Knot Knitting

I'm hiding on here away from the pink baby knitting. I am giving myself just five more minutes, then cueing everything up for little bear's martial arts, then doing a few more pink rows.

The poor child will be 18 before it gets anything.

A quiet day, I hope

Tomorrow the daughter of Nice Next Door is induced and will be having her baby. It has been a risky pregnancy, and I think everyone will breathe a sigh of relief when mother and baby are doing well.

I promised them I would knit stuff. They actually asked. Guess how much I have done...

So today I am knitting. I have a jacket to sew up, I have a pair of bootees finished, I have a hat almost finished, and if I can find it I have a moss stitch hat started and an instarsia cardigan that has gone horribly wrong but I should be able to fix. I also have a large quantity of yarn and a booklet by Patons of easy baby knits with double knitting on 4mm needles. A steady and focussed stint while I catch up with the tv programmes that have been lurking for a while on the sky box will get a bit done.

Also I am knitting in pink. It is not my favourite colour. It could be worse, though. At least the yarn is half way decent.

Tempus fugit

I was asked to make some knitted baby clothes for next door's about to be newest grandaughter. I should have had until the end of April, and to be fair I had found the needles and wool and patterns and even finished one little coat (obviously haven't sewn it together, I have not been that out of character!).

The baby may be induced next week. Actually the baby may not wait that long - it looks like she is ready to come out!

So I am praying for the little one and mum and I am going to sit down for the next few days and do some concentrated knitting! Evil cat permitting, of course

Knitting fail

I can't do basic lace knitting - I can't! I have just magically conjured up 50% more stitches than I should have in a single row, and I have no idea how I did it.

Grump, grumble, complain and moan. I am so fed up that evil cat stopped trying to sit on my throat.

Back to the drawing board for the baby clothes.

More and more knitting!

Mr Nice Next Door's daughter is having a little girl very soon, and has just asked me to knit some things for her as she can't find them in the shops.

So I have purchased a large quantity of pink yarn from Deramores, even more from a local yarn shop that I hadn't previously visited (but will again, it is the Wool Shop on Tong Road and it is lovely, bright, airy and inviting - the people are lovely there as well) and some top up patterns for the new style of baby clothes - before Nice Mr Next Door's daughter said she preferred the old style. So I've dug those out again.

I am looking forward to catching up some listening time with Classic FM and a large quantity of very pink. I am also knitting some scarves (pink) for her two older daughters, but I can rattle those off in one evening.

Of course, that puts off the jacket, but that put off finishing a sweater, and that put off finishing a slipover...

I MUST FINISH THESE!

Knitting nervously

As a present I got given a book and some knitting wool and I went for it to start knitting a swirl jacket. I love the way they look, I really, really, really want to wear it, and it looks lovely to knit and it's knitted in one piece and only one seam so no second sleeve syndrome. I started it this weekend.

Step one - cast on 569 stitches (yes, five hundred and sixty nine knitting stitches). I've done that, with some supervision from little bear.

Step two - purl row one, knit row two, purl row three. I've done that and quite enjoyed it.

Step three - join the round and knit it as a tube. Well, I think it's okay, but I suspect that I may have twisted it and that I may have added a stitch. Even with the extra long circular needle, it's hard to sort out whether it's twisted or not until after I have knitted several more rows. If it turns out twisted, however, and I have to unpick then I shall take it as a learning curve. I really, really want to wear the jacket. It may take me some time.

Something finished

I started a knitted cushion cover. I just couldn't resist having ago, I had never done smocking. And I really enjoyed the smocking and knitting in the round and the three needle cast off.

To fill it I took a pillow case that had been in with something that had run in the wash and was now a delicate shade of grey, perfect for lining the grey woollen knitted case. I stuffed it with unravelled sweater, including a sweater that had been knitted years ago and was now not fit to wear and I had to unravel it quick before I wore it again.

I didn't do the rolled edge that the pattern called for. I knitted it (five feet long, five stitches wide, stocking stitch - yeurk!) but decided that I thought it looked better without it. So now I have a lovely firm, smocked front cushion, and I really like it.

I need to go some though to finish more. Under the influence of the anaesthetic (my story, and I'm sticking to it) I ordered enough yarn for three sweaters from Deramores. Yes, I couldn't buy either that style in the shop or anything that inexpensive for what the yarn cost. The patterns are all from a magazine that is part of the subscription that I got for last Christmas. All I need is the time to knit them!

Patience? Pass the dictionary

Okay, despite everything, I bought a copy of 'The Knitter' with an article on 'Judy's Magic Cast on' which is freely available on the interwebs.

And there was a gorgeous pattern for a knitted cushion cover, with smocking, which I have never tried. And I did happen to have enough of the right weight yarn around, funnily enough.

But I didn't have the right size needles. This baffles me, as I have heaps and piles and stacks of needles, but not in the right size. That needle is probably somewhere in a half finished project somewhere. So I thought, darn it to heck, I'll use the size up. The yarn is aran, the knitting needles are 4.5mm which is smaller than the 5mm-6mm usually recommended for aran and I couldn't wait (in my defence, I am feeling a bit poorly). So I used 5mm.

However that means that the knitting has a more open fabric (though still not very open) so when I stuff it I will have to line it in a matching/toning colour rather than just emptying an old pillow into it. Fortunately I have been given some fleece which is the right colour, so the cushion will be uber warm, and I will stuff it with an old sweater I knitted nearly twenty years ago, which really isn't fit to be seen any more but if I don't shred it then I will wear it.

After all, I am just making something to sit on. And the smocking is coming along lovely.

Grumpy

I feel low, headache-filled and fed up. I am sleep deprived, achy and the noise from behind is ongoing and relentless. Little bear is gorgeous, but I haven't given him enough attention today. He is safely at nursery.

And I saw the most horrific thing on my friend, ebay. It was a hand knitted sweater. I was having a quick look at the children's clothes to see if there were any bargains hovering, and there was this sweater. Someone had taken time and effort to knit a sweater in the most repulsive combination of yellows and sort-of-hope-it's-brown colour. The variegated yarn had worked out into the sort of 'sixties-special-effect' pattern to make the absolute worst as it looked like a visual representation of hitting your head hard with a baseball bat.

I looked at that and thought - my stuff looks okay to me, but that sweater looks like it was knitted as a migraine. Does my stuff look that bad to everyone else?

Also, someone took huge amounts of time and effort over it, it looks like it was never worn, and I don't think they will get the cost of the yarn back. There were no bids on it when I had a look and less than an hour to go.

So part of me really feels for the poor knitter who is not getting anyone interested in the item that probably took her/him a week, and part of me thinks - I know cats are colour blind, but I bet it would still work to keep Oscar off the flower bed.

I am sure that it is someone's taste somewhere. It really isn't mine (you may have guessed) and as I am grumpy I am being a bit cruel but it did get me thinking. How it is so hard to know when you start to knit whether something will do for someone. And how hard it must be to spend hours and hours knitting something, only to see the appalled expression on the recipient's face.

Also, I know the feeling of buying expensive wool, knitting lots of cables, and then having darling uncle complaining that my knitting is wrong because it all drops when he washes it (stuff I have knitted for myself never does). The spin setting on his twin tub is obviously not a factor.

Hope dashed

I was looking through a booklet of knitting patterns for babies. I don't actually know any babies but thought that as the garments are so small I may have a remote chance of finishing one.

Little bear looked over my shoulder. 'Can I have that please?' he asked, pointing at a knitted baby pirate costume.

I nearly did a dance around the room - little bear was actually being half way willing to wear something I knit. He won't wear a sweater, and neither will OH, and little bear is very dismissive of the thought of wearing anything his mum made. But he actually wanted something from a knitting pattern and I could do it, where were my needles!!!

Actually he wanted a pirate costume that wasn't knitted, thank you so much. I feel so deflated.

How one thing leads to another

I had promised myself no more knitting magazines except the ones subscribed to, which are Christmas presents.

But on holiday I bought a magazine 'because I was on holiday' and bought Knit Magazine. Knit Magazine had a very interesting article on how to knit socks with custom sizing.

I can't knit socks. Double pointed needles are my enemy.

But it was such an interesting article, and I could really use bedsocks as my feet are notoriously cold, and the next magazine with part two of the article was coincidentally hitting the shops the next day. So I got the next one. The article was very interesting indeed.

However, it referred to casting on the socks using 'Judy's magic cast on'. I had never heard of this but it sounded intriguing as I am still using the cable cast on that my grandmother taught me when I was eight. But nowhere in the magazine did it mention how to do it - no mention anywhere of how to do Judy's Magic Cast On.

I was resigned to looking it up on ravelry when my subscription to Simply Knitting arrived. According to an advertisement in there, this month's copy of 'The Knitter' has an article on Judy's Magic Cast On.

So today I am actually making a journey to go and purchase 'The Knitter', as it is not on sale in the local shops and is not only far too advanced for me but also has projects that seem to take up far too much time, just so I can read about Judy's Magic Cast On. I could probably still find it on Ravelry, but where's the fun in that.

Also, part three about the socks is in Knit Magazine next month. Of course I will be daft enough to buy a magazine for an article (again a journey as it is not available locally) about something I don't knit.

I shall let you know how I get on.

Disaster!

I have been knitting a v necked sleeveless pullover for darling father (OH will not, under any circumstances, wear a knitted garment of any sort). It is a nice little pattern. The v neck is quite deep, which would suit darling father. My late great uncle used to insist on only buying v necked sweaters, but then wore them the wrong way round to keep his chest warm. Darling father likes to show off his ties. It is knitted in aran - I think afghan weight for those used to North American weights. The needles, however, are a small size so you get a very dense stocking stitch which should be lovely and warm.

Knitted the front and back - took slightly longer than I thought because of the smaller needles but it was no problem. Sewed up the right shoulder sleeve with top stitching as instructed. Picked up 131 stitches for the neckband (grumbling all the way through), ribbed the correct amount and cast off.

Then I realised that at the start of the ribbing I had dropped two stitches - right at the front where the point of the v is. And I had cast off.

So I shall swear, grumble and use a needle and the yarn to sew the loose stitches in. But I am not happy. And I still have to pick up two lots of 99 stitches for the arm holes. However I am determined to finish it - if only so I don't have to look at it again.

I would also like to mention that as I was trying not to cry and picking up the dropped stitches with a safety pin, evil cat chose that exact moment to land on my lap and rub her chin firmly and lovingly all around the hand holding the safety pin with loose stitches precariously on the open point. It's reassuring to see malice still in the old girl.

Memo to self

Memo to self. When knitting a pattern that should, theoretically, be really easy but you don't 'get' and can't fall into the rhythm of, don't drink. A very small amount of Tia Maria will make the pattern impossible. Every time. Don't even think about a glass of wine. You will regret it, and you will have to undo it all. Like that sweater that has been redone twice, after being under the influence of a measure.

Once upon a time I could hold my drink, but now I only need to sniff the label. Still, at least it doesn't cost a lot to get me tipsy.

Need a reality check

I really shouldn't have bought the knitting magazine.

And I really shouldn't have looked at a particular pattern.

I would have to alter it to be at least six inches longer, but the measurements could hold it. And it is knitting from a chart which I loathe. Of course it is in 4ply which I loathe knitting with almost as much - make it chunky and quick! And I am not entirely sure I can master the stitches.

But it is such a lovely, lovely top in a style I love but can't seem to buy and ideal for summer...

Anyone want to bet how long before I start pricing up 4ply?

Shopping

Late night browsing - I found some knitting needles made of casein, or milk! And you can get yarn containing 30% milk solids. So you could knit a milk sweater on milk needles. I don't need any more needles, I need to lose some, but I looked at these quite expensive needles and just for a moment was really tempted.

My shopping for knitting is focusing on some sort of receptacle for my patterns. I struggle to keep them all in one place, especially as my home is currently extremely chaotic. So plans for future knitting get overlaid and forgotten. And being me, I looked on my friend ebay. I didn't see anything I liked.

The thing is, I don't know what I want, but I will know it when I see it. That is a dangerous way to shop. Really I don't want a standard box file (the blindingly obvious solution) because I like to be quirky. It is not helpful to want to be quirky. It can be more expensive. Fortunately for my bank balance I like to have things that are reused rather than bought in an expensive boutique.

But I have realised that there is an old cardboard box that OH refused to get rid of - it is very sturdy and we thought it would come in useful. But while it is the perfect size, it is a surgical appliance pink. I don't like pink. So I can make it a bit more 'me' by covering it with paper. I was considering Cath Kidston paper. Yes, that is as logical as anything, to not like pink but getting strangely mesmerised by Cath Kidston. Consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds, according to someone famous I can't remember, so I don't feel the need to worry about it.

But paper could wear off and get shabby quite easily. So really I could stick fabric on it, and put trim around the side. Cath Kidston does fabric. However I think I shall look in the mountain of textiles to see if there is anything suitable before I get carried away. I also have a stash of sticky backed plastic which would do the job.

And for the heaps of unsorted needles I have found a solution. For straight needles I plan to cover Pringles tubes to match the box and stand them upright in a sort of rigid leather hold all that came as a gift filled with smellies many years ago - before little bear anyway. For the circular needles (not quite such a selection) there are boxes that used to hold washing powder tablets which are remarkably sturdy and have a cute sort of opening lid. Things may be covered or left in all their Sainsbury glory - but it is curiously satisfying to have thought laterally and looked to see what I can reuse.

Self pity

Can't breathe very well.

So I decided today was going to be a knitting day. With a yarn stash rapidly overtaking the house and some new patterns just arrived to add to the pile I have already plus the patterns from the knitting magazines, I was quite eager.

Little bear had also thought about knitting.

The blanket/rug that I had started with around 150 stitches of very loopy boucle had been pulled off the needle it was on. I was not happy, I managed to pick up probably stitches (v loopy yarn) and probably the right number (knitted v tight as I plan to felt it). And the pair of needles I had put with the pattern for the change of needles from the welt had mysteriously disappeared. Apparently knitting needles make very good drumsticks.

So I got out my stash of needles to find a pair so I could carry on. Not only have I randomly bought more complete sets of needles than any sane person ever needs I have also inherited my mother's and grandmother's. I did get given my mother in law's needles, but I have put them separate in case her granddaughter ever takes up knitting. Of course there are also all the free needles that you get with magazines etc...

Little bear thought it was wonderful, especially the larger floral needles that I had got free with magazines. Cirucular and straight, long and short, size 15mm down to 2.5mm, all were scattered with abandon all over the living room floor. I was gasping like a fish out of water as I dragged them together and put them back in their bag (really must sort out and donate at some point).

I have a knitting evening planned. And I really must update my started/finished box. Although if it is not fulfilling its purpose (stopping me starting new things before finishing old) I may delete. My blog feels a bit congested.

Yarn!

Bought some more yarn yesterday. Darn!

However it is designated for a specific purpose. I plan to make a slipover for darling uncle to help replace some of those items that he lost. It is a very basic and plain one. It isn't a lot of yarn. It shouldn't take too long too knit up. I should manage it fine.

Who am I kidding?

However, while I now avoid the shop at the bottom of Eastgate in Leeds (absolutely awful and v rude to customers), I went into a long established yarn stall in Leeds Market, near one of the entrances to Vicar Lane. Not only did they have what I wanted and a very reasonable price, they helped field little bear while I was trying to find the stuff, and they were lovely with him!

Doting mother that I am, my friend ebay now has strong competition when it comes to buying yarn.

Knitting

I wanted to do this gorgeous little lace matinee coat I had seen in a magazine. It looked like the lace pattern was plausible so I purchased the yarn (drat) and tonight I felt I needed to have a bash at it.

I couldn't get it to work. I was only working on the first sleeve (supposed to be knitted first) for an up to six month old, so only on forty five stitches. Three times I started the dratted thing. Three times I ended up one stitch short at the end of the first row of the lace pattern. I said some rude words I learned from evil cat.

So, either I am not reading the pattern right (and I did check again and again) or the pattern is wrong. I am not very experienced with lace and I am certainly not an expert at knitting baby clothes (never finished anything) but it is not a regular knitting magazine so I am suspending judgement but willing to blame the pattern. Not that I am being an egotist or anything...

Sigh.

There is a pattern in a magazine that is for the more experienced knitter. I am more extremely experienced in basic knitting, but I buy it out of stupidity and then rant at the patterns ('Bargain! Knit this jacket from only £65!' - £65 would normally cover every stitch I am wearing including shoes, coat and underwear). However there is a pattern there for a sweater in two colours. It is knitted in black and white, but I would probably do it in two shades of blue quite close to each other. It is a slipped stitch pattern, which I have never done but I think I understand. And it is absolutely gorgeous, really striking and me. Except for most ridiculous cowl neck that comes down to the elbows. I only exaggerate slightly, it comes right over the shoulders and if you are a lady with a bosom then it would sort of perch on top.

I could theoretically do a ribbed neck to match the wrists and the bottom of the sweater. But I have never worked out how many stitches to pick up before, and this would be such a job to knit I couldn't bear to wreck it with a mess of a neckband. I wouldn't know where to start reducing the cowl - it is knitted separately and then sewn on (I hate sewing up) and you knit it from the outside edge in, so it would be hard to tell where you would reduce it. I think I will check on the number of stitches you cast off for the cowl and pick that number up evenly to rib. If I ever buy the yarn, get started and actually get to finishing the thing.

But it does look so amazingly gorgeous and me.

It's arrived!

The yarn arrived, fortunately not in a convoy but in a biggish box. There are lots of intriguing odds and ends, just fun for scarves and blankets.

I am not sure why I am still looking at yarn, perhaps just to have my moment of 'HOW much?'

I confess to buying 100g of black sparkly yarn on the market when taking little bear out. I was thinking of knitting another chain...

I think I will have a knitting blitz and see how much I can get done.

Little bear had nightmares last night, so I once again got little sleep. And when he does sleep I don't seem to so from tonight I am going to be working on no caffeine after 6pm and see how that goes.

Dishcloth dishcloth

My mind is obsessing about knitted dishcloths at the moment. To be honest, there are worse things that it could obsess about. I do not lust after designer handbags, the cost of my yarn stash would not pay for a designer handbag buckle, but the thought of knitted dishcloths intrigues me.

I can see the plus. If you knit from stuff that you already have or reuse something then you are not spending money or adding to carbon footprints. If you reuse something then you are not adding to the landfill, which is good. Most of the patterns (there are loads of them on Ravelry as well) specify cotton, which is absorbent, renewable, can be washed hot, bleached etc and if a nice knobbly pattern is used can give a nice firm scrub. Some cotton is not ethical but some is, reused is probably the safest bet for green efforts.

I don't really want to buy any more yarn to knit one though, and I don't have any cotton in my stash. I cannot see an eyelash yarn dishcloth being a total success. I certainly don't want to buy dishcloth cotton - how dull! Some of the multicolour dishcloths look quite fun, so that would need coloured cotton.

I am not entirely committed to the whole idea, but I think I shall keep my eye out for ideas. I shall also consider bamboo which may not be as robust as cotton but is probably more sustainable and naturally antibacterial. I am also considering string (which I have in abundance) or even strips of carrier bags for scrubbers.

It won't make the washing up fun, because nothing does, but it could be fun to think about. I have a large stash of washing up sponges to get through before I seriously need to consider it.