Older & Bolder

Flicking through one of last week's Metro paper on my break, this article snapped up my attention:

I always used to see the lady on the right on Brick Lane when I had my market stall there.
She always looked so good.  I hope I'm as stylish when I grow up.
These lady's look amazing.  I bet it's so effortless for them too.

Choice of Cable Cuffs

So, I started knitting the Celtic Cable socks (from Knitted Sock Sensations)...
I finished the cuff of the first one and have started on the top of the sock...

 ...Then saw a similar pattern I had forgotten about, in the last issue of Simply Knitting, so for some reason couldn't help but start those too...

These ones are knitted with 4 ply yarn, the first pair with DK  (I picked it up at the Stitch & Craft show last month and was so happy I had something to knit that pattern with!)

However, the second pair are only ankle high, not knee highs like the first ones; my theory was that they'd be a nice quick little project before I sign my next couple of weeks away to knitting knee highs....

(Although the shorter socks also use yarn & needles that are half as fine, meaning the knitting won't 'grow' as fast...) 

I think eagerness may be out bidding ability (and time!) here, but we'll see how long it takes me to get both done, hey...

BUY my BOW BELLE vest

Last year I entered the Design a Vest competition ran my London knitwear company Grannies Inc. and won!

As a result; my design is now available to buy from their website here:

The vest is machine knitted using 100% pure american wool and features a plunging v-neck backline, with bow detail and a hand crocheted trim.  The front of the vest has a higher v-neck; although you can choose to wear it whichever way you like

Making PomPoms

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How To:

1:
Cut out two cardboard circles the same size as you want your pompoms to be and cut a circle out of the middle of them too

2:
Place them back to back and thread your yarn through the centre and begin to wrap it around the circles (I thread my wool onto a darning needle as I find it easier - especially if you are making smaller pompoms like I was - these ones are 1.5")

3:
Keep going until you can't see anymore cardboard - the more yarn you wrap around, the fuller the pompoms will be

4:
Carefully slip some scissors along the edge of the flat pompom and cut the yarn all the way around

5:
Taking a seperate length of yarn, slip it in between the two cardboard discs and tie it really securely around the centre of the pompom (this is what will hold all the threads in place)

6:
 Carefully cut the cardboard discs off the pompom, fluff it up and trim any excess lengths of yarn.

Then make more!

meet Spring Scarf

he's like winter scarf, only skinnier...

I made this scarf as a result of wanting to learn how to cable knit (a few years back).
I knitted with two fingering weight yarns, a wool/acrylic blend.

Super Cosy Aran

Made from the mega-size ball of aran yarn I bought at the Creative Stitch & Craft Show last month.

 

Cables + chunky bobbles + soft acrylic yarn = super cosy

Photos of the knitting of:

 Beginning with a K1 P1 rib, stitch markers are then placed to keep track of where the cable pattern is placed and where the bobbles lie.

 After the first pattern repeat, the rest of the legwarmer is knitted in needles one size up.

 Knitted using flat needles, then a reverse mattress stitch to sew up once they are completed.

 I wore them out and about today and they are sooo good.  Been wanting to knit these for ages now, just been waiting to find the right yarn.

The pattern is called Luscious Legwarmers; another from Knitted Sock Sensations.

On Ravelry here!

... And the ball of wool is still huge!

(James C. Brett Aran Tweed)

 Matching gloves & hat, perhaps???

This yarn is sooo ace, it's 100% acrylic but really doesn't feel like it, it's so soft! A great discovery and definitely one I reccommend to vegan and other knitters alike.

WWF Earth Hour

The WWF Earth Hour was last night - 8.30 - 9.30pm.
After a struggle of a cycle home; face-on pushing through the wind, on big London roads for 14miles (took me an hour fifteen though); I was ready to relax.
It was so calming to switch of my lights, curl up by candle light and have some zen time.