abbreviations for bo peep

I cant believe for all of this time we didnt have any abbreviations avaliable for the pattern Bo-Peep!!!

So sorry to those who have knit them without, but here it is now.

I know we need to get the pattern re done anyway to include all of the errata but for now this will do!!

abbreviations

CO: cast on

k: knit

p: purl

k2tog: knit two stitches together

ssk: slip two stitches (individually knit wise) to right hand needle and knit these together

yo: yarn over

p2tog: purl two stitches together

p2togtbl: purl two stitches together through the back loop

m1: make one stitch by picking up the stitch below the next stitch and knitting into it

sl: slip one stitch

psso: pass slipped stitch over the next stitch

cosy knitted handwarmer muffs

I really wanted to make my sister a set of knitted earmuffs for her birthday as she is always out in the morning walking the dog and I imagine gets pretty cold.

Unfortunately, they just didn’t work out the way that I wanted them to so instead of wasting the time and effort and ripping my work back I decided to turn the muff parts into knitted handwarmers similar to the sewn fabric ones we have on Etsy and Folksy.

The addition of a strap and button help to keep the wheat bag safely inside and also allow a string to be attached so you can thread it across the back of your coat as you did with your mitts when you were a child!

The wheat I normally use for the inserts is a fair-trade organic wheatgerm, however any edible wheat germ will work fine!

I have written up the pattern I used and also added instructions on how to make the insert wheat bag, too!

So here they are, the wheat-filled handwarmers to keep your hands cosy and toasty warm during the cold mornings, helping to protect your hands from a cold steering wheel on the way to work, cheer your team from the sidelines, potter about the garden, keep warm at the farmers’ market, walk that excited dog or for anyone with poor circulation or rheumatism!

You can download the pattern here or on Ravelry!!

I have also put together a tutorial on how to make the inserts!!!!

sock withdrawl

I have been having some serious sock knitting withdrawal symptoms lately especially after Emmms and I spent so much time last year expressing the sock love.

To put an end to this I decided to knit my sister a pair of ‘Over the Garden Wall’ which were the socks Emmms and I co-designed for Alice and her Sockto club last year. I used the very talented Laura of Indie Knit’s yarn which is just lush and hopefully my sis will like them even though I was two days late posting them to her! Sorry, Jen!

The main reason I was late getting the Over the Garden Wall socks done was because I have also been working on my pattern for The Red Shoes which I originally wanted to release as part of the Loumms Year of Socks but there just weren’t enough months in the year!

Anyway, they are done now and are in the process of being test knit, but here are some sneak preview pics!

knitting happy!!!

Wow, I think I have just spent an entire fortnight doing nothing but knitting! Well, except for taking driving lessons, working, cleaning cooking, etc. It seems my creative side needed a bit of needles and yarn therapy!

It has been a while since I have focused solely on the knit, as Emmms and I have both been sewing up a storm for madebyloumms, but after sorting out my yarn stash a few weeks ago the desire was too great!

In my sort out I came across the first item I even attempted to make by adapting a pattern to my own design!

Back in late 2007, as a relatively new knitter, without the yarn snobbery I have now developed, I embarked on quite a big project: a knitted dress. The only yarn at hand was this squeaky, shiny, acrylic, 1000 yards in total. Today I would not even look twice at this stuff but it was perfect at the time for the 80s little black dress I could not get out of my head.

The dress is worked in garter stitch as one piece from the bottom front to the bottom back with the arms being knit at the same time as the top body.

The waist is shaped by a few decreases and a change in stitch to give a tighter feel.

A few increases follow as the dress hugs the hips and ends at the knee, possibly with a split up the back!

It all came to an end when I ran out of yarn and could not face buying any more of this stuff; however, I do believe my mam has some of this yarn in her stash, so I might just get on the phone and get her to post it down to me.

Thankfully, I also came across the design notes to go with the dress so maybe this project will make it off the needles after all!

an ode to emmms

I can’t believe it has taken me this long to knit an erqsome knits pattern. It does seem really strange that I have known and worked with Emmms for so long without picking one up but it is true!

I cast on her  Under the Tree yesterday using the remainder of the Nimu Bluefaced Leicester I bought from I Knit Day (which is just divine!!).

What a gorgeous design!!!

When she first designed them I thought they were pretty great, but only now have I realised just how enjoyable it is to follow one of her patterns. The way that she writes the pattern itself feel like you are sitting there with her watching the owl under the tree! Kinda wierd and a bit magical! They are not only quick but hold your attention and watching the little owl grow out of nowhere and onto the glove is amazing! Thanks, Emmms!

I have always admired the way that Emmms designs. She seems to have a naturally organic way in which she works, where her designs just ooze out of her and on to the needles. She can make the most simple stitch look incredible and every peice she does seems to pop right out of the yarn at the same time as complementing it in every way.  What a talent!!!

Once these babies are finished I will be casting on Eunoia, I am officially an erqsome knits convert!!!

smittens

Its cold, snowy and romantic outside and you and your loved one are off for a stroll to your favourite park for some snowball fights and sledge rides but why settle for holding your loved ones gloved hand when you could be sporting this great knitted mitten you can both wear!

My friend Sandell spotted this on the website boingboing.net and instantly thought of me and my love! A genius design by Julie Weisewnberger they look quick and fun to knit and also will get you loads of attention. Shaped like a heart too they may be the second best knitted garment for valentines day!

I have to start knitting mine very very soon!

 For when you just have to hold hands in the winter download a free pattern for these adorable smittens from Coco Knits.