September 21, 2011
Remnant stripe cardie
Knitted from a boknits pattern (details on Ravelry), with 2/3 of a bag of Colourmart cashmere/merino remnants. It's very warm and going to be a go to snuggly cardie this year. I can tell.
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:44 PM | Comments (2)
September 18, 2011
Hitchhiker
One Zauberball DK, 150g. One 4mm circular needle. One week of occasional knitting. One lovely hitchhiker scarf. Details on Ravelry.
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:41 AM | Comments (0)
September 4, 2011
Indonesian rockpool styled by Missoni (this time with pics)
Nice light today so:
Posted by glittrgirl at 1:50 PM | Comments (1)
August 25, 2011
I don't think I ever blogged this: Tweedie Mashup Blankie
A mashup of Jared Flood's Tweed Baby Blanket and Ysolda's Hap Blanket. Greebo loves it.
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:26 PM | Comments (0)
Indonesian rockpool styled by Missoni
Greebo likes this new blanket. I thought it was mine. Seems I was wrong. More pics when the light is better - it was really dark this morning.
Here it is in progress, I guess I should have known then really....
Posted by glittrgirl at 1:13 PM | Comments (0)
August 5, 2011
Long fingerless gloves
Rowan All Seasons cotton, 5mm needles, speedy knit. Pattern is Twisted Maiden Fingerless Gloves by Anushka Tay. Nice for moving towards autumn, and will go well with the red hat I made recently too. Also - look at my hands! No nibbling!
Posted by glittrgirl at 6:39 PM | Comments (1)
August 1, 2011
Hats, hats, hats
3 Kim Hargreaves hats. I love her patterns. Mostly plant fibres. Green = cotton, red = cotton mix, blue - bamboo. Lovely summery evening head toppers for morrning/evening walks by the sea.
Posted by glittrgirl at 7:20 PM | Comments (1)
June 15, 2011
Venomous tentacula
A shawl knitted from two balls of Lang Yarns Jawoll Magic Dégradé on a 4mm circular, from the Venomous Tentacula pattern by Jennifer Dassau. Knitted as a gift for @TheWLFMilliner to keep her warm in her garret as she hand crafts berets for revolutionary socialist cats of the #wlf (Whiskas Liberation Front - more details here).
I really enjoyed knitting this, as the pattern was easy to remember, and it made great knitting group knitting. I doubled the size that was on the original pattern, using two balls instead of one, and ended up with a good sized shawl, which I am sure will keep its new owner snuggly. I only got a bit desperate to finish with about one quarter to go, but it was worth the struggle. Knitting teaches us patience and perseverance. And look how nice the holey broad border turned out!
Posted by glittrgirl at 7:57 PM | Comments (1)
June 14, 2011
Meet Mr Tibbs and his cushion
Based on Donna WIlson's Ginge Marmalade pattern from The Knitted Odd Bod Bunch, made with 100% acrylic, embroidery thread and string. Designed to look as close to The Legendary @MrTibbsatAP of the #wlf, he is currently guarding fish in Oxford. Knitted on request, which I rarely do.
I also knitted this cushion as a housewarming gift, it needed a Mr Tibbs to sit on it.
Making these two cracked me up. I had SO much fun with the patterns - the cushion being my own and the cat adapted slightly. Even knitting fair isle with gold lurex was bearable (it was like knitting with Wonder Woman's lasso) as the results emerged and knitting accurate fonts was fun. Yes it was. Really.
Posted by glittrgirl at 7:49 PM | Comments (1)
April 11, 2011
Pseudo Converse-ish baby booties
I have wanted to knit these for ever. minimrnick should be able to make good use of a pair I reckon. Knitted in pure baby acrylic, so can be flung in the wahing machine and should not irritate baby soft skin. Nice and quick - easily done over an evening - and indescribably cute.
Posted by glittrgirl at 2:13 PM | Comments (1)
March 23, 2011
#11in11 Stripe Study Shawl
Number 6 done. My back is stiff but not as sore, so I can knit a bit ..... Longest cast off in a long time, but totally worth it. Despite this being a garter stitch pattern with loads of short rows, which you would think would drive you mad, it is actually an addictive pattern. It is rhythmic to knit, you get into the swing of counting to 20, and it simply flies by. Highly recommended. I did 13 stripes, which made a shawl size, but I am please I did. It is one of my favourite things already.
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:45 AM | Comments (0)
March 22, 2011
#11in11 progress with usual cat help
Number 4 is completely done. I knitted a huge tube, them seamed top to bottom with right sides together. I left a gap and turned it through so that the seam is on the inside of the double layer tube and rearranged it so that the seam runs vertically on the inside, and the stripes, which were knitted running horizontally round the tube. now run vertically on this cowl. Loads of knitting but totally worth it.
Number 6 is this Romney Kerchief from Jared Flood's pattern. Knitted with one skein of aran weight Shepherd's Wool, which is tweedy and deliciously soft. Again a really easy pattern. I have chosen easy patterns for most of my #11in11s, as I usually knit them at the pub or The Knit Studio over beer or tea and chatting with friends.
Number 7 is the Stripe Study Shawl by Veera Välimäki, which is about 90% done. As I am quite far on with this project, I am going to have a break from neckerthings after this one, and only finish naughty corner projects for the remaining 4. I am going to knit a couple of garments in the meantime. Which will be nice - spring cardies, yay!
And of course Greebo loves to help....
Posted by glittrgirl at 1:12 PM | Comments (1)
March 13, 2011
Meet Eldrid Elephant. My gift to the cats in hats of the #WLF
A wise guardian, always available to help with incursions, for the whiskas liberation front.
Knitted with one hank of Rowan Magpie Tweed in grey on 4mm bamboo dpns. Bit hard on the hands, but I wanted a firm fabric which would not show the stuffing. The pattern is Ysolda's Elijah.
Eldrid is a small elephant who likes blue string soup. I think he may have distant Clanger relatives. He is rather cold in the north east climes of England and needs something to keep him warm. A jumper has been suggested by Pat, which I think is a splendid idea, and should the gift be acceptable, I would like to show his undying support by adding a tribute to the #wlf.
Cats - Eldrid is yours, whenever you need him.
Posted by glittrgirl at 7:44 PM | Comments (0)
February 20, 2011
Dragon Fairy Cowl #11in11 number 5
Very purple, VERY warm and snuggly. Just like Puffles..... My number 5 of #11in11, knitted with one hank of Schachenmayr Fantasy Flower, which has little woolly flowers with beads in the middle incorporated into the yarn. Knitted on 6.5mm circ, in two nights - chunky weight yarn = instant gratification knitting.
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:26 PM | Comments (0)
February 13, 2011
#11in11 progress is good with 2, 3, 4, 5 (dragon fairy cowl) and cat help
My neckthings are multiplying!
I blocked Chadwick eventually, that's number 2.
Streaming Leaves Scarf is 3, all done, blocked and with buttons added. Matches a beret I knited recently.
Then I have been knitting this laceweight tube (4) for a while, it is perfect pub knitting, as it's simply stocking stitch in the round. It will have the top and bottom seamed together to create a double layer cowl/snood. And is knitted with a Zauberball Lace in Blue Jeans.
Lastly I started this dragon fairy coloured chunky weight cowl, number 5, in some novelty yarn I bought in France a couple of years ago, it's Schachenmayr Fantasy Flower. I hated the pattern that came with it, and frogged what I had knitted, deciding a plain cowl would suit the deep purple wool embellished with little woolly flowers, much better. It's nearly done and I am already planning number 6.....
Thanks to Greebo for helping with modelling.
Posted by glittrgirl at 4:27 PM | Comments (1)
January 9, 2011
#11in11: number 1 Blossom and laceweight shawlette
Pattern by Anne Makepeace. One ball Noro Blossom, and some leftover handpainted.com laceweight in black. Simple. Warm. Effective. A present. Hope she likes it......
Posted by glittrgirl at 4:28 PM | Comments (1)
January 1, 2011
Vivienne: my Christmas jumper
Made for me by my mam. Perfect fit, perfect colour, perfect buttons. Perfect. I love getting handmade presents.
Posted by glittrgirl at 4:34 PM | Comments (0)
December 28, 2010
The cost of labour: Tuscan Leaves beret
I decided to time how long it took me to knit this hat. Then cost out exactly what it should sell for, should I ever decide to turn my hobby into a cash earner. Mostly this is for the benefit of my friends and family who tell me that I 'could make a living' from my knitting.
My knitterly friends, I apologise, you have probably already carried out this exercise yourself.
My non-knitterly friends, please take note of the following:
Think about how much hats like these are selling for in your favourite high street retailer or designer provider.
Here are some examples sourced today from the following websites:
- Primark - individual items not on th company website - probably due to extremely high turnover of stock, but reckon on about £3.99? 100% acrylic undoubtedly
- Top Shop - £12-£20 depending on fibre and complexity, acrylic to acrylic/wool blend
- Dorothy Perkins - £8-£10, 100% acrylic
- Next - £10, 100% acrylic
- Marks & Spencer - £10-£15 depending on fibre and complexity, acrylic to acrylic/wool blend
- Toast - £25-£45 depending on fibre and complexity, 100% lambswool, to a merino/mohair blend with a small amount of elastane
- Boden - £19 for a 70% lamsbwool/20% angora/10% acrylic mix
- Urban Outfitters - £20-£35 depending on fibre - 100% acrylic to 100% lambswool
None of these companies tells you anything about how the fibre and yarn is sourced or produced, or indeed much about the labour used to make these snuggly winter goods, supposed to keep you warm in the sub-zero temperatures of the current UK winter.
By the way, acrylic in this form doesn't really keep you warm.
Now, I am not going to get into arguments about cheap outsourced labour, or about the merits or otherwise of farming, producing and wearing animal fibres. Nor indeed about profit motives. Others have done, and do that far, far better then I could ever hope to do.
Nevertheless a comparison is a useful exercise, I think.
May I present the fruits of my own labour:
One handknitted hat, made from hand-kettledyed extrafine merino and silk blend, handspun by women and bought from a non-profit organisation which benefits co-operatives of Uruguayan women to provide them with economic and social opportunities. 100g is enough to make two hats, and costs around £13 (this particular skein was a secret Santa gift).
It took me about 6 hours of knitting to complete this one hat, on 3m and 4.5mm needles.
The pattern was not my own. I paid $4.50 for it. Which means I cannot sell hats I make from this pattern, as it is copyrighted, and any sales would be an infringement of the contract I entered into on purchasing the pattern.
Any designer will tell you that it takes a long time (50+ hours is not unrealistic) and a lot of effort to produce a mistake free pattern, suitable for retail.
Before you ask, there are loads of free patterns out there, but sales of items knitted from such patterns would be an infringement of the agreement you enter into when you download them. See the copyright guidelines at knitty.com for a good example.
My OER friends - there are few openly licensed patterns available at this time.
Anyway, back to the costing exercise.
If we cost my time at the minimum wage (which we all know is anything BUT a minimum wage, as benefits are required to top it up to enable people to live even the most frugal of existences) of £5.93 (yes I am over 21) per hour we get the following:
Materials:
(not including heat, light, needles etc)
£6.50 for yarn
£2.98 for pattern
£5.93 x 6 hours for my time = £35.58
Giving a total bare cost minimum of: £45.06
Once you add in costs of light, heat, needles, computer depreciation (since there is my online presence, sourcing of patterns, potential sales platform, since if I am knitting I can't really be running a physical shop) etc.
I could realistically price this hat at £50.
And that inclues no recognition of the skill used. I am an expert knitter meaning I have spent between 5000 and 10,000 hours learning and perfecting my skill. How is that costed or recognised?
Plus - that price does not including any brand premium, marketing, profit margin etc etc etc.
£50 is a fairly realistic price. Not a greedy price. The price of labour and materials. A realistic exchange for something knitted with love, skill and for something which is fairly unique. Bear in mind that if this was my main way of earning a living, some weeks I might only sell one small item.
Would you pay it?
Now think carefully next time you go shopping. And bear in mind that handknits are all the rage right now, rather than machine knits. What did that hat REALLY cost to make? And are you prepared to meet those costs? Are you in any way recognising the skill and workmanship that went into your hat? And will you look after it? Cherish it? Wash and dry it carefully to get the longest lifetime out of it you can?
Thought not.
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:47 AM | Comments (8)
December 11, 2010
Psycho Chicken tea cosy
One skein of Colinette Point Five, the Chicken Little pattern again. It's mad in a retina burning colour combo called Honolulu. I hope it's recipient likes it!
Posted by glittrgirl at 7:57 PM | Comments (2)
December 5, 2010
Chicken Little
A quirky tea cosy, which is a birthday gift for a friend. Knitted in one hank of Colinette Point Five on 10mm needles. Finished with a selection of bits and pieces which matched the October Afternoon colourway. 3 hours start to finish.
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:26 AM | Comments (0)
October 19, 2010
Loppem
Loppem by Nora Gaughan is a lovely short sleeved cardie, knitted in one piece, which was a delight to knit. It went fast. It stayed interesting. It was easy to adapt.
I knitted this one in Patons Jet, in a lovely pinky brick colour. The yarn is a chunky weight, and the pattern called for aran weight. I knitted a tension square on the suggested needle size, just to see what the fabric was like, but it was too stiff. I went up a needle size, and to compensate for that and the fatter yarn, did the smallest size. This easily fits a 36 inch bust. I lengthened the body from 9 to 13 inches to keep my kidneys warm.
The result is rather nice - though it fits my mother better than me, so she will end up with it.
The yarn came from Kemps, and was 69p a ball.... I used 7.5 balls. Cheap! Warm! Red! Delightful.
Posted by glittrgirl at 1:18 PM | Comments (2)
September 21, 2010
She wore a raspberry beret...
... well not exactly raspberry - more like RED!
Foxy Beret by Kim Hargreaves, in the new Killer Red colourway of Rowan Kidsilk Haze. It's not the cheapest beret, as you have to hold three strands of KSH together (you can make it with two balls), but my oh my is it warm and fluffy! I blocked on a twelve inch dinner plate for a perfect fit.
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:17 AM | Comments (2)
September 19, 2010
Vintage 50s turban
I loved this vintage pattern on the V&A site as soon as I saw it. I have been contemplating knitting it for ages, and a recent rake through my stash revealed two hanks of Romni Wools Angora Silk in black, that I thought would be perfect - nice stitch definition, and a luxurious feel. Boy am I pleased with this result! I have over enhanced the exposure and saturation on this pic slightly, so that you can see the stitch definition clearly, and so that my face is obscured as much as possible - it is Sunday morning after all.... The hat and hair combo makes up for it though ;)
Posted by glittrgirl at 9:28 AM | Comments (1)
August 2, 2010
Wispy
Wispy Cardi by Hannah Fettig. Knitted in one ply Tia Silk Laceweight from Fyberspates, in the mushroom colourway. So light. So drapey, so metallic looking, so rich, so beautiful, and surprisingly warm. Details at Ravelry.
Posted by glittrgirl at 1:14 PM | Comments (0)
June 20, 2010
Featherweight cardie
Featherweight cardigan by Hannah Fettig
Knitted with handspun and dyed black merino from handpaintedyarn.com bought ages ago. You need the bright hours of sunshine to knit black laceweight in stocking stitch believe me.
I added a doubled rib hem on the body and the sleeves to give more structure, and beads along the edges and on the stocking stitch shawl collar. I also added grosgrain ribbon to fasten.
I think with hindsight I may have made a size smaller, but it looks lovely over my floor length floral summer frock. Details at Ravelry.
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:51 PM | Comments (3)
May 5, 2010
Fireside cardie
Fireside Sweater by Amber Allison
I think I possibly could have made this a size smaller, but as it is, I love it.
Details at Ravelry.
Edited to add: The buttons are handmade ones bought from Tree Gems at Folksy, made from peachwood, and the little metal Handmade with Love tag came from a recent visit to All The Fun Of The Fair in London.
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:39 AM | Comments (1)
May 4, 2010
Sneak preview of Fireside Cardie
Fireside Sweater by Amber Allison
It's blocking, but I love it so much I couldn't wait until it's dry and Tallulah can model it. This photo is very true to the colour. It's New Lanark Donegal Silk Tweed Aran weight in the Lovage colourway. It reminds me of that faded pair of old soft washed denim jeans that you can't bear to part with. I love the cables, I love the shaping, I love the collar, I love this pattern. More modelled shots soon. Details at Ravelry.
Posted by glittrgirl at 5:40 PM | Comments (0)
May 3, 2010
Nicole cardie
Nicole by Azize Stirling.
Tallulah is doing her best to model Nicole, knitted in Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend, but really, it looks better - nay, MUCH better - on a living moving person.
You know the best thing?
It suits EVERYONE who tries it on. And I really do mean everyone. The drape is lovely, the colour is gorgeous, the sleeves are perfect and it was a very easy knit. A zen knit for those requiring mindless stress relief. A telly knit. A delightfully uncomplicated knit. With beautiful consequences.
I finished this a few days ago and have worn it non stop. Draped and pinned on the shoulder with a shawl pin, hanging loose, with collar turned back, without collar turned back, wrapped loosely around body and pinned with a shawl pin. This cardie can be worn in so many ways.
I was inspired to knit mine after seeing Anne's in a variegated colourway. If I had only looked on Ravelry I would never have even considered making this garment, since out of the few that had made it, it was described as tedious and dull. I didn't find it so at all. Zen. Just what I needed. Everyone needs some mindless knitting. If that's you. consider making Nicole, or a version of Flag from Knitonthenet.
Posted by glittrgirl at 8:18 AM | Comments (0)
May 2, 2010
Citronesque socks
I had a hank of cashmere sock yarn from the first ever lots that were dyed by Hipknits. It was in the stash from 2006.... And the colour was a lovely jade/sea green, very similar to the Citron shawl I knitted recently.
I decided that some socks using the same stripe ruffle pattern from Citron would be really nice for lounging around on the sofa in. After all, you don't really want to be wearing precious cashmere socks out by putting boots over them - do you?
I am very pleased with the finished result, and have them covering my tootsies right now. Very snuggly they are too.
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:41 PM | Comments (0)
April 11, 2010
Hanne
Here, eventually, is a pic of my finished Hanne by Lia Moya. Knitted with Noro Cash Iroha. Details at Ravelry. I have worn this loads - it's been washed five time already - in the washing machine on a cold wash with Ecover delicates liquid. It's the perfect spring garment.
Posted by glittrgirl at 9:38 AM | Comments (2)
March 10, 2010
Spring slippers
French Press Felted Slippers by Melynda Bernardi 
I love them.
They are a great pair of slippers.
The colour is superb, the buttons match perfectly, they are snuggly warm.
The details are over at Ravelry.
But.
They are too big.
I suspect they will become a gift.
Gutted.
I may make them again - smaller.....
Posted by glittrgirl at 5:25 PM | Comments (4)
February 7, 2010
Citron
The only pic that was usable from today's photo shoot. The rest just didn't capture the colour. I shall try again tomorrow for a shot of the whole thing. This is it after blocking today. It's lovely! I would highly recommend this yarn. Details at Ravelry.
Posted by glittrgirl at 5:16 PM | Comments (1)
January 2, 2010
Rowan free gift 2009 - Lace Scarf by Sarah Hatton
Details at Ravelry. I love this piece in Pure Wool 4ply, eau-de-nil colourway, though it is actually more of a duck egg blue. Warm, and gorgeous to wear wrapped round my neck three times. It is knitted in a long scarf shape with a provisional cast on which becomes a graft to form a circular shape - which is such a great idea!
Tallulah is modelling with it wrapped twice around her neck; it's more cosy wrapped three times in the current weather.
Posted by glittrgirl at 5:21 PM | Comments (0)
December 31, 2009
Selbu modern
Details at Ravelry. Finished after several false starts trying to decide on colourways. I like how this has turned out.
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:15 AM | Comments (4)
December 28, 2009
Ribba cap
Pattern by Woolly Wormhead - yarn given as a gift to me from Scumkitten, in a gorgeous blue and brown colourway which reminds me of the coastline, which she got on Orkney. Details at Ravelry. I love the seashell shape of this hat. Its warm and the colour looks great with my hair! Impossible to take pic of myself though....
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:15 PM | Comments (0)
December 21, 2009
Frosted Damson
Here she is all blocked and being modelled by Tallulah. Couldn't resist a frosty photo outside...
And this is the perfect project to show off my silver shawl pin from JealousyDesign a Swedish maker on Etsy. That's a lump of lava in some silver that is.
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:45 AM | Comments (1)
December 20, 2009
Frosted Damson blocking
Knitted with just over one hank of gorgeous Fyberspates Sparkle Sock in the Charcoal colourway, this is my Frosted Damson, from Ysolda's Damson shawlette pattern in Whimsical Little Knits 2. I have blocked mine quite hard as I like the way the lace holes form shapes reminiscent of hearts. The yarn is lovely, a nice mix of merino, silk and silver. This will be my festive seasonal knitted item of choice this year I think. More pics when she's dry.
Posted by glittrgirl at 1:27 PM | Comments (1)
November 30, 2009
Bunny hat - Silver Mist Rose Red
Knitted from one ball of Orkney Angora Incredible 100% angora DK, in the silver colourway. The pattern is Ysolda's Rose Red. Mine is therefore a Silver Mist Rose Red.
The pattern was an absolute delight to knit. Interesting and not difficult - and it looks pretty impressive.
I LOVED knitting the yarn. Whilst it sheds - as you would expect from a yarn made from such short fibres as bunny hair - it is deliciously soft, silky and oh so fluffy.
The hat (I made the M size) fits perfectly. Don't expect any give - there is no stretch in bunny fur based yarn, but my oh my it is WARM!
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:58 AM | Comments (3)
November 21, 2009
A jumper for Prudence, aged 3 months
Finished a while ago, but has taken sometime to blog. A nice knit in baby cashmerino, apart from the hood, where the instructions leave something to be desired. Had to frog back to the collar and start again, but it enabled me to redo the hood in my own way, rather than following the pattern, which meant a reduction in seams (which I think is a good thing in baby clothes).
The hood instructions call for stitches to be cast on, and these form the back of the hood, rather than the front- and these cast on stitches are supposed to be seamed to the neck after the hood has been knitted. The hood is knitted as one piece, and is seamed running from the back of the hood to the front, which gives the nice peak at the back. As with all other Debbie Bliss patterns, there are no diagrams of construction.
The bottom two pictures show the top seam of the hood done in kitchener stitch (rather than three needle bind off), and the back of the neck where the hood should be seamed to the back of the jumper after knitting. I picked up stitches along the back of the jumper before knitting upwards- this means no seam to rub against Prudence's neck.
Showing pictures of these specifics because in my hunt around the intraweb for other knitters' methods of getting around these problems, no one actually showed pictures of what they had done.
Posted by scumkitten at 1:41 PM | Comments (2)
November 10, 2009
Garter stitch mittens
Ysolda's free sideways garter stitch mittens pattern is a doddle to knit. These were done in two short evenings with a ball of Rowan Alpaca Cotton left over from my recent Peaks Island Hood.
Posted by glittrgirl at 3:48 PM | Comments (1)
November 1, 2009
Peaks Island Hood
So squishy! So soft! So lofty! So light! So warm! Knitted with 3 balls of Rowan Alpaca Cotton in the Thunder colourway. I used 3 buttons purchased at Woolfest some time ago, which are Alt Maen Quarry Buttons, handmade from slate for Spinning a Yarn. I like how they hardness contrasts with the squishyness of the garment. In point of fact I am now DYING for it to get cold so that I can wear this! Pattern is by Ysolda Teague from Whimsical LIttle Knits 2.
Posted by glittrgirl at 1:45 PM | Comments (1)
October 25, 2009
Endpaper mittens
Stylish in black and cream. Details on Ravelry.
Posted by glittrgirl at 5:21 PM | Comments (0)
Plain black socks
Easy sickbed knitting. Off the sickbed (mostly) now and these are eventually finished. Knitting fine black yarn on 2.25mm needles isn't easy when the light is OK - when the light is not OK it's verging on the impossible. So these have been knitted over a very long period of time when the light has been OK. They aren't perfect, as they yarn was slightly splitty, but for me, for wearing under boots, they are good enough. And they fit me really well. Details at Ravelry. The yarn is mostly cotton with some lycra.
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:47 PM | Comments (0)
October 19, 2009
Endless knitted cardie shawl
I have swine flu at the moment. I am off work and confined more or less to the sofa, as I am so tired nearly all the time. I needed something I could pick up and put down that was not taxing to knit, had no shaping and an easy pattern which required no memorising. This is basically a rectangle, with a simple textured stripe stitch pattern. The clever bit is in the casting off and folding. Details at Ravelry. You can wear the finished cardi-shawl in a multitude of ways. Here are two. On Tallulah - who does not have swine flu.
Endless knitted cardie shawl by Jennifer Hansen
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:06 PM | Comments (1)
October 8, 2009
Clapotis in white linen
Details at Ravelry. Yarn purchased on my recent trip to Helsinki, and is Drops Lin, a loosely plied pure linen. I have some crystal beads which I was thinking of adding to the edges, but as I want to wash and tumble dry this item I decided that taking them off and adding them on again each time I wanted to wash the shawl was way too much bother. Besides, it's pretty as it is.
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:07 AM | Comments (2)
October 7, 2009
Saartjes Bootees for Jacob
Knitted with Sirdar Snuggly so they can be washed easily. I hope they fit! Details at Ravelry.
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:41 AM | Comments (0)
October 6, 2009
Opart baby blanket
Details at Ravelry.
I am pleased with how this turned out.
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:03 PM | Comments (0)
October 5, 2009
Poinsettia neck warmer
Knitted from Anne Hanson's Poinsettia pattern available at knitspot and from Knitty.com, with less than one hank of Colinette Jitterbug in one of the semi solid colours, Velvet Bilberry.
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:15 PM | Comments (0)
September 13, 2009
Rosy Posy Tea Cosy encore!!
This is a rather late wedding present for some friends who got hitched recently. I hope they like this version of the Rosy Posy Tea Cosy! It looks a bit like a jam tart.....
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:56 AM | Comments (0)
August 31, 2009
Stripey Helsinki Cornish Sockhead Hat
I finished my hat which I took to knit in Helsinki. I finished it there, which means it will always remind me of my visit. Knitted in two balls of undyed Cornish Gotland 4 ply which you can buy from Blacker Designs, which as a superb range of rare breeds yarn, all of which I covet. Even the scratchy stuff. I used the sockhead hat pattern which you can get from www.bohoknits.etsy.com via Ravelry, and I knitted 4 rows of alternating greys throughout.
Posted by glittrgirl at 9:02 AM | Comments (0)
August 23, 2009
2 skirts in two weekends
I just finished my second skirt in as many weekends. I have been trying to get my sewing mojo back on track by making up some easy Clothkits A-line skirts.
Last weekend I ran up the People Will Always Need Plates Municipal Green / Eau de Nil Trellick Facade Skirt Kit on Sunday afternoon, and this Sunday afternoon I made up the Mini Moderns Nana skirt .
I haven't taken photos yet, but if you look on the Clothkits website, you can see what they look like - mine look just the same!
I have worn the previous Make Your Own Clothes? Traffic Skirt Kit loads, which I made up back in May, and spent all the past week wearing my Trellick Facade one with footless black tights and a black top.
Next I have to choose fabric and pattern and get back to making things completely from scratch. The sewing machine is all warmed up and ready to go.....
Posted by glittrgirl at 8:48 PM | Comments (1)
August 16, 2009
Rosy Posy Tea Cosy
All done. Knitted from scraps of this and that, and I added a co-ordinating ribbon to keep the flowers in check. The pattern was really easy, and despite it looking like it's a lot of work, it knits up quite quickly with DK/worsted on 5mm needles.
Rosy Posy Tea Cosy by Leani Prior
The pattern is available for free from her website.
I used the knitted rose pattern. If I do another I will try the crochet roses next time as they have more petal shaping.
All in all I am pretty pleased with this, though the crocheted roses look to lie more closely together. I would also try knitting exactly the same thing with exactly the same needles with a slightly thicker yarn - aran maybe. An enjoyable stashbusting knit which will keep my tea hot. What more could I ask?
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:16 AM | Comments (2)
August 5, 2009
MaryElla3
All done!
Don't ask about the yarn of beads - they were a gift from Knitmonkey ages ago. I just followed the pattern and knitted them up. I chose (after much deliberation) a forest green ribbon through the centre to go with the chartreuse coloured beads and yarn, and added two press studs to fasten. I am wearing it today with matching t-shirt and I look SO stylish.
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:38 AM | Comments (0)
August 2, 2009
Square Cake bag: Lime cream Tilli Tomas Disco Lights
One skein of Tilli Tomas Disco LIghts in Lime Cream makes a Square Cake bag, by Jairlyn Mason, from Winter Knitty 2007, in the larger size. Behold:
I added a simple checked lining with a silver thread shot through it, some 4oz wadding to give it some body, and a flower encrusted with beads in its centre.
Posted by glittrgirl at 2:00 PM | Comments (0)
July 12, 2009
Lace choker
I knitted this about three years ago, when the Secret Knitting podcast had it as it's featured pattern. But it has sat at the bottom of a bag since then, awaiting buttons and beads adding on. I had totally forgotten about it until today when I was having a clear out of my project bags. As it was only going to take a little while to finish it, I did so. And here is is blocking on the arm of my sofa. I think it was knitted in some Rowan cotton double knit, but it was long ago I can hardly remember. The buttons are cream coloured paua shell (or something similar) and the beads are tiny pearl coloured seed beads, about 22 on each tendril. I felt inspired to finish it as we did such nice jewllery/accessories things on holiday at St Julien l'Ars.
Posted by glittrgirl at 2:52 PM | Comments (0)
July 4, 2009
Corsages made at St Julien l'Ars
Evening workshops in crochet and yoyo corsage construction resulted in this trio of gorgeousness.
Posted by glittrgirl at 8:18 PM | Comments (1)
June 6, 2009
Ishbel beret
From Ysolda's Whimsical Little Knits, both the pattern and the yarn match the Ishbel shawl I blogged recently.
Now for the pics, all newly sprayed damp and blocking on a dinner plate.
Posted by glittrgirl at 3:51 PM | Comments (2)
June 1, 2009
Earth Maiden
Knitted with one and a half balls of Kauni Effektgarn in the monochromatic EC colourway, this is Earth Maiden by Ilga Leja. I added a few repeats of every pattern other than the first as I dod not want my version to end up too narrow. My completed and blocked extended larger shawl measures 24 inches by 72 inches. It will be so warm in the autumn! I am on a bit of a lace drive at the moment, and this easy knit went really quickly.
Posted by glittrgirl at 7:49 AM | Comments (1)
May 31, 2009
Ishbel
The delightful and thoughtful Scumkitten gave me a copy of Ysolda's Whimsical Little Knits when I visited her in Cornwall recently. I love this little book! I had bought some Dream In Color Baby, laceweight, in Black Parade when I was in London, in Stash some months ago, ably abetted by Flossie.
When I saw Ishbel, I knew right away that the DIC was destined to become this lovely little shawl.
I added an extra repeat of patterns A and B, and ended up with a perfectly sized shawl - 24 inches deep and 62 inches wide. The Black Parade is really a dark navy blue, almost a solid colour, but with subtle variations in shade from black to a lovely Japanesey inky blue. Simply gorgeous. And the yarn is SO sproingy. I was a delight to knit and a joy to block. I can't wait to wear it.
Thanks Ysolda for such a well written pattern. I have cast on the Ishbel beret with the left over yarn from my one skein of DIC. I bought two, so I will have another on to make into something else delightful.
Posted by glittrgirl at 4:17 PM | Comments (0)
May 10, 2009
Not my handiwork, but how lovely?
Kiri by Polly Outhwaite.
Posted by glittrgirl at 2:14 PM | Comments (0)
April 25, 2009
Fitted evening top
Details at Ravelry. I didn't like the straps/mini sleeves of the pattern, once I had knitted them, so I threw them out and used some matching ribbon in bows on the shoulders, and then threaded some narrow ribbon in the same colour through the top and where the stitch pattern changed. I really like the finished result.
It has a vintage underwear feel about it, possibly mostly to do with the colour.
Posted by glittrgirl at 7:47 PM | Comments (1)
April 20, 2009
Alpaca and silk head wrap
Details at Ravelry. I used some of the leftover baby alpaca and silk from my Arisaig for the frill, and the body is knitted in Blue Sky Alpacas alpaca silk in the Blush colourway. Pattern from Mac and Me. I like the subtlety of the pale pink and cream. It reminds me of strawberries & cream ice cream.
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:01 PM | Comments (0)
March 21, 2009
Back-to-school u-neck vest
Back-to-school U-neck vest by Stefanie Japel
I love the teal colour and rib and waffle stitch textures on this, and it fits me perfectly. I made it exactly as the pattern suggested.
Thanks again to SilverSpringKnit for the yarn and the suggestion to make something from this book, which has been in my library some time, and from which this is the first project I have made. I suspect I shall make many more now. As this is a worsted weight yarn, it knitted up on 4.5mm needles really quickly.
Full details at Ravelry.
Posted by glittrgirl at 6:11 PM | Comments (2)
March 16, 2009
Palindrome scarf
Palindrome scarf by Kristin Bellehumeur
Knitted as a replacement for this, which got stolen. I used a reversible pattern this time, the Palindrome scarf, by Kristin Bellehumeur. Details at Ravelry.
Blogged here. I don't think I am tall enough to whisper in his ear....
Posted by glittrgirl at 8:38 AM | Comments (0)
March 15, 2009
Lace wrap cardie with eyelets
From Rebecca 29. Knitted in ggh kid mohair. Full details at Ravelry.
Lace wrap cardie from Rebecca 29
I didn't like the idea of tying and retying mohair waist ties, so I used some midnight blue satin ribbon, and made the ties long enough to go right around my waist - which is not as slim as Tallulah's!
I have a midnight blue silk slip trimmed in black lace that will look fabulous with this cardie over a pair of jeans.
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:35 AM | Comments (1)
March 14, 2009
See through striped sweater by Sarah Hatton
This has been sitting around waiting to be seamed for about a month. Even once I did seam it, it's taken me a week to take a photo in daylight.... Details at Ravelry.
I present my erstwhile model Tallulah:
Posted by glittrgirl at 6:13 PM | Comments (0)
March 8, 2009
Walking Cable Socks- Finished
Pattern from Yarn Foward No. 7 (December '08), by Anniken Allis. A very nice pattern, although there are some errata in the magazine, so check out their webpage before you knit.
Yarn is Calmer from Rowan, in a very old, long extinguished shade- but it works really well for a thick, soft, comforting sock. Probably best for indoor wear, I'd imagine. Not sure it'd stand up to proper hiking boots.
Posted by scumkitten at 2:29 PM | Comments (1)
February 23, 2009
Stripes & trees mittens
Better photo. Made from a mitten kit from www.riihivilla.com So warm and snuggly! Pity the snow has disappeared.....
Ravelry details here.
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:04 AM | Comments (0)
February 22, 2009
Stripes & trees mittens
Finished and photographed on train back from Brighton. Many thanks to Lainch/Loobles and family for a splendid weekend!
Posted by glittrgirl at 3:40 AM | Comments (0)
February 14, 2009
Slither reprise
Slither by Veronica O'Neil from Knitty Fall 08
I made another set of Slithers, this time in just two colours, with matching rather than contrasting buttons like the first ones. These are a late birthday present, so I hope the recipient likes them! Details over at Ravelry, but knitted with two balls of RYC Cashsoft Aran in a soft black and one in bright red.
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:30 AM | Comments (1)
February 12, 2009
Topi cap
Made for Vicky at work, this was a really fast knit, which used less than one ball of Rowan Pure Wool Aran. Vicky provided the buttons. She looks dead cute in it doesn't she? Pattern from knitty.com
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:56 PM | Comments (1)
January 29, 2009
Shetland Shorty
It's taken a while to finish (it sat like a naughty kitten in a box over Christmas), but here's the Knitty Shetland Shorty in RYC Cashcotton Soft 4 ply, Cyclamen(3 balls required). It's a lovely yarn, as it's name suggests, very soft. Knitted on 3.5 mm needles as per pattern, and despite getting gauge, the pattern does knit up quite large- this is a medium size, and it's too big for the original intended recipient. Luckily I have another friend who it is perfect for.
The wrap turns didn't look brilliant on the collar, so I embroidered flowers over the turns in the same wool, then highlighted with pale pink embroidery silk.
Posted by scumkitten at 3:34 PM | Comments (2)
January 22, 2009
Slither
Slither by Veronica O'Neill
Slither armwarmers from Knitty. I made the small size, and used two balls of Rowan Pure Wool Aran in black together with a ball each of RYC Cashsoft Aran in Bluet and Bud. Metal flat buttons on shanks, and all done for a 16 year old's birthday present.... Full details at my Ravelry page.
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:56 AM | Comments (0)
January 17, 2009
Something Fishy
Yet more Knitty Fish Hats, this time knitted for two little girls, who requested the colours. Yarns are random odds and sods, including Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, Noro Silk Garden and Rowan Calmer. Used buttons a la Glittr, and altered the tail so it sits properly for the anatomy of a fish, rather than of a certacean (which the original pattern does).
Click on thumbnails for bigger pictures.
Posted by scumkitten at 3:51 PM | Comments (1)
January 10, 2009
Aum eye pillow
Done! One skein of RYC Bamboo Soft in a lovely pale silvery grey. I made the liner pillow ouf of a piece of cream duchesse satin I had lying around, and stuffed it with rice. The pillow closes with two small press-studs. The cover was knitted with 3.25mm needles and the pattern, by Susan Dittrich is free from Knotions.
Posted by glittrgirl at 5:56 PM | Comments (1)
December 28, 2008
Lace rib cowl
Knitted using the Purl Bee pattern Cashmere Cowl No 2 - Lace Rib, which is available for free. I cast on fewer stitches (168) and used one skein of Colinette Jitterbug in the Salty Dog colourway. I LOVE this deep petrolly blue. The finished cowl is 17 inches circumference, and 9 inhces deep. Plenty to keep me warm and snuggly and quite stretchy too. I am very pleased with it.
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:21 PM | Comments (0)
December 24, 2008
Beth's fish hat
Well, I made Ben his requested scarf,and I can't give one without the other, so I decided to make the Fish Hat from Winter 2008 Knitty. I had several bits and pieces of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, and these colours seemed perfect for a Christmas present: Cherry Moon, New Age Teal and Antique Lace. Knitted on 4mm dpns. Such a fun pattern to knit! I used buttons for the eyes rather than appliqued felt as suggested in the pattern, and I picked up the wraps round the mouth shaping, after trying it without (as the pattern suggests) and not liking the outcome.
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:05 AM | Comments (0)
December 19, 2008
Ben's stripey scarf
My cousin's little boy asked me recently at a family get together if I would knit him a red and blue scarf. How could I resist a five year old asking for handknits?
Knitted using two balls of Patons Diploma Gold superwash DK, which is usefully able to be tumble dried. I used shades 6139 and 6169, lovely rich deep red (Cherry) and a slatey blue (Airforce). I cast on 38 stitches and used a 1x1 rib on 5.5mm needles for the whole scarf, making for very neat colour changes. I broke into the second ball of each colour to make some opulent fringing, which I hope he is going to love! My mother suggested going up a few needle sizes to what the ball band suggested, both to make knitting ribbed stripes go faster, and also to make the fabric more floppy. Worked a treat! She was right in that a 1x1 rib fabric on the suggested needles would have made a stiffer fabric which would have not been scarf like at all.
Finished dimensions: 4.5 inches wide x 58 inches (excluding a 4 inch fringe each end). Which should be perfect for a five year old.
Quite good illness knitting. No concentration required.
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:17 AM | Comments (2)
December 8, 2008
Baby bootees
Knitted for friends who have just had a baby. Used one ball of RYC Bamboo Soft in a lovely dark blue slatey colour called Cambria and a couple of shirt buttons. It's a Debbie Bliss pattern (runs for cover). From Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino book.
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:51 PM | Comments (0)
Fair isle tam
Tam A from the Knitty Three Tams pattern by Angela Sixian Wu. I knitted mine on 4.5mm and 5mm needles, using one skein of Rowan Magpie Aran in a pewter grey colour, and one ball of Noro Kureyon in a shade I can't remember, since it has been sitting in my stash without its ball band for a good while......
Made as a raffle prize. Hope the recipient likes it!
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:27 PM | Comments (1)
December 2, 2008
Fourth grade
Fourth Grade beret by Abby Franquemont
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:14 AM | Comments (5)
October 12, 2008
Drop stitch scarf
Colinette Giotto Drop Stitch Scarf
I cast on 25 stitches and the finished scarf is about 8 inches wide by about 56 inches long (minus fringing).
Posted by glittrgirl at 4:08 PM | Comments (1)
Liesl
Liesl by Ysolda Teague
Liesl knitting in Colinette Giotto (about 4.5 skeins), unknown colourway as it was purchased by Jeannie for me when she went to a workshop at the Colinette HQ in deepest darkest Wales. I love the autumnal colours of this colourway and I also love this pattern! It is very forgivng and would, I think, suit most body shapes with its flattering neckline and easy fit.
The buttons were a gift and are made from Fimo, each one a different colour. I think they go nicely with the variegated colourway.
Edited to add: Buttons came from www.mcanaraks.com, I did 14 pattern repeats on my sleeves, and I added a row of double crochet round the neckline to stabilise it, carrying on down the placket and making the buttons holes with chain stitch.
Posted by glittrgirl at 1:28 PM | Comments (3)
Tulip
Tulip by Marie Wallin
Tulip by Marie Wallin from Rowan 41. Knitted with Rowan Damask in the Anthracite colourway. I knitted the 12 using 9 balls of Damask. It fits really well. Tallulah likes it too.
Edited to add: I actually finished this back in August, but forgot to blog it until recently when Pebbles reminded me I had knitted a cardie recently....
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:23 AM | Comments (2)
September 23, 2008
Lapis socks
Knitted with one skein of Colinette Jitterbug in the Lapis colourway, to my own generic 3x2 rib pattern, flap and gusset heel, which fits my UK size 4 feet perfectly!
Posted by glittrgirl at 9:45 AM | Comments (0)
September 20, 2008
Morgan, reprise
Knitted as a gift for someone who doesn't read this blog, so safe to show you now. My second Morgan, the first was a bit more colourful, but I am sure the recipient will like this version, which took 2 balls of Jo Sharp Soho Summer DK Cotton in the Calico colourway. Knitted on 4mm dpns again. It reminds me of a bowling cap.......
Posted by glittrgirl at 4:37 PM | Comments (0)
September 14, 2008
Morgan
From Autumn Knitty I present Morgan. Well, blocking anyway.....
More pics when it's dry and I can take a pic of myself wearing it.
Knitted with two balls of King Australian Merinos Lame, gifted recently by etcgirl. I knitted mine on a set of 5x4mm dpns rather than two circulars as suggested in the pattern. Really nice little knit with interesting shaping, which turns out a very nicely shaped hat.
Edited to add pics:
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:34 PM | Comments (3)
September 7, 2008
Seaweed scarf
Seaweed scarf by Liz Baxter
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:00 AM | Comments (3)
August 12, 2008
Vintage beret
Vintage Beret by Sarah Hatton
Vintage Beret by Sarah Hatton
I love knitting with wool cotton, the stitches come out so even and the feel is soft and lovely, with intense dye colours and a nice drape.
Posted by glittrgirl at 8:27 AM | Comments (1)
August 10, 2008
Tainted scarf
Colourscape chunky, Tainted Scarf by Sarah Hatton
I love how the colour changes are so subtle, and how the colours are not repeated in one skein, apart from the beginning and end, which ,eans that you get nice transitions in projects larger than one skein.
It was a quick knit, taking just a couple of nights on 7mm needles.
It is 100% wool, not not as soft as some yarns, but warm and beautiful to wear.
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:48 PM | Comments (3)
Suzanne socks
Suzanne socks
The basic sock is a 3x2 rib, on this pair I did a 1x1 coff which I have since eliminated from my basic pattern. Flap heel adn gusset, because I have high insteps, and I can get them to fit me better than any other heel I have tried. They fit perfectly, and after knitting this pair (UK ladies size 4) I have enough yarn left for another pair from the one skein.
I would highly recommend this Wollmeise sock yarn. Great colours (this is the darkest version of the Suzanne colourway), great yardage and they wash really well too. Muchas gracias to Purlpower for giving me the yarn, it was dream to knit with, and I love the socks.
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:48 AM | Comments (3)
May 26, 2008
Floral Lace Anklets
Socks - Floral lace anklets, by Evelyn A Clark, from Interweave Knits Lace Style, in Regia Silk, Marine colourway. Gifted in Books and More Swap from Ravelry. I still don't know who my swapper was, but Thank you!
Posted by glittrgirl at 8:01 PM | Comments (1)
May 5, 2008
Colinette Perugino Throw
Perugino Throw
Posted by glittrgirl at 1:38 PM | Comments (1)
April 5, 2008
Kusha Kusha scarf
Habu kit-78 Kusha Kusha merino and silk stainless steel scarf
Ganainm gave me this amazing kit for my birthday. And I cannot thank her enough. I adore the colours, I adore the result, and the handfelting was great fun. I can see I will wear this a lot. Knitted with one strand of Habu Super Fine Merino A-177 in shade 28 Bordeaux together with one strand of Habu Silk Stainless A-20/21 1/20 in shade 45 Terracotta on 5mm, 4mm, 3.5mm and 3.25mm needles and gently handfelted. The pattern is also available online from The Purl Bee.
Posted by glittrgirl at 1:55 PM | Comments (2)
April 3, 2008
Pasties made and gone
Two sets of pasties which went to faeflitt and sillydoggies respectively. Unfortunately I forgot to photograph the third set which went to craftyretrogurl.
Posted by glittrgirl at 7:02 PM | Comments (1)
March 25, 2008
Simple faux faroese mini shawl
Simple faux faroese mini shawl
Posted by glittrgirl at 9:59 AM | Comments (2)
Dulcie 2
Dulcie, from Woolly Wormhead's book, Going Straight. Second version. Knitted in Artesano Hummingbird, in the Lapwing colourway on 4mm birch needles. I ran out of yarn with about 25 rows to knit. I had some Knitpicks Memories left over from some socks I have knitted for DJ Mikey some time ago, and as the Flyfishing colourway has exactly the same colours in it as the Hummingbird Lapwing, it seemed foolhardy not to try it out. Anyway, it has turned out well, and the change in yarn is barely noticeable.
Posted by glittrgirl at 9:32 AM | Comments (0)
March 9, 2008
Wickery
The pattern is Wickery from Woolly Wormhead. Knitted in Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Perry's Primrose, which is a vibrant magenta. I made the largest size as my head is quite big, but whether I shall keep it or give is to someone I have no idea yet. I do know I love knitting hats - better than socks, 'cos you only have to do one! And Woolly Wormhead's hats are great to knit. Here it is blocking on a dinner plate. A knitted terrorista can never have too many berets.....
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:46 PM | Comments (0)
March 7, 2008
Dulcie
Knitted in Artesano Hummingbird, in the Lapwing colourway on 4mm birch needles, in three days. This is another Woolly Wormhead hat from Going Straight, and therefore kniited sideways on, on straight needles and the edges grafted together. Just the thing to catch fish in don't you think?
Knitted for DJ Mikey's birthday.....
Posted by glittrgirl at 7:51 AM | Comments (0)
March 4, 2008
Reasons to wear Berets... 1,2,3, ummm, 4?
It's hard being a Knitted Terrorist. It's hard wearing either black or fatigues all the time (apart from if you are Glittr- she loves it), never feeling that it is appropriate to show those other sides to your personality, the sides that let you pick a violet without crushing it with your fist, smile at a couple in love walking through the park (yes, I know that 'innocents' are now considered a realistic target, but see, the man, he's wearing a Noro scarf!), watch 'Dirty Dancing' without smashing the TV. Afer all, how can a terrorist personality (whether a one off crazy, a small 'bijou' group fighting only for the rights of mittens, a large world-wide group pushing intasia on a mindless population, or even a group funded by a 'democratic' government to cause terror every which way with space-dyed sock yarn) marry the dual desires of everyday life and the obsessive certainty that everyone should wear knitted underwear?
We here at glittknittykitty understand your pain. We have therefore been thinking long and hard about possible changes, small changes, that can be taken to allow for the 'otherness' of a happy day in the park when no knitting-related bloodshed is required.
Our answer, thus far, is found in the beret....
Hats as blogged previously (apart from the orange one), and modelled by the delightful Scumkitten:
For spring days, when the sun is out and the wind is cold, the bright and sparky knitted terrorist wouldn't be out of place in this cute 'n spunky Enroule (by Woolly Wormhead) in pink angora. I've worn this for three days in a row, and have so far been told that 'I didn't think you were a pink kind of woman'. Challenge assumptions, people. Don't be afraid to go blancmange.
This is one for all you brainiacs out there. Visiting the library for the latest magic loop technique? Wishing to sit and drink coffee in a dark coffee house, but black just drains you? Then this Ysolda 'Gretel' cabled beret is just the thing. Although, I also think it has the hint of the 'Columbian drug baron' about it. No bad thing.
Yo, yo, yo! Yo! Hey dude! Just, like, chill! Throw some shapes, walk some style, bring it. on. down. Yo. Gemma, from Rowan, in Kid Classic. Glittr says: 'a hat by Sarah Hatton (Sarah Hat On..... geddit? I bet she get's that ALL the time, sorry Sarah)'.
And finally, feeling a little environmentally friendly? Worried about how your knitted attacks might be affecting the world around you? Well, don't concern yourself, my friend, continue to discard your yarn labels hither and yon with no thought for the little kittens choking on the paper, or the (god forbid) lack of biodegradability of that (gag) acrylic yarn you've used for your granny's scarf. Wear a green beret and stop thinking about the next generation. Nothing will matter once you've popped your clogs, after all. Candy Pi by Woolly Wormhead.
All hats, apart from the ridiculous orange one, knitted by Glittr. The ridiculous orange one knitted by Skitten.
I thank you.
Posted by glittrgirl at 9:16 PM | Comments (2)
February 29, 2008
Enroule
Enroule, from Woolly Wormhead's book, Going Straight. Knitted in Louisa Harding Kimono Angora, shade number 2, a lovely pink, on 2.25mm straight birch needles
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:05 AM | Comments (1)
February 24, 2008
Candy Pi
Candy Pi, by Woolly Wormhead, from Going Straight
I love how this has turned out, it fits perfectly and the green is gorgeous. These pics are pretty true in terms of colour. I photographed it on my watering can, which turned out to be a patient and accommodating model. I used less than half a skein of this lofty acrylic based mix. I did actually enjoy knitting acrylic with this yarn.... The first time ever!
The pattern is Candy Pi from Woolly Wormhead's book, Going Straight. I LOVE how her hats are constructed - knitted sideways on, on straight needles. Fabulous, a - very sculptural method of construction. I would heartily recommend this book to anyone. It is worth every penny, and I will knit every single one of the hats in it. This one was knitted on 5mm needles and was a speedy knit, perfectly reasonable to knit one in an evening.....
Posted by glittrgirl at 9:53 AM | Comments (1)
February 14, 2008
Drops scarf 104-2
104-2 Scarf with wave pattern in ”Fabel” by Drops design, knitted with 6 balls of Drops Fabel in red 672, and bordered with a crocheted border in Drops alpaca, in a lovely charcoal grey, shade number 506. 5mm needles made it a fast knit, and I love how the self patterning sock yarn has turned out with two strands held together. It reminds me of a persian carpet....
Posted by glittrgirl at 7:52 AM | Comments (1)
February 9, 2008
Glitter alpaca scarf
Lovely and soft...
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:04 AM | Comments (1)
January 31, 2008
Noro Scoop Neck Cardigan
This has been a nice knit, despite the apparent acres of stockingette. It includes set in sleeves, shaping using turned rows and of course, has the main body knit sideways, giving a flattering stripe. It also, which is new to me, has a crocheted edging. This caused a little trauma (OK, a few froggings, of the edging only!) but came good in the end. The crochet hook called for is tiny though - I really thought there was a mistake in the pattern until I read elsewhere that it worked. The crochet edging is essential - it really gives the cardigan structure and pulls it all together, so it isn't just 'floppy'.
The problems I had with the edging revolved around trying to make sense of the instructions, but in the end I went my own sweet way, doing what I thought would work - I basically did as instructed with a ds into four consecutive edge stitches, then missed the fifth, and I did this the whole way around the edge APART from the two front edges (I found that if I missed every fifth, then it became too tight and puckered horribly). I did also have to alter the pattern a little to stop the edging going 'frilly'- I did this by doing the ds/ch/ds into every other stitch and missing out the ss in the stitch between. I can't believe I'm talking crochet talk!
It's been blocked by washing (to get the Silk Garden lovely and soft) and then by gentle steaming (to get the seams sitting right). The buttons are brass, medium sized, from Rowan, and fit it perfectly, I think. The Noro Silk Garden colour = 241. The pattern is from 'Noro Collection' by Debbie Bliss. No pictures of me in the cardi, as it is a (belated!) birthday present for my mum.
And as Glittr showed you her label, I'll show you mine ;) A total steal of an idea from Purlpower...
Posted by scumkitten at 1:03 PM | Comments (5)
January 19, 2008
Brier
Finally! Brier by Kim Hargreaves, from Rowan mag 36. Knitted with Rowan Yorkshire Tweed DK in Frog. I used 9 balls. 3.25 and 4mm needles. I started this 2 years ago, and in a determined effort to rid myself of some WIPs that have been hanging around, I bravely resurrected its stocking stitch torture. I think the finished thing is worth it though.
The fabric really relaxed and got a lot softer with gentle steam blocking, and the finished jacket is very nice indeed.
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:22 PM | Comments (1)
January 2, 2008
Silver wire and glass bead knitted necklace
I finally finished this! I bought this Rowan kit ages ago and got it half price from the Rowan website - the box disintegrated and I lost the pattern long ago. It has been sitting in the hibernation pile for ages I did make some progress back in February 2007. But tonight, I finished it. Knitted on 3.25mm dpns. I honestly can't remember anything else about this, it has been hanging around so long.
Edited to add: It was the Rowan Carolina Necklace Kit.
Posted by glittrgirl at 8:27 PM | Comments (3)
Pomatomus complete
Completed Pomatomus socks - knitted with one skein of Fleece Artist Sea Wool in the Marine colourway, on 2.5mm birch dpns. And. They. Are. Gorgeous.
My feet are a UK 4 and I had a few yards of yarn leftover, despite going down a needle size to get a closer pattern. I love them.
Cookie says:
The finished socks are reminiscent of blue-green fish scales hence the name Pomatomus, the genus of the blue fish.
I think this yarn is perfect for them. Many thanks to my SP9 who gifted me the yarn. I hope I have done it justice.
Posted by glittrgirl at 4:34 PM | Comments (2)
January 1, 2008
Irish hiking scarf 2
Irish hiking scarf, encore!
Posted by glittrgirl at 2:07 PM | Comments (3)
December 27, 2007
Pomatomus number 1
One down, one to go.......
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:32 AM | Comments (2)
December 17, 2007
Beth's scarf
My cousin's daughter was the proud recipient of this pink scarf some time ago.
Unfortunately she lost it recently and was distraught. As soon as I heard how unhappy she was to lose her beloved pink scarf, I immediately started a replacement. When you get a note like this, it even makes knitting acrylic bearable.....
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:11 AM | Comments (1)
Two berets
The first one is Gretel by Ysolda, from her website, and the second one is the Chevron Beret from the November 07 edition of Magknits. The first one knitted in the medium size, in Rowan Magpie. The second one knitted in Rowan Tapestry in the Whirlpool colourway.
First on 3.75 and 4.5mm dpns, and the second on 3.75 and 4mm.
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:01 AM | Comments (1)
November 17, 2007
Fetching
Fetching aren't they?
Posted by glittrgirl at 1:17 PM
| Comments (1)
Rather than splashing out on Colinette yarn, I knitted from stash with two balls of KidSilk Haze in Anthracite, and two balls of Jaeger Silk, a discontinued 4 ply, in shade 135. Knitted on 4mm bamboo straight needles. It has ended up about 7 feet long and about 20 inches wide. Lovely and warm!
Posted by glittrgirl at 6:46 PM
| Comments (3)
Entry re-added because previous version weirdly vanished into the electronic ether..... I've been mainly knitting hats this last month, as presents for a number of females. Firstly, in 1 skein of Colinette Cascade, and a colour called 'firecracker' or something like that, a randomly cabled beanie for a friend's 12 year old girl. It took several attempts and a number of different initial 'official' patterns before I realised there was nothing out there that would work and I needed to get my fat arse brain in to gear. The random cables give it a nice nubbliness to the touch, resulting in others wishing to stroke the wearer's head. Luckily it was well received, despite earlier 'trying on' sessions before it was finished giving the wearer a 'lobotomised' look.
My first pair of Fetching, pattern from knitty.com. Knitted with 4mm bamboo dpns. The yarn is Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Tea Rose. One pair took about half a skein. I knitted them for a colleague at work who always has cold hands, to help her type more comfortably. As this yarn washes so well, I thought they might be nice for her to sling in the washing machine once week or so. She also has skin troubles, so the choice of yarn was dictated by non fluffiness, and least likely to irritate. I do hope she likes them! am very pleased with how the colour has turned out in this photo. I took it on white table, in a cream room, right in front of the window on a pretty dull day really, handheld, no tripod. The colour is pretty true.November 7, 2007
Mulberry
This is Mulberry from the Colinette book Arboretum - these photos show the stitches nicely, but the colour is best represented on an earlier pic when there was better light. October 31, 2007
Did you know that if you lose too much heat from your brain, your toeanails could drop off? Better wear a hat!
The second hat uses one skein Noro Silk Garden in colour 203, left over from my Klaralund. Based on the ubiquitous, but still very good despite this, 'noro silk garden beanie' pattern from Acunningplan, I kept the ribbing going and cabled it at odd moments. It works well, I think and adds an interesting textural element to the Noro striping. Again, once I've got it all written down, I'll tell you what I did.
And finally, a fully adult sized hat in Colinette Cascade (forest? some such colourway anyway!), once again, my own work, with repeating blocks of knit and purl, becoming building blocks- each block is 4sts x 6 rows. The recipient loves it, which is always a relief. I think the starting number of stitches is 108. The decreasing is based on the Noro Silk Garden Beanie with an extra decrease added.
Posted by scumkitten at 11:27 AM | Comments (0)
October 18, 2007
Linen skinny scarf
It is getting dark in the evenings here - hell it's getting dark during the day, so photographing FOs without proper lighting is difficult. If I get the chance to take these again, I will change the pics above.
Anyway, this is Get The Skinny Scarves by Sandi Wiseheart from Interweave Crochet, Fall 2005. The pattern, together with a 4mm hook, and 2 balls of Cool Linen by Diamond Yarn in shade number 8699 were sent to me recently by adriennec as part of Knitty SP9. I really enjoyed crocheting this scarf, and I think I will actually wear it! Thanks again Adrienne.
Posted by glittrgirl at 8:36 PM | Comments (2)
October 7, 2007
Stripey wavy scarf
Stripey wavy scarf
I love how this has turned out, and although I have not yet lined it, I do intend to back it with oyster coloured satin (when I get round to buying some). For now, you can feast your eyes on the delightful contrast between multi (Silk Garden shade 47) and plain (Cash Iroha shade number 1) coloured yarns. Thanks Nell Nell!
I will be writing up the pattern properly for download in the next couple of days.
Posted by glittrgirl at 1:36 PM | Comments (2)
September 9, 2007
Sparkley bag
Everyone needs a sparkley bag, just to have and love and caress and look at. If they use it to actually store stuff, or carry stuff around, that's a bonus, but a sparkley bag is something which only girls really understand. I made this one for my SP - Sandykins if you are looking at this, it will have stuff in it when you get it.....
I have made this bag and another similar one previously, but they are such a delight to knit, and people seem to really like getting them, that I decided to make another. I am sure it won't be the last! The pattern was a free handout from my local Rowan stockist some time ago.
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:12 PM | Comments (4)
September 8, 2007
Irish hiking scarf
Pattern from Hello Yarn. Knitted with 2.5 hanks of discontinued Rowan Magpie Aran, in shade no. 625, a soft liquoricey black, on 5mm Addi Turbos. This quick project came about because I was showing off my recent yarn purchases from Trondheim to some conference colleagues, and one of them foolishly asked me to knit him a scarf. So. Here it is.
Posted by glittrgirl at 4:12 PM | Comments (2)
August 11, 2007
Garter square cushion
Garter square cushion
Posted by glittrgirl at 5:56 PM | Comments (7)
July 25, 2007
The Somewhat Cowl
The Somewhat Cowl
Posted by glittrgirl at 7:49 PM | Comments (3)
July 15, 2007
Naughty knitting - sexy lingerie
Flower distraction, the naughty stuff is further in...
I made everything from Rowan 4 Ply Cotton in black, using a 3.5mm circular, or dpns. I had the red ribbon lying around - 2 metres would be enough if you need a guide, and I mixed in some Lurex Shimmer for the Hootchie Kootchie pasties by Nikol Lohr, from Naughty Needles. The Lacy Thong is by Laura Bintala from the Spring 2007 Interweave Knits, and is available to download as a free PDF. The garter is my own creation, and involved a simple cable cast on to a teeny Addi circular, three rounds of 1x1 rib, a round of k2tog YO, then three more rounds of rib before casting off ribwise. I used a picot crochet edging round both edges. I lightly steam pressed then added a bright red ribbon. What en ensemble!
A whole dressing up outfit in one evening of knitting. Not bad productivity really.
Posted by glittrgirl at 1:47 PM | Comments (6)
July 10, 2007
Sunshine cushion
Edited to add: Knitted from a Debbie Abrahams Sunshine cushion kit in ecru Rowan Denim., and white glass beads, on 4mm needles.
Posted by glittrgirl at 9:32 PM | Comments (1)
June 1, 2007
Sari silk yoga mat bag
Sari silk yoga mat bag
It took the full three hanks to knit this stocking stitch bag in the round on 8mm Brittany birch dpns, and it knitted up really fast! The drawstring and the handle were knitted on 5mm ebony dpns, drawstring is a four stitch icord, and the handle is 12 stitches simply knitted in the round and the ends sewn up. The bag will be sturdy, since I made a bag out of the same yarn a good while ago, and it is still going very strong. Now my yoga mat bag will match my other bag!
I love how the qualities of this yarn make every stitch different, and the intensity of the colours is fabulous.
Posted by glittrgirl at 7:27 PM | Comments (1)
May 27, 2007
Dandelion
Dandelion, by Marie Wallin
Knitted in Rowan Handknit Cotton, main colour Rosso and contrast colour, Flame. I knitted this faster than any other cardie I have knitted before, since I decided to knit the two fronts together, and the two sleeves together. I really liked knitting like this cardie, since I can be absolutely sure that both fronts are the same, and both sleeves are identical. The crochet round the edgings was easy and quick to do, and gives a nice feminine touch. I got nice little red clear pastic buttons at the fantastic Duttons for Buttons in York, a veritable treasure trove of trimmings.
I think I will wear this quite a lot this summer, open, over a tea dress with my lovely wellies (we do get quite a lot of rain here you know!), whilst eating strawberries and drinking champagne, hopefully!
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:01 AM | Comments (6)
May 25, 2007
Trekking XXL socks
Trekking socks
Posted by glittrgirl at 8:54 PM | Comments (0)
April 28, 2007
Clyde
I started this felted handbag from Rowan 38 some time ago. I got as far as the felting, then never finished it off. It sat wistfully on a pile of beads and embroidery stuff, forlornly whispering to me to please sew it up and make it look pretty. Well, today, that is exactly what I have done. This was knitted in the Rowan Yorkshire Tweed Aran in Wild Plum suggested in the pattern but I substituted the suggested 4 Ply Soft (Blessed) for another colour - whose name I have long forgot, but it is a deep deep purpley aubergine colour, left over from another project (Beetroot?). I used some fabric from an old dress for the handle, rather that the suggested wide ribbon, simply making a tube from the ready creased satiny floppy synthetic fabric. I thought the colours went too nicely to invest in anything else. The 4 Ply Soft felted irregular shapes were edged in ggh kid soft, shade 081, and I used some beautiful red glass beads (from Jesh, my upstream in SP7 - many, many thanks again!), which are lined with gold, as the detail on the 'pasties'. All in all, made from stash materials and a great little project which I would recommend. It would look lovely in a light blue with cream and gold trims as a more summery version, I think.
Posted by glittrgirl at 3:39 PM | Comments (3)
April 22, 2007
Habu silk linen bag
I was the lucky recipient of a Habu kit for my birthday from the overly generous Lucy. This is kit-18 , silk linen handbag by Setsuko Torii.
This charming boxy little bag is knit in stocking stitch with a strand of viscose paper linen and one of Tsumugi silk. Lucy chose a very natural colour combination which will work very well with my summer straw hat, so I will be perfectly accessorised for picnics and lazy summer days lounging by a treacly river.(if we ever get any). Thank you very much Lucy!!
Posted by glittrgirl at 3:48 PM | Comments (0)
Stripey socks
I made these perfectly sitting socks in Regia Silk Color, a machine washable 4 ply yarn which contains 20% silk, making the fabric incredibly soft, and which encourages great dye colour retention. I can't find this colourway online right now, but you can see the colours ..... I used a 2x2 rib for the cuff, a short row heel and a matched decreases toe, on 2.25mm bamboo dpns, with a 60 stitch cast on. They are knitted to my own pattern, which is a combination of the elements I like best from other patterns. They fit perfectly! I am really pleased with the results - lovely firm fabric which I am sure will last a good while, small neat stitches and no evidence of needle joins. Aaaaaaaah. So satisfying!
Posted by glittrgirl at 2:22 PM | Comments (3)
April 19, 2007
Snowflake socks
Snowflake socks
I decided to make the Snowflake Socks from Magknits September 06.
I made my socks, to fit me perfectly, and only used up one skein - So I can knit another pair of purple socks with the other one! Great!
Posted by glittrgirl at 7:50 PM | Comments (2)
April 12, 2007
Baby Bobbi Bear
I hope Isabella likes him!
Posted by glittrgirl at 4:37 PM | Comments (3)
February 4, 2007
Vintage roses socks
I knitted the Vintage roses socks which was a pattern in the recent free booklet with Knit Today. British knitting magazines, with the notable exception of Rowan (cue heavenly voices), are universally dire (waiting with baited breath for the second edition of Yarn Forward, though goodness only knows when that will be). However, the free booklet contained 5 patterns, 4 of which I will actually knit.
Enough of this blether, to the socks.....
I knitted tham in Rowan 4 ply soft, as the pattern recommended, though I went down a needle size, from 3.25 to 3mm. The original suggested doing the whole thing in one colour, but I decided to do the flower in a contrast, and changed colour at the toe to tone in. I used a bit of left over 4 ply cotton in a shade darker green for the leaves, going down from a 3.25 to a 2.25mm needle to knit those. Oh, and I used a different beading technique to that suggested, using the technique where you bring your yarn to the front of the work, slip a stitch knitwise, whilst sliding the bead up to lie at the front of the work, and then wrapping the yarn back to the back of the work for the next knit stitch.
All in all I am very pleased with the results. I only hope that their recipient likes them, and they fit her.....
Posted by glittrgirl at 2:34 PM | Comments (4)
January 22, 2007
Heart Sachet
Heart sachet in baby blue
Posted by glittrgirl at 7:45 PM | Comments (0)
Ooh La La! A girl can't have too many knitted berets
I got two balls of Sublime Kid Mohair for my birthday with a pattern for a beret with lace detail. Here it is! The pattern is a Sublime pattern, called Ooh La La, knitted on Knitpicks Options, in a powdery blue colour. Nice. And warm. Perhaps destined as a gift ....
Posted by glittrgirl at 3:35 PM | Comments (6)
January 6, 2007
Tilli Thomas disco lights skinny scarf
One skein of Tilli Thomas Disco Lights in Moss, knitted on Brittany birches, 3.5mm. 19 stitches wide, about eight feet long, and very soft. This yarn was gorgeous to knit with and is just as delightful to wear.
Posted by glittrgirl at 3:45 PM | Comments (8)
December 24, 2006
Whitewater wristwarmers
Whitewater wristwarmers in Debbie Bliss Pure Silk, a lovely clover colour. I hope the recipient likes them. I will NEVER knit with this yarn again. It is diabolical - pills, sheds and generally looked shit before the wristwarmers were even finished. The pattern on the other hand is a delight. I will definitely knit it again in a different DK yarn.
Posted by glittrgirl at 7:42 PM | Comments (2)
November 14, 2006
Jawoll Cotton socks
Holiday knitting in Spain was socks for me. I tried more than several times to get started on the Spiral Shawl from A Gathering of Lace. Nada. Socks went well though. The yarn was a present. The wool and cotton mix is lovely and I am sure that the reinforcing stuff you get in each ball will make these perfectly fitting socks last ages. I love 'em. Taking ipcs this morning was a right royal pain in the proverbial. However....
Too dark, too light, too much bloody trouble....
Posted by glittrgirl at 3:07 PM | Comments (0)
Sadie
Sadie in Rowan Wool Cotton
Posted by glittrgirl at 2:58 PM | Comments (0)
October 19, 2006
Print O The Wave
So here it is finally. Finished. Remember how long ago I started? Afrer several attempts, several froggings, consignment to the Naughty Corner for a few months, and a LOT of swearing, here she is, pre-blocking, blocking and in close-up. You know what? I can't wait to start another lacey piece....
Nerdy knitterly bit: I went up a needle size from the pattern, and am really pleased with the results to be honest, even though it took more yarn, and nearly drove to to drink with the interminable edging. After blocking mine turned out about 7 feet long and about 3 feet wide. It really is a stole. For info about the yarn refer back to here.
Pattern is Eunny Jang's.
There.
Done.
Blogged.
Closure.
Finally.
Please don't ask about Arisaig. Soon my friends, soon.
Posted by glittrgirl at 3:32 PM | Comments (8)
September 5, 2006
Danny
Remember this? Well, the hemp (from House of Hemp) is now this (the close up gives the best idea of colour - the weather is terrible for phtography here as it is so dark with constant rain):
Danny is the name of this pattern, knitted in the HoH 2 ply (which is equivalent to 4 ply) on 4mm needles, 3x3 rib cuffs, and 9x9 rib main body. Very little shaping, apart from the neck and the sleeve heads (not even any armhole shaping). As you can see, it only really began to look like the pattern after washing. Hemp from this changes completely once washed. This is explained very clearly, and everyone is advised to swatch before starting anything to get an idea of just HOW much it changes. Me being me, I just started. Anyway I am very pleased with the results, it fits like a dream, and I know that once washed again it will get very soft indeed (it's already nice on the skin). The yarn will get more lofty and drapey once it has had a vigorous wash - I only did a gentle handwash to get an idea of size once blocked, in case I had to rip the whole thing out.
The pattern was pretty tedious to knit, but the results are, I think, worth the boredom. I love plain garments, and this certainly looks classy. I like the unfussy neckline too, no edging, nothing. just plain. The resulting fabric is quite fine, which is great if you are worried about wearing bulky knits making you look larger. This is not bulky, and will not make me look larger. Great late Summer jumper, which will be useful in Spring too.
Posted by glittrgirl at 7:26 AM | Comments (14)
August 13, 2006
Dolly bag
The free gift with membership of Rowan International this year is a cute little kit to make a cotton Dolly bag from All Seasons Cotton. This yarn is lovely to work with and is perfect for cabling as they really 'pop' with the crispness of the cotton, and the addition of microfibre makes it both soft and hardwearing (it's machine washable). The pattern which comes with the 3 balls of yarn is for a little handbag with handles. I decided against using them, and instead lined the bag with pale pink gingham, added a matching pink zip and a scattering of satin roses. I think that the finished thing would make a perfect cosmetic bag for a friend's birthday this week. Her favourite colour is green, so the celery and baby pink colourway should suit her just fine.
Posted by glittrgirl at 7:29 AM | Comments (7)
August 12, 2006
Wave skirt
I finished my second version of the Wave Skirt from Interweave Knits 2004 Summer edition. I liked this version a lot, but I wanted to make a plain black version. And now I have it. And I love it. Yarn is Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in black.
edited to add: It only took 3 skeins to make the whole skirt.
Apologies for the last pic, it's really hard to take pics of myself wearing a skirt....
Posted by glittrgirl at 5:49 PM | Comments (9)
August 5, 2006
I found the perfect window dressing
Little light up flowers!
This is right.
And I am content.
And I can stop searching now. Which is good. The fabric will not go to waste. Honest.
This curtain of shiny flowers came from IKEA.
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:38 PM | Comments (2)
July 30, 2006
One Skein bowls
Having done no knitting for a week, I was desperate for a quick project to see me over the heat, since it is too hot to knit a mohair shawl, or finish an alpaca cardie. The thought of either of those makes my hands clammy, and my throat dry. So I picked up One Skein and decided to bust more stash with the felted bowls. I used Rowan Chunky Print in Rage left over in my stash from a tunic with a lace up back I knitted and never blogged. Too hard to take piccies of myself from the back, which is where the detail is.
Any way here they are prefelting, drying, and trimmed with a haphazard (intentionally so) blanket stitch done in a bit of Rowan Kidsilk Haze in Jelly, which looks yellow on the Rowan site on my monitor, but is in fact lime green.
Glass bead stitchmarker and Cotton Fleece
Asianish chicken salad
Posted by glittrgirl at 4:13 PM | Comments (0)
July 11, 2006
French doily
French doily
Posted by glittrgirl at 2:31 PM | Comments (4)
July 9, 2006
FO: Perdita 2
Perdita, Lilac
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:25 AM | Comments (2)
July 8, 2006
FO: Perdita
Perdita, Lily of the Valley
Knitted in Rowan 4 Ply Cotton in Bleached with Jaeger beads, clear glass, silver lined. Knitted on 2.25mm needles. Done in about two hours.
Posted by glittrgirl at 6:56 PM | Comments (3)
FO: Gwen
I finished the Gwen cardie from Rowan 39, by Leah Sutton. Knitted in Rowan Handknit Cotton, Seafarer colourway. It looks just like the picture, so I thought you might prefer these close ups. I love the colour. The buttons are paua shell and match beautifully. It fits perfectly. Well it does now. I have to take out the knitted cast off border round the neck as it just wasn't lying right. I tend to cast off rather tightly. So, using my new found crochet skills, I did a simple double crochet edging, and it's much better. Thanks to Carol Meldrum who taught the workshop recently I felt confident enough to crochet my first neck edging!
Pics of me wearing it to follow. Maybe.
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:36 AM | Comments (3)
June 7, 2006
Actual knitting
A Stuffie, three blue squares, and a Dream Swatch. And I am up to the 15th repeat of the Print O The Wave Shawl.
See - we do knit sometimes!
Edited to add:
The Stuffie comes from Ysolda
It's knitted in Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride and the features are needle felted on. Can't remember the colourway - the ball band disappeared many moons ago.
Dream Swatch is a freebie from The Garter Belt knitted in a skein of Alchemy Yarns of Transformation bamboo sent to me by Amylovie in a previous SP round, colourway Forest Floor.
The blue squares will go tothe knitariver project and are in left over Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece.
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:47 PM | Comments (5)
April 24, 2006
Mo Pirate!
The Pirate/Skully hat I made on the intended owner - she'll grow into it...... notice how mum and dad coordinated the cardie with the skulls....
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:50 AM | Comments (5)
April 5, 2006
Flyfishing socks
I finished the flyfishing socks. I am not taking a photo, since the next time you see them, they will be on DJ Mikey's feet (hopefully) and the Scumkitten will be back from Banff and will blog them herself. Next I plan to resurrect arisaig. This pattern is jinxed. I have frogged bits of it 4 times. Yes. FOUR times. I usually commit such heinous crimes to the frog pond after three rips. However in the case of arisaig I am prepared to give it another go. I should be able to manage this simple lace pattern, and I have decided not to give in to the streak of bad luck that has plagued my assemblage of natural cream baby alpaca into this lovely cardie. It will be perfect for Spring. And. I. Will. Finish. It. Even. If. The. Damned. Thing. Kills. Me.
Posted by glittrgirl at 9:07 PM | Comments (0)
April 2, 2006
Bertrand Bunny
Bertrand Bunny
Posted by glittrgirl at 1:23 PM | Comments (4)
March 24, 2006
Fuzzy grey hatness
Silver fluffy fuzziness Hurry up Spring!
Posted by glittrgirl at 2:37 PM | Comments (3)
FO: Baby pirates hat
Skull baby It's PINK
Posted by glittrgirl at 1:42 PM | Comments (9)
FO: Jaywalkers
Two jaywalkers!
Posted by glittrgirl at 1:30 PM | Comments (6)
February 9, 2006
Sparkley scarfrat
Meet scarfrat
Knitted on 5mm rosewood needles, in Sirdar Zanzibar in the Arabian Nights colourway.
I hate knitting acrylic.
I hate knitting eyelash.
Acrylic makes the ends my fingers swell and glow bright red, shiny and hot. Like a belisha beacon. Bleck.
Those needles deserve better. However the finished scarfrat is soft, it's a pretty colour, and has sparkle. Sparkle is good. I made the pattern up as I went along (Did I mention that I HATE ACRYLIC?), and it secures with a keyhole. Perhaps when the recipient wears it, I can get another picture. With better light. If I can be bothered.
And the close ups are pretty nice.....
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:49 PM | Comments (3)
January 21, 2006
Mrs Beeton
Meet Mrs Beeton
I seem to have a lot of grey on the needles at the minute, but these pale silvery shades are lovely. Yarn pr0n close up for hard core yarnoholics.
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:55 AM | Comments (7)
January 16, 2006
Mini
Knitted terrorist uniform addition
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:52 PM | Comments (0)
Rockpool scarf
Rockpool colours, yum.
Then reverse the stripe order back again..... cast on and off leaving the ends free to form a fringe, then knot in threes to finish. I will upload a better pic when I get some decent light.
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:33 PM | Comments (3)
Leaf lace socks
See my nice kitchen things too?
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:26 PM | Comments (1)
Gioia
Gioia scawl
So zib sent me the pattern for Gioia, available from The Garter Belt. I liked the look of the pattern - more than a simple scarf and not quite a shawl (I call it a scawl), and a reasonably small project on large needles suggested a quick knit with interest. Not just shaping, but a new stitch to learn that on first read looked hellish, but the instructions were clear, well written and empowering - I felt like I could do it.
Stitch detail
So I did. In 2 skeins of Rowan Summer Tweed in shade 506, Ghost, a lovely pale silvery grey, which had been sitting in the stash since a successful sale SEX in Bristol last year. Knitted on 8mm Brittany needles, which are a joy to knit with. It looks nice, feels good, drapes well, and will be the perfect pick me up for a friend who was bereaved recently. I do hope she likes it. No point in showing the whole garment - Wendy's pics on The Garter Belt do that well enough.
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:18 PM | Comments (1)
December 30, 2005
Braiden, an Anchor dishcloth, and Knecklace
So, I have been knitting a lot, as we have eight inches of snow, it's minus 3 outside and I don't want to go outside.
Three FOs!
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:42 PM | Comments (5)
December 29, 2005
Whoot, whoot! My First Pair of Socks...
Cat in the hat socks.
See that Heel Turn?
P.s. Glittr, I've found another Cashmere source online- an eBay shop called ColourMartUK which appears to sell remnants from Scottish Cashmere factories- seems all above board etc. Colours aren't too bad (no attempts at hand-dying, thank gawd) but are no self-striping stuff, with an interesting array of weights, including DK, fingering, lace weight and aran... apparently the cashmere itself has been oiled on the cones for ease of use in the factory, so needs a could wash before use, bring the yarn's bloom up fully. Worth a look maybe?
Posted by scumkitten at 9:32 AM | Comments (1)
December 11, 2005
Oh. My. God. Knitting.
Here I am in clothes for a change
No pattern, just made it up as I went along. I used 6.5mm circular needle with 2 balls of Sirdar Denim in cream. I cast on 120 stitches, then increased in each stitch by knitting into front and back of each stitch. Then I knitted a row, then another increase row, knit 4 rows, increase row, knit 4 rows, cast off. It's very warm!
I think I will call it the Restoration Ruffle, as the yarn was recycled.
Posted by glittrgirl at 5:09 PM | Comments (1)
December 3, 2005
Snow=hats
Liv, Danni, Scumkitten and Glittr.
We had a fabulous time with everyone however, despite the various cider and cold-induced traumas. Many films were watched, much 'Escape from Colditz' played and vast quantities of cheese eaten. I am still hurt that only a fingernail sized piece of St Agur was left for me whilst I was preparing lunch for the vultures. Do you think I believed your stories? Never get between me and cheese.
Oh- and important hat information: knitted in Rowan Big Wool, pattern from Rowan's 'The Bigger Picture', pattern 'Mini'.
Posted by scumkitten at 8:40 PM | Comments (2)
November 14, 2005
Stinking cold+time in bed+Motorhead gig=
A beaded skull wristband.
Bit ropey this picture. But it was taken on my mobile phone camera. Still, you get the idea. Knitted in Rowan 4 ply cotton with Jaeger clear glass beads lined with silver, on 2mm needles, in garter stitch. Pattern from Stitch'n'Bitch Nation by Debbie Stoller. My beads were bigger than those called for in the pattern, but I like the result.
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:19 PM | Comments (11)
October 11, 2005
Another Aurora Hat
My second hat in Noro Aurora no 1....
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:10 AM | Comments (1)
October 9, 2005
Yarn pr0n and another hat
Yesterday was The Centurion knitting club. Jeanie was a more than generous enabler and had brought along preordered little bags of fun. We shiftily handed over the requisite cash, and went scuttling off to dark corners of the pub to gloat over our glorious velvety stash additions. Colinette whores every one of us, yarn addicts in every little hidey hole, smelling, stroking, oohing and aahing. Desperate to get home to needles. Panting at the prospect of quick craft fixes, almost instant gratification. This stuff makes up quick. Mine is of dark bohemian purply loveliness. Look - see?
And while I was there, I started a beanie in Noro Aurora no 1. Two hours at the Centurion, and another hour at home, and it was done. Nice little head hugger.
And it has shiny bits in it. Nuff said.
Posted by glittrgirl at 2:02 PM | Comments (3)
October 6, 2005
Mercy me - a hat and scarf
I made Mercy from The Rowan Ribbon Twist Collection, in Rhumba Ribbon Twist. I made this scarf in a similar pattern to match. I had some Classic Elite Inspirations in a matching pink, so used that to make fringe and tassel trims. I used a size smaller needles for the main body of Mercy, to make it smaller, as the original was massive.
Posted by glittrgirl at 7:24 PM | Comments (4)
September 11, 2005
Black moss stitch beret
I knitted a moss stitch beret in one skein of black Classic Elite Inspirations that Megera sent me back in SPtutu. Just the thing for a knitted terrorist heh heh....
The pattern is a Debbie Bliss one - free when I joined The Club, and intended for knitting in Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk....
Posted by glittrgirl at 5:01 PM | Comments (3)
September 3, 2005
Instant gratification scarf
I needed a knitting fix, I needed it bad.
I wanted instant knitting gratification.
I used a ball of Jaeger Fur in a yummy mysterious dark green - almost black.
Here it is - took about two hours, size 10mm needles and six stitches wide, garter stitch.
You can see my new hair colour too - all dark and luscious and lovely. Pic a bit blurry since I was giggling so much taking it - wearing nowt but the scarf and lippy........
Posted by glittrgirl at 7:15 PM | Comments (5)
August 21, 2005
Glam Bag
My second sparKAL FO!
Even Greebo is impressed ....
Knitted with Rowan Cotton Glace in Shoot with matching sequins, on 3mm addi turbo ciculars. The pattern is by Eleanor Yates, the Rowan Consultant at my local John Lewis, and was free with the purchase of the yarn.
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:09 PM | Comments (5)
August 19, 2005
Ginger
Here is Ginger from the Rowan Summer Tweed Collection, knitted in Summer Tweed, Hurricane colourway (now discontinued).
It's pretty difficult photographing myself in this - can't get the back at all which is a shame cos the deep 'v' at the back shows off my tattoo perfectly!
Posted by glittrgirl at 7:34 PM | Comments (3)
August 13, 2005
sparKAL 1st FO
I finished my first sparKAL contribution, a Tutti Frutti bag by Eleanor Yates in Rowan Cotton Glace, Maritime and matching sequins and organza ribbon......
... and Pebbles has been working hard with sequins on several objects as well as a sparkely beaded bracelet.....
Posted by glittrgirl at 4:09 PM | Comments (5)
July 31, 2005
2 OSWs and Ginger, sale skirt and bag
I have made three OSWs now - two in bright green Hipknits silk - Frog colourway - and one in Rowan Summer Tweed, in the Natural colourway. I also finished Ginger in Hurricane Summer Tweed from the Summer Tweed Collection. The Summer Tweed tops together go very well with this skirt I got in a sale, and this little crocheted and sequined bag, the ensemble of which will be perfect for a wedding I am going to next weekend.
It is very hard to photograph the OSW without help, so here is a pic of all of the above laid out on a table.
Posted by glittrgirl at 1:13 PM | Comments (2)
July 28, 2005
Lily Chin Reversible Rib Cable Shawl
She's blocked and a-ready for the wedding....
And to give you an impression of size... (sorry, no big pictures, as the light is still terrible here, even at 9.30 a.m.)
I used 5 balls of Kidsilk Haze in Dewberry, with US size 8 Denise needles. In total, there are 12.5 repeats of the pattern (I just kept going 'til I was happy with it). I haven't measured the width and length- I just stretched it for blocking until I was happy with the size.
And in case anyone looks at this and thinks 'I couldn't do that'- this is my first ever cable project and it was a piece of weewee.
Posted by scumkitten at 10:18 AM | Comments (10)
July 22, 2005
Being confined to a sick bed means lots of knitting
And a bit of learning to crochet....
I knitted a beret for Brenna from some koolaid dyed yarn Scumkitten and I did ages ago, which she seems to like, and I am modelling (a) a cold, (b) a crocheted hat called Dixie from Rowan's Big Just Got Bigger in Rowan Chunky Print, and (c) a hideous dressing gown.
Posted by glittrgirl at 2:33 PM | Comments (4)
July 20, 2005
A big bag o'Summer Fun!
Inspired by seeing some that Purlpower was knitting with at our weekly knitting group, Miss Spiritual Tramps, I got some limited edition Rowan Summer Fun Tape, only available from Get Knitted in Hula. There is a free project sheet that you can order with this very cheap yarn (only �1.25 a ball) which is great fun to play with. 5 balls made this shopping bag in a lovely shade of green.....
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:04 AM | Comments (2)
July 17, 2005
Finished it. Relief? You betcha!
There seems to be a craze in this part of the UK for Lanartus Rio scarves. I got some of the yarn from a LYS courtesy of my mother, and started to knit a skinny garter stitch scarf in shade number 0997. Then I got bored, quickly. It was thrown in a bag and forgetten about.
A couple of days ago I have a clear out and found loads of UFOs. I decided to finish some. Here is the first - meet Vania. Years ago I had a penpal in Ipanema, the yarn is called Rio, so in memory of the letters we exchanged all that time ago, I have called this scarf after my penpal.
Nice colours, lovely drape, and I am sure I will wear it a lot! Boring to knit though. 20 stitches on 8mm needles with one ball of yarn and it still took forever....
Posted by glittrgirl at 4:13 PM | Comments (2)
July 13, 2005
Oh the wonder, the wonder of you...
Amongst many, many other things that Glittr and I did whilst she was avisiting the Skitten was do a One Skein Wonder (courtesy of Glampyre) along...
All it took was less than 100g of Hipknits silk in Juicy.
and turn,
and around and around
ad nauseum
Pretty pretty and comfy too. I made the second smallest size, 15 cm shoulder to shoulder.
Posted by scumkitten at 7:56 PM | Comments (0)
July 6, 2005
She came, she saw, she knitted: three jumpers for three girls
So Glittrgirl has just flown off back to The North,leaving behind her a pile, nay, mountain of knitted Blythe jumpers. The Glittrmyster herself owns three of the plastic monkeys, but they have yet to arrive at Chez Glittr, so she had to make do with my three... yes, three, another arrived in the post at the weekend.
May I introduce Leon (LL), named after those sweaty (yet no longer bearded) rocksters Kings of Leon. My ears had the misfortune to hear them live on monday (not their fault, the acoustics in Plymouth Pavilions is funk and not in a good way).
I had to go to work on one of the days Glittr was here (the other days being filled with swimming, surfing, knitting and the Gardens of Heligan, but more of that from Glittr later, I'm sure), and whilst she sat at home, alone, she knitted two more dolly jumpers, a dolly shrug and made a dolly A-line dress...
The girls say 'merci' to Glittr, and here we have the three jumpers, Mila's in Rowan Lurex Shimmer, Leon's in kidsilk haze (a previous jumper) and Franke's in Rowan Tweed- is that right Glittr?- turned around as a cardi.
Bless, hon, it was pleasure to have you stay. The girls say 'hi'!
**Edited to say: Jumper pattern from Knitty Spring 2005 Issue courtesy of Woollyrocker and A-line dress from Puchimadam.
Posted by scumkitten at 5:28 PM | Comments (2)
June 25, 2005
Barca boho belt
I got 2 balls of Berocco Lazer FX from Amy, my not so secret pal. I loved it. I wanted to make something to show it off. I wanted a boho belt. I used one skein of Rowan Summer Tweed in the palest of dove greys (the colour is discontinued I think) held with one strand of Lazer FX. I knitted 15 stitches in filet net stitch from The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches.
Once it was long enough to go round my hips, I crocheted 6 ties in chain, and attached them three each side, at the end I added 20 glass beads to each tie, which wrap once more round the hips and tie in a bow leaving twinkly glass beads dangling round the thigh.... and Barca? I knitted it in Barcelona!
Not sure these pics show the whole effect, but you get the idea.....
Posted by glittrgirl at 3:13 PM | Comments (3)
Kristina
Here is Kristina fully felted, but without a zip - so far....
Details on yarn etc here.
Posted by glittrgirl at 3:00 PM | Comments (2)
June 6, 2005
Agnes from Jane Ellison's Simply Noro
Here she is blocked and modelled. Finally.
This is Agnes from Jane Ellison's Simply Noro.
It's in Noro Silk Garden no 201.
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:52 AM | Comments (4)
June 3, 2005
Mila's new jumper
Well, the unnamed redhead has now been named by DJ Mikey: may I introduce Mila. And she has a new jumper, in Rowan Kid Silk Haze, colour Candy, using the pattern from the current issue of Knitty Blythe knitting patterns, with a few changes: a bit of shaping at the waist (decreases and increases) and a widening of the neck. 
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Posted by scumkitten at 12:25 PM | Comments (3)
May 29, 2005
Holiday knitting results
I did quite a bit of knitting whilst lounging by the pool and in the shady tree lined groves.
Meet Maryella number two (thanks again to Knitmonkey for the kits from round 3 of SP)....
The Wave skirt from the Spring 2005 Interweave Knits in oceany colours of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece (mag also courtesy of the fantastic Knitmonkey), here she is pre-blocking...
... and the Cascade Fixation (well about a third of it) which Knitmonkey sent to me, knitted into the bikini pattern from the Knitty Gritty site. Ladies with boobage take note - this pattern works!
I also got halfway through knitting up the first lot of HipKnits handpainted silk into a camisole, but that's for another entry!
Posted by glittrgirl at 7:56 AM | Comments (3)
May 15, 2005
Sad, sad bear...
So who's this fellow, staring sadly from the window? 'Tis the baby cashmerino bear from one of Debbie Bliss's baby books- can't remember which one without getting up and hunting for it again and I can't be bothered. But this bear has been sitting in pieces in my knitting box for about 6 months now and suddenly (with the prospect of Rowan, the baby who will be in receipt of this bear, visiting in an hour) I decided he needed to be finished.
He has caused much hilarity. DJ Mikey thinks he looks as if he has gangrenous extremeties. He has certainly been hit with the ugly stick. But he also has a certain forlornness about him that we think will help Rowan learn that there is sadness in life as well as manic primary-coloured happiness...
Posted by scumkitten at 2:38 PM | Comments (8)
May 14, 2005
SP presents and two scarves full of air
My SP sent me this lovely package containing some delicious Godiva chocolates, 4 balls of beautiful turquoise bamboo yarn - can't wait to make a cami with it! Plus yarnharlots book At Knit's End, Meditations For Women Who Knit Too Much. Fantastic! I love getting gifts!
I finally got round to uploading these two scarves. Scumkitten gave me the marmalade Kidsilk Haze which I duly turned into the Airy Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. The pattern was so easy and quick to knit up that I decided to play with it, and used 10mm needles and a strand of Rowan Lurex Shimmer in Minty with a strand of Kidsilk Haze in Trance. I like the result, the drape is gorgeous!
Posted by glittrgirl at 1:56 PM | Comments (4)
April 29, 2005
More airyness and a furry gift...
So the Airy Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts has been such a success I have been making them around the clock for pals. Here we have one in Heavenly Kid Silk Haze (that's the name of the colour, although I think we all agree that KSH IS heavenly in its own right).
And a close-up...
Am now knitting one for myself. Be prepared for more to come in other colours too!
So what else do I have to show? Well, Glittr, the kind, sweet girl that she is, gave me a funky present of furry collar and cuffs (see appropriate FO entry) which I had to do a little adjustment to before I could wear. Adjustment (whilst watching Dr Who and having had too much wine) duly done, may I present Funky, Furry Collar...
I feel very Eartha Kitt in it.
p.s. sorry this entry took so long to do- I stepped on our internet connect to the phone line in rather big boots, then buggered off for two weeks for work and play...
Posted by scumkitten at 11:33 AM | Comments (2)
April 18, 2005
Eat my shorts, Missoni (p.s. don't sue me, please, you're great!)
So, in addition to a fantastic weekend with the UKnitty crew, Glittr gave me the most lovely present- a scarf kit from a women's cooperative in Cumbria. The kit included 16 mini balls of wool, all different, all handspun and handdyed with natural dyes, including mohair, boucle, solid colours, multicolours, in soft, subtle russets, olive greens, dark reds, pinks etc. Couldn't contain myself, so started knitting straight away on friday night, throughout Saturday and Sunday and finished it at my parents on Sunday night. So this scarf has its origins at the British Library, a pub in Islington, and Trafalgar Square.
Apologies for the glaring camera-work. Taken in bright sunshine by my papa.
I swear that this scarf is Missoni personified- handknit, unusually stripy (as in the stripes go length-wise rather than width-wise) and in rustic shades.
Isn't it darling?
And whilst walking to work through Covent Garden this morning, I passed Germaine Greer, and I swear, she could hardly contain her excitment at my scarf. I could see scarf-lust in her eyes.
No Germaine, knit your OWN scarf!
Posted by scumkitten at 5:52 PM | Comments (7)
April 7, 2005
Would you wear this jumper? Well, would you?
So that we can all recognise each other, allowing individuals to either a) greet their Knittyboard pals like long lost cousins or b) slink away to Libertys with no one noticing, all those UK-ites meeting up next weekend for the UKnitty away-weekend have been asked to knit (and wear) a knitted badge. Here is mine...
A rather orange fella with a definate homecast feel about him. The yarn was Koolaid dyed by mysel'n Glittr last year, can't remember what colours (oh go and look in the appropriate entry- it'll tell you there if you are REALLY interested!). I think the yarn is the discontinued Rowan Magpie Aran. Couldn't be sure tho'.
So would I wear this in real life? If either I was only 5 inches tall, or the jumper were truly big enough for me? I mean, look at it! Look at the way the arms stick out! Look at the polka dots! Do I LOOK like someone who would wear polka dots? Question answered, I think.
And here is Skitten (or at least Skitten's avatar) in the jumper. Doesn't really fit does it? Kupee's arms are too stumpy, not tall enough, and I had to wrench her head off with a screwdriver.
However: the best thing about knitting this little jumper? I mastered the MAGIC LOOP (ooooooh oooooi oi! That's Magic Loop music, that is). There is, apparently, a booklet on how to do this technique (which utilises a long circular needle to do what you would normally do with DPNs) and you can also take classes in it. Pah! I say to that. It was really easy. Do a search on the web or on the Knittyboard and you'll come with a description of how to do it. Socks for me next, esp. now there is a sock workshop in the new Spring Knitty.
Posted by scumkitten at 7:38 PM | Comments (5)
March 30, 2005
I am the lucky recipient of a Random Act of Kindness (RAK) and I made two hats
These handmade fridge magnets arrived in the post this morning. I tore the part of the envelope which told me who sent them, so whoever you are Thanks Very Much!!!
My cousin's daughter (3 years old) got a fun fur bubblegum pink scarf from me for Christmas. On Easter Sunday she asked for a green hat. Here is Beth's Green Beanie...
... knitted in Sirdar Duet, with little embellishments courtesy of the fabulous V.V. Rouleaux. Hope she likes it....
And my friend Charlotte is due to give birth any day now so I made her a hat bastardised from the SnB Umbilical Cord one and a teeny tiny beanie pattern. She is expecting a boy and hates pastels....
Knitted in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran.
Posted by glittrgirl at 4:36 PM | Comments (4)
March 18, 2005
Stripey yoga mat bag and Cannes
I finally remembered to take a piccie of the yoga mat bag that I knitted from the KoolAid dyed yarn that Scumkitten and I dyed earlier in the year (based on this pattern). It matched my friend Denise's mat much better than mine so I gave it to her. It's nice to see it used every week at our yoga class! The pics are really grainy as they were taken with camera phone in bad light, but you get the general idea.
And I finished stitching up Cannes from Rowan Beach Cool, in Cotton Braid and Cotton Glace.
Not sure about this yet - it might grow on me.
Posted by glittrgirl at 8:51 PM | Comments (2)
And.... (drum roll) we have another Klaralund!
By the miracle of similar tastes, Glittr and I managed to pick the same Silk Garden to knit Klaralund (we didn't know, honest guv'na)from Cornelia Tuttle-Hamilton (Collection no.2). Due to her super-speed and needles of noodles (I don't understand, don't ask me, I'm on Nightnurse), Glittr finished her Klara months ahead of me. But I have valiantly fought back and FINISHED.
She is lurvely. I LURVE her. She fits perfectly (picture of me in Klara will be put up when my stinky boyfriend comes back home and stops enjoying himself) and is beautiful in many ways...
Firstly in the colours (kingfisher blues, grass greens, silvers, denim, chocolate brown, pine) in Silk Garden no. 203...
And secondly in the way she fits. Shown here on a hanger for now, but believe me, she drapes fantastically. I knitted the size 36 (size S1 in the errata) and it is drapey, with perfect length sleeves (I followed the instructions to the letter- I must have ape arms, as most people seem to have found the arms too long) and quite roomy (I have boobs, but a small back, so I'd say, this is fine for busty gals). Definately worth washing before blocking, as it rids her of those last stubborn bits of hay (!).
And I have two balls of Silk Garden left with which to knit HATS.
Klara Update:
Picture of me in Klaralund (with requisite blurry face)...
And detail of back...
Posted by scumkitten at 8:22 PM | Comments (3)
Cold-derived FO...
Yep, she of the rubbish immune system (not that bad, honestly), found herself laid low on the second day of the conference mentioned by Glittr below, resulting in two days wrapped up on the sofa in front of a fire and GMTV. Good for recovery, not good for the soul.
However, as a result of ginger tea, butternut squash soup, blueberry smoothies and Green and Black's Dark Cherry Chocolate, I am crawling back to the land of the living.
AND it meant I could legitimately knit all day (when I was feeling strong enough and not either sleeping or reading 'Cloud Atlas' by David Mitchell. Or watching Lorraine and Philip).
So here we have a few close-ups of the 'Airy Scarf' from Last Minute Knitted Gifts from the lady at Purl, knitted to go in my last package to my Secret Pal in April, with ball of Kidsilk Haze in Marmalade (and needles for effect)...
And in close-up to show simple lace eyelet pattern.
It uses half a ball of kidsilk haze and even DJ Mikey thought the scarf was beautiful and told me to knit more of them. It is a book I am most impressed with (although I have heard a few people complain of mistakes in patterns).
And Glittr is right, it was a good conference by its very nature of allowing me to mess around with my best pals. Pity I was already feeling poo by the first day, as I went to bed at 11 p.m. of the conference dinner and did not indulge in booze-induced debauchery. Aw. Bum. Hello Glittr, Dr Pop, Steve etc. (waves). Hello Liz (waves again).
DJ Mikey has buggered off for an Indian with our mates, so I'll put a photo of Airy Scarf on neck when he gets back (or tomorrow sometime when he is back from surfing).
As promised, Airy Scarf on me...
And an arty close up from DJ Mikey...
Posted by scumkitten at 8:17 PM | Comments (3)
February 27, 2005
Here's a little MaryElla, an Etain and a Baby Boa set
I finished the first of the 4 kits my SP sent me to make MaryElla.
She's pretty cute eh?
And I finished this little choker in silvery blue Jaeger Silk 4 ply with some buttons and beads...
I think I'll call her Etain - it's a celtic name meaning 'shining'...
I also made a Baby Boa and Cuff, here they are on a plate...
...and here is the cuff on my hand....
This set is a present for someone...... ;)
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:44 AM | Comments (5)
February 6, 2005
Candy girl - you are my world!
I finished Candy in Rowan Kid Classic. Here she is all sewn up minus buttons. The pattern said this was snug fitting - they weren't kidding! I don't trust fasteners to stay fastened over my boobs on knitted garments, so I sewed her front up. Just need to add some nice buttons to finish her off. I am loving these colours! Juicy as MC and Cherry CC. Findng novel ways to try and photograph myself in a mirror with a phonecam is getting challenging..... ;)
For those who asked:
Here is a close up of the stripes. See not that fuzzy at all!!!
Posted by glittrgirl at 9:57 AM | Comments (2)
January 9, 2005
Lacy Cozy Shawl
Scumkitten sent me 7 hanks of Rowan Summer Tweed with a note saying she thought I might like to knit the Knitty shawl Cozy with it. Here she is completed.
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:14 PM | Comments (0)
January 8, 2005
Skinned Muppet Key Hole Scarf
This is a scarf knitted in Jaeger Fur for a friend's birthday. It's based on a scarf I saw in a shop, with a slit about a quarter of the way up which allows the rest of the scarf to pass through. It's rather cute, I think.
Posted by scumkitten at 4:49 PM | Comments (4)
A little tea cozy
The winds here have been gale force 9 and we are still under a severe weather warning. I didn't get a lot of sleep last night, and so sat nursing my scaredy-cat whilst knitting a little comforting cozy for one of my teapots. It's made from a ball of Noro Silk Garden in 203 left over from my Klaralund. Now I want to make them for my other three teapots.....
Posted by glittrgirl at 1:44 PM | Comments (0)
Ready for my close-up Mr de Mille
Not so much a Kureyon Kozy as a Silk Garden Snuggly.....
Posted by glittrgirl at 1:42 PM | Comments (1)
January 7, 2005
Charity from Rowan's Ribbon Twist Collection
This was the quickest jumper I have ever knit. Ordered the yarn from GetKnitted on day one, it arrived the next day and by the end of day three I had my very own Charity in Racy. And she is very snuggly too! Pity it's so mild here in the NE of England right now.....Also this photo doesn't go anywhere near showing what a luscious red this is, so check out the Racy link - and its so soft!
Posted by glittrgirl at 1:56 PM | Comments (1)
January 4, 2005
Pose For Your Close Up, Skully!
A close up, just for the hell of it. I altered the original Skull 'n' Crossbones Minitote pattern a little, changing the number of stitches on the sides so that the bones edged around the corners a little.
Posted by scumkitten at 11:06 PM | Comments (1)
Yep. Another One.
And this is he after the felting ordeal- only one wash. He's knitted in Rowan Big Wool, Merry Berry and Black: and the sparkles you can see are random petrol coloured sequins. Beware: Big Wool felts very, very well and very, very thick. It took some serious stretching using an unopened wine box of Spanish Tempranillo.
Posted by scumkitten at 11:04 PM | Comments (3)
January 3, 2005
Felted Bucket Hat
I felted Chicknits Felted Bucket Hat. And it fits!! It is knitted in Noro Kureyon no 88.
Posted by glittrgirl at 9:46 PM | Comments (1)
December 24, 2004
Skitten's first felting
Here's said bag having had two passes through the washing machine. With additions of two little felt flowers from V.V. Rouleux up in Newcastle. Should be ok for a girly 12 year old, oui?
Posted by scumkitten at 10:06 AM | Comments (2)
December 20, 2004
Aaaarggh! It's a dimly lit woman in a knitted mask!
Here I am wearing the Poppy combo. Sorry it's a bit dim, its winter in the north of England, I live alone and I am attempting to document my knitting using only a digital camera on my mobile phone.
If you want quality pics, look at Scumkitten's. She has a real digital camera, and a boyfriend who will take pictures of her........ Mine are quick and dirty (there's a retort to that but I am resisting typing it).
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:44 PM | Comments (1)
Let me introduce Poppyscarf!
Here is the Poppy scarf from the Colinette Artyfacts book, in Point 5 Cherry. She is moss stitch with a garter stitch border and double rows of fringing done on 12mm needles.
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:40 PM | Comments (2)
Poppyhat is here!
This is Poppy hat, from the Colinette Artyfacts book, in Colinette Point 5, Cherry. She has a tassle and 2 little plaits and is mainly moss stitch, on 12mm needles. She knit up fast!
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:36 PM | Comments (0)
December 19, 2004
A-harrrrrr me hearties!
There be no more a'killin' 'til I gives the word, Jim lad!!!! A piratical wench'll be needin' a recepticle fer a carryin' 'er necessaries, aye! This 'ere skull 'n' crossbones mini tote is just the thing! I always wanted to be a pirate wi' a cutlass, stripey shirt and big leather boots......
Posted by glittrgirl at 11:43 AM | Comments (1)
December 18, 2004
Fishy close-up
Here is my close-up of Ava to show off the lovely turtle neck-line and ribbon detail in the yarn.
p.s. Thank you Glittr for the lovely birthday song. I had young Stevie singing down the phone to me this a.m. He has a good voice...
Posted by scumkitten at 3:59 PM | Comments (1)
Is it Ava or a mutated salmon?
Here we have Ava from Rowan 'Ribbon Twist Collection', in Rocky. Taken in 'Face/Dazed and Confused' styley by fashion photographer wannabe DJ Mikey :). He thinks I look like a 'lovely salmon' (his quote) in this item. I love it.
Posted by scumkitten at 3:55 PM | Comments (0)
Frosty Pia
Another Pia from Rowan 'Big Wool Gets Bigger' as a birthday present for my mama, in Big Wool Tuft Frosty, close-up only!
Posted by scumkitten at 3:45 PM | Comments (1)
Cat inspection
Here's a pic of the finally lined Unbiased bag in recycled sari silk from Nepal. I added about four inches to the bottom of the bag to make it deeper, and lined it in purple cotton. I sewed the handle to some purple petersham ribbon so it wouldn't stretch. It's really strong and is very comfortable to wear across my body. I am really pleased with this project.
My cat, Greebo is inspecting my handiwork. Hope its up to standard!
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:04 PM | Comments (0)
December 12, 2004
Brrrrr it's getting cold - these Voodoo wristwarmers should help!
It's starting to get cold here. I decided some Voodoo wrist warmers were required.
Some Rowan Magpie in Charcoal (now sadly discontinued aran weight 100% wool) from my stash was just the ticket, and an evening later, here they are! My are they toasty. Methinks a matching beanie may be required......
My nasty cold seems to be waning but I made some of Scumkitten's soup this morning. That should get rid of the last vestiges of snottiness I hope. Oh and G&B's chocolate too.....mmmmmmmmm!
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:33 PM | Comments (1)
December 11, 2004
Fuzzi Felt Bracelets
I made these Glisten bracelets in black Fuzzi Felt as Christmas presents.
They took two washes on a 95 degree programme to felt fully, and then I decorated them.
Posted by glittrgirl at 2:32 PM | Comments (2)
Aaw a cute rabbit
A little Noro Kureyon rabbit for my pal Helen's christmas present (she has two (non-wool) rabbits at home)... No idea what colour he was knitted in, but I used four randomly chosen buttons to help attach his arms, as this allows movement.
Posted by scumkitten at 10:10 AM | Comments (3)
December 7, 2004
Handles added to Booga Bag, eventually!
I added some handles to the Booga Bag I made a while back. This will be a Christmas present for someone. Hope she likes it!
Posted by glittrgirl at 2:50 PM | Comments (1)
Second Sophie completed
I was asked to make a Sophie bag as a gift. This is the second Sophie I have made. It's knitted in Rowan Magpie 100% wool, aran weight, in Dapple (this yarn is now, I understand, discontinued, which is a pity as it felts really well!). It felted in one hot cycle in a front loader. I have lined it with cream cotton, added a small internal cotton pocket, and stiffened the base with plastic canvas.
Posted by glittrgirl at 2:43 PM | Comments (0)
December 5, 2004
Kid Classic snuggle set
My mother made me this lovely big scarf/wrap in a range of Rowan Kid Classic colours. I made the matching Gala hat from Rowan magazine no. 36
Posted by glittrgirl at 3:19 PM | Comments (0)
Kemp bag
Kemp bag from Simply Noro, knitted in Blossom, no 6. I lined this in pale pink satin lining. Yum!
Posted by glittrgirl at 3:17 PM | Comments (0)
Green hat, pink scarf - muppet fancy dress?
This Ona hat is for an adult female friend, also from Rowan's Big Just Got Bigger, knit in Big Wool Pistachio. The scarf is for a three year old, and is in Sirdar Funky Fur, Angel Pink.
Posted by glittrgirl at 3:10 PM | Comments (2)
Fizzy scarf and tassel hat
A scarf in Sirdar Fizz (Matador), and a Vinster hat from Rowan's Big Just Got Bigger, in Big Wool, shade Stormy.
Christmas present FOs - this hat is for a female friend, and the scarf for a teenage girl.
Posted by glittrgirl at 3:04 PM | Comments (0)
Christmas present FOs
The first of a set of hats and scarves fro Christmas presents, and boy, am i glad to see the back of this lot. Here you see a beanie in Rowanspun DK, the colour is cloud.
The scarf is knit in some eyelash yarn whose name escapes me, I wiped its memory from my brain as I disliked knitting with it so much. The scarf is for a young girl aged about 11, and the hat for a 11 year old lad.
Posted by glittrgirl at 2:46 PM | Comments (0)
December 3, 2004
Pia
This is my first attempt at lace- but in a fantastic chunky wool, namely Big Wool Tuft in Shiver. The scarf is called Pia from Rowan's 'Big Wool Just Got Bigger' and the lace pattern only requires you to work very basic stitches on size 20mm needles- rockets, really, ridiculous. I love it, it is super warm and sexy and even my mum wants one.
Posted by scumkitten at 10:52 PM | Comments (0)
Crumble
A quick picture of my crumble wristwarmers from Rowan's 'The Next Big Thing', Chunky Print in Shriek.
Posted by scumkitten at 10:46 PM | Comments (0)
November 26, 2004
Klaralund FO
I finished Klaralund - here she is drying after blocking! It's in Noro Silk Garden no 203.
Posted by glittrgirl at 8:04 PM | Comments (1)
Earnshaw in Noro Yoroi
I finished an Earnshaw in Noro Yoroi no 2 for a dear male friend, who paid for the yarn. Hope he likes it!
Posted by glittrgirl at 6:10 PM | Comments (0)
November 9, 2004
Another Belle Star view
Here she is on a tailor's dummy.
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:32 PM | Comments (1)
Belle Star
Belle Star is finally done!
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:28 PM | Comments (0)
November 2, 2004
Wahhhh getting too quick at this knitting lark!
Hareton from Simply Noro. Three hours max. Lovely! In Kureyon 100% wool shade 116.
Posted by glittrgirl at 12:24 AM | Comments (0)
October 31, 2004
Big Wool Tuft capelet complete
Finally got round to blocking this Beau mini-capelet..... From Rowan Big Just Got Bigger.
Posted by glittrgirl at 10:39 PM | Comments (1)
October 30, 2004
Sophie bag completed
This is the finished Sophie bag. It's yet to have some felted poppies added. Picture now cropped so you can see the whole thing.
Posted by glittrgirl at 5:59 PM | Comments (2)
