Le béret bleu

I was given this beret pattern by Hollie of little lost love (also Vegan and Vintage), and have been wearing it religiously since I finished a few weeks ago, but alas have not taken time to put it in a post (due to severe blog neglection). Here it is!

Stitch: stocking stitch
Needles: size #10 (3.25mm) & #8 (4mm) - both circular
Yarn: 100g (2 balls) bamboo yarn (Moda Vera brand; 70% bamboo, 30% cotton)
Pattern: Using the 3.25mm needles, cast on 91 st.
Work in garter stitch for 4 rows, ending with a WS row.
Change to 4mm needles.
Row 1 (rs): [k8, inc in next st] 10 times, k1. 101 sts.
Row 2 and every following alternate row (ws): purl
Row 3: [k9, inc in next st] 10 times, k1. 111 sts.
Row 5: [k10, inc in next st] 10 times, k1. 121 sts.
Row 7: [k11, inc in next st] 10 times, k1. 131 sts.
Continue in this way, inc 10 sts on every rs row until the following row has been worked:
Row 17: [k16, inc in next st] 10 times, k1. 181 sts.
Row 19: knit.
Row 21: knit.
The next part is shaping the top...
Row 23 (rs): [k16, k2tog] 10 times, k1. 171 sts.
Row 25: [k16, k2tog] 10 times, k1. 161 sts.
Row 27: [k15, k2tog] 10 times, k1. 151 sts.
Row 29: [k14, k2tog] 10 times, k1. 141 sts.
Continue in this way, dec 10 sts on every rs row until the following row has been worked:
Row 53: [k1, k2tog] 10 times, k1. 21 sts.
Row 55: [k2tog] 10 times, k1.
Break yarn and thread through remaining 11 sts. Pull up tight and fasten off securely.

>> Abbreviations: k=knit, k2tog=knit 2 together, st=stitch, inc=increase, dec=decrease, rs=right side, ws=wrong side.

Progress report #3: House Slippers

I'm calling these House Slippers cause that's about the only place you'll be able to wear them, but wear them you will! Here's how I made them (hope the instructions make sense):

Stitch: garter and rib.
Needles: size #5 (5.5mm)
Yarn: 1 ball brown and 1 ball bright blue (both 8 ply acrylic, pretty sure)
Pattern: Cast on 6 stitches (brown only).
Row 1 - K 6.
Row 2 - K 6.
Row 3 - Inc 1, K 5, inc 1 (should have 8 stitches total now).
Row 4 - K 8.
Row 5 - Inc 1, K 7, inc 1 (should have 10 stitches total).
Row 6 - K 10.
Row 7 - Inc 1, K 9, inc 1 (should have 12 stitches total).
Row 8 - K 12.
Row 9 - Inc 1, K 11, inc 1 (should have 14 stitches total).
Row 10 - K 14.
Row 11 - Inc 1, K 13, inc 1 (should have 16 stitches total).
Row 12 - K 16.
Row 13 - Inc 1, K 15, inc 1 (should have 18 stitches total).
Row 14 - K 18.
Row 15 - Inc 1, K 17, inc 1 (should have 20 stitches total).
Row 16 - K 20.
Row 18 - [K 1, Inc 1] repeat to end (should have 40 stitches total).
Row 17 - Hold in second colour (eg. blue) then K 40, holding both together.
Row 19 - P 1, [K 2, P 2] repeat almost to end, P 1.
Row 20 - K 1, [P 2, K 2] repeat almost to end, K 1.
Rows 21 to 48 - Repeat rows 19 and 20 over and over (this is the ribbed section).
Row 49 - K 40.
Row 50 - Stop using the second colour (eg. blue) then K 40 (just with brown).
Row 51 - [K2tog] repeat to end (should have 20 stitches total).
Row 52 - K 20.
Row 53 - K2tog, K 16, K2tog (should have 18 stitches total).
Row 54 - K 18.
Row 55 - K2tog, K 14, K2tog (should have 16 stitches total).
Row 56 - K 16
Row 57 - K2tog, K 12, K2tog (should have 14 stitches total)
Row 58 - K 14
Row 59 - K2tog, K 10, K2tog (should have 12 stitches total)
Row 60 - K 12
Row 61 - K2tog, K 8, K2tog (should have 10 stitches total)
Row 62 - K 10
Row 63 - K2tog, K 6, K2tog (should have 8 stitches total)
Row 64 - K 8
Row 65 - K2tog, K 4, K2tog (should have 6 stitches total)
Row 66 - K 6
Row 67 - K 6
Row 68 - Cast off.

Once finished you should have one big piece that goes "small-big-small" - this is your slipper! Fold it in half, so the small ends are touching, then you'll need to stitch together in 3 places - the front, the back, and the top (the "top" is the 6 stitches at each end, which is best to join last, after the front and back).

>> Abbreviations: K=knit, P=purl, inc=increase, K2tog=knit 2 stitches together

Progress report #1: Green Fingerless Mittens

You may recognise this pattern from the last pair of fingerless mittens I made - unfortunately these ones have taken a lot longer (partly due to a number of false starts) but will still be toasty warm in time for the second half of winter!

The perfect green scarf

I finished this scarf last night! It was basic stocking stitch the whole way but due to the lack of knitting patterns here I'm going to post it anyway...

Stitch: stocking stitch
Needles: size #5 (5.5mm)
Yarn: 3 balls olive green Down To Earth brand bamboo yarn (about 50g each)
Pattern: Cast on 30 stitches. [Knit the whole row then purl the whole next row] repeat to end. Cast off.

Half a scarf

The vegan yarn scarf is coming along nicely - who knew bamboo could be so soft? It's actually a darker olive green than the photo suggests. I forgot about the curling issue with stocking stitch, but there's no going back now!

>> I've been meaning to embark on a granny square blanket ever since I learnt how to make them, and now I have the perfect motivation: Meet Me At Mike's A Granny A Day Til The End O May! I'm thinking oranges and browns...

Baby blanket squares

With the Easter long weekend came an abundance of chocolate... and knitting/crochet! I actually can't take credit for these cute little crocheted squares - a friend of mine is making them for a baby blanket.

My own upcoming projects are:
1. An olive green scarf using vegan yarn (for my boy)
2. A fair isle beret (for myself)
3. A pair of fingerless mittens (for a friend)
4. The green velvet cushions (for my kitchen)

Learning fair isle knitting

Lately I've been making berets left, right and centre in my quest for a fail-safe crocheted beret pattern. Last night, however, I stumbled across this Popknits pattern for a Fair Isle Beret and instantly fell in love. It was motivation enough to start teaching myself how to knit in fair isle, and here are the results! No-one told me about reading the first line of the pattern chart forwards, and the next line backwards... but apart from that I figured out how to add in colours and create pretty pictures. Feeling very proud.

Learn to knit booties kit

A friend of mine is pregnant so I thought it was a good time to put together a learn to knit kit with knitting instructions, needles, wool, buttons and a pattern for baby booties! Fingers crossed she doesn't see this post before it reaches her in the mail... this way I really truly can't forget to send it tomorrow!

Jackpot!

Lots of soft mohair wool sent to me from my Nanna. So much wool, so little time! Very much ready for more dedicated stitch n' bitch nights this winter...

Mexicali Baby Ole

First there were nachos, burritos and quesadillas, now this! Found in an old Knitting Universe magazine. I'm loving Mexican things right now.

Vegan yarn

Found this divinely soft "Down to Earth" yarn on sale at Spotlight the other day - it's 70% bamboo and 30% cotton (which means 0% wool). Haven't decided what I'll make with it yet but it'll be perfect for the vegan knitting group suggested on Vegan and Vintage!

Sale shopping

I was in the city yesterday and saw a sign that said Knitting Yarn Sale in the Clegs window. Naturally I walked straight in, and came out with an assortment of cream, grey and blue wool. I'm going to attempt sets of fingerless mittens and matching berets!

Golden Hands

1. Golden Hands (Part 16; 2nd ed), 2. Golden Hands (Part 12; 2nd ed), 3. Golden Hands (Part 11; 2nd ed), 4. Golden Hands (Part 8; 2nd ed), 5. Golden Hands (Part 7; 4th ed), 6. Golden Hands (Part 4), 7. Golden Hands (Part 4; 2nd ed), 8. Golden Hands (Part 14; 2nd ed), 9. Golden Hands (Part 9; 2nd ed)

My flickr set is growing - this time I've been photographing the Golden Hands magazines given to me by a friend a few weeks ago. They're brilliant - full of knitting, sewing, crochet and other crafty projects... Less photographing and more doing is in order very soon!

>> Nothing to report on my desk this week, and I won't try to make something up this time! Oh, and the link to make mosaic images is here.

A baby blanket

Last night the stitch n' bitch made it's return (hence how I got those mittens finished), but most impressive was this cream baby blanket with knitted lace edging - it's going to be gorgeous!

A pair!

Probably the fastest project I've done so far! I can't take credit for the pattern, but I might make some modifications next time (like longer down the arms). Although this version I managed to make both mittens from one 50g ball of wool! Amazing.

>> Granny squares are coming next, I found some inspiration today...

Granny Square on Wikipedia
As usual, wikipedia comes through with the goods (simple explanation).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granny_square

Green Granny Square Blanket on Instructables
A huge project, can't imagine how long it must have taken.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Green-Granny-Square-Blanket/

Crafts on MarthaStewart.com
Worth a look for the miniature squares!
http://www.marthastewart.com/article/granny-squares

An idea

I learnt how to crochet tonight (first attempt pictured in blue) and thought it would be a nice way to embellish my scarf, maybe with some crocheted flowers down one end. As you can see, right hand mitten is still in progress but this is next on the list... then granny squares!

On my desk

Yes, just the one so far... and I'm yet to start the right hand, but very pleased with being half finished within a week of starting! That's new for me.

>> Edited for 'on my desk' since I forgot yesterday! More on Kootoyoo.

A cuff is a cuff

This is all I've done so far - a cuff! I'm very proud though, because the cables actually look how they're supposed to and it's not taking too long (the cold weather is fabulous motivation to knit quickly!). On the downside, I'll have a whole other hand to knit after this.

A new project

I've finally started the red fingerless mittens! It's my first attempt at knitting in the round (ie. on multiple needles) and making cables (the bumpy bits). After a few false starts it's coming along nicely... let's just hope I'm making the right size!

>> The pattern is called Fetching and can be found here in case anyone who wants to try their "hand" at it too.

A very satisfying project

It's finally complete, after weeks of stopping and restarting... at least there's still plenty of winter left!

Stitch: moss (seed) stitch
Needles: size #5 (5.5mm)
Yarn: 1 ball brown acrylic (100g I think, 8 ply)
Pattern: Cast on 37 stitches. For the first row, repeat (k1, p1) until the end (final stitch will always be k1). Every row will be the same - starting with a knit stitch, and ending with a knit stitch. Knit the whole ball to the desired length. Cast off.

>> Abbreviations: k=knit, p=purl, number=STITCHES (eg. k1 = knit 1 stitch)