Knitting Time Calculator

I saw this knitting time calculator posted yesterday and thought I would add it here for crafters to take a look at probably how much they undervalue their creations.... it made me chuckle when I read it through. 

Chilly evening wrap.

I decided to have a go at making an adult version of the Great British Granny Shrug , which I made for my niece Lola before she was born in red, white and blue. I just remembered it was 2 hexagons, so used purples I have left over from other projects. It is very baggy on me and would be better in yarns that are not acrylic. People who think garments with holes are not warm need to think again. The holes trap the heat next to your skin. I used a 3mm hook and it took me around 4 evenings to complete. No sewing involved!

Warm scarf

I used 1 50g of Sirdar blur and a 3mm hook. Did 8 V-stitch rows and continued until the wool was gone. It's 251cm in length. I sat chatting to my mum for a couple of hours and that was the length of time it took to make it. She pointed out, you have just made all that whilst sitting there! I made another in Angora Classic orchid for my sister's mother-in-law on Christmas eve that took 3 hours. I did a 10 V-stitch row on that one and forgot to take a picture. She loved it when she opened it saying it was just her colour! This scarf most definitely keeps your neck warm as it is part mohair!

Stash buster gifts

I was in inspired by this little bag I saw on Pinterest to make one. I couldn't find a pattern so just free-formed without beads. I ended up making 2, one for my eldest niece Lucie and one for my niece Lola. I told Lola it was to put her Christmas sweeties in on Christmas day and she carried it looking for her sweets.... cute! I used a 3mm hook and oddments of dk yarns and hello kitty buttons.

This is my creation, 1970s hippie chick festival bag - no pattern for this one. I made it for my son's gf as a Christmas pressie. It consists of 13 circle cum squares and a chained and dc'd handle. I dc'd the squares together on the inside. I used a 3mm hook and left over yarns. Very 1970s!

This is another of my 1970s hippie chick style creation. I extended the festival bag to make a 2, 2 litre bottle shopper bag, when we feel like a bit of fizz that is, which is very rare! 3mm hook and left over dks. 

Christmas gifts for my oldest niece and nephew

I made this wonder wave bolero with 0.75 grams of Ice Yarn Classic Angora on 4 mm needles for my niece Lucie, age 10. I had to adjust the stitches when adding the sleeves to complete the yoke as the pattern is not clear so that was an adlib from the pattern. I also added 3 extra waves in length on the yoke before decreasing as this yarn is thinner than dk. I used 3 beautiful diamanté buttons. I believe she loved it as my mum took a picture of her wearing it.  

This baseball style hoody is my creation for my nephew Charlie, age 9. I incorporated elements from 3 different patterns. I based the body length and number of stitches on this Eastwood pattern, the pockets from this Drops children 9-4 pattern, and hood from Drops children 26-13 pattern. I worked the yoke and arm decreases in one piece so worked half the body, the sleeves and joined together... no sewing! Decided on a zipper fastening so work 2 sts of garter stitch at both front edges. The feedback I had from my mum was Charlie inspected it thoroughly and showed his father, my brother, my designer label.. that caused a little chuckle! I used 8.5 balls of Ice Yarn Barco in khaki/green and 5mm needles. 

Alpaca long line pocket hoodie

I used 14.5 50g  balls of  Ice Yarn Luxury Alpaca in black, grey and cream mix on 5mm needles. It was utterly heavenly knitting this yarn. Slides off the needles like a knife through hot butter. I based it on this pattern. I didn't make the side seams and I didn't garter stitch the armhole seams as the pattern suggest. The pockets I made are from this pattern.

Beanstalk cardigan.

This is the 2nd Sylvi I have made now. I heavily modified the side and arm hole shapings (increases/decreases) because on my original one, the raglan is tight over my bust. I also modified the button band and made a shawl collar. I didn't add the hood on this one and changed the cabling slightly on the top part of the garment. I also added pockets. I used 6mm needles and 2 strands of Ice Yarn Classic Angora in orchid; 600g in total - 520 metres per ball. This is my chilly morning driving coat. It is warmth to the max and incredibly light to wear.

Peppa theme birthday gifts

These were the gifts I made for my niece Lola's 3rd birthday. I used dk acrylic yarns and 4mm needles for the sweater and 3mm for the toy. She loved them both. Patterns found on Pinterest, look up Peppa pig for the toy. I used the sweater pattern from a hello kitty sweater, which I adjusted in increases and decreases and used the balerina peppa chart I sourced on Pinterest. 

 Sweater pattern

 Sweater chart

 Peppa pig toy pattern.

Alpaca jacket.

I got myself some Ice Yarn Barco Alpaca in green/khaki and decided on this pattern. I haven't added the pockets to mine. It is shorter than the length I like to generally wear. I used 13 50g balls and 5mm needles. This yarn is a dream to knit and was fast to knit up. I love the way it stripes as well. Incredibly comfortable to wear. I have added buttons subsequently, however they weren't added when I took the picture.

Finnley cardigan

I made this cardigan for my son. He loves it.  Pattern. I used 700g James Brett dk in MT1 on 4mm needles - I recommend using 4.5mm needles with this yarn. I had 200g left over so made him a long scarf with it.

Angora blanket

Back in October my son asked if I would craft him a blanket in blues similar to the rainbow one I had made. I used 800g Ice Yarns in blue mix and a 3mm hook. Took me about a week to complete. I love using this yarn. I didn't have a pattern and made it based on this graph I found on Pinterest.