30 October 2012

happy halloween

I saw a photo of a crocheted spider web recently on facebook and wanted to have a go making one. After having a hunt on Ravelry found a great pattern Spider Web Snowflake by Deborah Atkinson. Its a good well written pattern and free at that. After I got over the confusion between UK and US crochet terms, I got on OK. My spider's legs could have done with a bit more glue though. A fun Halloween project!
Here's how I got on..


My own bit of yarn bombing in the hall.......

 
Dont eat too  much apple tart!
bye, Ali.

 

23 October 2012

petite pets

I have just written up a pattern for a wee penguin - see below. He is just about 9 cms (3.5ins) tall. His body and hat are knitted in the round while other parts of him are knitted flat. I-cording is also used. If a loop was attached to the top of his head the penguin is small enough to be used for a hanging Christmas tree ornament. I'm hoping to write up a few more Petite Pet patterns  soon as they are such a fun size. Hope someone can make use of this pattern.
Bye for now, ali.

perceval penguin

 
 

PERCEVAL PENGUIN


THIS PATTERN IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.
 DO NOT REPRODUCE PATTERN.
 DO NOT SELL ITEMS KNITTED FROM THIS PATTERN FOR PROFIT - ONLY FOR PERSONAL OR CHARITABLE USE
 

NOT SUITABLE FOR SMALL CHILDREN
height - 9cms (3.5ins) tall
 
ABBREVIATIONS
k : knit                                             st(s) : stitch(es)
rd : round                                         tog : together
kfb : increase – knit into the front and back of the same stitch
rpt : repeat                                        M : make
psso : pass slip st over                                                                           
pwt : pull wool through (break off yarn and thread through sts)                  

MATERIALS
4 dpns size 3mm (US 2.5)
double knit yarn in black, white, orange and coloured
small amount of polyfill stuffing
sewing thread and sewing needle
two small buttons or beads 
 










BODY
Knitted in the round.
Cast on 18 sts with black yarn, leaving a long yarn tail.
Divide sts between 3 needles and join in the rd.
Rds 1 & 2 : k.
Rd 3 : p.
Rd 4 : k.
Rd 5 : (k1, kfb) rpt to end of rd (27 sts).
Rds 6 & 7 : k.
Rd 8 : (k1, kfb) rpt to last st– k1 (40 sts).
Rds 9 & 10 : k.
Next two rds form the tail.
Rd 11 : k2, (k2tog) twice, k to last 6 sts, (sl1, k1, psso) twice, k2 (36 sts). 
Rd 12 : k2, (k2tog) twice, k to last 6 sts, (sl1, k1, psso) twice, k2 (32 sts).
 
Rds 13 – 16 : k.
Rd 17 : k1, k2tog, (k2, k2tog) rpt to last st – k1 (24 sts).
Rds 18 – 19 : k.
Rd 20 : k1, k2tog, (k2, k2tog) rpt to last st – k1 (18 sts).
Rds 21 –22 : k.
Rd 23 : k2, k2tog, (k4, K2tog), rpt to last 2 sts – k2 (15 sts).
Continue with k for 15 rds.
pwt.

WINGS (make 2)
Cast on 5 sts with black yarn.
Continue with i-cord until work measures 5cms (2ins).
pwt.

FRONT
Knitted flat.
Cast on 5 sts with white yarn.
ROW 1 : k.
ROW 2 : p.
ROW 3 : k1, M1, k3, M1, k1 (7 sts).
ROW 4 : p.
ROW 5 : k1, M1, k5, M1, k1 (9 sts).
ROW 6 : p.
ROW 7 : k1, M1, k7, M1, k1 (11 sts).
ROW 8 : p.
ROW 9 : sl1, k1, psso, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (9 sts).
ROW 10 : p.
ROW 11 : k.
ROW 12 : p.
ROW 13 : sl1, k1, psso, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (7 sts).
ROW 14 : p.
ROW 15 : sl1, k1, psso, k to last 2 sts, k2tog  (5 sts).
ROW 16 : p.
ROW 17 : sl1, k1, psso, k1, k2tog (3 sts).
ROW 18 : sl1 purlwise, p2tog, psso.
Fasten off. 

BEAK
Knitted flat.
Cast on 4 sts with orange yarn.
ROW 1 : k.
ROW 2 : p.
ROW 3 : sl1, k1, psso, k2tog  (2 sts).
ROW 4 : sl1 purlwise, p1, psso.
Fasten off. 

FEET (make 2)
Cast on 3 sts with orange yarn.
Continue with i-cord for 1.5cms (0.5ins).
Continue work – knitting flat.
ROW 1 : kfb, kfb, k1 (5 sts) (right side).
ROW 2 : p1, k1, p1, k1, p1.
Cast off in rib (k, p, k, p, k). 

BEANIE HAT
Cast on 16 sts in coloured yarn.
Divide sts between three needles and join in the rd.
Rd 1 : k.
Continue k for a further 5 rds.
Rd 7 : (k2tog) rpt until end of rd (8 sts).
pwt. 

SCARF
Cast on 3 sts with coloured yarn.
Continue with i- cord until work measures 18cms (7ins).
pwt.

To Assemble
1. Pull yarn tight at the top of head and with a few stitches to secure.
2. Stuff body, do not overstuff.
3. Gather cast on edge of body and pull tight, loose yarn inside body.
For smaller pieces I prefer to darn end tails away and sew with sewing thread in a matching colour.
4. Sew wings to either side aprox 4cms (1.5ins) down from top of head.
5. Sew feet to base of body, sew along the icord of feet.
     
    6. Sew around the edge of the white front attaching it onto body.
    7. Fold beak in half lengthways and sew the two edges together, attach to front of face.
    Sew buttons or beads for eyes. Alternatively embroider French Knots for eyes.
 
COPYRIGHT ALISON HOGG 2012

18 October 2012

lavender lace

After my first attempt at lace knitting I was keen to have another go. This time I wanted a long scarf. I knitted  the border instructions of The Maple Leaves Pattern the whole way along the scarf. I used the surprisingly stretch Bind Off method as straight cast off was too tight. Rebecca (chemknits) does a good tutorial for this method. I didn't have blocking rods for the sides of the scarf so blocking wasn't a great success - I'm always very timorous anyway about blocking in case I ruin the item.
Here's some photos of my finished project.....

 
and yes the grandad shirt did actually belong to my grandad, so I suppose that makes it vintage. This was a favourite item of clothing when I was a student which must be about thirty years ago. Those were the days when grandad shirts were very much in fashion. Just to prove it here's a photo of me wearing it....

 
That's enough reminiscing for now......I always feel sad looking back and that's enough 2 ply knitting for now as well as I'm a definite double knit type of girl.
Bye, Ali.
 

14 October 2012

sunday at st georges

If you haven't been to St Georges Market, Belfast, for a while you'll be pleasantly surprised.

There are the fruit and veg stalls with some exotic varieties for sale.
 

and the usual fish stall....
 



These days there are many craft stalls. I took a few photos as I wandered round.
There is the cute....
 

 the quirky.....
 

and the downright yummy.....
 
 
 mmmmmmh bought a few for after tea.
bye, Ali.
 

8 October 2012

christmas knits

Sorry to mention the C word, but I suppose it is time to start making things for Christmas. One of my patterns got a mention in Issue 45, Let's Get Crafting, Knitting and Crochet magazine. My Gingerbread and Mince Pie pattern is along with eleven other Christmas knit ideas. I haven't bought a craft magazine for a while and was shocked at the cost, but to be fair the magazine comes with six balls of yarn, knitting needles and patterns inside.
Loved the photo they took of my two items.



Bye, Ali.