Fidra :: Knitting ::

Happy Tuesday everyone! I am just going to be honest, I had totally forgotten about Fidra until I saw Sonja's one. But I needed to share this - it is an amazing pattern, the perfect beanie hat for skiing and weekends (I prefer wearing Bough when I go into London for work). 

There is not a lot to say - it knits really fast (thank you bulky yarn), but is not a boring knit. The texture and lace work are really stunning I think, and there is a pompom! All my favourite things in one pattern. I knitted it in De Rerum Natura Cyrano (of course ethical as you can read here) - as you have to block it to show the lace work, it did stretch and become just a tiny bit on the big side. So I may change needle sizes next time (I am thinking of a cream/oat version next time). 

Pattern: Fidra by Gundrun Johnston

Yarn: De Rerum Natura Cyrano in Poivre

Needles: As recommended by pattern (I will go for smaller next time - 

just because the fabric stretched after blocking)

Modifications: None

You do need a Fidra in your life - especially for you, the lucky ones who are going skiing at Easter! Also are you glad for the change of backdrop for beanie hat pictures? - no backyard for once! 

As for the winner of the skein of Fyberspates  - lucky no 13 came out of Mr Random, Rachelle. Enjoy!

Acorn with a pompom :: Crochet ::

Hello everyone! I was really happy to work on these pictures today - it reminded me of the good times of this weekend, and that despite everything we can have some happy times still. Sadly my Grand dad passed away last Friday, exactly a month after Little Baby MiH. It was all expected, the timing is less than ideal though - and this weekend away was much needed. 

Making hats for my cheeky monkey is also making me happy - seeing him making funny faces (or licking the fence, wtf?) is uplifting. And I love this hat on him. He loves the pompom of course - he shakes his head about to make the pompom shake. Also that crochet texture is amazing - I cannot actually believe I made this! 

 Pattern: Acorn by Kat Goldin (I already posted about it here)

Crochet hook size: 5.5 mm

Yarn: De Rerum Natura Gilliatt in poivre (I reviewed the ethics of the yarn here), the pompom is made out of Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted in pearl
Size: I made the biggest size for him (4+ rather than toddler size)

Modification: The pattern was available in LandScape. I had to add repeats of the pattern to make the beanie hat big enough - I am not sure whether it is a problem with the printing of the pattern or because of my yarn choice. Anyway I had t make 6 repeats in the end. I also make the puffs more prominent by adding yarn overs. And of course I added the pompom. 

This hat made me realise that I actually do like to crochet, and should be doing more of it. It also opened by eyes to the texture you can achieve in crochet - amazing, who knew! There is a whole world out there of crochet texture ready to be explored me thinks!

Capturing the Autumn :: Knitting ::

Happy Thursday everyone! Thank you so much for the support and messages you have sent me since Tuesday morning. I read every single one of them, and they all touched me. We are all trying to cope in different ways. We are very lucky that Baby MiH has carried on with nursery and has great friends there, so he is happy to go without too many questions. I scheduled my blog posts, so actually October is sorted, so I have some sort of focus. It is all trivial, and at the same time it has become of the utmost importance to find a new routine. I always believed in the healing powers of crafting - I need them to operate just a tiny bit of magic, like now. 

Mindless knitting is great - especially in the round. This hat is exactly that, and I don't often make 3 hats off the same (free) pattern (blogged here and here), so I highly recommend that you have it in our Ravelry library (have you added it yet?). 

I do not often knit with variegated yarn. When I was looking for a project for this skein of Silk Blend Manos del Uruguay, I always went back to stockinette, because it shows off the colours best - and equally I found myself really boring for not trying to knit fancy patterns. I am glad I went for stockinette, because this truly shows the depth of the colours of the yarn - it is like having Autumn in a skein. 

As you can see, comparing my first version and this version, I seemed to have modified the pattern, but this was not done on purpose. I probably mixed the inches and centimetres. I prefer the first version that stuck to the instructions. But this last version let me knit more of this skein. 

Pattern: Mock Rib Watch Cap (free pattern on Ravelry)

Yarn: Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend in Gracia (I reviewed the ethics of the yarn here)

Modification: Added a pompom. using a pompom maker (reviewed here)

And now for the giveaway winner - it number 31, a new blog follower - Lindsey! Lindsey I tried to contact you, just email me your address! 

Putty decision | WIP {Knitting}

My first naturally dyed Oxford Kitchen Yarn skein is of an Aran weight and in putty - and is meant to work well with mahoosive Zara scarf (so big it hides my face) and my new shoes from Esprit. Because of the scarf, it is quite tricky to find a beanie hat that will stand out - and may have to leave a pompom out this time, I am not sure it would suit the style of the scarf. Here is my current selection. 

I pinned Magnolia (a free Ravelry pattern - whooohoo) ages ago - and I do like the simple pattern, and the cable work. It should be a quick knit, but it may be too masculine for the look I am after. 

Or the Chelsea Market hat - a simple cable work with an interesting texture and just enough slouch for my taste. 

Would any selection of mine be complete without a Jared Flood design? Here is Bray Cap - with a very intricate cable work, maybe too much to compete with the big scarf - but a beautiful design nonetheless. 

Starr knitted by Eliana

And finally Starr which I have had in my favourite list for a while - it is a bit more feminine than the others, and of course seeing it knitted in a similar colourway to my skein is always helpful. I am not too sure about the slouch - and also there seems to be comments about the size of it (as in it is too big). I actually own Misty by Kim Hargreaves, and therefore could make use of the patterns I bought - a very strange concept.

Looking at my selection, I feel like I have a pretty good idea of what I want to achieve. My mittens are nearly done - so hopefully I will be ready to cast on one of these beanie hats soon. Unless anyone has other suggestion I should consider! I am all ears! 

Linking up to Ginny's today. 

Autumn Leaves | A finish {Knitting}

If you follow me on IG you know that I actually finished Slable  a week ago - and that the pictures were taken on our weekend away in Norfolk (the last one as a family of 3!). It was all scheduled that way - I was hoping to snap some autumnal scenes as well as the beanie hat - because that colour kept reminding me of Autumn leaves. Not that I knew what to expect when I started with the natural dyeing kit - and in fact I had no idea what the result would look like, but it totally exceeded my expectations. 

I did not change anything to the beanie hat pattern - this is my second beanie hat from Twisted Woolly Toppers (I made Acorn for Baby MiH - one of my favourites). I wanted something with texture yet simple that would show off the yarn colour. The combination of moss stitch and cables certainly did that. I think a real revelation of the pattern was the cast on method used - the alternative cable cast on. Woolly Wormhead did a great tutorial here, so you could use it for your future beanie hats too (it may work better for thinner yarn though). 

Pattern: Slable by Woolly Wormhead (available here)

Yarn: Hand dyed fingering weight yarn (naturally dyed in fact) - by me. 
I talked about the kit I used here. 

Needles: as recommended by the pattern
Size: Size 2

Modifications: None

Result: I love how it shows the variegated yarn and also the intricate cable work. 
It is slouchier - slouchier than I expected. 

As you can see it is really hard to capture the actual colour of the yarn - but hopefully between the leaves and mushrooms and the different snaps - you get the general idea. 

All I can say is that if you are thinking of trying natural dyeing - do it, I don't think you will regret it. I like it so much that in fact I have another yarn being dyed as we speak. I have not found a project for it yet, so I am leaving it to be. 

Toddler Pompom Beanie Hat | A free pattern {Knitting}

The new beanie hat season has officially started, whoohoo! And Baby MiH is the first one to have a new hat - mine is being knitted at the moment. Not sure he feels lucky however, I have managed to take 3 pictures of him, but it has not been easy. I guess he does not feel that it is cold enough for a hat. But he looks so cute in it, so I keep trying to put it on. The inspiration for this pattern was this picture - just a bit less slouchier. 

It is a really quick knit - knitted with yarn from stash, and unfortunately this means that I don't have the exact names of the yarn, so the yarns I mention are probably the right ones but I cannot be 100% sure. 

Pattern: below

Knitting needles: 4.5 mm (circular and DPNs)

Yarns: for the body: Silver Grey Cascade 220 (3/4 of a skein)

and a merino tencel hand dyed lace yarn in Slate (from here)

for the pompom: I used Cascade Pure Alpaca Paints (1/4 skein)

Size: to fit a toddler (Baby MiH is a big 21 months-old, 

and it is easily going to last him until next year)

Here is the pattern I drafted (let me know if you spot any mistakes)

• CO 90 stitches , I use the German cast on for hats
• you start with ribbing on 10 rows  (Ktbl1, P1) 
• knit in moss stitch for 45 rows 
• decrease starts with (k2tog,k) row (60 stitches left)
• purl row
• decrease with a (k2tog) row (30 stitches left) - probably time to move to DPNs 
• purl row
• decrease with a (k2tog) row (15 stitches left)
• purl row
• decrease with a (k2tog,k1) row (10 stitches left)
• purl row
• decrease with a (k2tog) row (5 stitches left)
• bind off in your usual way. 

Make a pompom to the size you want. 

I did not block it, but I guess you can do it, and you may actually achieve more slouch-iness, you could also have a bigger pompom (but I was really worried that Baby MiH would keep pulling at it - he is already quite taken by the pompom as it is). 

It is a really simple beanie hat, but as I love moss stitch, this is one of my favourite ones. As always let me know if you make one using the pattern, I would love to know! 

Pattern Picks| BT Fall Vol. 14 {Knitting}

*For a chance to win one yard of organic cotton fabric dyed naturally

please make sure you enter the giveaway here*

It is out... Another 16 patterns released yesterday by the designer team over at Brooklyn Tweed - and if you are a fan of cables you are in for a treat. These patterns are meant to be knitted in the long nights that are coming with the winter. It is intricate work - and some patterns are beautiful. However I am not totally overwhelmed by one pattern - they are all very beautiful, just maybe not my style, or some awkward shaping? 

I do have some favourites - and it is interesting to compare my favourites to the ones on Ravelry (if you go on the pattern list, you can see for instance that Wake is currently the favourite but does not feature on my list). 

I am not sure what is more appealing - the styling of Ludlow (love the burnt orange/electric blue combo) or the geometric pattern. I like the idea that there is no wrong side to the wrap. It mentions that this would be a project that you can leave and pick up whenever you want, again probably the sort of project that would appeal to me right now, or when the baby is here. I do love a big stole to wrap around my neck in winters. 

I think I like Backbay, but I definitely don't like it in that colour. It reminds me of course of Berenice from BT Kids - and I would actually consider make a short sleeves version of it to layer on top of a chambray shirt - an all-year-round garment. I am not sure about the bottom ribbing, it looks funny - maybe it is a question of proportions, a longer ribbing may be better? 

I am not as inspired by Skiff as I was by Bough but it may be a great hat for Mr MiH especially in that chocolate brown colour. I do love the cable work and how it comes together at the crown of the hat. There is a slouchy version too, but even with the addition of a pompom, and we know how much I like a pompom, Bough still wins. 

Rowe would be like my ultimate knit. Chunky ribbing, amazing cable work - I would be impressed if I were able to every finish it, and how amazing would that be. It would be perfect for the winter. But I have to be realistic, this is not going to happen this year - or until I have to attend the boys' sport training sessions, and get 'free' time to knit. 

Tiller may be also a  for Mr MiH . I gave Wayfarer to my Mum - Mr MiH was never wearing it, and then he decided (of course) that he liked it... The net of it is that I owe him a scarf, and Tiller might just be the ticket. I think it is probably too chunky for me, but at 6'2 Mr MiH could handle all that pattern. Also I think I would be learning quite a few techniques from it, a bonus of course. 

So what is your favourite? What did you think? Other patterns, and beautiful photographs are of course on line in the Ebook available here.

Bough | A Finish {Knitting}

Thank you everyone for your lovely comments yesterday! I can now finally come back on the blog without having to hide everything. Although I could have featured Bough ages ago!! I actually finished it in March, but I had not done the pompom, and it felt funny on me without it (although less so now that I have shorter hair) - and at the end of the day it is only head shots!

Let me start by I LOOOOOVVVVEEE this beanie hat. I bought the pattern as soon as I spotted it in BT Wool People Vol. 6.  

It was also the opportunity to try Shelter. I reviewed it here, and despite my reservations, this is the perfect yarn to show off the cable work. Have you seen the definition of the design?

Earrings: Azuni

Pattern: Bough (WP Vol 6) by Leila Raabe

Yarn: Shelter in Soot

Needles: 4mm circular (smaller than recommended as saw comments 
on the pattern knitting big), I am not sure it was necessary in the end.

Modifications: Not done on purpose, but I believe I forgot a section between the tree design and the cable.

I love this grey version, I wanted to knit something I could wear with any of my coats. However the green yarn used in the WP6 shots is really beautiful, and I may just need one in that colour too. So yes, I will use Shelter again, just because I think it really suits the design, and this time I will probably knit in 4.5mm to make it just a bit slouchier. 

Shelter yarn, to be excited or not to be? | A WIP {Knitting}

I finally had the chance to knit Brooklyn Tweed's Shelter yarn. Yes you heard right Jared's own yarn, the same Jared who made me knit Tapenade and the Baby MiH's favourite blanket. It was supposed to be the ultimate connection. Shelter is tweedy, comes in amazing colours, durable and gives a fabulous stitch definition. And of course Jared has designed several knitting patterns for Shelter that are wonderful.

 

But I am a bit disappointed - and believe me it is really hard for me to tell you this. From the start the yarn was a little splitty. I think this is because of its handspunish quality. I also kept finding bits of organic matter spun right into the yarn so I am spending a bit of time picking that out while I am knitting - and it is a bit strange. I like rustic, but there may something as too rustic.. And it is coarse - this isn't something I'd necessarily want to make a cowl with as it would bother me.  Now, perhaps a good soak in conditioner will help but I haven't done that yet.

It is a bit expensive. It runs GBP 10.50/skein and you only get 128 m (140 yds). You can see that I will need 2 skeins for one beanie hat - when I usually use one. For small projects, the price isn't prohibitive...but if you're looking to make a long-sleeved, cabled cardigan (like Channel), this yarn can get a little expensive.

I had to match a BT pattern to Shelter - if you are going to knit his yarn you may as well knit a pattern he approves right, and pick one of my favourite projects of Wool People 6. 

Pattern: Bough (WP Vol 6) by Leila Raabe

Yarn: Shelter in Soot

Needles: 4mm circular (smaller than recommended as saw comments 
on the pattern knitting big)

What I would say is that it is a wonderful pattern and it will look great in Shelter - I am just hoping it will be comfortable enough to wear, and that there will not be any itchiness.. But you know what, I am glad I am knitting it, and I am still Jared's fan.

So who has knitted with Shelter before? What did you think? Am I being too harsh - and the blocking is going to make it much better? 

Pompom Beanie no 2 {Knitting}

I had a plan, a good plan. I would use one of my favourite beanie hat patterns and make it for one of my friends. I got a yarn that seemed like the Cascade Eco-Cloud in a burgundy colour and I was off. Except that what seemed to be, was not. And the colour was lovely, the yarn was in fact like 'a thick or thin', and I thought it was going to snap throughout the whole knit - not the best knitting experience. 

Pattern: Mock Rib Watch Cap (free pattern on Ravelry).

I made this version in Cascade Eco-Cloud

Yarn: Schachenmayr Aventica Supreme in colour 00035

Needles: Circular and DPNs 5.5mm

Modification: Added a pompom as the first time (tutorial here), and made it bigger as my friend as frizzy hair.

Result: It is amazing how much the yarn changes the look of a beanie. It is not making the most of the wide brim pattern but it does add interest to the body, 

so not as bad as I thought, just different.

 

I made a fancy pompom using some nearly-neon yarn I have in my stash. I was clearly bold - as it was not for me...

In the end I think it works, but I really did not like knitting this yarn. I do love the colour though, and this is still my favourite pattern. So easy to knit, and such a great fit!