More details....

Thought I would post the links to the last 2 projects mentioned: the Paris Loop which I have written about lots in this blog is available free at:

http://www.magknits.com/warm04/patterns/parisloop.htm

And the 3 hour sweater which is a 1930s vintage pattern is available at:

http://www.Irvictor.bravepages.com/Free/3-HOUR.htm

A summary of the pattern:

Pattern: 3 hour sweater, vintage.
Designer: Unknown
Yarn: 100% acrylic superwash (I'm ashamed to admit!) in variegated blues - as with most variegated yarn looked good on the ball, I'm a bit unsure about it knitted up! Took 200 g of dk weight.

I am on a bit of a vintage knitting kick; and inspired by Green Apples musings a couple of days ago:

http://stitchywitch.wordpress.com/2007/05/

cast on yesterday for an authentic 1980s sleeveless sweater (from one of my own pattern books from that era!) with some lace openwork panels running down the front. I'm using Debbie Bliss dk silk in an apple green colour (nicer than it sounds!) picked up at the summer sale at John Lewis Oxford St. Will post a photo when I get past the ribbing. Like Green Apples I would like to knit something from as many different decades as possible. I'd also like to have a go at knitting some lingerie...

Despite having finished a number of projects lately I still have too many OTN. Currently:

"Bridges" from Rowan 42 in vintage yellow mohair.
Own design black short sleeved sweater.
A gift for my sister (making steady progress at knitting group).
Own design green handknit cotton slouchy tunic.
"Juliet" short sleeve cardigan in purple.

Also should be doing a few baby hats/booties for various friends...

And of course should be doing my course work for Distance Knitting...

I have some days off next week, so maybe then.

Objects finished in the last few months

I've just published pics of 2 projects finished in the last few months - my own Paris Loop, which was the first one I did, and the 3 hour sweater; from an internet pattern and found whilst surfing. The 3 hour sweater did not take a mere 3 hours to do! But it was a quick knit.

3 hour sweater

My paris loop

More F.O.s!

Posted a photo of the completed Paris Loop, which was gifted to Julia last night for her birthday. I am really happy with how it turned out, and it looked great on her - just her sort of thing.



Pattern: Paris Loop, from an old edition of Magknits (available free online)

Designer: Stephanie Japel (again!)

Yarn: From stash, and originally bought unwound from a charity shop. Seems to be mohair, and feels like it might be close to 100% mohair.



I have knitted this pattern before, in some chunky Patons mohair loop in black that my mum gave me - it turned out ok, but the black yarn meant the stitch definition is lost. The way it turned out this time made me consider using some scraps of berry colourd mohair to make another one. Its a fast, easy knit - I did most of Julia's in the car on a driving holiday in Scotland in August.



Have also finished another project (earlier today) but can't post photos yet as its another gift - the recipient reads this blog!



Julia bought her knitting around last night and so I got her opinion on a couple of other projects I've got on the go - "Bridges" from Rowan 42 in some (very) retro yellow mohair (I'm on a mohair kick at the moment!); and a self-designed tunic out of some sirdar wool/acrylic mix that feels quite nice despite being cheap. If I'm designing I often prefer to use cheaper yarns the first time; the second time through is a good time for higher end yarns. I had stalled a bit on these projects, but Julia spurred me on!

Staying in to watch a dvd with hubby tonight so more work on "Bridges" should get done. Hopefully about to have delicious dinner of allotment-grown veggies!

Paris loop

FO: Two Tone Ribbed Shrug

The shrug is complete; a little shorter in the sleeves and bands than originally planned, but this was a stash project so needs must. For anyone looking, sorry the photo is on its side! I'm still getting to grips with this whole publishing pics thing.

Despite still having several projects on the needles, I cast on for a new project this afternoon, during a train journey that was much longer than it should have been due to engineering works son the line. More about this in upcoming blogs, and another FO which I'll be able to blog about later in the week as its a gift.

Completed Two Tone Ribbed Shrug

Two tone ribbed shrug

I've posted a photo of my current progress on the Two Tone Ribbed Shrug from Stephanie Japel's "Fitted Knits". This project is really just a quick autumn knit, inspired by a wander around Next recently, and being tempted to buy a grey knitted shrug as the weather cools. Then I thought "no - I can knit that!" I cast on Sat 8th, and should finish in a day or two. In fact I would already be finished if I hadn't been taken over by some perfectionist monster yesterday and ripped back 6 rows of the band because the increases weren't perfectly symmmetrical. Little did I know how difficult the (unkown) dark grey yarn is to rip! And then to pick up! I started at the beginning of the England International last night (not my choice!) and when the game finished I was 2/3 of the way through and highly frustrated. Should have just left it!

Like all of Stephanie Japel's designs the pattern is easy to follow and forgiving, so can be adapted and in my experience mistakes in stitch/row count tolerated. This is good for me as I don't tend to follow patterns to the letter.

Pattern: Two Tone Ribbed Shrug
Designer: Stephanie Japel from "Fitted Knits"
Yarn: 2 unidentified balls of different shades of grey from stash. The light grey is a wool/acrylic mix (I think) and the dark grey feel lovely; I think it has some cashmere in it.
Skill Level: Easy if you're used to top down raglan

Two tone ribbed shrug