Easy Folded Poncho #2

I finished this new Easy Folded Poncho on the weekend, knitted with a secret recipient in mind!

Pattern::   Easy Folded Poncho by Churchmouse Yarns
Yarn::      Malabrigo Silky Merino in Blackberry bought from Suzyhausfrau
Ply::         8ply
Needle::   4mm
Yardage:: 750 yards

No modifications this time.

So simple to knit, so easy to wear.

I'm already making another one!!


xx

Granny Square Hot Water Bottle Cover

 

 

In recent weeks I have been trawling the net, looking for a crocheted granny square hot water bottle cover pattern to no avail. So, I made one up!

 

Now that I have finished my hottie, I now know why a pattern is so elusive - each hot water bottle is different, and each crocheter's tension is different, so a one-size-fits-all granny-square-hot-water-bottle-cover pattern remains a non-reality in most cases.

 

In spite of this, here are the links to my inspiration starters, together with the individual ideas and techniques that went into my hot water bottle cover recipe. It's worth giving it a go.

 

Inspiration from Foxslane, here*.

Granny square tutorial from Little Tin Bird, here.

Join as you go tutorial from Attic24, here (just scroll down to the end).

Construction and shaping ideas from Snaffles' Mummy, here.

Bobble shell edging tutorial from Attic24, here.  

 

• Throughout I used 8ply yarn with a 3mm hook. I tried a 4mm hook at first but the squares were too big.
• I joined the squares as I made them -  "join as you go".
• The panels of 3x4 granny squares were worked separately.
• When adding the red border, I made up the shaping, using a series of slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet and double crochet stitches to gradually increase or decrease the height of the rows.
• I made sure to include five buttonholes evenly spaced in the final round on the base of the front panel.
• The panels were joined using slip stitches but leaving a gap for the neck of the cover to be crocheted. 
• The neck was worked in the round, increasing at the sides in a similar manner to that used by Snaffles' Mummy in her gorgeous hottie cover.
• I used the bobble edge border as demonstrated, once again, by Attic24 (she's so clever!).
• I sewed in the ends and added five red buttons on the back panel so the front would overlap the back when the buttons are done up.

 

Ta Dah!

 

 

 

Yay!!

 

I'm glad I took notes as I worked, but given that the other hot water bottles in our house in need of covers are different sizes to this one, I'll be using similar techniques to get the new covers to fit them, tweaking as I go.

 

Have a great weekend!

 

xx

*I didn't set out to copy the red on foxslane's hottie cover - Miss E decided red was the perfect colour, so red it is!

Darwinia Babydoll Dress Ta-dah!

 

Seriously, this was so much fun to knit! I started this as a bit of a knitalong while watching the Tour de France. The dress is finished, and the tour continues. Yay! More knitting time!!

 

Tikki Knits' Darwinia pattern is cleverly constructed in one piece from the top down, and is written in detailed instructions which kept me interested every step of the way. The design can be knitted in two style options, Babydoll and Dress, and its flexible sizing makes it adaptable for all sorts of little girl body shapes and sizes. 

 

pattern::    Darwinia by tikki knits (aka Georgie Hallam)

style::        Baby Doll version

size::         size 21 inch chest and 5 year old lengths

yarn::        Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 8 ply yarn in Sunflower

needle::    4mm, 3.25mm

yardage::  470m or so

mods::       I didn't knit the eyelet row for the ribbon - Miss J didn't want it.

 

I am really impressed with the Luxury 8ply; it's so soft and squishy, surprisingly so for such a well priced yarn.

 

And I have a very happy Miss J - if had let her, she would have worn the dress when it was still wet so I only needed to lightly block the hem, just enough so it wouldn't fold over. Now that I have made one, I have an order for another, the dress this time, from Miss M who has chosen "big girl colours", because "they are more sophisticated, Mummy!" Hilarious!!

 

Love love love this pattern!!

 

 

 

xxx

Hexagon Blanket Ta-dah!

Hooray - it's finished!!

Sometimes I have liked it, sometimes I loathed it (it hibernated for about 10 months), but now I absolutely love it!

And the part I enjoyed crocheting the most? The edging. I enjoyed the rhythm of crocheting the dc stitches around the outside, and found it quite meditative and soothing, especially with the warmth of the blanket covering my knees on these colder nights.

 

The edging consists of two rows of double crochet with ripply decreases in the inside corners, and increases similar to those used on the hexagons on the outside corners. It is finished with a row of the bobble edge stitch, as demonstrated in a tutorial on Attic24's blog here. A solid colour border for solid colour hexagons.

 

 

And here is the blanket as best as I could photograph before it was whisked away, already in use with today's kid on the couch.



 

 (Miss J has a very sore tummy!)

 

 

Hexagon Pattern:: http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/hexagon-howto.html

Yarn:: 8 ply wool

Colours:: an assortment, mostly from Shepherd Colour 4 me and Cleckheaton Country yarn ranges

Hook:: 4mm

 

Will I make another one? I'm thinking of it - I particularly like the circle version made by Greedy for Colour (photograph in this post), where she uses solids for the centres, and finishes the final round of each hexagon in the same colour. Result? Circles. Clever!

 

 

So happy!

 

xx

 



Line Break Shawl Ta-dah #2

My second Line Break is now finished. Which is great, because the colder weather has arrived with a blustery blast and I get to wear my new little scarf as much as I like! Yay!!

pattern::   Line Break Shawl by Veera Välimäki
yarn::       Madelinetosh Merino Light
colour::    Charcoal (not quite as dark as the photo suggests)
needles::  4mm
yardage:: 1.6 skeins = 672 yards / 614 metres

It's so warm and cosy. Lovely! Details ravelled here.

So. What's next?

Hexagons!


Happy Mothers Day for tomorrow!


xx

Easy Folded Poncho Ta-dah!

Ooo, it's lovely! I wore this poncho for the first time last night to warm myself up - I had been sitting on the couch completely absorbed in the little hat I was crocheting when I suddenly realised I was cold. Very cold! Poncho to the rescue!

 

Pattern::   Easy Folded Poncho by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas

Yarn::      Rowan Felted Tweed DK in Carbon. Lovely blue undertone to the grey. Bit scratchy on

                exposed skin. I would use the suggested alpaca yarn next time.

Needles:: 4 mm

Yardage:: 6.5 skeins = 1242 yards / 1136 m

Mods::      I added 10cm to the width and 20cm to the length, which I felt would be a better fit for

                 a…..hehem….. more solid girl. It worked.

 

This pattern is certainly very easy with lots of lovely stocking stitch....lots and LOTS of stocking stitch! I did find myself getting a teensy bit bored by it but, admittedly, it was the perfect mindless knitting project for TV watching. Just make sure to stop and measure towards the end or you may find you do too much.....

 

Anyhoo, now I am working on a couple of smaller projects for the girls. I was told off for spending too much time working on projects for myself! Miss J has chosen a hat, Miss E would like a rainbow doggie to match her birthday present, and Miss M would like me to sew a new dress for her. Oh, for some mindless stocking stitch.....

 

Have a beautiful Easter holiday, everyone.

 

 

Sam xx

 

Line Break Shawl Ta-dah!

My mother-in-law isn't convinced by this asymmetrical knit.

 

"I think you've done something wrong there, Sam."

 

It's meant to be like that!

 

And even though I was also dubious at the beginning, I am totally convinced now. When this piece is draped around the neck as a scarf, the eyelets in the design follow and accentuate the contours. In addition, the ends fall in waves of flowing folds. It is, if I may say so, rather gorgeous!

 

The Madelinetosh Merino Light yarn is divinely soft, and is a perfect choice for this piece.

 

Pattern::        Line Break

Yarn::           Madelinetosh Merino Light

Colourway:: Lustre

Needles::      4mm

Modifications :: Rather than follow the pattern's directions to knit in garter stitch, I used stocking stitch. This resulted in a smaller scarf than I was expecting and, as a result, if I were to knit this again I would include another repeat of the eyelet section before beginning the border as I had plenty of yarn left.

 

Love it - and I hope its recipient does too!

Project ravelled here.
 

 

Sam xx

 

 

 

 

Autumn Leaves Scarf

I'm keeping this one!

Pattern::  Autumn Leaves Stole
Yarn::      Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed
Colour::   Posy
Needle::   5mm
Size::       18 1/2 x  85 inches (47 x 110cm)

For a shawl, I would be inclined to widen the design, but at this size, it makes a fantastic scarf!

Love it!


Other Creative Spaces shared here.


Sam xx

Beanie

 

What a great little pattern this is - Snowflakes on Mulberries Hat designed by Amy Klimt. Fun to knit, quick, with top quality results. My only modification was to knit 17.5cm before beginning the decreases, allowing the wearer (in this case, G) to fold the lower edge up as much as he likes.

 

Knitted in Bendigo Woollen Mills Rustic 8ply in Graphite - grey, with an underlying blue hue, and oh so artfully modeled by G, while distracted by the cricket on telly!!

 

Hoping you all had a lovely weekend!

 

Sam xx

 

 

Mara Shawl #2

Hello!

 

A couple of days ago, I finally finished this, my 'started first / finished second' Mara shawl. It's for Jacquie, my Mother-in-law, who a couple of weeks ago moved to the town on the South Coast that we ourselves are moving down to in a couple of weeks.*

 

Once again, I have used yarn frogged from an earlier project - Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed in Paper Rose colour way. This Mara version follows the pattern, using yarnover increases, until the cast off - I tried out “Jenny’s surprisingly stretchy bind-off” for the first time, but I think it has left the fringe almost too loose. The Mara pattern’s instructions for binding off are my preferred technique.

 

And, while the yarn is wonderfully soft and is beautifully light weight, it isn't very strong; I wouldn't use it to sew seams if I had made a garment from it - I would use something strong and sturdy.

 

Once again, "Yay" for the Mara Shawl pattern from madeleinetosh.com (but available on ravelry.com)! I have already begun another one, but this time for myself!!

 

But I am having fun....., even if I'm not packing as many boxes as I should!!

 

Sharing with Creative Spaces here.

 

 

Sam xx

 

*A couple of weeks? Aahhh!!!!

Mara Shawl

 

 

Ta dah!

 

This is actually the second Mara Shawl that I started - the first has been waiting patiently in the knitting basket while I finished off this one.

 

Pattern::   Mara Shawl

Yarn::      Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed

Colour::   Posie (It's been sitting in my cupboard for 10 years, waiting...waiting...)

Needles::  5mm

Yardage::  approximately 900m

 

I love love love knitting this pattern!

 

I did make two changes to the original pattern, though. First, I knitted it in stocking stitch as I am not a garter stitch lover. Second, for the increases at the centre spine, I chose not to YO but instead used M1R and M1L as suggested in knitloon's project notes.

 

Now I love love love this shawl!!

 

The only problem is, it is going to a new home tomorrow. As a gift. To a beautiful buddie who certainly deserves it.

 

And that is why I have already ordered some more wool so I can make one for myself. Yay!! A new project!!!

 

What are your working on today?

 

 

Sam xx

 

 

 



My Creative Space - Potager Scarf Ta-dah!

The finished Potager Scarf - Hooray!!

Yarn:: Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 4 ply
Colour:: Ghost
Needle size:: 3.5mm
Metres used:: 625m

Happy Birthday, Mum!!


Although I prefer a knitting project that I can work on while mindlessly watching telly, I enjoyed knitting this piece. True to the designer's word, it knitted up quickly.

This is also the first time I have knitted with BWM yarns. I will definitely do so again, even though I find their colour range a bit restrictive.

Check out more Creative Spaces here.


Sam xx

My Creative Space - Olearia Cardigan Ta-dah!!

Miss E's cardi is finished!

Pattern :: Olearia cardigan version 2 by Georgie Hallam aka Tikki on ravelry

Size :: 3

Yarn:: Tosh DK Oceana, approximately 320m - so very soft!

Needles :: 3.75mm and 4mm

And I like this Tikkis' pattern so much, I am checking out her others for future reference.

However, my next planned project will be a birthday gift but, given that the person to be on the receiving end reads this blog*, I can't give any details as yet. Rest assured, I have already chosen the pattern and ordered the wool, even before I had completed the cardi - as I usually do! I get so excited about the next project that I sometimes have trouble finishing the first one!!

In the meantime, while I wait for the new wool to arrive, I have picked up the Hexagon Blanket again, crocheting while watching the 'Fast Bikes'.... er.... Tour de France. As if I'm not already sleep deprived......

More Creative Spaces here.

Sam xx

*thereby narrowing the recipient possibilities considerably!

Olearia Cardi Ta-dah!

While the weather today is rather winterish - grey, cloudy and cool - my Miss J is a very happy and sunny girl because, last night, I finished her yellow Olearia cardigan!

Miss J has been waiting for this cardi; "I can't put a jumper on because my Mummy is knitting me a lellow* cardi". So you can see that I had a bit of pressure on to get it finished. And yet, I baulked. A couple of weeks ago it was close to being finished and I can't put my finger on why, but it then took me another 10 days or so to get my act together and complete it.

Oh well. It's finished now, and Miss J is very grateful. She got dressed this morning quick smart, choosing these other clothes to complete the outfit. She even put a flower pin in her hair! And then posed for photos at playgroup.

I enjoyed knitting this pattern for the second time. I'm not so sure I'm so happy about knitting it again so soon after completing this one, though, but Miss E is determined to get her cardi now that her sister already have theirs.

"Do you want the same pattern? Or do you want something that's completely different and all your own?"

"It is different, Mummy. It will be blue."

Indeed!

And I have another confession. You may have noticed that I have been playing with filters on these photos? Well, I now have an iphone (recycled from my mother's upgrade - thanks, Mum!) and I am in Serious Like with Instagram, not that I'm sharing photos there. I'm just using the filters for the photos I take on the phone to upload when I like. This portable editing feature is seriously addictive!

Have a great weekend. We are having a long weekend here; Monday is a public holiday for Western Australia's Foundation Day. Yippee!

Sam xx

* 'lellow' for 'yellow' is intentional spelling because that's how she says it right now!