Advent Socks

Hi Everyone 

I’ve completed my Advent Socks. However, it’s a bit too early ! I finished knitting yesterday with three little packets to open, however, all is well. The socks are lovely and I’ve got the ends to sew in today.  I’ll think about the size of the balls for next year. I’ve obviously added a bit too much yarn to each ball. I also like the idea of adding a needles (for sewing in the ends) to the last packet - so will definitely do this next year.

        

The Advent sock idea is here to stay. I’ll prepare the whole project early as I will forget which yarns I’ve included and will use up ends of sock yarn again. I did forget which yarns I’d included this year. I’ve just used my ‘go to’ rib sock pattern but reversed the stocking stitch throughout. Next year, I’ll include another stitch combination, not sure what at the moment ? Perhaps, I’ll think about some cables ?

Each sock is different and I just decided, on the day, which sock to add the new colour yarn ball to. Generally, other than the timing, everything has gone to plan. I’ve enjoyed this project better than the other Advent projects of recent years, so will definitely refine and repeat the idea. I love the socks and will wear them over the next few days.

I’m starting my Christmas Holiday break today so this will be my last post until January 3rd 2020.

Thank you for calling in today. Hope you have a lovely Christmas, if you celebrate.

See you next year with more Making stories.

Woodbine Cowl Project

Hi Everyone 

The Woodbine Cowl is my new name for the crochet cowl I started a few weeks ago. Read about my original crochet idea here. Sadly, the crochet version didn’t quite work out. I managed to crochet the pattern beautifully, a first for me re a completed crochet garment ! However, the characteristics of the yarn didn’t quite work with the lace pattern. I made the yarn myself, so this is a very special project. The crochet shell pattern was totally lost because of the mohair and fluffy yarn, all the pattern spaces were filled and the finished cowl was a bit stiff to wear. I knew I wouldn’t wear my cowl so it was back to the drawing board.

                

My next plan was to keep some of the crochet lines especially the shell patterns and knit a looser more pliable stocking stitch, in between. This was better but still didn’t work. The resulting cowl didn’t lie flat and there was still no drape at all. Generally, uncomfortable to wear.

My solution is to abandon the crochet idea and knit a lace panel design from my Woodbine Sweater design. You can see and read about my Woodbine Sweater by Fiona Alice here. The sweater has been very successful and my plan was to wear the cowl with the Woodbine Sweater, so all is well ! I’m hopeful I can knit the cowl quite quickly and wear both together over the next few weeks. I’ll knit a lace panel and join with a three needle bind off. I’ll take photos to share here on the blog.

Thanks for calling in today. I’ll be back on Monday with more Making stories. Have a great weekend.

Silver Samples

Hi Everyone 

Today’s Silver Sample is a trio of Sterling Silver bangles. I’ve got a silver beaded (3 memade beads)bangle, a semi precious drop charm version and a plain silver bangle. The bangles could be worn together or separately for a different look.

                

I would like to develop more ideas around silver beads and charms. I’m definitely not finished with the bangles. These particular bangles are made with 2mm silver wire. I wanted a rather delicate bangle for myself (to be worn by itself) and felt 2mm would work well. I have a broad hand and generally these sort of bangles don’t go anywhere near fitting my hand. I’ve never been able to buy such a bangle and have thought I’d like one for some time. So, this design is all about me ! Having found the correct fitting (I’m calling it L size), I’ll develop a few more bangles probably using 3or 4 mm wire. I’ll share the new bangles over the next few months. I’d like to add some little bezel cups on the bangles with a few stones embedded into the cups. I may also try out gem setting onto the bangle itself. There are lots of possibilities.

Thanks for calling in today.

New Nuuk

Hi Everyone 

My new Nuuk is almost ready to wear, just a few ‘ends’ to sew in !

              

I posted the story behind this Knit recently, you can read all about it here. As I’ve said many times, the Nuuk sweater is my favourite sweater pattern and there will be more.

There’s not much more to say about this version. As a summary, I’ve knitted it a size larger than I measure and I’ve shortened the body (as I always do with all sweaters). I also keep with the same needles size for the sleeve, bottom and neck rib. I like the loose rib rather than tightening and defining  the ribbed sections. I love it and will wear it often.

Thanks for calling in today. I’ll be back tomorrow with another amazing story.

Christmas Angels

Hi Everyone 

I spent a lovely day Making Christmas Angels on Saturday, here is a few images of my Angel.  

Here he is :

                

This wonderful workshop was run by Liz Reed. Liz runs workshops across the North East of England, you can find examples of her work here. Everything about the Workshop (on Saturday) was lovely and a thoroughly good way to properly start my Christmas. I’ve been preparing and making lists etc for a few weeks but the workshop definitely started my festive celebrations.

I’ve made the little Driftwood people before but the Angel is a new addition to the workshops that Liz runs. It’s a strange thing but although the Driftwood Folk are very simple in design, just a knitted dress/tunic with a driftwood stick for a head and usually some form of head gear; each character is unique. All the Angel's on the day of the workshop were similar but each one, distinctive. It’s the ‘heads’ that start to form the character. 

My Angel is called Bert. I’ve called him (yes, the Angel is definitely a he) Bert because he reminds me of a bloke standing at a bar drinking a pint ! It’s to do with his chunky head, hands in his pockets and a slight ‘leaning forward’ stance. There was no interference from me, he just suggested all his characteristics himself.

Amazingly, somehow the driftwood heads choose themselves. I knitted the tunic and tried a few different heads from a box Liz provides at the workshop. The head I chose was the second head from a selection of about six or seven heads. Somehow, I just knew the head was right.

I love my Angel. My plan is to add a few beads to the tunic,wings and crown, just to make him a little more festive. I’m not totally how he will turn out but I’m hoping he will end up on our Christmas tree in a few days.

Check out the other Christmas Angels made by our workshop group, on the day - here.

Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend, I’ll be back on Monday with more Making stories.

Advent Knit Progress

Hi Everyone 

It’s time to share progress with my Advent Knit Project. Today, is Day 16 and my socks are racing to completion. Unfortunately, I have quite a few little packets left ! I think, the issue is that I’ve added too much yarn to each of the bags. I was aware that I was being slightly generous when I prepared the daily yarn bag, only very slightly (in my head). However, the result seems to be - too much yarn when all the yarn is added together !

                    

All is well, the socks are lovely. I think the colours work very well together and I’ve got a few ideas of how I can extend the knit and use the little balls for embellishing the socks. 

Today’s colour is yellow and I’m excited to add this to the second sock (I’m calling the second sock the shortest to date). I’ve just tried my first sock on my foot and I’m ready for the toe part - very exciting. The whole project to has been lovely, I’ve really enjoyed the whole thing.

Thanks for calling in today.

Alpaca Fibre

Hi Everyone 

I have a new little project underway. I’m processing Alpaca fibre to make into a knitted garment. I’m not sure what I will produce with my fibre yet ? but it’s very exciting to produce yarn ‘from scratch’.

I’ve washed the fibre and it’s been quite a few days drying ! The fibre is dry and ready to be carded. This fibre came from a friend’s Alpacas and will be amazing when I’ve worked on it, very special.

                  

I don’t have very much fibre (in weight) and I’ve not had any previous experience of spinning this type of yarn. So, who knows how much I will get and what weight seems possible ? I like the fibre to tell me how to spin it, sounds a bit daft but the fibre definitely spins in the way it wishes. I’ve learned that it’s best to go with how it feels !

I will dye my yarn after spinning, I’m already thinking about colours. My default ‘blue’ will probably be my choice.The fibre (currently) is a pale natural colour which is great for whatever colour I fancy, perhaps a combination of blues. I’ll let you know how things progress.

Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend. I’ll be back on Monday with more Making news.

Christmas Cooking

Hi Everyone 

I’m sharing another kind of Making today. This is my annual Christmas cook job. I always make a traditional Christmas Cake, a Christmas Pudding and a few jars of Sweet Mincemeat. However, sometimes, I leave the cooking until a bit too late. This year, all has happened as planned and I’m feeling very smug. The only thing left to do, is to decorate the cake. My plan is a quirky Christmas scene. I have lots of little Christmas characters, some trees, reindeer and boiled sweets (ready for a little lake). I’ll share the results in a week or so. I’ll cover the fruit cake with marzipan and then add Royal Icing (for the snow !). It’s all a bit ‘see how it goes’.

Here’s a quick look at my Sweet Mincemeat in their jars, I’ve made my new labels and its ready to go.

               

The first Sweet Mincemeat job will be Mince Pies on Christmas Eve, a bit of a tradition in our house !

Thanks for calling in today.

Knitting Nuuk Sweaters

Hi Everyone 

I’m sharing my Collection of Nuuk sweaters today. I have (almost) four !

         

My Nuuks have been knitted over a period of two or three years - can’t quite remember ? They are my favourite sweaters, very easy to wear and I reach for them often. The sweaters are very simple and rather plain but great for lots of layering, which is great for me.

Sweater (1), (2) and (4) are all knitted from Baa Ram Ewe Dovestone yarn. Nuuk (3) is made for a very old yarn stash, a Merino (don’t have the label anymore) held together with a lace weight Malabrigo silk. Sadly, number (3) isn’t the best fit, so I will need to reknit the whole sweater. That’s for another day !

The story for today is number (4), my latest Nuuk. This yarn set out life as a tunic, you can read about the journey of the yarn here. I’m knitting this sweater alongside my Advent socks and a crochet cowl project, so things are going slower than I’d like. However, I’m hoping I can finish the main body this evening. The sleeves are very short and I need to add a neckband rib. I’m hoping I can finish this new Nuuk by the weekend. I’m sure at will knit more. I love the long sleeved version and I would like my next Nuuk to have long sleeves. I think, I’d like to knit up a Nuuk from leftover DK yarn in my stash, there are lots of options !! I’ll let you know what yarn I will use,  in the next few weeks.

Thanks for calling in today.

Sewing Update

Hi Everyone 

Following my chat last week about making knickers, I did decide to complete the Celeste Knickers by ohhh lulu. Read the original piece here.

I needed to add the waistband and was wondering if I should push on with the Make ? What was I thinking, although there are slight issues with the placement of the leg lace, the fit and feel of the knickers is great. I’m actually very pleased with the outcome. The fabric is beautifully soft and drapey and the fit is quite good. I will adapt the pattern slightly - I think the fit would improve with a few centimetres on the length at the centre of the back.

                         

I’m inspired to make an adapted second version of the Celeste pattern. I have lots of the dusky pink fabric left to make many more pairs of knickers but I also have some bright pink fabric, which I think will work too. I’ve got lots of different coloured stretch lace and will come up with some idea for the second design. Very exciting.

I’m hoping to cut out the new fabric pieces later today. I’m still house decorating so time is short ! however, I’m keen to keep going with this one. I’ll share the results when I have something.

Thanks for calling in today.

Advent Update

Hi Everyone 

It’s Day 9 of Advent today and my new little yarn ball is yellow. Read back over December to see the development of my Advent Knit Project which is a pair of mismatched socks this year. 

              

I’ve simply added a new section (each day) and the colours have been the ones which came out that day. I do have a choice of which sock I can knit and am excited each day to choose how to progress.

I didn’t know, exactly, how I would knit my socks ? They have turned out well, I like the pattern. The only idea I had, was to to knit a reverse rib - somewhere in the sock. 

I started the heel flat yesterday and wasn’t sure about which stitch to use for the heel ? I want the pattern to be easy to knit so have opted for a purl stitch heel, a first for me. I like the way the socks looks.

So today, I have my yellow little yarn ball. I’ve decided to knit on the smaller sock today. This will introduce the yellow into this sock and make the socks a pair, even though they are mismatched.

Thanks for calling in today.

Silver Sample (6/12/19)

Hi Everyone 

I’m still deep into house decorating and all other creative projects have suffered ! However, I have a number of Silver bangles under construction. So, my Silver Sample for this week is happening. My design is very simple, a fixed (soldered) silver wrist ring with smaller textured silver tube beads. I’m thinking of four sliding beads, initially.

                        

I’ve used a 2mm wire and slightly larger silver tube beads. The beads are not huge but they take a surface texture well and slide on the wire without getting in the way.

I have problems with silver bangles and have looked for the perfect bangle most of my life. Often, a bangle will not fit over the knuckle part of my right hand. Hopefully, these bangles will work, they are a fine (wire) size but strong enough and I’m confident this time all will be well ! I’ll share my results next time. I’m already thinking of adding small cups with semi precious stones if this works out.

On other news, Advent 6 has produced a Mustard coloured yarn today - read bag each day for the whole Advent story. In the meantime, here is a look at the Mustard yarn. This will change the dynamic !

                    

Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend. I’ll be back on Monday with more Making stories.

More Knitting Stories

Hi Everyone 

If you called in yesterday, you will know about the dilemma I had regarding my Advent Knitting Project. I opened the third Blue mini yarn ball and eventually decided to just add it. My problem was how the third Blue would effect how the balance of colours could work. Howeve,  I’m happy with progress and all is well. I’d already accepted my socks would not be the same, so that fine ! 

Today, the little ball is an ‘oatmeal’ colour, I’m going to add it to the all Blue sock. No decision needed, I just knew immediately ! I’m very much enjoying this project. Each day, there is plenty of time to complete knitting the new ball and the socks are growing well. I’m hopeful the whole project will be completed by the the end. My slight concern is finishing too early ! If I do, I’m already thinking about how I can add to the basic sock ? 

                  

My second knitting story is all about a project which is repurposing a sweater. You can read more about this story here. I think, the project was always destined to be a Nuuk. I’m looking forward to wearing my new Nuuk. The colour is perfect for my wardrobe, I have lots of layering ideas already ! The Nuuk has been quite a quick knit, only a week in and I’m into the main body of the sweater. It’s just about Stocking Stitch for around another 25 cms, a little on the short sleeves and the neck band. I’m juggling the Advent Socks and my Nuuk each evening, so I’m feeling very smug about my progress.

Thanks for calling in today. I’ll be back tomorrow with another Making story.

Making News Update

Hi Everyone 

I have a little update on my current Making projects today. Surprise, surprise - Advent Day 4 of the sock project has given me another blue yarn ball ! I love blue (obviously) but I do remember lots of other colours in the original collection of yarn balls or did I ? 

I deliberately mixed everything up and have almost forgotten what yarns have been included. However, I guess that’s the whole point - random stuff ! Unfortunately, I’m not absolutely OK with too much blue in one ‘stripe’. The blue will cease to be a stripe and more of a block. I seem to have a minor crisis ! I need to think about this one.

My other news is equally troublesome. I’ve been testing out new knicker patterns and have made (almost completed) The Celeste Panties, a free pattern from ohhh lulu. There are some fabulous patterns on her website, I have a few favourites which I will buy. Take a look at the range here.

My fabric is a lovely, soft, fine, pale pink Lycra and I have used some beautiful stretch lace in a creamy pink colour. The fit is quite good and I like the cut. I’ll adapt the pattern slightly by adding  a few centimetres to the back piece. This will make the fit perfect. I have prepared the elastic for the low waist/hip and it’s two min. job to complete. Generally, I’m very pleased. However, here comes the issue. I’ve managed to not aligne the leg lace. Despite following the designers YouTube video (which reminds you to do this) I managed to attach one side lower than the other ! There’s not much in it but it’s there. Very annoying. I’ve considered taking it out and I may still do this. I’ve left things for a day or so to see if it matters that much. 

                      

It sort of does ! But .... this pair was my test pair and I may leave things as they are ? Hence my reluctance to sew on the waist elastic. I’m going to leave things another day before I do anything. It will take quite some time to unpick the zigzag stitches on the lace !

Let’s hope my day improves !

Thanks for calling in today.

Advent Update

Hi Everyone 

It’s Day 3 of Advent today and I’ve just opened my little bag. It’s a bit tricky today !  I have a decision to make about how to knit today’s mini ball. I had thought, I would just knit on, whatever turned up. However, it’s another of the blue colour and I’m not sure a large block of blue is what I want in the striped socks ? I think, it’s time to start sock 2 !

            

I had a few tests runs with the reverse rib idea and eventually decided on the pattern you see in my photo story. Initially, my ribs were similar in width but it’s the single stitch lines which give the effect I’m looking for. I’m happy with how things are progressing as far as the pattern goes.
The idea of having two socks on the needles is to have a choice of how the colours can be knitted up, I hadn’t thought I would need to start the second sock, so soon. I did think, I would wait until a second grey appeared to start the second cuff with a grey yarn. Such as life ! So, I’ll be starting my second sock today.

Thanks for calling in today.

Advent 2019

Hi Everyone 

It’s Advent again and I’m underway with this years project. I’ve used exactly the same approach as last year, a little box of numbered packets, filled with little balls of wool. This year, I’m knitting a pair of socks.

I started yesterday’s packet (Day 1) with the cuff of one sock, I had all kinds of ideas about creating my pair of (semi matching) socks but have abandoned all the ideas and will simply knit each sock as the yarn appears from each packet. I will knit both socks simultaneously, I’m hoping this will allow me to choose how to place my colours as they appear. I’d like to have a different colour stripe rather than a block of colour, so if I pull out the same colour as the day before, I can choose which sock to add the new ball. That’s the plan.

                 

I don’t t mind the socks not matching, as long as the colours are the same (which they are ). I’ve forgotten, exactly, how many colours and which colours I’ve used, this is a good thing and will give me a little surprise each day ! Day 1 colour is a lovely light grey colour. Day 2 is a very pretty blue. I need to knit a little more of the rib with my blue and then it’s a decision about the pattern or not (on the leg of the socks). I think, I’d like to create a reverse rib pattern on my socks. I’ve seen lots of this type of pattern lately and like the almost inside out look this gives. My plan is to knit up each ball every day which should give me my socks by the end of advent. 

I’ll give an update on the project in a few days and share the pattern I’ve created.

Thanks for calling in today.