Ravellenics 2014

I had originally decided not to really take part in the Ravellenics, for many reasons, but the chief one was the political situation in Russia, which left me very conflicted.  If you are not a knitter you may not understand the nature of the Ravellenics.  It is a way for knitters to challenge themselves in their knitting as they watch the Olympics (both Winter and Summer).  You can take part in teams and I decided to join Team A Playful Day.  I've read this blog almost from the beginning of my own blogging career, so I've followed GreenTriangleGirl's (A Playful Day's author) journey into podcasting, in fact it was the first podcast I listened to, as she recorded it as part of Knitting & Crochet Blog Week in 2011 (I think!).  Of course, this creates a bond of loyalty when joining teams!

The other thing that drew me to this team was a real determination for showing tribute, not only to the athletes, but also to the LGBT community in Russia.  There are members of the team that are donating to LGBT organisations depending on projects finished by the team.  It was also GreenTriangleGirl who shared a blog post from Old Maiden Aunt about the games and how she also felt conflicted about it, and it really chimed with me.

The blog post encouraged me to buy yarn for this year's Ravellenics from Old Maiden Aunt. She dyed up a sock yarn in a colourway "Nothing To Hide", and £5 of the price paid for this yarn was going to be donated to Stonewall UK, a LGBT charity here in the UK, that does a lot of good work in schools and workplaces. The yarn was also a quite lovely rainbow variegated yarn. Buying pretty yarn, that also supports good work, was a win win situation for me.

I then needed a project.  I looked in my Ravelry Queue and decided to knit Foolproof by Louise Zass-Bangham that had been waiting to knit for a while. There are many categories in which you take part, this project comes under the Cross Cowling tag.  This pattern needed a contrast yarn and I visited my stash to discover a lovely purple sock yarn from Ripples Crafts, that almost exactly matched the purple in the Old Maiden Aunt yarn, it had also been in stash since 2011, which would give me an entry into the Stash Skeleton event.

When I started knitting my project I remembered a podcast episode from The Fat Squirrel (who is hilarious by the way, and I recommend her podcast highly) where she knit this project.  She decided to knit into the back of the yarn overs to close the holes on the wrong side rows.  I saw what she had done and decided that I preferred that look too.

I was a little unsure of the colour combinations initially, but I kept going and as it developed further, the more I liked it.

I love garter stitch as it is drapey and elastic.  It makes a lovely soft cowl, and stretches to fit over the head easily (no catching on my glasses!).

I love that you can really use it cover up the front of your body, which really keeps you warm, especially when sitting down, but doesn't overheat you.  I also love that you can change the look of the of the cowl by how you twist it round.

When it's wrapped this way more purple shows.  Or you can shuffle it round a bit and twist in a different place to show more rainbow, which gives quite a lot of of options of what colours it can be worn with.

I think that this could be worn comfortably with a second twist, to give three loops around the neck if I wanted to wear it as outerwear with a coat.  It's really versatile, and I'd be happy making more of these.  It's a great way to use up stash and just changing the yarn will give a completely different look, which you can see from the Ravelry Projects.

I have another project that I've worked on for the Ravellenics, but I'll tell you about that when it's blocked and ready for photos.

PS. I was just about hit publish on this post when Team GB Women's Curling team won a bronze medal! What a lovely way to start today!

Woolly Wormhead's Hatopia

If you have read this blog for more than a year, you will know that one of my favourite hat designers is Woolly Wormhead. She writes interesting and beautiful patterns that are sized for children up to adults. The patterns are always well written and her tutorials are clear. She is an incredibly talented designer. She also lives on a bus in Italy, with a community of fellow artists!

Woolly Wormhead's home is currently under threat because of a single person, in the village where they live, who objects to this creative community. In order to help fight this individual in the courts, lots of money is required, which is something these artists don't have a lot of. In order to help raise funds to fight eviction Woolly Wormhead has put together a wonderful e-book called Hatopia.  If you want to find out more about the situation, please go here to read the full story.

As someone who believes that no one should be forced to leave their home because one person objects to them being there, I bought the book.  I also bought the book because it is a complete and utter bargain, at £9 for 10 patterns! There are at least four patterns in the book I want to cast on straight away. (Click on the individual images to see their Ravelry pages).

Arkanoid

Castiel

Encircle

Runway

These are all patterns that have been published before, but I only own one of them, which is Runway and I own that because it was in the magazine it was originally published in.  Having it in digital form is much better! However, all the patterns have been revamped with new photographs and new pattern layouts.

All the patterns can be bought separately for £2.50, but I don't know why you wouldn't buy the whole book, which is only available as a limited edition.  Also, if you buy the patterns individually they won't contribute towards the fund, with the exception of Runway, where £2 of the price will be donated to the fund.

As I had the yarn for Arkanoid in my stash, I chose that pattern to cast on straight away.  The yarn recommended is BabyLongLegs Semi-Precious in the "Go" colourway that Sarah dyed to support fundraising for Refuge.  I love this green and the hat pattern is perfect for one of my favourite yarns.

It's got a really lovely brim, created by starting with a provisional cast on and then joining those stitches to the live stitches. It's neat and feels good against your forehead.  I find myself liking these slouchy hats more and more, after knitting Drizzle.  I think they work well with my short hair.

I like how hats made with silk content don't mess your hair up as much, when you take them off.  As this is a hat knit in 4-ply/fingering weight it is so light you hardly notice you are wearing it, which will be useful when there is only a bit of a nip in the air, but I don't want my ears getting cold.  We have a lot of weather in the UK which is cold but not really cold, so a lighter weight hat will probably get lots of wear.

The hat is an interesting knit with something to think about in each row, but not too much to think about.  It knit up really quickly because I was enjoying the process so much.  The crown looks beautiful, in my opinion.  As the yarn has great definition, the decreases really pop out.

This hat was wonderful to make, and it is wonderful to wear.  I'm so pleased I started with this pattern.  I knit the 20" size as I have a 21" head, so decided to go down an inch rather than go up.  I am glad I did, as this is a perfect fit.  I also have exactly 50g left over, so I might be able to make some mitts to match!

I really recommend this book of patterns, particularly as we are starting to move towards Autumn, and hat wearing weather.  Maybe you could get a "head" start on your Winter Gift knitting too (pun intended).  I highly recommend this e-book, you get a great set of patterns for a bargain price, and you get to help a community of creative individuals hold on to their homes.

Hatopia by Woolly Wormhead

Hatopia - an e-book £9

Sumner is Done

I have actually photographed something that I finished.  Admittedly it was only a couple of snaps with the camera on my phone, but the quality of the pictures is more than adequate to show you my finished project.  As you can probably guess from the title of this post, my finished project is Sumner.  It's the hat I told you about a couple of weeks ago.

I am incredibly happy with this project.  I really enjoyed knitting it too.  The yarn choice worked perfectly, substituting BabyLongLegs Semi-Precious with BabyLongLegs BooSock.  The merino content in BooSock is 80%, whereas in Semi-Precious, it is only 50%, which makes it a bit warmer and the yarn more springy.  The 20% bamboo content of this yarn gives it strength and lustre.  I think this yarn will actually be tougher than the recommended yarn, as well as warmer.

I still love Semi-Precious, though, and have ordered a skein of the specially dyed "Go! Green for Refuge" colourway.  This yarn has been dyed as part of a Veuf Tricot's money raising endeavours for Refuge, a UK charity that supports women and children who have been exposed to an abusive home life.  Veuf Tricot has designed three accessories that reflect his training to run the marathon and were designed to use single skeins of yarn that were dyed especially for the project, by three different UK dyers.  I wanted to do something to support this, frankly, crazy decision to run such a long way and decided at the outset I would be purchasing one of the skeins of yarn.  A large portion of the purchase of the yarn is going to Refuge.  I think I always knew it would be the BabyLongLegs yarn that I would be buying!  If you want to show your support for Refuge and Jim's efforts, please consider making a donation on Jim's JustGiving page or buying one (or all) of the patterns, or maybe treat yourself to a special skein of yarn.

Going back to finished project, here is the finished item, in all it's glory.

The folded brim is fantastic at keeping the cold wind out of my ears.  When I started this hat, I assumed it would be perfect for Spring.  In reality this hat is incredibly warm.  I was really surprised at how warm it was, considering it is knit in sock yarn.  I think it is because of the density of the knitted fabric, plus it has the doubled fabric for the brim and the body and crown of the hat has ridges that increase the amount of air that is trapped around the head.

When I started this pattern I simply loved the way it looked, but it has turned out to be a really warm addition to my accessories collection.  Woolly Wormhead is, once again, triumphant in her hat pattern creation.  It can be a bit fiddly to make all those ridges, but they do pull you on as you knit.  You think to yourself, "just one more ridge".  This hat took a bit longer than the last couple I knit, but it was very satisfying to create and I love the finished article.  I love it when you enjoy knitting the project and it results in something you love wearing.  For me, that ticks all my boxes.  I am a combination of a process and product knitter.  I will slog through a project to get the resulting product, but I will also end up with something I don't particularly need because I really wanted to enjoy the process of creating it.  So this hat makes me happy in all ways!  Knit The Queue 2013 is turning into a very enjoyable endeavour.  I need to decide which item to start on next, once I finish a super secret urgent project I will make my decision.

To see other people's lovely finished things, click on the box.

Crocheting Continues

I have had so much fun doing my Craftsy course with Stacey Trock.  She is a lovely teacher and I've learnt loads.  I have now finished the second project in the series, which is a bear.  Isn't he grand?

My only problem with the project, was running out of the main colour and having to use the paler brown to make the ears.  I don't think it looks too weird though.

I was unsure about the positioning of the eyes, but they have grown on me.  I think it gives him a quizzical expression.

What do you think?  I think he would have looked better with the safety eyes I used for my Teal Bird, but this bear is destined to be loved by a baby, so his eyes have to be woolly.  I think his huggability levels are high though.  I mean look at how squishy he is!

He's got a great booty!  I think no one could resist such a bear.  What do you think?

I am probably going to take a little break from this course, as my OH is desperate for me to try out my Big Book of Knitted Monsters.  I think he wants his very own Computer Monster to blame for the state of his cable box!

I think I might let him chose the first project from the book, to see if my theory is right, as it really seems to have captured his imagination in a way most of my projects don't.  I can't resist his interest!

Before I list the buttons to link to other people's projects can I take a moment to post a little advert on my brother's behalf.  He is going to be running the Jane Tomlinson Half Marathon in Leeds on 13th May to raise money for Bliss.  Bliss is a UK charity that is working to provide the best possible care and support for all premature and sick babies and their families.  If you would like to show your support for this long run my brother is doing, and this very worthwhile charity, please click here to donate money on his JustGiving page.

How could anyone resist that face??  Thank you for listening.

Now back to to our normal programme!  To look at other finished projects, click a button!

Something Different

Today I am going to share with you a finished object, then I'm going to do something with it, that I hope my readers are going to like.

Here is my new friend.

He's a fuzzy little guy, made from angora.  He stands approximately 5" tall, and he is soft and squishy.

He is stuffed with childsafe polyester and embellished with wool felt pieces.

His eyes are made with felt pieces and the pupil is created using embroidery threads in a seed stitch pattern.

My new friend has a round flat bottom made with felt, which helps him stand up.

Don't you think my new fuzzy friend looks a little lonely?  He is looking for a new home.  I am very loathe to part with him, but he tells me has a job to do.  My little owlet wants to help the Japanese people who are currently having such a difficult time.

So in order to help those in great need, I am planning on sending my little owlet to someone who reads this blog.  In order to obtain my owl you have to do something really simple.  You have to go to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies website.  When you get there, please click on the donate now button and make a donation to this worthy cause.  When you have done that, come back and comment and make sure you leave a way of getting in touch with you, and state you have donated and wish to be entered.  Then I'll pick someone at random on Friday 25th March and announce the winner in my post on that date.  I will then send my fuzzy little friend winging on his way to his new home.  This giveaway is open to people wherever they are in the world, which is why I haven't chosen a local Red Cross to donate to.  If you want to donate to this fund through your own local Red Cross, don't let that stop you - go ahead, and then comment!

I am doing this because I don't have a lot of money.  I've made a small donation but I can't afford to do much more.  This is my way of maybe adding to the pot a little bit.  Please consider donating because these people need all the help they can get.  Can you imagine your own world being turned upside down in this way?  I can't begin to comprehend how scary and difficult it is.  I'm not doing much to help, but I'm doing what I can.

I can't track if you have made a donation, but I really hope you will if you enter the draw.  You don't have to give much at all, but every penny counts in times like this.

In order to maximise the donations, please consider tweeting about this competition, or adding a Facebook link.  The photographs do not even begin to capture how adorable and fuzzy this little guy is, he is so huggable.  Please help me find a new home for him.

In another attempt to increase my chances of actually raising some money for the Japanese survivors, I'm linking up to my usual link parties.  If you want to check them out, please click on the big buttons that are listed below.

Marie Curie Cancer Care Tea Party

I recently received an email from a nice man at Marie Curie Cancer Care. For some reason he thought my blog might have a wide audience (snort) of people who knit or crochet. Even though I know there aren't many of you out there, this is a good cause and I said I would pass on the information he sent me.

Basically, Marie Curie Cancer Care are running a competition to design a tea cosy. The competition is being run in conjunction with Simply Knitting Magazing and Cath Kidston. The tea cosy design is to be inspired by the Marie Curie Cancer Care's Blooming Great Tea Party which asks people to get together and host a tea party anytime from June 12 to July 12 to help raise funds for the charity.

The good folks at Simply Knitting Magazine have provided two basic tea cosy patterns (one knit, one crochet) as a starting point for your design and should fit a standard six cup tea pot. You can either adapt the basic patterns provided, or design your own from scratch if you prefer.

To make a winning tea cosy, find out all you need to know about the Blooming Great Tea Party and to download an entry form go to www.mariecurie.org.uk/teaparty. The competition will be judged by Cath Kidston, Simply Knitting and Marie Curie Cancer Care, based on entries to the following categories:

• Best Tea Party Cosy
• Best Creative Cosy

There will be a winner and two runners-up selected for each category, and the prizes will be selection packs of Cath Kidston and knitting goodies. The competition will close on 31/08/2010, any entries received after this date will not be entered into the competition. All tea cosy entries must be accompanied by an entry form, available from www.mariecurie.org.uk/teaparty or call 08700 340 040 Entries should be sent with completed entry form to:

FREEPOST RSCK-ECXB-LBSS
Marie Curie Cancer Care Knitting Competition
PO Box 621
Wetherby Rd
York
YO26 0EX

I feel a bit ashamed because I know I probably won't be doing anything related to this post - one because I don't drink tea and don't get the whole "tea party" thing and two because I don't like to commit to things I am pretty sure I won't be able to achieve. However, my contribution is posting the information on my blog. If one person decides to host a tea party after reading the above blurb, then that has to be my contribution.

Please let me know if anyone decides to enter a design or hold a tea party. Otherwise I will feel that this post was typed in vain!

Responding to the Knit Signal for Haiti

I have just read a blog entry by one of my favorite bloggers, the Yarn Harlot, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.  She is funny, frank and she knows how to hit you in the solar plexus.  The entry I just read reminded me that while my life may sometimes be a bit more difficult than I would like, I am warm, I am clothed, I am loved and I have a roof over my head.  This is more than can be said for the people of Haiti at the moment. 

The Yarn Harlot started a movement a few years ago called Knitters Without Borders.  It is a way of knitters joining together and watching how their small donations can make a difference in the world.  The principle is to donate to Medicins Sans Frontieres whatever small or large amount you feel you can afford and then tell Stephanie via email and she will keep a running total.  We can then see how all those tiny little amounts from around the world can add up to a hefty sum that can really help where it is needed, and at the moment it is Haiti. 

Now as a knitter I am happy to see how my part in the donations can add up, through Knitters Without Borders, but I know that some people who read this blog aren't knitters. However......the principle is the same.  Every little amount that is given to any charity is part of something else.  It is joined with everyone else's little donations.  If everyone who read my blog last week donated £10, the price of a takeaway on Friday night, then all those small donations, from my small blog, would add up to £930.  Now that is a big sum to me.  I imagine it is a big sum to you.  Now think about all the other people who could be doing the same.  Doesn't it feel huge?  Doesn't it feel important that you can make a difference in somebody's life instead of treating yourself to that takeaway this weekend?

Please think about making a donation to MSF, they do great work all over the world in times of crisis, war and suffering.  They need every penny they can get, especially with a poor country like Haiti being hit by such a catastrophe.  Every single penny counts, it doesn't have to be £10.  To make a donation go here, and know you are part of something much bigger than you.