In theory, time is constant. By counting "1 elephant, 2 elephant" etc, one can count seconds. Count 60 of them and you have a minute, count 60 minutes and you have an hour.....well, you all know how it goes.
So why does time keep disappearing? It's DECEMBER, for goodness sake, how did that happen? It seems only five minutes ago that it was June!
Knitting
Needless to say, most of my queue is still a queue. One of Alena's Arsenal socks is completed, and I'm not far from the heel on the other, but time is my enemy.
It's my works fault. I ended up working yesterday (a Saturday! I'm an office worker, we don't do Saturdays) because of "data migration UAT" (which is converting one computer system to another and checking the information, for those of us who don't speak computer) and this had to be done over a weekend.
All next week, I'm going to have to work full time to help our new colleagues feel comfortable with said computer system and then we're only 3 weeks away from Christmas!
As my sister has told me that she doesn't like wool right next to her skin, I no longer have to worry about making her any socks, which is good as I really won't have the time.
I've kept my Christmas knitting list realistic, so nobody should have to wait until Spring to get their FO, but I must start earlier next year (like, in January).
Writing
Time may also be my enemy here. This week's writers' group will include my last distributed chapter that's already been re-drafted. I was SO ahead of the game, but now the game has overtaken me.
I must also get some more articles written - I'm falling behind and I could do with the cash!
Life
I'm still waiting for things to get better. Roll on the week after next (there I go, wishing and waiting and hoping again...)
Ah well - keep smiling.
Sunday, 30 November 2008
Thursday, 13 November 2008
Coloured cable handwarmers
Here's another free pattern; my coloured cable hand warmers.
This is one of those patterns that is much easier to knit than it is to write down. It looks very complicated and I've written it in a great deal of detail, but once you get into the swing of the pattern, it's actually much easier than it looks.
That said, if anything is unclear (or even if I've made any typos) please let me know and I'll do my best to help, clarify and correct.
Cabled Handwarmers
Materials:
Alpaca Silk by Blue Sky Alpacas. (50g/146 yds)
2 balls of main (light) colour and 1 ball of contrast (dark) colour.
1 pair of 3.25mm needles.
Size: Lady’s medium size
Tension: Not vital.
Abbreviations:
L “Light” (the red yarn used on the handwarmer pictured)– eg K2L means “Knit 2 in light coloured yarn”
D “Dark” (the blue yarn used on the handwarmer pictured)
NB - the yarns are carried using the techniques for stranded knitting (twisted together every two or three stitches, to keep the work flat and even).
C4B Place the next two stitches on the cable needle and place at the back of the work. Knit the next two stitches, then knit the two stitches from the cable needle.
C4F Place the next two stitches on the cable needle and place at the front of the work. Knit the next two stitches, then knit the two stitches from the cable needle.
C3BD Place the next stitch on the cable needle and place at the back of the work. Knit the next two stitches in D, and then knit the stitch from the cable needle in L.
C3FD Place the next two stitches on the cable needle and place at the front of the work. Knit the next stitch in L, and then knit the two stitches from the cable needle in D.
M1K Pick up the loop between the left and right hand needle. Place on the left hand needle. K 1 into the back of this loop.
M1P Pick up the loop between the left and right hand needle. Place on the left hand needle. P 1 into the back of this loop.
Cable Pattern (42 sts):
Row 1 K4L, (C4B in D, K6 in L) 3 times, C4BD, K4 in L
Row 2 (and all even rows) Purl, keeping colours consistent from the previous row.
Row 3 K3L (C3BD, C3FD, K4L) 3 times, C3BD, C3FD, K3 in L
Row 5 K2L (C3BD, K2L, C3FD, K2L) 4 times
Row 7 K1L, (C3BD, K4, C3FD) 4 times, K1L
Row 9 K1L, K2D (K6L, C4F in D) 3 times, K6L, K2D, K1L
Row 11 K1L, (C3FD, K4, C3BD) 4 times, K1L
Row 13 K2L, (C3FD, K2L, C3BD, K2L) 4 times
Row 15 K3L, (C3FD, C3BD, K4L) 3 times, C3FD, C3BD, K3L
Row 16 Purl, keeping colours consistent from the previous row.
These 16 rows form the cable pattern.
Right hand glove pattern.
Using 3.25mm needles and L, cast on 53 sts.
Work 20 rows K1, P1 rib. On the last row, increase 12 sts evenly across the row (total 65sts).
Row 1 K5L, (K2D, K8L) 4 times, K in L to end of row.
Row 2 P27L (P4D, P6L) 4 times, P in L to end of row.
Row 3 Work row 1 of cable pattern for 42 sts, work the rest of the row in L. M1K, K2 M1K, K to end.
C4B Place the next two stitches on the cable needle and place at the back of the work. Knit the next two stitches, then knit the two stitches from the cable needle.
C4F Place the next two stitches on the cable needle and place at the front of the work. Knit the next two stitches, then knit the two stitches from the cable needle.
C3BD Place the next stitch on the cable needle and place at the back of the work. Knit the next two stitches in D, and then knit the stitch from the cable needle in L.
C3FD Place the next two stitches on the cable needle and place at the front of the work. Knit the next stitch in L, and then knit the two stitches from the cable needle in D.
M1K Pick up the loop between the left and right hand needle. Place on the left hand needle. K 1 into the back of this loop.
M1P Pick up the loop between the left and right hand needle. Place on the left hand needle. P 1 into the back of this loop.
Cable Pattern (42 sts):
Row 1 K4L, (C4B in D, K6 in L) 3 times, C4BD, K4 in L
Row 2 (and all even rows) Purl, keeping colours consistent from the previous row.
Row 3 K3L (C3BD, C3FD, K4L) 3 times, C3BD, C3FD, K3 in L
Row 5 K2L (C3BD, K2L, C3FD, K2L) 4 times
Row 7 K1L, (C3BD, K4, C3FD) 4 times, K1L
Row 9 K1L, K2D (K6L, C4F in D) 3 times, K6L, K2D, K1L
Row 11 K1L, (C3FD, K4, C3BD) 4 times, K1L
Row 13 K2L, (C3FD, K2L, C3BD, K2L) 4 times
Row 15 K3L, (C3FD, C3BD, K4L) 3 times, C3FD, C3BD, K3L
Row 16 Purl, keeping colours consistent from the previous row.
These 16 rows form the cable pattern.
Right hand glove pattern.
Using 3.25mm needles and L, cast on 53 sts.
Work 20 rows K1, P1 rib. On the last row, increase 12 sts evenly across the row (total 65sts).
Row 1 K5L, (K2D, K8L) 4 times, K in L to end of row.
Row 2 P27L (P4D, P6L) 4 times, P in L to end of row.
Row 3 Work row 1 of cable pattern for 42 sts, work the rest of the row in L. M1K, K2 M1K, K to end.
Work 2 more rows, keeping the cable pattern correct.
Continue with the cable pattern, working increases for the thumb gusset as follows:
Next row (Row 6 of the handwarmer - row 4 of the cable pattern) P21, M1P, P4, M1P, work cable patt to end.
Row 9 Work cable patt. M1K, K6, M1K, K to end in L
Row 12 P21, M1P, P8, M1P, work cable patt to end.
Row 15 Work cable patt. M1K, K10, M1K, K to end in L
Row 18 P21, M1P, P12, M1P, work cable patt to end.
Row 21 Work cable patt. M1K, K14, M1K, K to end in L
Row 24 P21, M1P, P16, M1P, work cable patt to end.
(Total number of stitches now 81)
Row 25 Work 42 sts of cable pattern, K18L, Cast on 3 sts, turn.
Thumb
Purl 21, cast on 3 sts. turn
Work 4 rows K1 P1 rib on these 24 sts.
Cast off loosely in rib.
Rejoin the yarn, pick up 4 sts at the base of the thumb and K to the end in L.
Purl 21, cast on 3 sts. turn
Work 4 rows K1 P1 rib on these 24 sts.
Cast off loosely in rib.
Rejoin the yarn, pick up 4 sts at the base of the thumb and K to the end in L.
Row 26 P25, work 42 sts of cable pattern
Continue working straight on these 67 sts until you have completed 41 rows in total (2 ½ repeats of the cable pattern).
Row 42 P26L, P2togD, P6L, (P2togD, P2togD, P6L) 3 times, P2togD, P1, K1 row in L.
Continue working straight on these 67 sts until you have completed 41 rows in total (2 ½ repeats of the cable pattern).
Row 42 P26L, P2togD, P6L, (P2togD, P2togD, P6L) 3 times, P2togD, P1, K1 row in L.
Work 4 rows K1, P1 rib in L.
Cast off loosely in rib.
Left hand glove pattern.
Using 3.25mm needles and L, cast on 53 sts.
Work 20 rows K1, P1 rib. On the last row, increase 12 sts evenly across the row (total 65sts).
Row 1 K28L, (K2D, K8L) 4 times, K in L to end of row.
Row 2 P4L (P4D, P6L) 4 times, P in L to end of row.
Row 3 K21, M1K, K2, M1K , work row 1 of cable pattern.
Continue with the cable pattern, working increases for the thumb gusset as follows:
Row 6 Work cable patt, M1P, P4, M1P, P to end in L
Row 9 K21 M1K, K6, M1K, work cable patt to end
Row 12 Work cable patt, M1P, P8, M1P, P to end in L
Row 15 K21 M1K, K10, M1K, work cable patt to end
Row 18 Work cable patt, M1P, P12, M1P, P to end in L
Row 21 K21 M1K, K14, M1K, work cable patt to end
Row 24 Work cable patt, M1P, P16, M1P P to end in L
(Total number of stitches now 81)
Row 25 K37L, Cast on 3 sts, turn.
Left hand glove pattern.
Using 3.25mm needles and L, cast on 53 sts.
Work 20 rows K1, P1 rib. On the last row, increase 12 sts evenly across the row (total 65sts).
Row 1 K28L, (K2D, K8L) 4 times, K in L to end of row.
Row 2 P4L (P4D, P6L) 4 times, P in L to end of row.
Row 3 K21, M1K, K2, M1K , work row 1 of cable pattern.
Continue with the cable pattern, working increases for the thumb gusset as follows:
Row 6 Work cable patt, M1P, P4, M1P, P to end in L
Row 9 K21 M1K, K6, M1K, work cable patt to end
Row 12 Work cable patt, M1P, P8, M1P, P to end in L
Row 15 K21 M1K, K10, M1K, work cable patt to end
Row 18 Work cable patt, M1P, P12, M1P, P to end in L
Row 21 K21 M1K, K14, M1K, work cable patt to end
Row 24 Work cable patt, M1P, P16, M1P P to end in L
(Total number of stitches now 81)
Row 25 K37L, Cast on 3 sts, turn.
Thumb
Purl 21, cast on 3 sts. turn
Work 4 rows K1 P1 rib on these 24 sts.
Cast off loosely in rib.
Rejoin the yarn, pick up 4 sts at the base of the thumb and work cable pattern to the end of the row.
Row 26 Work cable patt, P25 to end.
Continue working straight on these 67 sts until you have completed 41 rows in total (2 ½ repeats of the cable pattern).
Row 42 P1L, P2togD, P6L (P2togD, P2togD, P6L) 3 times, P2togD, P to end.
K1 row in L.
Work 4 rows K1, P1 rib in L.
Cast off loosely in rib.
To Make Up:
Purl 21, cast on 3 sts. turn
Work 4 rows K1 P1 rib on these 24 sts.
Cast off loosely in rib.
Rejoin the yarn, pick up 4 sts at the base of the thumb and work cable pattern to the end of the row.
Row 26 Work cable patt, P25 to end.
Continue working straight on these 67 sts until you have completed 41 rows in total (2 ½ repeats of the cable pattern).
Row 42 P1L, P2togD, P6L (P2togD, P2togD, P6L) 3 times, P2togD, P to end.
K1 row in L.
Work 4 rows K1, P1 rib in L.
Cast off loosely in rib.
To Make Up:
Block glove. DO NOT PRESS.
Sew up the thumb seams.
Sew up the side seams.
Sunday, 9 November 2008
Knitting's fine - photography's crap
Knitting
So I made a pair of plain black fingerless mitts for the daughter of a colleague.
No biggie, but I finished them before work one morning, so I took a quick piccie before giving them away.
I have a photograph of two ribbed wristbands.
D'Oh!
Writing
Well, butter my backside and call me a piece of toast, I've actually done some writing today!
For the first time in I can't remember how long I've had a spare hour (and a nagging feeling that I've forgotten something) so I edited chapter 8 of the interminable novel. I feel good..... I knew that I would now....
Life
Still hate my job. Except now I'm doing some serious planning to get myself out of there.
Focus, focus. Must not buy yarn, must not buy yarn.
So I made a pair of plain black fingerless mitts for the daughter of a colleague.
No biggie, but I finished them before work one morning, so I took a quick piccie before giving them away.
I have a photograph of two ribbed wristbands.
D'Oh!
Writing
Well, butter my backside and call me a piece of toast, I've actually done some writing today!
For the first time in I can't remember how long I've had a spare hour (and a nagging feeling that I've forgotten something) so I edited chapter 8 of the interminable novel. I feel good..... I knew that I would now....
Life
Still hate my job. Except now I'm doing some serious planning to get myself out of there.
Focus, focus. Must not buy yarn, must not buy yarn.
Sunday, 26 October 2008
Monster Modular Bathmat.
Here it is, my latest FO and FP (Free Pattern).
Monster Modular Bathmat.
This was inspired by the “Extreme Knitting” work of Rachel John. The work is made on large needles (these are only 20mm, hers go much larger) and using many strands of yarn together.
It’s a quick pattern and a great stash buster, although be warned – it does make the shoulders ache!
Materials:
Assorted yarns (high acrylic content recommended, given use of item). Approximately 600g in dark colours and 300g in light colours.
Size 20mm needles.
Gauge:
Not important.
Finished size:
Approximately 39” x 27”.
Lah Lah’s Top Tip.
If you’re working in two “colours” to give the effect of the white squares, it is easier to work if you combine all your strands of yarn into one working ball for the light colourway. This makes it much easier to carry the yarns neatly, by twisting the light colourway over all of the dark strands at the end of every alternate row, thus avoiding long “floats” when the other colour is rejoined.
To work:
The pattern is garter stitch (every row knit) throughout, and is used by working a number of strands together. The aim is to make a combined “cord” (nb – not spun, just hold the strands together) with a wraps per inch figure of 3 (approximately). If using double knitting weight yarn, this is about 7 strands worked together.
It is, of course, possible to have all of your strands the same colour, but I rather like the marbled effect of similar colours combined together.
For the purposes of this pattern, “dark” means combined strands of dark yarn, and “light” means combined strand of white and pastel yarns.
1st mitre square.
Using “dark” cast on 21 sts and knit one row to last st, p1.
Row 2: sl1, K9, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 3 and all odd numbered rows: sl1, k to last st, p1
Row 4: sl1, k8, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 6: sl1, K7, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 8: sl1, K6, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 10: Change to “light” yarn. Sl1, K5, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 12: sl1, K4, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 14: sl1, K3, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 16: sl1, K2, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 18: sl1, K1, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 20: sl1, k2tog, psso
Keeping this stitch on the needle, and using the dark yarn, pick up 10 sts along the side of the square, then cast on 10 sts (21 in total) and work one row.
Make the next mitre square in the same way as the first, and then make two more. Fasten off the yarns.
Cast on 10 sts and then pick up 11 sts along the side of the 1st mitre square, and knit one row. Then complete the square and the next three squares in the same way, picking up sts from the mitre just worked and the corresponding mitre on the first stripe.
Repeat one more time until you have 3 x 4 mitre squares.
Edging.
Using dark, cast on 4 sts and knit 1 row, picking up 1 stitch from the side of the first mitre square on the last stripe. Turn
1st row : Sl1, K1, psso. K2, P1.
2nd row: s1, K3, pick up the next stitch from the side of the mitre square.
Repeat these two rows until you’ve worked all of the way up the side of the mat, ending with a 1st row. Cast off, leaving your last stitch on the needle, then cast on 4 sts and repeat the edging along the short end of the mat.
Neaten all ends to finish.
It’s a quick pattern and a great stash buster, although be warned – it does make the shoulders ache!
Materials:
Assorted yarns (high acrylic content recommended, given use of item). Approximately 600g in dark colours and 300g in light colours.
Size 20mm needles.
Gauge:
Not important.
Finished size:
Approximately 39” x 27”.
Lah Lah’s Top Tip.
If you’re working in two “colours” to give the effect of the white squares, it is easier to work if you combine all your strands of yarn into one working ball for the light colourway. This makes it much easier to carry the yarns neatly, by twisting the light colourway over all of the dark strands at the end of every alternate row, thus avoiding long “floats” when the other colour is rejoined.
To work:
The pattern is garter stitch (every row knit) throughout, and is used by working a number of strands together. The aim is to make a combined “cord” (nb – not spun, just hold the strands together) with a wraps per inch figure of 3 (approximately). If using double knitting weight yarn, this is about 7 strands worked together.
It is, of course, possible to have all of your strands the same colour, but I rather like the marbled effect of similar colours combined together.
For the purposes of this pattern, “dark” means combined strands of dark yarn, and “light” means combined strand of white and pastel yarns.
1st mitre square.
Using “dark” cast on 21 sts and knit one row to last st, p1.
Row 2: sl1, K9, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 3 and all odd numbered rows: sl1, k to last st, p1
Row 4: sl1, k8, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 6: sl1, K7, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 8: sl1, K6, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 10: Change to “light” yarn. Sl1, K5, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 12: sl1, K4, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 14: sl1, K3, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 16: sl1, K2, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 18: sl1, K1, sl1, k2tog, psso, k to last st, p1
Row 20: sl1, k2tog, psso
Keeping this stitch on the needle, and using the dark yarn, pick up 10 sts along the side of the square, then cast on 10 sts (21 in total) and work one row.
Make the next mitre square in the same way as the first, and then make two more. Fasten off the yarns.
Cast on 10 sts and then pick up 11 sts along the side of the 1st mitre square, and knit one row. Then complete the square and the next three squares in the same way, picking up sts from the mitre just worked and the corresponding mitre on the first stripe.
Repeat one more time until you have 3 x 4 mitre squares.
Edging.
Using dark, cast on 4 sts and knit 1 row, picking up 1 stitch from the side of the first mitre square on the last stripe. Turn
1st row : Sl1, K1, psso. K2, P1.
2nd row: s1, K3, pick up the next stitch from the side of the mitre square.
Repeat these two rows until you’ve worked all of the way up the side of the mat, ending with a 1st row. Cast off, leaving your last stitch on the needle, then cast on 4 sts and repeat the edging along the short end of the mat.
Neaten all ends to finish.
Big projects and a sign of the times.
Knitting
Yet again, I've been trying to sort out my queue.
I've finished the crochet gloves,
but now must move on to other things (mainly gloves, tea cosies and socks), so it looks as though all of my projects are small.
However, I have completed one large project - mega in fact as it was using size 20mm needles. Inspired by all of the giant knitting at Ally Pally, I've made a monster bathmat, the pattern for which will appear in another post.
Writing
Precious little activity, although I am taking a long time to be rejected, following my latest submission. Is this a sign that my work is being pondered over, laughed at (in a good way) and generally heralded as the next big thing? Or is it that the slush pile is huge. Or is it that it got lost in the post. Ah well, no news is.....well, it's no news, to be honest.
Life
I witnessed a sign of the current economic climate yesterday - a Bentley in Lidl's carpark. Made me smile.
Yet again, I've been trying to sort out my queue.
I've finished the crochet gloves,
but now must move on to other things (mainly gloves, tea cosies and socks), so it looks as though all of my projects are small.
However, I have completed one large project - mega in fact as it was using size 20mm needles. Inspired by all of the giant knitting at Ally Pally, I've made a monster bathmat, the pattern for which will appear in another post.
Writing
Precious little activity, although I am taking a long time to be rejected, following my latest submission. Is this a sign that my work is being pondered over, laughed at (in a good way) and generally heralded as the next big thing? Or is it that the slush pile is huge. Or is it that it got lost in the post. Ah well, no news is.....well, it's no news, to be honest.
Life
I witnessed a sign of the current economic climate yesterday - a Bentley in Lidl's carpark. Made me smile.
Sunday, 12 October 2008
Money earned, money spent
What a week!
Jo from knitting group (I know you're lurking Jo....) passed a job my way. She does a fair bit of knitting for other folks, including some fantastic knitted cakes for a local cafe. She is really busy at the moment with knitting projects, so when the lady from the cafe wanted a teacosy made, she passed the gig my way.
Cheers Jo! Here's the finished object:
So, as I'd earned a little money from my knitting, I decided to spend a lot at (dah dah dah..... Ally Pally!), Yes, it's that time of year again when Les goes to North London and spends all her birthday money.
I found I was calmer this year, as I realised that NOT EVERYTHING WILL BE SOLD BY THE TIME I GET THERE!!
However, by the time I got to the Black Sheep stand, the jumble sale of yarn packs was still there, but there was nothing I wanted!
Oh, how discerning I've become.
I also took a bit more time to look at the displays this year (only a bit, there was still some serious shopping to do) but here are a few things I found impressive.
Giant knitting was a theme this year - here was a display in the palm court entrance.
There was also a chance to buy big needles (seriously tempted, but I've got some 20mm somewhere, so I thought I'd give them a go first).
The hyperbolic crochet reef was also very impressive.....
Here's the stash, guys!
(Including some Kauni effektgarn - that made me so happy!)
Jo from knitting group (I know you're lurking Jo....) passed a job my way. She does a fair bit of knitting for other folks, including some fantastic knitted cakes for a local cafe. She is really busy at the moment with knitting projects, so when the lady from the cafe wanted a teacosy made, she passed the gig my way.
Cheers Jo! Here's the finished object:
So, as I'd earned a little money from my knitting, I decided to spend a lot at (dah dah dah..... Ally Pally!), Yes, it's that time of year again when Les goes to North London and spends all her birthday money.
I found I was calmer this year, as I realised that NOT EVERYTHING WILL BE SOLD BY THE TIME I GET THERE!!
However, by the time I got to the Black Sheep stand, the jumble sale of yarn packs was still there, but there was nothing I wanted!
Oh, how discerning I've become.
I also took a bit more time to look at the displays this year (only a bit, there was still some serious shopping to do) but here are a few things I found impressive.
Giant knitting was a theme this year - here was a display in the palm court entrance.
There was also a chance to buy big needles (seriously tempted, but I've got some 20mm somewhere, so I thought I'd give them a go first).
The hyperbolic crochet reef was also very impressive.....
... as were the exhibits from the student shows.
This was my favourite.
Here's the stash, guys!
(Including some Kauni effektgarn - that made me so happy!)
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
One down
Knitting.
I've finished the first of the small projects I had in my queue - a tea cosy for Delia.
I've finished the first of the small projects I had in my queue - a tea cosy for Delia.
Observant readers (!) may notice that Delia had a tea cosy not long ago - well she has two teapots (now that's what I call posh) and this is for the smaller pot. She wanted greens, so this turned into a nice little stash buster.
The next project will be a pair of tapestry crochet gloves for Ros, in time for her birthday (Nov 4th). Shouldn't be a problem.
Writing
After reading an article in one of the writer's mags, I've decided to send off my (re-ordered) first three chapters to another publisher. I'm so predictable - full of bravado when it goes off ("well, if it's rejected, that's fine") and full of upset when it's rejected, but it's definitely not going to get published sitting on my computer, that's a given.
Life
My work is busy at the moment, and on Monday I woke up thinking "I'll be glad when this training is over". It occurred to me that I am forever wishing my life away, waiting for something to finish. I think I may be happier if I learned to live in the moment. However, since coming to this point of view, I have turned into "Mr Creosote" and am eating everything in front of me (even the cat looks a bit worried), so I'm obviously not finding this new viewpoint to be a happy one!
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