Lis Crafts

Malabrigo Cherry

Lis — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 09:19:00 +0000

I’ve finally popped my Malabrigo cherry. Yea, I know it’s not the wildly popular Merino Worsted (which I’m dyyyyingggg to try) but it’s still Malabrigo, so it still counts, right?

Goodness, the colours are freakin’ awesome. The yarn feels soft and smooshy in the hank but I’ll only really know if I truly love it when I knit it up. I’ve rather sensitive skin and often the yarn feels great in the skein but itchy and prickly when knit up.

So what should I knit? I don’t want to do Monkey since I’ve already knit it once. I’m thinking maybe Embossed Leaves, what do you think?

No related posts.

Hats, Hats & More Hats

Lis — Sat, 02 May 2009 11:47:25 +0000

I spend a lot of time on Ravelry and most of it is with the Rubberneckers. They’re a hilarious bunch of hoars. I knit three hats for Sharky’s charity knitting thingy on RnR and I apologise for being two seasons late.

I don’t have a small child to pose with the knits so my lamp will have to do. She has ambitions of catwalk modelling so I’m sure she’s secretly pleased at this opportunity.

Rachel Lacy Rib Hat

Pattern: Rachel Lacy Rib Hat

Size: Smaller one (CO 80)

Yarn: Slightly less than 1 x Spotlight Basics Delight

Needles: 4mm

This is my first time doing a picot edging and although it’s pretty, it’s a bloody pain in the arse.

I believe there’s an error in the crown decreases in the pattern. This is what I did:

Row 3: *skp, k1,p, k2tog, yo, p repeat from * to end

There is also no stitch count for the crown decreases for the smaller size so I’ve provided them here:

Row 1: … (63 st)
Row 3: … (54 st)
Row 5: … (36 st)
Row 7: … (18 st)
Row 9: … (9 st)

Child’s Self-striping Hat

Pattern: Child’s Self-striping Hat

Size: CO 104

Yarn: Not very sure but I think it’s less than half x Lion Brand Magic Stripes

Needles: 4mm

Easy and straightforward pattern. Plus, designer included different cast-on numbers for different gauges.

Who?

Pattern: Who?

Size: Infant

Yarn: 1 x Spotlight Basics Delight

Needles: 4mm

This is my favourite hat pattern out of the three. The owls are adorable! I need to make one for myself!

My Projects on Ravelry

Brand New Home

Lis — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:24:48 +0000

Yet another new home for the blog! I doubt I’ll be moving again anytime soon. The new URL is http://liscrafts.com and the RSS feed is http://feeds.feedburner.com/liscrafts. Please update your bookmarks and feed readers.

Some things on the blog may still be broken so please let me know if you find any. This blog is still very much a work-in-progress so please bear with it more for the next few weeks. You may also see old posts pop up in your feed, sorry about that. You can opt to ignore updated items if your feed reader has that function.

On to the knitting! I got my copy of Breeze last week and I loooove it. I think it’s much, much better than Nectar. Certainly a lot more patterns I want to knit.

I’ve been eyeing Blithe even before Breeze came out so when I received the book, I cast on right away! So far, I’m really enjoying knitting with skinny cotton on teeny needles.

My Project on Ravelry

Blithe

New Home

Rubberswap Package

Lis — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 07:50:40 +0000

It was most unfortunate that in my virgin swap, my swapper went MIA. BUT! Thanks to the generosity of other rubberhoars, I got a swap package.

The package was sent priority and postage was clearly insane.

The package smelled wonderful as I opened it. As you can see, everything was beautifully wrapped. I almost didn’t have the heart to unwrap the individual packages but I soon got over it. :P

All the goodies unwrapped! Now let’s take a closer look…

In the envelope was a cute little knitty card from Blue Moon Fiber Arts.

I soon found the source of the wonderful smell. It was coming from these delicious-smelling candles.

The noms! The noms! The only thing stopping me from tearing into the packet of Reese’s right away was a huge lunch I just had. Oh what the hell, I lied. I opened it but they were a little melty from all the travelling so I popped them in the fridge after their glamourous photo shoot. There was also a box of chocolates and a box of tea. Mmmmm.

I must confess I was a little confused when I saw the egg decorating kit but put it together with the Knit Picks bare yarn and it turned out to be a little DIY yarn dye kit. Awesomesauce.

Then there’s the yarn… From left to right: 2 x Koigu Painter’s Palette Premium Merino, Bristol Yarn Gallery Buckingham and Artyarns Cashmere 1. They are all soooooo gorgeous and pettable. I’ve never even touched baby alpaca or 100% cashmere yarn before! Love!

Last but not least, thank you to these wonderful hoars for putting together my package. Bewbie flash for you! (.Y.)

Edit: I know I said I’m moving the blog. I still am but I’ve been kind of busy so it’ll probably happen a couple weeks from now.

Rubberswap

First Stitch Marker

Lis — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:58:34 +0000

I’m home today because I somehow managed to strain my neck muscles. Hurts to turn my head. Anyhow, I decided to try my hand at making stitch markers. I’ve never made any before but had bought a pliers set and some bits and pieces a few months ago so I thought I’ll give it a try today. I used this easy-to-follow tutorial. My stitch marker turned out a little wonky but I think it’s a success.

PS: Just a heads up, I’ll be moving my blog in a week or two to a new domain. If you’ve subscribed to this blog via a reader, please make sure you’re subscribed to http://feeds.feedburner.com/LisCrafts and it should be fine.

Rubberswap

Lis — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:13:33 +0000

I recently popped my swap cherry and joined the swap in Ravelry Rubberneckers. I just finished packing the box and it will be mailed tomorrow. There’re all sorts of goodies like baby-melting ackrylic yarn, fishy noms and Christmas leftovers. All are seconds, only the box is new.

Hope you like the package, hoar.

More Little Button Loafers

Lis — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:27:11 +0000

My mum loved my previous little button loafers so much she kept bugging me to make a pair for her friend who just had a baby couple weeks ago. I only had two buttons left so I made the one button strap version.

Pattern: Little Button Loafers (pattern is available for purchase from Sylver Designs)

Size: 1 (3 months) (3.75″L by 2″W)

Yarn: 0.5 x Rowan All Seasons Cotton in Cookie and a little bit of Rowan All Seasons Cotton in Military

Hook: 3.5m

I think my gauge changed because this pair came out a wee bit bigger than the previous pair.

After making the sole 8 times, I can memorise the pattern now.

My Project on Ravelry

Little Button Loafers

Edit: If you would like a pair for your wee one but can’t crochet, I can do a custom order. Please convo me on Etsy.

Workin’ Nine to Five, What a Way to Make a Livin’

Lis — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:24:33 +0000

I didn’t finish that many projects in 2008 so I told myself that I’ll try to complete at least one a month in 2009. A great way to fit in more knitting or crocheting time is to do so on my daily commute. The cardigan I’m currently working on is a little too bulky to lug around so I started a sock last night. This is the Nine-to-Five socks.

Ever since starting my cardigan sleeves on two circulars, I’ve been warming to the idea of knitting my socks on them too. However, I don’t have any 2mm circs (what I normally use for socks) at the moment and I don’t really want to buy crappy ones just to knit this pair of socks. It’s a big production to order from Knit Picks since I’ve to do so via a third party shipper so I’ll just have to wait a while more before getting those circs. In the meantime, I’ll stick to DPNs.

Another sorta resolution I’ve made this year is to try to whittle down my stash before buying more. I don’t have a ginormous stash but it’s still quite a sizable one. Hell, just Rowan All Seasons Cotton alone I already have 80 balls. I really do love the stuff though and I only buy the colours that’ve been discontinued. I just can’t bring myself to pay full price for them especially since I like to use them so much. If only we have Cotton Ease here at really low prices.

So what knitting or crocheting related resolutions have you made this year?

My Project on Ravelry

Nine-to-Five Socks

Little Button Loafers

Lis — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:05:20 +0000

Presenting my first FO of 2009! A cute crocheted FO!

My friend is due very, very soon and I wanted to make something for her baby boy. Initially, I wanted to make the Pea Pod Baby Set but I was afraid the lace may be a bit too girly. Then I decided on a set of Offset Wraplan and Saartje’s Bootees. I had already cast on on the wraplan when I came across the Little Button Loafers. They were just so freakin’ adorable I decided to make this instead.

Pattern: Little Button Loafers (pattern is available for purchase from Sylver Designs)

Size: 1 (3 months) (3.75″L by 2″W)

Yarn: 0.5 x Rowan All Seasons Cotton in Cookie and a little bit of Rowan All Seasons Cotton in Military

Hook: 3.5m

Pattern Comments
The pattern is quite clear and well written. However, I was a little confused with the last part of the sole mostly because the stitch count listed after the invisible join was xx sl st. The stitches worked just before the join were sc so that threw me off. I don’t think we’re supposed to do a round of slip stitches after the join so I left it at that.

My shoes actually ended up being almost 4″ in length. It’s better to be too big rather than too small for baby stuff, right?

The yarn amounts used are just estimates since I don’t have a scale or anything to measure. It’s certainly a great pattern for using up the leftovers.

My project on Ravelry

Little Button Loafers

Edit: If you would like a pair for your wee one but can’t crochet, I can do a custom order. Please convo me on Etsy.

Turquoise Cardigan

Lis — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:34:03 +0000

I had already finished the body and had started on the sleeves when I realised I had totally messed up the bottom of the body. I think I missed a row and switched the RS and WS so the border looked kind of funky. Gonna rip back and may add another inch or two at the same time.

I’m doing the sleeves on 2 circulars. I tried it previously when I was learning the Turkish cast-on and was delighted to find that I had barely no ladders when I used 2 circulars. I’m fine with slight laddering when knitting socks on DPNs but I had some fairly obvious ones when I was knitting the sleeves on my Gathered Cardi (not too obvious in the picture, I think) and that kind of suck some mighty bollocks. Although I do find using 2 circulars kind of fiddly, I’m hoping it will eliminate the ladders on this cardigan. I should probably also learn magic loop so I don’t have to have doubles of every needle size.

Happy 2009 ahead, everyone. Here’s to a more knitty and crochety (not crotchety!) new year!

My Project on Ravelry

Short-Sleeved Cardigan with Ribbing

The End is Near

Lis — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 11:57:02 +0000

Just need to tack the cuffs down and I’m done! Everyone enjoying the holiday season?

The cool weather has made me want to knit more cardigans and so I’ve started on the Short-Sleeved Cardigan with Ribbing from Fitted Knits. Mine’s going to have long sleeves instead.

My Projects on Ravelry

Cookie Cardigan Redux

Lis — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:32:18 +0000

I frogged my Cookie Cardigan (Liesl) and used the yarn for another cardigan pattern instead. The funny thing was I initially bought a bamboo/cotton blend for this pattern but the yarn turned out to be too drapey. I decided to switch yarn and will be using the bamboo/cotton blend for Liesl instead. The drapeyness will probably work better for a lacy pattern.

This cardigan is working up really fast with the endless stockinette. It’s perfect for mindless telly knitting. Not a big fan of the seed stitch though.

My Project on Ravelry

Gathered Cardi

Projects in Progress

Lis — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:25:52 +0000

I haven’t had much time for knitting lately. After concentrating on my Butterscotch Cardigan last month, I decided it’s time to start a new knitting project (even though I still have some unfinished ones lying around!). I chose a simple top down pattern - Sassymetrical - this time round. I know it looks like a lump of crap at the moment…

Speaking of my Butterscotch Cardigan, I’ve completed the crocheting, seaming and have even woven in more than half the ends. I’ve yet to sew on the buttons though. It should be completed soon. I hope.

My Projects on Ravelry

Butterscotch Cardigan

Lis — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:48:15 +0000

I bought some cute buttons the other day and thought they’ll be perfect for the Butterscotch Cardigan.

FINALLY a crochet project that’s coming along nicely. I’ve completed the back and am working on the right front piece.

I’m trying to find more information on seaming crochet garment pieces. Anyone has any experience in this area and will like to offer some tips?

PS: Sorry about the craptastic pictures. Can’t seem to take any decent ones today.

PPS: I promise that the next project after this will not be a red one.

Ravelympics Red Rusted Root

Lis — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:43:11 +0000

I did it! This is my Ravelympics project for Team Rubberneckers.

Pattern: Rusted Root

Size: XS (28″ - 32″)

Yarn: 4 x Knit Picks Cotlin in Moroccan Red

Needles: 4.5mm for body, 4mm for ribbing

Modifications:

1) Added hip increases.
2) Picked up additional 6 stitches on each sleeve to close the underarm gap, knit 2 rounds of stockinette before starting on ribbing.
3) Used EZ sewn bind-off on all the ribbing.

Pattern Comments:
Pattern was relatively simple and straightforward.

BUT.

No schematics. Theoretically speaking, I usually zoom in on the smallest size but I like to see the bust, waist and hip measurements and there were none in this pattern. I know this is a top down pattern and it’s easy to adjust as you knit but I’ll still like to see some schematics.

Pattern could also do with more stitch counts especially after the increase/decrease sections. I ended up doing my own calculations to make sure I was on the right track.

No chart for lace panel, plus sl1-k1-psso (skp) was written as sl1, k1, psso which confused me for a bit because it looked like 3 separate steps.

The pattern asked for 24″ circular needles. What the pattern didn’t state was that the neckline, when joined in the round, was less than 24″ so you could either stretch the crap out of the stitches or magic loop it. I ended up stretching the crap out of the stitches.

Yarn Comments:
When knitting with the Cotlin, the yarn fuzz was incredible. By incredible, I meant in a “some gigantic red animal just shed a shit load of fur in my room” kind of way. My nose wouldn’t stop twitching. Washing did remove most of it but I suspect it’ll take a few washes before it’s completely gone.

Also, I do not like Cotlin knit at this gauge (20 st st/4″). If I do this pattern again in the same yarn, I’ll go for a smaller gauge and knit a bigger size.

On the whole, it’s a cute top but I’m not sure I like it on me. My mum wants one though.

Edit: 2008 is turned into the Year of the Red!

Edit Strikes Back: Woohoo my Ravelympics medal!

The Race is On

Lis — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:14:17 +0000

Can Lis finish this before the end of the Olympics? Stay tuned to find out!

Cookie Cardigan

Lis — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 09:31:31 +0000

So what’s the cure for crochet frustration? Yep, you got it. A spanking new knit project. Just before the Ravelympics no less. That’s right, I like living life on the edge.

Bloody Bobbles

Lis — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 09:06:35 +0000

I’ve been dying to start on a crochet project for quite a while (last crochet project was the Lace Skirt a gazillion years ago!). I had my heart set on the Butterscotch Cardigan from Interweave Crochet Spring 2008 but I can’t quite seem to decide on a yarn. I tried swatching with Brown Sheep Cotton Fine but I couldn’t get gauge (note: gauge listed in the magazine was wrong). Since the cardigan’s worked side to side, I assume the row gauge is vital and I’m having trouble with that. I don’t really want to use any of the wool sock yarn since I don’t really wear wool. I contemplated Knit Picks Risata which I used for Breeze but it’s still too prickly to me.

While continuing my search for the perfect yarn for the Butterscotch, I decided I’ll also like to crochet the other cardigan by the same designer - Ocean Pearls Cardigan. Now, I already have 4 balls of the GGH Mystik used in the pattern so I decided to try my luck and see if I can get more in the same dye lot. Well, the online store I bought it from was out of stock. Then I saw that Stitchywitch is crocheting the same cardigan in Garnstudio Cotton Viscose which looks like it’ll be a perfect substitution.

The yarn’s super pretty, super shiny and perfectly cool for the humid weather here but it is also ohmyfreakingod super duper splitty.

Now, what the pattern didn’t tell you was this: Super Splitty Yarn + Crochet Bobbles = Nightmare

Seriously, I’m getting so frustrated doing the damn bobbles. There were bobbles that took 15 minutes to crochet.

15 minutes. 1 bobble.

And the whole cardigan is full of these blasted bobbles. At this rate, I’ll be looking forward to wearing this when I hit 80 years old, provided I don’t keel over and die from crochet frustration first. Now, that’s a cheerful thought.

To add insult to injury, my bobbles look like crap. It looks nothing like the neat little cardigan in the pattern. I don’t know if blocking is going to fix this. I think I should block what I have now and see if I want to continue. Alternative will be to replace the bobbles with something else. I don’t really want to crochet an entire cardigan just in double crochet stitches.

Oh hey, at least I’m not using red yarn.

Burgundy Breeze

Lis — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 08:24:31 +0000

This project has been hibernating for more than half a year since I first started it in October last year. I stopped mainly because I had 2 skeins of the yarn in the same dye lot which should give me a pair of normal length socks and I didn’t want to knit 2 pairs of ankle socks instead. So I frogged and bought another skein instead. Is this making sense?

Pattern: Breeze

Size: Ladies Small (US Shoe Size 5/6) (see notes below)

Yarn: 1 x Knit Picks Risata in Burgundy

Needles: 2.00mm

I have skinny ankles so I had to go down in needle size to get the socks to fit snugly round my ankles. However, this meant my gauge changed totally so instead of knitting the size S, I ended up knitting size M to fit. Also, I have no idea why the pattern says to break yarn before starting on the heel flap. I didn’t do it, of course. Other than that, I didn’t change anything. Incidentally, it’s only when I’m writing this post that I noticed the Ravelry page for this pattern stated there’s errata which can be found here. Oh well.

I thought I’ll really like the yarn because it has cotton but it’s still a little prickly for me which is probably due to the wool.

I finished knitting the socks with less than 4 yards of the yarn left so I think those with bigger feet may require more than 1 skein if you intend to use Risata. I may also be talking out of my arse.

When I first knit the sock back in October, I had giant holes on both sides of the sock after picking up stitches for the gusset. I’ve finally eliminated the problem this time round by picking up the bar between the heel flap and the ribbing. Yes! I looove the look of the heel flap (please excuse my unmoisturised reptilian legs).

This is a fun and addictive pattern. I mean, you keep telling yourself “hmm, I’ll stop after the next round” just to see the lace pattern forming and before you know it, you’ve finished the sock.

And yes, I’m aware I knit too much red stuff.

Juliet Update

Lis — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:13:06 +0000

As you can see, the knitting’s already done. In fact, it’s been done quite a while ago. I haven’t gotten round to putting on the buttons because I’m not sure I like how it looks on me. I did the longer version in the pattern and on hindsight, I think I prefer it shorter. Plus the lace portion flares out quite a bit so I’ll like to reknit it with a smaller needle.

The stitches under the armholes (where they are joined) are loose and loopy. Anyone has any idea how to improve this? If I’m ripping out the lace, I’ll probably rip to the armholes and certainly hope to make this look better. Also, the bind-off at the bottom certainly can be improved. Gaah.