Left Fetching - Finished

I'm so pleased. Finished the left hand of "Fetching". Shows I can knit in the round. There are no gaps or ladders...so yes I'm chuffed. Moving on to the right hand glove now.

Gaps Vanquished

OK so instead of revising I've been perfecting my DPN technique this afternoon and so far have half a sock to show for it...and now gaps!!! Yay!

Lots of Advice

The kind ladies on the Angel Yarns forum have given me lots of advice on how to get rid of my 'ladder/gap' between the 1st stitch and last one of my round. So far I've tried:

• pulling the stitch tigher when I knit it
• moving stitches around
• pulling the yarn tight throughout the round

Still getting a little gap...it doesn't seem to be there during the round but materialises at the end?! I've been told this could even out in the wash so will persevere. Have put sock aside though and started on "Fetching" from Knitty. Using very squishy Debbie Bliss Cashmerino in Plum. Always wanted to knit this and thought I could try out my DPN technique. The gap isn't as obvious (I'm thinking due to yarn thickness - but maybe I'm improving). It's fun but keep stressing about the gap...will knit some more and see how it comes along. Hope I don't have to frog it!

A Bit Out Of It

Sorry I haven't blogged in a week or so, but being back in Uni and with exams looming I've felt a bit 'out of it' - with everything (not just knitting) to be fair.

Revision is slow and tedious - about to hit the library, so here's hoping.

On the plus side I taught my brother to knit...and because he's such a quick study it only took 5 mins. I was chuffed. I think he was too. He doesn't always hold the yarn on the right side so gets the occasional increase. Maybe that's got something to do with him being a leftie and I taught him the only way I know. Oops.

I got my ball winder - pics to follow.

Decided to start my 1st sock today. 1st time with DPN, but it was fun once I got a hang of how to hold them. But disaster struck early on...a gap between 1st and last stitch. I've asked for help on the Angel Yarns forum so may have another go in the evening.

Off to the lib now...

Look What the Postie Brought..

Amazon have come up trumps and this morning I found a parcel waiting for me.

Voila:

I've realised why my mum was so eager to wave her credit card now...her passion when she used to knit was baby clothes...especially booties! So much for passing them off as an early bday pressie ;o) I've said she can 'borrow' the baby books if she digs out her yarn stash and needles and shows me she's serious. Within half an hour, she was going through her cupboard and lo and behold there was her knitting bag, balls of wool (that I'm sure don't exist anymore) and patterns that she bought for just 10p!!!! Lol - I can't wait for her reaction when she goes yarn and pattern shopping now. Anyways, she's picked out a bootie pattern and is casting off as I type. Another convert...or rather revert ;o)

I tried my magic on my brother too at breakfast. I thought he could learn and then teach the kids he looks after at his youth group...I think I have a little more convincing to do in that department.

Back to my books...I want to knit everything! Unfortunately the scarf book mentions all American yarns and being relatively new at knitting as it is, I'm not sure about yarn substitution but 'where there's a will, there's a way!' My account on the angel yarns knitting forum was activated today, so I'm sure I'll have lots of willing and experienced brains to pick. I can't wait.

FC again and more...

After by FC disaster yesterday I was a little disheartened to say the least. I think I would've possibly stayed that way if mum hadn't waved her credit card around like a fairy godmother and indulged me in a few new knitting books (watch this space) and some yarn - she wants me to knit some bibs for the neighbours baby.

The thought of new inspiration and yarn made me dig out my needles once more and I cast on the FC again. I've just finished the 3rd repeat and have had to put it aside. Mum doesn't think a baby bonnet alone will suffice as a pressie for my cousin's baby - she's adamant I should knit the matching baby blanket. I said I would if she dug out her knitting needles (they've been in hiding for well over a decade) and knit something for the baby too. Game on ;o)

Eek - FC frogged

Decided to carry on with my FC shawl during a study break - what a mistake. Was obviously not concentrating. Initially ended up with an extra stitch, so I removed a YO, because I couldn't tell where the extra stitch came from and carried on. BIG MISTAKE!!! Just went downhill from there. Ended up having to frog my entire shawl. Feel a bit too devastated at present to start again from scratch at present :(

Arrival of 7mm Circulars

This morning heralded the arrival of my new 7mm circulars. I'd looked in a couple of stores for them but to no avail (even Hobbycraft only went up to a 6.5mm), so I ended up ordering them from the Internet. I'd been waiting eagerly for the post because I'd purchased a lovely "Cascade Scarf Kit" from Get Knitted, designed by Sue Morgan, which uses 7mm circulars. The kit includes a hank of Debbie Bliss Maya, a ball of Rowan Kid Silk Haze and of course the pattern. For the last week it's been beckoning at me, but with no needles all I could do was stare at the lovely yarn.

I've never used circulars before so it'll be an interesting experience. Have to say found it a bit strange when casting on...the plastic connection kept curling up and getting tangled with the Maya, but its early days yet. But look out for my verdict!

Forest Canopy Shawl

Having finished the baby bonnet I was looking for a new project to sink my teeth into. Trawling through various knitting forums I came across the KAL for Forest Canopy. Definitely something different from what I've knitted in the past but I thought it was something I could give a go. So I set up my pay pal account and bought the pattern. I was raring to go - only problem - I had no suitable yarn! Balls of acrylic are a plenty, but one of the forum members mentioned natural fibres are better for lace knitting than synthetics. I had itchy fingers and couldn't wait to start, so Internet ordering was not an option. Instead given that I'm spending the week at my parents I decided to drive to Brent Cross and see what I could find in John Lewis. It took me close to an hour to find something that was 100% wool, a colour I liked and a suitable tension. In the end I opted for Jaegur Matchmaker Merino 4 ply in Crush.

I cast on last night and am on my 2nd repeat. Like everyone says, it's addictive once you get into the rhythm. I've got a pic, but not sure it does either the colour or design that much justice.

August Projects

My very 1st project was this chunky scarf, knitted in diagonal, using Wendy's Pampas Mega Chunky. A very easy to follow pattern, that was quick to do and voila - a finished item. My biggest compliment...nobody believed I'd knitted it! Its very warm and snugly...a perfect gift for my brother.

Enthused by my success I decided to use my left over yarn to make a striped hat. It just took me an hour to knit and was loads of fun. Unfortunately it doesn't fit my brother or my nephew, so I'm still looking for takers. My nephew has asked for one in his size though :o)

My final project of the month was a baby blanket, for my cousin's upcoming new arrival. The pattern was much harder than those I've previously read and although I thought I was reading it correctly I kept losing stitches in my K2tog...I had no idea that a YO (yarn over) was supposed to increase the stitches. Doh! So after about 20 rows I gave up. The pattern included a smaller piece - a baby bonnet, so after a few days of no new projects I decided to give it a go. On the train from London to Leicester the border was formed and I still had the same number of stitches I started with! Definitely worth carrying on. It took me a week to complete, and I think its really pretty. What do u think? The picture shows it still on the needle, but you can see the detail.

New 2 blogging and knitting...

I'm new to blogging, so you might need to bear with for the moment. My inspiration to start...well...other peoples blogs of course and the need to share the highs and lows of my new hobby - knitting! Before you all jump to certain conclusions about who and what I am based on that statement, let me tell you I'm less than 30, I'm a professional and I'm told knitting today is exceedingly fashionable and sexy ;o)

I'm sure all knitters can claim to have been taught the basics by their mum or grandmother or aunt...well the same is true for me. My mum taught me to cast on, knit and purl as a wee child and its kinda stuck with me (albeit very on and off) ever since. I was the kid who took out those tucked away needles during the summer hols when I had nothing else to do and attempted to knit 'that scarf', with some cheap acrylic wool and having cast on just 10 stitches. Of course the scarf never got further than 10 rows, with several dropped stitches or sudden miraculous increases along the way. With my attention span waning and with some frustration the needles were tucked away once again, to be taken out on another moment of boredom. Several years passed...

My rediscovery began a few months ago, believe it or not at a wedding. A distant relative gave me a blow by blow account of the benefits of knitting. Her passion got me thinking of those old needles tucked away somewhere...but where?? That week back whilst taking a break from work I ventured into town. Browsing through my local "works" store I came across a reduced "learn to knit" book. Was this an omen? I thought so. Having bought the book I needed supplies (my ol' needles were somewhere at my parents place, down south) so I wandered around town until I found a haberdashery store. I perused the smallish section of yarn, confused as to where to start. Help was at hand in the shape of one of the store owners. She suggested starting with a cheap acrylic ball and some 4mm needles just to practice my stitches and get back into the swing of things. I couldn't resist and bought some chunky wool too for one of the quick knits I found in my newly purchased book. Here began my (slight) obsession.

My journey started here and with the help of the Internet I discovered a world of knitters, coveted yarns, online stores, bamboo needles, knit-a-longs (KAL) and free patterns - basically a knitters paradise.