Blocking

I got "blocking wires" from the school's supply shop (I think it's called piano string, and is supposed to be stainless), and the Gnarled Oakwoods shawl for my Grandma is now finally blocking!

Since the shawl is so long, I had to fold it in half, but I think it works out okay. I might have to steam the middle a bit, if there is a fold.

 

 

The wrong side is up on these pictures.

I think this is going to be SOOO pretty! The blocking really makes wonders.

I have to figure out some clever way to photograph the finished shawl...

 

 

 

 

I also finished the first Hap Blanket this week, it will be next in the blocking line. Unfortunately, I fell really hard for this blanket (and the colourway) while knitting it - I almost won't be able to part with it. But as we have plenty of blankets already, and it doesn't go with the colourscheme (-to be) in our apartment, I might as well give it away. It probably has something to do with me not knitting THAT many items as gifts before, and it should be a good sign that I like it so much, right?
I will knit one for myself ONE DAY, though...

I started the second Hap Blanket, which I have decided to give to my Grandpa (he's in a wheelchair, and I think this blanket will be perfect for him), before I bound off the first. I forgot to take a photo before I picked up stitches for the edging, so it is a little wonky...

WIP Wednesday

Inderst inde

Finished the knitting on Friday, have about half a skein left over! Will bind off the shoulders and crochet a picot edge.

I haven’t decided whether there will be buttons on one shoulder or not. I really don’t have much baby-experience, and I don’t know if it’s really necessary. There aren’t buttons in the pattern, and most people don’t do them. I have knit both armholes the same height now, so I’ll probably just crochet some button loops if I decide on the buttons.

I thought about making a sun hat with the left over yarn, I have some same weight cotton yarn in plum that could be used for stripes. I’ll see how much time the other baby stuff takes, and what I want to make when the time comes.

Daylight

Not very excited about this at the moment, but it’s coming along, slowly. I frogged the first 30 rows once – the perfectionist in me had to make a new plan for the increases, and I redrew the chart to be able to concentrate better on the knitting. The pattern has the front and back of all sizes on the same chart, so I had to think to much about where to work pattern sts or not…

Then I forgot some increases several times, and had to frog again. And again. But now I’ve finally passed the spot where I frogged the first time, so I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Hap blanket

Got Alaska yarn at the 40% off Drops spring sale to make a Hap Blanket for another baby. I love these colours together, they’re not “too baby”, but still suitable, I think. I hope a worsted wool blanket isn’t a bad gift for a June baby, it’s difficult to come up with summer baby projects, and I love this blanket. It will be big enough for quite a while though, so he will still be able to use it during winter.

The yarn is slightly lighter than recommended for the pattern, but hopefully it will turn out okay. If it does, and is fun, I’ll consider making another for a third baby.

Check list

Found on the Ravelry forums -

Bold for stuff you’ve done, italics for stuff you plan to do one day, and normal for stuff you’re not planning on doing.

• Afghan
• I-cord
• Garter stitch
• Knitting with metal wire
• Shawl
• Stockinette stitch
• Socks: top-down
• Socks: toe-up
• Knitting with camel yarn
• Mittens: Cuff-up
• Mittens: Tip-down
• Hat
• Knitting with silk
• Moebius band knitting
• Participating in a KAL
• Sweater
• Drop stitch patterns
• Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
• Slip stitch patterns
• Knitting with bananafiber yarn
• Domino knitting /modular knitting
• Twisted stitch patterns (I'm not sure what they look like)
• Knitting with bamboo yarn
• Two end knitting
• Charity knitting
• Knitting with soy yarn
• Cardigan
• Toy/doll clothing
• Knitting with circular needles
• Baby items
• Knitting with your own handspun yarn
• Slippers
• Graffitti knitting: knitting items on, or to be left on the street
• Continental knitting-ish
• Designing knitted garments
• Cable stitch patterns
• Lace patterns
• Publishing a knitting book
• Scarf
• Teaching a child to knit
• Knitting to make money
• Button holes
• Knitting with alpaca
• Fair Isle knitting
• Norwegian knitting (assuming it's the traditional colourwork-thing)
• Household items: dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies…
• Knitting socks- or other small tubular items- on two circulars
• Dying with plant colours
• Knitting items for a wedding
• Olympic knitting
• Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
• Knitting with dpns
• Holiday related knitting (oh, I read that as knitting related holiday...does it mean Christmas or what?)
• Teaching a male how to knit
• Bobbles
• Knitting for a living
• Knitting with cotton
• Knitting smocking
• Dyeing yarn
• Steeks
• Knitting art
• Fulling/felting
• Knitting with wool
• Textured knitting
• Kitchener BO
• Purses/bags
• Knitting with beads
• Swatching
• Long Tail CO
• Entrelac
• Knitting and purling backwards
• Machine knitting
• Knitting with selfpatterning/selfstriping/variegating yarn
• Stuffed toys
• Knitting with cashmere
• Darning
• Jewelry
• Knitting with synthetic yarn
• Writing a pattern
• Gloves
• Intarsia
• Knitting with linen
• Knitting for preemies
• Tubular CO
• Freeform knitting
• Short rows
• Cuffs/fingerless mitts/armwarmers
• Pillows
• Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
• Rug
• Knitting on a loom
• Thrummed knitting
• Knitting a gift
• Knitting for pets
• Shrug/bolero/poncho
• Knitting with dog/cat hair
• Hair accessories
• Knitting in public

Yarn overload(?)

As I just got my first paycheck in months, I had decided that I was going to spend a share of it on yarn. I have almost not bought any yarn, clothes or anything else fun since summer, because the world economic situation has been hard on the conversion rate from Norwegian to Danish currency, meaning that my living expenses has gone up quite a lot, and I’ve not had any money to spare. Also, I have been on a break from school since February, therefore not receiving any education support from the government.

I have been working full time since April, though, and that’s why I finally get to spend some money on yarn. And I DID spend quite a few hours last weekend organising my stash ;)

First, Lynghøjgaard is closing, and have 25% off or more in May.

I got Kauni Effekt (first time I’m trying it!) in three colourways, solid coloured Kauni 8/2 (100) in three different colours, 2 skeins of Noro Silk Garden Lite (first Noro), one for the Queen Anne scarf and one for the Quant entrelac headband, and one skein of Filcolana Merci, mentioned in my last post, to use for a baby vest.

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Figos mor was recommended by a friend from the knitting café, and there was 50% off on some Rowan and HP/Løve yarns.

I got a ton of Rowan Summer Tweed in a few different colours, there ere mostly leftovers, but I got 8 skeins of Ghost (grayish white, LOVE it) that I might use for a Liesl by Ysolda. 3 skeins Raffia (light brown) and one of Oat (beige, the same colour, but not dye lot, as my Daylight yarn) - these go well together (stripes?), 2 skeins Denim (blue, this is really pretty) and Dew (light green, the colour is weird but cool), and enough Løve Heavy (bulky cotton/acrylic) for a cardigan or 2-3 baby sweaters.

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And of course, just when I’ve ordered all this, I get a newsletter from Garnstudio/Drops, saying that they have 40% off on selected yarns all May… I will probably get some Vivaldi, at least, because I want to knit a new bolero, to replace the one that felted.

Swatching

I’m not knitting much on actual projects these days – the red shawl for my grandmother is finished, except for blocking, and the lace cape is being stupid and is on time out to think about what it’s done…

I’m in the mood for summery projects, and have been swatching for Daylight by Martin Storey, using Rowan Summer tweed in the colour Oat.

 

The chart in the book (Rowan Kasbah Collection) is a bit difficult to follow, because it has all three sizes, front AND back on the same chart, so I have redrawn the chart for my size in Excel.

The top is very short, so I will be using a provisional cast on, and knitting the lace pattern bottom up first, then picking up stitches, and knitting the waist rib top down afterwards. As I have one extra skein of yarn, I will probably be able to make it a bit longer.

The second project I’m swatching for is the Bubble Pullover by Norah Gaughan. As many others, I would like a more fitted version of the sweater (it’s really oversized), so I have been trying to figure out the right gauge and measurements. I’m using Marianne Svit Supersoft yarn, in Crocus (which is beautiful). Two strands will make worsted weight, and I tried that first, on 4.5 mm needles. The pentagon got too large, though (I’m aiming for 12.5 cm sides), so I tried again with a single strand on 3.5 mm needles.

That seems to be about the right size, which is a bit annoying, as I don’t have a 40 cm circular in 3.5 mm (and I just bought 2.5 and 3 mm to make baby stuff, forgot the 3.5, apparently!)

And last, but not least, I’m knitting a vest ‘Inderst inde’, in Filcolana Merci, 50% merino wool, 50% cotton, in Lavender. It is for my stepsister’s daughter, who will be born in July. Three of my friends/relatives are having babies in June/July, and I have had a hard time coming up with ideas on what to knit for summer babies, as I can’t knit with 100% cotton (always knit too loose). The Merci yarn is working out, and since it’s just a vest, it hopefully won’t bee too hot, even with the wool content. It’s really soft too.

I don’t have a picture though, as I had to unravel it because I was converting it to knit it in the round, and I messed up something (well done for 2x2 rib!) so that the rib wouldn’t go with the lace pattern on the chest.

Also, I bough A LOT of yarn, and will post about that in another post.

Yarn Forward Magazine

I ordered issue 12 of Yarn Forward Magazine, because I really wanted to read (and keep) the huge (6 pages +) interview with Terry Pratchett about the Pratchgan and his opinions on knitting, spinning and sheep.

 

 

Unfortunately, I am not too fond of the patterns in the magazine (which only would have been a bonus, anyway…), I find most of them quite boring and uninspiring. A thing I love though, is their yarn sub recommendation for each pattern, “Save, spend or spoil yourself “. That is really a nice detail.

Most of the articles in the magazine were interesting enough, especially one about weaving.

Ooh shiny!

I have wished for a row counter bracelet by Crimson Orchid for around 1.5 years, I think. I have almost bought it for myself a couple of times.

Monday was my 24th birthday, and I finally got one! My boyfriend wanted me to pick out one I liked, so it wasn’t a total surprise, but I really like it.

One thing I’m not too sure of is the closing mechanism, which I can’t really figure out. I think I will be attaching a clasp to it, to make it work better.

It will be interesting to see if I’ll actually use it for what it’s meant for, but it’s pretty anyway, so I will definitely wear it. Now I want matching stitch markers…

These pictures aren’t great, but there are better ones here!

Lacing along

The red shawl I’m knitting for my Grandma, has grown quite significantly during the last week.

It is knit in two equal halves, which then are grafted together in the centre, and I have alternated knitting both halves, so it would be easier to finish. The first half is now finished, and I have started the second of two charts on the other half.

I had dreaded the second chart, because there is patterning on every row (as opposed to only RS rows on the first chart), but I actually think it went faster than the first. I can really see the end of this now, and I think it’s going to turn out great. Phew :)

A picture of the first chart is here.

Knitting mail

Today, my copy of Ysolda’s Whimsical Little Knits finally arrived! I pre-ordered it in January, and have gotten the individual patterns as pdf-files along the way.

It’s the cutest little book, with ten lovely patterns from one of my favourite knitting designers. Ysolda even signed every copy!

I’m so happy I chose to get the printed and digital versions, for just £2 extra it was totally worth it.

I will probably be knitting the Hap Blanket ravelry and the small Ishbel shawl ravelry first :)

I’m still waiting for my copy of the British Yarn Forward Magazine, where there is a huge interview with Sir Terry Pratchett about Ankh-Morpork Knitter’s Guild's Pratchgan! It will probably be here tomorrow.

Yarn dyeing 1.1

As promised, here are the finished skeins from my first yarn dyeing experience. I'm quite happy about the result, and looking forward to see how the yarn looks when I knit with it. I'm thinking baby cardigan or possibly a blanket. Or something entirely different...



The first colourway, the one with blue in it -


The two other skeins were kind of supposed to be the same colourway, but the red is a bit brighter in the last one -




And all three skeins -




What do you think?

The process pictures from the yarn dyeing are here.

Yarn dyeing 1.0

Today I finally got to try dyeing some yarn with Kool Aid, that I bought here a few months ago.
I have had a hard time deciding what yarn to dye and how to dye it -what kind of colourrepeats and so on. But I decided just to jump in today... :)

I started out with some light blue Gjestal Superwash Sport that I was bored with the colour of. I used Cherry (red), Grape (purple) and Berry Blue (blue), but I mixed them a bit with each other to get a more suitable colourway. I wound the yarn, one skein at the time, around two chairs placed 246 cm apart (I measured afterwards, it was just the lenght of the livingroom).

Here is the wound yarn, soaking -


Then I put one third of the looong skein in each colour -


In the microwave -


The first colourway (one skein) -


And the second one (two skeins) -


I like the second one the best, the colours blend more. I think the blue got a little too bright in the first one. It might look fine knit up, though.

The yarn will be drying overnight, and I will try and post pictures of the final yarn as soon as possible!

Baby giraffe

After work yesterday, I got the chance to go see the tiny new giraffe, who was born on February 24. He almost didn't survive at first, but is now happy and healthy, although not fully in control of his legs yet ;)

Here he is with his mom, for scale...

The baby with the kid from last year.

He doesn't really need the tall doors that the other giraffes use, but he's the only one who's short enough to get to try and open them...

Had to lay down for a while.

So glad I got to see him before he grew too much :) He's sooo cute!
And I'm always amazed at how tall giraffes are in real life.


On the knitting front, a pair of plain ribbed knee socks for me. The storebought pair I have, are slowly wearing through on both heels, so I needed a new pair.

Comfort socks

My grandma (dad's side) is unfortunately not feeling well atm, so I decided to knit her some comfort socks. And of course they had to be purple, as that's her favourite colour!
I bought yarn for two pairs, Viking garn Sportsragg (plied purple and blue) and Viking garn Frøya (really soft beautiful purple).

I decided on the Blueberry Waffle Socks for the Sportsragg, as the pattern is not to busy for the colours of the yarn. I started following the pattern cuff down, but it turned out a bit loose, and I didn't like the look and fit of the heel. So I frogged it, and used the Universal Toe-Up Sock Formula from Knitty, with the waffle rib.

Pattern: Universal Toe-Up Sock Formula / Blueberry Waffle Socks
Size: 44 sts / about shoe size 37 (tight fitting)
Needles: 2.5 mm for toe, heel and cuff rib, 3.0 mm for foot and leg.
Yarn: Viking garn Sportsragg, 100 grams of colour 589

I'm really happy with how they turned out. I liked working with the yarn. I have a skein leftover, as the LYS lady said I'd need 3 for a pair. I used almost exactly 1 skein for each sock, of course it's easier when they're toe up.
I also have 4 skeins of gray, that I'll eventually use for knitting tall/kneesocks for myself, also toe up, but probably plain rib.

I'm considering the Wyvern socks (ravelry) or maybe these DROPS socks (ravelry) for the Frøya yarn, but that'll have to wait for a while, as two fingers on my right hand have gone numb from the dpns...

Really hope she'll like them! They'll be in the mail tomorrow before I leave for the airport, going home.