My creative space

I'm learning to knit on circular needles. Dont know how come I have never tried before. Saves all that time and hassle stitching things up.  My first project is going to be a beanie. I thought I was going along great guns.  The 4cm of ribbing was pleasing.  Then I made the wonderful discovery that to create stocking stitch, all I had to do was knit.  Speeding a long, feeling pretty chuffed, I stopped to measure the length of my progress when I made the very disappointing discovery that all I was knitting was a mobius strip. For which I could think of no useful purpose.  So off the needles it came and now I am unravelling it.  On a happy note, I have at last finished the scarf I was making from two different shades of the beautiful Noro silk garden yarn. Yay!  Oh, well, back to those circular needles to see if I can manage to keep those stitches straight this time.

Knit one, save one

Save the children Australia are calling knitters to get those needles clicking in a campaign to knit 15,000 woolen blankets for distribution throughout India, Cambodia and Laos.  Each blanket will help a child stay warm and feel comfy and safe. Most importantly, the blankets will help to ward against pneumonia, one of the biggest killers of children under five in the developing world. You can read more about where the blankets will go, why they are needed, as well as find their simple knitting pattern  and where to send the completed 16 square blankets here

the chill air

It might be sunny but there is a distinct nip in the air.  My dad would say, "It's too cold to rain." Makes me feel like sitting next to the window where the sun is coming through and knitting. Doesn't that sound like bliss?  Wont happen today.  I've got non-crafting work to do today. Perhaps tonight I can get on with the scarf I am knitting.  I'm wanting to wear it so I cant wait until it is long enough The yarn is an alpaca/mohair/wool blend, so it feels soft and warm but with some structure.  The pattern is simple - I'm not good at following a pattern, particularly not a lacey one but I am managing this one with ease - long as I knit 7 rows at a time.  That is because there are 7 rows to make the pattern and if I always complete a pattern I don't have to try to work out where I am up to.  (That is how bad I am at knitting!) A woman in a shop gave me these photocopied instructions so I dont know where the pattern really comes from.

Here's how simple it is:
Using size 10 (6mm) needles cast on 16 stitches
Row 1: (Right side) K1, *yarn over, knit one repeat from * until the last stitch, K1
Row 2: K1, purl to last stitch, K1
Row 3: K1, *knit 2 together. repeat from * until last stitch, K1
Row 4: K1,  *Yarn over, knit two together, repeat from * until last stitch, K1
Row 5: same as row 4
Row 6: knit
Row 7 knit

Repeat the following 7 rows until the scarf is the length you want.  Cast off and work in loose ends