Emma's Star #8 - completed

Sorry for the delay on this project, sick children will insist you spend time looking after then and not knitting/blogging, so selfish!

Well Emma's star is done. Am I happy? Yes and No 

I am happy as the pattern is nice, the yarn looks good and it was quick and easy to do.

I'm unhappy as it is supposed to be a BERET and fit a large child/small adult. Now I know I'm a tight knitter but for a the will in the world this couldn't fit more than a child. Number 1 daughter is only 5 and it's snug!

If I had fiddled with needle size I think the pattern would not have been as effective but if I ever remake for an adult then I think DK would give a better size.  Still the daughter is happy.

As for the beret .....

Well I was going to block it over a plate to see if it made a difference but it was pulled on and after an age looking this way and that on the mirror, it was exclaimed "I like it like this", the Emma's Star Beanie was born.

So next project is the Hera Headband, the last head project on the 'knit a book' journey, so until next time

Cheerio

Emma's Star #8 - knit a book is back

Firstly, well late, but happy new year everybody! 

So this is the first 'knit a book' project of 2014. I'm hoping to get more than 7 patterns done this year or I might never get this project done. If I go at the same rate as last year we are talking about 14 years to get them all done!  Not acceptable, especially as they don't take long once you start.

So far I'm loving it and think my daughter has claimed it as she keeps stroking it and saying "I like that mummy"

I'm using the magic loop technique for the hat. According to the pattern you should use 5 (yes 5!) DPNs. Seriously 5!  I struggle sometimes keeping 4 in the right place when there are only a couple of stitches on each can you imagine 5? Thank goodness for magic loop

Well I'm going to get off and get done more beret knit 

Cheerio for now

Moss Landing Hat #1 -finished

Yeah! Finished it last night but have not blocked it yet. Modelled reluctantly by hubster!

If anyone fancies a lacy hat it's a lovely wee hat to knit. A bit on the snug side but it would be easy enough to add more stitches on the cast on to make it a bit larger. It didn't quite take a skein so easily could have done this and still used the one ball.

I followed the written instructions, i'm an old fashioned girl at heart and they were fine but note there is an errata for the chart instructions, I found it on the pattern page on Ravelry. The pattern is easy enough and a novice lace knitter would be able to give it a go, I think!

All in all a great start to my project, 'knit a book'. Number #2 pattern in the book is the knot hat which is .... Errr .... Interesting. I'm dying to cast on but need to do a baby blanket might alternate projects depending on how I get on. Right, that's all (for now) folks, I'm off to cast on.

The saga will continue ....

Moss Landing Hat #1 - magic loop mastered

So I have chucked (not literally, obviously!) the DPNs. Got a quick overview last week of the magic loop technique and am using this for my hat and loving how easy it actually is. Transferred my work in progress onto the circular needle and haven't looked back. Plus I now have the added bonus of my stitches staying in the needles, hands up everyone who has lost a DPN mid row?

Not got as much knitting done this week. My mum and dad surprised us with a visit, flying in from Spain on the QT, for my son James' 1st birthday. The actual birthday was on Sunday so had a wee gathering to organise and then {drum roll} I returned to work this week. The maternity leave is over and I've been so tired, I'm just not used to this work malarkey. I only work 3 days a week, Tuesday-Thursday so hoping to get the hat finished this weekend. The end is nigh

To be continued .......