Shiny Sequined Bargain

Nipped into one of my local charity shops on my wonder home today and found this little gem:

 I've been dreaming about getting my hands on some of the beautifully unique Knit Collage yarns from Loop Knitting.  Priced at £24 per little bundle of wooly wonder I haven't quite been able to justify it yet...

However this (I'm guessing it's new) ball of silky, shiny, tasty chocolate brown yarn - sprinkled with a rainbow of cute little sequins will satisy me (and my purse!) rather nicely :)

So... What to knit now?

Van Dyke Socks

My second pair of socks knitted from my new favourite book Socks From the Toe Up (Wendy D. Johnson)

 These were a really quick knit; partly because they use a sportweight yarn (bulkier than most sock patterns require) and partly because the chevron pattern is so easy to remember. 

After a couple of pattern repeats you don't need to keep referencing back to the pattern chart. 

 I am loving knitting socks from the toe up, as you can try them on as you go to see if they fit. 

This particular pair require dpns (double pointed needles) which also means they are knitted in one continuous round and therefore eliminates annoying (and possibly untidy) side seams once you're done. 

 I topped mine off with a contrasting rib; using leftover yarn from my miser mittens project. 

Nice and neat toes and heels are created when you knit socks from the toe up....

Much nicer to look at and probably one of the best fitting pairs of socks I've ever made myself!

Mix Make Wear

Blue organic discs hand embroidered onto vivid orange net and smooth canvas backing, with striking yellows to reds.  Ribbon tie fastening in matching yellow and blue. 

 

Made from carrier bags, netting, canvas: all recycled.

Created using crochet, heat proccesses, hand embroidery and sewing.

A collection of materials, a mixture of textures and some fun techniques for this playful statement necklace...

Measuring 12cm x 10cm.  Ribbon ties approx 50cm each.

Bobbles & Crochet Crop Top

A little top I knitted up just for a bit of fun. 

I had never knitted a vest by hand before so just wanted to play around with it.  I used a DK cotton for the top half, which gives it a satisfying weighty feel; then continued by increasing my stitches and knitting in simple stocking stitch, using a fine wool yarn.  

I added a row of bobbles down the front to help break up the plain knitting and add that little 'clown' touch to things...

Then finished it off with a crochet scalloped edge.

It's simple, but it fits.  So I'm happy with it!

Knitting Fashion 69: Miser Mittens

A few years back, my Grandma handed me down all of her old knitting supplies; including what is now 'my stash' of needles in all lengths and sizes, some fantastic crochet and knitting patterns (torn out from 80's 'ladies fashion-esque' magazines and all a bit dog-eared for that authentic retro-knit-feel) and this book...

 It's a real jem; the first half of the book is dedicated to explaining every kind of technique and knitting querie you could think of. Seemingly, it was commissioned by the BBC. I think, years back, this was a short series of television shows, which later got published in paper form. (How great is that - knitting on the box and then into a book!?)

 

 I've always wanted to knit myself a pair of fingerless gloves.  'Knitting Fashion' had a nice, simple looking pattern in it, titled 'Miser Mittens' (all the patterns are numbered in the book - this one was 69 out of 150).  I decided it was time to put this classic beaut of knitting knowledge to use (not to mention find a use for that ball of Regia sock yarn I picked up in a sale eons ago...)

Resulting in these:

 I feel the photographs here really do not do them justice - I'm so pleased with the result.  They fit perfectly and this yarn is gorgeous, so soft to wear.  Will definitely use it again.

The pattern was great! So easy to follow, such a simple item to make once you see how it is done... (Think I know what the fam are getting for Christmas this year).

Knitting Fashion is definitely still very 'now' and goes to show that knitting is no longer just for Grannies -

it's for their grandchildren nowadays!

Cheers Grandma

Serpentine Socks

I have finally gotten round to knitting up a pattern from Wendy D. Johnson's book, Socks From The Toe Up, which I purchase months ago and have been eager to knit every pair in it since!

The first pattern I opted for were the Serpentine Socks.  Partly because I wanted a new pair of chunky, cable-effect winter warmers for my toes and partly because they were in the 'Sportweight' section of the book, which means due to the denser (sportweight) yarn used in these patterns, they are quicker to knit than most.

I am truely converted to knitting socks from the toe-up. I just love the smooth, professional finish this technique creates.  As a knitter and sock-wearer, it's just so satisfying...

I finished the socks off with a contrasting pink rib as I 'forgot' (read: was too lazy) to measure my yarn out into two even balls before I started knitting.  (Then you have a ball for each foot and can knit them an even length etc). 

Another joy of knitting from the toe-up! Gone are my days of completing the second sock with an odd coloured toe to the rest of the pair...  On approaching the end of my first sock, I was a little concerned I wouldn't have enough to finish both off with a green rib. 

As it turned out, I have plenty of yarn left over.  Still; I prefer them this way.

Buy the book here

A Little Knitting Treasure

A charming little box a dear friend of mine spied in a charity shop recently and was so kind as to purchase it for your's truely...

 It's 17" long and the lid is a tad on the snug side, but does slide out...

 You can forgive this slight quirk though, as it does display a lovely wool and needles print

 and then opens up to a handful of odds and sods of knitting sticks

 My favourite of which are these 'Poppy', 'Queen Bee' and anodized blue ones.

 Although not all of the needles are in pairs, I think they look perfect in this box.

What a brilliant find!

The Big Knit 2011

As some of you may be aware, those lovely people at Innocent Smoothies hold a little known event every year called The Big Knit.  Knitters from all over the country get their needles going to make little wooly hats for Innocent's smoothie bottles.  These are sold throughout shops and 25p from each be-hatted bottle sold is donated to Age UK.  Brilliant!

So I've been putting my stash and wooly oddments to use and knitted up a few myself...

I think they could do with some bobbles though...

These little guys are around 1.5 inches high; guess I'd better brush up on my minature-pom-pom-making skills!

Golden Bees

I decided I wanted to try something a little different with my handmade bees and swapped the silver for gold to see how it would look....

 I think it suits them:

I will be crafting some hair slides in the gold version too, but for now you can
purchase the broaches from my Etsy store
or from my stall in the Backyard Market on Sundays, 10am - pm.

This little chap measures about 3cm long and including his wings in about 3.5cm high.
The wire I have used is very sturdy and really shines out. 

I am pleased with the result - as I hope my customers will be too!

20% OF PROFIT FROM BEE SALES IS DONATED TO THE SOIL ASSOSIATION TO HELP THEM SAVE THE HONEY BEES

All in a Jest ~ Knitted Socks

I have just finished making these cuties: All in a Jest Knitted Socks, another from my new fave book Knitted Sock Sensations.

To begin, you knit each little triangle individually and just collect them on your right hand needle as you go.  Then once they are all made, just knit across the row to form the fun, clownish cuff.

They look like some form of sea animal whilst still being knitted (perhaps it was the sparkly green yarns I used to make them?) but the result is fantastic!  As you can see from the photo; when the cuff is turned up there is a ribbed section, to keep them tucked up to your ankles.

 

...And ta da!

A nice new fun pair of hand knitted socks for me to show off:

From Knitted Sock Sensations (Louise Butt & Kirstie McLeod)

Knitting Pattern: Ipod Case

Here's a super easy, super quick little pattern I made up to create a knitted bag for my friend to store her iPod in.  It can also be used for most cameras, iPhones, mobiles or to give a small present in to make it a little bit special. 

Materials & Tension:

Any DK yarn - I used an acrylic that was varigated for a really fun looking bag that can also be chucked in the wash easly enough.  I knitted mine using 3.75mm needles; although the tension is not so important because the rib pattern allows for stretch.

Pattern:

CO 25 sts

Row 1: (RS) K3, P2, repeat to end

Row 2: P3, K2, repeat to end

Repeat these two rows until bag measures desired length.  I knitted mine for 15cm/6".

Cast off in rib.

Finishing:

Sew up side seam, using a darning needle and main yarn, preferably using mattress stitch.

Thread darning needle with matching coloured elastic and sew around top edge of bag; using running stitch is just fine.  Pull tight so that bag will hold phone etc inside but will happily stretch to allow objects in.  Knot tightly and weave in all yarn/elastic lose ends.

(Here's the bag with an iPhone inside it; first image shows it storing a Blackberry).

The nice thing about a simple pattern is not only the time it takes to complete; but the possibilities it gives to experiment with it.  You can alternate between yarns to create stripes, use a mulit coloured yarn as I did to create effect; sew a button/buttons onto the bag, replace the elasticated edge with a thin ribbon drawstring.... Whatever you feel like!

See it on Ravelry here

Grannies Inc Catwalks & Knitting Circle

As you may already be aware; I recently entered Grannies Inc 'Design a Vest' competition and have been lucky enough to be selected as one of the finalists! 

Last week they hosted a couple of catwalks to showcase the chosen designs and gain further opinions as to which vest should be crowned as winning knitting...

 Here is a photo I managed to snap of my vest on the runway in Brixton Village, Thursday evening.  What a treasure trove that place is - I can't wait to go back!  So many kool and adorable shops, places to eat (I had some tasty Japanese food) and local DJ's & bands filling the air.  Great atmosphere there and it was so good to see all the knitwear in real life!  There's some great finalist designs in the competion.

The second catwalk took place on Sunday in London Fields. 

 Not only was there the catwalk taking place, but a knitting circle stitching away throughout the day, which you can see in the background here:

 I actually designed this vest to be worn the other way round to how it is shown on the model; but think it looks good this way too! I guess it could be rotated depending on day / evening wear...

I really love the hand knitted sign Grannies Inc had made for the occassion:

 Not too mention all the free wool that they provided and their signature 'granny' on her rocking chair!

How lovely!

I took the opportunity to teach my good friend (and sewing extraordinaire) Nina how to knit:

She picked it up quick!

Here is some of the swatches we made that afternoon:

So all in all a great couple of days; I loved seeing the designs up close and especially to see how mine looked on another person.

I find it fascinating how differnet they all are; what all the different knitters came up with given the brief to knit a vest that was 'long and loose'.  Everyone has done well to get this far and I feel I've gotten so much out of becoming a finalist I couldn't have wished for more!

Many thanks to Grannies Inc for organising the competition & the catwalks and for giving me this opportunity to be involved in it all!  Also a thankyou to everyone who has voted for me and all the kind words & responses I have recieved.

The winner is announced on 17th July and until then you can still vote for your favourite design(s) on the website right here and go straight to my design here

Knitted Bikini

I recently had the dilema of what to make for a friend who is off to Australia for a year. It's got to be handmade, obviously and preferably knitted (to remind her of me!), yet remain practical for her adventure...

The answer, of course, was a knitted bikini:

I found a free pattern called the BVI Bikini on Ravelry.

I followed it true to word, until it came to adding the straps (I'm still getting used to crochet patterns; so sometimes it's easier to freestyle it still).

The ties were a row of chain stitch which I then worked dch (double chain stitch) into.

It was nice and quick to knit up, I think I'll have to make one for myself too.

 The best tip I picked up fron this pattern, is after the cups have been knitted, you should hand sew elastic around the edges of them.  This will make them stay in place and give them the hold that commerical bikinis made from synthetic fabrics have.

I'm happy to say that my friend absolutely loved it ("The best present ever!") and it fitted her perfectly!

Just a special something for those cooler, nightime beach parties perhaps?

All the best, Saz!

xxx

Lace Knit Purse

Here's a little something I knitted up for a friend's birthday a few months back.  Her favourite colour is purple so this sparkly yarn had her name written all over it.  I began to knit the Lacy Drawstring Bag pattern from Textured Knits (Julia Cooper) but decided to freestyle it into a purse instead.

I used a contrast mint coloured yarn and added this minature sweet buttons for the opening.

It went down a treat!

You can buy the book here

It's got some great patterns in it, I'll post my other knits from it soon!