It's Crochet, Knit & Natter 10: New Year, New Yarn, New Thread!

[QuantumWeatherButterfly]

Time for a new thread for all the lovely yarn crafters!

Old thread here: http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/artsandcrafts/4557189-its-crochet-knit-natter-9-so-many-projects-so-little-time-oh-well-i-almost-made-it-rhymee_

Yes, I feel terrible. She's going to see if it fits my brother, who is bigger, but I still think it will be too long.

I had a frustrating evening too - I had to cut quite a chunk of yarn out of the ball as there was a section where it just went massive and fluffy, followed by a section so thin it looked awful. I still think I have enough yarn to finish, but I'll be stuffed if I think it needs extending - I checked last night, Wool Warehouse have sold out and there don't seem to be any other UK stockists. I could get some at exorbitant price from Amazon, or on import, but that's it.

It doesn't change my plan - finish as per pattern, sew it up and check the length. I could probably get away with edging in a different yarn, or not edging at all, and sacrificing the yarn I have left for lengthening, if I desperately need to.

Oh that's such a shame about your dh's jumper, @QuantumWeatherButterfly

Beginnings of my cable hat for MIL. Using a double strand of dk instead of an aran yarn is working well.

Oh dear @QuantumWeatherButterfly such a shame about the jumper. If it’s too wide you could take it in at the seams but that’s difficult to do if it’s too long.

That looks lovely @Fairislefandango

Hi everyone, can I join? I am a committed but rather slow knitter. Currently on my first pair of socks, second attempt, having got in a muddle and unravelled the first one in a rage 😡

I usually end up making things for other people (hats, blankets, hot water bottle covers) but I would like to make a jumper or cardigan for myself next (if I ever finish the socks) but I have looked on lovecrafts, ravelry, knitting network and all the patterns just look a bit frumpy… am I looking in the wrong place? Where would you look for something a bit less… womans weekly iyswim? Thank you!

@LostFrog with Ravelry I look for particular designers. My current favourite is Kate David. This is one of hers kddandco.com/2018/02/22/carbeth-cardi/
on her own website.

Hi @LostFrog! I agree with fairisle, I tend to have favourite designers and look to their stuff first. If you link something from a shop in the style you like someone might be able to suggest a designer with a similar vibe. Instagram is good too, if you browse #knittersofinstagram or #iknitthis and then fall down the hashtag rabbit hole until something jumps out at you

@Fairislefandango that looks great, the cables really pop!

I’ve started the Nightshift shawl and it’s so addictive with the colour changes!

That is gorgeous.

I really like Kate Davies too,@StillNiceCardigan - I've got one of her books.

Beautiful colours @SpinMeRightRoundBabyRightRound !

Knitting and Crochet club was nice today. Lots of people came, including some new members. One brought a drop spindle and was letting others have a go. One very anxious, autistic girl I teach came for the first time and seemed to enjoy it! Lots of students teaching other students skills

Such nice projects everyone, @SpinMeRightRoundBabyRightRound @Fairislefandango @StillNiceCardigan !

Sorry a bit busy in RL (strikes/organising) and can't keep up individually the moment. My recycled aran is ready, now looking for a pattern, that shouldn't be too hard as I'll go for another cabled design and happy with "traditional" look. Would a cardigan use more wool than a sweater, do you think? I'm anxious about running out, obviously. Pics bbefore - in process - and after:

Well done @GlowWine . That looks like it's been meticulously done!

@SpinMeRightRoundBabyRightRound swoon! That shawl is beautiful.

@LostFrog I quite like some petiteknit designs on Ravelry. I know what you mean though. I spend a lot of time thinking, ' oh! That would be nice if the sleeve was more interesting. That would be nice if the neck was lower....' Espace Tricot too although I haven't really looked at the actual patterns

And I'm fed up because I have tendonitis and can't knit at all. Any tips?

@QuantumWeatherButterfly Is it Lion Brand Landscapes in Mountain Range? I’m pretty sure I have a ball of that at home. I haven’t cast anything on with it yet and am happy to send it to you if it would help.

@QuiltedBear yes it is! Thank you so much for that offer, it is so kind of you. I am a few days away from knowing for definite if I need any more, would it be okay to let you know? I don't want to snaffle your yarn if I don't need it!

Sorry about your tendinitis, @MerylSqueak - I had it in my Achilles tendon for ages, it really sucks.

Nicely done, @GlowWine - I don't think I would have had the patience

@QuantumWeatherButterfly well, I clearly remember how pricey it was when I bought it before the millennium. It's shetland wool and alpaca, no way could I just let it go.

I have now managed to identify it, it's Jaeger Shetland in one of the natural tweedy colourways (I can't be quite sure from the photos): www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/jaeger-shetland

And I have about 950gr, though a fair amount of that is in shorter lengths. My preliminary yardage estimates also match the official figures so it doesn't seem to have suffered/stretched too much.

@QuantumWeatherButterfly Of course - there’s no rush.

The one I have is dye lot 634410.

I just had a look on Wool Warehouse and noticed that it seems to be the more muted / less garish colour ways that have sold out!

@MerylSqueak oh no, I’m sorry to hear that. You’re probably best resting it really. There’s an episode of Fruity Knitting where Andrea has the same and Carson Denners is on it talking about ergonomics for knitting in case you’d find it interesting.

Awh, that’s so nice @quiltedbear and @QuantumWeatherButterfly

Nice @GlowWine! I’m glad you’ve managed to reclaim it!

Thanks for the comments on the shawl. I was actually a bit worried about knitting more in case the colours got less nice but it all seems to be merging. Dark section next!

Poncho is done! (I think...)

Technically it is meant to have a border down the sides, but I don't think I am going to add it. It doesn't look unfinished, and it is already pretty heavy so I don't want to add the extra weight. I'm going to leave it as it is for now, I can always come back and add it later.

I've got enough yarn for that either way, so thank you again for you super kind offer @QuiltedBear, it really made my day, but I don't need any more after all.

I'm going to make a couple of cup sleeves and maybe finish off the earwarmer I started for DD, then on to my summer top at the weekend.

Looking good, @QuantumWeatherButterfly

Nice to see the yarn made up too - it’s a lovely colour scheme. I need to get on with using mine.

The poncho looks great @QuantumWeatherButterfly.

The blanket I made for my mum has been lost in the post. I sent it to her almost a month ago and she still doesn’t have it. I’m trying to put a claim in on Royal Mail but it’s not letting me submit it. The wool for the blanket cost £32, I can’t get some of the colours now and I can only claim £20 through the claim system, if I can ever submit it. I’m so annoyed as I really didn’t enjoy that blanket and my loved it so I’m going to have to do another.

Oh no, @WeCanLiveLikeJackAndSally - that’s so sad!

Hopefully it’s just caught up in the backlog and will turn up eventually.

That’s lovely @QuantumWeatherButterfly! I love the colours!

Oh no @WeCanLiveLikeJackAndSally the post has been awful, we were still getting Christmas cards recently so there’s a chance it might yet find it’s way to her.

QuantumWeatherButterfly here, post long-delayed and much needed name change!

That is so annoying, @WeCanLiveLikeJackAndSally

Fingers crossed the missing blanket turns up!

I can’t believe how fast you finished the poncho @QuantumWeatherButterfly it looks amazing.

@SpinMeRightRoundBabyRightRound the colours are so gorgeous!

I’ve done half of the 12 week blanket KAL now (subbing in a simpler pattern one week to save my sanity). Six more weeks to go!