Recent Projects

Hallo,

Recently I have been back in Durham, and that means more work, less knitting. I have managed, over the past three weeks, to fit in a bit of knitting here and there however.

My Italian tutor from my first degree, who is now a very dear friend (I'm not a teacher's pet, I swear..) broke her leg! I thought I'd cheer her up while she is stuck with her cat at home, so I sent her a letter and a little Fatcat Creation: a headband.

Here I am modelling it in the most stylish way possible, obviously:

She is addicted to purple, her leg cast is purple too, so I made the headband purple. It's a pattern I came up with myself, and it's cable knit. She seems very happy with it.

The second project I have just completed is another jumper. This one was for ME this time though. It is a chunky knit, and a bit baggy and croppy, and I love it.

 Here's me loving it...

 There's me waving in it...

This is it at the early stages...
And that's what it looked like before I had finished the second sleeve and sewn it all up. The words 'sew', 'sewing', and 'sewn' I always read out like 'siuuuu' and 'siuuuu-ing' and 'siuuuu-n' and have to re-read them as 'so' 'so-ing' and 'so-n'... Anywho! that's my latest knit update. Next project is yet to be decided, but will probably not happen until after my exam on 21st May, boo.

The Mohair Sweater

FINALLY I have finished the mohair sweater that I was commissioned to make for a very good friend of mine.

The friend in question has a taste for quality, hence the choice of wool: mohair. She needed a replacement of an old favourite and couldn't find the same one anywhere. I mentioned that I love knitting and she jumped at the opportunity. The pattern I used can be found here, the wool here.

There's Ruby making sure I'm doing a good job.

The most annoying part of any knitting project is blocking and sewing it all up:

Blocking, for those who don't know, is the process of flattening out your work and making it the right shape. The technique I used was to gently hand wash the pieces, and then to pin it out neatly onto a towel, letting it dry properly. I  did the front and back first because I had to stitch the shoulders together and knit the polo-neck straight onto the work.

For the sleeves I had a brain wave left it on the Aga, it dried a LOT quicker than the front and back.

 And then the absolute worst part - for me anyway - is sewing it all up. However, anything is ok if Ruby is keeping me company.

Here it is all wrapped up nicely - despite the fact that it was ripped open immediately, as my my friend was so excited to see it.

I have decided my new 'design name' is "A Fatcat Creation". My nick name (and all my user names) is Hatbat the Fat Cat, so I felt it was fitting. I don't even like cats... I also have a friend who has created a new cocktail, and on my suggestion he is naming it 'The Fat Cat'. Yesssssssss.

I have already moved onto my next project. It is another jumper... but it is in chunky wool this time so will grow a LOT faster.



After the chunky knit sweater I will be moving onto another chunky project. Miffy made a blanket a while ago using chunky, green wool. She has given me the left-overs (of which there is a considerable amount) and I am going to make something out of it...

Any ideas for what I could make.....?

Knitspiration #5

 

The title of this post should be sung to the tune of Vonda Shepard's "Sweet Inspiration" (changing the word 'sweet' for 'Swedish'), I have provided a link for those unfamiliar with this song:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TVQB7oOsJ0

It has been a whole month since I last blogged, this Masters seems to have gotten in the way lately. Today I have assigned some time specifically for this blog, so sit back and enjoy the following Knitspiration post, which is a mixture of Christmassy, Swedish, colours and a pug.

 

 
I love these Swedish colours, they're a bit Christmassy, and they look very snug for this cold snap. I think it's the fact these colours are quite soft, and not bright like a lot of things in fashion lately. I love fashion, don't get me wrong, but I'm starting to find that with highstreet shops copying the big designers, the neon trend is looking a bit... plasticy and cheap lately. These soft colours are refreshing and sweet.

 
The same can be said for this jumper, I love the Christmas feel to it from the reindeer, and I think that softer scoopy neckline would be flattering on most people.
 
 

 

 
Here is a cluster of some more of this inspirational colour scheme (complete with hot blonde babe). I think those Christmas label ideas are stunning, and if you used a stamp then you could rustle a few up in no time. I'm also a big fan of ribbon, I definitely do not have enough in my life.

 

 
These photos are not very big today, so I am clustering them for more interest. Here we have some real Swedish Swedeness:
Beautiful waterside houses in amazing colours, an excellent pair of clogs and a stylish Swedish girl. I love the wholesome feel to these images, I'm feeling inspired for the January sales....

 

And here's the pug, why not?

Knitspiration #4

Todays' knitspiration is all about my favourite look: baggy! I love wearing baggy tops with skinny bottoms, not only does it look pretty good, but it is also so comfy and cuddly.

 I love the colour of this jumper as well as the stitches used, if only I could afford that much wool..

 Gotta love a classic nineties style, complete with rolled sleeves. I didn't even know that this many cable stitches existed.

 This one, complete with ripped jeans and cuppa tea, is making me want to snuggle up with my dogs.

 I love this girl's boots as well, that jumper looks so comfy.

 An example of how you can do baggy and look smart at the same time; I would love a coat like this.

Lastly: classic nineties child! Sadly I still dress like this ...

Current Projects

I have been working on a few projects at the same time recently, one of them is a big secret as it is a Christmas present for someone special (my sister), so I can't post it on here til after I give it to her.

Here's what I'm working on...

 I'm making a cabled headband for someone...

 I'm making a ribbed beanie for someone...

And I tried out crochet! It doesn't look too bad for a first attempt, however I have to concentrate and look at my hands pretty much the whole time so I can't enjoy it while I'm watching TV like I can with knitting. Maybe I'll practice some more and see how it goes, but for now I'm going to finish off the top-secret-sister-present...

Knitspiration #3

Today's knitsipiration is all about colour...

I need to learn to crochet! Miffy has made a wave blanket like this, it's such a nice stitch.

I love the detail, the colour and the all round awesomeness of this little brooch.

 This is so simple - just a chain stitch on some fabric but doesn't it look wonderful?

I never like using white wool when I make projects but combining it with these fresh summer colours is quite a good idea.

Yeah if I made these shorts I would wear them with pride. Fact.

World's best socks.

Simple granny squares that look like something from Liberty of London! 

I just love colour!

Just Another Miffy Monday #3

It's been over a week since I last posted, I have been reallllly busy finishing at work, going to London with Miffy to assist on her buying trip, saying all of my goodbyes to my true Jersey friends and then packing, traveling, arriving and unpacking in DURHAM. So...! Without further ado I am back on the blog scene and what better way to return than with a Miffy Monday?

Sadly last week we attended the funeral of Miffy's uncle Roger, so for Roger's wife, Aunty Wendy, Miffy made her a blanket. It was the fastest I have ever seen her crochet! She just got straight onto it and spent every free minute for the 7 days she had crocheting. By the end of it she had repetitive strain injury.. well, not quite.

What a beautiful stitch.

I love the border too, she really is a perfectionist.

It's so big! Not bad for a week's work.

Here she is, crazy woman.