Twist and Slouch #4 - does anyone else miss purl?

Main body of hat complete. Tomorrow I will unravel the provisional cast off and finish the 'twist' off, I hope my yarn donor likes it!

I have been finding recently that I miss purling.  When I learnt to knit nearly all patterns were created on straight needles. You had none of this seamless stuff and circular needles were only rarely used.  Now so many patterns are created with circulars I find I'm purling less and less.

Don't get me wrong, seamless knitting has bonuses. I HATE sewing up so obviously not having to do that is a major tick in the box.  But I do find that now when I have inches of stocking stitch (like in this hat) my heart sinks a wee bit as it just a bit boring, purling used to jazz it up now it's just knit, knit, knit. Does anyone else feel like this?

Anywho ... Moan over (for now) latest pick attached. Back to work tomorrow so might not get the t finished tomorrow but will try.

Twist and Slouch #4

No messing around here, straight into pattern #4 today.

This pattern requires a provisional cast on. My preferred method is to crochet a chain and then knit into the loops. I find when it's time to undo and pick up stitches it comes undone quickly and easily.

Apart from a inch of rib when you first cast on this whole hat is in plain knit so hopefully will be another quick one.

This hat is a little bit different to the previous hats as this is the first pattern I'm making using donated yarn.  The idea is if you have some sock yarn/4 ply lying around and your not sure what do with it then you send it to me with a return address. I then decide what to knit it into and return your finished item.  You won't know what your getting until it gets returned (or unless you recognise your yarn on my blog!), a nice wee twist.

Until next time

Desiree's hat - finished

KWell well, how quick was that?

Seriously a nice knit, quick easy and if you don't have kids annoying you every two minutes and easy decrease at the end for shaping. I did have to swap to DPNs after a few decreases but magic loop could be used if preferred.

You might have guessed from my last comment I cocked up the decrease. I've absolutely no idea how but I had 5 extra stitches at the end, 15 instead of 5. I decided to just live with it and cast off and hey presto it works so the luck of the gods is with me.

I would make this again, it is a simple but effective pattern and another goodie for beginners wanting a go at a simple pattern.

So of to twist and slouch ...

The hat has been kindly modelled by my wee man, just incase your wondering it's not his size!

Desiree's Hat #3

So it's been a while, what have I been up to?

I've been making a circular lace christening shawl for my Aunty and some stuff for my daughters summer fair, flannels, hair bands, dinosaurs ... All projects are on my Ravelry page 'Claire-Louise'.

So before I start my mum's 3 ply bolero I'm going to try and sneak in a couple more projects from my knit a book extravaganda.

So pattern #3 is cast on, rib is done and pattern has started.  Simple pattern but I like the effect. I have, however, found some of the hat patterns in the book on the small size. With this in mind I'm trying this one out with DK instead of 4 ply and I cast on using 3.5mm and changed to 4mm for the main pattern. So far so good.

The other problem I'm finding is my smallest circular needles are just (and we are talking just, stitches stretched a bit for first couple of rows) big enough. According to the pattern a 16" needle is recommended which is what I'm using.  Does anyone else find it a tight squeeze?

Well I'm off to try and get the first set of pattern complete and I'm hoping to knock this out pretty quick as its just a basic knit/purl combo for the effective stripes.

Until next time, happy knitting x

Get Knotty #2 - Done and Dusted

So pattern #2 done only 99 left!

I really wasn't keen on this pattern in the book but made the large size and quite like it, now it's finished, as it's slouchy and not as 'stiff' as the knit looks in the book.

This was so quick to make and there was no sewing, you use a 3 needle bind off, which is always a bonus in my book.

If I made it again I would make the knot tabs longer as it was tight to get the knot made and have some tab dangling.

A great knit for beginners or a mindless knit for advanced knitters as its just stocking stitch throughout with no increases or shaping until you hit the tabs.

Got to make a friends birthday present now but looking forward to making the next project.

Watch this space .....

Get knotty! #2

Oh my lord!

This is such a quick knit. I cast on around 14.00 today and have zoomed. Very easy pattern, all SS, so you don't have to think about it or check patterns, nice change after my previous few projects.

How am I feeling about the 'knot'? Still think I'll look like a complete numpty but have made the large size so it will fit nicely over my pony tail and not be too tight. The large size has fit nicely onto my smallest circular needle so I haven't had to magic loop.

If it continues to knit as quick, expect a finished result soon

Sorry for the delay!

Well this knit a book malarkey is going to take longer than expected. I'll be casting on pattern #2 today and am quite excited about it.

So why am I only up to the second pattern? Well cause I've got so many other projects to do. Three have been completed since my moss landing hat. A baby blanket, a cardigan and some chicks.

I've posted photos incase you want a sneaky peek.