Yarn Along......Vintage Knitting Patterns.

 

How are you all doing? I hope you all had a good weekend. I haven't got much to show you today, I've done a few more rows on my Garter Stitch Stripy Baby Blanket. I'm using Rico Essential Cotton DK, which I really like, sometimes cotton yarn can be quite splity but this is fine, you can find the colours I've used on my Ravelry page, just click on the link.

I'm looking through my collection of vintage baby knitting patterns for a unisex matinee jacket. I'm always on the lookout for old patterns in charity shops and vintage stores, most of the patterns I have are from the 50's and 60's. Don't you love the old style matinee jackets, they are so cute on newborn babies and most with matching bootees. Hopefully I will have cast one on by next week to share with you.

I've started a new project, it's the Radiance Shawl by Helen Stewart, it's a beautiful, large lace shawl using a lace weight yarn. It's been a while since I've knit with 2ply, I'm using a Skein Queen Laceweight yarn but unfortunately when I bought it, it didn't have a ballband so I haven't got a clue what base it is or the colourway. The main colour is a gorgeous midnight blue with Stellina, it reminds me of twinkling stars in the night sky. If anybody has recognizes this yarn, please could you let me know.

I saw this great idea on the Pom Pom Quarterly blog, instead of using an highlighter pen to mark off where you are on the pattern, you use Washi Tape instead. I've got the pattern in a plastic Poly Pocket, to protect it and I use the tape directly on the pocket and move it down after every row, it's low tack, removable and each small piece lasts for ages. I've moved it 47 times and it's still as sticky as when I first used it.

This week I'm reading The Butterfly Box by Santa Montefiore, I love her books, I have only just started it but so far it's looking good. I have read another book since last week, it took me three evenings to finish, I couldn't put it down. It was called Tideline by Penny Hancock, it was a very dark and disturbing read and I really didn't expect the ending, a great read if you like this genre.

Check out this weeks Yarn Along and WIP Wednesday, for more Work in Progress, this week.

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy your week.

xxxxDebxxxx

 

Yarn Along......two WIP's on the needles.

Good morning, I'm back today with this week's WIP's, I have got three WIP's on the go but have only worked on two this week.

The main one I've been knitting on is my Aureus cardigan using Rowan Felted Tweed DK, after soaking and blocking, this yarn really plumps and softens up, I really like it and will definitely buy it again.

I've finished the back, left and front side, blocked and joined them together. I'm now working on the sleeves. I really want this finished by the end of the month, as I've joined in with The Sock Bunny Sweater-A-Long, which ends on the 31st March.

I've decided to knit both sleeves at the same time, this is the first time I've attempted it and wasn't sure how it would work out. I'm using circular needles with a long cables and two balls of yarn, so far, so good, no mistakes and no tangles. It's probably no quicker by doing this but I don't know about you but once the first sleeve is finished, I just want the second one finished as I know I'm close to completing the garment.

The other WIP are my First Time for Everything, stripy socks using Twisted Limone, self striping yarn in Find the River.

I'm attempting an Afterthought Heel for the first time and have just knit the waste yarn, where the heel will go, I'm going to be very nervous when I come to undo it and put them back on my needles!!!!!

This week, I'm reading Unraveled by Maggie Sefton, a murder mystery set around a yarn shop, I think I might be a bit obsessed with all things yarny!!!!!! I'm linking up wth Ginny's Yarn Along and Tami's WIP Wednesday.

Tomorrow, I'm going to a Rowan Fairisle workshop, this is something I've wanted to learn properly for a while now. I had booked onto a different Fairisle workshop, last year but it was cancelled so when I saw Rowan was doing one, locally to me, I booked myself on it. I'll let you know how I get on, I will hopefully be knitting a Fairisle jumper before long.

Thank you for stopping by, have a good day.

xxxxDebxxxx

 

Halele'a FO.......apart from the buttons.

Happy Friday, my friends. This is going to be a quick post from me today, as we're off to Betws-Y-Coed today for a couple of nights. We drive through this quaint town quite regularly when we go to Llandudno and always say we need to stop and visit, the hubby wanted to get away for a couple of nights so decided to stay there.

As you know I've been taking part in the Halele'a KAL run by the Must Stash Podcast girls, it started on the 26th December and the official finish date is the 7th February, though it is ongoing and the threads on Ravelry will stay up there.

The reason I like joining in with KAL's is that there is a timeline to follow, so each week with the Hallele'a KAL, there was a portion of the cardigan to finish within the week, it kept me on focused on finishing it, rather than casting on lots of new projects. I still need to find some buttons for it but I can still wear it without, so I'm classing it as a finished object. The Halele'a cardigan by Mski Knits, is the first adult garment that I've knit and I love the way it's turned out, the style really suits my 50's style dresses and the Must Stash Helluva skein yarn was a dream to knit with.

One last thing, you know I'm a big fan of the Pom Pom Quarterly magazine and I always knit a few projects from each issue. They have a Ravelry Group, where you can post your finished objects from the magazine, each quarter they randomly pick a winner from the thread and I won!!!!!! My prize arrived yesterday, it was some Dyed in the Wool from Spincyle Yarns, oh my gosh this yarn is so soft and squishy. It's the yarn used for the Tuuli Mitts from the Winter issue, so I will probably knit them with it.

In linking this to FO Friday, check out lots of other FO's, this week, over at Tami's blog. Thank you for stopping by, have a great weekend.

xxxxDebxxxx

 

Yarn Along.......a cardigan for Olivia.

Hello, my friends, how is your week going? I'm back with my regular work in progress post and I've cast on the Zoe Fan Stitch Jacket by Vibe Ulrik Sondergaard. As I said last week my niece asked if I would knit her a blue jumper, I just couldn't say no to this sweet little girl. I know this yarn is more lilac but I've told her it's periwinkle blue and she's happy with that. When I saw her, yesterday, I told her I'd started her jumper and she gave me the biggest hug and said "thank you so much, Aunty Deb"!!!!! She was wearing the Manolin cardigan, I knit her last summer, she is so proud when she wears one of my knits and tells everyone that I "made" it for her, bless.

I'm on my second Diamond Gansey Sock, they are easy to pick up and put down, great if I'm watching TV, talking or taking to crafty get togethers.

I've finished my Halele'a so I'm now concentrating on the Aureus cardigan from the winter edition of Pom Pom Quarterly. I'm hoping to finish this by the end of March which is when Sock Bunny's Sweater Along finishes. I've finished the back and I'm now working on the right front, talking about Pom Pom as you can see on this photo, the latest edition landed through my letterbox, yesterday, as usual beautifully wrapped with a personal thank you message, it's those little touches.

Again, it didn't disappoint, with so many fabulous patterns plus many other interesting articles, this issue's recipe is Chocolate Bergamot Cookies, mmmmm, they look delicious. I'll be baking these sometime soon, I'll let you know how they turned out. I don't buy as many magazines as I used too as I wasn't making anything from them but this is worth every penny. I've knit two patterns from the last issue and sometime soon, I plan to cast on the Aroha by Rachel Coopey from this issue. I can't recommend this magazine enough, this little magazine won't be far away from me for a while yet. I'm linking this to Ginny's Yarn Along and WIP Wednesday over on Tami's blog.

What are you crafting and reading this week? Thanks for stopping by, I'll be back on Friday to show you my Halele'a.

xxxxDebxxxx

 

My 10 Crafty Goals for 2014..........and WIP's.

Good morning, I'm back today with my Work in Progress for this week and also some crafting goals for 2014. First up, I will show you what I'm working on this week. I've got three projects on the go, which I'm rotating each time I pick up my knitting, so if I've worked on my Halele'a, next time I will do some more on my Rosebud Socks then my Aureus will get some love.

Week 2 is over on the Must Stash Podcast Group, who is running the Halele'a KAL and I've finished and blocked the back, this Helluva Skein by Must Stash Yarn is so soft once blocked.

We are into week 3, this week is "Frontal Attack" and I'm working on the Right Front, it's coming along nicely and so far I'm keeping up with the KAL, even though I'm working on other projects, this does get more of my time.

Next up is my Aureus cardigan, the pattern is in the Winter 2013 Pom Pom Quarterly magazine, I'm working on the back and love this cable and lace pattern. I'm using Rowan Felted Tweed which is a mix of wool/alpaca/viscose, this photo doesn't do the yarn justice, the little flecks are so pretty against this rich purple

Finally, I'm working on the second Rosebud Sock, I knit on this when I want to work on a smaller project, hopefully I should have these finished by next week.

I'm reading Merry Christmas Alex Cross by James Patterson, which my sister lent me, it's been a couple of years since I've read an Alex Cross thriller. I do enjoy these books, though the stories are all very similar, I also love the films, especially the new one called Alex Cross. I'm linking this to Ginny's Yarn Along.

I'm also linking to Tami's Work in Progress Wednesday.

Now for my 10 Crafty Goals for 2014............

1: Use up the yarn in my stash, I'm not buying any new yarn unless it's souvenir yarn, I always like to buy a nice skein of yarn, preferably local, if we are away for the weekend.

2: Teach myself Magic Loop

3: Get more into sewing.

4: Learn how to make a Patchwork quilt.

5: Finish my first adult size sweater.

6: Learn how to do a Fish Lip heel and Afterthought heel on my socks.

7: Spring clean my craft room.

8: Finish 12 pairs of socks!!!!! Not sure whether that will happen but will aim for that.

9: Make Christmas gifts throughout the year instead of last minute.

10: Design a very simple sock or cowl pattern, mmmmmmm, here's hoping, in my had I know what I want to do but lets see if I can actually put it onto paper.

Do you have any crafty goals, I'd love to hear about them, whether it's papercraft, sewing, knitting or any other craft.

Don't forget you still have a few hours left to enter my Swatch Like You Mean It Giveaway, you can find the post, here.

Thanks for stopping by, have a great week.

xxxxDebxxxx

FO Friday...........Hierro Mittens.

Good morning, as you are reading this I'm hopefully lying on the beach, enjoying the last couple of days of my holiday.

These are the Hierro Mittens, which I have knit for Paige but I've also got to knit Jodie a pair and another pair for a Christmas gift.

The pattern is another one from Pom Pom Quarterly magazine, as you can see I'm really getting my moneys worth from this great magazine. I love the detail and texture of this slip stitch and bobble pattern, I used Drops Lima, a wool/alpaca mix, so nice and warm for the winter.

Check out more FO's over on Tami's blog

Thanks for stopping by, have a great weekend and I will catch up with your blogs when I get back home, I've only got my iPhone and have limited internet access.
xxxxxDebxxxx

FO Friday.........Ardvasar Hat

Good morning, I'm back to show you my Ardvasar hat, all finished, Jodie loved the one I made for her and so did I, so this one's for me.

I used a 100g skein of Malabrigo Rios in Sandbank, it's beautifully soft and as you can see the colour isn't flat, it has a sort of marl effect with different tones of beige.

The pattern is from Pom Pom Quarterly magazine Issue 6, I've got one more to knit, this time as a Christmas gift. Jodie has asked though if I'll knit her some more hats, so you'll be seeing some different patterns on here, soon.

I've also made another drawstring project bag, this time in a pretty floral fabric from my stash.

I've also lined the inside in floral, if you'd like to see more Finished Objects, pop over to Tami's blog for FO Friday.

Thanks for stopping by, have a great weekend.
xxxxDebxxxx

Works in Progress..........Hierro Mittens.

I'm back today with my regular Work in Progress, sharing with you what's on my needles. I'm knitting my first pair of mittens, I've crocheted a pair of arm warmers before but never mitts or gloves with fingers/thumbs.

I'm knitting these Hierro mittens by Kelly Ashfield, this pattern is another one from Pom Pom Quarterly, Issue 6, I love the stitch definition with the cable and bobble combination.

These are for Paige, when they're finished, I'm using Drops Lima in a wool/alpaca mix, as you can see it's a pretty grey which has a slight marl effect to it. I've had to go down a needle size from the pattern so I'm using 3.5mm.

The other project I'm working on is my Ardvasar hat, I'm on the home run now and well into the decreasing, I'll definitely have a FO to show you on Friday. As usual I'll be joining in with Ginny's, Yarn Along and I'm three quarters of the way through The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club by Gil McNeil.

I've got to say, I'm thoroughly enjoying it, it's an easy  read, nothing deep, just a quick to read, chick lit. I love the fact that she mentions yarn brands like Rowan and the knitting show at Alexander Palace, it would of been good if she had shared the shawl pattern that is talks about in the book, like Debbie Macomber does in her Blossom Street series. Check out what others are knitting and reading this week, here.

Don't forget to check everybody's WIP's over on Tami's blog, too.

Happy Knitting
xxxxDebxxxx

FO Friday..........patterns from Pom Pom Quarterly.

I'm back with two FO's today, they were both extremely quick knits and are patterns from issue 6 of  Pom Pom Quarterly magazine. They are perfect for Autumn, which has suddenly arrived here in the UK, not that I'm moaning, I love our seasons.

I had heard about this magazine before  but it wasn't until I saw a post by Mel from Single Handed Knits, that really made me want to purchase it. Issue 6 has eight beautiful, autumnal knits and I plan to knit the majority of them, all the patterns are fashionable, up to date and wearable. They deliver worldwide but if you don't want to pay shipping, there is a digital download, too.

It arrives like this, wrapped in tissue paper, with a hand written message, it's all the little touches, that I love!!!! I was so impressed with this magazine, I back-ordered issue 5, which also didn't disappoint and have now subscribed to future issues. I think what actually sold it to me was, as well as receiving a copy, printed on good quality paper with great photography, patterns, how-to's and articles you also get a unique Ravelry code to download  into your library. What a great idea, I've also stored it in my iBooks, so I now have access to it at all times.

The first project I started was the Ardvasar hat which I wanted to knit for Jodie, she's sold her car so has to walk to work. She loves hats and this Aran knit will keep her toasty through the winter months, I knitted it in Drops Nepal from my stash, which is a wool/alpaca blend. I love how this pattern has knit up using this wool, it gives a nice firm fabric but still has drape at the back.

I started it last Friday and it was finished by the Sunday evening, that did include two hour car knitting, when we went to Bicester. I added a couple of extra rows before decreasing to give it more drape. I always thought hats didn't suit me but I really like this one so I've started to knit myself one.

Another thing I would like to say about this magazine is their tutorials, they are very well written. This hat uses Kitchener, which for some reason, I have always struggled with, even after watching video's, so up until now, I have avoided it but the way it was written in the pattern, I got it, straight away,
something just clicked in place.

Next up is the Ammolite cowl, which I have knit as a thank you to Jo, who sent me the HP Knits magazine, another quick knit which took me a couple of days. I knit this in Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk Aran, it's so soft and drapes beautifully around the neck.

It is another cable pattern and after reading a recent post on Sarah's blog, Crafts from the Cwtch, cables are very on trend, and this issue is full of texture and cables.

When you look at this pattern, it looks like a forest full of intertwining trees. I'm not sure whether you are seeing the true colour, on my iPad it looks correct, the colour of the yarn is Chicory, a light green but on my PC, it looks a straw colour.

Both of these patterns would make great Christmas gifts but before I start knitting them as gifts, I've bought some new yarn to knit myself them, first.

The beige one is Malabrigo Rios in Sand Bank and is a pure merino superwash, I've started the hat in this yarn. The rusty/rose colour, which is perfect for Autumn is Dream in Colour, Classy in Rosalita, they have a beautiful selection of colours in this range. This is also a superwash merino and are both Aran weight. I bought them from Tangled Yarn, a UK shop, they have some beautiful yarns and their service is second to none, with very quick delivery, they also sell Pom Pom Quarterly.

The next project, after my hat, I will knit these Hierro Mittens, for Paige, aren't they gorgeous, Jodie will also get a pair to match her hat. I feel as though I've had my money's worth from this magazine, normally I will only knit one, maybe two projects from other magazines, I've already done two from Pom Pom and plan on doing more plus I'll be repeating the patterns, which I've never done before.

Check out Tami's blog for more Finished Objects.

As I was looking through my favourite blogs, I saw that Stephanie from Knitspiring Odyssey, was having her own personal Beanie-a-Long, her goal is to finish five beanies through the year, she is inviting others to join in the fun.I think this is a great idea, so I'll be joining in, if you're interested in joining her, leave her a comment, here and she'll set up a link. She has even designed this fabulous logo for the occasion.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you all have a great weekend. I'm off to the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London, tomorrow, this was one of Paige's 18th birthday presents and she has been really looking forward to this day.

xxxxDebxxxx