A Load of Old Shale

This was an easy knit. This is a free pattern from Ravely  "Larch, by Tinks and Frogs Rue, from tinksandfrogs http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/larch

Old Shale is a classic Shetland stitch.  The only difficulty encountered in this pattern was the increase in pattern repeat but once I realized where I was going wrong it all fell into place nicely.I like the juxtaposition of these colours and the wool is lovely and soft 100% Merino (Cygnet Superwash DK)

I have knitted this for my cousin whose 40th birthday has just gone.  She may need it as she and her partner have just returned from Antigua on a celebratory trip. 

Swallowtail Shawl

I have just completed a swallowtail shawl - knitted  over the Christmas break.  What an enjoyable knit this proved to be.  This is based on Estonian lace designs and was created by Evelyn Clarke and is available as a free pattern on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/swallowtail-shawl.  I love it and am probably going to knit it again in alpaca; a really expensive yarn I bought in New York last year.  I knitted this is pure wool Fairytale 2ply which is only available in white in John Lewis, Brent Cross but may be available in other colours elsewhere or online.  I knitted it on straight 4mm bamboo pins but the pattern advises a ciecular needle.  I would have done this if my circular needle had allowed me to do it but the yarn kept catching on the join so I was beaten into submission.

Swallowtail showing the edging
lily of the valley and budding
patterns.



Edging, lily of the valley and budding
close-up of pattern

This shows a close-up view of the
Swallowtail centrepoint

This was knitted from the top down and increases made to create the long edge.  This is a really ingenious pattern but it is a failry standard way of knitting a triangular shawl.  It can be made larger by increasing the budding repeats to 19.  This is the smaller version of the shawl as described in the published pattern.  The only small difficulty are the nupps to create the lily of the valley pattern but once you get the hang of them it is a breeze.  There are various YouTube videos describing how to do them which you can look up. 

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