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November 29, 2005
Tubular cast on
My deepest, warmest gratitude to you all, for your support. The encouragement and feedback you give is the best possible motivation to keep working.
I found myself, unexpectedly, with a free afternoon so I’ve seized the opportunity to compose a little tutorial for two of the design elements used in Jemima: the tubular cast on, and a sewn buttonhole. Button loop, to be more accurate. I’ll post the cast on today, with the buttonloop to follow.
Are you sitting comfortably? Then we’ll begin.
1. Using waste yarn (the same weight as your main yarn), cast on half the number of stitches called for in the pattern. If your pattern calls for an odd number of stitches, add 1 and half that number. Change to your main yarn and purl 1 row, knit 1 row. Repeat last two rows.
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2. With WS facing, purl the first stitch. The arrow is pointing to the first stitch of your work, held on waste yarn.
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3. Pick this stitch up on your left needle.
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4. Knit into the back loop of the picked-up stitch.
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5. Purl 1 stitch from left needle. The next stitch to pick up and ktbl is shown with an arrow.
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6. And here it is picked up. Ktbl as per step 4. Repeat steps 5 and 6 to last stitch.
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7. Purl last stitch. There is one more stitch to pick up and ktbl. It hardly looks like a stitch, just a wrap of yarn around the very end of the row. Don’t worry about it too much: as long as you get your needle into that knot, you should be OK.
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8. Ktbl into picked up stitch
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9. Carefully unpick waste yarn to reveal your beautiful tubular cast on. You have your reward.
Posted by Amelia at 04:21 PM | Comments (34)
November 26, 2005
Jemima pattern
A simple, comforting raglan in an easy fit. Slightly longer sleeves for extra coziness, and a flattering wide neck with shoulder opening to set off pretty buttons. Tipped with a contrast colour, a classic piece that will be a useful addition to any wardrobe.
Sizes to fit bust 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 inches.
edit to add
Knit in RYC Cashsoft DK, (7 [7: 8: 8: 9: 9] balls including trim), on 5mm (US 8) needles at 18 sts to 20cm (4 inches).
More pictures here.
Skills: Tubular cast on (optional), ribbing, stocking stitch, increases, decreases, knitting through the back loop, picking up stitches around neck, sewn buttonholes, basic crochet
£3 - you will be sent a link to download the pattern as an electronic (pdf) file, approx 2Mb
Posted by Amelia at 04:52 PM | Comments (14)
November 21, 2005
Sock karma
My deposit to the knitting bank of good karma went in the postbox to Amerikee this morning.
Badcaul socks, started 11 Nov 05 finished 19 Nov 05
Pattern: My own, available here, or as part of a set here here
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM
I’ve never known speedier socks. I can only attribute this to the facts that I a) knit both socks at once, which kept me sufficiently interested that b) I didn’t work on very much else last week.
Happy. I think this slipped stitch cable pattern shows off a bright Koigu really well.
There are some more images of the work in progress here.
£2 - you will be sent a link to download the pattern as an electronic (pdf) file, approx 950K.
Posted by Amelia at 01:39 PM | Comments (32)
November 15, 2005
Jess
Jess, started 17 Oct 05 finished 28 Oct 05
Pattern: My own, available here.
Yarn: Elle yarns merino washable DK, doubled
This was such a fun knit. The basketweave stitch pattern really looks ‘woven’, the red is eye-poppingly red, and with doubled yarn and big needles, all the knitting was finished in a week. I couldn’t find big buttons that were just the right colour, so I bought plastic ones instead and made them little crocheted jackets. Mr Raitte rose even higher, if that were possible, in my estimation when he commented, ‘that little jacket looks really sophisticated’. That’s my guy. It’s a simple design (there is almost no shaping), but somehow it looks sharp, and it works.
Someone else got a jacket too:
Leon, started 31 Oct 05 finished 12 Nov 05
Pattern: Based on this Chihuahua sweater
Yarn: RYC Cashsoft DK, left over from Jemima
Harvey has a long history of clothes-wearing. As a kitten we used to dress him up in doll’s clothes - he looked so sweet in a white cotton lace-trimmed skirt and blue wool cardigan. He has always been peculiarly docile: most other cats I know would scratch your eyes out before they would let you put clothes on them, but Harvey has always considered himself more human than feline.
He’s pushing 20 now and feels the cold, the little love, so he joins a very select group: the superior people who wear Fashionable Life knits. I think he looks splended; the grey brings out the colour of his whiskers. He’s also not that steady on his feet any more, so I was a bit anxious that the sleeves might upset his balance; luckily he doesn’t move around as much as he used to, either. Mother is on strict surveillance duty, and I will remove the sleeves if they impede him in any way. Dear Harvey. I hope he likes it, and that it keep his poor old bones warm.
Posted by Amelia at 12:30 PM | Comments (76)
November 14, 2005
One sock, one circ, times two
When Wendy said she found that knitting two socks at once seemed to go as quickly as knitting one sock at once, I knew I had to give it a try. And as Alison had just emailed to take me up on my offer to knit a pair of socks for someone let down by her Sockapaltwoza pal, and since ‘green’ was among the requested colours and I had this Koigu just sitting here... well, it seemed like the ideal opportunity. Originally I had planned another pair of Elfine’s. But then I thought why not try something new instead?
So here we are:
It only took a few hours for me to get the technique straight. But soon after that I realised that any speed gained by knitting two socks at once (don't ask me how knitting can sometimes bend time. I only know that it can) was being eaten again by the unentangling of circular needs and two balls of yarn after every thirty stitches. That kind of palaver slows a girl up. So I resorted to two socks, each on separate circular needs (ie magic loop). And I've been alternating between them (one rpt on sock 1, one on sock 2, repeat til complete). Much better.
They’re coming on fast. The picture above was taken Saturday morning. Saturday evening I turned two heels, and now I’m above the ankle bone. This will be the first pair of socks completed within a week. That’s quite something.
Here’s the obligatory close-up: it's Koigu – it lives for close-ups.
While we’re on the subject of WIPs, there’s this, my car knitting, my last ever Clapotis (I am exceedingly fond of them in solid colours – but this one is not for me. Few people can wear egg-yolk yellow successfully, and I am not one of them).
And this. I have a pile to seam.
What a scattered post. In a day or two I’ll show you pics of my finished little red jacket, and something similar for someone much smaller. Oh and my new haircut too. Try to contain yourselves.
Finally... This will be the last time I participate in one of ‘what-random-information-says-about-your-personality’, due to the fact that they only ever seem to affirm my belief, carefully cultivated over years of mental illness, that I am, at core, ‘a bad person’. Who writes these things? Do they think this information will be gratefully received by anyone? ‘Extreme manipulation tactics’ indeed. Know me at your peril.
| Your Birthdate: July 12 |
 You tend to charm strangers easily. And you usually can get what you want from them. Verbally talented, you tend to persuade people with your speaking and writing. You are affectionate and loving, but it's hard for you to commit to any one relationship. Your strength: Your charm Your weakness: Your extreme manipulation tactics Your power color: Indigo Your power symbol: Four leaf clover Your power month: December |
Posted by Amelia at 01:23 PM | Comments (20)
November 10, 2005
Magic
I can’t tell you how happy it made me to see Erin’s finished Sally! Doesn’t it look sweet on her? Playful and flirtatious but still ladylike and elegant... Go over there and tell her how great she looks!
Edited to add: If you're looking for the Sally pattern in Magknits and can’t find it, follow this link.
Posted by Amelia at 08:37 AM | Comments (4)
November 05, 2005
Fashionably late...
Yahaira tagged me with Carolyn's meme more than a week ago... better late than never.
What is your all time favorite yarn to knit with?
Already this is difficult. And unoriginal. But the truth is I can’t get enough Koigu, and Debbie Bliss Cashmerino (Baby and Aran) is my most-frequently-used yarn for my own designs.
Your favorite needles?
For speed, bamboo straights. I’ve got a few pairs of Addi circulars but find them too slippy, and not pointed enough for my taste. My Denises get a lot of use. One Day I will treat myself to some ebony needles. For sheer glamour.
The worst thing you've ever knit?
I gave up on bad knits some time ago. Now, things are frogged before they’re finished if they’re not going my way. When I was first married, I knit a huge aran from an old Rowan book for Mr Raitte, out of cotton. Not only did it weigh about 5lbs, it was far too big in every dimension. I think he wore it once, to pose for a photograph. It was frogged earlier this year. Way back in the mists of time there will be more disasters, but time is kind and they have receded from memory.
Your most favorite knit pattern? (maybe you don't like wearing it...but it was the most fun to knit)
I really enjoyed the Backyard Leaves scarf I made for the recent SYNO swap. Before that I loved Kiri. I really enjoy well-written lace patterns. Knitting lace feels like making magic to me.
Most valuable knitting technique?
Confidence. Plus, getting to grips with mattress stitch made wearable garments a reality.
Best knit book or magazine?
I refer to Vogue Knitting frequently. And I always find something interesting in IK and VK. I'd love to read Elizabeth Zimmerman but have never quite got around to it.
Your favorite knit-a-long?
I’ve actually never knit-a-long. I’ve participated in two of Alison’s Sockapalooza', and the SYNO scarf swap. Getting stuff knit all for me by other knitters? I can’t pick a favourite!
Your favorite knitblogs?
I subscribe to well over 100. There’s a select few on the right.
Your favorite knitwear designer?
At the moment the garments I’m knitting are pretty much exclusively my own. I’m in awe of Stephanie Japel - her designs are beautiful, and so prolific. I usually find something to admire in Veronik Avery’s work too.
The knit item you wear the most? (how about a picture of it!)
I knit it January this year, it got worn til Spring and has come out again for this year: The Great Sweater. I’m thinking I need to design something similarly useful for chilly evenings spent conserving natural gas.
Other than that, Jemima and Pippa are in heavy rotation. And, my Clapothree.
If you haven’t done this yet, consider yourself tagged.
Posted by Amelia at 05:46 PM | Comments (4)
November 02, 2005
Correspondents
This is becoming something of a refrain for me. If I owe you email (and there are many, many to whom I do), please accept my apologies. I have been busy at work (day job) and at work (designing) and my inbox has run wild. Friday is a clear window of space: I will answer emails, and write patterns.
Busy is good!
Posted by Amelia at 11:10 PM | Comments (6)