Japanese Giraffes Progress

Five stars to Aberdonian's pattern! This motors along nicely, the pattern is split into a row 4-repeat, which is a nice chunk that you can get done fairly quickly, so I can pick it up, knit four rows and drop again very easily. The fact that the lace pattern is resticted to three panels means there is always the straight bit to knit fast and not think in (only 11 stitches at a time, but it helps!).

I think you can see the lace a bit better now:





The Noro is quite fun too. Much longer colour changes than most striping yarn, and much more subtle. The fun part is peering through the yarn ball to see what colours are coming up... I can just see some green poking through!

japanese giraffe

japanese giraffe 1
Originally uploaded by cob_web

I am knitting Sam the Giraffe Socks by my internet friend Aberdonian *waves at Aber*.

I'm using some Noro sock yarn, which is quite obviously completely unsuited to the lacy bit. You can't really determine the pattern. But I am persevering. Not quite sure why. Maybe I'm crazy, but I keep thinking it will look better when there is more of it done.

The other issue with the Noro is that the suggested needle size is 2.7 to 3.3mm. Weirdarse sizing. I've stuck with the 2.5 recommended by the pattern so it is knitting up quite firmly. Maybe thats another mistake. But I figured that since the yarn isn't plied, tighter was better.

People moan a lot about noro being stiff and scratchy. It is a BIT but not at all as bad as was expecting my all the moaning on Ravelry!

Nearly Finished Object

Sunshine blues 4
Originally uploaded by cob_web

So, I have been knitting a bag from a Rowan kit, using thier denim yarn. I had to wash it at 90 degrees to shrink it. Sadly I forgot to turn the temperatur back to 30, and Matt put a wash on... half my clothes are now shrunk as well :-(

But, the bag turned out well! I still have to line it, which I am avoiding as I can't sew straight by hand and I don't have a sewing machine.

Here is a close up of the front:



Not sure why it is called the sunshine bag, the beads look more like a snowflake, and the other shapes are hearts.

Rowan Bag

sunshineblues1
Originally uploaded by cob_web

So my latest WIP is the Sunshine bag - a Rowan kit knit with with thier Denim yarn. I have no idea why it is called the sunshine bag. The beads make more of a snowflake design, and then there are hearts around it. Oh well. I got this in the Rowan sale a few years ago (I'm not a member, I like someone on LJ bought it for me).

I don't think I've ever knit with a 100% cotton yarn before. Its very inelastic and splitty, and a bit hard.

The stitch pattern is charted, and this is the first chart I've used. I realised I was doing it wrong, but luckily the design is symetrical, so it doesn't matter. I am finding it hard work though. The front went OK but just tonight I've had to tink back 3 times due to miscounting or misreading where I was.

It shrinks, so the idea is to put it in the wash to firm up the fabric.... I know its not felting, but I've had such bad luck with that that I'm a bit nervous! We shall see...