ConnieLene – KnitDesigner

Funky Fashionable Feather and Fan Fingerless gloves are back on etsy

Skill + 1UP or I think I want, I think I want to knit socks!!

Have I been upskilling myself in the knitting world in recent times?

I guess so. In the time since I arrived in Europe, specifically in the Netherlands at the end of August 2008 I have tried a number of techniques that I had never looked at previously and I have rekindled an interest in simple lace stitches. It has been easy to work on new techniques when away from all the interruptions that a normal life at home in New Zealand allows. In New Zealand one had friends to see, family to be with, stuff to do other than knitting, like gardening and so on. Here in the Netherlands Best Beloved is at work so I have peaceful time on my side, time to explore and to play with yarns and concepts and colours and obviously to explore and experience the Netherlands and so I have.

Carbon Footprint - Shadow Knitting

and then there is the orange crepe paper crown that I started, required for Queens Day on the 30th of April. I have also used dpn’s for the first time knitting a pair of simple ribbed fingerless gloves.

Feather and Fan arm warmers

Skirt with hyperbolic plane inc

But my big hairy goal – is sock knitting.

Which sock pattern would you recommend for a new sock knitter, me.

I can knit in the round, I can knit simple lace, I can follow charts, I can follow written instructions, I can knit with dpn’s, I have sock yarn, and I have IOU’s for 2 pairs of red socks.

Help please, advice requested. Which sock pattern do you recommend for plain red socks for the two men in my life, my son and my Best Beloved?

World Wide Words: states that Upskilling is a moderately common technical term and the Second Additions Volume of the Oxford English Dictionary cites a first use as long ago as 1983.

Upskilling refers to increasing the skills of workers, usually through training. Critics say that upskilled workers are not necessarily better paid, nor do they have better promotion prospects, and that upskilling benefits the employer rather than the worker.

I think the critics are nearly right – upskilled knitters are not necessarily better paid – but they have lots of fun, gain pleasure, have more to offer other knitters and are all round contented, well balanced, and interesting people.

Knitting and Crochet Blog Week

I have nearly finished a little caplet in feather and fan stitch. The lovely yarn is anny blatt fine kid which is 51% wool and 49% kid mohair. The label suggests 3.55mm (US 4) needles – but I used 4mm and it looks great. There are 255 metres or 280 yards in 1 50gm ball.

Angelica is a very tiny lady and this piece was created specifically for her and was intended for Christmas.

Angelica is from Chile, and is the partner of my son Morgan so this neck warmer was to be one of her Christmas presents from us.

Problem was the train to Switzerland was overcrowded. All the seats were reserved on the first train from Amsterdam which we caught because the conditions for travelling were so bad the weekend before Christmas that we couldn’t risk not getting there and so we stood from Amsterdam to Frankfurt. We were not even able to get a coffee, fortunately we had food and water with us. The journey was so difficult that I didn’t manage to finish the piece, nor did I complete it at their home in time for Christmas.

It is done now and I will give it to Morgan for Angelica when he visits Apeldorn in the Netherlands at the end of next week.

Neck Warmer in Feather and Fan stitch

The neck warmer is knitted in the round. The shoulder section is knitted in Feather and Fan stitch, the neck section (hidden) is k2 p2 rib with the folded down neck section is also in Feather and Fan. I began with a provisional cast on and knitted the rib down followed by the feather and fan stitch. I then knitted up from the rib in the reverse direction so the feather and fan would sit correctly when folded down.

I did check the sizing on Angelica while we were there with them in Switzerland – she sat with her eyes closed while we checked it out and it looked great. The colours of it look great against the beautiful colour of her skin, eyes and hair. I hope she likes it when she receives it.

If I receive a photo I shall post it here.

I am still working on the ultimate pattern as have knitted this in 8ply and in 12 ply – one with rib neck and one with Feather and fan neck. I am not sure yet which I love the best.

Neck and Shoulder Warmer / Gaiter

Yes I know; Gaiter(s) used to describe a neck warmer does not feel quite right to me as yet. But then language is always developing, as it should. So who am I to say that the leg protector word cannot be used for a neck warmer or neck protector.

Neck and Shoulder Warmer / Gaiter

Anyway this is my gaiter for Natascha or my latest neck and shoulder warmer with my most recently rediscovered favourite stitch – good old Feather & Fan.

When I first knitted with feather and fan it was all baby matinee jackets and shawls and so on. Now I am using it for neck warmers, arm warmers, cowls, waistcoats etc. I love it.