Lotrrh Finished

Finally finished, sorry I cant quite afford a model yet so unfortunately its me! And my daughter took the photos.
Hope you like it! Not sure what ill get worn for but you just never know when your going to have a Lord of the Rings or Robin Hood day!

Recycling and an Arm cuff

This is going to be an arm cuff. I have crocheted this using a hook that came in one off those high light your hair kits (Gems hair a while back now) that you pull the hair through the cap.

Worked just the same, but I guess the end is a little sharper as it has to hook through plastic.

I am going to attach both edge with ribbon like a shoe laced up, to make an arm cuff they seem very in with the teenagers.

This week I have been mostly finishing Lotrrh!

The ruffle part

These are all crochet and knits in various yarns and all go in different directions.

Attached at a corner of each rectangle sample I made and then stitched in for extra attachment.

The dress is still getting longer by the day as I guess it is quite heavy from the weight of the bodice.

Think I'am almost done ready for the try on!

Watch this space.

This is me this is'nt me!

This is my Tracy Emin tribute project for those of you familar with her work you will see why it reminded me of her work.

It is actually all my old out grown 14/16 clothes that I have shredded and knitted. I tried to knit the letters but it took along time and they all varried so much.

That I then decided I would use paint shop pro. I took an image of the knitting and then made templates of the letters. (With Rich's help)

This worked for now, but when I am a famous endorsed Artist I will get my assistants to get the letters made properly.

Each letter is on an A4 sheet so this should help you imagine the size of the piece.

This week I have mostly been reading!

Simply Knitting

This is a UK mag, that is so current and really cool it makes knitting almost trendy.

With views, patterns and just general good tips and hints to help with all your knitting problems.

It also advertises all the latest in knitting gadgets (which we all just love)

And luckily for me its available in Sweden a little pricey but ok as a treat, but if your UK based its a monthly must.

Last year xmas project

Christmas

Last year instead of buying the tree I knitted one.

It was hard to display here in Sweden as in my own home I tacked it to a door to make the shape.

But in a rented house no extra holes, so I safety pinned it to the Art room curtians. It a totally charity shop tree, made with yarn and string and then the pom pom's my daughter made.

Mad Hatter!!!

Yep you guessed it! another bloody hat (I here you cry!)

But it is yet another xmas gift and Lotrrh cant travel on the trains with me its just to big. The hat pattern wool and needles are tiny so travel well and can be made without thinking.

Even though I got funny looks on friday for knitting on my 25mm for Lotrrh.

A few old ladie's where very curious so I just dont look up that way I dont have to explain what I am making (The main reason also is that I first have to deal with the language thing as the older generation dont do English, some do but its tricky).

That or I could learn Swedish, but Iam not ready for that yet.

This week I have been mostly working on Lotrrh.

Lotrrh

The edge pieces are just random knits and crochets sample going in different directions on all different sized needles and hooks.

Some knitted long ways and some side ways to get a variation.

Not sure the picture does it justice its very pretty and the different yarns that I am mixing for the edging are working really well to match the bodice part. Its very textured and tactile you feel drawn to touch it.

Like mother like daughter!

Molly has spent most of today mastering the bigger needles.

Not only that! she also is knitting with four balls of wool, so very clever.

Mind you the picture is funny as the blanket in the back ground that I have made, looks like the scarf she is knitting.

Chip of the block, I think the saying goe's.

Stockholm knitters (I think thats the name)

Lotrrh

So far we have a tutu attachment and I have been working on the dangly sleeves.

Next I am going to knit some panels and add them to the skirt part to give it a Cinderella feel.

Been busy this week, so not much progress and the bigger the project the longer the time.

Knit group My bitch and stitch this week was a table turner, a newbe as they are called had her first project a shawl and she had come to the end and needed help in how to cast off........And get this! seeing I was the only one their at this point I felt confident enough to show her how!!!

Brave I here you say! Very.... but luckily it worked and she was very pleased. It made me smile that I for once, was not the worst (new the least of the group, worst is not a good word)

So I left the group with a large smile. The group was soooo quite this week but I guess Christmas is coming and theres lots to do's, xmas gift to knit:-)

Denim continued

In the summer I cut all the old jeans to make shorts. With the left over leg part I made a template from news paper and cut lots of rectangles, then attached them like patch work quilt. Stuffed it with three old pillow.

This made a fab designer looking floor cushion, which my daughter lays on to watch tv....... If only I had more I could have made a full sized adult version. (heaven)

Not knitted but it was hand crafted, oh and with a little help from my friend sowing machine.

What to do with old denim!

This is the knitted blind that I have talked about. I cut the denim in to strips and just knitted it.

It's kind of a wall hanging but I thought why not hang it from a curtian pole. And In Sweden its so dark all the time that you dont have to worry about the knitted holes at the moment.

And the windows have blinds contained in the actual window so I can use that in the summer when its light again.

I still need more denim and when I get some, I am gonna crochet the edge for a different finish as it pulls in around the middle. I guess it's to do with weight of the denim.

Tea pot cosy

The baggy beany

Perfect my size 8 needles attempt at a beany hat. Worked perfectly and now the tea will stay warm for ages. I just need to work on a hole for the handle and for the spout.

But for now it will do!

Tea any one?

This week I've been still mostly knitting hats.

Yet another beany!

Even I am getting bored of making them but they are so quick to knit up and useful.

So of course I am making lots for christmas gifts, tried my own version of 4 knit 4 pearls to make the rib wider but this just made it to baggy.(will work on that)

Also tried knitting on size 8, I have used 6,6'5 in the past 6,3/4 is what the pattern suggest and they both worked but the 8 just to baggy. My time was'nt waisted as I need a tea cosy and my demo hat should fit perfectly.

Lotrrh gets sleeves!

The sleeves I have attached twice. The first time I crocheted but the purple dk just didnt look right against the wotsit wool. So I knited two square 14 by 13 in 25mm needles.

I stitched the sleeve seam up with the last of the hanging yarn. Then attached the whole sleeve using a 15mm crochet hook, the join looks like blanket stitch and this works as I wanted it to look hand made. ( Old'y world'y stiched on in the woods type thing)

The sleeve will grow over night as I used such large needle so It will need to hang for a while. Then I need to work out how to make the sleeve to hang down as if into a point. floaty would best describe.

H is for Harry

This little bear was from Ikea 20kr (a couple of quid) and I made him a little tank top with yet another attempt of doing the Intarcia(letter H) a different way.

This time I added a yarn and used the existing yarn together to make the letter, but the wool randomly twists so the letter H is not so clear. (practice make perfect)

It will still make a nice personalized gift for a friend of the family who had a baby boy a few months back, baby Harry.

Maddie's Hat

Baby Maddie's beany hat

This weekend I knitted the part two of the sparkly wool the (left over) a mother and daughter xmas gift. Doing well, but not sure I am gonna be able to knit all the hats I want to by Christmas.

But i'll try. (Won't be buying this wool again the sparkly is so hard to stitch the ends in and it just knots.)

Bodice (Lotrrh)

LOTRRH

So far the progress is the bodice and then I have laced up the back part so that it will have a higher neckline.

The wool texture reminds me of Wotsits a Uk brand of crisps. The wine colours work well for the theme it is being designed for.(Angela very your aura colour, needs orange)

The bodice was knitted in one peice with a 20mm and a 15 mm needle one of each.

LOTRRH

Plans

Lotrrh this was my quick sketch and the rough pattern I will work to.

Some times I just start and go where it takes me, and other time I sketch the idea down and attmept to work with it.

I have completed the bodice. Tricky stitching all the edges in as the wool is fat and thin so uneven to sow in.

On the pattern the different sizes cross hatchs show the different size crochet hooks I will use or fatter the needle size.

Me!

Still not sure in my lettering and they are all coming out different size's and I guess this is to do with the different yarns as I am makine then all the same way.

But this works as the peice that I am making them for is about weight. So the varying sizes will work well.

Mind you they are getting me some funny starring look's whist sipping my coffee and knitting in my local coffee shop.

This week I've been mostly knitting!

This week I have been trying out this fabulous yarn, its like rat's tales. I mean this in the way that it goe's from fat to thin. Lush in colour a winter wine. Looks like I spun it myself!

I have designed a dress that's 'Lord of the Rings' the Arwin character! The beautiful Liv Tyler, meets Kevin Costner staring in the 90's 'Every thing i do i do it for you!' Robin Hood!

I have a locksley cross my husband and I brought on our 5th wedding anninversry and that with the yarn was the inspiration for this peice.

The yarn a bargin at 20kr a ball (Thats around £1'50)

I want to make it from layers of knitting and crochet mixed, but with a twist turning the knit side ways and attaching the crochet made in all different sizes.

I have a rough sketch I will try and post so you can see what I mean.

The wine colours are beauitful very winter and Iam that confident if thier where a new film made for either that I have designed for I would send my final peice.

This will keep me busy for week so it should be this month I'll be mostly knitting
'LOTRRH' Sounds very Elvish!

So watch my space and I'll have fillers inbetween as you should know by now,Im a girl that has lots going at once.........

Or very bored I would become.

Lettering for the T,E project

Here is the practice lettering and so far sooooo! ok

Not sure its working the squares are 30 by 30 so quick to knit up and the pattern is just on maths paper.

But they still keep pulling tight and I am trying all different types of twisting the yarns on the back to prevent this.

So hopefully its parctice make perfect. My Is is more like a 15? Maybe I should send it to Jamie and he can hang it in his kitchen?

Fat beanie hats

Its seems according to a current well known UK mag that the fat beanie hat is the key accessory for this winter........

So that's cool seeing as Iam currently on about hat number 6?

Still the Stitch N Bitch pattern but I think that I totally have the hang of it now, so its time for my own version! So watch this space.

This time I used a sparkly bobbly wool it looks like little juggling balls are attached to the wool. But it was a right pain in the arse, as when it came to finishing the crown part it just tangled and made a mess so I had to un pick and re do. so I just used the plain purple for the last three rows and this helped.

Top tip

The crochet hook technic from the SnB excellent and I actually manged to pick up a couple of stitches with time and effort even though I did feel like cutting it in to tiny peice's when it all came unstitched and all knotted up! but I managed to complete it.

last week I was mostly knitting?

One fish tail sleeve with a 15 mm crochet hook.

This is what the concept top turned out like............. to much train travel, but completly different than I had origanlly planned. The knit part in red was perfect, by my standards perfect rows of little stitches wearing scarfs. (stitch N bitch)

Beading, This I threaded them on with a yarn needle and then knitted around them for the bust part.( very tricky)

The lettering

Intarcia? bloody hard work! (ier) It all went well I followed the twist the yarn instuctions at every change and as you can see by the back it kind of looks a little like it did in the book.

But the top part of the T where I had to stretch the yarn across as for more stitches it bunched up. (pulled tight)

This is my first attempt as I need some type of lettering for my Tracy Emin type project, so i have brought some felt to try some patch work lettering then had the idea of knitting the letters? I did a 30 by 30 square and made the basic pattern on the kids maths paper.

Back to the drawing board will try again.......

Audrey Hepburn

“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” Who am I kidding that I could look that fabulous and knit? I am usually the one that’s dropped the contents of her bag all over the floor (Searching in pocket for where things should be that I have not put back?)
My wool/yarn all twisting up, trying in vein to actually understand a pattern (If their even is one or just making it up) and sitting pretending I actually know what I am doing.


The scene in breakfast at Tiffany when she finally finds a husband and she has actually puts furniturein her apartment for her and cat! (She’s happy but is she?)
Then she sits and Knits this huge red thing, that she says she got the blue prints and from the new house mixed up with here knitting pattern she thinks!.
I know how this feels……
The pressure cooker explodes!
And she still looks fabulous


Funny how this scene all happens, and that she still looks fabulous.

Update on my current weeks projects.

Current week up date

Hey hey, here they are so far, the strange shape on the right is going to be a tank top(like the blue and green one), I kind off knit the body in one peice a little tricky? well more kack handed I guess but easyier for me than a pattern.( At my stage in the knitting game)

And then ill fix it together with crochet and then maybe I might even have ago at sleeves? seeing its currenty freezing in Sweden. Best place to learn to knit.

The one on the left a blind (may need a little imagination for that one! On mt 25mm (oooh there lovely.

This weeks funny experience, whilst sitting on a train knitting away, its quite funny with the older generation staring (wondering what it actually is?)

Well any way these two polish ladies i think sat accross from me and they said something I just smile and try not to give it away that i dont have a clue what they are saying but thats just for Swedish! The fact that they where not Swedes made it even harder as i get some Swedish.

But she smiled at me took the knitting and showed me her way and we had a conversation in which neither of us understood (Just that knitting chemisty thing a nod and a wink) All knitters will know......... strange but true.

I smiled and got off at my stop and then continued to finish my row my way as her's did seem easyier but not to comfortable, it was a respect thing.

Me and my monkey as Robbie would sing!

This is a monkey we made all in about an hour and a half, he is a recycled monkey made of old tights a skirt and stuffed with old fabric (bikini pants which Molly thought was funny)

she even stitched a made with love badge to his bottom? I found them in a local bead store in Soldermalm they are like tiny charms that you can attach to things you make a great idea fro gifts.

I posted this as thats my quailty time spent for this week! (so if we have a super nanny repeat here on bbc prime i'll feel good)

What to do with old jeans!

A load of old jeans, and some sharp sissors(I new 6mths on a HND course in fashion would come in handy for something) My £20 sissors are great and i love them.

Good tools make light work of any job! This huge, bigger than a basket ball in denim will make a great blind for my tiny spare room.

I even get to christen my 25mm needles, cant wait to start................... I am dfefinatly hooked, I now find my self checking out peoples knitted hats on the trains (breaking it down in my head, the pattern how its made and most importantly could I make it in my own version)

Current reads for this month

Currently as I have already mentioned that I am working my way through the Stitch n bitch, And there is a story to this (ill make it quick) the end? not that quick......I went to New York a few years back! discovered Urban outfitter(Sadly at the end of Beckys 21st trip) And so i was broke.

So close yet so far away, then as luck would have it, My daughter had told her then art teacher and she very nicely off her own back brought it to school and lent it too me!!!!!!

Hooked sooooooo I brought it and whist paying postage for on (Amazon 2nd hand, and bran new) saving on funds i saw the Fast Knits, and its big fun, bright and exactly the colours i had in mind for a web page design (soooo yet another ment to be)

Bitch n Stitch 100% good fun and a must have.
Fast Knits currently not got around to reading yet just flicked the pic's(impressed) will update once read.

This was last weeks trian project.

When I say train project!, its that I spend a couple of hours a day traveling in and out of Stockholm, taking my daugther to school.

This was my original inspristion for the learning to knit properly as why sit and do nothing?

I attemped the babie booty's they where ok, then came the cardi a basic stocking stitch pattern of which all the peices ended up being different sizes?
So with my clever use of crochet i joined all the peices and filled in the gaps! So to speak.......
Then decided if could do that id use the same principle to make a tank type top? And I did, knitted on whole peice. Up and over and then filled in the gaps, side and sleeve using crochet.

By the end of this top and with the help of the 'B, N, S' bible i can tell the difference between k and p and also corrected a whole row and picked up the correct amount of stitches?

This week I have been mostly knitting........?

For those familiar with the 'Fast Show' This week i have been mostly knitting? Beany hats from the 'Bitch and stitch nation' Two rib two pearl and then mattress stitch to finish a little help from my mother inlaw and i offically completed my first knitting patteren to the rules (oh yer)

Sy festival

My daughter and I on Friday, took a trip to see what Sweden had to offer in the way of a Knitting show. At 140 kr (10er for the two of us)

Went to one in London and was very impressed with the knitting stuff available, brought my huge needles their? That am currently using for my latest project. Really was pleased with the Alternative knit stuff, because if you had to catogorise me Alternative would be the word I use.

Not sat in a circle of olds which is usally the picture that you think up when anyone says a knit group, but thats cool and they can knit the babie jackets till there hearts content, but id be the one in the corner (chatting as always) but knitting with the unimaginable on outragously over sized needles.

Any way Sweden or though lacking in the alternative had a lot to offer from pink needles to fabulous yarn at less than charity shop prices!

Spent loads and had a great time surrounded by fabulous colours and inspirational peices (and of couse snow cone's or better known as OAP's.......but they keep the art alive

This is my current project, a tribute to Tracy Emin? I guess you could say...... since living in Sweden i have lost weight (surprizingly sourrounded by stick thin blondes, and they've just had a baby? mine are 14 and 9)

So i decided to knit a super sized me, not sure of the title yet as its a work in progress but I wanted to share it.

Its very heavy and currently taller than me in size and I am still knitting.

Watch this space.......

knits and pearls

knitting and pearling, self taught and now an avid reader of the bitch and stitch bible.........used knitting for art and then decided why not learn the traditional stuff. So where to begin? a whole lot of time patience and a lot of charity shop wool.

found a local group (well in Sweden, so not that local but an excellent start) so the story starts here, I have become my little production line with lots of train travel, currently turning out hats at a rate of knots, so gone is last years christmas scarf look out for my new range of beany hats.

I just wanted to start a blog to catalouge my progress show my work as i spend hours clicking away.

One idea then the next, utter rubbish or the next Debbie Bliss(must brush up on designers, she is the only one off the top of my head that I know) Oh soooo very British

I am on a mission, not only to teach everyone I know but to inspire people who have long lost forgotten the art of knit and my other favourite crochet (And bearing in mind i only know one stitch you can have some very different results.