Sunday 6 October 2013
Monday 26 August 2013
Downtown Sheerness on a misty day...Let's hear it for Sheerness!
Labels:
Isle of Sheppey,
Kent,
Sheerness,
Sheppey Express,
Sittingbourne,
Southeastern
Sunday 25 August 2013
Sittingbourne - Sheerness: A ride on the Sheppey Express
As previously mentioned, I planned to visit Sheppey again, that mysterious island off the Kent coast. This time, I took the train and what follows is an account of my journey to Sheerness - on - Sea.
For all those who rely on public transport, getting on to the Isle by train is by far the most convenient method. The Sheppey Express, as I have named it, departs twice hourly from Sittingbourne railway station; and it is here where the journey starts. (Well, I had to come over from Faversham, but no incidents worthwhile reporting occurred during the eight minute ride.)
Upon arrival at Sittingbourne you cross over onto platform three, the platform that is entirely reserved for the train to Sheppey. The train model itself is one of those regional type trains, the ones that are being used across Greater London, the ones with the uncomfy seats, that call at all stations. I'm sure the model has a name, but who needs that kind of technical information in their lives?
The Sheppey Express, awaiting its departure from platform 3 at Sittingbourne |
Labels:
Commuting,
Isle of Sheppey,
Kent,
Not Knitting,
Sheerness,
Sheppey Express,
Sittingbourne,
Southeastern
Friday 16 August 2013
On the eve of boarding the Sheppey Express...
Today's top tip:
If you feel under the weather, somewhat unhappy or even a little depressed ... Why not head for a location that's even more dreary than the state you are in? Coming face - to - face with all the grotty misery on offer, you will return sufficiently re - charged, and, perhaps, somewhat relieved that at least you can come back to a place that's marginally more inviting than the destination of your trip. If you are looking for a location of this kind, may I suggest a trip to the Isle of Sheppey, situated just off the East Kent Coast?
The Isle of Sheep: Sheepey (or Sceapige in ancient Saxon) |
Labels:
Commuting,
Isle of Sheppey,
Kent,
Not Knitting
Sunday 24 March 2013
Still No German Translation for Ammonite ...or Ammonite in Moonlight Sonata (James C Brett)
I should be renaming this blog into the 'Absent Knitter's Landing Page'. In actual fact, I might just do that in a minute. Considering this rather long period of silence (due to having nothing to report on the knitting front as of late), I may take a while to find the 'knitting voice'...the nice, fluffy me. It's not here at the moment. I lost it on a train between Faversham and Victoria.
Commuting and knitting. It can be done, but it requires dedication to preparation, meaning you have to be organised at 6:00am in the morning.
So what have I been doing? Reading, mainly. Because that's what one does on a train. Preferably with headphones, so you don't have to witness the human misery around you. Somewhere between Faversham and Victoria I came across some interesting knitting - related trivia...it involves men, knitting and the island of Jersey (Channel Islands):
Men (as I keep telling non - knitters: knitting was the domain of our male brethren before mere females were allowed to engage in it) are apparently prohibited to knit during the fishing season on the Island of Jersey. By law. To this day.
Labels:
Ammonite,
Design Digest,
James C Brett,
Jersey,
Knitting Projects - Easy,
lace knitting,
Moonlight Sonata,
Not Knitting,
Rowan Kid Classic
Sunday 27 May 2012
Inspired by Bluebells
Thursday 17 May 2012
Design Digest: Ammonite - Part 2
... in which, amongst other things, she talks about sock yarn, choosing a knitting project to suit your mood and the skill level required to knit an Ammonite.
When approaching a design, simplicity is sometimes best. I suppose this is the essence of my previous post on designing Ammonite. Once I had accepted this simple, yet fundamental rule, the design process assumed its own momentum. However, as already mentioned in Part I of my design digest, the first knitted sample turned out to resemble an Elizabethan collar rather than a generously sized, ruffled shawl.
Ammonite: First Test - Knit |
This was clearly down to my choice of yarn and a kfb - increase bonanza. Repeated attempts of ironing these faults out with the help of prolonged and intense blocking, yielded only very limited results and did not really seem to make much of an impact overall. It soon dawned on me that I needed to have a rethink on my choice of yarn and moderate my use of increases.
In the first instance I had a look at my stash, which was lacking sock yarn at the time. I briefly contemplated knitting a second Ammonite in Patons UK Misty, but decided against it in the end. I felt that cobweb - type mohair yarn would not give sufficient expression to the ribbed texture of the stitch motif. The answer, obviously, was to use sock yarn and so I went yarn shopping. Joy! (No, this time I really had to...;-) Of course, I had seen some very enticing sock yarns (100g @ £15.00) and even though these looked tempting, I decided to settle on a less costly alternative for two reasons:
Firstly, my pattern required a fair quantity of yarn, approximately 300g to be precise. And secondly, I did not want to overspend on materials, not knowing whether my pattern would actually be right for the materials chosen.
Mietze ... inspecting again |
Labels:
Ammonite,
Design Digest,
Easy Lace,
Knitglobal,
Knitting Projects - Easy,
lace knitting,
Original Designs,
Sock Yarn
The Weekly Swatch, Part 3 - The Left Slanting Turkish Rib Stitch
Left - Slanting Turkish Rib Knit Stitch |
Turkish Rib stitch (left - slanting) is one of those uncomplicated, easily memorisable (is that a word?) stitches that can lend great texture to a knitted piece, especially in combination with other ribbed stitch motifs, emphasising either texture, direction or both. At the same time, it is certainly more interesting than mere two - by - two ribbing, which can get a bit tedious - both to look at and to knit.
Left - slanting Turkish Rib Stitch in Patons UK Vintage (4mm needles) |
As I was knitting up my swatch, it looked like dropped stitches had been incorporated diagonally, giving the knitted fabric a great deal of sideways stretchiness and elasticity . All these properties make this the ideal stitch motif for socks, knee - highs, cowls, mittens and pretty much every other tubularly - shaped or partially tubular piece, allowing for convenient, adaptable fit without requiring a lot of shaping on the knitter's (or designer's) part.
Left - Slanting Turkish Rib Stitch
Special Abbreviation: PR - (Basically the opposite of a psso on the left hand needle.)
Purl stitch, return stitch from right hand needle to left hand needle, insert right hand needle into the stitch next to the returned stitch on the left hand needle, lift this stitch over the purled stitch and drop it off the needle. Return stitch on left hand needle to right hand needle. Done!
Row 1: knit all stitches
Row 2: P1, * yo, PR, rep from * to last stitch, p1.
Row 3: K1, *sl1, k1, psso, yo, rep from * to last stitch, k1
Repeat Rows 2 and 3.
- !! Update !! -
The stitch pattern / tutorial for the right-slanting Turkish Rib Stitch is now available here.
For all knit stitch patterns and weekly swatch posts, please follow this link to my knit stitch library.
For further posts on ribbed knit stitch tutorials and my knitting patterns utilising ribbed stitches, please visit this link.
One way of storing your knitting |
My swatch is knit in Patons (UK) Vintage (a cotton / acrylic mix) on 4mm needles.
Labels:
Patons UK Vintage,
Ribbed Stitches,
Ribbing,
Stitch Library,
The Weekly Swatch,
Turkish Rib,
Two-Row-Repeat-Knitstitch
Monday 7 May 2012
Friday 4 May 2012
Design Digest: Ammonite - Part I
Ammonite and the Grey Cone...
If you are reading this
post, I suppose you have seen Ammonite on Ravelry or on Flickr and
you might want to know a little more about the design process and my inspiration for the pattern. Perhaps you have merely stumbled upon
this blog because you are interested in knitwear design or maybe good, old Google directed you to this page because you are interested in
fossils.
If you are looking for
fossil - related information (and I don't mean the knitted kind), I
have to disappoint you, as I am going to talk about a knitting
pattern and, unless you are interested in knitting, what follows will
not be a great deal of help to you.
So, Ammonite...It's
probably best to start at the beginning. Roughly a year ago I was
browsing in a local charity shop and found a cone of grey DK - weight
yarn. There was no further information regarding the identity of the
yarn, only a label inside the cone stating it was an acrylic / wool
mix (30% wool, 70% acrylic). Having done a bit of research, I now
believe that the yarn was manufactured by Yeoman Yarns in Yorkshire,
an interesting yarn manufacturer, especially for the thrifty knitters amongst us. Yeoman's yarns come wrapped around cones, presumably targeting machine
knitters. (And the big advantage of yarn on cones is of course the fact that you won't run out of yarn during your project.)
Mietze inspecting |
As this poor, grey cone
was looking a little lonely, I decided to buy it at a bargain price
together with two others, one in heather and another in a light
creamy brown. The lovely people at the shop must have been glad to
see them go and included a pair of knitting needles at the till.
Here I was with my yarn bargains. I took them home, where they were
subjected to the usual "scratch and sniff " inspection by a
member of the feline quality control squad.
Grey Cone and Friends |
Labels:
Ammonite,
Cartridge Rib Stitch,
Design Digest,
Destash,
Invisible Cast - On,
Knitting Projects - Easy,
lace knitting,
Open Cast - On,
Original Designs,
Provisional Cast - On,
Thrifty Knits
Tuesday 1 May 2012
The Weekly Swatch, Part 1 - Cartridge Rib Stitch
I have been toying with
the idea of creating a swatch / stitch library on the blog for quite
some time, but never gotten round to actually doing something about
it. As I have more time on my hands at the moment, it appears a
good time to get started and commit. I can't guarantee that this will
become a weekly thing, but the good intentions are there. (She
says.......)
Labels:
Ammonite,
Cartridge Rib Stitch,
Knitglobal,
Knitting Techniques,
Ribbed Stitches,
Ribbing,
Stitch Library,
Textured Knit Stitches,
The Weekly Swatch
Saturday 28 April 2012
Ammonite - Free Shawl Knitting Pattern
Ammonite
Ammonite
is a generously sized, semi – circular, ruffled shawl. The garment
is knit from the centre top downwards / outwards, making the size
easily adjustable by adding or omitting sections when knitting the
body of the shawl. For a shawl measuring the same size as given in
this pattern, you will require approximately 290g (just under three
hanks) of 4ply Knitglobal sock yarn. The project is also suitable for
yarns of different weight. Should you wish to substitute yarn and
depending on the effect you are seeking to create, the needle size
has to be adjusted accordingly.
A gallery of Ammonites in a variety of yarns is available here.
A gallery of Ammonites in a variety of yarns is available here.
The
body of the shawl features a simple cartridge rib stitch, giving the
garment a subtle texture that blends into its semi – circular
shape, whilst the top outer edge is worked in garter stitch
throughout. Kfb increases are utilised to give the shawl a ruffled
look. The bottom outer edge of the shawl is worked in stockinette
stitch. This is followed by a playful picot border, adding further
drape.
I
got the idea for the name when I was in the process of completing the
first test knit of the pattern. As I was binding off more and more
stitches, the garment slowly started to resemble an Ammonite.
Prototype of Ammonite in generic DK weight yarn |
- Size:
One
size – Adjustable by adding or omitting pattern repeats, when
working the body of the shawl.
- Finished Measurements:
Length
of straight edge - 1.55m
Height
at centre - 0.68m
(Note:
Measurements were taken after the shawl was blocked.)
- Yarn:
Knitglobal
4 ply Sock Yarn - (25% nylon, 75% superwash wool) 437yds / 400m per 100g hank
Colour: Plum
Quantity required: Just under three skeins / app. 290grams
Colour: Plum
Quantity required: Just under three skeins / app. 290grams
- Recommended Needle Size:
US#6
/ 4mm circular needle
- Other Materials / Tools:
One
darning needle and two stitchmarkers.
- Gauge:
Cartridge
Rib Stitch:
Row
1 : Knit Row 7: Knit
Row
2: Purl Row 8: Purl
Row
3: Knit Row 9: Knit
Row
4: Knit Row 10: Knit
Row
5: Purl Row 11: Purl
Row
6: Knit Row 12: Knit
Directions:
Shawl
Centre
Cast
- on 4 stitches, using the provisional (invisible) cast - on.
Rows
1 - 8: Knit
Row
9: Following completion of row 8, do not turn piece. Instead, turn
work on right hand needle 90 degrees clockwise. With left - hand
needle pick up and knit 4 stitches from the garter knots on the edge
of the piece. Once these stitches have been knit, you should have a
total of 8 stitches on the right hand needle. Turn piece on right
hand needle once again by 90 degrees clockwise. Remove waste yarn
from provisional cast – on edge and transfer all stitches to the
left hand needle. Knit the 4 remaining stitches. 12 stitches are now
on the right hand needle. Continue as follows:
Row
1[RS]: k4, pm, k4, pm, k4
Row
2 [WS]: k4, sm, p4, sm, k4
Row
3: k4, sm, [k1,
yo]
3 times, k1, sm, k4. 15
sts
Row
4: k4, sm, p7, sm, k4
Row
5: k4, sm, k7, sm, k4
Row
6: k4, sm, p7, sm, k4
Row
7: k4, sm, kfb in each st
to next marker,
sm, k4. 22
sts
Row
8: k4, sm, p14, sm, k4
Row
9: k4, sm, k14, sm, k4
Row
10: k4, sm, p14, sm, k4
Shawl
Body
- Note: Whilst the first and last four stitches on every row are knit throughout to produce a garter stitch edge, all stitches between the garter stitch edge are worked in cartridge rib stitch. In the following directions, “working in pattern” means to knit in cartridge rib stitch. Instructions for the cartridge rib stitch are set out above.
- All increases will take place on row 10 of every section.
1st
Section:
Row
1 [RS]: k4, sm, k to next marker, sm, k4
Row
2 [WS]: k4, sm, p to next maker, sm, k4
Row
3: k4, sm, K to next marker, sm, k4
Row
4: k4, sm, k to next marker, sm, k4
Row
5: k4, sm, p to next maker, sm, k4
Row
6: k4, sm, k to next marker, sm, k4
Row
7: k4, sm, k to next marker, sm, k4
Row
8: k4, sm, p to next maker, sm, k4
Row
9: k4, sm, k to next marker, sm, k4
Row
10: k4, sm, kfb in each st to next marker, sm, k4. 36 sts
Row
11: k4, sm, p28, sm, k4
Row
12: k4, sm, k28, sm, k4
2nd
Section:
Rows
1 – 9: Work in pattern.
Row
10: k4, sm, kfb in each st to next marker, sm, k4. 64 sts
Row
11: k4, sm, p56 to next marker, sm, k4.
Row
12: k4, sm, k56 to next marker, sm, k4.
3rd
Section:
Rows
1 – 9: Work in pattern.
Row
10: k4, sm, k2, [k1, kfb] 13 times, [kfb, k1] 13 times to final two
stitches before marker, k2, sm, k4. 90
sts
Row
11: k4, sm, p82 to next marker, sm, k4.
Row
12: k4, sm, k82 to next marker, sm, k4.
4th
Section:
Rows
1 – 9: Work in pattern.
Row
10: k4, sm, k2, [k2, kfb] 13 times, [kfb, k2] to final two stitches
before marker, k2, sm, k4. 116
sts
Row
11: k4, sm, p108 to next marker, sm, k4.
Row
12: k4, sm, k108 to next marker, sm, k4.
5th
Section:
Rows
1 – 9: Work in pattern.
Row
10: k4, sm, k3, [k2, kfb] 17 times, [kfb, k2] to final three stitches
before marker, k3, sm, k4. 150 sts
Row
11: k4, sm, p142 to next marker, sm, k4.
Row
12: k4, sm, k 142 to next marker, sm, k4.
6th
Section:
Rows
1 – 9: Work in pattern.
Row
10: k4, sm, k3, [k3, kfb] 17 times, [kfb, k3] to final 3 stitches
before marker, k3, sm, k4. 184 sts
Row
11: k4, sm, p176, sm, k4.
Row
12: k4, sm, k 176 to next marker, sm, k4.
7th
Section:
Rows
1 – 9: Work in pattern.
Row
10: k4, sm, k4, [k3, kfb] 21 times, [kfb, k3] 21 times to final 4
stitches before marker, k4, sm, k4. 226 sts
Row
11: k4, sm, p 218, sm, k4.
Row
12: k4, sm, k 218, sm, k4.
8th
Section:
Rows
1 – 9: Work in pattern.
Row
10: k4, sm, k4, [k4, kfb] 21 times, [kfb, k4] 21 times to final 4
stitches before marker, k4, sm, k4. 268 sts
Row
11: k4, sm, p 260, sm, k4.
Row
12: k4, sm, k 260, sm, k4.
9th
Section:
Rows
1 – 9: Work in pattern.
Row
10: k4, sm, k5, [k4, kfb] 25 times, [kfb, k4] 25 times to final 5
stitches before marker, k5, sm, k4. 318 sts
Row
11: k4, sm, p 310, sm, k4.
Row
12: k4, sm, k310, sm, k4.
10th
Section:
Rows
1 – 9: Work in pattern.
Row
10: k4, sm, k5, [k5, kfb] 25 times, [kfb, k5] 25 times to final 5
stitches before marker, k5, sm, k4. 368 sts.
Row
11: k4, sm, p 360, sm, k4.
Row
12: k4, sm, k 360, sm, k4.
11th
Section:
Rows
1 – 9: Work in pattern.
Row
10: k4, sm, k6, [k5, kfb] 29 times, [kfb, k5] 29 times to final 6
stitches before marker, k6, sm, k4. 426 sts
Row
11: k4, sm, p 418, sm, k4.
Row
12: k4, sm, k 418, sm, k4.
12th
Section:
Rows
1 - 9: Work in pattern.
Row
10: k4, sm, k6, [k6, kfb] 29 times, [kfb, k6] 29 times to final 6
stitches before marker, k 6, sm, k4. 484 sts
Row
11: k4, sm, p 476, sm, k4.
Row
12: k4, sm, k 476, sm, k4.
13th
Section:
Rows
1 - 9: Work in pattern.
Row
10: k4, sm, k7, [k6, kfb) 33 times, [kfb, k6] 33 times to final 7
stitches before marker, k7, sm, k4. 550 sts
Row
11: k4, sm, p 542, sm, k4.
Row
12: k4, sm, k 542, sm, k4.
14th
Section:
Rows
1 - 9: Work in pattern.
Row
10: k4, sm, k7, [k7, kfb] 33 times, [kfb, k7] 33 times to final 7
stitches before marker, k7, sm, k4. 616 sts
Row
11: k4, sm, p 600, sm, k4.
Row
12: k4, sm, k 600, sm, k4.
15th
Section:
Rows
1 - 9: Work in pattern.
Row
10: k4, sm, k8, [k7, kfb] 37 times, [kfb, k7] 37 times to final 8
stitches before marker, k8, sm, k4. 690 sts
Row
11: k4, sm, p 682, sm, k4.
Stockinette
Edging
Once
Row 12 of Section 15 has been completed, continue in stockinette
stitch for 13 rows as follows:
Row
1 [WS]: k4, sm, p to next marker, sm, k4.
Row
2 [RS]: k4, sm, k to next marker, sm, k4.
Rows
3 – 13: Continue in pattern (stockinette stitch) as outlined in Row
1 and 2, purling all stitches between the markers on uneven rows and
knitting all stitches on even rows.
Row
13 [WS]: k4, sm, p to next marker, sm, k4.
Picot
Bind – Off
*Using
the cable cast – on, cast - on two stitches. Next, bind off three
stitches. Return the single stitch on the right hand needle back on
to the left hand needle. Repeat from *. Continue until all remaining
stitches have been bound off.
Finishing:
List
of abbreviations:
co
– cast - on
k
– knit
kfb
– knit in front and back of stitch
p
– purl
pm
– place marker
sm
– slip marker
st
– stitch
sts
- stitches
yo
– yarn over
Should you require pattern support, please feel free to contact me via Ravelry or leave a comment below.
This pattern is for personal use only and may not be reproduced for commercial purposes without permission.
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