Name Badge in 2ply

As I am now helping to run The Kings Arms Knitters which entails teaching/helping new people with their knitting, we thought it might be a good idea to have name badges.  Normal name badges would not do, so I made a pattern for a knitted one!

I used some 2ply/cobweb yarn that was a gift brought back from Peru.  It was knit on old size 17 needles which is 1.5mm.  There is an intarsia knitting needle at the top and bottom with my name in the middle.  The badge is a bit long, but it had to be to fit 7 letters on it. The badge is 5cm x 15cm.  I used a piece of funky foam to stiffen it then backed it in bright blue felt and sew a large safety pin to the back. 

Ginkgo Shawl

This is a triangular shawl pattern called Ginkgo from Ravelry. Its a free pattern knit in 4ply on 4mm needles.  I used Jawoll Magic sock wool hence the stripes.  The main body of the shawl is in stocking stitch with a lace border.  This makes it quite a quick knit up to the lace so you really feel like you are progressing with it.  I am already considering knitting this again but in a solid colour, because even though I love the wool I have done it in, it would be nice to show the lace pattern off a bit more. 

Cora Scarf in Rowan Colourscape

This is a FREE pattern available from Knit Rowan . Colourscape is a beautiful 100% lambs wool yarn with a self striping colour palette designed by Kaffe Fassett.  The pattern takes 2 balls and is done on 7mm needles. 

I loved knitting this!  One of my favorite yarns on my chunky KnitPro needles  with my chunky Clover cable hook.  Awesome. And it is for me, its a gift that keeps giving!

New Shawl in Old Yarn

This shawl is a free pattern on Ravelry called Pimpelliese.  It is knit from point to point and is really simple!  The pattern is done in 'fingering' weight yarn (4ply) but I had this hand painted cotton in DK after I pulled back a previous shawl I had made up myself and fallen out with.  Just divide your yarn in 2 and increase until half is used then decrease using the other half.  Done! This took me 10 days to knit in my spare time after work.

Here is the pattern : www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pimpelliese

Bunting for baby Thomas

I have a new nephew!  As I did knitted bunting for my niece when she was born I wanted to do the same for him. Changed it up a but and did a fabric bunting instead, mainly due to time constraints and the fact my sewing machine was out!

To do the letters I printed out the text at the right size and using a rotary cutter and scalpel cut out the letters.  Using a very tight zig zag stitch I went around the edges of the letters on one side of the bunting flags. Then with a straight stitch sewed the flags rightside facing then turned rightway out. Then I over sewed the tops to close the flags and attach the ribbon.

All fabric bought from Abakans in Manchester.

Velvet Patchwork

Something made out of nothing really. This velvet patchwork is made from the hanging sample of Designers Guild velvets that was being thrown away to make way for a new one. There was a 1sqm piece of the pink velvet and over 30 15cm squares of all the other shades.

I originally organised the squares in shade order and it looked a bit dull. So colours are sort of grouped together but shaken up.

The large pink piece became the borders and it is backed in fleece that I bought from Abakans in Manchester.

Did this on the sewing machine and finished it off by hand when turned inside out.

New Baby Jacket and Jumper

Two things for a new baby. The jumper is in a 3/6 month size and the cardigan in 6/12 month size. So baby can be snuggled up for ages! Both patterns are adaption from 'Chic Knits For Stylish Babies' and in the same All Seasons Cotton that the previous baby blanket I knit was done in.