Inconsiderate

How can a baby be so inconsiderate as to arrive a month early?

I have been planning and knitting a baby shawl for a few months now and doing it in dribs and drabs. The baby was due on 27th December - so plenty of time to finish it along with other Xmas gifts. Not so! Samuel arrived on 26th November, hence I am whizzing through a baby surprise jkt to be finished this weekend. Pic to follow.

Other inconsiderateness to report: Rabbit Su's elbow has given up on her and she is BANNED from any creative action in the sphere of spinning, knitting or crochet for 3 weeks. Her friends are upset on her behalf and are creating at a faster pace to compensate.

If you want to know how other people cope with pressure knitting for Xmas check out the Yarn Harlot blog (link opposite). She always has masses of gifts to make in a limited time and usually manages it somehow. She writes in a very amusing way about it - take a look!

Pi in progress

This is the progress so far on the pi shawl started a while ago. I now have 576 sts on the needle. I started it and then put it aside for a while but, having been ill this last week, I've taken it up again. However I take the picture the wool looks drab - in fact it's a really deep forest green tweed. What I love about the pi is that it transforms itself from a ratty looking bag ( see above ) into a lovely lacy circle. I have plenty of wool to add an extra pattern repeat to make it a decent size.

Knitting group last night where the regulars were enjoying themselves. Strangely enough, not much talk about knitting but more about our various accidents, illnesses and pets. I was glad to be back. We also had random phone chats with Tracey on the Isle of Wight.

Happy to have a message from Rabbit Su on the blog. She is still plucking up courage to start a lacy project - I say "Have a go". If you can count you can do it. Su is a fab crocheter which is not my forte at all. The only time I do a little is as an edge or in freeform work - I just don't really get it in terms of following a pattern. Give me a knitting pattern and I'm there.

I don't think any of us realise what skills we have and that's what's good about sharing in a group. We should all have confidence in our ability to make beautiful things.

Well fed up!

To quote my students "I'm well fed up!" I've lost my voice ( some would call that a result! ). I mean totally. There's no way I can control a class of sixth formers with no voice.

Consequently I did not go to work and will not be going to knitting group tonight which will mean I have missed 2 weeks - what's going on? I haven't even felt like knitting today which is pretty serious I'm sure you'll agree. I may do some later.

Thanks to Becky for her comment on my scarf pattern. I met Becky at the Get Knitted shop in Bristol in August when we were discussing knitwear design. She has lots of ideas but is restricted by childcare and work commitments. Hopefully she will find time to get it together because she had some great ideas for boys' sweaters. There's a gap in the market there.

Update

Tracy tell me she's planning to make a scarf from the pattern I posted yesterday and I'm looking forward to seeing it. Glad to be of service!

My other news is that I have opted to have a keyhole op to solve my gallbladder problem. It's not going to get any better, and while I'm currently controlling it by diet, I don't want to spend the rest of my life on such a strict regime. On the upside, I have lost half a stone in 3 weeks - no dairy, no chocolate, no spicy or fatty food. My life is so exciting! I'm just waiting for a letter to drop on the mat.

Back soon.

Arrowhead scarf pattern

Arrowhead Scarf Pattern from Shawlrats Designs :

Materials: approx. 500 metres of DK / worsted weight mohair yarn. I used 1 skein of Fleece Artist Goldiehair Colour : Paris. Alternatives are Wendy Paris Mohair or Rowan Kidsilk Aura ( an expensive option ). 1 pair of 5.5mm needles.

Tension : Not important as long as your resulting fabric has a soft drape.

Finished size : 78 X 14 inches

Abbreviations : K - knit; P - purl; YO - yarn over; S1, K2tog, psso - Slip 1, knit 2 together, pass the slipped stitch over; rep - repeat.

Pattern rows : Row 1(wrong side) : K1,P1,K1,P to last 3 stitches, K1,P1, K1.
Row 2 (right side): K1,P1,K1,P1, K1, *YO, K3,S1 K2tog psso,K3, YO, K1.
Rep from * to last 4 stitches. P1,K1,P1,K1.

Method : Cast on 59 stitches. K2 rows. Commencing with row 2, work the 2 pattern rows until your yarn is almost used up, ending with row 2. Knit 2 rows, Cast off.

Blocking : I only blocked the ends of the scarf. Spray the two ends with water and pin out the points. Leave to dry.

Finito!

I'm tall and like long scarves but you could make it any length to suit and thereby save yarn and money. The pattern is adaptable to any weight of yarn and needle size and is a simple introduction to lace knitting. The arrowhead motif has been used in lace knitting circles for years.
I used yarn from my stash and have done something similar in self striping sock yarn. The end result has a Missoni style quality to it. ( I once went into the Missoni shop in Rome - fabulous - but sadly unrealistic prices for most of us ).

Hope you enjoy it!

Finishing the scarf

The DK mohair scarf is finished and will be blocked today. I will post the pattern and pics tomorrow.

Thanks to Tracy for her comment on my previous post. I know she is a chart fan and we have had many discussions about this in the past. Whatever works for you is my motto.

I have a hospital appt with the NHS consultant this afternoon. He's having an extra clinic on a Saturday! I couldn't believe it when I got a call asking me to go. Not my favourite way to spend a Saturday afternoon but it has to be done.

I'm hoping to do a LOT of knitting this weekend!

The Art of Shetland Lace

I have finally acquired this book first published in 1981. During this period Sarah Don wrote several books on knitting and needlepoint which I bought at the time, but not this one, as, believe it or not, I was not interested in knitting lace! Of course now it's out of print I have had to pay a premium for it, but at least I have a fine copy.

As befits the time, photos are black and white and patterns are written not charted. The latter suits me as I still prefer written to charted instructions. This is a slim volume and the author states that there is scope for a much larger tome which has been written by Sharon Miller ( "Heirloom Knitting" ). If you don't have Sharon's book I urge you to get it. It's well worth the high cover price. She has also written a book on hap shawls which has very interesting historical detail as well as patterns.

I could happily spend all my time knitting and reading about knitting.

Scarves

This is my latest purchase. I'm a big scarf knitter and am always interested in new ideas. The book has ideas for pleated scarves, i-cord, short rows, scrap yarn slits, divided rib and intarsia. I will use these ideas as the basis for some new designs of my own. The author remarks in her acknowledgements that she has used a subdued colour palette which is not necessarily her personal taste and I do find the colours used a bit dreary. I don't understand why she didn't use colours she liked, unless she didn't have editorial control of the book.

Speaking of which, my lace sampler scarf has been published in the latest issue of Knit Today and I'm very pleased with the result. The staff publish my patterns as I write them, so I am confident that the instructions and processes are correct. If you want to start lace knitting and don't want patterns which are too complex, please try it.

Knitting group tonight and I'm looking forward to seeing my friends.