FO: Scallop Throw

I have finally taken a photo of the Collinette Scallop Throw that I finished back in October (about 18 months after I started it).  It was a kit that I bought at the Knitting Show in Ally Pally sometime ago comprising of lots of different Collinette yarns and a pattern booklet for different throws.

It’s meant to have a fringe on it, made with the left over yarn, but I decided not to bother with that.  I enjoyed knitting it, the stitch pattern was easy, but I didn’t like knitting with some of the yarns.  The mohair in particular was horrible.  However the overall effect of the mohair with the various ribbon and tape yarns and other yarns is really, really nice and I’m delighted with how it has turned out.

 

FO: Scandinavian Style Throw

Just got back from Knit ‘n’ Natter and I’m now sat here watching Desperate Housewives and blogging.  We didn’t have any many at Knit night tonight; I guess the cold weather put some people off.  It’s freezing tonight. The daughter of one of the members has started coming along and she’s about my age, which is really nice as I’m about 15 years younger than most of the regulars!

I have good news.. It’s finished.  It’s finally finished. The Scandianvian Style Throw that was part of the Art of Knitting partwork magazine.

Scandinavian Style Throw

Sewing up took ages and I wish that I’d done it as I went along.  But hey ho! Mum did some of the squares for it actually, so it was a bit of a joint effort.  I’m really pleased with how it turned out.

I’m now knitting a felted bag using the Fleece Artist Bluefaced Aran yarn that I got for Christmas. I had to learn a new technique for it too – provisional cast on. Never had to do one before but I think I got the hang of it after a quick look on the Internet for a tutorial.

Working on the next blanket

Haven’t done all that much knitting lately.  Some evenings I’ve been working on a cross stitch by way of a change.  But of course, I’ve needed to get on with something at Knit and Knatter, so I’ve been making squares for the Scandinavian Throw that is the second blanket in the Art of Knitting series.

Our Knit and Knatter meeting last week was a fun evening.  One of the regulars brought along a friend who has just started knitting for Rowan.  She’s now working on her third assignment for them, using a new yarn that’s not on sale yet (it doesn’t even have a ball band) and knitting a jumper for an upcoming magazine.  She has to finish it by the middle of July and send it back to them for them to use in a photo shoot.  So perhaps it’s for the Spring/Summer 2010 magazine.

All she has is a sketch of how the piece should look and the written instructions.  She seems a very experienced knitter so I doubt that will be a problem for her.  She had to supply Rowan with lots of samples for them to assess her tension and it sounds quite stringent.  I suppose they have to be though.

The last of the squares

Not been doing much in the way of blogging recently because I’ve been acting as an Extra in a movie – Alice in Wonderland, directed by Tim Burton.  It was a brilliant experience and whilst waiting around between filming scenes I managed to do a bit of knitting.  Lots of people commented and asked me what I was doing.  The only negative comment I had was from an elderly gentleman who told me that I must be an old woman to be knitting!  I wasn’t impressed, especially coming from a person who was probably in their 70s themselves.  I thought an older person might have liked to see younger people doing such a hobby.

All of the blanket squares have finally been completed…  I especially like the white, red, pink and blue striped one.

2 row garter stitch stripes
2 row garter stitch stripes
Can't remember what this one is called
Forgotten what this is called
Garter Stitch Stripes
Garter Stitch Stripes

I’ve sewn it all together now and have done one round of crochet edging.  Another round of edging to do (tonight in front of Strictly Come Dancing) and then it’s done!!! Whoopie!!

Block 9

Here’s the final block of squares…

There’s a single row which runs along the bottom of the these blocks, and in fact I’ve only got 3 more squares to knit and then it’s done.. well the knitting bit is.  Sewing it together might take a little while! And weaving in all those ends will be tedious to say the least!

An abundance of squares (part 4)

And yet more squares… (I’m omitting ones which are repeats of previous ones in different colours)

Square with diagonal eyelet panels

Cross stitch diamond square

Stocking stitch square with lace panel

Can’t remember what this one is, but it was from a stitch pattern book, rather than doing the magazine one.

Fair-isle pattern

I really like this one.

Moss Stitch Diamond Square

An abundance of squares (part 4)

Nearly there…

Square with diagonal eyelet panels
Stocking Stitch diamond square
Stocking Stitch diamond square
Reverse stocking stitch with star
Cross stitch diamond square
Stocking Stitch with Lace Panel
Stocking Stitch with Lace Panel
Can't remember which pattern this was!
Can't remember which pattern this was!

The last square here was meant to be yet another stocking stitch and diamond square so I chose another stitch pattern, which I really like, but I can’t remember what it was called or how it went!

Over 20,000 visitors

In blogging news… Just been taking a look at my stats and I noticed that I’ve gone some way over 20,000 visitors since I started at the beginning of last year. Thanks to everyone for stopping by and reading and commenting!

In knitting news… I’ve completed the back piece for the new top and am sewing up blanket squares this week. It would nice to catch up and complete the blanket “on time” as it were.

There just aren’t enough hours in the day though. I’m busy at work, need to do some maintenance on a couple of websites, have ideas swimming round my head for writing a book on building church websites, letters to write, have landlord type stuff to do, and a possible new venture which I can’t divulge just yet but is very exciting and I’ll certainly tell all if it comes to fruition.

An abundance of squares (part 3)

I haven’t shown you any blanket squares for a while so here are a few more:

Honeycomb panel square

Honeycomb pattern

Textured square with rope cable

Stocking stitch square with intarsia heart

Eyelet striped square

Stocking stitch with textured blocks

The end of the blanket is in sight. It will be a shame actually as I’ve really enjoyed doing this one. I guess I’ll just have to do another one!