Narvik Beret

Design: Slouchy Beret, based on Esme - free pattern available here 

Designer: Amy Pickard, modified by me

Yarn: Wendy Narvik(discontinued)

Fibre: 85% acrylic, 5.5% mohair, 5.5% wool, 4% polyester.

Colour: Polar (644)

Needles: 5mm and 6mm

I bought a couple of balls of this yarn in Atkinson's sale for the princely sum of £0.69 per ball. I don't know why - it's kind of a blue base with yellow and orange running through it. I think I meant it for a pair of mitts for The Hermit, but he kind of recoiled ...

I was going on a trip to Manchester and needed something on the needles, so I thought I'd try this beret again, but make a narrower brim - and if it didn't work, then I wasn't really losing anything yarn wise, even if it ended up in the bin...

But it worked. And worked well. And I had about 20 feet of yarn left from the 100g I'd purchased by the time I'd finished! This fabric has a nice drape to it and although blue isn't my colour, the yellow goes with my favourite winter jacket...

Review of the Year

This was another busy year! My work hours increased on a regular basis to 24 hours a week, and I have another little freelance gig on the side. The marks in my Uni classes now count towards my final degree classification, so I'm also taking them a little more seriously. Fortunately, I didn't have a major MS flare or other spell of illness, so all in all, I seem to be managing!

I'm still entranced more by knitting than stitching at the moment, and I appear to have discovered that designing cross stitch is as much fun as stitching it - and an awful lot easier to 'frog'!

Anyway, so I can wipe the lists from the sidebars and start with my "Year of the UFO" project, here is what I completed in 2009:

Stitching Finishes

• 30. B is for Blackbird - Prairie Schooler - 28/12
• 29. C is for Cow - Prairie Schooler - 24/12
• 28. Purple Penguin - Casey Buonaugurio - 06/12
• 27. Sew Dry, Set Wet - Prairie Schooler - 04/12
• 26. Autumn Leaves Fob - Heart in Hand 22/09
• 25. Fall Needleroll - Heart in Hand 22/09
• 24. Sew and Sew - Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin 10/09
• 23. Derbyshire - Heritage Stitchcraft 27/08
• 22. E is for Embroidery - Prairie Schooler 23/08
• 21. Neat Country Stuff - Homespun Elegance 22/08
• 20. A Little Sea Bathing - The Sampler Girl 21/08
• 19. Home is Best - Lizzie*Kate 29/07
• 18. Antique Hearts Needleroll - Shepherd's Bush 13/07
• 17. Quaker Strawberry - Blackbird Designs 30/06
• 16. Petites Lettres Rouges - Blackbird Designs 26/04
• 15. Holly Berry Sampler - Bent Creek 13/04
• 14. The Squirrel - Full Circle Designs 13/04
• 13. Sheep in the Meadow - Shepherd's Bush 13/04
• 12. Spring Keeper 2 - The Drawn Thread 26/03
• 11. Spring Keeper 1 - The Drawn Thread 22/03
• 10. Quaker Bird - With My Needle 15/03
• 9. Quaker Swan - With My Needle14/03
• 8. Spring - Prairie Schooler 15/02
• 7. Valentine Flip It - Lizzie*Kate 09/02
• 6. Bloom Where You Are Planted - The Victoria Sampler 08/02
• 5. Fredde's Bookmark 07/02
• 4. Oh Christmas Tree - Prairie Schooler 29/01
• 3. All You Need Is Love - The Drawn Thread 25/01
• 2. Heart Throb - The Drawn Thread 20/01
• 1. How Does Your Garden Grow? - Lizzie*Kate 20/01

I would be hard pressed to name a favourite amongst these, but I think it would be a Prairie Schooler. I have a new obsession!

Finishing Finishes

• 37. Purple Penguin - Casey Buonaugurio - Ornament - 06/12
• 36. Sow Dry, Set Wet - Prairie Schooler - Floss Tag - 4/12
• 35. Trick or Treat - Lizzie*Kate - Mini Pillow 16/10
• 34. Autumn Leaves Fob - Heart in Hand - Floss Tag 22/09
• 33. Fall Needleroll - Heart in Hand - Needleroll 22/09
• 32. Sew and Sew - Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin - Needlebook 16/09
• 31. Happy Stitching - Elizabeth's Designs - Pinkeep 02/08
• 30. E is for Embroidery - Prairie Schooler - Pincushion 23/08
• 29. A Little Sea Bathing - The Sampler Girl - Pinkeep 21/08
• 28. Hardanger Motif - Mary Hickmott - MP3 Cosy 20/08
• 27. Amethyst - Classic Embroidery - Scissor Pouch 01/05
• 26.French Country IV Pumpkin - JBW Designs - Framed 02/08
• 25. Easter Cracker Sampler - Bent Creek - Framed 02/08
• 24. Bird in Tree - Historic Needlework Guild 02/08
• 23. Alphabet Ribbon Sampler - Historic Needlework Guild 02/08
• 22. Winter - Trail Creek Farm - Scissor Fob 02/08
• 21. Miniature Sampler - Cathy Bussi - Pinkeep 02/08
• 20. Hardanger Square - Mary Hickmott - Pinkeep 02/08
• 19. A Merry Tree for Thee - Full Circle Designs - Pinkeep 02/08
• 18. Home is Best - Lizzie*Kate - Pinkeep 31/07
• 17. Antique Hearts Needleroll - Shepherd's Bush - Needleroll 13/07
• 16. Quaker Strawberry - Blackbird Designs - Strawberry 06/07
• 15. The Squirrel - Full Circle Designs - Bourse 19/04
• 14. Sheep in the Meadow - Shepherd's Bush - Bookmark 13/04
• 13. Spring Keeper - The Drawn Thread - Floss Tag 26/03
• 12. Spring Keeper - The Drawn Thread - Scissor Fob 26/03
• 11. Quaker Bird - With My Needle - Scissor Fob 15/03
• 10. Quaker Swan - With My Needle - Pincushion 15/03
• 9. Spring - Prairie Schooler - 28/02
• 8. Bloom Where You Are Planted - The Victoria Sampler - Biscornu 09/02
• 7. September Sampler Accent - Periwinkle Promises - Mini Pillow 08/02
• 6. Flower Garden - Pincushion 08/02
• 5. Rose Garden - Pincushion 08/02
• 4. A Maze Garden - Pincushion 08/02
• 3. All You Need is Love - The Drawn Thread - Mattress Pincushion
• 2. Heart Throb - The Drawn Thread - Scissor Fob
• 1. How Does Your Garden Grow? - Lizzie*Kate - Pillow

 New-to-me finishes this year were floss tags and bourses. I love how reading blogs gives so much information and inspiration!

• 42. Pink Sparkly Legwarmers - 19/12
• 41. Kaffe Fassett Socks - 13/12
• 40. Mini Cable Rib Hot Water Bottle Cover - 13/12
• 39. Garter Rib Hot Water Bottle Cover - 12/12
• 38. Tardis Dishcloth - 11/12
• 37. Mum's Christmas Socks - 26/11
• 36. Narvik Beret - 22/11
• 35. Cable Hot Water Bottle Cover - 15/11
• 34. Cortina Socks - 14/11
• 33. Chunky Wristwarmers 3 - 14/11
• 32. Chunky Beret - 13/11
• 31. Chunky Wristwarmers 2 - 12/11
• 30. Waterfall Scarf 2 - 10/11
• 29. Simple Man Slippers - 31/10
• 28. Chunky Wristwarmers - 24/10
• 27. Waterfall Scarf - 24/10
• 26. Tonks Socks - 17/10
• 25. Innocent Smoothie Hats x 74
• 24. Mini Cable Socks - 02/10
• 23. Blanket Buddy 2 - Lion Brand - 19/09
• 22. Blanket Buddy 1 - Lion Brand - 18/09
• 21. New England Stole - 17/09
• 20. Striped Baby Mitts - Sirdar - 30/08
• 19. Striped Baby Bootees - Sirdar - 29/08
• 18. Poetry Society Letter - 29/08
• 17. Striped Baby Hat - Sirdar - 26/08
• 16. Striped Baby Sweater - Sirdar 11/08
• 15. Clapotis - Kate Gilbert 07/08
• 14. Elongated Corded Rib Socks 29/07
• 13. Hourglass Dishcloth 13/07
• 12. Feather and Fan Scarf 25/06
• 11. Welt Fantastic Socks 20/05
• 10. Bubby Rabbit 10/05
• 9. Garter Rib Socks 25/04
• 8. Corded Rib Socks 08/04
• 7. Regia Stretch Wool Socks 26/03
• 6. Golden Luna Moth Shawl 22/03
• 5. Wool Cotton Socks 28/02
• 4. Speedy Cable Beret - Pink 07/02
• 3. Kiri Shawl 07/02
• 2. Luna Moth Shawl 15/01
• 1. Opal Plain Socks 13/01

I think 2009 can be called "The Year of the Sock". In 2008, I knit my very first pair, and now I have a basketful - and my friends and family are beginning to get them as gifts too. I also knit a number of accessories, which I am wearing with pride now the weather is chilly!

So, how does 2009 compare to other years?

2009 - stitching finishes 30, finishing finishes 37, knitting finishes 42. Total = 109
2008 - stitching finishes 65, finishing finishes 59, knitting finishes 25. Total = 149
2007 - stitching finishes 58, finishing finishes 55, knitting finishes 0. Total = 113

Okay, so it's down, but this year, I've finished some big projects, I've started having my pieces professionally framed, and I've blogged more - a lot more. So I'm happy.


Now to tackle the project for 2010 - The Year of the UFO!

Cable Hotwater Bottle Cosy

Design: Cable Hot Water Bottle Cover - free design available on Ravelry

Designer: Alexis Layton

Yarn: Stylecraft Life Chunky

Fibre: 75% acrylic, 25% wool

Colour: Denim, 2322

Needles: 6mm

I knitted this for The Hermit for Christmas. I only knit blue for other people ;o) The pattern was simple and easy to follow, although I was worried at one point that it would be too small for the hotwater bottle - I started it on my trip away with no access to a hottle, and it looked pretty small when I was working on it, as the cables pull it in a lot. In fact, it got called the Hotwater Bottle Condom because of the likelihood of a snug fit (thanks girls!).

Anyway, it's a perfect fit, it used less than a ball (100g/148m/162yds) of the yarn, and my sweetie really likes it. As he should, actually, as he was the one who picked out the pattern. Is the next step to get him to knit one of his own?

This was the first of three Hotwater Bottle Covers I knitted this Christmas. I think I'm going to make one for myself from all the leftover yarn!

Chunky Wristwarmers #3

Design: Chunky Wristwarmers

Designer: Me

Yarn: James C Brett Marble Chunky

Fibre: 100% acrylic

Colour: Mallard Mix (MC6)

Needles: 5mm

I rustled these up with the leftovers from the scarf - are you bored of seeing this design yet? LOL These are my least favourite of the three pairs I've made so far, I think they look a little too restrained! :o)

Waterfall Scarf #2

Design: Waterfall Scarf

Source: Yarn Stash Wonders

Yarn: James C Brett Marble Chunky

Fibre: 100% acrylic

Colour: Mallard Mix (MC6)

Needles: 6mm (I think, maybe 8mm...)

My partner in a craft swap liked strong colours, particularly turquoise, and said she would like a chunky scarf. I had leftover yarn in my stash, I knew this pattern was quick and effective and off I went :o)

It was hard to part with it, and I nearly lost it to another member of my knitting group too...

Happy Dance! - B is for Blackbird

Design: B is for Blackbird (from A*B*C)

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Threads: DMC as charted, modification noted below.

Fabric: 28 count evenweave, cream

Stitches: Half cross stitch

This is my final stitching happy dance for 2009. I finished it on the 28th, and I'd hoped to have had "A is for Anchor" done too, but work commitments have got in the way... sigh. It's not very flat, as I laid it out on my fluffy duvet...

I loved working on this, despite a visit from the frog. I only made one modification from the design as it was charted, and that was to turn the red eyes of the blackbirds into one of the gold colours, as blackbirds over here have yellow rims to their eyes. It was nice working on this to think of the nesting pair of blackbirds my parents' garden hosted - they used to make their nest in an old honeysuckle bush.

And is is how it looks with the first letter I did.

I'm so enjoying this, I'm not sure I'm going to want to knuckle down to my Year of the UFO project, but I must...

Chunky Beret

Design: Slouchy Beret, based on Esme - free pattern available here

Designer: Amy Pickard, modified by me

Yarn: King Cole Magnum Chunky

Fibre: 75% acrylic, 25% wool

Colour: Amber (317)

Needles: 5mm and 6mm

I knitted an Esme beret last year and loved it, so started this one when I went away on my knitting retreat in November. It worked up very quickly - I started it while waiting for lunch to arrive at the pub, and finished it before dinner that evening.

The original Esme has a cabled band, but I just did garter stitch. The band is a little wide, and the yarn with this needle size is a little firm, so it doesn't slouch as much as I'd hoped. However, it makes a great cloche, and I wear it with a brooch pinned to the band. With my bobbed hair, I feel very Thirties!

The hat took only 100g (110m) of yarn too!

Chunky Wristwarmers #2

 

Design: Chunky Wristwarmers

Designer: me, such as they are 'designed'

Yarn: King Cole Magnum Chunky

Fibre: 75% acrylic, 25% wool

Colour: Amber (317)

Needles: 6mm

I've decided I have a new 'go-to' pattern for fingerless mitts. It's basically knit a rectangle in garter stitch, seam where appropriate, darn in the ends and then flutter my hands and wait for the admiring comments...which I get in bucketfuls. And more than when I wear my nicely cabled mitts with a proper thumb ...ahem.

I'm lucky that in the UK, it rarely gets cold enough to need more than these. If the daytime temperature here goes below -2 deg. C, it's about as cold as it gets in an English city - I've been on the hills and been colder, a lot colder, but then I wear the proper gear, 'k?

Another bargainous yarn from The Wool Baa - something like £2.00 a ball, and I used less than 2 balls to make these and the beret in the next post. The wool in the blend makes them feel great, lightweight and warm and the acrylic means they'll go in the washing machine. What's not to like? If any of you say 'the colour' I'll be over to try and convert you to the joys of orange !

Garter Rib Hotwater Bottle Cover - Free Pattern!

 

Design: Garter Rib Hotwater Bottle Cover

Designer: Me - free design below

Yarn: Stylecraft Life Chunky

Colour: Rose (2301)

Fibre: 75% acrylic, 25% wool

Needles: 4.50mm

My sister asked for a gift card for her favourite clothes store for Christmas, and I was more than happy to get that for her. But you can't have nothing to open on Christmas Day, and so I rustled up this little hotwater bottle cover, as my sister is one of the chilliest people I know - she has been known to wear flannel pyjamas in August! 

My niece, The Tot, is coveting this gift - she keeps asking my sister if she can have it! So it's certainly a hit with one member of the family!

 

Garter Rib Hotwater Bottle Cover

You will need:

100g of chunky yarn - I used Stylecraft Life Chunky, which is 162yds/148m

double pointed needles or short circulars - I used 4.50mm, but I knit slightly loosely, you may want tomove up to 5.00mm or 5.50mm

crochet hook - 4.50mm approx to make cord - or a length of ribbon

blunt ended needle for sewing up.

stitch marker

large hotwater bottle

Instructions:

Body:

Cast on 56 stitches, and join in a circle, being careful not to twist. Use stitch marker to indicate beginning of row.

Row 1: Knit

Row 2: *Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat from * to end of round

Rows 1-2 form pattern repeat.

Repeat pattern until you've reached the shoulder of the hotwater bottle - mine needed 64 rows. If you haven't finished on a knit row, then knit one row. This sets up the eyelet row and frill.

Eyelets and frill:

Row 1: *Knit 2, Yarn Over, Purl 2, Yarn Over, repeat from * to end of round

Row 2: *Knit 2, Knit 2 together, Knit 2 together, repeat from * to end of round

Row 3: *Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat from * to end of round

Row 4: Knit

Row 5: *Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat from * to end of round

Row 6: Knit

Row 7: *Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat from * to end of round

Row 8: Knit

Cast off - this can be done knitwise or in rib.

Darn in end at top. Sew bottom seam using a mattress stitch.

Make tie cord by crocheting a chain about 50cm (20 inches) in length. Weave through the eyelet holes. Insert hotwater bottle and tie cord to secure.

Cortina Socks

Design: Plain Stocking Stitch Socks

Designer: Based on Regia leaflet socks, with heel from Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks

Yarn: Cortina (from Lidl Supermarket)

Fibre: 75% wool, 25% nylon

Needles: 2.5mm DPN

Last year, my second ever pair of socks was a Christmas gift for my dearest friend. This year from OCtober onwards she started dropping hints she'd like another pair ...

My friend requested 'dark, plainish socks - black, brown or grey' - and this yarn, snaffled at a bargain price from a discount supermarket chain seemed to fit the bill - it was plain enough for her, but not so plain I was going to be bored to death with it. There was no way I was going to knit plain black socks! The yarn is a little rougher than Regia et al, but it worked up quite nicely and I think it will get softer with washing.

I don't think they are going to be worn for a while yet - on Christmas Day my friend flew out to India for six weeks, but I know she's taken them with her for her arrival back in the UK, as February is always freezing!

Clapotis

Design: Clapotis

Designer: Kate Gilbert - in Knitty, free pattern can be found here

Yarn: Noro Cash Iroha

Fibre: 40% Silk, 30% Lambswool, 20% Cashmere, 10% Nylon

Colour: Garnet (22)
Needles: 5mm

This rather luxurious yarn would have normally been outside my budget, but The Wool Baa had it on sale. And the feel of it ... so lovely, and the colour was 'me' and I'd wanted to knit a Clapotis for ages and so I indulged - it wasn't terribly cheap, even on sale.

Jill, the lovely owner of The Wool Baa gave me some hints on working the Clapotis so that I didn't have to faff with stitch markers and twisted stitches - I basically just purled each stitch to drop - and this worked up pretty quickly.

And then disappointment set in. It was very comfortable and the colour sings - but I felt it was a bit too plain for me. I think I had 'Post Project Slump Syndrome'. But I persevered and wore it all through the autumn. And the comments wouldn't stop coming, from a friend you'd spotted me across the Peace Gardens because I was wearing this to the young guy 'chugging' in the city centre who just thought it was amazing.

And now I love it. And I want another one, perhaps in purple or plum. And probably in a yarn which has some colour variation.

And if you're lucky, I might post a picture of me wearing that one, and not my kitchen door modelling it!

Sow Dry, Set Wet - Prairie Schooler

Design: Sow Dry, Set Wet 

Designer: Prairie Schooler (freebie)

Threads: DMc as charted

Fabric: 25 count natural linen

Finish: Thread fob, beaded edges and loop

I stitched this for my partner Patti on the Year Round Prairie Schooler Exchange. I wasn't sure if she celebrated Christmas, so I played it safe and stitched one of my favourite freebies for her.

I used some large count linen from my stash and stitched the design over one.

To make it a little more interesting, I personalised the back on another piece of this linen and then whipstitched and beaded the edges. I didn't want to puncture the fabric and use an eyelet for the thread ring, so I made a beaded loop inside - I think I may use that again in future, it was easier and looked neater, too.

Feather and Fan Scarf

Design: Feather and Fan Scarf

Designer: unknown - from Ravelry though.

Yarn: Wendy Happy

Colour: Taurus (2507)

Fibre: 75% bamboo, 25% nylon

Needles: 5.00mm (I think)

This scarf was made to cover that tricky spring period where it can be quite chilly or draughty but not enough to need a woolly ... It took exactly 100g (420m) of yarn, so it was pretty economical too. And if I get bored with it, as I'm not sure about the colours, I will rip it back and make it into a pair of socks! It does drape beautifully and is wearing well.

I was knitting this one afternoon when I went to my parents for lunch. My mum - herself a knitter, she was the one who taught me after all - at first just thought I was knitting a plain scarf with this self striping yarn and then noticed the pattern. And she laughed. Not normally the reaction my knitting, I have to say - and then she explained. Her grannie (my great grannie) was also a knitter - which I knew. Apparently, she used to use this pattern to knit everybody stripy scarves - whether they wanted one or not - using up her odds and ends of yarn, and almost always alternated with beige! I was quite touched actually - and I think Ma was too - to think I'm carrying on a bit of family tradition!

Mini Cable Rib Hotwater Bottle Cover - Free Pattern!

Designer: Mini Cable Rib Hotwater Bottle Cover

Designer: me! - pattern below

Yarn: Stylecraft Life Chunky

Colour: Raspberry Marl (2347)

Fibre: 75% acrylic, 25% wool

Needles: UK7 (4.5mm)

I'm posting this out of order of making, as this was actually the third hotwater bottle cover I knitted for Christmas gifts. This was one I made for my mum, as a bit of a stocking filler. The yarn is nice and squooshy and very good value. The 25% wool makes it nice and soft and will insulate the hottle nicely, and the acrylic will make it durable and washable.

My mum used to knit hotwater bottle covers for us when we were children, it's nice to turn the tables!

Mini Cable Rib Hotwater Bottle Cover

You will need:

100g of chunky yarn - I used Stylecraft Life Chunky, which is 162yds/148m

double pointed needles or short circulars - I used 4.50mm, but I knit slightly loosely, you may want tomove up to 5.00mm or 5.50mm

crochet hook - 4.50mm approx to make cord - or a length of ribbon

blunt ended needle for sewing up.

stitch marker

large hotwater bottle

Instructions:

Body:

Cast on 56 stitches, and join in a circle, being careful not to twist. Use stitch marker to indicate beginning of row.

Row 1: Knit

Row 2: *Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat from * to end of round

Row 3: Knit

Row 4: *Knit 2 together, don't slip the stitches from the needle but insert needle between the stitches and knit 1, Purl 2, repeat from * to end of round

Rows 1-4 form pattern repeat.

Repeat pattern until you've reached the shoulder of the hotwater bottle - mine needed 64 rows. If you haven't finished on a knit row, then knit one row. This sets up the eyelet row and frill.

Eyelets and frill:

Row 1: *Knit 2, Yarn Over, Purl 2, Yarn Over, repeat from * to end of round

Row 2: *Knit 2, Knit 2 together, Knit 2 together, repeat from * to end of round

Row 3: *Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat from * to end of round

Row 4: Knit

Row 5: *Knit 2 together, don't slip the stitches from the needle but insert needle between the stitches and knit 1, Purl 2, repeat from * to end of round

Row 6: Knit

Row 7: *Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat from * to end of round

Row 8: Knit

Cast off - this can be done knitwise or in rib.

Darn in end at top. Sew bottom seam using a mattress stitch.

Make tie cord by crocheting a chain about 50cm (20 inches) in length. Weave through the eyelet holes. Insert hotwater bottle and tie cord to secure.

Purple Penguin - Casey Buonaugurio

Design: Purple Penguin

Designer: Casey Buonaugurio, from the 2009 JCS Ornament Issue

Threads: DMC as charted

Fabric: 14 count aida, pink

Finished: Flat ornament, beaded edging and hanger

I've started a tradition where I always make my niece, The Tot, a Christmas ornament. And it's always cross stitched. This year, Tot is besotted by pink, with purple a close second. My sister even bought Tot a pink Christmas tree of her very own - as Sis is quite strict that her Christmas tree is red, gold and green :o)

So, when I saw this cute little purple penguin, it was a must stitch! I had some pink aida lurking in my stash (I'd been given it by my cousin, I hadn't bought it!) so I thought I'd go for the full girly effect!

I personalised the back of the ornament with my niece's name and a little charm, before outlining in backstitch as I was going to whipstitch and bead the ornament closed.

The lilac beads and ribbon were also in my stash - I love having stash, it makes me feel very blessed and it also means when I'm on a roll, I don't need to break off and go shopping!

The beaded edge is simple, but time consuming. However, I think it was worth it, it really adds something to the finished piece.

Garter Rib Socks

Design: Garter Rib Socks

Designer: Charlene Schurch (from Sensational Knitted Socks) 

Yarn: Wendy Happy

Fibre: 75% bamboo, 25% nylon

Colour: Gemini 2502

Needles: 2.5mm KnitPro DPNS

I've just realised I posted these as a WIP but never showed you the finished result! These have made a very comfortable pair of socks, and they are wearing well. The bamboo is lovely and soft. They do slouch a little more than my wool socks, but it's liveable with.

The yarn was quite splitty when I cast it on - I think it's my technique but the result was great. I've got some more of this yarn in my stash earmarked for socks, I can't wait because they are especially fab for summer wear. And of course bamboo is a renewable resource...

Chunky Wristwarmers

Design: Chunky Wristwarmers

Designers: Can't remember where I got the idea from - not that there's a design as such!

Yarn: Fontana (from Lidl Supermarket)

Fibre: 100% acrylic

Needles: 6mm

These match the scarf in the previous post. They are basically a rectangle of garter stitch, seamed so that the ridges run vertically and with a gap left in the seam for the thumb. They could not be simpler, and so I make a pair in about an hour. They don't look anything much when not worn, hence the rather odd hand modelling going on...

I was wearing them to class a couple of weeks ago, and my Literature tutor admired them. So did one of my classmates when she borrowed them as she couldn't get her hands warm - these did the trick and I nearly lost them! My tutor asked for the instructions and by the class the following week, she'd already made three pairs! My tutor for this class is great - she's pretty creative herself, she was showing me some needlefelted jewellry she'd made with combings from her Shih Tzu!

Waterfall Scarf

Design: Waterfall Scarf

Designer: Yarn Stash Wonders

Yarn: Fontana (from Lidl Supermarket)

Fibre: 100% acrylic

Needles: 8mm

This knitted up really quickly, and it looks pretty impressive. It's worked entirely in garter stitch, so couldn't be easier - the magic comes with the dropped stitches at the end!

I used just over three 50g balls for this, and it's slightly too long for me - but as I'm only 5 feet 2 inches, many things are :o)

This yarn was pretty good for the price (£2.99 for 200g) - better than some 'name' yarns in the way it has handled and is wearing.

Buddha should have been a garden ornament, but I have no garden ... he's a great model, very patient ;o)

Tardis Washcloth

 

Design: Tardis Washcloth

Designer: Lorenia - freebie available here

Yarn: Patons Cotton, DK weight

Fibre: 100% cotton

Colour: Denim 2697

Needles: 3.75mm

The Hermit is turning into a Doctor Who obsessive.  I've also got several friends who are somewhat more than fans, and they told me about this design. I had some blue cotton in my stash - snaffled very cheaply at a charity shop - and I was off. In less than an evening, I had a gift for my sweetie!

I made the border garter stitch rather than single rib, as garter stitch is speedier but other than that, I made no changes.

C is for Cow - Prairie Schooler

Design: C is for Cow (from Booklet A*B*C)

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Threads: DMC as charted

Fabric: 28 count evenweave, antique white

Stitched in petit point over one thread, with two strands of floss

Thank you for all your kind comments on this so far - you've really been an incentive to keep stitching, and now my cow is finished! I've been lucky in that all my Christmas preparations were completed early and so I've had time to stitch :o)

I can't promise I'll keep this speed up in future, but here's to starting B is for Blackbird later today!

I've stitched this as charted - the only modification I made was not filling in the block around the letter C.