Christmasey Cheer

I LOVE Christmas. I really really do. I love shopping, I love making, I love wrapping, and I love the excuse to fly to Toronto and see my family. Living far away is sometimes hard, but knowing I get Christmas here makes it all much better!

I have been in town a week now, and have made my way down to the most amazing yarn shop that Toronto has to offer! Romni Wools on Queen West is amazing. If you live anywhere in the general area just go. Drop everything, leave your non-woolly friends at the Tim Hortons across the street (they can people watch, and there are quite a few weirdos in that area) and although the store doesn't look like much on the outside its really worth a trip inside! There are two floors of yarn. The ground level floor is made up of current lines of yarn and is sorted by fibre and size, so if you only want sock yarn you can skip a few rows and just go there. I never skip anything. I spent an hour in there the other day, when it was my second trip to the store already!!! The basement is a dungeon of amazingness - its where they put all their sale yarns and a huge stock of yarn on cones! Its amazing!

While home I've knit one and a half pairs of mittens and I bought yarn to produce sets as my next year's endevour! For the month of January I will still make things for my Etsy shop but have decided it will be a winter occurance only and will spend the rest of the year either making stock or knitting for myself!!! I already have ideas for a hot water bottle cover, mittens for me!, perhaps another sweater.... the sky is the limit! (Ok, the summer months are the limit, but who's counting!) I can't wait to share the items as I make them. I'm going to be making my own patterns for them and really want to be able to share the ideas with others!

 

December Finally!

For someone who hates the snow I have an obscene joy for December. I love the Christmas build up, the manic shops (I try to do most of mine online in advance so the few things I go out and get aren't too ridiculous) and just the rush!

Right now the rush is a bit more than I anticipated. I have taken on an extra job at work, managing my etsy shop, organising knit groups and I'm flying back home in a few days, right after a friend's wedding and then Christmas Dinner for the in-laws. (We're not actually married but how else is a nice way to say your boyfriends parents?). You can possibly imagine the state of my flat?

My signature mittens arrived to their buyer in the USA, which is SUCH a relief and the buyer Kitty says she has been wearing them everyday! I'm so glad they are being used and enjoyed. I love those mittens but I love sharing the craft and what I make. It brings me such satisfaction!

I can't wait to show you some of the things I make in the new year. One of the items will be inspired by the Signature Mittens and I have had the yarn since September and I can't wait to use it! I keep pulling it out, looking at it and practical me keeps putting it away and going to my shop items instead!

 Maybe you will be inspired and share your things with me!

November is the Month things happen in!

I have sold two items from my Etsy shop...my lovely cashmere pink mittens and my signature ones that are blue with red and yellow hearts. Its amazing!

Also, someone has made the same pattern on Ravelry! I'm not sure if I can copy their picture here legally, but I love that someone has made my pattern. Its a bit bizarre seeing something I drew by hand become something I had nothing to do with! But the colours are great, and not something I would have tried so I love that inspiration that comes along with it!

Here is their mitten:

One, Two, Three, Four....

I HAVE SOLD SOMETHING! Its amazing!

These mittens have been a hit (and they're a lot easier than the ones I was doing before) and I've managed to sell two already and then had some people enquire about a few more!

Here are the green ones. You can see the thumbs have changed and I'm not overjoyed about that but I think it looks better than having a second colour added on!

The first pair I sold were these amazing Alpaca ones in a hot pink that I'm in love with. I bought the wool at Romni in Toronto and that store is a cave labyrinth of amazing-ness. These were from the Dungeon of Sales in the basement! I removed one repeat of the pattern at the bottom to ensure I had enough left for the thumbs and I did! (Just!)

The pink ones were sold to a friend from work and we are a team of 3, so naturally my other colleague wanted a pair too. This purple is from English wool company Wendy and its' their Bliss line and its really soft (and cheap, woot woot!). I think its my new favourite standard yarn. Just hope they come out with even more colours. You can kinda see the flecks of pinky purple with bluey purple in this colourway. 

Distraction

I have done some new mittens. Not colourwork but a lace project that looks like cable. Its pretty neat! Its a free pattern I found on Ravelry and only takes one skein of yarn so I thought I would have a go. I have a lot of WONDERFUL balls of wool that are lonely orphans and so can really only lend themselves to this type of project. They are called Autumnal Mittens and the pattern is really simple! Its a great project for starters in lacework!

Its going well enough, except that I kinda ran out of yarn at the end of the second mitten so Im having to take some of the ribbing out of the first one to make sure they match. PAIN in the BOTTOM!

Here's what it looked like before I had to modify it....

I don't like this colour enough to order more of it, so I will just have to live with the modifications and hope no one notices (Im not doing a very good job of hiding it am I???). I'm a bit worried now to start another pair but my friend wants bright pink and I actually have this amazing bright pink Alpaca yarn I keep trying to find a project for. And really, I started these as a practice to use that yarn so its the perfect chance! I'll just have to cut the ribbing at the bottom a bit short and preserve a bit more of the yarn! Le Sigh..... 

I will show a picture of these when they're done too!

Live for Sales...

I have finally set up my very own Etsy shop and am planning on talking some nice people into buying stuff from me!! Woot woot! I spend much too much money on knitting, knitting supplies, yarn, soon probably stitch markers (also from Etsy, must search for them on there, some really amazing ones!).

My shop is mostly just accessories for the winter - scarve/cowl thing that has SILK in it, some mittens, and hats. I really want to sell something! I did the photos the other day and it was so sunny and warm out, you would never guess that it's October in England!!!  That's a picture of me preparing a green hat for its photoshoot! Thanks to the boyfriend for the "outtake shot"....


I started my first cardigan ages ago, but Im doing it on such small needles and really feel its going to be a long term project and I wanted something I could wear NOW (im getting impatient!) so I started a sweater/jumper called O W L S by Kate Davies. Its a really fast knit so if anyone wants to dive into cable work but in an easy knit this one seems to be pretty awesome!

I will keep you updated as I really want to finish it soon!

O W L S

I am knitting a ubiquitous Owls sweater by Kate Davies. It seems everyone on Ravelry has done one, and now its my turn! I have one of my sleeves, and the bottom of the body complete. Instead of knitting a swatch I did the sleeve and just continued even though it didn't work out just right! But It does seem big enough so not a problem!

I will post pictures later, but the joy of this jumper is the owls and they are one of the last things I need to knit!  Im really excited as this is my first piece of clothing I get to knit for myself! I am making a cardigan, but its 4ply and it knits sooooo slowly! This one is ZOOOM in comparison!

Slippers Update

So, I cast on some slippers for myself, got about half way done and realised I had made them too skinny!!! They're child's size. Luckily I need some children's slippers so that works ok for me, but I have realised I need a size guide and clearer instructions so that if anyone else uses my pattern it won't create the same issue for them!

Using DK yarn and size 3.5 needles:

50-66 stitches create a good size for an adult foot.
40-50 are good for child's size.

The ones in the picture are a broken rib pattern and once you do one pair you'll see just how easy they are to change the stitch pattern but to do these here are the directions:

Cast on an uneven number of stitches with a long tail left to sew up your work later.  (12" would be more than enough)

Row 1: knit (this row creates a ridge so you can seam easily when they are finished)
Row 2: knit
Row 3: Purl first stitch then *knit 1, purl 1 alternately* for the remainder of the row ending in a purl
Row 4: knit
Repeat rows 3 & 4 until you reach the length of slipper you require. You want this to come just to the tip of your big toe.
Next row: As you have an uneven number of stitches you will need to find your centre stitch. Knit two stitches together until this middle stitch, knit this one on its own and then continue to knit two together until the end. (If you want to roughly guess which stitch is in the middle you can, its not that important to get it right on the centre. I'm quite laid back about my knitting and stitch counts generally).
Last row: Purl two together in the same way as last row, with your middle stitch knit on its own.

Leaving a lengthy tail break your yarn.  Thread your end through the remaining stitches and pull to create a drawstring. Sew up the two sides of the piece to create a toe to your slipper. Use the long end from the beginning (or a new piece if you did not leave the long tail) to sew up the back of your slipper.

Re-enforce the slipper with another piece of string by weaving around the opening. This will help keep the slipper on your foot!

Voila! Easy Peasy

http://thisgirlknits.blogspot.com/2010/12/easy-ballerina-slippers.html

Baby knits...?

So, after knitting the sheep baby jumper I kinda swore off baby stuff. It takes forever, its so little and they're only going to wear it for like 2 months max and then they grow out of it...so all that work for the tiny garments just didn't seem worth it. But in trying to clear out my stash I have a collection of Debbie Stoller Bamboo Ewe that I really want to use up, and in searching for patterns I've come across some really cute girly patterns.

And one of my friends has just told me she's having a baby girl in 4 months... This almost sounds like a challenge!

More Knitten Mittens

I love mittens. Especially ones I could possibly wear at work on cold days, so Fingerless are the best!

Here is the first of the "My own design" ones!

I love that these have turned out so well! Im going to be selling them on facebook under the name This Girl Knits at the end of August and anything that doesn't sell then will go on Etsy when Im back from my Canadian holiday in the first two weeks of Sept!

The link to the original mitten pattern is here : http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/endpaper-mitts

Link to my pattern is here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/heart-endpaper-mittens

And the link to them for sale on Etsy here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/82760711/hand-knit-heart-fingerless-mittens

Christmas in the works...

Either sales or Christmas. Im thinking I really need to work on making things to sell. My boyfriend thinks he's with a potential gold mine and thinks we're going to be rich one day by selling my knitting! Somehow I don't think so, but a girl can dream! Here's the first thing Im making to sell....

There will be a match to this one! Next will be pillow cases. I like the way the one I made has sewn up (the 3 sides I have done so far that is... I need to think of a good way to attach wool to a zipper to do the last side). 

May Day

Its May 1st.... which gets me thinking of SUMMER! But then after summer is Christmas.... and that means I'd better get knitting pressies for the family. friends, boyfriend....

Slippers are a given, they're fast and easy but the boy's mom wants Black Mittens, so Black Mittens I shall make. And Im thinking my dad and his girlfriend would probably appreciate matching mittens for under their snowmobile mitts....

What to make my own Mom? Im thinking that pillow as her present...but not sure how to sew knitting onto fabric...any advice?

April

So this month I haven't really been doing much... I have baked a few batches of cookies, which have been very popular with the boyfriend, co-workers, and friends alike! I made some last night for my knitting group that were chocolate pecan, but the boyfriends favourite is the Peanut Butter Chocolate ones! Can't blame him, they are amazing! Im kind of a chocolate chip cookie fan, more because I like the batter and eat it while the cookies are baking (you have to always do two batches for that, so I do!).

When I was a kid I used to wait until my mom went out and then start on the cookies! I do remember one time that she returned home and there were burnt cookies in the front yard and the dog had started on them... oops? Those days mostly behind me and with the help of www.allrecipies.com I was in search of the perfect chocolate chip recipe. I did find one that was pretty amazing, but you always had to refridgerate the dough before baking otherwise it turned into a sloppy flat mess in the tray. But the result was chewy, soft, amazing.

Now, living in England, the fridges aren't that big, and the freezer isn't really equipped for things like this so I was on the hunt once again. Since I make a lot of cupcakes I thought of trying the Hummingbird recipes for cookies. SUCCESS. I swear they somehow have made treat heaven in those books. If you haven't heard of this bakery its amazing.  Here's the link to the book on Canadian Amazon, you can do a search and it will come up. The cookies just work. Its great! The peanut butter and basic chocochip both are outstanding. Gooey, soft, crisp on the edge. Mmmmm... So if you're looking for a cookie recipe, there ya go! Cupcakes are perfect from them as well... I just havent tried any bars or pies yet! (YET!)

They have a new bigger book out now too, and it should arrive in the mail/post today!!Mojito cupcakes anyone!!! Have to make those first I think!!!   There's a place in Oxford that does Mojito Fudge, and its amazing!!! 

Marisol the Mousey

This is the cutest  mouse I have ever knit. Ok, its the only mouse I have ever knit, but its cute!!!

It was practice for me getting my new book - Knit Your Own Royal Wedding! I really want to knit the Queen and have her sit on my sofa for tea!!! Cannot wait! 

Damask Pillow Take 2

I have begun my second Damask Pillow. As the mother is getting the first I know Sam would not be happy if we did not have one in our house as well! Enter cushion number two!

 

So far, so good! Its a lot faster to knit the second time around. Maybe I will actually be able to make one of these to sell one day! Fat chance with Sam around wanting to keep it all!

Marchy Goodness

LOTS have happened in the last month! Finally settling into my new Knitting Haven....errr...flat. We have a cushy white sofa and lots of lamps and good lighting. After work I really love flicking on the tv and just sitting down...which means lots of knitting has been going on!

Ive completed my Damask cushion/pillow cover and think my mom has stolen it as her own. I still have to sew it into a pillow, but who likes doing the grunt work? Not I!

This is it sat upon another pillow and it really did turn out well! Eventually I hope to make one and see what I can sell it for! If anyone has any ideas what something like this would be worth let me know. This one is wool, alpaca and acrylic blend so its lovely and soft but will be hard wearing and wont lose its shape over time!

I have also made a hideously colourful tea towel for the kitchen. I think its in the laundry bin (getting to all that tonight, i promise, as soon as Im through....).

 

I have the cutest new project.... Marisol the Knitted Mouse who can be found on Ravelry for free! There are other knitted toys I wanted to try so this seemed like the perfect project to start.Simple, small and soooo cute! I still have to do her arms, legs and tail but I wanted to share anyway! The picture is a bit fuzzy but when she's done I'll put up a better picture!

Sam's Mum wants some black mittens, and I bought the wool for them but black is just so depressing on its own. I like to wear black sometimes, but usually with other colours. I would just leave them for Sam to knit himself, but with black yarn its so frustrating and you can never seen any problems so I can see it really pissing him off..... ahhhh parents.  

Updates for the sake of it...

So the present went down a treat! It was the only present to be passed around the room and it really did look impressive once I stopped weaving in the loose ends and fretting about how to wash it etcetera....

Ive since had the mummy let me know she really loves it, and the grandma request one made for the dad (not a chance, but a funny idea!). Im not sure how soon Ill be starting another cardigan, as that one took me long enough! All in all, Im very glad I did it though. Kerstey definitely deserved a thoughtful present, she's such a lovely person!

I really have the knitting bug today and want to finish off my pillow cover, and the mittens I'm still in the middle of, and perhaps a few more wash cloths, but I really really SHOULD be packing! I move in 2 days!   Off I go... Ta ra....

Gifty Gifty...Don't show Kerstey!

This is the completed baby present! She wont be getting it until Sunday but I cannot resist....Im quite pleased with how it turned out and as I was making it I kept thinking "I can't believe I've made this..." but this has inspired me to perhaps try making an adult sized sweater too (no, not for you Sam, for me!).... Im trying to choose what yarn and what pattern to use! I have some patterns I got for Christmas so I will have to wait until I move and unpack to choose one of those to use!!! Cannot wait! :)

Sheep Dreams....

I am knitting a pillow cover. I am not not done my friend's present BUT I started this first and I do love me some stranded colourwork. This one Im doing in a 50% wool, 50% acrylic so its nice and soft but lighter, and of course cheaper, than 100% wool. And since its going on my couch using 100% would be a bit of a waste really!

I saw this design on Ravelry and there was no way to get a hold of the pattern so I (and I am serious here) sat and copied the pattern from the person's picture onto my own graph paper. Really. It took me about 90 minutes or maybe more, but atleast an hour and a half. Then a few days later someone sent me a link to the actual pattern! How frustrating, but by then I had already begun! If anyone is interested I can send them the link I was sent, but I dont want to publish it incase its against some sort of copyright.

Update Due....

I have not posted in a month! Alas, I have been busy, and not just with knitting this time! I have interviewed and succeeded in securing a new job at my company which has made me quite chuffed! (Learning British English is an ongoing process....) I also have looked at flats and settled on one with my boyfriend! Very very exciting! I start my new job on the same day I move, which isn't ideal but you do what you can with what you're given.

All this and I've also found time to celebrate New Years in Toronto (the last day I wrote) with some of my favourite people, knit another pair of hearty mittens which have already been gifted, knit some fingerless manly things for the bf which are not the same size at all despite my re-knitting attempts. I will give it one last go before I tear them apart and turn them into a hat! He does have quite the baldy head, and being English he hasn't quite learned the whole "dressing for the weather" thing Canadians learn very young. Im trying to train him and giving him the necessary tools will help for sure. I have also copied a tapestry-esque damask pattern from someone else's finished project and started my own pillow, started a third pair of hearty mittens (what, i like them!) and am just about done a baby cardigan! The cardigan is one of those things even I am amazed I have done. I take it places and am trying to finish it asap for a friend (who hopefully does not read my blog!) whose baby shower is Feb 20th - I have 20 days! EEEK! Im close to finishing but INCASE she does read this I wont put any pictures up...

I can share the pillow, mittens and such in the meantime!

This one is Sam laughing at me... oh the knitting disasters!