haekelmonster

The Vogue Dictionary

Veröffentlicht am 9. März 2014 von Carina2 Kommentare

The Vogue Dictionary of Knitting Stitches was published first in 1984.

I remember looking at those 485 colored stitch patterns as a teenager, over and over again, admiring each and every one. Years later, I found a German copy at the fleamarket and since then it has become my favorite of all books about knitting, the foundation of my knitting library so to speak. No matter what I am looking for – whether it’d be colorwork or lace, knit-purl combinations or cable patterns – I am sure to find the perfect stitch or inspiration or both. Everything from very easy to very complicated, even fair-isle patterns.

I attached some pictures – have a look for yourself. Published in the 80s! Isn’t that crazy?! What is your favorite reference guide when it comes to knitting and why? I would love to know!

Supposedly, Mrs. Montaigne came up with this pattern to make stockings for Queen Elisabeth I. in the 16th century.

Poncho? Done!

Veröffentlicht am 5. März 2014 von Carina3 Kommentare

It took me a while, I know … However, it turned out to be exactly the poncho that I wanted it to be:

somewhere between a wrap and a jacket

comfortable but with „arm room“ when needed

loose-fit but pleasing

something to keep me warm.

Thank you Jessica for choosing yarn and color – (as so often) you were right 🙂

Granny Square Blanket, completed

Veröffentlicht am 28. Februar 2014 von Carina11 Kommentare

The granny square blanket is finished and it turned out to be so very beautiful!

Thanks to the wonderful green dragonfly ! Her comment underneath my last post to use turquoise AND orange, in short: to use COLORS was the perfect suggestion.

Hence, I would border half of the (12) squares with an extra row of red, pink, orange or yellow before joining all of them in turquoise. The edging is a tiny little row of single crochet in orange.

I love the outcome! Thanks a million Janette! Doesn’t it look like it has been sitting on my sofa forever?!

Granny Square Blanket — Granny Square blanket without orange edging … (I added that in the meantime but had to take pictures beforehand)

Trial and Error

Veröffentlicht am 15. Februar 2014 von Carina2 Kommentare

In spring I want to wear a poncho. Something soft and warm, yet not too warm. Plain-colored, knitted, loose-fit, with armholes and a pretty neckline. Hence, I searched for the perfect pattern on ravelry. I love ravelry, but this time its magic would not work: I would not find anything to match the poncho I had in mind.

Therefore, I decided to write my own pattern. A decision with far reaching consequences, I guess …

I picked a beautiful yarn (50% wool, 50% alpaca) in brown red, that is pure fun to work with, knit a sample to ascertain the proper gauge, put J into bed and got started Thursday evening. Paper and pen within reach. So far, so good.

However, last night, I had to unravel my first attempt. Regardless of sample and gauge, it was way too small and (to top it) the neckline looked stupid. Hence (slightly frustrated), I started over (different neckline) and spent half of the night knitting, trying to make up for lost time.

Definitly NOT a good idea (sometimes it is well worth to wait for daylight) as I realized just now that about 15 rows earlier I must have missed an increase … So I am unraveling again.

Ambition has grabbed me now 🙂 I will keep you posted on whatever may emerge. Wish me luck!

Granny Square Blanket

Veröffentlicht am 10. Februar 2014 von Carina5 Kommentare

This is what I crochet when taking the train to work: a small size granny square blanket. Each square measures 12×12″ (30x30cm).

I am usually pretty good in boiling down stash but no matter how hard I try – some skeins seem to last forever. They’re mainly sock yarn in weird color gradients, hardly more than one skein each and I know I will never (ever) use them for anything „real.“ However, I wanted to get rid of them AND at the same time I needed some easy crochet or knitting to take along with me. So I decided to make a blanket: 1 ball = 1 square.

This is where I am right now:

Gruesome colors, I know. How about joining them in turquoise? Same color for the edging. That will brighten up the blanket and unite its parts. Maybe not turquise but orange. Not sure yet.

However, another two and a half squares and I am done. That will make a nice, small blanket, 47×35″ / 120x90cm.

Have a good weekend.