Third time lucky

My first job to start off the New Year was to make a hat to go with my sister-in-law’s scarf I had made her for Christmas. Because I had made up the pattern for the scarf, I had to figure out how to use the same pattern to make a hat. I looked in a few books and online to find the best technique and then bought a cheap, small, ball of wall to give it a go. I was really pleased with the out come but it was quite small. I could only just about squeeze my head into it so figured I could give it to a child. When I mentioned the hat to one of my sisters she said she would have it. I was sceptical as to if it would fit, but I obviously have a big head because it fit her perfectly.

(Sorry, I don't appear to be able to find any pictures for this post at the moment. As soon as I do I'll post them)

Hat 1 info:
Wendy Mistral Chunky Shade 790
59 stitches
rows 1-6: Double rib using 6mm needles
row 7 onwards as follows using 8mm needles:
row 7: k1, p1 rep
row 8: p1, k1 rep
row 9: p1, k1 rep
row 10: k1, p1 rep
Continue rows 7-10 until hat is desired size ( I did 6 lots of the 4 rows)
After last row sew yarn end through loops of last row and pull in. Use this end to sew the sides together to make hat shape. I then sewed the top points together to gather in the top.

Once I knew how to make the hat I attempted it in the Sidar wool I used for the scarf but used more stitches. Unfortunately, I used too many and the hat was huge. Fortunately, big hats were quite the fashion so I kept that hat for myself.

Hat 2 info:
Sirdar Denim Chunky Shade 644
95 stitches
rows 1-8: double rib using 5mm needles
row 9 onwards as follows using 8mm needles:
row 9: k1, p1 rep
row 10: p1, k1 rep
row 11: p1, k1 rep
row 12: k1, p1 rep
Continue rows 9-12 until hat is desired size (I did 7 lots of the 4 rows)
Finish same as Hat 1.

As the saying goes ‘third time lucky’, at last I had made a hat the right size so this one went to the intended recipient.

Hat 3 info:
Sirdar Denim Chunky Shade 644
75 stitches
rows 1-7: double rib using 5mm needles
row 8 onwards as follows using 8mm needles:
row 8: k1, p1 rep
row 9: p1, k1 rep
row 10: p1, k1 rep
row 11: k1, p1 rep
Continue rows 8-11 until hat is desired size (I did 6 lots of the 4 rows)
Finish same as Hat 1.

You'll never see things the same way

When I go shopping or see people’s clothes and bags I never look at them as I used to. Now when I see something instead of thinking ‘ohh, I like that’, I look and say ‘ohh, I wonder how you make that!’ I look at the little details and try to figure out how I can replicate it. I got the idea for the next scarf I made from a cardigan that my niece had. I liked the pattern of the knitting so I had my mum have a look and try to figure out how I could knit it. Not sure that it reproduced exactly as I had seen it but I loved the pattern none-the-less. I made this scarf, in November, for my sister-in-law’s Christmas present and couldn’t wait to give it to her. I had originally looked for chunky charcoal grey wool, but I couldn’t find any that I liked and when I did find some it was really itchy, which isn’t good for a scarf (not very snugly). So in the end I got, what I thought, was black and grey flecky wool, but the more I knitted the more I thought it’s more blue and black.


Scarf modelled by the lovely Lou (my sister-in-law)
(I had forgotten to take a picture when I made it)

Scarf info:
Sirdar Denim Chunky Shade 644
8mm needles
31 stitches
row 1: k1, p1 rep to end of row
row 2: p1, k1 rep to end
row 3: p1, k1 rep to end
row 4: k1, p1 rep to end
Repeat rows 1-4 until scarf is desired length.
Add tassels

My first knitting project

I started by practicing purl and knit stitches on some cheap wool and then played around with doing a rib stitch. Once I was happy with that I started my first project, a simple scarf. I made a rib scarf out of chunky wool. I used needles that were too small for the wool so it's quite a tight rib but for a first try, making it up as I went, I thought I did quite well. Whilst watching films (ones I had seen before) I would pick up my knitting. As my first project I couldn’t put it down and could often be found knitting late into the night.
I wasn’t making the scarf for anyone particular but when one of my sisters saw it she decided she wanted it as her birthday present (Oct 2009). And so it began, nearly everything I have made since has been given away as presents, hence I have taken pictures of everything so I had some evidence that I have actually made anything.


Scarf Info:
Robin Super Chunky Shade 1306
8mm needles (should have been 9mm)

30stitches
row 1: k
row 2: k
row 3: p
row 4: p
repeat for rows 5-8
row 9 onwards: k2 p2
When scarf is required length repeat rows 1-8
Add tassels by wrapping wool around a CD case three times. Cut and pull through knitting with a crochet hook.

I love to make things

Growing up I always loved making things. As I've got older most of my hobbies are creative. I started scrap booking about 12 years ago and now I also love card making, photography, and most recently I have taken up knitting and sewing.
At the end of 2009 I decided to teach myself knitting. My nan had taught me when I was young and so I could pick up the basics quite easily. I say easily, as easy as it is for a left-hander to knit. I have my own style of holding the needles that amuses most people, but it works for me. I then managed to get myself a, well cared for, second hand sewing machine and I was away. There was no stopping me.
I have no practical training except what I learnt in school, from friends and family, and any info I can find in books or online, but I love designing things and just giving it a go.
I have mainly been making things for family birthday presents etc, but I really wanted to have somewhere I could showcase what I've made for friends, family, and anyone else to see.
I would love feed back about anything you see here. All items I've made are one off, original, pieces.