Knitting projects

The recent snow and cold weather has triggered off my knitting addiction. For some reason knitting seems to have a 'warming' effect on me even before I wear the finished projects. So here's what I've been knitting:

Wrist warmers for a friend at school following this free pattern. Very easy and straight forward to make. The only problem I encountered was that each one was a different colour. I didn't realise that the yarn I used had a long colour repeat. So i ended up knitting four and I will give the two best ones to my friend and keep the rest.

A purple scarf made from my favourite yarn that had been lurking in my drawers for 3 years. I already have a pair of wrist warmers made from this yarn and I have a purple coat that matches. So all I really need now is a perfect purple scarf and I'll be feeling very happy with myself. I used this lace scarf pattern which is very simple and straight forward. Perfect for knitting on the train or when watching TV.

And of course a project for Little-N, mini wrist warmers to match a hat of his. I made it in about 20mins and he loves them :)

The Prismatic Scarf

I needed to knit a blue scarf to wear with my many blue outfits this winter. I thought of knitting the 'so called scarf' but my mother has knit that so many times that I felt my scarf wouldn't be original enough for me. So i went on a scarf pattern hunt and came across this pattern. I really like the stitch and it's very easy to do, however i don't think my yarn was good enough for it. It needs a short colour repeat yarn to really show off its beauty.

I used a long random repeat yarn in blue. As with most of my yarns, I got this from Cairo for a couple of pounds, its great quality, 100% wool and comes is so many colourways. I have a green colourway that I'll be using to knit Little-N a jumper soon.

Socks and a Tomten

I haven't been able to blog lately since Little-N has been very sick and I'm sorry for not replying to comments, I hope to do so before the end of the week. I finally finished knitting my socks that I posted about earlier. I used a simple toe-up pattern that you can find on knitty.

These socks took ages and ages to finish as i kept getting side tracked by knitting other things. Now that my socks are finished, i hope to knit Little-N a pair that match mine.

I also finished Little-Ns Tomten jacket from Elizabeth Zimmerman's book. I initially intended to sew a zip in the front, but after completing this jacket I felt buttons would look nicer.

My feather and fan comfort shawl

YES! I finally finished my shawl. I wanted to make it bit bigger however my mum convinced me it was big enough.

I like how the yarn looks in this pattern. I love purple so these shades were just right for me.

I used this free pattern and yes this time I followed a pattern except for a tiny change.

Little-Ns knitted hat collection

Little-N has always been famous for his hats. I and my mum take pleasure in knitting to warm his little head.
Here are some hats from this years collection:

The pixie hat: This is a must, I knit it last spring and its one of those hats I throw on when nothing else matches. I didn't follow a pattern but there are many free patterns for this hat on the Internet. I love pixies and I had to have my own pixie!

The pumpkin hat: This hat is always used, if not by him then someone else. I love it to bits. He had a smaller one with leaves attached to it, but when he grew out of it my mum made him this one and we never got round to adding the leaves.

The berry hat: which I don't think he'll be wearing out this year! He decided his Teddy can wear it instead.

The DRAGON hat: Little-Ns favourite, the pattern is from 'Little badger Knitwear'. Its getting too small now and I might pass it to his nephew and then I'll have to knit him a new one.


The helmet hat: I made this a few months ago.

We haven't named this hat. My mum made it for Little-N a few months ago and it matches perfectly with his brown clothes. Here is the pattern.

Its snowing outside!

Its been a long time since I last blogged. We've been very busy with moving houses. All the packing, unpacking and putting up Ikea furniture. The time goes past so fast I didn't realise how long I haven't posted for. Me and Little-N are now on a very needed half-term holiday. I haven't planned much for this week although I do hope to take him to a Zoo and perhaps a castle.

This morning I woke up to frosted grass, its delightful to see the winter slowly crawl its way in [its actually snowing outside right now]. I have many idea's for knitting projects for this year. On my list for Little-N are: Aran Jumper, hooded cardigan, 2 hats, vest tops and a nice pair of warm sock. I decided to spoil myself this year and knit myself a few things [usually i knit for other people and freeze instead] I'd like to knit myself a scarf, a long warm cardigan, wrist warmers, leg warmers, a cable hand bag and a shawl that I have already started [and will post abt soon].

I'm looking for science resources for some of the projects I'll be doing with the children over the next few months. I came across this great website that seems to have many amazing resources. I can't wait to order!

Knitting at school

As i mentioned in an earlier post, I use every spare moment I have to knit. I am currently knitting a pair of socks for myself using a toe - up pattern. I keep my knitting on a shelf at school and whenever I have a second or two I knit a bit. Right now I am 3/4 of a way through one sock [all knitted at school in the workcycle]. The children love it when I knit and they have all placed orders for socks and hats [not sure how i will get out of this one]. I will upload a pic of the socks when I finish them.

It's getting cold....

So Winter is obviously on its way and the cold is slowly creeping in. When its cold I get into knitting mode. Usually I never dress Little-N in any knitwear unless its handmade. Each winter he gets new hats, jumpers and cardigans. I knit all winter until the weather starts to get warm.

Last winter I made Little-N this aran jumper

I made it without a pattern, all in one piece from top down on circular needles. Luckily it was too big for him last winter and it fits beautifully this winter.

To start this winter off I knitted him this hat:

Again without a pattern, I wanted something that will keep his ears warm and that little bit of his neck covered. I wish I had time to type up the pattern so that I can share it with everyone, at the moment I don't SORRY!

A friend asked me: 'When do you knit? you haven't got any time!'

Answer: I knit in the school meeting every morning, while everyone is discussing the day, my needles are racing. I have a knitting project I keep in my class and whenever I have a chance between presentations and observations I sit on a chair and start knitting. The children love this and many will choose to watch me knit. Each lunch break you'll find needles in my hand and many days I'll prefer it over food. I knit if I'm on the train and I knit when I am stressed and need to calm down. Yes, I am addicted especially when its winter.

Knitting a Bolero

Im knitting this:
From this:
I love the wool, full of different shades of blue. I don't usually knit myself things, I tend to knit for Little-N and enjoy watching him wear my work. It will take me ages to finish since I have 10000 things to do other than knit.

The pattern is free from Lion Brand at this link http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/60353A.html?noImages=

but u do have to register!