Woohoo!! An FO! I feel like it’s been a long, long time since I’ve finished something, but looking at the FO’s list, I see that it really wasn’t that long ago that I finished Buttercup. Hmm, I wonder what that’s all about then.

Anyway, I proudly present to you, Kaleidoscope:

Yarn: 1 x DIC Smooshy in Forest Green & 1 x Sunshine Yarns Soft in Froggy
Pattern: Kaleidoscope by Sarah Sutherland
Needles: 3.5mm for ribbing and 4mm for body and sleeves
Modifications/Notes: I used the pattern more as a guideline than actually following it. The ribbing was twisted, the sleeves tighter and lengthened, I did more yoke decreases (though not enough, I think), the body decreases and increases were made at different points and I used the size 40 to get a size 34, as my gauge was way off.

I also checked out meganimal’s Kaleidoscope and decided I really wanted to do this is reverse stockinette, but that didn’t quite work out the way I wanted, so I ripped back and decided that stockinette stitch was better. I used two different yarns and alternated them on each row, which made the increases/decreases a bit fiddly as some were on the RS and some on the WS, but you really can’t tell in the finished piece!

I’m a little unsure about the button bands and think maybe I should unpick them and re-do them with more stitches.

Other than that, I’m really pleased with this knit and I even got to match my lovely orange buttons to it!! It’s coming with me to the UK later this week, so I can show it off a little.

Oh and Ollie made us a fruit tart on the weekend.. it was yummy! And those strawberries were from the garden!

Filed under: Finished Projects, Knitting & Crochet, Personal by Kai
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.. I started growing chillis when I was in the UK a few years ago and it seemed only natural to start up some more plants here in Germany. Using lots of chilli in Indian cooking is only natural (in my household anyway!) so having 3 different varities made sense. I love my chillis, but do you know what I found I’m also really very proud of? The rest of the garden and what it’s producing. Ollie and I have spent lots of time planting seeds and seeding plants and transplanting them into beds etc over the last few months and to finally have a ‘harvest’ is amazing. Above, you can see my lovely chillis, but also, equally lovely, is the first pickings of peas that we’re growing. There isn’t a lot there, but we have plenty more in the garden waiting to be picked!

We also have this wonderful sight. It’s a pumpkin flower. Now I never expected these to come out, but we have 4 in total and I’m over the moon! Thatdoes mean though, that the melon plants we planted with them are not doing so well.. You win some, you lose some I suppose.

And finally, I’ve spent the last few days making jams and jellies!

We have a huge patch of strawberries that are throwing off new fruit practically every day and just behind it are bushes of red currants.
I made some plain strawberry jam, some strawberry and redcurrant jam and yesterday I spent hours in the kitchen making a redcurrant jelly. Ollie wants strawberry syrup for ice cream and milkshakes etc, so I’ll probably make that tomorrow. The picture above is only a few of the jars that I’ve filled with all this jamming & jellying etc

There’s plenty more in the garden yet to be harvested.

Scones anyone?

Filed under: Daily Musings, Personal by Kai
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I’ve finally decided to destash some of my yarn.

If you see something that catches your eye, then make me an offer.

Reasons for destashing – new college course and I need to pay my fees.

Filed under: Daily Musings, Knitting & Crochet, Personal by Kai
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I’ve just taken this quiz to find out which ewe I am:

This is what Clara Parkes (‘The Knitters Book of Wool’) has to say about this ewe:

“Their larger fiber diameter makes these wools slightly stronger than finewools yet still comfortably wearable. They like to be used in durab;e everyday sweaters as well as mittens, mitts, hats, socks and the like.”

Finns resilient nature makes them practical and straight-forward, a quality these mediumwools balance with curiosity and a zest for life. Fastidious in personal appearance and reliable. Finns stay true to their flock and make loyal friends.

Now that does sound like me! Go on, find out what ewe you are!

Filed under: Daily Musings, Knitting & Crochet, Personal by Kai
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First of all apologies for being away for so long. Blogging took a back burner for a couple of reasons this last month.

The first is related to the second half of the title. Nope, I’m not engaged, but my younger sister has! I was completely overjoyed when she called to tell me. This is a very special occassion and she’s been extremely busy planning for this. The event takes place at the end of this month and keeping this in mind, I was over to the UK in May. I spent two weeks visiting my folks, the girls and my brother and also shopping for the event. I have to say, I hate shopping. I hate Indian shopping even more. We spent 2 whole days walking up and down both Melton Road in Leicester and Wilmslow Road in Manchester, looking at sari’s and suits and bangles and jewelry and shoes etc etc etc. I had very, very tired feet. I have an outfit, but no shoes and no jewelry, after all of that. But I’m not worried! Ever the optimist.

I also got to spend some lovely days in London in the middle of my break. I stayed with the lovely Diane and then we spent a fantastic afternoon with the ever gorgeous and blooming Kate. She made us a lovely thai meal with salmon and my mouth just waters from thinking about it.

Diane and I also got a chance to visit Socktopus. The shop owned by Alice. She has a lovely piccie of me fondling some very pick yarn on her blog.
They say that yarn purchases on holiday don’t really count towards stash.. yeh right, I bought stuff at Alice’s and at Stash in Putney! Oops.

Unfortunately, as you can see, I have no piccies of my visit to the UK. I am a bad blogger.

But to make up for that, here’s a few of our veggie patches and my new herb spiral:

1. Herb Spiral, 2. Pumpkins, 3. Three Sisters, 4. Sweetcorn, 5. Potatoes, 6. Chillis, 7. Flower Bed on Swing, 8. Aubergines, 9. Hammock, 10. Tomatos, 11. Current Herb Bed, 12. Herb Spiral

Created with fd’s Flickr Toys.

As well as all this grafting, I’ve actually started spinning again. There was a huge lull recently on the spinning front, but that seems to have passed.

Fibre: The Yarnwench Falkland in Neptune
Type:2 ply Sportweight (12wpi)
Length: 214yds/196m
Weight: 116g

On the knitting front, I’ve just completed my lovely Buttercup in some DB Pure Silk I’ve had in stash for a good 4 years.

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Pure Silk in Lilac
Pattern:Buttercup by Heidi Kirrmaier
Needles: 4mm and 3.5mm Knit Picks Harmony Circs
Modifications/Notes: I added extra pattern repeats at the bottom of Buttercup.

This was a really fun knit and I’m definitely going to make more. My only issue is the yarn I chose. I chose it mainly because it was in my stash, knowing that that much silk might not work well in a top. Also, as it’s a single ply, it twists a little, but I knew all of this before starting. It’s currently blocking at the moment, so I’ll put up modelled piccies soon and you can all let me know what you think.

I think I’ve rambled on enough for this post, so I’ll leave you all in peace now. Here’s to a gorgeous, sunny weekend! Enjoy!

Filed under: Daily Musings, Finished Projects, Handspun, Knitting & Crochet, Personal, Spinning by Kai
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I’ve just finished two pairs of socks in the last week or so.

The first are plain socks for Ollie, who seems to go through them pretty fast. I think I need to buy some stuff to stick on the soles so he doesn’t wear them out as quick.

Yarn: Rellana Flotte Socke 4 fach in 4312 Dark Blue
Pattern: Just my normal plain socks recipe, with a new-to-me short row heel technique.
Needles: 2.5mm Addi Circ
Modifications/Notes: I used a short row heel method that didn’t involve wraps that was shared on the Lime N Violet Daily Chum It works really well and I’ll definitely use it again.

The second are a pair of Nutkins:

Yarn: Collinette Jitterbug in 67 Copperbeach
Pattern: Nutkin by Beth LaPensee
Needles: 2.5mm Knit Picks Harmony Circ (until Flynn sat on it and broke a needle in half) & 2.5mm Addi Circ
Modifications/Notes: I reversed the chart on the front and back so that it was symmetrical. I worked the heel as it was supposed to be (short rows using YO’s instead of wraps) but I found it a bit gappy, so I definitely need to practice that. Also, I changed the heel to my normal one and grafted the toes.

So there are two similar yet different heels that I learnt in these socks and on the Nutkins, I learnt about using a hem for the cuff.. same method as the picot cuffs, which I love!

The Nutkins were off my needles in a matter of days, the pattern was scrumptious and so easy.

On a different note, Suse-the-slow-knitta has awarded me the following:

Blogs that receive the Let’s Be Friends Award are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers.

Now you know me, I don’t really do the picking blogs to award, as I truly believe that all the blogs I read deserve all the awards available. So, I’m saying once again that if you read this post, consider yourself awarded, please. I mean it.

Filed under: Finished Projects, Knitting & Crochet, Personal by Kai
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I first saw this pattern on The Plucky Knitters Group on Ravelry, where someone had used some gorgeous Plucky Knitter Merino/Cashmere/Nylon Fingering to make theirs and I couldn’t believe how such a simple pattern could showcase a yarn so gorgeously. I had to have one too.

Yarn: The Plucky Knitter MCN Fingering in Hey, Cupcake!
Pattern: Baktus Scarf by Strikkelise
Needles: 3mm Addi Circs
Modifications/Notes: The good thing about this pattern is that you can work it with any yarn of your choice. You just make sure you knit only half the skein and then switch to the decreases for the second half. It really is as simple as that. No mods.

The yarn had just happened to turn up just before I saw the pattern and I knew straight away that this was the pattern that I would use the yarn for, saying that, I ran out of yarn at the end, mainly because I didn’t believe I’d reached halfway.. ah well.. a bit of fudging and you can’t even tell!

Now I know that the weather has turned and that I really don’t need a scarf at the moment, but I reckon I’ll find a way to wear it some time soon! I’m definitely making more of these.

I’m hoping to swatch and cast on for this after seeing this. I like the idea of reverse st st and something quite streamlined. There is also this. This makes me feel all summery and bright, although admittedly, I won’t be making it in yellow!

Filed under: Finished Projects, Knitting & Crochet by Kai
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When I first received the Spring issue of Interweave Knits, I trawled through it and found a number of projects that really appealed to me. One of them was the Whisper Cardigan by Hannah Fettig. Now at the time, I decided that I really couldn’t cast on for anything new and intriguing until I’d finished some WIP’s, so I held off.

Well, I finally finished the Gathering Intentions jumper, just in time for the lovely warm weather that finally made an appearance! I went back through my stash and through my queue of ‘must-haves’ and narrowed the list down to about 4 jumpers/cover-ups and Whisper came out on top due to the fact that I wanted something light and airy and something that would ward off the summer evening chill, but still be light enough not to be over warm!

Yarn: Rowan Kid Silk Haze in 605 (Grey) x 4
Pattern: Whisper Cardigan by Hannah Fettig in Interweave Knits Spring 2009
Needles 2mm & 2.5mm Addi Circs and 3.5mm Knit Picks Options Circ
Modifications/Notes I made the sleeves 3” longer and the lower body 3” longer. I decided that the body needed a few rows of ribbing to stop it from curling (and I hate blocking) and then as an after-thought, I decided to add some ribbing to the sleeves as well. Other than that, I followed the instructions for the middle size.

I have plenty of KSH stashed, but this is the first time that I’ve actually worked with it and it was a complete pleasure. I’ll definitely be stashing more, once I’ve worked through the current stash. I plan on making this again some time soon with some other yarn and when I do, I think I’ll cast off less stitches for the collar and make the lower body slightly fuller, if that makes sense.

I’m going to get so much use out of this lovely, floaty, summery cardigan this summer, so it better be nice and warm for most of it!

Filed under: Finished Projects, Knitting & Crochet by Kai
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Spring is finally here! We have had glorious sunshine for the last couple of weeks and it’s amazing how the garden is blooming.

We have blossoms on the cherry tree, there are white blossoms and pink ones and we even have some hyacinths and daffodils!

We’ve dug up a few deep beds and a seed/holding bed, for planting some veggies and salads and the exercise is doing wonders for my weight… I think.

First we have the Whisper Cardigan from the Spring release of Interweave Knits, using some Kid Silk Haze from my stash. Then there is the Baktus Scarf in some lovely pink from The Plucky Knitter.
As well as the seasons changing, it’s time for new projects to be cast on and worked upon.

I’m working exclusively on the Whisper Cardi at the moment. The construction of this lovely garment has me completely enthralled. And there is the fact that I need some light-weight covering for the continuing warm weather.

I hope it’s lovely and sunny where you are!

Filed under: Daily Musings, Knitting & Crochet, Personal, WIPs by Kai
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When I first heard of Fiona Ellis’s ‘Inspires Cable Knits’ I’d literally just tried cabling and thought it was great fun. The book obviously ended up in my library. Even though I loved the book and decided that I really needed to make myself a few of the patterns in the book, I never seemed able to get around to making them.

During this winter, it became very apparent, very quickly that I need some more pullovers/jumpers in my wardrobe and seeing as I’m a knitter, it makes sense that I make my own!! I started this particular pattern in January and even though I got through bot sleeves and the back quickly, I found my enthusiasm waning when it came to the front. I finished the front earlier this week and the sewing up and i-cords took a day to complete.

Yarn: Patons Diploma Gold DK in Apple Green x 8.25 skeins
Pattern: Gathering Intentions from Inspired Cable Knits by Fiona Ellis
Needles: 4.5mm Knit Picks Options Circ
Modifications/Notes: I made the sleeves exactly the same and decided that I didn’t want a gathered sleeve. I used a DK weight yarn rather than the heavier Aran specified and I’m really glad that I did. It’s lighter and definitely more me. Other than that, I followed the pattern as is. New Techniques: Cabling without a cable needle – I’ve done this before on smaller items, but this whole sweater was made without a cable needle, mainly because I couldn’t find it! Knitting two sleeves at the same time – definitely something to do again. I-Cords – Never made them before and it’s nice to have this checked off the list. So simple and effective.

All in all, this was a great project with plenty going on to keep me interested and I now have a lovely new cable-y jumper in my wardrobe.

Filed under: Finished Projects, Knitting & Crochet by Kai
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