So, this box arrived at the shop on Friday and there are no prizes for guessing where it came from. As anticipated the yarn inside is lovely.
For our initial delivery of Knitcol from Adrafil we have gone with 6 of the most popular shades – 46, 55, 56, 58, 59 and 62. (If the light is good tomorrow in the shop I will take a photo)
For now the shade card will have to suffice.
Knitcol Shade Card
Knitcol is 100% superwash merino wool. Each 50g ball contains 125m, knits as our standard dk and retails in the shop for €5.25. There are free patterns available on the Adrafil website here.
We hope to add to the range of shades we stock if the yarn proves popular.
Six lovely new shades of Rico Creative Galaxy Chunky yarn arrived in last Friday and I thought I’d quickly share them with you.
JupiterVenusEarthPlutoNeptuneSaturn
I’m rather fond of the Saturn myself and am considering knitting the Shalom sleeveless cardigan by Meghan McFarlane in it at some stage – if I can find the time.
OK, so I know we’ve already been busy knitting and crocheting for this charity however, the charity is involved with so many different projects (all as needy as the rest), that I feel sure I’m not asking too much of you all again.
This time we’re hoping to help the 500 residents that live on 5 floors of the Kyl asylum. Many of the children that the charity work with in the orphanages out in Belarus end up going to Kyl asylum when they turn 18. Conditions are hard with the total allowance for clothes and shoes per patient being €3 annually. The Chernobyl Children’s trust have been working with another group The Bureen Chernobyl Project and have recently managed to collect in approximately 1000 pairs of secondhand shoes as the residents had been using cardboard on their feet whilst working out in the fields.
We’ve been asked for hats, scarves and mitts again and in addition maybe some socks and legwarmers, anything to help to try and keep out the cold.
Bureen Chernobyl Project
A lot of the links I put up for our previous collection will still be valid as are
http://knitmidleton.com/2012/06/01/knitting-for-chernobyl-childrens-trust/
Our collection will run until the end of March when the next containers will be traveling to the area, so you’ve plenty of time to get cracking. Items will be accepted in all colours of the rainbow, so break out the stash and use up your leftovers. The residents are both male and female and all are over 18 although they will be slight for their ages.
We’ve also been asked to collect any unwanted needles and wool in for the residents some of whom love knitting. If you can’t knit or crochet maybe you could be persuaded to drop off some personal hygiene products like soap, shampoo, etc. which we will also be collecting in (all new and unopened please, with as long a ‘use by’ date on)
A big thanks in advance for all of your help AGAIN.
Having just sent off two rather large boxes full of knitted and crocheted garments for preemies it’s great to be able to come back to you all with a little feedback from one of our previous collections.
Our collection for the Chernobyl Children’s Trust earlier in the year for knitted hats, scarves and gloves was extremely successful thanks to the fine brigade of people that gave up their yarn, time and skills to ensure that we were able to hand over several black sacks full of winter woolies.
Deena at the charity has very kindly got back to me with a couple of photos of the children wearing some of the items. The photos were taken earlier in the summer at the holiday camp the charity arrange for disabled children and their families to attend.
Vika modelling one of the knitted hats.
This is one of the little girls Vika modelling one of the knitted hats on a balmy summer’s day; however I’m sure she’ll be grateful of it now it’s much colder in Belarus.
Sveta and her mum Galina
Sveta and her mother Galina are in the picture above sporting their scarves, with a little help from Deena on the left.
I hope, like myself, you enjoy knowing the items crafted by all of us are actually going where they’re supposed to and that the right people are benefiting from our work. The charity itself is wonderful and everyone involved are so generous of spirit, time and resources that I find them totally inspirational. I know they are presently looking for more people to become host families, and if any of you are interested, or know someone who would be, please get in touch.
Our next collection (details to come) will be for another project The Chernobyl Children’s Trust is involved in too, so I hope we can rely on your continuing support.
After months of knitting and crochet it’s now time to send off our teeny, tiny creations to the Irish Premature Babies Charity.
Didn’t we do well?
Our Preemie Collection
In addition to all of the items pictured there are still some to collect and add at the shop but for now our totals are as follows –
Hats & Bonnets = 228
Cardigans = 180
Blankets & Sleep Sacks = 140
Booties & Socks = 13 pairs
There is also a little Paxton sitting on the side here knitted by Dina, awaiting sleeves which will be completed by the end of the day (yes I’ll be doing it).
I’m so very proud of how many items we’ve managed to collect and want to extend a huge message of thanks to all of you that gave your time, your creativity and your yarn to make the delicate, little creations. It’s great to see how much the collection has inspired so many of you and I know there have been a good few ‘retired’ knitters that have been persuaded to pick up their needles once again and knit for this charity.
I’d also like to say a big Thank You to the East Cork Journal for promoting our collection in their newspaper, the article really helped to highlight the charity.
I understand the charity are sending all of the donations to one warehouse, where they plan to sort through them and divide them up into hampers. These will then be sent to the hospitals around the country. The charity intend on having the parcels to the hospitals for World Premature Baby Day on November 17th.
A big thanks once again to all of you that helped with this collection and if you couldn’t do something this time, maybe we could persuade you to pick up you hook or needles for our next collection? (more info to come very soon)
Before you read on I feel I owe it to you to apologies in advance for the terrible photos, I keep taking more and they’re just not getting any better because of the glare of the sequins. A good few of you will have seen me wearing the hats by now so hopefully you know what they look like.
I’d been dying to use the sparkly, sequined, chunky yarn ‘Galaxy’ from Rico when it first came in last year and finally decided to make a hat (no surprises there). It’s fair to say I’m a little bit of a hat lover, obviously since having the shop they now tend to be of the knitted kind, but I love all hats.
My first hat purchase when I was about 13 was a vintage purple hat from the 1920’s which I absolutely adored – not sure what became of it. Since then there have been trilby’s, cloches, flat caps, beanies both bobbled and not,70’s styled huge hats, straw ones, berets and slouchie ones I JUST LOVE EM ALL!
It shouldn’t come as a shock to find out that I love knitting them too, their quick to knit and can be great way to show of the most intricate of patterns or ‘over the top yarns’ that you just wouldn’t make a whole garment in. There also ideal to give as a gift. Every year I think I have enough of them and then the madness sets in and I have to make more……….
So here’s my chunky beret in Rico Chunky Galaxy
Hat Size
To fit the average sized woman’s head, at least I think my head is of average size?
The blue hat is approximately 21cm/8.5″ high, whilst the purple one is 19cm/7.25″
Tension
14 stitches x 19 rows in stocking stitch
Abbreviations
k – knit
p – purl
st(s) – stitch(es)
s1 – slip stitch
k2tog – knit the next 2 stitches together
yf – move yarn forward to front of work
yb – move yarn to back of work
Materials
2 x 100g balls Rico Galaxy Chunky
The purple/green hat only took 1 ball whilst the blue hat used about a quarter of the 2nd ball
5mm & 6.5mm needles
Darning needle
Basket Rib Pattern
1st Row (rs) – Knit
2nd Row – Purl
3rd Row – K1 *s1 purlwise, k1: repeat from * to end
4th Row – K1 *yf, s1 purlwise, yb, k1: repeat from * to end
These 4 rows make up the basket weave pattern
Directions
Using thumb method and 5.5mm cast on 73 stitches.
1st Row – k1, p1 to last st k1
2nd Row – p1, k1 to last st p1
Repeat these 2 rows 2 times more and row 1 once more (you will have worked 7 rows in total)
8th row – k2, m1 to last 3sts, rib 3 (109 sts)
Change to 6.5mm needles and begin working basket weave pattern. The purple hat took 6 sets of repeats and the blue hat took 9 repeats.
Shape crown
Decrease Row 1 – k4, k2tog to end (91sts)
keeping pattern correct work 3 more rows
Decrease Row 2 – K3, k2tog (73sts)
work 3 more rows of pattern
Decrease Row 3 – K2, k2tog (55sts)
work 3 more rows of pattern
Decrease Row 4 – K1, K2tog (37sts)
work 3 more rows of pattern
Decrease Row 5 – K2tog (19sts)
purl 1 row
Final Decrease Row – K2tog (10sts)
Leave approximately 12″ of yarn, cut and thread through remaining 16sts using a blunt tipped darning needle to secure. Sew seam
Leave approximately 12″ of yarn, cut and thread through remaining 8sts using a blunt tipped darning needle to secure. Sew seam.
I’m really lucky I have 3 beautiful children, that make every day special and I don’t mean that in the hearts and flowers sense, more in the ‘count my lucky stars’ way. It’s been a good number of years since I had super small babies of my own and to be honest my womb very rarely nudges pangs of broodiness my way anymore. However, there are exceptions and the new book ‘What to Knit When You’re Expecting’ by Nikki Van De Car is one of those times.
The cover photo hints at what’s to come and expect a rush of ‘ahhhs and oooooooo’s’ to overcome you, whilst your brain tricks you into forgetting all about the sleepless nights, stinky nappies and desperation to talk to any adult as long as they speak ‘grown up’.
There are 28 patterns for simple mittens, baby blankets, hats and sweaters inside according to the cover which in no way explains the delights inside. The designs do include the afore mentioned articles in addition there is a skirt, dress, legwarmers, sleepsack (above) and bloomers. The book is set out under the three trimesters with the patterns (where appropriate), in 3 sizes 0-3months, 3-6 months and 6-12 months.
My favourite patterns in the first trimester section of the book are:-
Summer Sky Blanket
The Summer Sky Blanket is knitted in Blue Sky Alpaca Worsted Cotton which is absolutely gorgeous but an American yarn and therefore difficult to find. The blanket is made using 5mm’s so any standard weight aran yarn should work as a replacement. I quite like the cotton look and would probably use Rico’s Creative Cotton Aran as my substitute.
It goes without saying that the Baby Cosy pictured on the front of the book is particularly divine and is knitted in a chunky weight yarn
In the second trimester section of the book it would be more a case of what I want to knit first.
Autumn Leaves Cardigan
The Autumn Leaves Cardigan is so beautiful and something I’d love in my size. It’s made in a double knit yarn and is super sweet.
Striped Boatneck Sweater
The Striped Boatneck sweater demonstrates how a simple little pattern can have stunning results. The use of double moss stitch on the bands adds great detail and the design lends itself to both girls and boys. Again it’s knitted in a double knit yarn.
Cuffed Trousers
The Cuffed Trousers in double knit are a fabulous addition to every babies wardrobe and the addition of the little tabs makes them super practical for chubby little legs.
(oh god I so need grandchildren – be just my luck they’re allergic to wool?)
Time Flies Booties
The delicate little Time Flies Booties in the third trimester of the book, are so pretty that I’d quite like to display several pairs of them in vintage, candy colours on a shelf. The shelf would be in my imaginary house that is always clean, tidy and organised too.
Maddox Hat
I’m also fond of the little Maddox Hat which is a great design for keeping the chill off babas ears.
Hannah Jacket
My absolute favourite garment in the whole book though has to be the Hannah Jacket. Maybe it’s because I love duffle coats, or it could be the use of an applied I-cord edge or the clean, simple lines of the design. Whatever the reason I think it’s a fabulous little design and would work well for either sex. It would be a great pattern to have in larger sizes as all kids look great in a duffle coat (some adults too).
What To Knit When You’re Expecting is a great buy for those of you that like to knit for babies, or in my case long to.
After being contacted by The Irish Premature Baby Charity I went off looking for ‘basic’ knitting patterns and was bogged down by how many were out there. Many of them seem to be perfectly lovely, but some of them needed to be paid for or had a suggested donation and we’re already making them for charity aren’t we?
So I grabbed some needles and some double knit and knocked one up myself. You will discover that the hat is a little higher than we would usually knit, this is to accommodate the little babas’ heads, which can sometimes be a little oddly shaped.
Preemie Hat
Hat Dimensions
Height 5.5″/11.5cm
Width 4.5″/14cm
Tension
22sts x 28 rows
Abbreviations
k – knit
p – purl
st(s) – stitch(es)
ws – wrong side
k2tog – knit the next 2 stitches together
Materials
A little squidgy, soft double knit
4mm Needles
Darning Needle
Pattern
Using thumb method cast on 56 stitches.
Work 4 rows in 2×2 rib – (knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches repeat these 4 stitches )
In stocking stitch work until hat measures 10cms ending with a ws row.
Crown
1st Row – K6, k2tog across all sts (49 sts)
2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th rows – Purl all stitches
3rd Row – K5, k2tog across all sts (42 sts)
5th Row – K4, k2tog across all sts (35sts)
7th Row – K3, k2tog across all sts (28sts)
9th Row – K2, k2tog across all sts (21sts)
11th Row – K1, k2tog across all sts (14sts)
Cut yarn leaving approximately a 12″ tail, using your darning needle thread the yarn through your remaining stitches and remove them from the knitting needle. Fasten off and sew up using yarn. Sew in ends.
I seem to be constantly knitting hats. They are, I suppose, my ‘go to’ project. I have many friends whose default dial is stuck on scarves and even one who loves to make socks, but they’re too time consuming. True, I always have at least one rib scarf on needles for easy cinema knitting – yes I do take my knitting to the cinema, and no, you can’t hear my needles clicking, they’re wood. So, as you might have expected for our Chernobyl Children’s Trust collection I knitted up quite a few hats.
This is my pattern. I’ve knitted it up in several sizes so you have a few alternatives. I researched loads of size charts to check and double check the relevant sizes and in truth find the largest hat, which is meant to be for an adult woman, rather big (see my previous post, ‘Where Has My Creativity Gone‘). I know I’m vertically challenged but I definitely don’t have a small head, having even managed to hide some stash yarn in there somewhere, sshhh.
You can make the hats in the round if you prefer, just remember to place a marker at the beginning of your row when you join and to knit all of your rows when you change to your larger needles instead of plain and purl. My hats are all worked in 4 row stripes but you can chose to do yours plain or have some fun and make it as multicolored as you like.
Hat Sizes
Child 3 – 5 yrs
Child 6 – 8 yrs
Teen
Adult Woman
Tension
14 stitches x 19 rows
Abbreviations
k – knit
p – purl
st(s) – stitch(es)
kfb – knit into the front and the back of the next stitch
k2tog – knit the next 2 stitches together
Materials
2 x 50g balls of any standard chunky
5.5mm & 6.5mm needles
Darning needle
Pattern
Using thumb method and 5.5mm cast on 62 (66, 70, 74) stitches.
Work 5 (5, 7, 7) rows in 2×2 rib – (knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches repeat these 4 stitches )
If you want to work in the same strip sequence as me knit the next 4 rows in the same shade as the rib and then switch to your other shade. Continue to knit 4 rows with each shade until hat is the correct height. If your hat finishes with slightly more rows than the 4 you may find it looks better to finish off with the colour you completed the last stripe in. Carry the yarn up the side of your work if possible rather than cutting.
Work in stocking stitch until work measures 5″ (5.5″, 6″, 7″)
Crown
For 2nd, 3rd and 4th sizes work the following rows
3rd Size – Work across row as follows k7, k2tog to end (64sts), work 1 row purl
4th Size – Work across row as follows k7, k2tog to end (64sts), work 1 row purl
All 4 sizes
Decrease Row 1 – k6, k2tog to end (56sts)
Next and every wrong side row purl
Decrease Row 2 – k5, k2tog (48sts)
Decrease Row 3 – k4, k2tog (40sts)
Decrease Row 4 – K3, K2tog (32sts)
Decrease Row 5 – K2, K2tog (24sts)
Decrease Row 6 – k1, k2tog (16sts) – For 3rd and 4th sizes leave approximately 12″ of yarn, cut and thread through remaining 16sts using a blunt tipped darning needle to secure. Sew seam
For 1st & 2nd Sizes – Work 1 more decreasing row k2tog to end (8sts). Leave approximately 12″ of yarn, cut and thread through remaining 8sts using a blunt tipped darning needle to secure. Sew seam
Confessions of a Fibre Strumpet 