Month: Oct 2023

Posted in Uncategorized

Knit-a-Long Baby Blanket: Week 8-9

Posted on by Jackie B

This week\s pattern is the most complicated yet, featuring colour work – an intarsia design, featuring the words “KNIT” and “CHAT” with a cup and saucer in between – a reference to our knit and natter group!

First of all, let’s take a look at what everyone’s blankets are looking like. Pauline has joined the KAL – here’s her blanket so far.

Here’s A’s blanket in fawn,

R continues her pink and white one.

And here’s L’s salmon pink.

Here’s a close up of the lacy pattern we did last week, on my blanket.

Yvonne’s next design is 20 rows – that’s 2 weeks worth – week’s 8 and 9. It includes charts for the colour work.

Yvonne writes, “Hi guys – here we go again with a double whammy this week and we agreed to do both weeks in one as it’s really all one pattern. This week we have a bit of intarsia so you will need another colour or a few it’s up to you. Personally I love colour so I used a different colour for each part as there are some large parts which are difficult to carry the spare yarn across the back without puckering it. I will write out the rows to set the pattern then follow the charts (A on purl row first, B on knit row first) at the end of the written instructions.

So here we go and if we have previous rows correct we should have 125 sts in the middle to work on not forgetting the 8 sts of border at either end. Ok

Week 8-9

Row 1. K50, P25, K50 
Row 2. P48,  K31, P48
Row 3. K47, P3, K1, P2, K18, P2, K1, P3, K to end.
Now we start the intarsia at the beginning and end of the row in between the edges.
Row 4. P46 as follows:- 1 main (m), 1 contrast (c), 7m, 1c, 2m, 1c, 6m, 2c, 4m, 1c, 7m, 1c, 12m then centre panel of K3, P2, K2, P18, K2, P2, K3, P8, then intarsia again, P37 as follows:- 6c, 2m, 1c, 4m, 1c, 1m, 1c, 11m, 1c, 2m, 1c, 7m.
Row 5. K row as follows:- 7m, 1c, 2m, 1c, 11m, 1c, 1m, 1c, 4m, 1c, 7m, 1c, 6m, centre panel, P3, k3 p2, k18, p2, k3, p3, intarsia 11m, 1c, 7m, 1c, 4m, 2c, 6m, 1c, 3m, 1c, 6m, 1c, k to end.
Row 6. Follow chart A at the end for the sides and this is the centre panel worked over 45sts, p5, k3, p3, k2, p18, k2, k4, p3, k4. Intarsia from chart B.
Row 7. Follow chart B then centre panel k4, p3, k5, p2, k18, p2, k5, p3, k3 follow chart A.
Row 8. Centre panel p3, k3, p6, k2, p18, k3, p5, k2, p4.
Row 9. K3, p1, k5, p1, k2, p2, k18, p2, k7, p1, k3.
Row 10. P2, k1, p8, k2, p18, k2, p2, k1, p5, k1, p3.
Row 11. K8, p1, k3, p2, k18, p2, k11.
Row 12. P11, k2, p18, k2, p4, k1, p7.
Row 13. K7, p1, k4, p22, k11.
Row 14. P17, k1, p5, k1, p9, k1, p3, k1, p7.
Row 15. K7, p1, k2, p1, k8, p2, k4, p2, k18.
Row 16. P20, k2, p4, k2, p7, k2, p8.
Row 17. K16, p1, k4, p2, k22.
Row 18. P24, k1, p2, k1, p17.
Row 19. K21, p2, k22.
Row 20. P20, k2, p23.

Chart A

image0.jpeg

Chart B

image1.jpeg

It’s challenging so do your best! Don’t forget to send pics of your blankets.

Posted in Uncategorized

Knit-A-Long Baby Blanket: Week 7

Posted on by Jackie B

It’s Week 7 of the Knit-a-Long!

First of all let’s have a look at how everyone got on with last week’s honeycomb pattern. Wnelcome to blog follower Liz who is knitting her blanket in yellow, aqua and white.

Here’s R’s pink and white…

…and L’s salmon pink

They all look great!

Here’s mine.

This week Yvonne has brought us a lacy pattern – it should look like the yellow stripe in the pic at the top of the post.

Yvonne writes, “Hi guys, it’s that time of week again and ready for the next part. I hope you all enjoyed last week’s instalment and didn’t find it too hard. This week we are changing the tempo and having a bit of lace and no cable needles in sight but we still have to count very carefully. Not that much to it but we do have long rows, it’s done over 4 sts and in 4 rows repeat so have fun.”

Week 7

The abbreviations for this week are:
Yf yarn forward which means put yarn round the needle.
Sl slip one so you slip the next st onto the other needle.
K2tog knit 2 together which I think is self explanatory.
PSSO pass slip st over again I think it explains itself.

Here we go.

Row 1. K2, (yf, sl, k2tog, psso, yf, k1) repeat what’s in brackets as far as you can remembering the 8 garter st at beginning and end.
Row 2. P.
Row 3. K1, k2tog, yf, k1, (yf, sl, k2tog, psso, yf, k1) repeat to end.
Row 4. P.
These 4 rows form pattern so repeat rows 1-4 again then the first 2 and that’s all there is to it.

Just remember to count carefully and also the borders and I will speak to you next week. Happy knitting guys.
Yvonne

How are you getting on with your blanket? Do keep sending in your photos.

Posted in Uncategorized

Knit-A-Long Baby Blanket: Week 6

Posted on by Jackie B

The KAL blanket is growing! Before I share the next instalment of Yvonne’s design, here are what some of the other group members are looking like. If you’ll remember, last week’s pattern was for a 5×5 check effect.

Here’s mine so far

…and L’s salmon pink…

…along with R’s pink and white

This week, Yvonne introduces a honeycomb pattern.

She writes,”Hi guys. Hope you are all well and managed last week’s pattern without too much trouble!

This week’s pattern consists of a 4 row repeat and uses a cable needle, it’s a little tricky but remember it’s all in the counting.

Week 6

We will be using abbreviations so here is the explanation for this pattern 
TW2R Twist 2 right which means put next st on cable needle and hold at back of work, knit 1, then knit 1 from cable needle.
TW2L Twist 2 left which means put next st on cable needle and hold at front of work, knit 1 then knit 1 from cable needle.

Ok here we go.
Row 1, (TW2R, TW2L) repeat to last st k1.
Row 2 and all even rows purl.
Row 3, (TW2L, TW2R) repeat to last st k1.

These 4 rows form pattern so repeat rows 1 – 4 again and then rows 1 & 2 again.

That’s all there is to it, good luck and happy knitting.
See you next week.

Yvonne.

I love a bit of cable so I’m looking forward to getting on with this one. To see what it should look like, look at the photo of Yvonne’s blanket at the beginning of the post – it’s the purple stripe at the top.

Keep on knitting and sending photos of your blanket so far!

Posted in Uncategorized

Crochet Credibility

Posted on by Jackie B

I’ve taught a fair few people to crochet over the years, friends and members of the various craft groups I attend. I was recently asked if I would run something at The Amble Pincushion as their usual crochet tutor has retired. I’ve agreed to teach a 2-hour session on making classic granny squares, something suitable for beginners. If it works out I may do more.

Granny squares seemed a good choice. The catwalks and clothing shops have featured loads of garments that include crochet squares this year. I’ve even just seen a picture of a jumper made of crochet-printed fleece on the Nicola Knits Blog– simulated granny squares!

To get ready, I’ve been preparing yarn packs and handouts. I’ve even made a promotional video.

I’ve also been making lots of granny squares, most of which I made up into a sleeveless pullover. I used shades of brown, beige and white, crocheted them together and added a double crochet edging.

I used four different colour schemes for the squares and joined them sequentially.

The only thing I would have done differently is join the squares together as I went along – it did take ages to join them up. I used the crochet method which gives a really neat join.

I edged the neck, armholes and waist with a band of several rows of double crochet, placing some decreases at the underarm to improve the fit.

If I wear this for my course I’m hoping it gives my students confidence that I know what I’m talking about. Maybe I should call it my credibility top!

I just heard today that the course is fully booked, which is great news!

Have you been on a craft workshop recently? What did you enjoy most about it?

Posted in Uncategorized

Knit-A-Long Baby Blanket: Week 5

Posted on by Jackie B

Last week’s pattern was a line of hearts – Yvonne’s prototype blanket included this in bright orange.

R’s pink/pink and white blanket is pictured below…..

…along with L’s vivid salmon pink…..

..and my striped blanket – I used a soft peach yarn.

This week we are knitting 10 rows in a square check design (pictured in lime green at the top of the page).

Yvonne writes,

“Hi guys. It’s that time again and I don’t know where the weeks go!
I hope last week wasn’t too mind blowing and that you can all count really well now as it comes in very handy. This week is quite easy going so here we go, please remember the edging on both sides.”

Week 5

Row. 1, P5, K5, to last 5 sts, P5.
Row. 2, K5, P5, to last 5 sts, K5.
Row. 3 & 4 repeat rows 1 & 2
Row. 5, repeat row 1 again.
Row. 6, 7, 8, 9 work as row 1 & row 2.
Row. 10, repeat row 1 and that’s all there is to it!

“Hope you are all enjoying this little pattern and this blanket but after this week we are all going to learn some new skills I hope. As always I’m here to answer any questions or problems so happy knitting.”

Yvonne

It looks like things are going to get a bit more tricky next time!

Carry on enjoying the KAL and sending me your photos!

Posted in Beautiful Northumberland

Hulne Park: Remnants of a Celebrity Wedding.

Posted on by Jackie B

We spent a nice day In Hulne Park a couple of weeks back. The Park is the private estate of the Duke of Northumberland. I suppose you could say it is the back garden of Alnwick Castle! We had volunteered to help with a pleasure ride held in the park with the Duke’s permission. Well over 100 horses and ponies and their riders were able to enjoy spending time in this beautifully landscaped park which is over 3000 acres in size . They followed a marked route across fields and moorland, through woods and along the banks of the River Aln. Not only is the scenery stunning, but there is no traffic to speak of, apart from the occasional farm vehicle. That is quite a luxury for many riders who can’t access safe places to ride without crossing or riding along the highway.

The park is also the location of several ancient monuments, including Hulne Priory. Originally the home of Carmelite monks in the 13th Century, the Priory is now in ruins, though much remains of what is still an imposing and atmospheric building , perched on a hill within the park.

Our riders were curious about the pale circles and rectangles in the grass near the abbey.

The site had not however been visited by aliens! This was the location of a celebrity wedding the previous weekend and the grass had not yet recovered. DJ Calvin Harris had married BBC Radio 1 presenter Vic Hope in a lavish Glastonbury-themed wedding. Huge marquees had been erected by the Priory and a large village of luxurious tents and tepees had been set up nearby to accommodate wedding guests overnight.

Security had been strict but local residents were made aware that something very special was happening when they witnessed (and heard) a massive firework display on the night of the wedding. The local and tabloid press reported several celebrities at the local train station as they left the area the following day. Aerial photos of the site have also been published, presumably drone footage.

It must have taken an army of staff to set up and staff the event….and another army to clear up afterwards. No trace of what had happened could be seen apart from those tell-tale patches on the grass. In a few more days these will have turned green again.

Hulne Park is open to walkers 11am until 4pm daily, though it is advisable to check the website before visiting as it does close occasionally for special events, such as this wedding. No cyclists or dogs are allowed. This is to safeguard livestock and game.

Posted in knitting

Knit-A-Long Baby Blanket: Week 4

Posted on by Jackie B

Welcome to Week 4 of the KAL – that means that when you’ve done this week’s section you are a quarter of the way through!

First of all let’s look at what those of us taking part have been up to.

Here’s mine. My alternating colour/white combo meant week 3 was in white yarn.

Here is L’s lovely pink one……

…and A’s cosy soft fawn.

Now for the Week 4 instructions. This week we are back to casually counting stitches like Week 2. Over to you Yvonne…..

Week 4 Instructions

Yvonne writes, “Well guys it’s that time of the week again and time for the next 10 rows. I’m sorry to say that it’s a little bit harder. Also please remember that the first and last 8 stitches are in garter stitch throughout. So here we go.”

Row. 1, knit.
Row. 2, p6, k1, to end finishing with a p6.
Row. 3, k5, (p3, k4) to end doing last st as k before border.
Row. 4, p4, (k5, p2) to last 4 sts p to end.
Row. 5, k4, (p5, k2) to last 4 sts k to end.
Row. 6, p4, (k2, p1, k2, p2) to last 4 sts p to end.
Row. 7, k4, (p2, k1, p2, k2) to last 4 sts k to end.
Row. 8, p5, (k1, p1, k1, p4) to last 5 sts p to end.
Row 9, k to end.
Row 10, p to end.

“This is my variation of a row of hearts as I have put lots into the blanket. Good luck everyone and happy knitting until next week.”

I’d love to hear about your progress on the KAL… with photos if possible. How did your Week 3 go? What colour(s) are you using?

Good luck with Week 4. The next instalment will be posted next week.