» Listings for August 2016

1. Wrap yourself in countryside tweed

   Posted on 8:57am Thursday 25th Aug 2016

   I've woken up this morning (after our best summers day yesterday here in the UK) to a mirky miserable low misty cloud. Summer is near enough over before it's even really begun :(. At least it gives us knitters a chance to start showing off our new autumnal makes. Which is exactly what I'm doing this morning. 

   One of my knitting group friends brought in some lovely 100% wool in gorgeous tweeds a couple of weeks ago. One a lovely grey and white combination and the other a pink, grey and white combo. The yarn I purchased from my friend can be found here - WoolyKnit Countryside tweed.   I immediately set to work. I knew I wanted to make something for myself out of the grey tweed, something that I could wear over a couple of tops that had lowish necklines and that I could fling over my shoulders. I did a quick swatch to see if my needle size suited the lace pattern I had picked and to work out how many stitches to cast on  to make the shawlette long enough to fling around my neck. I cast on, worked 24 rows of the lace pattern and then set to work with some short row shaping, keeping it simple but NOT symmetrical was the key. I wanted it to look casual, so I could just throw it on and it would look super!.  What do you think?

    

   

    

   Another version of the same shawlette I quickly knit for the shop. This time a symmetrical version, with some shaping to ensure the shawlette lie smoothly round the shoulders. It's a neat little knit, which will enhance your outfit and keep your neck and shoulders warm in the process. Small enough to slip in your bag too.

   Its available to purchase here , Finished photos below.

    

   

    

   

2. Cornflower Cable Cushion - Free Pattern

   Posted on 2:56pm Sunday 21st Aug 2016

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   I made this lovely cushion cover for my living room out of some hand dyed DK yarn I had in my stash for some time. The colour matched my throw and curtains so it just had to be! I backed the cushion with some pretty green and lilac tartan effect fabric but you can choose fabric that matches your own decor or knit a plain reverse stocking stitch back. Thought I'd share ! Finished size: 14” x 14” when blocked Yarn: 100 grams hand dyed Bluefaced Leicester Aran weight Needles: 4.5 mm / US 7 / UK 7 Gauge: Approx 23 stitches, 26 rows = 10 cm / 4 inch in stocking stitch Notions:- Cable needle

   Here it is with my other crafty cushions and throws.

   

   INSTRUCTIONS

   Cast on 80 stitches using the cable cast on method.

   Consists of 28 edging stitches, 24 pattern stitches and 28 edging stitches again.

   The pattern below is just for the centre 24 stitches. The 28 edging stitches should be purled on the RS and Knit on the WS.

   Row 1 (RS) : P10, C4F, P10

   Row 2: K10, P4, K10

   Row 3: P8, C4B, C4F, P8

   Row 4: K8, P8, K8

   Row 5: P6, T4R, K4, T4L, P6

   Row 6: K6, P2, K2, P4, K2, P2, K6

   Row 7: P4, T4R, P2, C4F, P2, T4L, P4

   Row 8: K4, P2, K4, P4, K4, P2, K4

   Row 9: P2, T4R, P3, T3R, T3L, P3, T4L, P2

   Row 10: K2, P2, K4, P3, K2, P3, K4, P2, K2

   Row 11: P1, T2R, T2L, P3, T3R, P2, T3L, P3, T2R, T2L, P1

   Row 12: K1, P1, K2, P1, K3, P8, K3, P1, K2, P1, K1

   Row 13: T2R, P1, T2R, P3, K2, P4, K2, P3, T2L, P1, T2L

   Row 14: P1, K2, P1, K4, P2, K4, P2, K4, P1, K2, P1

   Row 15: T2L, T2R, P4, T3L, P2, T3R, P4, T2L, T2R

   Row 16: K1, P2, K6, P2, K2, P2, K6, P2, K1

   Row 17: P1, T2R, P6, T3L, T3R, P6, T2L, P1

   Row 18: K10, P4, K10

   The pattern is worked in 18 row repeats following the pattern above.

   Work rows 1-18  5 times

   Work rows 1 and 2 one more time.

   Bind / Cast Off lightly.

   Abbreviations:-

   C4B          Slip 2 sts on to  the cable needle, take them to the back of the work,  knit the next 2 sts and then knit the 2 sts on the cable needle.

   C4F         Slip 2 sts on to  the cable needle, take them to the front of the work,  knit the next 2 sts and then knit the 2 sts on the cable needle.

   K             Knit.

   P             Purl.

   T2L         Twist 2 left - Cross 1st stitch in front, purl 1, knit 1.

   T2R         Twist 2 right - Cross 2nd stitch in front, knit 1, purl 1.

   T3L         Twist 3 left - Cross 1st and 2nd stitches in front, purl 1 , knit 2.

   T3R        Twist 3 right - Cross 2nd and 3rd stitches in front, knit 2, purl 1.

   T4L        Twist 4 left - Cross 1st and 2nd stitches in front over 3rd and 4th stitches,  purl 2, knit 2.

   T4R       Twist 4 right - Cross  3rd and 4th stitches in front over 1st and 2nd stitches, knit 2, purl 2.

   To Finish:

   Weave in any yarn ends.

   Without squashing the cables, press the knitted piece very lightly on the wrong side of work.

   Cut a piece of fabric  ½ “ larger all round than the knitted front (should be approx 15”square).

   With the right sides facing , sew the fabric back to the knitted front , taking a ½ “ seam allowance on the fabric and sewing right to the knitted edge.

   Turn the cover to the right way and insert a cushion inner. Sew the last side closed.

   If you prefer working from charts then here is the chart for the 24 stitch centre panel:-

   

    

   Interested in more cable cushions?

   Knitting Kit available to knit this gorgeous cream cable cushion in Blue Faced Leicester yarn, truly scumptious.

   

    

    

   These hand knitted ones are available in The Feminine Touch Designs web store too.

   Teal cable knit cushion cover (15" x 15")

   £32.00

   Wool Cabled / Floral Cushion

   £30.00

   Green cable knit cushion cover

   £27.50

   Mohair Cable Cushion 14" x 14"

   £25.00