Socks

My first ever attempt at creating my own sock pattern.
At least it fits! So far so good.

Feather Brush Yarns - simple knit/no shaping top!

I purchased two skeins of hand dyed wool from the very talented Rachel from www.featherbrushyarns.com. (Please check out her face book page to view some gorgeous yarns.)

Both skeins are 100% wool in 8 ply. One colour was 'Bahamas' (beautiful turquoise blue), the variegated one 'Broadshorts'.

After weeks and weeks of trawling through ravelry.com using all the filters eg 8ply, meterage etc I just hadn't found anything suitable. I then remembered the simple jersey I had made using the pattern from Spotlight.

I knew I didn't have enough wool to follow the pattern, so using the same concept and lots of 'guesstimates' & weighing of yarn  to ensure I wouldn't run out! I made the top part. (Please refer to my previous Spotlight blog for more info re this.)

To show off the variegated yarn to its full potential,  I decided I wanted the stripes to go up and down. I simply measured around my body, and using a 5 st moss border for the bottom band I knitted the torso in stocking stitch to the same measurement.

The best part of this project was I finished knitting on Saturday and as my mother was visiting for the weekend,  I got her to sew it up for me! ;) Thanks Mum!

I love how this simple pattern works with variegated yarns, as it is reversible you can simply choose which side you like the best!

Teeny Weeny Bunnies

Easter is on its way... but don't worry, these little bunnies won't be able to carry too many calories!

Miniature knitted rabbits designed and knitted by me. I hope you like them.

Bling Rings

I have just finished making these 'bling rings'.

I have had the ring bases in my stash for a while and purchased some 2-part epoxy clay a while ago too after watching some you tube  videos and deciding I just had to have a play!

Last weekend I bought some crystals from a bead shop in Christchurch and today I finally got to sit down to put them all together.

If you make your own jewellery and haven't tried two-part epoxy clay, I recommend you give it a go. I used Crystal Clay. So much easier and less messy than resin, and unlike fimo there is no baking involved.

The first two rings I made I tried to make them in a pretty organised way. The next two I made with a black background and put the crystals on in a haphazard way, just filling in the gaps. - I actually prefer the finished product doing it this way!

Felted Folk

Hi Everyone,
I have just added some lovely ladies to my Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/taniascraftycreations?ref=hl

If you are interested in purchasing these, please have a look. Postage and Handling applies to New Zealand customers only. If you are from overseas, please contact me, and I will find out how much postage would be for you, before you decide to purchase.

Thank you.

 

 

 

To Block or Not To Block

Well, even though the weather is still so hot here in New Zealand,  I have just finished a lovely cable and eyelet lace scarf. Knitted with merino 4ply sparkle in a gorgeous blue colour called Tekapo, hand dyed by Casey from www.Letthemknit.com. I have used three different coloured blue glass beads - each line using the same blue colour. One line is the same colour as the wool, the middle line a darker blue and the other side a lighter blue. This truely sparkles in the sun and light, but so hard to capture in a photo.
Once finished an item it is so tempting to put it in the 'yay! Finished. On with the next project pile.' (Well it is for me, anyway!) But if you have taken the time to knit something in cables and/or lace; you really do need to block your work. I took some before and after photos. I think you will have to agree the pattern truly does show up so much better once blocked. And it doesn't really take that much time to do - especially when compared to the time taken to actually knit the thing!

  

Just after blocking - I have removed the pins to take the photo!

  

  

Spotlight Jersey

I finished this jersey last weekend. It is the easiest jersey I have ever made, finished it in only a few weeks. 
The pattern is from a Spotlight knitting magazine I purchased a while ago. I found it whilst cleaning out my craft cupboard and knew I just had to make it for myself.  Luckily Spotlight still stock the yarn! (Even though it is in new colourways now.)
The top part is knitted in moss stitch (or seed stitch, as some people refer to it) starting at one arm up to the neck. From the neck, front and back are knit separately, and then just knit them together once you have knitted enough for your neck line. One big piece,  but so easy, and it keeps your legs warm as you are knitting!  You then pick up stitches from the edge (centred) and knit down in stocking stitch to make the front.  The side splits have a border of moss stitch, and the band is also in moss stitch. The back is made in the same way.
The only thing you need to sew is the side seams, up the body & under the arms. Brilliant for those of us that love knitting but loathe sewing up!
The pattern calls for a moss stitch neckband to be added, but when I tried it on,  I was happy with it the way it was. I also felt that a 4cm neckband would come up too high (I don't like anything tight around my neck!)