Waffle Hat

After lots of knitting and testing and pondering and pacing around the room, I’ve finally published a hat  pattern! Honestly, I could never imagine that designing just a simple hat could be so complicated! Or is it just me? Anyway, I’m immensely proud of myself and have been patting myself on the shoulder so much that it hurts already. Note to self: stop patting yourself on the shoulder and go do some knitting. It’s too late anyway for housework :)
It was an eerie feeling to see my own design done by other people. But boy, so lovely they are! The pattern is now available for free download on Ravelry and on Craftsy, and now it's available for download directly from my blog. Enjoy!

Keep Calm and Swatch On

Gauge is a tricky matter in the knitting business. Everyone knows your should swatch before you start knitting, and many ignore it. I mean, gauge is written on the ball band, right? I confess, this was my philosophy oh so often. And I was mighty lucky, as I never had problems with sizes of the finished projects later. Nastier things happened, though. Like planning a project, finding a lovely stitch pattern, the suiting yarn in the color you love, designing a project and then… on finishing… realize… that the stitch/yarn/color combo JUST DOESN’T WORK. That sucks, doesn’t it? My previous knitting half-disasters left me with some lack of motivation to start something new, but a swatch was just a perfect size, you know. A great way to play around with yarn and some new stitches, and get a feeling if they are a match made in heaven. Or maybe not. Plus, I have several ideas kicking around in my head, but, alas, not enough time to commit to them right now. Once again, enter a swatch.

Invigorating! And I had some fun with taping the swatches on the wall. A tabletop is not a very safe place with an active and curious-about-everything-Mummy-is-doing  2-year old :)

Nobody is Perfect

I say it straight away to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings,  I have nothing against Facebook, Twitter and whatever else exists (to me it looks like every day something else pops up, doesn’t it?), but I’m keeping my social engagement to a minimum, for a number of reasons, lack of time is one, inability to understand how the b…y thing is working is another. But this post is not about the disfunctionality of all those networks, along their disadvantages (which I’m sure they have!) they are invaluable for … I don’t know exactly, you name it, you do it so much better than me :)
What I really want to talk about here is how being on Ravelry, Facebook, Flickr and so on and so forth changes us. I’ve been on Ravelry for some years already, and I love to knit, but recently I’ve noticed I am planning projects JUST so that I can take a pretty picture and publish it there. The practicality, or, my gosh, such a ridiculous question, DO I really need this scarf? have slightly lost the importance they enjoyed before. Perhaps someone will notice and write a nice comment (not bad per se!). This has proved anyway a great jumpstart for me, a push I needed after years I spent without the needles and mulling over the next project in my head. But reality can be a tough lady, you know. Or I have problems with seeing things in my head properly, because sometimes they turn out rather different from the image in my head. And here it all starts… If the project turns out photogenic, I can still make a picture of it and hang it out on Ravelry. And then every time I look at my project page, I feel like a fraud – people surely think I’m enjoying this thing and wear it every single day, but the truth is, it is lying at the very bottom of my knitting basket and I have to reknit it before I can wear it. IF I will be able to wear it at all. Sometimes I’m really wondering, am I all alone in that dimension of the knitting universe?
So today I’ve been working on my son’s sweater (a nice photo is already on Ravelry and even got a sweet comment from the designer, yippee!). I reworked the collar, the arms and the edge. Now I am anxious that the sewn edge I’ve did on the collar will make it too tight and the sweater will not fit comfortable over the 2-year old’s huge noggin and, of course, he will not wear it. The collar was the central issue, by the way. Then I have a wonderful Abigail Cardi, that I wore only once. But the number of time I already reworked the collar band is considerable higher. Today I’ve frogged it once again. One more try is to come. Pathetic, I know.
So I’ve decided to keep to socks, for the time being. Playing safe, you know. Heal the wounds and ponder what I should knit next.

Simply Grey

I am a trained teacher, and worked long enough in education. Almost every teacher will agree: even though you have a secret favorite, and maybe aren’t on very good terms with some of the students, but in the end, you love them all. Just differently. And the same applies to colors. When asked about my favorite color, I’m always at a loss – I don’t love ALL of them, but I have hard time to pick only one. If I say ‘royal blue’, them immediately yellow comes to mind. If I say ‘green’, I feel I’m betraying deep red. And so on. Take grey: it has always been on my list, just the last 6-8 years due to various life circumstances it was … well… not very present. So now, I guess, it’s compensating for all those years in exile. Namely, it has taken over. I’ve realized it when taking photos of my recent craft projects for this post. Just look for yourself:

• grey hats for my men, big and small

• dark grey table runner

I have a elaborate here a bit: the Christmas tree on the right (yes, it’s a Christmas tree) was built by my DB from our son’s Lego pieces. Big boys like to play, too :)

• dark grey pillow cover with a grey linen back. I’ve mastered zipper installation with this one, thanks to a marvelous tutorial from Design Sponge! I’ve made 3 pillow cases already, and it worked like a charm!

Zipper view :)

• grey and white checkered cloth napkins

On New Year’s Eve we are hosting a small party. Guess, which color scheme I’ve chosen for that one? In case you are having a hard time, I tell you: silver. Now, I’m wondering: is it a reaction to the red and green Christmas? Or just to the red and orange colors of my son’s pram?
And what color is YOUR Christmas?
This one more time I link to My Creative Space.

As You Like It_Neckwarmer pattern

19.12.2012:  I've updated the pattern, adding the US needle numbers throughout, and measurements in inches, too. Sorry for confusion!

I needed a neckwarmer that will fit easily under jacket, something in the turtleneck style. The first attempt became too sloppy and too long, and simply didn’t want to lie as I wanted. As it turned out, the answer was changing to bulkier yarn and bigger needles. What I could never imagine in my wildest dreams, is that I would finish the neckwarmer in half a day!
It is knitted topdown, starting with thinner needles. After ribbing the simple knit and purl pattern is knitted with bigger needles. Several rows of ribbing finish the neckwarmer, and increases make it flare a bit. To make it lie better, I’ve used even larger needles to bind off. The stitch pattern is completely reversible, you can easily turn the collar down if necessary, and it’s long enough to pull over the nose if polar temperature arrives. If you prefer a straight neckwarmer, use the same needles throughout and omit the increases in the end.

Finished size: 30 cm/12" upper circunference, unstretched, 20 cm/8" length
Suggested yarn: Lang Yarns Merino 70, 2 skeins, gauge 14 st x 4"
Needles 5/US 8 and 6/US 10, 7/US 10 3/4 (optional )
Stitch marker
Abbreviations:k- knit
p - purl
kfb - knit forth and back
pfb - purl forth and back
CO - cast on
BO - bind off
R - round
Stitch pattern (multiple of 10):
R 1: k5, p5
R 2: k5, p5
R3: k4, p1, k1, p4
R 4:  k4, p1, k1, p4
R 5:  k4, p1, k1, p4
R 6: k4, p1, k1, p4
R 7: k3, p2, k2, p3
R 8: k3, p2, k2, p3
R 9: k2, p3, k3, p2
R 10: k2, p3, k3, p2
R 11: k1, p4, k4, p1
R 12: k1, p4, k4, p1
R 13: p5, k5
R 14: p5, k5
R 15: p5, k5
R16: p5, k5
R 17: p4, k1, p1, k4
R 18: p4, k1, p1, k4
R 19: p3, k2, p2, k3
R 20: p3, k2, p2, k3
R 21: p2, k3, p3, k2
R 22: p2, k3, p3, k2
R 23: p1, k3, p3, k1
R 24: p1, k3, p3, k1
Instructions:(I’ve divided the pattern into 3 sections only for convenience of explanation)
Section 1: With needles nr 5/US 8, CO 90 st, join to knit in the round, put a marker for beginning of round. Repeat rounds 1-2 of the stitch pattern, until work measures 5 cm/2".
Section 2:Change to needles 6/US 10 and  knit one pattern repeat.
Section 3: Knit rounds 1-4 once. Note: Before increases my cowl measured about 15 cm/6", hope this helps since I give no row gauge!
R 5:  K 2, kfb, k 2, p 2, pfb, p 2. Continue in k 6, p 6 rib for another 10 rounds, or until the neckwarmer measures 21 cm/8". BO loosely, alternatively with needles 7/US 10 3/4.
Wash and block if desired, pat the wet neckwarmer somewhat together to keep the three-dimensional look.
Sorry, the coat hanger models, since I’m not in a good shape yet after surgery. The neckwarmer on picture hasn't been blocked yet!


Please note that this is a free pattern, use it for gifts and charity, but please don’t sell items made with this pattern.
Don't hesitate to contact me if something is unclear or you find mistakes!
Ravelry link

My Creative Space_An Accomplished Woman

Feng shui or not, but an accumulation of WIPs doesn’t make you feel better. Trust me, I’m, talking from experience. I had quite a pile of projects, basically finished, but not blocked, with ends so long you could think they are going to take root one day, not seamed… My first excuse was lack of space (due to moving). Then I got mighty lucky and was presented by another excuse: hot weather, and that for almost whole summer. I mean, really, who needs woolen socks and vests when it’s +30°C outside??? No one. Exactly. But they were really bugging me, those unfinished things, called so glamorously WIPs (a very clever psychological maneuver, actually, almost like putting a 9,99 $ price on something – your head tells you it’s basically 10 $, but your heart whispers 9$ and off you go; and those WIPs bring you to thinking of a VIP lounge, don’t they?)

Anyway, my luck turned and weather cooled off something, I managed to find some place for drying, and what a RELIEF it was to get them done. I’ve almost felt like a classical accomplished woman a la Jane Austen.

SO, without much further ado, let me proudly present my FOs:
 
This cowl was started originally as a scarf, but I didn’t like the look of it, and sewed up the ends. Much better! It was crocheted lengthwise, in simple shells pattern, yarn is variegated Regia 4-ply, I used almost exactly 2 balls!

Another sock yarn creation, a simple vest for my little guy (now 1,5 years), knitted bottom-up in the round in 3x1 rib, and then finished separately. I knitted a similar one for him when he started crawling, and it proved the most useful item in his wardrobe. It’s easy to wash, variegation of the yarn is very forgiving to stains and it’s warm without being heavy! Besides, washing it in shampoo (if it’s good for the hair, it should be good for the wool, right?) made it very soft and not scratchy at all. What else can a mother want except one more vest?

And just a pile of hand knit socks. The last ones are for my boy :) These socks were my knittotherapy – I was working on them when all around me were boxes and piles of stuff to be sorted out and either packed or thrown away in preparation for the move. I had several WIPs on my hands, but simply couldn’t face anything more complicated that stockinette, and that in small portions. I managed to challenge myself on a small scale, though – every pair of socks is somehow different. One has a short row heel (not my favourite, and I haven’t mastered it really yet), others don’t sport any fancy stitches, but I did throw in some knit/purl playing around. They turned out nice, if I say so myself!
And how long do YOU let your project sit unfinished?

More creative spaces here.

Alle gute Dingen sind DREI

I blog a lot, though mostly in my head, while my hands are busy with house work or knitting. So, while I was knitting away on my Clapotis, a blog post started to form in my head, a post on numerology. Why that, all of a sudden? Yes, sometimes the connections between my thoughts may seem far-fetched, but bear with me. The truth is, that this is already THIRD time around I start on this pattern, and only this time it seems it’s working. Third time is a charm, huh? And it dawned on me, that I’m surrounded my number 3, at least when it comes to all things creative:

• My favorite (and most frequently used) needle number is 3 (European), the same goes for crochet hook – the best knitting/crocheting results I’m getting with this number
• My favorite stitch length for sewing is, in fact, 3
• As I’ve already said, I’ve started a scarf 3 times, and on the third attempt the knitting gods most probably got so sick of me, that they let me go on with the project
• When I see fabric on sale and am not sure, how much I will need (having no particular project in mind), I buy (ya, you got it!) 3 meters
• I have several sets of glasses with only 3 pieces (they were more earlier, but broke…)
• Well, there’s one more thing, not related to crafting and private, but it’s also 3
• In fact, the list can go on for quite a while…

After a while I’ve got so wound up by curiosity, that I had to abandon dropping the stitches (I’m already on the straight rows section!) and go check the meaning of number 3. Imagine my surprise, when I found this (source: http://www.whats-your-sign.com/spiritual-meaning-of-numbers.html):

Three: The spiritual meaning of number Three deals with magic, intuition, fecundity, and advantage. The number Three invokes expression, versatility, and pure joy of creativity. Three is also a time identifier as it represents Past, Present and Future. Consecutive Threes in your life may symbolize the need to express yourself creatively, or consider your present directional path in relation to past events and future goals. Three may also represent promising new adventures, and assurance of cooperation from others whom you may require help. Three typically symbolizes reward and success in most undertakings.

Apart other meanings, isn’t creativity mentioned quite a lot here?


As for the Clapotis, every 8th row (out of 12) I’m getting my fair portion of fun, unraveling a single stitch all the way down. It’s a lovely pattern, indeed, and it’s mindless enough to be able to watch TV a bit more attentively (believe me, the last thing I’m seeking right now is excitement in knitting, I get so much of it (excitement, not knitting) somewhere else). And I’m really loving how it’s turning out! It’s working really well with self-striping yarn (do i really have to say here I’m knitting with nr 3 needles?)
And what’s YOUR magic number?
P.S. The title of the post is in German, as I simply couldn’t get this sentence out of my head. it just means Third time is a charm, or, more literally, All good things come in threes.

My Creative Space_Colour Friday

To animate myself to blog, I've decided to make a colour post every Friday - the colours that are around a lot at the moment, or catch my attention for that or another reason.

Here are the colours of this Friday - orange, several shades of green, yellow - all bright and summery. The crochet squares will eventually (and hopefully, soon) morph into a pillow cover, a companion to this one. The rolled up orange-green creation is a ripple blanket, pattern by the lovely Lucy of Attic 24.

Why the toys, you ask? Well, my (normally) favourite colours are blues, greys and dark greens, even in summer, actually, I have several dark blue and brown summer dresses and pants. I can even wear black in summer! Such colours are great for combining with some white or some brights - you don't need a lot to stand out. And being a colour freak, as I've said before in this post, I have to 'balance out' the brights by some neutrals or dark shades, otherwise it's like chalk screeching on a blackboard (not the nicest sound on earth, don't you think?)

But enter the baby - and other colour preferences! My boy is a spring child, and all those oranges, greens and yellows just say SPRING all over. I didn't want any baby blue for him from the beginning (we were gifted enough of blue things, anyway), and  I much preferred green as a baby colour. But some thinking over why this colour choice actually stuck brought me finally to the toy box. Presto!

Oh, I've forgotten to mention that tiny turquoise triangle on the needles. It's a dishcloth-wannabe. I think I'm hooked (feels like a terrible word since it's knitted) on homemade dishcloths. I've always been skeptical about handmade dishcloths. Yes, they are environment- and budget friendly, but that's basically all, I thought. Inspiration struck when I realized that I don't have any more storebought cloths and somehow I always returned empty-handed (at least without cloths) from my shopping (crafty gods's doing?) So instead I remembered to buy some dishcloth cotton. I've already made one, and it's superb! It does the job so much better! And of course, you can recycle them many more times than those from the supermarket. You know, budget-friendly.

And here's someone caught ... what should I say... red-yarned? This is what happens when you have stray yarn lying around and mummy's blogging...

I wish you a Friday in your favourite colours!

A whole bunch of creative people is just a click away.

My Creative Space_Baby Sweater on Tiny Needles

Sock yarn and 2,5 needles… (size, that is, in mm). But the colors are oh so lovely! They remind me of watercolors and thunder sky here. I’m enjoying the time when I can still knit something for my son and he WILL wear it. He’s only 6 months old and cannot speak yet. He can not say “I will not wear this!” (oh, thank God!). I guess, when you are that small, the only thing you care about when it comes to clothing is if it’s scratchy or not and how much discomfort it causes you to put it on. Life is simple then, isn’t it?
It’s a basic top-down raglan cardigan, in Regia Merino Twist. Yes, a thicker wool will yield a sweater much faster. But I need something for the coming not too warm and not too cold weather, and sock wool is perfect for that.
Falls are pretty capricious here in Austria, in the mornings it’s rather chilly, you do need gloves or at least fingerless mitts, and in the afternoon you start swearing over all the clothing items that have to be put somewhere, as NOW it’s too warm in your poncho/scarf/cowl/whatever you threw on in the morning. And in the evening… well, just check above about the morning. But beautiful they are too, I have to say. A golden fall, with leaves not turning all wrinkly and ugly yellow over the night and falling off altogether, but slow, with spells of warm weather, and leaves showing all the possible colors – yellow, ruddy, greenish, you name it, you have it. I grew up in a place where summer (if you get any) usually turns into more or less winter very abruptly – cold, humid, windy, rainy – you want some more?. Leaves are falling off altogether exactly there. But here… ahhhh, fall crawls slowly, letting you enjoy and not want to look back to summer. Here are some leaves I photographed last fall – I have never seen anything like this before. And of course, needless to say, such a fall is perfect for a knitter. So many opportunities to wrap yourself up in something hand knitted! I strayed aside in weather nostalgia… sorry! I wish you a lovely (knitting) fall!

September, 5th_The REAL knitter

My Autumnalis Cowl is almost finished. How I'd like to write something like I'm binding it off while I write! That will never happen, though, since I, miserable creature, resemble a common human being and not Shiva. So pathetic. I could use an extra pair of hands right now, and both growing out of my own body, please.

But let's get serious: I was going to make a small photo shoot, to show 'my' progress on the cowl, when I was met by a reproachful look of Her Feline Swedeness. How could you??? Were these eyes asking me. I could not, indeed. So here it comes: please, meet the real knitter behind my projects - Her Feline Swedeness Selma the Cat. The only reason she is not holding the needles is that she has been working so hard that she got too tired even to sit up and look nice. I'm sure you understand.

This cowl is joining the trio of cowls I've finished but have to sew/add the buttons. I haven't even added the other two to Ravelry yet, as I was not sure if they were going to turn out right. But they look good, phew. Stay tuned for more update!

P.S.: I've managed to bind of  the cowl while writing this post - my computer has  been THAT slow.

Instant Booties – Just Add a Sitcom

Yesterday I finished a baby kimono I’d been working on. But it was one of those evenings, when you get several sitcoms one after another. What was I left to do? Cast on for another project, of course! Technically speaking, I’ve been knitting these booties during two days, but in reality, you can finish them in just two episodes of some sitcom. And this including all the finishing.
I modified the pattern slightly: instead of using just a thread to tie them, I put a row of double crochet around the opening and made a single crochet chain. An i-cord would have been even better… Next time I have to try it!
The result: super cute and super easy booties, prior to such an amount of adjustments and modifications, that sky is the limit. Really.
Pattern: Lionbrand Baby Simple Garter Stitch Booties
Yarn: Regia Cotton, Surf Color
Amount: 25 gram(?)
Mommy’s pleasure seeing her baby in these booties: immeasurable
Baby’s opinion on booties: Can’t be expressed yet