Clapotis

Pattern: Clapotis by Kate Gilbert, from Knitty.com

Yarn:Natural Dye Studio's Dazzle, Blue Faced Leicester 4ply Sock Yarn in a colour a bit like Flame.

Needles: Some random metal needles I got a while ago at a charity shop, UK Size 6 (That would be 4mm, or US size 8)

Modifications: Other than using sock yarn, I also did 26 repeats of the pattern rather than 12. This was aided by the fact that I knew what weight of yarn I needed to have left. According to my scales I could have managed another repeat, but the scarf is plenty long enough as it is. I did the same number of increase rounds as the pattern suggests, I thought that was a reasonable width.



Review: I LOVE this pattern! It's so much fun to knit and simple enough to do while watching telly. It works up nicely and I'm sure once I've blocked it some more it will stay square. The yarn is also Lush, even despite some randomly darker bits, it looks great. This colour rocks! It pooled a bit (as you can see below) but really that just adds to the pattern, especially when worn.



Also, the BFL has a slight kink to it, which is really pretty and adds to the warmth, I think. It's by far the warmest scarf I have ever owned! I love it. If you haven't knit Clapotis then you should give it a try! I think that in sock yarn, you could make a skinnier version than I did and it would still look great!
Bascially I have nothing bad to say about the pattern or the yarn. 10/10 for both!

Hamster House

We bought a posh house each for out hamsters. Aran seems to like his, but Rowan doesn't like his - he will not sleep in it.
So, I looked for a knit pattern for a hamster nest, and couldn't find anything suitable.

So I designed this one.



Yarn: Rowan Pure Wool Aran (Sage), leftovers
Needles: 4.5mm dpns, set of 5.

Gauge is not that important as long as your hamster can fit into the nest. My hamsters are dwarf hamsters, so if you have a Syrian hamster you might want to make it bigger.

Pattern:
Main Section
Cast on 44 Stitches and join in the round on 4 needles, 11 on each needle
Work 4 rounds of moss stitch
Switch to stocking stitch and work until tube is 2 inches long

Decrease section
Round 1
knit to within 4 sts of end of needle, k2tog, k4, ssk, knit to end of needle, knit to within 4 sts of end of needle, k2tog, k4, ssk, knit to end of round.
Round 2
Knit

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until there are 12 stitches remaining

Graft end closed.


Enjoy!

François Hat

Made for: My Dear Other Half

In: Rowan Pure Wool Aran

Pattern: Jaques Cousteau by Typy

Modifications: Yes. I used Aran instead of the recommended DK, so I adjusted the number of stitches down to 100, and then scaled the other sections accordingly.

Rating: I liked knitting this, it was quick too. The only problem I have is with the propensity of the top to point due to decreasing every row. But when worn it looks fine.

Noro Striped Socks

The Noro Socks are also finished...



I'm really pleased with these, they're on my feet as I type.

I used a basic sock pattern, a 5 row repeat, with an afterthought heel. The afterthought heel is over more than half of the stitches, which I think makes it fit much better than it would have on only half.

I'm sure the same principle would work on a short row heel, as it's about the angle - I read an article in (I think) Interweave.

Secret Santa Fetching

Finished...