Crikey Not Christmas 2022 Part 6

 Crikey Not Christmas 2022 Part 6

After winding the Yarn around the Circle I had an idea. Since it reminded me of a Vine I decided to make some Ivy to add to it.

Ivy Template

 

First of all I needed to find a suitable Ivy. There are many different types. I settled upon Hedra Helix also known as English Ivy.

I drew a rough design to use as a Template. I wasn’t sure about the Size I needed so I made it slightly larger and could Trim later if necessary.

Ivy Test Piece

 

After I had my Template cut out I decided to try it out first on some scrap material. I used some of the Rib although I did know that this would slightly alter the outcome.

White Ribbon Disaster

My initial idea was to use some White Ribbon that I had as Edging. It was a complete Disaster. It was not only difficult to manoeuvre it around the corners but also distorted the Shape.

White Paint Trial

 

Next I tried using White Paint to Edge the Ivy. Although this was more successful than the Ribbon I still wasn’t entirely happy with the result.

Chalked Design

 

I decided to put it to one side for now and using the Template Chalk out the Shape.

Chalk Design Flipped

 

As the Ivy does change direction I Flipped the Template over and drew some Shapes with that Design

Roughly Cut Ivy

Once I had Chalked out all the Designs I roughly Cut them out.

Vhere there is a Vill there is a Vay! 2019 Part 5

Vhere there is a Vill there is a Vay! 2019 Part 5

I really hate picking up Stitches. It is even worse when you have to unpick a Cast On first.

Fluff Balls and Waste

This Acrylic Yarn is awful. Apart from Fluff Balls everywhere all over the carpet it is Splitting all over the place.

Bottom Rib

I finally managed to get the Bottom Rib done. Top Rib. I had to undo several rows before I managed to Pick Up the Stitches.

Unfortunately because of the amount of damaged Yarn it is Shorter than the Top Half of the Blanket both on the Stocking Stitch and the Rib. It is one of those times when I can do absolutely nothing about it.

De-fluffing Tools

This is a bit of a new experience for me. As the item is for a Dog I need to make it as safe as possible. First I started cutting off most of the loose pieces of Fluff.

Then I used a Razor to get off the fine pieces. I had to be very careful when I did this as otherwise I might cut through some of the holding Stitches.

VW Finished

After tidying up the Fluff I washed and pressed the Blanket. I must admit that despite the flaws I am quite impressed with the end result.

Charlie 1

 

The above photograph shows the recipient of the Blanket. This is my neighbour’s dog Charlie. He seems a bit hesitant at first.

Charlie 2

Looks like he has got the hang of it now. I think the best moment of the project is when my neighbour asked me where I bought it from. – I was so proud.

Vhere there is a Vill there is a Vay! 2019 Part 4

Vhere there is a Vill there is a Vay! 2019 Part 4

Finally I have finished Knitting the Adjusted Pattern.

Loose Ends

Since the Pattern is now finished I need to start the tidying up. There are quite a few Loose Ends that need sewing and trimming.

Beginning of Rib

Once all the Ends were taken care of I could start on the next part. This was to add a Rib to finish the Top off. I had to work out what Rib Pattern to use.

I had 69 Stitches on the needle. I intended to keep the Selvedge’s so that left 65. I wanted to have both ends the same so I used a Rib Pattern of 5 Knit and 5 Pearl.

Top Rib

I did 10 Rows then Cast Off in Rib

Curling Bottom

If you look at the above photograph you can see the Bottom of the Blanket. It is curling over. This is why I added the Rib at the Top.

Before I can start the Rib I need to pick up the Stitches. This is the part I hate.

Autumn Cape A long Term Project 2019 – More Hood Part 2

It has been a long time since I have blogged about my Cape. This is due to being unable to concentrate on my design courtesy of a disruptive environment.

Pick Up Stitches

 

I have got to the point that I really hate. This is why I have been putting it off for as long as possible.

Stretching Stitches

Picking up Stitches is difficult so therefore I decided to stretch them first. A needle of the same size or larger is preferable to use.

Even Number

 

Since I am doing a Rib pattern I need to make sure that I have an even number of Stitches.

Cock Up

Oh rats. I never thought of that. I had the right number of Stitches but the Pattern doesn’t match up.

All Joined up

A bit of fiddling and I have managed to join up the Rib. Not sure what I am going to do next as yet.

Autumn Cape A Long Term Project - 2018 More Hood Part 1

Autumn Cape A Long Term Project - 2018

More Hood Part 1

I know it seems like forever since I blogged about this project but there are several reasons for this one being the time of year. It is very hot and playing with this much wool just isn’t fun.

Another reason is I am at a difficult stage in the project and therefore do not want to rush. Last but not least since I have no pattern to work from I need peace and quiet in order to do so and frankly with my neighbours being so noisy I cannot concentrate.

Daytime Hood Pick Up 42 Stitches 

I have to admit I have been dreading this part. If there is one thing I hate it is picking up stitches. This is particularly difficult when it has been cast off but I fought through it and picked up 42 Stitches on a 5mm circular needle 

Daytime Hood 2 Rows Rib

The section I have picked up is from the Daytime Front Piece. I am using Dark Brown wool so with luck it will mimic a branch. The idea is to add a few rows of Rib and then slowly decrease at the open edge and pick up and knit onto the Hood.

Before starting the Rib I need to be at the correct place. I therefore have purled across so I am starting at the open end.

1^st Row

Knit 2 Purl 2 repeat until the end

2^nd Row

Purl 2 Knit 2 repeat until the end

Night Time Hood 2 Rows Rib

I am simultaneously working on the Night Time Front Piece. I again pick up 42 Stitches on 5mm needles and using Dark wool.

However in picking up I have ended up at a different starting place therefore this time I Knit until the end of the Row. This side I use the following formula

1^st Row

Purl 2 Knit 2

2^nd Row

Knit 2 Purl 2

I now need to check how much Rib I need to Knit

Time to Knit - Charity Challenge 2018 Part 2

Time to Knit - Charity Challenge 2018 Part 2

As promised in the last blog here is the same Baby Top only in the Green

Green Baby Top

This is the finished item complete with ends woven in and buttons added. I looked for some Green buttons but they didn’t look right so I just added some clear ones.

Green Baby Top Bottom Width

Unlike the one I knitted in the Dollymix this one I knitted using my natural tension. The final Width was 14.5cm. Therefore it is 1 cm wider than the first one.

Green Baby Top Height

The Height of the garment came out at 13.5cm.The Natural coloured one was only 12cms. Therefore it is 1.5cm longer from neck to bottom.

Baby Tops Like for Like

In the photograph above I have placed the Natural one over the top of the Green to show the difference.

Natural Mittens

I had a little yarn left over so I decided to make some mittens. I had great problems trying to get a pattern as they were mostly for new-borns or 0-3 months rather than preemie.

Unfortunately the tape slipped whilst I was trying to photograph the pair. I believe that when the Rib is folded they should be about 6-6.5cm. However I have clearly missed a row here so I thought rather than measure I would count rows for the Green mittens.

The picture below shows what is known as ‘a right pig’s breakfast’. The mitten on the left hand side is the one I knitted first. It looks a bit messy but that is the angle I photographed it at.

Green Mittens

The mitten on the right hand side is what I knitted last. Now I admit it looks tidier but there are two different types of mistakes in it. If you look at the Rib you can clearly see that I have somehow managed to miss a stitch somewhere and the Rib has slid across.

The second mistake was a real blinder. You knit the rib with 3.25 needles. Then on the next part you change to 4.5cm needles. Now I did this but when I came to cast off I found I was back on the 3.25 needles.

How I managed to do this I have no idea. The end result was I ended up with a loose slip pattern and a tight slip pattern. Oh well you live and learn.