Knitting Box – Page 13 – I knit, I sew, I blog

Transformation

Before…

During…

After.

The magic of lace blocking still amazes me everytime!

Pattern: “Qiviuk Webs Tam and Scarf” from Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2007. I made the narrow scarf.
Yarn: Exactly 1 ball of Grignasco Bambi in, um, red? (sorry, lost the ball band)
Needles: 3.25mm

I blocked this using my new lace blocking kit that I bought from Natty Yarns in ebay a while back. I love it! Makes blocking this scarf so much easier, especially for the straight edges, I don’t need to use a gazillion pins to pin them out anymore!

This was a fun knit. Enough lace for my lace fix, but not too much that it drove me bonkers.

Well there you go, first FO of the year, done and gifted.

18 January 2008

New look

I’ve gotten rather sick of my blog theme and banner, so it’s time for a new look I think. The old one had been there since when I first set up the blog, more than two years ago. I’ve been wanting to change it for months, but procrastination got the better of me. Hmm, doesn’t it always… So now, new look, makes me happy. If you can’t see it, you might need to refresh your browser. I think I’ve got the kinks ironed out, but if you do find any problems, please let me know!

While you’re here, let me show you the socks that I was making for Annette. They’re done, and they fit! 🙂 Well, still a little loose actually. But I meant these to be more of bed socks, for her to wear when the weather gets colder, so I think it will fit her well then.

I finished these back in December, but only just got a chance to take photos. The yarn is Socks That Rock medium-weight in ‘January One’ colourway that I had left over from another project. Hardly a stashbusting project, but it feels good to be able to use even the odd leftover balls 🙂 No particular pattern, just toe-up socks, 36 stitches a round on 2.5mm circulars, short-row toes and short-row heels.

I’m glad Annette likes them. She was even willing to put them on for the photos, on a hot summer’s day! I love my bub.

11 January 2008

Hello again!

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and new year! Our family had a quiet one this time. We’ve had a Christmas get-together with my parents the week before Christmas, just before they left, with hubby’s parents, and some family friends as well. We spent Christmas day by ourselves, and even on new year’s eve we didn’t feel like venturing out to join the crowds. It was good just to relax at home. I got this pile of books to entertain me.

Thank you so much for your kind comments on my last post. They mean a lot to me. Don’t worry, I’m okay, and I’m ready to look forward to what this new year will bring. Here are just some things that I’d like to do this year.

— Knit more. Last year was rather slow, knitting-wise, for me. The only things I made for myself were socks. Not that there’s anything wrong with knitting socks (I’m totally an addict now)! I just didn’t have time for anything bigger. But several talented knitters with their fabulous sweaters are enticing me to knit jumpers or cardigans for myself, so I want to make time to knit at least one or two this year.

— Having said that, I will still sew. Last year I got a chance to develop my sewing skills, and I want to keep going. I’ve been wanting to make a quilt for Annette, and after forever admiring other crafters’ gorgeous quilts, I think it’s about time I jump in and do it.

— Yarn diet. Yep. I had never imposed a yarn diet on myself before, mainly because I thought my stash was not that big. Oh, pardon me, the noise you just heard was the sound of my husband roaring with laughter. Hello! Time to face reality! I kept putting this off, saying to myself, after this purchase I’ll go on a yarn diet. But now it’s for real. I won’t be buying any more new yarn until I’ve made a reasonable dent in my stash.

— And finally, I’d like to have more hours in a day so I can do all the above. Heh! But wait. Annette is starting preschool two days a week this year, so more time for me me me! Yay!! Excellent.

10 January 2008

Breather

Sigh. Last couple of weeks were one of those weeks where things just seem to go wrong. A family crisis overseas. It doesn’t affect me directly, but has left me feeling down a lot nevertheless. Looks like my parents won’t be spending Christmas with me in Sydney after all, as now they’ll be going home earlier than planned. Well, it’s only two weeks earlier than planned, but it feels so sudden. Three months flew so quickly.

Then my sewing machine decided to take a break all of a sudden. Not sure if it’s really broken or what. It’s making a disturbing grinding noise instead of the usual smooth whirl. It can still sew, but I’m worried that if I keep using it something inside would break. I might need to take it for maintenance. Sigh. Oh well at least I’ll have more time to knit now. Which I’m not complaining about, as some relaxing time with my knitting is probably just what I need right now.

On a happier note, I managed to finish a few things before all this happened. First, a Frenchy bag for my mum.

I made the shoulder bag version, using some home-dec fabric that I got at Spotlight. The most stylish bag I’ve made so far I think! Also most involved. I used the sew-in heavyweight interfacing, magnetic snaps for closure, and some extra snaps for closing the inner pockets. I decided not to use a contrast fabric for the top section of the bag, I just used the same fabric. I think it looks great this way too.

This is the first Amy Butler pattern that I made. Can’t believe I haven’t made one of her patterns earlier. The pattern was quite well written. It has a lot of steps involved, but each step was explained clearly, often with diagrams, so that it doesn’t overwhelm. And I love the bag! It’s stylish and it’s a good size. Will have to make one for myself later I think.

Then I finished these coasters for a custom order (although, I can’t take custom orders anymore at the moment, not until my sewing machine is fixed!)

I’ve also finished Annette’s socks, but more on that later. I’ve got some knitting and a cup of tea waiting for me for now 🙂

17 December 2007

New socks

This is what I’m up to with my Firestarter socks at the moment. I’m using my prize yarn, Live 2 Knit’s Elizabeth merino in ‘first light’. I’m loving the colours and the way it’s striping. Yes there’s a bit of pooling around the gusset, but that’s unavoidable in this pattern I’m afraid. It’s not so bad, so I’m still happy.

The pattern itself took a little bit getting used to, the chart looks rather different from chart format that I’m used to. Specifically, the way the cable crossings and twists are marked can look a little strange at first. It’s not just that it uses different symbols, but the crossings themselves are marked in between rows instead of on the rows themselves. The pattern has included explanations on the symbols used in the chart, as well as teaching you to cable without a cable needle. But I don’t really understand the explanations. So instead I just go by the chart and tried to make sense of it. And I think I’ve got it worked out, judging by the result. And I do love the result. I think the trick is just that you do the cable crossings on the row that the arrows are pointing at. And when you think about it, it does make sense that the chart shows the cable crossings in between rows, because after all when you knit cables, after you do your cable crossing, the crossing itself sits in between the current row and the previous one below it. Clear as mud? 🙂 Email me if you want to ask me questions on that, or ask the pattern designer 🙂

I’ve been knitting quite a few socks now, and many times Annette would ask, “Are you knitting socks for me, Mummy?” And it always breaks my heart to tell her No. So now I’m making a pair of socks for her. No particular pattern, just a toe-up sock, with short-row toe and short-row heel, 36 stitches a round. The yarn is Socks That Rock medium-weight in ‘January One’. I had quite a lot of this yarn left over from this project, and it would be a waste not to use it because I love that yarn and that colourway. So vibrant.

When Annette saw me put on the Firestarter sock to take a picture, she insisted on trying on her half-finished sock as well so I can take a picture. Future knitblogger??

And finally, socks for my mum. I’m making her a pair of Roza’s Socks, pattern by Grumperina, from Interweave Knits Spring 2007.

I’m not sure what this yarn is. I got it from Belinda, but she has lost the ball band, so we don’t know what it is. All I know is that it’s cotton, and I’m loving the random striping. Anyone recognise this yarn?

27 November 2007