Dashing Father George [Started 30th December]

George's Father complained about his fingers being cold when working in the garage. A perfect excuse for another pair of "Dashing" mittens - pattern from Knitty.com - brother to the famous "Fetching".

I used some vintage wool from my stock room... Pingouin Star+ (50% Wool/ 50% Acrylic: 85m/93yds per 50g: 18sts x 24rows to 4 ins on 4½mm needles) in a practical working shade of grey.

Cathy's Fetching Mittens [Started 28th December: :Completed 28th December]

A quick fix birthday gift of "Fetching" dashed off in time for Cathy's birthday. I used one 50g ball of Rowan Tapestry, (70% Wool, 30% Soybean Protein Fibres; 120m/131 yards; 22sts x 30rows to 4 ins on 4mm needles).

Vent d'est vent d'ouest [Started 30th November]

I have finally found a lovely scarf pattern in the right gauge to use the beautiful cashmere yarn that Alison bought me as a gift (some time ago now). It always seemed just too special to start anything with. Anyway - here it is - a smoke ring cowl in 100% cashmere yarn from Nash Farm Alaska.

"Sylvia's jacket" - by special request [Started 25th November]

An excellent opportunity for me to make a Fiona Morris jacket using her special techniques; lucky I had recently been on her workshop. Sheila met Fiona at Ally Pally and chose this cardigan. We then went to great lengths to find the exact same colour as Fiona had on display - in the discontinued Wendy Fusion yarn (50% Wool/ 50% Acrylic: 16sts x 20rows to 4 ins on 5½mm needles). This loose fitting style and random colours would be great for handspun (albeit a bit thick).

Icing Swirl Beret [Started 22nd November: :Completed 23rd November]

From Ysolda Teague's collection Whimsical Little Knits 1. It's called a slouchy hat - and it surely is!

I used Sirdar Peru (which I think is now discontinued), colour 302 Pablo. It's a chunky yarn, 50% wool/10% alpaca/40% acrylic, and knits to a tension of 14sts and 19rows to 4 inches on 6mm needles.

Sheelagh's matching mittens [Started 21st November: :Completed 22nd November]

I devised these mittens to go with Featherbed from Louisa Harding's Little Cake.

I used Rowan Kid Classic, colour 852 Peat (as below) with 4mm needles and cable lace stitch.
Pattern available in Pattern of the Month for December 2009.

Sheelagh's Beret [Started 19th November: :Completed 20th November]

This is Featherbed from Louisa Harding's Little Cake.

I used Rowan Kid Classic, 70% Lambswool 26% Kid Mohair 4% Nylon. Knits to a tension of approximately 18sts x 24 rows to 4 inches using 5mm needles. I was very smitten with this rich dark brown colour 832 Peat (with a hint of burgundy).
I would have preferred to use the recommended Thistle yarn but there is no chocolate brown (requested by user) in that range.

Lana Grossa Socks [Started 12th November: :Completed 11th and 29th December]

More Bedsocks for Father George [Started 24th October: :Completed 6th November]

Recently I was handed back the bedsocks I gave G's father as they had holes in the heels. I dutifully mended them, but thought this a good excuse to give him another pair. These are double knit socks in the "antibacterial" Phildar Oxygene, colour Neptune, - 25% wool, 35% chlorofibre, 40% acrylic - and knits to a tension of 23sts and 30 rows to 4 inches on 3½mm needles.

Tony's Christmas Socks [Started 23rd October: :Completed 10th November]

Whether he needs them or not. Well - all the other cyclists I know like them :o)

Knitted using Regia (75% wool,25% polyamide) 4 colour yarn in shade 5180 "Oslo". This is a fine weight sock yarn which knits to a tension of 30 sts and 42 rows to 4 inches, and has a yardage of 210m to 50g.

Terry's Christmas Socks [Started 30th September: :Completed 22nd October]

Knitted using Admiral Ringel (75% wool,25% polyamide). This is a fine weight sock yarn which knits to a tension of 30 sts and 42 rows to 4 inches, and has a yardage of 210m to 50g. The yarn is beautifully soft and the self-striping pattern seems to be simple stripes in shades of grey. I purchased the yarn in a bargain box at IKnit.

MacMillan Comfort Blanket [Started 3rd September: :Completed 1st October]

The Knitter magazine, supported by Rowan, have set up the Macmillan Comfort Blanket campaign. The idea is to knit blanket squares with your knitting group, - in my case, just me. Knitted in Phildar Oxygene and Frenesie wool blends.
The blankets will be used to support and raise awareness of Macmillan's campaign to freeze out fuel poverty for cancer patients. I am an enthusiastic supporter of Macmillan and other cancer charities involved with care of cancer sufferers (like Maggie's). See POM September 2009 for more details.

George's Fine Cardigan [Started 1st August: :Completed 2nd September]

Knitted by special request for a light-weight cardigan to wear on summer evenings in France. I have been planning this for some time, selecting a vintage pattern about a year ago, not daring to show it to G as the styling on the cover beggars belief. The yarn used is 25 year old Phildar Luxe which knits to a 3ply tension (32sts to 4 inches). Luxe is a "baby" yarn - 85% acrylic, 15% wool [50g; 201m/219yd], but beautifully soft, yet robust and practical. I originally bought the yarn to make myself a sophisticated knitted sweater and skirt in fine wool - so I have plenty left - and the buttons are also from my collection- though simple modern plastic ones.

Debbie Bliss Stole [Started 1st August: :Completed 10th August]

Cover photo from Debbie Bliss Magazine No 2. Knitted in Prima in colour 07 Pink (one shade darker than the one on the magazine cover). Knits to a DK tension. Yarn is 80% bamboo, 20% merino wool [50g; 115yd/106m].

Ishbel Scarf [Started 9th July: :Completed 16th July]

I used some pure silk yarn [100g skein; 600m], that I purchased from Knit Witches at Woolfest. The colour is "stormy skies" which has turned out to be a little more purple than I was expecting - but lovely nonetheless. The tension is fine and the Ishbel scarf has turned out a little smaller than the pattern intended, perhaps - but fine for me. The skein should be sufficient yardage for 2 scarves (which is why I did not attempt to increase the size to match the gauge).

Kool Mittens [Started 24th June: :Completed 3rd July]

I am using handspun Southdown (Felicity was the donor), dyed with Kool Aid in bright colours - just because Felicity's owner admired the Traffic light socks...

Pattern based on the "Fetching" pattern from Knitty.com.

Doilies [Started 7th June: :Completed 20th June] and [Started 3rd July: :Completed 30th July]

Vintage knitted doilies using Anchor linen No 20 in shade 920 and Coats Mercer Crochet 20 in white.

On-line pattern available in Pattern of the Month August 2009.

Tennis Socks [Started 4th June: :Completed 18th June]

1950s sports socks knitted using Sunbeam St Ives Sock wool in Navy shade 3110, 80% wool, 20% nylon [50g; 200yd/182m], and Jaeger Baby Merino 4 ply in Princess shade 126, 100% merino wool, [50g; 200yd/183m].

On-line pattern available in Pattern of the Month June 2009.

Traffic Light Socks [Started 4th May: :Completed 12th May]

I am using handspun Suffolk, dyed with Kool Aid in bright colours - just because I can! George surprised me by demanding that these are socks for him - I wonder of he regrets it now?. The gauge works out to a "4ply" weight (about 28sts to 4 inches). Pattern based on the Web of Wool sock pattern.

Anouk Cardigan [Started 30th April]

This is Anouk (longer version) from Louisa harding's book Nouveau. I took some trouble selecting a neutral shade that might suit me, and go well with my summer clothes. This is shade 100 Old Cream in RYC Bamboo Soft, 100% bamboo [50g; 112yd/102m]; I like the slight sheen, and soft texture of this yarn. It knits to a tension of 25sts x 30rows to 4 inches.

Kool Socks [Started 4th April: :Completed 11th April]

I am using handspun Suffolk, dyed with Kool Aid, and blended with a proportion of acrylic fibre (20-25%). Mainly this was a colour blending experiment. The yarn is a little hard due to over spinning, but has worked out well. The colour scheme is muted. The gauge works out to a fine double knitting (about 26sts to 4 inches). Pattern based on the Web of Wool sock pattern.

Wavy Llama Scarf [Started 31st March: :Completed 14th April]

I am using handspun from a bag of lama fleece that my sister bought for me at the Royal Show last year from Catanga Llamas; due to my variable spinning, it varies in gauge.... The pattern is from A Fine Fleece, and is clearly very adaptable, though I started with the colourway shown in the book and then had to reverse my colours as the brown is spun thicker than the cream - the pattern works better with the garter bands thicker than the lace pattern.

Eighties Top [Started 21st March: :Completed 28th May]

A neat summer top from the 1980s. As I remember the styles from the eighties, I remain uncertain as to how it will work out; it may be a little bulky for a summer top - but that's what it's meant to be. I am using Rowan Wool Cotton, in shades 901 Citron and 909 French Navy; 50% merino wool, 50% cotton [50g; 122yd/113m.
On-line pattern available in Pattern of the Month May 2009.

Estonian Socks [Started 28th February: :Completed 11th March]

These are Meida's Socks by Nancy Bush from the Interweave Knits Sock book. I used this pretty pattern to knit up what can now be referred to as stash yarn (as I have had it for over a year); it's Phildar Lambswool [50g; 145yd/134m], which is a fine DK, in colour Printemps 221. The gauge is right for the pattern and I like the result but I think they look nicer in the suggested cream cotton.

Waving Lace Socks [Started 20th February: :Completed 27th February]

I really love this pattern by designer Evelyn Clark from the Interweave Knits Sock book. I have used it to knit up my Knitpicks Sock Blank yarn, which I dyed using Dylon all purpose dye in shade of lavender. The socks used 70g of the 100g [462 yards].

Two-Yarn Resoleable Socks [Started 15th February: :Completed 19th February]

I have had 2 balls of Phildar Préface [50g; 211yd/193m] in 43, Gris Moyen, and 108, Bourgogne, waiting to become socks, and this seemed the perfect pattern from the Interweave Knits Sock book. One ball was not really enough for the uppers, especially since I used some of this dark grey to make the Railway socks last year, so they are a little short in the leg, . Other than than the pattern worked out fine - and resoling is an option - though being in Phildar yarn they will never wear out...

Lace-Cuff Anklets [Started 9th February: :Completed 15th February]

I so much like the Wildfoote yarn that I could not bear to waste a scrap of it so I knitted these socks (improvising) from the Interweave Knits Sock book. They are Ann Budd's Lace-Cuff Anklets. The toes and heels are in left over Sirdar Town and Country sock yarn, the ribbed ankle is in "Midgely and Catton Ltd Homestead (90 % wool)" and the lace part is in Jaeger Botany 3 ply - all black shades..

Arty Fibre Scarf [Started 18th January]

Alison gave me this exquisite fibre for Christmas along with a pattern for a beautiful scarf. She saw the finished item knitted up but there is no photo included, which adds to the pleasure, because the surprise continues as you knit. The yarn is Artfiber's Tsuki , 60% Kid Mohair, 40%Silk, [40g skein; 515yds], and the pattern is Artfibers Vertical Drop Stitch Scarf.

Jasmine silk top [Started 2nd January]

Another pretty top from Kim Hargreaves' book Nectar. Intended to be knitted in Rowan 4 ply cotton, I am using some "Seriously Gorgeous" yarn, 35% Baby Camel, 35%Silk, [100g skein; 400m], that I purchased from Knit Witches at the Ally Pally show last year.
It seems to be working out to the right size so far, but I never quite know until the item is finished. I seem to have problems with things for myself that are intended to be tight fitting, in that I knit them in too large a size.

Olivia Tweed Cardigan [Started 14th November 2008: :Completed 1st January]

Delightful Kim Hargreaves cardigan from her book Thrown Together. Intended to be knitted in Rowan Felted Tweed, 50% Merino, 25% Alpaca, 25% Viscose/Rayon, [50g; 189yd/175m]. I am using a pale grey vintage DK Jaeger Lambswool Tweed that I have had in my possession for about 20 years. It is a pure wool which is much denser than the Rowan, so 10 balls was just enough to complete it. I think the result does not quite have the ideal drape for this design.

Ribbed Cardigan [Started 20th August 2008: :Completed 18th January]

Requests for a "lighter weight cardigan" have resulted in my knitting this light grey ribbed example from the book Classic Knits for Men. It is in a DK yarn though - so not so very light weight - RYC Cashsoft DK, in shades 518 Thunder and 523 Lichen, 57% extra fine merino, 33% microfibre, 10% cashmere, [50g; 142yd/130m]. As always there is a tiny though elegant single row of another colour (black) - so I used an oddment of Patons Clansman DK (100% wool) for this.

Sally [Started 7th April 2008]

This is an original design by "Amelia Raitte" (Anna Bell). She offers some great patterns - some even for free. I am using Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, as suggested in the pattern, in colours 3, and 101. I really love this mixed fibre yarn, which is 55% merino wool, 12% cashmere, and 33% microfibre, [50g; 136yd/125m]
Sally was published on Magknits - but unfortunately this site is no more and the patterns have disappeared with it; hopefully Anna will post the pattern again on her own site.

Wildfoot Socks [Started 22nd March 2008, restarted January 2009: :Completed 2nd February 2009]

Socks for me, using yarn that I purchased from Yarndogs in Los Gatos, while staying with Alison in 2007. The yarn is the Brown Sheep Company's Wildfoote [50g; 215yd/197m], colour SY-300, Ragtime, 75% wool 25% nylon, and knits to 28sts to 4 inches on 13 (2¼mm) needles.
I was seduced by the colour, and would have bought more and knitted something larger than socks, but they had only two balls left - so socks it is. Finally they have turned out to be... the Mock Wave Cable Socks from the Interweave Knits Sock book that I was given for Christmas 2008.

Shaped-edge jacket [Started 26th August 2007: :Completed 18th October 2009]