My current beau spent most of last year shooting a TV programme about stock car racing for the BBC and it's going to be screened next week!
It's on BBC 1 at 10:35pm on August 2nd, so if you know anyone who appreciates car racing, please let them know ;)
Here's a link to the show.
I had the opportunity to go to a couple of stock car meetings myself and I must say that it's very exciting. It's well worth a visit if you fancy an interesting afternoon or evening out.
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
I swear beads breed
I have just been having a look at my bead stash and I swear I didn't realise I had so many.
I am undergoing a bit of a change at the moment and my tastes seem to be changing in what I make. This is a good thing as I want my jewellery to be more cohesive as a collection. I adore what I do with charm bracelets and watches, so they will be staying. As will the brooches and the stitch markers, but I think I can do better. So I'm going to be going through my beads and clearing out what I don't think I'll use any more via eBay. Any money I get will be spent on new beads.
I do have something exciting to show, but I need to photograph it properly first. I have had some fossil pendants come in, which are gorgeous. I have made one necklace, with sterling silver findings and leather, but I'm looking to do something a little bit more unusual with them, so I plan to do a bit of research and see what's out there first though.
I have to say that True Blood makes an excellent accompaniment to bead sorting and Stephen Moyer is totally on the bang list.
Off to knitting now in the rain! Ah well, at least my garden gets a good watering. I just hope that this isn't it for the summer now.
I am undergoing a bit of a change at the moment and my tastes seem to be changing in what I make. This is a good thing as I want my jewellery to be more cohesive as a collection. I adore what I do with charm bracelets and watches, so they will be staying. As will the brooches and the stitch markers, but I think I can do better. So I'm going to be going through my beads and clearing out what I don't think I'll use any more via eBay. Any money I get will be spent on new beads.
I do have something exciting to show, but I need to photograph it properly first. I have had some fossil pendants come in, which are gorgeous. I have made one necklace, with sterling silver findings and leather, but I'm looking to do something a little bit more unusual with them, so I plan to do a bit of research and see what's out there first though.
I have to say that True Blood makes an excellent accompaniment to bead sorting and Stephen Moyer is totally on the bang list.
Off to knitting now in the rain! Ah well, at least my garden gets a good watering. I just hope that this isn't it for the summer now.
Thursday, 24 June 2010
Hmmm...
I see that The Knitter is running a competition to design a hat for Mencap.
You have to design one with a celebrity in mind. I'm not sure who I would design for but I have spent the afternoon knitting swatches. I do have a rough idea in mind but I'm not sure how I'm going to implement it, so I'm going to give it a go and see how it comes out.
I had a pattern book for my birthday and it's already proving to be invaluable, giving me an idea for a blanket made from scraps of yarn left over from other projects, but we shall see. I already have a blanket on the go!
You have to design one with a celebrity in mind. I'm not sure who I would design for but I have spent the afternoon knitting swatches. I do have a rough idea in mind but I'm not sure how I'm going to implement it, so I'm going to give it a go and see how it comes out.
I had a pattern book for my birthday and it's already proving to be invaluable, giving me an idea for a blanket made from scraps of yarn left over from other projects, but we shall see. I already have a blanket on the go!
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Flossie's Cabled Gloves
I am very pleased to announce that I am ready to publish my glove pattern.
Introduction
I came up with this pattern after experimenting with cables for a blanket square and wondering what it would look like in the round. I liked the results so much that I decided that I wanted to turn it into a garment rather than a blanket square (although it would be quite cool as a blanket square too), so the long cabled gloves were born.
I added a couple of bobbles either side of the cable, in between a purl border to frame the cable. There's no cuffs at the top or fingers because I thought it detracted from the pattern.
I love the yarn I chose for this pattern. I had some set aside for a blanket but loved the way the cables and bobbles stood out. As the gloves are knit from the top down, you can adjust the length, which is great if you have a smaller amount of really sumptuous yarn. You can substitute any DK weight yarn too so these gloves are a great stash buster.
If you don't like bobbles or want a plainer glove, substitute the Bobble stitch for a knit stitch.
The pattern is named after the knitted sheep I threw at Adrian Edmonson's band, The Bad Shepherds. He had commented that they were bad shepherds because they had no sheep. The next time I saw them at a concert, I felt that I had to provide them with a sheep, who I named Flossie.
Many thanks to Amy for helping out with pattern testing.
Materials needed:
Yarn: 2 x 50g balls of Rowan Purelife Organic Wool (100% Wool) 125m / 137yards
1 set of stitch markers
1 set of 4 4mm double pointed needles
Stitch holder or scrap yarn to hold stitches
1 cable needle
Gauge:
22 sts and 30 rows = 10cm on 4mm needles
Pattern notes:
C6L
Slip 3 stitches onto the cable needle and hold to the front of your work, k3 stitches, then k3 from the cable needle
C6R
Slip 3 stitches onto the cable needle and hold to the back of your work, k3 stitches, then k3 from the cable needle.
Bobble
(k,p,k,p,k) into the same stitch without dropping it off the needle, turn work to the wrong side, p5, turn work back to the right side, slip one stitch knitwise, (k2tog) twice, psso, pass second stitch on right hand needle over first stitch as if to bind off. 1 stitch remains.
PM
Place marker
SM
Slip marker
M1
Increase by inserting your left hand needle from back to front in the strand between stitches and then knit through the front of the stitch
Pattern:
Right and left glove:
Using long tail / continental cast on, CO 48 sts, dividing the stitches between 3 double pointed needles. Join in the round.
Round 1: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times
Round 2: As Round 1
Round 3: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, (C6L) twice, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times
Rounds 4 – 6 inclusive: As Round 1
Round 7: (k3, p1) 3 times, k1, Bobble, k1, p3, k3, C6R, k3, p3, k1, Bobble, k1, (p1, k3) 3 times
Round 8: As round 1
Repeat these 8 rows 7 more times.
Left hand and thumb gusset:
Round 1: k3, p1, PM, (k1, M1 3 times) PM, p1, (k3, p1 twice), p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times (51 sts – 3 sts increased)
Round 2: k3, p1, SM, k6, SM, p1, (k3, p1) twice, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times (51 sts)
Round 3: k3, p1, SM, k1, M1, k4, M1, k1, SM, p1, (k3, p1) twice, p2, (C6L) twice, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times (53 sts – 2 sts increased)
Round 4: k3, p1, SM, k8, SM, p1, (k3, p1) twice, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times (53 sts)
Round 5: k3, p1, SM, k1, M1, k6, M1, k1, SM, p1, (k3, p1) twice, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times (55 sts – 2 sts increased)
Round 6: k3, p1, SM, k10, SM, p1, (k3, p1) twice, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times (55 sts)
Round 7: k3, p1, SM, k1, M1, k8, M1, k1, SM, p1, k3, p1, k1, Bobble, k1, p3, k3, C6R, k3, p3, k1, Bobble, k1, (p1, k3) 3 times (57 sts – 2 sts increased)
Round 8: k3, p1, SM, k12, SM, p1, (k3, p1) twice, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times (57 sts)
Round 9: k3, p1, SM, k1, M1, k10, M1, k1, SM, p1, (k3, p1) twice, p2, k12, p2, (p1,k3) 4 times (59 sts – 2 sts increased)
Round 10: k3, p1, SM, k14, SM, p1, (k3, p1) twice, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times (59 sts)
Round 11: k3, p1, remove markers and place 14 thumb sts on holder or waste yarn, CO 3 sts, p1, k3, p1, k3, p3, (C6L) twice, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times (48 sts on needles, 14 sts on holder / scrap yarn)
Round 12: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times
Round 13 and 14: As Round 12
Round 15: (k3, p1) 3 times, k1, Bobble, k1, p3, k3, C6R, k3, p3, k1, Bobble, k1, (p1, k3) 3 times
Round 16: As Round 12
Round 17: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times
Round 18: As Round 17
Round 19: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, (C6L) twice, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times
Round 20 to 22 inclusive: As Round 17
Round 23: (k3, p1) 3 times, k1, Bobble, k1, p3, k3, C6R k3, p3, k1, Bobble, k1, (p1, k3) 3 times
Round 24: As Round 17
Bind off all sts.
Thumb
Transfer 14 thumb gusset stitches to a needle then divide stitches evenly between 3 needles. Rejoin yarn, leaving a 15cm tail and knit 6 rounds. Bind off all stitches.
Sew in all ends and sew the hole at the thumb using the 15cm tail.
Right hand and thumb gusset
Round 1: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) twice, p1, PM, (k1, M1 3 times), PM, p1, k3 (51 sts – 3 sts increased)
Round 2: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) twice, p1, SM, k6, SM, p1, k3 (51 sts)
Round 3: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, (C6L) twice, p2, (p1, k3) twice, p1, SM, k1, M1, k4, M1, k1, SM, p1, k3 (53 sts – 2 sts increased)
Round 4: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) twice, p1, SM, k8, SM, p1, k3 (53 sts)
Round 5: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) twice, p1, SM, k1, M1, k6, M1, k1, SM, p1, k3 (55 sts – 2 sts increased)
Round 6: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) twice, p1, SM, k10, SM, p1, k3 (55 sts)
Round 7: (k3, p1) 3 times, k1, Bobble, k1, p3, k3, C6R, k3, p3, k1, Bobble, K1, p1, k3, p1, SM, k1, M1, k8, M1, k1, SM, p1, k3 (57sts – 2 sts increased)
Round 8: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) twice, p1, SM, k12, SM, p1, k3 (57 sts)
Round 9: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) twice, p1, SM, k1, M1, k10, M1, k1, SM, p1, k3 (59 sts – 2 sts increased)
Round 10: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) twice, p1, SM, k14, SM, p1, k3 (59 sts)
Round 11: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, (C6L) twice, p2, (p1, k3) twice, p1, remove markers and place 14 thumb sts on holder or waste yarn, CO 3 sts, p1, k3 (48 sts on needles, 14 sts on holder / scrap yarn)
Round 12: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times
Round 13 and 14: As Round 12
Round 15: (k3, p1) 3 times, k1, Bobble, k1, p3, k3, C6R, k3, p3, k1, Bobble, k1, (p1, k3) 3 times
Round 16: As Round 12
Round 17: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times
Round 18: As Round 17
Round 19: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, (C6L) twice, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times
Round 20 to 22 inclusive: As Round 17
Round 23: (k3, p1) 3 times, k1, Bobble, k1, p3, k3, C6R, k3, p3, k1, Bobble, k1, (p1, k3) 3 times
Round 24: As Round 17
Bind off all sts.
Thumb
Transfer 14 thumb gusset stitches to a needle then divide stitches evenly between 3 needles. Rejoin yarn, leaving a 15cm tail and knit 6 rounds. Bind off all stitches.
Sew in all ends and sew the hole at the thumb using the 15cm tail.
Edit: Charts for this pattern are available here.
© Jennifer Higgins, 2010. No reproduction without prior consent. For personal use only. Not to be used to produce items for commercial purposes. Thank you.
Introduction
I came up with this pattern after experimenting with cables for a blanket square and wondering what it would look like in the round. I liked the results so much that I decided that I wanted to turn it into a garment rather than a blanket square (although it would be quite cool as a blanket square too), so the long cabled gloves were born.
I added a couple of bobbles either side of the cable, in between a purl border to frame the cable. There's no cuffs at the top or fingers because I thought it detracted from the pattern.
I love the yarn I chose for this pattern. I had some set aside for a blanket but loved the way the cables and bobbles stood out. As the gloves are knit from the top down, you can adjust the length, which is great if you have a smaller amount of really sumptuous yarn. You can substitute any DK weight yarn too so these gloves are a great stash buster.
If you don't like bobbles or want a plainer glove, substitute the Bobble stitch for a knit stitch.
The pattern is named after the knitted sheep I threw at Adrian Edmonson's band, The Bad Shepherds. He had commented that they were bad shepherds because they had no sheep. The next time I saw them at a concert, I felt that I had to provide them with a sheep, who I named Flossie.
Many thanks to Amy for helping out with pattern testing.
Materials needed:
Yarn: 2 x 50g balls of Rowan Purelife Organic Wool (100% Wool) 125m / 137yards
1 set of stitch markers
1 set of 4 4mm double pointed needles
Stitch holder or scrap yarn to hold stitches
1 cable needle
Gauge:
22 sts and 30 rows = 10cm on 4mm needles
Pattern notes:
C6L
Slip 3 stitches onto the cable needle and hold to the front of your work, k3 stitches, then k3 from the cable needle
C6R
Slip 3 stitches onto the cable needle and hold to the back of your work, k3 stitches, then k3 from the cable needle.
Bobble
(k,p,k,p,k) into the same stitch without dropping it off the needle, turn work to the wrong side, p5, turn work back to the right side, slip one stitch knitwise, (k2tog) twice, psso, pass second stitch on right hand needle over first stitch as if to bind off. 1 stitch remains.
PM
Place marker
SM
Slip marker
M1
Increase by inserting your left hand needle from back to front in the strand between stitches and then knit through the front of the stitch
Pattern:
Right and left glove:
Using long tail / continental cast on, CO 48 sts, dividing the stitches between 3 double pointed needles. Join in the round.
Round 1: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times
Round 2: As Round 1
Round 3: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, (C6L) twice, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times
Rounds 4 – 6 inclusive: As Round 1
Round 7: (k3, p1) 3 times, k1, Bobble, k1, p3, k3, C6R, k3, p3, k1, Bobble, k1, (p1, k3) 3 times
Round 8: As round 1
Repeat these 8 rows 7 more times.
Left hand and thumb gusset:
Round 1: k3, p1, PM, (k1, M1 3 times) PM, p1, (k3, p1 twice), p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times (51 sts – 3 sts increased)
Round 2: k3, p1, SM, k6, SM, p1, (k3, p1) twice, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times (51 sts)
Round 3: k3, p1, SM, k1, M1, k4, M1, k1, SM, p1, (k3, p1) twice, p2, (C6L) twice, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times (53 sts – 2 sts increased)
Round 4: k3, p1, SM, k8, SM, p1, (k3, p1) twice, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times (53 sts)
Round 5: k3, p1, SM, k1, M1, k6, M1, k1, SM, p1, (k3, p1) twice, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times (55 sts – 2 sts increased)
Round 6: k3, p1, SM, k10, SM, p1, (k3, p1) twice, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times (55 sts)
Round 7: k3, p1, SM, k1, M1, k8, M1, k1, SM, p1, k3, p1, k1, Bobble, k1, p3, k3, C6R, k3, p3, k1, Bobble, k1, (p1, k3) 3 times (57 sts – 2 sts increased)
Round 8: k3, p1, SM, k12, SM, p1, (k3, p1) twice, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times (57 sts)
Round 9: k3, p1, SM, k1, M1, k10, M1, k1, SM, p1, (k3, p1) twice, p2, k12, p2, (p1,k3) 4 times (59 sts – 2 sts increased)
Round 10: k3, p1, SM, k14, SM, p1, (k3, p1) twice, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times (59 sts)
Round 11: k3, p1, remove markers and place 14 thumb sts on holder or waste yarn, CO 3 sts, p1, k3, p1, k3, p3, (C6L) twice, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times (48 sts on needles, 14 sts on holder / scrap yarn)
Round 12: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times
Round 13 and 14: As Round 12
Round 15: (k3, p1) 3 times, k1, Bobble, k1, p3, k3, C6R, k3, p3, k1, Bobble, k1, (p1, k3) 3 times
Round 16: As Round 12
Round 17: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times
Round 18: As Round 17
Round 19: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, (C6L) twice, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times
Round 20 to 22 inclusive: As Round 17
Round 23: (k3, p1) 3 times, k1, Bobble, k1, p3, k3, C6R k3, p3, k1, Bobble, k1, (p1, k3) 3 times
Round 24: As Round 17
Bind off all sts.
Thumb
Transfer 14 thumb gusset stitches to a needle then divide stitches evenly between 3 needles. Rejoin yarn, leaving a 15cm tail and knit 6 rounds. Bind off all stitches.
Sew in all ends and sew the hole at the thumb using the 15cm tail.
Right hand and thumb gusset
Round 1: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) twice, p1, PM, (k1, M1 3 times), PM, p1, k3 (51 sts – 3 sts increased)
Round 2: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) twice, p1, SM, k6, SM, p1, k3 (51 sts)
Round 3: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, (C6L) twice, p2, (p1, k3) twice, p1, SM, k1, M1, k4, M1, k1, SM, p1, k3 (53 sts – 2 sts increased)
Round 4: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) twice, p1, SM, k8, SM, p1, k3 (53 sts)
Round 5: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) twice, p1, SM, k1, M1, k6, M1, k1, SM, p1, k3 (55 sts – 2 sts increased)
Round 6: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) twice, p1, SM, k10, SM, p1, k3 (55 sts)
Round 7: (k3, p1) 3 times, k1, Bobble, k1, p3, k3, C6R, k3, p3, k1, Bobble, K1, p1, k3, p1, SM, k1, M1, k8, M1, k1, SM, p1, k3 (57sts – 2 sts increased)
Round 8: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) twice, p1, SM, k12, SM, p1, k3 (57 sts)
Round 9: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) twice, p1, SM, k1, M1, k10, M1, k1, SM, p1, k3 (59 sts – 2 sts increased)
Round 10: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) twice, p1, SM, k14, SM, p1, k3 (59 sts)
Round 11: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, (C6L) twice, p2, (p1, k3) twice, p1, remove markers and place 14 thumb sts on holder or waste yarn, CO 3 sts, p1, k3 (48 sts on needles, 14 sts on holder / scrap yarn)
Round 12: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times
Round 13 and 14: As Round 12
Round 15: (k3, p1) 3 times, k1, Bobble, k1, p3, k3, C6R, k3, p3, k1, Bobble, k1, (p1, k3) 3 times
Round 16: As Round 12
Round 17: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, k12, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times
Round 18: As Round 17
Round 19: (k3, p1) 4 times, p2, (C6L) twice, p2, (p1, k3) 4 times
Round 20 to 22 inclusive: As Round 17
Round 23: (k3, p1) 3 times, k1, Bobble, k1, p3, k3, C6R, k3, p3, k1, Bobble, k1, (p1, k3) 3 times
Round 24: As Round 17
Bind off all sts.
Thumb
Transfer 14 thumb gusset stitches to a needle then divide stitches evenly between 3 needles. Rejoin yarn, leaving a 15cm tail and knit 6 rounds. Bind off all stitches.
Sew in all ends and sew the hole at the thumb using the 15cm tail.
Edit: Charts for this pattern are available here.
© Jennifer Higgins, 2010. No reproduction without prior consent. For personal use only. Not to be used to produce items for commercial purposes. Thank you.
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Pattern testing
Pattern testing for the gloves is complete (one small mistake found)!
I will have the pattern up soon, but I need to take some pictures of the gloves. I'm getting shown how to take better pictures by my partner who happens to have a) a photography degree and b) the patience of a saint!
I'm a very visual learner and prefer to be shown how to do things, which is why I took to knitting through the use of books, videos and practise.
I will get the pattern up as soon as possible - within the next week anyway. I'm thinking that it could be fun to do a hat or maybe a pair of socks next, but we'll see :)
On the needles at the moment: a pair of plain toe up socks in Regia yarn and a pair of Sweet Chicory socks from Issue 17 of The Knitter in some hand painted yarn with 2% silver in it.
Jewellery plans at the moment are for more stitch marker brooches.
I will have the pattern up soon, but I need to take some pictures of the gloves. I'm getting shown how to take better pictures by my partner who happens to have a) a photography degree and b) the patience of a saint!
I'm a very visual learner and prefer to be shown how to do things, which is why I took to knitting through the use of books, videos and practise.
I will get the pattern up as soon as possible - within the next week anyway. I'm thinking that it could be fun to do a hat or maybe a pair of socks next, but we'll see :)
On the needles at the moment: a pair of plain toe up socks in Regia yarn and a pair of Sweet Chicory socks from Issue 17 of The Knitter in some hand painted yarn with 2% silver in it.
Jewellery plans at the moment are for more stitch marker brooches.
Friday, 4 June 2010
A preview....
I have to go and get ready to drive to Birmingham now, but I have listed a few things in the shop as a preview of the goodies to come.
Here it is!
Here's what I've listed so far...
I've got more stitch markers, bookmarks, a necklace, some charm bracelets and perhaps some earrings to come.
Here it is!
Here's what I've listed so far...
I've got more stitch markers, bookmarks, a necklace, some charm bracelets and perhaps some earrings to come.
Right
Got my Folksy shop done, now it's time to list some beauties! I will update when I'm done with listing my goodies.
Managed to get some brooches with little hand painted Russian dolls on them, which I will be turning into stitch marker brooches.
It's warm and I have to work over the weekend - sods law that the weather is always good when I have to work at ye olde Tesco store. Still, I get to look at photos of my pretties and am sitting here with some cherries, a gentle breeze and Natalie Merchant on Spotify (which you don't need an invite for any more!).
Could do with these tunes on my iPhone to listen to while I drive to see my man in Birmingham later.
Managed to get some brooches with little hand painted Russian dolls on them, which I will be turning into stitch marker brooches.
It's warm and I have to work over the weekend - sods law that the weather is always good when I have to work at ye olde Tesco store. Still, I get to look at photos of my pretties and am sitting here with some cherries, a gentle breeze and Natalie Merchant on Spotify (which you don't need an invite for any more!).
Could do with these tunes on my iPhone to listen to while I drive to see my man in Birmingham later.
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