Gloves for Genevieve

I really hate the fact that my blog has been so neglected over the past few months. I'm not going to promise any over night miracles, where I blog every single day, and I finish projects every week etc etc... all I'll promise is that I'll try to get it all back on track. My depression has been getting worse since June, and now it is very bad indeed, so I've lost interest in absolutely everything. Knitting? meh.... Blogging? certainly not. Spending time with my friends? hmm if I have to.

And I hate that I feel that way. Just this spring I was so excited about casting on new projects, finishing and gifting projects, and writing all my escapades down on this blog so you could share my joy and excitement. I want that feeling back, so I thought if I sink my teeth into blogging again, perhaps the constant writing about knitting will get me excited about the craft again.

So, today I am going to tell you all about a pair of lacy mittens. Ooooooooh!

My friend, Gene (Genevieve - such a beautiful name!), has been such a lovely friend to me over the past year. So, to say thank you, I am making her a little parcel of goodies. In that parcel is going to be a pair of mittens, as not only is the cold weather on its way, but she also suffers with quite severe arthritis so keeping her hands warm is very important!

I found a pattern called Della Mitts by Holly Terrell, which is a really cute mitten with a variety of stitches. If I tell you the honest truth, I was originally making these for my friend Sarah, for the Hand Warming Swap I am hosting over on the Ravelry group Wish Upon a Star, but I then decided perhaps they weren't for her, and continued them for my friend Gene.

I'm using two yarns: Life 4ply by Stylecraft in Melon, and Sirdar Town & Country 4ply Sock Yarn. The former is leftovers from the Delicate socks and Horseshoe Lace Cowl projects I made last year, and the latter yarn is a very small skein that my Nan gifted me from her stash. I thought these two yarns complemented each other well, and gave this pattern a bit of a 'twist'.

The pattern is very simple, and the only modifications I've made is that I accidentally did two garter ridges rather than three, when separating the lace cuff and the lace hand, and that I used two colours rather than one. Other than that, I have been following the instructions to the letter. I'm now onto the body of the second mitten, and I'm hoping that I'll have them finished by the weekend! :D

 Until tomorrow, dear friends. Until then, why don't you check out some wonderful posts by the rest of the WIP Wednesday gang? I promise you won't regret it!!

An Interview and a Giveaway!

On Tuesday I featured the I Love Jane Austen washcloth by Lisa Millan on my Jane Austen Knits post. I got talking to the lovely Lisa, and she agreed to an interview! Here is how we got on :)

How did you learn to knit?

I Heart Books by Lisa Milla
©DigknittyDesignr  Flickr

Lisa - I took a class at Michaels. I just learned the basics... how to cast on, knit, purl and bind off. It was easy enough to do a few projects. Like easy scarves and dishcloths.  

What got you into designing your own patterns?

Lisa - I started practicing using free dishcloth patterns with pictures in them. I had designed crochet graphs previously and thought knitting them would be fun. I had met a really nice knitter online who taught me how to read a graph in knits and purls. After that, I was hooked!

What inspires your designs?

Lisa - Everything! I get lots of requests and suggestions from people. At first I just started doing what appealed to me. As time went on, I tried to cover every category I could. 

How long does it take you to design a washcloth?

Lisa - It depends. I've done some in as little as a few minutes. Some take much longer. I've had a few haunt me for awhile, because I am obsessed with getting every detail I can into the pattern. I want people to be able to really see the picture.

My favourite design of yours is the I Love Jane Austen washcloth, do you have a favourite?

Sunflower Knit Dishcloth by Lisa Millan
©DigknittyDesignr  Flickr

Lisa - One of my favorites is the Sunflower pattern. It was one of the first ones that gave me a really hard time to get it the way I wanted. 

Are washcloths your favourite things to knit?

Lisa - Well they were for a very long time. I knitted them compulsively for about 3-4 years. I think I burned out on them. So I've been knitting cowls and scarves lately. The repetitive, mindless knitting relaxes me. 

Which knitted item that you've made are you most proud of, and why?

Lisa - I am equally proud of all my knitted projects, but the ones that please me the most are the ones that teach me a new technique, or give me a new favorite stitch.

If you could give us any piece of advice or a tip about knitting, what would it be?

Lisa - Don't give up if you can't figure out something right away. If you get frustrated, put it down for a little while, and then go back to it. If all else fails, there's always a YouTube video that will be able to show you what you're doing wrong. I've learned many things using the videos available there. 

As well as this lovely interview, Lisa has offered to do a pattern giveaway for you all!! Ok, here is how it'll work:

Head on over to Lisa's awesome Ravelry pattern shop, Digknitty Designs, then leave a comment below telling us which pattern you'd love to win. Please also leave your ravelry username in the comment, or an email address I can reach you on! I will leave the give-away open until next Sunday, then using a random number generator I will pick a winner!

Details: One Entry per person

Opens: Sunday 24th February 2013 at 7am GMT (London, England time)
Closes: Sunday 2nd March 2013 at 12am GMT (London, England time)

Extra info:

Don't worry if you don't win, Lisa has several free patterns available on her shop!

Never Forget 911 Washcloth

Autism Awareness Washcloth 

Be the Cure Washcloth 

I Love You Rose Knit Washcloth

Thank You Rose 

Witch's Hat & Broom Dishcloth

Recycle Knit Dishcloth 

9 Patch Quilt Block Knit Dishcloth

Who Would Like a Leg? Dishcloth

Candy Apple Knit Washcloth

Drink with a Twist Dishcloth

Un-smelly Skunk Dishcloth

Imma Crochet Fan Poncho

Twisted Sister

Twisted Sister

by 

Charly Dunning

Materials:

80 yards of Stylecraft Special Double Knit in Pale Rose colourway

4mm straight needles

Abbreviations:

K - Knit

P - Purl

SL1-Purlwise - Slip one Stitch Purlwise

PSSO - Pass Slipped Stitch Over

YO - Yarn Over

Directions:

Cast on 17 stitches

Row 1: P2, *SL1-Purlwise, K2, PSSO, P2; repeat from * until end of row

Row 2: K2, *P1, YO, P1, K2; repeat from * until end of row

Row 3: P2, *K3, P2; repeat from * until end of row

Row 4: K2, *P3, K2; repeat from * until end of row

Repeat rows 1-4 until band measures 49cm from beginning, or desired length. Finish on row one, then cast off in pattern (by this I mean Knit the knits and Purl the purls). Sew ends of band together, then weave in those scraggly yarn ends!

© Charlotte Dunning - for personal use only

Doodle Mitts

Doodle Mitts

by 

Charlotte Dunning

Materials:

120 yards of Double Knit Yarn

4mm needles

Abbreviations:

P2tog - Purl two stitches together

Sl - Slip

Cn - Cable Needle

Directions: (Make two)

Cast on 38sts, leaving a long tail for sewing up

R1: K2, *P2, K2; repeat from * until end of row.

R2: P2, *K2, P2; repeat from * until end of row.

Repeat these 2 rows a following two times.

R1: Knit

R2: P7, *P5, YO, P2tog; repeat from * until 3sts remain, P3

R3: Knit

R4: repeat row 2

R5: Knit

R6: repeat row 2

R7: Knit

R8: repeat row 2

R9: Knit

R10: Purl

R11: K5, *Sl 2sts to cn & hold to front, k2, k2 from cn, k3; repeat from * until 5sts remain, k5.

R12: Purl

R13: Knit

R14: Purl

R15: K5, *Sl 2sts to cn & hold to back, k2, k2 from cn, k3; repeat from * until 5sts remain, k5.

R16: Purl

R17: Knit

repeat rows 10-17 twice more.

R1: K2, *P2, K2; repeat from * until end of row.

R2: P2, *K2, P2; repeat from * until end of row.

repeat rows 1-2 once more

repeat row 1

Cast off leaving a long tail.

Sew up sides leaving a hole for thumb, weave in ends!

© Charlotte Dunning, for personal use only.

Daisy

Daisy 

by

Charlotte Dunning

Materials:

600 yards of Baby Aran by Stylecraft 

5mm needles

Directions:

Main Piece:

Cast  on 108 stitches. 

K2, P2 (2x2 rib) for 4 rows

Row 1: *K1, P1; rep from * until end.

Row 2: *P1, K1; rep from * until end.

These two rows from the Moss (seed) stitch pattern. Continue in this manner until piece measures 69cm, finishing on row 2. 

2x2 rib for 3 rows.

Cast off in pattern.

Border:

Pick up and knit 102 stitches down side. 

2x2 rib for 3 rows.

Cast off in pattern.

Repeat this on the other side.

Weave in ends and wrap up that baby!

Tulisa

Tulisa

by 

Charlotte Dunning

Materials:

1 skein of Galaxy DK by King Cole in Venus (this is colour B) & Jupiter (this is the main colour)

1 set of 4, 3.25mm DPNs

1 set of 4, 3.275mm DPNs

Abbreviations:

St/sts - Stitch/es

Rep - Repeat

KFPB - Knit into the stitch as you normally would, but do not slip off needle. Working into the front of the stitch, insert the right needle from back to front through the back loop of the stitch on the right needle. Bring yarn over and purl, then slip stitch off left needle.

Sl1k2togpsso - Slip one stitch, knit two stitches together, then pass slipped stitch over.

Sl1p2togpsso - Slip one stitch, purl two stitches together, then pass slipped stitch over.

Directions:

Brim:

Using 3.25mm needles & colour B, cast on 120sts. Join for working in round, being careful not to twist stitches, place marker.

Work k2, p2 rib for 3 inches.

Change to main colour.

Increase Round: *(k1,p1)x5, KFPB; rep from * until 10sts remain. (k1,p1) x 5 ---- (Count 130sts)

Body: 

Change to 3.7mm needles.

K1, P1 rib until hat measures 7 inches from cast on.

Crown:

Round 1: *K1, P1; rep from * until end of round.

Round 2: *Sl1k2togpsso, (p1, k1) x5, Sl1p2togpsso, (k1,p1) x5; rep from * until end ---- (Count 110sts)

Round 3: *K1, P1; rep from * until end of round

Round 4: *Sl1k2togpsso, (p1,k1) x 4, Sl1ptogpsso, (k1,p1) x 4; rep from * until end ---- (Count 90sts)

Round 5: *K1, P1; rep from * until end of round

Round 6: *Slk2togpsso, (p1,k1) x3, Sl1ptogpsso, (k1, p1) x 3; rep from * until end ---- (Count 70sts)

Round 7: *K1, P1; rep from * until end of round

Round 8: *Sl1ktogpsso, (p1, k1) x2, Sl1ptogpsso, (k1, p1) x2; rep from * until end ---- (Count 50 sts)

Round 9: *K1, P1; rep from * until end of round

Round 10: *Sl1ktogpsso, (p1,k1) x 1, Sl1ptogpsso, (k1, p1) x 1; rep from * until end ---- (Count 30sts)

Round 11: *K1, P1; rep from * until end of round

Round 12: *Sl1k2togpsso, Sl1p2togpsso; rep from * until end ---- (Count 10sts)

Break yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight to close & fasten off. Weave in ends.

© This pattern is for personal use only

Hot Off the Needles!

Huzzah!

My 'Tulisa' Beanie is finally off the needles, the pattern is written and has been checked a gazillion times, & Rizzle kindly sat for a photoshoot. For those who weren't around on Tuesday, let me get you up to speed...

Last Saturday I saw X Factor judge Tulisa wear a rather fetching black & grey gradient rib Beanie. I spent the rest of the programme wondering whether to try and imitate it, a day later I gave in and decided to give it a go. 

I chose to use King Cole Galaxy in two colourways, Venus (plain black, for the brim) and Jupiter (a gradient of black and grey, for the body). It also had the added bonus of sequins, giving it an extra sparkle. 

I ended up having to rip back a few times, then frog the entire thing. So it took me about 2 days before I managed to re-start it without any mistakes. By Tuesday, though, I got the hang of it and it knitted up rather quickly.

Today, I finally finished it. I believe I've managed to get it pretty similar, mine has much more slouch, but I think I prefer it that way. Enough with the chat though, let me show you!

I really like the twinkle of the sequins, and I'm pleased on how they 'organised' themselves, I was afraid they'd just collect into one big clump.

Now the serious pictures are over, Rizzle wanted to take a few silly ones. The series is entitled

'Emoticons of a Rising Popstar'

Nervously starting out...

Single got to No.1 - WOO!

Bit drunk...

Ohmygosh I looove my fans!

GET OUTTA MA FACE

I hope you like it! I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out... The pattern will be released here tomorrow, so don't forget to pop on by.

For now though, go check out more lovely finished objects!

Miss Martha

Miss Martha

by

Charlotte Dunning

Materials: 

40 yards of Double Knit yarn (I used Candy Skein Yummy DK Merino Wool in Strawberry)

4mm Straight Needles (US 6)

Abbreviations:

St/sts - Stitch/es

PFKB - Purl into the front of the stitch, but do not slip off the needle. Working into the back of the stitch, put yarn back as if to knit, then insert right needle and knit the stitch, then slip off the needle.

KFPB - Knit into the stitch as you normally would, but do not slip off the needle. Working into the back of the stitch, insert the right needle from back to front through the back loop of the stitch on the right needle. Bring yarn over and purl, then slip stitch off left needle.

K2tog - Knit two stitches together.

P2tog - Purl two stitches together

Directions:

Cast on 5sts

Row 1:       *K1, P1; repeat from * until last stitch, K1.

Row 2-10:  Repeat row 1

Row 11:     K1, PFKB, PFKB, P1, K1 (count 7 stitches)

Row 12:     K1, *P1, K1; repeat from * to end.

Row 13-16: repeat row 12

Row 17:     K1, P1, KFPB, KFPB, K1, P1, K1. (count 9sts)

Row 18:     K1, *P1, K1; rep from * to end

Row 19- 22: repeat row 18

Row 23:     K1, P1, K1, PFKB, PFKB, * P1, K1; repeat * to end (count 11sts)

Row 24:     K1, *P1, K1; repeat from to end

Row 25-28: repeat row 24

Row 29:     K1, P1, K1, P1, KFPB, KFPB, *K1, P1; repeat from * to end of row (count 13sts)

Row 30:     K1, *P1, K1; repeat from * to end

Row 31-34: same as row 30

Row 35:    K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, PFKB, PFKB, *P1, K1; repeat from * to end of row (count 15sts)

Row 36:    K1, *P1, K1; repeat from * to end

Repeat row 36 until piece measures 32cm

Row 1:     (K1, P1) x 4, K2tog, P1, K2tog, P1, K1 (count 13sts) 

Row 2:      K1, *P1, K1; repeat from * to end

Row 3-6:   repeat row 2

Row 7:      K1, (P1, K1) x 3, P2tog, K1, P2tog, K1 (count 11 sts)

Row 8:      K1, *P1, K1; repeat from * to end.

Row 9-12: repeat row 8

Row 13:   (K1, P1) x 2, K2tog, P1, K2tog, P1, K1 (count 9sts)

Row 14:   K1, (P1, K1; repeat from * to end.

Row 15-18: repeat row 14

Row 19:  (K1, P1) x2, K2tog, P1, K2tog.

Row 20:   K1, *P1, K1; repeat from * to end (count 7sts)

Row 21-24: repeat row 20

Row 25:  K1, P1, K2og, P1, K2tog

Row 26:  K1, *P1, K1; repeat from * to end

Row 27-28:  repeat row 26

Cast off in pattern (k1, p1), leaving a long tail for sewing up.

Sew top and bottom of the headband together, weave in ends. Pop on, and feel beautiful!

© This pattern is for personal use only

Find this pattern on Ravelry!          

M.E Week 2012: Coffee Lovers Favourite

Small projects are perfect for when you are having very bad days, they provide that "I finished something" fuzzy feeling inside, and provide solace for the pain you're going through.

Grandmother's Favourite Washcloth is one of those brilliant projects, but after a while you do want to switch it up a bit and try something other than a Washcloth. That is why I designed Coffee Lovers Favourite, the Mug Hug spin on the famous washcloth. It knitted up in no time at all, and was very enjoyable to knit.

The pattern is a plain garter stitch hug, decorated with an eyelet border. It uses hardly any yarn, so perfect if you have any left over cotton after knitting Grandmother's Favourite Washcloth. As there is no real pattern in the hug, you could use self-striping, but personally I think one solid colour works best.

You can download the pattern for FREE on Ravelry. If you don't have a Ravelry account, don't despair! You can download the pattern straight onto your computer by clicking here.

I have provided this patten for free, but please consider donating to AYME.org.uk, the largest children's charity supporting young people with M.E/CFS. If you can't donate, don't worry. Just by adding your Coffee Lovers Favourite project onto Ravelry you'll be spreading the word, thank you :)

Tune in tomorrow for the release of Among the Hedgerows Washcloth. (If you would like to find out more about M.E Awareness Week, please check out Mondays post)

M.E Week 2012: Brain Fog Blanket

If you've hung out at this blog for a while, you'll know that I suffer with something called M.E, and have done for 6 years now. Many people don't know very much about this illness (including doctors!), so that is why it was decided to create a week dedicated to spreading the word about this debilitating illness.

So what is M.E?


"Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E) is an illness with many names. Within the NHS it is commonly called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS or CFS/M.E). Sometimes it is known as Myalgic Encephalopathy or diagnosed as Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS).


M.E is a long-term (chronic) fluctuating illness that causes symptoms affecting many body systems, more commonly the nervous and immune systems.


Many people with M.E experience persistent fatigue or pain. However, M.E is characterised by a range of additional symptoms."

-   Action for M.E

The reason I began knitting, was because I needed a therapy of sorts to help me cope with the pain I am in (as I also suffer with Fibromyalgia) and to give me something to do (as I am no longer able to study for school, drive or get a job). Learning this amazing craft has not only given me a reason to wake up every morning, but it has brought me many friends and confidence (people ask me what I am doing and I am able to respond). 

Download for FREE

So, I decided that to raise awareness for M.E, I would design 10 M.E friendly patterns. One being released every day. The first of which, is the Brain Fog Blanket.

What is Brain Fog?

• Reduced attention span
• Short-term memory problems
• Word-finding difficulties
• Inability to plan or organise thoughts
• Loss of concentration

When we suffer with any of the "brain fog" symptoms, it becomes very difficult to knit. That is why I wanted to design a pattern that means you can knit despite these difficult symptoms. So, the Brain Fog Blanket pattern was born. 

It is a simple 1 row pattern that you just repeat until the square is the desired size. Then cast off, and begin another! Once you have enough squares, you can start sewing them up to create your very own squishy blanket (I suggest waiting until you're having a good day before you start sewing up, or ask someone else to help you).

I have a bag of squares already, made from DK yarn I have hidden in my stash. 

You can download the pattern for free on Ravelry. If you don't have Ravelry, don't despair! Click here to download the PDF straight onto your computer.

I've provided the pattern for free, but please consider donating to AYME.org.uk, the largest children's charity supporting young people (like myself) with M.E & CFS. If you can't donate, don't worry! Just by adding your Brain Fog Blanket project onto Ravelry you'll be spreading the word, so thank you :)

What would be really wonderful, if those with M.E (and those without) would knit one or two Brain Fog Blanket squares over the course of this week. Maybe blog about knitting them if you can, or simply adding them to your project page on Ravelry. This would bring so much awareness to this awful illness, and you'll also be on your way to creating a colourful blanket!

So tune in tomorrow for the release of the Candy Bobble Washcloth!