Favourite Sewing Books

A few of my favourite sewing books at the moment.

Style Stitches by Amy Butler

Seams to Me By Anna Maria Horner

Sew a Metre by Rebecca Yaker & Patricia Hoskins

Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross

Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts by Martha Stewart

Simple Sewing by Lotta Jansdotter (on loan to friend)

Origami Organizer

First project from this book, first glance, impossible, challenging, lots of seaming, yes , lots of ironing, yes but not so good when the day is extremely warm. I was roasting! I took time to press exactly on the guidelines. I absolutely love the projects in Sew a Metre (One Yard Wonder.) It is amazing what you can create with just one metre of fabric. My choice of fabric may not be the best, I have to admit. I should have used something more geometric with a smaller pattern. We had a public holiday, shops were closed, I was desperate! I have plans to make another with another fabric and also the Hanging Wall Pocket.

I haven’t forgotten about my Weekender Bag by Amy Butler. Finished the bag sometime ago but never got round to taking shots of it.

Weekender Bag Amy Butler

I also made a little matching weekend pouch for it too from left over fabric, lined with the same charcoal fabric as the bag. I love the cuteness of this pouch but most of all the interior, there are no visible seams.

Lined Pouch

I’m just patiently waiting for Mr Snobs to wisk me away for a romantic weekend to some exotic location…..patiently waiting, waiting, waiting……..

Weekend In Progress….

Sew…can I sew? Well I won’t say I’m an experienced seamstress. I mean, I can sew a little, have made duvet covers and pillow cases. I once got full grades at school for making a simple dress with pockets, that I sewed on the front and through the back and couldn’t understand why it wouldn’t slip over my head. A simple tote bag and some curtains but nothing as advanced at this.

I fell in love with this bag back in 2008. I HAD to make it no matter what. I even thought about commissioning someone to make for me. I was excited. I was desperate. Brought the pattern and thought woohooo…..here I go! Who was I kidding, ME….make that? No way. That idea was forgotten. This year, after clearing out some things, the pattern reappears and I make a rash decision to rehome the pattern to someone who may be able to make it. No sooner the pattern leaves my hand, a sense of regret and my heart longs for the bag and I fall in love with it all over again and repurchase the pattern, stupid yeah. This time, I WILL attempt to make it, you watch me.

Yet again, it never fails, always happens to me. A cat fight with two other ladies for the fabric. I saw it walking away, clutched under the arms of a lady. Then another lady has her eye on it. Why me?? But I did get the final cut and enough to make two bags.

Clarke & Clarke Celeste Home Decor Weight 100% Cotton

Right…..cut the chat, time to reveal what all the fuss is all about.

My Amy Butler Weekend Bag

I really cannot believe I did it. I worked on it everyday, every spare minute. I had to pinch myself and rub my eyes, hold it at arms length. I am so proud of myself. Even Mr Snobs is speechless. He had faith in me, he knew I could do it and I love him for that.

I didn’t think my old Singer sewing machine could handle the thickness of the piping, several layers of fabric and Timtex but it did. Good old sewing machine! Pinning was hard, my fingertips were so sore and tender and I hated those pin pricks but whatever the pain, it was well worth it.

Piping and Front Pocket

Side Pocket

Front Panel, temorary attached but you get the idea

Wasn’t too happy about the instructions on attaching the zip, so I did it my way.

I knew these funky bulldog clips would come in useful one day! I still have the inner lining to sew and attach.

My tips for a successful Weekend Bag:

• Read several times the insructions before you start and pin up the instructions sheet
• Take time to position and cut your pieces
• Take into consideration how you position your pattern pieces, ie pattern repeats etc
• Buy extra fabric so you can cut pieces so they are symmetrical on each side
• Pin and baste (tack) pieces
• Be patient, don’t rush, encourage yourself, YOU CAN DO IT
• Buy extra sewing needles if required
• Bulldog clips are essential as pinning will be hard on the fingers when assembling the bag
• Purchase bag feet, this will keep your bag off the floor
• Choose your fabric carefully, especially the weight of the fabric. Home decor weight gives a much sturdy bag and retains the shape well
• Buy Timtex, it’s a much thicker stabilizer
• Research on other methods of joining piping, I preferred End to End piping (a great tutorial on preparing and sewing piping)
• Sew and press, give a more professional finish
• And last but not least enjoy every minute of it, the end result will be amazing

…..and if you’re lucky, your DH may reward you with a beast! I mean my new Serger, or Overlocker, whatever you call it, together with all the accessories and feet, 12 cones of thread, a set of scissors and a carry case.

It’s a monster! Threading that is, but once you got it, you’re away!

Hat & Cowl Test….

Test knitting is done. I think I passed, whoohoo! Bree is happy with the projects completed, I think.

French Braid Cowl…..Malabrigo Worsted Polar Morn. Needle: 5mm

Size: 28cm x 137cm Blocking Wires: essential, Buttons: East of India

Got rather excited when I was asked to test knit this, so excited, that I knitted non stop, and spend a whole day just knitting in my pyjamas, in my little knitting world, ignoring everyone. Finished a skein in a day.

I couldn’t put it down, we’ve all been there before, love the yarn the pattern, just want to knit all day.

Completed after 4 days, on and off knitting, would have finished it sooner if it wasn’t for my sore arm.  I’m pleased with it, very pleased. Love the design. Wasn’t sure about the buttons at first but I think they are growing on me, yes, I think they work.

Obstacles Hat…..Malabrigo Twist Terron Needles: 4mm and 6.5mm

The yarn is extremely soft, as you expect from Malabrigo. The hat and the yarn choice is a lovely combination. Sadly, for me, not the fault of the design or the designer, this hat is a little too small for me. You see, I have a huge noggin, my mom says I have a huge noggin, thanks mom! So this beautiful hat seems to rise up over my ears and likes to sit snuggly above them. It fits Mr Snobs perfectly, but he refuses to model or wear it, Men don’t do cables……since when??

I should block it, but I love how it looks unblocked…..decisions.

Modelled: My sister

Photography: yarnsnob

No Caffeine…..

Seriously, does a day without a regular caffeine fix do this to you? I wonder….

Local department store has our regular January sales every year, you know, if you read back to a previous post, how I turned from a friendly, considerate, kind and generous woman to an absolutely mental, evil, demon of a stalker, who watched every move this woman made, who had this yarn that I HAD to have. who wouldn’t put it down, who wondered around and asked the sales rep what she could knit with it, who flipped through pattern books and all the time, me, watching every move from the corner of my eye, who had a partner in crime watch her too…..remember? As soon as she put it back, hands, several hands, mine and my accomplice grabbed it before anyone else did. I’m happy to say, this years sale was different. Maybe it was without the caffeine fix. I was calm, very calm, very unusual for me and so not me.

There before my eyes, lay a full bag of this purple yarn, in fact two bags. Yup…purple. OK I love purple, alot, to admire and ooh and ahhhh, but to wear? It’s totally out of my colour palette. But this purple was different, it wasn’t too bright, too in your face, it was calm, warm and oozing with yumminess.  This purple yarn was calling me…..Yarnsnob, I’m yours…..take me home. Was this yarn actually talking to me?  Has yarn ever talked to you? For brief moment, I thought I was going crazy!

So under my arm it went and without a moment hesitation or a fight with anyone else, went to the cashier, handed over my credit card and so home it came with me.

I had a project in mind for it but strangely and totally out of the ordinary, I SWATCHED. I NEVER SWATCH, seriously, I do not swatch for anything. I consider myself a very very naughty knitter, so please do not, I repeat do not follow my in my footsteps. To make this more out of the ordinary, I blocked the swatch and waited for it to dry and to make it even more out of the ordinary, I counted the stitches one by one over and over again! Now I do believe something was totally wrong with me that day.

The purple yarn, or should I say Aubergine became this…..

Alexandria Cardigan a pattern I’ve longed to knit. It required an icord at the front…never attempted before, short rows for the sleeves, done once and messed up with my Arwen cardigan, picking up stitches from 3 rows down and BO together to create a kind of rolled edge effect for the sleeves and neckline, which I did for the sleeves but did and icord bind off for the neckline.

So, a little about this yarn. Rowan had a batch of previously discontinued undyed Organic Merino DK and as one off special, dyed colours exclusively for the John Lewis chain of stores throughout UK for the 2010 January sales.

Changes made to the pattern?

Neckline: icord BO

Sleeves: 11 inches before start of eyelet

Dec: ssk ( slipped 1 knitwise, slipped 1 purlwise, ktog) (nice and ne

Inc: picked up st from row below from the back and knit (almost invisible inc)

Omit the first row of cluster pattern so the front panels lay flat

Add button for closure.

Maybe I should stay off the caffeine?  It certainly had a very weird effect on me, I must say!

All Change…..

Don’t know about you but I was finding it difficult to read my blog. Old age is creeping in, eyes are straining, time to get the specs out, time for a change, Enjoy!

Testing French Braid…..

I’ve never tested knitted for any designer ever so when I was asked by Bree to test knit her newest and upcoming design, I jumped to the chance, who wouldn’t?

Bree is a from a group of well know and up and coming bright and talented designers. I first found her, well she found me when she introduced me to a couple of her new designs,  Rasta and Twist Cowl featured in the new Malabrigo Book 3. Both are just totally ME! Of course, I had to get my grubby hands on it.

Testing, testing, French Braid Cowl …….

Have you ever seen cables like these??? They are just bursting with Malabrigo goodness! Dare you touch your screen, they may just pop out at you!

I just want to run my fingers over those cables! It’s been a while since I worked with Malabrigo. I worked on it all day yesterdayand got through one skein. I almost forgotten how good its feels…oh YUM!

The cables go on forever and ever! The design of this is, that it wraps round your neck, twice and is fastened at the front with buttons. The pattern is due for release for Malabrigo March on Ravelry or maybe as an ebook……take note all you Malabrigo fans 🙂

Guernsey Wrap…..

You know that feeling when a new pattern gets published on Ravelry? You get all excited, your heart skips that little bit faster, your mind starts racing, you get all giddy. You start dreaming about it, images of you wearing it, how it would look dressed with jeans, dress, shirt etc. You talk about it in your sleep, you wake up in the middle of the night and read the pattern. You can’t wait to get started…..that’s me, don’t know about you!

Guernsey Wrap by Brooklyn Tweed/Jared Flood

Brain goes into overload mode as I start going through my stash, matching yarn with pattern in the middle of the night.  My heart starts racing as I knit the first first few rows. I can’t stop, forget about the housework, forget about dinner, I just want to knit knit knit.

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Fez …..colour Charcoal 6 skeins. I love this yarn by Debbie Bliss. It has a wonderful halo effect and a joy to knit.

Needle: 5mm

There is a great explanation on how to block. This pattern has made me look at blockng in a much different way. The use of blocking wires and T pins are essential for a good block and patience, plenty of it. I would suggest any knitter to invest in some blocking wires if you haven’t done so. He suggests to run your wire under and over each garter stitch and be consistant with your placement of your wire. It created a wonderful yet perfect straight edging to the wrap.

I love the stitch definition of this yarn. Of all the yarns in the Debbie Bliss range, this is one of my favourites. If I were to knit this again,  I would add extra repeats to make it just that little bit wider.

Really, I’m Not Hiding……

Hello 2011 and Hello to you all. Here’s wishing you all a wonderful new year. It’s been almost a year since I lasted posted on the blog, I’m sorry. Life got in the way, it’s no excuse so I hope I am forgiven.

To be honest, I lost interest in blogging. There were days when I just didn’t know what to write about, days when I’d write up a post, then have second thoughts about publishing it. I do feel bad, I know there were many of you posting comments and hoping and wishing I’d write up a next one. My readers deserve better, much better,
sorry.

So…..it’s 2011, a new year a new start, where shall I begin? Knitting, of course. I do have lots to show you….lots, oh yes.

Vinterblomster………………One Became Two

This is probably my longest wip. I casted on in January 2010 and finally finished them in December 2010.  We had the coldest winter for years, with heavy heavy snow and ice. It was the bitter bitter cold mornings that slapped me in the face, a wake up call to finish these mittens and I am so happy I did. They were a pleasure to knit, watching the mitten form, row after row, the pattern, the flowers, the petals. I really don’t know why it’s taken me so long!

I couldn’t resist these cute knitted dolls. I started one and I ended up making 6!! Gifted 2 to friends and one, Miles is waiting for his eyes and cheeks so he’s not in the photos.

Dolls are from Huggable Friends 2 booklet a collections of knitted dolls which include: Ella, Finn, Abbey, Kate, Mike and Miles. A delight to knit, a delight to stuff and a delight to hug!

I wanted to knit Rosamund for a while now, ever since the pattern came out back in 2009.

I love the braided cables on the edging of the cardigan how they then twist and twine onto the funnel shaped collar. I wear it opened under a long sleeved t shirt, only because I can’t find those buttons…….which I placed on top for the photoshoot!

A feast for your eyes but there is more to be revealed…….later my friends 🙂

One……

One mitten……Vinterblomster

One word……

Play…..

Your Cell Phone? BLACKBERRY 

Your Hair? MESS

Your Mother? LOVE

Your Father? DOMINATING

Your Favorite Food? JAPANESE

Your Dream Last Night? DISTURBING

Your Favorite Drink? JASMINE

Your Dream/Goal? WEALTH

What Room Are You In? STUDIO

Your Hobby? KNITTING

Your Fear? POVERTY

Where Do You See Yourself In 6 Years? RETIRED 

Where Were You Last Night? BED

Something That You Aren’t? SELFISH

Muffins? BLUEBERRY

Wish List Item? PROPERTIES

Where Did You Grow Up? BRITAIN

Last Thing You Did? KNIT

What Are You Wearing? FLEECY

Your TV? SONY

Your Pets? HEAVEN

Friends? WONDERFUL

Your Life? CRAZY

Your Mood? TEARFUL

Missing Someone? IMMENSLEY

Vehicle? HONDA

Something You Aren’t Wearing? SLIPPERS

Your Favourite Store? GUCCI

Your Favourite Colour? BURGUNDY

When Was The Last Time You Laughed? MONDAY

Last Time You Cried? OCTOBER

Your Best Friend? HUSBAND

One Place You Go To Over And Over Again? ROME

Facebook? MAYBE

Favourite Place To Eat? ST SUSHI

ENJOY!

Strut My Stuff…..

Christmas and New Year came and went, friends stayed over, confrontations, agruments, hissy fits and tantrums, nothing to do with us by the way…..and so they left a few days early and all was quiet, just me and Mr Snobs and some time to ourselves. Food, plenty, too much actually, enough to feed the neighbourhood. Don’t know quite how I came about making 15 dishes to feed 9. Next year, I swear I’m eating out.

Despite the events of the festive season, I did get a lot of knitting done . What happened? Seven, yes seven projects, completed, two were gifted but they count , don’t they?

I buried my head into my knitting since my last post, it’s been a marathon of knitting, non stop, one after another. It felt like a race, I was competing with someone, but who? Myself.  No sooner I cast off one projects it’s on with another. I blame the weather, dull, miserable, wintery, freezing temperatures. I feel miserable this time of year, dark mornings and gloomy days, so it was head down into what I love most. I guess I wanted to take my mind off things, you know.

Ok…lets get down to some business then, enough of being a miserable old fart. I’m going to strut my stuff….you all ready now, sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin.

First……

Burberry Inspired Cowl Knitted with less than 2 skeins of Rowan Cocoon.  6mm needle.

Very warm, very stylish and at a fraction of the price of the original Burberry Cowl. Requires a knowledge of kitchener stitch, something I’d forgotton how to do, you either love it or hate it.

I took it for it’s catwalk debut just before Christmas and it was literally whipped of my neck. My girlfriends wanted to try it on, it was passed around, it came off my neck several times, did a walkabout somewhere, and I wasn’t happy. Not because my lovely cowl disappeared, I did get it back eventually but because it was on my neck, then off my neck, my bloody hair became static!! YES STATIC! It had a mind of its own and it was everywhere! I could’t control it. So that now became the focal point amongst my girlfriends….bitches!

Anyway, I made another two of these for my girlfriends both using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky, one purple and one black 5mm needles. Each knitted up in just over 5 hours, a quickie project.

By this time, kitchener stitch became a doddle. it got neater and less visible. I think it’s payback time with their hair 🙂

Next up…is another Cabled Cowl. This one’s for me, me, me, me.

Not quite so please with this little number. Rowan Kid Classic 3.3 skeins 5.5mm needle.

Mods:
Cast on 168st (42st repeat) The extra 4 stitches at the checkered pattern section.
13 rows of rib instead of 9 rows, top and bottom.
Blocked measurements: 16” height 41” circumference.

I’m not convinced I love this as much as I do with the first one. Wrong choice of yarn, don’t get me wrong, the yarn is lovely to knit with but maybe not for this project. Maybe the halo effect is not suited, maybe the weight of yarn, maybe the colour. Maybe I need to knit another using Rowan Pure Aran, maybe……..

Eternity Scarf a cute little number, very in season, they are everywhere.

If you haven’t added something like this to your wardrobe, then take my advice, do so. Eternity style scarves are HOT!

Madelinetosh Worsted Oxblood 5.5mm needle. Only did  14 rows instead of 20 for the stockinette stitch. I love how it curls. I’ve been wearing this doubled up but can be worn in a loop hanging down, ribbed side up or curled side up, whichever takes your fancy!

And Finally…..16 Sixteen Cable Hat or Fez Head as I call it.

Very similar to my Cabled Beret with less slouch. Knitted size 2 with no slouch. Love this hat, love the yarn too. The pattern even has tips for avoiding the holes that you get when you knit cables.

Debbie Bliss Fez  1.8 skeins 4 mm & 5.mm needle (a blend of Merino and Camel) and oh so lovely. I’m very impressed with this yarn. No knots in either balls and I had used this yarn to cast on and rip back a project about 5 times, and still, it didn’t felt or fuzz up. Stitch and cable definitions are really impressive too. Another quickie project to add to your list.

Well…lovely readers, I hope you have all enjoyed this catwalk show of all my latest knits and hope you have gathered some inspiration from them too and thank you for taking your time in reading, think it’s time for a cuppa and to get those needles out again 🙂 xx

Cracking Christmas!

I’d like to take this wonderful moment and thank everyone for their support. This year has been filled with happiness and sadness and without your kind words of comfort, your inspirations, your comments and just for being there, reading my blog………has helped me tremendously.

May I wish you all a Merry, merry Christmas that’s filled with joy, laughter and love (and knitting , of course!)  and a Wonderful New Year! Xxx

For Eve…..Grey Cables

This cowl is going to be very very hard to let go. Mmmm, not so sure I want to gift it to her to be honest…..selfish knitter 🙂 It’s for my sister Eve’s  birthday in January. At least I have a month to go until I have to gift it but in the meantime I have it all to myself, yes, all……to…….my…….self.

The cowl is from Vogue Knitting Holiday 2009. I saw this and HAD to make it. She saw it and HAD to have it. I want please!

Rowan Wool Aran 2.3 skeins, Charcoal  Needles 5.5mm. I didn’t go down a needle size for the rib just because, I wanted it to be rather stretchy. She wants to wear it over her shoulders. Imagine this wrapped over your shoulders and your arms not being able to move because it’s too tight!

Normally I’d use a long tail cast on and often, it’s not quite as stretchy as I’d like it to be. So I used the cable cast on and wow……this really stretches. Knitted to exactly as the pattern and measurements but I used a p2tog, slip st back to left needle, repeat, to cast off.

You can wear it wrapped round your neck like a cowl……

Over your shoulders for a touch of glam and chic…..

Like a snood, the very “in season” item to have in your wardrobe at the moment…..

Over one shoulder for a sexy look……

Very warm, very snug, very chic……go knit one.

Now you know I used to knit two of everything and I said I’d stop that, this one is an exception, I MUST knit one for me, me, me, me. Cast on mine last night and I’m not 100% sure I have chosen the right yarn, we’ll see.

Man Gloves…..

Not long after I first started knitting almost 3 years ago now, my DH requested a pair of gloves. He pestered and pestered for a pair of gloves and so he got.

Knitting a pair of gloves for the first time was very daunting, those fingers, the construction etc. Never knew about knitting in the round and seaming all those fingers felt like a chore. Needless to say, I did find them fun to do, (except for the fingers) well at the time, that is.

He was so chuffed with them, he wore them out on the cold winter evenings. However, the gloves did not last a week of wear. He came home with them, fingers missing on each glove, dangling from their ends, holes everywhere, yarn ends from each finger, stitches unravelled.

I’m not exactly sure how they became like this, he said, they completely fell apart, into pieces. Yeah right!

That was 3 years ago now and ever since then, he’s been asking for a pair of gloves for Christmas. So that’s what he’s got.

Dream In Colour Smooshy : Cocoa Kiss, needles 2.5mm

These gloves are based from the Knotty pattern, but without the cables. (I so wanted to do but men don’t wear cable gloves he said…….says who?)

I doubled the cuff too, just to make them extra squishy, knitted the rib 12 cms, folded it over then picked up the cast on stitches. Continued in stocking stitch for 12 rounds before starting the increase and following the pattern and using the magic loop method for those fingers instead of knitting them flat. Um, yes, I did knit the first ever pair flat.

I hated them fingers  but the man loves his new gloves! Yes, he really does.

How do you take photos of gloves and make them look interesting? They’re funny things….Gloves!

Let’s hope they last longer than the first pair…..they’d better!

Veyla, Kat & Evangeline…..

See….I did mention I’d got back into the swing of things. I’ve been knitting non stop. I’ve been like a knitting machine, churning out one project after another. I’m buzzing, I’m on a roll!

Pattern Veyla from Whimsicle Knits 2. A lovely elegance pair of fingerless mitts. Very simple straight forward pattern. I blocked the lace before continuing with the pattern.

Yarn used: Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Solid : Colour Slate Needles 3.25mm

It’s a strange colour, kind of gray, then it looks teal and other times its green. I found these cute little buttons in my department store, almost exact in colour as the yarn. I didn’t want them to take the eye away too much from the lace. They look slightly green in the photo though but they have a lovely marble effect.

Next, is my lovely Kat by Kim Hargreaves from the beautiful Precious I love the patterns from this book, very elegant and beautifully photographed.

Again, knitted in the round by omitting the first of every round and reversing the sts of every even round. I left out a couple rounds so it’s less slouchy….I learned not to knit hats that are too slouchy.

Rowan Kid Classic in Peat colourway. I have to say I am really inpressed with this yarn. Its lovely to knit with and feels so so soft. It’s becoming one of my favourite Rowan yarns.

Needle size 3.75mm for the rim and 4.5mm for the body. I did fear it would come out huge but it fits just perfect.

Now I just have to knit another, really I do.

Last, there’s Evangeline, fingerless cable mitts for my sister.

…using some left over Rowan Aran Wool. Should have made them a bit longer though. Oh well….hope she likes them.

Cabled Beret….Reworked

It’s taken me over a month to get back into knitting, When Holly died, I couldn’t think of anything else except her. I couldn’t focus on the things I loved to do.

A month on, I finally decided to pick myself up and get back into the swing of things. Although spinning has taken a back seat, my knitting is coming along and the sound of my needles are clicking again.

I wanted to reknit this cabled beret for a while now. Each time I wore it, it would fall pass my eyes…..in other words, it was way too big even for my huge head.

Modelled on my sister, it’s a much better fit. I’m really pleased with it, very snug and warm.

Why on earth would one want to knit a hat flat?  Knitted in the round but omitting the first st of every round and missing a few rows here and there, the hat came out just perfect.

Using smaller needles 3.25mm for the rim and 4.5mm for the body. I love how the cables knitted up and the hat is not too slouchy like before. DH called it my rasta hat look.

There’s been a fight over who’s turn it is to wear it!

ooopss …as resquested from the Debbie Bliss Knitting Magazine Fall/Winter 2008.

Thank You……

…….to each and every one of you, for your lovely words of support, your hugs and love. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

It has been a very difficult month but I’ve had the support from my family, friends and blog friends to help me through. Like everyone has said, in my own time, the pain will be less hard, my heart will feel less heavy and I will remember and treasure all the good, happy and fun times she has brought into my life.

I will miss the “hmmmmm” she does when she greets me

I will miss her walking over my face in the morning, lying on top of my head, sleeping under the duvet with me and resting her head on my chest

I will miss our race in the morning to get down the stairs to the kitchen for breakfast

I will miss her greeting me at the door when I come home

I will miss her loud purring

It gets easier, I know.

 

R.I.P Holly……

I am finding this post extremely difficult to write. My life is totally shattered, my heart is broken, it aches terribly, I’m crying out for you every minute of the day.

My life without you by my side is really unbearable, I must be strong.

1993 – 15. 10. 2009

You will always be in my heart, forever. I miss you so so much, it hurts, really hurts. I am trying to accept you are gone, I am trying very hard.

Rest now, sleep well my baby. There is a special place in my heart….always and forever.

I Love You Xxx

A Bit Of Knitting……

It’s been a while since I posted on the blog. I know you’ve all been popping back to see if I’ve got new projects to show you or just browsing to see what I’ve been up to.

The past couple of months have been rather manic here at Snob house, relatives making a visit, entertaining, days out, work. There hasn’t been much time to do much. The day often ends very late and I’m too shattered to knit a stitch. However, I do have something to show you, not a lot but something….knitting related, that is.

Ishbel…..this is my second Ishbel. I gifted the first one to my niece when she came to visit me. I wasn’t sure if she’d like it or not, she’s only 11 and thought she may have accepted it out of politeness, you know kids at that age. The following day, she wore it out on a day trip we took. I think she loved it.

Knitted using one skein of Malabrigo Sock Yarn, I did the large lace and stocking stitch. The first Ishbel I knitted (um yes…I knitted two again, you see….I had to have one for myself) I did the large stocking st and small lace but had about 25gm remaining. I had an inkling that maybe I could get the large size out of one skein and I was right. I had 4.5yrds remaining from one skein…phew!!! (Ps….I still had the 25gm left over as back up). Such a lovely pattern and very easy to follow.

Is it just me or did anyone else who used this yarn get into a right tangle when wound into a cake???? On both skeins, I had a real great time untangling the mess!

Next up is Springtime Bandit using Malabrigo Merino Worsted Polar Morn.

Nice and cosy, perfect for the Winter evenings.

The pattern is not written with the mirror image for the left of the shawl so here’s what I did.

Mirrored sts in brackets as follows:
K2tog (SKP)
SKP (K2tog)
SK2togP (ssk, return the st to the left needle, slip the next st over it and slip it back onto the right needle), or simply k3tog.

It does require a little concentration as sometimes, you do forget to mirror the stitches.

Oops!…..

Another wheel? Um….blushes I’m afraid so. I know, I think it’s crazy, I’m crazy. It’s an addiction.

I brought a Lendrum, the one where you have to wait months and months, the one where there is a waiting list, the one where there is only one dealer in UK. Although I have to admit, I am very very lucky, ONE WEEK was all I had to wait. My heart goes out for those who had to wait 9 months for their wheel. It’s a terribly long time to wait for something. I’m sorry.

She spin’s wonderfully and smells divine. The maple wood gives off a beautiful scent. It’s becoming a habit to sniff her every so often. Holly joins me in our morning sniff, we’re mad! We then sniff the Suzi, it’s our new routine!

It doesn’t spin quite as smooth as my Suzi but she does spin well, quiet and smooth and damn sexy too!

She was my first love, the wheel I lusted after when I wanted a spinning wheel but wasn’t prepared for the long wait. Now I have her and my Suzi, my heart is content, very content. They are both beautifully made and a joy to spin.

Now I must have another sniff.

Bloody Mara….

Knitting has been rather slow recently, projects taking longer, not feeling the urge or the love for the needles, what’s wrong with me?

Must be a phase, will soon pass, I know.

Mara….

My Bloody Mara : 3 skeins of Madelinetosh Worsted in Oxblood, birthday gift from my lovely Coley. Saw her version instantly knew Oxblood had to be Mara.

Ruffles not quite 4 inches, just over 2.5 inches to be exact but I’m ok with that. Measurements: 148cm across, 68cm down centre to tip. Just love that pleat!

This is my first use of Madelinetosh yarns and it’s becoming a favourite, lovely on the needles, such intensity in colours, beautiful results. I want more.

Oops, just to let you know, I haven’t been on a crash diet and lost loads of weight, my hair is shorter but thats not me……it’s my skinny minny sister, bitch!

Waiting……

Peonies are my all time favourite flowers. I love watching the lollipops,  little lollipops, big lollipops, waiting for them to burst into big, bold and beautiful flowers. I have five varieties in my small patio, Sarah Bernheart, a beautiful pale pink, Rubis Plena, a red, magenta colour, a deep almost blood like peony, which I can’t recall the name of, a lipstick red peony and a deep pink one which is an early bloomer.

The wait begins.

Rubis Plena

……and waiting…..

Sarah Bernheart

and patiently waiting……every year, my small patio is full of these wonderful flowers. Are you going to bloom today?

Finally…..They POP!!! into something so beautiful.

Silky Textured Shawl…..

Textured Shawl Recipe, Malabrigo Silk Merino ~ 3 skeins ~ Cape Cod~ 5.5mm needles.

CO 5sts, knit 2 rows.
I followed the increase pattern until I got 35st.

Textured pattern, I had one extra st before the centre st which I knitted, M1L, slm, k centre st, slm, M1R, K1 then continued with the pattern.
Wrong side, K2, purl to last 2 sts, K2.

16 rows in st st
16 rows in textured pattern
16 rows in st st
14 rows in textured pattern
16 rows in st st
12 rows in textured pattern
12 rows in st st
12 rows in textured pattern
22 rows in garter st

If you cast off tightly, I would suggest you go up a needle size.

Twilight handspun Shetland 2 ply, purchased at the Spinning Guiild at the weekend. Approx 220yrds…what weight? No idea, maybe sports weight. Shetland is so lovely to spin, its not the softess of fibers but is a great fiber for a newbie.

On the bobbin right now is a batt of BFL that I dyed almost to a semi solid lilac, really intense in colour and so hard to photograph. Im spinning this as fine as I can get it, then will dye up another batt in maybe a variegated colour and ply them both, see what interesting handspun I can come up with! I want yardage, plenty yardage so I can knit it up into something.

Spinning is addictive, is an obsession, I can’t get enough of it! I must knit it up though…….Have I knitted anything with them?, Um, well. no but I will.

Lucky Winner & A Surprise….

OH MY!!! You are an interesting lot! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading all your wonderful comments. You’ve all been so busy with lots of projects, some of you have several on the go, whilst some have just one, like me. You are a creative bunch too with some wonderful names for the handspun, very interesting.

Right…lets get down to business. I have a surprise for all my wonderful readers.

Weilangta Forest by The Thylacine 100% Cheviot approx 103yrds 94gms

Whilst you’ve been commenting on my blog, of course I’ve been spinning and guess what? This will be awarded to the second random number drawn out! OH YES, two chances to win! Doesn’t that make you squeal with joy? Woooohooo!  Just my way of saying  THANK YOU to all who have taken time to read and post a comment. You are all so wonderful!

OK…..quit the babbling, you ready…lets go! Good luck everyone.

The first number from my random number generator is  9…….Mary Ellen.

The 2nd number is 58……TJ

Congratulations and sorry to those whose number didn’t get chosen. Winners, please contact me to claim your handspuns!! This has be so fun!!! I think I’ll do another competition again someday, so please, drop by again!

Simple Contest……

Come to think of it, when was the last time I had a contest, a give away? A long time ago, thats when…….A skein of yarn, spun by me, on my Majacraft Suzi Pro, washed, twirled, twanged and whacked from this:

to this:

Dyed by FeltStudioUK  BFL approx 90gms 128yrds 13wpi

……….can be yours. So what do you have to do to win this? Well…..it’s simple, leave a comment, tell me something, your favoutite things, the size of your feet,  what’s in your handbag, what you’re knitting/crocheting, an embarassing moment,  what brings you to my blog, likes and dislikes, inspirations, what would you knit with this yarn, or maybe you can give a name to this handspun……anything!!! Simple!!….easy peasy lemon squeezy!

One lucky winner will be chosen using the Random Number Generator.  Last date for your comments will be Sunday 10th May and at 10pm BST when I will announce the winner. So post a comment!

Bad Spin, Good Spin….

Now when is that Yarnsnob going to show us some spinning I hear you all cry? Ok Ok…here goes……my first attempts, which I trashed but dug out of the bin so I can remember how crap I was! Art yarn maybe? Look closely….there are coils and plenty of them! See the twists? YAY! YARN!

It does get slightly better, really it does…..look this IS Art Yarn

…..and better still……there’s a bit of normal plying here

and navajo plying here……

a spin kept as singles…..

and…….Look SUCCESS! I did it! I’m having a real blast with my new toy……is this addictive or what!

Note to myself…..you can’t spin merino yet, so avoid until you can.

B a b e t t e……

……from The Rowan Cocoon Collection, beautiful soft yarn to knit with but very delicate. Pull too hard and the yarn breaks. I have to admit, this is not one of my loved projects. I love the design but I don’t feel I suit this at all. It makes me look like I’ve gained a few pounds instantly!

Overweight + Bulky yarn = ENORMOUS! I look like I’ve had just a few many cream cakes. It’s not for me which is a shame as I do love the design so without a doubt it will be gifted to a family member, who needs a few extra pounds added to their weight.

The sleeves also came out a little too long and I also blocked this too long on the body….silly me read the measurements wrong and s t r e t c h e d it like crazy. Ah well…..at least it covers my fat butt, but come to think of it….it emphasizes it!

Rowan Cocoon  colour Scree 7.5 skeins.

Needles 6mm and 7mm

Button, from an old cardigan that Mr Snobs felted in the wash.

No mods…..exactly as pattern.

A very very warm snug cardigan for the winter. Love the yarn, love the design, just not for me 😦

New Addition…..

There’s a new addition in the snob household. It’s not the meows of a kitten nor is it the cries of a baby. It’s not the sound of an engine of a new car either. So what is it??? Well…. she’s green, smooth, curvy, solid, sexy and very HOT HOT HOT! She’s my new toy…….

Majacraft Suzi Pro. A spinning wheel, gifted to me by my darling Mr Snobs as my birthday present. Awww isn’t she a beauty? (can you see Holly?)

For weeks I had been reading reviews on wheels and finally set my heart on the Lendrum DT but having to wait weeks, maybe months for one? No No. I want a wheel and I want it now. Woke up one morning, called a dealer in the UK and luckily she had one in stock. Ordered Tuesday arrived Friday. Now that’s fast!

I’ve been having so much fun with her. Not quite a pro yet but I’m getting there! I spun coils and lots of them, thick and thin and a bin full of scraps. Soon, I shall spin something that resembles yarn! Practice, practice, practice.

A Whisper…..

Hey, how did Holly get hold of that photo?? Thank you for all your well wishes, meow, meow, meow, mow..puuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrr…….she’s says Thank you to you all.

I have neglected the blog lately but do not fear, I haven’t lost my knitting mojo yet, I thought I did as I have been playing with a spindle, trying to spin but there is knitting and I do have something to show you, a finished piece, it’s cute.

I have a confession: I didn’t swatch for this shrieks. Yup, I haven’t been swatching for any of my latest projects. I know, I’m a naughty knitter. I’m lazy put it that way but I think it came out just fine. Prepare yourself for lots of photos.

Whisper Cardigan from Interweave Knits Spring 2009. A lovely cute little cardigan, more like a shrug and enjoyable to knit. Picking up 32ost was a bit of a nightmare!

I wasn’t so keen on the bell shaped elbow length sleeves so I made them longer and more fitted. I blocked the bottom slightly wider too to give it a slight flared look. This worked out so well and I prefer them. I love how the edge of the shrug curls inwards but I know I will constantly grab the edges to try and wrap it around my body.

I also added 1″ of 1×1 rib to the sleeves to prevent them curling, can’t be having sleeves that curl!! Also, you can see I’ve added 4 rows of rib to the bottom of it too. It prevents the cardigan from rolling up my back!

A cardigan/shrug from 2 skeins of DiC Smooshy in Gothic Rose! Can you believe that? Incredible!

My modifications:

Needles: 2.75mm. 3.5mm and 4.5mm

Cast on 76st and used magic loop method for the first time for the sleeves. Lengthened sleeves to 12″ with a 1″ 1×1 rib. Decreased upper arm section to 60st and continued back section for 11″ (total 22″across back) Increased left arm section to 76st and continued for left sleeve adding 1″rib.

Picked up 320 sts for the collar and waist and knitted rib section for 3″.

Lower body: worked section for just over 8″ and added 4 rows of rib. Sprayed blocked cardigan, what I mean by that is pinned out the cardigan and spritzed it with water, blot dry the excess water with a towel and let dry. I moved it to another room just incase Holly decides to spend the night on it as always.