KnitterArty

Sock Yarn dress

2010-03-25T15:03:00.001-07:00

This dress is simply beautiful......well at least I think the pattern is beautiful and it is good for my zen to develop the patience to knit it LOL!!!
I'm generally an Aran weight knitter - 4.5mm needles -grows nice and quickly. This is 2 ply sock yarn and by comparison is like knitting in spider silk.
HOWEVER - the effect is this gorgeous gossamer like knit that will work beautifully for a wee girly dress.
The yarn I'm experimenting with is a 75% wool self striping yarn. My local shop stocks tons of this stuff in the most amazing colourways. I'm hoping this dress takes off as a summer special. I want to knit more!
Shown so far is the skirt. 64cm of garter stitch 75 stitch row. The next stage is to pick up stitches down one side and gather to make a skirt with the stitches running vertically.
Keep you posted!!!

Alistair set

2010-03-04T12:15:00.000-08:00

This has turned out beautifully. Can't wait to do the next KnitterArty collab!

Finished soakerless skirty

2010-03-01T14:01:00.001-08:00

I love this - so much so that if I had the time I would knit myself one! The yarn is so perfect - it hangs just so beautifully.

Weekend knittery

2010-03-01T00:57:00.000-08:00

Been a clicky weekend. I've finished a pair of seamless soakers in Sunny Days and git stuck into a lovely soakerless skirty. Both my boys have been poorly sick thiis weekend so I've been confined to barracks - hence lots of knitting!

The skirty is in a wool and cotton mix yarn and is really pretty. It's a lot heavier and so I think it will hang really well. I've knitted it really full (I now have over 300 stitches on my needles!!!). I am really looking forward to getting to the length so that I can cast off - you can't appreciate the skirt while it's still on the needles.

...now with a mouse!

2010-02-26T05:03:00.000-08:00

The Gruffalo Hoody challenge

2010-02-25T12:00:00.001-08:00

Just the hood to finish - but I couldn't resist getting on with the embroidery in between.
I'm pretty chuffed with this. I wasn't sure I'd be able to pull it off - but my 3 year old recognised it so I must be close!

Tough cookie challenge progress pic.

2010-02-22T06:12:00.000-08:00

I've completed the knitting for these crops now - just need to sew them up and make a cord. I'm looking at ways to get the motif on there too.

OOga Booga Longies are done!

2010-02-20T14:59:00.001-08:00

.....and I'm loving them....

OOga Booga longies progress pic

2010-02-20T09:49:00.001-08:00

I've still some more ickle monsters to embroider on - but here's a progress pic.

OOga Booga Patchwork longies

2010-02-17T12:59:00.000-08:00

Promised I'd keep the progress blogged - I love the idea of patchworking in this way (although now I'm working from 4 yarns at the same time I am swearing a bit at all the untangling required!!!).
I think they are going to look fabby.

Oriental dress challenge complete....

2010-02-16T00:38:00.000-08:00

Progress pic of Oriental themed dress

2010-02-12T15:10:00.000-08:00

I am loving this one!
So far I have basically (with a bit of tweaking here and there!) taken the shape of a ballet wrap around cardi and knitted the parts to make a wrap over style top half to the dress. I've redesigned the sleeves to be more like I have seen on kimono inspired dresses. Plus I figured that tehy would still look good as bubba grows and they became more 3/4 length.
The ribbon arrived today and it's everything I hoped for.
Obviously it all needs sewing and I intend to edge it around the neck in the same colour as the skirt.
But here it is so far!

The finished farm set!!!

2010-02-11T04:19:00.000-08:00

As modelled by one of my gorgeous boys! Great having an in house modelling team!

Onto the Oriental Dress challenge. I've sourced some ribbon and yarn - this is where we are so far!

Farm challenge - embroidery

2010-02-08T14:14:00.001-08:00

Next installment!
xxx

First part of the Farm challenge...

2010-02-08T07:59:00.000-08:00

Oh grrrrrr.......just lost a whole explanatory post on this jumper. Haven't time to rewrite it all! Suffice to say that this is the basic jumoer for the farmer challenge. I will embroider it later.
The sleeves and hood colour is a bit of an addition as I saw this yarn on Friday and it matches perfectly with the yarn for the longies - simply couldn't resist.
I want to knit one of these for my boys - they are lovely. Oscar was my model for designing it and he looks sooooo cue and snuggly in it! My poor children never have anything mummy made!
Lynsx

Jess's longies!

2010-02-04T04:30:00.000-08:00

These longies are for the wonderously gorgeous Jude, who is Jess's (our fabulous yarn dyer)son.
She gave me fee hand with them - so I am hoping she likes!

Lazy blogger!

2010-02-01T06:32:00.000-08:00

I'm slapping my own wrist! I have a bit of an excuse as I had my Ofsted Inspection as a child minder last week (I didn't get to know what day!) and I was living in a world of pointless paperwork to prepare for it. All done now and I came out with a "Good" in all areas which I'm chuffed with. Better still I'm reunited with my needles and determined to make February a busy busy month.
I've lauched a challenge month - hoping for takers. Details on the website.
Here's the last few items I haven't put up here yet. The Matrushka doll set turned out brilliantly - really pleased with that one.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-11T03:11:00.000-08:00

Well folks - back at last! Not been blogging much but have been knitting a plenty. I decided to take a break from ickle people knitting over Christmas and knit my lovely husband a hoody. It seemed a bit unfair that he never gets anything becaue I'm always knitting for other people!!! With a little help from my mum I got it done over the Christmas and new year week. I'll get around to posting him in it at some point!
Since being back on task I've knitted a lovely pair of Blue Lion King longies, a pair of longies in the round and now this gorgeous skirty. I'm really pleased with this one. It's for the little girly I childmind for so a bit special. I've popped it on the site as a custom style though. I was rather amazed at how much yarn it took. Frills are very labour intensive!!!
We've had loads of snow this past week - Ihaven't been able to brave going out as we live on a hill that is like an ice slick. I can just about make it solo - but I wouldn't trust myself with a buggy and toddler in tow! Oh well - means lots of snuggling on the sofa and knitting!
Love to everyone and a big Happy New Year!!!

Kimberley's Christmas Stockings!

2009-12-10T03:35:00.000-08:00

I've loved making these. Keep thinking about all the little gifts that will be piled in there over the years as their owners grow and grow....OK I'll admit it, I'm a sentimental sod!
Now just hope they all like them!!!

Next stockings up......

2009-12-07T14:47:00.000-08:00

Still another one to make for this order - plus they all need embroidering, but here's a progress pic!

Feeling very festive after knitting all these stockings. We also had our annual "mulled wine and mince pie" evening on saturday night. An excuse to get all our wonderful friends together and feed them full of mince pies and ply them with large amounts of alchohol!
Here is what Noah sweetly referred to as "a mountain of pies mummy!"

It fell on the 5th of December this year which is the feast day of St NIcholas and in many countries the traditional date that Father Christmas visits the children so we got a mate to dress up and suprised the kiddlies with gifts and an early visit from the man himself (the pressies were all in a jumbo KnitterArty Stocking- that St Nick has great taste you know!!!).
Hope everyone else is getting into the festive spirit!

There is some amazing and exciting news soon to strike the world of KnitterArty.....oooooo aren't I a tease!!!?

Next in the Christmas stocking parade!

2009-12-01T08:50:00.001-08:00

CHRISTMAS STOCKING!

2009-11-29T14:37:00.000-08:00

I amke absolutely no apology for the capital letters.......I have have worn my body, mind and soul creating my first unique Christmas stocking.
When first asked to knit one I though "OK not difficult....just google a pattern and maybe have a scoot through Ravelry. No probs - of course I can make one!".....HA How naive was I????????
I have knitted three.....I have altered each three countless times......I have cried.......I have not slept (although not entirely due to making Christmas stockings - more due to the fact that Oscar caught the world's most virulent stomach bug and I've had three sleepless nights spent on the sofa knitting whilst regularly )proferring a sick bowl!)
Anyway - I have come up with this.
The pattern I have sweat blood over is only the outline of the stocking. Who would have known how difficult heels and toes were? ANyway - the integrated patterns and colour combinations will be different for each. I hereby swear that no two stockings will be alike. I also promise to email my mate St Nic with the design each new owner has!

Hope you all like. I will blog my progress.......

Bad blogger!

2009-11-23T08:34:00.000-08:00

The title says it really - I've been that busy!!! I have just finished the collab with pickle paints. I'm really pleased with it - it was quite a challenge to copy the rocket in embroidery - but I think I might just be getting better at it with all the recent practise!
Going to be mourning the end of WAHM Collab month - I've so enjoyed it. I've been so luckyto work with such talented WAHM's. I'm hoping that we can maintain our collaborations in some form. All ideas at the moment, but it would be great if people could order custom t-shirts and matching woolies. Watch this space!!!
Been in contact with Jess too and we're not far off listing the next load of yarn. VERY excited. I so love working with Jess's yarn- I genuinely find it inspirational.
Would love to catch up more but my threenager is whining in my ear!!! Here's a pic of the longies and t-shirt that I've just put up.

latest works!

2009-11-18T13:15:00.000-08:00

In a hurry - lots to knit but here's what I've been doing since friday! Knitted the skirtie on friday, the longies on saturday and sunday and have knocked out the undyed longies so far this week. I am a knitting machine!

Penguin longies take two!

2009-11-12T08:26:00.001-08:00

On to knitting the hat and mits for it now!
Boy, it's been a busy week!
LOL
Lynsx

Today's little numbers

2009-11-10T12:39:00.000-08:00

Having finished the penguin longies andwaiting for the next lot of Tundra yarn to arrive (which it now has YAY!) - I filled my time doing a little custom hat and mit set in purple haze. They are a ickle 3-6 month set. I'm really pleased with them!

Pengiun longies Bobby Dazzlers Collab finished - the first pair!!!

2009-11-09T08:12:00.000-08:00

Here's the first pair finished. I wasn't sure I was going to have enough yarn to make a hat too on the measurements (they're quite a large pair!) but I think I will!
Going to get on with that and get these on to soak. I'm also fairly relieved I managed to recreate the penguin! I was a bit worried that the first was a one off fluke that I'd never be able to do again!!

The penguin longies

2009-11-08T09:10:00.000-08:00

My next collab was for a pair of penguin longies in Bobby Dazzlers Tundra yarn. I listed it, went on to CNT to pop it on the WAHM Collab thread and then went back to edit my listing. Before I'd even finished my edit they'd sold!!! It was mere seconds! Amazing.......BUT THEN calamity! Another order came through for them! It seems that since I was editting the listing at the point they sold when I clicked to update it (ignorant of the fact they HAD sold) I inadvertently relisted them!!!
So next came an evening of frantic emails and much concern that I was going to have to disappoint a customer. But then (sound of superhero type music!) Emma from Bobby Dazzlers emaile dto say that she had another 2 skeins and trim of tundra she'd done at the same time and hadn't yet listed.......oh the highs! So phew....all's well that ends well. There are now two pairs to make so it was no evening off last night after all!
Here's a progress pic of pair #1. The yarn for pair #2 is being sent out tomorrow. I should be able to complete both within the week I originally promised.
It's a veritable (collective noun for penguins anyone?!).......

I have also sorted another couple of ABK collabs. One girly one (can't wait - been doing lots of boys stuff lately!) and she's going to make me something for a pair of footies I've made. I've also had a message from picklepaints and we're looking at getting one last collab in before the month is out! Lots to do - I love it!
LOL Lynsx

The day after the night before!

2009-11-07T09:01:00.000-08:00

Well - that was an exciting night! The collab didn't last more than a few minutes! I ended up making a matching hat too - which meant I ended up getting up with the lark this morning to get it done before the PO shut! All posted and should be winging it's way to it's new owner for monday. I'm hoping I get some action pics!
Also had the collab yarn from Bobby Dazzlers arrive this morning. I'm itching to get on with it - but really need to do a couple of other things first. I've got a hat and gloves set to make - then a Top Secret, BC Secret Santa pressie to make. Can say no moreon that one!!! LOL.
FOr this evening I may give my fingers a rest. Hubby is cooking - wine is chilling. Night off planned.....althoug I find it so hard to sit watching the box without a project on the go we'll see!

The collab is nearly finished!

2009-11-06T11:02:00.000-08:00

I am sooooo mega chuffed with these. As I was making them I came up with the idea of breaking up the stripes by picking out a motif from the t-shirt and doing an intarsia on the bum. I think it looks pretty good, if I say so myself...! Just going to do the waistband tonight and then list them!

ABK Collab - progress pic

2009-11-05T08:24:00.000-08:00

Well Noah has decided that playgroup knackers him out totally and has been asleep most of the afternoon! Consequently I've finished the first leg. I found some royal blue in my stash to add to the trim - I think the colours match really well.

ABK Collab...the sequel!!!

2009-11-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

The last flew out the shop so we've decided to do another. About to start the longies - it's a 12-18 month t-shirt. I think it's going to ba another winner! I'm doing red trim with yellow and black stripes.
Here's the yarn and top together to give you an idea.

5% discount for KnitterArty customers at Cotton Baby

2009-11-05T02:14:00.000-08:00

I'm a real nappy advisor with Cotton Baby as well as being a knitty natty nora. I've been aiming to get a collaboration between the two businesses for a while and we've now organised it.

www.cottonbaby.co.uk stocks loads of amazing nappies and accessories, including things for mum too!

....and now all KnitterArty customers can benefit from a 5% discount using the code knit01 at checkout.

Take advantage people (and feel free to pass on the code - just get people to check out my site too!!!)

LOL
Lynsx

Mum's shawl and waffle

2009-11-04T05:34:00.000-08:00

OMG it is just so beautiful and I am doing my nut trying to list it! It needs to be touched and waved around and snuggled to be appreciated. The WAHMCarts are great - but not THAT great!!!
I've also not found a 6 month baby. I've got a 9 month one coming next week! Hopefully she will look the part in the snuggle sac. I hasten to add that I am a registered childminder and have parents full permission to use photos...I don't just haul babies off the streets!!!
I have been so busy listing and knitting and sewing and balling up skeins today, I was nearly late taking Noah to his second day at Playgroup. Not a good mummy thing to do. I had to race my heavy Phil and Teds laden with two toddlers up a frighteningly steep hill to get there. Now deciding whether that's earnt me some chocolate or whether I should donate it to shaving another half millimetre off my girth!
Also had a message from Rae at Approved by Kayleigh to say she's posted the next contribution to WAHM Collaboration month. Stand by for another gorgeous set!

Footies are finished!

2009-11-04T02:20:00.000-08:00

Here are the finished footies. I'm just off to go and list them. I'd like to be able to list all my winter range at once - but as always time is running away from me and I've still a few things to finalise so I'm going to have to do it bit by bit. My main problem is finding a small baby to model the snuggle sac. It looks nothing on it's own - you really have to see a baby in it! I've tried Oscar and it's a tad small for him.......now where to get a 6 month baby! I'm just going to have to have more children so I can keep the supply of willing models going LOL!
I've also got another of mum's beautiful shawls to list. This one is a circular one in a very fine 2 ply. I'd have never had the patience to make it - there are literally thousands and thousands of stitches. Keep an eye on the site for the new listings! tell your friends!
LOL
Lynsx

Footies knitting done

2009-11-03T15:44:00.000-08:00

I'm now allowed to go to bed. The knitting for the footies is all done! I'll sew them up and post piccies tomorrow. I'm so pleased with how they have turned out. They'll make a really snuggly and comfy night woolly for someone ;).
I'm also really thrilled with my blog following already! Think I might qiute enjoy the life of blogger LOL!
Love to you all -hope you sleep well,
Lynsx

My very first blog!!!

2009-11-03T04:58:00.001-08:00

OK - totally new to this malarky but keep being told that KnitterArty needs a blog. So here is my attempt to please!

Working away at some footie longies at the moment in swamp monster and brown stripe. They look very yummy. Lets see if I can manage a progress pic.

OK it's sideways and appeared at the top! Not bad for a first effort! This will be entertaining if nothing else LOL!