Lots of chatter in my latest podcast episode. I used a New Look pattern 6412 to make my tunic / dress in a lovely soft grey jersey fabric.
I talk about the mitts I made for my youngest daughter using the Waiting for Winter mitts pattern by Susan B Anderson. The hat I knitted last year is a pattern from issue 139 of Simply Knitting by Kirstie McLeod and I made it up in a lovely cranberry red chunky yarn - Lion brand Vanna's Choice.
The socks I'm knitting in yarn I bought from Tracy at Norah George Yarns on Etsy.
I show you my experiments in dying self-striping yarn in the wrist-warmer sample I'm working on. Thanks to Lara at The Dyers Notebook podcast for sharing a wealth of dying knowledge and lots of inspiration.
The socks I made from yarn I had dyed up myself (that my middle daughter is modelling here)
The dress I made is a Butterick pattern B6168 and the fabric is from here
my work in progress is a shawl for my Mother-in-law's Christmas present. The yarn is Stylecraft Stars in colour Aqua (1590) and the pattern is the Potter's Shawl by Jen Lucas
I also announce I'm going to be vending at Festiwool in November. If you are planning on coming to this yarn festival please pop by to say hello :o)
I'm popping by to lay down details of the #uniblanket I'm crocheting for my daughter who is off to university in October. At time of publishing this post I'm about half way through the main body of the blanket and have yet to decide on how I will do the border. In the meantime I wanted to share pattern and yarn details with you.
First of all yarn. I'm using James C Brett 'Cotton On' which is 50% cotton, 50% acrylic. I've had it for ages but looking on Deramores it is still available.
I'm using black for joining (shade 14) and then the colours are: Turquoise (10), Sage Green (16) Beige (4) Light Blue (11) Lilac (9) Red (15) Light Pink (5) Mid Pink (7) Dark Pink (8) Coral (6)
I've also got another green - more of a mint shade and I know this is a different brand from the others. I've got it in my head that it's Sirdar Wash 'n' Wear Double Crepe DK but I have lost the ball band so I'm not totally sure and I certainly don't know the colour number. Sorry about that.
At this stage I don't know the yarn quantities. I'm hoping that I won't need more than one ball of the colours and so far I've used 4 x 50g of the black and have 5 left.
Make 204 hexagons in all the colours and arrange in 12 columns and 17 rows. Make 16 half hexagons to fit in to make the sides straight. Finished measurement is 127cm x 163cm including the border.
I'm using a 3.5mm crochet hook, depending on your gauge you might want to try a 4mm.
The original pattern comes from this video on You Tube, but I have made modifications to the stitch pattern, and of course I'm using the same colour yarn for rounds 1 - 3.
Here's the pattern typed out in UK crochet terminology:
#uniblanket
Hexagon:
Coloured yarn: with slip knot on hook, ch 4, ss to first ch to form ring.
Rnd 1: ch3, 11tr into ring. ss to top of ch3 to close round.
Rnd 2: ch4, *[1tr, ch1] into next stitch. Repeat from *11 times. ss to 3rd ch of starting ch4 to close round.
Rnd 3: ss into ch 1 space and then ch5, 1tr into same ch1 space. *[1tr, ch2, 1tr] into next ch1 space. Repeat from * 10 times. ss to 3rd ch of starting ch5 to close round. Fasten off.
Change to black yarn:
Rnd 4: start in any ch2 space, ch3 2tr, ch2, 3tr into same ch2 space. *3tr into next ch2 space, [3tr,ch2,3tr] into next ch2 space. Repeat from *4 times. 3tr into next ch2 space, ss to top of staring ch3 to close round. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Half Hexagon:
Coloured yarn: with slip knot on hook, ch 3, ss to first ch to form ring.
Rnd 1: ch3, 7tr into ring. Turn work over.
Rnd 2: ch4, *[1tr, ch1] into next stitch. Repeat from *5 times. 1tr into last stitch which is top of ch3 of previous round. Turn work over.
Rnd 3: ss into ch 1 space and then ch5, 1tr into same ch1 space. *[1tr, ch2, 1tr] into next ch1 space. Repeat from * 5 times. Fasten off
Change to black yarn:
Rnd 4: without turning work over start in first ch2 space of previous round. ch3, 3tr into same ch2 space. 3tr into next ch2 space. *[3tr, ch2, 3tr] into next ch2 space, 3tr into next ch2 space. Repeat from * once more. 4tr in last ch2 space. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Join hexagons by sewing them together or using the Join-As-You-Go method. With this method you need to add in a joining chain stitch between the clusters of trebles in the last round, but only in the places you are actually joining. So when you have made your first hexagon as described in pattern, start the next one and do final round as described but join to first hexagon on one of the sides. I've made this little film to show you how I connect my hexagons.
For the Border:
Rnd 1, side 1:
With yarn used for joining the hexagons start at
corner ready to work one of the long straight sides. In corner space of hexagon
ch3, 2tr, 2ch, 3tr. *3tr in gap between groups of 3tr of hexagon (twice). 1tr
in next hexagon corner chain space, tr2tog – first leg in same space and 2nd
leg over last tr of the half hexagon and 1tr around this same tr. [3tr over the
next tr ] three times. You should now have reached the centre of the half
hexagon. [3tr over the next tr ] three times. 1tr over the next tr, tr2tog –
first leg over same tr and 2nd leg in corner space of next hexagon,
1tr in same corner space. Repeat from * until you reach the end of this side. [3tr,
2ch, 3tr] into the corner space.
This is a sample I made in different yarn, but it is the same pattern and shows the start of the border.
Side 2: (the short ‘zig-zag’ side)
*3tr in gap
between groups of 3tr of hexagon (twice), [3tr, 2ch, 3tr] in next corner space
(the top point of hexagon), 3tr in gap between groups of 3tr of hexagon
(twice), 1tr in next corner space, tr2tog – first leg in same corner space, 2nd
leg in next corner space. 1tr in the same corner space. Repeat from * until you
reach the end of this side. [3tr, 2ch, 3tr] into the corner space.
Side 3:
As side 1,
starting at *.
Side 4:
As side 2, at end
of this side ss to top of ch3 to close round. Fasten off yarn.
Rnd 2: With a coloured yarn (I used pink on the uni
blanket) start at corner ready to work one of the long straight sides, ch1, 3dc
in corner space, 1dc in each stitch along side. 3dc in next corner space, (rotate work ready to do the next edge) 1dc in
each of next 12 stitches, 3dc in corner space (the top point of hexagon), *1dc
in each of the next 9 stitches, 3dctog over the next 3 stitches. 1dc in each of
the next 9 stitches, 3dc in corner space (the top point of hexagon). Repeat
from * until you reach the top point of the last hexagon, 1dc in each of the
next 12 stitches, 3dc in corner space (rotate work ready to do the next
edge) 1dc in each stitch along side. 3dc
in next corner space, (rotate work ready
to do the next edge) 1dc in each of next 12 stitches, 3dc in corner space (the
top point of hexagon), *1dc in each of the next 9 stitches, 3dctog over the
next 3 stitches. 1dc in each of the next 9 stitches, 3dc in corner space (the
top point of hexagon). Repeat from * until you reach the top point of the last
hexagon, 1dc in each of the next 12 stitches, ss to first dc made to close
round. Fasten off yarn.
Rnd 3: With the
joining yarn (the same as used in rnd 1) start at corner ready to work one of
the long straight sides. Follow directions working
all stitches into the back loops only. Join yarn into the 2nd dc
worked in the corner space of the previous round ch1, 3dc in same stitch, 1dc in
each stitch along side. 3dc in middle dc worked in the previous round corner
space (rotate work ready to do the next edge) 1dc in each of next 14 stitches,
3dc in corner space, *1dc in each of the next 9 stitches, 3dctog over the next
3 stitches. 1dc in each of the next 9 stitches, 3dc in corner space (the top
point of hexagon). Repeat from * until you reach the top point of the last hexagon,
1dc in each of the next 14 stitches, 3dc in corner space (rotate work ready to
do the next edge) 1dc in each stitch along side. 3dc in next corner space, (rotate work ready to do the next edge) 1dc
in each of next 14 stitches, 3dc in corner space (the top point of hexagon),
*1dc in each of the next 9 stitches, 3dctog over the next 3 stitches. 1dc in
each of the next 9 stitches, 3dc in corner space (the top point of hexagon).
Repeat from * until you reach the top point of the last hexagon, 1dc in each of
the next 14 stitches, ss to first dc made to close round. Fasten off yarn.
Rnd 4: With the
next coloured yarn start at corner ready to work one of the long straight
sides. Follow directions working all
stitches into the back loops only. Join yarn into the 2nd dc
worked in the corner stitch of the previous round ch1, 3dc in same stitch, 1dc
in each stitch along side. 3dc in middle dc worked in the previous round corner
stitch (rotate work ready to do the next edge) 1dc in each of next 16 stitches,
3dc in corner space, *1dc in each of the next 9 stitches, 3dctog over the next
3 stitches. 1dc in each of the next 9 stitches, 3dc in corner space (the top
point of hexagon). Repeat from * until you reach the top point of the last
hexagon, 1dc in each of the next 16 stitches, 3dc in corner space (rotate work
ready to do the next edge) 1dc in each stitch along side. 3dc in next corner
space, (rotate work ready to do the next
edge) 1dc in each of next 16 stitches, 3dc in corner space (the top point of
hexagon), *1dc in each of the next 9 stitches, 3dctog over the next 3 stitches.
1dc in each of the next 9 stitches, 3dc in corner space (the top point of
hexagon). Repeat from * until you reach the top point of the last hexagon, 1dc
in each of the next 16 stitches, ss to first dc made to close round. Fasten off
yarn.
Rnd 5: With the
joining yarn (the same as used in rnd 1) start at corner ready to work one of
the long straight sides. Follow directions working
all stitches into the back loops only. Join yarn into the 2nd dc
worked in the corner space of the previous round ch1, 3dc in same stitch, 1dc in
each stitch along side. 3dc in middle dc worked in the previous round corner
space (rotate work ready to do the next edge) 1dc in each of next 18 stitches,
3dc in corner space, *1dc in each of the next 9 stitches, 3dctog over the next
3 stitches. 1dc in each of the next 9 stitches, 3dc in corner space (the top
point of hexagon). Repeat from * until you reach the top point of the last hexagon,
1dc in each of the next 18 stitches, 3dc in corner space (rotate work ready to
do the next edge) 1dc in each stitch along side. 3dc in next corner space, (rotate work ready to do the next edge) 1dc
in each of next 18 stitches, 3dc in corner space (the top point of hexagon),
*1dc in each of the next 9 stitches, 3dctog over the next 3 stitches. 1dc in
each of the next 9 stitches, 3dc in corner space (the top point of hexagon).
Repeat from * until you reach the top point of the last hexagon, 1dc in each of
the next 18 stitches, ss to first dc made to close round. Fasten off yarn.
Rnd 6: With the
next coloured yarn start at corner ready to work one of the long straight
sides. Follow directions working all
stitches into the back loops only. Join yarn into the 2nd dc
worked in the corner stitch of the previous round ch1, 3dc in same stitch, 1dc
in each stitch along side. 3dc in middle dc worked in the previous round corner
stitch (rotate work ready to do the next edge) 1dc in each of next 20 stitches,
3dc in corner space, *1dc in each of the next 9 stitches, 3dctog over the next
3 stitches. 1dc in each of the next 9 stitches, 3dc in corner space (the top
point of hexagon). Repeat from * until you reach the top point of the last hexagon,
1dc in each of the next 20 stitches, 3dc in corner space (rotate work ready to
do the next edge) 1dc in each stitch along side. 3dc in next corner space, (rotate work ready to do the next edge) 1dc
in each of next 20 stitches, 3dc in corner space (the top point of hexagon),
*1dc in each of the next 9 stitches, 3dctog over the next 3 stitches. 1dc in
each of the next 9 stitches, 3dc in corner space (the top point of hexagon).
Repeat from * until you reach the top point of the last hexagon, 1dc in each of
the next 20 stitches, ss to first dc made to close round. Fasten off yarn.
Rnd 7: With the
joining yarn (the same as used in rnd 1) start at corner ready to work one of
the long straight sides. Follow directions working
all stitches into the back loops only. Join yarn into the 2nd dc
worked in the corner space of the previous round ch1, 3dc in same stitch, 1dc in
each stitch along side. 3dc in middle dc worked in the previous round corner
space (rotate work ready to do the next edge) 1dc in each of next 22 stitches,
3dc in corner space, *1dc in each of the next 9 stitches, 3dctog over the next
3 stitches. 1dc in each of the next 9 stitches, 3dc in corner space (the top
point of hexagon). Repeat from * until you reach the top point of the last hexagon,
1dc in each of the next 22 stitches, 3dc in corner space (rotate work ready to
do the next edge) 1dc in each stitch along side. 3dc in next corner space, (rotate work ready to do the next edge) 1dc
in each of next 22 stitches, 3dc in corner space (the top point of hexagon),
*1dc in each of the next 9 stitches, 3dctog over the next 3 stitches. 1dc in
each of the next 9 stitches, 3dc in corner space (the top point of hexagon).
Repeat from * until you reach the top point of the last hexagon, 1dc in each of
the next 22 stitches, ss to first dc made to close round. Fasten off yarn.
'Sunshine Girl' knitted dress for my little poppet (pattern from August 2014 issue of Craft magazine). Yarn is Drops Safran in colours: 02, 05, 11, 12, 13, 17 and 31.
My colour work neck warmer from the book Fair Isle and Nordic Knits by Nicki Trench using Drops Alpaca yarn. Basic yarn details on my project page here.
My completed crocheted Callander Cardigan from the book Three from the Top by Joanne Scrace and Kat Goldin. Yarn is Designer Yarns Choice 4ply with wool.
The personalised notebook I treated myself to from Onneke.
Breathing Space pattern in Interpretations Volume 3 using Tweed sock yarn by The Wool Barn and Easy Knits Dusted Dreams yarn. (I've just been to get link and they only have volumes 1 and 2 at the moment)
a knitted pair of socks in Knit Picks Felici yarn, colour way Tea Party
another pair of socks not quite finished in Coopknits 'Socks Yeah!' yarn (colour 108 Chryso) using pattern Wildflowers and Honeycomb by Olivia Villarreal
I really would've liked to do a 'proper' blog post in-between podcast episodes, but I've been a bit busy of late (to say the least) and I never managed to get around to it. So my podcast episode 2 is a bit of a round up where I show you the Amitola Cowl I've made for my Mother-in-law.
