Archive
've had these finished for a while now, but always forgot to blog them. Well, here they are now, the Cat socks and the Freeform blanket, previously seen here as WIPs.
The cat socks were just the nicest and quickest knit! I learned fair isle, and got myself a pair of warm socks, not to mention all the yarn is from my stash.
I knit them on 3,5mm needles, and used different kinds of yarns from the stash - Busse Wolle (from West-Germany! True vintage) and some of the Novita Julia that was left from my sweater .
I've really got interested in designing knitted items! This is the second knitting pattern I publish. I'd appreciate any comments / test knitting reports!
Emerald string bag
A handy bag for groceries, yarn, or to use as a swimgear bag on the beach. The bag comes in two sizes, the bigger one is really big and might not be suitable as a farmers' market bag (if you fill it with frut and veg, it will become really heavy, because the bag is very spacious!). The pictured bag is the bigger one.
The bags are designed to be carried either in the hand, or over the shoulder. See the pattern after the "Tell me more" button.
Note: I offer this pattern for free for personal use - you may not sell this pattern or the bags you knit using it (ask me about charity). Please consider my stitch markers or Worsted Knitt's Shirts and Bags when planning on getting some knitting gear!
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Today was lovely. It was sunny and really windy, so me and Nick decided to go to Phoenix Park to fly his kite. This is the first time we fly it since arriving in Ireland over 2 years ago!
It was really lovely to see the kite fly! It's amazing how loud it is, when the kite moves through the air.
While Nick was working the kite, I knit a couple of rows on my new Carolina socks.
I got myself the Knitpicks Options needle set from This is Knit on Saturday. I have already tried them out, and they seem good! Especially the flexible cable is great, and the needle part is quite long = fits to the hand nicely.
I couldn't resist the new Noro sock yarn while I was there. I mean, just look at it.
Isn't it gorgeous! Who else would think of combining purples with oranges and reds? And succeed in making a beautiful yarn? If I ever learn to dye properly, this is going to be my goal.
I also got another skein of beautiful sock yarn, but I'm not going to show it, as it will be a pair of socks for my future-MIL and she might see it here!
And it's gorgeous! I can't say how pleased I am with it. It was quick and fun knit, fits me great, is soft and light, and well - my first finished sweater! Feel free to congratulate me (hih hih!)
The last picture is the most reliable regarding colour - it's black.
Here's the stats:
Needles: 4mm circulars, 80 cm long. Yarn: Novita Julia, 30% wool, 70% acrylic. I got it on sale - the material costs of this sweater are around 7 euro! Size is Medium, I think. There were some mistakes in the pattern in the beginning, but I was able to figure them out. I then told the designer and she corrected them.
I've been knitting hard lately, but bigger things (except for the Mouse Mitt ) and haven't had so many FOs to show. Well, I'll show my works in progress then.
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Jokusia neulomuksia työn alla:
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First, my pride and joy; another pattern from me (courtesy of Nick's Cat relaxing motif) , the Cat relaxing bag. Here's the front
It's going to be a big, felted bag. The pattern is all mine, and I am writing it down as I go. Watch this spot, I'll publish it here. Isn't it gorgeous! I'm so proud.
After a long time in hibernation, the Hug shrug is finally finished!
I finished it a week ago, and have been wearing it since.
Yarn: Novita Rustica. Needles: 4 6mm dpns. Started in February, finished in May.
I knit it in the round rather than flat, and made so many mistakes I can't even count them. However, the thing fits and warms my shoulders, so I don't mind!
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Valmistui tämäkin - ensimmäinen oikeasti valmistunut aikuisten vaate. Kyllä siinä kestikin; aloitin sen helmikuussa.
Kitty Knits: Projects for Cats and Their People by Donna Druchunas is a great knitting book for a cat lover! It's filled with beautiful and useful knits for cats and the cat owners. I have already knit the mouse and am impressed. Such an easy and small pattern, but very clever! Possibly the best written pattern I've ever made (not counting the first confusion about the bobble, which was to become the mouse's ear... I knit the bobble first, then started the mouse!
As you know, I do not only knit and sell shirts, but also classify myself as an animal welfare activist. If anyone in my readership feels for animals as well, here's some quick actions for you:
First, the Irish fur farming scandal. No-one I know in Ireland wants to have the 6 fur farms that operate here, and thousands have signed a petition and it has been delivered to the Ministry of Agriculture. However, see what they respond in a letter:
I took part in a Budget Swap (it's a Ravelry swap) and I received my package yesterday! It came from the UK, from Paula, who doesn't have a blog yet. Look, look1
There's yummy yarn, chocolate (which I think Nick will snatch), a nail file, TWO knitting books (!) and lovely matushka stitch markers from Wales. I can't keep my hands off the yarn. Just look at it!
It's looking good enough to eat! It comes from YarnAddict Yarns, and 25% bamboo, 75% wool sock weight yarn, in colourway "Pink Goth" - how funky is that! I need to find a special pattern for it.
I feel so lucky; another great swap!
Some time ago I asked you, what should I do with the ugly yarn I had - a weird mixture of different fibres, and of a funny colour of blue-hued ice. I got some great suggestions, but I decided to take the easy way out, and just start a shawl with YO increases around the middle stitch, with big size 15mm needles. Here's the beginning.
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Aloitin viimein huivin Sammakkoprinssi / Hirviöstä kaunittareksi - KALiin. Toistaikseksi näyttää aika kivalta!
This seems to be a time for firsts. First design, and now an almost finished first sweater. I can't believe I have not blogged the progress of this prior to this post! I started it some time back, and am using the Xylem pattern.
I will post more photos and the stats once I get it finished - it's still missing finishing around the neck, and serious blocking for the hem.
It's actually black, just looks purplish here!
Even though this posting is called Knitting, it is a book review. The title of the book just happens to be Knitting . It's written by Anne Bartlett, and is her first novel. One can notice that when reading the book. The storytelling is exquisitly good at some points, but very quickly plummets to an average level, and back throughout the book.
The story is about two women who meet in a surprisin situation, and become friends even if they are very different. Martha knits, Sandra works in literature. They start a project together, which reveals weaknesses in both of them, but also strengths and the capability to heal from loss.
