FABRIC OF BRITAIN

Hi everyone

I love BBC Iplayer and now I love it even more. 

At the moment (sorry not sure how long it will be on for) they have a programme about knitting - FABRIC OF BRITAIN, THE GOLDEN AGE OF KNITTING. 

This programme is from a year or 2 ago but definitely worth a watch for all you knitting lovers. 

BBC Iplayer Fabric of Britain - Golden Age of Knitting

Cheerio till next time

RICK RACK SCARF

Hi everyone,

I was updating my blog today and checking some of my older post, and realised that I hadn't updated you with my finished Rick Rack Scarf.

It is still a present for someone but they haven't received it yet.  It is a very late Christmas present but I know they wont mind.

I am reposting the pattern link too.

Rick Rack Scarf Pattern

I recommend having a go at this pattern it's great fun to knit and it won't curl up at the ends and sides which is brilliant for a scarf.  Maybe I am a bit weird but when the scarf starts curling up at the sides and ends it annoys me.

My scarf turned out a little short because I didn't have as much of the the wool I was using as I thought, but not to matter it still works just fine.

Cheerio till next time

WEE OWL HAT

Hi everyone

Today I have a guest on my blog.  It's my mum.

(This is mum walking me down the aisle at my wedding just over a year ago).

Mum is the one who taught me how to knit, and is one of the best people I know and I love her loads.

Ok enough slush.  Over to you mum.

I saw this wee hat and loved it.  I looked for a pattern and tried to knit it, but it was absolute rubbish.  So I studied the picture and worked it out myself.  I am wondering if lots of these free patterns have deliberate mistakes, to make you buy them???

This is my attempt.

Here is the pattern for the hat that worked for me. 

Wee owl baby hat pattern

You'll need 

•Baby DK yarn or ordinary DK yarn if you want your hat a bit bigger

•Size 3.25mm straight knitting needles or a size bigger if you want your hat a bit bigger 

Cast on 60 stitches 

K1, P1 for 3 rows

Row4 - P22, cable 2sts to back, K2, moss stitch 10sts, cable 2sts to front, moss stitch 2 sts, K2, p22

Row5 - K22, P2, moss stitch 12sts, P2, K22

Row6 - P22, K2, moss stitch 12sts, K2, P22

Work last 2 rows 6 times.

Row19 - K22, P2, moss stitch 12sts, P2, K22

Row20 - P22, cable 2sts to back, K14, cable 2 to front, K4

Row21 - K22, P16, K22

Row22 - P22, K16, P22

Work last 2 rows 3 times. 

Row29 - K22, P16, K22

Row30 - P22, cable 4sts to back, K8, cable 4sts to front, K8, P22

Row31 - k22, P16, K22

Row32 - P22, K16, K22

Work last 2 rows 3 times. 

Next cast off all stitches. 

Now sew up the wee hat by folding it so that your seem is at the back directly opposite the owl on the front using mattress stitch.  Then sew allong the top with the hat inside out.

All that is left to do is turn your hat right way out and sew a couple of small buttons on as eyes and add tassels at each corner.  

Here's a wee video to help you make tassles (they have attached their tassles to a scarf but just copy but in the corners of your wee hat). 

http://youtu.be/qsG_4LbnAng

VERY INSPIRING!

Hi everyone

I came across this video that is all about this very inspiring lady who was born without fingers on both hands but taught herself how to knit. 

I just could not share it with you all.

Hopefully watching this wee video will make you second think next time you complain or say I can't do it.  

http://www.businessinsider.com/woman-without-fingers-knits-2016-1#ooid=NreXJqMDE6SbgL9oD1iNOMsziUmjmJKp

Cheerio till next time

KNIT ALONG 1st SQUARE

Hi everyone

Today is the day that we start the knit along I promised just before the new year started. I'm sorry it has taken until February to start but I've been busy with some WIPs. 

The first Square is going to be the simplest.  It is a garter stitch square - which means you knit every row.

Using 4mm knitting needles cast on 20 stitches using any double knit wool.

Work 38 rows of garter stitch (knit every row). 

Then cast off. 

I really hope you enjoy this knit along or if your new to knitting and want to start a new craft I hope this helps. 

To help new knitters I made a wee video that goes with this knit along.

http://youtu.be/tnU3uAzriyA

Cheerio till next time. 

YOUR MISSION IF YOU CHOICE TO EXPECT IT ... IS TO PERFECT SOCK KNITTING

Hi everyone

After the disaster with the hubby's socks I knitted I decided not to give up.  

My hubby is harsh on shoes and socks at the best of times. I've decided to knit socks for myself at the moment to see if I can perfect my sock knitting technique - I am definitely not so harsh on my socks lol. 

As you all know I live in Northern Ireland and I was in Larne last week for a day out cos I was on my holidays.  We found a lovely little wool shop called Zig Zag and I treated myself to a sock knitting kit.

Some of you sock knitting expects might know this brand of wool. It was so fun to knit up and it came with a pattern for beginners. Unfortunately the pattern (which had pictures to accompany the written instructions) I thought wasnt the best so I went online and did a wee bit of changes but not many.

I recommend getting yourself a kit like this if you are starting out.  It came with everything you need to knit your socks - the knitting needles size 2.5mm, 2 balls of wool and the pattern. 

(I apologise for my very bruised leg - I bruise like a peach). 

The wool knitted up a very funky colourful pair of socks, which I love.

I think this is the start of a love affair with sock knitting.  

I am in the process of looking around for some sock blockers to help with keeping my hand knit socks in the right shape when I wash them. Of course what with them being socks I would wash them every time I wear them. I think one of the mistakes I made with the hubby's socks is that I washed them in the washing machine.  This time round I am always going to hand wash them.

More knitting adventures coming soon. 

Cheerio till next time