Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Ascot Cable Neckwarmer

Today I a featuring a knit neckwarmer using a diamond cable design.   This lavender beauty is knit with Sandnes brand Alpakka yarn and is super soft.  I used 2 strands of yarn and the project took just over 2 skiens of yarn to complete.

This stitch is easy to memorize and is the same stitch used in some of my other work, including a hat and headband. I'm working on perfecting the pattern for this ascot neckwarmer which will be available after testing has been completed.

I found that I definately needed to block this item as it rolled in the worst way. This is just the right length to fit in the bottom of my bathtub - so I layed a towel down and blocked it right there in the tub for 2 days.

My slow season is approaching so I've started to use this time to knit some Christmas gifts for my family. So I won't be able to show what I'm working on here because I never know if my family checks in here or not. All I can say is this - my goal for 2011 Christmas season is for everyone close to me to receive a hand knit gift of some sort.

What's on your needles today? 

Sunday Morning Kit Wit ~ Grey Cable Scarf and Olive Green Leaf Design Neckwarmer

I couldn't decide which project to feature this week, so I have included two this week.

While I was browsing through my knitting stitch book this week looking for some fun edgings to try, I came across this fun leaf design.  I felt that it would make a great edge on a cowl or neckwarmer, so I got to work on it right away.  I used Mission Falls Washable 1845 washable yarn in deep olive green.  This yarn is wonderful to knit with!  The cables in the neck area give the illusion of branches swirling down to the leaves and the wooden toggle button to keep it together adds a bit of woodland feel to the design. 

Already, I am thinking of other ways to incorporate this edging in my designs, so be on the look out for some new patterns using this edge in the future.

Olive Green Leaf Neckwarmer

My lastest creation is knit with super soft silver alpaca (my own hand spun) and grey wool (Paton's Classic).
Because it is knit on larger needles and the yarn is held double throughout, this scarf is airy, light and super soft.

I took the basic cable design a step further and incorporated a design that flows and swirls through the entire scarf.  I also made cables on each edge for the scalloped look. 

Grey Alpaca Wool Blend Cable Scarf

Both are available in my etsy shop and make perfect gifts.  Just beware:  If you are purchasing them for someone else, you just may keep them for yourself once you feel them!

What is on your needles?  I'd love to hear what your current projects you are working on.  Leave a message here or stop over to my FaceBook page and leave a photo too! 

Sunday Morning Knit Wit - New Ascot Cable Pattern

Cables are my thing..  I can't seem to knit something that doesn't have a cable or two. I really love the way they add texture and and movement to a knitted item. I find knitting plain stockinette stitch really boring and will loose interest almost immediately if there isn't some type of cable work within the project.

I've been working on the design for this cable neckwarmer for quite some time and my cable ascot neckwarmer pattern is finally perfected and available for sale on etsy.  This was one that was a long time in the making, but well worth the modifications. 

Although it looks like it is pretty difficult, if you can make cables, it is pretty easy (I knit the entire neckwarmer in a total of 4 hours). I worked closely with my tester and together, we streamlined the instructions to make it easy to follow and have a really cool check off grid to make sure you stay on track!

What I like most about this pattern is by simply changing directions of the cables mid-way, a beautiful diamond is formed in the center of the neck in the back. And, of course my signature cables on each edge make scalloped edges stand out.

This is available in pattern form on etsy and ravelry for the DIYers, or I have a few fininshed versions on etsy and artfire.

I have a few more ascot style patterns being worked on, so stay tuned for some fun new patterns coming soon!

Until next week - keep your needles clicking and stay warm!

Blue Heather Bobble Neckwarmer

I woke up to 33 degrees this morning.  Winter is going to come fast and summer is behind us already.  Last weekend I cleaned out what was left of the garden and I hope to plant some more bulbs for spring flowers this week.

So, it is time to start thinking about keeping warm this winter.  And what better way to stay snuggly than with this soft blue heather handknit neckwarmer.  Kind of classic, kind of hip... a great accessory either way!

Visit valeriesgallery.etsy.com for more fun neckwarmers.

Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Small Zig Zag Cables

It has been a busy summer so far and it is only the beginning of July!  We are just coming out of a week of hot and humid weather and it seems rather odd that 80 degrees would feel cool.  I guess after a week of temperatures in the high 90's that 80's would be a relief. 

Even though it is hot now, it won't be long before we are turning on our furnaces and lighting our wood stoves.  Fall will be here soon enough, so I keep knitting warm wooly goodness even in the heat.

This weeks featured stitch is a small zig zag cable stitch.  I like how they look when worked in multiples as they really give a zing to the zig zag look.

I  used this stitch to make another ascot style neckwarmer (yet another one of my recent obsessions). This handknit neckwarmer is made with the softest of soft merino wool in one of my most favorite shades of yellow. 

This stitch is worked in multiples of 3 + 1

Row 1: (Wrong Side) K1,  * P2, K1 repeat from * to end
Row 2: P1, *C2F, P1 repeat from * to end
Row 3: Same as Row 1
Row 4: P1, *C2B, P1 repeat from * to end

Repeat these 4 rows

This is a great stitch to add into an area that you need some filler stitches such as borders for a larger cable design.  I already have another neckwarmer started using this as the edging. 

Knitting Tip: If your stitches look uneven, aim to make stitches close to the tips of your needles so you are less likely to stretch them.

Until next week - keep your needles clicking and keep cool!

Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Triple Cable Neckwarmer

Today I'm going back to basic cables and am featuring a new knitting pattern available in my etsy shop.

I've been offering new stitches each week and I must say that cables are still my most favorite to work.  This Triple Cable Neckwarmer pattern is a fast and easy knit using larger needles and 3 strands of yarn for a bulky look.

For all my patterns in my etsy shop click here

On another note:  My knitting group has started a challenge for their members.  The criteria is that it just has to be a challenge for the individual and we each have a year to complete it. I have chosen a pattern from Kristin Nichols - Color by Kristin book and this will be an intense challenge for me. 

I wanted a project that would incorporate mixing colors and to learn new techniques, so I chose Southwest-Style Sleeved Wrap.  Not only is this colorful, but it requires the use of steeking, which frankly scares me to death.  But my knitting group friends assure me they will help me along and hold my hand while I do it.  Thank goodness we have a year to get this done!

Steeking:  Cutting an opening after you have knit.  Click here for a tutorial from knitty.com

This pattern is worked in the round with 341 stitches on each round and it takes me about 45 minutes for each round.  This will definately be a year long project.  I'll keep you posted on my progress in future posts.

Here is where I am at so far:

Wish me luck!

Until next week - happy knitting!

Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Double Cable

Good Morning and Happy Mother's Day!

Who taught you to knit?  Was it your mother, grandmother, aunt or a friendly neighbor?  Did you teach yourself from a book or join a knitting group?  Take a minute to let me know in the survey on the right >>. 

Mom at 16 - Wasn't she a beauty!

It was my mother that taught me and I am so very glad she did.  Mom is the ultimate do-it-yourselfer and can make just about anything.  More so when we were children ~ from making our clothes to curtains to knitting our mittens and sweaters.  To this day, at 81, she still always has something on her needles.   She taught me the 'European' way, which is holding the incoming yarn with your left hand.  I've recently joined a knitting group and it makes me cross-eyed to watch all the gals knitting right handed, but ultimately, the result is the same.  Anyway - Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there.

Today's stitch is the Double Cable.  Don't be intimated - this is so much easier than it looks.  Basically, you do a cable in the back and immediately do another cable in the front.  Or vise-versa, which will determine if the cable goes up or down.

This pattern has 6 repeating rows and is worked over 8 stitches. 

Downward Cable:


Row 1: (right side) Knit
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: C4F, C4B
Row 6: Purl

Upward Cable:

Row 1: (right side) Knit
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: C4B, C4F
Row 6: Purl

Repeat these 6 rows

I've used this stitich in a lovely new scarflette/neckwarmer that I call Flying Geese as it gives the illusion of geese in the V formation.  This one is knit with baby alpaca and is so incredibly soft!

I also offer the pattern for this neckwarmer on etsy.  Here is what my tester said when she was done: " What a great job you did on this pattern! It is easy to memorize and I am already thinking of other uses for this stitch pattern".  So check it out if you are looking for an easy pattern that really looks great.  I also provide a handy check-off grid so you won't miss a row!

 
Grab your needles and have some fun! 
 
Until next week ~  Keep your needles clicking.