Mags this month

Everyone has their weaknesses. Some can't say no to cheese, others find gadgets irresistible. As some of you might know, my Achilles heel is magazines (amongst other things like desserts, books and earrings). This month the I managed quite a selection already.




Ofcourse I couldn't leave the second edition of Jamie behind on the shelves. It's packed with recipes and food related stories, but then what do you expect from Jamie Oliver. It is quite a blokey magazine, with robust recipes and chunky styling. As an import Brit (I'm Dutch/Italian) the recipe I really want to make is: Kick-arse chicken & leek pie. In short a great mag to buy your boyfriend if he's into cooking. BTW I still think that his best series EVER was Jamie at Home. It's just the honesty of food, growing your own veg, cooking with spirit.

I got Easy Living Magazine, mainly because of the gorgeous free Graham and Green bag. It's not big, but it's so pretty.The mag is quick cool actually, it's not as silly as most woman magazines where fashion and sex tips are the be all and end all. I'm glad there are some magazines for woman that have a bit more to them. It's not in depth but it's a good all rounder: home decor, food, health, beauty, etc. I liked the 'Look great in Jeans' idea's page (especially the bright yellow cardy with belt on a dark blue bootcut). The article about mums waiting and waiting for their grown up busy bee daughters to include them in their lives. It was send in by a reader and I think it was well cool of Easy Living to print it.



As a knitter I'm always on the outlook for knitting magazines. I have quite a few now and more patterns I want to make than time to make them. Still the second edition of Debbie Bliss magazine was a no brainer after such lovely yarniness in the first. Again there are plenty of patterns I would love to make, a beautiful orange pleated top is high on the list. White chunky pillows are also very lovely. I got it from Yarnbox where they also have a Zakka crochet book called Kyuuto! translated into English, which I also promptly bought.

Next I got Web Designer a mag that is full with tutorials. I've not been writing on my blog of late as I'm busy building a website for a company. It's a lot of work, cool work, but a lot of it. They want their news section working on WordPress which is the main theme of this months Web Designer. Pretty cool stuff. Who knows, I might switch :O



Then, yes we are not finished yet, I couldn't resist my first ever purchase of Food and Travel. This I flipped through in a supermarket check out line and didn't buy straight away, but I was well impressed and was incapable of not buying it later. Oh I'm so weak. Anyway it has great recipes and reports. Top notch: Lebanese cuisine, use of new herbs (well new to me, example: hot grilled avocado with brown shrimp and chervil butter), a great report of Parma (the place from the ham) and food foraging.

And last, but not least my monthly staple: Martha Stewart's Living. I can only get it at a few places here in the UK, nearby shopping centre Bluewater being the closest. This mag always delivers: recipies, gardening, tips, tricks, flowers, crafts... all the things I like. Martha is still the godess of homemaking. This month there is an article about a wine tasting evening, something I would love to try with a few friends. Great idea!

I'm well happy buying magazines. It's my little treat. Others buy their double mokka chokka bladibla from Starbucks... I buy mags. So many topics and idea's it's like a creative bomb in a few pages. Feel free to comment and let us know your favourite mags.

Wear your poppies with pride!!

When I came to the UK in 2006 I didn't know why at the end of October people started wearing poppies on their coats. As The Netherlands never got involved in the Great War (we remained neutral and escaped the fighting) we never suffered like other countries during WWI. The poppies represent the fields in which so many young men lost their lives. These simple flowers was all that covered their graves. Fallen lives remembered each year when millions buy a poppy and wear it on their coat. Now the poppy stands for remembrance of the fallen and support of the men still in out there serving the country.

The poppy strikes a cord with me. In the Netherlands we have something similar: remembrance day. And I always feel quite emotional about the fallen. The day after on the 5th of May we celebrate Liberation day. The day our country was free again after the German occupation during WWII. And funny enought it's that word that has less meaning here in the UK: LIBERATION! The British Isles have not been occupied by an external force for such a long time, that it's hard to explain what liberation day feels like. To feel that men from countries like the UK, the USA, Canada and many other corners of the world came and fought for my countries liberation brings me to tears. That I grew up in a prosperous country where I as a woman have rights and I can speak my mind, have a career and/or a family if I wish it. To live a life in peace with loved ones is all because of the sacrifice of these brave men (and women that supported them back home) over 60 years ago. The word gratitude doesn't even begin to describe it.


Liberation of Stiphout, The Netherlands by the 11th British Amour devision on September 22nd 1944

So when I wear my poppy, I wear it for them. For those who fought for my countries liberation and I think of all the others that have fallen on battlefields for freedom. I also think of all the men out in the troubled regions of the world trying to bring balance and peace.



As a knitter I want to mention a very special poppy on the Knit on the Net website: one you can make yourself. When you donate £2 (about $4) to The Poppy Appeal you get to download it for free. But you have to be quick. The pattern is available until midnight on Tuesday, 11th November, 2008.


About The Poppy Appeal

(from their website)
Poppy Man has launched the 2008 Poppy Appeal among friends in Basra. This year's theme "Serving those who Serve" emphasises the need to help men and women who are serving today, as well as ex-Services and dependants.

The British public holds great affection and respect for its Armed Forces. The Poppy Appeal is your opportunity to show your support, so please give generously and wear your poppy with pride.

So please knit your poppy and wear it with pride!

iKnit day

On Saturday September 6th I went to my first ever iKnit day in London. It was great. Unfortunately I went alone as my knitting buddy Louisa moved back to Australia (Gosh I miss you girl!!). After arriving on time I joined an enormous queue at the Royal Horticultural Halls. It was snakeing around the building. It seems that most knitters will not be late when a day off knitting goodness is on the menu. All where exactly on time, which can't be said of the doors opening. We only had to wait about 10 minutes which was fine as it didn't really rain much.


So much to see and do

After entering the building I went to listen to Jane Sowerby who had a presentation called "Victorian Knitters vs Today’s Knitters". It seemed very interesting, but I couldn't hear a word. After about 20 minutes I could not guess by her lips what she was talking about anymore and I left. They really should have given her a mic. Such a shame as it seemed very interesting and I'm working on my first lace shawl. I then walked around the market a bit and payed for the first edition of a new sewing magazine to be send home later this month. After inspecting the market (which was extremely busy) I sat down on the stairs and enjoyed my duck wrap I had bought earlier at M&S (yum!). Then I knitted a bit on the shawl and watched a very good fashion show. It was old fashion knits (from the early war era). I took several pics with my mobile but for really good quality shots go to the Iknit Flickr page! I think I fell in love with at least half a dozen of the models (not the girls, the patterns!!)


a fantastic knitty day!

After the fashion show I spotted this girl spinning. She was part of a booth that sold handspun and fibre. I fell for one of the beautifull fibres and although I had promised myself not to get involved in spinning (don't need another hobby) I couldn't help it I was hooked. The girl was Moonspinning and the fibre was made by her booth partner Rockpool Candy (Inga). Both their fibre was for sale but the one I choose was made by Inga. Anyway Moonspinning was showing this girl how to spin and I was hooked. She didn't sell any spindles so off I went to look for one. In the end I bought a very beautifull spindle at the iKnit booth. They had quite a number and all where made out of different types of wood. I felt a bit like Harry Potter choosing his wand. The spindles where all much lighter than the one Moonspinning was using. This made it a bit harder to learn (I went back to her and she taught me! Yay!), but it was fab. So in the end I bought 200g of merino and 200g of alpaca fibre (undyed) and I am now practising.

I also bought fantastic yarn called Manos del Uruguay, Manos Silk Blend. It was £18 ($32) for two skeins and I hope to make a small Clapotis after I finish my shawl. And a Clover yo-yo maker. This funny little gadget is for leftover bits of fabric. You can sew them into decorative disks which you can use for decorative projects. I also watch a catwalk presentation by Maggie Jackson from Maggiknits. And although her work is very high standard and funky it was not my cup of tea. A bit too much going on in her creations. I like more classic knits I guess.

There was so much more: Yarn Harlot gave a talk (I missed out as the tickets had sold out), I had a chat with the Dutch Knitters over from Holland and it was great to speak to my fellow Dutchies. I made new friends, saw enormous knitting needles and saw gorgeous knitted projects. Can't wait till next year!



One of the Clover Yo-yo projects

Links:
Shaped yo-yo Clover projects
Normal yo-yo Clover projects
Ravelry links:
Manos Silk Blend yarn
Adamas Shawl I'm working on...

Downloadables: Yarn Tags

September is my birthday month and besides the joy of getting presents it's also very nice to give away things. So to keep your stash organised I've made some Yarn Tags. These labels are in PDF format and can be printed out on A4 or Letter size paper. Use sturdy paper or photopaper (this is usually a bit thicker), print and write the details of your yarn on the tags & use! I find them quite handy as I seem to loose the tags that I can't thread yarn through to attach it to the ball/skein.


Keep your stash organised...

To download the Yarn Tags simply right click the link and select 'save source as' OR click the link, let the page load and click the 'save' icon on the top left.

Happy Living Group on Ravelry

Hooray! There now is a Happy Living Group on Ravelry for everyone to join.



The group is there to help anyone who wants to knit any of the Happy Living Patterns, but also to have lots of fun. The Happy Living group is a place for sharing. I hope we can talk knitting in general and crochet, gardening, food or travel.. it’s all good. It’s a place where everyone is most welcome and I hope you will feel happy to join in.

*small warning: I might talk a lot as I'm quite enthousastic about it all*

Free Pattern: Cashmere Neck Warmer

I'm happy to add an old favorite to the Happy Living Patterns. Already published in a previous Blog post, I'm glad to announce the PDF download of the Cashmere Neck Warmer. This cowl is made from Debbie Bliss Pure Cashmere and it's soooo soft.


A very simple pattern with stunning results

Pure Cashmere is a luxury that for centuries was only for the very rich. Now it’s still pricy but available for anyone. This small project only requires 3 skeins of 25g. You can even make it with 2 skeins. It will be a bit shorter, but still functional and beautifull. This makes it a very affordable luxury indeed.


Super soft Cashmere...

The pattern is very easy. It consists of 3 knit rows and 1 row with purl 2 together and yarn overs. So it knits up very quick making it prefect for last minute (Christmas) gift knitting. And who wouldn’t want a cowl as soft as this. The only problem might be that you would want to keep it yourself. Happy Knitting!!



To download the Cashmere Neck Warmer simply right click the link and select 'save source as' OR click the link, let the page load and click the 'save' icon on the top left.

Free Pattern: Leafy (Winter Head Band)

Today I would like to announce the completion of my First downloadable knitting pattern: Leafy, a wintery head band (PDF). I designed this in September 2007 and made several in the last year for various friends and colleagues. My dear friend Louisa also tested the pattern. Now I finally had the time to make a proper PDF file for downloading and today it is finished. Just in time for everyone to make several as Christmas presents (just a suggestion).


Leafy keeps ears warm in winter

The pattern was born out of a desire for warm ears without the messy hair that hats give. I'm a big big fan of hats, but needed another addition to my collection. And so the idea for a winter head band was born. I had scored a ball of Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk Aran for half price and decided to use this.



Make the band wide enough to cover your ears

As I'm fond of leaves I looked for a pattern that incorporated some sort of leaf design. The name was not difficult to imagine, knitting friends and I soon started calling it the Leafy. :-D hehe. This together with the colour of the yarn worked really well. I have also made Leafy in Bordeaux red and off white, both work really well, but my favorite is still a grey green.


The finished head band... super soft

To download Leafy simply right click the link and select 'save source as' or click the link, let the page load and click the 'save' icon on the top left.

Free Rebel Knitter patterns

After paying for my shopping today I passed the newspaper stand at my local Sainsbury's and spotted the Guardian with a big ball of wool and the word Knitter on it. I picked it up and... YES! A free 12 pattern supplement + interview etc etc from Rebel Knitter aka Mazzmatazz. She is sooo cool. Anyway you can now score these patterns online too. Just go to the Guardian Guides Rebel Knitter site. Love the Ocimum mits.


Ocimum

I hope this means that knitting will finally loose its granny status with the non-knitting community. They are sooo behind.

More anti-girly knitting: The ANTI Craft. Most macaber in its creations.

Icy Blue Koolhaas

Although it is spring the weather here in London has been very changable for the last few weeks. Some times it's really nice and then the next day it's pooring down and icy cold. So last month I cast on for another hat. This one I fell in love with the moment I saw it. It's called the Koolhaas hat, named after the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. Some of his work I really like, some I do not. But this hat is a good design and has a fantastic structure. It reminds me of designs both modern and arabesque.


Great structure...

The pattern is published in Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2007 which I ordered online around Christmas. The magazine is chuck full with fantastic projects as I stated in my blog post: Knitting books & magazines. If you can get your hands on this mag I strongly advise you to do so as it's well worth it. However it seems to be pretty much sold out. No worries, you can also purchase the Koolhaas hat pattern seperate for $4.50 at the Interweave shop

I had two skeins of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky that I bought for half price in the John Lewis sale. I really liked the colour and wanted to make a hat, so I decided to make the Koolhaas hat even though the pattern asks for a lighter weight yarn. I tried making a gauge swatch, but it was no use. The pattern was directed for knitting in the round and the gauge was not stockinette but the pattern. My test swatch would have been so big, I though I might as well cast on and try it out. So I tried several times until I found that 80 stitches was the right gauge for my head. The Koolhaas pattern is a multiply of 10 stitches so 80 would do.


Matches my eyes.

Project Details

Pattern: Koolhaas hat
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky
Colour: 17011 (blue)
Amount: 2 skeins, 130 m / 142.0 yards (I had about 1/2 skein left over)
Needles: 5 mm (US 8) for ribbing, 5.5 mm (US 9) for pattern

Cast on 80 stiches using 5 mm needles. Switched to 5.5 mm (us 9) needles for pattern. Pattern repeat over 8 sts, hence the 80 sts cast on instead of the 104 (needed for thinner yarn).

Repeated pattern 3 times then worked the crown decreases. Was not happy with size. It didn't came down enough and left my ears too exposed. So I put it back on the needles after froggin it a bit and added about 5 extra rounds in the decrease crown section. It now has a slight point which you can only see when it's not worn, but when on my head you can't really see it.

Over verdict: Absolute Gem! Fantastic to knit and great look. Colour is fab too as it matches my eyes. I am thinking of making a lighter weight yarn version later in the year in boreaux red.

Ravelry links:
My Koolhaas hat
The Koolhaas hat pattern

Yarn Crawl

The Thursday before easter we got the afternoon of at our office and so me and my friend Louisa thought it a good oportunity to head to some yarn stores in London and buy some yarn.


iKnit, you knit, we knit!!!

We discovered that iKnit London had moved... closer!! It used to be in Vauxhall but now it’s moved to Waterloo. So we did a test run (walk) and it is now possible for us to walk there in 20 minutes from our office near London Bridge. So that means: 20 x 2 = 40 min walking which leave: 20 min shopping! Hooray! Ofcourse on our first visit we stayed much longer and inspected everything they had. A very nice customer (who was knitting on the comfy sofa they have gave us advice and joined in a chat. What a nice vibe it was. Hooray once more for iKnit.


Summery colours...

In the end I bought wooden dps (tiny ones for portability), a pattern booklet with something I liked and something Lousia liked and a skein of lovely yarn: The Natural Dye Studio Dazzle - Blue Faced Leicester 4ply/Sock. This yank reminded me of watermelons, summer, nice bright weather and all things cosy. Talking about watermelons... my Ravelry friend Just Claire posted some very fun watermelon stitchmarkers on her blog! Very nice! Makes me think of getting back into fimo.


Super cool 'summery' stitchmarkers

After this nice purchase we left to proceed to our next yarn shop: Loop. Ofcourse it rained. It’s London in March what do you expect. It was very windy too and I just managed not to get soaked and not loose my umbrella (or fly away like those horrible nannies in Mary Poppins). The bus (number 341 a direct line to the next stop on our yarn crawl) just didn’t want to come and we wondered if we would felt. In the end we didn’t felt and the bus did come and we managed to find Loop (with the help of a lovely lady. She saw us on the bus and hear us talking about the stop. It then seem the most important thing to her to get us off at the right one. She kept word and we left her happy in the knowledge she’d done her good deed of the day.


Loop: cute but lacking a warm welcome


Stepping into Loop was completely different from what I expected. It was the tinest little shop and very cute. It was stuffed full with yarn (<- very good), but there was no place to sit and socialise (<- not so good). The vibe was not bad, but it lacked that ‘feeling welcome and at home’ vibe. The single member of staff (owner?) didn’t seem very happy, perhaps because of the weather, but it was a little bit of a let down. We saw the cutest things though like this little felted chick filled with sand that could sit on a ledge with it’s feet dangling down. Soooo cute. We also saw the famous Knitted Vases. I was planning to do a blog post on this, but a pic will do just fine. When you can see there is not much more to add.


Knitted or not...

Anyway back to yarn. I also found two good candidates for my One Skein shrug that I am planning to make. The first was a very nice fluffy Alpaca (if I remember correctly) that was loosly spun and very lovely. The second and the one that ultimately came home with me was two skeins of Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Hand Dyes. The first felt very nice, but the colour of the second suited me better. And I have to say I’m well pleased with my purchase. It’s a bit ropey and looks ‘thight’ not loose and fluffy if you get my meaning. But this means a very ‘structured’ knitted feel to the ‘fabric’ once I knit it up... well I hope.


Yummie yarn soon to be my shrug

And finally we stepped into a ‘cornershop’ type yarnshop just around the corner from Louisa and I tell you it’s a good find. It looks cheap and is filled with ‘cheap’ acrylic, but they also carry the good standard brands, like Rowan. And it’s very affordable as they are not overpricing like the ‘posh’ yarn shops. The shop also sells tons of other craft stuff and it’s a good thing we are redecorating and I can’t get my sewing machine out... Such nice notations. Sigh... And on that note I’ll end my long long post. Happy Knitting everyone (and me!!).

If you are not in the UK you can visit these shops online:
iKnit Online Shop
Loop Online Shop

Noro Striped Scarf

Sometime in January I went to John Lewis and took a peak at the yarn department sales. There I fell in love with Noro yarn (that wasn’t on sale). Up until now the Noro virus had passed me by and I just didn’t get it. To me Noro was an expensive yarn with too many things going on both colour and structure wise. And it’s still true that there are heaps of Noro that I feel the same way about still, except for this one skein I grabbed and took home. It’s Noro Silk Garden Lite 2010. It goes from Lilac to grey then red, bright pink, purple, dark inky blue to sky blue then aqua, light grey and finally lilac again. Gorgeous.


Pretty colours... love Noro Silk Garden Lite in 2010!

So there I was with one skein and no idea what to make of it. As so manny knitters I had just grabbed it and didn’t want to let it go. After some cuddling with the yarn (yeah.. I know, but it’s not called a virus for nothing.. you end up doing things you normaly might not do) I decided to see what I can make with one skein... So I visited the one and only place to start such a pilgrimage.. Ravelry!?


The Slim Noro Striped Scarf...

There I saw the Noro Striped Scarf. A fantastic scarf that used the colour changed of the Noro to make this quirky funky scarf that just screames: COLOUR! I usually wear muted colours because I think they look good on my. I love a bit of bright, but a whole top in a screaming colour is just a bit much for me. I try but it’s hard. So a Noro Striped Scarf of my own would be a fantastic way to add a splash of colour without feeling like a Telly Tubby. In the end I decided to knit a punk-scarf. So the Noro Striped version, but thin and long. A hip look for my nice (but boring) black coat.

So I set to work to start my sample to see how wide I should make it and ofcourse if I liked it. I loved it! But one skein would not do. I knitted it all up because I couldn’t stop... I wanted to see how the striped turned out, etc. Now I also knew how much ‘scarf’ one skein would knit into. I calculated that I needed about three skeins, but I ordered three (ending up with four) to be on the safe side. I ordered via Fabstract who sold me the skeins for £5.95 and didn’t charge for P&P.


One of my failed attempts...

So I ripped back my original 1/3 of the scarf and started again. Happily knitting away. There was one section that didn’t stripe. When knitting I thought this wouldn’t be bad as there might be other non-striping bits. I was wrong, it was the only one and it looked odd. So I fixed it. I didn’t rip back as it was about 1/4 into the scarf, so a lot of reknitting if I frogged. I used two dpns and stuck them through the rows above and below the plain section and cut the yarn, then ripped out the section between the needles. From the bottom one I re-knitted the frogged bit (taking care to make it stripe) then coming to the top needle I sewed the two ‘halves’ together by studying the way k1,p1 knitting looks from the website How Stuff Works. I had to redo it about 10 times due to errors. It’s really though and quite hard because the stitches dont stay put the same way as in the drawing. They hang around the needle from front to back as the needle sticks through them sideways. And on paper ofcouse all the stitches are neatly lined up side to side. But I managed and the result is fab, it looks just like a knitted row and even I can’t find it no more.


I love how the colours change again and again

Zen Slippers

I always have cold feet, even when wearing socks in the house. Needless to say I'm a great fan of slippers of all sorts. Yet I had never made a pair. I came across this free Mary-Jane Slippers pattern on Ravelry. So I dug through my stash and found a yarn I liked and off i went.


Mary Jane is the right name for em I guess

The pattern itself is not hard. I made the two soles first and then it all went wrong. It might have been Monday morning or very late at night when I started to knit the side. I had placed it the wrong way round on the sole. I didn't notice this at all and tried on my slipper. It was alright but I didn't like the fit very well. So I started on the second slipper and noticed I had misunderstood the pattern instructions. Then I noticed a difference and realised that the first one must have been the wrong way round. So I finished the second and ripped the side of the first. Again I started and did the same silly thing. I blame the instructions. It says:

Starting at the center o fthe heel... pick up 42 stitches to the center of the toe...
Pick up 42 stitches down the other side of the center back of the heel and place a marker.

What I did was pick up stitches on the right going up, and then did the same on the left (from down to up), but I should have 'continued on' picking up, so from up to down on the left. So in my case the ends of the needle where up near the toe, the right way would have been the tip op the needles ending up near the heel. The pictures show it correctly, but who wants to look at the pictures the colour of the yarn they used is horrible (and that is mild of me).

Anyway if you do make them: Pick up the side stitches from heel to top, then CONTINUE ON from top to bottom.

Also I might use double strands next time. The result is very good, but they are a bit thin. I would have liked them a bit more chunky, so they give some (a very little is all i'm asking for) support. However they are fab when meditating and they look quite Zakka too. Very Zen, minimalistic and practical but somehow I think them quite beautiful in their simplicity.


They look good underneath jeans...

Project Details

Pattern: Mary-Jane Slippers
Yarn: Jaeger Baby Merino DK, colour 191
Amount: 1.5 skeins, 174 m / 195 yards
Needles: 4mm (us6)

Followed the pattern, except for the i-cord. I didn’t like it so I used a made up crochet stitch.

I’m sure the crochet stitch exsist, but I have no clue what it’s name is. All I do is this:

1st loop on hook. ** yarn over hook ~ yarn through next stitch ~ pull new loop through stitch ~ yarn over, pull through 2 loops ~ yarn over, pull through 2 loops **

See the Zen Slippers on Raverly


Job done!

Voodoo for Louisa

At the moment my friend Louisa is back in Australia for her friends wedding. This girl from Oz is a lively, young, happy, smart girl I'm happy to call my friend. I'm missing her loads. So I thought to upload the gift I made her last month. Fingerless gloves.


Dreamy girl with fingerless gloves...

People that read my blog might recognise them. I made a pair of these Chunky Fingerless Gloves for myself a few weeks ago. I had enough yarn left over to make a set for Louisa. And she mentioned she really liked them. So off I went again to knit yet another fingerless gloves set. :D

Lousia has smaller hands so I adjusted the top half of the glove as the wrist bit was fine.


A look at the front and back...

Pattern (free): Voodoo Wrist Warmers
Yarn: Debbie Bliss SoHo (colour 16), about 2 skeins depending on how long you make the wrist bit.
Needles: 5.5 mm (US 9)

work on circular needles CO: 32, work in k2, p2 for 13.5 cm (5.5 inch). Stop knitting when at the beginning of a new round. Put 12 sts on needle holder. Continue knitting the round without those twelve stiches and work in pattern for 5.5 cm (2 inch) and cast off.

Put the 12 thumb stitches from stitch holder back on needles. Rejoin yarn and work in pattern (k2,p2) in the round for 2.5 cm (1 inch). Cast off 12 sts. Work in ends and close any holes that appear.

Louisa is very happy with them :) hooray!

See Voodoo for Louisa on Ravelry
See Voodoo for Me on Ravelry
See Voodoo pattern page on Ravelry



Louisa and her new gloves

Walking On Grass Socks

A long time ago (july 07) I bought HipKnits Cashmere Sock Yarn and cast on for two socks. I decided that I would not suffer from second sock syndrome because I would knit both socks at the first time. Also I wanted to knit toe-up as then I could try them on. All very honorable idea's but rather a challange for a novice sock knitter. Did I mention this was my first pair ever? Right. After a few weeks they where done, but the edge was not to my liking. So in the UFO bag they went and stayed. Until January. I felt de need to finished off a few old projects that where having a winter sleep. And now my socks are happily on my feet ever night when I go to bed, until my feet are warm. Super!!!!

They are called Walking on Grass Socks because first of all they are green and second they are soooo comfy that it feels like walking with bare feet. When I first put them on I felt like I do when you take of your shoes a step on soft green grass on a warm summers day. :) So nice! I miss the warm weather. Felt like an age since we had summer here in England. Anyway the socks are lovely and just in case you want them too: I've decided to type out the pattern. As I like to cross off each line during heel knitting I've wrote them out completley (so it's quite long).


Soft and warm, the luxe cashmere socks...

Project details:

2 skeins (100.0 yards or 91.4m) of HipKnits Cashmere Sock Yarn
needles: US 2 / 2.75 mm
A whole lot of patience!

k2tog: knit two stitches together
m1: make one stitch by picking up and knitting into bar between two sts
wrap (RS): with yarn at back of work, slip stitch purlwise. Bring yarn to front of work around back of slipped stitch. Pass slipped stitch back to left needle. Turn work, bring yarn to front to complete wrap
wrap (WS): with yarn at front of work, slip stitch purlwise. Bring yarn to back of work around front of slipped stitch. Pass slipped stitch back to left needle. Turn work, bring yarn to back to
complete wrap.

Instructions

Cast on 24 stitches using the Magic Cast-on for toe-up socks. This tutorial will also teach you to knit two socks at once. Follow the pattern and increase (K1, m1, k all except last stitch, m1, k1 on both needles) until you have 32 stitches on each needle (64 in total).

Now start the foot section by following the pattern for 32 stitches on one needle and k all on the second, thus completing one round. The first half, with the pattern, will be on top of you foot, the second half, with only knit stitches will be the sole.

Main Pattern:

Round 1: P1, K30, P2, K30, P1
Row 1: P1, * K 2, p 2* repeat from * to * until last 3 stitches, K2, P1;
knit all stitches from second needle.
Round 2: P1, * K 2 tog, do not remove from left needle. K the first st again. Remove both sts from left needle, P 2* repeat from * to * until 3 stitches, K2, P1; knit all stitches from second needle.
Round 3: P1, * K 2, p 2* repeat from * to * until last 3 stitches, K2, P1;
knit all stitches from second needle.
Round 4: P1, * K 2, p 2* repeat from * to * until last 3 stitches, K2, P1;
knit all stitches from second needle.

Follow this pattern until you've knit approx. 20 cm (8 inches) then start on the heel. You will now work only on the bottom half of you knitting (the part that is the sole). This is done with regular back and forth knitting, so you have a Right Side (RS) and Wrong Side (WS). There are 32 stitches on this needle and the amount of stitches does not change, however the amount you are actually knitting does change.

Heel decreases:

Row 1 (RS): K31, wrap next st.
Row 2 (WS): P30, wrap next st.
Row 3 (RS): K29, wrap next st.
Row 4 (WS): P28, wrap next st.
Row 5 (RS): K27, wrap next st.
Row 6 (WS): P26, wrap next st.
Row 7 (RS): K25, wrap next st.
Row 8 (WS): P24, wrap next st.
Row 9 (RS): K23, wrap next st.
Row 10 (WS): P22, wrap next st.
Row 11 (RS): K21, wrap next st.
Row 12 (WS): P20, wrap next st.
Row 13 (RS): K19, wrap next st.
Row 14 (WS): P18, wrap next st.
Row 15 (RS): K17, wrap next st.
Row 16 (WS): P16, wrap next st.

Heel increases:

Row 1: K16, k1+Wrap TBL (knit the next stitch together with its wrap through the back loop) and then rewrap next st.
Row 2: P17, p1+Wrap TBL (purl the next stitch together with its wrap through the back loop) and then rewrap next st.
Row 3: K18, k1+Wrap TBL and rewrap next st.
Row 4: P19, p1+Wrap TBL and rewrap next st
Row 5: K20, k1+Wrap TBL and rewrap next st.
Row 6: P21, p1+Wrap TBL and rewrap next st
Row 7: K22, k1+Wrap TBL and rewrap next st.
Row 8: P23, p1+Wrap TBL and rewrap next st
Row 9: K24, k1+Wrap TBL and rewrap next st.
Row 10: P25, p1+Wrap TBL and rewrap next st
Row 11: K26, k1+Wrap TBL and rewrap next st.
Row 12: P27, p1+Wrap TBL and rewrap next st
Row 13: K28, k1+Wrap TBL and rewrap next st.
Row 14: P29, p1+Wrap TBL and rewrap next st
Row 15: K30, k1+Wrap TBL and rewrap next st.
Row 16: P31, p1
Turn work

From this point you will work in the round again.

Leg

Knit one extra round: P1, K30, P2, K30, P1
After this extra round continue to work in the main pattern but instead of knitting all the stitches on the second needle, repeat the instructions for the first needle as stated per round on the second needle.

Repeat round 1 to 4 until your socks are the lenght you want them to be. If you got slim calves you might not need increases. In that case proceed to the Cuff and Bind Off section below.

If you have big calves and don't like socks that stop at your ankle, knit them higher and add a few increases. I tried my socks on as I went to determine where I should start my increases. In my case this was at 8 cm (3.5 inches)measured from just above the heel (where you start the pattern after doing the heel). I increased ever pattern repeat on the left and then on the right side. If you got smaller calves perhaps an increase every other pattern repeat will do. You could increase only on one side (perhaps you like the increases on the inside of your legs). In that case use either the left increase for sock 1 and the right increase for sock 2.


Notice the increases...

Increases for the calves

Increase on the left
Round 1:
1st needle (as normal):P1, * K 2, p 2* repeat from * to * until last 3 stitches, K2, P1.
2nd needle: P1, * K 2, p 2* repeat from * to * until last 3 stitches, K2, M1, P1.
Round 2:
1st needle (as normal): P1, * K 2 tog, do not remove from left needle. K the first st again. Remove both sts from left needle, P 2* repeat from * to * until 3 stitches, K 2 tog, do not remove from left needle. K the first st again. Remove both sts from left needle, P1.
2nd needle: P1, * K 2 tog, do not remove from left needle. K the first st again. Remove both sts from left needle, P 2* repeat from * to * until last 4 stitches, K 2 tog, do not remove from left needle. K the first st again. Remove both sts from left needle, K1, M1, P1.
Round 3 (as normal):
P1, * K 2, p 2* repeat from * to * until last 3 stitches, K2, P1; repeat on second needle
Round 4 (as normal):
P1, * K 2, p 2* repeat from * to * until last 3 stitches, K2, P1; repeat on second needle.

Increase on the right side
Round 1:
1st needle: P1, * K 2, p 2* repeat from * to * until last 3 stitches, K2, M1, P1.
2nd needle (as normal): P1, * K 2, p 2* repeat from * to * until last 3 stitches, K2, P1.
Round 2:
1st needle: P1, * K 2 tog, do not remove from left needle. K the first st again. Remove both sts from left needle, P 2* repeat from * to * until last 4 stitches, K 2 tog, do not remove from left needle. K the first st again. Remove both sts from left needle, K1, M1, P1.
2nd needle (as normal): P1, * K 2 tog, do not remove from left needle. K the first st again. Remove both sts from left needle, P 2* repeat from * to * until 3 stitches, K 2 tog, do not remove from left needle. K the first st again. Remove both sts from left needle, P1.
Round 3 (as normal):
P1, * K 2, p 2* repeat from * to * until last 3 stitches, K2, P1; repeat on second needle.
Round 4 (as normal):
P1, * K 2, p 2* repeat from * to * until last 3 stitches, K2, P1; repeat on second needle.

Cuff and Bind off
K2,p2 for 8 rounds to form the cuff and cast off very loosely.

Finished!!!

Cashmere neck warmer

POST UPDATE:
Pattern is now available in PDF download.
To download the Cashmere Neck Warmer (PDF) simply right click the link and select 'save source as' OR click the link, let the page load and click the 'save' icon on the top left.

Ravelry is great for new inspiration. I spotted the Luxe Neck Warmer from the book Knit 2 Together. Unfortunaltey I couldn't buy the book (need to watch my finances). So I studied the projects I liked and made up my very own version of the neck warmer and as I made it out of cashmere I named it the Cashmere Neck Warmer (original don't you think?).


Very please with the result

I used a stitch from a stich dictionary that is very easy. I knitted it in the round and it's just 3 rows of knitting, 1 row of the pattern. The impact of that one row is great and the result is this very lovely piece that I want to wear every day. It's so comfy and soft. I'm well pleased with it.


detail of the neck warmer

The pattern:

Cashmere Neck Warmer

5.0 mm circular needle (us 8)
3 skeins of Debbie Bliss Pure Cashmere

I used 2 and some left over, total weight of project is 70 grams, which is just under 3 skeins (= 75 grams). This made me able to repeat the pattern for 17 times, but you can make it as long as you like. I placed stitch markers ever 18 sts, makes it easier.

Cast on 90 sts. Place Marker & join. Knit in the rounds following pattern:

1: K all
2: K all
3: K all
4: P2tog 3x, k1 & yo 6x, P2tog 3x

Repeat until desired lenght
K all for 2 rounds
Bind of and work in ends.


Nice and soft

Wintery Hat

Finally I got a picture to show you all. This nice and thick wintery hat I made for my boyfriend for Christmas. I knitted it in less then 4 hours, so it's a perfect quick knit. the 2x2 pattern makes it stretchy so it will fit most heads. Which if you are like me, and want to keep it a surpise, is a good thing. I think he would have guessed if I had suddenly tried to measure his head.

He really was not expecting it. He'd asked if I could knit him a hat and we went to look at yarn twice. But as his interest in yarn is minimal it turned out rather pointless. So I just picked up a colour I thought would match his coat and scarf and knitted it in secret. In the mean time he had purchased a Nike wooly hat, that now lies descarted in a corner somewhere wishing it was hand knit (hehehehe).


It took a while but I finaly got him to pose

Project details

One skein of Rowan RYC Cashsoft Chunky, colour: 702
5.0 mm needles (us 8)

I used the Tubular Cast on I learned to use when making the Gretel Beret from Ysolda. This means you cast on half the number of stitches needed, in this case 38.

After you finish the Tubular cast on you should have 76 stitches on your needles. Place marker, join and start knitting in the round in a 2x2 rib (k2, p2, k2, etc). Do this for 15 cm (6 inches).

Decreases
*k2tog, p2tog*, repeat till end (38 stitches on needles).
k1,p1 for 5 rounds
k2tog for one round (19 stitches)
k1 round
k1, k2tog till end. (10 stitches left)
cut yarn
tread end through last 10 stitches and pull tight.
work in ends

Give the hat to a guy you love and hope he enjoys this man's hat. Nice and chunky!


When not on a head it looks a bit odd

Cosy iPod

It's been very cold these last few weeks. And my poor iPod had nothing to keep it warm except a very inadequate rubbery cover. Time to get knitting.

I had bought a skein of Noro Silk Garden Lite (colour 2010) and decided to knit a striped cosy using the instructions from the I Knit This blog (see below). To cover an iPod Classic cast on 30 stitches and knit 2 rows, then switched to 2nd colour (I used both ends of the ball), to get stripped effect.


Striped Noro

I also had some DB pure Cashmere left over in three colours. So I made a second one. Which is softer (less scratchy) which I think my ipod perfers. I worry a bit about scratches using the Noro one, although I perfer the colour and stripes. For the Cashmere version cast on 24 stitches and start knitting, changing colour randomly to get a varied effect.


Super soft...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pattern instructions form I Knit This Blog

Pattern:
C.O. enough sts to stretch around your ipod (should be divisible by both 3 and 2,) join. Work in 2×1 seed or broken rib for an inch or so. P 1 round. K until the thing is long enough.

Divide sts between 2 needles and graft together.

Sweet Cashmere Hat

I love yarn sales! You end up with yarn you have no clue what to do with. The challange is given and must be faced. This time the wicked sale had tempeted me to buy three, yes three, 25 g skeins of different coloured Debbie Bliss Pure Cashmere. These tinsy tiny skeins are good for nothing at all. Unless used together. I tried the Lacy Scarf from the Debbie Bliss Pure Cashmere book (yep also scored in the sale). Didn't work. So I thought of making the ribbed had, without the big over flap, also from the book. It turned out huge. Now I have a big head for a woman, but not THAT big. So I ripped it and then started again. In the end I guess it's not even remotely like the pattern from the book. So I will claim it now as my own. The simple ribbed hat or (as that name is too boring) the Sweet Cashmere Hat!

And this is the result:



The pattern for the Sweet Cashmere Hat!

3 skeins of Debbie Bliss Pure Cashmere (colours used: 14, 13 and 4)
5.5 mm needles

Cast on 86 in pink and join in the round, place marker.
Knit one round
*Switch to second colour (blue), knit two rounds
Switch to third colour (green), knit two rounds
Switch to first colour (pink), knit two rounds*
Repeat from * to * for 12.5 cm (circa 5 inch), finishing with third colour.
Deacreases (keep switching colour ever two rounds):
switch to colour one
k1, *place marker, k2tog, k13* (repeat 6 times), k1.
K all
switch to colour two
K1, *k2tog, k12* (repeat 6 times), k1
K all
switch to colour three
K1 *k2tog, k11* (repeat 6 times), k1
K all
switch to colour one
K1, *k2tog, k10* (repeat 6 times), k1
And so on until..
K1 *k2tog* (repeat 6 times), k1
You now should have 8 stitches on your needles.
Cut yarn leaving at 10 cm (4 inch).
Threat the tail through the remaining stitches and take them off the needles
Before pulling tight I push the tail through the hole in the middle so it ends up on the inside. Then I pull the tail so the gap closes. Now weave in the ends.

Taaaatattatata!!! Your super soft nice cashmere hat. I love it so much I used it for my new blog design. I wear it very often, sometimes indoors as it's super comfy and warm (but not hot). A little luxioury goes a long way!

I'll make this a stand alone download pattern soon :D

Knitting books & magazines

*note: most links are to Ravelry, you can't see page: become a member... Where have you been!! Ravelry is a must!

I've had such a good December, also knitting wise. From mom and dad I got One Skein (finaly) and it's great. At the moment of writing I've got the Petal Bib from the book on the needles. So far I'm really enjoying the project. In the Ravelry que you will also find the bath mat from this book. I spotted this version from eudaemonist on Rav and love the colour. Perfect!


Finally on the bookshelf

In the January sales I picked up 3 skeins of Debbie Bliss Pure Cashmere, which I made into a lovely soft hat (a post on that project soon!). I also bought the book Debbie Bliss Pure Cashmere (as it was less than £4). And I used the Ribbed Beanie pattern as inspiration for my hat. There are many patterns I like in this book. The Moss Stitch Beanie is high on my list as is the lacy scarf.


Soooo luxurious... cashmere! Mmmmmm

I also ordered two magazines from Fibrecrafts (very good service!) and got them just before christmas. First of I couldn't resist the 2007 summer edition of Interweave Knits. The jumper on the cover, the Wheat-Ear Cable Yoke alone makes it worth the money. Also there is a toe up sock pattern, On-Your-Toes socks, I wouldn't mind trying. There is a hat for men (boys) by Kate Gilbert that is very nice, called Syncopated Caps. Very cool looking Spiral Boot Socks, Lacy Yoga Bags and a very pretty Oriel Lace Blouse. In short a lot to knit!


Where to begin...

The second magazine I ordered from Fibrecraft is Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2007. This was very lucky as the magazine was sold out everywhere I looked. So having got my hands on this nice mag my to do list could only grow.
My eye first fell on the gorgeous Sugarplum Shrug and Sweetheart socks. Super high on my to do is the Koolhaas hat and the Little Gem Mitts. Gosh and Citrine Socklets and cute Garter Mug Cozies...

All I need now is a bucket load of money for all the materials and even more important: TIME!


Hard to get edition