Organising patterns

I spent the evening organising my knitting and crochet patterns into a folder of completed knits and crochet things, men's and knitting and crochet ideas. I was really shocked at how many things I have made for other people. I have written on the print outs who I made what for and I am shocked at how much time I have actually spent making things for other people also found some patterns and wondered where those items now are! There were a few disaster makes too which I unpicked and I found that reminiscent as well and have kept hold of those patterns wondering if I used different yarns would they turn out differently. I have a section of print outs that I would like to make and have yarn on its way for some of them. It made me really aware of a sense of running out of time to make everything I would like to and along with my stack of books to read, I have a lot to do in what feels like less time left each day. I have a lot of book-marked patterns I have yet to print off and a queue of those I like on Ravelry. I think I need to focus on prioritising which ones to do. I have not made short sleeved patterns yet and have 4 to work on for the summer in cotton. I am going to relish not making sleeves because I find if I make the sleeves last I tend to have the sense that they will not come to an end even though it takes me about 16 hours to knit one adult sized sleeve on 4mm needles! 

Shopper bag

I used 4 balls of ice yarn raffia for this with a 3mm hook. I doubled the threads and changed the handle from the pattern. 

Morning glory cable cardigan

This is currently my favourite cardigan as it is supersoft and really warm. I had started it last year, had worked 29cm and left it on the needles in hibernation. It took 350g Ice Yarn classic angora in anthracite black on 4mm needles. This is the 2nd time I have made this pattern. The first one was for my mum in pink. I made the sleeves slightly different to the pattern as I didn't do reverse stocking stitch as I find that tough going on double pointed needles. 

Mum's pink one

Socks

I had completed 1 sock and had the other half on needles in hibernation for over a year and finished them off this month. 4mm needles, Ice Yarn barco alpaca yarn, 100g. My perfect size sock pattern that I use now for all my ankle socks. 

Using 4mm, 5 double ended needles: 
Cast on 40 sts. 
Rib 5 rounds. 
SS 30 rounds (or required length) 
Heel Straight: SS 20 sts x 13 rows (4cm). 
Heel Turn: P13, P2tog, P1, turn. 
Slip 1, K7, slip1, K1, psso, K1, turn. 
Slip 1, P8, P2tog, P1, turn. 
Slip 1, K9, slip1, K1, psso, K1, turn. 
Slip 1, P10, P2tog, P1, turn. 
Slip 1, K11, slip1, K1, psso, K1, turn. 
14 sts on needle. 
Pick up 10 sts along Heel Straight (13 rows/4cm) K20, pick up 10 sts (on other side of heel straight). Divide 14 sts on 2 needles = 17 sts on 2 needles. (54 sts total) 
Dec 1 st each side of front centre 20 sts every other row until 10 sts remain on each needle. Work 30 rounds for foot (or required length) 
Toe Dec row: Needle 1: K1, Slip 1, K1, PSSO, K to end of needle. Needle 2: K to last 3 sts, then K2 tog K1, needle 3 as per needle 1, needle 4 as per needle 2. 
Next row K. Repeat these 2 rows twice more, then repeat dec row until 12 sts remain. Next round: K2 tog to end, cut yarn and thread through final 6 sts and secure and tie off on the inside.

Cardigan for niece

I started this in January 2016 and it has been in hibernation and finished it off this month. I made the age 11-12 for my oldest niece. I used 2.5 balls Patons Fab and oddments of dk yarns and 4mm needles. Amended the bottom to match the sleeves based on the pattern.

Long hoody jacket

31/8/2017. My middle brother has had this one as he really liked it, as I have not worn it as it is too wide for me now. I think he looks like a monk in this one...haha! 

I based this creation on 2 patterns. Pattern 1 for the stitch and pattern 2 for the shaping at the sides sizing. (pattern 2 is my most favourite pattern ever and have used it 4 times now, though have varied the stitches on 2 versions) I am quite happy with how this turned out. I used 15 balls of ice yarn winter sale yarn which is 40% mohair, 20% wool on 5.5mm needles. This is much longer than both patterns at 96cm so land near to my knees! 

Niece's top and skirt

I made this bolero and skirt for one of my nieces and plan to make another one for the other young niece. I used 3mm needles for the skirt and a 3mm hook for the bolero. The skirt took 2.5 x 50g balls of So Crafty pale gold glamour and the bolero took 2.5 x 50g balls.

Romantic twist cardigan

I have made this pattern for my mum for mother's day. I used 10x100g Ice yarn plain wool and 5mm needles. I hope she likes it. 

Lake coat

I used this pattern with Ice Yarn Odette yarn 16x50g balls on 8mm needles. I made it longer so it is 100cm. I didn't follow the stitch pattern as you cannot see it in this yarn. so it is stocking stitch. Quite pleased with the result though a bit wide. 

The middle brother decided he likes this one as it has become too big for me, and has asked for pockets to be added. 31/8/2017