Done: Spindolyn Bean Bag

Remember that Alpaca yarn I dyed, and redyed because I hated how it came out the first time? If not you can find that post here.

Maybe I was a bit harsh on it. It looks good with those white places!

Bottom is filled with wax pellets.

 So dramatic the scene outside my window!

WIP: Spinning Lessons -- Single Samples

So in-between knitting, crocheting and french knitting, I decided to do a bit of spinning... ok so a lot of spinning. For those who are new to my blog I have two spindles, a high-whorl and my new spindolyn. I do not have a spinning wheel.

My High-Whorl Spindle

So, I finished all of my red fibre I was working on. I don't know what possessed
me to put it back on my high-whorl spindle to store but I did.

Spindoyln:

I just love this single!

Oooh, soo pretty!

This is just pretty and it sparkles slightly.

A static laced house plus this silk
equals one tough spin.

Done: Mom's Presents

I have one more not shown here but I will get a photo of it later. It is a small cord for her angel pendant that I made using my french knitting doll (spool knitter).

Here are the ones I have pictures of:
Using the Manos Del Uruguay Maxima, colorway 6411 Valentine

This Bobble Hat, adapted from a pattern.
I figured out how to do a seamless decrease and tailored it to fit her head.

I call this the Bobble-Mesh Scarf

Want the Pattern? Why not, it is Christmas.

This was done with Manos Maxima using a 6.0mm hook

I have UK terms as (UK: )

Puff Stitch: Yarn over (YO), put hook through stitch indicated, YO, pull loop through (3 loops on hook) *YO, put hook through same stitch, YO, pull loop through* x2 (7 stitches now on hook, for a bigger puff do it one more time for a total of 9 stitches on hook), YO, pull loop through all but the last loop (2 loops now on hook), YO, pull through the 2 loops. 

Sounds complicated but it is easy when you do it.

Pattern:

1. Chain even number of stitches until desired LENGTH. Mine was probably 150 stitches for a nice wrap around scarf. (Foundation row)
2. Ch-3, puff stitch in last chain from foundation row (4th ch from hook at this moment), ch-1 *skip 1 ch, puff stitch in next ch, ch 1* repeat until end. TURN.
3. Ch-3, dc (UK: tr) into ch-space (chsp), ch-1 *dc (UK: tr) in next chsp, ch-1* repeat until end, then dc (UK: tr) into the chsp at the end (the space created by the ch-3 instead of the top stitch of the ch-3). TURN.
4. Repeat Step 3 until desired width.
5. Repeat Step 2. Finish off and weave in ends. Fringe is optional but looks nice.

Next is the gift made with Manos Del Uruguay Lace, colorway 8597 Ariel:

This is my ALL THE TECHNIQUES I COULD THINK OF Scarf.

In this one picture is knitting, lace work knitting,
tunisian crochet (the top and bottom of the picture in the scarf),
filet crochet (the heart), and crochet half-basket weave
(the bottom near the fringe) and fringe. Phew... a lot of techniques.

This is a one off. You can see the other filet crochet
that spells "MOM" and that end attached using a mattress
stitch to the knitted scarf.

Do you want the pattern for this? No... I don't blame you. How about the filet crochet? How hard could it be? I will work on that for a later post!

Found a new online yarn shop!

Normally, I mention purchases online that I make so my readers can know a reputable company from a bad one. Well I found myself another UK online shop that ships internationally! I ordered more of my Valentine yarn, since the red bobble hat used most of it. The shop I found still selling this "out of season" dye lot was Addicted 2 Knitting. I purchased the yarn on the 21st of November, it was shipped on the 22nd and arrived in the USA on the 26th! how much did I pay for this 4 day shipping? £2.50. Yeah I know, I fell off my chair too! They are based in Oxfordshire and I know I have them ear marked for when I return to the UK!!

Done: Red Bobble Hat

So... I made this hat for my mother! I started it and finished it in one day. It is a simple bobble (puff stitch) hat with a headband of ribbed stitch. I had many fun things with this hat, from decreasing in hook size, to decreasing with the puff stitch, to redoing a too large head AFTER the piece was finished. Enjoy!

I decreased the hook size as I went along. I started with a 6.5 and went down to a 3.5 hook. Then increased it to a 6.5 in the last few rows of bobbles and I did a decrease in the puff stitch by skipping 1 ch-1 space until the end. I ended with 1 puff stitch at the top which does not show the “last round” of the hat.

I had made the headband too big for my mom’s head. So after the project is done I took out the rows in the headband, the puff stitches stay in place surprisingly. I took out over 12 rows! then I sewed it back together and sewed the puff stitches that were loose on the wrong side and with the slouchy style of the hat it hides the alteration completely.

So if you need to to alterations it is possible and it isnt too hard!

RAVELRY PAGE FOR PATTERN

Inspiration: Red Manos Del Uruguay

New inspiration yarn! Yeah you saw it featured on my swift in the last post.

Manos Del Uruguay: Valentine

WIP: Spinning Lessons

Red-brown single I am spinning.

I will show my silk spinning tomorrow when I get more done. This red-brown single was what I was spinning in public today!

Knitting kit?!

So I got a package in and I thought it was Roving I was waiting on... I collected my mail (including my new Let's Knit magazine!) and I thought nothing of it. That was until I looked at the label and it says Artesano Knitting Kit. My mind raced trying to think, I know I visited the website but I do not recall making a purchase. I opened it up and instantly my memory came back to me. It was the kit I got for subscribing to Let's Knit!

So pretty with the DPNs and 2 skeins on that lovely yarn. PLUS two patterns!
And the yarn is Alpaca (my favorite).

Yarntastic!

I bought some wonderful yarn for not only my Cacti project but also for personal enjoyment after I make the Cacti.

These are soo soft. You can't tell by the picture but you can see they are a
mix of angora and wool. Again I love supporting local artists!

This BEAUTIFUL yarn just is so soft and a great color!

Makes you want to reach out and touch it!

Inspiration: Pink to Purple - Belle Epoque

This yarn speaks for itself.

This is wonderfully dyed yarn and each skein is different!