Knit, Shear Bliss!

Sling Hobo Knitting Bag

I am really into sewing when I can at the moment. But of course I still knit. Always :-)

My latested sewing passion is making bags. It began when I sewed a few for my knitting projects and for my daughters. You can never have too many knitting bags!! My latest project is this sling, hobo bag, it is room enough for my knitting projects with a pocket for items like keys and knitting notions. I am listing a couple of knitting bags at my etsy store in various styles.

More Christmas Sewing....

Inspired by Camiller and Allison I made these Christmas Stockings. I used both Allison's and Camiller's patterns and a little of my own input. I must admit they weren't much fun to make, there was so many little fiddly bits of fabric it took me many hours of sewing into the night.

Then, after all my work, my daughter put dibs on the plain polka dot stocking...agh...hee hee...

The Christmas sewing has begun....

Today my daughter and I picked up our Christmas tree. My husband is out of town and wasn't available to do the manly stuff, but my daughter and I had a real giggle lifting that tree inside. Then we went to the mall and we begun the Christmas shopping. I started to have that Christmassy glow.....

I made a pillowcase cover, I love these colours of cheery red and robins egg blue. They inspire thoughts of days gone by. The colours seem to fit any time of the year, and any decor. Well this pillow cover certainly cheers me up. I will be putting one up for sale in my shop if you would like one too.

Jaywalker III Socks

I am knitting my third Jaywalker set of socks. I obviously love this pattern for many reasons but one of them is it is like a good book you can always revisit it and it makes you feel good. Thank you Kathy for designing the "Jaywalker".

 

sock knitting bag

I love knitting bags but dont we all :-) I had some DS Quilts fabric that I purchased from Joanns back in October, when this fabric pattern first came out. I was going to be use it to make Christmas Stockings, but, I guess I got distracted and made this drawstring bag instead. It is so cheerful. It is for sale in my etsy store. Also for sale; a Christmas modern patchwork Quilt and a few Vintage Knitting patterns. The store has a 20% off discount until November 30th 2011.

I used four different fabrics. The bag has a square bottom bag, so it stands up while the bag is being used :-).

Hemlock Ring Blanket

The Hemlock Ring Blanket has caused quite the stir at my house, with a huge amount of attention. Im thinking I have been knitting this blanket for on and off for a year and no one noticed? I am getting the hint that no body sees what I am actually knitting. It seems, my family think "Mums just knitting again...." this could be really good, I could sneak in glorious cashmere and nobody would notice...em....?

I knit Hemlock Ring Blanket over a long period of time. It was one of those pick it up and put it down projects. Then, soccer season came around and I was sitting around for 2 hours at a time at the girls practices and games. It seemed a good idea to pick it up again. I am thrilled with the finished results.

I used 6mm needles and 2 skeins of (sale 50% off) Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool.

 

Tea Cosy Knitting Pattern

 

I have such fond memories of visting my Nan as a child. My Nan always made you feel welcome and special. Of course Nan would put on the kettle and warm the tea pot, get out the english floral china tea cups and saucers. These would all go on a delightful tray with the sugar bowl and milk in a little china jug. Best of all Nan always had a treat of cakes or chocolate biscuits or even better chocolate fingers.

The hot water would be poured into the pot over tea leaves, never tea bags. And the hand knit tea cosy would be placed carefully on top on the teapot to keep the tea warm. We would follow Nan with the tray of tea to the "front room" or living room and chat while the tea brewed. It was always so special the way Nan made tea. Always poured from the pot with the tea cosy to keep the tea warm. When Nan came to pour the tea, it would be piping hot and strong just as I like it. Such a simple tradition but always so dear. I still make my tea as Nan used to make it. From the pot and always strong. But I always remember the tea cosy that my Nan would knit.

I finally sat down and wrote up the pink and red tea cosy knitting pattern. This is correct to the best of my knowledge. Sorry its taken me so long. Thank you to everyone who commented on my tea cosy. I would love to see your hand knit cosy.

If you are interested in vintage knitting patterns, please come visit my shop a;

http://www.etsy.com/shop/knitshearbliss

 

Tea Cosy

a traditional fluted tea cosy design by Yasmin

 

 YARN

A Caron Simply Soft Pink x 1

B Caron Simply Soft Red x 1

 

NEEDLES

   1 pair 4.5 mm (US 7) needles

crochet hook

 

FINISHED SIZE

To fit an average size tea pot

 

ABBREVIATIONS

k=knit; sts=stitches; rep=repeat; tog=together; sl=slip; p.s.s.o.=pass slipped stitch over

 

SIDES (make 2)

Using 4.5 mm (US 7) needles and yarn A cast on 102 sts.

Row 1; knit one row.

Row 2; (RS) Join in yarn B and knit the first st with yarn A and B together. *Using yarn A, k10sts, take Yarn B, drop yarn A and k10 sts, pull up carrying yarn, across the back of (WS) of work pulling slightly so that the carrying strand across the back measures approx. one inch. Repeat from * to end of row. Knit the last stitch with both yarn A and B.

Row 3; Slip the first stitch, * Take yarn A and k10 sts. Keeping yarn B to front of work (WS), bring yarn A behind and k10 sts, pulling carrying yarn slightly so that the strand across the front (WS) measures approx. one inch.  Knit the last stitch with both yarn A and B.

These two rows form pattern. Continue in pattern until sides measure 6in/15cm.

Shape top.

Keeping pattern correct continue as follows.

Row 1; Slip the first stitch. *sl1, k1, p.s.s.o, k6, k2 tog; rep from * to end of row. Knit last st. with both yarn A and B together.
 Row 2; Slip the first stitch. *sl1, k1, p.s.s.o, k4, k2 tog; rep from * to end of row. Knit last st with both yarn A and B together.

Row 3; Slip the first stitch. *sl1, k1, p.s.s.o, k2, k2 tog; rep from * to end of row. Knit last st with both yarn A and B together.

Row 4; Slip the first stitch. *sl1, k1, p.s.s.o,  k2 tog; rep from * to end of row. Knit last st with both yarn A and B together.

Row 5; Slip the first stitch. * k2 tog across row. Knit last st with both yarn A and B together.

Break yarn and thread through remaining stitches. Pull up tight and fasten.

Make another piece in the same way.

 

MAKING UP

Do not press.

Join the two sides together leaving and opening for the teapot spout and handle.

Leave cast on edge open.

 

Decoration for top of cosy

With crochet hook and  yarn A and B together *make 12 chain, sl, st into 1 st chain; repeat from * three times more (4 chain loops). Break yarn and arrange the 4 loops into a cluster. Insert cluster into hole in the top of the cosy, fasten securely.

 

If you are interested in vintage knitting patterns, please come visit my shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/knitshearbliss

 

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Little Badger Cot Blanket

I started knitting the baby blanket or "cot blanket" by Ros Badger about 3 or 4 years ago. I love this little blanket. It is so easy to knit, I don't have to think about a complicated knitting pattern, just knit and purl. Plus the changes in the colours for the squares keeps it interesting. It is the perfect project to knit while I am at soccer field, watching the girls play and so cool on the fingers on some hot summer days and on warm on a few cool early morning or late night soccer games, the blanket covers my lap perfectly to snuggle.

I wanted to make use of some Rowan Hand knit Cotton I had lying around in single colours. This was the perfect use for them. I decided to make it one square wider than the pattern called for, to accomplish a "throw" size. I made one mistake on the moss stitch square, take a look at the photo above. I should have knit the first row instead on knit and purling because it has a strange texture now on that one moss stitch square.

I bring this project out every now and again over the years and the "now and again" is coming to a close as I have started the last row of full squares. I am concerned that I don't have enough of the oddments of yarn to complete it. Maybe the last row of squares will be "striped" and not whole squares?

I am now looking for inspiration for another easy knit project for the field....em? Maybe another cute tea cosy....?

Upside Down Daisy ~ Chemo Hat

A friend approached me to knit a hat for her Chemo Patient (http://www.chemoangels.net/) a 3 year old girl who has leukemia. This little girl has lost all her hair due to the chemo therapy and a hat, like the upside down daisy hat, I hope will give this little girl some cheer.

Jyri Scarf

I first saw this scarf on the berroco website and fell in love with it. I just had to knit this.

I decided to make it first for someone close to me (not mentioning any names, yet). I wanted a fun and funky yarn that was both wool for warmth and a bright colour. I went through my stash and searched eBay for Rowan, or Debbie Bliss yarn but nothing was doing it for me. I visited Michaels and found this yarn and decided it would be perfect. Just the right colour for the recipient.

I loved knitting this scarf. It was really quick to knit and very impressive when it was completed. I only got through two balls of wool. I think I will have to make myself one next.
A Couple of tips if you decide to make this scarf…
Casting on
Use the cable cast-on stitch so it is flexible and stretchy and place markers every 50 stitches or so.
Knitting
I typed the pattern out on an 8.5x11 sheet and typed each of the pattern rows out individually and used a row counter so that I wouldn’t get lost.These few details really helped me.

Details

Jyri from Norah Gaughan, Volumn 1. Urban Layers

Started: August 24th 2008

Completed: August 29th 2008

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool

Shade: Lemongrass

Amount of Yarn: 2 Skeins.