Still knitting....

I decided to end a really dreadful week with something good.  I know I haven't blogged for ages; but I have been busy with lots of things including knitting. I used up the last of the donated Peter Pan Cupcake yarn by knitting a preemie blanket. The yarn is thicker than I would normally use for preemie items. But on the label it advertises itself as "deliciously soft" and it really is. That is surprising as it is 50% acrylic and 50% nylon. But whatever way those ingredients are combined, the result is a little cloud that would wrap a baby beautifully.

I haven't been able to take a decent photo. The colour is a pale green and lilac, so it should suit any baby.

The next photo has been more successful. This is the pile of items that will soon be flying off to PreemiesUK There are seven small blankets and a cardigan.

Hopefully my little pile of goodies will make the world a slightly better place. We can only do our best.....

Off they go....

This hat looks 100% better in real life!  I had some variegated yarn left after finishing my recent blanket and, as usual, didn't want to "put it back in the bag".  So I knitted a hat to fit a toddler.  I had a tiny amount of matching plain pink yarn and thought this was the perfect opportunity to use it up.  There was enough for the 8 rows of ribbing and also to insert a very subtle single round every nine rounds in the main body of the hat.  These contrast rounds barely show up in the photo.  You can just about see one on the left side of the hat above the ribbing.  But I am very pleased at how they look and will do this again with another hat.

I added the hat to the parcel of goodies that I have just sent off to Operation Orphan for their Keep A Child Warm campaign.  That is 4 scarves, 8 hats and a jumper out of my home and on their way to keep someone warm.

I managed to use up every last scrap of the plain pink yarn.  I love it when that happens.  However, I still have some of the variegated yarn left and just had to put it away.  I'm all pinked out for now and have started a little project in blue...more about that soon.

Free Jumper finished...

Here is the jumper I have been working on.  I found the pattern in Yours magazine.  It was described as "for knitters with some experience".  I'd say that was a fair description.  The tricky parts were the neckline and shoulders.  I am well used to knitting v-necks and shoulders.  But the magazine didn't really help matters when it published the photo back to front.  It showed the buttons on the right shoulder and I had to read the pattern several times to make sure I was following it correctly.

I'm calling this a free jumper as the wool came to me as a donation from a Freecycler and the buttons were sent to me by Joanne of the Cup On The Bus blog.  The photo doesn't show them clearly but they are lovely wooden buttons and go well with the real wool.

I knitted the size that should fit a seven year old child.  That has left me with about 100g of the wool which should be enough to make a matching hat or scarf.  Then I will be sending them off to Operation Orphan.

I now have absolutely no works in progress.  I can't remember the last time that happened.  Decisions, decisions.

A Wednesday WIP...

I don't usually write WIP posts, but I haven't finished anything lately due to decorating commitments.  This is what I am working on at the moment.  A couple of years ago I was lucky enough to receive lots of wool from a Freecycler.  I have used most of it.  But there was a bag of wool that left me stumped.  It contained lots of 25g balls of Doubleknit Wearwell by Hermit Wools in West Yorkshire.  This is a new brand to me.  It is 85% wool and 15% nylon.  I think it is really old as the labels don't show a barcode, though the measurement is in grams rather than ounces.

Then I had one of my very rare brainwaves.  I decided the wool and nylon mix would make a very warm and strong jumper for a child.  I found a pattern that I had torn out of a Yours magazine some time ago.  It is called Little Boy Blue and might still be available on their website, though I have just had a quick look and couldn't find it.  I have already knitted the back of the jumper and can recommend it as a lovely, quick and easy pattern.  

This pattern comes in sizes ranging from newborn to 7 years old.  I am knitting the biggest size and it will go off to Operation Orphan eventually.  The wool just happens to be a cherry shade  I think that is fairly gender neutral, so it should have a lot of use.  The downside of 25g balls is that there will be lots of ends to sew in.  But that is a small problem in the great scheme of things.

I think there will be enough wool left over for a couple of hats.  So I am going to plough on until I have used it all up.

More preemie items...

I couldn't resist knitting another of these baby kimonos.  This one should fit a 5lb baby and used just 50g of dk yarn.  I love this pattern because it is knitted in one piece.  It requires concentration in some places, but is otherwise a very easy pattern.  If knitting it for a baby not yet born, it is just a case of sewing the buttons on the correct side as soon the baby arrives.  The unused buttonholes then become places to tie little bows inside the top.  Here is the Ravelry link.

I also continued my mission to use up my 4ply yarn and knitted 2 simple 16" diagonal blankets which used just 86g each.  Like the preemie kimono, these will go to PreemiesUK who distribute clothing, blankets and teddies to hospital maternity units.  PreemiesUK has a very active Facebook page with news, photos and patterns including this absolutely gorgeous crochet cardigan. That has definitely been added to my "to do" list!  

Their Facebook page is open to everyone.  It's not necessary to be a Facebook member to read it.  It's worth checking before starting a new project because the type of items that are required often changes.  Sometimes they need more cardigans.  At other times small blankets are in demand, etc etc.

A new jumper...and a disaster averted

I had some lovely cream Aran yarn, quite a lot of green and cream 4 ply yarn and lots and lots of wooden buttons all needing a good project.  I settled on the Child's Top-Down Henley pattern which I found on Ravelry.  The pattern calls for the Aran yarn and the 4 ply yarn to be knitted together, so it makes a very thick and warm jumper. Bulky seams are avoided because this is basically knitted in one clever, seamless piece.

I had to juggle with my colours a little to make sure that I didn't run out of the 4 ply yarn.  The sleeves are the same length even though the photo makes one of them look shorter!  So I enjoyed carefully counting rows and switching colours until I eventually produced a wearable striped jumper.

The real disaster was averted much earlier in the knitting process.  As this is a top-down pattern, I started at the neckline and increased stitches regularly until there were 168 stitches on my long circular knitting needle.  I then knitted 2 more rows and was finally ready to divide the stitches for the sleeves and body. At the end of the second row I pulled my needle with a celebratory flourish and.....horror of horrors.....the needle tip separated from its cable.  The tip flew out of one end of the row and the cable whizzed back through at least 70 stitches.  Argggh!!  

Luckily, I am not a swearer.  Otherwise the air might have turned blue.  Instead I surprised myself by staying calm as I worked my way back through the dropped stitches until I had picked them all up.  This was made difficult by the fact that each stitch consisted of the 2 yarns held together and by the fact that my cat seemed to sense a problem and was trying to make it better by nose-butting me!

I considered myself lucky that the disaster had happened on ordinary stocking stitch. If it had happened on lace, I would have had to rip back the whole thing.  Eventually I managed to save the situation in 30 minutes and I learned a vital lesson.  Don't expect a cable to hold 168 stitches when it can really hold only 100.  The irony is that I have a longer cable and could have used that.  In future, I will.

The Aran yarn and the wooden buttons were donated to me by Joanne of the Cup On The Bus blog.  The 4 ply yarn came also as donations or in cheap bargain lots.  The jumper will go off soon to Operation Orphan.  It should fit a four year old child and will hopefully be strong enough to be passed down through a whole family.  It was that thought that kept me going when it was really tempting to have a knitter's meltdown!

Finally finished the jumper.....

Here is the jumper that starred in my recent blog post.  It was, in theory, a simple pattern.  But the multitude of mistakes and vague information in the pattern mean that I cannot recommend it.  Bizarrely, now that I have peppered my printed pattern with corrections, I will definitely knit this again in future.  

Next time, it will be a quick knit.  It is a top-down pattern and the seamless design means there is no sewing and no bulky seams.

This jumper should fit a 3 year old child and will eventually go off to Operation Orphan.  It is a sturdy little jumper and will definitely keep someone warm and hopefully be passed down to other children over the years.

Thanks again to Joanne of the Cup On The Bus blog for donating the brown yarn which I used together with some light blue 4 ply yarn.  

(Note to self: the jumper weighs just under 250g and I have plenty of suitable Aran yarn.)

Wednesday WIP...

This is what I am knitting at the moment.  It is a top-down jumper for a 3 year old child.  I chose this pattern because it is seamless which I think is important in a thick jumper.  I am actually combining 2 yarns:

• Pure Gold 4 ply yarn in light blue
• Borgs S.N.2 garn in light brown

The light blue yarn was part of a bargain joblot and the light brown yarn was kindly donated to me by Joanne of the Cup On The Bus blog.  I checked the Borgs yarn on Ravelry and discovered that it is 5 ply which I am not used to knitting with.  There is also a very limited range of patterns for 5 ply yarns.  So, by combining it with the light blue, I have been able to select from a wider range of patterns.  

I can't recommend the pattern yet.  I have just finished the raglan increases and have started on the main body.  So far, I have discovered 2 minor errors and 1 major error in the pattern.  This is a free pattern that has been translated into English from another language.  It is very good of the author to give away her pattern on Ravelry and she must be unaware of the errors.  For example, according to the pattern, if I have 220 stitches and place 48 x 2 onto holders for the sleeves I should be left with 200 stitches for the main body.  I don't think so!!!  I am actually left with 124 stitches and these seem to be enough for a roomy jumper.

I took a look at the French and Spanish versions of the pattern and can see that the sentence that is incorrect in the English version does not appear in those versions. So I have left a comment about the major error on the pattern page.  If it is corrected by the time I finish the jumper, I will definitely recommend it.  Meanwhile, the fact that only 9 knitters have completed this pattern is probably explained by the errors.  That is a pity as it is otherwise a simple pattern.

One for the family....

This little knitted outfit will go into storage until one of my many relatives produces a baby girl.  I have decided to build up a small store of gifts ready to give at the drop of a hat (pun intended).  This outfit should fit a baby aged 6-12 months.

The kimono-style cardigan is from this Ravelry pattern.  I love this pattern because it is knitted in one piece and there is no picking up stitches for the edgings.  The stocking stitch makes it look quite smart.  I used Coney Playtime dk yarn in pink with little coloured flecks which look lovely but don't show up well in the photo.  I bought this yarn for £1 in a charity shop and 100g was enough for the cardy with a little left over for the brim of the hat.  

The hat pattern is also on Ravelry here.  I usually knit a more simple version of this hat.  But this time I chose to knit a textured version to exercise my brain.  The white part of the hat is Wendy Family Choice dk yarn.  I can't remember where this came from, but it was either free or very cheap.  

Neither ball of yarn had a barcode on the wrapper.  I usually take that to mean something is vintage.  So these unloved balls of yarn have finally been put to a good use.

How to knit a v neck on a circular needle.....updated tutorial

I posted this tutorial in January 2013 and it has received many visits and comments.  So here it is again....an updated and improved version rewritten to address some of the comments that I received.  

Spoiler alert

This is a long and detailed tutorial.  Reading it takes longer than actually knitting the v section of the neckline. After the first round, you will find the instructions very easy to follow. If you want to head straight to the pattern, scroll down to Lights, Camera, Action. 

Prologue

I spent many hours knitting a jumper for my daughter. She chose the pattern and I wanted to do it justice. However, it had been translated into English from another language and had lost some detail along the way.

I knitted the front and back of the jumper and followed the instructions to sew them together at the shoulders. The pattern then called for knitting the edging to the v neck in the round on one circular needle. This is where my problems began because the pattern was very vague about exactly how to do this.

In short, I had to rip out 2 botched attempts and go for lots of calming walks.

I then performed an Internet search and found many different methods of knitting a v neck in the round. I cast some stitches onto a very short circular needle and tried some of them but none looked good with Aran wool which shows up every stitch very clearly.

Eventually, I went back to my original pattern and pored over it until I understood what to do. This took far longer than I was happy with. So, in case I ever knit another v neck jumper, I just want to record the detailed instructions here. If anyone else finds them useful, that will be a bonus. You're welcome!

Setting the scene

I was knitting with Aran wool, but this method will work with any weight yarn. I had already sewn the shoulders of the jumper together. My v neck edging was in single rib and I decreased 2 stitches on every row.

Lights, camera, action

By following these steps, I ended up with a neckline that looked good.

• pick up and knit with a circular needle the number of stitches specified in your pattern. For neatness, commence picking up at one of the shoulders.
• mark the centre stitch at the bottom of the v with a safety pin or other marker. 
• round 1: starting with a k1, work the k1 p1 rib until one stitch before the centre stitch. 

The stitch before the centre stitch is waiting to be worked

• with the yarn at the back of your work, slip the next stitch purlwise onto the right hand needle. (NB: when I use the term "purlwise" it is to imply that the stitch should be slipped without twisting it. In the rest of the pattern, all stitches that are slipped are done without twisting them.)
• slip the centre stitch onto a cable needle and keep it to the front of your work. 
• remove the safety pin.

The centre stitch is on a cable needle at the front of the work

• slip the last stitch from the right hand needle back onto the left hand needle.
• knit together the first two stitches on the left hand needle. This is the first decrease.

Knitting two stitches together for the first decrease

• you now have to knit the second decrease. I am removing my original instructions and replacing them with a method suggested by Ian Young. I have also removed some photos because they do not match Ian Young's method. His method is easier and safer than my original method and it is the one I follow when knitting a v neck in the round. Thank you, Ian Young!
• The "Ian Young" method 
  
  
  • Slip the stitch from the cable needle onto the left needle. Then slip the last stitch from the right needle onto the left needle.  With your fingers, or maybe a crochet hook, carefully pull the stitch that was on the cable needle over this last stitch. This is now your new centre stitch. So, insert the safety pin into it. Return this stitch to your right needle and carry on ribbing. 
  • Please note: for best results, the ribbing at both sides of the centre stitch should be mirrored. So, for example, if your last ribbed stitch before the centre stitch was a knit stitch your first ribbed stitch after the centre stitch should be a knit stitch. Likewise, if the last stitch before the centre stitch was purl the first stitch should be purl.
  • Continue ribbing to the end of round 1. Depending on how many stitches you originally picked up, your last stitch could be a knit or purl stitch. If it is a purl stitch, commence round 2 with a k1 p1 rib. If it is a knit stitch, knit it together with the first knit stitch on round 2 in order to keep the k1 p1 ribbing correct. From round 2 onwards you will always end on a purl stitch.

• complete the number of rounds as specified in your pattern.
• cast off ribwise. The decreasing process described above is also done on this cast off row.

Take a bow!

You have now completed your v neckline and should have a neat finish similar to my first photo above.

Boring but necessary: this tutorial is all my own work.  I am happy for you to refer to it and even to publish links to it. But please don't reproduce the text or photos on any other website or blog without my permission.  Many thanks.

Top-down baby cardigan: finished....

Ta dah!  Here is the top-down baby cardigan that I blogged about recently.  I was inspired by our beautiful weather and by the lovely photos in many of my favourite blogs especially Dayana Knits.  So I went out into the garden and gave the neighbours something to wonder about!!  The pale patch at the bottom right of the cardigan is just a reflection.  I should go back out and take another photo; but I'm off to work soon, so there isn't time....sorry.

It could have been a quick knit, but I have been manically busy recently.  Luckily it was a fairly easy knit and I'm pleased at how it turned out considering it was the first time I have knitted this type of pattern.  It was knitted in one seamless piece, though I had to pick up stitches for the collar and sleeves.  The collar was actually easier than expected as the pattern is well written.  The sleeves were the first I have ever knitted on dpns and went so well that I might use this method in future.  

The yarn I used was Chelsea Silk which is 65% silk and 35% wool.  It was donated to me by Joanne of the Cup On The Bus blog, It makes a very warm and strong garment.  I wouldn't normally use such a thick yarn for a baby knit but this will eventually be going off to a cold country where keeping babies warm is very difficult.  This seamless pattern was perfect as I can imagine that seams sewn from this yarn would be too bulky for a baby.

The buttons are nice enough but not brilliant.  They were in my already big collection and I couldn't justify buying more.  As usual, I sewed them on very carefully as I hope this cardigan will be worn and passed down for years.

 I found the pattern on Ravelry here.  I knitted the 6-12 months size and it took just under 200g of Aran weight yarn.  Knitters on Ravelry have commented that this pattern knits up big. From distant memory of my daughter when she was a baby, I think this would be suitable as a coat or jacket for a baby and then as a cardigan as the baby grew bigger.  The beauty of knitting for charity is that it will fit someone out there!  

When I started knitting this pattern I wasn't sure if it was easier than knitting a cardigan in individual pieces.  But once I got past the increases on the yoke, it was a breeze.  I will definitely knit this again.

Top down baby cardigan...

Continuing with the theme of enjoying the lovely yarn donated to me by Joanne of the Cup On The Bus blog, I couldn't resist this Chelsea Silk which is 65% silk and 35% wool.  This is sheer luxury to someone like me who usually buys acrylic yarn in balls. Somehow a skein looks more elegant than a ball and these skeins are particularly easy to wind without creating a tangled mess.

I'm saving some skeins for a blanket.  But I also decided to use some for a top down baby cardigan.  I have never knitted this type of pattern before and, while it is an interesting new experience, the jury is still out on whether it is easier or harder than the more usual cardigan pattern.  I usually avoid any pattern that says "place markers" and I had 2 false starts with this one when I forgot to increase on both sides of the markers.  Hey ho.

But I persisted and I have now worked past the difficult increasing part of the pattern and am on the main body of the cardigan.....no more markers required!  When that is finished I have to pick up and knit the sleeves on dpns.  That will also be a new experience as I usually only use them for the last few rows of a hat.

This cardigan is a charity knit and will go to a part of the world where it is very unlikely to be tossed into a washing machine.  It is knitting up to be a very strong fabric and I'm happy that it will survive lots of wear.  

I found the pattern on Ravelry here.

On their way....

On their way at last to Operation Orphan are 11 hats and 4 jumpers of varying sizes. This little collection is a team effort.  The yarn was supplied by:

• Fiona of the FC Knits blog
• Joanne of the Cup On The Bus blog (who also knitted the blue hat and the 2 larger jumpers)
• Nuns in a UK convent that was closing down
• and a local family that was giving away items prior to a house move

I really, really enjoyed making these items.  People have commented on how good I am to knit for charity.  It doesn't feel like that.  I am just very grateful that there is an outlet for my hobby!

The highlight for me is when I can finally pack a box and send it off.  Now for the next box.....

Clearing the decks....

A few weeks ago I came across a family giving away items in their front garden prior to a house move.  I was lucky enough to pick up a bag of wool for no money!  This lovely variegated yarn was in the bag.  I knitted 2 baby kimono cardigans and 1 baby hat and have only inches left....phew!

I love this baby kimono pattern.  I found it on Ravelry here.  It is a lovely pattern, though it requires some concentration.  It is basically knitted in one piece.  The only real sewing is the arms and sides which don't take long.

The hat pattern is also one of my favourites and can be found here.

These items will eventually go off to one of the charities I knit for.  I nearly have enough to fill a box and would love to post it off before the next few months which are going to be frantically busy for me.  I will still knit, crochet and blog, but, for my sanity, will reduce the number of projects in progress to one or two.

Vest progress report....

This is how far I have progressed with my Debbie Bliss vest.  I can't believe that I have used only 200g of yarn to knit the front and part of the back.  4 ply goes a lot further than dk yarn.  I like my jumpers to be long and this is going to be hip length rather than the waist length in the pattern.  Luckily I was given plenty of this yarn at Christmas.  I'm trying to use it up on this vest as I can't think of what else to use it for.

I haven't blocked the front yet, but the pattern up the centre and along the neck edge is visible.  The back is just stocking stitch and should knit up quickly.  Then I have to knit the arm and neck borders.  This will be interesting as the pattern uses a method that is new to me.  Instead of picking up stitches, I have to knit long strips and sew them on.  I could change that if I wanted to.  But I liked this pattern when I found it so I will stick with it.

I have other projects on the go, so I'm not rushing to finish this one.  If it is ready by the time warmer weather arrives I will be happy.

A vest in progress...

The most thoughtful gift I received last Christmas was 10 balls of Debbie Bliss yarn from my husband.  He says he put a lot of research into it....which I suspect just involved asking the ladies in his office.  I was thrilled with the present and Hubby was thrilled that I was thrilled. 

Not wishing to sound ungrateful, I wouldn't have chosen 4 ply or even this colour.  But I found a pattern for a vest top with interesting detail on the front.  It is actually knitting up very pleasantly.  The yarn is 100% wool but it is also machine washable.  It fits in with my 2014 resolution to update/upgrade my knitwear.  It is a splitty yarn which surprised me as I had heard good things about Debbie Bliss.  But the finished feel is smooth and silky.  The pale stone colour goes well with some of my blouses.  The ladies in the office have good taste.

I have set myself a target of knitting one pattern repeat each day.  It will grow reasonably quickly if I manage that and it should be ready if we ever get any spring-like weather.

One problem with the yarn is that it is almost exactly the same colour as my knitting needles.  That causes a bit of eye strain.  I told Hubby that I COULD buy different colour needles but I DON'T USUALLY KNIT WITH 4 PLY.  Hopefully, he might remember that next time he wants to surprise me with wool!

I finished my Jana vest...

I finished my Jana vest and it turned out just how I wanted it, long and slightly loose.  It is perfect for the smart/casual dress code at work and could even be dressed down further with jeans.  My photos are dreadful and don't do it justice.  Today was wet and gloomy, so outdoor photographs weren't possible.  

The yarn is Rowan Wool Cotton in navy blue.  The first photo makes it look like 2 shades of blue, but it really is just one shade.  It was a lovely yarn to knit with and well worth the extra expense.

I'm really pleased that I knitted the cable pattern on the back as well.  It is a very interesting detail.  I'm already planning to knit more of these.  This one took only about 6 weeks which included Christmas festivities and a few days spent on sorting out computer problems.  

I recommend the pattern.

It was well written and had absolutely no errors.  All that was required was total concentration especially when knitting the cables which consisted of a 32 row repeat.  

The link to the pattern is on Ravelry but the only way to obtain it is to buy a book. However,  there are many other lovely patterns in the book which I know I will eventually knit.  I will definitely knit another Jana vest.  I work in a warm but draughty building and this is perfect over a blouse.

Works in progress.....

I'm currently working on sewing squares into a blanket for SIBOL which is an organisation that distributes blankets and shawls to care homes for the elderly in the UK.  An avalanche of squares hit the SIBOL HQ in December and some of us offered to sew them together.  (Please note that SIBOL now welcomes completed blankets and shawls but cannot accept any more squares due to the extortionate postal rates in the UK.)

My little parcel of squares arrived at the beginning of January.  Here they are:

As you can see, they are a mixture of knitted and crochet squares in a variety of colours.  They range from 4.5" to 7" square....quite a challenge!  I decided my first task was to make these squares the same size.  So I found the largest square and edged it with a row of double crochet (UK) in a soft pastel green.  I had a huge ball of this green in my wool bag.  It goes with most of the colours in the squares very well and there will be enough to make an edging after the whole thing is finished.

The first square I edged is at the bottom of the pile in the photo.  The edging will make it easier to join to other squares.  All the squares have to end up the same size as this one.  Yesterday I sat down and completed nearly half the squares.  I just added 2 or 3 rows of double crochet until the squares were big enough.  I have a few of the knitted squares to finish.  Then I have 7 crochet squares to make bigger.  I have already practised adding more rows of granny shells (is that what they are called?) and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was.  I might even use this as an edging for the whole blanket.

My navy blue Jana vest is almost finished.  I'm really pleased with how it has turned out.  I just have to sew the side seams and then it will be starring in a future blog posting.  I'm also taking part in the Knit a Block a Week Challenge which is hosted on Linda's Crafty Corner blog.  I am averaging 3 blocks per week and plan to sew these into another blanket.

I normally only blog about completed projects.  But this year I am working on bigger projects that take a while to complete.  So I think this is the first of many "works in progress" posts.