn to use them; I have found some vogue wrist warmers i am going to try and make with them. It turned out by doing it this way that the thumbs just didn't work. Infact I spent two hours on each one, they looked messy and my boyfriends thumb couldn't even fit through them. I then cut the thumbs off and just croched thumb holes, which I think look a lot better, neater and my boyfriend prefers them like that!.

This picture shows the adapted thumb hole I did:

Bow Beret: crochet

I decided for this Christmas just gone I wanted to make my mums gift. I found this beautiful pattern of a beret with a bow on. I was so excited to make it until I realised it was a crochet pattern. I was so attached by the pattern that I decided I would teach myself. How hard can it be???

Well it turns out very!! Though I have now got the hang of it and love to crochet not, though i am definitely a beginner! I did practice the stitches a lot, however it turns out I did it wrong. Below is a picture of the hat I did when the stitch was wrong!!

After I found out how to do the puff stitch and chain stitch, I managed to make it and was very pleased with the results.

I used Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran: 100% Merino wool in a blue/grey colour and a 4.5mm hook. I actually still managed to do the pattern wrong, because I used the right wool, but I used just over 4 balls of yarn, whereas the pattern only needed 2 balls yarn!

I also missed out 2 rows from the pattern, as I had the feeling the pattern was going to be a little big, which I think was the right decision.







This is a pattern that i got off Raverly.

the begining

Well....I have kinda been inspired by the film Julie and Julia. As I am sure a lot of people have, so I am guessing I am o so not original atm.

I am finding it hards atm to juggle univeristy work and my knitting. I am literally obessed atm with knitting and learning new techniques, buying huge amounts of yarn

...if only there was a university course for knitting....

:)