iKnit is very much still on the map despite my woeful attention to lovetoknit blog. Never fear, the iKnit faithful have continued to meet over the weeks since my last entry. We finished up for the year last Tuesday, each sharing about the one most favoured item made for ourselves and for someone else. That was harder than you might imagine, there’s been some amazing work created during the year….only two favourite things!

We celebrated a fabulous year of knitting and friendship accompanied by some tasty Christmas morsels and bubbles to wash it all down. Although we each live very different lives, I think I can speak for all of us in saying we respect the different perspectives we each bring to the humble craft that brings us together.  The learning process this year has included new techniques, ideas, yarns, frustrations with patterns not working, yarn miscalculations, adventures with new disciplines – be it spinning, dying, lace, knitting-in-the-round….the list goes on.

Along with the knit, purl and yarn overs there’s also been the happenings’ gracing our lives – the joys, fun, and sadness’s. Knitting groups have for centuries brought women together to share their experiences, to ask advice, and to encourage one another. A fun environment and a learning environment all at the same time, providing a place where women can go to find community. Most importantly, they’re a place where that community does not stand in judgment.

Knitting groups bring women (and men, though that’s not my experience) together in an environment where it’s comfortable to share and ask questions, safe to learn something new and appeals to women of all walks of life and generations. This is the value of community and the value of a knitting group to me and what I dreamed iKnit would be when it started over 2 ½ years ago. I hope it’s at least on the way to becoming that.

So what’s the crew been up to, well…..have a squiz at these…

Babys textured stitch hoodie Corey and basket weave rib jersey & beanie Jack all DK from Patons book 1303 – made by Wendy.

The long-awaited and much admired green summer cardigan – made and modelled by Charlotte. 4 ply yarn on a cone sourced off Trademe.

       Charlotte starts knitting-in-the-round and….

…lacey scarf in divine shades of pink/blue multi – yum. These two colours are stunning together particularly when intense hues.

My latest FO and I love it, I’m pretty chuffed: cardigan, DK acrylic marble yarn by James C Brett, pattern JB040. Just the thing for cosying into on a summer evening, I’ll be definitely be taking it with me on our camping holiday. Taking a break from knitting for the grandbaby’s I’ve planned several knits for myself over the hols. My WIP is a merino DK jersey, in fuchsia (my favourite colour) with a shawl collar (my favourite collar style). Then to come there’s a couple of arans, lace scarf…..

Kirsty’s very effective argyle style cushion, and fab slouch hat, the envy of us all – a perfect fit, again in those fabulous shades of pink & blue they create such a great contrast together.

Simone demonstrating her new-found skill with spinning and spun alpaca hanks.

Fiona’s long length multi scarf, dragonfly detailing sock and sampler stitch scarf.

Chunky lace alpaca yarn shrug: spun, knit and modelled by Simone.

Second time perfect, Raewyn’s got this litte red number sussed!

A charming baby’s cardi in 4 ply, dyed and knit by Raewyn. Even before she told us we knew it was rosebuds

A new addition to Raewyn’s stash, more stunning tones and silky handle.

A few weeks ago Simone celebrated her birthday, these cute stitch markers a gift made by Raewyn.

Raewyn’s latest acquisitions from The Unique Sheep, we’re always excited when Raewyn gets a new parcel in the mail, TUS have pretty cool KALs.

Ethereal Triangular Shawl pattern by Lakshmi Juneja…hmm the romance of it all in the name! Another wholly exquisite lacey number made by Raewyn.

A sock yarn blanket Fiona’s working on, a nifty idea to use up left over sock yarn – by J.O.Y. 4 ply NZ merino.

Simone’s WIP soooo soft smoozy scarf in alpaca – a tricky little pattern that initially tested the little grey cells some. Notice the stitch marker?

Well, it’s a wrap! There you have it for another year. As is our usual custom iKnit will be going into hiatus over the long NZ summer holiday break, restarting sometime early Feb 2012.

If you’re a local and think you may like to join us I’d love to hear from you. Newcomers are always welcome

Spring fever is full on with the needles going into overtime with no OOS in sight. I turned out this little cutie for Ania, DK Snuggly by Sirdar : pattern 2175, for the coming Spring/Summer season. Even though knitted in st-st, I found the plain knitting flew by because I chose a self patterning yarn (Sirdar Snuggly Baby Crofter) and contrast colour for the frill. The frill/lower band is knitted on rather than added later. The easy method for the neck frill is knitted separately and added later giving an incredibly neat finish, I’m pleased as punch!

Not forgetting the little men in my life, I whipped up a tank for Raz in just under a week. A handy garment for the warmer weather, Sirdar Snuggly : Design C in Dottie & Spottie book 357. I made this vest in a smaller size for Raz last Spring, it feels good to use a pattern more than once.

The cables and double moss stitch work a treat for boys zone.

Like ducks lined up in a row, I’ve got several projects waiting their turn and immediately (the instant the last seam was joined, no less) following the tank, cast on for the next up – a cardy for meeee. Here’s a peak…

…I’ve been really looking forward to getting this little number underway. It’s in the most delectable green multi – Marble, by James C Brett, a recent purchase from my fave online LYS, Deramores.

What has the rest of the crew been up to…

Known not as the woman in the woollen mask but more like, our Fiona who works magic with sumptuous Filatura Di Crosa lace weight yarn, she’s making a snood.

Fiona’s FO knee highs – a real work of patience, and lace scarf – one of several WIPs on the go.

Hard to believe Raewyn’s skirt is hand knitted when it looks like woven fabric hand loomed. Cast on 4 sts and keep adding on then decrease is how it’s done. Using a multi colour shows the diagonal effect off so well.

Reworking her short sleeved top, Raewyn is much happier with the result thus far and this time leaving out the bead embellishment. The bamboo yarn has a fabulous handle.

As a great fan of green I’m loving what Raewyn is working here, the beginnings of another cute and well executed baby garment. Tops to Raewyn for an excellent dye job.

Wendy and Charlotte are both at the final stages of their respective WIP’s and I can’t wait to show them off to you next time. Simone’s spinning experiments have her making a garment using self spun yarn. What with spinning, dying, knitting and not forgetting work and study, describing Simone as busy is an understatement!

Want to join our knitting group? newcomers are welcome – come and check us out ……. contact me via the Contact tab for meeting details

Especially when it’s yarn and fab patterns from Deramores, my new GYS (global yarn store). I’m loving this online store and if you’re in the southern hemisphere like me don’t be put off by their UK location. It’s easy as to access, the way of the future.

Through Deramores I’ve become acquainted with yarn brands previously unknown to me such as James C Brett, Stylecraft and Millamia. They carry most of my other faves as well, particularly a great selection of Sirdar yarn, some unavailable in NZ.

So what’s iKnit been up to?

Raeywn’s sock story

Simone’s slouchy hat….cool rib pattern, really eye catching.

Because a girl can.. supporting the cause, Charlotte’s embellishments in the spirit of the Rugby World Cup. Almost finished her lime green cardi, an elegant pattern by Sublime, Charlottes’ thoughts are now turning her next project…several possibilities…a hat, scarf in angora,  scarf – multi…but definitely not anything with sleeves!

My latest knit for Raziel: 4 ply merino yarn from The Wool Company, colour aqua.

The little man himself. Don’t you just love the pencil buttons, a snazzy finishing touch on Sirdar pattern 3025. I’m particularly fond of textured patterns and was pleased I went with aqua, makes a nice change from the blue spectrum.

Raewyn’s amazing skirt knit cleverly to give a diagonal effect enhanced with the use of multi colour yarn.

Simone’s latest spinning efforts, she has purchased her own wheel now and a whole new world has opened up. She’s just started on her socks, working both on the needle at the same time!

Wendy has almost finished her baby’s hoodie and I’m on the final stage of a double-cute multi cardy for Ania. Pics next time.

Want to join a knitting group? newcomers are welcome – come and check us out ……. contact me via the Contact tab for meeting details

]]> http://lovetoknit.wordpress.com/2011/09/27/i-love-deramores/feed/ 0 rosebel OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA http://lovetoknit.wordpress.com/2011/09/02/iknit-spring-at-last/ http://lovetoknit.wordpress.com/2011/09/02/iknit-spring-at-last/#comments Fri, 02 Sep 2011 12:08:20 +0000 rosebel http://lovetoknit.wordpress.com/?p=3978 ]]> September 1 was a great day for me being the first day of Spring – a new season at last. The days are lighter and longer, the daffodils are blooming and daylight saving is just around the corner. I’m definitely not a winter person and I’m so glad winter is over.

So what has iKnit been up to……

Simone has caught the spinning bug, after getting the hang of a drop spindle she’s decided to get herself a spinning wheel and take some lessons.

There’s something rather unnerving about this Dwarven Battle Bonnet made by Fiona.

All ready to go to a new baby, made by Wendy from Patons Book 1303 – Newborn Collection. Yarn from Skeinz in Onekawa, Napier NZ – check them out they have great specials. I liked the book so much I bought it too.

Charlotte’s super quick gauntlet project. The perfect thing when winter walking Berry (Charlotte’s beloved dog) so much easier to maneuver than gloves when picking up poop!

Raewyn’s red scarf with eyelet scalloped leaf edge .

Inside outside which way to wear. Super warm possum yarn reversible socks made by Fiona.

Hardcore sock making not for the fainthearted. I recall Fiona mentioning a feat not to be repeated!

Raewyn’s two-at-a-time socks on the circulars. Detailing to the max.

Simone’s shawl, a lovely gift for her Mum – lace weight yarn from Skeinz. This photo was taken on the iKnit Tuesday that happened to fall on my Birthday. My dear husband had arranged for the knitting crew to turn up for a pot luck dinner, a total surprise to me! A remarkable event in that it snowed in Wellington that night, it never snows in Wellington! Thanks again everyone, it was a great evening and I thoroughly enjoyed it

The beginnings of a hat for her sister, Simone got the pattern off Ravelry.

The balaclava I made worked out in the end. It took quite a lot of research and I had to combine a pattern off Ravelry with an ancient WW2 design. I can report that chin covering balaclava patterns seem to be in demand but are rare as hens teeth to find.

Fiona’s fluted edge baktus.

My latest project is for Raz – a textured cardigan in 4 ply aqua merino from The Wool Company. It’s almost finished and I’m almost out of yarn, darn it, so I went ahead an ordered another ball. It won’t arrive for 3 weeks and in the unlikely event that I do have enough (hope beyond hope) I will have time to cancel. It’s so annoying as I’ll only be out by a smidgen. Never mind, the notion of using a contrast colour to finish is out of the question.

Want to join a knitting group? newcomers are welcome – come and check us out ……. contact me via the Contact tab for meeting details, we’re in Wellington NZ.

Ania is pumped as with her hot off the needles jacket – yarn Utiku Ming Blue DK by The Wool Company

I’ve knit Sirdar 1780 before, this time going up a size to 2-3 years. Used stash yarn left over from last winters Ming Blue project for myself. I took a punt on having enough yarn, started sweating though when I got up to making the collar, it was looking like I was going to be short. Thankfully Kirsty just happened to have a hank in her stash and kindly shared it with me. As it turned out I didn’t need to break into it, I had more than enough of my own to complete the job – phew!

Lately every week Raewyn has a new project on the needles, pictured are : lace shawlette, hitchhiker scarf (4 ply merino yarn artisan dyed by James of Joy of Yarn), and multi scarf in basket weave stitch.

Wendy was really pleased with how the picot edging worked out on her baby’s cardi – 4 ply Patons newborn collection book 1303 (Jessica). Her current WIP is in DK yarn from Skeinz – baby hoodie from the same book (Corey jacket). Both garments for friends newborns.

Leaf baby blanket – this cuddly blanky is for my grandbaby due to arrive early November. Tedium set in with so many squares to make and sewing in all the ends was a pain but well worth it in the end. To make up I crocheted the squares and sections together instead of sewing them which gave a tidy finish. Deviating from the edge given in the pattern I worked a simple crochet border just to make it a little bit more fancy – gorgeous!

Fiona’s WIPs green sparkly lacey scarf and her Lucky Landlord socks, well that’s what I call them anyway. They’re reversible double thickness – clever girl!

Lyndsay – working on a shawl for a friend.

Did I mention Raewyn has been busy? Basket weave scarf 2 – pink version. This one was up for grabs and Fiona nabbed it.

Simone is fast becoming our resident hat lady – this one a blue cable beanie in DK.

Cosy multi colour textured socks by Karen.

Be warned who you let loose on Ravelry and the consequences thereof. Fiona’s male web-designer friend introduced by her to Ravelry (to show him an example of a hobby specific social network site) and left on his own to explore, stumbled upon (as you do) this Dwarven Battle Bonnet pattern and subsequently requested one from Fiona.

Kirsty’s interpretation of a burqa – I think not. The teal is a give away. This piece will be worth it’s weight in tears and hair pulling when complete. Knit side to side and long sleeved, it’s taken a few heads to get around a poorly written pattern in a publication aimed at beginner knitters. Kirsty is not amused.  Knit in a lovely teal shade DK 100% NZ Utiku wool by The Wool company.

iKnit is an open-to-all knitting group which means you are very welcome to join us ……. contact me via the Contact tab for meeting details, we’re in Wellington NZ

Pretty pleased with my Victoria Vest, although I didn’t have enough yarn and had to send for 2 extra balls from The Rare Yarns Company.

Simone chose lace weight yarn from Skeinz  for a shawlette, and it’s all about hats…. a quick little white number for a baby, and a beanie for her Dad.

Another FO by Raewyn – 4 ply custom fit gloves with cable detailing.

Study in pencil jersey. I first made this pattern 28 years ago for my son Joel, this pink version is for his daughter/my grandbaby Ania, made with yarn from my stash. I think I was pretty much on the button, this design hasn’t dated and is still a good for another generation.

Raewyn’s finished The Unique Sheep KAL ‘The Mermaid’ shawl – lace weight silk.

Basket weave stitch scarf – a current WIP by Raewyn. This multi yarn lends itself to this design, very effective.

Fiona’s latest – this time edged with a ruffle.

Wendy’s WIP baby’s cardi and toying with making bootees to match.

My latest effort from my stash. This one is for Raziel and I’ll have to get a pic of him wearing it, he looks gorgeous. The pattern is Sirdar 1918 – DK. Turned this out in just a week and keeping up the momentum have started on another for Ani, this time a cardi and I’m using Sirdar pattern 1780 again. Dipping back into my stash for hers too and using up the remainder of my Ming Blue DK from The Wool Company.

You are very welcome to join us ……. contact me via the Contact tab for meeting details, we’re in Wellington

My Pimpelliese – finished ………. Pimpelliese – a small triangle scarf-like shawl started at the tip. The lace border is worked together with the shawl and is not added afterwords. 4 ply 100% merino, yarn: Joy of Yarn.

Deserved smiles for a good reason, Wendy’s beautifully crafted cabled textured jersey – finished! DK merino, possum, alpaca, silk blend yarn by Skeinz. You want toasty cosy warm as yarn, then this might be just the thing. Pattern : Patons book 1201. Wendy was hoping to stop by Skeinz on a visit last week, I can’t wait to see what she’s brought back with her.

Charlotte’s cardi buttonholes, bit of a mish but got there in the end, and the beginnings of Lyndsay’s shawlette for a friend. We’ve been chatting recently about how it is when the mid-project blues set in, when you’ve so many dreams, schemes and plans to create it’s so easy to succumb. We agreed that’s why there’s often a pull towards baby’s projects, or accessories – they’re just so quick to turn out. We’ve all got far too much knitting on with there simply isn’t time enough left in the day to ‘work’ – ahem, just joking and dream on………….

Raewyn demonstrates spinning using a drop spindle. I read the following warning about taking part in this activity which caught my attention…..”Spinning with a top-whorl drop spindle: spinning reduces stress and promotes well being. It can also be habit forming and lead to obsessive behaviors such as, but not restricted to: caressing and hoarding all fibers; dying them with food colors and things from your garden or whatever you have laying about; spinning the fluffy bits of the weeds in your fields, the cotton wad in your vitamin bottles and even the lint from your dryer! Proceed with extreme caution!”

The awesomeness of Raewyn’s pink beret is shown in the pattern detail.

I’m working on my leaf blanket squares in between knits for Ania and Raz. It’s Ani’s turn for something and I’m working on a DK jersey using up wool oddments in aid of a major stash reduction effort. It’s a pattern I’ve been toying with for a while – I made the same jersey for her Dad when he was a toddler! It’s a very easy stst slash neck jersey pattern in Crucci Toddlers book 144, 18m – 4 years. All the patterns in this delightful book are irresistible and still appealing to children – they haven’t’ dated at all.

You are very welcome to join us ……. contact me via the Contact tab for meeting details, we’re in Wellington

I’ll always be grateful to Lyndsay for introducing me to Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby. A romantic at heart, it was the irresistible combination of Victorian lace history, breathtaking knitted lace designs and stunning photography that wooed me.

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I discovered Wrapped in Lace while browsing the net.  A master of knitted lace, designer Margaret Stove (a fellow New Zealander) shares her spectacular designs in this exquisite book – makes me so proud to be a Kiwi I’m besotted by more than a couple of scarf designs for my amethyst Filautra Di Crosa yarn.

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Equally enticing is Knits from the North Sea, a collection of exquisite lace projects in the Shetland tradition. I couldn’t go passed the Very Easy Guide to Lace Knitting either, oodles of lovely stitch patterns and project ideas.

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Ania is simply adorable in her new hat! I love the flower and the contrast trim – makes it! The soft blue was Ania’s colour choice and I chose the yarn, Sirdar Snuggly Snowflake Chunky,  Sirdar pattern 1884 – a quick knit, I made it in a day.

Simone’s neck warmer in Touch Yarns 14 ply Mt Pisa Chunky 100% Merino. The herring bone stitch was a first for Simone, the vibrant colour and interesting textured stitch looks great – super cosy.

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Simone’s WIP shrug take 2, this one for her sister. Wendy has almost finished her jersey which has texture detailing on the upper sections. This beautifully crafted garment is in a sumptuous DK denim blue possum/merino/alpaca mix yarn from Skeinz.

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Fits like a glove! Raewyn made this 4 ply glove  in between a couple of rows of her shawl, very clever is she! The glove is superb, notice the edging rows around the cuff, cables and V detail and a perfect fit to boot. Perfection on 5!

Raeywn’s The Little Mermaid shawl (The Unique Sheep KAL) is almost finished, the  outer border remaining to be worked following the chevron stitch section – watch this space!

Karen brought along pics this week of her FO man size aran jersey made to order project. Such a shame I don’t have the pics to show you, the garment was shipped to it’s new owner who I’m sure will be very pleased. Knit in possum yarn it will be toasty as.

Lyndsay continues work on a shawl for a friend. I’m having a break from my leaf square blanket (grandbaby due October) and working on a Victoria Vest for myself. I purchased the yarn last winter and keen to get it done before the winter sets in. It’s basically a rectangle shape with a couple of openings for armholes and a lacey section one end, worked sideways. Pattern and yarn from The Rare Yarns Company – yarn cerise Astrakhan, Rare Essentials.

You are welcome to join us…….you can contact me via the contact tab for meeting details, we’re in Wellington

iKnit was abuzz this week…..first up, Fiona’s Hitchhiker WIP shawlette which grabbed everyone’s attention on the needle last week…..

….and this week finished, Fiona revealed her speedy little number to the group  (modeled by Raewyn). The pattern for Hitchhiker by Martina Behm is available on Ravelry for 2.5 euros. Martina’s pattern explanation follows:

….”Garter stitch. It‘s simple, its warm and squishy, stretchy and reversible and it makes any variegated, hand-dyed sock yarn really shine. So here‘s Hitchhiker: It is a narrow, slightly asymmetrically shaped triangular shawlette that can be wrapped around the neck several times. The ends are long enough to tie it with a knot. One of the short sides of the triangle features a saw-tooth border that evolves naturally during the knitting and gives the shawl its unusual shape. Because the knitting starts at one end, you can stop anytime, bind off and end up with a useful neckerchief, shawlette or shawl. A perfect project to relax in between more complicated ones, also very suitable for beginners and young knitters.

The name? Well, if you use a 150 g skein of Wollmeise 100% Merino for this, you can make how many teeth? That‘s right, 42. The answer to the question about the universe and everything, according to Douglas Adams‘ wonderful book “The Hitchhiker‘s Guide to the Galaxy”….”

Raewyn succumbed and brought along the beginnings of her own Hitchhiker (left).  I had a peek at Martina’s page on Ravelry and instantly liked another of her designs even more, called Magrathea (right), which features a garter stitch body and a geometrical lace motif at the edges. Check out Martina’s blog for her other designs.

Madeline’s Dr Who socks, for her daughter, in vivid blue will be embellished with words on the white areas to finish (above).

Simone’s chunky open-stitch hat, a perfect fit, looks great and timed perfectly for the cooler weather we’re just starting to experience (right).

Shrug – done! Fiona was rapt with the result, DK yarn by Biggan Design - you gotta check out their vibrant colours.

Raewyn’s The Mermaid shawl (right)  is growing fast and past half way now, this Mermaid is not going to be small!

My latest yarn purchase…..oohhh arrrh – delish Filatura Di Crosa, 70% cashmere 30% silk – divine. Decided to stick with just the 1 ball, 25 grams and be warned – pricey. I’ve lots of pattern options, the hardest part of the project will be choosing which one! The colour is amazing, called Orchid……me to a tee and did I mention extreme softness and luxury? hmm exactly the type of yarn I had in mind for my scarf, can’t wait!

Lyndsay’s just started working on an Annis shawl for a friend (lucky friend!), a Knitty pattern designed by Susanna. It’s in a dark multi shade, will take a pic next time.

I’m still turning out leaf squares for the baby blanket, and Charlotte is continuing with her Sublime cardi – she’s on the fronts now.

If you want to join us I’d love to hear from you – contact me via the contact tab for the meeting details, we’re in Wellington

Simone’s lace shrug  – a speedy knit and striking worn over black.

“Far out in the ocean, where the water is as blue as the prettiest cornflower, and as clear as crystal, it is very, very deep…”  The Little Mermaid (Han Christian Andersen), KAL is a mystery lace knitting club from The Unique Sheep. Raewyn’s joined up and is well underway with her Little Mermaid knit in  gradiance colourway Mother of Pearl, very apt. The shawl’s centre ‘story’ shows the mermaid princesses tails and their sea father’s trident…..it’ll be fascinating to see how the design for the rest of the tale will be worked.

Lindsay’s finished blue shawl, beautiful! The blue didn’t take the flash well so I enhanced the closeup shot to highlight the pattern.

All this lace talk and work has got the better of me, somewhere amongst all the other projects lined up this year I’ll be working a piece for myself, my journey has begun……………..

Wendy’s finished sleeveless vest (minus the button), DK yarn from Skeinz, and Fiona’s almost completed DK shrug. Fiona’s project is her first ever garment project, previously she’s worked on accessories.

My latest FO shawl collar jersey for my grandbaby Raz! It’s gorgeously cosy and will keep him toasty & warm in the depths of winter which is a few months away (I hope). I made the bigger size, a tad too roomy for him now, should work out about right when it’s needed. I love everything about this knit – the texture, flecked yarn, pattern and of course the collar (shawl collars are my fave) – Sirdar leaflet 1785.

Simone worked on her hat crown in chunky. Charlotte continued with her vintage inspired cardy in 4 ply, Sublime – the Extra Fine Merino 4 ply Book.

If you want to join us I’d love to hear from you – contact me via the contact tab for the meeting details, we’re in Wellington