Cast On, Call Out

The hat is not where it's at

2010-07-27T18:34:00.000+01:00

Sadly, I have had to frog the Puffin Hat. There was nothing wrong with the pattern or the yarn, just with the size of the hat due to my choice of yarn. Oops. Just before I ripped it out it looked like this.

I know that men are often larger than woman and may need larger hats but this takes the biscuit. I think Kevin would have been a bit offended if I'd given him something this baggy.

So, it was back to Ravelry for a pattern. This time, however, I looked for hats made with Rowan Big Wool, thus ensuring that I was following a path already trodden. I chose Ed's Hat (Ravelry Project page here) and I'll keep you up to date.

Currently knitting

2010-07-26T18:52:00.000+01:00

While knitting at a recent charity event one of the other volunteers asked me to make him a hat. The only real condition was that it had a fold up brim as he felt that it would look smarter. I remembered some dark green Rowan Big Wool that I had from a frogged project and he thought this sounded nice.

Last week I searched Ravelry and found the Puffin Cabled Hat by Barbara Breiter, which I decided was ideal. I cast on and here it is so far.

I've adapted the pattern to knit it in the round. This is perfect as there are 4 repeats so I am doing exactly the same pattern on each needle. This makes it really easy to memorise the pattern. It also means that instead of having a 4 different pattern rows I only have 2. Because of the way the pattern is written I'm actually knitting the hat inside out but this can easily be rectified.

The size of the project and the simplicity of the pattern mean that it is a perfect knit for travelling, such as on the bus. I'm hoping that I'll have it finished shortly.

Podcasts

2010-07-24T17:33:00.002+01:00

A little while ago I decided to listen to a knitting podcast. I thought it would be a change from music on the bus and that I might learn a thing or two. I searched itunes for 'knitting' and decided to listen to Never not Knitting. After listening to only one episode I was hooked. I downloaded the entire series and listened to them travelling to and from work and as a way to motivate me to walk during my lunch breaks.

The person and voice behind the podcast is Alana and the podcasts talk about what she is currently knitting, what she has knitted, yarns and patterns she uses, her fantasy knits and much more. There is always a story from another knitter and a fantastic giveaway, often of a new book or special yarn. She publishes a podcast twice a month and takes a hiatus after every 10 episodes.

If you want to listen to Never Not Knitting you can download episodes at Alana's blog here or through your preferred source of podcasts. Her ravelry name is nevernotknitting and you should take a peek at her project page. The photographs are beautiful and I wish I could be that nifty with a camera.

Let me know what you think of the podcasts. I hope you like them too.

Stashbuster Extraordinaire

2010-07-22T19:37:00.002+01:00

I'm very involved with a local charity called City of Plymouth Children Fund and I felt like I could use my knitting to raise funds. I've been experimenting with different hat patterns as a way to knit quickly and therefore make as much as possible. This works out fantastically as I have so much yarn in my stash that I just want to use up, the sooner the better (so that I can fill the space with other yarn...)

If anyone knows of any quick, free patterns that I can use then please let me know. If you check out my project page on Ravelry you'll be able to see what I've already tried.

Its been a long time...

2010-07-22T19:10:00.003+01:00

With the last post being over 15 months ago, it's safe to say I haven't been particularly diligent about blogging. I'm hoping to change that from now on but, perhaps it is best not to be too ambitious!

So, what have I been up to knitting wise? Lots, probably, although I can't remember most of it. I've made so many things, some of which are documented on my Ravelry project page. Lots aren't though, as I get so excited about giving away presents and such that I never record them.

I've made a discovery about myself this week and I think it is a discovery most knitters make: I have grown a massive amount as a knitter. "Well, doh" I hear you say, "State the bleeding obvious." The thing is, I don't mean this in terms of knowing more techniques than when I started or attempting more complex projects. I was looking at my stash of yarn, trying to diminish it and I wondered who the knitter was that had purchased so much of the yarn.

When I first started to knit I was immediately drawn towards huge needles and chunky yarns, eager to start and complete a project quickly. I had no desire to knit anything with fine yarn and small needles. My friend Vicky, who had been knitting only a little while longer than me, told me that I would change my mind but I was certain that this would not be.

I bought large amounts of yarns that I fell for, often multi-coloured, and I purchased almost every new book that my local book store (part of a well known chain) got in.

But now I have discovered that the knitter I thought I was is not the knitter I am. Those balls of Rowan Ribbon Twist, while pretty, are not exactly what I want to make a jumper out of, or anything that I would wear. That stash of Rowan Biggy Print is not destined to be worn by me any time soon. I don't think about knitting the projects contained in those early acquired books, not in the way I daydream about knitting other projects.

No, now I want finer yarns, with more muted colours and I want to create garments that other people want to wear too. Those huge ribbed scarves may have been fun to make and a great learning curve but they aren't for me anymore.

I am a changed knitter and I was blind to the fact until a few days ago.

Thank You

2009-02-12T19:06:00.004Z

When I wrote a thank you letter to my Godmother, for the Christmas present she had given me, I explained that the money had been spent on my knitting habit. I described my love of knitting, kowing that as someone who used to knit (she made me two beautiful dolls when I was a toddler) she would understand.

A week later a very large and heavy package arrived at the house. Inside were these:

I was so chuffed. They may be a bit dated but these books are great, and the thought behind them is even more wonderful. Thank you Auntie Ali.

Breaking down Prejudices

2009-02-10T21:27:00.006Z

Last week I visited a site I'd read about called Missability.

The site is run by Felicity Ford and is about our attitudes to disability, especially disability aids. She is determine to change our minds about these and the way we view disability.

My description does not do the site justice. Please take a peek yourself. There are 3 podcasts that left me with so much to think about. They are hugely fun and informative.

The 'Knitted Walking Stick Cosy' competition is an inspired idea. Sadly, the second year of the competition didn't attract enough entries. Perhaps we can help to change that next time round.

I also adore the 'Wheels of Fury' hat on the home page. Have a look and see if you agree.

Progress

2009-02-10T21:20:00.005Z

Currently I'm working on a blanket for the baby my friend has just been blessed with. I love the colours and the feel of the yarn when knitted. I'm using Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino doubled up on 7mm needles. I even like the way the colours overlap on the 'wrong' side.

I cast on 100 stitches and when I'd knitted a few rows I realised that it was too big for the stripes to be width-wise. I decided not to frog the blanket but to have the stripes running length-wise instead. Time will tell it this this brave or foolhardy.

Saving the World

2009-02-09T19:48:00.004Z

I've just finished reading a great book.

I love the fact that knitting can change things for the better, even if it just changes one person. Every stitch we knit is a stitch toward a better world. If you don't believe me, read the book and see what you think.

My Obsession

2009-02-09T19:46:00.003Z

It's so hard to believe that in under two years I have gone from being a non-knitter to someone who is obsessed by two needles and a bit of yarn. I spend most of my day dreaming about knitting. I read knitting books. I look at knitting sites. More than that, I want to use my knitting to change the world. Is it possible? I'd like to think so.

Needles

2008-11-28T18:36:00.002Z

Here are some of the needles I am able to offer for a small donation toward the church boiler.

Old size 12, 2.75mm

Not sure if it is clear, but there is a pair of gold coloured needles.

Old size 13, 2.25 mm

Lovely blue metal pair in the middle there.

I Stand Corrected

2008-10-13T19:39:00.002+01:00

I've always been a bit of a snob when it comes to knitting. Last month, if you had suggested that I knit a dishcloth, I'd have had some pretty choice words to say, even if only in my head. However, I now stand head bowed in shame at my old opinion after reading this book.

Mason-Dixon Knitting is a revelation and I read it cover to cover over a few evenings on holiday. After very little time, all I could think about was knitting a dishcloth. I imagined the colours, wondered about the textures and dreamed about the scheme of my future kitchen. Thus, upon my return to Blighty, I grabbed my needles and my Sugar n Cream cotton and whipped up this baby.

Admit it, you're jealous, aren't you? I can tell. None of your bland dish cleaning accessories for me. No siree. I am big, bold and absorbent.

Actually, it hasn't been used yet. I just like to stare at it and touch it occasionally.

Back Pain

2008-10-13T19:20:00.003+01:00

I may have understated the case earlier by only showing the yarn that I had carried back from the USA. I failed to mention the 9 knitting books,

and more than a dozen knitting magazines.

What can I say? I'm weak. I need patterns and articles and pretty pictures. Plus, in USA craft stores, old issues of magazines sit on the shelf next to the current issues. Thus, I was able to get back copies of the mags I liked.

The Debbie Bliss magazine (issue 1) was very enjoyable and I will be looking to buy the next one when it is published. I liked KnitSimple so much that I snapped up 5 back issues and will be keeping an eye out for new mags too. As always, I am happy to share any of these with my friends.

Bizarrely, the following magazine was free from the lobby of the motel we stayed in. I picked up 2 issues and throughly loved it. Family Fun is packed with crafts, ideas, recipes and suggestions for days out. Yes, it is aimed at the American market, but I already have so much that I want to do. This would be a fantastic resource for any family or teacher or person working with children.

As you can see, I ended up with 3 different issues. That is because I parted with my own cash to buy the latest copy, so high was my esteem for it.

A Wonderful Welcome

2008-10-13T19:14:00.002+01:00

I'd like to give a shout out to the wonderful knitting shop I visited in Maitland, north of Orlando. It was recommended to me by fellow knitters via the Ravelry forum boards and I managed to persuade my parents to take me there. Please visit Sip & Knit online as the shop is really great.

Plus, in the back room, there was a large amount of sale yarn. If this was not sold by the middle of October, it was all to be donated to charity knitting groups locally. I can not express how much joy this gave me. Knitters are such a generous bunch.

Oh dear...

2008-10-13T19:12:00.003+01:00

As some of you may know, I have just enjoyed a two week break in Florida with my family. What you may not know is that my knitting obsession overcame me and my case included this little lot upon my return.

How much new yarn does a girl need?

A New Start

2008-10-13T19:09:00.002+01:00

Hi All

I've decided to make a change to the blog. Obviously, I've been a bit pants so far and the original concept as proved a bit difficult to keep up with. From now on, the site will be more of a mixture of knitting, day to day stuff and comment on the state of the world. I hope this doesn't put anyone off. It should be better that what is already here, not worse!

Nikki

Update

2008-05-09T06:50:00.002+01:00

I think I'm going to make a blanket, using some Patons Fairytale Wool that I got last year. It is nice and bright and I can always get more if needed.

Project 2 - May

2008-05-03T21:24:00.003+01:00

Can you believe that May is here already? It seems like only yesterday that the sun set at 4.30pm and I needed a blanket on top of my quilt.

Please don't stop knitting hats for Save the Children. I want to figure how how to put a counter for each project down the side of the blog - I always find that kind of thing very encouraging and uplifting.

So for this month, I've chosen Feed the Children as the charity to knit for. You can knit jumpers for school children, jumpers for babies and toddlers or blankets. I'm not sure what I'm going to do myself yet, but I'll keep you informed.

All the items donated are sent to areas that the charity are working with. You can send them to one of the addresses on the site or can drop it off at one of the centres listed.

Happy Knitting.

Apology

2008-05-02T21:53:00.002+01:00

Yes, it's the 2nd of May and no project has yet been posted. Please bear with me - I've not been able to post until now. Tomorrow will bring news of Project 2. Until then, happy knitting.

More Hats

2008-04-27T15:46:00.002+01:00

Due to the disappointment mentioned in the last post, I searched Ravelry for a free pattern that I could use instead. One of the many it turned up was by Brook Owens and is on her blog here.

I think it looks very nice. I didn't make the crocheted flower as she has but that is because I am aiming to make as many simple hats as possible. I don't want to complicate matters. I especially like the finish on the crown of the hat. It remind me of the pinwheel blankets I keep seeing.

I then did a little jiggling around of two patterns to make the hat below. It is essentially the Save the Children pattern without the ribbing (so that the brim rolls) and the reductions are taken from the pattern by Brook.

What do you think? I like the top hat, or Hat 3 as it could also be known. It looks tidy. As before, I used dpns for these hats and I am still getting the slight stretch and gap where the needles joined.

Not convinced...

2008-04-24T21:13:00.006+01:00

As you can see, I've finished the second hat and I'm really not happy with it.

Trying to avoid the seam fiasco of the first hat, I knit this one on dpns. Unfortunately, the three rows where the needles joined (does that make sense?) are quite obvious on the finished item. I've also done another bad job of weaving in my ends.

Plus, the hat looks much taller than the last one. Am I imagining this? Maybe I need to try a new pattern.

All thoughts are welcome!

The First Hat!

2008-04-14T21:26:00.007+01:00

I am so excited to have completed a hat. It took a little over two hours to make and I used Jaeger Merino DK Wool in a couple of different colours.

It looked a bit strange until I turned the cuff up.

I like the way that the change of colour makes a tiny border at the turned edge. I'm a little unhappy about my choice of seam though. I used a mattress stitch as it is my favourite but didn't factor in the turn up so I'm left with an ugly bit that sticks out. I'm not sure that a baby will mind so much however, so I'll be sending it when I've made a few others.

Project 1 - Amendments

2008-04-14T21:20:00.007+01:00

Ok. Admission time. I didn't read the sheet as well as I had thought and there are guidelines to knitting the hat. Rookie mistake. Here they are.

Guidelines:

Size - 10in circumference
Wool - anything smooth and washable
Colour - not all-white as in some African and Asian cultures this symbolises death.
Pattern - any that you want as long as it is the right size

I'm sure most of you realised 3 of those. The colour aspect is something I was unaware of but in honesty, I was going to avoid white anyway because of the way white always seems to be a magnet for any kind of stain. We all know what it's like when we wear a white top! Glib comments aside, that is a guideline that is very important and I should have seen it sooner. Sorry all.

The First Project - April 2008

2008-04-13T10:42:00.010+01:00

I'm really excited about this project. One of my friends, Caroline, emailed this to me and I want to be a part of it.

Save the Children are asking knitters to unite and create as many hats for newborn babies as possible. This even got a mention on The Paul O'Grady Show on Friday so the response should be huge.

http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/knitting

You can download a knitkit here, or from the site address above, that has all the information you need along with a pattern that you can use if you don't have your own.

What you need to do:

Knit a hat
Print out the card that is in the kit and attach it to the hat
Send both to Save the Children at the address given
Optional - print out the poster from the site and put it up somewhere prominent.

Guidelines:

Save the Children has not published any guidelines but I guess using a yarn that isn't really delicate or fussy when it comes to washing would be wise. Also a hardy yarn so that it doesn't thin too quickly or bobble easily.

If you decide to join the knitalong, please let me know. Any pictures will be published on the blog so that others can admire all your work and be inspired.

Hello!

2008-04-13T10:37:00.004+01:00

A big welcome to anyone who has stumbled across my little blog.

This blog is aimed at knitters who want to see things change in the world and lets them know ways in which they can do it using nothing but the humble yarn and needles of Knitting.

Each month I want to host a knitalong that supports a charity or campaign to change one of the many injustices in this world. However heavy that may sound, I want the tone to be friendly and encouraging, welcome to both the beginner and the old pro.

I've only been knitting for the past year but already I can't seem to imagine a life without it. I knit whenever I can, wherever I am.

The main inspiration for this blog is the book Knitalong by Larissa and Martin John Brown. If you have access to a copy (check the library, nag a friend etc), it is an uplifting and really interesting read.

So, lets get those needles clicking.