Two x Two

Do you remember I had two large balls of aran yarn?  I used one for my garden cosy and was about to start #2.

However, after taking another look at the second, paler ball, I decided I liked the colour of this yarn a lot.  So much so, I didn't want to make another blanket.  Nope.  It had to be used for a scarf (or two!)

After trying out some different patterns, I figured I would stay with my recent theme of keeping it simple and just knit 2 x 2 rib.  The colour of the yarn is so pretty, it doesn't need a complicated pattern to show it off.

Here are the first few inches for you to take a peak at. I'd like to add pom poms on the corners or edges rather than tassles...What do you think?

(My dear hubby asked me the other day if anybody actually

reads my blog.  To be honest, I don't really know!  

I am more than happy to keep posting and

will keep my fingers crossed whilst doing so

that my ramblings and pictures

are, indeed, useful to someone...x)

Simply Perfect!

I have just finished sewing the ends into my Garden Cosy and wanted to hurry over and show you straight away!

I am really pleased with how it turned out and the size is just right.  It's big enough to cover a lap and legs in the chilly summer evenings...or to cover the back of the chair when it gets warm in the sun.

It was everso, everso easy to make.  Just a great big granny square with six rows of double crochet (UK term) to make an edging.

Simples...

Granny knows best...

Well, not much to show you this week I'm afraid.  I am trying hard to stash bust and have two 400g balls of creamy white aran yarn to use up.  I was given this yarn by two different people so the colour of each ball varies slightly.

I have been trying to figure out what to do with it and have finally decided on a crochet blanket for cool summer evenings in the garden.  I looked at a lot of different patterns but came back to the good old simple Granny Square.

So, here is the beginning of my garden cosy..as I said, not much to show but it's on it's way!

 

Simple Things...

My dear children disappeared into the kitchen yesterday evening and I was presented with this yummy masterpiece this morning.   My dear daughter bought the ingredients and printed off a recipe; together they weighed, mixed and baked.  My thirteen year old son covered the cake with icing and it was decorated amid giggles and laughter. The sound of my children working and creating together, what more could I ask for?

A few weeks ago, I was browsing the internet, looking for inspriation, when I came across this gorgeous flower pattern on Bunny Mummy's blog ( Bunny Mummy - Crochet Flower). I thought it would be the perfect gift for my mum and would be quick and easy to do.  It was. The hardest part was going to Hobbycraft and spending the best part of forty-five minutes choosing the right coloured paper to back it on! The overall result was simple, effective and very well received!

I have also finished the double knitted pot holder I was trying to do so I will show what the picture was - did you guess?

I said last week I was having fun with this and at the time I was. Although I do like this a lot and it has taken a lot of time, effort and patience, I am going to frog it and use the yarn for something else. I 'll admit I didn't really didn't find double knitting easy  to do but it was fun and I am pleased I perservered and got it done.  Will I attempt double knitting in the future?  Yes,  because I want to make the potholder I gave you the link too last week.  Will I do it any time soon - I expect not.

The chart for this lovely chap can be found here on Ravelry - Double Knit Skull Scarf - it says the link to the pattern is unavailable but you can download the chart.

I have no idea what I'll have on my needles next or what I will have to show you but there will be something, I promise!

This week I can show you a finished pair of man mitts!  They have been lovingly worn and tested for warmth.  My dear hubby is, I am delighted to say, very happy with them...so much so, he is praying the warmer weather comes along slowly so he can wear them a bit more before packing them away for next winter!  How lovely to have a hubby that is so easily pleased!

Talking of being easily pleased, I have joined a "Learn Something New A-Long" on the Phoenix Knitting Forum. The idea is that each month, we try a new technique or learn a new skill. It could be anything from trying a new type of cast on, knitting a first pair of socks or top down garment or attempting a first piece of lace.  We don't have to produce a complete  project, we just have to have a go and share our attempts.

So, what did I decide to try I hear you ask?

Well, I have an endless list but this month I plumped for "Double Knitting". This technique is where two pieces of fabric are knitted simultaneously (explanation from Wikipedia) using two yarns.  I'm using a free chart I found on Ravelry to produce an image on both pieces like this...

See how much fun I'm having with this!  As I said, easily pleased.

Is is easy to do though?  Er, not to begin with!  Each square on the chart represents two stitches.  One is knitted in one yarn and one purled in the other. I found it quite difficult to work out which colour I was supposed to be knitting and which I should be purling at first. However, as knit for the process and not necessarily for the end result, I haven't minded ripping this back numerous times to get it right.  Good job you say!

I'm not going to post the Ravelry link to the chart yet...you will have to wait - I'll give you a week to guess what it is!

I will, however, link this project, as I'm itching to try it now I'm getting the hang of it!

The Prettiest Hot Pad Ever



M is for Man Knitting...

Yep, this week after making my dear hubby is "Little Squares Scarf" I have been doing some more "Man Knitting".

Hubby asked if I would very much now mind making him some fingerless gloves. I had some yarn left so why the heck not?

After hunting on Ravelry, I decided to knit these as I could easily adjust the length of the fingers...

Cigar Gloves

I have finished one but won't post a piccy of it until I have finished the pair...here though, is a little sneak peek at glove number two...



These knit up really quickly and the pattern is wonderfully written. The gloves can be worn on either hand and as the pattern comes in three sizes, they make great gloves for men or women...I just so happen to have some lovely black sparkly DK which may be destined to turn into a pair for me!

Little Squares Please

My dear hubby wanted a new scarf - with little squares please, he said.

Well, what my dear hubby wants - he gets (and it did just so happen I had the perfect yarn squirrelled away and knew exactly the right stitch to use!)

So, do you want to see what he got? Okay, here it is...



and a close up



He was so pleased with it that I thought I would share my recipe for this scarf with you just in case someone else wanted a new scarf, with little squares please! I say recipe as this stitch has been around a very long time. I am simply sharing how I chose to use it...

Materials

I used approx 200g Rowan Pure Wool DK from stash

Size 4.5mm knitting needles

Measurements (unblocked) approx 8" x 68"


Cast on 48 stitches (or any multiple of 4)

Rows 1-4: (K4,P4) to end

Row 5-8: (P4,K4) to end

Repeat rows 1 - 8 until scarf reaches desired length.

Block lightly if you wish.

I did not block my scarf as hubby liked the bumpy effect of the weave.