Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Skirts


Skirts, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.
Turns out I loved my black/white striped skirt so much that I want to wear it every day. It's more comfy than shorts and I don't feel exposed. So I toddled off to Spotlight and found some more fabrics and whipped up another 2 skirts. Go me!

PS I had to hide the pile of crap on my bed :D

Heart of Gold


Heart of Gold, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.
For some reason I was inspired to make a pair of fair isle socks. I saw Heart of Gold and loved that. But I'm very partial to the Spice Man basic sock pattern. So I amalgamated them! Perfect :D

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Skirt


Skirt, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.
A friend of mine has this cute skirt that she got from a sale rack somewhere for $8. I was inspired and went looking for a similar one. I found one...at Country Road...for $80! I think not!!

A quick stop at Spotlight, an $18 purchase, 30mins later with 5 seams and I have a pretty similar one. Yep, $18! I used a mix of this tutorial and this one. But ultimately I traced a skirt I already had to use for width and length. I decided against darts and just went the side shaping at the waist. I'm super happy with it and think I'll make many more.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Signatures


Signatures, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.
Just one more thing to share with you. Have you heard of Signature needles? They are virtually custom made by tip shape, tip length and cable length. The cable is also super bendy and they swivel! Each size comes in a different colour. I meant to order 5" length tips for all of them, but forgot to change the option for the smaller sizes. If you haven't splashed out on these, you MUST try them. They are the Rolls Royce of needles. They oughta be for $45 a pair!!

Eternity #3


Eternity, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.
This is Eternity #3 because I've made one and am having one made using WWFY. But I churned this one out before #2 was finished :)

I originally planned this for my Sister In Law. She commented on my first one. Too bad for her that I've falled in love with it! The first one was made using Sublime Yarns Cashmere Merino Silk Aran which pilled to buggery. I mean that thing pilled before I even got halfway through! So I never wore it. It looked old by the time I finished it. This one was made using Wollmeise DK in Im Jahr Der Ratte. One of my favourite shades of grey. I made Water and Stone in the same.

I made the medium size and it's turned out a lovely shape to wear over t-shirts or jackets or whatever. In this case, over a summer dress :) Soooo, I'm keeping it. Sorry Nat!

Heavily modified Laika


Heavily modified Laika, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.
I saw somebody at my eldest son's prep orientation wearing a long line cardy with an open stitch and short sleeves. After trawling through Ravelry, I finally came up with Laika. Now, if you know Laika, you know that it looks nothing like this cardigan. Laika has a hood, long sleeves, double row of buttons, shorter length and high neckline. It took a bit of figuring out, but I finally made it work for me.

If I were to do it again, I would make one size up to try to get the cardy to sit a little more closed. In saying that, I may grow to like it like this in the warmer months. Overall I'm very happy with it. It's turned out almost exactly how I envisioned. My only real gripe would be the bind off. I did it with a knit bind off and it was too tight. So I used Jeny's stretchy an dnow the edge isn't as neat. Maybe that'll even out in time?

WWFY Nuvem


Nuvem, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.
I've been a bit slack around here for a while. So I think I might just post some FOs. This is Nuvem. It was made using WWFY in Maus Jung Wollmeise Lacegarn.

It's the perfect size to wear over your shoulders when it gets a touch chilly. It can also be scrunched up to an nice thick scarf. Shame it's 29 degrees here today.

Wollmeise delivery


Nautilus Natural, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

Oooh looky. A Wollmeise delivery. Nautilus DK and Natural in sock. I think the colours look great together!!

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Balls Up!


Balls Up!, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

'Tis the season to be crafting.

At my knitting GTG yesterday, I decided to whip up a tree decoration. I've never done it before so I thought it would be a good time to try. VERY cute. VERY addictive. Many more in the planning :)

Monday, November 12, 2012

Quick blanky


Blanket, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

My sister in law requested I make her a cute little blanket / wrap with some gorgeous Prints Charming fabric I had in my stash. I had to search the net for some matching 100% cotton flannel for the backing. Not bad for 15mins of sewing!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

On The Beach #2


Beach_medium2, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

Well, here it is! On The Beach #2. I can't believe it only took me a week and a half to knit. I'm pretty impressed :D I didn't block it out as wide as I could. I may rectify that in the future.

Wollmeise Natur and Ooohm.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Basic Ribbed Socks


Basic Ribbed Socks, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

Oh, and I forgot to show you my Basic Ribbed Socks. They're for my boss. Our company colour is bright orange and I work for the owner. He's obsessed with the colour. He turned 40 so I thought it fitting that I knit him a pair of orange socks.

Update: As usual, the recipient hasn't even tried them on, let alone wear them :(

On The Beach #2


On The Beach #2, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

And here it is. On The Beach #2. This time in Ooohm and Natur Wollmeise. I've been hankering to start something new and fresh. This was a quick knit the first time around so it fits the bill. I guess that's why I didn't mourn #1 for so long. Though I did use an old label VERY expensive Jeton in the first version. But I won't think about that...

On The Beach...RIP


On The Beach, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

I made a grave mistake trying to find a shortcut to wash my jumper. Knowing it was knit in superwash, I chucked it in the machine. But I forgot to change it to cold. It went through at 40deg and ... yep ... the dye ran. All those glorious white parts became a mottled golden brown. If it was even, I wouldn't have worried so much. A further 3 attempts at fixing it, didn't work. So I quickly mourned it and cast one a second one! This time in springy/summery colours.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Miette frog pond


Miette, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

I have accepted the fact that I'm just not going to wear this cardi the way it is. I knitted the size 42" coz I had smaller yarn. I'm going to try again but with larger needles to see if I can get it to fit better. As you can see from the picture, the sleeves were so tight that You'd actually see knit bumps on my arms when I took it off!

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Water and Stone


Water and Stone, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.
Look what I made! I didn't alternate the skeins. I wanted to use as much of the 3 skeins as possible so I weighed them as I went. This amounted to about an extra 1.5" of st st. I am loving this thing. I didn't know how much I needed a W&S until now. The length is perfect. The arms are perfect. The bust size is perfect.

Verdict on the Wollmeise DK: I LOVE IT. I'm am Team DK all the way. I've worn it 2 days in a row and there's been no pilling under the arms at all...so far. It's so soft and silky with a lovely drape that has fab stitch definition. If you can get your hands on it, GET IT!!!

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Water and Stone


W&S, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

And the next thing for me to focus on. My Water and Stone. I'm only about 7" away from finishing. It's gorgeous and soft in Wollmeise DK and oh so cozy! Can't wait to finish. Just in time for a hot Melbourne summer!

Miette


Miette, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

Oh and I forgot to show you my finished Miette. I made the size 42 in the hopes it would fix my gauge problems. Unfortunately I don't think it did. It may hit the frog pond too so I can reknit it larger still. Shame really.

R2D2 hat take 2


R2D2 hat take 2, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

My first attempt at this was a big fail. I took out two R2D2 figures to downsize the hat for my almost 5 year old. It barely fitted my almost 2 year old!

I failed to read in the pattern that it was meant for a 20" "youth". I measured my creep's head and measured at 20"!!! Take 2 involved me putting those 2 figures back. Since I got gauge, it should work. And it did!

I love that he LOVES it.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Miette


Miette, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

So I decided that I really needed an emerald green cardi. I have this perfect yarn in my stash so I cast on. It's really a fast knit. I'm using thinner yarn so I'm making the 42" in the hopes that it will fit me. I'm also omitting the bust shaping and moving it to the sides instead. I don't need to draw any attention to that area! :)

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Printstagram


Printstagram, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

Check out these awesome little goodies. If you have an instagram account, you'll love this. They're from Printstagram. They're little mini-polaroid pictures and flip book. They are about business card size. Just choose your favourite instagram pics and off you go!

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Urban


Urban, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

Another WWFY number. This time Urban in TML French Grey. I paid the knitter with 3 skeins of TML in her chosen colour. The only shame about it is that it's a touch too big. But I love it. It's gorgeous and soft and the knitting is amazing! I think I might make one myself next time. It's a great shape.

On The Beach


On The Beach, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

Finished! And it's gorgeous. I love it. Next time, though, I'd make one size larger just for that tiny bit more positive ease. Loving the open fabric on this one using 4.5mm. I used Wollmeise Jeton and Natur. Both old skeins costing close to $40 each!!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Wollmeise DK

Lookie lookie! Wollmeise have finally released another base in their yarns! DK weight. Woo hoo. The last time she tried a different base was in 2008 I believe. Somehow by some miracle I happened across the update which was an hour earlier than usual and managed to snatch 5 x Petersilie and 5 x Im Jahr Der Ratte. I didn't know the meterage at the time. Upon further inspection after the purchase, I realised that they were about 500 yards each! I only really need 3 of each. Lucky Wollmeise is so easy to destash. Everyone loves it...especially a new base!! Now...what to make...?

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Lemon tart and mitts


Mitts, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

So our 6 weekly knitting meet happened yesterday in Maling Road, Canterbury. I love catching up with my knitting ladies. 5 hours go by very quickly!

But shock horror when my knit picks cable broke. Lucky, though, that Sunspun was just around the corner. Of course I couldn't just go there for a cable though, I walked out with a skein of Noro Kureyon. Been meaning to make a pair of mitts for a while. Well, a couple hours knitting, here they are! How awesome are the colours? And they're nice and snug not to fall down while wearing! Not bad for $12 :)

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

On The Beach in the country


yarma, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.
Me knitting my On The Beach in transit from Melbourne to Sydney. I know this pic doesn't show it, but I'm in the passenger seat (not driving!) and we are in fact in one lane. I got lots of knitting done on the way. Now I've only got the sleeves to go!

Friday, July 27, 2012

Contiguous on trial


Contiguous on trial, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.
I thought I'd give this new method a try. It's a method Susie Meyers developed. I think it might make a nice change to the usual raglan shaping. Don't worry about the uneven bit through the middle, I'll fix that if I decide to continue. So far it's quite nice. If it works out, I'll turn this into a longline simple cardi. Stay tuned.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Jersey Cowl


Jersey Cowl, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

I've had this bit of jersey in my stash for some time now. I was going to make a drapey type of t-shirt out of it. But we all know that I find it hard to find time and energy to get behind the machine. Instead I dragged out my overlocker and made a cowl. I just folded it right sides together and then joined the ends. In fact, I still have a hold in that last join so I can turn it out the right way. The cowl is so big and thick that you'll never see that. I will get to finishing that off, I promise...maybe :)

Girly Sweater


Gap sweaters, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

I've finished my Girly Sweater! You can compare the old version with the new version here. The old one was bought over 3 years ago and has cashmere in it so it's all pilly. I used a raglan generator to come up with my sizing numbers and just went with it. I think it worked out pretty well!

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Vivian with hood


Vivian hood, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

CHANGE OF PLAN: After I sewed in the zipper, I realised that it pulled the whole cardi too short. So I pulled it out and started again. Unfortunately with it centered correctly, there wasn’t enough zip to go to the top of my collar. So I had to keep knitting my collar and improvise a hood. NOW it’s perfect!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Girly sweater


P1000106, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

A sweater in the making. This is just my own thing I'm reverse engineering. I bought a sweater from Gap in LA a few years ago and it's all pilly and getting a litle old. Let's see how this turns out!

Admiral


Admiral, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

Another stash edition. A gorgeous navy blue. I've been wanting a navy blue for a while and was thrilled when it turned up during a Wollmeise update.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Tosh Sport Robin's Egg


Tosh Sport Robin's Egg, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

Looky looky. Another fun little package at my doorstep. This Tosh Sport seems so much softer than the stuff I made my Audrey In Unst out of. Weird. But I'm glad :)

Monday, July 16, 2012

Knit Counter app


Knit Counter app, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

How cool is this? It is a knit counter that you can change to whatever you need. In the case of Color Affection, in the first section, I needed the row counter 1-4 then back to 1 again. Then the repeat should increment every row 4 up to a max of 13. I know then that I should be ready to introduce the flouro yellow! A quick count of the stitches confirmed I had the right number :)

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Akoya finished


Akoya finished, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

And here is my Akoya finished and with the buttons sewn on. So what if one of them fell off when trying on for pics. What's it to ya? Ha ha ha.

Idlewood finished


Idlewood finished, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

Check it out! A jumper in one week. A record for me. With a 15" cowl, I think it counts even if it doesn't have sleeves. I'm wearing it straight off the needles after ends woven in. I haven't even blocked it. Not sure if I'll bother to be honest.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Peony Pink


Peony Pink, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.
Sadly my Sexy Vesty has died a sad and tragic death. It shrunk/felted in the wash. Rookie mistake I won't be making again. So I thought I'd make another in a lovely fresh shade of pink. Stay tuned.

Golden Pear and Jeton


Golden Pear and Jeton, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

I'm loving this shade of mustard at the moment. So when I saw them both go up for destash, I couldn't decide between them so I got them both. There is not much difference between them and they are gorgeous!

Color Affection 2


CA2, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

I love my first Color Affection so much and wear it so often that I thought I'd make another in different neutral colours. This is a bit of a stretch for me, but I love it. That middle colour is an exact match to a brand new tennis ball.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Zarte Knospe


Zarte, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

Some yarn p0rn that arrived at my door today. Zarte Knospe in 100%. Mmmm, what shall I make?

Monday, July 9, 2012

Idlewood


Idlewood neck, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

All knitting is coming to a screeching halt as I knit this long cowl neck jumper/tunic. It's so cold here in Melbourne at the moment that I need all the warmth I can get. And with this Bulky 12ply yarn, it should be finished very quickly. I'm just finishing up the neck. A couple more inches then onto the raglan increase.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Girlie quilt

A little girlie quilt / playmat for my SIL who is due any day. Clearly they know it's a girl. With only boys in my house, it was a pleasure to make something so pink! She already has a boy too, so a girl is a welcome change :)

Akoya


yarma, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

I finished my Akoya. I record time too. For me, anyway. It's so gorgeous and light in Tosh Pashmina. I used less than 3 skeins. I'm just waiting on buttons before I get a shot of me wearing it. Stay tuned.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Key fob wristlets


Key fob wristlets, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

Just something quick to whip up for my 4.5yr old's daycarers for when he leaves for primary school.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Chocolate knitting day


DSC_0404_3_medium2, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

I've never been to a stitch n bitch or any for of knitting/crafty meetup. But after years and years on Ravelry, a group of us decided to finally have a meet. We are a group of Wollmeise lovers, but we are not monogomous :) What a fun day. Chocolate, chatting, oohing and aahing, gorgeous yarn. I'm sure we got more than one sideways glance from passers-by :)

Friday, June 22, 2012

Vivian zip


Vivian zip, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

Aaaand the zipper is installed in my Vivian. I love it. Although next time I would knit one size up again.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Yarn holder


Yarn holder, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

...or Garnrollenhalter if you're in Germany. I need to get me some. What a gorgeous thing this is. Much nicer than the one I've currently got. It'll be on it's way soon :)

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Raglan numbers

And here are my raglan numbers. So far so good. I've yet to join at the v neck though. I'll do that at row 81.

Girly sweater


Girly_sweater_medium2, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

3 years ago, I bought a sweater from Gap in LA. I loved that thing. But it's pilled now beyond belief. So I thought I'd have a go at replicating it. I've never done that before. So here goes. I'm using a raglan generator as a start and will modify as I go along. Wish me luck!

PS I'm using Wollmeise in 47ag :)