Dutch pyramids

Look! It's me! I know, I know, I haven't posted in, like, a month but I have been stupidly busy. I've got 4 bleeding assignments this week (I've already done one so shush mum) so I'm taking a break from the crazy end of term stress to write a post. Also I've managed to figure out how to rotate the pictures on my phone without using Instagram that tends to crash when rotating pictures. (now that's some poor optimization) and no I haven't gotten my laptop repaired but there is literally NO ONE  I can call in Aber about it, ( seriously this is a student town how?!) who will actually pick up during business hours 😠😠😠

Anyway aggravating life at university aside I've been busy Knitting too! I took a small break from the swatches to knit a Christmas jumper, it's fairisle style with reindeer and snowflakes so that's been my project the last 3 weeks I'm on the sleeves at last so hopefully it will be done by next week.

Today's Swatch (or rather November's Swatch) is Dutch pyramids, bow sadly I don't have my kindle right now so I have no clue what Barbra thinks of this one and I cant remember given I knitted this up about 3-4 months ago now (time flies 😨) it's an interesting kind of pattern I suspect that one round of it would make a pleasing border on the bottom of skirts, dresses and jumpers.

Swatch is as follows: 4ply - 2.5 mm needles - 37st x 36st - German twist CON - chain COFF

CON multiple of 15st+7
Row 1 - *P1, K5tbl, P1, K8* end P1, K5tbl, P1
Row 2 - *K1, P5tbl, K1, P8* end K1, P5tbl, K1
Row 3 - *P1, K5tbl, P9* end P1, K5tbl, P1
Row 4 - *K1, P5tbl, K9* end K1, P5tbl, K1
Row 5 - *P2,K3tbl,P3,K6, P1* end P2,K3tbl, P2
Row 6 - *K2,P3tbl,K3,P6,K1* end K2,P3tbl,K2
Row 7 - *P2,K3tbl,P10* end P2,K3tbl,P2
Row 8 - *K2,P3tbl,K10* end K2,P3tbl,K2
Row 9 - *P3,K1tbl,P5,K4,P2* end P3,K1tbl,P3
Row 10 - *K3,P1tbl,K5,P4,K2* end K3,P1tbl,K3
Row 11 - *P3, K1tbl, P11* end P3, K1tbl, P3
Row 12 - *K3, P1tbl, K11* end K3,P1tbl, K3


Phew that was a pain to write out. Hopefully I will find the time to post again soon, now I have to listen to the lecturer with the most Christmassy name (I would say but I don't exactly have permission, let's just say his first name is that of a reindeer with a sore nose) drone on about crystal structures in magnetic fields. (the thrills! #not)

Pinnacle Chevron

Current paint project,
she's taken about a week so far and still isnt finished.

            Oh no, I didn't keep my promise of posting yesterday! And no one is surprised. Look I just
forget when I'm on holiday and because my laptops doing "something spooky" as my brother would put it, it's a real PITA to post when I'm here, I keep leaving it upstairs and it's annoying to climb three flights just to get my laptop down. Not only that but because my phone is being weird with instagram at the minute some of the pictures I've taken need to be edited again on my laptop which again, is testing my already lazy nature. I've also been doing very little actual knitting since I got here mostly because Persona 5 partly because stellaris and partly because a bunch of my mini's arrived and I've been painting. (Yes I paint mini's, yes that's like the lamest thing anyone can do, but really I only do it for display/I like painting, not for actual wargaming unlike the BF who is a much bigger dork than I am) My problem is I have about 20,000 different hobbies and I tend to have very intense periods of doing one a lot more than the others then I get distracted and drop it. I procrastinate my hobbies with more hobbies! For example the above paint project is actually a "side project" for my main project which is a giant dragon. And I havent started it as I can't decide on a colour scheme I've narrowed it down to either, black and blue, black and red, or white and blue. Buuuut I'm sure I'll figure it out when I get back to uni. I'm actually staying here longer than expected as the BF doesn't have to go home next week and I didn't want to abandon him to a house with only J*** (one of our housemates, he's fine but the BF wanted to have a longer holiday with me) in it.

Anyway on with todays stitch. Pinnacle chevron. One of the prettiest patterns in the first chapter (possibly beaten by seeded chevron which is next up) it's a very nice overall texture. Because it's basis is a broken 2x2 ribbing the pattern also has a lot of lateral stretch. If left unblocked or blocked lightly the ribs tend to twist slightly, (a result of the moving purl stitches) and resembles a mock ribbing rounding out naturally, defining the chevron.

Swatch is as Follows: 4ply - 2.5mm needles - 37st x 48st - Longtial CON - Chain COFF

Pattern for working flat:
CON multiple of 18st + 1
Rows 1 & 3 - P1 *(K2,P2)x2, K1, (P2,K2)x2, P1*
Rows 2 & 4 - K2 *(P2,K2)x2, P1, (K2,P2)x2, K1*
Rows 5 & 7 - P1 *P1, K2, P2, K2, P3, (K2,P2)x2*
Rows 6 & 8 - K1*K1, P2, K2, P2, K3, (P2,K2)x2*
Rows 9 & 11 - Rows 2 & 4
Rows 10 & 12 - Rows 1 & 3
Rows 13 & 15 - Rows 6 & 8
Rows 14 & 16 - Rows 5 & 7

I've added spacing to this pattern as I think it makes it easier to read. I will be doing more complex patterns this way from now on to save your eyeballs. This pattern is another cyclical one, (like the chevron pattern) where the second half is the inverse of the first half. This pattern is also a good one if you want to practise "reading" your knitting as it's pretty obvious is you make a mistake. Anyway hopefully I will remember to do another blog post sooner rather than later. This week has been a pretty good test of how often I will post when I'm at university, as the only difference is I'll be doing lectures rather than just playing persona 5 and painting. I will likely post less if I have a lot of work to do (obviously) but twice a week is a pretty good rate for most blogs anyway. Good Luck and Happy Knitting!

Diagonal Rib

            Ah holidays are great aren't they? Sitting around in the sun all day does have a way of making

Photo accurate picture of my brother today

you veery sleepy. I've managed to avoid getting sunburnt today (Hooray!) but my brother has lit up like a belisha beacon. (probably because the idiot didn't put suncream on properly idjut) Didn't get much knitting done today, although I say that I did get a lot done but between the pattern taking forever and pokemon raids and gyms I didn't manage to finish the square. Todays pattern doesnt take as long as that luckily for all of you.

Today's stitch is diagonal rib, not to be confused with diagonal ribbing, this pattern does draw in but not as much as a traditional ribbing. The pattern is effectivly created by making a 4x4 ribbing and staggering it left or right each row. The pattern supplied by Barbra staggers the stitches so the ribbing is right leaning, the stitch also tends to create a slanted shape, with one side being shorter than the other, this is how the ribbing drawing in effects the overall shape of the square it can be discouraged by blocking. This ribbing doesn't need a stretchy cast off unlike other ribbing as it's stretch mimicks bias stretch.

Swatch is as follows: 4ply - 2.5mm needles - 30st x 52st - Longtail CON - Surprisongly Stretchy COFF

Pattern for working flat:

CON Multiple of 8st + 6

Row 1 - K1*P4,K4* end P4,K1

Row 2 - K4*P4,K4* end P2

Row 3 - K3*P4,K4* end P3

Row 4 - K2*P4,K4* end P4

Row 5 - P1*K4,P4* end K4,P1

Row 6 - P4*K4,P4* end K2

Row 7 - P3*K4,P4* end K3

Row 8 - P2*K4,P4* end K4

The pattern may also be varied by increasing or decreasing the number of purl stitches on the right side (ie P2,K4) or by knitting and purpling into the back loops of the stitches that form a knit stripe on the right side. An easy enough pattern and it creates an unusual stretch which may have a variety of uses, any fabric that would benifit from being cut out of bias fabric would work well in this pattern. Now I'm off to watch the one shot episode of Casualty. (yes with Dr Doggo) Happy Knitting!

Arabic Diamonds

            Well I've had an exciting day, I finished two swatches, managed to get a ninetails and a ditto in pokemon go, my bf's parent's have finally organised us going to france, and I'm going on holiday to weymouth in two days so I am very excited.

            First the swatches, I'm nearing the end of the ribbing chapter before we reached it on this blog which is ideal I have about 4 left so it looks like you'll be close to where I am when I start the slipped stitches chapter (hooray!). Secondly the ninetails and ditto; I don't know if I've been particularly unlucky but I have managed to somehow miss every ditto out there, (one sec the tv is super loud mum's left it on bleeding hochanda -_-)  today me and mum went out to walk up a few candies from our buddies and hatch some eggs as it's the last day of PokeFest. I had to walk 1km more in order to get a ninetails so I decided once mum had gone in to quickly zip up to the local park and back on the jog there I thought "wouldn't it be funny if I caught a ditto now mum's gone in?" and low and behold a rattata appeared I caught it and literally sprinted home upon it transforming into a ditto. 

Clearly the best Icecream.

            The france thing, I have only been to continental europe once in my life, my parents prefer to go on holiday within britain (which is fine I love weymouth but we'll get to that later) this means the only time I left the uk was for a day trip to belgium with school back in 2009, it is somewhat expensive but I should be able to afford it if I'm frugal next term. And lastly, weymouth, our annual holiday to the best holiday place in the uk, (yeah I said it) I am excited to show the bf a Rossi's ice cream (also the best) as he LOVES icecream.

On with the stitch, like yesterday's stitch the arabic diamond is traditionally done in the eastern knitting style and features twisted stitches. The pattern provided by barbra uses regular stitches, however it is also easily changes simply by either purling into the back loop or knitting into the back loop. The swatch below is knitted using the non-traditional regular switches.

Swatch is as follows: 4ply - 2.5mm needles - 33st x 48st - Longtail CON - Chain COFF

Pattern for working flat (non eastern version):
CON - multiple of 8st + 1

Row 1 - *P*

Row 2 - *K*

Row 3 - P4*K1,P7* end P4

Row 4 - K4*P1,K7* end K4

Row 5 - P3*K3,P5* end P3

Row 6 - K3*P3,K5* end K3

Row 7 - P2*K5,P3* end P2

Row 8 - K2*P5,K3* end K2

Row 9 - Row 5

Row 10 - Row 6

Row 11 - Row 3

Row 12 - Row 4

Well that's it for today, and likely tomorrow, as we're very busy preparing for our holiday. Hopefully I'll get some knitting done on the drive down to weymouth but I won't be writing up a blog post until we get to the caravan, because I get horribly car sick and it's worse with reading. Sadly I've no time to set up another post tonight so you'll all have to wait. Luckily we're heading towards several pretty looking stitches so patience will pay off! Happy Knitting!

Arabic cross

An accurate gif of me rn

           Pretty tired today, had to get up early to go into town with mum so I could get some proper running shoes and some socks. Wouldn't have been so bad, but we had to rush because my brother had to go to the orthodontist that with all the cleaning yesterday means I am very sleepy. So I might just do this post and go to bed.

Arabic Cross, an ancient pattern. It takes the original form of knitting, which first appeared in the middle east and uses it to make a pattern of crosses on a reverse stockinette background. Knitting is one of the oldest forms of fabric creation because it doesn't require large equipment like a loom to do, meaning it would have been very valuable to nomadic and non agrarian peoples. Arabic knitting, also known as eastern knitting, produces a twisted stitch simply through how it's done. Essentially you purl your stitches clockwise (as opposed to anti clockwise as in english or continental) and this produces the twist. The appearance of eastern knitting can be produced without the traditional method. You simply either knit into the back loop or purl into the backloop every other row. (depending on your preference)
The cross is well suited for small decorations/interest on an overall purl fabric, such as on a pocket or around a hem.

Swatch is as follows: 4ply - 2.5mm needles - 37st x 48st - Longtail Con - Chain COFF

Pattern for working flat:
CON - multiple of 12st + 1
Row 1 - *P*
Row 2 - *K*
Rows 3 & 5 - P5*K3-b,P9*end P5
Rows 4 & 6 - K5*P3,K9* end K5
Rows 7 & 9 - P2*K9-b,P3*end P2
Rows 8 & 10 - K2*P9,K3*end K2
Rows 11 & 13 - Rows 3 & 5
Rows 12 & 14 - Rows 4 & 6
Row 15 - *P*
Row 16 - *K*

            If preferred the pattern can be done without the twisted stitches, you simply knit all stitches as you usually would. For tjose of you who were unaware of the different forms of knitting it may be workwhile to attempt different versions. Personally I am usually an english knitter, I learnt to knit that way so I find it easiest often people learn one way and stick to it Personally I think it's the easiest to control, however english knitting is the slowest version of knitting so if I'm doing a simple row (all knits or all purls) I will switch to fixed needle continental because it's faster, and for ribbing I use the eastern style purl on the first purl next to a knit as it helps draw the ribbing in closer. So try different forms of knitting they can prove very useful. Happy Knitting!

Twisted Check

Accurate image of me yesterday trying to understand braided rib
(also can we take a sec to appreciate gromits cute wool basket?)

            I should really schedule posts more often it's nice to have a day off, without having a day off.
I've been having a tough time of it recently, I finally came across a pattern that I did not understand (In my defense it's pattern is written bloody stupidly) In light of that I think when this blog gets to ribbing patterns I will likely only do the basics, and then skip ahead in the book; purely because some of the patterns are very difficult/confusingly written/you have to know how to do other things first. It may make sense for me to go straight to the slip stitch patterns because again some of the colour (yes colour has a u in it I'm british) work patterns require knowledge from later in the book. I was thinking of doing colour work last because it's fun, pretty, and will be much more enjoyable once we know what we're doing.

            Right todays stitch Twisted Check, it's sort of similar to yesterdays stitch Swedish Check; I personally think it's the less attractive of the two, but it is by no means ugly. Like its pretty cousin it's got a tweedy look, again enhanced by the nice lumpy hand-dyed cashmere. It does, however, take longer to knit up on account of all the twisted stitches and constant switching between knit and purl positions, (Just like broken rib patterns) as unlike swedish check you switch positions every stitch rather than every other stitch.

The fabric tends to pull in thanks to the twisted stitches, so it's a pretty dense check.

Swatch is as Follows: 4ply - 2.5mm needles - 31st x 36st - Longtail CON - Chain COFF

Pattern for working Flat:
CON - Odd number of st
Row 1 - *K1-b*
Rows 2 & 4 - *K1,P1-b*K1
Row 3 - *P1,K1-b*P1
Row 5 - *K1-b*
Row 6 - *P1-b,K1*P1-b
Row 7 - *K1-b,P1*K1-b
Row 8 - *P1-b,K1*P1-b

We're pretty far into the check patterns now, they're all very nice though so I'm not complaining. At least they don't take half as long as some of the broken rib patterns. Next post is another check pattern although I'm not sure how I feel about it, it's easy but it looks pretty... Meh compared to Swedish and Twisted Check. Happy Knitting!

Stockinette Stitch

            After a long night of electing and knitting we've ended up with a hung parliament (huzzah no Tory majority) and I've ended up with 4 completed swatches thank you david dimbleby for being my knitting/ election entertainment. The next basic stitch is stockinette stitch also known as the plain sweater stitch this is often the first stitch people learn when knitting, this stitch unlike garter stitch is not the same on both sides. On the RS of the work the stitches form interlocking V's on the reverse or the purl side the fabric resembles a tighter garter stitch. Also unlike garter stitch the fabric has a tendency to curl when worked flat (not so much in the round).

  Above is a close up on the stitches where you can see the clear V shape at the top the stitches are crossed at the bottom the stitches are knit and purled normally.

The above image shows 3 forms of stockinette stitch, plain, crossed, and twisted (in order from the bottom up the red box shows the change in stitches) as you can see the fabric tends to curl inwards (see the curved red line).

Swatch is as follows: 4 Ply Wool - 2.5mm Needles - 30st by 60 rows worked flat - Chain COFF- Double Loop CON

             Plain stockinette is almost as easy as garter stitch it is simply 2 rows:

row 1: K all st

row 2: P all st

             Crossed stockinette makes an appealing and unusual texture compared to regular stockinette and is achieved by twisting the stitches on every other row, this stitch is possibly the original stitch as twisting your stitches is automatic if you use the Arabic method of knitting the oldest form of knitting. It can be done one of two ways:
row 1: Ktbl all st                                                OR                                      row 1: K all st
row 2: P all st                                                                                                 row 2: Ptbl all st
             Twisted stockinette has less lateral stretch than plain stockinette it is also more sturdy so it's useful for things that need to take more wear and tear like sock heels. It's achieved by twisting all the stitches
row 1: Ktbl all st
row 2: Ptbl all st

That's todays stitch! Phew that was a long one! now go knit!