New on my needles

Hi Everyone

Exciting news today ! - I have a new knitting project on my needles. A cropped cardigan with 3/4 sleeves called Miette. This is a free download pattern from Ravelry by Andi Satterlund.

                               

Regular readers may have noticed I'm using the yarn from my crochet cardigan, recently ripped out ! I finally made the decision a few days ago and it's exactly the right one. Read about the issue here.

 The Miette cardigan is going well and the yarn is exactly right for the project. I love the colour and the linen element in the yarn works beautifully. I've made great progress, the pattern calls for a worsted weight yarn so I've held two strands of my lighter weight yarn together. The pattern is very clear and easy to use and I'm enjoying the process very much.

I'm thinking about making the fit rather more 'boxy' and leaving out the bust shaping ? I think I will have more use out of a looser fit cardigan ? Still not sure about this one. I'm hoping I will get to that part today and will then decide.

Thanks for calling in today.

FO's to celebrate

Hi Everyone

I've a couple of finished objects to share today. 

                              

However, I'm not totally satisfied with my garments. The Nuuk is a great pattern and I love the colour and the design BUT, I think it's a bit big ! I chose the second size and tried it on several times during construction but it feels a bit loose around the middle. I've yet to try with a blouse or long sleeved tee (my favoured layered look) so I've not totally given up hope that all is well - but there is a question mark ! I really enjoyed knitting this sweater and am already thinking about another. I'd quite like a 3/4 sleeved version with contrasting rib bands in a bright blue and green. The more I think about various colour and little design alterations the more I'm inspired to knit more !

The other finished item is my Oh Shanti socks - these socks have been in and out a few times. The pattern combined with my usual tight knitting technique has needed to be resized at various points. One of the socks is still a bit tight on the 'instep' point. Sadly, I think it may need to come out again.

However, it's not a big job and I'd like to socks to be a good fit. I like the design and the stitch pattern is lovely. These socks have quite a short leg which I also like - not my usual sock design. The socks are very pretty and I love the colour. 

Generally, the knitting has gone well. I'm already lining up the next projects. I like a pair of socks on the go as well as something I call my 'main knit'. I'll let you know what's next tomorrow.

Thanks for calling in today. 

EveryDay Jewels - earrings

Hi Everyone

Just a very short episode today - I've been suffering with a bit of a virus and work has almost stopped for a few days. I did manage to develop ear hooks for more of the Lucy earrings but that's  about it !

                       

I've also started a few of the silver bands for rings and a new pendent bead in the EveryDay range but that's it. 

I'm feeling better each day so hopefully, I can make more progress over the next few days with my other current making projects.

I have done some knitting and the Nuuk is almost there - read back here for more on the Nuuk. I should have something to show tomorrow.

Thanks for calling in today.

Crochet News

Hi Everyone

It's Friday so, I'm sharing my progress and my experience with the Hanabira crochet cardigan. I've already detailed this crochet project here on the blog - check out the details from the begining.

So far, I've started the top down design with the development of the neck, sleeve, front and back shaping. I'm happy with the stitch technique and the garment looks as if the shaping is going well. I'm familiar with this form of design in knitted garments so feel as if the shaping is good. I'm also happy with the yarn, I love the colour and the 'linen-like' texture. My photo is not quite showing the true vibrant yellow/ mustard colour -  it's very striking and I would love to have a cardigan in this colour.

However, I'm not entirely convinced the size is right ? I think the gauge is too tight. The resulting material is a little 'heavy'. To test the gauge, Ive gone up a hook size and the last row of my progress is the larger size hook. At the moment, there isn't too much difference to see. I did swatch for this project but I think, I should have made a much larger swatch.

               

The change to the larger hook maybe enough to correct the size and the feel of the fabric but I'm not hopeful. I'm thinking the unthinkable ! and almost wondering if I need to use another yarn ? 

My next move is to complete the next 10 rows to definitely understand the size I'm producing. I will then make a decision about the yarn and the hook size. I may need to start again on the larger hook OR use the yarn suggested in the pattern. I've already found somewhere to buy the yarn. The yarn I'm currently using was bought for another pattern (quite some time ago) but I am happy to use it for that pattern, another cardigan.

I'm taking all the positives from this project. I've definitely learned lots from starting the Hanabira, I'm still inspired by the design and am still determined I want to make a crochet garment. At the begining of this project, I new there would be challenges - both my inexperience with making crochet garments as well as not working with the yarn suggested in the pattern !

I've not quite managed a daily crochet session so progress has been quite slow - mainly because I'm not sure what I'm doing and each step takes so much time to understand. Being realistic, I think I will make more progress when I'm certain I'm on the right plan and in a regular habit.

I'll report back next Friday on the outcome of the gauge issue and what Indo next.

Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend.

The Everyday Collection Plus

Hi Everyone

I've been working with my EveryDay Collection over the last few days. There are more plans for a wider range of colours but I'm still working with the colourful Lucy range. There are a few new combinations of different shaped beads using the same Lucy colours and a variation of findings planned.

                             

I'm hoping this new Collection will be ready for launching very soon. All the items in the EveryDay Collection are individual pieces and very easy to wear and I'm tempted to take each new item for myself ! Most of the colour ways in the Collecion are inspired by outfits in my wardrobe, so there is huge temptation to hang on to all of them.

Today, I'm developing some sterling silver rings with various coloured PolyGems (faux gems created using polymer clay). These rings are my favourites from the Collection, I'm hoping to have a range to share over the next few days.

Thanks for calling in today.