Glasses

Pigs can fly

Pattern from houseofwhimsy on etsy

Yoga

Science

Harp

Ballet

No 3 Ballet

Own pattern from coloring pages found on the internet, on white background

Bike

No 2: Bike

Pattern from Sublime Stitching, "Decemberists", on grey background
Here is the matching Decemberists song: Apology song

Insane embroidered quilt project

So. Since I have to finish my Phd this year I need a massive procrastination project, right?

I really love embroidery but I'm never quite sure what to do with the finished pieces. I often make embroidered gifts but in that case I make sure the motif fits the person who will get the present. But sometimes I find patterns that I like and that don't really fit anyone I would want make a present for. And I don't really want to hang up my finished embroidered work on the wall to show it off. I like it when people do that and it looks great, but I'm quite happy with the artwork currently on my walls.

So the solution? Just randomly embroider loads of squares with things I like or patterns I find and like. And then: sew them together in a quilt! Since I'm cold most of the time (ok, July/August daytime is generally fine) a cosy fleece-backed quilt to wrap up in would definitely be on display (on me) for most of the winter.
Then quilting part will be exciting since I've only done one quilting project so far. But it consisted of squares as well and they were less carefully cut than the one for this project so I'm optimistic. And, I have about a year until I need to think of that bit since there are 49 tiles to be embroidered! Hopefully I'll manage to do one a week.

This week there will be more to show off since I didn't post the ones from last week and I'm currently ill with a cold and have some time to kill with not too demanding activities. Writing does not fall in that category, so enough for now, I'll show you some pictures instead.

No 1: Drums

Pattern from Sublime stitching, "Rock n Roll" on white

Christmas Vest

So, pattern is up again! It is the same pattern as before, still one size, random German wool and horrible formatting. But, if you're adventurous and just looking for inspiration, then I hope you enjoy it!

This is not an exact pattern but the notes I've taken during knitting. I've added a few comments so you have a chance to understand what they mean, but it will require a bit of thinking to knit the Christmas Vest. So if you've knitted a sweater or a vest before and (or) if you are adventurous this is for you. If not, read the instructions very carefully before you buy yarn (you should do that in any case) to see if you understand everything.
If you have questions you can contact me via craftster or ravelry (username: LizzieMcGuire).

Gauge:
20,5st x 33r 4inches
Yarn:
Schachenmayr nomotta Bravo 300g
for the fluffy border:
Wolle Rödel Formosa appr.20g
Needles:
3mm
5mm for faux-fur border

size S
Front:
CO 77Ma
work 1-1 rib over 24rows
now knit 31rows in stockinette stitch
now every following row will be worked in stockinette stich
/ Dec \
\ 7R / 2x
(17stitches)

7R (means: knit 7rows in stockinette without decreases and increases)
Inc (73) (increase-row)
1R
/ 2R \
\ Inc / 7x (75,77,79,81,83,85,87)
2R
/ 2R \
\ Dec / 2x (85,83)
1R

knit 38stitches, knit2tog
put middle stitch on safety pin
now we will work on the left side of neck-shaping.

Join yarn and knit the stitch after the middle stitch. Now SSK. Knit to end.

/ 3R \
\ dec / 3x (39,38,37) Decreases are worked only on the right side (always in knit rows) where the neckline is.
Bind of 6 stitches for the armhole and purl to end (31st)

neck and armhole shaping:

row	armhole	neckline	stitches at the end of this row
1	dec	dec	(29)
2
3	dec	dec	(27)
4
5	dec	dec	(25)
6
7	dec	dec	(23)
8
9	dec		(22)
10		dec	(21) purl row
11
12
13		dec	(20) knit row
14
15
16	dec	dec	(18)
17
18
19		dec	(17)
20
21
22	dec	dec	(15)
23
24
25		dec	(14)
26
27	dec	dec	(12)
28
29
30			purl row
31
32		dec
33	dec
34
35
36
37	dec
38
39		dec
40
41	dec
42

Work the right side of the neckline the same way. I know this requires a lot of thinking, but I don't have the time to write down a real pattern. Good thing is you get this for free, bad thing is you'll have to do a bit of the work yourself :-).

back:
CO 77st
24rows 1-1 rib
31R stockinette
Dec (75)
9R
Dec (73)
6R
Dec (71)
5R
Dec (69) start working the wings according to the chart in this row. This row is the row indicated by a red arrow in the chart.
A coloured cell means purl on RS, knit on WS an uncoloured means knit on RS, purl on WS

7R
Inc
1R
/ 2R \
\ Inc/ 5x (73,75,77,79,81)
15R
8R

bind of 6stitches
bind of 6stitches on the other side (69)
/ 1R \
\ Dec /15x (39) chart ends in the 10th iteration of this
2R
Dec (37)
/ 1R \
\ Dec / 3x (31)
/ 2R \
\ Dec / 3x (25)
Dec (23)
sleeves:
CO 56st
work 7rows in 2-2 rib

/ 1R \
| Dec |
| 2R |
\ Dec / 6x

/ 2R \
\ Dec/ 3x
10R

now we will do different decreases on the two edges:
on the left edge:
/ 1R \
| Dec | (only decrease one stitch by k2tog)
\ 1R / 3x

on the same time works these instructions on the right edge:
bind off 1 stitch
/1R \
\BO 3st / 4x

BO remaining 4 stitches

on the other sleeve work these decreases on the part where the decreases are different for each side:
left edge:
1R
BO 4st
/1R \
\BO 3st / 3x
1R

right edge:
/ 1R \
| Dec |
\ 1R / 3x

BO remaining 4 stitches

hood:
CO 8st
purl 1R

left piece of hood:
/ 1R \
\ Inc / 2x the increases are only worked on the right edge

Inc 8x (11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18)
Inc and CO 17st at the right edge

right piece of hood:
/ 1R \
\ Inc / 2x the increases are only worked on the left edge

Inc 9x (11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19)
CO 17st at the left edge

for both hood pieces:
8R
/ 4R \
\ Inc / 2x (38)
1R
/ 2R \
\ Inc / 3x (41)
/ 3R \
\ Inc / 2x (43)
2R
Inc (44)
6R
Inc (45)
5R
Dec (44)
5R

3R
Dec
5R
Dec (42)
2R

/ 1R \
\ Dec / 12x (30)

graft the two pieces together at the top

Finishing:
Sew pieces together.
With the fluffy yarn: pick up stitches along the neckline (appr. one stitch from two stitches because the fluffy yarn is thicker). Pick up a stitch from the middle stitch placed on the safety pin and on both sides of this stitch.

Now knit 3rows 1-1rib, working a decrease on both sides of the middle stitch in each row. BO, work the decreases in this row too!

Pick up stitches along the hood in the same way.
Knit 3rows 1-1 rib. BO.
Now sew together where the two pieces of knitted fur meet, so that it looks like knitted in one piece.
I guess you COULD knit it in one piece but I didn't have a circular needle of the right length so I did it in two pieces.

Abbreviations:
CO - cast on
BO - bind off
Dec - Decrease (I use SSK and k2tog)
Inc - Increase
Decreases and Increases are worked on both sides unless something different is said in the pattern. Work them two or at least one stitches away from the edge.
What means this?
/ 2R \
\ Inc/ 5x (73,75,77,79,81)
The pattern inside the brackets (here knit 2rows in stockinette without decreases and increases, then one row with increases) and repeat it as many times as stated (here 5 times). The numbers in the round brackets are the stitch numbers you should have after each of the iterations.

Chart:

Math geek hat

So, this pattern is quite old. I made it ages ago and have since taken down the website it was on. But since people on ravelry still like it and continue making it, I decided to repost it here.

I have posted the original pattern here, but I don't like how I did the decreases on the hat, so if you're experienced enough you might want to change the way you do the decreases to make it look nicer. But since you are probably a math geek I assume you are not afraid of numbers and tinkering with patterns. :-)

Math geek hat pattern

Wolle Rödel Universal brown
Lana Grossa Numero Uno orange
Gauge: 22 stitches x 28 rows are 10cm


Needles:
3.5mm DPNs

CO 128 stitches.
Work 10 rows in 2-2 rib. Now work 3 rows in stockinette stitch. (Warning: if you want a comma instead of a dot you have to knit the stitch in orange in the last of the three rows and in the row following! I suggest using the intarsia technique for those two stitches).

Now knit to the last 6 stitches. Here you have to join the new colour and knit the dots according to the chart. Now start knitting according to the chart (stranded knitting) for the next 15 rows. Remember to weave in the yarn carried in the back if it's carried for more than 7 stitches (just wrap the two strands of yarn around each other for this). And do the stranding loosely otherwise you won't be able to put the hat on you head.

Additions to the chart: The red lines mark the beginning of the next needle. This helps keeping track of the colourwork. The 10 on the left of the pi means that you have to knit until the end of the needle and then start again at first needle (with the 5).


After you've completed the colourwork: Knit 5 rows in stockinette stitch. Now start the decreases.
decrease row (you have to have the stitches distributed evenly over the four needles): Knit one stitch, SSK, knit to last two stitches on needle, k2tog (repeat this for the three remaining needles).

Decrease row (30 stitches on each needle)
row (without decreases)
Decr. row (28)
Decr. row (26)
row
row
Decr. row (24)
row
row
Decr. row (22
) row
row
Decr. row (20)
row
Decr. row (18)
row
Decr. row (16)
row
Decr. row (14)
row
Decr. row (12)
row
Decr. row (10)
Decr. row (8)
Decr. row (6)
Decr. row (4)

Now: knit one, insert needle into the next two stitches as if to k2tog and slip them to the right needle. Knit the next stitch and pass the slipped stitches over it. Repeat this for the other three needles.
Cut the yarn and pull it through the remaining 8 stitches with a needle.
And here is the number chart, if you have a bigger head you can fit a few additional digits to your head:




You may use this pattern for personal, non-commercial use. You are not allowed to copy or sell it without the authors permission.

I made jewellery!

Ok, after some people nagging me that there is nothings happening on my blog, here a blog post I have been meaning to write for ages.

A few years ago I lost a ring I really liked and ever since I've been moaning about how much I miss that ring. My housemate (who happens to be a self-taught goldsmith) decided this had to stop so he helped me to remake the lost ring. It doesn't look exactly the same as the original, but I really like it and I made it (well I did the bits that weren't too tricky...).

We made it from a pre-made setting (but cut out the setting for one stone to make it 6 stones instead of 7) and a white gold band. I thought the zirkonia stones would be most expensive but they were 20p each, so I bought loads and picked the nicest ones.

Sockstandard

I posted my Quick sock formula on the web ages ago and I still use the same principle to make a sock pattern if I have non-standard sock yarn.

However, for most socks in standard 4ply sock yarn I have standard pattern scribbled on to a tiny note in my knitting bag that recently disintegrated. To not loose that precious pattern and also share it with the world, I decided to post it here.

Yarn: any standard 4-ply superwash sock yarn, I quite like Regia 4-ply
Gauge: should be 30sts x 42r for 10x10cm / 4x4inch
Needles: either 2.0mm (if you knit loosely like me) or 2.5mm DPNs
Size: 5.5UK / 38-39 EUR (works for 36-41 I would say, you just need to make the foot bit longer)

Cast on 60sts. (I work with 4 needles, so 20sts on each needle)
K1 p1 for 20 rows.
Knit until piece measures 17cm from beginning (or longer if you want longer socks).

Now it is time for the heel.
Redistribute the stitches so that you have: 15/30/15sts on the needle.
The first needle (with 15sts) is needle 1, the needle with 30sts is needle 2 and the last needle (with 15sts again) is needle 3. See chart.



Knit all stitches on needle 1.
The heel will be worked over the stitches on needle 2. To shape the heel we will use short rows, if you are not familiar with working short rows you can watch this video:
http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/advanced-techniques
watch: short row with wrap. They explain it better than I can.



To make the heel knit the stitches on needle 2 until there is only one stitch left on the needle. Turn the knitting and wrap the last stitch as learnt from the video or the way you have always done it. Up to you.
Now purl the stitches on the needle until you reach the last one. Turn and wrap this stitch.
Now knit back, but this time stop 2 stitches before the end and wrap the one before the last one (the last one has already been wrapped, so you can just ignore it for now).
Purl your way back and wrap the stitch before the last one on the other side.
Now knit all but the last 3 stitches, wrap the unwrapped one of the three.
And so on, until you have 8 stitches wrapped on either side (with 14 unwrapped stitches inbetween), ending with a purl row.

Now knit until you reach the first wrapped stitch (not the first one you wrapped but the first one of the wrapped stitches on the left side that you reach knitting). Hide the wrap by knitting it together with the stitch as shown in the video. Now turn the knitting and slip the stitch without purling it (the stitch that you just created by knitting together wrap and stitch). Now purl until you reach a wrapped stitch on the other side. Hide the wrap as explained in the video (by purling it together with the stitch), turn work and slip the stitch. Now knit until you reach a wrapped stitch and so on.

When all wraps have been hidden you should be at the beginning of needle 2. Now knit all the stitches on needle 2 and 3 and then continue knitting round, knitting all stitches on all needles.

Knit until the foot measures 17.5cm, measured from the heel (see very small photo). This length is for 5.5UK, adjust for smaller or larger sizes by knitting less or more.



Now start the decreases.
A decrease row works as follows:
Needle 1: knit until there are only 3 stitches left. K2tog, k1.
Needle 2: K1, SSK, knit until 3 left, k2tog, k1.
Needle 3: k1, SSK, knit to end of needle.
See chart for a visualisation.



Now that you know how to do a decrease row, here is how the decreases will go:
1 decrease row
3 rows without decreases
1 decrease row
2 rows without decreases
1 decrease row
1 row without decreases
1 decrease row
1 row without decreases
1 decrease row
1 row without decreases
5 decrease rows

There should be 5 stitches left each on needles 1 and 3 and 10 on needle 2.
Knit needle 1.
Now combine the stitches from needle 3 and 1 on to one needle. Now you should have only two needles, with 10 stitches each.

To finish the sock, join the two sides using kitchener stitch, a great tutorial can be found here.

Be good and weave in your ends immediately.
That's it. Socks done! :-)

World map pillow

Thinking about this years Christmas presents, I found photos of one of last years presents. It is a world map/UK map stitched on a pillow cover. Then little colourful dots will mark the placer where the owner has been!

Beetroot cake

I don't like beetroot. For all of you who know me that might not be a surprise, since I'm a fussy eater. However, the lovely vegbox company Abel&Cole only allows you to ban up to 20 fruits/vegetables (or categories, like cabbage) which they then will not put in the box.
I have been told that you can call them and request more items to be banned, but I'm a bit embarrassed about how many things I don't like so I'd rather not do that.

So, that's how some beetroot came into my possession. With it came a recipe that claimed to convert everyone to like beetroot (at least in the form of that particular cake).
It is a chioggia beetroot that's why at has the lovely stripes and isn't very red.
Pretty, isn't it?



And it resulted in this cake:


And I have to say it DID convert me. I still only like beetroot in the cake, but this cake is absolutely amazing. Just don't tell people it contains beetroot, otherwise they will refuse to eat it.


I just got more beetroot in my vegbox this morning (the dark red variety), so I'll post a picture of a red beetroot cake if I get round to making one.

Frankfurter Kranz

Another cake:



This is called "Frankfurter Kranz" and is a typical regional speciality in Germany.

Stencil cake

And another cake photo. I found this in my cake photo folder and I quite like it (I made this cake loooong ago).
It is a hazelnut cake a chocolate stencil of Connor Oberst, the singer of the band Bright Eyes.
For the stencil I printed the image, transferred it to baking paper and then used a scalpel to cut a stencil out of the baking paper. As far as I remember, I used a few drops of water to loosely stick it to the iced cake and then painted the cutouts with dark chocolate.

Tetris cake

And another birthday cake for a housemate:
Tetris cake!



The tape strips mark the arena, our housemate had to play it before the cake was eaten!

Nyan cat cake

Right, I really need to catch up. I have made so many cakes since the last post and I even managed to get them from the camera to the computer (generally photos stay on my camera for a while until they make it into the computer). So why are there no photos of cakes then you might ask?
Well. I actually have prepared some cakey posts (by uploading the pictures and adding them), but they are lacking witty descriptions. Since no witty descriptions have magically appeared since the last post (which was in August...), I have now decided to just post them. I am sure most of you are here for the pictures anyway. You are probably not even reading this but instead drooling over the finally posted cake pictures.

One of my housemates loves internet-cat-memes. A particularly nice one is nyancat.
So for his birthday I made a nyancat cake with help of another housemate.



The body is made out of normal cake mixture and filled with custard buttercream and then coated with marzipan. The legs and head are chocolate cake with chocolate custard buttercream iced with dark chocolate. The tail is made of A LOT of biscuit.

Lehmus lace scarf

Remember this yarn?

I DID knit a lace scarf with it in the end:


I actually finished it last year, but forgot to blog about it. The pattern is called "Lehmus"

It is a nice knit and well written. With the yarn I used it was a fairly quick knit.

Garden produce

It has been a while since I posted anything and while I'm digging through my photos to see which projects I forgot to upload, I'll show you a picture of what our garden produced this week.



Courgettes, purple beans and runner beans. I chopped them, fried them and made a salad but forgot to take a picture of it.