Bamboo Needles

Knitting 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 Knitters Review article that I found really helpful especially when weighing up the benefits and drawbacks.

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.

It's been a while

It 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!

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.

{Ravelry Link}





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 Savory Knitting.

{Ravelry Link}





Happy knitting!

Cocoon Cowl

I 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.

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!

{Cocoon Cowl}

   
I can't wait to get some more of lovey Cocoon.

Red Dunes

Dunes, has been one of those projects. You know the type, those projects where knitting a 12" wide scarf in lace weight yarn seems like a good 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.


 



 

I ended up just taking the lace pattern from Dunes, 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 time

Fuzzy Feet

Quick, 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.


{Ravelry Link}

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.




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 feet

The small things

Lately 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.

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 Dunes by Gena Wich.

{Ravelry Link}

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

Owls

Owls, was a quick, wonderful, rewarding project knit in the very warm and smooshy Cascade Eco + You probably have heard, seen or even knit this pattern before, since there are 4195 projects and counting on Ravelry alone!

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

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!