I HATE CIRCULAR NEEDLES

I was so excited last night about finishing the cummerbund for my Kyoto top.
That faded to disappointment after i had finished binding off.
I tried to make sure the yarn wasn't twisted, but no amount of unwrapping would make the band unravel. It just looked like a horrible tangle of fabric.
The sensible option would have been to unravel it and start again, but I couldn't face doing that at all.
So I took a deep breath and dived into the world of steeking.
This is a Norwegian technique where you cut a hole in your knitting (!) to make sleeves, necks etc.
I liken it to a surgeon tying off an artery to make sure it does not bleed anymore.
After cutting I used a stitch holder to thread the ravelled end. Then I sewed an ordinary seam while going over the ragged edge over and over again. It seems to be holding so far. Fingers crossed!

Just wanted to post this link www.magknits.co.uk

Still cold and I still have a stinking head cold. I am on the home strait with the Kyoto sweater - just doing the waistband now. I hope my camera works soon - I want to unleash my work in progress!

Good evening from a still-wintry London. It's about 7 degrees celsius in the daytime - What's happened to Spring? I feel cheated. We even had a dusting of snow and ice a couple of weeks ago (end of Feb). Not nice.
I've seen some gorgeous red and white Birkies in Urban Outfitters on Kensington High Street. I just want to dash in and wear them right now - rather than acting like a wuss in boots.

Started my spring preparations of a leg and Brazilian wax. Three Nurofen didn't even come close. I swear the sweat was running down my leg. I was so apprehensive! But at least it looks nice and tidy.
Hopefully it will be warm enough for me to justify my intensive pedicure so that my toes look nice and neat.

Anyway, I digress...

Right now I'm finishing off my Kyoto sweater thingy from Knitty.com.

I'm using Noro Shinano for the sleeve edges, collar and waistband. The body will be completed in a plain black Aran knit.

I've changed the sleeves to make a scalloped edge with a chevron design (thanks to Debbie Bliss: How to Knit). Once my camera is working I shall take snaps of all the relevant bits, together with any comments that I may deign (be bothered) to make ;-).

But in the meantime, this is the gorgeous design from the Knitty website.



If you haven't been there you're in for a treat!
It's full of fresh, funky patterns that are nowhere near 'grannyknits' and practical advice. I have finally decided to tackle
knitting on circular needles, thanks to the goddesses at Knitty!

Weblog
15 January
On to the final strait of the Sprout/Kidsilk jumper. I am determined to finish it this weekend!
Next is the entrelac practice run so that I can do my cushions for the car, otherwise my poor back gets really cold!

This is the inspiration. Unfortunately Berrocco don't have any UK stockists and you can't download their patterns yet.
Grr!
So I had to try and find another pattern because I had the kidsilk from the Liberty sale and the lazer FX from Ebay.
Luckily www.knitty.com came to the rescue!
15 Jan 2004
The Sprout jumper in progress. The bamboo needles that I got from Mags (thanks!) made a real difference. The stitches do glide along the needle, which makes doing a jumper much faster!




Back to knitting home
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Future Projects
One sleeve. These only took a couple of hours to complete
Crikey - Here's hoping its not too big. I did knit a swatch - honest!
The back takes shape! I just love the mix of soft kid mohair and sequinned accent wool.
Slightly concerned about the stability of the sequins. I have found some dotted around the house - let's hope they fell off during the numerous times that I had to untangle the yarn.

Word to the wise: Wind small amounts of Lazer FX round some bobbins and use as necessary. The yarn is easily tangled and its easier to untangle from a little bobbin.

The Kidsilk is lovely and not scratchy - even to my sensitive skin. However, like most mohairs, it doesn't like being frogged. It's hard to see whether you've dropped a stitch, so don's forget to keep checking.
16 Jan: 0211
Update
Just finished knitting the pieces for the sweater. Tonight I shall be making up the jumper - fingers crossed.

Oooh - and I discovered that you are supposed to take the wool from inside the ball, rather than outside. It's much tidier!

17 Jan 02.30
YAHOOOO!!!!
I've finished my first adult jumper, and it looks pretty good, even if i say so myself!

Ronke's knitting bag
(or why my stash never seems to get smaller)

Welcome to my website
I learned to knit when I was about nine years old when we learned in junior school.

I had terrible trouble learning to knit because i was left handed and the teacher was right-handed. I could never keep the stitches even and I always ended up with ever-increasing rows. But I persevered and have rediscovered it in a big way recently - mainly because I recently quit smoking and I wanted something to do with my hands.

But now I knit for relaxation and because I love all the colours and textures of yarn. Although I love colour, I cannot draw to save my life, so knitting is my salvation.

I have become bored with garter and stocking stitch, so I am learning entrelac, lace and cables. When I am braver, I might experiment with fair isle.