Anonymous asked: do you have a knitting pattern for hexipuffs they look fun to make :) x
Hi! The pattern for the hexipuffs is available from Tiny Owl Knits and can be found on ravelry! Its called the bee keeper quilt.
I’m still alive!
Promise. ;)
Finished Product: Project Bag.
I am a little bit in love with this. Not only is it my first ever bag, its my first go at blocking and lining as well. I love the design it looks like a big tie died spider web to me.
The handles and the pattern came free with this months copy of Simply Knitting. The yarn I used is King Cole Riot Chunky.
I lined it with this yellow and black cotton material that I picked up from my local yarn and haberdashery store in Warrington Market (Buttons and Bows). I had to do all the stitching myself as my sewing machine needs a part, I didn’t do to badly its quite neat and its all inside so no one can see. I added a little pocket for accessories. I added the press studs to prevent it gaping open. I may replace these with magnetic closures at some point.
Once you get into the swing of the pattern it is relatively simple, you do have to pay attention to it, its not something that’s easily memorized. I made some minor adjustments, the pattern called for knitting through the back loop on some of the lacey parts, I found this quite difficult to do with the yarn I was using so I swapped to yarn over which gives the same effect and is much easier. Also, I sewed the two halves together instead of crocheting, again this was due to the yarn used, had it been more firmly twisted I would of crocheted. As it stands though I like the effect sewing has given.
Overall I am very pleased with how this came out, I’m going to use it to carry my projects about. Its just the right size to fit a 100g ball of wool and whatever needles your using.
Its also inspired me to have a go at making my own handbag… so watch this space for that!
The Benefits of Blocking.
Before…
The above is the front of the bag I’m making, just after I finished knitting it. See how its all lumpy and the sides are curling in?
After…
This is the back of the bag, which has been blocked. It is nice and flat no lumps, the edges are not curling in, it looks much more finished and professional.
Summary: Blocking, well worth the extra effort. :D
30 Day Knitting Challenge! Day 13.
DAY 13: DO YOU HAVE YARN THAT YOU LOVE BUT CAN’T FIND A PROJECT FOR?
I have a massive ball of King Cole Garland in a lovely icy white colour. Its really chunky and fuzzy, I have a few ideas but I just can’t decide. At the moment I’m leaning towards a polar bear hooded scarf.
Something they don’t tell you…
About blocking your knitting. Yarn with any wool content, stinks when its wet. True story. It smells awful, like wet sheep.
I was just checking on my blocking and for some reason I gave it a little sniff, I don’t know why, and I was more than a bit shocked at the stink. I immediately thought I’d done something terribly wrong and ran to google, frantically typed in wet wool smell and discovered that this is quite normal and the smell will disappear once dry. Phew
So there you go. Wet wool = stinky!
My very first bit of blocking! Apologies for crap photo, I had to balance it flat where the cats couldn’t get to it, so this was taken blind! I tried to get it as circular as I could. I am definitely going to be needing more pins!
I soaked the piece in lukewarm water for about 3 minutes, gently squeezed the excess water out and transferred to a towel, placing it flat-ish and then rolled it up to squeeze the excess out. I then placed it on my blocking board and gently patted it flat and shaped it, then pinned it in place being careful not to streeeeetch it. I then spritzed it with water and put it somewhere safe. Once its dry I’ll get my iron and gently steam it as that’s what your supposed to do with acrylic/wool mixes apparently!
This is part of a bag so now to knit the other half!
16 square foot is HOOJ! These are perfect, one piece will block smaller items, 2 will do say a sleeve and all four together will do a shawl easily. You can get them here!
Today…
I bought some foam floor tiles. That’s right ladles and jellyspoons, I’m going to have a go at blocking…
(I promise to carry on the 30 day knitting challenge soon!)
Finished Product: Decode Cable Knit Hat.
Well hello! Long time no see! Its been a very busy couple of weeks here at Things What I have Knitted Towers! But things have settled down now so normal service can resume!
My latest finished item is something I have been wanting to make for quite sometime. Ever since I first saw the video to Decode by Paramore I have lusted after Hayley Williams purple slouchy cable knit hat. So when I found a pattern for a replica of the hat in question written by the sublime Joan of Dark I did squee with excitement and immediately bought the yarn and set to work! You can find the pattern here.
The yarn is Woolcraft New Fashion Chunky shade 1205, which is a really vibrant true purple, I used roughly 125g to make the hat, which works out at a ball and a bit (technical ain’t I?) it was very inexpensive, £1.90 a ball from my local yarn store, Junes Wools in Warrington Market.
This is my “its really awkward to take a good picture of a hat while your wearing it” face.
This was my very first big cable knit project, I really enjoyed making it, in the future though I think I’ll try cable knitting on metal needles, wood is a bit to grippy, which makes it a touch tough to knit. That may just be me though. I also recommend swatching bobbles a few times if you’ve never done them before.
I love the finished article, I followed the pattern pretty much to the letter and it resulted in a lovely slouch hat. I added a pom pom to finish. I’m pretty certain the one in the video had a pom pom.
