August 2005 Archives

Ruffle now has all her "pieces" and here she is. I have only seemed the shoulders to the back so still have a fair amount to do.

Ruffle

To commence the frill I had to pick up 168 stitches along the back and then increase once in next stitch and increase twice in next stitch, repeat this until row end - I didn't count the number of stitches at the end just went with the second row which forms the frill pattern.
I have done 12 rows which is 3cm so half way there. I think it looks ok. Each row takes a little time and I cannot sit for a long periods of time doing it as it is quite hard work. My knitting is quite tight so hopefully that will compensate for the .25mm extra size needle. The pattern called for 2.75mm circular - the nearest I had was a 3mm so away I went.

The fronts require for picking up 282 stitches so that will be a challenge! I am quite keen to get the back finished and cast off so I can get a feel for how it will look.

This is River folded in half.

River

I wanted to make it long enough to wrap round. The pattern said 2 balls of Rowan kidsilk haze but even with 16 pattern repeats I had yarn left over. I am thinking about making a second River using my 2 balls of Rowan Kid Silk Haze I got with my Rowan subscription.

One sock down...

Opal Sock

This was completed whilst I picnic'd in Victoria Park listening to East Woodhay Silver Band.

Victoria Park Band Stand

I need to cast on for the second sock before I go to hospital tomorrow - socks are great for killing time!

Happy Knitting.

My copy of Debbie Bliss’s new book Simply Soft arrived today.

This book comes signed by Debbie and is part of my membership to
The Club.

There are some lovely projects in this book knitted in Debbie's new yarn Cashmerino Astrakhan

Side Tied Coat

Shawl Collar Jacket.

I also love the designs Debbie Bliss has produced in her other new book this season many of which are knitted in the new yarn Alpaca Silk in double knitting yarn.

Something for another day.

River is finished but awaiting a photograph. The total number of pattern repeats I did was 16 making one "long" river.

Now it is time to concentrate on the second sleeve of Ruffle. I shall get it finished this week-end. If only I had rested more like the physio ordered this would have been finished!

Happy Bank Holiday Week-End.

Just a quick update. I have finished the number of repeats that the pattern for River calls for. However I am contemplating adding a few more. I have probably only used a quarter of the second ball of yarn so I have plenty left to do a few more pattern repeats to make the shawl a little longer.

As the week has gone by I have fallen in love with the pattern a lot more than when I first cast on last week-end.

I will photo tomorrow for all to see.

Meanwhile I am waiting to hear from Rowanette Liz Jenks - Liz is casting on

Creeper from Rowan book 38

this evening.

Liz is knitting Creeper in Polar whilst the pattern calls for Rowan Plaid!!

I like this design however it appears to be a dry weather jumper only. How do you get a coat over those sleeves???

Initially I didn't think I liked the pattern of River but I have decided to stay with River. It has grown on me and seems to be knitting up fairly quicly. 62 stitches per row.

I have done a few more pattern repeats today.

A close up of the pattern

I am using Addi needles size 6.5mm. I seldom use Addi's, in fact the only other time I have used them is when I knitted Birch. After 5 attempts at knitting Birch on bamboo needles I decided to try Addi's and Birch never looked back.

Addi’s and Rowan Kid Silk Haze will go hand in hand on my knitting agenda.

The knees are doing grand - each day better than the one before.

Happy Knitting.

I cast on River this afternoon. After about 20 rows I was not at all sure and very nearly stopped there and then. I thought this is a lot of knitting if you don't really like it. I got myself a coffee and decided I would continue until row 36 was done which is one and a bit pattern repeats I would then call it a day, sleep on it and see what I think on reflection.

So

River.

Rows 21 to 36 are now repeated 11 times more. I keep looking at it but am undecided as to whether to carry on. I shall decide tomorrow - maybe I do a pattern repeat a day.

The Sock.

This photo was taken this morning before I went on my first trip out on crutches. I don't think I did too badly but the sooner I am off them the better!

We are very lucky to have the Kennet and Avon Canal running through Newbury and what a pretty picture.

Victoria Park

I didn't walk too far but what I did was pleasant.

I am off to grow Ruffle's second sleeve now..

are about the only thing I have knitted this week.

I cast on my 60 stitches on Monday evening. On Tuesday morning I sat in my room at the hospital knitting away on these whilst waiting to go down to the operating theatre. I managed to get half way through turning the heel. I shall photo tomorrow.

Perhaps I shall finish sock number one tomorrow?

I have also been deciding which shade of Rowan Kid Silk Haze to knit River from Rowan Magazine 38 in and have decided upon "Trance".

River

Happy Knitting.

All the new books are now out and there is plenty to look through. I am sure as a result of the "things to knit list" will have grown.

I hope towards the end of this week to have plenty of time to plan what I am going to knit and also to finish what I am currently knitting! I shall of course share my list with you.

Ruffle now has 2 fronts, a back and 1 sleeve. The second sleeve has been started and hopefully by next week-end will be finished. Then ......... we begin the "FRILLS". Dare I say I am quite looking forward to that part?

Sorry but Whitney is still waiting to be sewn up and get some buttons. I think Whitney and Ruffle will be finished together.

I promised a photo of my new bag which has contained Ruffle the last few weeks.

I must confess to planning to start "a" new project this week but I think this is ok. I am at hospital on Tuesday for a bi-lateral arthroscopy on my knees and of course I have to take some knitting. I will probably take Ruffles second sleeve but I am also going to take some socks. I am not currently knitting any socks and have pulled this ball of OPAL from my stash. I am going to follow Anna Tillman's Simple Top Down Sock pattern. The yarn I purchased from Web of Wool a while ago.

“A long time ago” I started a bag by Brandon Mabley “Mexican Stripe” from Rowan 35. It is knitted in a mix of cotton glace and 4 ply cotton used double throughout. I am on row 86 and the pattern calls for 96 rows. I would love to finish this tonight but that may be pushing it a little. Each row is 148 stitches so to finish I have to knit 1480 stitches in a multiple of colours – maybe tomorrow.

Progress so far

So all being well I shall be around later in the week with an update on

Ruffle
Whitney
Socks
Mexican Stripe

Imagine finishing 4 projects in a week – well ok may be not.

Happy knitting