Knitting socks with Marlene

Rehearsals finished early today - I was only needed for 30 minutes. So already home and thinking about starting my second sock. I've been working on Stripe Tease sock pattern from Ravelry designer General Hogbuffer. It's a bit of a deconstructed pattern where you begin with the cuff in the round and then you work on 10(+1 slip stitch) to create stripes that go down the body of the sock, rather than round and round and round... which when making a pair of socks can become a bit laborious. I'm using 100g of Zauberball 'crazy' in autumnal colours, brown, grey/greens and pumpkin orange. What I like about this pattern is the geometry behind it. The pattern author must have a real visual mind to be able to work such. It knits up pretty quick. In between rehearsals (and sometimes during whilst I'm waiting for an entrance) it has probably taken me a couple of days to complete just the one sock. I have a page of notes to ensure that the second comes out the same length/size - row counting is not my most favourite part of knitting and one that I rarely do, I'm more inclined to measure (in Imperial inches) but for the stripes I need to row count. Listening to Marlene Dietrich record I just bought from the second hand market in Amsterdam, that should help (and the coffee on the side).

 

Happy knitting!

Much neglected but still knitting

My blog over the past few months has been much neglected but I'm still knitting, and have found myself to be most productive over the winter months. Here is a list of what I have completed:

2 blankets (1 for myself and 1 for my sister and sister-in-law);
2 sweaters (1 for myself, purple turtle neck in sock yarn, 1 for my husband in DK Rowan covered in cables);
1 shawl (for Tante Corrie);
1 baby suit with matching hat (for little Sky).

I can't find all the photos of the above work, but I have one of the baby suit and two of the shawl... enjoy!

Currently I'm working on socks for myself, a perfect project for those in-between rehearsal periods... enjoy!

Test knit for poncho

Here is a swatch that I've just made for my poncho. The original pattern for the poncho has charted stripes running diagonally through the body but I've decided to replace these with a classic cable worked over 16 rows. The yarn I'm using is Cascade Eco Wool purchased from Penelope Craft, Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 99, Amsterdam - a great yarn boutique! I'll keep you updated how the Mancho comes along...

Autumn scarf

Here is a scarf I made for myself last week as a fill in project whilst I wait for some yarn to arrive to make a poncho (or Mancho as I like to call it). I used a simple yarn-over pattern to make some nice faux cables. It is made from 4ply Rowan Cashmere in green. It's very soft but I only did a quick blocking so it's a bit wobbly. Really need to buy a blocking kit to get those scarfs nice and straight as I can't be bothered to pin it all out and leave it for days drying on my floor... Enjoy!

New post

Well, it's been almost 7 months since my last post! :-/ I'm still knitting but have been so busy with work that I've had no time to blog. Also, I had my right hand broken whilst I was on my bike (by a lady opening her car door on me as I cycled passed, every Amsterdamer's worst nightmare). The cast is now off but the movement in my fingers is very small but hopefully over time this will come back.

So at the moment I'm knitting myself some swimming trunks. I bought the yarn from my favourite yarn shop (Schouten's Handiwerk in Hoorn). The front and gusset are made, just need to finish the back now and then I'll upload some pictures. I'm trying to get them ready to wear in Italy by the pool :-))

Also, this weekend I have a knitting/crafting event (at Treehouse Voetboogstraat, Amsterdam) and will be running the knitting circle. I will try and do some knitting but the pain in the wrist sometimes gets a bit too much so will be mainly there to give advice to others and new comers.

Tot volgende keer!

balls up

Knitting doesn't seem to be going right at the moment. After making one (of a pair) of beautiful checkered socks in alpaca and red wool only to find that it was too tight... I've decided to go back to crochet for a month...

A spencer for Christmas

I've been very busy with rehearsals with De Nederlandse Opera but have found time to fit in a bit of knitting here and there in the evenings. For Christmas I wanted to make a sleeveless pullover (or spencer in Nederlandse taal). I used a lovely sock yarn in wool/alpaca mix which I bought from Schouten Handwerken, Hoorn. It only took two and a bit balls of 100g so it was a cheap and quick knit! The yarn is so soft, and I've already washed it to settle the stitches and seams and is now even softer and kept its shape well. It's from a 1950's pattern that I purchased from ebay so is shorter than a modern fit (23 1/2 inches) so you need to wear a pair of high-waisted trousers with this one.

My Mum will be happy that I'm so well dressed on Christmas day!

The front is in basket stitch and the back is in plain stocking stitch

The finished neckline and the collar under construction.

I was really chuffed with the arm bands and the collar. I worked out the maths to make certain that the ribbing was even and my picked-up stitches are the neatest I've done to date. It's very satisfying to see a continuing development in my knitting skills.

Next on my knit list is another pair of gloves (almost finished glove number one) and then a pair of fair-isle socks using the remainder of the yarn from this sweater with a bright red sock yarn! Oh, and a spencer in navy blue merino sock yarn for my lovely model and husband.

Keep knitting and Happy Christmas :-)