Dotty about texture :: Knitting ::

I am currently testing Libby's Truly Myrtle forthcoming pattern (you can see it on her IG feed), and it is all about texture. It starts with the dots pattern, and all I can think of is adding dots to a cardigan or a jumper - it would make any block colour garment so much more exciting (for a yoke or on sleeves, maybe?).

Since the pictures were taken, I decided to actually knit a gauge... and realised that I needed to go up a needle size - doh! I knew it was a bit wrong really, hence doing a last minute gauge before I went really too far. I was not getting the light fabric Libby talked about. Anyway now that I am knitting with the new needle size, it is going fast. I should be finished by the end of next week, and will post more details then (it is the deadline, so I better finish on time!). 

Half way there | Le Challenge {Knitting}

This month's theme was SMALL... Honestly I am not a fan of themes that are this open - too many options blocks me. However, it happens that we have found it something rather special about a little someone who is making me fast becoming a whale. 

I know many of my pregnant friends were and are happy not to find out the sex of the baby - I just have to know. It means we can decide on names, and as these have to work in both English and French - and we have to like them - it is really hard. Also I thought it might be nice for Baby MiH to learn the name of his sibling - or making up the same version of it!  

So a small knitting project to celebrate the half way point of my pregnancy, in two colours - and yes I was very pleased with my idea of a egg-cosy. Aren't they the cutest - most superfluous items - I could have made? 

In case you are interested in this ultra-complicated pattern, here it is: 

CO 20, 2x2 ribbing on 18 rows, and then R19 decrease ( k2tog, p2tog) 5 times, R20: k10; R21: k2tog 5 times. 

I knitted both in 4 mm DPNs - the pink yarn is Rowan Purelife Organic Cotton Naturally Dyed DK (now discontinued - why oh why?), and the blue yarn is Twilleys Echo recycled pure cotton DK yarn. 

I made the mini pompoms using a fork - I find a good tutorial on Mollie Makes website, but they are not as good as they look on the tutorial. However they were really easy and quick to make - all you want for a small project... 

SO you made it to here... Are you ready for it? 

Makes it real right! A house of full of boys and I - and a solution to not being able to reach anything too high up in the house! Good thing I have a lot of blue yarn in my stash.   

You can visit le challenge to see the other small makes!

If you've made a 'small' project or one that relates to the theme then link up your finished project on the le challenge blog for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop. Anyone can link up with any type of craft project as long as it was made in the past month!

Last minute Father's Day Card | Le Challenge {Crochet}

This month's le challenge theme was charity... and I made a Father's Day card - on behalf of Baby MiH, of course. Right now, you are probably wondering how I went from charity to a handmade card, where is the link? Well, it is all in the structure I used - it is made of a bangle I got from a charity shop.. Ahhhh, I hear you say. 

This is not my idea - it is based on Lova Nova crochet flower ring tutorial and can be adapted to whatever you want to frame.

And all you need is yarn, a crochet hook, a bangle of some description and washi tape if you are going to stick the frame to a background. 

The card and washi tape are from Paperchase; the hook is a 4mm; and the yarn is Rowan Creative Focus Worsted (in Delft).

I chose a colour scheme that I hope Mr MiH will like - although it may be closer to my own taste, but it is something he may not expect so I am sure I will be able to get away with that one.

As for the font, I was inspired by this fake calligraphy post, although it worked much better with my black profipen 0.5 than the white pen. Now I know...  

So here you are, it is Saturday and here is a way to make a very quick, and unusual, card for tomorrow! 

For all other Charity entries, check out Le Challenge here, and get a chance to enter our FQS giveaway.

Birthday beanie hat {Knitting}

Baby MiH has a very busy social life, he has parties to attend and birthday cakes to eat (although he is more interested in twiglets). I have decided to see the very positive side to these parties - birthday parties for little ones are an opportunity for me to make some handmade presents and try out new patterns and new colour palettes. 

The birthday boy

This beanie hat is based on a pattern from the Phildar Catalogue Layette no 84. It is inFrench, without charts - not helpful, but you can see that it is not that hard to work out - and I did discuss the decrease they are using here. I changed the pattern a bit too, so it does not really look like the very cute picture.

The beanie hat as featured on the book; another colour palette I had in mind

Pattern: Beanie hat pattern found in Phildar catalogue

Yarn: Rowan Creative Focus Worsted in New Fern and Teal

Needles: circular 3.5 mm

Size: one year old, it fits the birthday boy better than Baby MiH. 

I would knit him a size bigger. 

Modifications: I knitted it in the round (cast on 94 stitches), I shorten the stockinette section so it was not as slouchy and no pompom (it did not really work with the style).  

Baby MiH 'forced' to wear the beanie hat for a picture

I am always amazed at how long it takes to knit a baby hat, but it is always fun. I am not sure whether it is the greatest present for a one-year old. Baby MiH would not leave it on his head for more than 20 seconds (hence the scary picture), but the birthday boy does leave it on... 

This is my entry for the knit 12 hats in 1 year challenge - whoohoo, I am back! 

PS: A bit of time ago, I made a how to Sunday on joining when knitting in the round that I found useful for this hat. 

Knitting and decreasing | A new baby hat {Knitting}

I will start with my star model (so you don't even have to read to the end of the post to see him)! Here he is, eating his breakfast, and therefore busy enough not to take his hat off. This is not going to be his hat though, I was only making sure this would fit another one year old  - and it clearly does. 

The pattern is from Phildar Catalogue Layette no 84 - in French. If anyone is interested (once you see the final result of course) I can write a translation - and include my modifications. I am knitting it in Rowan Creative Focus worsted yarn (I just love the palette of colours), in 3.5 mm. 

In the pattern I came across a new decrease stitch that I thought might be of interest for the knitters out there. 

The white dot shows the decrease stitch

Et voila. It is a bit fiddly, in fact very fiddly when you are working on DPNs with not many stitches left - but you do go from 3 stitches to 1 and the 'seam' really shows. Any new stitches you have found recently? 

FLIGHT O2C8R 01 {Le Challenge #2}

*Find out more about the Truly Myrtle knitting pattern giveaway here*

So it is the day to reveal my entry for le challenge! The theme this month was 'wings'... And a little someone thought it was a great theme because he got himself a fancy new jumper - in fact this my first ever hand-knitted cardigan. Hence starting by a baby size. 

**For those coming from Ginny and Tamis' blogs, welcome! It is not a WIP as it is Le Challenge deadline, but we would love to have more people to participate, so I hope this post will encourage you to participate.The next theme has now been revealed and is MARITIME - deadline June 15!** 

After having a serious blocking session, it fits him (but probably only for this week). I knitted 3-6 months size (he is 5 months today), added 2 cm to the length of the body (because I have a super tall baby), but I should have knitted the 6-12 months size (although I am not sure how a jumper is supposed to fit him a whole 6 months). 

If I am honest I will not knit this cardigan again until he is walking - I think it looks nicer on him when he is standing rather than sitting, it 'hangs' better. So let's say this is a first go at it so I know what to expect next time. And honestly I have a few things to learn before next time: I hate my garter stitch edging - I need to find a solution for it to look neater, grafting - can be improved, sewing the sleeves - again can be improved.  

 Pattern: Oscar by Lili Comme Tout (Ravelry)

Yarn: Rowan Baby Merino Silk DK in Zinc - it is a great yarn for baby garment (I used two and a bit balls in the end). 

Needle size: 3.5 mm and 4mm (as indicated on pattern)
Size: 3-6 months, but lengthen the body
Result: It is a great pattern that does not look too baby-ish, in fact it is quite interesting to look at. I will definitely knit another one maybe for next winter. It is quite quick - and the sand stitch makes it interesting (although I was confused for a while to what was the right side and the wrong side). It fits him - just. 

Let's talk about wings - I actually found the novelty buttons at my local John Lewis first and then the yarn to go with it - the pattern came later. So it is all starting with wings.  

All the Le Challenge other entries can be found here. Next theme will be announced on May 15 at 3pm! 

Bunny Hat {Crochet}

Here is more information regarding yesterday's bunny hat. It was not easy to find a pattern that was suitable - I wanted really big ears.. and I am glad I found the Darling Derriere Designs one - as I knew it would provide the construction I would need. 

Anyway, I have realised quite quickly into the project that I am a lazy crocheter. So the main modifications are actually on the stitches used rather than the construction - so that it took less time! 

 Pattern: Darling Derriere Designs (found on Ravelry)

Yarn: Used 4 different yarns this time (malabrigo, rowan purelife and 2 sock yarns)

Hook size: 5.5mm
Size: 6-9 months

Modifications: Followed the pattern - using half-trebble (UK) stitches. For the length of the hat, I kept putting on Baby MiH's head to make sure it would cover his ears. For the ears, I followed the pattern as well - stopped at row 27 as I thought it was long enough and then decreased. I attached the  ears by folding the top in two. I had a long tail at the end and weaved it through the ears to make them curl a bit. 

I considered adding eyes and some colours in the inside of the ears but I like the simplicity of the hat - and it makes great pictures!

Slouchy Beanie Hat - The pattern {Knitting}

Here it is.. We have a gauge, we have gathered the few notes I had taken, and made sense out of them.. The pattern is really easy - nothing fancy here. However it can probably be made more interesting, so it could be your blank canvas slouchy beanie pattern.

 Pattern: see below

Yarn: Rowan Kidsilk Haze - knitted in double (shown in steel #664)

Needle size: Circular 3 mm for brim and 3.5mm for the body of the hat
Gauge: 24 sts and 36 rows = 10 cm (4'') in larger needles in stockinette stitch

CO 108 sts - don't forget to mark the start of the beanie
Knit 4 rows of garter stitch (because you are using circular, that is knit, purl, knit, purl)
Change to larger needles
Knit the body of the beanie in stockinette - for about 21 cm (you can adjust this part to what would suit your style).
Start the decrease: start at the main marker, *k16, k2tog, add a marker* 6 times. You will repeat this row (decreasing the number of stitches to knit one by one) until you have 6 sts left on your needles. Leave a long tail to thread through the stitches.

And that is it! You have yourself a fashionable slouchy beanie hat for this winter that does not seem to end!

Let me know if you make one! I would love to see them. I even set up a Flickr group page for you to share your makes! So don't be shy!

MiH Styled {Knitting}

This is my first knit for someone outside my family circle. Pressure. It is for a fashion blogger. Double the pressure. It has been posted.. and she loves it... Phew! So I can happily show you some pictures of Caterina's styling of my slouchy beanie hat. 

The inspiration is a COS angora beanie - styled here by Coline. It is not available anymore, so you may have to knit one.. 

This is a simple knit, rather long as I used 3.5mm needles (I know, I don't do small but the knitted fabric is just so beautiful). The yarn is knitted in double, and marks my reconciliation with Rowan kidsilk haze (steel #664). I probably used a little bit less than a ball.   

I love the top of the beanie, and this is the fun bit of this knit. I will write the pattern and post it some time next week. I would like to make a gauge for you guys - just in case your don't have the stamina of knitting in 3.5mm. 

It suits Caterina so well (to be fair she did choose the colour and she is quite an expert in styling!) - much better on her than on me! We are working on our next project together, so stay tune guys!

L+D is finished {Knitting}

The L+D cowl was actually finished a couple of weeks ago, but my personal photographer, Mr MiH, has not had the time to take pictures. To be fair it has been fairly grey over the last week. So an hour of sunshine on Sunday was the perfect excuse for a photoshoot. 

This is the project I started on my way to the maternity ward - pre-Baby MiH (cannot remember what that was like anymore). Of course, I got a chance to make some progress out there helped by the fact that I stayed in hospital 5 days in total (3 days waiting for Baby MiH to finally make an appearance and 2 to recover). And then the project stagnated a bit ... But it is finished, and I am actually really happy with it. I was surprised as the idea was to get me occupied rather than actually get something I would wear for real. 

 Pattern: Adapted from  the Celandine pattern, from Marianne Kinzel, First Book of Modern Lace Knitting

Yarn: Rowan Creative Focus Worsted in True Purple

Needle size: Circular 4.5mm
Modifications: This is a table mat pattern. However the actual modifications to use the pattern for a cowl are minimum. I used the middle section of the pattern. I cast on 208 stitches - and made a few repeats of the main pattern (to use up 3 skeins in the end). And that is it. 

I love the colour! It is called True Purple for a reason. Look at how it pops in the pictures! The colour works well with the pattern too. It is not so dark that you cannot see the lace pattern. 

The yarn is not too chunky so I could really play with the width of the cowl. I wanted the cowl to be quite chunky around my neck but not too long. I think I managed to get the right balance - I had to try it on a couple of times nearing the end to make sure I got the right size. 

The only negative is that I find the yarn quite scratchy. So far it has not stopped me wearing it, but it may stop be knitting a jumper out of it. It is a real shame because the colours of the collection are really amazing. I do have a sensitive skin, so you may not have the same issue. 

On a side note, these are the first pictures of me on this blog not pregnant - and I am not even wearing maternity jeans or T-shirts! Whoohoo!

I am French, et alors! {Crochet}

I am making the most of the fact that Baby MiH does not have a choice regarding what he wears - here is his latest hat, the froggie hat - the transition before getting his French passport! To be honest I am not sure he really likes it, he knows deep down that this is going to be embarrassing one day... But right now, I think he is the cutest ever. 

This is another pattern from Posh Patterns (the designer behind the  little owl hat) - it is now much easier to work out his size (3-6 months). 

In comparison to the owl hat, this one does not cover the ears as much, and therefore does not end up on his eyes - probably a positive then. However the eyes stick out a bit, and therefore it is a bit harder to make him fit in the baby seat (although it is quite cute how the eyes stick out)! This is a very quick project - finished it within an evening (ie a 3-hour sleep slot). 

Pattern: Baby Froggy Hat by Posh Patterns (bought through ravelry)

Yarn: Lion brand Evergreen Cotton Yarn (in double) and a laceweight green yarn I had in my stash;

Organic cotton yarn (Rowan) in white and Lion brand cotton yarn in Black and Evergreen for the eyes  

Hook size: 5.5 mm hook for the body; 4.5 mm hook for the back and white of the eyes, 5.5 mm for the green (crochet like the body of the hat)

Just in case you think he is always asleep - he is not, took a long walk today to get him there today. 

I am not sure he is impressed.. Oh bless! I am going to love taking these pictures out when he comes back home with his first girlfriend. 

Vintage Country {Knitting}

Not going into the City everyday clearly has an effect on the new projects I am working on. Of course I am still inspired by vintage patterns but the projects have more of a country feel now! But not too worry a City spin will appear as well - just at a later stage. 

Here is the start of the pattern design (feeding time is great for colour work!). 

Here is the knitted sample - made in between feeding, walking, cuddling etc.. It will be knitted in the round so it should be tighter. 

The yarn is Creative Focus Worsted from Rowan - I am using the same for the L+D cowl. 

I am not sure I am in love with the colour combination yet - I have some bright pink yarn on stand-by (so not my usual colour though), will have to see. What do you think? 

Little Owl {crochet}

As part of the FoQ swap with Lucy I made her little one a little owl hat - promising Mr MiH that I would make a similar one for Baby MiH. I waited for Baby MiH to be with us, good thing too as he does not fit in any new born clothes, and in fact is bordering wearing clothes for supposedly 3-months old. Skinny and lanky, that's my little boy... 

So much easier to have him model when he is asleep!

Owl hat I promised, owl hat I made. I changed a couple of things in comparison to Lucy's hat. I had to make it one size up, I changed the black light fingering yarn for some blue one and added some gold bling for the beak (it is Christmas after all!). 

 Pattern: Easy Owl Baby Hat Crochet Pattern by Posh Patterns (bought through ravelry)

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn (Merino Worsted) in Pearl, a recyled yarn similar to Revive by Rowan (linen colour), and a light fingering yarn in blue for the body; 

Organic cotton yarn for the eyes and 

orange yarn I have for the beak with added gold Anchor Metallic Fine yarn   

Needle size: 5.5 mm hook for the body; 4.5 mm hook for the eyes and beak

The fact that I managed to make it whilst looking after a newborn (admittedly Mr MiH is still on paternity leave) may tell you how easy this pattern is. It looks great though! The pattern comes in different sizes, so I should be able to make bigger ones too!