Knitting news

 It’s time for another ten stitch blanket.

On Wednesday our youngest daughter asked if I could knit them a huge blanket for camping. One they could all snug under!

Happy to oblige.  I have a box of DK yarn in lots of bright colours that I had no plans for, other than to try and use it up this year. By using three strands held together I get the chunky weight I like to use for a ten stitch. I decided to just knit until the colours run out and start the next randomly.  As there are lots of reds I determined that this would hopefully be my main colour going through with the other colours as accents. By changing colours this way you don’t get the defined change lines, rather a more blended look. So far so good.

I started this on Thursday 2 June - pm

My progress up to Saturday 4 June - pm

And again after a wet Sunday 5 June

I’m really happy with the progress and how quickly the Dk stash is moving. I do have a 400 gram ball of red aran weight yarn if I need more red but would need to use a 4ply to go with to get the right thickness. I’ll see what’s left once I run out of red, it may be that I can border with an orange mix as that’s my next largest amount. Or maybe now I’m at a corner I could go orange as main for a few rounds, then bring in red again.  Perhaps I’ll give that a go and see how it looks. The one good thing is it’s only ten stitches to pull out and pick up, easy. 

enough already

I have a sore throat. Its just not fair.  I just get rid of one bug then I come down with something else.  I don't actually feel ill, just off colour, bit light headed and as I say a sore, tight throat.  Oh well nothing for it other than to snuggle up with my knitting.  Not that I need an excuse, as its grey, cold and miserable outside.

On the subject of knitting I have three projects still on the go.  After finishing off my ten stitch, I felt the urge to have another "pick up, put down" project, so I am trying the Ten Stitch Twist by Frankie Brown.  I plan to turn this into a bath mat.  Knitted in cotton, its actually easier to get started than the blanket and I'm really enjoying knitting it.

My In the Mood cardigan was getting a bit boring, so I decided to start one of the fronts.  I'm really pleased with the 16 row pattern, not too complicated, but not one for knitting when others are around or when you have one eye on the TV

6" still to go on the back

And the socks, well they have taken a back seat. Now I know that I can knit on 4 needles I don't have the same desire to rush to get it finished.  Think maybe life is too short for sock knitting. 

So many things to knit, so little time - I need to retire.  Right kettle on for a nice cup of tea

Finished at last

Finally, finally. 

Started in October, this latest Ten Stitch Blanket seems to have taken forever.  However, the end result is very pleasing.  2400 grams of yarn has been used.  All of it from my stash, most of it from the charity shop, so it also didn't cost me too much.

I spent the afternoon instructing two of our knitting group on how to knit this.  We had a laugh, I'm not much of a teacher, whether or not they have "got it" will remain to be seen.  I amended the pattern to make it read a bit easier, but they were still confused.  I guess if you don't understand pattern lingo then it seems like a foreign language. 

Its funny there were 13 of us at the group this afternoon and 10 of us were knitting these blankets.  They are very addictive.  I had said that was it, but I feel the need to start another.  I have the yarn ready and bagged up, maybe I'll have a go at the circular one, if I make it thick enough I could make a mat. 

As usual watch this space for the results.

Its Wednesday so it must be WIPs

Good evening to all you WIP ladies, and lads of course.  Work is progressing well on my In the Mood cardigan.  I'm finding the Irish moss stitch more interesting than just stocking stitch for a change.  The Sirdar Country Style is lovely and soft, nice and drapey.

I am finally on the last round of my ten stitch, which I really will be glad to see the back of.  The socks are in the same position as last week, so I'll not bother with a picture

This week I have also completed a further premie hat and a rainbow cardigan. Knitting such tiny things are very quick and satisfying

For more WIP's head over to Tami's

WIP Wednesday #17

Happy Wednesday to you all - its a cold one, well I have been cold all day.  With the temperatures dipping my thoughts turn to accessories, hats, scarves etc.  Last week's hats and scarves for my grandson are completed, so I have started a Short Row Scarf for myself. Its a Lion Brand pattern which I have changed slightly - added 10 rows in stocking stitch to break up the garter stitch, it looks ok, hangs ok, so I'm happy. 

The yarn I'm using came from the local charity shop it looks like James Brett Marble so the variation in colour helps add interest to the scarf as well. 

The ten stitch blanket has been neglected this week, just managed a couple of sides

I thought you might like to see my garden room all lovely and cosy with the log burner alight, a perfect place to sit and knit.  We are still trying to decide whether we need curtains, I say no as its supposed to be a garden room, with views of the garden, but with the dark evenings now upon us it does feel a bit 'open'

For more WIP's head to Tami's