A Late Christmas Present

I know that every year I say that I won’t knit anything at the last minute, and every year I seem to end up doing it.  This year I am knitting a shawl for my mother.  I started doing this last year but didn’t like the finished result.  This year I am knitting a two-coloured shawl from a pattern that was in Issue 126 of The Knitter magazine.  It is called Ramsey by Melissa Schaschwary.  

I am using two shades of Rowan alpaca soft dk yarn which is 70% wool and 30% alpaca.  It is very soft.  I chose the colours to go with 2 cardigans that my mother wears.

The pattern was fairly easy until I got to the border and then I kept going wrong and finding that the holes did not line up. I think the problem is that there are too many instructions – I kept doing things automatically and then reading the next bit and doing them again.  It is the wrong time of the year for concentration.  However, I have almost finished the shawl now – I only need to cast off.  This could take some time as I have got to create the picot edge as I cast off which involves casting on more stitches.

It is not the New Year yet – but I have 2 New Year resolutions that I won’t stick to!  I will finish some of my partly finished projects and I will try to write this blog once a week. 

Everything I have Ever Knitted - for My Parents

For the last couple of weeks I have been working on the modular knitted jacket that I started last November.   It is not that far off being finished but I still need to do the button band and the cuffs.  I hope it will fit me – but I have got to the point that I just want to finish it.

In-between times – I have been knitting little samples for my Everything I have Ever Knitted project.  This is a V-neck.  In the 1980s I knitted my father 2 pullovers to wear under a suit for work.  He was very fussy and wanted them to look right (so did I) – and I was particularly pleased that he wore them every winter thereafter.  One was grey and the other was dark green like this sample. 

Over the years I have knitted lots of things for my mother and finished items that she started and got stuck with.  The following sample is from a cardigan that I knitted for her.  I think she may have knitted some of it.  It was knitted in this yarn which is a copper coloured Sirdar Country Style.  I remember finding the basket work pattern difficult especially when decreasing.  Although this cardigan was knitted many years ago – I saw my mother wearing it in the last few months.

I was thinking that the first things that I knitted have stayed in my memory long after the garments have gone.  Each one was precious – I had to save up for the yarn – and each one was a learning experience.  The following is a sample of reversed stocking stitch knitted in Wendy’s Chignon. 

I loved this yarn and knitted the very plain jumper to show it off.  A few years later I knitted the pattern again when I discovered a similar yarn.  I would knit it again – if I could find the yarn.  It is chunky but is very light-weight and the colours are very subtle.

Duck Feet

After months of struggling – I have finally finished the duck feet that my work colleague requested for her baby. 

When she asked me if I could knit her some duck feet – I said – “yes” – I mean - how hard can it be?!  I downloaded the pattern.  It is  a design by Jeny Staiman and has very comprehensive instructions.  The question is – what do they mean?!  I think the pattern is actually very good – the problem is that I am not a sock knitter so most of it is written in a foreign language.  If you are a sock knitter – you will think it is OK.

Having said that I found the pattern hard and the duck feet have taken me months to knit – I have managed to knit them.   I don’t think I knitted them exactly correctly – but it is close enough.

I am now back to knitting something much more to my taste – a modular knitted cardigan – which I started last December.  When I have finished that – it will have taken even longer than the duck feet – not because it is difficult – but because I have been knitting other things and haven’t touched it at all since last December.

A Selection of Hats

Recently I have been neglecting this blog again, but I have been knitting.  The Knitting and Crochet Guild want items to sell at a Christmas Fayre – so I have knitted some hats.

They are quite similar to the tea cosies that I normally knit - but I think more people wear hats than use tea cosies!  Knitting a hat is quite satisfying – it can be done quickly and does not require difficult techiques. 

100 Yarns Throw – Finished Version

I have finished this throw.  I am pleased with it and think it is a good way of using up odd bits of yarn.

I knitted a border on the throw but decided that it curled up too much – so I unravelled it and crocheted a simple edge – like one of the throws that inspired this project.

The idea for this throw was originally conceived while I was knitting the colour blocks blanket from Martin Storey’s Afghan Knits book.  The difference being that the colour blocks throw is knitted in garter stitch rather than stocking stitch, in 4 colours rather than about 100, has 63 squares rather than 42 and no border.  There are 2 main similarities.  I cast on the same number of stitches – 89 (although using 6.5mm needles instead of 4.5mm) and I knit the squares flat and then sewed up the seam on each one to make a square.

Before I knitted the colour blocks blanket – I had seen a throw in the book Knitalong by Larissa Brown and Martin John Brown.   This was a “Barn-Raising Quilt” knitted where each square had been knitted by different people.  The appearance of the quilt is similar – in that it is squares arranged in groups of similar colours and I knitted the same number of squares - 42. The differences are that the Barn-Raising Quilt was knitted in the round on four needles and using sock yarn.

So although I was inspired by 2 other knitted throws – mine is different – in terms of needle size and yarn used.  The general weight of yarn is between aran and chunky.  I have included sock yarn but in combination with something else to make it thicker. Each square was cast on using a main colour to make the squares easy to sew together.

100 Yarns Throw – Progress Report

There has been a bit of a gap in this blog – for 2 reasons – firstly I have been away, but secondly my camera has decided to stop working.  Whilst I was away I didn’t get much knitting done.  This project is not very portable.  In theory it should have been because I have knitted 42 individual squares – but they each involved so many different yarns – it would have been too difficult to carry more than enough yarn for a couple of squares.

I have now knitted all 42 squares.  I know it sounds odd – but this throw really knitted itself.  I just decided to knit a green square or an orange square – picked some yarns and knitted it.  I didn’t plan it at all.  On Sunday I arranged all the squares on my bed – and then I rearranged them and rearranged them.  I decided that I had better stop doing that and start sewing some of them together.  I sewed them into groups of 6 or 9 and then washed and blocked them.  This was easier than blocking individual squares.

A few days ago I tried to take some photos of the blue and green squares – but my camera would not work.  I knew that my phone ought to take photos – but I had never tried to use it.  Today I did – and the photos in this post are from my phone.  I didn’t really know what I was doing (you can probably tell) and I could not get them to save into the right album – but I have succeeded in taking some photos to show you the current state of the throw.

The varioius pieces need to be sewn together and then I want to knit a border around the edge.  I should get this done in the next few days. 

100 Yarns Throw

At the moment I am trying to clear out my flat – which seems to be an annual event.  I have been looking for yarn for my Everything I have Ever Knitted project – but I have also been thinking about creating yet another throw made from yarn leftover from other projects.  I am calling it the 100 Yarns Throw but I think it will in fact include many more than this.  

I have taken Sally Melville’s advice about using up old yarn – which is to first buy some new yarn to hold everything together.  I bought 6 balls of Adriafil Stella Alpina classic in a dark brown shade.  Because I am not really planning this throw at all – it is just happening as I find yarn that I like – I am knitting individual squares which I will sew together afterwards.  I am using the dark brown as an edging and I will then sew all the dark brown edges to each other.   Here are some examples of squares that I have knitted so far.

These are definitely an answer to the question - what can I do with odd bits of yarn that I can't bear to throw away.

Bauhaus Throw – Rough Pattern

Two weeks ago, when I finished this Bauhaus throw, I took it to Oxford Yarn Store.  I was encouraged to write a pattern – so that others could have a go at the throw if they liked it. Therefore, I am including the rough pattern below.  I hope it doesn’t contain any mistakes. The photos have been stolen from the Oxford Yarn Store Newsletter.  When knitting the throw – I turned the postcard on its end – so that I could knit 2 columns of 3 large squares one on top of another– rather than 3 columns of 2 large squares.

Materials:

9 Shades of Rowan Pure Wool Worsted (100g/200m) – 10 balls in total:
I ball of Mauve (158), Blue (146), Gold (133), Black (109), Lime (125), Grey (112), Rust (106), Red (136) and 2 balls of Cream (102). [I used about 80g of each ball.]

Needles: 5½mm

The throw is made up of 6 large squares made up of 36 small squares – there are 4 squares of each colour within a large square.

This throw has been knitted in one piece – there is no sewing up.

Start in the bottom left-hand corner. [On the postcard above that is the top lefthand corner]

Instructions for Basic Square
Row 1: Cast on (or pick up) 23sts.
Row 2: Knit.
Row 3:  K10, slip 1, K2tog, psso (pass slipped stitch over), K10 (21sts)
Row 4:  Knit.
Row 5:  K9, slip 1, K2tog, psso, K9 (19sts)
Row 6:  Knit.
Row 7:  K8, slip 1, K2tog, psso, K8 (17sts)
Row 8:  Knit.
Row 9:  K7, slip 1, K2tog, psso, K7 (15sts)
Row 10: Knit.
Row 11: K6, slip 1, K2tog, psso, K6 (13sts)
Row 12: Knit.
Row 13: K5, slip 1, K2tog, psso, K5 (11sts)
Row 14: Knit.
Row 15: K4, slip 1, K2tog, psso, K4 (9sts)
Row 16: Knit.
Row 17: K3, slip 1, K2tog, psso, K3 (7sts)
Row 18: Knit.
Row 19: K2, slip 1, K2tog, psso, K2 (5sts)
Row 20: Knit.
Row 21: K1, slip 1, K2tog, psso, K1 (3sts)
Row 22: K3tog and fasten off.

Next knit the square above the first one by picking up 11sts from the top of the first square and casting on 12sts to make 23.  Then complete from Row 2 onwards. 

I worked the first 6 squares in a column, and then started at the bottom again – where you need to cast on first and then pick up sts from the side of the first square.

When I had completed all 36 little squares – I picked up and knitted 72sts across the whole large square and knitted 5 rows in the main colour.  I then knitted large square 2 above the first square and then another 5 rows of main colour and then Square 3.  You can divide the 72 sts into 6 groups of 12 and then you just need to cast on or pick up 11 for the left-hand side of each small square on the base row.

When I had completed 3 large squares, I then picked up 204sts along the right-hand side of the 3 large squares and the 2 strips and knitted 5 rows in the main colour for the centre spine. I left these stitches on spare yarn and then used them as necessary for the side of the next column of squares.

I then knitted the 3 large squares on the other side, starting by casting on 12sts and then knitting 11sts from the central spine.

When you knit the horizontal strips on the left-hand side of the throw you can join them to the spine by knitting the edge stitches together or you can sew up the small hole.

When all 6 large squares are knitted – knit the edges.

Side Edges: In main colour – pick up 204sts and knit 5 rows.  Cast off.

Bottom and Top Edges: In main colour pick up 141sts across the squares and the edge of the side edging.  Knit 5 rows and cast off.

Sew in ends and block the piece.

Bauhaus Throw – Finished Version

This throw is finished at last.  At the weekend I finished sewing in the ends and then washed it and pinned it out.

This is the last square that I finished Square 6.

It has a quite regular pattern.  It is interesting when I first looked at the postcard – I didn’t see the patterns.  In each large square – the colours are like pieces of domino – eg the red and green are always next to each other wherever they are in the square – and the same for the other colours – they have a partner.  

I can’t see the pattern in Square 1, but all the others have a repeat pattern of some kind.  I did feel the urge to change the patterns – eg it seems odd to me to have the 2 Squares with the 4 cream coloured squares in the centre – next to each other.  I would have separated them, but I wanted to copy the postcard – so I did.

I still have several half-finished projects which I hope to complete over the next few weeks.

Enchanted Wood Shawl – Finished Version

This week I have finished this shawl.  It is from a pattern by Lana Jois.

I am not usually very keen on knitting lace but it wasn’t too bad.  When I had finished casting off – I had a ball of curled knitting, but it looked OK once I had washed it and pinned it out.   

I don’t seem to be able to spend much time on knitting at the moment.  I have done quite a lot of “thinking about knitting” but have not spent much time actually knitting.

Bambino Baby Jacket

I have finally finished something.  It is a little jacket for a baby who is not yet born.

I haven’t managed to knit for more than a week and many of the projects I have been working on had got to the sewing up stage.  This little jacket is from a Peter Pan booklet called Babies in Cream which I bought a few years ago.  I have looked to see if there is a date on it but there isn’t.  I have definitely knitted this pattern before but I don’t remember when.

I have used one 100g ball of Stylecraft Bambino in a shade called Sage.  It is a bit different.  It is 100% acrylic and as the name suggests – it is intended for babies.

The mother has asked me to knit some “duck feet” socks.  I have bought the yarn and found the pattern online but I think they are going to be fiddly – so I am trying to psych myself up to start them.  At the moment – my complicated shawl pattern seems the more attractive prospect. 

Enchanted Wood Shawl by Lana Jois

The other weekend – I was packing to go away and I wanted to take some knitting with me. Everything seemed to large or too complicated.  Then I remembered some beautiful yarn that I have had for years that I was going to make into some kind of shawl.  It is Arroyo by Malabrigo which is pure superwash merino wool.  It is very soft.

I was too tired to get much done – but I am happy with it.  The design is quite complicated for me but I think I might be able to learn the pattern.  The problem is that it would be better to put this project on one side again and go back to all the other difficult or unfinished projects which are not portable.

I do want to finish the Bauhaus throw and it is nearly finished but it is far too hot to touch it today.  I think I will do some more of the shawl.  I am trying to understand the pattern so it is not so hard to knit.

Bauhaus Throw – Squares 4 and 5

The tennis has finished and I am over the excitement of watching the cricket on TV for the first time in 14 years.  I have now reknitted Square 4 (which was originally Square 2) and knitted Square 5.  I have also knitted the 5 rows in-between - knitting the edge to the centre spine – so I will not have to sew up a hole.  I had hoped that I would be able to do this – I knit the stitch on the needle together with one from the spine.

If I was designing this throw  - I would probably not have created patterns where the same colours are next to each other but that is what the original design is like – so I have just copied it.  It is liberating in a way – because I don’t have to make any decisions – just copy the postcard.

I now have Square 6 left to knit and if I can switch off this computer and not start looking at family history – I will do that now.

Bauhaus Throw – Square 3

Shortly after writing the previous post – I decided I needed to take my own advice – which is – if you are not happy with your knitting - take it out.  So immediately after finishing Square 2 – I unravelled it!  I decided that I should have knitted Square 2 above Square 1 and then Square 3 above that.

I will then knit a long centre spine and knit Squares 4, 5 and 6 from the bottom again.  I normally knit modular knitting in strips so I don’t really know why I did what I did.  I think I was concerned about how wide the throw would turn out.

As I think the amount of yarn I have is quite tight – I must reuse the yarn I have unravelled.  I had even darned in the ends – so now the lengths will not be long enough but hopefully I will still have enough yarn to complete the throw.

I have now completed Square 3 as well as the new Square 2 and my next task on this project, after knitting the centre spine – is to tackle the pile of unravelled yarn.  My lounge will be much tidier when I have done it.  As the tennis is now on every day – I should get it done this week but I have started knitting a little baby jacket.  It is amazing how quick that is to knit despite my changing my mind about which size to knit.  I would like to get that finished this week as well.

Bauhaus Throw – Square 2

I have now completed 2 large squares of this throw and am about to start the third.

I have draped the throw over the back of my chair to photograph progress so far.  I think I am happy with it.  I did wonder if I should have knitted the 3 vertical squares on one side and then the 3 on the other side but that would have meant managing a lot of stitches.  This way is easier to knit. 

I could have knitted the squares separately and then joined them afterwards but I am not keen on having to sew up knitting if it can be avoided.  

There should be a lot of tennis on TV over the next few weeks (if it is not rained off) – so I should get the rest of this throw knitted quite quickly.  I would like to get it done before it gets too hot – but maybe it won’t get hot this year.  I often seem to be knitting throws when it is very hot and tea cosies when it is cold – when it would be better to do it the other way around.

Bauhaus Throw

Many years ago I was given this postcard.

As soon as I saw it – I thought – “I could knit that”!  It has remained one of those things that I was going to do one day.  About 10 years ago I even bought some acrylic yarn to use for the project, but time drifted by and I didn’t make a start and I decided that I wanted to use better quality yarn.

This year is 100 years since the Bauhaus movement began in Germany after World War 1.  I don’t claim to know much about it – I just like the patterns!  The artists produced some wonderful geometric designs.  This one is actually earlier dating from 1909.  It is a water colour by Hilde Reindl called Textile Design in Six Separate Grids.

On the day of the Knitting and Crochet Guild’s Regional Day at St Anne’s college in May  - I spent a lot of time in Oxford Yarn Store and in end I decided to use Rowan Superwash Worsted for my version of this design.   The colours I have chosen are not exactly the same, but they have the same flavour.

Last week I knitted several sample squares (unlike me) and eventually decided to used 5.5mm needles (2 sizes larger than normally used for the yarn) and to use mitred squares consisting of 23sts (11+1+11).  The aim was to produce a reasonable size throw but avoiding having to use more than one ball of each colour yarn, apart from the main colour.

I have just started the first of the 6 large squares.  I am knitting it in strips of 6.  At the moment I intend to knit the throw in one piece, but I may change my mind.  I won’t if I can avoid it – because I don’t like sewing up squares.