Progress so far.......

I wanted to show the progress I am making with Leah's cardigan. I am pleased so far and have managed to do the decreases for the armholes without too much trouble so far - I haven't even had to undo anything due to incorrect patterning!!! (is that a real phrase??) I am looking forward to finishing this as I think I will be really pleased with the final garment.


These are the current socks I am knitting and I am not really getting the vibe with these ones. The pattern repeat is really straightforward, but I am bored already. I expect they will get finished eventually. They are the Jaywalker pattern by Grumperina and are well worth a go as they do look good, I just don't really have the urge with these - a bit like my lack of enthusiasm with the Monkeys!!

On another note our shower decided to stop working this morning. Luckily I phoned the fitter who did our kitchen - who can also do electrics - and he's coming over to put a new switch in, in the next hour or so. Not bad for Good Friday. I expected to be without the shower until next week. Leah didn't mind too much though, as it meant we had to share a bath this morning!

Some more finished sockies

I finished off the socks last night and am really pleased with how they turned out. There should be just enough yarn left over to make Leah a little pair of socks too.

I made a start on my Cecile hat, but discovered that the 4.5mm circular needle I had was in fact only 4mm. It serves me right for buying from a charity shop! So I headed for ebay and have ordered the correct size - it just means that i can't get on with my hat until at least TUESDAY :o(
Oh well, it just means that I will have to get on with William's cabled jumper. I have almost done the back so I'm well on the way.

My next socks are all lined up and I will post a picture of the yarn and pattern details at a later date. Just going to have a little break from socks for a few days (well I believe that when it happens LOL!)

More socks

This is my latest pair of socks to come off the needle. They are made in regia color yarn and I used the Express Lane socks pattern free from ravelry and I liked doing a toe up magic loop method for a change. The yarn is lovely and soft but I don't really like the colouring which is a shame. I was looking forward to using this yarn!

Some more things to show you.....

I have been taking a break from swapping lately, as I found it was beginning to feel a bit like a chore making and sending fbs rather than enjoying it, and because of that I wasn't enjoying my letter writing either - basically it all got too much. So I decided to take a break until I feel up to starting again. It means that my friends and swappers will have to wait a little for my replies - but those who read my blog will know that I haven't forgotten them, I am just trying to feel like myself again.

In the meantime I have made another pair of socks (!) and finished those during Leah's nap yesterday afternoon. I was pleased with the yarn, not bad for a find in Austria!



it's quite hard to photograph anything with the way the weather has been lately, so as soon as I saw the sun this morning I whipped my camera out and took some photos.


Not too bad, eh?

I had to cast on another pair straight away as I was dying to use this yarn - Araucania Ranco Multy - and it is lush! I have 12 more rows to do before the heel......

The pattern for the toddler socks...

I got around to working out the heel on the larger sock, but if it doesn't work out, just modify it until it does, and let me know any corrections you have!

A close up of the toe...

.. and the basketweave.

The pattern - to fit approx 18mths (24 mths)

I used a set of 4 2.5mm dpns and woolhunter BFL super sock wool which is a 4ply yarn. The tension isn't really important (well I don't think so as kiddies feet are all slightly different)

Cuff

Cast on 42 (48) sts and join in the round

work 10 rows of K1 P1 rib (or 20 rows if you want a turned cuff).

pattern - rows 1-4 * K3, P3* repeat to end

rows 5-8 * P3, K3* repeat to end

work 3 (4) repeats of the pattern or length desired to heel

Heel flap -

knit across 21 (24) sts, turn

S1, purl to end, turn

*S1, knit to end, turn

S1, purl to end, turn*

repeat last 2 rows 8 (10) more times

knit 12 (14) sts, SSK, K1, turn

S1, purl 5 (6) P2tog, P1, turn

S1, knit to 1 st before gap, SSK, K1, turn

S1, purl to 1 st before gap, P2tog, P1, turn

repeat until all sts used up - you should end on a purl row. For the larger size I think you will have one gap left on the knit row, so just knit all the stitches on this row with no decrease 13 (16) sts on needle.

knit across all 13 (16) sts.

pick up for heel

N1 - knit 10 (12) st down side of heel, N2 continue in pattern on 21 (24) sts, N3 knit 10 (12) down other side of heel and 6 (8) sts from needle 1.

N1 17 (20) sts, N2 21 (24) sts, N3 16 (20) sts - 54 (64) sts in total.

instep shaping

next round (round 1)- N1 knit to last 3 sts, K2tog K1, N2 pattern across all sts, N3 K1 SSK, knit to end

next round (round 2)- N1 knit, N2 continue in pattern, N3 knit

repeat these two rows until you have 42 (48) sts

continue knitting as round 2 for 15 (19) rows or length required before toe shaping.

decrease for toe

round 1 - N1 knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1, N2 K1 SSK, knit to last 3 st, K2tog, K1, N3 K1 SSK, knit to end

round 2 - knit across all needles.

continue until 14 (16) sts left

knit sts from N1 to needle 3 - 7 (8) st on each needle and graft these together

hope you like knitting this up - please do NOT use for commercial purposes but feel free to knit up for friends and family!

new toddler socks!

I have been working on a little pattern for some basketweave socks, and this willl be posted later today (just have a few sizing issues with the second size).

Here is a quick sneak preview!!

I hope you all like it!

My latest WIP - toe up using magic loop!!

I thought I'd join in with the KAL in ravelry this month, which was to knit a toe up sock. I have never tried this before so thought it would be good to learn something new.

I chose the express lane socks which also called for magic loop knitting, which I actually really like now I've tried it.

I've done seven repeats of the pattern so far for the foot, but think I will need to add one more for my feet to get the correct length.



The pattern actually came out better in the photo than it looks in real life, as the yarn is quite variegated and i wasn't sure how clear it would look....


.. and I had to post a picture of the toe - done using a provisional cast on (why do I put myself through this??).. I had to cut it out in the end as I think I knitted through the wrong part of the crochet chain, oh well, it turned out ok in the end!

WIP and FOs for 2009....

I just wanted to post some pictures of my current project (well one of them) in progress, and the socks I finished for my friend.

This is the waves and piers pattern from the little book of socks and I really like the effect. I am using a yarn I bought it Austria (Richard thinks its funny that although the town hardly had any shops, I managed to find one that sold wool!) and I think it hasn't been too bad for the pattern. That calls for a Regia yarn than stripes into rings, which I didn't want to have to buy especially - seeing as I have so many different ones in my stash!




The pattern call for a forethought heel which I have never done before, and also a provisional cast on, again something I am new too. I wanted to get all that done before I went to bed last night as I didn't want to stop halfway through..... poor Rich got bored with me and fell asleep on the sofa!

I don't think it turned out too badly, but I'm not sure how comfortable the fit will be, we'll have to wait and see what its like when the socks are finished. I wouldn't rush to do this heel again, I much prefer the heel flap method as its really straight forward.

I also finished the embossed leaves socks from Favorite Socks and think they look ok for the yarn used (my friend wanted grey and I only had Sirdar town and country, which isn't a very smooth yarn).

Even with Leah's hand in the picture I don't think they look too bad, although I was having a little trouble trying to find a good source of light. I ended up sitting on the dining room floor near the back door....

..the final view makes me look like I have no ankles, but I promise you I do!! It's my awful photography skills LOL!

Finished the raspberry socks....

I finally got round to finishing the raspberry socks for my sister in law, but as I was in such a hurry to get them wrapped and under the tree I forgot to take a photo.

Here is the photo of them as WIP and to be honest the finished article isn't too different. The yarn isn't the softest, but does the job nicely. I just have to get the embossed leaves socks finished for my friend now :o)

The leafy socks......

My friend wanted a pair of knitted socks, so I said I would make her a pair with pleasure :o) I wasn't sure what type of pattern to do - so thought I would do the embossed leaves socks by Mona Schmidt as it was a pattern I wanted to do anyway and I love all the socks in that pattern I have seen.

I am halfway through the first sock and wish she didn't want grey socks. I don't think the yarn is quite suited to the pattern, as a smoother yarn would make the leaves more outlined.

You can still see them, just not as much as I had hoped unfortunately. I am also finding the pattern a bit of a strange one!



All the sock patterns I have followed so far pick up stitches from the heel flap by continuing after the last heel row, then across the instep and up the other side, ending in the centre of the heel for the round. This one requires breaking off the yarn and joining down the opposite heel edge first, so that the end of the round is just before the heel (although the pattern says the centre of the heel is the beginning of the round, the way the needles are numbered doesn't tie up to this) so very odd! here is also a random M1 that doesn't tie in with the pattern (??) anyone else found this weird?? Other than the strange way it is written I haven't had any problems with the pattern itself - it is quite easy to remember! I think if I make these for myself I might change the way the heel is picked up and knit it in my 'normal- way.....

Can you believe it??

I thought I would make the most of the Debenhams sale yesterday and went into town with my sister to do a bit of Christmas shopping.

It was a complete nightmare taking the pushchair as all the clothes are put out too close together, so its like an assault course just trying to get to where you want to. Add into the mix a bored and hungry toddler and a stressed out Mum and you end up with me being in a real bad mood!


Nevertheless, I managed to get a good chunk of my Christmas presents bought, and with another trip into town today, (with the help of Richard) we've managed to get most of it bought and its not even December yet! That's a record for us as we usually leave it to the lasy minute LOL!


I also got myself a dress to wear to my coleagues wedding reception on Friday night - so now I'm relieved I haven't got to go in my birthday suit.....


Onto nicer things, I've got my first waving not drowning sock finished and I can't believe how quick it was to do. Some patterns seem to take forever, but I finished this sock in two days which is another record for me!


I am really pleased with how the striping has turned out so now I just have to make the second one so Mum can have her Christmas pressie!

My latest purchases...

Today the postman had some great mail for me (see the next post for the other items).


He bought me this lovely book 'Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs' which will give me some great ideas for blankets and throws. So far all I have managed to do are some Granny Square blankets so a change in shape of motif will make things a bit more interesting.

I also received my two skeins of hand dyed yarn by Babylonglegs which I bought from Folksy.com and I can't wait to use them. I really love the selection of sock yarns you can buy at the moment, the problem is knowing what pattern to use them on.

I am interested to see what they will knit up like.

Finished!!

Today I got round to finishing my waving lace socks and I love them! It took me a while, but after turning the heel it only took me yesterday and today whilst Leah was asleep to get them all done.



I really like the colour and the yarn is lovely and soft :o) The pattern is really easy to remember ans simple too. I liked the fact it is in multiples of ten rows so its easy to get a whole batch of pattern done at once.

My latest pair of socks are coming along nicely...

I have been somewhat distracted from my socks over the weekend as I have had an urge to knit mini christmas stockings courtesy of Little Cotton rabbits. They are so quick and easy to make!

Anyway my socks are coming along really well and the pattern is a simple repeat. I took it from Favorite Socks by Interweave press and I am pleased with how they are turning out! I have in mind the next pair I want to make already, they are so addictive......

pattern for the baby socks...

As promised, here is the pattern for the baby socks! If there are any mistakes, please bear with me as this is my first attempt at creating my own pattern :o)

I used a 4ply yarn and 4 2.5mm dpns.

Cast on 36 stitches and split 12 on each needle and join in the round. (place marker)

K1,p1 rib for 8 rounds.

St st 20 rounds (or length required) to heel flap.

heel flap

knit 10 st, turn work and work on two needles only.

S1, purl 19, turn.

S1, knit 19, turn.

S1, purl 19, turn.

repeat these last 2 rows 7 more times.

Heel shaping.

Knit 12, ssk, K1 turn

S1, purl 5, P2tog P1, turn

S1 knit to 1 st before gap, ssk K1 turn,

S1, purl to 1 before gap, p2tog P1, turn

repeat these two rows until all stitches are used up.

Needle 1 - knit across all stitches, knit 10 down side of heel

Needle 2 - knit across all 16 sts,

needle 3 knit 10 down side of heel and across 6 sts of needle 1

N1 16 sts, N2 16 sts, N3 16 sts. (48 in total)

gusset shaping

N1 knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1, N2 knit, N3 K1 ssk, knit to end

round 2 - knit

repeat these 2 rows to 36 stitches

Continue straight for 12 rows or length of foot required (less about 1cm)

decrease for toes

N1 Knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1, N2 K1 ssk, knit to last 3 sts k2tog K1, N3, K1 ssk, knit to end.

repeat until 12 stitches remain.

knit 2 stitches from N2 to N1, and slip 2 sts from N2 to N3 (6 sts on each)

Graft the remaining edges together.

I hope that makes sense! It is very easy and if you are familiar with sock knitting I am sure you will be able to correct any mistakes I have made :o)

My finished socks!

I said I would post a picture of my finished socks and here they are! I wasn't sure how much yarn I would have so I didn't bother starting on the same colour for each sock ( Mum says she prefers the odd look anyway). Even if I did, there was a knot half way through and the colour was repeated in the wrong place, so it wouldn't have looked right anyway!

Woo Hoo! Almost finished!

Just a quick update to let you know I have almost finshed the socks I started for Mum with the Noro yarn. They aren't quite as good as I had hoped they would be - well you'll see for yourselves when I post the photos at a later date!

I'll also be posting the baby sock pattern real soon :o) The first one turned out great!

Finished Leah's cardigan!

I finally got round to finishing Leah's cardigan, so whilst she has been asleep this afternoon I sewed on the press stud and the ribbon for the tie around, so hopefully she will be able to model it for me very soon!

I need to give it a press (as you can see from the photos) but other than that I am really pleased with the result.

I used Sirdar Snuggly DK in Daisy and the pattern is from the Little Sweet Peas booklet. Next I'll be doing the v - neck tank top from the same pattern booklet for William.

I've also been working on my first ever original pattern for a pair of socks - they are only very simple and baby sized, but will be posting the pattern once I am happy with it, so that I can share with anyone who'd like to make some!

Some goodies to show you......

This morning, after doing all the ironing and cleaning, Leah and I (well mainly me) decided to pop out for a bit to a local supermarket to pick up some avocados and plums and for some reason my brain wanted to take a detour into town. I needed to get my friend her birthday request, so I thought it rude not to go along to my local (well nearest decent one) yarn shop, to look for something nice to make my bunnies from (I am still practicing so have not used a good quality yarn so far).

I saw this Sirdar Eco wool, which comes in lovely undyed colours, and has a wonderful feel to it to. Just right for a little bunny boy or girl.



These are the three shades I chose, all good for bunnies......



..... and a little closer look at them here.


The next thing I want to show you in my next sock book purchase - I can't get enough of them at the moment, and once I have practiced enough from various patterns, I'd like to create my own designs from different stitches and lacework you can find in most knitting magazines.

I ordered this from Amazon and it arrived yesterday - pretty quick delivery - and I was intrigued to see what was inside. I always find that although the internet is great for shopping, I still never quite know what is going to arrive or what it will be like, especially if I haven't seen the product 'in the flesh' before (sometimes you can see things in the shops but get thm cheaper online, which is great when you can net a bargain).

I was suprised to see what was inside - but then if I actually read the title properly I should have guessed (little box of socks!)

Here's a selection of my favourite designs in the pack - what i like is that they are each on an individual card, so they are really easy to take about with you (if you knit on the go) and are also really easy to manage at home (if you knit whilst watching TV with your feet up on the sofa!)

We are going on holiday to Austria soon, and as we are staying in a hotel, someone - i.e. me - will have to stay in the room of an evening to make sure the little pudding is ok. I know that hotels are safe and we could leave her there, but as things have happened in the past, I would never forgive myself if something happened to her whilst we enjoyed ourselves downstairs. It would also break my hear of she woke up and no one was there to give her a cuddle!

Anyway, back to the subject in hand, I think these would make a great addition to pack in my case for something to do in the evenings - that or to read a good book (of which I will be taking a few ..)

My eBay purchase arrived....

I was pleased that my yarn arrived safe and sound - although as I was out my kind postie left a note for me -'in the black bin by the back door' needless to say it was safe and dry; good old Royal Mail!

I was surprised how good quality it is considering it was onlt £1.79 a ball, great for socks - I even have the next pair lined up (the sock pattern I posted on my blog a few days ago), so I'll let you know how I get on :o)

I bought it from Cheshire Yarns who have a great selection of different yarn, all at good prices!