Christmas tree decorations

Here are some Christmas tree decorations, which I knitted for the church Christmas fair. 

The Santas are by far my favourite!

The pattern is taken from Alan Dart's Advent Tree.

Ribbed beanie - FREE PATTERN

 This beanie - modelled by my lovely husband - is a new FREE pattern and can be found on my Ravelry page.

Please visit and see for yourself.

the big knit 2010

The producers of innocent smoothies have organised another BIG KNIT this year.

The challenge is to knit 800,000 little hats (to be put on the smoothies bottles).

For every behatted bottle sold, 25p will be donated to Age UK.

There are some fabulous contributions. Patterns can be downloaded from the BIG KNIT website or own patterns can be used.

The deadline is the 5th of October - so it's not too late to get those knitting needles out! 

Snail tea cosy

I made this snail tea cosy for a competition for the Marie Curie Cancer charity

More information on my Ravelry site, and the pattern is now for sale here.

Another foodie project ...

... this time a fruit and veg theme.

With little else to knit during the summer I am knitting a collection of fruit and vegetables for our harvest festival.

The patterns are picked from various patterns on ravelry, and so far I am very pleased with how realistic they look!

I am hoping to ask people to help themselves to a knitted piece of fruit or veg, with any donations given to charity.

Full English Breakfast

My friend Gillian is the one who came up with the request to make her a knitted breakfast.

She, her husband and the rest of 'The Team' have produced a wonderful breakfast on a Saturday morning in St George's church in Wolverton for several years now - feeding up to 40 people each time. The breakfast is enjoyed by many people, and at the same time people can come and collect their Food Bank food parcels.

So it seemed a small thing to knit a Full English Breakfast. Enjoy, Gillian!

More Surprise Jackets ...

... because I like them! Here is the one I made previously - now with buttons and edging.

I went to Germany for a week and took the Surprise Jacket pattern plus needles and some yarn. 

Well, I did spend many, many hours on the overnight coach and I do like the pattern - so much that I ended up buying more yarn and finishing 4 more jackets!

I tried the suggested I-cord edging - my first time ever. On one jacket I did the I-cord edging all the way around the edge, on two others just around the neckline. It certainly makes for a neater finish.

That will be enough for now. Now, what shall be my next project ...??

Elizabeth Zimmermann's Surprise Jacket - the finished object!

Three days later, and here it is - the finished surprise jacket.

I had a million ends to darn in, but it was worth it. All I need to do now is decide on the right buttons. The front edge has button holes worked in on both sides - so it can be used for a boy or a girl. Very versatile!

I enjoyed knitting this jacket.

It felt a little like 'knitting by faith alone' - because the shape of the piece as it grows makes no sense at all ... until you finish it and join the correct seams together!

However, the pattern isn't too difficult at all. It is one of those, which simply needs to be followed to the letter - without stopping to think how and why!

I am away for a week, and I will take enough yarn for another jacket (or two)

Elizabeth Zimmermann's Surprise Jacket

I have joined this KAL (Knit-along) at Ravelry to try myself at the Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmermann.

It is knitted in one piece and turns out to be the strangest of shapes ... but with just closing two seams it turns into a baby jacket. (Or so I have been assured - I am not quite there yet myself ...)

I am using my cotton stash. I love how the colours blend into each other.

Mother's Day posy

I finished the posy brooch, which I have knitted for my mother on Mother's Day (which, in Germany, is celebrated on the second Sunday in May)

It is quite pretty, although it was a bit fiddly to make, and it took me ages to gather the energy and patience to finish it off!

The pattern is available free and can be found here.

April Stash Bust

Thanks to Crafty Green Poet I have come across the April Stash Bust.

For somebody who has a whole wardrobe full of yarn stash, a stash bust sounds like a great idea!

Only last week did I send my sock yarn remnants (see above) to a fellow knitter in Ravelry's p/hop group. 

Plumbum is going to make this blanket and pledges to donate money to Medecins Sans Fontieres (Doctors Without Borders) for every batch of sock remnants she receives for her project.

Read more about the April Stash Bust here. 

Rabbitty comfort blankets

I finished four of these comfort blankets. They are knitted from double strands of DK cotton mix.

Although I have made them in more unusual colours in the past I tend to prefer them in the traditional baby blue and pink. Call me old-fashioned ...

Colour Block blanket

I finished Lion brand's Colour Block blanket last night, and I am quite pleased with the outcome.

It's already parceled up, ready to be sent off to Algerian Action tomorrow, together with three jumpers and some sweets for the Eid project 2010. 

Needless to say, I have already started another project - but that's for another day ...

Ravelry!

How did I ever manage without it??

Just recently I have joined Ravelry - a great community of knitters and crocheters, with as many patterns available (free or for sale) as I will ever need in my entire life!!

To see my own Ravelry page, look for madhat66 here.

My own designs can be found here.

Please come and visit me!

Tardis ipod cover

My daughter loves everything to do with Dr Who and David Tennant. She is not easily motivated to pick up the knitting needles, but this weekend she was keen to knit a Tardis cover for her ipod Nano.

It is knitted in 4-ply and fits her ipod quite snugly.

The 'light' on top doubles as a button to close the top securely.

Das Monster

I found this amazing pair of toddler 'longies' on Ravelry.

How cool are they??!

I cannot wait to try knitting it myself.

The pattern is available free here and here.

Etsy

After a long silent period I have relisted two patterns in my etsy shop.

Here is the pattern for socks with after-thought heel (sizes new-born to adult)

And here the pattern for egg cosies.

Both are sent via email as a pdf attachment, so there is no lengthy wait for the postman to arrive!

Squares

I have started my next stash-clearing project - the colour block blanket. (See two posts below)

Here are the very first squares ...

Jumpers for Algerian Action

I finished three jumpers for Algerian Action.

It has been a fun way of eating into my stash of yarn, especially because I have so many colours to choose from at the moment.

For the free pattern for these jumpers, please look here.

I must admit that it has hardly made a difference to my hoarded yarn stash, so I have started the Colour Block blanket (see previous post) as my next project.

Colour Blocks Baby Blanket - free pattern

This free Lionbrand pattern has just gone on my list-of-things-to-do. I love the different-coloured squares!

Colour Blocks Baby Blanket

Lion Brand® Cotton-Ease® (new)

GAUGE:
18 sts + 34 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in Garter st (k every row). BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

NOTES:
Blanket is made up of 30 individual Squares. All Squares are knit following instructions for Garter Square, with specific color(s) noted for each Square.

GARTER SQUARE
Increase Half
Cast on 5 sts.
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: K2, yo, knit to end.
Rows 3 and 4: Rep Row 2.
Rep Row 2 until there are 37 sts on needle.
Decrease Half
Next Row: K2, yo, k2tog twice, knit to end.
Rep last row until 5 sts remain.
Bind off.

SQUARE 1 (half diagonal stripe/half solid square) With A, cast on and work Rows 1 and 2 of Increase Half of Garter Square. With B, work Rows 3 and 4. Continue to alternate 2 rows each of A and B to work Increase Half.
Change to A and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 2 (solid color square)
With C, work Garter Square.

SQUARE 3 (diagonal stripe square)
With D, cast on and work Rows 1 and 2 of Increase Half of Garter Square. With E, work Rows 3 and 4. Continue to alternate 2 rows each of D and E to work Increase and Decrease Halves.

SQUARE 4 (2 color square)
With A, work Increase Half of Garter Square. Change to F and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 5 (2 color square)
With D, work Increase Half of Garter Square. Change to E and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 6 (diagonal stripe square)
With E, cast on and work Rows 1 and 2 of Increase Half of Garter Square. With G, work Rows 3 and 4. Continue to alternate 2 rows each of E and G to work Increase and Decrease Halves.

SQUARE 7 (2 color square)
With H, work Increase Half of Garter Square. Change to I and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 8 (solid color square)
With F, work Garter Square.

SQUARE 9 (half diagonal stripe/half solid square)
With H, cast on and work Rows 1 and 2 of Increase Half of Garter Square. With J, work Rows 3 and 4. Continue to alternate 2 rows each of H and J to work Increase Half.
Change to J and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 10 (solid color square)
With B, work Garter Square.

SQUARE 11 (2 color square)
With B, work Increase Half of Garter Square. Change to F and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 12 (solid color square)
With J, work Garter Square.

SQUARE 13 (half diagonal stripe/half solid square)
With E, cast on and work Rows 1 and 2 of Increase Half of Garter Square. With F, work Rows 3 and 4. Continue to alternate 2 rows each of E and F to work Increase Half.
Change to E and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 14 (solid color square)
With K, work Garter Square.

SQUARE 15 (half diagonal stripe/half solid square)
With A, cast on and work Rows 1 and 2 of Increase Half of Garter Square. With E, work Rows 3 and 4. Continue to alternate 2 rows each of A and E for Increase Half. Change to F and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 16 (2 color square)
With C, work Increase Half of Garter Square. Change to E and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 17 (half diagonal stripe/half solid square)
With H, cast on and work Rows 1 and 2 of Increase Half of Garter Square. With I, work Rows 3 and 4. Continue to alternate 2 rows each of H and I to work Increase Half.
Change to H and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 18 (2 color square)
With C, work Increase Half of Garter Square. Change to J and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 19 (half diagonal stripe/half solid square)
With A, cast on and work Rows 1 and 2 of Increase Half of Garter Square. With G, work Rows 3 and 4. Continue to alternate 2 rows each of A and G to work Increase Half.
Change to G and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 20 (solid color square)
With I, work Garter Square.

SQUARE 21 (2 color square)
With A, work Increase Half of Garter Square. Change to J and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 22 (solid color square)
With G, work Garter Square.

SQUARE 23 (half diagonal stripe/half solid square)
With D, cast on and work Rows 1 and 2 of Increase Half of Garter Square. With K, work Rows 3 and 4. Continue to alternate 2 rows each of D and K to work Increase Half.
Change to K and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 24 (2 color square)
With C, cast on and work Increase Half of Garter Square. Change to F and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 25 (half diagonal stripe/half solid square)
With C, cast on and work Rows 1 and 2 of Increase Half of Garter Square. With E, work Rows 3 and 4. Continue to alternate 2 rows each of C and E to work Increase Half.
Change to E and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 26 (2 color square)
With D, work Increase Half of Garter Square. Change to E and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 27 (diagonal stripe square)
With E, cast on and work Rows 1 and 2 of Increase Half of Garter Square. With K, work Rows 3 and 4. Continue to alternate 2 rows each of E and K to work Increase and Decrease Halves.

SQUARE 28 (2 color square)
With F, work Increase Half of Garter Square. Change to I and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 29 (solid color square)
With A, work Garter Square.

SQUARE 30 (2 color square)
With G, work Increase Half of Garter Square. Change to J and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

FINISHING
Following Assembly Diagram, sew Squares into 5 strips of 6 squares each. Sew strips together to make Blanket.
Weave in ends.

Fingerless gloves

My friend Gabrielle lost one of her fingerless gloves on the train on the way to work.

Here is a new improved pair I made for her:

Tea Time

Thanks to Sandra *Jill* and her blog I found this Tea Time competition:

"Bei der tollen Idee von  Mias Mama & Casa di Falcone mache ich natürlich gerne mit. 
Zeigt Ihnen Eure schönsten Tea Time/Tortenbilder und mit etwas Glück kann man ein “Tee-Glücklichmach-Überraschungspäckchen” gewinnen."

Here is my contribution -  the cupcakes I knitted for Gillian back in March 2009

Hier ist mein Beitrag - die Törtchen, die ich im März 2009 für Gillian gestrickt habe:

Free pattern - child's jumper

I have just started some charity knitting to use up some of last year's stash.

My present charity is Algerian Action.

Please help yourself to the pattern, print is, use it, share it ...!

Any queries or comments about the pattern, please just let me know

Child's Jumper

Needles:

3 ¼ and 4mm

Material required:

DK, approx:

150g; 180g; 200g; 230g; 250g

For sizes, approx:

18 ; 20 ; 22 ; 24 ; 26

For years, approx:

1 ; 2 ; 3-4 ; 5-6 ; 7

Abbreviations:

STST = stocking stitch

sts = stitches

Front:

Using 3 ¼mm needles cast on 60(66;72;78;80) sts; work in rib for 12(12;12;14;14) rows.

Change to 4mm needles and proceed in STST **until piece measures 55(61;70;80;84) rows** from beg. of STST.

Shape neck:

Knit 24(26;29;32;33) sts; turn and proceed as follows. Knit 1 row, then decrease 1 st at neck edge in next and every following alternate row to 20(22;25;27;28) sts; then continue without further shaping to 70(76;86;96;102) rows. Right side facing cast off.

Slip middle 12(14;14;14;14) sts onto stitch holder, rejoin yarn and work the other side accordingly.

Back:

As Front until **, then knit instead **until piece measures 60(66;75;85;89) rows**.

Then continue as for Front.

Sleeves (make 2):

Using 3 ¼ mm needles cast on 28(30;34;36;40) sts and rib for 12(12;12;14;14) sts. In next row change to needles 4, continue in STST and increase to 32(34;38;40;44) sts; then increase 1 st on each end in every 4^th row to 50(56;62;66;72) sts. Then continue without further shaping to 46(52;60;66;74) rows from beg. of STST.

Neckband:

Join right shoulder seam. With right side facing and 3 ¼mm needles pick up and knit as follows: 14(15;15;16;16) sts along left side of neck (front);

12(14;14;14;14) sts from stitch holder;

14(15;15;16;16) sts along right side of neck (front);

10(10;12;12;14) sts along right side of neck (back);

12(14;14;14;14) sts from stitch holder;

10(10;12;12;14) sts along left side of neck (back).

= 72(78;82;84;88) sts.

Work in rib for 8 rows. Purl 9^th row to make a fold ridge, then rib another 8 rows. Cast off in rib loosely, turn neckband in and loosely stitch to the inside.

Join left shoulder seam. Sew sleeves to the shoulders and join remaining side and sleeve seams. Darn in all ends.

The K Factor

My family challenged me to enter the Harry Hill K Factor knitting competition.

So I decided to knit a Harry-Hill-look-a-like balaclava. Here it is:

For anybody who doesn't know what Harry Hill looks like:

Unicorn

My sister asked me if I could knit a unicorn for my little niece Marie for Christmas.

I had the pattern for the donkey from the nativity set (see previous post), and managed to convert it to turn into this unicorn:

Nativity

After a long time of not writing in my blog, here is an update on what I spent six months last year knitting: two nativity sets (following the Sirdar patter by Alan Dart) for two friends at church.

The characters were quite fiddly and took a long time to knit, but it was also a great joy to create them with my own hands!

Here are some pictures of one of the sets (taken on a sunny summer's day in our garden):