Halfbreed Headover

I'm not quite sure what this one is inspired by, I can imagine it as part of a costume, with long pointy ears and that sort of thing, I can also see it as a hat in its own right. I'm going to add a few black and silver beads to the plaits, otherwise I think its done.

What kind of yarn are you?

What kind of yarn are you?

You are Dishcloth Cotton.You are a very hard worker, most at home when you're at home. You are thrifty and seemingly born to clean. You are considered to be a Plain Jane, but you are too practical to notice.
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More Pixie Hats

I'm frantically knitting pixie hats on the train on the way to and from work in the morning, its good, easily interrupted work for that and I did really well with this design last year so I'm stocking up while I have the chance. I like the green and brown stripes I used for these two, nice cosy woodland shades.

The Dwarven Battle Bonnet!

This may be, just possibly, one of the daftest hats I've ever made. Its intended as stock for the Live Roleplaying market in February, and was pretty much made up as I went along, with a nod of thanks to this image which gave me some ideas for shaping the beard . I'm going to very lightly full it to firm up the knit now, just hope it survives the process!

Welsh Knitters Map

Just for a bit of fun, this is a Frappr map for knitters in Wales

It is going to be a busy year

I spent a little bit of time today filling in events, sales, shows and so forth in the new 2008 diary, only to realise that once the various events kick off in mid february I don't get a weekend at home for over 6 weeks.

Not that its a problem, all good fun stuff, but it does have a knock on effect on trying out new pattern ideas and restocking, so I can forsee a very busy January as I try to stockpile enough of everything to see me through.

The first big sale will be a Live Roleplaying Market for which I need to make a whole new batch of felted pointy hats, though I also have some ideas for interesting knitted items that might possibly go down well with this audience. Going to have huge fun working on this lot.

I did manage to knit a hat on Christmas Day by way of after dinner excercise, haven't fulled it yet though so picture to follow. Was bask at work today, must admit I would have much rather have been knitting. oops.

Got my Ravelry invite today

Am having an enforced day off knitting due to a stinking cold, so it was a nice surprise to get my Ravelry invite through. Just had a good look round the site and it does look like a useful resource, have already met some almost local knitters. Not sure if I'm disciplined enough to load up details of teh wool stash, but I can see a lot of useful material in the various patterns and ideas sections already.

Simple Swirls Hat

I knitted this neat cap that has a spiral swirl effect using two strands of double knitting held together, I think an aran yarn or anything in that broad weight would also work fine. Its a very simple pattern and will be flexible to a broad range of yarns and guages. I made this in superwash, but for my next one I'll use aran wight wool and will full lightly then block for a smoother neater finish. I think it took about 100g or a little less, so a good stashbuster for an odd skein.

Using 5mm dp needles, cast on 100 stitches (25 per needle) and join without twisting.

Work 2:2 rib for 12 rows

Work plain stockinette for another 8 rows

Now start the swirly pattern:

Row 1: K2tog at start of needle, purl three, knit to end of needle.

Row 2: Knit two, purl three, knit to end of needle

Row 3: Knit one , k2tog, purl three, knit to end of needle

Row 4: Knit three, purl three, knit to end of needle

Row 5 and to finish: knit two, k2tog, purl 3, knit to end of needle

The last couple of rows will be almost all purl, but it makes sense when you get there.

Finish any loose ends, and wash and block lightly to smooth the shape (my pic is pre-blocking).

His n Hers hats and pattern

Went to the Downsizer weekend and had a lovely time knitting whilst catching up with friends. Today I finished and blocked these hats which will be Christmas presents for my parents. Both in Rowan Magpie, which is a sadly discontinued aran weight pure wool. Very simple pattern which I made up as I went along but which goes something like this if you fancy trying it:


5mm needles, cast on 96 or 100 stitches (4 needles of 24 or 25 depending on size) in pure wool aran weight.
Work in the round about 15 rows of moss stittch
work about 17 rows of stocking stitch
one row of purl
two rows plain
three rows moss
two rows plain
one row purl
Start decreasing twice per needle in the third round for I think three repeats
Purl a row
decrease twice per needle in every other row for probably three repeats again (whenever it looks right basically), purl a row
continue decreasing in the same manner to finish.
Lightly machine wash the hat to slightly full it, then block to shape.

Oops, the stash got bigger

I had a minor lapse of willpower and bought 1100g of discontinued Rowan Magpie, which I love for its well behaved knitting and felting qualities, and, um, 8.5 kilos of 4ply on ebay today. I may have got another bit of Rowan coming too.
Gareth is going to kill me when he sees it.
Oh well, have just had this half-hour hat recommended to me, so I may have to try it to show willing.
http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2005/03/03/kens_dulaan_hat.html

Hat with purple and daisies

Today, this is what I am working on. Its mostly done, just need a few more daisies on the band and if it all dries overnight it can go in the post tomorrow.

This week I have mostly been...

...getting back into the swing of work, which is fine, but I'm incredibly tired when I get in, and trying to keep up with orders and knitting Christmas presents. I'm afraid I havent been photographing as I go, its just been too manic. This week has seen a hat, two pairs of silk stockings, several pairs of woollen hose and a pair of thick slipper socks come off my needles. I have several pairs more stockings to do, and a pointy hat. I really should be doing more knitting in the evening, but sitting in a heap then going to bed early is so tempting.
Will try to do better next week and post some pictures.