Monday, December 31, 2007

Lots of finished objects

I have been busy knitting the last couple of weeks, and with Christmas finished and Christmas presents of knitting items, and sale bargains, the last few days have been very busy indeed.

First some finished items.

Pattern: Vine washcloth http://cf.geocities.com/knitdishclothcorner/
This is a washcloth knit as part of a present for my mum. It only took a few hours, and I really like the pattern, which is very similar to the embossed leaves sock pattern.


Next is the U Necked Vest from Fitted Knits. This is the first item I've knitted from this book. I knit it in Matchmaker Merino DK knitting and had to change the size I knitted to make up for the fact that the pattern is for an aran weight. I like that the substitution worked well and it fits me, but I am not sure about the way it looks on me. From the side it looks fine, from the front I feel I look very boxy, and I think I'd have liked the straps to be a bit narrower. But overall fairly successful.


This Rusted Root from Zephyrstyle is a pattern I've liked for a long time. I found some Rowan wool cotton on sale this week, and this took just over 5 balls. This was knitted using Denise Interchangable needles I got for christmas, and I've been really pleased knitting with them so far. I really like how this has turned out. The sleeves really don't puff out on me like they do on the pattern notes, but I have wide shoulders and I'm not very surprised, and I like the way they have worked out.

Another Zephyrstyle pattern, this is Juliet. I was inspired by the Sexy Knitters Knitalong, and some lovely examples of this on Ravelry. It is knit out of Jaeger Merino Chunky. I love the colour, and knitting in chunky was so quick. I think it looks good on the duck tape dress form, but not convinced on me. I'm reserving judgement until I've got some nice buttons.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

I own a knitting machine!



I've been given a knitting machine!
My boss was in his loft to get the christmas decorations down, and decided clear out some of the junk. One thing he noticed was his mums old knitting machine, not used since she moved abroad. And he thought I might be interested or know someone at my knitting group who might be. Otherwise he was going to throw it away. It seemed too good to say no, so today he brought it into work for me, and now it's sitting in my kitchen and I'm wondering where on earth to start.

I have been wondering about knitting machines ever since i first noticed the price one was going for on ebay, when i could have bought a kntting machine and wool winder for less than a wool winder on it's own. But with the possibility a second hand one might need a lot of work to get it running, I've never quite persuaded myself into it. But this knitting machine seems to have all the parts mentioned in the instruction book, including unused punch cards, and a wool winder! And I seem to have about 4 years worth of "The Modern Knitter" including some amazing old patterns, and recipes.





Now I just need to decide where to start.

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Shopping

This weekend I have mostly been shopping. Not the christmas shopping I should be doing. I lasted two hours of pouring rain, queueing car parks, crowded shops and lack of idea for what to actually buy, before giving up on Saturday morning. I have finally made some decisions on what yarn to buy for a queue of knitting projects I have been wanting to start. Part of the reason for posting here is to document my decisions, before I forget them, and lose track of all the internet orders.

1. Yaeger Merino Chunky in Red Ink from Cucumber Patch to knit a Juliet
2. Debbie Bliss merino silk DK from Janette's Rare Yarns, because I love the colour and the yarn felt nice in the shop! I'm not entirely decided what to make, one possibility is Roam from Knitty, and another is the Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, but I am also wondering if I can modify the Gathered Pullover from Interweave Knits to work with double knitting. Needless to say the yarn was too good a price not to buy, and I loved the colour!
3. I have bought one ball of Aran in Blue John from Lanarkshire wool mill, and one of their shade cards. I am seriously considering this to knit the Tilted Duster from Interweave Knits but I would like to see what the wool is like first.

With the miserable weather this weekend, I plan to carry on shopping a little. I currently have no ongoing knitting projects, an almost empty credit card, an upcoming Christmas break and unlimited access to Ravelry, it's a dangerous combination.

Friday, December 7, 2007

Back to School U Neck Vest

Hoping to get a good photo soon


Pattern: Back to School U Neck Vest from Fitted Knits

Yarn: Matchmaker merino DK, Jaeger

Needles:



Although I am pleased that this has finished, and that it fits well despite me subbing the yarn for double knitting, and so knitting the largest size whilst having to adjust some things along the way. However, I can't quite decide my feelings about this one for a few reasons....



1. I think I am still upset with this wool since it didn't look good when it was a "Wicked" , before the great frogging event of 2007. That sounded daft in my head and is no less daft now I've written it down.

2. Although the 2x2 ribbing sounded like a good vertical stripey effect which might not highlight my stomach, the fact that there are such prominent horizontal features in this vest do not look like a good idea in hindsight.

3. I love the pictures in the FItted Knits Book, and this is the first item I have knitted from the book. I really want to like it!

4. A vest would be a good thing to wear to our over-air-conditioned office. Though fingerless gloves might be the stage I have got to.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Alphabet Blanket and knitting bag

I think I will have to accept that I am rubbish at posting in this blog consistently. Whilst I haven't been blogging, I have been knitting, and sewing, and DIY has been getting in the way.


Pattern: Debbie Bliss Alphabet Blanket
Yarn: Wendy Peter Pan Double Knitting, White
Needles: Can't remember!?

I had admired versions of this blanket for a while, and now one of my good friends is pregnant it seemed a very good excuse to knit this. Completed in less than 14 days, it is another knitted item that i knit slightly obsessively on. I also made annoying mistakes that meant approximately 30% of this blanket was knit twice. The edging, though pretty, was incredibly annoying to knit, and I eventually resorted to learning to knit backward in order to stop turning the blanket repeatedly.

The knitting bag came about partly as it seemed so wrong to be carrying a lovely half knitted blanket in a grotty plastic carrier bag. Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, the blanket was finished the day after the bag was, but the bag has still been very useful for storing books, needles and other WIPs and looks a lot better than the selection of knitting paraphenalia which had previously sprawled accross my coffee table.





More sewing, more trousers




Pattern: Simplicity/Built by Wendy
Fabric: Corduroy

These corduroy trousers were from the same patterna s the previous black trousers. I rememebred to make the waist a little smaller, and they feel in less dnager of falling down than the others. I had wanted a pair of short trousers to show off my boots for a while, and inspired by the photos for this hoodie (which is another thing I would love to knit if I can find the right yarn) I decided the easiest way might just be to make some.

After spending ages with one design of the pockets last time, I was dissapointed to realise that the other front pockets in the pattern weren't pockets at all, and have added a single patch pocket of my own design. I don't think this is such a flattering look for me, but it hasn't turned out too badly. I am very pleased with the back pocket flaps, and pleased and surprised that I seem to be getting over my fear of making button holes!