Knitting in the garden, hurrah

Welcome to my weekly ramblings on my knitting and crochet projects. This week I'm in the garden under my new gazebo.

This week I'm knitting a toe up sock using short row shaping for the toe and the heel. I'm using some yarn from my stash West Yorkshire Spinners sock yarn with Blue Faced Leicester wool.

I'm still working on my cotton top as I had to undo the front shaping two times as I got my calculations wrong. I think I'm on track again. Phew

In between all this knitting I'm making more spiral squares. I've realised that I probably don't have enough orange so am focusing on the squares that use other colours. I think it would be rather difficult to match the yarn on line so I'll have to wait until the yarn shops open to get my orange!

You might be interested in the book I'm reading, Dangerous Women by Hope Adams. During a voyage from London to Australia a group of convicts make a quilt, there's also a murder and lots of drama. Great story and lots of interesting detail of the time. (1840's)

Summer top pattern, Trillium pattern, Erika Knight, Rowan Magazine 45 using summerlite 4ply touch of gold

Things are starting to spin

Welcome to my weekly ramblings on my knitting and crochet projects

Today I'm wearing Mellow, designed by Sarah Hatton and published by Rowan. It's knitted in Kid Classic, Aran weight yarn with mohair. Just right for a spring day like today.

This week I have been doing spiral granny squares and using us some of my stash. I'm loving the colours and the effect they make when sewn together.

I've been doing lots of calculations to amend the summer top pattern I'm knitting. Really pleased with how it's coming on. Yet another mustard coloured top for wardrobe Summer top pattern, Trillium pattern, Erika Knight, Rowan Magazine 45 using summerlite 4ply touch of gold.

May be some classes in the spring

Well Boris has spoken. It looks like I may be able to put on classes from 12 April.

I am liaising with the Vicars Cross United Reformed Church as to wether they will be opening in April or May. Once I have news I will be able to let you know what classes I can put on.

I know it’s a longer wait than we expected but before you know it we may be knitting and crocheting together.

So hang on in there and I’ll be contancting you soon.

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Using up my stash but getting the measurements wrong

This week I finished my market bag with some of my cotton stash. It look quite good but I didn't make the storage bag big enough so I'm going to have to do it again bigger! See everyone makes mistakes.

I also finished the crochet hook bag for the Next Steps in Crochet course. A good little project to practice double crochet, half treble and trebles working in rows. I've also included a spike stitch as a decoration on the cover flap. I love spike stitch, it is so good for borders but also great in lots of other projects. It can be done using double, half treble and treble stitch. I'm really loving making the cardigan for my friend.

The back and front left are complete and I'm doing well on the right front. For hints and tips on knitting the perfect garment go to my Woolly Hat Client Group page on Facebook. Any questions please ask.

Finally I've been browsing through the latest edition of Inside Crochet and The Knitter. I found a lovely cute cardigan in treble clusters and this would make a fab project for a crocheter wanting to try making a garment. A lovely cable sweater from Lisa Richardson took my eye in the The Knitter. But I have too many things to do so may have to put this on the wish list.

Cardigan pattern by Marie Wallin, published Rowan Magazine 63 using Summerlite 4 ply 100% cotton and Kidsilk Haze for the trim.

What's your favourite crochet stitch?

This week I've been trying out some crochet spike stitches for the Next Steps in Crochet course, for when we are ready to start classes again. It's a simple stitch to do but very effective.

I've been making a market bag with some yarn I found in my stash. It's a cotton yarn and a bit rough for handwarmers. I'm using a 3.5 mm hook to get a tight stitch - I think it's DK! I bought the yarn at a wool show but sadly the label has come off so I'm not sure of the yarn content or origin. A lesson to learn I think, try and keep hold of your labels.

I've made good progress on the Lily of the Valley cardigan I'm knitting for my friend. If you want to follow my progress in more detail hop over to the Woolly Hat Client group on Facebook.

Cardigan pattern by Marie Wallin, published Rowan Magazine 63 using Summerlite 4 ply 100% cotton and Kidsilk Haze for the trim.

A butchers hat, seaside blanket and a lot of rain

On this very soggy day I'm making excellent progress on my wips and already looking forward to what I'll be doing next.

This week I finished my basket weave blanket using up a good chunk of stash, so feeling extra virtuous. I'm sewing up the seaside blanket, which always takes longer than you think. I'm really pleased with how it is coming up.

I had a request from my butcher to knit him a hat, as he has a bald head and is feeling the cold. I don't normally do commissions but a hat wont take up too much time. I'm also making marmalade which is making the house smell gorgeous.

Seafood crochet and and a TV project for a wet dull day

It's a dull old day, just right for doing a bit of knitting or crochet. My projects this week are a baby blanket using West Yorkshire Spinners Bo Peep yarn - scrummy. It's so soft as it contains falkland wool but is washable as well. My TV crochet is a basket weave pattern using up some of my chunky stash. Part of my drive to use up my stash before buying new yarn. I'm also working on my mohair/wenslydale socks using yarn from Whistlebare in Northumberland. The yarn is so warm and they will certainly keep my feet warm. I've postponed my classes, http://www.woollyhattie.co.uk/workshops, but if you are interested in putting you name down for them let me know woolly.hattie@gmail.com so I can let you know dates as soon as I have them.

New year, new projects and a bit of stash busting

The beginning of a new knitting and crochet year but what a way to start. Lock down again.

Ever the optimist I am making some crafty new years resolutions about using up my stash and knitting for others.

Havin said that I've just had an exciting delivery of yarn through the post and will be starting a new baby blanket in WYS Bo Beep yarn. I'm also knitting a lovely pair of socks for me in Whistlebare Cuthert sock yarn, yum

What day of the week is this, what ever it is here is my Wednesday wip.

I got a bit confused this week with the days but only one day late is my Wednesday wips. I'm super pleased with my new crochet jacket, Harriet Jacket, designed by Lucy George published in Inside Crochet. The yarn is West Yorkshire Spinners Aran Croft. I'm now making a corner to corner crochet blanket for Mr W before I start some exciting projects for the New Year

* I mention that we are in Tier 3 when in actual fact we are in Tier 4 which is why I may not be able to start my courses in January.