Even though I haven't posted for a while - I haven't been lazy. (And my blog silence has nothing to do with the fact that I may have forgotten my password for a few weeks and finally found it written down in my trusty 'password log book'. On my desk. In front of my nose.)
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| Family Heirloom in progress |
Anyway. Passion craft of the moment is definitely knitting and in true knit addict fashion, I currently have several projects on the go at once.
Even though I love making the year-long- family heirloom-Fair Isle blanket, I have already fallen behind. The pattern for Month 5 just arrived in the post and I am barely through Month 2.
This project requires quite a big amount of 'head space' for me. No talking, no radio, no tv...just quiet focus which I haven't had recently, but I feel a big wave of Fair Isle coming on..... I'll show you the cunning plan I have devised to help me better manage this project at a later date.
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| Getting to know the process |
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| Knit by Numbers |
In the meantime I've been working on a simple hat pattern from a brilliant blog The Craft Sessions. This blog is a lovely place to hang out and the hat pattern Felicia posted is a great way to use up old yarn, plus I'm learning to understand the basics of construction, gauge and tension with her pattern.
Its a quick hat to knit and I'm using the glorious Knit by Numbers, which feels so lovely on the needles. This was the second hat I've made (my 'dog walking' hat supply is growing- as are my donations to an inspiring charity KnitAid) and now I'm ready to construct one for Son No1. He wants his with a slightly longer rib and a longer body of hat for a slouchy shape and, I'm delighted to say, I now know how to do that.
One of my goals this year is to knit my own jumper.
I am so lucky to have a fabulous local yarn shop nearby with a great visiting teacher. Fiona Morris is an experienced, very patient teacher and extremely generous with her time, knowledge and skills.
Whilst knitting baby garments has developed my skills and techniques I wanted to understand how to create a good fit - and to learn more about gauge and tension. So I am doing a 'Knit Your Own Jumper' course with Fiona and learning the skills needed to create adult jumpers that actually fit.
Using a basic pattern we have custom built our jumper designs and over the next two months will create our own garment. I am using a tweedy double knit called Harrap Tweed from Sirdar. I don't love it but I didn't want to knit my first jumper with a yarn I really loved incase the jumper didn't work out the way I see it in my head.
This yarn is good, its workable and warm and, if the jumper works out, will be good for dog walks!! Ah, country life! And look at the lovely vintage buttons I found in a charity shop. Perfect for the neck fastening. I found large and small sizes, I think the larger ones will actually be perfect for the sleeveless fair isle cardigan I've got planned for Mr M.
And, just in case I get bored of all the above, there is the pressing matter of the baby blanket I am knitting for a little one due early July. Fiona very kindly gave me a pattern off the top of her head when I told her the size blanket I wanted to make and the yarn I wanted to use. Its driving me mad because I stupidly chose small needles (3.25mm). I should have gone for 4mm as this Debbie Bliss cashmerino can take it and the blanket would have grown faster! Anyway, the baby is still in situ and there's still time.
I just hope I'm not still saying that end-June!
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| Getting the plan together |
One of my goals this year is to knit my own jumper.
I am so lucky to have a fabulous local yarn shop nearby with a great visiting teacher. Fiona Morris is an experienced, very patient teacher and extremely generous with her time, knowledge and skills.
Whilst knitting baby garments has developed my skills and techniques I wanted to understand how to create a good fit - and to learn more about gauge and tension. So I am doing a 'Knit Your Own Jumper' course with Fiona and learning the skills needed to create adult jumpers that actually fit.
Using a basic pattern we have custom built our jumper designs and over the next two months will create our own garment. I am using a tweedy double knit called Harrap Tweed from Sirdar. I don't love it but I didn't want to knit my first jumper with a yarn I really loved incase the jumper didn't work out the way I see it in my head.
This yarn is good, its workable and warm and, if the jumper works out, will be good for dog walks!! Ah, country life! And look at the lovely vintage buttons I found in a charity shop. Perfect for the neck fastening. I found large and small sizes, I think the larger ones will actually be perfect for the sleeveless fair isle cardigan I've got planned for Mr M.
And, just in case I get bored of all the above, there is the pressing matter of the baby blanket I am knitting for a little one due early July. Fiona very kindly gave me a pattern off the top of her head when I told her the size blanket I wanted to make and the yarn I wanted to use. Its driving me mad because I stupidly chose small needles (3.25mm). I should have gone for 4mm as this Debbie Bliss cashmerino can take it and the blanket would have grown faster! Anyway, the baby is still in situ and there's still time. I just hope I'm not still saying that end-June!
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