Sunday 28 December 2014

Cable Knit Throw

Cable Knit Throw

A few months ago you may remember I got some bargain priced yarn (post here), I was unsure what I would end up making with it, but decided on the throw. However when I read the throw pattern on the back of the label, you had to knit several separate strips of cables then sew them together. I had a look through some of the other patterns on the Knitwise Website and found this pattern.

It took me about a month to finish because I had a few other things I was working on at the same time. The pattern was actually really simple and it was quick to work up although towards the end it was quite heavy to whilst knitting.

Some of my progress photos:

Cable Knit ThrowCable Knit ThrowCable Knit ThrowCable Knit Throw

Cable Knit ThrowCable Knit ThrowCable Knit Throw


The way the pattern describes adding the tassels is not clear and doesn't turn out quite like the picture so I made it up a little. I found it really hard to make them all hang at the same length, especially because the edge doesn't sit completely straight.

Cable Knit Throw


Once I had finished I decided I wasn't completely happy with the uneven tassels, so I took them off and added a few rows of garter stitch to match the long edged border, then reattached the tassels and trimmed them all to an equal length.

Cable Knit Throw

Although it was a time consuming fix, I am so much happier with the way it looks now. It is so snuggly and warm, now all I have to do now is wait for winter so I can use it as a blanket!

Sunday 21 December 2014

Christmas Decorations



As it's that special time of year, I wanted to make a collection of small Christmassy decorations to make as gifts. There are so many out there but I chose my favourites and now want to share with you the results:



Knitted Santa Hat
 I loved this idea of making a little wooly hat for your bottles, but being Christmas, I had to use white and red to make it a santa hat! It's a bit 'fiddly' to make because it's such a small size to knit in the round, but it's pretty straight forward.

Find the pattern here.

I decreased the stitches a lot quicker than the pattern suggests because I wanted it to look more Santa-ry.


Knitted Santa HatKnitted Santa Hat




Snowman

Crochet Snowman
This cute little crochet snowman was pretty easy to make and the pattern was simple to follow.

I added a tiny pom-pom on the top of the snowmans hat and sewed on his eyes rather than using beads.

Find the pattern here.
Crochet SnowmanCrochet Snowman




Rudolph

Crochet Rudolph
I wasn't sure how well this one would turn out as I have never tried amigurumi before, and although it isn't perfect, I am pretty please with the results!

Find the pattern here.

The only alteration I made was sewing the eyes on rather than using beads.


Crochet RudolphCrochet Rudolph




Jandal

Crochet Jandal
Ok so a Jandal isn't traditionally Christmas related, but it is definitely part of a Kiwi Christmas, so it made my list!

Find the pattern here.

The pattern suggests putting a keyring on the loop, but I left it open so it can be hung on the tree.

Crochet JandalCrochet Jandal


Stocking

Crochet Stocking
I found a Christmas Wreath design which had present boxes, stockings and santas on, so I decided to knit just the stockings. I used a cute red/hot pink with a shiny thread running through it. I found the instructions a little confusing, but it turned out generally ok!

Pattern found here.

The only change I made was to add a loop to hang the stocking on the tree.


Crochet StockingCrochet Stocking



Owl

Crochet OwlThis one isn't really Christmas related, and wasn't a part of the above set, but it is my personal favourite! You can chose whatever colour you want. It was a really simple pattern to follow and came together really quick.

Pattern found here.

The only thing I changed was using buttons instead of beads for the eyes. I also did the entire back piece in dark brown.

Crochet OwlCrochet Owl

Sunday 14 December 2014

Crochet Wrap

Crochet Wrap


A little while a go I posted about untwisting a sequinned skein of yarn, you may have noticed in the photo that there was a picture of a crochet wrap on the label:

Sequin Yarn

The pattern was really simple and used a series of squares created using triple crochet, this meant it could be done while sitting in front of the TV. To finish the piece you have to attach a buckle of some kind, and I found this beautiful clasp that looks like a bow.

Crochet Wrap

I liked how quickly this piece came together, and the sparkly sequins are so Christmassy. I made this with someone special in mind, so have given it as a festive present.

Crochet Wrap

Crochet Wrap

Crochet Wrap

Find this on my Ralvery Project page.

Sunday 7 December 2014

Yarn Wreath


Yarn Wreath


Ok so this isn't exactly knitting or crochet, but it is crafty and Christmassy! I was inspired by this pin on Pintrest, unfortunately it just links to an image, so I have no idea where it came from or who made it. Anyway, I decided to create my own. 

It was quite simple to do, but very time consuming; I got a few packs of styrofoam balls, fixed them in a circle using toothpicks and a glue gun, then covered them with yarn. To finish I slipped in a cheap pair of needles; I didn't glue these in place just incase I ever want to use them.

Yarn Wreath


In hindsight it would have been a lot easier to cover them before securing them in a circle. The time consuming part is wrapping the yarn around enough times to cover the white underneath.

Yarn Wreath Yarn Wreath

I really love the simple arrangement and neutral colours, and I will keep this up all year round as 'craft room decor'. However, if you did want to make more festive looking wreath, or a more layered look, here are a few other home made yarn wreaths I found online for inspiration:

Sunday 30 November 2014

My Favourite Knitting Blogs

There are lots of great knitting blogs out there, so I would like to share some of the ones I read regularly and look to for inspiration. Each of the blog authors have written a small piece about themselves and their blogs:

Abso-knitting-lutely

Abso-knitting-lutely"Hi, I'm Nadia and I blog at Abso-knitting-lutely! I post about all things woolly and colourful. If you love reading about knitting, spinning and dyeing, then you should drop by my corner of the internet: every five days, you can read new posts about things I have been making, craft books I've read, and find knitting or crochet inspiration. I'd love to hear what you are making, so feel free to comment on posts. I look forward to meeting you."  

Nadia also has a shop which you can find here selling yarn and knitting accessories, including loads of super cute stitch markers.


Hardknitlife

Hardknitlife
"My name is Jenna. I'm always up for an adventure. I love to knit, cook, eat, drink tasty beer, and hang out with interesting people. Those who knit are infinitely more interesting to me than those who don't. The hardknitlife blog is about my adventures in knitting and life. I try to be honest about my personal knitting process and like to post on the blog as a way to connect with other people who work with fiber"

Jennas blog is full of tasty looking yarns and the intricate projects that she is working on.


Noget Uldent

Nogent Uldent
"Hi there, I’m Pia, a twenty something full theology student, with 2 part time jobs. Noget Uldent is where I share all about my life and struggles as an emerging knit wear designer, which is my 3rd part time job. When I began designing I looked in vain for blogs that shelled out the good, the bad and the ugly of the life of a designer. Now I pride myself on honestly sharing successes, trials and the lessons learned along the way. If I can help you not feel alone or get over a hurdle with a bit more grace then I’ll be elated, if I can only make you laugh at my misfortune, then I’ll take that too… I’m passionate about helping others by promoting them, sharing their stories and what humble insight I have to offer."

Noget Uldent means Something Woolen, although Pias blog also includes other creations, including food how-tos.


Woollen Wilderness

Woolen Wilderness
"My name is Tahnée and I’m a passionate knitter from the Netherlands. I’ve dabbled in some knitting as a teenager but didn’t quite catch the knitting bug. Then when I went off to uni I really needed a better way to relax and get my thoughts off of studying. And ever since I’ve been quite addicted. At the beginning of this year I decided to expand my knitting world by starting a blog, Woollen Wilderness. I love blogging and the connection you create with the online knitting community is so rewarding and loving!"

A great blog with lots of gorgeous projects, in particular I am a massive fan of Tahnées amazing socks!


I hope you enjoy looking at these pages as much as I do. Please share any other blogs you regularly read.