Solving little problems every day...

So - it's been a while!

A lot has been happening in 2012 so far. I've been pretty exhausted and burnt out at times - and that doesn't make for great blog reading. So now I'm back on my feet (literally) I can fill you in on what's been happening.

Most notable being that I have been into hospital to have keyhole surgery on my hip. It wasn't as bad as it sounds - and it's feeling a lot better already, but I've got to be on crutches for 4 more weeks (10 in all) and it is still pretty sore. I've got two little scars on my right hip. Lucky to have such a great team locally who operated on me so professionally.

As you may realise I'm not the kind of person who would want to spend 10 weeks on a pair of uncomfortable dull grey crutches, so I managed to buy some comfy ergonomic ones on-line that are shaped to your hand - much much more comfy. And they come in this great teal colour so much less boring!

One thing I figured out quite quickly was that carrying a shoulder bag doesn't work with crutches - it kept falling off my shoulder every time I took a few steps. A messenger style satchel was OK but got in the way as I was walking. I've got a little backpack for going out and about - but when you just want to take your purse, some lip balm and your phone it was too big.

So I came up with this little bag that hangs from the handle of the crutch. It's made from oilcloth so it is pretty water resistant (which is great in the wet spring weather we have been having) and fastens to the crutch with Velcro and to the handles via some cotton loops. The flap closes with a pop fastener. There is a little pocket inside for my phone so it doesn't get lost at the bottom of the bag.

Its first big test was when we went to Plymouth on the south west coast on holiday this Bank holiday weekend. It's our second wedding anniversary (seems like yesterday I was having my handmade wedding!) and we like to take a little holiday to celebrate. As you can see it was pretty chilly for May but the little crutch-bag held up really well. 

I love being by the seaside - the South West coast is stunning. Plymouth is right on the border between Devon and Cornwall. We went to see the Eden Project - it has an indoor Rainforest biome with lots of tropical plants (very hot though!), a land train, stunning plants and lots of info on climate and environment. 

We also enjoyed a trip to the River Cottage Restaurant, Plymouth Hoe and a boat trip around the docks. Very glad I brought my knitted hat - beautiful but pretty cold!

I'm counting down until I'm able to get off these crutches - 4(ish) more weeks to go then I am free! 

Debs

Free Knitting Pattern: Seed Stitch Hat

This is one of my favourite hats to put in my pocket - warm enough to keep your head cosy on cold days, but light enough to wear past winter months. You can also take a look at an easy pattern for using up leftover yarn for matching fingerless gloves

Again like most of my patterns there is no set size or yarn type - I have used double knit weight yarn which means the hat has a slouchy fit. The hat above was knitted using Patons Smoothie yarn - an acrylic yarn with a smooth silky touch.

You will need:

• 1 x 100g ball of DK Double knit yarn - I have used Patons Smoothie
• 1 x 5mm 16" circular needle (slightly larger than the yarn states so that the knit is looser)
• A stitch marker
• Scissors and a needle to weave in ends

Pattern

1. Cast on 88 stitches (this will fit loosely on a 22" circumference head - to make it bigger or smaller add or take away in multiples of 4 e.g. 80, 84, 92)

2. Make sure your work is not twisted, thread on your stitch marker and join work together, working your first round in double rib stitch (k2, p2 to the end of the round)

3. Continue knitting double rib rounds (k2, p2) until your work measures 1.5 inches long. On your last stitch of the last round pick up a stitch (m1) so you will have an odd number of stitches on your needle (e.g 89 stitches) This is the headband section finished.

4. For your next row, work in moss / seed stitch (k1, p1* k1) ending on a knit stitch. From this point onward knit as if you are making one long continuous row - after every knit stitch will follow a purl stitch - as there is an odd number of stitches on the needle the moss / seed stitch pattern will work up automatically. 

n.b. The stitch marker is there to remind you where you started but it doesn't mean you need to restart the pattern every time - if you end on a knit stitch at the end of the round your next stitch will be a purl stitch. You will get into a rhythm of k, p, k, p, k, p, k...until you get a bit dizzy!

5. Continue knitting in moss / seed stitch until your work measures 8" (21cm) in total (including the ribbed part). If you have increased the size of your hat by a lot you will want to make the hat longer, and smaller if you are making a small hat e.g. for a child.

6. On your next round decrease by knitting two stitches together (k2tog*, k1) ending on a knit stitch.

7. Cut a long tail from your ball and using your needle thread the needle through the stitches left on your needle and take them off the needle as you go. Pull together tightly and secure by stitching the tail into the back of the hat and weaving the end in.

8. Weave the other tail end from casting into the piece.

...and there you go - a finished hat!

Please let me know if you spot any issues or have any feedback.

Debs

Free Knitting Pattern: Beau Bow Headband

These headbands are so cute, and dead easy to make - be that for little girls or little girls at heart. As the band itself is ribbed it will sit comfortably on the head without moving. It's a good way to use up those smaller balls of yarn that you really like, but are just too small to make a hat from.

Here is the pattern:

You will need:

• up to 50g yarn depending on the size of the headband you'd like to make - the one above was knitted out of DK yarn and used just under 50g in all.
• circular needle or DPN of the correct size for the yarn used to make the headband - I used 4mm circular needles 
• Straight needles of the correct size for the bow - I used 4mm needles 
• Sewing needle - large eye and blunt ended  for sewing up

Pattern

Headband

This will make a headband for a small - medium adult / teen out of DK yarn as above. To make it bigger or smaller add or take away stitches in multiples of 4. If using chunkier yarn and larger needles you will need to cast on less. Remember it is rib stitch and it will stretch to put it on. My head is 22 inches in circumference and this fits me fine as a very rough guide.

1. CO 84 stitches using your preferred cast on method loosely - you will loose the stretch in the headband if you cast on too tightly.

2. Make sure your work is not twisted and join together.

3. Row 1: K2, P2* repeat until the end of the round, finishing on a P stitch.

4. Repeat until the work measures 3 inches or desired width, and cast off in rib stitch loosely- again to make sure the work remains stretchy.

5. Weave in the ends using your sewing needle to help.

Bow:

If you want a smaller or bigger bow just cast on more or less stitches. This is the size of the bow on the headband pictured above.

1. Cast on 20 stitches to your straight needles - try not to do this too tightly

2. Work in garter stitch (K all stitches) for all rows until the piece measures 5 inches long or desired length. Cast off and weave in ends. 

Bow Ribbon (middle piece):

1. Cast on 10 stitches to your straight needles. 

2. Row 1: K1 P1

3. Repeat row 1 until piece measures 4 inches long and cast off, leaving a tail at the end for joining the piece together. If you have made a chunkier headband or larger bow you may need to make this piece a bit longer. Test it as you go along to make sure it will fit around your work.

Making up:

1. Take the headband and where you cast on and off place the bow over the joins to cover them up. 

2. Take the ribbon piece and place it around the headband and bow so that the bow is held in place. It will gather the bow and headband a bit as shown in the picture. 

3. Take your blunt needle and thread the tail thread on your bow ribbon. Sew together the cast on and cast off edges of the row ribbon so that the bow is held in place on the headband. Sew in any threads left over.

4. Play with the bow until it sits where you'd like it to be then try it on! 

You can wear it with the bow on top or to one side. You can experiment with different yarns, colours etc. - why not have the bow a contrasting colour to the headband? Lots of different options. Please give me your feedback on the pattern or if you have any suggestions or improvements

Debs

Rainbow Hot Water Bottle Sock Pattern

We have moved!

It's taken me the last 3 weeks to unpack everything - I'm still missing some key items, but I'm sure they will turn up at some point (most likely when I least expect it...)

My workroom is looking good - I'm all set up and ready to satisfy my itchy fingers. My first project has been to knit a new hot water bottle cover for my mini hot water bottle. I was after something quick and easy, and something that would use up some of my remnant yarn...

This is a very easy pattern, and knits up very quickly - making it a great pattern for those who like instant knitting gratification!

Notes:
This pattern is for my mini hot water bottle cover. You can tailor this pattern to the size of your hot water bottle by adding or subtracting stitches in multiples of 4 (so 36,40,44 etc.) The double knit rib is very stretchy, so if you are unsure go for the smaller measurement.

You will need:

• Small amount of each colour of yarn you wish to use. My small hot water bottle cover used less than a 25g ball of yarn for each stripe. I used standard DK acrylic yarn.
• 1 set of 4.5mm needles or the size recommended for the yarn you are using
• Bodkin /  large eyed needle

Pattern:
Cast on 24 stitches on to 4.5mm needles

Knit 8 rows in Double Rib (k2,p2 to the end of the row, repeat for each row)


At Row 9, change to next colour yarn and knit this row in knit  (k all stitches - so you can't see the joint), then continue in Double Knit (k2,p2) for the next 7 rows. Leave a tail of yarn for sewing up the sides later.


Repeat the pattern above, knitting in each colour for 8 rows until you get to the last colour (in my case purple), where I continued for 23 rows instead of 8. These extra rows allow you to fold the top over like a roll neck jumper. Leave a longer tail for sewing this up.


Cast off in same double rib pattern (k2,p2)


When you have finished, it should look something like this:

Follow the same pattern above to make another matching piece for the other side.


When you have made both pieces, use the tails of yarn to sew up the sides - to make sure the seams don't show through, use the red tail to sew up the red section, the yellow tail for the yellow section etc.


It will look quite small when you have finished, but it will stretch over your hot water bottle keeping it snug in it's new little jumper.

Humphrey the bear was very impressed...


Debs

Knitting Pattern: Seed Stitch Fingerless Gloves

It's been lovely and sunny here in Wales - so warm that I've been struggling to find the motivation to knit! With the changeable British weather, these great little gloves are so light and easy to put in your pocket. Also see the matching hat pattern


Knitted from moss or seed stitch, they are an easy knit. Made flat on straight needles, they are then stitched together to fit your hands:

You will need:

• Your choice of yarn and needles - I've used Patons Smoothie yarn on 4.5mm needles to fit my small adult hands
• Large needle / Bodkin to sew up seams

Double Rib pattern:
k2, p2 until end of row, repeat for all rows


Seed / Moss stitch:
Odd Rows: k1, p1 to end of row
Even Rows: p1, k1 to end of row

Pattern:
If you need larger gloves increase in multiples of 4, likewise, if you want smaller gloves or are using larger needles, decrease in multiples of 4.

1. Cast on 28 stitches leaving a long tail

2. Start double knit pattern and continue for 1" (3cm), finishing on Wrong Side (WS)

3. Switch to Seed / Moss stitch pattern until piece is desired length - on my short gloves I worked the pattern for 3" (8cm) but you can make them longer if you like.

4. Switch back to double rib as above for 1"

5. Cast off in rib stitch (not too tightly!) leaving a long tail


Finishing:
6.Sew seam into a tube with Right Side (RS) together using the long tails from your cast on and cast off, leaving a 1" hole below the top piece of ribbing for your thumb to poke through. Turn the right way out and you are finished!


Hope this is simple and straightforward for you to knit and make up - let me know your feedback!

Debs

I Knit Weekender - London: Review

Finally it arrived! I've been so excited to go to this event - it involved an early start, getting up at 6.20am to get up, dressed, fed and out to catch the bus to town to get the coach to London. I'm not allowed to travel alone due to my fits, so Stew gallantly volunteered to come with me for the day - he is good like that! Coaches are the cheap way to travel - it worked out at £12 each return to get to London from Cardiff - not bad at all really. The downside of getting the coach is that it takes about 3 hours to get there, when it is more like 2 on the train, there is not much leg room, and we ended up with a "chatty" couple in front, talking loudly about everything and anything... so it was a LONG trip down.


We arrived in the Big Smoke at 11am at Victoria Coach Station, and headed off to find Emily at the tube station. Emily lives in Peterborough near East Anglia - the other side of the country to us, so it made sense to meet in London and head over to the Expo from there. 

http://www.iknit.org.uk/

10 minutes walk from the coach station was the Royal Horticultural Halls - we spotted the Weekender straight away from the decoration outside:

So we went inside - it was £8 a ticket - I booked in advance for me and Stew, and Emily bought hers on the day. They didn't offer a disabled discount like most fairs which was a bit disappointing, especially as Stew was only coming in with me in a carers capacity.


Well... it was a mix really. What was there was really good - there were some fab stalls selling vintage goods, hand spun yarns, felting etc - there were some really beautiful yarns on offer - mostly in the higher price bracket of £10-20 a skein weighing about 100g, not that great for those on a budget.

Some of our fave stalls included Belina Harris-Reid and the Knit Expo, offering hand dyed yarns, patterns and knitting retreats to Devon (!!!), the stunning merino yarn on offer from Sweedish company Millamia - designed to be knit for kids but the yarn is so soft I bought some to knit for myself, and the stunning Alpaca yarn from the Toft Alpaca Shop - offering stunning yarn in beautiful colours, and dreamily soft to the touch, and kits to knit gorgeous bags and hats. They have also got homemade giant wodden buttons to die for!

One of my favourite stalls was there - Rachel John and her giant knitting - this one must have been a mammoth one to knit! 

 

I think that those were whittled from tree branches - must have been about 50 strands in all! Last time we saw Rachel I bought some large needles to make blankets which I featured in my previous blog post.


I think the downside of this event was that it was much much smaller than we were expecting. It took us less than an hour to walk around all the stalls - there were approx 50 stalls in all in a large hall. for £8 per person we were expecting it to take us much longer to walk around. We were also a bit disappointed that each of the lessons were priced up at about £20-40 per session, putting them way out of our price range. There were supposed to be fashion shows, but there was no-where to sit to view them (the few seats there were were taken), and with the PA blaring out I couldn't hear what they were saying anyway - whilst we were there it was someone talking about garments on stage with them on a rack - not really a 'fashion show'...


The bit that I was most looking forward to was seeing my competition entry on display, and seeing what everyone else had come up with. To my dismay, they weren't on display at all - and when I asked about it the response was that "that had not received enough entries" and were considering extending the competition. This made me a bit angry if honest - I put a lot of effort and time into entering the competition an getting it in on time, and to be told that they hadn't bothered to display the entries, and worse that they weren't awarding prizes was really sad. It seems very unfair on those who did bother to enter that you would change the boundaries of the competition after the closing date to suit them. I hope that they sort this out soon and keep to the spirit of fairness by awarding the prizes to those who have entered already.


So a mixed view of the event. What WAS there was great - but was it worth £8 each to get in and travel from Cardiff...? Not so sure...


So after a few hours we went to the pub to chat and catch up, and decide what to do next. Emily went off to meet our friend Gemma who lives in London. Stew and I jumped on the tube and went up to High St Kensington - a cool and hip part of the city, where I went to the Urban Outfitters Sale (woo!) whilst Stew found a couch to sit on, and then we had some tea in Wagamamas - a noodle and rice bar serving Oriental food - this is me tucking into the Cha Han; like a massive bowl of special fried rice: (wearing the headband I knitted for the event)

It was SO yummy! We travelled back on the coach - this time the man sitting behind SNORED the whole way home....sigh... we really don't have much luck with the people we travel with! 


So a good day out! Even Stew seemed to have a good day too. He wants to whittle me some of those giant knitting needles now!

Reminder! My Giveaway is still open until 19th September so get looking now - it's being hosted on Tigerlily's Book Blog and is accompanied by a review of my slouch beanie hat...

Debs!

Giant Knitting

My fab friend Emily got me a fantastic wedding present in May: A super huge pair of wooden knitting needles from Rachel John at a craft festival earlier in the year. I just saw them and knew I had to have a pair!

But they're not as HUGE as these ones! They wouldn't fit in my living room!

Rachel's needles are great, but you can find giant needles on Etsy too - SnokistFarmGirl does very pretty ones for $12 a pair plus shipping. I'm making a cool chunky knit throw using about 8 different strands of machine yarn on a cone - gives an amazing multi tone effect as you can see:

I just need to find time to finish it now!! I've knitted it in stocking/stockinette stitch with a garter stitch border to make sure it does not curl up when laid flat. It's actually really light weight - and the looser weave means it has a really floaty lace like quality to it - a great light weight throw or blanket. I think it might "grow" with time, so I've made it the width of a double bed but half the length - intention was to put it across the foot of the spare bed, but it might end up somewhere else!


There has been some fantastic chunky knits in the shops for their Autumn collections, and to celebrate my love of all things knitted I've created a chunky knit treasury on etsy. Some gorgeous pieces to covert or gain inspiration from.

Can't wait to knit some more super cool items with my chunky needles!! This has to be a project I find time to make at some point:

Reminds me of a giant sea anemone - so soft and squishy...


Debs!

The Joys of Internationalism!

I'm a great lover of treasures around the world - Though I've not travelled much in my years so far, my sister Jooles has spent the last year or so travelling around the world, including South America, India and South East Asia.

I've been spellbound looking at all the cool things she has got to see on this mammoth Odyssey. (If not a bit jealous at times having to see pics of her on the beach in Rio whilst I'm experiencing snow and ice in a wet and windy Wales...) She is currently in Vietnam - here is a snapshot of her travels!

Etsy have just launched a new International Forum to their site - I'm a big fan of this; it is really about time I say. Etsy is an international phenomenon for everyone who loves craft to get together and share experiences and sales tips... but it is very Americanised... I'm hoping this is Etsy opening it's eyes to the wider world at large!

To celebrate the opening of this forum, and to show the best of International crafting I've pulled together an International Treasury - Around the World in 20 Listings!


(Notice I managed to find a Welsh themed item to sneak in too!)

I'm a member of the Etsy UK sellers team as well as the Etsy Cymru Team (our Welsh team), and I've enjoyed networking with the members, getting advice on Tax returns, what items are popular with UK sellers, how I can get involved with local craft fairs and trade shows and just meeting people in the same country to chat about crafting - my husband doesn't understand when I enthuse about new yarns or cool new needle types.... in fact he gets a bit fed up with the whole "knitting all hours of the day and night" thing at the best of times, so it's really nice to find people around the world who like what I like - and don't glaze over when I mention Intarsia or Fairisle...

So thank you Etsy for waking up to internationalism, and lets hope it leads to making this big old world of ours a little bit smaller....

50 Followers!

Thank you Sarah @ Magnolia Suprise - you are my 50th blog follower, which can only mean 1 thing - I can launch my SUPER knitted blog giveaway!

I can reveal that I will be launching the giveaway on Saturday 26th June (this Sat!) and will be for a custom one off piece of knitwear I'm currently finishing off - a real quality piece from my new collection!

So countdown from now ....3 days to go!

New Treasury - Coral Creations!

I haven't made a treasury in AGES - and was pleasantly suprised with the new treasury format - no waiting for hours for a slot to appear; just put it together, and there it is! I chose to theme the treasury around CORAL - that gorgeous colour which is everywhere in the shops here in the UK this summer. Hope you enjoy it!

See my treasury here - CORAL CREATIONS!

First Blog Post - Fun with Photos...

Hello!

Something I have been waiting for a free moment to set up and get on with - writing a little blog showing all you lovely people what I have been knitting and crafting, as well as other cool things that happen to take my fancy as things progress!

Last weekend I ventured out into the sun with my new husband Stew (he's great!) with a bag full of new summer stock to take some pictures. I must admit, I'm no model, we have a standard cheap and cheerful digital camera and Stew bless him is no design guru himself, so I was really interested in how these would turn out...

...and they haven't turned out too badly at all! I was amazed at what a sunny Welsh summer's day, a nice local park and a patient husband could produce - I really wanted to show the seed stitch detail in the main body of the hat, and ways that you can wear it. We were only out for about 30 minutes but managed to take about 150 photos of lots of different items including this new hat and glove set I have been working on:

This is a great colour - looks really vibrant on all skin types - even on my super white skin!! I was most suprised looking at the difference between these photos taken outside in the sunshine and on a person, compared to the ones I took in the winter in the darkness of our terraced house on the model - it shows firstly that it doesn't cost a lot to improve the images, that lighting makes a LOT of difference, and I now have a big task ahead of me getting ALL the rest of my pictures sorted!