Chunky Cowls

I'm trying to keep the rain at bay with winter knits, I thought I might have succeeded given yesterdayss sunshine ☀ but unfortunately I don't think it has been enough, today has been a wash out!

A couple of years ago my mum & dad bought me some wool as a Christmas present, but come Christmas day it never materialised because they lost it!  It became a bit of a running joke ("I can't believe you lost my wool!!") & we decided that they must have accidentally binned it.  Can you imagine!?

I'd even forgotten what it looked like, so when it eventually turned up I was surprised to say the least!

I had a look through Ravelry and found a pattern for a chunky cowl, which you can find here for free.

I think this knitted up in only a few days, which is the brilliant thing about chunky yarn & 10mm needles.

I really like the uneven rib stitch and it's so easy to do, k1 *p2, k2* and that's it for every row ♥

The one thing which was not easy was grafting it together using kitchener stitch.  Now the fact that I've never done this probably didn't help, but doing it on an uneven rib made it even worse.  I thought it might be a 10 minute job and it took me a whole evening.  I wouldn't have been happy with it any other way though.

And so we have it, ta dahhh

x x x x

Cable hats, because Summer is late

I think it's supposed to be Summer but someone has forgotten to tell the weather.  So it's May and I've knitted two hats and a cowl, yes...

My Cousin asked if I'd knit him up a hat and I was quite happy to give it a go.  I won't knit for just anyone, but I find if someone has asked (who I like!) they're probably going to appreciate it more ;-)  We agreed on grey, cables but no pom pom.  I forgot in the end to loosely attach one as a joke.

My Cousin has a large head & lots of hair so I made it two pattern repeats larger & it fitted perfectly.  I think he really really liked it too which was awesome ♥

The pattern, Winter Femme by Diana Gates is free and available on Ravelry.  I used Stylecraft Special DK - Grey (1099).

I liked the hat as well so I made myself one with a turn up.  I stuck to the original pattern which fits my normal sized head, but made a bit of a mistake with the cables...  I'd written the pattern out so I could knit on the go without my laptop, but instead of writing that the cable was a repeating pattern of 8 rows I managed to make it 5 rows so they're a lot tighter.  Luckily it worked out that doing another cable pattern of 5 rows at the end got me back to the correct size.  So you could say I made my own but it was a complete accident!

This one is in Stylecraft Special DK - Teal (1062)

Thanks to everyone who explained what Raglan sleeves are, you're a wonderful bunch ♥

x x x x

Arm knitting!

First up a big thank you to your encouraging words about our DIY!  I was surprised as many people kept with me on that as you did, and I love each and every comment :-)  Even peeps who didn't comment and read, that's cool because I know time is precious x

So back to some craftiness yes?  Now if you don't know what arm knitting is then you neeeeeed* to know!

K from our WI came to our January meeting wearing the most gorgeous snood and promised an arm knitting demo at craft club.  Now I'd heard of finger knitting but not arm knitting, and after it seemed to be everywhere!  I was getting emails about it, seeing it on other blogs...  Strange but cool, and I totally understand why!

After our demo (of which I was really rubbish and K's daughter kept having to help me) I took a lunch time trip to my LYS and bought something which looks like it had already been knitted into tubes, a bit like what you'd get using a knitting Jenny?  I'm not even sure that's the right term, or thing because I've never done it.  I've also misplaced the label so I hope this makes some sense The yarn is "The Ultimate Super Chunky" by King Cole (I found the label) and it's the Moorland colourway, although 'Ember' and 'Marine' look beautiful and I wish I'd seen them too!

I have to admit that even as a knitter I really struggled to get this at first, and several viewings of this video on YouTube later I finally got it!

This is not a terribly good photo but I took advantage of some proper day light, and I don't feel very much like scarf posing (being covered in paint) so this will have to do :-p

The colourway of this yarn is quite lovely for this time of year and I used two balls together to get a super chunky effect.  You have to think that your using your arms for needles, so I've no idea what size they'd be, so the chunkier the better/easier because your creation is going to be quite 'loopy'?

I think after getting to grips with tying myself in knots, this probably only took 30-45 minutes, amazing!!

The 'back' isn't quite as nice looking but hopefully you'll be able to see the garter stitch?  I'd thoroughly recommend giving arm knitting a go.  I know knitting can take a long time but it's also nice to make hand made gifts so this is perfect!

I have much more DIY to share, hopefully a finished room on the horizon...  I've spent a very lovely and busy few days with my mum, dad and J getting to the home stretch.  I cannot wait to be finished!

x x x x

*in my humble opinion ;-)

In the month of March

Things making me happy

♥

I ordered a book called Knitted Animal Hats by Fiona Goble from the interwebs and after a few days of waiting (in which I whinged every day about why it hadn't arrived, much to J's dismay) it finally came. I've got a thing for knitted hats, especially animal ones.


Even though I made a cat/mouse hat last year I've embarked on this one already because I think it's adorable and it should help me to practice and hone some more knitting skills :)

I spent a few hours this afternoon with people who live nearby clearing a little plot of land that the Council has leant us to turn into a community garden which we're calling Phoenix Gardens :)

You can see how much we got done from the before & after photos!

Back breaking work and I'm feeling it already!

♥

I've been making a snood for my friends mum and while it's terribly terribly tedious I'm happy because I'm now on the second ball of yarn. Although I still have about 90g of the 100g to go I feel like I might be on the home stretch...

♥

Joining the WI which I have completely forgotten to mention, it's a new one set up by two knitting friends. The butterflies in the photo above are on a top I got in last weeks clothes swap for 50p :)

♥

Being restless with my blog at the moment and changing the theme every week it seems. I might settle eventually :)

♥

Finding all the good happy things in life at the moment has been very comforting and remind me to try and live life to the full and not to take anything for granted - ok I know that sounds incredibly cliché but bear with me...

Very very very horribly sadly a friend who I've known since starting my job has lost his year long battle to cancer and died on Mothers Day :( I think I had just over a week to come to terms with the fact that he was going to die before he did, and that hit me hard. I've never known anyone who was going to die and I didn't know how to deal with that. Not well as it happens, I just felt full of sadness.

His death came a lot sooner than anyone expected but in some ways I feel some relief that he's not in pain any more and can be at peace. My heart goes out to his partner and their 7 year old daughter who I've thought about a lot these last few weeks. I don't know how they will manage and cope without the love of their life and Dad. It's just so so sad. Much love goes to them x

So take it from me, don't leave anything until it's too late. If there's someone you love or miss then tell them, because I sure as hell wish I'd been in contact more. Now go and read something crafty & cheery because I fear I might have made you a little sad and I don't want to do that, I just needed to share xXx

x x x x

Cables!

I've been waiting patiently for it to snow but so far not a flake. It's freezing & I think we should have some!

Now that Christmas is over I can finally share the project I'd been knitting for J :)


I've always wanted to knit something for him, being as he puts up with my obsession more than anyone else, so when I found this aran yarn in my stash I knew it would be perfect for a snood, and for some reason I decided on cables. Oh and all this was less than 2 weeks before Christmas...


I spent every lunch break knitting and used every spare minute when I was home and J wasn't to try and finish it on time, pretending I was working on some other hat / scarf / monster thing!

The funniest thing is most of the time it sat in almost plain view, proof that J really *does* try to ignore my knitting :D


Then I ran out of yarn and it was way too small for a snood or a scarf! The worst part was it was exactly as week before Christmas and the shop I bought it from is down in London... Thank god for the magic of ebay!


I still had the yarn label so managed to order another ball and it arrived on the very last day possible! Saturday while J was working (and I was meant to be packing so we could go to my family on Sunday). I spent ALL day knitting until my hands ached - I physically couldn't do anymore, but it was ok, the snood was finally the perfect length. Hurrah!


The pattern is super basic, but I will share because we knitters love the details don't we?

You'll need:

Yarn - Cygnet kiddies Couture aran in grass green

4mm needles
A cable needle
A yarn needle for weaving in

Pattern:

Thumb cast on 39 stitches

Row 1: *P3, K6* P3
Row 2: K3 *P6, K6*
Row 3: *P3, K6* P3
Row 4: K3 *P6, K6*
Row 5: *P3, CB6* P3
Row 6: K3 *P6, K6*
Row 7: *P3, K6* P3
Row 8: K3 *P6, K6*

Repeat the above 8 rows until your scarf or snood is long enough and cast off.

I've taken lots more pictures to share but my brain's too frazzled to write anymore so I'm going to have to love and leave you till I can properly function!

x x x x

Hello Twenty Thirteen

Happy New Year my lovelies :D It's good to be back but I can't tell you how much I wish it were still the holidays, even though I know it wouldn't be as special if it lasted forever. We spent a very long week down at my folks in London, although a week didn't seem long enough in the end!

Christmas Day was very chilled out and merry. I was up early to see my brother before he had to work (!!) which meant opening presents, followed by more presents when J got up (fair-isle slippers!), followed by party food for lunch, mulled wine, dinner making, a nap, plying my parents with alcohol while they were being busy, my brother coming home still in good spirits, more presents, Christmas Dinner, Christmas Crackers, Trivial Pursuit (my Dad lost) Christmas Pudding and then bed.

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas, or if that's not your thing a peaceful end to the year :)

I can't quite believe where the year has gone but looking back at my projects for the year sort of puts things into an order I can make sense of! I really enjoyed making little mosaics at the beginning of last year so I've done the same now, only this time I've discovered Pic Monkey which is a brilliant website for making collages, mosaics and editing photos - a huge time saver.

There are four projects from last year that I've finished which was one of my 2012 resolutions, but I've also started this year with more unfinished WIPs. Oh well!

1. Hexagon blanket - completed :)
2. A stockinette stitch cushion cover. I've cast on too many stitches for the cushion inner I have so I may start this again...
3. Spring Garden Granny Squares. These haven't worked out so well when joined, I'm wondering whether to make more squares in different colours and make a small lap blanket...!

4. Nanny throw. I don't think this is a project I've blogged about yet so more about this later!
5. Bubble Gum Ripple Blanket
6. Pomegrante snood.

7. Little Woolie Inspired Cushion. I should finish this soon, I've only got a few more rows to do!
8. Ribbed Phone Cover
9. Stripy Snood


1. Crochet hook handle, made from Fimo
2. Moss Stitch Scarf
3. Crochet owl

4. Crochet Father Christmas
5. Knitted bunting
6. Knitted cable hat

7. Bunting
8. Knitted cat mouse hat
9. Polka dot skirt


1. First pomegranate snood
2. Turquoise cable hat
3. Lingonberry biscuits :)

4. Winter striped scarf
5. Snowflake Christmas card
6. Chunky mustard snood

7. Pink fluffy scarf
8. Grass cable snood
9. Giveaway cactus

I've got loadssss of other things to show you that I started over the holidays too, lets cross our fingers for some good weather this weekend and I'll try to get some half decent photos to share :)

x x x x

Chunky mustard snood ta-dah!

So I've just realised that I never posted anymore about my chunky mustard snood I was working on! It just totally disappeared off the blogging radar :(


So for a recap the first and only post about it is >> here

After realising it was completely twisted (and thinking it would be fine) I realised it wouldn't be fine at all. So a note to anyone using circular needles, do not twist your cast on row!!

I frogged it and then knitted the first ball on a coach to London and finished the rest at my folks house. A *very* cramped coach. I made a friend though called Johnny who was quite bemused by my knitting! Another note - circular needles are fantastic for knitting in a confined space, unlike my long regular needles which I poke other passengers with and profusely apologise for...

So this is my snood in all its chunky, curly, knitted glory


And this is me boiling because in typical Nicole fashion I finished it in the middle of summer :)


It's going to be a great winter warmer though :)

The yarn is "seriously chunky" by Cygnet in Barley shade 4884 (I think it's mustard!!) and I used 10mm bamboo circulars. I'm not sure how many I cast on, it was trial and error really but it wasn't many given the thickness of the yarn.

x x x x

Chunks!

I just wanted to pop by and tell you how much I absolutely LOVE chunky yarn - I mean seriously love!

My usual yarn is DK but I've always thought how great chunky yarn would be. Imagine how quickly you could knit up a scarf or a snood.... I was so right!

I only got hold of this yarn on Saturday (and didn't start knitting til Sunday) and look what I've got already!!


This is the beginnings of a new snood :-) I can't wait to be able to wear it, it's going to be so soft and cosy!

I bought some new 10mm bamboo circular needles from ebay (ooops, I need to leave feedback for that...) and they're amazing to use, so soft and the cable bit pulls through nicely. I realised today that somehow (I've NO idea how) I've managed to twist the snood so it's been a dilemma; do I start again or carry on?


So I've decided to carry on... My thinking is it will look interesting, and if it turns out not to work then this really hasn't taken any time at all to start again.

The yarn is "seriously chunky" by Cygnet in Barley shade 4884. I haven't paid for it yet as my mum picked it up, but I think it was about £1.99 a ball for 100g so pretty bargainous!

Oooh, it's finally stopped raining. At last :-)

Good night my lovelies!

x x x x

Another finished project. Really!!

I couldn't think of a good way to start this post, but it seemed that explaining that has done the trick! How handy ;-) Maybe it was because of the 24 hour flu I had yesterday! I went to bed on Friday feeling terrible and woke up feeling worse. Banging headache, fever, absolutely knocked out but apparently paracetamol, lucozade, sleep and good food cured me; woke up this morning absolutely normal. W.e.i.r.d!

I really wish I could show you my FINISHED (!!!) knitted bunting but I haven't taken any photos whatsoever and the place where it's hanging currently is really rubbish (not to mention unpractical) so it's just not happening. Yet.

Have a nice photo of a lazy swan baby instead!

I finished the snood I was making for my friend though - the problem is it's wayyyyyyy to small haha! I think I cast on about 100 stitches and 150 would have been much better, so rather than frogging it I've decided to pass it onto a smaller person (of soon to be 4 years) and make another one. I guess we can call this a prototype :D




Ta Dah


Never made a tension square in my life :)


My edging it totally made up but if anyone wants to know what I did let me know and I'll write out the very simple instructions :)


Some slightly dodgy joining going on here! I didn't use my circulars because they were too long.


Ted looking pretty unhappy (I think it was quite hot when I took this photo, no wonder!)
You should be able to guess by now that the yarns Stylecraft Special DK. This is my fave colour, Pomegranate, I have many balls of this yarn and it always runs out! I used 4mm needles for this snood and a 4mm hook for the crochet border. Snood number 2 is being cast on to much bigger needles so it's knitting up pretty quickly and is a lot looser so should be quite cosy.

I don't know where the days gone but it's bed time now :( Thanks for visiting, it's been lovely to have you :)

x x x x

Bye bye bank holiday

I can't believe another Bank Holiday has been and gone. Bring on June when we get two in a row - thank you Mrs Queen!!

I was being massively in awe over the weekend of other bloggers, in particular Matt (According to Matt) and his latest creation, a granny square cushion with buttons. Swoooon! It's made me realise I need to start finishing more little things, then I keep you guys entertained! So I've made some more mini bunting flags and as soon as I have enough I'll photograph them and hopefully decide how to string them together :-)

In the meantime I've been working on this for one of my best friends! She ordered a pink snood so a pink snood she shall have. She thinks it won't be done until at least Christmas but I'm hoping to finish for her birthday at the end of May... We'll see :-)

It's pretty simple, cast on enough stitches so when the ends are sewn together to form a tube it should be the perfect size to go over ones noggin. Oh and the yarns Stylecraft Special DK Pomegranate 1083

On Saturday me and J took a trip to a vintage / antique shop on our street that we have *never* visited before! Admittedly I don't think it's been open in it's current state before so we decided to take a look. I got this necklace for £5!

It was really interesting, wishing I'd taken some photos now! There were loads of old stone fireplaces, roll-top baths, stained glass windows from churches and tonnes of old things like typewriters, chairs, desks and clothes. Who knew all this was literally on my doorstep?

Quarterly round up :-)

Back in January I decided not to set myself any ridiculous New Years Resolutions; there would be no joining the gym, no expectations to do things I know that realistically I am never going to achieve! Instead I opted for a couple of goals, simple things I wanted to do and thought "that might be possible!"

So climbing was part of it, I wanted to do some outdoor routes and lead a 6a - both completed! I wanted to eat more healthily and have less meat in my diet the latter of which I've managed really well (I made a veggie lasagne a couple of weeks ago!) but I still have to admit to the odd KFC... THE SHAME!

I was really keen to finish all my 2011 projects and apart from my hexagon blanket and a few other little things I think I've done really well! Here's a quick round up;


Stripy snood, one of my favourite things to wear because it's so cosy!


My mums crazy fluffy caterpillar!


I haven't done much sewing in 2012 but this is one of my proudest productions


Ahhhh finally! This scarf took ages because moss stitch calls for a little more attention but I'm so happy it's finally completed


My favourite project of the year, I think it will take something really special to top this



Admittedly I've started a few other projects too but mostly they've also been finished :-)


Baby hats for little heads


I've started some mini bunting; I'm not sure what to do with it yet!


And this will eventually be my new laptops cover :-)


I'm also knitting up a snood for my friends birthday and that lovely pink bunting. I'm starting to think my 2012 unfinished projects are getting ahead of me again!

x x x x