Sneak Preview

Here is a sneak preview of a recently finished object I am absolutely delighted with.

Coughed up

Ok, after much deliberation I've coughed up and signed up for a Pro Account at Flickr so I can load more than 200 photos.

For the last wee while some of my photos have not been visible cos I had exceeded the 200 mark. (They pop up again when you take the plunge and pay.) I had been swithering because I don't grudge paying the £13 or so for this year, but I can't imagine I'll want to go back to a free account so it's a commitment for the foreseeable.

Anyway, you may notice that I am loading quite a lot of completed projects on Ravelry over the next while, I've not become a prolific knitting robot, it's just I've got the Flickr space to load the photos now. Some of them date back a good couple of years.

And in case you didn't know, my Flickr name is KEDkrafty. x K

Seeking closure

Firstly, thank-you for your kind comments about the Stoney vest and the Twilley's cardigan.

I've made this wee corsage as a closure for the blue cardigan. I knitted a square in the main yarn then felted it by distressing the bahoochie (sp?) out of it by alternating between boiling and very cold water. Did the trick very quickly, but you will observe the colour change which happened in the process. Not just lighter shades of the main colours, but the nature of the colours is altered. I kinda like it. Sort of rustic or naive or something. It's an homage to something I once saw in a shop.

Of course, if I had knitted a swatch, ha ha ha I could've felted it. It has a brooch pin from Get Knitted on the back.


Happy Knitting. x K

Breezy and Bunchy

That wind would blaw the buckles aff yer shin!

(shoes)

Here are some shots of my latest finished object.

Sirdar Jacket 8750, supposed to be done in Country Style DK, in fact done in Twilley's Freedom Spirit , colourway 506, eight balls.

It has been on the go for some time because I was not feeling the love for it anymore. It started when I didn't like the way the variegated yarn was pooling and striping. I mean, I know you can expect a degree of that but I didn't like THE WAY it was pooling and striping, not the fact.

I persevered through this and got ready to knit up all the rib stitches round the back, fronts and neck. I didn't have the pattern with me (you can see where this is going, can't you?) so I didn't pick up the appropriate amount of stitches. If any of you are writing a knitting book, call on me and I'll give you some pictures of how not picking up enough stitches causes bunching, pleating, puckering, the lot. Don't waste your money on getting a photographer in.

If I wanted the cardigan for something special I would've ripped and rectified, but I just made do. I know the thought of that makes some of you readers' flesh creep, but I can live with it. Maybe some day I'll feel enough distance to go back and fix it, but it's quite a big job.

In the meantime I am needing something nice to close it with. I haven't seen anything in the shops which ticks the boxes so I'm endeavouring to make my own with some leafy and flowery shapes I've cut out from the swatch, felted. If it turns out well, I'll show you in a couple of days' time.

Happy Bank Holiday wishes from a very breezy Galloway district! x K

Introducing Stoney the Waistcoat

Here's my new waistcoat Stoney Rowan 43 designed by Lisa Richardson.

Made using 6 balls of the discontinued Jonelle Knitting Cotton DK which I bought from John Lewis when I first got back into knitting, I think we're talking the year 2000 here. Has been maturing in my stash for eight years or so, he he. I do like the colour, it's a warm pinky browny shade aptly called Rosewood. I was left with 2 or 3 metres left after the edging, which was lucky. I wasn't panicking too much because I have more balls of the same yarn quality in a toning colour which I could have edged it with if the worse had come to the worst.

I like it and I've enjoyed making it. One thing I can't get my head round though. There's short row shaping to get the curved look on the left and right fronts. So far so good. BUT there is a definite texture to the waistcoat, with garter ridges every four rows so the short rows look weirdly staggered. Wouldn't make it again with that feature.

It has a mock opening, you sew down both layers of the fabric and pull the waistcoat on over your head. I used some Rowan buttons I got from Get Knitted. (Rowan Metal Heart 15mm 00037). I'm also pleased with the fit. The sun's in my eyes in some pictures, sorry for looking grim!

Oh yeah, and I'd spell it Stony, but the book says Stoney, WWWWWhatever.

Internet returns

The internet connection problems weren't as serious as first feared, so here I am back again.
Firstly, I've decided to sew in the ends of Clapotis and wear it unblocked for a little while till I see how I like it. Then shortly when it needs its first wash I'll decide whether to block or not.
Now, here are some pictures of Miller being worn. Yes, THAT Miller, the one with the bunchy sleeves. In my version anyway. Got good feedback about it at our stitching session last Sunday, anyway. It was a special get-together to give our friend Midsummer Night's Knitter a fond farewell as she prepares to set up a new life in Zurich. There will be more to be said about that nearer the time, but time's moving very quickly!

Two finished objects

After a dismal day weather-wise I decided I couldn't hold off any longer before showing you Miller, which has been sitting sewn up, blocked, ends sewn in and all that jazz for days.
I've been waiting for a day with some sunlight, hell I'd have settled for daylight to get out and take some snaps in the park, but no joy.
Overall I'm happy with in and will get lots of wear out of it even though the fit of the arms is a bit funny, I think erratic blocking is to blame here. I hope to give you some shots of it on and some shots showing the details, but I'll have to wait for a change in the weather. We had snow tonight, but it didn't lie before being washed away by sleet.
Looking on the bright side, being indoors all day did give me the opportunity to finish off my Clapotis, which is an altogether more glamorous proposition.
Here are some sneak previews. These pictures show it unblocked, no ends sewn in or anything. I've really enjoyed making this one, and wouldn't rule out making another in the future, perhaps as a gift.
On thing which has really grown on me as the scarf itself has grown, is the appearance of the wrong side. There's something appealing about the change in texture on that side, you can see it in the second picture.
I would also say the Mirasol Hacho yarn has been a dream to knit with, once the scarf is washed and blocked I'll tell you how it holds up.

One last thing,
DON'T FORGET TO VOTE IN THE ST. ANDREW'S DAY POLL, it will be coming to a close soon.
THANK YOU !

Happy Knitting, Kathleen x

Oak Leaf Shawl

Here's the finished Oak Leaf (Shoulder) Shawl kicking its way through the autumn leaves in Alexandra Park.
This is going to be a present for my sister who is making a good recovery from a recent operation.
She tells me she has been getting out for a short walk every day so hopefully she can wear this to keep away the autumn draughts, without having too much bulk around the neck- see, you can make the fact it's tiny sound almost deliberate, with a bit of reframing!
You can see it looks quite snuggerific on my jacket and I quite like the cowl thing that's happening in the second picture.
I am a much bigger build than my sister, so it will drape around her neck and a little bit of shoulder just nicely.
Thank you for all your kind comments so far. x K

Sneak preview

Sneak preview of Oak Leaf Evening Shawl blocking on the trusty white towel.



It's finished, I love it, and it's t-i-n-y!

Flower Basket Shawl

A picture (and a few links) speaks a thousand words...

Orkney Angora St. Magnus DK shade Dark Olive

K1 Yarns

Flower Basket Shawl by Evelyn A. Clark at Fibertrends

Get Knitted, scroll down

Kiri shawl in same yarn in bright pink

Jaeger Beads J3001006, scroll down

Recycling

Can you believe it is the 23rd of February and I am finally presenting you my first finished object of 2007?
I think my first one in 2006 was ten minutes after the bells or something.

Anyway, this is another version of the Frothy scarf I knitted in December. If you remember this pattern was part of a renewal gift from Rowan International a while back.

The yarn is Louisa Harding's Kimono Angora, like the Froth scarf I made and sent to Louisiana for Christmas. So I've recycled the pattern and revisited the yarn I used before. The only different is this time I have edged it in a a self colour which has been added to the range. Angora Pure shade#6

I bought these lovely yarns at Stitching Time, Hamilton.
BTW have you checked out Nan's blog yet? Nagged2k
(Nagged to knit) on the sidebar.

Nice and long at around 2m!! I enjoyed knitting this but of it was inevitably tedious doing the ruffle, but I made it and I'm pleased with it.