Laundry Bag
Pattern: Amy Butler’s Oversized Laundry Bag from ‘In Stitches’
Fabric: Blue & green cotton from Little India
Modifications: I’m leaving out all the canvas & interfacing this calls for cause I want it a bit more flexible, just doing the outside and lining.
Comments: Worked out well, would reposition the handle further up the bag next time though.
A-line Skirt:
Pattern: Amy Butler – Barcelona Skirts
Fabric: Sage coloured cotton
Modifications: Shortened by 15cm or so, also no lining.
Comments: This was much easier than I had expected, except for the invisible zipper – putting it in was fine, but I didn’t bother with the step involving pressing the coils back, so it shows more than it should.
My First Tote:
Pattern: My own!
Fabric: Random poly-cotton from a shop in Little India
Modifications: n/a
Comments: This was fun to make. Unfortunately I didn’t have any thicker cotton, so it is fairly flimsy – still, good to roll up and put in a handbag for those times when you need to pick up a few things at the store. Very impressed I managed to make the lining and that it fits inside (it’s the simple things…).
Topi:
Pattern: Jennifer Tallapaneni’s ‘Topi’ in Knitty Spring 06
Yarn: Pakucho Organic Cotton in sage
Needles: 4.5mm bamboo dpns & 3.25mm steel straights
Modifications: n/a
Comments: I love this pattern, which is why I made it twice! I still like the first one I made better, as I seem to have bound off a bit too tight with this one so it’s slightly smaller. Good for the heat here though.
Short pleated Apron:
Pattern: Amy Butler’s Short pleated apron, from ‘In Stitches’
Fabric: Cotton in navy & blue & white floral print
Modifications: none
Comments: This was the first thing I ever sewed (apart from pin cushions in Intermediate (ie; ‘middle school’)). I followed the pattern as best I could and was very impressed that it came out apron-shaped. Pleats are a little wonky and there’s a few other things that probably aren’t up to scratch, but I love it.
Cable and Seed Stitch Baby Hat:
Pattern: Purly White’s Cable and Seed Stitch Baby Hat
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (blue)
Needles: 2.5mm bamboo dpns
Modifications: I made the larger size to accommodate for using smaller needles.
Comments: This was a kind of frustrating knit and I even ended up breaking a dpn! Maybe it was the yarn, maybe it was the bamboo needles, I don’t know but I found myself knitting with a lot of tension in my hands. Turned out a wee bit bigger than expected, but luckily babies grow fairly fast. A cute hat nonetheless.
Felted shoulder bag:
Pattern: My own
Yarn: Jo Sharp DK wool (oriet, porcelin, heather)
Needles: 5mm steel straights for the bag, 4.5mm steel straights for the strap
Modifications: n/a
Comments: This project started out as a possible baby blanket, but I got bored and didn’t really like the colours, so bound off early and experimented with what it could become. The felting was my first attempt and a fun process. Not as much shrinkage as I had expected and I did it all in the sink by hand so had a lot of control over it. The fabric is sturdy and overall I’m surprised such a half-hearted WIP turned out so well.
Sweet Feet Booties:
Pattern: ‘Sweet Feet’ – Simply Knitting Magazine
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (baby blue)
Needles: 3.25mm steel straights
Modifications: I knit these on 3.25mm needles, instead of the 3mm that the pattern calls for. Also ‘forgot’ to do a swatch, so they are probably a bit bigger than they’re meant to be.
Comments: If knitting these again I’d do the heel differently. The way the pattern reads leaves them kind of gathered and pointy instead of rounded.
Stash busting hat:
Pattern: My own
Yarn: A mix of Jo Sharp stash remnants
Needles: 5mm plastic
Modifications: n/a
Comments: This started off as the back for a hooded jersey, but my heart wasn’t really in it, so I decreased a bit and sewed it up and voila!
Fetching fingerless gloves:
Pattern: Cheryl Niamath’s ‘Fetching’ in Knitty Summer 06
Yarn: Jo Sharp Alpaca kid lustre in ‘elderberry’ (857)
Needles: 4mm circular (nickel plated Addis)
Modifications: Knitting these in the round as I didn’t have the right sized dpns when I cast on. Also, haven’t done the recommended cast on or bind off.
Comments: These are a pretty quick knit and the cable was easier than I expected. So why haven’t I finished yet???
Pear V-neck top:
Pattern: Jo Sharp ‘Knit2′ – ‘V-neck top’ (p.87)
Yarn: Jo Sharp Desert garden aran cotton in ‘pear’ (665)
Needles: 4.5mm circular (nickel plated Addis) and steel straights
Modifications: I loosely based this on Jo Sharp’s pattern, but knitted it in the round instead and sort of made the shaping up as I went. The neck line and the straps were also made up as I went along.
Comments: This turned out okay, considering there are so many alterations. A little roomy in the torso still, but can live with it. Also, my decreases are a bit haphazard. Overall, pretty pleased and will probably wear it. The cotton is very thick though and heavy – think I’ll go with a lighter weight next time.
Newborn hat:
Pattern: My own!
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in a shade of pink (601)
Needles: 4.5mm bamboo
Modifications: n/a
Comments: Might make this a bit larger next time as it is fairly small and would only fit a newborn for a month or two I think..
Cow:
Pattern: March ‘Simply Knitting’ – Down on the farm
Yarn: Jo Sharp Classic dk wool, Alpaca in natural brown colour and black cotton.
Needles: 2.75mm casein
Modifications: The pattern calls for 3mm needles, but I didn’t have any and gauge isn’t too important when you’re making a cow.
Comments: This was fun to make. My finishing is a bit dodgy in places, but he’s cute nonetheless!
Edith:
Pattern: Jennifer Tallapaneni’s ‘Topi’ in Knitty Spring 06
Yarn: Jo Sharp Classic dk wool in ‘teal’ (007)
Needles: 4.5mm bamboo dpns, 4mm circular (nickel plated Addis)
Modifications: I used a 4mm circular needle for the brim and slip stitch rib as I didn’t have a 3.25mm.
Comments: This pattern was great to knit and I finished within two or three days. I love the cap too.
Headwarmer:
Pattern: My own.
Yarn: Jo Sharp Soho summer dk cotton in ’sailboat’ (219)
Needles: 4.5mm steel
Modifications: n/a
Comments: This started out as a top, but I hadn’t the yarn to finish it and ended up changing my mind. Voila! Headwarmer.
Mum’s Scarf:
Pattern: My own.
Yarn: Colour 4 me 8ply dk wool
Needles: 5mm plastic
Modifications:
Comments: I can’t remember the name of the colour of this wool, as it was bought in NZ on holiday and knit up before I started keeping track. Nor do I have a FO shot to show as it was sent off to my Mum for her birthday before I had a chance. An easy, somewhat mind-numbing knit.
Dashing Fingerless Gloves:
Pattern: Cheryl Niamath’s ‘Dashing’ in Knitty Spring 07
Yarn: Jo Sharp Silkroad aran tweed in ‘brindle’ (121)
Needles: 4.5mm bamboo dpns
Modifications: n/a
Comments: Quick to knit. Perhaps better in a solid colour though so not to detract from the cable pattern.
Washcloths:
Pattern: Knitting knonsense
Yarn: Jo Sharp Soho summer dk cotton in ‘azalea’ (213) & ’sailboat’ (219)
Needles: Pink = 4mm steel, blue = 3.25mm casein
Modifications: I tried knitting the pink on 4mm needles, but prefer the 3.25mm as they make a firmer fabric.
Comments: These make great gifts for expecting Mum’s!
Rib Yoke Top:
Pattern: Jo Sharp ‘Knit 2′ – ‘Ribbed yoke top’ (p.81)
Yarn: Jo Sharp Soho summer dk cotton in ‘thyme’ (224)
Needles: 3.25mm casein, 4mm steel
Modifications: Added shaping to the sides as it had none. It still ended up being a good four inches too wide for me, so I re-seamed with the same yarn and steamed back the excess material.
Comments: I really liked this pattern, but as I did the second seam in a straight line the rib section at the bottom has ended up a bit snug and lost some of the rib elasticity. It’s wearable, but I’m not entirely happy with it. I’ve a feeling I might rip the whole thing back and start something else (!).
Sandals:
Pattern: Debbie Bliss ‘Baby cashmerino’ – ‘Sandals’ (p.43)
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino in a shade of pink (601)
Needles: 2.75mm casein
Modifications: n/a
Comments: I struggled with this pattern and only got three quarters of the way through so frogged it to be re-invented!
First Scarf:
Pattern: My own (if you can call a garter stitch scarf that).
Yarn: GGH merino in ‘maxima’
Needles: 4.5mm bamboo
Modifications: n/a
Comments: This was great to knit, although took a while. Nice stretch to the fabric.
Rib hat:
Pattern: Alex Zorn’s ‘Hot head’ in ‘Stitch & Bitch: The knitter’s handbook’ (p.162)
Yarn: Jo Sharp Classic dk wool & Colour 4 me dk wool in varying shades
Needles: 7.5mm casein
Modifications: My gauge was all out on this as the pattern calls for 6.5mm needles, so I did a few less stitches and all turned out okay.
Comments: Really easy pattern, knit up in one or two days and very adaptable.
Hi,
About your ribbed neck top, did you know you can easily cut the part of the bottom off that you don’t like and just reknit that part?
It is very easy to do. Take apart the side seams on the bottom. Then cut into your top one or two rows above the ribbing or whatever part you don’t like. Unravel across. You will have live stitches that you can pick up and work down. Be careful not to twist the stitches. It will look exactly the same as if you worked it up from the bottom!.
If you are nervous about cutting your sweater, try it on a swatch first. You will be surprised at how simple it is.
I thought I would mention it because you said you might rip the whole thing out and it is a cute top!
Hope that helps.
Hi Cinzea,
Thanks for the advice! The top is still sitting in my wardrobe and hasn’t been worn much, but I still can’t bring myself to unravel it. I may try your method first though and see how I like it.
I love the cow, edith and fingerless gloves!!
What great projects! I love them all! Wish I had your talent.
just posted my version of the hothead, which was my very first knitting project…and i’m SO glad it led me to your blog! you are the real deal!