Sweet Pink Socks

I have finally cast off on my Sweetie Wrapper Socks. I had intended to knit until the end of the yarn, but eventually I decided that mid way up my calf was long enough, and if I wanted them to be any longer I would have to start messing around with adding width and changing charts. I really really didn't want to mess with the charts! So here are my finished socks.

I wanted to make the cast off a bit stretchier than the last socks I knit. I had read previous ways of doing it and thought I remembered how, so I made it up. I K2, passed the first stitch over the second stitch, then passed the remaining stitch back onto the left hand needle. I then repeated the process until there was only one stitch left and then cut the yarn and threaded it through the last loop and then stitched that loop into the bound off edge. I think it gives a nice frilly edge to the sock, it also prevents my uber tight cast off, cutting off my circulation.

Now those socks are finished I intend to write up the pattern and keep it for future sock knits. I love the toes and I love the heels, so I think I may have at last found my perfect sock technique. I may even get it test knit, if there are enough ladies with generous calves who are interested enough.

For my next project I have lined up a Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmermann, which is being made for my friend who has a baby due in July. I am also casting on a toy project by Alan Dart. The pattern is for a robot and I couldn't resist as I think one of my nephews will love it for Christmas. Both of these patterns should be fun and interesting to do, as additions to my other ongoing projects.

Free Fair Isle Chart

I have recently been asked, by someone on Ravelry, to provide the chart I used for knitting my Fair Isle Messenger Bag. As I had the chart on my pc, I tarted it up a little bit and emailed it to her. I then decided I ought to put the pattern on Ravelry so she can link up to it, on her project page. This decision has started a whole spiral of complex techni-ness involving; Ravelry, PDFs, Scribd, Blogger and all sorts of other things. The result, of all this high falutin' technical nonsense, is that everyone can now download the Fair Isle Messenger Bag Chart by clicking on the link on the left hand side of the blog.

If you don't remember what the bag looked like, here is a picture.

I intend to add more patterns to the blog in the future, as I get better at writing them up, and as I get people to test knit them. I will hopefully be finishing up the completed bag pattern in the next few weeks.

I hope that you enjoy using the chart and look forward to seeing what other people do with it. If you download the pattern, and knit (or stitch) something with it, please send me a photo so I can see what happened with it.

New Necklace

I made a necklace yesterday. It didn't take very long, but I am rather pleased with it. A few months ago I saw a beautiful agate stone bead. It was around 2" in diameter and the colour was a lovely warm yellow/orange/red.

I loved the bead and couldn't stop holding it as it was beautifully warm and tactile. This lovely bead has sat unused since it's purchase but I knew that one day I would find a use for it.

On Thursday I was at my favourite store, Mary Clare, and saw a fabulous ribbon with necklace clasp. It looked perfect with my agate so bought it there and then.

I then used a few little bits and pieces from my birthday bead set and voila, a new necklace for the princely sum of £4.00.

I was especially pleased with my first attempt at using crimping beads to hold everything in place. I think it looks very neat, and I will definitely use them again.

I couldn't have asked for better beads to contrast with the agate bead. I am so tempted to get cracking with some matching earrings.

Watch this space for more jewellery, it is very addictive.

Finished Tank

I have just cast off the last armhole of my Shapely Tank by Joan McGowan-Michael. I am so pleased with the finished product. The short row shaping on the bust is very neat and works a treat.

Over all, the shape of this tank is perfect. For once you can actually see I have a waist. Normally anything that fits my bust and hips, hides my waist.

Even the back looks ok, apart from in this picture because the back rode up when I was fiddling with the camera timer.

But you get the general idea. This project has done so much for my knitting/design confidence. I completely re-wrote the pattern according to my actual measurements and it paid off. I may try and write up the adjustments I made, along with all the measurements I took, so I can use the body shaping as a template for further pattern design.

This was also the first time I picked up the neckline stitches, and it was easier than I thought it would be. I am amazed at how neat it looks with all the finished edges. I may well knit this tank in an other yarn, but with a V-Neck, as that is a more flattering shape for a busty woman (like myself).

Now I have finished this tank I will probably wear it (on cooler days in the Autumn) even though it was only started as an exercise in short row shaping. I am actually very pleased with the finished product and I even find myself liking the yarn, which I used to hate. It's funny how your attitude about yarn and patterns can change when you marry them up in the right way. Maybe I will eventually knit that second tank in the same yarn after all, I probably have enough in the bottomless pit that is my stash. But, for now I have to get my socks finished and carry on with my blanket, but this was definitely a worthwhile side trip, off the planned route through my projects.

Blocking Blanket & Scarf

I have finally thought of a name for my Porom Inspired Scarf. I'm going to call it Romberry. The name uses part of the name of Jared Flood's pattern and adds berry for the raspberry colour of the hat and the bramble colour of the scarf. I think it works, and it is slightly less convuluted than the name I have been using up to now.

I took my Romberry to my knitting group last night and picked the brains of those wise in the ways of the knit. A compromise was suggested that I had not considered. I will block the ENDS of the scarf. Why did I not think of this clever idea? It will open up the stitch pattern where it is visible and yet leaves the neck alone. I knew my friends at knitting group were the ones to ask.

One of the clever people at my knitting group is called Liz, and she has recently set up a website to sell some of the lovely things that she makes, as well as some of the patterns she has written. Liz has written most of the kitty patterns I have knit. Have a look at her website to see some of her gorgeous stuff. The website is called Bettyknitter.com.

I haven't actually blocked my scarf yet because I have been blocking my KAL Blanket squares, using my new blocking board, i.e. card board box covered in cling film and gingham fabric. The board works really well and the gingham makes blocking so much easier and faster, because of being able to keep everything straight while being pinned.

These squares have been dampened with a water spray so the colours look darker than they do when dry, but you can see more clearly the colourwork than in previous photos.

I have got a bit behind on my blanket squares, so I have spent the last couple of days churning out more squares. I have chosen to speed through some of the plain stocking stitch squares so that I get caught up by the end of May. So far this week I have knit 5 and a half plain squares and they only take a couple of hours to do each one. I am intending to get another 5 or 6 done by the end of the month and then I think I will be nearly caught up with my schedule.

However, I do think I need to splash out on more pins, because I only had enough to block 4 squares at a a time. I definitely need more so that I can use my entire board.

At least once these squares are blocked I will have an idea of how the finished blanket may look and how much more yarn I am going to need to buy. I already have quite a lot of the yarn I ordered from Mary Clare, but I need to work out what else I need so Clare can put the unused yarn on the shelf for sale.

I have to admit, I am quite enjoying churning out these plain squares, it feels like I'm making really fast progress, something that rarely seems to happen to me, because I get so easily distracted. I WILL focus on this blanket (for a while anyway).

To block or not to block?

I have come to an impasse. I can't decide whether to block my newly completed Porom Inspired Scarf (I really must think of a new name, why aren't you helping me with this one? I know somebody reads my blog!). Left as it is, the scarf feels quite dense and the ribbing pulls together, but not all the way because of the pattern. When worn, the ruffles cup the neck beautifully and because of the weight of it, the scarf hangs nicely and doesn't move around.

As you can see, the stitch pattern is actually quite visible. (By the way those are my new glasses). I felt I ought to block this scarf because it had a lacey pattern, and I blocked the Porom hat and it made a real difference. But I keep looking at this scarf and thinking, do I want to mess with it? I think I will take it to my knitting group on Monday and ask for advice. There are so many knowledgeable people at my group it would be a waste, to not pick their brains.

I have finally got my Sweetie Wrapper Socks pattern charts done, for both the front and the back of the sock, and have managed to knit around an inch of the leg.

I am loving these socks so much, it is worth the headaches I have had in writing up the pattern and drawing up the chart, so I can make them again if I want to. Writing it up is also clarifying in my mind how I knit toe up socks with a gusset heel. I think this is the way forward from now on, because the heel looks lovely. I also like being able to try my socks on as I go, so I can check that everything is fitting correctly.

As well as progressing my socks, I have also decided that my blanket has been ignored for far too long. In order to catch up with my lame efforts of the last couple of months, I am going to churn out lots of the plain coloured squares, that make up the side blocks of the blanket. This will move me forward very quickly and then I won't feel so left behind.

In order to move my existing projects forward, I am trying to resist casting on with my latest bargain.

I bought this Patons Jet from Kemps Wool Shop for £0.79 a ball. They have lots of wool on clearance here. I have had bargains from them before and have been pleased with the service. I felt at this price it would be silly not to get some wool for felting. I've not had a new bag in a while, and there is a very nice pattern in this month's Let's Knit (Issue 19). The bag is called Turtleneck and is designed by Kelley Deal and was originally published in Bags That Rock. The bag is felted and then a heavy rib sleeve over lays the felt. It looks lovely and I can't decide between that, a bag from Pursenalities by Eva Wiechmann, or a bag that is going to be in the next Yarn Forward magazine, due next week. It's a very tough call, because all the bags are lovely. I will probably end up doing more than one, I haven't had enough bags recently, and we are in a new season!

More Presents

I got some new presents yesterday and today. Yesterday I bought my own presents, but I am very pleased with them.

The fabric is a 1/4" gingham fabric which I plan to use for blocking purposes. I actually wrapped a cut open cardboard box in cling film yesterday so I could use my new blocking technique. However I discovered I don't have a spray bottle to damp the scarf down. I will get the bottle today and then show pictures of my brand new blocking techniques.

The tin is from Gutterman and celebrates the 75th anniversary of the company.

Inside the tin are 4 threads, black, white, red and navy. The threads alone cost more than the tin and I just couldn't resist such a lovely thing in which to store notions.

Plus if I am going to do more sewing in the future, I will need the thread.....won't I?

The other presents I got were in the post this morning and were from my Kitty Swap group on Ravelry. June (Queenholly) sent me a marvellous box of wonderful things and I loved opening up all the little parcels in the box.

The kitty is called Smartie and is different from all the other cats I have received. I don't know what yarn she is knit in, but it is lovely, smooth and silky.

I think my favourite thing in the box was a fridge magnet. It sounds silly, but it is beautiful.

This was also pretty cute.

Oh and yes, the heart shaped tin is full of chocolates. Yum! I will empty that out in no time and then I will start using it to store buttons or beads, because my collection of both is growing.

In knitting news this week, I have finally finished my Porom Inspired Scarf. I think it needs a new name as it has become something much more than a Porom stitch rip off, as my pattern has progressed. I shall have to ponder a while and all suggestions for a new name are welcomed.

After finishing 12 repeats of the stitch pattern, I cast off and then using a 4mm crochet hook I did a round of 1 treble, 1 chain into every stitch along the edges and tried to follow the same spacing along the sides. The second round was simply to crochet 1 treble into each stitch and then cast off. I also did some extras at the corners to keep the frill going.

I have the stitch pattern for the scarf if anyone is interested let me know and I'll post it here for anyone to download. If I do that I will also finish writing the pattern up properly.

I plan to block the scarf to open up the stitch pattern, but that won't be until tomorrow. Expect more photos once that is done.

For now I am going to go back to knitting another of my long standing WIPs (Work In Progress). I am determined to reduce them down to only a couple at a time. I can't stand all the bags of projects knocking around, I simply can't find ANYTHING!!!

Birthday weekend of eating, drinking and crafting

I have had such a lovely birthday weekend. My brother and his partner came to visit us on Friday. They bought with them presents YAY!! The first present I laid my sticky mitts on was a marvellous box. It was hand-made by my Dad.

Isn't it beautiful. In the spirit of being green and thrify it was made from my brother's old dining table! The lighter part of the box says this on it.....

This inscription was done by a friend of my brother's who does engravings and now has a spanking new machine that works on pretty much anything. Isn't it great. It also gives a VERY big clue as to the contents of the box.

When assembled, the contents of the box make this...

.... yes a very happy CraftyCripple! That, and a beautiful swift.

My partner and my guests looked at me in a very bemused fashion when I got giddy and excited at the bits of wood in a box. They were all very impressed with the box, but the swift just confused them. So I had to give them a demo.

First step assemble the swift and place the adjustable legs in the right position.

Second wind a handy hank of wool onto the swift (if you don't have an un-balled skein handy, which I didn't).

Then wind the yarn from the swift onto the ball winder, watching with awe as it spins freely.

Weeeee look at it go!

It's as simple as that! After my swift demo everyone was as in awe as I was at the cleverness of the design and my Dad's handiwork.

I'm pretty sure if anyone wanted one of these marvellous creations I could persuade my Dad to get crafting again for a reasonable fee. How else would you get a personalised swift in it's own box???

After calming down from my swift giddiness, I opened my other gifts. I got,

• some cash from my Mum and brother to buy a subscription to Yarn Forward, my favourite knitting magazine.
• cash from my in-laws (which bought my new specs) and a lovely bead jewellery making kit. Added to my growing bead collection I am sure I could produce something wearable, eventually. This will help my embryonic beading skills.
  

• A book from my friends, based on their knowledge of my growing sock addiction. They know me so well. This book is rather wonderful and will certainly help with any socks I decide to make in the future, which lets face it, is going to be many.
  

I love how my family and friends understand my passion for crafts, it probably makes it easier to buy gifts. Maybe I will have to get Dad working on making a spinning wheel next, I wonder if he could get it done by Christmas?

My sister-in-law (SIL) has recently taken to doing patchwork and she bought quite a lot of fat quarters at Mary Clare this weekend. She also bought some other quilting bits and bobs after falling in love with my favourite shop. She had enough to start her patchworking whilst on her visit. It was fascinating stuff. I am so very tempted to try my hand at patchwork, but I know that once I start I will end up with a fabric stash that rivals my yarn stash.

To ease my longing to sew I found a dress that I had half finished before I got very ill a couple of years ago. My SIL helped me to work out where the darts should go and I intend to get it finished by the time the sun comes back, as it is a lovely summer dress. I have also got enough material left to have a go at making a wrap that was shown in Sew Hip magazine last month. I am determined to become a sewer. There are so many lovely fabrics about, it is impossible to ignore them. So there may be more fabric on the blog in weeks to come.... watch this space.

So all in all, it was a lovely birthday weekend with presents, craft, shopping and all rounded off with a lovely meal out and cocktails with my friends. What more could a girl ask for?

New Online Toy

As it was my birthday yesterday, I haven't done much knitting. However as one of my presents was a bright shiny new monitor I have been playing with things that show off how good it is. I have found a new toy. It was recommended by The Gadget Show and it is called Sumo Paint.

Sumo Paint is a free online graphics package that is great fun to play with. The effects it can produce are pretty impressive too. I recommend having a look at some of the images created by the users. I have only managed one image that I care to share with anyone else.



Considering this is a free program, there is much it can do. However for us creative types, it can help us lose even more hours on the internet, but at least at the end of the day, we might actually have something to show for it!