Sunday Stitches – Trellis Lace and Eiffel Tower Stitch

This week’s samples are the pretty Trellis Lace stitch and the super cute Eiffel Tower Stitch, taken from The Harmony Guide to Knitting Stitches, Volume 1.

Trellis Lace Stitch

Worked over multiple of 6 stitches + 5.

The sample shown is worked over 35 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): K4 [yo, sk2po, yo, k3] 5 times, k1
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: K1 [yo, sk2po, yo, k3] 5 times, yo, sk2po, yo, k1
Row 4: Purl

Repeat rows 1 – 4

Eiffel Tower Stitch

Worked over multiple of 4 stitches + 1.

The sample shown is worked over 29 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): P4 [yo, p2tog, p2] 6 times, p1
Row 2: K4 [p1, k3] 6 times, k1
Row 3: P4 [k1, p3] 6 times, p1
Rows 4 – 7: Repeat rows 2 and 3
Row 8: Knit

Repeat rows 1 – 8

Stitch Abbrevaitions

k– Knit.
p – Purl.
yo – Wrap the working yarn over the right needle, from front to back (counter-clockwise).
Sk2po – Slip 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches together, pass slipped stitch over (2 sts decreased)
P2tog – Purl 2 stitches together

Happy knitting! x

Let There Be Light!

One thing I am trying to improve at the moment is my photography skills. If you are a regular reader you will probably have noticed my Sunday Stitch sample photography varies in quality from week to week. I think some of this is down to the fact that it’s winter and there are few daylight hours at the weekend in which to get some quality photo’s, but mostly it’s down to lack of knowledge on how to work a camera properly!

Last week an e-mail popped into my inbox from Interweave Studios ‘How to Create a DIY Photo Studio: Get Professional Results at Home’ It was details on a Web Seminar with professional photographers, the Shibaguyz,  which explored how to get professional looking photographs of items at home by building basic photography equipment with everyday items. This was perfect for me!

During the 1 hour webinar, the Shibaguz talked about different types of cameras and it was a revelation to me that a phone camera can be just as effective for taking professional photo’s as a really expensive one! They also covered natural light vs artifical light, I had always thought that to get the best results from photographing yarn and knitting, this had to be done in natural daylight but again this is not always the case. The class covered how to make your own light box for taking photo’s of small items, even when it is dark outside!  Other areas covered were how to utilise the space around you to create the best setting for your photographs, and they also touched on diffusing and bouncing light. It was a lot to cover in 1 hour but I came away feeling really inspired and immediately went in search of a big cardboard box to make my own light box….ta da!

As I photograph my samples from above I cut out 2 large rectangles each side for the lamps and a big hole at the top to take the photo’s through.

I then covered the side windows with tracing paper and added some decorative paper at the bottom.

I popped out to get a couple of cheap lamps from Homebase then it was time to put it to the test!

Here is the result…

Daylight was fading fast but I took a shot of this same sample using natural daylight to compare the results. What a difference!

I have a lot to learn about photography but I am so pleased to have discovered this cheap and cheerful top tip. Now where did I put the rest of those samples…..

Sunday Stitches – Double Lace Rib and Rice Stitch

This week’s samples are the Double Lace Rib stitch and the Rice Stitch, taken from The Harmony Guide to Knitting Stitches, Volume 1.

Double Lace Rib Stitch

Worked over multiple of 6 stitches + 2.

The sample shown is worked over 32 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): K2 [p1, yo, k2tog-tbl, p1, k2] 5 times
Row 2: P2 [k1, p2] 10 times
Row 3: K2, [p1, k2tog, yo, p1, k2] 5 times
Row 4: As row 2

Repeat rows 1 – 4

Rice Stitch

Worked over multiple of 2 stitches + 1.

The sample shown is worked over 31 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): P1 [k1-tbl, p1] 15 times
Row 2: Knit

Repeat rows 1 and 2

Stitch Abbrevaitions

k– Knit.
p – Purl.
yo – Wrap the working yarn over the right needle, from front to back (counter-clockwise).
K2tog-tbl – Knit 2 stitches together through the back loops
K1-tbl – Knit 1 stitch through the back loop

Happy knitting! x

A Visit to the Chanel to Westwood Knitwear Exhibition

I had been meaning to go to the Chanel to Westwood Knitwear exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum in Bermondsey ever since it opened last September. Nicky Barfoot posted a blog about the exhibition a few weeks ago – do check Nicky’s blog out as the collection inspired her to re-work some beautiful 1940’s vintage patterns and the results are beautiful! So on that reminder I dug out the leaflet and realised it ended on 18th Jan. Eek! Luckily I was working in London last Thursday, which also happens to be late night opening at the museum. I left work a little early and took the 30 min walk to the venue over Tower Bridge. There is something magical about London at dusk…

On display at the museum was the private collection of Mark and Cleo Butterfield who have a passion for collecting knitted and crocheted garments.

Below are some of my favourite pieces / collections from the exhibition. (Photography was not permitted in the museum so most of the pictures below have been taken from the FashionTextile – Chanel to Westwood Pinterest Board)

 Les Sportives – A collection of knitted swim and leisurewear. The 1920’s brought new freedom to younger people after the first world war. Their lifestyles became more active and knitwear needed to be functional in fit and movement as well as fashionable. My favorite piece from this collection was the fine knit blue and white floral bathing suit at the front.

Fashionable Folk – The trend of folklore and traditional European themes was strong in the 1930’s and 40’s.

Make Do and Mend – During the Second World War the government encouraged the re-use of clothing. This collection showcased sweaters that had been re-made by unravelling old ones and using the yarns to make new multicolored garments. My favourite was second from the left, it had a really interesting stitch pattern but unfortunately you can’t see it from this photo.

The Fair Isle collection

The Novelty Knits – perhaps my favourite collection from the whole exhibition were these brightly colored, bold sweaters from the 1970’s and 80’s.

The Ice Cream Sundae pullover by Dana Originals was especially striking.

I’m so glad I managed to catch this exhibition before it ended, it was well worth the visit. I also found some inspired items in the gift shop, but will save those for another blog post!

Sunday Stitches – Mock Cable and Snowflake Stitch

The stitch samples I would like to share today are the slipped stitch Mock Cable and the lacy eyelet Snowflake pattern, both of which can be found in The Stitch Library by Claire Crompton.

Mock Cable

Worked over multiple of 7 stitches + 2.

The sample shown is worked over 37 stitches.

Rows 1 – 5: Knit
Row 6 (RS): P2 [sl 1 wyif, k4, p2] 5 times
Row 7: K2 [p3,sl2 wyib, k2] 5 times
Row 8: P2 [k1, sl2 wyif, k2, p2] 5 times
Row 9: K2 [p1, sl2 wyib, p2, k2] 5 times
Row 10: P2 [k3, sl2 wyif, p2] 5 times
Row 11: K2 [sl1 wyib, p4, k2] 5 times

Repeat rows 6 – 11 for as long as desired and finish with 5 knit rows.

 

Snowflake Stitch

Worked over multiple of 8 stitches + 5.

The sample shown is worked over 37 stitches.

Rows 1 – 5: Knit
Row 6 (RS): K1 [k3, ssk, yo, k1, yo, k2tog] 4 times, k4
Row 7 and all other WS rows: Purl to end
Row 8: K1 [k4, yo, sl2-k1-psso, yo, k1] 4 times, k4
Row 10: As row 6
Row 12: Ssk [yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k3, ssk] 4 times, yo, k1. yo, k2tog
Row 14: K1 [yo, sl2tog-k1-psso, yo, k5] 4 times, yo, sl2tog-k1-psso, yo, k1
Row 16: As row 12
Row 17: Purl

Repeat rows 6 – 17 for as long as desired and finish with 5 knit rows

Abbrevaitions

RS – Right side / front of work
WS – wrong side / back of work
k – Knit.
p – Purl.
Sl – slip stitch
Wyif – with yarn in front
Wyib – with yarn in back
ssk – Slip 2 stitches knitwise, then knit slipped stitches together
yo – Wrap the working yarn over the right needle, from front to back (counter-clockwise).
k2tog – Knit 2 stitches together
Sl2tog-k1-psso – Slip 2 sts together, k1, pass slipped stitches over (2 sts decreased)

Happy knitting! x

To Infinity and Beyond!

You may remember at the back end of last year I was busy trying to master the infinity / mobius cast on. You may also remember that I failed spectacularly by casting on about 20 times too many stitches and lost the slightest hint of any kind of twist.

Yep. Big fat fail. Oops! So I frogged and I persevered and eventually this happened – it flippin worked!

The yarn is Fyberspates Scrumptious DK (it’s actually more of a teal colour than the blue in the photo’s) and the stitch pattern is the Roman Stripe. It’s interesting to see what a difference a lighter weight yarn / larger needles makes to this pattern – it’s really opened it out beautifully.

This was the original sample:

vs

I’m really pleased with the end result. It’s the perfect antidote for this grey and miserable weather!

If you want to try the mobius cast on there is an excellent video tutorial by Fiona Morris here – complete with suggested stitch count 😉

Sunday Stitches – Japanese Feather and Seafoam Stitch

This week I have discovered a new favourite stitch pattern – the Japanese Feather stitch. I had been putting off knitting this one up for a while as I thought it would be quite complicated and require a lot of concentration but I was wrong – it is just made up of some well placed yo’s, ssk’s and p2togs – and just look how pretty it is! 🙂

Another sample I tried out this week was the Seafoam Stitch which is a combination of garter stitch and dropped stitches. Both were taken from The Stitch Library by Claire Crompton.

Japanese Feather Stitch

Worked over multiple of 11 stitches + 1.

The sample shown is worked over 45 stitches.

Rows 1 – 4: Knit
Row 5 (RS): P1 [k10, p1] 4 times
Row 6 and every other WS row: [k1, p10] 4 times k1
Row 7: As row 5
Row 9: P1 [K1 (yo, k1) 3 times, (ssk) 3 times, p1] 4 times
Row 11: P1 [k1 (k1, yo) 3 times, (ssk) 3 times, p1] 4 times
Row 13: As row 9
Row 15: As row 11
Rows 17: As row 9
Rows 19: As row 5
Row 21: As row 5
Row 23: P1 [(k2tog) 3 times, (k1, yo) 3 times, k1, p1] 4 times
Row 25: P1 [(k2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 3 times, k1, p1] 4 times
Row 27: As row 23
Row 29: As row 25
Row 31: As row 23
Row 32: [k1, p10] 4 times, k1

Repeat rows 5 to 32

Seafoam Stitch

Worked over a multiple of 10 sts + 6

The sample shown is worked over 36 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): Knit
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: K6 [yo twice, k1, yo three times, k1, yo 4 times, k1, yo three times, k1, yo twice, k6]  3 times
Row 4: Knit to end dropping all yo’s off needle
Row’s 5 and 6: Knit
Row 7: K1 [yo twice, k1, yo three times, k1, yo 4 times, k1, yo three times, k1, yo twice, k6]  4 times but ending 4th repeat on a k1 instead of k6
Row 8: Knit to end dropping all yo’s off needle

Repeat rows 1 – 8

Stitch Abbrevaitions

k– Knit.
p – Purl.
yo – Wrap the working yarn over the right needle, from front to back (counter-clockwise)
K2tog – Knit 2 stitches together
Ssk – Slip 2 stitches knitwise, then knit slipped stitches together

Happy knitting! x

Sunday Stitches – Norwegian Fir and Long Garter Stitch

Happy 2015!

The stitch samples I would like to share today are the Norwegian Fir pattern and the Long Garter Stitch, both of which can be found in The Stitch Library by Claire Crompton.

Norwegian Fir Stitch

Worked over multiple of 12 stitches + 1.

The sample shown is worked over 37 stitches.

Rows 1 – 5: Knit
Row 6 RS): P1 [p3, k5, p4] 3 times
Row 7: Purl
Row 8: P2tog [p2, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, p2, p3tog] 3 times but end last repeat with p2tog
Row 9: Purl
Row 10: P2tog [p1, k2, yo, k3, yo, k2, p1, p3tog] 3 times but end last repeat with p2tog
Row 11: Purl
Row 12: P2tog [k2, yo, k5, yo, k2, p3tog]  3 times but end last repeat with p2tog
Row 13: Purl
Rows 14 – 30: Repeat rows 6 to 13 three more times
Rows 31 – 25: Knit

Long Garter Stitch

Worked over any number of stitches

The sample shown is worked over 24 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): Knit
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: Knit to end wrapping the yarn 3 times around the needle for each stitch
Row 4: Knit to end working into 1st wrap only and dropping all extra wraps off the needle

Repeat rows 1 – 4

Stitch Abbrevaitions

k– Knit.
p – Purl.
yo – Wrap the working yarn over the right needle, from front to back (counter-clockwise).
p2tog – Purl 2 stitches together
p3tog – Purl 3 stitches together

Happy knitting! x