Frogged my first attempt at knitting in the round April 21, 2010

I just had to rip back completely my first attempt at knitting in the round I’m not as upset now as I thought I would be, but it’s always gutting to have to destroy something you really worked hard on. But I couldn’t live with how messy those first few rows were, and it’s only a few hours to start again, whereas every time I put on that hat I’ll wish I had done it better!

So here’s what I was doing. I have a 6mm fixed circular needle and I’m trying to knit a beenie hat for winter with my Tahki Viva yarn. It’s in my picture stream, but if you’ve not seen it it’s an undulating varying weight ball of gorgeousness. The problem is that even though I managed to cast on ok and not twist the stitches when I joined the cast on to the first row, I can’t keep a constant gauge worth a damn! I also cast on 88 stitches instead of 64 given in the pattern! That sounds more daft than it actually is. The pattern says 64 (88) cast on and then goes on to talk about kids size and adult size so I just assumed the smaller size was for kids and the bigger size for adults, and that may be true but 88 stitches on my head would have been a neck warmer not a hat!

So anyway, I think I’ve nearly got the hang of knitting in the round, but I think I might try a different yarn for this one because the tahki viva, while gorgeous, gives a undulating varying line at the very edge of the hat, which might look a bit weird!

New group on Ravelry for all Torbay knitters and crafters April 13, 2010

Just a quickie – I have started a new group on Ravelry for all crafty people in or around Torbay. You can join up here, say hi and hang out with us.

I’m hoping to get a small local knit ‘n’ natter going sometime soon, so if anyone knows of a suitable venue / cafe / room please leave me a comment!

RAK = Ravelry Act of Kindness, I think! April 11, 2010

I recently learned a new phrase, RAK = Ravelry Act of Kindness.

I saw a lovely chunky yarn stashed by a lady in the USA and she couldn’t get along with it at all, so was offering it free to someone who would love it. Being a complete chunky junky, I said yes please! So on its way to me now is a gorgeous, unique bundle of chunky yarn, which I wouldn’t otherwise be able to buy in the UK.

I did offer the Rico Essentials Cotton DK in Lilac as a swap, because honestly, I am completely useless with tiny yarn and find it so frustrating to work with it was better off going to a good home. And I couldn’t bring myself to accept such a wonderful gift without trying to find something of interest to return.

So,  for only the cost of posting 5 small balls of yarn to the USA, I have a wonderful package of chunky yarn on its way to me! Everyone should visit her blog here, she’s an inspiration.

Here’s the gorgeous yarn she’s so kindly sending me.

The biggest, chunkiest blanket is nearly finished! April 7, 2010

So I’ve modified the design as I’ve gone along – it’s now going to be a blanket of four quarters. I’ve already made up two quarters from the Rowan Biggy Print in Jewel that I had, I now need to find 10 more balls and less than the £60 I paid for the first 10! Otherwise it’s going to be one expensive blanket!

I’ll post the pattern on the patterns page when I finish it, but for now if you want to try it you will need:

20mm needles, 20 balls of Rowan biggy print – 5 per quarter

30 stitches per row, and knit garter stitch (that’s normal knitting to you and me) until you use up all 5 balls. Then join all 4 pieces together.

I have to say it’s the most gorgeous project I’ve ever worked on. From now on everything will be chunky knit on huge needles. The resulting fabric is hugley insulating and really really warm. It’s going to be great for those icy winter nights.

Something a little different: inspiring, beautiful, home made candles March 30, 2010

I was wandering around YouTube and found that a programme I was completely obsessed with last Christmas has been added to the site. Kirstie’s Homemade Christmas is available to watch whenever you want!

The episode I particularly like is the one that features Nigel from Parable Designs. He runs a company, local to me in Devon, that makes the most wonderful handmade candles from designs on old wallpaper printing rollers. I was so inspired to see someone with a real eye for creativity, who managed to rescue these amazing works of art and now transforms them into beautiful candles.

They have a whole range of designs of candle, each one cast from the original roller and made into a mould that the wax is then poured into. If you watch the video, you’ll see Kirstie un-mould her very own candle made at Nigel’s company. It really inspired me to recycle and reuse some of the old crafty bits I have at home. It’s not quite on the same scale, but I truly believe that with a bit of imagination, you can create something magical from a few bits of old junk.

I think I’m addicted to knitting chunky! March 29, 2010

I am really getting into this throw! The Rowan Biggy Print is just gorgeous, I think I’m in love with chunky yarn. I’ve been searching around the internet for anyone else who is a self-confessed chunky junky, and I’ve found this amazing lady – Becca Smith. I am definitely going to have a go at the pillow project in that video. It looks absolutely amazing, and really quick.

Another person I really admire who is the ultimate chunky junky is Rachel John of Extreme Textiles. She is the reigning queen of knitting chunky – just check out the 1000 strand extreme knit picture, or watch the video on youtube. Truly unbelievable!

I think I can happily say, my days of knitting with tiny yarn are over! World of chunky, here I come.

Rowan Biggy Print Knitting Up Nicely! March 25, 2010

I got really fed up with knitting with poxy little yarn so I’ve started on my throw with the Rowan Biggy Print Yarn, and it’s gorgeous!  I love knitting with the massive 20mm needles and the yarn is just gorgeous. It’s going to be a really stretchy, warm and fluffy blanket for winter.

It’s a great bargain yarn to knit with if you can get it on offer, you can make fabulous winter blankets. I’m just coming to the end of the first panel, which will end being sewn together with one the same size. Both will take 5 skeins of yarn.

It’s definitely not in basketweave, but I might have another go at that next time.

Not enjoying this project – this cotton yarn sucks! March 23, 2010

Really was hoping to enjoy knitting this baby blanket, but the Rico Cotton Essentials DK isn’t really working out for me. I have managed to get hold of some 3.25mm needles and they are perfect for the job, but I just find the yarn unravels too easily with handling. I wanted to do a lovely basketweave pattern on the blanket, but it’s just not working out. I can’t seem to just complete a decent row of stitches without pulling a fibre out of the yarn.

I have ripped it back and started again once, and this time is better but it’s still not there. Ah well, at least it’s unique!

OK I crumbled, Rico Essentials Cotton DK on its way! March 18, 2010

Great news and uh-oh hit the credit card again! I recently had some fantastic news from some friends that they are expecting their third bubba! So I’m putting the throw on hold and I’m going to do a baby blanket for them.

As ever you can follow the project on Ravelry, it’s going to be the same basketweave pattern that I am going to use for the throw but I’m going to use the Rico Designs Essential Cotton DK in #16 Lilac for this project. I think it’s important not make a baby blanket from fluffy yarn because the baby will likely suck and chew the blanket at some point and could inhale the fibers from a fluffy yarn. So that’s why I’ve gone with a cotton yarn.

The pattern calls for 3.25mm needles, but I’m not sure if I have any so it could end up being made with 3mm or 3.5mm. Anyway, we’ll have to wait and see. I’m going to have to call on my Mum’s collection of needles, as I really shouldn’t buy any more this month!

I’ll keep you posted with piccys as soon as I can.

Rowan biggy print has arrived ready to start the blanket / throw. March 17, 2010

My parcel came yesterday (Tuesday) having only ordered it on Friday from artofyarn on ebay, definitely my recommended yarn store. I have to say the Rowan Biggy Print is delicious. The colour I’ve bought is “Jewel”, I will post piccys as soon as I can.

My plan is to make a basketweave blanket with a seed stitch border. It’s going to be a bit of challenge, but thanks to some awesome resources I’ve found on youtube, all the instructions are there!

How to do basketweave

How to do seed stitch

I’ll post the pattern in full when I’ve worked it out, but I think that’s the plan. You can follow my project on Ravelry here. For anyone reading this who isn’t a member of Ravelry, you have to go and check it out. It’s the most amazing resource for knitters and crocheters alike, and it’s free!