Socks to brighten up the dark days

Pattern: my own
Yarn: UK Alpaca Sock Yarn in mustard
Needles: my new Knit Picks Harmony 2.5mm DPN

I´m knitting socks only from time to time when I have to fill out some waiting time or need some mindless rows inbetween. So usually socks take quite a time until they are ready :)

Pattern: my own (toe up with turkish cast on, short row heel, 3rows stripes)
Yarn: Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn
Needles: 2.75 mm DPN

Just a little hat

To match his new winter jacket I´ve knitted this fast, cute and warm little hat. It´s exactly the same colour and it was in my stash. So what else could a knitter wish for?

Pattern: Norwegian Sweet baby Cap/Djevellue by Gro
Yarn: Hjertegarn Vidal Alpaca in petrol
Needles: 3,25mm and 4mm

I´m using DK weight yarn and have a gauge from about 22sts/10cm.
Felix head circumference is 46cm (15months old)

CO 97 sts on 3.25mm needles
7 rows in garter
switch to 4mm needles
than following the pattern and knitting 14 sts between inc and dec
8x (16 rows)

than only decr. rounds until 13sts on needles
k2tog the whole round
yarn through remaining sts

add 2 i-cords for closing

Some Mittens...

Pattern: Veyla form Ysolda
Yarn: unknow yarn from stash, fingering weight in light beige
Needles: 3.25mm

I´ve made the size S. These are very soft all from old stashed yarn and buttons I´ve found in the sewing basket. This Veyla are a christmas gift.





Pattern: Snapdragon Flip-top mittens by Ysolda
Yarn: Garnstudio Drops karisma superwash in petrol
Needles: 3.5mm
2 Wooden buttons

I´ve made the thumbs and the hand a bit shorter because these are for David who is nine yewars old. This way they fit perfect.

Coraline and Katinka

....no these are not new friends of mine. But hopefully soon enough will become beloved ones ;)

I am eyeing the Coraline cardigan for quite a long time and bought the pattern in summer, read it through, thought about different yarn choices, swatched, forgot about it, read it through again.....

I think it is finally time to start. I need a cardigan for the house, so no bulky one and I don´t want to knit one with worsted weight yarn because I still have some plus weight and think that a thinner yarn will add less bulk to my bodyshape.
While winding some yarn I recently bought on ebay I found the perfect yarn for my future Coraline. Some dusty lila fingering weight yarn from Colourmart. It is Colourmart yak/mohair/silk/merino 30/10/10/50 yarn, a little marled and a little to itchy for me to use as a scarf/shawl yarn (but still soft and fluffy after washing).

I have 2 cones, so about 1300m of yarn and my gauge is 22sts/10cm, so I will knit the last M to get the 2nd L size. As soon as possible and as Felix lets me I´m going to start. Wish me luck!



Katinka are new armwarmers/mitts designed by Kirsten Kapur. It was love at first time too as I´ve seen this mitts at her ravelry project page. Now the pattern is out and I´ve immediatly bought it. I plan to knit these as an instant gratification and fun inbetween the long stockinette parts of Coraline.

Maybe you wonder, why I am not stressed with christmas knitting? I just need an other 2 pair of gloves and some hats do be done and the other people who will get gifts at Christmas don´t want knitted stuff. Good for me so I can knit things I like to knit.

I wish you all a nice Advent (pre-christmas time).

Soft and beautiful

The pattern is very nice, the lace part is fast and easy to knit and the stockinette part is not hard either. the picot bind off takes some time but really is worth it.



I´ve tried to block the points out and also the picots and I think it really looks cute this way.



The colourmart yarns are oiled for industrial use and after washing in hot water and soaking in hair conditioner this yarn became soft and it bloomed nicely. Even the colour became nice.
I really love this colourmart yarn!

Pattern: Scroll Lace Scarf by Ysolda
Yarn: Colourmart Cashmere/Merino Heavy DK Weight in Rojizo
Needles: 5.5mm

Scroll Lace Scarf

I really HAD to start this scarf. I wanted to try out the lace and I really think the way it is constructed is very interesting. AND I love Ysoldas pattern.
Lately I see this kind of scarfs which are formed like the "Bactus" and "Just enough Ruffels" everywhere and so what could I do? You see, I had to start this one ;)

The yarn is from Colourmart and still oiled for industrial use but I washed a swatch and it is getting really soft and fluffy after a hot wash. The colour is a bit strange and had to get on the pic, but somehow I like it. It is orange/rosa/brown.

Pattern: Scroll Lace Scarf from Ysolda
Yarn: ColourMart Cashmere/Merino 2/6NM Heavy DK Weight in colour "Rojizo" (reddish)
Needles: 5,5mm

Some mittens and a scarf again

I guess the cold weather is inspiring my knits these days.



These one came out nice and the yarn is the same I used for the Pasha hat, so we have a set now.

Pattern: Green Thumb by Diana Foss
Yarn: Hjertegarn Vidal Alpaca
Needles: 3.5mm DPN



These ones are "under construction". The cables are NO mindless knitting and I can´t concentrate on knitting while watching tv at night (nearly the only time these days when I can knit). So they have to lay in the basket a bit.

Pattern: Snapdragon flip-tops by Ysolda
Yarn: Garnstudio Drops Karisma superwash
Needles: 3.5mm





Again I started a shawl :) It is just that it is such a nice way of knitting. It is faster and needs less yarn than a sweater and always fitting, no matter if one gains or looses weight.

Pattern: Daybreak by Stephen West
Yarn: ColourMart 100% Extra Fine Merino 10/30NM DK Weight in a greyish purple and leftover Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn.
Needles: 4mm

I´m not sure if I have enough Noro yarn but if not, there is always some other yarn in the stash I suppose.

Thermis

This pattern was forever in my Ravelry queue and I always wanted to knit it but somehow never did it.
Now it is done. It only took about 2 evenings of tv-knitting and about 0.8 skeins of Malabrigo Merino worsted.
I am such a loose knitter and on 4.5mm needles, although knitting the s size, it became quite large. For DH it is just the right size.




Pattern: Thermis
Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Pearl
Needles: 4,5mm DPN

Hooded scarf and mystery socks

The Hooded Scarf is finished and I love it. Knitted with 2strands of Malabrigo baby merino lace yarn it is supersoft and very light. It only weigts 85g. thebuttons are from stash. I´ve bought them once on ebay in Hongkong. They are nice Mother of pearl buttons with laser print.


Pattern: Peaks Island Hood by Ysolda
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Lace in colour garnet (I´ve used 1.7 skeins/knitted with 2 strands)
Needles: 6mm




Finially the Mystery Socks from the Socktober Mystery KAL are finished too. The first was fast but as always I was slow on the second one. But I knit it in time so it is okay.
The pattern was nice and easy to understand. thank you Kirsten Kapur.

Pattern: Mystery Sock 09 by Kirsten Kapur
Yarn: Wollmeise 80/20 in colour Mistelzweig. I´ve only used 86g of the 150g skein!
Needles: 2.75mm DPN

CO56 because of the slightly thicker yarn and 5 pattern repeats on leg. They turned out to be about a 39-40 european size, so I will give it to my daughter who has larger feet than me ;)

Crocheting was successful!

I´m loving my new Noro shawl and I am proud of myself that I really crochet a whole shawl!
It was easy and fast and addictive. Maybe I will make one of these again.

Pattern: Eva Shawl
Needle: 4,5 mm crochet hook
Yarn: Noro Kureyon Sock in Colour 185

I used the whole skein and it has a nice size after blocking. A bit larger would have been nice, but this way it is fine too.

Shawl startitis

It is cold outside and the colours begin to fade and I have to knit warm shawls. Maybe one can not have enough scarfs and shawls but I am not sure I will wear all the scarfs and shawls in this house. But I love how they are constructed and how they become beautiful butterflys from just little catterpillars of yarn. I´m slow in knitting these days as Felix is becoming more and more mobile but it is mostly the process of seeing the shawl growing that I enjoy so much. No need to hurry.




It is so beautiful to see how the Noro colours appear and harmonic flow in each other. I love it.

Pattern: Eva Shawl (free crochet pattern from milobo)
Hook: 4.5mm
Yarn: Noro Kureyon Sock






The Malabrigo Lace yarn is wonderful soft and the colour is a dusty and soft rosa. Very lovely and nice to knit. This shawl is only knitted for about 2 rows a day and the other time only looked at. I will not need it efore spring I think. The knitted fabric is so soft and pretty.

Pattern: Shetland Triangle by Evelyn Clark (from Wrap Style)
Needles: 4mm
Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Lace in Damask Rose








This one was love at the first sight when seeing the pattern! To get gauge I have to use the Malabrigo Lace 2 stranded and to knit with 6mm needles. It is pain for my hands but the pics of the finished scarf look really pretty so I will knit on (from time to time). The colour is kind of rusty orange and I like it a lot. I hope this scarf will be finished this winter.

Pattern: Peaks Island Hood by Ysolda
Needles: 6mm
Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Lace (knitting with 2 strands)

Mitten, shawl and hat

Pattern: Veyla by Ysolda (she is really brilliant!)
Needles: 3.35 mm DPN
Yarn: Sandnes Garn Mini Alpakka in black (soft in the hand while knitting but it itches a bit. Maybe I´m just too hypersensitive.)
Buttons: bought on ebay, black pastic buttons with a little swarovski-kind-of glass in the middle





Finally finished! This was boring to knit and took quite too long but I really like the shape of the shawl and how it looks finished. Although, again hypersensitive me, the yarn itches even after washing it twice. It did soften up, but still....OK, lets say, live and learn and knit on....

Pattern: Weaver´s Wool Mini Shawl by Peggy Pignato (free pattern)
Yarn: Kauni Wool 8/2 Effektgarn
Needles: 4mm cable knit picks harmony cable needle


Davids hair has grown again and the Koolhaas hat didn´t fit over his ears any more, so I had to add about 8cm of ribbing. Now it fits and is warm over the ears again.

Happy surprises from generous ravelry friends

About two weeks ago my wonderful friend Ulrika send me this precious little parcel from Sweden. I love every little thing in it and it was such a surprise and really brightened up my day, which was he intention because she knew I was not so happy at that time. Thank you again my friend!

Yesterday the postman rang and I wasn´t expecting anything and was really surprised when I got a large parcel from Vienna! My friend Nicola with whom I was chatting about yarns and that I like Alpaca and ..... was sending me a parcel! She got my address over the internet I think and wanted to make me a surprise gift. This is wonderful soft alpaca yarn and Cascade 220 which I wanted to try out for long. Thank you Nicola, this was so sweet of you!


And finally today! When getting the post I found a wrapped parcel from Norway from Ann. Beautiful yarn and a magazin as a thank you for a little favour I´ve done. You are so generous Ann, thank you. I love that colourway and already have something in mind!


I´m happy and grateful. For ravelry and for the great people I met there.

Weekend knits

This was a long weekend for us and I took some time to knit. Surprise eh?

At her last visit my aunt has seen (and tried on) the Rose Red Tam I´ve knitted for Teresa and me. It was a little small for her and she asked me to knit her something similar with the same yarn. After ordering some yarn I decided to try out the Snapdragon Tam from Ysolda for her. It is a tam and from the same designer, but not exactly the same one as we have. It turned out a bit larger than our hat and I hope thats fine and that it will fit her.
Pattern : Snapdragon Tam
Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Pearl (used a bit over one skein)
Needles: 4mm DPN




Warm Neck

As I think that scarfs are not very practical for little baby necks I searched the net and found this cute pattern at Garnstudio.

Very useful and fast little project. I had to modify the pattern as the kid is smaller and the yarn is heavier but that was not really hard.
Pattern: neck warmer (free pattern from Garnstudio)
Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Pearl
Needles: 4mm DPN

Sample and socks

Today I got a letter from Ireland together with a yarn sample! I love Tweed and already bought quite some at Irish Yarns & Crafts. Now Christine has some new yarn. Merino Tweed! Because I wanted to know if this Merino Tweed yarn is softer as the "normal" Tweed, she has sent me some sample and I have to say I am impressed. Beautiful colours and wonderful flecks like in the "normal" Tweed yarn she sells but so soft that I could wear it next to the skin! Simply lovely!

Some finished socks for Philipp who loves to wear woolen socks at home. Just plain socks in dk yarn and some stripes to make the knitting more interesting (and the row counting more easily;)

Yarn: Drops Garnstudio Karisma Superwash in petrol and mustard
Needles: 3.25 DPN
Size: 38

something to warm my shoulders

Pattern: Springtime Bandit (a free pattern and really a great one! Thank you!)
Yarn: Drops Garnstudio Karisma superwash, colour 52 (mustard/senfgelb) ...4.5 balls used
Needle: 4.00mm cable needle

The shawl was fast and easy to knit. Even for me! The yarn is not the softest but warm and washable and the whole shawl cost me about 9,50 Euro. So this is a real winner!

First snow...

.. it became colder the last days and this morning there was a big surpise! The first snow! A bit early this year, so it is going to be exciting how this winter will be and if we will get white Christmas.

As you see on the first picture, we are not prepaired for winter jet.

Pasha...

..is washed and dried. It blocked out beautifully and has a good chance to become the new favourite in this house. Maybe I will get the chance to wear it too, one day when Teresa puts it off.

Pattern: Pasha
Needles: 3.25mm for ribbing, 4.5mm for the lace part
Yarn: Hjertegarn Vidal Alpaca (100% Baby Alpaca Yarn, superwash)

O W L S

Teresas OWLS sweater is finished, blocked and dried. Just 2 buttons are missing. Yes only 2 buttons because only one owl gets eyes.

Pattern: owls by Kate Davis (free Ravelry download)
Yarn: Jaeger Extra Fine Merino Chunky (used exactly 10 balls), Alaska
Needles: 6mm and 6.5mm
Size: S