Thursday 28 January 2010

Knitted Valentine Heart Applique

Knitted Valentine Heart Applique

-->

A small knitted heart shape applique for adding to other craft projects.
Gauge is not important. Use needles small enough to achieve a fairly close knit.

For other uses of this pattern see here

You will need
Spare yarn in two colours
knitting needles size 3-4 mm
stitch holder or large safety pin
tapestry needle
button or other embellishment
Abbreviations
K Knit
P Purl
M1 Make one stitch
K2tog Knit two stitches together
Cast on 2 stitches.
Row 1 Knit into the front and back of first stitch, K1.
Row 2 Purl all even rows unless otherwise stated
Row 3 K
Row 5 K1,M1,K1,M1,K1.
Row 7 K
Row 9 K2,M1,K1,M1,K2.
Row 11 K3,M1,K1,M1,K3.
Row 13 K4,M1,K1,M1,K4.
Row15 K5,M1,K1,M1,K5. ( 13 stitches)
Row 17 K5,K2tog. Turn work around. (Keep the six stitches on left needle on stitch keeper).
Row 18 P 6 stitches.
Row 19 K 6 Stitches
Row 20 P2tog, P2, P2tog.
Row21 K2tog, K2tog, Cast off by slipping 1st stitch over second stitch.
With a new end of yarn and wrong side facing work the saved stitches as follow
Purl row
Knit row
Purl row
P2tog,P2,P2tog. (4 stitches)
K2tog,K2tog,Cast off by slipping 1st stitch over second stitch.
Weave in ends.
Decorate edge with contrast colour using over sewing stitch. Embellish with buttons etc.


Monday 25 January 2010

"The Piano" Gloves

"The Piano" Gloves
I'm a fan of music by Michael Nyman from the film "The Piano". I first designed a version of these gloves in a pink cerise colour. After seeing the rather Gothic film again recently I thought I'd make a version in this soft dark charcoal. The yarn is 100% merino wool by Stylecraft.

Here's a reminder of the film and the music via this YouTube video here.



Friday 15 January 2010

Channel Island cast on



This cast on method makes an attractive edging for many types of item. It is a lot easier to do than it looks. Try practicing with chunky needles, say 6mm, and some left over chunky yarn. I've opted for starting with a slip knot using the double thickness yarn but you can start with a slip knot using the single thickness yarn. I also found it is better to follow the cast on row with a few rows of knit stitch to stop the edge from "curling".

Just experiment and see what works for you...I used this cast on method for some fingerless gloves in the previous post click here to see.

Tip - remember to do the "yarn over" in between each stitch.

If you would like more detailed instructions, have a look at this very good YouTube video by oftroy, click here.


1. Start with a long tail. Double the length of yarn and make a slip knot as you would for a long tail cast on.


2. Grip the short spare piece out of the way in your right hand.




3. Using the single yarn (from the ball) put the "yarn over".




4. Wrap the double strand tail counter clockwise around the left thumb and push the needle up through as if you were making a knit stitch....



5. Pass the single "yarn over ".

6. Pass the double strands over as if making a knit stitch.

7. Pull firm and you have the first "knot" of the picot edging.




8. Continue with yarn over in between each stitch....


9. Keep working until you have a row of "knots".

10. Follow this cast on row with a few rows of knit stitch to prevent the edge from "curling".

Picot Edging


I've been trying out a knitting stitch on these fingerless gloves with a cord bow detail. The detail is on the cast on edges.


Details of the 'picot cast' on - known as the Channel Island Cast On - click here.

Close up of cast on edging

The gloves are available as a knitting pattern 
'The Piano Gloves' from Ravelry.

Wednesday 13 January 2010

herdy

herdy...
"...is the cute and lovable character born out of the cute and lovable Herdwick sheep. A breed that thrives against all odds on the high fells of England’s Lake District. " quoted from the herdy website

We are spending a few days relaxing in Ambleside, Cumbria. While browsing the shops (in between walking, knitting, and sitting by the fire) I came across this cute character above, click here for his website. Some more pictures...

...tea and biscuits...


...some picot knitted edging...




...the real herdy...


...roof tops in Ambleside...

...out and about...


...High Sweden Bridge...

...happy...

Friday 8 January 2010

Post

Post
Thank you to all "Hand Knitted Things" customers who have been so patient waiting for parcels which may have been delayed for whatever reason but especially due to the recent bad weather here in the UK. Above is a picture of our post this morning (Fri) . Our first delivery of post since Monday. I still have a few items which have not arrived - hopefully they'll turn up soon....

Thursday 7 January 2010

Shades of Garnet

Shades of Garnet
A warm shade for mid winter... available here.

Tuesday 5 January 2010

Snow...

Snow... and digital cameras are not the best partners. If like me you must venture out in such conditions armed with a camera, I can recommend a supply of kitchen roll in your pocket rather than tissues for drying the wet stuff from electronic gadgets - it's much more absorbent and doesn't fall to pieces in your hand. Here are some more pictures from around my village in Yorkshire today...

Sunday 3 January 2010

Yarn Review - Debbie Bliss Donegal Chunky Tweed


Yarn Review - Debbie Bliss Donegal Chunky Tweed
My mum had 100g of this surplus from one of her projects and gave me the spare hank. It's 100% wool and very rustic in texture and appearance. This shade is in pale earthy colours with fluffy flecks of blue and white. My sister has a scarf made in this but I don't think I could tolerate this around my neck as it is a little tickly! I just had enough to make a pair of these fingerless gloves which are comfortable and not too itchy on my arms. It is definitely very chunky and warm. Recommended knitting needle size is 7 mm ( 10.5 US). It's made in Kilcar, Ireland and I believe it comes in other colour choices. I like it very much and I'm looking out for some more...