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.
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.
Ok, so I probably mean suffocate, but you get what I’m trying to say.
As it’s full knitting and crochet season right now it seems like there’s at least one sizable delivery arriving in each week, and to be honest it’s hard work. There’s the lugging backwards and forwards of the sacks of yarn, as most of them still get delivered to the house. Then there’s the sorting, checking and recording of the yarn/patterns followed by what can only be described as a ‘nightmare’: the inevitable task of trying to find space in the stock room. While summer yarns present their own problems – cottons, linens and bamboos are firmer yarns so it’s difficult to squeeze extra on the shelves – in winter the yarns are bulkier, squidgier, and to be honest dangerous.
Today, I was stacking a pile of new yarn behind one of the doors in the stock room (it’s the only space I could find!). There was a protest made, the yarn tumbled down, closing said door, which I promptly banged into while being attacked by the falling yarn?????? Unsurprisingly, I gave in and packed up several sacks of yarn to bring home to store in the stock room here.
In the three huge sacks and one rather large box that I unpacked last week there were loads of goodies from King Cole including:-
Galaxy Chunky
Galaxy chunky is the same great yarn as the double knit version that King Cole released around this time last year but as the name suggests it’s a chunky weight and is available in the six shades pictured. To complement the yarn there are some great new designs, some of which would knit up in next to no time, great for gift knitting. In addition to the Galaxy Chunky we also bought a really lovely sapphire blue in the double knit version.
Sapphire
Sapphire, a beautiful baby yarn also arrived in. As did Glitz which is similar to the sapphire but in more adult/Christmas shades. I assume the red will be quite popular for little people knits. Both yarns have a little lame running through them for that little bit of a sparkle.
Glitz
As you might expect there were new shades in Value Chunky, Wicked, and a few shades in another baby yarn Melody, which is very similar to Sirdar Baby Changes.
Last but not least is the beautiful 4ply Merino in eight scrumptious shades. This yarn has great meterage at 180 metres per 50g ball.
4Ply Merino
I’ll be writing another post over the next couple of days to let you know what’s in the boxes waiting in the hall to be unpacked now!
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.
In an effort to try and publish posts a little more regularly I have written myself a list of the knitting things that interest me. I subscribe to quite a number of different knitting newsletters but find a few in particular are my favourites.
Knitty is an online knitting magazine that publishes four times a year in March, June, September and December. If you sign up to their email list they’ll notify you when the latest edition is out. Occasionally an odd pattern or two are released as a ‘bonus’ and you’ll be emailed again.
Knitty is very much a magazine: there are features pages, product tests, letters from the editors, competitions and of course there’s patterns. FREE PATTERNS
Yep, you read it correctly, the patterns are all free for individual use only. That doesn’t mean the patterns aren’t great, on the contrary. Some of the most well-known patterns have originally been published in knitty.
One of my favourite patterns, as I think I’ve mentioned before, is In Leaf by Avril Lang.
In Leaf Cardigan from Knitty.com
Currently, the 41st issue is out and the magazine is celebrating their 10th year. This issue contains 4 lovely sock patterns, 2 for gloves, 3 hats, 4 shawls, 9 jumpers/cardigans, 3 of which are for men.
I think one of the sock patterns is absolutely fab. I have to admit that I just don’t have the time to knit socks, particularly ones like these, however I can appreciate their uniqueness.
One jumper that has already been added to my ever increasing ‘to do’ list is the Party Mix Pullover by Julia Farewell-Clay. It’s an aran weight, raglan, A-line jumper that will be great for using up some of my stash. Even better, being an A-line design it will help to hide a multitude of sins (mostly of the cake kind).
I find the Cool Stuff section where books, classes, etc are reviewed particularly interesting being a keen collector of all things knitting. For me this issue the most interesting items have been the reviews of several books I am keen to own including November Knits and the Knitters Handy Book of Top Down Sweater Designs.
I also like the Knitty Yarn Roundtable feature as it helps me to keep an eye on possible new yarns for the shop or what new trends are coming.
In addition to all of the above, not to mention the competition, crossword, adverts and shopping, there is also Knitty Spin, which is a section of the magazine aimed at spinners. I do intend on learning to spin, I even have a lovely Ashford Spinning Wheel, which at present adorns the window sill at the top of my stairs (sadly). This doesn’t stop me coveting fibre and lusting over the endless possibilities……
Knitty Spin has reviews of fibre that the testers spin and then knit, reviews of cool spinning stuff, a spinners glossary and yet more patterns. My favourite this issue without a doubt are the beautiful mitts Calertne by Sandy Sitzman & Lynne Vogel – they are truly beautiful.
A second batch of Autumn/Winter goodies has arrived in.
Nina
Some of you have probably already seen the post I put on the Facebook page about the new scarf yarn from Wendy – Nina.
The caffeine had started to take affect.
I’m a little smitten with it myself and have been seen on several occasions sporting one of the scarves.
There were new shades in some of our favourites, of course I only remembered to photograph one – this was after the photo at the top of this post.
Wendy Merino DK
A lovely new sock yarn or 4ply depending on what you prefer – Wendy Roam Fusion. It’s available in 5 lovely shades, at least 3 of which have been subliminally singing my name since they arrived.
Celtic has also come in: 8 shades of tweedy, chunky yarn with great pattern support. It’s a blend of 30% wool and 70% acrylic. Knits to a tension of 14sts x 24rows on 6.5mm, the ball is 50g/85m.
Wendy Celtic Chunky
I’m hoping to knit this up if I can find the time?
Hopefully, they’ll be a lovely delivery of Merino DK and Alpaca Silk Aran today or tomorrow. I’ll take pics and post them up for you all to see.
I have no idea where the time this week has run away to, I feel even more behind than usual and it’s only Monday? Having promised to post this pattern up a good while ago now I thought I should finally try and get round to it.
I think it is one of the simplest and most effective lace scarf patterns which lends itself so well to lots of different yarns however, I think it looks prettiest in a mohair. Rowan’s Kidsilk Haze is beautiful, but to be fair it is a little expensive. Kid Silk from Austermann is the same great yarn but a little kinder on our ever-suffering pockets.
You Will Need
1 Ball of Austermann Kid Silk
5mm Needles
Darning Needle
Scarf Dimensions (unblocked)
Length 140cm/55″
Width 20cm/7.9″
Tension
There’s no specific tension for this piece – you want it to be looser than you would usually work the yarn. For example if you’re working with a double knit and your tension is usually 22sts on 4mm (average) you would need 5mm’s. The Kid Silk has a ‘haze’ which means it will hold much more than some other yarns, allowing you to use much larger needles than you would do normally.
I have a friend who makes this same scarf but on 8mm’s and it looks really pretty so you can experiment with your needle sizes.
Abbreviations
k – knit
p – purl
st(s) – stitch(es)
ws – wrong side
y0 – yarn over
k2tog – knit the next 2 stitches together
Pattern
Cast on 40sts loosely and work 4 rows in plain knit, this creates the garter stitch border.
The garter stitch border
1st Row – Knit
2nd Row – Purl
3rd Row – Knit the first 2 stitches, (K2tog) x 3, (yo, k1) x 6, (k2tog) x 6, (yo, K1) x6, (k2tog) x3, knit last 2 stitches.
4th Row – Knit
These 4 rows form the pattern work until scarf reaches your chosen length, remembering to leave enough yarn to knit the 4 rows of plain stitch at the end of your scarf.
Cast off loosely and sew in ends.
The garter stitch edge
By knitting the first and the last 2 stitches on every row the garter stitch border runs the whole way round the scarf.
Block if desired.
As I already mentioned I love this pattern and one of my favourite scarves was made for me by my good friend Sandra. She used exactly the same pattern but knitted with Rico Essentials Cotton DK.
Old Shale Scarf in Rico’s Essential Cotton DK
This version was knitted in Baby Alpaca by King Cole.
Baby Alpaca from King Cole
Have a play with different weights of yarn remembering to keep your needles at least 1 size larger than the size given for the yarn. We’d love for you to post pictures of your finished scarves up on the Facebook page www.knitinmidleton.com
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 