Noro Patterns

I would like to say that I have finished my  variation on a 10 stitch blanket, but I haven’t!  I am on the last square and I am trying to write down what I am doing.  This is not easy because it is quicker to knit a row than write it down.  I hope to get the blanket finished in the next couple of weeks, but I have some outstanding knitting for All the Fun of the Fair which I had better get on with.

This week I have done more thinking about knitting than actually knitting.  I have bought the latest Noro magazine.  There are a few attractive patterns in it.  Most (if not all) of the home patterns are repeats of patterns that I have already got in other books.  However – seeing them again has made me think that I might have a go at knitting a couple of them.  It is odd to replicate patterns because the people like me who buy the magazine – also buy the books.

The pattern on the cover is very peculiar, but there are several summer tops which would be useful with our weather as it is.  I also noticed an advert for a Noro book that I didn’t have.   Knit Noro Accessories 2.  I didn’t not have it for long!

As far as I know – all the patterns in this book are new.  The cover pattern is a reversible cable scarf – which is attractive but a bit too long – I think.  I may have a go at a reversible cable project one day – maybe this one.  There are several other scarves, cowls and shawls which are very attractive.   I will add a few of them to the “maybe” list.

10 Stitch Blanket Variation - Progress Report

This week I have continued to knit more squares for my latest throw.  I have been making it up as I go along really.  I haven’t decided yet how to arrange the squares and I have only just decided which shades of Noro Kureyon to use.

At the moment I intend to make the throw – 4 squares wide and 5 squares long – so that means I need 20 squares.  Provisionally I have decided to knit 2 squares in 10 different shades of Kureyon.  I want it to be colourful but still hang together. 

Because of the nature of the yarn – 2 squares  knitted using the same shade are not identical.

I have some Kureyon which I think is too dark – and some which is too “all one colour” rather than a mixture of colours.  I think the most successful squares are those which contain several different colours.

On Saturday I went to Oxford and visited Oxford Yarn Store because it was “Yarn Shop Day”.  The shop was quite busy – which is good.  I admit it – I bought some more Noro Kureyon (you can never have enough).  I also bought 2 more balls of Debbie Bliss Rialto sock yarn.  I have a vague project in mind for this.  I have a friend who wears red and other bright colours and thought I might knit her a shawl as a birthday present.  This will be added to the long list of projects to complete this year.

10 Stitch Blanket Variation

While I was watching the World Snooker Tournament – I wanted to knit something easy but interesting.  I couldn’t work up any enthusiasm for my ongoing projects – so I decided to try out the idea I had while I was knitting the 10-stitch blanket. 

I thought – wouldn’t the centre bit of the 10-stitch make a good square for a throw.  Originally I thought the design would look good just using one shade of Noro Kureyon – but I haven’t got enough of any one shade – so I have decided to do 2 squares of 10 shades.

So far I think I have done 8 different  coloured squares.  Actually – even the squares that are the same shade – look quite different.    I think the design will really show off the yarn to best advantage.    

I think this project will be finished fairly quickly because it knits up very quickly.  Then I will have to get back to something more serious – eg knitting for other people.