I've just added a page to my free pattern index containing a crochet and knitting pattern for a Kiwi Hat. I'm having a few problems in uploading pics but you can see them on Ravelry and hopefully I'll sort out my blog problems shortly! I hope you like them!
I received an email from Innocent yesterday confirming that the Big Knit is on again this year!
The task is simple - knit or crochet as many cute hats as possible and send them by Friday 15th October to:
The Big Knit
Fruit Towers
1 The Goldhawk Estate
Brackenbury Road
London
W6 0BA
The hats will be displayed on small sized smoothie bottles which will be for sale in Boots and Sainsbury during November.
There is a selection of patterns on the homepage for the Big Knit or you could make up your own. There is a weekly competition for the best hat which is on their blog. I am hoping to get busy with my needles and thinking cap and will post some free original patterns here too and also on Ravelry. Watch this space!!
They are aiming for 800,000 hats which will raise £200,000 for Age UK (previously Age Concern) and it will take the total raised by the Big Knit, first started in 2003, to £1m!
So what are you waiting for!!
I'd love to hear how you get on!!!
Summer is finally here which means holidays, sun and lots of holiday knitting. Holiday knitting for me means making things for me and my family, instead of designing toy patterns. Although I do love designing, it's sometimes like having a permanent crosswork on the go and isn't particularly relaxing especially when I'm faced with frogging the entire section I've been working hard on! So given the especially cold winter last year and mostly because I want to relax whilst on holiday I'm knitting socks for all the family. I searched Ravelry at the weekend and found a pattern by Handwerks in a DK weight that was relatively plain but had a nice ribbing detail. I started yesterday and have used 3.25mm dpns rather than 2 x 3.5mm circulars. I've added a few stitches to make up the tension. It should be quite easy to adapt and should accommodate my other halves size 10s as well as Ollie's tiny size 7's. I'll let you know how I get on.
My wool arrived from Laughing Hens last week. More Artesano Hummingbird.
I seem to be a little transfixed by it at the moment. Everyone got to choose their own colours - some are more conservative (ie me - blues) than others (ie Sarah - pinks, turquoise etc!). Ol will probably get a pair in each colour seeing as his feet are so small and can use up the odds and ends. I'm sure he'll grow up resenting wool in some shape or another!
For the toy knitters, I'm sorry that progress has been slow with my latest design but I've been toying (sorry!) which a couple of ideas and the general body proportions are giving me a little grief. I will get there I promise and the results will be available soon.
I made 2 scarves just before Christmas, one for my step father in law and the other for my step son. They are almost 65 years apart and so it shows how timeless and contemporary the pattern is. I love the way the cables weave in and out and although the wool (Rowan Alpaca Cotton) does do the pattern justice and is lovely and warm to wear it is a bit of a pain to knit with! However, a little patience, some good lighting and after a few rows in it becomes much easier.
It's fairly straightforward, once you get your head round the cable abbreviations.The pattern repeats over 8 rows so you should fall into a rhythm once you get going and may not even need to look at the pattern.
I've listed the pattern on a separate page so you can find it easily. Just click here to go straight to it.
Please let me know if you like it and I'd love to hear if you have any comments on revisions or substitute yarns.
