The Power of Knitting

 

So happy to have been gifted a copy of 'The Power of Knitting' by Loretta Napoleoni, published by Tarcher Perigee, October 2020.

The title grabbed my attention followed by a curiosity to find out what could this Italian journalist, economist and political analyst have to say about the gentle craft of knitting.

"In a fractured world plagued by anxiety and loneliness, knitting is coming to the rescue of people from all walks of life. Economist and lifelong knitter Loretta Napoleoni unveils the hidden power of the purl and stitch mantra: an essential tool for the survival of our species, a means for women to influence history, a soothing activity to calm us, and a powerful metaphor of life". (Extract from the publishers)

Loretta takes you on a personal journey through her life. Along the way she describes historical, social and political changes with knitting an unlikely and influencing feature. Family, friends and strangers feature in this story of how knitting has influenced Loretta and the people around her.

In a particularly interesting section (Chapter 7 Knitting in the Age of Neuroscience) the author describes discoveries in neuroscience which explain how knitting can be helpful for mental health and wellbeing. She describes the way she coped with personal challenges and over came them with the help of knitting.

There are also 10 knitting patterns included in the book.  As remembrance day is fast approaching the poppy pattern caught my eye. It’s a quick and easy project.

The book is an inspirational, positive read and I recommend it to anyone wishing to learn more about the gentle craft of knitting told from a different, interesting perspective.

Anyone for Tea?

My delightful Bobbles Tea Cosy by Sian Brown is a cheerful addition to the tea table. Sian sent me the knitting kit from her Make at Home range to review. It came in a lovely cotton tote bag with a printed pattern and the yarn. It was easy and enjoyable to make and the yarn is 100% aran weight wool. This would make a great gift for either a beginner or experienced knitter.

Here's Sian's description of the kit from her website,

"This is a knitting kit for the Bobbles Tea Cosy, part of the Make at Home range of knitting and crochet kits and patterns for the home. The range is inspired by growing up in the 60 s and 70s. This has a fun, nostalgic feel and combines a classic tea cosy with a pompom with added multi coloured bobbles which look like sweeties. The colours are cream, rose, olive, fuchsia and saffron, in an aran pure wool. The top is shaped using simple decreases, and the bobbles are knitted in randomly, the sample has 16 on each side. There is a pompom on the top.

Measures 22 cm wide x 18 cm high not including pompom. This is a simple cosy to make and will add colour and fun to the table, fine for a beginner knitter and a great gift for any knitter. The includes yarn, pattern, and is packed in a cotton tote bag. You will need; 5mm needles, and a teapot." 

The vibrant bobble colours work well together and reminded me of those little iced biscuits I used to enjoy as a child.

Everyone knows how to make a pompom don't they? Well it's a while since I made one. I knew I needed to cut out some card templates. I found this interesting free download template from Home Made Gifts made Easy.

Pompom completed...

Finished Bobbles Tea Cosy...

Time for tea, a sit down, admire my lovely tea cosy and relax with pompom quarterly. 

Sian's Make at Home Range can be found on her website and her Etsy shop.

Hope you enjoyed reading about this project.

Stag Sweater - Review

I'd like to thank my sponsor Bergere de France for providing the yarn and pattern for this review.

I had not tried any of Bergere de France products before browsing through their two autumn winter 2014/15 collections. Magazine no. 174 features children's items from age 2-12 years and contains 35 new designs. The Creations catalogue has a range of designs for children, adults and the home. Both can be viewed on line.There is also a vast range of yarn types.

I chose the 'Stag Sweater' with a jaquard detail to knit from the collection for children. The pattern has instructions for ages 6-10 years.

Stag Sweater

The yarn recommended for the Stag Sweater design is called 'Ideal'. The catalogue gives very comprehensive details of the yarn and samples of all the colours available. I chose the following colours for my sweater which I knitted in size age 6 years.

Girolle #29051

Gerbille #248661

The #290531

Vannerie #233161

What makes the Bergere de France 'Ideal' yarn?

• 50g
• 125m
• 40% combed wool, 30% acrylic, 30% polyamide
• 3.5mm needles or 3.5mm crochet hook
• machine washable, tumble dry
• 32 colour ways
• suitable for knitting machines

I found the Ideal yarn very easy to handle and soft to the touch, suitable for children's wear. The pattern was easy to follow, with age sizes colour coded with the different stitch numbers. This was a good feature when checking my work at the different stages. All measurements are in cm and mm, very much based for the European market.

I had to brush up on my intarsia knitting skills for this as there were four colours being worked in the stripes at one time. I made only one change to the pattern. Rather than knit the neck band separate and then graft on to the sweater, I picked up the stitches and knitted the neck band on directly. Overall I enjoyed knitting this little stag sweater.

Hobbycraft and The Women's Institute : Yarn Review

Firstly, I'd like to thank Hobbycraft and the WI for the samples of yarn they sent for this review.

The Women's Institute has launched it's own exclusive brand of yarn through the Hobbycraft retail chain. A donation from the sale of each ball of yarn will be given to the National Federation of Women's Institutes. It's the largest voluntary women's organisation in the UK with over 212,000 members.

There are four types of yarn in their new range, Premium Acrylic, Soft and Cuddly, Soft and Silky and Heritage Yarn.

Heritage - Unique Shetland
100% wool
4ply
50g
215 metres
3.25 mm needles/crochet hook
hand wash

I was keen to see this yarn, as regular readers will know about my obsession with all things Shetland. I decided to try some traditional Shetland lace samples, using one needle size down, one up, as well as the recommended needle size. The yarn has a rustic look and texture with 9 colours in the range. I'd be interested to try these muted colours out in the Fair Isle style of knitting too.

Here's what they say on their website,

100% Shetland wool, made in the UK. This manufacturer has been spinning yarn since 1798 and has the reputation of stocking the world's best Shetland and Lamb's wool qualities. A family company which prides itself on the ability to manufacture 10-12 tonnes of yarn each week all of which is spun using 100% green sourced electricity. - See more at:

'100% Shetland wool, made in the UK. This manufacturer has been spinning yarn since 1798 and has the reputation of stocking the world's best Shetland and Lamb's wool qualities. A family company which prides itself on the ability to manufacture 10-12 tonnes of yarn each week all of which is spun using 100% green sourced electricity.'                                                           

soft and Silky
100g
4ply
304metres
100% microfibre acrylic
3.25mm needles/crochet hook. 

This yarn is just as the name states, soft and silky. I received two colours out of the 15 in the range and decided to make one knitted and one crochet sample. Both worked up really well and I could see myself buying this for making washable baby items.

Premium Acrylic
100g
DK
4mm needles / crochet hook
282 metres
machine washable

This yarn has 20 vibrant colours in the range. I tried this yarn with a 4mm crochet hook and found it soft to the touch. For a budget affordable yarn it was nice to work with and I could see myself using this for a baby blanket requiring frequent washing.

Soft and Cuddly

4ply 
50g
125metres
machine washable

I didn't have any samples of this yarn but here's what they say about it from their website, 'this super soft range has been created to offer an anti pill fibre...ideal for a wide range of baby clothing...'

Hope you enjoyed this review. 
Have you tried this yarn? Are you a member of the WI?

Heritage Yarn
100% Shetland wool, made in the UK. This manufacturer has been spinning yarn since 1798 and has the reputation of stocking the world's best Shetland and Lamb's wool qualities. A family company which prides itself on the ability to manufacture 10-12 tonnes of yarn each week all of which is spun using 100% green sourced electricity.
- See more at: http://www.thewi.org.uk/media-centre/latest-press-releases-and-statements/the-wi-cast-on-with-hobbycraft#sthash.9NrtM0eU.dpuf

Sirdar Crofter DK Socks on Straight Needles

A few years ago I taught myself to knit in the round on double pointed needles (dpn's) specifically to be able to knit socks. I hasten to add, that as an adult learner, knitting with dpn's was not a skill I acquired easily and took me a few attempts.

More recently I wanted to try out the Sirdar Crofter DK fair isle style yarn and initially chose the lichen shades of Glen #76 colourway. When I read the pattern I was surprised to find that it was written for knitting socks with straight needles not dpn's. I was curious about how the sock would be constructed so I decided to give this pattern a go. I should probably say now that I liked working with the Crofter yarn so much that I decided to make a second pair of socks right away but using dpn's in Galloway #73 shades of blue.

 

For the yellow socks the pattern states three pairs of needles - 3.25mm (US 3), 4mm (US 3) and 4.5mm (US7). 

For the blue socks on dpn's I used the same needle sizes but I improvised a short row heel turn, used some of the pattern instructions and stitch counts.

I enjoyed knitting the yellow socks on straights and very pleased with the fit. The seams are positioned so there's minimum chance of rubbing especially the heel which has no seam. The only down side is dealing with a number of loose ends and sewing the seams. If dpn's are not your thing then this pattern might be for you.

For the blue socks with dpn's somehow the yarn balls didn't start with the same pattern sequence consequently I have slightly mismatched socks. I don't mind this so much because I really like the colours and they are going to be worn with hiking boots after all.

Enjoy!

Adventures in Yarn Farming

 

As a relative newcomer to the world of sheep keeping I was looking forward to reading Adventures in Yarn Farming (which I received as a gift at Christmas). Barbara Parry describes her transition into farming life in New England and how she converts sheep fleece into high quality knitting yarn. The book is hardback and beautifully presented with lots of photographs.

The story starts with the wool clip and follows the year of the sheep through the seasons. I found it interesting and reassuring that the story sounded familiar and that I'm at least doing some of the same things. There were some differences in timings in the year for certain activities. The most striking difference though is the effort she goes to keeping the sheep fleeces clean and succeeding (whilst still on the back of the sheep). My Shetland sheep usually look as though they just emerged from a rummage in the bottom of the compost heap, so there's some work to do. 

Here's a video taster of the book...

There are 8 knitting patterns and other projects for spinning, weaving and dyeing in the book. But I really enjoyed this book more for it's description of lifestyle changes and it's honest look at the hard work that goes into producing yarn from sheep fleeces. 

Enjoy!

Couronne Cardigan

This little lot of yarn arrived in my Christmas stocking from Santa. I cast on my knitting project in the closing hours of 2013. So technically I have kept my New Year's resolution not to start any new projects in 2014 before finishing those already started in 2013. So far, so good. 

I saw the pattern for 'Couronne' by Helen Rush in autumn last year while searching for, 'top down' 'fair isle' 'cardigan' patterns on Ravelry. 

Credit - Twist Collective, Helene Rush,  photographer Jane Heller - image used with permission.

The pattern was first published in Twist Collective Fall 2013. The yarn is by Knit One Crochet Too based in the USA.  I couldn't find a supplier in the UK and did think about finding a substitute yarn. I really liked the yarn in the design photographs and thought that Santa could bring the yarn in my Christmas stocking.

Yarn

Knit One Crochet Too Brae Tweed - Lichen 810

Inspired by classic Donegal tweeds. It is soft-spun, single ply blend of high grade merino wool, luxurious baby llama, and bamboo for a nice sheen, with a hint of tweedy colours.

Fibre Content: 60% merino wool/20% baby llama/10% bamboo/10% donegal
50-gr hank
Yardage: 109 yards
Texture: smooth single ply
Sts per 4": 18 sts
Needles: US size 8 (5mm)
Care: Handwash/dry flat

TY-DY Wool - Chilli Mocha 3814 

100-gr/218-yds. ball
Suggested Gauge: 5 sts per inch on US size 7 (4.5mm) needles
Care: Machine wash in cold water and delicate cycle, and dry flat

I bought this skein winder off ebay for the yarn skeins for our spun sheep fleeces. It's a bit temperamental if the tension isn't quite right but otherwise it's a great toy for the job. It makes lovely centre pull cylinders of yarn that are easy to use and stack.

I'm at the start of the neck of the cardigan. It's knit back and forth in knit and purl - not joined and knit in the round as with traditional fair isle. The dyed yarn is changing colour through the knitting pattern so it looks like a more complicated 'fair isle' piece.

 

I'm enjoying knitting this project but it's not something I can easily sit and watch TV with or listen to the radio. The main colour has very little twist to it, a bit like thin roving and can fluff up easily. I already had to pull back one row and the fibre was not happy. So I'm aiming not to make any errors! In contrast the coloured yarn has plenty of twist and is very easy to use.

Here's an alternative colourway, thank you, Joyce (knittingRx on Ravelry) for letting me share your finished Couronne project.

knittingRx on Ravelry

Enjoy!

'Sweet and Spicy' Opal Sock Yarn Review

Until recently my sock knitting yarn has been limited to solid colours. I have wanted to try out some self patterning yarn for a while. My main concern about self patterning yarn is, will I end up with a pair of mismatched socks. I liked the look of this established brand Opal, so I thought I'd give the yarn a try. 

Yarn Details

100g

425m

75% wool, 25% polyamide

Opal Pullover & Sockenwolle 'Sweet and Spicy' #6755
Made in Germany 

I purchased my yarn from The Woolstack. Included with the yarn were two patterns, one for a pair of gloves with fingers and the other for Simple Socks & Gift Pouch. I followed the supplied sock pattern which gives instructions for cuff down socks in one size - ladies medium - which was just right for me.

One thing that put me off slightly, was the tiny needle size of 2.25mm (US 1) and thinking this would be another project I'd never finish. Usually I knit boot socks with DK or aran weight and nothing smaller than a 3.75mm (US 5) needle. However, I enjoyed watching the pattern develop so much that the needle size didn't seem to matter.

After I'd cast off the first sock I had a feel for how the pattern works with this yarn. I could see that I needed to unwind and remove about three meters of yarn from the ball before casting on my second sock. This meant that I started casting on the yarn part way through the orange, rust and cream pattern section. There's hardly any difference in the two socks. There is lots of yarn left over, may be enough for some small children's socks.

Really enjoyed using this yarn and straight forward pattern. I'd definitely think about using this brand again in a different colour way.

Rustic Mega Chunky Yarn Review

A big thank you to my sponsor Black Sheep Wools for inviting me to write a yarn review and for providing the James C Brett Rustic Mega Chunky yarn and pattern. Until 31st January 2014 Black Sheep Wools are offering 10% discount on Rustic Mega Chunky for readers of this blog. To qualify use the discount code HKT14.

I chose to knit the ladies Poncho #JB113. Instructions are given for 5 sizes (these are UK dress sizes) for 71/76cm (28/30) to 112/117 (44/46). I made the poncho in size 32/34 which states 6 balls of yarn. As well as the poncho pattern there's a choice of jumpers and cardigans in the pattern range.

James C Brett

Two sets of knitting needles are required for the Poncho - 10mm for the rib sections and 12mm for the main body of stocking stitch, also needed are some stitch holders or spare scraps of yarn to hold the neck stitches.

I made my project in shade #CS2 which is a neutral light grey with flecks of black and coppery brown. I found the fibre to be very soft and easy to work with. There are 9 other shades in the range.

James C Brett

 Yarn Details
100g Ball
82% Acrylic 10% Wool 8% Viscose
Needle size: 12mm
Meterage: 57m / 62yds
30° wash | Do not iron | Do not bleach | May be dry cleaned | Do not tumble dry

This was a quick and easy knit, suitable for a beginner with some experience. I spent a couple of evenings on the main knitting and a further evening sewing the seams and making the pom poms. The pattern is easy to follow and the skills required are: cast on, cast off, knit, purl, picking up stitches, decreasing, and increasing.  

During the cold weather I've been wearing the Poncho in the house instead of a cardigan. It's very cozy and gives plenty of arm movement for working on the keyboard and with the knitting needles.  It fits perfectly and is just right length. The instructions say to attach the cord and pom poms to the front - so just for show really. There seemed to be plenty of yarn left so I made a longer draw cord to thread in and out along the collar join so I can adjust the fit. There's just under half a ball of yarn left over for adding to the yarn stock. Another project for another day.

A reminder the 10% discount on Rustic Mega Chunky runs until 31st January 2014 at Black Sheep Wools. To qualify use the discount code HKT14.