1FUNKYKNITWIT

Funky Knits

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:00:00 +0000

| HIGHLANDARMWARMERS |

These were originally supposed to be the pattern toast, and although they kind-of are I didn't download the pattern to follow it. Basically these are just a super long straight tube made to fit my arms and not too many brain cells were required in the making of them. I had previously knit Zumthor before casting on for these armwarmers and so with the hat I was able to create a swatch and calculate the amount of stitches needed for the armwarmers. With this done I casted on and knitted in the round until I ran out of yarn aiming for a relaxed uber long fit.

I've knitted a few armwarmers and socks in the last few months. I'm begininng to think I might have a slight obsession with knitting tube - be it long or short ?! I'm so obsessed with tube knitting in fact, that I'm almost afraid to admit that I have yet another pair of armwarmers on my sticks at the moment and I'm also currently mulling over yet another pair of socks. Clearly I'm going through a phase at the moment that involves an overwhelming desire to own loads of tubey knits.

| I love the simplicity of these -> currently waiting for winter |

Funky Knits

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:00:00 +0000

| ZUMTHOR |

| this hat is SO cool I love it ! |

I was inspired to knit this after seeing this version along with some uber long armwarmers -> which by the way will be the next post. Firstly though, I needed yarn and my local happened to have this most perfect shade of green on sale and typically four balls were snapped up especially.

What I love about this hat is that you can wear this way.

...or you can wear it this way.

The boxy shape of this is also something else I love about it | along with the turned up hem | the slip stitch detailing running up the sides | as well as the square crown with its decrease detailing. All of this makes for a very versatile and stylish little knit. Of course if you knit this out of another colour other than green, you will feel a little less green martian-like. However, this minor colour issue will not deter me from wearing it because martian-like or not I love the hat and the colour. Truth be known it has already had a few unexpected outings given the not-so-summer-like-Sydney-weather we've had of late.

| this is an easy and quick knit that I highly recommend |

Funky Freebie

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 21:00:00 +0000

| NOEL |

| knitterly garland |

| knitterly stockings |

| get knitting ! |

Funky Things I Love

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:59:00 +0000

KNITTING | THE GLAMOROUS LIFE

...I bet that made you smile ^_^

happy creating ! | enjoy your weeknd !

Funky Socks

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 04:57:00 +0000

| REGIASOCKS |

Lovely dovely my second pair of socks for the year | YaY me !

These like my previous pair are 'toe up' and designed by Wendy Johnson out of her fantastic book called Socks From The Toe Up. They are her Slip Stitch Heel Basic Sock pattern nothing fancy but it is just what I wanted for this yarn, which may I add I adore. You really have to love a striped yarn that makes you look like you are a pro sock knitter when in reality your not.

I'll admit there may have been a bit of frogging done here and there to get the fit right | plus a needle size change along the way to get that so called fit right | combined with redoing the the cuff a few times to add yet more stitches -> yep you got to get that fit right. However, this is not a big thing by my standards but rather a common reoccurring theme when I knit in order to achieve knit fit perfection. Reaching knitting perfection can be debilitating at times but I'm afraid I'm built this way and it really is hard to just let things be for me. I hardly think I can change this about myself at my age so, for some they knit on but for me I frog and redo...arghh heh.

So, am I happy ? -> yes I am. They fit well and I just love the whole sock knit process. I enjoyed it so much I have another pair just about off the sticks. Which will make three pairs of socks for the year which only makes for more great news because I joined the s62011 sock club on ravelry earlier this year and I will have achieved the set amount of socks I opted to do for the year. More YaY me !

Funky Freebie

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 21:00:00 +0000

| BAUBLES |

| 1 - pattern | 2 - pattern | 3 - pattern |

| get knitting ! |

Funky Things I Love

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:07:00 +0000

| LOOK WHAT MORE LIKE JUNE MADE |

This year you may have noticed a new post called Funky Freebie which goes up every Monday. I began this post mainly because I find patterns of interest all the time and not everyone is on ravelry or even knows about all the free patterns out there by various yarn companies. Hard to believe I know but I do come across this frequently enough and so this is a way of getting some of those patterns out there to inspire and motivate others to pick up those sticks or hooks and get creating.

This neckwarmer pattern by Drops Designs is just one of the many patterns I have already posted and to my surprise and delight my online pal Cindy knitted it and did a marvelous job at that.

Look at the lovely photo -> not to mention how great Cindy looks wearing her neckwarmer !

It looks just like the pattern. Cindy says that she is a rookie knitter and if she is it doesn't show, and if so, then it just proves that even a rookie can create a great knit ! I follow Cindy's witty and amusing blog More Like June and when the post came up [ incidentally I had no clue about it ] of her knitted neckwarmer I was thrilled to bits that she was inspired by a Funky Freebie. So thrilled in fact I wanted to show all of you her wonderful knit [ this is the part that came as a total surprise to her ].

This is why there is a Funky Freebie -> so people get creating and making stuff.

| on the sticks |

I'm currently working away on my second sock of these super cute striped socks - I adore these.

Also this week I joined my friends over on ravelry who started this great group called the Southern Summer of Socks. There are prizes to be won as well as a whole lot of sock knitting fun to be had, and it is open to anyone who cares to join in. There are also different categories to choose from and you decide what you want to knit. I have decided on the "What Would Nancy Do ?" thread as I love her vintage sock designs and I'm totally inspired to make one of them my next pair.

Also to add to the experience I'm going to have the knitalong flow over to my 1funkyknitwit page on FB. We can chat and share photos of all our sock knitting ventures along the way -> any takers come on over and have some fun on facebook and on ravelry.

..and for the record I'm a rookie sock knitter so don't be shy.

| gotta love |

This photo has been floating about facebook for the pass week and I just adore it. Every time I see it I smile it's so cute. I had no idea that the image comes from a movie until my friend Jenni let me in on it. The movie is apparently called The Cave Of The Yellow Dog and if the image is anything to go by I seriously need to go hire and watch it.

| christmas |

Another thing I seriously need to do is find that eject button pronto and get into gear because Christmas is coming [ here ] ready or not ! | clearly I've done nothing to date about this !

Today this is going up around here with an overexcited 10yr old wanting to get into all those beautiful glass baubles that were purchased before he was even thought of. Interesting day ahead comes to mind.

Merry Christmas to you all.. tra.. li.. la.. li.. la..

happy creating ! | enjoy your weekend !

Funky Things I'm Doing

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:42:00 +0000

ZENA's | CHRISTMAS SWEATERS

Aren't these just not the cutest teeny weeny sweaters you have ever seen ? I didn't knit them but rather my friend Zena did. Over the weekend we had our local SnB group Christmas party and we were asked to participate in the Kris Kringle. These lovelies is what I scored as my present and I adore them.

You can see how teeny tiny they are by these photos, and my hand is small in size. Zena even made the coathangers - the girl is a genius !

She did write up a bit of a pattern on her ravelry page if you want to make your own. I know she knitted the sweater flat and then sewed it together down the back whilst the cardigan is a top down raglan.

| spin friends |

...and here are some spins from the talent at Virginia Farm spin group yesterday.

...and some plying | drumcarding | and batt making going on by the talents of Megan.

...and some hand carding to produce some squishy rolags to spin.

...and some "show & tell".

The beautiful grey crochet piece is silk and it was handspun | dyed | and crocheted into a wrap by my friend Trudi. She has made this for her mum for Christmas - I dare say mum will love it !

| happy creating ! |

Funky Freebie

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:00:00 +0000

| HO.. HO.. HO.. |

| box ornaments |

| temari ball ornaments |

| happy creating ! |

Funky Carding

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 22:39:00 +0000

| A DAY IN THE GARDEN |

Earlier this year whilst at a fiber open day I purchased some beautiful silver grey mohair, or so I thought. I then took this mohair home, placed it in some wash bags and then put it in my washing machine to wash. All went well up to this point however, when I laid it out to dry on the drying rack I discovered this fleece had nits -> ...yes I say -> ...nits ! Of course they were dead, thank goodness although this is only mildly comforting. Apart from the shock horror of this I was devistated because the colour is to die for and it happens to be a beautifully soft fleece for a an old goat. The other part is that bugs and I are never on good terms at any time so the fact that I am contemplating the next part of this saga will only prove how much I love this fleece and its colour.

Now you may be also wondering how I didn't notice this in the first place. Well, firstly I did look at it before I purchased it but it was in dim lit hall and not outside in natural light. Also up until this point I had never been looking for nits but rather how soft the fleece is or more importantly has the colour seduced me yet, these would be the two most important things to me usually. I shall now add "search for nits" to this list. Talk about a learning curve !

So you now may be wondering what I'm going to do with this ? ..well,card it. Yes, I say card. I cannot bear to throw it out because that grey has seduced me and the locks are about 10cm long. And this is no ordinary carding either, I have had to borrow a bench carder and use a nit comb to remove the rest by hand. When I say nit comb that would be the type you buy for human hair - tiny and ridiculous ! So for one that is not one with bugs and creepy crawlies I have had to get aquatinted with them regardless. As one wise Swedish lady from my spin group said.. it's just protein Margarita. I have to keep reminding myself that a bit of protein never hurt anyone. I can only say.. for the love of fiber !

So this week my friend Adrienne kindly loaned me her backyard as I dont have one and we decided to have a day in the garden carding. It was a very pleasant day and as you will see and I may have got slightly distracted by the all the colours and textures that nature serves up whilst I was there, and they were not of the bug kind either.

...and this would be that fleece. Go on admit it, it is pretty... as she giggles as she types.

After this is all clean I will run it through my drumcarder and add hand-dyed grey silk through it. Scrumptious. I'm thinking of spinning it to a 2ply fingering weight and then knitting a shawl out of it. Nits or no nits.

...and this would be Adrienne's champaign coloured fine merino fleece that I should have seriously nabbed for myself. I'm so lusting this, it's beautiful !

..there may have been some envious clog luv'n on my behalf going on. [ note to self ..buy some ! ]

...sidetracked by these exotics

...and look at the gorgeous blooms and colour on the hydrangeas

...captivated by the colour in the bougainvillea and the changing colour of the leaves

...and as luck would have it whilst carding away Adrienne received a delivery from Neauveau Fiber Arts - more lusting !

Well that's it from me today. I'll leave you with my funny fleece story which by the way will continue on again today as that is exactly what is planned -> yet more carding.

happy creating ! | enjoy your weekend !

Funky Things I'm Doing

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:14:00 +0000

| SWEET STITCH MARKERS |

Just recently my friend Evelyn asked me to knock up some stitch markers for her and obviously I obliged to do so. She had commissioned some from me previously before and decided she needed more, as knitters seem to. The requirements were two sets and both containing five stitch markers in each. Like last time she gave me total creative license - gotta love that bit.

...and this is what I came up with - voila !

| on miss funky |

Some of you have been following Barney's progress on FB, but for those of you that aren't on FB here it is to keep you up to speed with the spin progress. This would be one giant 200g skein of 3ply fingering weight Barney luv'n that came off Miss Funky this week. I have another one of these already off the bobbin but I still have loads more plying to do before Barney is done. Meterage ? good question - your guess is as good as mine at this stage. In the meantime I have two washed skeins looking lush and pretty - happy days !

| spin friends |

As usual I went to visit my spin friends at Virginia Farm yesterday, only this week I decided to take my camera along to take some happy snaps and share the spin luv'n with you. None of these spins are mine but rather they are all the talents of the lovely ladies that spin and chat there little hearts out every week together there | enjoy !

...and there may have been lots of treadling action going on -> gotta love the pink clogs and ladybug apron.

...and there may have been some corespinning and batt making going on.

| happy creating ! |

Funky Freebie

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 21:25:00 +0000

| HATHERSAGE |

| happy creating ! |

Funky Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 22:47:00 +0000

POP KNITTING

| Bold Motives Using Color & Stitch |

Now I know there is nothing new about colour knitting and over the years there have been many a book printed on this style of knitting however, I do think this one stands out amongst them.

| Why you wonder ? | because much like Reversible Knits did when it came out, it shows an artistic and experimental side of knitting. The fabrics are all beautifully knitted in eye catching colour which shows off the stitches and the textured fabrics in a very appealing way. If your a seasoned knitter you will recognize some of these stitch patterns but done like this you may also very well see them in a fresh new light. I have found Reversible Knits a constant source of inspiration even though I have never knitted from it, and like it I think this would capture the same appeal - only hopefully I shall knit from it.

The author Britt-Marie Christoffersson who has studied colour and texture for more than 25 years is an innovative knitwear designer who has exhibited internationally and also teaches her craft. I can't seem to find a web Page for Britt-Marie but if you google her name and check out the images you will stumble across her amazing work. To me she is a texture genius !

Pop Knitting is not out yet and I stumbled across it whilst trying to search for this book and spotted this book instead. You could say I got slightly sidetracked and needless to say it hit my shopping cart amongst other things | I'm currently trying to wait patiently for 187 days to pass....

happy creating ! | enjoy your weekend !

Funky Spins

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:37:00 +0000

| ROSE RED |

| colourway - rose red | spin - single | amount - 384m | weight - fingering |

If you happen to have been following my last few posts you will recall all the birthdays that have been on this month and this would be one of those. My friend Jane also known as Rose Red had a significant birthday this month and there was a party to celebrate the occasion. The invitation requirements were that we frock up | bring [1] plate of food [ this part was important because you know how we like to over cater ] | and no present. Well, I did frock up and I did bring [1] plate of food however I could not resist the pressy part. We are talking about a fellow knitter here people, so how could a spinner not supply yarn to a friend on her birthday ?! ..it goes without - right ?

So this skein of soft fluff is what I came up with, a one-of-kind yarn named after the party girl herself Rose Red. Those that know Jane know that next to her love of shoes is her love for the colour red and as I can't make shoes I could however fulfill the red part for her.

Over the weekend we got together for the birthday festivities where as you can see that a lack of food was not a problem. A birthday party must have cake and the very creative missfee did the honors by making a Barbie masterpiece complete with a marvelous party frock. Apparently due to heat and travel, party Barbie had a bit of a frock slump meltdown along the way and although she did struggle with heat exhaustion she did manage to stay upright for the special occasion and look glam just the same | like only Barbie knows how.

The lovely afternoon was spent knitting | chatting | eating | drinking | and...

singing Happy Birthday to the birthday girl followed by a slice of Barbie where she finally fell off her perch.

| Happy Birthday Jane |

Funky Freebie

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:38:00 +0000

| CROCHETED LACE NECKLACE |

| happy creating ! |

Funky Things I'm Doing

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:30:00 +0000

| FUN-FILLED BIRTHDAYS |

This week has been full of birthdays, not only did our little man turn some cool double digits -> 10 and me.. arhmm - cough - choke -> 43, but there were also a few knit friends that shared the scorpio love too - happy birthday to all !

My little man and I almost share the same birthday and we kind of do in the end as we are only three days apart, he the 13th and I the 16th. Usually I fuss over him and I am quite happy to be left in the background these days, however this year I have decided to blog about our special week together because my daughter-in-law surprised me with a box full of gorgeous knitty cupcakes that she designed herself. These were made especially for me and this I did want to share with you all -> are they not just fabulous ?!

Nicky is just starting out in her cupcake business and as a joke I mentioned she needed to design some that were knit inspired - clearly she took that onboard. She made vanilla cupcakes with Nutella centers which were topped with chocolate fudge icing with fondant yarn balls and knitted swatches for decoration - totally yummy and totally impressed !

Should you live in Sydney and are in need of some cupcakes you can contact her on email at NicoleACupcakes@live.com.au or Nicole Alexandra Cupcakes on facebook. She will design cupcakes to cater for special dietary needs as well as for special occasions.

Let the partying begin...

| saturday |

Our little man decided on simplicity this year for his special day. He asked for a besty mate to sleepover [ whom incidentally had his birthday the week before ] and to go out for dinner to The Malaya restaurant no less, so they could eat Chilli Chicken Wings and Salt & Pepper Squid for dinner.

These two have been mates since day one at school and to watch them interact together usually has me in stitches. Seriously when they are together they both sit, reflect and think things out like two little old men sitting on a park bench somewhere in Europe chatting ten to the dozen about a bygone era together. Men have been known to say that.. "woman can talk," but I am not kidding when I say.. that these two could talk any woman or any man into madness.

| they are hilarious to listen and watch whilst secretly hiding around a corner... shhhh don't tell |

So we got frocked up last saturday night and headed out for the grand feast. The photo of DH and I was taken by none other. Normally he takes photos with our heads cropped off | or views up our noses | or just blurred -> the stars and planets must have been aligned on this night because we are still intact if only just.

...and this is the lovely waitress that waited on us for the night and sorted out a little surprise treat for the man complete with candle. She is here on a working holiday from Italy and as these two are studying Italian as their second language at school, they had a great time together. She was an absolute gem and she really did make their night super special and very grown up.

| sunday |

Last Sunday night and his actual birthday, we had my stepson and his family over for a family dinner and cake cut.

...puff and more cake.

| my day |

On my day I was awoken with the smothering of kisses and cuddles from my excited little man who could not wait to give me his present which he chose and purchased with his own money. This came in the form of Lindt chocolate which was all carefully wrapped by his little fingers - yumo !

Big man on the-other-hand thought I was in need of a very compact photo studio and lighting kit. I did not know was I was in need of one so it came as a total and nice surprise - and one that I now must learn how to use.

After brekky, one toddled off to school whilst the other went off to work, so I made arrangements for later in day to meet up with my sweet friend Adrienne whom took me out to a lovely lunch at the Clover in Annandale.
I had such a wonderful time sharing a great cafe lunch and talking yarny things with you - thanking you for your generosity xo

...and if all this was not enough my two men then took me out for dinner | spoilt I was - all day !

happy creating ! | enjoy your weekend !
For all of you that left messages for my little man and I on here - Facebook - emailed - or ravelred - thank you again for all your kind words, I was and still am touched by them all. The messages were all so very nice and they certainly were not expected, they did however help to make our day extra special xoxo

Funky Things I Love

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:17:00 +0000

| STACKED SUITCASES |

I'm totally loving these vintage stacked suitcases by British design team Hannah Plumb and James Russell of James Plumb. Each suitcase has been carefully repaired and relined with Swedish linen which then gets housed in its own tailor made antique steel or wooden frame. I love the use of recycling but I also equally love how these are not only functional but look great in a vintage or modern home.

These are | too quirky | too fun | too gorgeous !

| happy creating ! |
via trendland

Funky Freebie

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:30:00 +0000

| SALLY DOLLS |

I'm totally loving these cute Sally Dolls at the moment. These come to you via Lion Brand Yarns and they come in knitted and crocheted versions. I love all the quirky details and dare I say it.. "there is a use for that novelty yarn" - where in this specific case it actually works.

Sally Dolls would be a wonderfully fun project for little people who have some knit "know how" already, or it could be a great "learn to knit" project for them. Inspiration can be taken from these and then to make it super easy the bodies can be knitted out of garter stitch with the limbs out of "french knitting." It's a great way to use up leftover scraps of yarn and buttons and if you want to be even more inventive you could use fabric scraps to hand stitch a waistcoat or dress etc.

School holidays are in the not too distant future | enjoy !

| knit |

1 - sally doll | 2 - 2 colour knit sally doll | 3 - argyle sally doll

1 - knit striped sally doll | 2 - 2 colour knit sally doll | 3 - ripple sally doll

| crochet |

1 - crocheted striped sally doll | 2 - 2 colour crochet sally doll | 3 - 2 colour crochet sally doll

| happy creating ! |
| note | These are all free patterns however bear in mind that in order to view and download you will have to register your email and a username to receive them.

Funky Things I Love

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:00:00 +0000

| TEN |

On this day 10 years ago at 8.32pm weighing in at 4.4kg our little man came screaming into our calm lives, and our family became 3 -> where has the time gone ?!

I love that your love is unconditional.

I love that you still think we are the best parents ever.

I love that your still willing to hold my hand and give me hugs and kisses in public.

I love your sweet smiley face that shines before me daily.

I love how you come up to me and say..."mum your in need of a cuddle."

I love how you have such giving in your heart.

I love how you make me strive to be a better person.

I love how you have changed me.

Mostly I love the sweet young man you have become today.

I know some of these things will change over time but I will savor every moment.

Happy birthday little man | we are truly blessed !

Funky Things I'm Doing

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 04:43:00 +0000

| KEEPING BUSY |

| on the sticks |

| yarn - regia design line | pattern - slip stitch heel basic toe up | designer - wendy johnson |

First sock finished. Second sock heel turned and ploughing along.

| yarn - regia design line - patonyle | pattern - slip stitch heel basic toe up | designer - wendy johnson |

Loving knitting stripes and socks so much I could hardly wait to get the next sock on the sticks. Why wait indeed - cast on before one finishes the previous pair.
love - love - love - these

| on miss funky |

fiber - merino[x]corriedale | spun on - majacraft aura

Remember when I carded Barney which resulted with a week of back and finger breaking work ? ..well, here he is being spun up. I had grand plans for this spin. I carefully weighed out the entire fleece into three giant fiber bundles weighing exactly 404g each and then I was going to load those huge bobbins Miss Funky has with Barney - Ha !

| plan B | By the time I got to 228g [ to be precise ] I felt like I was peddling up an endless mountain uphill with no end in sight. So, this is where I re-evaluated the situation | stopped peddling | reweighed new bundles to precisely 228g each | loaded a new bobbin on Miss Funky | and peddled on from there.

What you see above is the first two bobbins completed with 228g each on them with a third 228g fiber bundle waiting to be spun up. Oh, and did I mention in my moment of madness and wishful thinking that these are currently being spun up to laceweight singles - gahh. When complete all three will be plied together making a fingering weight 3ply yarn - lush !

...then there is this, which has yet to be weighed out into another three bundles and spun | and so the madness continues !

| fiber prep |

fiber - merino | micron - 15

Yesterday I showed you my Pigeon spin and above is a sample of some freshly cleaned wool that comes from that same fleece, as you can see it comes in beautiful shades of grey. Clearly I could not resist this !

This would also be the fleece that I'm currently washing by hand. Each day I try to do a bit here and there to make it less tedious. I have a plan for this too -> no spinning until it's all clean. This is my way of getting my head around it psychologically and actually finishing -> crazy I know. Whatever works.

The washing process I'm using is the Margaret Stove method which although laborious it does work beautifully without felting the fiber. For those of you that don't know of Margaret Stove, she was the lady commissioned to spin | design | and knit Prince William's christening shawl, an amazingly talented spinner and knitter of fine lace ! I recently purchased her Spinning For Lace DVD which shows her washing methods in detail as well as how she spins fine lace. I am not exactly a super fine lace spinner but I purchased her DVD to learn her skills and approach to spinning, and she is truly a master at spinning and a pure pleasure to watch. I'm in awe of her skills.

...and here is what's left to be washed by hand lock by lock -> wish me luck !

happy creating ! | enjoy your weekend !

Funky Spins

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 22:20:00 +0000

| SPIN GIFTS |

Hello I'm back - we've had a house guest stay with us for the past week or so and the online life went into disarray for a brief moment, and now that I'm back I have some funky spins to show you today.

These spins were done over the past few months, and like some of you creative souls out there that create stuff you will know and understand that the rate of production does not always equal the rate of blogging. I confess that I have an accumulation of projects waiting to blog about but time is another story - so here goes...

There are three spins to show you and two of them were gifted. In both cases the yarns were designed around the person in mind and neither had a clue about it. I love surprises but better yet surprising knitters who have an appreciation for handspun is just - so fun !

| maxine |

Maxine was spun for my lovely friend Mary who happens to live in the UK. She had asked me very kindly if it were possible to save a bit of the Mini Me spin I did earlier this year so she could knit something for her bunnies out of it. Mary knits the cutest bunnies which all wear equally cute and fashionably knitted clothes, and she was very much wanting to use Mini Me to knit something nice for one of her bunnies. This was an offer I could not refuse and it also gave me a good excuse to spin some yarn for her too, as I had been wanting to do so for some time already.

This spin came about because my other equally lovely friend Lyn has an appreciation and admiration for the textural qualities that corespun yarn offers. With this in mind I decided to get busy and spin some for her -> lets face it I'm only too happy to enable a fellow knitter.

...and here is Lyn's gorgeous one-of-a-kind knitted scarf that she knitted and then kindly let me use her photos to show you. I love how she beautifully finished it off with a vintage button closure, and I particularly love the red stitch detail - a nice finishing touch.

SPECS

This fiber comes from a whole silver grey fine Merino fleece that I purchased earlier this year. The fleece consists of the most divine silvery greys to dark greys and I just simply could not resist it even though it came with a fine 15 micron count - loads of work ! Someone should truly shoot me when it comes to purchasing fleeces that are spun out of love, because I seem to do an awful lot of that and it's not like I purposefully seek out complicated - or do I ?! ahmmmm...

To spin this I randomly picked out locks from the fleece and just flicked the tips and spun it in the grease, washing the skein afterwards. Although I am happy with the results, I do have a few kilos of this so I shall take a different approach next time to see how that spins up. I'm currently in the process of washing this fleece by hand in lock form lengths to keep it's integrity which is a tedious and laboriously long process ! The results are looking stunning though, photos to come soon.

Funky Freebie

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 21:16:00 +0000

| SWEET PEACH SHAWL |

| happy creating ! |

Funky Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 22:10:00 +0000

FRANKIE MORELLO

| mens - fall 2011 |

I'm always searching for great men's knitwear for an FI post and although I find great pieces here and there, I never seem to find a complete collection that truly inspires me | until now !

This collection comes to you by the brand Frankie Morello. What appeals to me about this collection is the combination of knitted garments | clashing prints | layering | and the strategically placed rips and tears that are made in the suits. The whole look is either worn with loads of knits piled on, or a minimal approach is taken with just a hint of a knitted cardi or vest peeking through underneath a suit jacket.

There is a wonderful ethnic vibe throughout this collection using clashing colours that are put together with good basics that gives the whole look an edge. Then there are the great use of plaids and fairisle, plus a whole lot of very cool.. "looks like your nanna knitted it" knits, with usually all of these looks coming together in striking combinations.

Apart from all the fabulous knitwear and suits, I also love the satchel bags the guys stylishly carry about as well as the great shoes they wear. Another fave is the suiting fabric that's in blue | navy | and a purple combination - stunning colours together ! Then there is the striped knitted jumper and scarf with a scull motive on them - just want !

To take in more of what I'm going on about it's best to see it in full, so I've added the youtube video of the parade for you to view for yourself. There are a lot of buff scantly clad men in underwear waltzing about [ not such a bad thing I say ] because Frankie Morello also happens to design underwear | enjoy !

happy creating ! | be inspired !

Funky Knits

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 02:20:00 +0000

BULKEDnCABLED | ARMWARMERS

| 1funkyknitwit - free pattern |

As you may have gathered by now I am clearly going through an armwarmer stage, and today it's all about these lovelies, which came about by the need and want for some really chunky black armwarmers. I love the texture a bulky yarn instantly gives and I liked the idea of wearing bulky armwarmers over t-shirt layering. This I find is perfect for in-between seasons, and they then can be stuffed in ones handbag with ease when not needed.

The yarn I have used for these is a robust 40% acrylic laden [ shock horror ] Gusto Cleckheaton yarn that works perfectly for this project because of its hard wearing features which one needs occasionally. I had two balls in stash and I used 10mm needles so you can only imagine how quick they were to knit up - gotta love that !

Next came pattern ideas. I was wanted something plain with a chunky cable running up the front and having found no pattern for this kind of weight that was suitable, I resorted to designing some. In amongst the designing frenzy I managed to scribble some notes and because I'm such a nice person I'm sharing those scribbles with you.

| now you can make your own BULKEDnCABLED armwarmers - enjoy ! |

MATERIALS
:: 2 balls of yarn - super bulky 5-6 wpi - 102m
:: 10mm needle circular needle
:: 39cm [ long ] x 22cm [ circumference ]

| notes |
:: the measurements I have used here are for my forearm length and circumference. The top of my forearm is 24cm and my wrist to elbow is 25cm if this helps you any. Make adjustments accordingly to suit your specs.
:: the cable pattern repeat is knitted over seven rows and these armwarmers can easily be made longer or shorter by adding or deleting cable repeats.
:: the cables are a mirror image of themselves because I like it that way but you can do whatever pleases your eye.
:: last of all - this is the only pair I have knitted and the pattern is from my scribbled notes and therefore they have not been testknitted.

ABBREVIATIONS
k - knit
ssk - slip, slip, knit. Slip the next two stitches knitwise one at a time, insert the left hand needle through the front of both loops and knit them together [ decrease - left slant ]
k2tog - knit 2 stitches together [ decrease - right slant ]
C6F - slip next 3sts onto a cable needle and hold at front of work, knit next 3sts from left-hand needle, then knit stitches from cable needle
C6B - slip next 3sts onto cable needle and hold at back of work, knit next 3sts from left-hand needle, then knit stitches from cable needle

PATTERN
| right armwarmer |
row 1 - provisional crochet CO 20 sts using main yarn | knit 1 row
row 2 - join in the round | knit 2 rounds
row 4 - knit across 10sts, C6F, k4

| pattern |
row 1-6 - knit
row 7 - repeat row 4 [ cable row ]
next - work the last 7 rows until you are up to the 7th cable [ or desired length ]
next - repeat rows 1-6
next - you are now the row of the 7th cable | prepare to work thumb opening and cable

| thumb opening |
row 7 - k1, ssk, k8, C6F, k2tog, k1 | 18sts left on needle
row 1 - purl
row 2 - knit
row 3 - purl
row 4 - knit
row 5 - purl
row 6 - work cable row and knit across the thumb opening to close
next - work 3 complete knit rows in the round
next - cast off

| left armwarmer |
row 1-3 - follow as for right armwarmer
row 4 - k4, C6B, k10
next - follow as for right armwarmer until you get to the 7th cable | prepare to work thumb opening and cable

| thumb opening |
row 7 - k1, ssk, k1, C6B , k7, k2tog, k7
next - work the rest the same as right armwarmer until cast off

FINISHING
:: crochet a chain stitch around the thumb opening and tuck in ends | voila - enjoy !

| happy creating ! |
| feel free to use this pattern for your own personal use and share with your friends, however it is not to be used for pattern sale or finished item sale purposes without consent, as the copyright is the property of 1funkyknitwit - thank you |

Funky Freebie

noreply@blogger.com (1funkyknitwit) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:20:00 +0000

| HALLOWEEN |

Halloween seems to be picking up some momentum here in Australia more and more each year, and although it has no meaning to me because it's not something that was part of my upbringing or background, the kids these days however seem to know all about it and want to embrace the festivities whilst for some it's just a great excuse for a party.

So, here is some spooky-de-lookily fun projects that may get you into the spirit of things for October 31st | enjoy !

| ornaments |

1 - halloween witch hat ornament | 2 - halloween tombstone ornament | 3 - halloween jack-o-lantern | 4 - halloween ghost ornament

| decorate |

1 - halloween wreath | 2 - halloween pennants

| amigurumri |

1 - cody the count | 2 - patrick the pumpkin boy | 3 - wanda the witch

| dress up |

1 - witchy hands | 2 - cat headband and wrist warmers | 3 - ogre headband and wrist warmers

| magnets |

1 - monster magnet | 2 - ghost magnet | 3 - skull magnet | 4 - halloween spider magnet

| accessorize |

1 - pumpkin candy bag | 2 - ghostly necklace | 3 - skull candy bag

happy creating ! | boo !