Unraveled again, sigh

The Moda Vera Gelato yarn, cotton and acrylic, was to be transformed into a top-down sleeveless pullover-style garment.  I found a lovely top at Garnstudio (Drops 137-2) and knitted assiduously until it was finally finished.  I tried it on.  I took it off.  I unsewed, unraveled and rewound the yarn.  I need to remind myself when pattern-hunting that I am not 16 and no longer have that elegant shape.  Sigh.

This yarn now makes really, really good dishcloths.

Progress of crocheted top

I am making a crocheted top for myself so I have decided to record my progress here and write the pattern at the same time, give or take constant editing and changes of mind.

This is English terminology, not USA.
dc = double crochet, in USA terms is single crochet
tr = treble, in USA terms is double crochet

This top should fit a 101.5cm or 40" bust. My swatch gave me 4.5 dc stitches per row inch and I am expecting it to stretch a touch.  I am deliberately making it in two pieces, front and back, because I like the structure of a seam. Sleeves? Undecided for now.

My chosen yarn is Moda Vera Gelato with which I am using a 4mm crochet hook.

Back
Chain 81 stitches
Row 1: dc into second chain then into each chain across the row (80 stitches), ch 1 and turn
Rows 2 to 5: dc into all stitches (80), ch 1 and turn
Row 6: dc into all stitches, ch 3 and turn
Row 7: tr into first 2 stitches *then skip a stitch then three tr into next stitch then skip a stitch then tr into next two stitches* repeat between ** to end of row, ch 3 and turn
Row 8: repeat row 7 but ch 1 and turn
This gives an 8-row repeating pattern.

Rows 9 to 13: repeat row 2
Row 14: repeat row 6
Rows 15 and 16: repeat rows 7 and 8
Rows 17 to 21: repeat row 2
Row 22: repeat row 6
Rows 23 and 24 repeat rows 7 and 8
These three pattern repeats give me a length of around 5 inches or 12.5 cm.

I shall double it then look at position of bust ...
Go and have a glass of wine, I will sort this eventually.

15th September 2017

I frogged this project as I totally lost interest and will now knit a top-down sleeveless pullover-style garment instead.  My apologies to anyone who was actually interested.

Banana Lupin Muffins

Serves 6

½ cup lupin flour

¼ cup psyllium

1/8 cup brown sugar

¼ tsp cream of tartar

½ tsp bicarbonate of soda

¼ cup peanut oil

1 extra large egg

1 large mashed banana

2 tsp cinnamon

Mix dry ingredients then add oil, egg, banana. Apportion into 6 silicon muffin moulds, bake at 175C for 20 minutes in turbo oven.

Nutrition Facts	per 1 muffin (77 g)
Kilojoules Calories	900 kj 215 kcal
Protein	5.2 g
Fat	10.5 g
Saturated Fat	1.8 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Carbohydrate	35.4 g
Sugar	6.1 g
Fibre	23.4 g
Sodium	175 mg
Potassium	203.8 mg

Blackberry jam recipe - not sweet

500g brambleberries / blackberries
1 cup dried mixed fruit (no cherries)
1/2 cup water
1/2 grated Granny Smith apple

Combine all ingredients in saucepan and bring to the boil then reduce heat to a simmer, stirring regularly to avoid sticking.  Mash fruit with potato masher after about 10 minutes, keep stirring regularly, cook until most of the liquid has evaporated - about an hour in total.

Dissolve 2 heaped teaspoons of arrowroot in about 30ml (an ounce) of cold water and stir thoroughly into jam. Remove pot from heat and spoon contents into clean jars, screw on lids immediately to retain heat. Refrigerate for a week or so, but check surface of jam each time before you use it, just in case.

Janet's Keyhole Ascot

I made a keyhole ascot for my sister the other day and kept basic notes for myself as I knitted it so I make no promises .... it certainly needs some cosmetic attention.

Using 6mm needles and 8ply (Australian 8ply) wool, cast on 3 stitches.
k1, yo, k2
k1, yo, k3
continue with k1, yo, k to end until 18 st
then
start each row with k1, yo, k2tog (to maintain stitch count) then k to end for 14 rows (18 st)
then
k1, yo, k2tog, k2tog (to decrease) then k to end for 6 rows (12 st).

Change to 5mm needles and k1 p1 rib for 16 rows, place these stitches on spare needle
then (I leave the yarn attached with enough slack to weave both ends later when I cut it in  half)
with RS facing, pick up 12 stitches at base of ribbing and k1 p1 rib for 16 rows
then
place side by side both needles with sets of stitches and knit together one stitch from       each needle to end (12 st).
Thus is formed the slot to hold other side of the scarf.

Change to 6mm needles.
k1, yo, k to end increasing evenly to 19 st - do not increase on last stitch
k1, yo, k to end increasing evenly to 25 st - do not increase on last stitch
k1, yo, k2tog, k to end for 90 rows (maintaining 25 st)
then
k1, yo, k to end decreasing evenly to 19 st - do not decrease on last stitch
k1, yo, k to end decreasing evenly to 12 st - do not decrease on last stitch.

Change to 5mm needles and k1 p1 rib for 16 rows.

Change to 6mm needles
k1, yo (to increase) then k to end for 6 rows (18 st)
then
k1, yo, k2tog (to maintain stitch count) then k to end for 14 rows (18 st)
then
k1, yo, k2tog, k2tog (to decrease) then k to end for 15 rows (3 st) then cast off. Draw the  yarn-over stitches tight for the last four rows so they don't look too "wobbly". Weave in ends and block if necessary.

After drawing end through keyhole, I folded neck section over. 

Happy New Year 2013

I wish you all a fabulous yarny year.

Why not visit a local alpaca farm or cotton mill as a treat? A driving holiday along these lines could also be planned. Fascinating places.

Crocheted Cotton Dishcloth Pattern

This is my first pattern writing effort, no doubt there are many variations out there. Please note this is written in English, not USA, terms. dc=sc

The cloth is a simple thing: 

Using Anchor Magicline cotton (any 8ply knitting cotton should do) and 4.5mm crochet hook, I chained 38 stitches, dc into 2nd from end then dc to end of row, ch1 and turn; dc 2 more rows. For main pattern, dc 3 stitches each end and v-stitch (alternate dc and ch) the rest of the rows, continue until 3 rows shy of square. Fold diagonally from corner to corner to check size. Finish with 3 rows dc and a chain edge trim all around and a chain loop in a corner to hang the cloth from a handy projection.
The pattern would probably stand out better with a solid colour. What the heck, it is thick and flexible and I like it.

Next photo is of different cottons held together, no edge and no loop; still thick and thirsty and you can see the pattern a little better.

E-book reader cover

I bought myself a small Kindle and made a cover in 100% washable wool. The tunisian crochet is denser than the other style so should absorb some of the shocks during its life. There is a front flap which sits under a single crochet string across the envelope. Another crochet string is attached to one corner of this flap which wraps around the whole item for a bit of security. I didn't want to use button or zipper closures, just wool. I am happy with it.

Cloths

Cloths are wonderful things, limited only by your imagination. I recently crocheted two from the same Australian cotton: for one I used a larger hook, giving it a soft texture and drape and I made it to a larger size because it is destined to be a shower cloth; the other is made tighter and edged whimsically as a kitchen cloth. They are treasured gifts, my friends know there is love in every stitch.

Bamboo yarn slinky hat

Not everyone wants a beret - can you imagine that?!

So I made a lacy black bamboo yarn slinky cap for my niece. To my joy, she loves it.

If the girl ever sends me a photo (sigh) I will show that too.
It would be good to show the cap on a person instead of a car bonnet or country fence-post.

Berets

Berets look great on most people, I recently discovered, but my family don't own berets - well, they didn't until I decided to fulfil their unvoiced need.

A basic pattern is easy to reconfigure.











Make up a lace pattern.

Mix and match yarns.

Make up a different lace pattern to match another loved person's individuality.

Or keep it simple.

Just remember to always use the very best yarn you can afford.

Your hands and their heads will thank you for it!

Water bottle carrier

I walk along beaches and around parks so I always carry a bottle of water with me. This holder is crocheted in acrylic and I used Tunisian crochet for the sturdy handle.

I normally sling it over my shoulder so the bottle tucks against my back near my arm, thus leaving both hands free.

Have I thought of a full water bottle being a potential defence against a menacing animal? Hell yes!

The Scarf

I rarely knit now that I have discovered crochet, but I made an exception for this gorgeous scarf which I made from pure wool and mohair. It is a simple straight scarf, wide enough to fold in half lengthwise, with a moss stitch border and garter stitch. This will keep the brother's neck warm!

I went beserk and crocheted him some slippers too.

Isn't he a lucky bloke!!

More Hats

Friends are about to visit a cold place so I made them hats:

the brim should protect his glasses from rain

such a pity the subtle colours don't show

Big fun hat

This crocheted hat is bucket shaped with slightly denser brim, so you can curl up the brim or wear it down or poke it into a trilby style.

 I had fun with it and sent it to a friend.

I like making hats

I made a hat with Australian alpaca yarn for my sister Helen.

She loves it, so warm and comforting.

I made a hat for my friend Carol

but it is too small and I have lost it anyway so I am making her another;

I made a hat for her son

I made a hat for his sister

which I will post tomorrow and make them happy, I hope.

Banana Pancakes

2 large overripe bananas, mashed
2 large pinches mixed spice
1 large egg, raw
1/4 cup self-raising wholemeal flour
1/8 cup cornflour
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup muscat (or mead or port or anything similar, wonder how Midori would go?)
rice bran oil
Mix together all ingredients except oil to form a thick batter, heat lightly oiled frypan and cook dollops of mixture until cooked on both sides. I used 1/4 cup measure as scoop and the mixture made six [6] banana pancakes. Add whatever takes your fancy (if anything) - fruit, honey, yoghurt, ice cream, chocolate ...

Per basic pancake:
166 calories
5g fat
24.4g carbs
3.7g protein
3g fibre

Ah January

New year, new friends - so I made slippers for the whole family, nana, mum, dad and two young girls.

 

These are for Abbie, she likes blue.

 

Bella prefers purple.

In each case, I combined a beautiful Australian alpaca yarn with an acrylic of their colour choice to form the slipper then added the beaded cuff in a cotton/acrylic combination.

The slippers are very warm and fit snugly and the girls like them - they should have a lot of fun "accidentally" sliding on the shiny floor tiles at their house.

Oh dear, I need Christmas gifts ...

... so I crocheted a bag for my sister-in-law

(sorry, didn't write a pattern as I made it)

and a bag for my niece (simple rounds so no pattern).

In each case I used a Knitting Nancy to knit the handle.

I love this creative stuff!

More on the way, my flying fingers are busy.

Tiny work in progress, finished

This washcloth was something to occupy my hands in July as I waited for my husband at his physiotherapy sessions when his smashed wrist was healing. It was almost completed when it fell into the “no longer urgent” section and was covered with more stuff, revisited now and completed as a small gift. This is lovely cotton to work with and to use as an item and the hand-made goat's milk soap is simply delicious. How will I bear to part with it?