Framed scattered oats

I loved the Scattered Oats pattern from the Afghan Friendship Swap site. Only problem was the curling - so I've experimented with the addition of a garter stitch frame.

Taking stock

Time to pause. There are 13 of us in the swap so far and I have knit 12 variegated and 12 light sage squares. So, although it is a moving target (because new people will probably join) – I’ve hit it. So I can take a breath and reflect. This has been such a lot of fun so far. I love the colours. The squares never look the same in a book or on screen as they do when you knit them - so it's great to see what they actually look like complete and to compare them. I'm quite attached to them although also really looking forward to seeing what everyone else's squares look like. Fun!

Reject and replacement eyelet block square

First attempt:

 

In easy company, I wasn't watching what I was creating. It ended up being 8" wide (should be 7") and had some strange colour pooling.

Second attempt - 7" wide and with an added garter stitch border:



Eyelet blocks is pattern #76 from Vogue Stitchionary vol.1

Tiny bow knot square

 

This pattern was from Afghan Squares to knit in variegated yarns.

Slip Stitch Waffle

 

Vogue Stitchionary Vol 1. Slip Stitch Waffle #45

Framed seed stitch square

 

This pattern was from Afghan Squares to knit in variegated yarns. I like the garter stitch border.

Variegated rice stitch

 

 

That's nice - it's rice (stitch)

Both sides of rice stitch....

 

 

I like this - it's so easy and I love the effects. I'm going to try it in the variegated yarn to see what happens.

Squares 15 - 18

 

Basket Weave

 

Scattered Oats - in Light Sage and Holly & Ivy

 

 

Basketweave and Scattered Oats patterns are from the Afghan Friendship Swap site.

All from the first light sage skein

 

In search of the perfect knitting needles

I had previously, somewhat naively, thought that the only things that I should be concerned about for my knitting needles was whether they could fit all the stitches for my pattern and whether they were circular if needed (eg for knitting a yoke for a sweater).

Now, I can tell that there other things definitely make a difference to knitting comfort. I had been knitting my swatches on standard aluminium straight 35cm long needles but now I've been trying out the Addi circular and Swallow needles. Knitting with 9"/ 22cm straight needles or circular needles is a lot more comfortable. There are a wide range of materials that needles can be made of - I've come across aluminium, coated brass, cassein, acrylic and various woods including bamboo, birch, rosewood and ebony. I haven't tried all of these but the lighter the needles the better and I prefer the coated brass to the cassein because the stitches "glide" off the needles more. So I would like the Addi circulars best if it were not for the fact that I haven't got the hang of manipulating the circular bit - it seems to have a mind of its own! I love the length of the Swallow needles but they are ever so slightly sticky. Next I think I'll need to try out some high quality short straight wooden needles - not sure which ones yet.

Three more squares

Easy Stitch No. 18 - Knitted Squares p 124 - Mary Webb

 

Squares - 450 Knitting stitches p.23 - Harmony Vol. 2

 

Reversed Heart (#17) - 200 Knitted blocks for afghans and throws - Jan Eaton

 

Loop and What's in a needle?

Yesterday I took ds on a pilgrimage to a gorgeous wool shop, Loop in Islington. Son enjoyed it because we went on 4 modes of Transport (*) to get there including the Hammersmith and City line. My son is turning into somewhat of a junior transpotter because this, going on an Underground Ernie train that he hadn't been on yet, was the highlight of his day (and we did do other more child friendly park-going etc activities).

My time in Loop was severely limited so I decided to choose some new needles - to see if they ease up the pressure on my right thumb joint. Sadly I was surrounded my lovely wool but no chance to study it. I liked the friendly assistance and atmosphere in this small but well stocked shop.

 

(*) Route was tortuous due to tube closures. However on the way back we found that the 43 bus route, which is very close to the shop, stops outside Bank station. My future trips will be quite easy.

Stitches that have been the most fun to knit

Stitches that I've had the most fun with so far are the Linen Stitch (8th April) and the Drop Stitch Square (12th April). The linen stitch is great with a variegated wool because you really enjoy the colour changes as you alternate stitching and slipping. The Drop stitch is fun because you get to drop stitches and unravel them - which gives a perverse pleasure.

Another 2 squares

Seed stitch blocks

 

 















Cable check from my new book (charts only) - Knitting Stitches by Mary Webb (page 169)
 

Squares so far...

 

Drop stitch square

 

 

My ninth square! And as we have another member of the swap then I now have one square for each of the other current members of the swap.

I found the pattern for this drop stitch square from a link given in the Afghan Swatch Knitalong which I might join.

Bells and bell ropes/ Purled ladder stitch

Bells and bell ropes - front

 

Bells and bell ropes - back

 

Bells and bellrope pattern from the Harmony Guides, 450 knitting stitches, vol 2. page 45.

Purled ladder stitch

 

Double rice stitch square is complete, next ....

Here is the double rice stitch square - which was reasonably simple but effective.

 

Next I'm going to knit a solid colour square - light sage. I'm thinking of knitting the bells and bell ropes stitch.

Bramble done, now double rice stitch

Like the effect of the bramble but, the whole time I was doing it, I was thinking that I wasn't going to knit another one.

Next, I'm going to knit a double rice stitch. I thought that 29 stitches would be reasonably safe but it's only come out at 6" so I'll have to start again with 33 stitches...

Linen stitch square finished, now starting Bramble stitch

I enjoyed knitting the Linen stitch - especially with the variegated yarn as I could see where I was in the pattern because the colours alternated on the needle. It's great seeing the difference between the two sides. Only problem is the density of the stitch. If I knit this again, I will use a couple more stitches.



























The photos show both sides of the Linen stitch.

Bramble stitch next - 10 stitches for just under 2". I guess it should be 38 stitches wide.

Lymington wool shop closing down

The shop for wool in Lymington is closing down due to a combination of the lease running out, the business rates going up by 50% in one year and the owner and other ladies in the shop reaching retirement age.



The lady serving on the wool counter, of this haberdashery, has worked there for 37 years. I feel saddened that just as I am rediscovering knitting, this shop should be closing. The closing down sale is on for the next 2 weeks, for anyone in the area, and includes a selection of Rowan discounted at 30%.

A few weeks surfing and I'm getting an understanding of some of the lingo and habits of the average knitting blogger. I realise I'm a bit short of stash. I have a few UFOs (unfinished objects) but I've never bought any wool without it being for a specific project and very little remains afterwards. So in the shop, that is closing down, I buy a ball of wool, as a momento and to bring me into the ranks of those with a 'stash'!

 

I feel very magpie-like in my choice as it is bright and shiny. I do not know what I'm going to do with it - my mother thinks that this is very foolish. I'll have to think of something - any ideas?