FINISHED WORKS (Updated sock pattern from start of 2016)

Hi everyone

Hows it going?  It's been a couple of weeks from my last post and since then I have finished a couple of WIP.

SOCK ADVENTURES

At the moment I am really into knitting socks.  As you seen from my post about knitting the socks for myself and never for my hubby.  Those socks are now with my mum as they turned out a bit big for me and they fit her like a glove or like a sock lol.

I went and got some lovely purple variegated sock yarn and started again this time making sure that they were the perfect size for my small but dumpy feet.

This is a close up of the sock pattern which was called Hermione everyday socks. I got the pattern from Ravelry and just tweaked it a bit to suit my feet.

Here is the original pattern.

Hermione's Every Day Socks

Here is my pattern that I worked for my feet.

Using sock wool weight yarn & 2.25mm double pointed needles. 

Cast on 56 stitches and divide evenly on 4 needles (14sts each). 

CUFF - knit in the round.  knit rib 1x1 for 2inches

LEG - Hermoine everyday sock texture pattern repeat.

Row1 *k3, p1* repeat till end of round

Row2 knit till end of round

Row3 *k1, p1, k2* till end of round

Row4 knit till end of round

Repeat this pattern repeat 18 times

HEEL FLAP - Over needle 1 & 4 = 28 sts

Stocking sts 25 rows

TURN HEEL - I used the Round Heel aka French heel from Socknitter - Heels by the number.  Just do as it says for the number of sts you are working on (56sts). 

(I found a great site that helps you knit lots of different types of heels by the number of stitches you have for the sock.)

Socknitter - Heels by the number 

PICK UP STS - knit across heel turn sts then pick up 16 sts + bottom of 1st from next needle to close up gap.  Knit pattern on needle 3 & 4 (k1, p1, *k3, P1*) repeat from *. Pick up 16sts + 1st to close gap plus 8sts on needle 4. 

You should have

Needle1 - 25sts

Needle2 & 3 - 14 sts each

Needle4 - 25 sts

Knit to last 3 sts on needle 1 then s1k1po (skip1, knit1, pass skipped st over knitted st). K1.  

Knit all sts on needle 2 & 3. 

Needle 4 k1, k2tog knit to end of needle. 

GUSSET START - decrease every 2nd round just as before.

Needles 2 & 3 are knitted using the Hermoine everyday sick texture pattern repeat. 

The pattern repeat is started a bit different so use this new pattern start 

K1, p1 *k3, p1* repeat over needles 2 & 3

Knit all sts over needles 2 & 3

K2, *k1, p1, k2* repeat over needles 2 & 3

Knit all sts over needles 2 & 3

Continue Gusset until you have 56 sts again (14sts in each needle). 

Continue to knit 1st needle, pattern needle 2 & 3, knit needle 4 until foot measures 18cm before toe decrease (wee toe should covered up until toe nail). 

TOE DECREASE - decrease in Stocking stitch (knit all rounds)

Needle 1 & 3 knit to last 3sts on needle k2tog, k1

Needle 2 & 4 k1, s1k1po, knit to end if needle. 

Decrease every 3rd round 2 times

Decrease every 2nd round 3 times

Decrease every round 6 times

You should have 12 sts when finished. 

Cut yarn thread through remaining sts pull tight & sew to secure. 

Weave in ends

I am in the process of knitting another pair of socks, this time in cotton yarn.  They are ribbed.  I will post the pattern for them when they are finished.

YELLOW HAT

I also finished this very snugly yellow hat.  

  

This wool if you can remember back was brought with the token my hubby gave me from Christmas.  I added the very fluffy pom-pom and it was great.  It only took me one evening and I was wearing it the very next day.  I have been wearing it ever since. It goes well with a lovely bright yellow coat I treated myself too not so long ago.

The pattern was from Knitting Smitten book which I just love.  I originally got it from my local library, but feel in love with it so much that I just had to purchase it of the interwed so I could keep it for ever.  I now have to photocopy the pattern for my friend in work cos she loves it so much too.

Cheerio till next time

ONE MORE FINISHED

Hi everyone

Lately I feel like I start one new project and then don't finish it, either because it is a big project like a blanket, because I get bored or I come across a project in a magazine, book or online which I have to start straight away.

Ok so I did finish my hubbies jumper, which by the way he loves and never has off him. You may remember me saying that the pattern was a bit weird and called for me to get 14 balls of 50g double knit wool, of which I only used about 7.  So yes I had loads over.  What to do with it you ask.  Well why not knit something for myself so I can match the hubby in a sence.  Nothing wrong with a big of cheesy couple action.

Anyway I found a pattern for a shawl that I really liked - .Gentle Ewe Shawl.

The pattern is free when you sign up for the newsletter on the Thread and Ladle website.

The finished pattern is 56inches long or however much you decide to knit and that you think looks right.

I decided that 38inches looked right for me to wear.    

So last night  

I really like it.  It is very warm and soft, so great for this time of year.

I stil have plenty of WIP that I may get a bit more knitting done on - That's if I don't come across another pattern that takes my fancy lol.

Cheerio till next time.

INNICENT SMOOTHIE BIG KNIT

Hi everyone

Every year around this time, I try to find some time to knit little hats for The Innocent Smoothie Big Knit. 

 
I haven't started yet. But within the next week or two I am gonna knit up a few wee hats and send them off.   

The money raised goes to Aged UK to help older people with heating over the winter.  Who wouldn't want to help them out. 

 

All you need to know is on the website I'll link it below. 

The Bug Knit with Innocent Smoothie

Go on join in. "It's for charity mate". 

Cheerio till next time. 

KNIT ONE VIDEO

Hi everyone

Today is going to be a short but sweet wee post.

I recently came across a wee video that I really loved.

The whole concept is so cleaver.  I just could not share it with you.  It will make you sad and then uplift you.

Hope you enjoy it.

Sadie’s grief-fuelled knitting obsession transforms her suburban world until there is just one thing left to knit.

Written by Claire d'Este
Directed by Clare Gray
Produced by Clare Gray & Shaun Wilson

(c) 2012 Wide Angle Tasmania, Clare Gray, and Shaun Wilson

Here is the link for it KNIT ONE

Cheerio till next time.

SWEAT LIKE A PIG TO LOOK LIKE A FOX

Hi everyone

I am over the moon with todays blog post.

I can now show you the finished jumper that I knitted for my hubby.  I finished it last week. I couldn't be happier with it, and hubby loves it.

Last week was a warm week, but hubby wanted to wear it any way.  Not sure that was a good idea because he was sweating like a pig lol.

As I said in a previous blog post the pattern I used was called Quiberon from Bergere de France.  It was part of a mini pattern book that came along with 

Don't think it was this copy.

To blow my own trumpet - I really think that this pattern was badly written, and if I hadn't of known what I was doing I would of found the pattern hard to follow.  There were a few mistakes that I had to email the magazine about and get clarification on.

But I am very pleased with the finished article.  

Hubby just loves it.  He has been showing it off to anyone that will stop and have a look.  I think he looks mighty fine in it too.   

Here are some pictures I took while I was trying it for size.

   

 

I couldn't figure out how to put the neck band on that I had knitted.  I had knitted it on straight needles as it told me to plus, the pattern also said to leave the stitches live and graft it on.  I really didn't like this way of doing things.  It took me around 3 attempts to get it right. The first attempt turned out too small.  The second attempt turned out to big. But in the end I knitted the neck band in the round and before taking it off the needles to sew it on the jumper I tried it on over hubbies head.  This seemed the best way.  The sleeves turned out a little long on hubby too, but if he rolls up the cuff it is just fine.

I really enjoyed knitting it for him. I'm sure this wont be the last jumper I knit him, because even though the pattern wasn't the best it was great fun to knit.  He was so excited every time I showed him the process and when it was finished the smile on his face was the biggest I'd seen.

He really deserves this jumper because he works so hard to make sure that I have every thing I need in life and is the most loving man I know.

Cheerio till next time

SORRY

Hi everyone

This is just a wee post to say

I haven't been as consistent as I would of liked to have been on my blog.  When I first started this blog back in November 2015, I had all the great intentions to upload a post once a week.  But life really doesn't allow you do this.  

Also at the start of 2016 I wanted to host a knit along and yes if you remember I did upload one post with a square.  But unfortunately it never got any further then that. I can keep blaming life for getting in the way or I can tell the truth and say that procrastination is sometimes my best friend.

In some ways I like the fact that I am sporadic on this blog.  It takes a while to finish knitting patterns some times, especially if you knit half of it then start a new pattern like I do (I have around 5 WIPs on the go at the mo).  

This years knit along I think should be scraped.  I am not sure what will happen next year but I will come up with something new that we can all knit along with together.  I love the idea of knitting with all my fellow knitters and blog readers and hopefully being able to see the pics that you send me.  2016 really isn't that long in closing now (time goes by so fast), so I think if we just focus on what we are trying to finish in our WIPs pile and maybe any Christmas presents that we have started to knit.  

Thank you for sticking with me and  my wee blog.  I should hopefully have some new knitting WIPs plus some finished items soon for you.

Cheerio till next time.

GOOD TIMES AND BAD TIMES

Hi everyone

It's been over a month since I last updated you on my knitting and life in general.

Summer is in full swing - well sometimes.  Most of the time it is raining but still feeling warm.

I hadn't knitted anything much in the month of June and in the early days of July.  I think the summer just isn't when I most love to knit.  I'm sure a lot of you feel like this.

Me and the hubby took a lovely weekend trip to Rathlin Island.

To get to Rathlin Island you have to take a ferry from Ballycastle.  I never usual get sea sick but the boat journey was very rough and so of course it happened I got sea sick.  It didn't ruin our weekend, we still had a great time.

After our weekend away I started to feel a bit under the weather.  Enter July and I kept feeling poorly.  I had been working some over time in work, but unfortunately I must of picked up a virus.  I ended up having to take 2 weeks of work with flu and a chest infection.  I really felt like I was dying at one point.  Thanks to my hubby and my mum for looking after me so well. I couldn't have got through it without them.

So today I'm going back to work.  Thank goodness I just don't think I could handle having the flu for much longer.

I had started knitting some colourful baby dungrees before I got sick.

I downloaded the pattern for free from Knitrowan free patterns.  I have looked for it again but I can't find it.  So I'm sorry I think they might have taken it down.

I haven't finished it yet but I'm very nearly there.  

I'm also still knitting my cottage patch blanket.  But I'm sure I will be coming and going with this pattern because it takes a long time and is very repetitive. 

I always wanted to knit the hubby a jumper.  I know I said I would never knit him socks again but a jumper is a different thing altogether.  He is able to keep jumpers for years.  So last week while still getting over the flu and being very bored stuck in the house I started hubby's jumper.  It is a pattern I saw in a magazine while doing some shopping in Tesco.  I can't remember what magazine it is at the moment but I will link it in when I remember (the magazine is called The Knitter).

The picture below is the jumper I'm knitting for the hubby. 

 

 

I am knitting it in a grey DK yarn.

It wasn't very expensive yarn but it is perfect for this project, as it is soft and easy to knit with.  Hubby is very excited about his new jumper.  I told him not to be too excited as it will take me a wee while to knit it. 

But so far I'm enjoying all the knitting projects I have on the go and the fact that I'm feeling better is adding to the enjoyment.

Cheerio till next time

ICE CREAM WEATHER

Hi everyone

I'm finding it hard to motivate myself to knit this last week or so.  Why would this be?

Because it has been a heat wave in Northern Ireland over the last week and a half.

Northern Ireland local BBC weather man (Poke van in Northern Ireland is an Ice cream van)

It might also be because I have been working more overtime in the last wee while helping out while others are on holiday, plus other things in my life usually get busier around this time of year.

I'm not much of a summer girl as winter and autumn are definitely my favourite seasons.  I usually find that summer time is much more busy with work and social events.  I know that I shouldn't complain about the sunshine.  

I have to say that I am managing to enjoy this wee bit of heat in my life. 

Me and the hubby

 I just wish I knew what to knit that wouldn't make me feel even warmer then I already do.

Do you have any suggestions.  I've been looking up what other people are knitting and they say that knitting socks is a good project for summer, so I may start this.  Also I am thinking baby knits would be a good way forward, as they are small and light and don't cover you in a mass of yarn.

Please let me know if you are enjoying the weather lately and what you suggest for summer knitting.

Cheerio till next time

WOLF WILDER BOOK REVIEW

Hi everyone

Today I'm reviewing Wolf Wilder. It is known as a kids book but I am not the type of gal who says you can only read adult books if your an adult and only read kids books if your a kid. 

Everything about this book is delicious. 

 

The front cover alone is very beautiful.  I know they say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but come on this cover just says "read me, read me". 

About Wolf Wilder

 

Feodora and her mother live in a snowbound woods of Russia, in a house full of food and fireplaces. Ten minutes away, in a ruined chapel, lives a pack of wolves. Feodora's mother is a wolf wilder, and Feo is a wolf wilder in training. A wolf wilder is the opposite of an animal tamer: it is a person who teaches tamed animals to fend for themselves, and to fight and to run, and to be wary of humans. When the murderous hostility of the Russian Army threatens her very existence, Feo is left with no option but to go on the run.  What follows is a story of revolution and adventure, about standing up for the things you love and fighting back, and of course wolves. 

The illustrations in this book are just yummy. 

 

 

As must of you know I'm a cat person, but there is just something about wolves that you can't deny is very beautiful and mysterious. 

I also love the idea that she lives in cold snowy woods in Russia.  I am really not a summer person. I love the Autumn and the winter much more. So anything with these climates in them really appeal to me. 

It is well written so not only kids but adults would enjoy this book too.

I love reading aloud to my hubby at bed time.  We have another book on the go but I feel like Wolf Wilder would be a great book to read aloud and share with your children or even your husband.  

Below is some benefits that you gather from reading aloud. 

7 BENEFITS OF READING ALOUD

I know that this book will be on my book shelves for many a moon.

Have you read this book or are you planning to read it?  Comment and let me know what you thought of it. 

Cheerio till next time

SOMETIMES I THINK I'M THE LUCKIEST PERSON

Hi everyone

So today is just a sunny smiley day.

I've been a busy bee this last wee while.  Not so much with knitting but with life in general.  We have been spending a lot of time outside of late.  It has been mixed kind of weather this month, sunny for a good bit of the day and then raining.  

My hubby is part of a gardening scheme were he volunteers.  He helps out weeding, planting and watering the flowers and vegetables.  We are so lucky to have this only ten minutes walk from our house.  Especially in the sunshine the gardens are very beautiful.  My hubby is growing potatoes and carrots in a small plot that he has been offered.  I go down with him at least twice a week, depending on the weather.

We have been in Donegal also visiting good friends of ours.  I just seem to be the luckiest person at the moment, visiting such beautiful places.  

Not to mention a sponsored ten mile walk we did for our Nephews school from Bangor to Holywood, in Northern Ireland.

With all this I have still managed to finish a few projects and am in the middle of a rather big blanket project.

I am knitting a blanket with squares that have alternate one colour squares and then wee colourful cottages.  You knit 25 cottages and then 18 if my mind can remember plain cream squares.  I am sorry I picked such a light yellow coloured yarn.  It is hard to make out next to the cream.  I have decided to stitch around the yellow with light grey to make it stand out a wee bit. 

The blanket pattern is from this magazine that I received in my stocking at Christmas from my hubby (of course Reilly had to get in on the action too).  

The blanket will be some time in the making because I tend to knit other projects in-between just to give me a bit of variety.

This is one of the things that I have knitted for variety and finished about a week ago.  It is called Melker baby new born hat.  I have linked the site that I got the pattern from.  

Melker Baby New Born Hat

The pattern calls for you to knit with lace weight yarn doubled up.  I had two contrasting colours of green and a light pinky purple so I used them and I think it turned out rather sweet.  You could use it for a boy or a girl, because the colours aren't too pink.  To be honest I don't think you wouldn't notice the pinky purple in the hat, it just gives it a bit of marbling.

He he... As you can see I didn't have a baby to model it so I had to use my pooh bear.

Actually before I knitted the baby hat and even before I started the blanket I knocked this wee beauty up.  If you can remember back to a previous post when I was on holiday in Arklow, Co. Wicklow.  I picked up this gorgeous variegated yarn with greys, greens and yellows through it.

I wouldn't be a shawl knitter.  In fact this is the first one I've ever done.  It was called the hot pink mini shawl.  Of course the pattern I used was knitted in a lovely hot pink colour.  But I do love the way the yarn I had knitted up.

I took this picture this morning in my back yard.  Today is definitely not a day for wearing a scarf or shawl (as you can see I really needed a pair of sunglasses), but it is good on a colder day when there is a bit of a breeze and you want to keep your neck warm without having to wear a big heavy shawl or scarf.  

Below is a link to the pattern I used to knit the mini shawl.

Hot Pink Skinny Shawl

I'd love to hear about your knitting at the moment.  Do please leave me a comment and I'll do my best to reply.

Cheerio till next time.