How to pick up stitches on a cast-off edge

You will use this technique when you knit a neck bank or a button band etc.


1. Right side facing you, hold you piece of beautiful knitting in your left hand. Insert the point of the needle through the first loop of the cast off stitch, wrap the yarn around the needle and pull the yarn through (just like a knit stitch)

2. Pick up the required number of stitches (usually one stitch for each cast on stitch, Now turn the knitting and continue in pattern.


I hope this helps and you find it useful.



Clare

Crochet Baby Jacket

Hello

As promised the reveal of the little jacket I have made.  Details of this came from a blog which is by a lady named Kelly.  pattern details  bellabambinaknits which is a lovely blog with lots of patterns.

I kept to the pattern, the only differences are I used an Aran yarn and embroidered a pig from a children's programme on the bottom.  My little bambino is 7 months and it is slightly too large, which is good as it will be just right when the colder months approach.

Saying that we did go to the shop this morning and it is a bit windy and rainy so I put it on him and it looked great.

As requested by  Sandi I will put up some instructions for picking up knitted stitches!

Have a wonderful day everyone.

Clare x

Little Blue Knitted Jumper

I can't tell you how proud I was when I finished this little blue knitted jumper.  It did take me an age to get round to sewing it up.  But Ta-Da - Job Done !!!!

Then I can't tell you how gutted I was when it didn't fit - yes that's right a 9-12 months pattern doesn't fit my 7 month old baby with a giant head!  The neck won't fit over his head. "What is wrong with my baby's head?" - panic - measuring tape out - PHEW nothing wrong with his perfectly normal size head.

STUPID STUPID Pattern.  Now this was a free pattern from a reputable company who I have contact and informed them of my motherly panic. 

Now as I am newish to knitting this was the first time I had picked up stitches.  I used a circular needle and found this really quiet awkward - but managed it and to good effect.  I have since discovered after flicking through an old issue of knit toady that I did this totally wrong.  However, this was not why the jumper didn't fit.  All is now clear and I am looking forward to trying my newly learnt skill. 

Now what to do with the silly little neck on said jumper.  Well, scissors and needle in hand.  I witnessed all animals and adults retreat to the shed for some pottering.  I snipped and sewed and made a button hole.  Selected a contrasting button and here we have one cute little jumper that now fastens at the back of the neck and fits over all giant baby heads.

I am most pleased to say it fits and he looks snugly and adorable- one happy Mum.

Have a great day and I will be back soon to post about the crochet cardigan.

Clare x

Crochet Toys Part I

I would like to introduce you to Squirt the blue Monster Drop.  He is a cute little monster who becomes a little scary at night (apparently) so he has to sleep downstairs and not in little man's room.  He has a tail which he uses to carry him around.

A green Alien is next!

I have also made a little buggy blanket in yellow to match our pushchair and embroidered a cute bee.

I am finishing a crochet cardigan/jacket and need to sew up a knitted jumper for little man No. 2.

I will post pics and pattern info later this week.

Clare x

Knitted Toys Part I

Meet Monster Chunks and Chubby Chirps

These are free patterns from Rebecca Danger she has just launched her new website - go and take a look.

Clare x x x

What a long time it has been.  I can hardly believe it.  Firstly, thank you to all that still pop by.  I have been keeping up with your blogs, just about.  Life has been very hectic.  Hospital visits with our lovely baby boy, well not so much of a baby 7 months now.  He is teething at the moment and not sleeping at all well. 


I am running the business on my own at the moment along with being Mum and housewife.  It is very very busy and a bit of a juggling act but we are getting there.  Mr is helping out a company with a 2 million pound contract for a top company in London.  He is a cabinet maker by trade and ran his own successful business for 13 years.  So they needed a pro and he certainly is that.  So he is back doing what he really loves for the next few months at least.


I have managed some crochet and some knitting which I will blog about over the next few days.  I have started to knit some toys for the boys at the request of my 3 year old who wanted a knitted Fireman Sam, Monster, and an alien.  So this is testing my skills and I am learning loads.


Happy Monday


Clare x