knitting

Knitter Knatter

Posted on by arappleby

So its the second Knitter Knatter and this does still feel a bit weird, I don’t normally write about knitting… Not like this anyway. So I put down the spiral knit blanket for a while for a break and have been back at it working on the cable knit jumper from hell! I think I originally found this pattern a few years ago in a library book, god knows which one, so I was cheeky and made a copy of the pattern so I could give it a go… Sure I’ve written on my notes…

It helps to write on notes but to also make yourself a cheat sheet, especially with a cable knit to see how you are doing and where you are in the pattern, especially when parts of it have to match up… I used a cheap red and blue biro to be able to work everything out and be able to spot it easily.

I found a curved cable needle much easier than a regular straight cable needle easier. The cable pattern is done over 25 stitches so it is a bit of a mission to get perfect and its a repeating 14 row pattern at that.

This is the front panel and it has the extended collar pattern which means that stitch holders were my best friends in this instance. But It came out pretty well, though its very “boxy” looking.  Continue reading →

Knitter Knatter

Posted on by arappleby

Welcome to the first ever Knitter Knatter. I’m already super excited and I can’t wait to show you what I have been working on recently.

So, what has been the project that is in my favour? A spiral knit blanket.

 

So as you can see I started it with so much energy…. Using five colours all brought from Poundland. There is peach, mint, pink, cream and blue and it follows that colour routine all around. It’s very soft because I decided that going with baby wool would give a much sweeter finish to the project.

 

As you can see in the early stages it was quick and easy to knit, but that shortly changed and the more I knitted the longer finishing a side felt like it took. I really like how the spiral is turning out and creating the neat little ridge was a really sweet addition. I think similar patterns are found using the keywords “spiral knit blanket” these can be found on Ravelry or even on youtube. I’ve done this blanket style a few times so I never follow a pattern and go with whatever looks best at the time. Continue reading →

Holiday Wool Haul!!!!

Posted on by arappleby

So after a trip to Seal Island Wools where I met the lovely owner and her son who were true wool officionados in my opinion.

I ended up adding knitting patterns that I don’t have in my small but growing collection. I wanted to get some very cute designs that were “easy knit” but small enough that I could make them and not go insane like I have been with that cable knit jumper that has been barely growing at all. Yes they are baby cardigans but no there is no “news” in that department. I just thought they were some really cute designs for “one day”…

Well I got some wool I am excited to make into a blanket (yes another one) but I can’t decide if I should do the spiral knit like the other one I am working on or to do a giant simple granny square blanket, I must admit I do like the granny square blanket idea that little bit more, however I think I should wait a little while to do that after I have finished the current spiral knit blanket in progress… however I have put a picture of the wool just below, its a gorgeous combi of mint green, lilac and cream.

 

I ended up buying a rather soft lemon colour to make a lemon yellow cardigan with ducky buttons just like I had when I was little, however I haven’t yet decided which pattern I want to do with it. I quite like them all and I don’t know what one I want to commit too but I am sure it will still knit up a gorgeous little cardi.

I also brought this very cute lilac speckled wool that I wanted to contrast with the minty green which I think would look great with that frilly cardigan in the patterns I brought. I wanted to do something rather cute and unusual and that wool combination looks perfect in my opinion.

So all together my little haul from my holiday… and yet I would love to get lots lots more wool so I think another trip to the shop is in my future! I loved how friendly the owners were and how knowledgeable and how passionate they were. I loved the sense of welcoming and friendliness and relaxed come sit and spend some time here feel that the shop had. It was certainly cozy and gorgeous and the wool on offer was beautiful and I could have spent a hell of a lot more there if I had the money I would have too… I had to sort of stop myself going crazy in there considering it had to be carried home too!

 

Author Update (September 2018)

Posted on by arappleby

What happened in September?

Well after my last Author Update I got engaged, went on holiday and spent a small fortune on knitting wool! One of those things is most exciting though. I promise there will be a post all about the engagement.

That new schedule? Well with all the fun crazy things going on I have to admit that I haven’t followed it but I intend to get back to it I promise. I am trying at least. With the holiday I had all these good intentions to write and all I did was have lots of fun. But I am going to try again. It is worth it.

I have now officially re-started trying to get healthy again simply because the diet theory failed for me I think having fun and getting healthy will make all the difference especially with winter coming. It is easy to feel very down in the winter so I am hoping to really change that feeling.

What am I watching on Netflix? Well, to be honest, I am still watching Pretty Little Liars again I am dying to watch the Originals new series but I am trying to be a bit more disciplined wit my time.. Out side of Netflix the other half and I have now finishedwatching the Agents of Shield which is awesome and even binge watched all the dvds of The 100. It makes me want to do a lot more cool stuff… It gives you that warrior feeling.

I am still knitflixing but that should come as no surprise. Currently working on a spiral knit blanket. I am sure I will post some pictures when it is done…

I better get writing some post’s about the holiday so I will leave the traditional plugs here…

So Darling Daughters is OUT NOW , so for those of you wanting to get your hands on the ending… here is the link for Darling Daughters!  OUT NOW!

The Diary of Elliot Parker  Ninety-One to One hundred and Twenty!  OUT NOW!!!

Or if you want the whole collection in one neat and tidy book, here is the Pre-Order link for the Complete Collection! Releasing 13th October 2018

Nothing changes here in terms of throwing plugs in for my amazon books on my author page… I haven’t lost my hope just yet.

May luck and adventure be on your side!

ARA

xxx