tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31075692748431997842024-02-20T09:34:38.882-08:00Wool For UsMayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819654852789072308noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107569274843199784.post-67548493305195274352012-01-13T23:24:00.001-08:002012-01-13T23:24:32.384-08:00Orland FOA very rewarding knit Orland has been my favourite project to knit in a long, long time! That probably tells me that I enjoy the more intricate patterns, especially anything involving cables. If you are a beret lover than I highly suggest you try this pattern out, it is very well written and flows naturally. The end result was a beautiful hat that is wearable and a welcomed addition to my hat collection.
{<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mayaoxox/orland-cabled-beret" target="_blank">Ravelry Link</a>}
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/6693663643/" title="DSC_0042 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6693663643_8e671f05cf.jpg" width="500" height="312" alt="DSC_0042"></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/6693657535/" title="DSC_0026 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6693657535_f9b95d5332.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="DSC_0026"></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/6693646355/" title="DSC_0029 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6693646355_245bfc1a2f.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="DSC_0029"></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/6693667787/" title="DSC_0028 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6693667787_ba09e627eb.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="DSC_0028"></a>
</center>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819654852789072308noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107569274843199784.post-79700974326229887512012-01-08T16:44:00.000-08:002012-01-08T16:44:31.222-08:00WIP OrlandI seem to be in a bit of a hat frenzy at the moment! This is the forth hat in a row I have cast on for. I have chosen to try my hand at <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/orland-cabled-beret" target="_blank">this</a> lovely unusual cabled beret. The cables are a little complex and I had to rip out and re-do my cables at first two or three times before I got it down but once I was done with the first round of 'o's things went along much quicker.
{<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mayaoxox/orland-cabled-beret">Ravelry Link</a>}
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/6663253519/" title="DSC_0067 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6663253519_ab3e4c249b.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="DSC_0067"></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/6663324413/" title="DSC_0072 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6663324413_926d3587f7.jpg" width="500" height="363" alt="DSC_0072"></a></center>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819654852789072308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107569274843199784.post-85768186993061313992012-01-06T23:26:00.000-08:002012-01-05T20:46:31.524-08:00For DadI have always loved knitting for my father. His taste is simple, he is not fussy and it's always easy to pick colours (anything brown, black or grey). The first ever sweater I knit was for him and this year, for his birthday, I knit him a few warm hats for the Winter. The first was from a free <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/a-hat-fit-for-a-boyfriend" target="_blank">pattern</a> by Stephanie Nicole and the striped hat was something I whipped up using a bit of general knowledge. I used Cascade 220 for both and the yarn was actually extra from a previous project (The cowl).<br />
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{<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mayaoxox/a-hat-fit-for-a-boyfriend" target="_blank">Ravelry Link</a> 1} {<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mayaoxox/dads-striped-hat" target="_blank">Ravelry Link</a> 2} <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/6645215853/" title="DSC_0035 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0035" height="378" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6645215853_8180fdd601.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/6645204861/" title="DSC_0049 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0049" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/6645204861_406f56794b.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/6645231423/" title="DSC_0059 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0059" height="354" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6645231423_a96d44df00.jpg" width="500" /></a></center>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819654852789072308noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107569274843199784.post-67432364119340721902012-01-02T03:56:00.000-08:002012-01-02T04:01:41.017-08:00Holiday Wishings<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/73185791@N03/6611006641/" title="DSC_0026 - Copy by Lancholic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6611006641_34cb84ba3f_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="DSC_0026 - Copy"></a>
<br /><br /><br />Hope you all had a beautiful Christmas and New Year with family and friends, I hope this year brings joy. br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/73185791@N03/6611002437/" title="DSC_0017 - Copy by Lancholic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6611002437_b88e227674_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="DSC_0017 - Copy"></a>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819654852789072308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107569274843199784.post-12873263870361334892011-12-03T18:28:00.001-08:002011-12-03T18:39:43.940-08:00Ribbed Cowl FOThis would have to be my first FO in around four months! I am so glad the knitting hiatus has come to an end and my needles are once again clicking away as rapidly as possible. Here is a simple cowl that took me a few days to knit up. <br /><br />{<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mayaoxox/lilac-wine" target="_blank">Ravelry Link</a>}<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/6449890861/" title="Ribbed Cowl 3 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Ribbed Cowl 3" height="390" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7151/6449890861_57a1fc2b57.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />It can be worn looped once or twice depending on how you feel like wearing it... <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/6449864017/" title="Ribbed Cowl 4 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Ribbed Cowl 4" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6449864017_c7dc2b0acd.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/6449867517/" title="Ribbed Cowl 1 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Ribbed Cowl 1" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6449867517_d4f6917960.jpg" width="500" /></a></center>The pattern was a free design by Amy Christoffers of <a href="http://savoryknitting.com/" target="_blank">Savory Knitting</a>. All of her designs are simply wonderful, especially her collection of timeless very wearable sweaters. Some of my favourites include the very popular <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/acer-cardigan" target="_blank">Acer Cardigan</a>, the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/linney-cardigan" target="_blank">Linney Cardigan</a> and the newly released <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pinoli-cardigan" target="_blank">Pinoli Cardigan</a>. <center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/6449860925/" title="Ribbed Cowl 7 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Ribbed Cowl 7" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6449860925_76bf56bdf2.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Don't you just wish you had endless knitting time so that looong list of 'to knit' projects can be completed!?</center>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819654852789072308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107569274843199784.post-36783726919154507502011-11-30T01:17:00.000-08:002011-11-30T01:17:03.131-08:00Bamboo NeedlesKnitting with Bamboo Needles has always been something that I have wanted to try. I have always only ever knit with metal or plastic needles and always wanted to try the bamboo alternative. I read a few reviews before I considered buying some to learn more about knitting with wooden needles. I found a <a href="http://knittersreview.com/article_tool.asp?article=/review/profile/010405_a.asp" target="_blank">Knitters Review</a> article that I found really helpful especially when weighing up the benefits and drawbacks. <br />
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I finally decided to buy a set of mid range bamboo needles, and when paired with the right project an yarn, I have discovered, bamboo needles are a lovely alternative and I suggest picking up even just a pair to give them a go.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/6429778855/" title="Bamboo Needles 1 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Bamboo Needles 1" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7030/6429778855_6638f91cdc.jpg" width="500" /></a></center>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819654852789072308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107569274843199784.post-34990761582723312122011-11-30T01:06:00.000-08:002011-11-30T01:06:39.149-08:00It's been a whileIt has been quite a sometime since I have even had the time to think knitting and unfortunately, consequently the blog has been a bit neglected. But, exams are over for now and besides for a large pile of summer homework for the new year, I have nothing to do but think knitting, and oh there is sooo much knitting to think about!<br />
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I picked up the needles after a long hiatus a few days ago and started up some simple wristwarmers with some yarn that I actually handyed with some yarn dyes last summer. It is a soft mix of blues, pinks and purples and the colour shows nicely in garter stitch. <br />
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{<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mayaoxox/handyed-wristwarmes">Ravelry Link</a>}<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/6429783721/" title="Handyed Wrist Warmers WIP 1 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Handyed Wrist Warmers WIP 1" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6429783721_2592e2eb07.jpg" width="500" /></a></center><br />
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I also cast on for a cowl, in an effort to use up my large and seemingly never ending stash of cascade 220, making a pattern called 'Lilac Wine' by <a href="http://savoryknitting.com/">Savory Knitting</a>. <br />
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{<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mayaoxox/lilac-wine">Ravelry Link</a>}<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/6429759701/" title="Ribbed Cowl WIP 2 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Ribbed Cowl WIP 2" height="332" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6033/6429759701_585bb1afd9.jpg" width="500" /></a></center><br />
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Happy knitting!Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819654852789072308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107569274843199784.post-66445720085365217152011-08-06T16:04:00.000-07:002011-08-08T02:55:54.338-07:00Cocoon CowlI picked up a single ball of Rowan Cocoon while I was in the city in June. This yarn is really, really, really soft and a luxury to knit with, I didn't want this project to be over! I only got one 100g ball so I decided the best thing to knit up with this was a small cowl. <br />
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I cast on 59 stitches and knit in a purl 1 knit 1 rib until I only had a bit of yarn left, then I picked up stitches from the cast on edge and did an adaptation of the three needle bind off, just so that I didn't have the seam the ends together!<br />
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{<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mayaoxox/cocoon-cowl">Cocoon Cowl</a>}<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/6016110222/" title="Cocoon Cowl 7 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Cocoon Cowl 7" height="319" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/6016110222_765fdb5ff8.jpg" width="400" /></a></center><center><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/6016097052/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Cocoon Cowl 5 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Cocoon Cowl 5" height="265" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6148/6016097052_93104888c6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/6021571442/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Cocoon Cowl 2 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Cocoon Cowl 2" height="272" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6139/6021571442_24cfbb85ed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><center style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/6016115354/" title="Cocoon Cowl 3 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Cocoon Cowl 3" height="256" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6002/6016115354_8d3372b277.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<center> </center><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5948604412/" title="Cocoon Cowl by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Cocoon Cowl" height="232" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6013/5948604412_8f60f635bb.jpg" width="320" /></a></center><center> </center><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5944388625/" title="Cocoon Cowl by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Cocoon Cowl" height="288" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6014/5944388625_3a8593614a.jpg" width="320" /></a></center><center><center><center> </center><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/6015550111/" title="Cocoon Cowl 6 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Cocoon Cowl 6" height="200" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6028/6015550111_aa59fcbd37.jpg" width="320" /></a></center></center><br />
I can't wait to get some more of lovey Cocoon. </center></center></center>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819654852789072308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107569274843199784.post-7353192961621303492011-07-31T02:17:00.000-07:002011-08-06T16:10:50.987-07:00Red Dunes<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dunes">Dunes</a>, has been one of <i>those</i> projects. You know the type, those projects where knitting a 12" wide scarf in lace weight yarn seems like a <i>good</i> idea, and then you start, and you wonder what you were thinking.Well I persevered,and knit through this beautiful alpaca scarf, and the result, was well worth the patience that knitting a lace weight scarf entails.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5992878361/" title="Red Dunes 9 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Red Dunes 9" height="296" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6010/5992878361_5c8b9ec7c4.jpg" width="400" /></a> </center><center><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5991868923/" title="Red Dunes 1 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Red Dunes 1" height="234" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6145/5991868923_65c66f7268.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5944595445/" title="Dunes WIP 2 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Dunes WIP 2" height="271" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6014/5944595445_5c7020d5ea.jpg" width="320" /></a></center><center><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5993441744/" title="Red Dunes 7 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Red Dunes 7" height="237" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6138/5993441744_67f051b020.jpg" width="320" /></a> </center><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5992438214/" title="Red Dunes 4 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Red Dunes 4" height="273" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6016/5992438214_bedf1f5b42.jpg" width="320" /></a></center><br />
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I ended up just taking the lace pattern from <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dunes">Dunes</a>, and adding it to the start and finish of the scarf, as a detail instead of knitting the whole scarf/shawl in lace pattern, what I ended up with was a lovely soft, delicate scarf with a beautiful drape, that I'm sure will be worn and cherished by my mum for a long timeMayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819654852789072308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107569274843199784.post-2598644516610468752011-07-20T00:58:00.000-07:002011-07-20T01:02:22.375-07:00Fuzzy FeetQuick, fun, practical and very very warm, my new Fuzzy Feet are the ideal companions for those chilly winter mornings and cold winter nights around the house. <br />
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{<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mayaoxox/fuzzy-feet">Ravelry Link</a>}</center><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5957202048/" title="Fuzzy Feet 1 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Fuzzy Feet 1" height="386" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6139/5957202048_8d4fe34bde.jpg" width="500" /></a></center><br />
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Felting is always a bit of fun, and to see the before and after result and see what some water and a bit of soap can do is just a bit magical. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5957301290/" title="Fuzzy Feet 6 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Fuzzy Feet 6" height="232" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6135/5957301290_740b6862f9.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5957286042/" title="Fuzzy Feet 3 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Fuzzy Feet 3" height="232" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6029/5957286042_5ffe23e85f.jpg" width="300" /></a></center><br />
This is the perfect project for scraps, and would make lovely gifts, as they knit up quickly and would be warmly welcome by any pair of cold feetMayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819654852789072308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107569274843199784.post-49654108290126066352011-07-16T18:21:00.000-07:002011-07-31T14:23:34.874-07:00The small thingsLately I have been very preoccupied with the sweaters in my knitting life, so for a while I think I'll take a break from the large projects and turn some attention on smaller knitting projects. <br />
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I bought 200g of the lovely Tailored Strands 100% Alpaca in lace weight a few weeks ago, and am knitting up a rectangular shawl for my mum, for her upcoming birthday. The project is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dunes" target="_blank">Dunes</a> by Gena Wich.<br />
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{<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mayaoxox/dunes">Ravelry Link</a>} <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5944595445/" title="Dunes WIP 2 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Dunes WIP 2" height="397" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6014/5944595445_5c7020d5ea.jpg" width="500" /></a></center>I usually don't knit in the colour red, I'm not sure what it is, I just have never warmed to the colour... but because my mum does enjoy deep reds, and this yarn was beautiful I guess I thought I would give red a chance <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5944621113/" title="Dunes Wip 5 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Dunes Wip 5" height="300" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6142/5944621113_4268d543f2_m.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5924151467/" title="Owls 6 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Owls 6" height="332" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6137/5924151467_63b10b5f88.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
The construction is bottom up, with a yoke that you knit last when you combine the sleeves and the body. This pattern was great, really easy to understand with clear instructions, highly recommended<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5924684004/" title="Owls 1 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/5924684004_6a39f640f5.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Owls 1"></a><br />
I was debating whether or not to put the buttons on for the eyes, but I chose not to, I like it the way it is, maybe if I knit this again I will sew on the eyes!Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819654852789072308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107569274843199784.post-78466995116227362432011-07-06T21:43:00.000-07:002011-07-07T15:38:27.081-07:00Beatnik FOI am happy to present to you the fully knit, seamed and blocked, ready to wear <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mayaoxox/beatnik">Beatnik</a>. Since it came out in the Fall issue of <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEdf10/PATTbeatnik.php" target="_blank">Knitty </a> I have been eager to knit this lovely Norah Gaughan pullover. Beatnik was great cable practice and gave me some good expeience with setting in sleeves. I knit the 32" size and it fit just right, I didn't make any modifications except knit the sleeves down one needle size, because I often find my sleeves too large<br />
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note: yes my hands are a bit blue (dye!) I will explain some other time ;)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5911314128/" title="Beatnik 2 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6045/5911314128_2307f36e17.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Beatnik 2"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5910761469/" title="Beatnik 3 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6055/5910761469_92be3d67d5.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="Beatnik 3"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5911310618/" title="Beatnik 1 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6021/5911310618_3563cdce46.jpg" width="500" height="450" alt="Beatnik 1"></a><br />
I chose not to double up the ribbing on the neck because I thought it looked perfect the way it was and wasn't sure if I could pull off that look!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5911332022/" title="Beatnik 5 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5074/5911332022_e54bf2238f.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Beatnik 5"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5911335880/" title="Beatnik 6 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5120/5911335880_c5c2760d51.jpg" width="500" height="351" alt="Beatnik 6"></a><br />
This project has inspired me to do a whole lot more aran knitting and given me confidence that I can really start to tackle more complicated and involved garments, looking forward to the next one!Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819654852789072308noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107569274843199784.post-60598006232806950202011-07-04T19:40:00.000-07:002011-07-04T19:42:23.818-07:00From one sleeve to anotherI have been organising my stash, doing a whole lot of seaming, and apparently knitting a whole lot of sleeves lately, and also most importantly finished <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mayaoxox/beatnik">Beatnik</a>! It's currently blocking in all it's seamed glory, and looking quite promising, I am so excited to give it a wear and take some photos. Following my sweater craze, I cast on for <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/owls-2">Owls</a>, a cute owl inspired pullover by Kate Davies. The pattern has you knit the stockinette body up to the armholes, but the stitches on hold and then knit the two sleeves and then put the body and the arm hole stitches together to form the yoke (with the cabled owl detail). I had finished the body before I cast on for Beatnik and had put it away, so I was up to knitting the arms, and because I knit the arms for Beatnik last, I am knitting 4 arms in a row - as you can imagine, I don't think I want to knit another arm again!<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5903104673/" title="Beatnik Sleeve by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Beatnik Sleeve" height="183" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5034/5903104673_cb78ec8d1a_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5903623728/" title="Owls WIP 1 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Owls WIP 1" height="183" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6018/5903623728_5ecafca04e_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
Thankfully, I'm up to my fourth consecutive arm!<br />
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Before I finish up, I have to share with you this lovely Australian 4ply fingering weight alpaca I bought last week, in a deep red that I tried to capture as best as I could. This is the softest alpaca yarn I have ever come across, and I am hoping it will become a shawl or shrug sometime soon<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5903093299/" title="Fingering Weight Alpaca 2 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/5903093299_8ba0d19eba.jpg" width="500" height="404" alt="Fingering Weight Alpaca 2"></a>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819654852789072308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107569274843199784.post-48528579257893147732011-07-04T02:41:00.000-07:002011-07-04T02:42:58.769-07:00Multnomah FOMy first ever shawl was finished up about a week go and now lives with it's happy recipient. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/multnomah">Multnomah</a> is a garter stitch triangular shawl with a simple, yet effective feather and fan border. While I was trolling Ravelry for a shawl pattern to knit, I came across some really stunning (free!) shawl patterns. Some of my favourites were<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/annis"> Annis</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/haruni">Haruni</a> and the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/holden-shawlette">Holden Shawlette</a>. Ultimately I settled on Multnomah because I thought the pattern level suited my current shawl knitting abilities plus it didn't hurt that I didn't need to cast on some enormous amount of stitches to get the shawl going. So here it is!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5886249056/" title="Multnomah 1 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5183/5886249056_1c749399c5.jpg" width="500" height="337" alt="Multnomah 1"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5885688789/" title="Mulltnomah 3 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5885688789_2d7d876aa9.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Mulltnomah 3"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5886252154/" title="Multnomah 2 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5159/5886252154_7eae255a83.jpg" width="500" height="358" alt="Multnomah 2"></a><br />
I think I migh buy some more fingering weight yarn!Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819654852789072308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107569274843199784.post-65255084005815129892011-06-29T03:57:00.000-07:002011-06-29T03:58:53.748-07:00Progress<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beatnik" target="_blank">Beatnik</a>, has seen quite a lot of progress over the past week. Though, not knitting up as fast as I thought it would - I probably didn't realised how involved these cables were, but it's all worth the time - the cables are lovely!<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mayaoxox/beatnik" target="_blank">Rav Link</a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5883372315/" title="Beatnik WIP 1 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Beatnik WIP 1" height="397" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6053/5883372315_115b0686de.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I have just completed the back and cast on for the front, the twisted k1 p1 rib is making my hands a bit sore, but I'm trying to get it done quickly so this doesn't end up in my ever accumulating UFO bag! <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5883939534/" title="Beatnik 2 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6031/5883939534_cf98cc2640.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Beatnik 2"></a><br />
I am really excited about this sweater, and hopefully it will be knit up in the next few weeks so I can get some wear out of it this winter. I'm a bit nervous about the finishing, blocking and all the seaming I am going to have to do, but lets hope for the best ; )<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5883378459/" title="Beatnik 3 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6019/5883378459_b99bd5d7e4.jpg" width="500" height="383" alt="Beatnik 3"></a>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819654852789072308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107569274843199784.post-84862042974118649722011-06-24T00:18:00.000-07:002011-06-24T00:18:13.142-07:00Hello Beatnik!A few days ago, with my newly aquired yarn, I cast on for <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beatnik">Beatnik </a>- the wonderful aran sweater pattern by Norah Gaughan. This is the most complicated cable pattern I have ever tried - and despite my many concerns that I wouldn't be able to do it - it's turning out quite nice and I am pleasantly surprised. <br />
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mayaoxox/beatnik">Rav Link</a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5859459034/" title="Beatnik WIP 1 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Beatnik WIP 1" height="320" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5079/5859459034_59a08bb581.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
This picture was taken a few days ago, I have now completed about half of the back.<br />
This sweater is knit in pieces, and has thee quarter sleeves. It was published in last years Knitty's Deep Fall issue, and has many completed FO's. If you love your cables, then give this pattern a go, and the cable repeats aren't that complicated - especially if you colour code them (as I have shown in the image below).<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5858910591/" title="Beatnik by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Beatnik" height="332" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5858910591_3abde27fff.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
The difference that colour coding made, was huge, it was so much easier to work out which cable I was meant to be doing, and it was kind of fun to take out all of my coloured textas!Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819654852789072308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107569274843199784.post-4910762415445249692011-06-22T00:03:00.001-07:002011-06-22T00:06:39.779-07:00And the yarn arrives<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I am so excited about the huge package, filled with my favourite thing that arrived for me today at my door. The perfect pick me up to a not-so-perfect day, I bet you can guess what it was...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
Earlier this month I had ordered the biggest ever amount of yarn I had ever purchased at one time from my favourite online yarn shop <a href="http://www.yarn.com/">Webs</a>. I bought so much, that in fact it was more than enough for six different medium sized sweaters, yes, I'm not kidding. This urge to buy yarn, has eminated from my lack of having any yarn in my stash that I could just cast on for a project with, but now - no excuses, I have more than enough. I decided not to show everything that I aquired just yet, but here is a bit of a taste of what I got....</div><br />
Cascade 220 in Straw <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5858914511/" title="Straw 220 2 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Straw 220 2" height="317" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2718/5858914511_a298cc3db6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Cascade 220 in Natural<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5859443132/" title="220 Wool Natural Stash by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="220 Wool Natural Stash" height="296" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3037/5859443132_9600c6e707.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Cascade Eco + in Skyblue<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5858887665/" title="Stash Pic Eco Blue by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Stash Pic Eco Blue" height="376" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5189/5858887665_2bec8120d4.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Cascade 220 in Turtle<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5858895035/" title="Turtle 220 Wool Stash by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="Turtle 220 Wool Stash" height="334" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5272/5858895035_392248b6bc.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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The weather has been terribly gloomy, so I haven't felt like taking many more pictures, but I will post my other yarns another time!<br />
Receiving yarn in the mail, is probably one of the best ways to have a great day, so I urge you to give it a try, and enjoy the experience of coming home to a nice box of yarn.</b>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819654852789072308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107569274843199784.post-53133145844066279692011-06-18T17:21:00.000-07:002011-06-18T17:22:33.822-07:00Pink MarsSock knitting has always interested me, I had seem to have caught the bug last year, when I knit the stunning <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lindsay-2">Lindsay</a> pattern by Cookie A. But after that sweaters preoccupied me and socks seemed to take a backseat, but while I wait for all my sweater yarn to arrive, I find myself wanting to knit a toe up pair of vanilla socks!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5847029692/" title="Handyed Pink Mars 5 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5181/5847029692_369975aa6c.jpg" width="500" height="320" alt="Handyed Pink Mars 5"></a><br />
<p>It may not sound as exciting, but I have never tried toe up sock knitting before, so for me it means learning a new technique/cast on. I chose a the Nikki Burns <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-humble-sock-goes-toe-up">Humble Sock</a> pattern, it's such a great, free!, clear and helpful sock pattern. And then read instructions for the Turkish cast on, which was much easier than I expected, <a href="http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com/2005/10/knitting-made-easier-turkish-cast-on.html">this</a> tutorial was great, and provided step by step instructions that were easy to follow.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5846463395/" title="Handyed Pink Mars 2 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5222/5846463395_0ea5b22f46.jpg" width="500" height="369" alt="Handyed Pink Mars 2"></a><br />
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The yarn for this sock, is something that I handyed, quite late at night, so I wasn't sure what I would wake up and have the yarn looking like! It turned out alright, It's an interesting colour mix, and the first thing that came to my mind when I tried to find a word to describe it was 'Mars'. So here are my Pink Mars socks!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5847053778/" title="DSC_0063 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3257/5847053778_21e5706f17.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="DSC_0063"></a><br />
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I also decided to knit two at a time, which is something that I always thought was a good idea, but never actually tried. Hopefully this will prevent second sock syndrome, and help me achieve more identical looking socks. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5846507809/" title="Pink Mars WIP 3 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2802/5846507809_ff35f0b6d9.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Pink Mars WIP 3"></a><br />
(note the very very curly knitting needle :S)<br />
<p>So I think I'm a converted, toe up sock knitter!Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819654852789072308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107569274843199784.post-48174122792323837832011-06-16T00:44:00.000-07:002011-06-16T00:55:40.704-07:00Shawls...Shawls have always amazed me, they are beautiful, they look very tricky and are a mysterious part of knitting that I wouldn't of thought I would venture into any time soon. <br />
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But lately something has given me the urge to pick up those lace addi turbo's and cast on for one, as a present for my mum. She would <span style="background-color: white;">definitely appreciate one and I haven't knit her anything for quite some time. So began my search for the perfect beginners pattern on Ravelry, I wanted to make sure I chose a pattern that would </span>suit my ability as a shawl knitter, so I chose the lovely pattern <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/multnomah" target="_blank">Multnomah</a>. This is a garter stitch, with a pretty feather and fan border in the shape of a triangle. The most appealing thing about this pattern is that you do not need to cast on a mighty number of stitches (only 11) so I am almost through the garter stitch area!<br />
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mayaoxox/multnomah" target="_blank">Rav Link</a><br />
{Click for a bigger pic}<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5838172593/" title="WIPS Multnomah by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="WIPS Multnomah" height="332" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3246/5838172593_87515539eb.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I am enjoying knitting this so much, that I might cast on another one for myself, in a slightly thicker yarn! This might just be the start of a new shawl craze...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5838176721/" title="WIPS Multnomah 2 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img alt="WIPS Multnomah 2" height="332" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2794/5838176721_9ea12ac1b8.jpg" width="500" /></a>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819654852789072308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107569274843199784.post-33003145454139105152011-06-15T23:59:00.001-07:002011-06-15T23:59:31.213-07:00Felipe Baby Vest FOThe <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/felipe" target="_blank">Felipe</a> Baby Vest flew off my needles in a few days, and the result is a cute, simple but very wearable baby gift. I think this is the perfect project for this type of yarn, and the plain stockinette lets the yarn show off a bit. These photos here are the closest to the real colour of the yarn, it was slightly harder to capture exactly the right hue, but I did my best. <br />
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mayaoxox/felipe" target="_blank">Rav Link</a><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5835255072/" title="Felipe Baby Vest by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/5835255072_1b2327f904.jpg" width="460" height="332" alt="Felipe Baby Vest"></a><br />
This is a great pattern if you need a quick present for a baby, or a last minute shower gift!<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5834706963/" title="Felipe Baby Vest 2 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5310/5834706963_45a7a6fa14.jpg" width="460" height="332" alt="Felipe Baby Vest 2"></a><br />
I would have made the little matching cap, but the yarn is just not soft enough for a babys head. But I think if I pair the vest with a handmade card, or some booties it would be a nice gift!Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819654852789072308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107569274843199784.post-59906021305141959602011-06-15T15:38:00.001-07:002011-06-15T15:38:04.271-07:00HelloHello! I would like to start with my latest project, a <a title="Felipe Vest" href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/felipe" target="_blank">Felipe Vest</a>, a baby knit! For my friend's brothers spring baby. Compared to anything else (except maybe sweaters!) baby knitting excites me the most, I just love the tiny little cardigans, pullovers and vests and would jump at any oppertunity to knit for a bub.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mayaoxox/felipe" target="_blank">Rav Link</a><br />
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{Click for a bigger pic}<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63431811@N04/5835067210/" title="DSC_0026 by mayad8, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/5835067210_ede494c9ce.jpg" width="460" height="332" alt="DSC_0026"></a><br />
The yarn, is something that I have had in my stash for a while and one of the few varigated yarns that I have ever bought, as I usually like to stick to the solids. The yarn itself isin't soft enough to be close to the skin, especially for a baby, so I thought a vest, that would be worn over a top or t-shirt would be perfect for the feel of this yarn. For this reason, I don't think I will be knitting a hat in this yarn, or if I do, I will certainly be lining it with some soft cotton, because otehrwise the hat would be way to itchy!<br />
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I have ordered a whole lot of yarn from <a href="http://yarn.com/">Webs</a> for a few knitted sweaters I want to crank out for the Winter/Spring, so I'm waiting for those to come in.Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819654852789072308noreply@blogger.com0