Beautiful Sock Yarn & Wool for Your Next Project
The new book “Solefull Socks – Knitting from the Ground Up” by Betty Salpekar arrived by post in the middle of last week and I happily opened it to start reading about this new method for sock knitting.
Solefull Socks have been popping up everywhere recently, 2 patterns in my digital copy of Interweave Knits Summer 2014 – Lobelia and Forester Socks, and Carry on Solefully in Knitty.com Issue 48 | first fall 2014.[Read More]
Just before Christmas when I was at my local Knit and Natter Group in the Library, we were talking about which needle crafts we enjoyed. I said that I love knitting and I used to make a lot of patchwork but had never really come to grips with crochet. The skill just never quite clicked even though I had been shown enough to be able to crochet the ears on a pair of mouse slippers for the Sasha Dolls. That was as far as my attempts with crochet had ever gone even though I really wanted a Granny Square Crocheted Blanket. Someone in the group said crochet is really easy, I’ll show you… several of us gathered around to watch and try.
The following day when I was shopping I came across “the Cool Girl’s Guide to Crochet” by Nicki Trench. Her instructions are clearly written and accompanied by instructional photographs and crochet has finally clicked for me. I stopped worrying about whether I was holding the hook and tensioning the yarn correctly. I just made a slip knot and started a chain, then I followed the instructions to practice single crochet, double crochet, treble, half treble, double treble, making chain spaces and clusters.[Read More]
My Multistripe Stole is finally finished. I cast on this stole in May 2013 and cast off in early June 2014. I have knit other projects during this time, but it seems strange not seeing the Multistripe Stole’s box sitting beside the sofa, it had been there for so long it had become part of the furniture.
When I cast on it never occurred to me that it would take me over a year to complete the project. I had visualised wearing it draped over my shoulders on cool summer evenings last year.[Read More]
There is nothing more exciting than finding out about a new sock heel construction. I first read about the Fish Lips Kiss Heel on a sock knitters forum and eagerly bought the pattern.
Fish Lips Kiss Heel is designed by Sox Therapist and is available on Ravelry.com. I read through the detailed instructions and watched the two stitch techniques on Youtube and then decided to use the heel construction with my normal basic sock pattern.[Read More]
Now and again, I see a project that I just can’t wait to knit, Butterfly Dreams designed by Drops was one of these. I really loved this shawl as soon as I saw it.[Read More]
Wow, it has been an exciting couple of days, with the Giro d’Italia’s opening stages taking place in Northern Ireland.
Over the past few weeks and days, the city has gradually turned pink… We watched the time trials on TV from the start at the Titanic Building to the end outside the City Hall. This route went through East and South Belfast.
On Holywood Road at the library, a change occurred in the CS Lewis sculpture. The Knit and Natter group were having some fun with pink yarn.[Read More]
Spectra Scarf designed by Stephen West is one of my favourite projects that I’ve knit recently. I wanted a scarf pattern that used 4ply or sock-weight yarn. I love the Everdeen Beanie knit using Artesano Alpaca DK yarn but it can be hard to find just the right shade of red to wear with it.
One of the things I love about knitting a scarf is that it is the perfect project for learning new skills.[Read More]
I’ve taken part in several swaps over the years. I particularly enjoyed this yarn swap a few years ago on Ravelry.
It was a secret surprise swap with no communication between the swap partners. Also, we were sending our package to a different person than the person we were receiving our swap package from. This helped ensure there would be no contact between the swap partners.
The minimum amount to spend on the package was £25 plus package and posting. The package would contain 7 individually wrapped parcels. One parcel would be opened every day for one week and the blogger would then write a daily blog post for the week.
There were a few specific items that had to be included: 100g of new yarn or fibre; Some type of knitting notion; Embellishments; A pattern. This covered 4 of the parcel contents. There were a few suggestions for the remaining parcels: Something handmade; a magazine; a book; stationery; a treat; something small that would add a fun element to the photographs our swap partner would take.
So how were we to discover what our swap partner would like? What type of patterns did they enjoyed knitting?[Read More]
Don’t you just adore frosty autumn leaves. I do. Autumn is one of my favourite seasons. I went through a phase where I really enjoyed knitting patterns that swirled around my leg. I chose to end the lacy swirling pattern at the ankle as I find a smooth foot more comfortable for wearing. The Swirl Socks were finished and photographed last Autumn.
I have had bad experiences with second sock syndrome in the past and still have a few single socks on the backburner. Sometimes the reason a second sock isn’t made is because something wasn’t quite right. Perhaps, the wrong choice of yarn for the pattern chosen, or I wasn’t happy with the colour chosen.[Read More]
My creative process is the same for most of the projects that I choose to work on to a greater or lesser degree.
For example, I decided to revisit the creative process used in designing my Amethyst Dreams Collection for Sasha Doll Style (made in 2010). I wanted to show my design process from my initial inspiration to the completed collection.
The first step taken in beginning my Sasha Outfit Collections always started at least 2 years before I would begin my design process. I’d start with a plastic box, for storing everything that inspired me, for the project. This would usually evolve into more than one box over time.[Read More]
Hello, I'm Nicolette Kernohan. I love sharing unique knitting projects, exploring colour & inspiring your creativity. Knitting Squirrel sells knitting wool & sock yarn in glorious colours & fibres.
