Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and every good wish for 2021
What’s going on at Woolly?
Those of you who receive our email newsletter may know that I was unwell between Christmas and the New Year with suspected Norovirus. We won’t discuss it, you know what it is and we can just leave that in the past.
I’m back to full health and catching up with correspondence, working on some patterns and filled with hope for the coming year.
What’s on my needles/hooks?
I didn’t knit or crochet a single thing while I was unwell and it took me until the middle of January to really get back into the swing of things.
I finished another Ribbed for MY Pleasure Hat, to test the pattern again before sending it to the Tech Editor and having it proof read. The brim uses a provisional cast on and is folded inside the hat and worked together with the live stitches for a double thick brim. Links to how to do this will be included in the pattern.
Ribbed for MY Pleasure Hat knitted with James C Brett Woodlander in colourway L9 muted blues, sand and beach colours with cream and light browns.
Another hat was finished, knitted in a couple of evenings using Rowan Yarn Company Cashsoft Aran in light blue, it’s another Bay6 design featuring simple knits, purls and easy decreases to shape the crown and give it that quilted appearance.
I’m stuck for a name, I had thought A Girl’s Best Friend (for the diamonds). But maybe I should continue the theme and go with Quilted for MY Pleasure? What do you think?
Bay6 Quilted hat using Aran weight yarn in light blue.
It’s a quick knit and I enjoyed the stranded colourwork. I also found this amazing pompom for the top.
The Big Crush Hat, shown in japonica pink with blue colourwork band.
I am still working on Alameda by Clarice Gomes, it’s a lovely pattern and I really enjoyed it. The shawl will be fabulous and it’s a really enjoyable knit.
I had the urge to knit socks – what is wrong with me?
I started with the James C Brett Woodlander and used leftovers of the L9 colourway to knit some basic dk weight vanilla socks, top-cuff-cown and really enjoyed knitting them.
Basic Vanilla socks in dk yarn in beachy colours
I then cast on another pair, my friends think I’ve been replaced by an alien, but I am enjoying them. Another basic vanilla pair but using some West Yorkshire Spinners Aire Valley DK in a blue/teal colour, gifted by a good friend. Perfect for socks.
Basic socks knitted in Teal yarn, Aire Valley DK by West Yorkshire Spinners
What’s next?
Well, I cast on some more socks, using Stylecraft Jeanie Aran in Denim Blue, the pattern is Ultimate Answer Socks by Mary E Rose Designs and I am loving them. Top-cuff-down and an easy knit, only one cable crossing per repeat, basic knits and purls and simple decreases/increases. Easy, well explained and I love them.
Linnutee (Estonian for Milky Way, however the direct translation would be A Birds Path) is a cute tee specially designed for gradient yarn cakes or mini skein sets. It would also be a great way to use up those self striping yarns you aren’t sure how to use.
It is completely sized to fit each part of your body, from the hips to the shoulders. If you have trouble getting your sweaters to fit, this book is for you!
I’ve knitted this myself to test the pattern for Emma, it’s easy, relaxing and a great way to use up scraps of sock or sport weight yarns to knit a very lightweight but super warm sweater for cool days and nights.
I love the collar on this cardigan, but suggest you look at other projects for this garment on Ravelry as the designers photos, whilst beautiful, are really dark and are very hard to see.
The body of the cardigan is worked in a lovely lace-pattern. The sleeves are worked in stockinette sts, and could be worked to any length. The hems of the body/sleeves are folded back. The cardigan is supposed to be roomy and comfortable, with it’s rounded neck, and box-shaped body.
Part poncho, part pullover, and all pretty with flattering ombre neckline and an elaborate and large floral motif around the yoke. Knitted in sport weight yarn and perfect for mini skins, gradient sets or self stripers.
I love the mustard colour at the start of the top down yoke on this one, a beautiful contrast to the crisp cream and navy. Knitted in DK for a relatively quick knit.
The pullover is knitted from side to side in one piece beginning with a provisional cast-on. Pockets are cleverly knit in. Cowl and ribbing at hem are picked up and knitted. Sleeves are knitted from the top in the round, and sleeve caps are shaped with short rows.
Once Again is a top-down, pullover sweater; knit in-the-round with a stranded yoke that is coupled with simple cable stitches. Short rows are used to shape the neckline after the yoke pattern is completed.
Utmost Happiness sweater is worked seamlessly top-down. After a ribbing for neckband and set of short rows to raise the back of the sweater, a round yoke is decorated with an elaborate cable pattern achieved with mosaic knitting.
Two colour stranded knitting, simple but stunning. I love the use of a variegated yarn and a great way to use those pesky skeins with lots of pattern or colour.
Indie Gift Along 2020 my WIPs, FOs and plans for December knitting and crochet.
I cast on the Ronan Cardigan by Tiona Murphy for the Gift Along, it’s going to my friends Ben and Kelly for their new baby boy who was born a few weeks ago. I used Stylecraft Special Aran with Wool in the Denim colourway and it works well with the cables. It’s also machine wash for a new and busy Mum of two.
I’m also sending them a couple of cotton burp cloths from a pattern by my good friend Emma Sadler, it’s called Muzies.
I have wanted to knit Alameda by Clarice Gomes since I saw her knitting the sample in a beautiful green colour when we met on a Saturday night Zoom knit and natter which we both go to. It’s absolutely stunning and I love it so much. I’m using Lanas Stop Bambini in the Linen colourway. You can buy that yarn here. I’ve knitted a bit more since then and will add another photo to the project page, click the image below to see more info.
This is Clarice’s sample
I did another crochet test of a pattern for Lillinette Crochet of her Ilsan pattern, you can make two of the squares and join them to make a Biscornu which is a clever construction and makes a very pretty pin cushion. I used scraps of DK sparkly yarn in silver grey, purple and magenta.
I cast on for the CareAway Shawl, I’m not sure I made the best yarn choice, but I do absolutely love the colours, it’s a creamy white, a light grey and a mustard yellow and is called Skittles. The yarn is Stylecraft Bambino DK.
Today on the blog I’m showing Indie Design Gift Along 2020 Fave Sock Patterns. I’ll try and include a range of knit and crochet, knit first, crochet fans scroll down a bit or click this link to jump straight to the crochet goodness.
Indie Design Gift Along 2020 Fave Sock Patterns – Knit Socks
Indie Design Gift Along 2020 Fave Headband Patterns
Today on the blog I’m showing Indie Design Gift Along 2020 Fave Headband Patterns. I’ll try and include a range of knit and crochet, knit first, crochet fans scroll down a bit or click this link to jump straight to the crochet goodness.
Indie Design Gift Along 2020 Fave Headband Patterns – Knit Headbands
Knitted in sport weight yarn, this wave patterned headband is sizes from baby/toddler to adults. Make it in several colours or neutrals to match your outfits.
Knitted with DK Yarn and featuring a beautiful cable pattern with a garter border, this will be a lovely gift knit to make for a teen in their favourite colour.
Knitted with fingering weight yarn, this would be an ideal slow and relaxing project rather than a quick gift, but what a wonderful way to use up speckled or highly patterned yarns in colours you love.
This headband is designed for long-haired ponytail wearers. Now as well as having the option of ponytail over or ponytail under, you can choose ponytail through!
Crocheted in a bulky yarn and a very quick project, I love the bobble details and the feature button. A great stashbuster, last minute gift and fun for teens.
Crocheted with a strand of fingering/4ply and dk weight held together, to give an interesting marl effect, or even add a bit of sparkle for some unexpected bling.
One skein of Lion Brand Scarfie makes this crocheted cowl and headband set! Both pieces are made using hdc through back-loop-only for thickness with drape – soft, warm, cozy and quick to crochet.
The headband is folded under at top and bottom edges for extra warmth and to allow insertion of elastic bands for a guaranteed fit even after many wearings.
Both items can be made for smaller sizes to fit a child – instructions are easily adapted to the size you wish.
This pattern was designed to form functional and stylish. The textured cluster stitches provide depth and extra warmth, while the relatively simple construction make it beginner friendly. Sized toddler to adult.
This headband is the perfect accessory to help keep your hair out of your eyes while you’re on a summer adventure! It’s size adjustable, so it will work for all ages
