Blocking the Vest

The Sideways Vest is currently blocking, as pictured. What a difference a blocking makes. It’s finally starting to look like a vest. It’s quite thick yarn, and taking a long time to dry. I’m itching for it to dry, so that I can try it on, and see if it really is working the way I want. The plan is to add on armhole ribbing, now that the length is blocked out to the right size. I won’t decide on that definitively, until I’ve tried it on to get a better idea.


Mother’s Day Breakfast update:
The bacon was beautiful and crisp. The eggs were cooked perfectly.
And it came with fried tomato. What a lucky Mum I am!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day. Younger DD requested that bacon be available, so I’m expecting bacon and eggs for breakfast. Yum! I’ll take some reading material into the bedroom tonight, so I’m all ready for a leisurely morning, eating and reading. Ah, bliss!

Well, I’ve finished the main part of the vest. Too big around, and too short. This will, theoretically, right itself after blocking. My doubts make me slow down to snail’s pace. I’m forcing myself to go on. I’ve done the calculations for the bands, and am about to launch into them.

Sideways Vest adventure

I’m almost finished the main part of a sideways boatneck vest I’m working on. The yarn is Cleckheaton Kaleidoscope, which is self striping, producing vertical stripes in this sideways knit. The stitch pattern I’m using is a crossed rib. The main piece is knit all in one piece, starting at the right underarm, and working across the back, then the front and finishing at the right underarm again. I’m planning to do a three needle cast off to finish, instead of seaming.

It looks a bit short and squat at the moment, and that’s for a couple of reasons. Firstly, this stitch pattern, in this yarn at least, grows considerably when washed for the first time, so wet blocking will bring it down to it’s correct length. Secondly, I’m planning on picking up the stitches, top and bottom, to add a rib band. It all seems good in the planning. Fingers crossed that it will all work out as I expect. Wish me luck!

Toasty Tweedy Scarf Pattern Available

The Toasty Tweedy Scarf Pattern has been available on Ravelry for a while now. And I’m finally getting around to putting the links here as well.

It uses a lovely, simple stitch pattern, easy enough for beginners.The yarn I’ve used is the lovely Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed. If you’re looking for a sophisticated scarf for a man in your life, or anyone else for that matter, this may be what you’re looking for.

Toasty Tweedy Scarf

Knitting Pattern

Yarn Suggested: Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed or any other 10 ply/Aran yarn.

Gauge: 20.5 stitches and 25.5 rows = 10cm (4 inches) in Window Stitch.

Needle Size: 5.5mm needles

Meterage: 380 mtrs (416 yds)

This pattern is available to buy from Ravelry for $US 3.50

Tweedy Scarf Completed – Pattern Available Soon

I’ve finished my Tweedy Scarf. It’s lovely and cosy. The stitch pattern is a classic style, especially with this yarn. I love the simplicity of it. When time permits, I am writing up the pattern properly, bit by bit.

I’m now blocking the tension square for a vest design I’m working on. I’m using the Cleckheaton Kaleidiscope yarn. The square is worked in Crossed Rib, and boy am I glad I'm wet blocking it, because it's spread hugely. That would've been a nasty surprise when washing the garment for the first time. My daughters’ opinions on this yarn, when knitted up, were distilled as “awesome”. It seems like I’ll be using this yarn again soon. I’m glad to be getting a couple of requests. I don’t want to be knitting for myself only, but I’m the best guinea pig while I’m still at the early learning stage.

What, blog too?

Becoming a home schooling mum on top of my other duties, has seriously curtailed my Ravelry time to a quick look now and then, with no posting. And as for blogging, I have to fit that in too? How is it possible? Geez!! I’ll keep visualising it and it will happen.... occasionally.
Well, I’m still managing to knit. At the moment I’m working on a Tweedy Scarf in a simple knit and purl pattern. It’s showing off the yarn beautifully.

I’m using Jo Sharp Silk Road Aran Tweed in the Tartan colour way. I bought the yarn at Morris and Sons Melbourne store. It’s toasty warm yarn. If my knees are a bit cold or sore, I drape the completed parts over my knees while I knit. Lovely! There’s not too far to go with it now. This colour and stitch will be great for a men’s scarf. Or anyone!

New Cowl Pattern Available – Hearts and Crosses cowl

My new Hearts and Crosses Cowl pattern is now available.
It’s a great way to practice your Fair Isle skills without having to knit a whole pullover. The carried threads of the Fair Isle really add warmth. Just what we want! I was a bit rusty, so it took a bit of practice for me to carry the threads loosely enough, no matter how hard I tried. Lightly pressing under a damp cloth got rid of those little stubborn bumps, and it looks lovely and smooth now.

The yarn I’ve used for the Fair Isle pattern is variegated and so has sparked up the whole look.

Hearts and Crosses Cowl

Knitting Pattern

Yarn suggested : Cleckheaton Country Naturals and Cleckheaton Country Prints or any other 8 ply/DK ply yarn

Gauge : 25 stitches = 4 inches in Fair Isle Stocking/Stockinette Stitch

Needle Size : 4mm circular needle 40cm (16 in)

Meterage : 140 mtrs / 155 yards Main Colour

65 mtrs / 70 yard Contrast Colour

This pattern is available to buy from Ravelry for $US 3.50