New Scarf.

    Started another double basket weave scarf for my friend in the States. I frogged the first one, didn't like the way it was turning out. The frogged one was started on 4.5mm needles, this new one is on 4mm needles like the original one I did. I'm knitting this double basket weave scarf in the same yarn I used in the original one as well. I figure it will take two weeks, 3 weeks at most but I really want to finish it well before two weeks so I can get it in the post on time for the States. I've already got 6" knitted so if nothing comes up I should be able to do it.

  I also need to spin some yarn for another friend in the States to be posted at the same time, I figure I can get two skeins done or maybe 3. I'm thinking of white and oatmeal bfl but not sending my first one, that's for me. I have made a start on the white bfl on the kick spindle, just need to buy some oatmeal now. I could chose another colour but am uncertain about types of yarn so will stick with bfl for now.

  Well I best get to knitting if this scarfs going to be done on time, also need to see the vet for more meds for the dog but can't find there opening times.

Plyed

  Well I got around to finally plying some of my homespun yarn. I had planned to ply the oatmeal bfl together but one of them exploded and I couldn't find an end in which to start sorting it out. It was very frustrating, I wanted to go Alexander on it and chop the knot in half. I gave up and very carefully searched for an end on the other skein of oatmeal bfl.

  Finding an end on the white bfl was a lot easier than with the oatmeals, lesson learned I really need to be more careful and organised when putting up the yarns. In future I will tie a bit of bright yarn to the ends to make them more easier to find.

  I wrapped the white bfl around a large ish tupperware box and the oatmeal was placed on my skein winder thingy and I plyed with my larger top whorl drop spindle. Next time I think I'll wrap both yarns around tupperware boxes, they seem to work so much better than the skein winder for holding the yarns.

  The results look pretty good, sort of a tweedy yarn about aran weight for the most part, bit more chunky in some places and a bit like dk in others. I got 110yrds from 50g of white bfl and approx. 50g of the oatmeal.

  I've now set the skein in hot water and once its dried I'll take some pictures. I'll also take pictures of my spindles including the kick spindle and put then up for the Saturday post. Well I'll try too.

Knitted baby blanket

Knitted Baby Blanket

   Just a quick post today and only a couple of pictures. This is a baby blanket I knitted for one of my nieces, I did knit another baby blanket with hearts once but I can't find the pictures anymore.

  The pattern for this blanket is here. Its a really simple knit.

Knitted Baby Blanket

    I think this is the only time I've worked with more than one colour but doing stripes is as easy as joining another ball of yarn, though you do have to join on the same side otherwise you get an odd line of dashes. You can't see it on the only pictures I have but I did mess up the join on one of the rows of colours.

   As you can see its not very well knitted, it looks kinda lacey in places. The yarn I used was some acrylic I was given, not ideal for a baby really but time was short and we have to make do with whats on hand.

   Hope you all have a great weekend, its sunny and warm here today so I'm going to make the most of it.

Windy

   Winds ups, usual for this time of year here. Makes riding the bike interesting or just plain hard work at times. I think it will be gusting at 60mph by night fall, I best check the high fences and I should take the chimney off the burner and pack it up for the winter.

  I've finished the oatmeal bfl with my drop spindle, it seemed a heck of a lot easier this time around. Guess I'm getting used to it. Theres roughly 200 yrds from the 100g, split in halfs so I can ply it. Wonder what I can knit with 100yrds of pure wool, something that doesn't need lots of washing care me thinks.

  Not finished the Iphone sock cosy yet, only about an inch to go so will get that done sometime today. I'll need to make another Icord but I love knitting those. I'll probably start another Iphone sock cosy straight after this one is done, will have a look through my yarn stash. I might even have another go at weaving one this weekend.

 I usually have fish on a Friday but couldn't find anything I fancied, was almost tempted by a bit of sea bass but think it was a little old. I got a couple of duck legs instead, not had duck in years and haven't cooked it in even longer. I'll probably just fry it up, keep it simple and see how it turns out. I'll save the fat, not sure its as good as goose fat but I bet its close and nearly as tasty for roast spuds.

  Picture post tomorrow of what I know not. Have a good weekend.

Good bye oatmeal.

   I've nearly finished off the oatmeal bfl, yaaaaaaa. I was trying to spin it on the kick spindle and it wasn't working out well this time so I used the top whorl spindle. I haven't used my drop spindle since getting the kick spindle and I have to say I love drop spindles, there so much fun to use. I think I might of even improved since using the kick spindle.

  I'll finish off the oatmeal bfl today on the drop spindle then I'll have ago with the white bfl but I'll use the kick spindle and see how I get on. The differences between this lot of fleece and my first lots might be rovings v's tops, though only the oatmeal has had a smell to it.

  I haven't read all of the new book but its pretty interesting, I think the book on carding, spinning and dyeing,I bought last week was based a lot on this book. One section I've read that was really good was all about flax and nettle preparation, I might even give spinning nettles ago. Along with my nettle beer.

  No weaving done but I've knitted about halfway on the grey/gray Iphone sock. Looking very executive. One thing I don't like about the colour is its hard to see the stitches for knitting, I've made a couple of counting mistakes that I've had to unknit(tink?) that with a lighter coloured yarn  I would of picked up on straight away.

Another book

    I've bought another book on carding,spinning and dyeing. "Carding, Spinning, Dyeing: Introduction to the Traditional Wool and Flax Crafts (Elisabeth Hoppe & Ragnar Edberg)" This one looks interesting with more details on what I need, though I haven't read it yet. Its an older book published in 1975 that I picked up second hand on ebay. I really need to stop buying books and start buying more yarns and roving's. I do want a book on cable stitches and theres another book I have my eye on and a book on basic weaving would be nice and and and.........

   I only got a tiny bit of spinning done yesterday, my heart wasn't in it. I know you shouldn't blame your tools but I'm going to blame this oatmeal bfl roving. Its been a pain from day one and I'll be glad to see the back of it. I do have two top whorl drop spindles and a kick spindle that takes reels(2)(bobbins???) so I could ignore the oatmeal and start on the white bfl I have.

    No weaving done but did a little knitting for the Iphone sock cosy, already planned another one in my head pretty much based on this one but different. Found a scarf pattern that I like and might make a start on that this week, or even today. Christmas fast approaches and I have nothing done apart from the double basket weave scarf.

   Its lovely and sunny out and pretty warm too so I may sit in the garden and read this new book this afternoon. I'll try and get some spinning done and will do more knitting on the Iphone sock cosy too. Probably finish the Iphone sock by tomorrow.

Wet, wet, wet.

    Its raining, its pouring, the old man is snoring. He went to bed and bumped his head and couldn't get up in the morning. Yep its raining out, not pouring rain but the fine drizzle stuff that soaks you slowly to the bone. I've been out in it twice and have no intention of going back out today, bit of knitting, spinning and a good cup of coffee are my plans for the rest of the day.

  Started another Iphone sock cosy, this one in grey/gray. Its mainly moss/seed stitch with two rope cables, haven't started the cable parts yet, will have to figure out which is the best way around for them. I've finished the pink Iphone sock, Icords done, its weaved in and is just waiting for a wash and block.

  The pink woven one I made is way to small, by an inch. Its not eyelash yarn but the feather yarn stuff so its pretty furry and chunky. Oh well its all good practise and its the first time I've actually finished a piece and tied it all off. I'll think about weaving another one but think it will need to be done side on for the right measurements.

  I'll be using my kick spindle again today, I need to write a post about it. I love using it, its a lot easier than I thought though is a bit hard on my leg. I end up standing up to use it a lot, really need a chair the right height to use it comfortably I think.

Weekends done.

   I got some more bfl, white this time. Haven't had a proper look but did have a smell and it smells of nothing. I think the oatmeal bfl hadn't been cleaned properly. Its not that it smelt bad bad but it didn't smell good either. I'm going to finished spinning it in two halfs and ply them both together then I can give them a decent wash.

  Darn cold out this morning, didn't want to get out of bed cold. Had two cups of coffee before I walked the dog, it was still frosty and icy outside but sunny. It looks warm in the sun but it ain't really, definitely coat and gloves weather from now on me thinks. Hat and scarf too.

  The ashford book of carding I got isn't great. If you want to colour blend it is probably great, it does seem to cover colours much more than carding. What I'm really after is a book that covers it all from the sheep to the  wheel, even a chapter on shearing. If anyone knows a book like that comment/email me please.

  I've finished one of the Iphone sock cosy thingies, I might need to make the Icord a bit long but its pretty much finished. The moss/seed stitch has turned out well next to the cable stitches, I wasn't sure it would. I'm going to knit another one in moss/seed stitch but with two cables this time. Then I really need to sort out why my purls are laddering in my rib stitches, hopefully the problem has gone away.

  I've weaved another Iphone sock cosy in pink eyelash yarn, the knitted one is also in pink but not eyelash. Its still on the loom and I need to knit an Icord for it and sew it all together, not sure it will sell but she did want odd pink ones.

Hope you all had a good weekend.

Cable IPhone Sock Cosy

Magic loop IPhone sock rope cable.

Cable IPhone Sock Cosy

    This is the Iphone sock cosy I knitted for one of my sisters birthdays. She loves it and some of her friends at work have asked me to knit some more, which I'm working on at the moment. I'm doing them all slightly different styles(cables) and colours, including an odd pink one at the moment.

Knitted IPhone sock cosy

   I did this Iphone sock cosy using magic loop, I'm not sure how you'd split it for 3 or 4 double point needles. I did the front with a simple rope cable and the back in basket weave. The pictures are not great and the work wasn't blocked when I took the pictures.

Knitted Cable Iphone Sock

  The Iphone sock is for an IPhone 3 and measures around 3" wide by 5" long. You'll need to just your needles for the yarn your using to get those measurmeants.
Cast on 40 stitches and split them into 20 for the magic loop,join and

• Row 1 Knit
• 2 K6,p2,k4,p2,k6, back part is k5,p5,k5,p5
• 3 p2,k4,p2,k4,p2,k4,p2. k5,p5,k5,p5
• 4 repeat row 2
• 5 repeat row 3
• 6 k6,p2,C4F,p2,k6, back part is a knit row.
• 7 p2,k4,p2,k4,p2,k4,p2back part now changes to p5,k5,p5,k5
• 8 k6,p2,k4,p2,k6. p5,k5,p5,k5

   For the front cables are every 6th row for the back repeat the pattern of either k5,p5,k5,p5 or p5,k5,p5,k5 for 4 rows with a knit row inbetween the patterns.
  I changed to 1*1 ribbing for the last few rows and did a couple of yarn overs to thread the Icord through, next time I probably would do real button holes. 
 Hope thats clear if not email me and I'll write it out for you, it is a pretty simple pattern. 

Iphone Sock Cosy

Vets

Short post today folks.

   Just got back from the vets and there were no problems with the meds. I got a repeat script for a reduced dosage which should help the dog stop staggering around like a drunk. Vet told me he can still have fits because it take about 2 weeks for the meds to start working properly and can even have fits while on the meds until they find the right dosage for him.

 Had a good play with my kick spindle, more about that another day I'm afraid,just don't have the time right now. I also started one of the Iphone socks as well but have been forced to do moss/seed stitch because my purls with ribbing are laddering again. I've mentioned this before and will post on it again soon because its a pain and I need help to sort it out.

 Not sure what will be posted for Saturday so just pop back for a surprise. Have a great weekend. 

Waiting in.

 Got the ashford book of carding this morning, haven't had time to read it or bearly flick through it yet though. I'll have a closer look in a little while. I'm waiting on the postman, again. I hate waiting in, he usually comes very late when I wait in but very early if I pop the shops or walk the dog. Now I know he is fetching the drop spindle since I have the book by regular post, I can't wait to have a play with it.

  The dogs not happy missing his morning walk while I wait in for the postman. Spoke to the vet assistant and there seems to be some confusion over his meds. I've booked an appointment for Friday to see the actual vet and see where we go from there. I'm not too happy about the way this is playing but I'm sure it will soon be cleared up. You don't give someone meds not to use unless your just trying to make money.

  Saw my sister yesterday, the one who got an Iphone sock cosy thingy. Great news for me is that she has 3 orders for me to knit and sell. 3 of her friends at work all want one and maybe even a forth. I need to sort colours out, one was described as glittery pink and I hate knitting with novelty yarns. It will be nice to make some yarn cash though, just thinking maybe I could weave the novelty yarn. Its not like there suited to fancy patterns like cables.

  I'll let you all know how I get on with the kick spindle, I think it might take a little or a lot of getting used too.

Nada

   Didn't get anything done yesterday. I think the stress of the dog being ill has caught up with me. I have slept in my own bed the last 2 nights but I'm not sleeping all that well. The dogs taken to sleeping at my bedside so every time he twitches in his sleep or scratches I'm up and wondering if its another fit. I've cut a pill in half for him this morning but will give him a full dose tonight. I'll be seeing the vet later and will discuss managing his meds better.

  Its a frosty morning out but the skies are clear and the suns out, its sort of warm until the wind blows then it reminds you of winter. I'm going to take the dog on a long walk over the hills. Should be a refreshing day.

  I'll get some knitting, spinning or weaving done when I get back. Hope you all have a nice day.

Darn Postman

  I've missed the postman again, I was only out for 15 mins. I swear they wait until I'm out then run around as fast as they can. I think he was trying to deliver a book, the card said too big for letterbox and the kick spindle needs to be signed for. The book I'm waiting on was an impulse buy, The Ashford Book of Carding. I think I'll be glad I bought this one though.

  Popped over to asda to buy a crock pot/slow cooker for £8 but they have none left. Been wondering whether to buy one or not to use for dyeing and decided last night that I would. Oh well, I'll have to look for a cheap one on ebay. I could use my old one and buy myself a new one for food cooking, a better one than I already have.

  Did a bit more weaving yesterday, set up the spear's loom from scratch again and was much faster this time. I weaved the right way around too so when it came time to wind the work up it worked. I think I really need a heddle for my bigger frame loom though, the spear's loom is great but the work is done really fast and needs winding up all the time. I could use the heddle from the spear's loom or maybe make one out of some cardboard or plastic, I do have some plexi glass that might work well. Next time I'll try and do some vertical lines, maybe today.

  Tiny bit of knitting done on the ex Iphone sock cosy thingy last night, will finish that off today then I can start another one. I also really need to start another double basket weave scarf for my friend in the states. Still haven't finished off the backpack and I haven't started any Christmas presents yet, no surprises there really. I might buy some yarn instead of the crock pot, only need a little to get the fingerless gloves done.

Weaving, nearly there.

  My dog is still doing ok, he's had no more fits but is a little dopey at times. Thanks for the advice, encouragement and links.

  I did some weaving on Sunday, set up the spear's loom for the first time. Setting up the loom took me ages and then I had to move all the threads along so the work was more straight. 
    I used different colours for my weft and again they didn't show up in the weave but have finally figured out why. I've been reading double wool as double knit wool,dk. It seems if you use two threads of yarn for weaving the weft colours do show up. Some of the weft had two colours, one going through the holes and another colour going through the gaps in the heddle, they both showed in the weave once I started using two strands of yarn for weaving. Its this part that has been doing my head in since I started.

  I'm not 100% sure how to get solid vertical lines still but think you weave them in a separate colour. I've had a ago at this last time when I was making squares. Its something I really need to practise though as sometimes there were holes or bumps depending on where I turned.

  Another mistake I made with the spear's loom was that I started weaving upside down so that once it came time to move the work along and wrap it around I couldn't. I've got that part figured now so next time I can make a longer piece. It might be better though if I practise more on short pieces until I have colour changes right.

  Over all I'm happy with the results, glad I finally figured how to make the colours in the weft show up. I'm still a long way from weaving tartan though.

  I did manage a little knitting aswell on the Iphone sock cosy thingy but I'm not happy with a section of purls. I sometimes have this problem  that my purls are not tight enough. Its odd really, when it happens it repeats itself row after row making it all look very untidy.

k2,p3,pk4,p2,k2,p2,k4,p3,k2 turn magic loop and knit the back k2,p3,k2,p4,k2,p4,k2,p3,k2. As you can see there are a lot of p and k changes but I'm only messing up one row after row after row. Its the first purl after the knit 4 on the front of the work. Its a problem that doesn't happen all the time but crops up from time to time with me and I have no idea why.

  I've decided to do a bit more on the Iphone sock cosy thingy but stop short and use it for my tobacco tin and knit another Iphone sock cosy thingy, hopefully without the mistakes this time. I'm also going to knit it a bit thinner too, change the p3 to p2 on the front and p4 to p3 on the back