Test Pattern

Knitting weather has returned, so here are some sneak peaks at current projects I'm plugging away on. 

These little nubbins are a new sock pattern, being test knitted for the lovely Emma of Loumms. It's got gorgeous winding cables and a rather amazing heel. I'm still a notice at sock construction, so the first sock had a few mistakes, but the second one seems to be coming along rather nicely. And yes, I'm knitting them in two different yarns, because that's how I roll.

And I've also started working on a turban! The pattern comes from the V & A's knitting patterns archive, and seems a little scary at first because what you're knitting looks NOTHING like what's shown in the photo. But now that it's nearly half done, I think I have a vague idea how it's going to work out. I'm also very tempted to knit up some of the jumper patterns in that archive, but I have a sad, not-even-half-done vest stashed away in a cupboard, crying out for me to finish it. I'll post pictures if it ever gets finished. 

Monogamy

Confession time.

I've been unfaithful.

I've tried so hard to stay true to this relationship, to commit to my one and only. But maybe what they say is true, and that familiarity really does breed contempt. But you're so lovely, though, and it's not like I don't ever want to see you ever again. I just need a break, something new and exciting. Just for now. It's my fault for straying, and now there's not just one, but two others. Who knows what'll happen in the future? I may return to you, if you'll have me back...

Anyone else have this problem? You're working on something, and you promise yourself that you'll finish it this time - no interruptions, no getting bored and shoving it in a corner, no two or three other projects all competing for attention.

Then, halfway through (more or less), you pick up a different skein of yarn, or a yard of exciting new fabric, and you just have to start working with it. RIGHT. NOW.

So you drop the other project, and start fooling around with your new fling...

Then along comes another fancy-pants project that catches your eye, and suddenly, you've got two other little bits on the side that demand your time and attention.

So yes, I do have three items on the needles right now. With a fourth one that I just finished blocking. All these in the last three days. And my fingers are already itching to start making a new apron. What a slut! I should be ashamed.

Club Tropicana

Just finished these two pairs of gloves last week - one for my Mummy and one for my younger sister Tiffany. I thought I'd show them off because these are the first gloves I've knit up, and I'm pretty damned pleased with the result.

The pattern came from an old Patons booklet that I found in one of the op-shops down on Walworth Road. They asked for fingerless gloves, so I adapted the pattern by doing only four rows of k1p1 ribbing on the fingers, then casting off.

Ladies back in the day must've had tiny hands, though. I didn't have the right size needles (the pattern asked for size 14 needles - 2mm) so I used a pair of size 12s instead (2.75mm), and they still came out pretty tight. It's not like I have huge hands anyway, mine are ridiculously child-sized! I can't imagine how tiny these would've turned if I'd used the right sized needles. It's a good thing they both have small hands as well, or I'd have to frog them and knit them up again.

This one's just called 'Lace Design' in the booklet, it's basically a meshy, all-over lace design with quite a bit of stretch.

And this is the 'Diamond Lace' pattern, with 4 lace diamonds spread over the front.

I used King Cole Zig Zag sock yarn for them, and I've got about half a skein left, which I guess means I'll be able to knit up another 2 pairs of gloves?

I bought a 100gm ball of King Cole Zig Zag sock yarn and only used about half the ball for both pairs of gloves. So I guess that means I'll be able to make myself another 2 pairs of gloves from the leftovers? I really like the feel of this yarn, it's soft and springy and not too heavy at all, which is great for gloves. I might get more in another colourway, as I'm really itching to try out Eunny Jang's Endpaper Mitts pattern. We'll see...

In the meantime, more photos of the gloves can be found on my Flickr.

Bounty!

Had to trudge all the way to the Post Office and walk home with this HUGE parcel under my arm the other day, but it was worth it when I finally got to open it. Even if my arm hurt after that. It was frakkin' heavy! Like, over a kilo of yarn heavy!

I think I actually looked a little surprised when the postie gave me the parcel, coz he grinned at me before hefting it over the counter to me. But it's worth the achy arm coz look what I got!

Ari spent over $40 in postage alone. I think it cost her more to post the damnned thing than to actually buy the wool.

And look what else was in the package? Glittery knitting needles! Look at them there glinting in the sunlight!
So many exclamation marks! Because I'm so excited!

But these ain't all just for me. Ari actually bought these so I could make her two beanies and a pair of armwarmers. Which is totally fine by me, coz I hardly ever wear anything I make anyway, and it's all just taking up space, so this gives me an excuse to knit more coz they'll actually be going to someone else.

Well, time to get to work, I guess...

Looms And No More Room

I made a loom! Although arguably not the most 'professional' looking loom, it's still pretty awesome, and still allows me to weave, which is all that really matters, don'cha reckon? And it cost me next to nothing (I only had to pay for the nails).

To make it, I followed Corvus Tristis' tute (if you count looking at photos and approximating measurements 'following'). It's really simple and takes up hardly any time at all, plus, if your idea of fun is banging things and making loud noises, then it's quite fun too!
First, you need to get two pieces of wood, roughly the same lengh. Or get one long piece and saw it in half. I used a long piece of wood about 2'' by 4''. Sand down the edges so you don't get splinters in it. See how easy it is? I'm even wearing a dress and scarf while doing it.Next, mark out where your nails are going to go. I followed Corvus Tristis' advice and made the markings half an inch apart.
Then - this is where the fun starts - hammer the nails into the wood, at an angle. I think this is possibly so your yarn/thread/stuff stays on better.

Ok, I know it looks like I've just hammered the nails into my floor, but, I haven't. The planks of wood are just a similar colour to the floor.

Oops, I think I missed the photos for the next couple of steps. Anyway, secure your pieces of wood to the floor or table (as far apart as you want the finished piece to be, plus a few more inches. I just guessed the length I wanted), then get your yarn/thread/ stuff and start winding it longways around the nails. I think the professionals call this the 'warp'.

Then, start weaving - over one thread and under the other, then back the other way. I'm not sure if I'm making much sense, you'll get it when you actually start doing it.

Things seemed to go well at first, but then something went wrong and the tension seemed to go awry. I tried to fashion a sort of make-shift heddle too, but it didn't work out too well...sob!
I stopped this piece and cut it off the loom after only about 30 cms, but I've since started another piece. This one has been taped to the top of the coffee table in the living room, so, no usable coffee table right now. Deal with it!

In other news...the car boot sale in Battersea is an evil, evil place. If by double-evil you mean 'getting lots of lovely stuff for not too much money at all!' place, then Battersea is the place to be on a Sunday arvo. Here's a rundown of stuff I purchased -
Box of vintage knitting needles (I think some of them are Bakelite), and a bell-shaped metal gauge, a plastic ruler, a random large safety pin, and a bone crochet hook - the lot for £2! I only wanted the bell-shaped gauge but, hey, a box of needles for £1.50 more? I couldn't resist...and they knew it.

A lovely princessy top that's fairly yellowed with age but has awesome sequinned beading. I'm gonna Napisan it and maybe add a skirt-y bit to it, then it'll probably go into the store. I thought of keeping it for myself but I'm a fatty and can barely squeeze into it...

Here's a close-up of the sequins

Right, I'm not too sure what this is supposed to be, but I got it anyway so I could use it as a lace trimming on some of the stuff I want to make. If anyone has any ideas/suggestions as to what this really is, then leave a comment please. It feels like very old, fine cotton lace and is only about 0.5mm in width.

I got this awesome large pineapple motif doily in the same £1 per item box as that princessy top. Strangely enough, even though I hate eating pineapples (they hurt my tongue!), I actually really like pineapple motifs in crochet. I got those two boxes of hankies from another stall, and that other doily from somewhere else. I'm collecting doilies and hankies for a new project so if anyone has any and wants to get rid of some...you know where to send them!

Close-up of the hankies

A huge bunch of lace and some reels of vintage crochet threads. I've become a little obsessed with covering manky old buttons in fine crochet thread over the last fortnight. More pictures of those buttons in another post. That big wodge of white nylon lace, which probably comes up to about 20 metres, cost me all of 50p.

Like I said, Battersea car boot sale is an evil, evil place. I have hardly any space left in my lil' flat now.