Crochet Scarf - Frances

I have just completed this joyful pattern from Rowan Winter Kids 2010-2011  and thought it would be nice to post it on my blog as I haven't recorded anything here for a while.

This was a pleasure to crochet as it was so easy and it also helped use up some of my mountain of yarn!  I started it on September 13th and completed it on October 30th so it didn't take me long.  I thought I would give it to Lola for her birthday later in November and hope the weather is cold enough for her to wear it!  That is a funny wish but I am sure she will find a use for it.  I can always extend it and transform it into an Afghan if she wants.

I have modelled it here but realize that it will be for a little girl and she may need to wrap it round one more time.

Chartwell Christmas Shawl

From Chartwell Shawl

From knitting

I reached my goal and completed the shawl for Christmas. It was quite a struggle but in the end it worked out OK. 
I only have to worry about completing all my other tasks now; that is going to be a bit of a struggle too.

Life Line

http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/knitting-tips

This link has really invaluable tips not least of which is the life line.  Such a simple idea and so helpful when knitting a really complex pattern which is really difficult to correct by dropping a stitch and working it back up again with a hook.

I have used it in my recent lace  shawl project but haven't made a serious error since I put the lifeline in.  The beauty of this is that you can reposition the lifeline as the work progresses.

Use a large darning needle or tapestry needle with a contrasting thread or string. I used soft string as it is white and smooth and consequently easy to see and pull out when required. I made some large loops of thread at both ends so that it wouldn't be pulled out inadvertently whilst working.

From Chartwell Shawl

From Chartwell Shawl

From Chartwell Shawl

So far I have gone past the half way mark and the shawl is taking shape nicely - at least I think so.

Cashmerino Scarf

This was made with left over Debbie Bliss, Cahsmerino superchunky yarn - very soft and very expensive!

From knitting

I  wanted to experiment with making knitted piped tucks so had a go on this very easy knit scarf of my own "design".  I used a variety of stitches and alternating colours carrying  the yarn over the back and front of the work to create a basket weave.

Here is a detail of the tucks, piped with triple thikness Cashmerino yarn.

From knitting

I am quite pleased with the result although I am not sure I will ever wear it. 

Shawl Chapter 3

At one point I really thought I wasn't going to be able to complete this project, but things could be worse.  I have now completed the first full pattern and now have started the repeat without making too many errors on the way and only needing to unpick now and again.  Yes still busy de-knitting when I lose track; this always seem to happen when, at the most crucial point in the pattern, the phone or the doorbell rings - do they know?

From knitting

Shawl Chapter 2

From knitting

It has been a bit of a nightmare knitting this shawl.  I made a mistake in row 42 that nearly drove me to drink!  The phone rang and I made the mistake of answering it; I dropped a stitch and couldn't pick it up.  I had to unpick 8 rows as I kept dropping stitches and couldn't reach a point where I could start to knit again in the correct pattern. Eventually I did reach a point where it was possible to start again although even this row wasn't without errors, but I thought I could rectify them once I started knitting. 

I have nearly reached the point where it all went wrong so I hope that it won't happen again.  This pattern is quite complex and requires my complete concentration with no interuptions.  I will not answer the phone until I reach the end of a row in future. 

New Project: Lace Shawl

For a change I am knitting something for myself.  I was very taken with my friend's shawl knitted in the very luxurious Rowan yarn, Kidsilk Haze.  It was so soft and warm that I really "needed" to knit myself something similar.  I went to John Lewis, Oxford street and saw the selection of beautiful couolurs available and was unable to resist the urge to buy some in spite of the enormous price tag.  Knitting is no longer an inexpensive hobby; the price of wool has gone through the roof.  However, it is still just about afordable for me and I still have a large stash of wool to knit, for when I can no longer afford to buy new.
Anyway, here are a couple of images of the shawl so far.  Watch this space!

From knitting

From knitting