Tag Archives: FO

FO: Brandywine Shawl

Posted on 1 March 2016 by Jocelyn

Brandywine Shawl is one of those patterns in my one-day-I-will-knit-this list. I coveted the pattern ever since I laid my eyes on it and was lucky enough to receive it as a gift from a swap I participated in ages ago, (thanks, Susan!) but just never found the drive to actually knit it.

I hand-dyed the yarn I used for this project, originally planning to use it for colourwork but I was itching to cast on a shawl in this yarn. The pattern is a gift from SusanFromAthens during a Sundara swap. 🙂

My original cast on date was actually the 12th of August 2011. Yes. So long ago. I was in the middle of Chart B, that much I remember, and I made the mistake of not marking my place in the chart. So when I dropped the project to work on something and then came back to it, I could not read my work! I had no idea where in the chart I was.

So nearly 3 years after that original cast on, I frogged what little progress I had and restarted the shawl. The years between had hopefully given me enough experience to know better than to rely on my own (failing) memory.

I did 12 repeats of Chart B since the skein is quite generous and I think I could have added one more repeat and still have leftover to contribute to my sock yarn blanket.

It was fun while it lasted but I am glad to finish this shawl. Seems like ages ago when I first had the desire to knit this complicated-looking shawl. I struggled with the i-cord bind off and even thought of doing just a regular stretchy version but it looked untidy and out of place. So I persevered until I got the hang of it, which was quite satisfying because now the shawl has a nice neat top edge.

Thanks to the ever gracious Marina for modelling the shawl for me.

Raveled!
Cast on: 27 July 2014
Cast off: 2 January 2015
Needles: US 6 – 4.0 mm / US 8 – 5.0 mm
Yarn: Wollmeise “Pure” 100% Merino Superwash, Natural
How much: 0.9 skeins = 473.2 meters (517.5 yards), 135 grams

Socktober

Posted on 20 October 2015 by Jocelyn

Eleven days left in October. That’s how many days any self-respecting sock knitter has to finish at least one pair of socks to celebrate this most sacred month: Socktober. In the knitting world, this means knitting socks all month long. In the real world, it means collecting pairs of socks and donating them to homeless shelters, as in the USA. Either way, it’s all about socks.

It’s not too late to cast on a pair now if you haven’t already done so. And to help you along, here’s my top picks for sock patterns that will surely tickle your toes.
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Posted in Amiras, Dubai Knits, Finished project, IGK, Knitting, Ravelry, Stash and tagged blue moon fiber arts, dubai knits, dyeing, FO, Irish Girlie Knits Design, knitting, knitting in dubai, Ravelry, socks, socks that rock, stash, stashdown!, yarn, yarn in dubai. Bookmark the permalink.

A parade on Sunday

Posted on 29 March 2015 by Jocelyn

A parade, that is, of recently finished knitting projects!

I have been on a good finishing streak so this post is all about glamour shots of said FOs.

Who needs a cowl in Dubai? It might surprise you to know that it does get cold here, in the desert, despite over 360 days of glorious sunshine every year. Yes, we get an average of 5 days a year when the mighty Sun is obscured due to heavy fog or sandstorm, or heavens forbid we get rain! Out of the 360 days, about 60 of those are the actual proper “winter” when the temperature sometimes hits single digits. You can never go wrong with a cowl tucked in your handbag for the rest of the year because of over-zealous air conditioning everywhere. I mean everywhere! So yes, cowls in Dubai are a thing.

This one was a test-knit. It was more like a recipe because it’s brioche stitch and if you haven’t tried knitting brioche stitch then you are missing out on the fun, big time! However, the ever-talented Dieuwke has added an amazing twist to this cowl. See that braid of squishy goodness? Yes, that! Do you think you can figure out how to get that? Ha! Maybe you can after studying it and doing a trial-and-error for the next few weeks or months, but why bother when you can grab the pattern from Ravelry? I present to you my Experioche, knit in my own hand-dyed Dubai Knits Luxe DK. Well, the white yarn is undyed. I’m a bit partial, but I just love this yarn.

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Posted in Amiras, Dubai, Dubai Knits, Dyeing, Fandom, Finished project, Friends, IGK, Knitting, Ravelry, Stash and tagged dubai, dubai knits, dyeing, fandom, FO, friends, hand dyed, Irish Girlie Knits Design, knitting, knitting in dubai, Ravelry, stashdown!, Sundara Yarn, yarn in dubai. Bookmark the permalink.

FO: Hallow Moon

Posted on 2 February 2015 by Jocelyn

A little while ago, Dieuwke ran a KAL in her Ravelry group. Anyone who signed up to knit Hallow Moon gets the pattern for free. It’s a neat little shawl with knitted on i-cord on either edging. It does tend to get a little hairy at first but once you get the hang of it, you’re good to go. Also, Dieuwke created a simple, concise video tutorial for the i-cord technique so you won’t have to struggle to figure it out on your own.

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Posted in Amiras, Finished project, Friends, Knitting, Photography, Ravelry and tagged amiras, FO, friends, KAL, knitting, knitting in dubai, photography, Ravelry, shawl, stashdown!, The Plucky Knitter. Bookmark the permalink.

FO: A study in stripes

Posted on 13 January 2015 by Jocelyn

Preeti and I did a KAL in summer last year. Gee, why does it sound like it was so long ago when it was only a few months in reality? Well,it was in 2014 so it is actually a while ago. Anyway, we talked about it and decided to knit Stripe Study Shawl together. I have made one in the past and decided I have way too many single skein sock yarns to make multiple colour combinations of the same shawl. And it’s garter stitch, what’s not to like?
sss-kal (3)
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Posted in Amiras, Finished project, Friends, Knitting, Ravelry, Stash and tagged amiras, FO, KAL, knitting, knitting in dubai, Ravelry, shawl, stashdown!, yarn, Yarntini. Bookmark the permalink.

FO: Brighton Beach

Posted on 9 September 2014 by Jocelyn

Once upon a couple or so years ago, a lovely Danish lady called Dieuwke lived in Dubai for some time. The Amiras were lucky to have met her and saw for ourselves the astonishing talent that she has when it comes to knitting. I remember a turquoise top she was knitting at the time and she was making such quick progress on it despite making modifications to the design. And then the next time we saw her, she was actually wearing the turquoise top!

I suppose it was only a matter of time before all that talent would spill over onto designing knitwear and making waves in festivals and on Ravelry. So very proud of you, Dieuwke!

Therefore, when she hosted a KAL in her Ravelry group for Brighton Beach, I just had to sign up. This is a fun shawl pattern she designed for Unwind Brighton this year. Naturally, I knitted not one, but two shawls in quick succession because they are just that much fun and easy to make.

two shawls
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Posted in Amiras, Finished project, Friends, Knitting, Ravelry, Stash and tagged FO, KAL, knitting, knitting in dubai, Ravelry, shawl, stashdown!, Sundara Yarn, yarn. Bookmark the permalink.

FO: Neverending lace

Posted on 23 June 2014 by Jocelyn

My knitting this year has slowed down considerably although I feel like I am always knitting! It could partly be because the items I have finished so far are large pattern-heavy shawls. Not complaining, but wish I could tick more WIPs from the list. And don’t even get me started on my ever-changing Ravelry queue!

I’m glad to have finished this shawl, though. It’s Daybreak by Stephen West, back when he was just a normal knitwear designer and not this avant-garde, neon-eye-make-up-wearing, flower-pasting pixie. Not dissing, it’s entertaining but really takes focus away from the designs. Ah well, thank you, Stephen for these sensible designs from your early years.
daybreak hulk
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Posted in Family, Finished project, Kids, Knitting, Photography, Ravelry, Stash and tagged Canon EOS 60D, FO, knitting, knitting in dubai, photography, Ravelry, shawl, stashdown!, Wollmeise. Bookmark the permalink.

FO: Rockin’ this island!

Posted on 2 June 2014 by Jocelyn

Intricate, double-sided lace patterns have always intimidated me. Not least because they are usually charted and my brain does not translate those easily into working instructions. If it’s a short chart repeated multiple times, then maybe I would be able to memorize it but if it’s double-sided lace it’s not as easy. This is partly why I have started and stopped knitting Jared Flood’s Rock Island Shawl twice! The edging lace chart was just too complicated for me. It didn’t have rhyme or reason, as one other knitter said, to facilitate memorization of the 8-row chart.

At some point in March this year, I decided to give this another go. I’m glad I did because look at the finished shawl. Thanks, Eliza for modelling it for me! Gratuitous shot of the dessert display at The Lime Tree Cafe. You’re welcome!
rock island (2)
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Posted in Amiras, Finished project, Knitting, Ravelry, Stash and tagged amiras, Brooklyn Tweed, Canon EOS 60D, FO, knitting, knitting in dubai, Ravelry, shawl, stash, stashdown!, Wollmeise. Bookmark the permalink.

FO: Purple Hug

Posted on 27 May 2014 by Jocelyn

I love knit-alongs, or KALs as we knitters call it. It can be as simple as two knitters deciding to knit the same pattern using different yarns, or as elaborate as groups of knitters scattered all over the world knitting a pattern from one of their favourite designers and comparing yarn choices, modification options, posting progress photos and then finally unveiling the final blocked knitted item for everyone to admire.

And then there are mystery KALs from designers drawing inspiration from certain parts of the female anatomy. That’s just … no. Sorry, just had to throw that in there as a BIG NO NO even if you think said designer is such a creative artist pushing the envelope at every turn.

Anyway, this finished shawlette is from one of MY favourite designers, and good friend, Carrie. Blue Lake Springs Shawlette was one of the shawls for the Q4 KAL in the Ravelry group. I decided to knit this for my daughter, Viel, using a pretty purple yarn from Posh (my first ever Posh FO!). I intended to finish this in November, but hey when do I ever meet deadlines unless I really have to, in honour of Epilepsy Month. It’s a hug for my daughter.
purple hug (1)

Viel suffered her first seizure when she was 15 and has had a few more since then, but so far she is doing okay. No serious injuries to herself or anyone else, thank goodness! I had no idea that my birthday month is so significant. Hopefully this purple hug will always remind her to take it easy and that I am always hugging her no matter how far away I am from her.
purple hug (2)

I decided to increase 20 more stitches on the body to add an extra repeat of the lace on either side of the center stitch. I have 2 skeins of this yarn so there was no danger of running out. It’s still not as big as I would have liked but then Viel can use it as a scarf too. The colour is really pretty, muted but shiny. Can’t believe I never knitted with Posh Yarn until now. Good thing I still have some pretty skeins in my stash 🙂
purple hug (3)

Raveled!
Needle: US 6 – 4.0 mm
Yarn: Posh Yarn Gretchen Sock
Colourway: You Are Getting Very Sleepy
Yardage: 440 yards, 100 grams 1 skein
Cast on: 14 Oct 2013
Cast off: 18 Feb 2014

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Posted in Family, Finished project, IGK, Kids, Knitting, Ravelry, Stash and tagged family, FO, Irish Girlie Knits Design, kids, knitting, knitting in dubai, Ravelry, shawl, stashdown!. Bookmark the permalink.

FO: Cotty the Sixth

Posted on 31 March 2014 by Jocelyn

Every once in a while I do go back and knit socks. I love wearing them in bed, on the sofa while watching TV or knitting and when it gets really really cold. I have a drawer-full of knitted socks but I have a few more drawers to fill and exactly 203 skeins of sock yarn in my stash. There, I admitted it. But gone are the days when I would buy single skeins of sock yarn just because of the colourway or because I had one of those “ooh shiny” moments.

I admit, however, that the yarn I used in this sixth pair of Cotty Socks was spurred on by the must-have-this-colourway moment. I have always admired the colourway so when it came back on the shop listing I got one skein. Here is a photo of the toes. I use a favourite rounded toe pattern because I don’t like pointy corners in my socks.