Stripey Mittens

The mittens are complete, things I learned

Knitting two at a time is quicker ...but not if you decide you don't like them!

After I had finished both mittens I decided they were way too long and also a bit too big so I cut them, unravelled around 10cm and then grafted the two ends together. They aren't as neat as i'd like them to be as I got a bit sick of them and didn't really take my time finishing them as I know that I'll make another (better) pair at some point in the future. But they keep my hands warm and the yarn is really lovely.

The lace scarf for my grandma is coming along very slowly, I'm making myself do at least one pattern repeat a day as I need to get it done by April12th and I'm tiring of it a little...must. keep. going.

It's finished!

I have finished my first sleevless jumper. I like it loads more than I thought I would and it fits quite nicely, the neck line could be a little better and it could probably be a bit neater but for a first attempt I'm really pleased with it. I really enjoyed making it once I had changed the pattern so I'm definitely going to make some more. Due to a 15% off event at Libertys I also have a lot of yarn and pattern books to keep me going for a while, although I'm sure that won't stop me buying more.

I love my new bag

The bag is complete and is my absolute favourite thing I have knitted so far. I'm so pleased with how it looks a lot like the picture on the pattern. I need to practice my sewing up though as it is a little wonky but because it's not a very structured bag you can't really tell once it has stuff in it.

Wool used : Artesano Alpaca Aran in Twilight, used 1 skein for the body of the bag and a few more yards from a second skein for the handles.

Alterations: i cast on 60 stitches instead of 80 because the needles I used for handles were 10" long rather than the 14" called for and I didn't want the stitches bunched up too much. i also knit the handles in seed stitch rather than garter stitch as that seemed to be the done thing on Ravelry and I hadn't done anything in seed stitch before and wanted to see what it looked like.

This was a really nice quick and easy knit, I am very tempted to make some more in different colours and sizes.

First cable project

So my "don't start anything new until the jumper is done" resolution has fallen by the wayside again, although I finished this the same evening I started and didn't buy any new wool for it so I don't think it really counts. I wanted to do something with a cable pattern as I hadn't done one before and I have some cable needles so didn't require any new tools. I just made what was basically a big swatch and then folded it in half and added a zip to make a small purse for my friend Nat's birthday. The wool I used was Rowan Kid Classic but I double stranded some dark blue and some purple as I only had a little of each. The cable itself would probably look better in a single colour but I do quite like the tweedy effect. The verdict: I like cables! They are fun without being too complicated.

I Knit London

The bag is now cast on, I bought some beautiful turquoise wool from I Knit London in Vauxhall. They have a lovely selection of wool that is a bit different to what you get in the likes of John Lewis and Libertys but it was pretty intimidating and actually quite unfriendly which surpirised me as I love the website and they have a facebook and ravelry group. Maybe I caught them on a bad day, I'll be going back anyway because it is closer and easier to get to than Oxford Street (and I optimistically bought just two skeins when the pattern called for three - I am making it slightly smaller though).

My camera couldn't pick up the colour very well so I found this shade card on the web, the wool is called Artesano Aran and the shade is Twilight. The bag is in "berry stitch" which is new for me, I really like the texture of the stitch which makes little bobbles on the RS.

To frog or not to frog?

Still plodding on with the jumper, the gauge does not seem quite right but having knitted just over half the back I am not relishing the prospect of ripping it all back so am keeping on going and hoping that it'll all come good in the end. I think this may be a bit wishful thinking somehow, but I've heard blocking can stretch the yarn a little and I could always just hold my breath whilst wearing it.

So although I promised myself I wouldn't start another project until I completed this one I have fallen in love with a bag I found on Ravelry and just have to make it.

Knitting Needle Knitting Bag

I love how knitting needles are used to create the handles. I have some old wooden needles my grandma gave to me and I really like the idea of having them incorporated into a bag, somehow it seems nicer than actually using them. Now everytime I am knitting something I will think of my grandma, regardless of which needles I'm using.

I'm undecided on which colour to choose though, I'm not really a bright coloured person so I think I might go for a nice green and get some nice lining for it too if I can master sewing. Hopefully going to cast on tonight...the anticipation is so exciting.

Woohoo I'm in Ravelry!

So I finally got my invitation to Ravelry, it was frustrating waiting to be able to join but now I'm in it was all worth it. I've added my projects and going to add my stash later.

Current project is a tank top, so far I have only 10cms of the back portion and it feels like I have been knitting for a long time to get that far. I am also quite worried that it's not going to fit as I do tend to knit quite tightly, especially when stranding...I'll just have to go on a diet until it fits - I won't let those hours of work go to waste!


So this is all I have so far, it isn't knit in the round I just like using circular needles. I also invested in a row counter which has been brilliant and means it's much easier to watch TV whilst knitting without losing your place in the pattern.