Malstrøm Fisherman's Sweater

Some of you may wonder if I am still knitting, and indeed am I still writing knitting patterns? I have been a little distracted by walking, gardening and other crafts, and this latest project has taken me such a long time. I have been working on it most of this year, but thinking about it for even longer. But I am really pleased to have finally completed my first adult garment knitting pattern. It will be for sale shortly in all the ususal places: ravelry, Etsy and LoveKnitting.

A few years ago I knitted my husband an Icelandic sweater. Not from my own pattern, but a fairly vintage one from ravelry, and genuine Icelandic wool. Since then he has been asking me to make a Norweigan style fisherman's sweater. I tried to tempt his with other Norweigan sweaters, but he was very specific in what he would like. Fairly simple pattern over the whole garment, stripes on the rib sections, and reserved colours. I can see this style of sweater for sale, but could not find quite the right pattern.

So I decided to go for it, and write my own pattern. Having written it up for his size, I have graded it for other sizes. The pattern has eight sizes from 32-46 inch chest, so could be for men or women. It is knitted in DK, and I think would also look nice with navy, if you were going for a different traditional look. This has taken quite a long time, and a lot of maths. I am not bad at maths, but knitting maths is something quite specific, which needs not just maths but also knowledge of knitting.

He is very happy with the finished garment, and I persuaded him that we should go all out for the photos. He really is the best, as I am sure a lot of husbands would have refused to do this. It was quite a blustery day, so hopefully he looks like a swarthy Cornish (or even Norweigan) fisherman. Thankyou to whoever owns the fishing equipment that was on the beach at Bude!

Moss Stitch Baby Boots

We have had some dry weather, so I had to hunt around for a mossy place for my photo.

I have hinted at this new pattern for a while, but find it hard to believe how long it has taken me to write this one. I love the look of moss stitch, but found that working it into a pair of baby boots was harder than I imagined. These boots are like some of my other baby shoes patterns, Baby Bee Shoes and Baby Daisy Shoes, in that they are knitted in one piece, and the shape for the foot is created by turning mid-row. To do this, and work in increases and decreases, and keep the moss stitch, was not easy.

But don't let this put you off making a pair, as I have done the work, and they are an easy and fairly quick knit. There is just quite a lot of counting in your head. I do like how with PDF patterns you can print it off and then mark the rows you have knitted on the pattern to keep your place.

You can knit them in any doubleknit wool, and like my other shoe knits they are on quite a small needle (2.5mm), as I think this tighter knit helps give the shoe a better structure. I have gone for a mossy coloured wool, but may use some brighter colours for my next pair of boots. And unlike my other shoes, I have given these ones a little cuff to help keep them on the babies feet.

I also forgot to mention that the pattern include two sizes - 0-3 months and 3-6 months. These are written out separately, as I always find patterns with brackets for sizes a bit confusing. The pattern will be available on ravelry, Etsy and LoveKnitting.

Just a reminder that there is still loads of time left to join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for August. Click on the photo above or at the top of the page to find the party. I would love to see what you have been working on this month.

Kangaroo Family Pattern

I showed you a taster of my new pattern a few weeks ago, but it has taken me a while to get to the finished stage. The kangaroo is very much in the style of some of my other knits, as he is not huge. Finished kangaroo is about 4 inches tall. So not a cuddly toy, more like a little model, that you could keep in your pocket or attach to a school bag. 

I have tried really hard to make the kangaroos realistic, but am knitting a few now in brighter colours, just for fun. My starting point for this pattern was my only magazine published pattern, which is called Australian Animals, and was published in an Australian craft magazine calledd Homespun. These were really miniature animals, which could be used as pendants.

I have spent so much time looking and thinking about kangaroos in the last few weeks, so I may have another go at scaling up, to make a really cuddly kangaroo that a child could take to bed. 

I realise the news may have slightly moved on from the terrible fires in Australia, but I am going to send 100% of any sales from this, and my previous Australian Animals, to a charity called Australian Wildlife Conservancy. Please message me if you would like to use my pattern to make kangaroos to support this or other Australian wildlife charities.

This pattern uses a lot of my usual techniques. Pieces are knitted flat, there is a little icord knitting, and some short rows. A good point is it does not take a lot of wool, 9g for the whole family. The pattern will be available on ravelry, Etsy and LoveKnitting later today.

I am in the country, and most of my stash is in London, so there may not be very much knitting for a while. I did put four 100g skeins of bulky wool, 12ply, in my bag. Would love you to suggest what I could make with this. I don't think there is enough for a garment, but I would like to make something that uses all the colours, as they look so great together. I also put in my little box of embroidery threads, so that might also be an idea for some alternative crafting.

I am thinking of you, and remember crafting is a really good way to relax. I am lucky to have a garden here, and we have been very busy planting, which I will update you about in a week or two. Or if you can't get out, why not start writing that novel that you have been thinking about writing for years?  I am trying to think positive. How lucky we are to have the internet. How nature may to benefitting from us being indoors. How resourceful and adaptable mankind can be.

Just a reminder that there is still plenty of time left to join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for March. Click on the photo above or at the top of the page to find the party. I would love to see what you have been working on this month.