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Sheep’s Head Peninsula Yarnbombing

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This is the first of my posts from our very recent holiday in Co Kerry and Co Galway. I’m not going to post what we did in chronological order. However, our first main outing was our trip to Sheep’s Head Yarns and Peninsula. I hope you will enjoy the posts, and we were fortunate with the weather. It was hot and sunny (for the west of Ireland, this is unusual) for our whole trip… which was amazing, but I hadn’t been expecting it to be this pretty warm and hadn’t packed for hot weather!

Sheep's Head Yarn Festival Kilcrohane

I’d heard about the Sheep’s Head Yarn Festival on Twitter and had noticed that the last day of the festival was the day after we arrived in Co Kerry, although the Yarn Festival was being held in Co Cork, a pretty long way from where we were staying.[Read More]

Friday Night Knitting Club Knit Two

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The Friday Night Knitting Club Knit Two by Kate Jacobs follows the lives of Dakota, Catherine and company after the loss of their beloved club founder Georgia Walker.

Friday Night Knit Club Knit Two

It is five years after Georgia’s tragic death from ovarian cancer, but her yarn store, Walker and Daughter, and her knitting club have continued due to the friends she left behind. The remaining members of the Friday Night Knitting Club are of mixed age and backgrounds, but they are connected by Georgia and by the knitting club that she created in her shop.[Read More]

Slip Stitch Snowflake Socks

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My Slip Stitch Snowflake Socks were inspired by the Sweet & Spicy Peach Socks. I pretty much used the same slip stitch sock pattern. The main difference was that I wondered how the sock would fit if I continued the slip stitch pattern down the sole of the foot as well as the instep. The easiest way to do this was to decide to knit an afterthought heel. I do love tweaking patterns. So much fun!

Slip Stitch Snowflake Socks 9

The Slip Stitch Socks are knit using Regia Snowflake in the colour Snow Suit 7707. Use a 100g ball of sock yarn of your own choice. I used 2.75mm Clover bamboo double pointed needles. [Read More]

Buachaille Cochal & Colour Block Hat

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The gorgeous book “Buachaille – At home in the Highlands” by Kate Davies was part of my Christmas present from Neil. This book is an absolute delight. I love the patterns. The photography mainly taken by her husband Tom Barr is utterly inspiring. As though the lovely choice of accessories knitting patterns isn’t enough, you’ll find a selection of traditional Scottish recipes, and enjoy an amazing walk through the highlands (without leaving the comfort of your armchair)!

Buachaille Cochal Cowl & Colour Block Hat

The patterns in the book are designed for her new range of Scottish Wool – Buachaille, which is a DK weight yarn. I had to wait for a little while to order the yarn, mainly because it kept selling out almost as quickly as she updated her online shop every Sunday, but when it did arrive I loved it. It is a slightly rustic feeling wool but once it was hand washed and blocked it felt considerably softer and developed a slight bloom.[Read More]

Lucy Anklet Socks

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I have wanted to knit a pair of cuff socks for some time now. I always think they look fun for wearing in the Spring, early Summer and Autumn. Very cute.

Cuff Socks 23

Last year I bought the book “A Cuff Above” containing 23 sock patterns by Cynthia Guggemos.  Several patterns in this book really appeal to me. The first to actually be knit are the Lucy Anklet Socks. In the book, the designer, gives 3 different options for the cuff: a ZigZag Eyelet Cuff, Eyelet Rib Cuff, or Little Fountains Cuff. All of the options give a simple lace cuff.[Read More]

Summer Holiday Knitting – What to Knit?

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We are going on holiday this year to County Kerry and Connemara National Park in County Galway. So, of course, a multitude of ideas for summer holiday knitting projects are swirling through my mind.  What should I knit? Size of project? And the big question – how many projects?

Rainforest Socks 12

For me the ideal holiday project is easily picked up and put down – easily left in mid-round. Can be worked on while travelling in a car, sitting on a rock or stopping for lunch and doesn’t require me trying to hold a pattern down with nearby rocks to stop it blowing away in the wind.[Read More]

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (the fifth of the series), Hermione Granger begins her knitting hobby.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter is frustrated to be isolated at Privet Drive with no information about the outside world from any of his school friends. After witnessing the re-emergence of Lord Voldemort at the end of year four, Harry is irritated that he has no knowledge of what his nemesis is planning. Harry faces a year of torment and obstacles, but when he finally faces the Dark Lord’s followers, he and his friends are barely prepared.[Read More]

Sockhead Slouch Hat No4

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One of the great things about the Sockhead Slouch Hat is that it is a unisex hat. I decided to test this out and knit one for Neil. Sockhead Slouch Hat No4 is the fourth outing for this great free pattern that is ideal for beginners as a first project.

Sockhead Hat 3 7

Unisex is a tricky thing. I’ve come across other patterns over the years that were unisex some were more successful in this than others. What I’ve found is that the important thing is the colour that is chosen. Many men really don’t want to wear very bright or neon colours in their hats although I think this is gradually changing.[Read More]

Basic Sock Pattern to Fit Shoe Sizes – UK 2 to 6, EU 35 to 39 and US 4 to 8

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I regularly receive questions regarding the size of my sock patterns and how you will know if they will fit you or not. This is an important question because you don’t want to put hours into knitting a pair of socks to find they don’t fit you. To help with this, I have written two posts giving a basic top down sock pattern in 6 sizes. This is the first part of the basic top down sock pattern to fit Shoe Sizes – UK 2 to 6, EU 35 to 39 and US 4 to 8. I’m working on a second post which will cover Shoe Sizes UK 7 to 12, EU 40 to 46 and US 9 to 13.

Basic-Socks-XS-M-Sizes-1

One of the main problems when you’re reading a pattern is whether the pattern is written for UK, European or US shoe sizes. I’ve shown a comparison of all of the shoe sizes for knitting your socks in the chart below which covers Foot Circumference, UK Shoe Size, EU Shoe Size, US Shoe Size, Ladies Foot Size (XS, S, M) and Finished Sock Length from Heel to Toe.[Read More]