Gauge it!

If you're like me then you HATE knitting a gauge and despite all the books and patterns telling you, you MUST knit a gauge; you don't and then wonder why your knitting piece doesn't look how it should. 

So I'm actually making a gauge probably for the first time. I'm designing my own Filofax cases and I'm starting off simple. Another habit of mine is to make something complicated that I can't do then get depressed because it hasn't worked out... The Creative Lull. 

So I've read my knitting for dummies book (the gauge section) and it tells me you have to block it like your finished piece!! What? Not only do I have to make the gauge when I could just be making my final product but I have to wait to wash it AND dry it! Creativity takes time!

I've knitted a few swatches

I cast on 31 sts so the swatch is big enough and continue to knit till the swatch is 12 or so cm. The Moss stitch probably took the longest, it's the toughest too. This is the first time I've knitted honeycomb too, it's a little tricky although once you get into the flow it's easy. I darned the ends in and put them all in my washing machine; with a little fabric conditioner (I'm too cheap to use a washing tab). Now it's just  a waiting game...

In meantime I'm making embellishments for the cases, I'm thinking bunting to wrap around or quirky letters? I've made some flowers before too. I always lean towards the colour pink and flowers, I've tried to change but I'm set in my ways. 

Ta Dah! 

Next divide the numbers of rows and stitches by 4, this will give you the number for 1 inch.

19 / 4 = 4.75 stitches per inch

27 / 4 = 6.75 rows per inch

My Filofax measures:

height 8.3 inches

width 11.4 inches

8.3 x 6.75 = 56 rows

11.4 x 4.75 = 54 stitches

I cast on 54 stitches and start knitting!

Ta Dah!  

And it's the right gauge!! Don't forget to block it like your swatch! (The stitches look tidy and neat once washed).

Keep Crafting 

Laura Bee x x x 

Laura Bee's Bobbly Braided Scarf Pattern

Hello,

I made this pattern a few years ago when I was beginning to knit. I started the scarf back then and I made a few mistakes and didn't have to heart to unravel so I put in a box for another day...well a few years later I found the scarf and actually finished it!

(I haven't blocked it yet, I'm lacking in pins)

 Ohh... Look my Knitting Bag in action!

 TA DAH! 

 It's so purrrrrrrty!

The Bobbly Braided Scarf Pattern


Yarn
Aran wool 400g
Needles
5mm

This pattern is made over 8 rows.

Abbreviations 

CN – cable needle

SL- slip stitches purlwise

MB– make bobble

C6F- slip 3 stitches purlwise on to the cable needle hold in front, knit the next 3 stitches, then knit the 3 stitches off the cable needle

C6B- slip 3 stitches purlwise on to the cable needle hold in back, knit the next 3 stitches, then knit the 3 stitches off the cable needle

CO 71 sts

Row 1: K3, P3, K6, P7, K9, P7, K6, P3, K3 (RS)

Row 2, 4, 6, 8: K6, P6, K7, P6, K7, P6, K6 (WS)

Row 3: K3, P3, C6F, P7, SL next 3 sts to CN and hold in front, K3, K3 from CN, K3, P7, C6B, P3, K3

Row 5: K3, P3, K6, P3, MB, P3, K9, P3, MB, P3, K6, P3, K3

Row 7: K3, P3, C6F, P7, K3, SL next 3 sts on CN hold in back, K3, K3 from CN, P7, C6B, P3, K3

keep repeating till ball runs out!
I will upload finished pictures later

Keep Crafting

Laura Bee x x x

Laura Bee's Knitwear Design Workshop review

Knitwear Design Workshop

I have been knitting since the age of 16 I studied textiles in 6th form and I've always had a love of craft. I started off knitting swatches from my knitting for dummies book which I have been turned into a blanket. I then wanted to get better and try harder techniques, I started my first project when I was 18 (I think)it was a blue cardigan I got from a magazine. It look me long time to complete, I would be up all night knitting the sleeves saying "Just one more row" while my Mum's telling me to go to bed! Eventually I finished it, nevertheless it was hideous and I never wore it! My next big project after that was a Christmas present for my Dad, a jumper. He LOVED it, he still wears it to this day! I'm so proud of it.  

Now I want to make make something for myself that won't be hideous and that I can be proud of when people say "oo I like your jumper where did you get that from?" I can then say "I MADE IT- CHECK ME OUT!"

So after searching and searching on the internet, library and bookstores, I gave up I couldn't find anything to help me! Then a couple of weeks ago I searched again and it popped up on Google (I swear it was never there before!) Shirley Paden- knitwear design workshop! I squeaked! bought it straight away and anticipated its arrival! It's AH-MAZING! 

first step is to the sketch a design or two or three, work through the worksheets that help build on the design. 

Shirley Paden shows you how to design different garments such as the classic silhouette, dropped shoulders, double-taper, single-taper and reverse-taper. There are schematics for jumpers, cardigans, dresses and skirts. Every so often there is a math check (keep your calculator handy). She will teach you how to make and check a gauge correctly (something I'm still quite inpatient about). There is information about different fibre and wool and whether to use man made or animal? There are an number of easy to follow worksheets explaining the essential areas to measure and another explaining about ease. 

This book is brilliant it has every design possible to make your dream jumper, cardigan, dress or skirt. I'm going to be using this book to make mine so I think you need to buy this book and start making yours too!! 

keep in touch ill be keeping you up to date on my design processes! 

keep crafting 

Laura Bee X X