Red Roof Croft in Landscape Magazine

Since my last post there's been a bit of knitting going on but I can't show any items in case I spoil some festive surprises. I'm still making preparations for Christmas so the New Year is only just on my radar. I have though, been waiting patiently to share news of the Jan/Feb 2016 edition of Landscape magazine. It's available in newsagents today and includes a three page feature and instructions for the Red Roof Croft knitting pattern. 

Inspiration for the pattern came from a croft house with a red roof over on the Applecross peninsular. You can see a picture of the real house taken by Wester Ross photographer Ed Duncan over on his Facebook page - click here. The pattern is also available to download as a digital file from Ravelry.

If you don't know 'Landscape' magazine click on the image below for a preview of this edition. It also features articles about the British countryside, heritage, crafts and cookery along with great photography.

Click on the image for preview

Stranger Cardigan

I must have cast on this cardigan in April and completed it in August, which for me is pretty fast knitting for a garment. I've only recently taken a few photos of the finished item. This is the Stranger cardigan by michiyo and is published in Brooklyn Tweed Wool People Vol 4. The recommended yarn is worsted weight. I had in mind to use some of the Shetland yarn from our sheep which is DK weight, it's slightly lighter than the worsted. I test knitted a swatch using the recommended needle size 5mm which produced a more open texture but within gauge and acceptable.

I learnt a new technique while knitting this project, commonly known as a Three Needle Bind Off. This technique is used to join the two cable front panels at the centre back. It sounds complicated but in practice it's very straight forward.

The reason I chose this pattern was the cable detail around the stole like collar along with the simple construction. The cardigan is made up of five rectangular panels and is worked with no shaping. However, I did adapt the pattern to add shaping to the sleeves from the elbow to the cuff. Overall a very enjoyable project to knit.

Knitted Sock Heel Repair

I should have known better than to wear soft, fine merino and alpaca wool hand knitted socks with hiking boots. Very soon the fine wool was worn away and holes appeared. As these were a favourite pair of socks I thought about making a repair using the darning method. I confess, I've never repaired a pair of socks. Therefore, I did a quick search for darning instructions. While browsing various methods I came across a knitted heel option which looked so much better than a darning patch. The following images give you the basic idea behind the method. I won't repeat the instructions here as they are quite lengthy, not for the fainthearted. The method can be found at Lupinworks.com Replacing a sock heel.

I'm pleased with the finished result and won't be wearing these socks in hiking boots anymore!

 

1. Picking up stitches

2. Cut out old damaged heel and unravel old rows.

3.Pick up stitches on needles

4. Knit the heel flap and turn the heel.

5. Finished heel