MOONSTITCHES

Metamorphosis

The immature form of this shawl surely was quite dispiriting. More than once I considered frogging it because the yarn became fuzzier and fuzzier and the edges kept rolling up badly. Also the shape confused me because very soon it was clear this was never going to become triangular, despite the fact the pattern called it a triangular kerchief... what an odd thing!

I disliked the fuzziness and also my thin metal circular needle, so unpleasant to knit with!
So halfway I switched to bamboo, but it was a bigger size, so my gauge changed. Which I didn't mind because I didn't love what I was knitting anyway. I added one repeat to the pattern of the shawl and subsequently ran out of yarn while binding off. Starting the bind off all over with a contrasting yarn from stash, soaked the thing in water and started blocking it. Finally a distinct shape started to appear:

I had been deciding on the pattern because I thought a simple form like The Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief would go well with the slightly fuzzy alpaca. Now we have playful paisley instead of plain and I am pleasantly surprised how much I like it.

You may have noticed this is still a posting about knitting although the quilt show is well underway... I couldn't go yet. Still patiently waiting, not even looking at photos from the show on Flickr in order to have a really fresh look when I'm getting there eventually.
Hope you enjoyed what you've been seeing from the show so far! Getting much of inspiration from what you have been seeing?

Take care!

kirakira***

Because some of you asked I wrote down a short instruction for making the legwarmers.
Happy knitting!

kirakira***

With smaller needles CO 42 st on three DPNs, 14 stitches on each needle

join in the round, place marker at begin of round if you like

1. knit one round

*start of lace pattern*

2. *p1, k5, p1* repeat to end of round

3. *p1, k2tog, YO, k1, YO, SKP (sl1, k1, psso), p1* repeat until end of round

4. *p1, k5, p1* repeat to end of round

5. *p1, k5, p1* repeat to end of round

6. *p1, k5, p1* repeat to end of round

*end of lace pattern*

Continue to work rounds 2-6 until knee region, then change to larger needles.

Bind off loosely when end of yarn or desired length is reached.

Needles: Use four DPNs or five, two circulars or Magic Loop method, whatever you prefer.
Have two sets of needles ready to knit with, a smaller size and a larger one.

Swatch thoroughly to decide on the needle size in order to obtain the needed width for the legs.

To account for finer yarn or to make adult sized legwarmers add a multiple of seven stitches.

Gauge: 22 stitches in lace pattern = 10 cm.
But gauge is not important, just use whatever yarn, needles and amount of stitches is giving you the right width for the legs you intend to keep warm.

Have a beautiful weekend!

PS: Please tell me if you have questions or found a mistake!

kirakira

kirakira (sparkling) for my girl.
Made as a surprise, back in October last year, received with great happiness - and a wish for more... a cape, wristwarmers... you can't have too much sparkle in your life, can you?!

The legwarmers were improvised, just based on a stitch pattern (to which I unintentionally added one row of stockinette stitch) and a swatch. For getting more width in the upper part I changed to larger needles, keeping the amount of stitches.

The yarn is pretty, not scratchy at all (60% wool, 20% angora, 15%nylon, 5%polyester) and quite durable, as I can already tell since the legwarmers have been worn since autumn. One ball of yarn for each leg, 50g altogether.

Bye!

got my baby back

I should have expected that my broken camera was going to come back to me sooner than I could even start posting pictures I have been taking over the last year but never managed to share with you... well, obviously I am as slow working as ever, no surprise.

My camera is fine again, all cleaned and the mirror nicely glued in its place. Ready to take lots of pictures of all kinds of quilts over the weekend. I am very curious how the show will be (for me) this year - having not touched any of my unfinished quilts during the last months... but I am sure I will get home again, wanting to make a quilt. Immediately. The show always has that effect on me.

However, before it's getting all quilty here I thought I should start to show some of my latest knittings. I seem to have forgotten that this blog was supposed to record what I am making. How often do I finish something and start using it right away, not even caring to take picture of it?! It seems my priorities have been shifting to real life. And I think that's the case for many of you, isn't it?
Still, I love to have this place here to put it all together and share with you. I think blogging has just become a part of me.

The Saartje's Bootees and baby beanie (both ravelry links) were made for a friend's newborn daughter. I kept them as plain as possible, using soft 100% Merino　PRINCESS ANNY by Laines anny blatt. I like this yarn, it appears to be durable while being really soft. Great for babies and other sensitive beings.
Both patterns were fun to knit and hat and boots are incredibly adorable.

Wishing you a beautiful day!

First Day

Just a few glimpses of our first day of 2011.
We keep doing the same year after year after year... I really do love this tradition!

2011 is the Year of the Rabbit and supposed to be a happy one according to the Chinese Zodiac.
We'll see about that.

I try to be calm and patient. To enjoy the little things in life. To declutter, get lighter. To finish some of my ongoing and almost forgotten craft projects (most likely mentioned on this blog before!), and speaking of that, I will try to make sure that there is space for some knitting or sewing every day - maybe in the early morning, before the rest of the family is up, by the window, with a cup of tea.
Thank you so much for your ideas how to slow down, be more in the moment!

Have a happy and healthy 2011!

PS: I should mention that we are on photo diet here, living on snapshots I can take with my tiny, old, old IXY, which totally feels like Ritsch-Ratsch-Klick (Hallo in die Heimat!) and delivers blurry pictures most of the times...
On the last day of 2010 the mirror of my dear camera came loose. Apparantly a well known issue with Canon's 5D... it's on its way to be repaired but that will take a while.
I should be happy it happened now and not while visiting this!!!