block 'n tackle knitting

Garter starter

2012-01-18T14:24:00.000-08:00

I'm falling in love with garter stitch.

Springy, lofty, curly-as-the-sheep-it-came-from, nestled like tender rows of rustic fusilli pasta, I can't wait to finish this sweater..

Flotsam: seafoam scarf & kelp shawl

2011-11-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

Shrugged again..

2011-11-01T14:34:00.000-07:00

Here's a pic of a sturdy shrug I finished last month. I really love the rustic, striped back which I knit in garter stitch (two-stranded) and reversed.

Fall means.. soup, sox and snuggles!

2011-09-27T16:55:00.000-07:00

Autumn is here on the West Coast. Too soon, most of us think -- but at least we still have sunshine, green leaves, and plenty of squirrels tossing nuts down on our heads as we walk down the streets.

I'm spending today making soup for my sweetie, who's feeling a touch of autumn-chill (spicy chicken with plenty of garlic, ginger and gai lan) while knitting some one-size-fits-all heel-less socks (note impromptu fair isle pattern on the cuff).

I'm also contemplating hopping on the bed and cuddling up with my friends, Kanga and Roo (hand-knit by my Mom when my sister and I were somewhat smaller than we are now), Ramses (the cuddly ram) and Pooh (my oldest stuffed toy). Alas, I have to teach English to a Japanese student online after dinner..

New Etsy offerings!

2011-08-31T17:13:00.000-07:00

Here are a few offerings from my new Etsy store postings. I had fun taking these at the park! (Do you like my new buzz-cut?) ;)

Getting ready for Fall..

2011-08-24T12:39:00.000-07:00

I'm re-vamping my Etsy store and taking stock of all my supplies.. I want to have a very crafty winter! I'm thinking of branching out in to some upcycling of knitted items and incorporating some cool non-knit materials into them as well. I've been collecting junk all summer (like buttons and bits of oilcloth, scraps of pretty cloth and ribbons.. ). Fun! Now, to actually MAKE something with them!

I'd also like to share two cool things I discovered this spring. The first is a blog called Prick Your Finger , which is for a yarn shop and gallery in Bethnal Green (UK). It's given me sooo many ideas; check it out!

The second is a cool new-to-me craft which is actually an ancient craft called nalbinding. My Dad answered my plea for someone to make me some nalbinding needles, and I really want to at least try this over the winter.

Soooo much to do! I better get off the computer, now.. ;)

Sea lettuce scarflette

2011-05-29T19:40:00.000-07:00

Mohair makes me happy, especially in the springtime. This was quick to crochet, in a half-circle with shells to make it lacy yet warm. This little scarflette is perfect to throw round my neck on a windy day at the beach.

lollipops & mohair

2011-05-01T15:48:00.000-07:00

Every spring I remember how lovely it is to work with and to wear laceweight mohair yarn. I tend to find my yarn in thrift stores, so I end up with lollipop/rainbow colours, yay!

Here are two shawls for spring. The orange is a stole I mostly knit in loose garter stitch (BIG needles) and am now lengthening with a few rows of double-crochet in strawberry pink. Yum. Also, longer and cosier...

The cucumber green shawl on the needles is going to be a triangular wrap, with eyelet lace, and probably trimmed in gold mohair crochet lace (I didn't show that yarn in the pic because the colours clashed). I will be warm and light for the windy Victoria days and nights this summer (but must remember NOT to eat lollipops while wearing mohair haha).

another little thing

2011-03-13T15:30:00.000-07:00

Ok, I promise to stop posting pics of coffee cup warmers. It was so cute, though!

How about a free pattern?

CO 36 st (worsted weight yarn) and distribute on 3 dpns
rib (2k, 2p) for about 2 cm
k for about 6 cm
rib (2k, 2p) for about 2 more cm
BO

If you like, use another colour yarn to create a fair isle pattern, or stripes (just be careful to knit your pattern loosely, so you can still stretch the cuff around the cup). This is also a great way to make wrist cuffs, and to practice colour patterning on a small scale. It uses up scraps pretty well, too. ;)

upcycled lunar luck!

2011-03-08T19:46:00.000-08:00

I upcycled!

I've been looking for an excuse to combine crocheting/knitting with paper to upcycle some of the cool thingies I've been saving.. Here is a wee pouch I made that just fits business cards (or other small, flat treasures) made from a Lunar New Year Chinese lucky money envelope. Embellished with a lucky red button!

softig 3-corner hat

2011-03-08T19:42:00.000-08:00

I wanted a cosy, soft hat that actually looked good on me. I had some soft, bamboo-blend yarn, and a few minutes between teaching online classes to do some stranded colour-work. I didn't want to change to dpn's. :P

The result was a three-cornered, soft hat that I bound off and crocheted closed (with twisty ends). It looks great on me, but taking a pic of myself wearing it is next to impossible, so here's what it looks like off of my head..

cozy as can be

2011-03-03T21:24:00.000-08:00

I'm on a coffee-cup-cosy kick.

I had a lot of very soft, scrap bits of bamboo-blend yarns that needed using up, and I figured I should knit them into something that would be touched alot.

It also looks pretty good worn on my wrist.. so I'll never be without my coffee cosy when I'm downtown!

spring colour

2011-02-21T13:10:00.000-08:00

I felt like clowning around the other day, and I needed a wig. Fortunately, a bit of novelty yarn was handy, and my crochet hook.. I made these hairfalls (attached to a wig) by tying single-crochet mini-scarves to hair elastics. Instant burner-clown-hippie chic!

Photo credit: N.T. ~ 2011

(I'm also wearing a pair of ribbed, knit arm warmers I made last fall.. )

Feather 'n fan dance..

2011-02-16T14:49:00.000-08:00

On my needles (or, what do the Burgess Shale and Glenda Jackson have in common?)

2011-01-28T18:01:00.000-08:00

I love the feather & fan lace pattern. I've decided I like the alternate name, "old shale", even better (because it makes me think of the Burgess Shale, and beautiful, fractal-like, ancient creatures?).

At any rate, vintage colours and patterns are turning me on bigtime right now, so this stole is not only a way to use up scraps of stash, but a colour-homage to 1920s experimental, dramatic colourways...

Sort of like something Glenda Jackson might have worn in Women In Love..

finding crafting space in a house full of people

2011-01-05T09:47:00.000-08:00

Wip's (for the curious, clockwise from top left): Mrs. Fisher's Slippers, garter wrist warmers laid atop a bong warmer (yes, I did say "bong warmer") and a merino, ribbed fisherman's cap.

Shorter (and circular) needles in a bin, buttons, ribbons, thread and small knitting notions in various containers, a lovely quilted stash bag my Mom made me for Christmas, long straight needles in the whiskey cannister, some old socks that need darning, mints for freshness and my computer speaker for inspirational music..

I've been knitting (and crocheting) as a serious hobby for about 4 years and lo and behold, I have accumulated equipment! Not a LOT of equipment (fortunately, you can knit with two chopsticks and some string if need be) but I like to have things handy when I feel the urge. I also live in a house with two teenage girls and a delightful roommate (also a knitter!), and I tend to host a lot of dinner parties.. so while finding space to knit isn't difficult (I can knit happily in a corner or on the bus), finding room for my stash and equipment and books is a bit tougher.

My office (I work a lot of the time online) is in my bedroom, and after some juggling I figured out I could create a craft corner in my room as well. Here it is! (see above)

I also have various bins of stash tucked strategically around the house (I love plastic bins):

Mostly wool (hiding from moths) including sock yarn and some unspun rovings, plus granny squares to spare!

Yummy novelty yarns and various salvaged stash, plus a peek at part of my bookshelf (not knitting books, though).

See how much salvaged yarn I have? Thrift stores are awesome.

This way, no matter what part of the house I'm in (well, except maybe the bathroom or the kitchen) I have either yarn or needles or wip's in front of me to inspire (or trip over).

Free quick slipper pattern

2010-11-30T13:03:00.000-08:00

Mrs Fisher's Slippers

I call these Mrs Fisher's slippers because I knitted a very similar pair when I was in grade four during an extra-curricular craft class, which really means that this is simply my own variation of an easy slipper pattern that's been around for a very long time indeed. My teacher (Mrs F) was an infinitely patient, bespectacled lady who obviously could knit with her eyes closed and I was NOT a very skilled knitter at the time. I suspect she got a little tired of me asking her over and over to explain how to purl, heh. So I feel really accomplished when I can knit these up in a couple of hours.. See what I did, Mrs F?

This project works with most worsted weight yarn, doubled (eg. knit with two strands held together). I use between size 4.5 to 6 needles, depending on the weight of the yarn (you can use bulkier, you'll just get a bigger slipper). Play around with sizing by varying size of needles as well as number of cast-on stitches. These are knit flat, by the way, so it's a great pattern for new knitters.

This pattern is very adaptable and simple and it's a good way to use up scrap yarn. I tend to use acrylic for these, since knit slippers do wear out fairly fast and acrylic is cheaper and often softer than wool (which can also shrink and/or felt if you forget and throw them in the wash) however, feel free to use whatever kind of yarn you like so long as it's stretchy (I do not recommend cotton, for example).

Embellishing your slippers with pom poms, bobbles, buttons, bells or leather laces (or even soles, which would help with the wearing-out problem come to think of it) is highly recommended.

These are roughly sized for small women's, medium women's (small men's). If you want to adapt this for children's sizes, simply start with fewer cast on stitches (eg. 24 would be a medium child's size). These slippers stretch so don't worry about making them a bit smaller than your foot. I'm a big fan of tracing someone's foot to use as a measurement guide, or, if you can't do that, steal one of their socks and measure against that; it'll be more accurate than guessing.

Pattern instructions:

Cast on 28 (32)stitches.

Work In Garter Stitch for 5 inches.

After reaching the 5 inch mark, start ribbing (K2, P2).

Continue in ribbing until piece measures one inch less than length of your foot.

Last row: *K2 tog; repeat form * across row, 14 (16, 18) st remaining.

Repeat K2 tog for one more row, 7 (8, 9) st remaining.

Finishing: Cut yarn leaving a long tail. Thread yarn needle with the yarn end and pass through the stitches on the knitting needle. Pull stitches up tightly and fasten yarn end securely. Using cast off tail sew up the slipper until you get to the end of the ribbing. Secure end. Using cast on tail sew up heel seam, be sure to leave opening for foot. Don't forget to make two.

Giftmas is coming.. and I have a lot of WIPs to get through!

2010-11-26T17:08:00.000-08:00

With the holidays zooming up fast, I start to get a bit frantic and, I admit, I abandon my lofty autumn intentions to knit elaborate little things for loved ones. Right now, I'm going to knit EASY little things for loved ones.. er, quickly!

I have a few WIPs.. some simple slippers that I'm going to post the pattern for next week, a quick hat (because it got freakin' cold here for some reason -- obviously moving to the West Coast was not enough to get me away from the snow, argh) and a lovely teal wool sweater (see pic). None of these are done, yet, of course.. but I'm going to Vancouver this weekend and guess what I'll be doing on the ferry?

scrap strata crocheted scarf

2010-11-22T11:40:00.000-08:00

I love using up scraps with my crochet hook. While I view knitting as a process of slowly unfolding a fabric creation out of a single strand of yarn, I feel like crocheting is more like sculpting: a process where I can build on what I've already constructed in many different shapes and directions. Both processes are organic and flowing, but they engage different parts of my brain.

Anyway, philosophy aside, I do love using up odd bits with my crochet hook because I never know how it's going to turn out. In this case, I simply cast on a long chain of one colour and crocheted in random fashion, sometimes using single, sometimes double, and sometimes a slip stitch, to create the effect of uneven layers of colour.

To finish, I added some double crochet flaps knit the other direction on both ends, and a long fringe for added bohemian-ish-ness. This is not a scarf for the flair-wary! (Incidentally, it goes smashingly with the fair isle warmers in my previous post). I guess this was sort-of a free pattern (or a loose, Zimmerman-esque how-to).

fair isle warmers: knitting evolution

2010-11-22T11:19:00.000-08:00

I knit these up a while ago, at one of the first stitch & bitches a friend of mine hosted. I constructed them sort of randomly, using up scraps of colourful yarn and knitting flat with straight needles (I think I'd vaguely considered making a small bag.. ). After I'd knit what was almost an arm's length of colourful fair isle, I realized what gorgeous warmers they'd make. Unfortunately, they weren't quite wide enough to go around my arm.. what to do?

The solution (as is often the case with me) was to turn to my crochet hook to bridge the gap, and the result was a black, rather gothy-lacy looking underside to the warmers which I adjusted to fit the curve of my arm. Simple, scrappy, and a good example of adaptability!

devil kitty hat

2010-10-02T10:14:00.000-07:00

My daughter always rocks my hats. :) (BTW, this is actually just a variation on the Jayne Hat I posted last year -- I simply added crocheted-on ears!)

atlast shrugged

2010-08-14T20:52:00.000-07:00

I finally finished something I can wear! Greeny-coloured shrug looking odd because of the lighting in my bathroom. It's cute and trendy, though. ;)

Oo la la crocheted girly thing..

2010-05-02T09:53:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I added anything to this blog... so here's a froufy shawl I crocheted up the other day. It's a simple shell pattern in triple crochet in a cream mohair blend with an eyelash novelty yarn collar (and a pretty thrift store pin).

lacey socks

2009-12-03T14:05:00.000-08:00

Here's my first pair of lace socks (made with that lovely, buttery yellow marino wool I was given last year). They were a birthday present for Eve. She liked 'em!

winter toastiness

2009-11-15T14:44:00.000-08:00

Knit striped wrist-warmers (inspired by Penny's warmers in Dr. Horrible's Sing-along-blog):

chunky lace hat

2009-09-30T09:56:00.000-07:00

I caught a cold this week, so what better time to get out my needles and try a new pattern?

I made this chunky alpaca lace cap from a pattern in Luxury Yarn One Skein Wonders, and I really think it's cute. Warm, too.

autumn knitting urges

2009-09-16T13:24:00.000-07:00

Oo, it's rainy outside and my fingers are itching to hold my needles again... It's been a really busy summer and too hot to hold anything wooly, sigh. I just put up a few new things on my Etsy. I'm finishing a summer cotton sweater and starting some new wrist warmers. Here's a pic of something old that I thought turned out pretty (and made me think of fall):

new shrug pattern!

2009-07-13T16:53:00.000-07:00

Eve's Mistake Lace Shrug

This makes a pretty, lightweight spring shrug with 3/4 length sleeves and a lacy back piece. I made it for my friend Eve, who wanted a shrug to wear while dancing. If you want the sleeves full length, simply make them longer.

I have no idea what this lace pattern is, or even if it's a real lace pattern as I sort of knitted it by accident. It almost looks like a lace version of mistake rib, and since it was accidental (I was trying to knit another kind of lace but liked the way this looked so I kept it), so for now, I call it "mistake lace".

2 skeins Red Heart Designer Sport, sport weight yarn

1 set dpns US size 7
1 set straight needles US size 7 (optional)

CO 56 st on size 7 US dpns

Join, pm, and knit in round in 2x2 rib for 4.5 inches. Knit in stockinette until arm measures approx. 16 inches from end. At beg. of round turn work, k1, m1, k to last stitch, k1, m1 (58 st).

Row 1: (WS) k2, *ssk, yo, k, yo, k, k2tog* (repeat stitches between * until last 2 st) K2
Row 2: (RS) k across all 58 st

Repeats rows 1 and 2 until lace section measures 17 inches (or length from shoulder to shoulder). You can switch to straight needles once the piece gets long enough easily knit flat if you wish (I find this easier than knitting "straight" on dpns.)

Once back piece is long enough, switch back to dpns (do this on a RS row) and rejoin in a round, making sure the right side is still on the outside of the piece (otherwise you'll be knitting inside out).

On first round, k2tog, k2tog, then continue in stockinette stitch for the rest of the round (56 st).

Knit in stockinette for same length as the first sleeve, then finish in 2x2 rib to match the first cuff. Bind off and work in ends.

lichen leggings

2009-05-16T11:05:00.000-07:00

My legs are chilly this spring and this yarn (salvaged from the thrift store) reminds me of the colour of lichen. I knit these up quick and added an eyelet trim at the bottom to make them pretty.

spring cap!

2009-05-02T18:07:00.001-07:00

I needed a lightweight, cotton hat for spring, and this pattern was really simple (I finished it in a day). I used less than a skein of Lion Brand Cotton Ease in lime, but I decided not to double the yarn throughout (only on the brim) as I wanted a light, fitted hat. Yay, spring!

red fo's

2009-03-02T11:57:00.000-08:00

I'm doing spring cleaning, and finishing off a few projects I've had on the needles for awhile.

A cabled red vest:

and a ribbed (mistake rib -- it looks lacy when it's stretched out!) pillow cover:

last of the xmas knits

2009-02-23T08:47:00.000-08:00

I just found out my sister in Singapore received my gifties (mail can be slow, sigh) so here's what I made her:

A light, lace cotton ascot (with a crocheted fringe):

And a cotton, tunisian crocheted teatowel (I was practicing on this, and I really like how thick it turned out):

feral socks*

2009-02-10T12:33:00.001-08:00

I figured it was time for me to live up to my name (and ok, my feet were chilly).

Behold, my rough & ready, "Look what I did with those bits of woolen yarn from the freestore!", Gulf Island, double-strander woolen socks!

These socks are so thrifty and self-sufficient, they practically knit themselves (just don't let them interbreed with your domestic fishnet stockings in the sock drawer).

*because knitting puns amuse me

simple cable cap

2009-01-25T09:57:00.000-08:00

I apologize for the horrible photo; I used my webcam because I was in a rush...

a few more of my christmas knits

2009-01-01T20:10:00.000-08:00

Now that some of my presents have been received, I can reveal them publically without giving away any surprises. So... for my mom I made two scarves (she revealed to me that she needed a long black one so I whipped one up with my hook just before I sent the parcel):

My dad got some very soft & cosy bamboo socks (which fit perfectly, yay)!

two variations on a fair isle hat

2008-12-26T10:29:00.000-08:00

Well, yesterday was Christmas, and it was definitely a hat-year here. I'd tried my hand at fair isle and really enjoyed it, knitting up several hats quickly, (in between three more Jayne Cobb hats for each of my family, heh).

I'd originally made this hat for Alex:

As you can see, it fits our daughter quite nicely. :P It was, in fact, too small for his big head, so...

I dug out some Bernat Alpaca Blend and after we'd finished present-opening and my hands were itching to hold the needles, I made this, much bigger hat for him:

The cool thing about this one was I decided to forgo using dpns to finish the decreases, and found my shorter, 12" circular needle, transferring it onto that when the 16" got too tight. It meant I couldn't knit the tube down quite as small as usual, but it still looked great when I pulled it all together and was a bit faster than using the dpns. I don't think I'd do this with a finer weight yarn but it worked great for bulky. Go, me!

attack of the christmas skater pirates, arrrrrrr!

2008-12-08T10:52:00.000-08:00

I just finished this great hat for my daughter for Christmas:

I slightly modified this pattern: (pdf file) leaving out the inner ear-band liner and making the smaller version.

The fair isle was really easy and looks great!

Merry Sushi!

2008-12-05T14:04:00.000-08:00

bits & bobs

2008-11-14T09:42:00.000-08:00

A few new things (if you notice I'm in a hat mood, you're right):

Can you spot the crocheted object?

november wip

2008-11-11T09:37:00.000-08:00

What's on the needles (and on my feet on a chilly morning)...

big damn hero

2008-11-02T10:46:00.000-08:00

I'm having a Firefly marathon next month and a friend asked if I could knit a Jayne hat for it.

Sure! I said, and then had to hunt down a pattern. After combing the plethora of Jayne Hat patterns on the interwebz (okay, on Ravelry) I adapted a couple that I liked best and came up with my own slightly modified version of this rather easy hat. While my pattern isn't totally original, it was adapted from other free ones, so I'll include mine here, too, and add to the Legend...

Jayne Hat, KiKi's version

Set of five US 7 (4.5mm) double-pointed needles
Tapestry needle
Pom pom maker (optional)

1 skein each worsted weight yarn in red, orange and yellow (I used Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in Scarlet, Terra Cotta and Red Heart Gold). This hat will not use up three skeins; you can probably get a couple of hats out of these.

Size: Adult Small (Adult Large)

With orange yarn and CO 72 (84) sts, 18 (21) on each of four dpns (alternately, you can use a 16 in circular needle but I find changing to dpns irritating so I knit the whole hat on dpns from the beginning). Join to work in the round and place marker.

Work 5 rounds in k2p2 rib.

Work 15 rounds stockinette stitch.

Change to yellow yarn and work 15 more rounds.

Crown Shaping:

Rnd 1: [k10 (12), k2tog] around
Rnd 2: [k9 (11), k2tog] around
Rnd 3: [k8 (10), k2tog] around
Cont to dec 6 sts each rnd until 36 sts remain (both sizes)
Next rnd, [k1, k2tog] around - 24 sts.
Next rnd, [k2tog] around - 12 sts.
Next rnd, [k2tog] around - 6 sts.

Cut yarn and thread through rem loops using tapestry needle. Pull tight and tie off.

Earflaps:

With red yarn and using one dpn, pick up 15 (17) sts along ribbed edge RS facing, turn
.
Row 1: sl1, p13 15), k1.
Row 2: sl1, k14 (16).

Rep last two rows 9 (10) more times.

BO in knit stitch on purl side of the work, leaving the end dangling.

Repeat for second earflap on opposite side.

Make a fringe of a few uneven strands for each earflap.

Make a red, orange and yellow pom-pom and sew onto the top of the hat.

fuzzy, was he?

2008-11-01T16:27:00.000-07:00

Endless rows of garter stitch were just what I needed after all that lace... I used up some lovely soft boucle yarn my Mom gave me (from her basement, I think) to make this fuzzable, cuddlable scarf. I wore it out to lunch today and got complimented.

night in tunisia

2008-10-23T11:52:00.000-07:00

I've had fun learning a new thing -- tunisian crochet! I found this weird long hook at the thrift store a while back and for 69 cents I couldn't resist... I dug around in The Happy Hooker and found instructions for how to do this odd hybrid between crocheting and knitting (it's sometimes called afghan stitch) and thought, hey, that looks cool! It's super easy, makes a sturdy fabric with a cool basketweavey look on one side (cross stitch, anyone?) and the other side looks like purls, which I love...

Not sure what I want to make with it yet, but I'm sure I'll think of something (I might even try my hand at cross stitch, hmm...).

trippin' hats

2008-10-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

I've been away on a wonderful holiday in Vermont! The leaves were fantastic and inspired me to start some autumn colourways for my Christmas knitting...

Since Vermont is all the way across the continent from me, I spent rather a lot of time in airports, which means I had to find things to knit. I finished these two hats, coming and going (grey slouchy one for me, stripey beanie for my daughter who is lookin' cute modeling both):

sunset stole

2008-10-01T10:56:00.000-07:00

I was gleeful to find that the remainder of that salvaged orange 'n pink mohair knit up into such a large piece: I used simple garter stitch and BIG needles (12 mm) to make this wrap, which, when finished reminded of of the exact colour of a sunset I remember watching over Slave Lake in northern Alberta.

It's feather-light and warm as mohair should be. Yum.

garter with a twist

2008-09-28T16:18:00.000-07:00

Here is my second original design for a scarf -- enjoy!

KiKi's Garter with a Twist scarf

I like how using garter instead of stockinette as a background to the cables not only makes this scarf look a bit more rugged, but allows it to lie flat without any blocking. I think the stripes give it bit of a Dr. Seuss-y punk feel, but it would look equally stylin' in a solid colour.

This is a good beginner's cable project.

6 mm needles
2 skeins salvaged worsted weight yarn in pale rose and darker rose colours (or two skeins in one colour if desired, but it's often easier to find random skeins of yarn in different colours.)
cable needle

abbreviations:
k = knit
p = purl
C6F: slip next 3 sts onto cable needle and hold at front of work, knit next 3 sts from left-hand needle, then knit sts from cable needle.
C6B: slip next 3 sts onto cable needle and hold at back of work, knit next 3 sts from left-hand needle, then knit sts from cable needle.

CO 28 in darker colour

row 1 - k6, p6, k4, p6, k6
row 2 - k
row 3 - repeat row 1
row 4 - repeat row 2
row 5 - repeat row 1
row 6 - repeat row 2
row 7 - repeat row 1
row 8 - k6, c6f, k4, c6b, k6

Repeat these 8 rows til scarf is desired length.
Bind off, weave in ends, and add fringe if desired.

To knit stripes, alternate between two colours, either after knitting equal number of cables, or try my not-quite asymmetrical pattern as follows:

darker colour - knit 5 cable repeats
change to lighter colour, knit 1 cable repeats
darker colour, knit 4 cable repeats
lighter colour, knit 2 cable repeats
darker colour, knit 3 cable repeats
lighter colour, knit 3 cable repeats
darker colour, knit 2 cable repeats
lighter colour, knit 4 cable repeats
darker colour, knit 1 cable repeats
lighter colour, knit 5 cable repeats

If you want a short but symmetrical scarf, stop here, or, if you still have yarn left and want a longer scarf, keep on going until you run out of yarn (mine ended up being asymmetrical, but I sort of like that about it...)

makin' orange rabbit tracks

2008-09-23T11:47:00.000-07:00

All done! I just had to add the pink double crocheted border, 'cause I love doing that kind of thing. (Deets here.)

pot 'o gold

2008-09-22T11:30:00.000-07:00

Well, actually, bowl 'o orange...

Lookit what I found at the thrift store yesterday for only $2.99! Two skeins of orange mohair and a ball of pink!! Just in time for autumn knitting...

Pattern idea from here.

I love autumn.

rollin' with it

2008-09-21T15:30:00.000-07:00

I've designed my first original pattern (that I want to admit to, anyway). Here it is, ta da! Enjoy...

Reefer Madness: roll your own stockinette scarf

This scarf is simple and makes a subtly subversive statement. It's an ideal beginner's project, or something soothing to knit when your fingers are itching but your mind needs a holiday, or you can knit it in the park while discussing Timothy Leary. It's that kind of scarf.

Salvaged worsted yarn, any type, in off-white and a nice leafy shade of green. Try for 2 skeins of white and you'll only need a half-skein, at most, of the green stuff.
Size 10 1/2 US (7 mm) straight needles

stockinette stitch
row 1: knit
row 2: purl
rinse, lather and keep repeating these two rows

Cast on 30 stitches in off-white

Knit, for as long as your attention span lasts, in stockinette, or until it's just about long enough.

Change to leafy green and knit some more. Not too much, just enough so some is peeking out.

Bind off and weave in ends.

Allow scarf to roll naturally; under no circumstances do you block this baby. Wear insouciantly or defiantly, depending on your mood.

Please use this pattern for peace and not war.

~KiKiOriginal design~

new endeavours

2008-09-17T15:43:00.000-07:00

My new Etsy store opened today, yay!

I've mostly got small things up there but I'm working on more, especially socks and scarves. I also have ideas for unusual knits.

Here's some of the crocheted and knit rings I made today. Check it out!

making fu!

2008-09-16T13:11:00.000-07:00

This is the pattern that got me wanting to make scarves, and now I'm finally making it! The yarn is Lion Brand Cotton Ease (50% cotton, 50% acrylic) in Azalea. I LOVE the bats!

scarf stylin' and some yummy yellow yarn

2008-09-15T09:36:00.000-07:00

Here is my version of Midwest Moontlight, completed! It's fulla mistakes and you can't even tell, Wh00t!
Project deets are here.

A few weeks ago, my friend Susan gave me a big bag of old yarn her sister-in-law had given her. I just love how people dig out their old yarn when you tell them you knit, hee!

Anyway, in amongst the dust-bunnies I found a big bag of raw wool ready for spinning, hm... and I also found some lovely fingering weight wool that I've stashed. I'll probably make socks out of the bits and pieces of darker wool, but there were a couple of unwound skeins in blue and yellow that will make lovely scarves. Here is the yellow; it's a pretty, buttery colour and should knit up soft and light. Yay!

prideful

2008-09-11T10:33:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick crocheted scarf I made for Abigail, who wanted something lacy with rainbow pride colours to wear anywhere. She lives in Texas, so I made this skinny and light and it can also be used as a belt!

I used bits from my stash, and worked in single crochet, lengthwise, leaving the ends as fringe. Easy and cute!

midwest moonlight

2008-09-04T09:16:00.000-07:00

Here's my next scarf, currently on the needles:

It's Midwest Moonlight, one of the patterns from Pam Allen's Scarf Style. I'm using Bernat's Satin worsted (Star Dust) and US size 7 needles. I'd like to make this in a natural fibre blend but this is good practice for me in counting and working yarnovers.

love of green cables

2008-09-02T00:59:00.000-07:00

I stayed up late finishing this scarf... the pattern is a simple cable design, from here, but I added a cute crocheted picot edge instead of a fringe.

three autumn hugs

2008-08-30T14:56:00.000-07:00

Made for Juli-Ann, Christy & her daughter, D.

Yeah, I love fall gardens...

seaside lace for a fall transition

2008-08-29T16:10:00.000-07:00

It's scarf weather already in Victoria, and the way this easy feather and fan scarf knit up reminded me of foamy, seaweedy ocean waves. I used Paton's Decor 75% acrylic, 25% wool worsted (Sweet Country). This was my first attempt at anything lacy and despite a couple of boo boos (the yarn was very forgiving, though) I found it pretty easy. I used this free, online pattern, and size 7 US (4.5 mm) needles.

Here it is in progress:

and here it is done! Ta da! (Hm, next I think I want to knit a cabled scarf...)

purpley softness

2008-08-23T12:36:00.000-07:00

I'm determined to see how many different looks I can get out of this one, simple, triangular net shawl pattern; this one uses Bernat's Soft Boucle and is a lovely variegated purple/red. I like the way this turned out because it's soft, airy and actually very warm once you're wrapped up in it. It's for my friend Juli-Ann, who will look much prettier in it than this old cherry tree.

cute capelet

2008-08-17T16:14:00.000-07:00

Here's the capelet from Viva Poncho I finished this morning. I think it's rather cute and sporty, though I can see if I used a softer, more drapey yarn it'd be quite elegant. I'm already working on the next project, hehe.

easy stripey shawl

2008-08-13T10:49:00.000-07:00

Ok, shawls are easy. This one is a simple, triangular garter stitch shawl I made from scraps on circular needles. I increased by knitting front to back at the beginning of every row and left the yarn tails for fringe. I love the bright colours on this one. I need to make more shawls.

houseware department

2008-08-13T10:42:00.000-07:00

A long time ago I used to crochet afghans. I crocheted several big ripple afghans for family members in the colours of their choice. One day about 20 years ago I found myself with nothing to do and a stash of yarn ends, and I put together a scrap afghan that turned out pretty well. I'm still using it, and the other day I looked at it on the couch and thought, gee, that's sort of pretty. With the asymmetrical stripes it's really a lot like the knitting I enjoy doing now.

Recently, I started knitting with cotton yarn and discovered how much fun it is to make facecloths. I gave a bunch of these away for Christmas gifts this year -- they're really soft, machine-washble, and a fun way to try out new stitch patterns.

bits & pieces

2008-08-07T17:44:00.000-07:00

Here's a pair of socks in grassy green that I knit on my way home from my Alberta trip this week. They're worsted, so a bit thick, but I'll probably use them as slipper-socks.

Last night when I got home late and couldn't sleep I started a capelet from Viva Poncho with some leftover yarn I had lying around. Here it is in my favourite wooden knitting bowl.

hippies are free

2008-07-29T17:04:00.000-07:00

I couldn't stop, even on the road... I crocheted this shawl and finished it at Waitabit Creek, one of our favourite campsites near Golden, BC. Something about the mountain air made me want to add a BIG fringe.

bamboo, baby!

2008-07-27T00:55:00.000-07:00

I'm leaving on a camping trip tomorrow, but I just had to finish these soft bamboo socks tonight! They're a fairly simple pattern, but I think I'm ready to try something trickier now. (Yes, that is a real tattoo...)

lusty yarns

2008-07-24T14:14:00.000-07:00

Here's the bamboo sock I'm currently working on, using Bernat's Bamboo... I love how soft it is!

I found some very pretty sock yarn at the thrift store; my research tells me it's discontinued so I guess I'll just have to make some very small socks out of it.

kidding around

2008-07-24T11:39:00.000-07:00

My daughter is a huge doll fan, and Blythe is her current object of adoration.

I've been commissioned to make her clothes, so I started with a crocheted hat. I'm working on a sweater, but it's not quite done, yet.

The kids were fascinated to see that the cat's head is the same size as the doll's. Tika is not pleased.

knittin' with friends

2008-07-21T15:14:00.001-07:00

Just some pics of me and my knitty friends, at home and camping...

hat adventures

2008-07-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid my favourite Dr. Seuss story was The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins and maybe that's why I persist in buying and making hats even though I seldom seem to find the right one for me. Here are a few attempts.

The top hat is crocheted in shells...

the middle hat is knit flat in a k2p2 rib.

The bottom one is that crocheted hatbasket, before I felted it, oops.

fast & chunky

2008-07-20T14:02:00.000-07:00

Here is the first sweater I ever made, using this online pattern as a guideline.

I modified the sleeves by picking up the stitches with my smallest circular needles and turned them into stockinette full-length sleeves as opposed to the 3/4 on the pattern.

I also knit the bottom of the body on circulars, picking up the stitches after I seamed the top (garter) portion, which was more fun than just knitting two pieces and sewing them together (I dislike sewing, in case you hadn't noticed). I used a chunky acrylic yarn, and it knit up really fast, which is always a plus.

I've worn this quite a few times and it's perfect for chilly evenings here because it's loose enough to go over a tank top but the simple open neck isn't too warm.

I <3 wristwarmers...

2008-07-19T08:59:00.000-07:00

Ok, I knit a LOT of wristwarmers when I first started out, but I had fun thinking up new designs. Here are two variations on camo warmers using a ginormous ball of discount yarn I got from The Store Who Must Not Be Named (eek, it's Waldemart...).

The opera-warmers are k2p2 rib with crocheted ruffles, and the shorties are a mix of garter, stockinette and k2p2 rib. Both are knit flat and sewn up to create the thumbhole -- simple and elegante!

Here is an obligatory dog pic (Lexie the dog was borrowed from my friend, Nance). It was taken at a favourite beach on Denman Island, at a sacred burial site (no, just kidding -- I dunno why that cross is there). My older daughter is wearing the short camo warmers.

hall of shame

2008-07-19T08:57:00.001-07:00

Early attempts at Barbie clothing (crocheted) for my daughter resulted in accidentally X-rated beachwear...

and my first go at felting resulted in an oversized hatbasket, hee. Recycled wool; waste not, want not.

warmers go south!

2008-07-19T08:47:00.000-07:00

I made a pair of green wristwarmers for my friend Megan (isn't she cute?) who lives in Austin, TX. She liked them so much she posted pics of herself wearing them on her blog.

scarf it down

2008-07-19T08:45:00.000-07:00

I actually made the obligatory garter stitch scarf when I was 12 (it was an orange and brown variegated worsted with white fringe, woohoo!) but this winter I revisited scarves because my family wanted some.

I made three variations on a k2p2 rib-knit scarf for me and the kids...

then I made a 100% wool scarf, knit in garter stitch, yes, but horizontally on very long, large circular needles, for a friend's winter birthday. Shown here with the obligatory cat.

Note: Since I'm still learning different techniques I don't often splurge on expensive yarn. I came across a blog somewhere that talked about salvaging yarn from thrift stores and even unraveling old sweaters, so I decided that many of my small, beginner projects would have the added feel-goodness of being recycled.

gothy grrls

2008-07-18T18:09:00.000-07:00

Two more pairs of wristwarmers, also knit flat and stitched up. I made these for my friend Amy and her daughter. My daughter kindly agreed to help model them with me.

The blue warmers are knit in k2p2 rib with supersoft baby yarn; the black & red ones are stockinette with regular worsted.

knitting is sexy!

2008-07-18T18:04:00.000-07:00

My first knitting projects were small, skimpy, and knit flat: tube socks and wristwarmers are fun and fast!

You might have noticed that I like adding crocheted trim and using asymmetrical patterns, which also contribute to speedy gratification.

first hat, knit flat

2008-07-18T17:59:00.000-07:00

I knit this flat and it was too small for me, but just right for my lovely daughter. I added some crochet trim for flair!

hippie cardi

2008-07-18T17:49:00.001-07:00

This is the first sweater I actually knit and designed myself.

It's cotton, knit with straight and circular needles (I picked up the armhole stitches after seaming the body and used my smallest circular needles) in stockinette with crocheted trim.

Sorry the pic of me is blurry; I'm not very good at self-portraits and my photographer wasn't around that day. :P

a little clutchy

2008-07-18T12:00:00.000-07:00

Just so my crochet hook doesn't feel left out, here's a pic of a quick handbag I whipped up the other day (based on a pattern in Stitch 'n Bitch: The Happy Hooker) to match some orangey thrift-store shoes I found.

Ok, I look a little weird in the pic, but the purse looks great, I think.

I love the blingy button.

scrappy the sock

2008-07-18T11:56:00.001-07:00

It might not look like much, but it's my first real sock, complete with turned heel and gussets, and I love it. I'm making it a mate and hoping they'll like each other enough to reproduce.

I'm a real, live knitter

2008-07-18T11:43:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally decided I'm serious about this knitting thing, so I'm doing what all serious people do: I'm bloggin' it!

This is primarily a forum to show off my various projects and progress; I re-started knitting just over a year ago after a 30 year break and I'm really glad I've found something new to do with my hands...

Welcome to my knitting blog. Enjoy the pics, the trials, the tribulations, and the moments of small glory contained herein.

(The pic is me in a pair of ruffled wristwarmers I made for my lovely friend, Christy. I think they sort of look like girlie hockey socks.)