Cozy Poncho

I have been snowed in, and along with cooking and watching movies, I have been knitting like my life depended on finishing this project over the weekend. The pattern called for a double strand of worsted weight yarn, but I used a single strand of chunky instead, Encore Chunky which is 75% acrylic and 25% wool, washable. I especially like that it's washable because of the light color. I can imagine spilling all kinds of things on this poor poncho. I had an extra leather-covered button, so I sewed it to the front just to add a little something extra.

Usually when I finish a project, I am so sick of the pattern and yarn I never want to make it again. But this was so quick and easy, and the simple cable pattern made it interesting. I would definitely make this again, although I wouldn't want another snow-bound weekend, at least not until next winter. Here is the free pattern.

added later: I forgot to mention that instead of using two strands of worsted weight, I used one strand of chunky weight. I also made it slightly smaller than the pattern suggested.

Ruby - Finished

Here's Mum (whippetsgalore) modeling the finished ruby bolero. A project seems to expand to fill the available time and this was no exception. We were still weaving in ends as the guests started to arrive! I'm so pleased with the finished item; it fits perfectly and looks very good.



This picture was taken exactly 40 years ago, and had been cleverly added to the top of the anniversary cake so that everyone could see what a fantastic looking couple they've always been! Thank you both for being such great parents and role models. And for a lovely night on Saturday.

Button Scarf

I have been passing the time by knitting a scarf, as if I needed another one. My daughter gave me a couple of skeins of some wonderful wool yarn, so I matched it with a simple basket-weave pattern—just a series of knits and purls—and knitted until I ran out of yarn. To embellish the ends, I sewed on a line of sea shell buttons on each end. It's now my new favorite scarf.

On to the next project. I've got a bag full of yarn that needs to be matched with projects.

Ruby - update

Phew! nearly finished the second sleeve, and on target for finishing the garment in time.

Ruby, ruby, ruby

No, I've not pulled out the Lolita Legs, they're now on hold. I'm so pleased that a very special person has asked me to make her a bolero like my black one.

I'm worried that I don't have long to make it. She'd like to wear it at her ruby wedding celebration, hence the beautiful deep red wool. Trouble is, that only gives me about 3 weeks! I can feel some late coffee-assisted nights coming on!

The back's done, and that's the first sleeve just started.

Christmas Recycling

Dad spotted this in today's Eastern Daily Press - many a true word is spoken in jest!

My first and second hats

It's been a bit quiet here on Stitchin' Bints! In my case, that's because I turned my attention away from the fishnets (which, in turn, had distracted me from the Shapely Tee) in order to start two hats. I couldn't post because they were to be a surprise for my Mum and Sister. The pattern is Asminah's Hat from Kody May. (Now listed in the 'free patterns' to the right.) It looked effective and doable within the few weeks that I had. The wool is absolutely beautiful - Allegra from Wendy - a fluffy alpaca mix.

The hat is knitted in the round from aperture up. You're supposed to start knitting the lace pattern, then pick up stitches and crochet the lower border. Instead I started by knitting a few rounds of garter stitch and just continued up. This worked very well, and the resulting hats look the same size and shape as the pictures in the pattern. They both looked a bit small, though when tried on, so I'm adding some rows to both.