New Etsy shop knitstobuy

 I love knitting, and quite like crochet too!  I decided to work through my large stack of knitting yarns before they took over my spare bedroom, and as I didn't need any more garments or blankets I have opened a shop on Etsy to display the things I have been knitting.  I especially like making baby blankets and colourful crochet throws, and using luxury yarns such as wool, silk, cashmere and more.

Here are a few of my creations:

Many more things to come!

My shop name is knitstobuy

Simply Classic knitting pattern

 This is a new pattern that I am very pleased with and it has been selling well.

It is a simple edge to edge cardigan in a soft worsted yarn, top down seamless construction, and very easy to knit.  Mainly stocking stitch with garter stich edgings.  Very easy to knit and to wear.

It is called Simply Classic

The pattern is available from lovecrafts or Ravelry

Daisies for Tea!

This is my latest knitting pattern, a bright and cheerful cosy for your teapot.

Instructions are given in the pattern for two sizes of teapot, either 7.5 or 20 inches in diameter, but the pattern is easily adjustable for any size, full details of how to do this are given.

• You will need DK yarn, one ball each of green, blue, red and yellow. Actual amounts required for the small cosy shown above are approximately 6g of green, 10g of blue, and 5g each of yellow and red
• A pair of 3 mm knitting needles
• Small buttons, one for each flower, approximately 0.5 inches / 1 cm across
• Tapestry needle
• A pencil and a safety pin for the twisted cord

The pattern is available for instant download, either from www.ravelry.com or www.lovekitting.co.uk

New patterns for pretty knitted baby blankets

 

TWINKLE STAR BABY BLANKET

FLOWER GARDEN BABY BLANKET

I am currently knitting many baby blankets for Project Linus, and although I found lots of patterns, I really wanted something 'pretty'.  So I came up with two new designs, which can be made in various colours for variety.    All these charity blankets are made in DK, acrylic for washability, so the patterns are ideal for using up scraps.

The Twinkle Star baby blanket pattern is in sizes 16” x 20”and 25” x 29”, and the Flower Garden baby blanket pattern is in sizes 17” x 22”; 25.5” x 29”.  

Both blankets have a seed stitch border which is knitted onto the main patterned section.  Full instruction for knitting, together with clear photos for the stitches, are given.

The patterns are available from www.ravelry.com and www.loveknitting.com.

TWINKLE STAR BLANKET:

FLOWER GARDEN BLANKET:

Christmas is coming! Time to start knitting for your shelf elf.

Time to start planning your Christmas knitting.  Do you have one of those little elves that sits on the shelf in the run up to Christmas?  This easy to knit pattern gives three designs of sweater that can be used to change his outfits each day. 

For each design you will need scraps of DK yarn, and a pair of 3.25 needles.

 

The pattern costs $6 (Approximately £4.80) and can be ordered for instant download from Ravelry with payment by Paypal from the link below. 

 

 

Knitting pattern errata and layout rant

OK, so I have got a bit frustrated with a couple of patterns lately so I thought I would have a rant and get it off my chest.

First:  Errata

Two of the patterns I have bought in the past year, at a cost of about £5 each, have several errors, one of them numerous errors.  I have read the comments on the well-known site where I bought them, and errors have been pointed out to the designers, sometimes years previously, but neither pattern has been corrected and they have been sent out unchanged.  There are no errata lists.  I even found one error not noted elsewhere, and sent a note to the designer.  She replied that most knitters would have seen it as an obvious mistake and not bothered to tell her.  Designers please check your patterns more carefully and do not sell them until mistakes have been rectified.

Second:  Layout and difficult to follow instructions

Both patterns are laid out in a peculiar, none-intuitive way, with a first couple of pages full of vague instructions, such as "you will be doing this, this and this at the same time and don't forget to increase here and decrease there according to your size" and so on.  I know of one designer who handles this in a perfect way, by producing a table, with consecutive row instructions downwards on the left hand side, and different sizes across the top.  Just highlight the right column for your size, and off you go! 
With both patterns, I had to sit down with paper and pencil and rewrite them row by row to be sure I had got it right.  This is what I was paying the designer for!  In fact I could have reverse engineered both patterns myself from the pictures, but I thought I was saving myself the bother.
Also one of these patterns (they were both top down) used the same instructions for the front and back, with no neck shaping.  Hence the front would  not dip, and not fit well, or at least would not fit me.  I can't help feeling that this was laziness.  I rewrote it to shape the neck at the front.  When knitting I also modified the pattern to take lace motifs to the edge of increases and decreases as the original pattern dealt with this by having acres of ss down the raglans and sides.

If you are expecting knitters to pay for your patterns, designers please take the time to write them well and easy to follow even for less experienced knitters, have them test knitted and take notice of what your knitters say!

OK rant over, as you were.

More Mitten knitting patterns!

I don't seem to have timed these for the right time of year, but I've been on a bit of a mitten knitting pattern fest just lately.

Here are some more character mittens, doll and clown this time:

Doll and Clown Puppet Mittens

I couldn't resist making some frilly and sparkly mittens for a little princess:

Princess Mittens

The designs are available in three sizes, to fit children from two to seven years of age.

The patterns are available from Ravely Or Love Knitting.

New fun knitting pattern for Child Animal Puppet Mittens

Here is a pattern I have been working on this winter:

 

These mittens are available in three animal designs, and each one is in three sizes to fit children aged 2 to 7 years.

 

Will keep little fingers warm or can just be used to put on a puppet show!

 

The pattern is available from Ravelry or LoveKnitting, and is quick and easy to knit with scraps of DK yarn.

 

 

 

 

New knitting pattern for a comfy slouchy style tunic in James C Brett cotton/acrylic

I have spent many months designing and refining this design, and I am really pleased with the result.


It is knit in James C Brett Cotton On DK, which is a lovely soft cotton/acrylic blend, and is machine washable.


The soft yarn and positive ease make it a joy to wear and it looks great with trousers.  It is a sweater that I shall wear and wear!






           Here are the details:

The sweater is knitted from the bottom up in pieces and seamed. It is patterned with slip stitches and bobbles, and edged with brick stitch; all instructions are written out fully and are easy to follow. The slightly dropped arm and positive ease makes it comfortable to wear.

The model is wearing size 36”, which has 2” of positive ease.

For experienced knitters.

Measurements are:
Size: 36, 42.5, 48.5”
Chest size of finished garment: 38, 45, 51”
Length of sleeve from underarm: 16.5, 16.5, 16.5”
Length from underarm to hem: 16.5, 17, 19”
Length from centre back of neck to hem: 24, 26, 29”
Number of balls of yarn needed: 9, 11, 13

The pattern is available for just $5 from:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/castles-in-the-air

Free knitting pattern for easy to knit chunky scarf

I bought two balls of this chunky yarn from Hobbycraft and designed and made this scarf within a day.  Most of it was knit on the Bedford to Brighton train.

 

EASY PEASY CHUNKY SCARF

© Helen Cox 2014

 

 

A long bulky scarf which is easy and quick to knit

 

 

Materials:  2 balls of Sirdar Denim Ultra or any other super bulky yarn (150m in total).

A pair of 9mm knitting needles and a large size crochet hook for fringing.

 

Gauge:  Approximately 8 stitches and 11 rows to 4” (10 cm) but not critical.

 

Abbreviations:  k = knit; p = purl;  sts = stitches;  [  ]  = repeat instructions in brackets.

 

 

 

Instructions

Cut 26 lengths of yarn approximately 14” (35 cm) long and reserve for fringing.

 

Cast on 15 sts.

 

Next row:  Slip one stitch knitwise, k to end

Repeat last row 3 times more.

 

Next row:  Slip one stitch knitwise, [k1, p1] to end

Repeat last row until work measures approximately 63” (160 cm) or to desired length.

 

Next row:  Slip one stitch knitwise, k to end

Repeat last row 3 times more.

 

Cast off and run in ends.

 

To add fringe

Fold a 14” (35 cm) length of yarn in half.  Insert crochet hook into edge of scarf and pull central loop through, then take the two ends through the loop and pull tight.  Repeat along edge of scarf, spacing out 13 lengths evenly along each end.

 

Plenty of time to knit this one for the winter!

Sweet Lemon dress knitting pattern for an antique vintage doll

I have published a new knitting pattern design for a long lacy Victorian style dress to fit a doll of approximately 18” tall. It is trimmed with matching ribbon and bows, and sweeps from a lacy yoke to a full gathered skirt.

Measurements: To fit a doll approximately 18” tall with 11” chest. The length can be adjusted to size.
Materials: approx 40g (400m) 2 ply (laceweight) cotton or acrylic yarn.
A pair of size 2.75mm needles, and a circular needle or a set of 4 double pointed needles size 2.75mm.
Five 4mm buttons.
One metre of matching ribbon 4mm wide.
Long lengths of waste yarn to use as stitch holders.

The pattern can be found on www.ravelry.com by searching the patterns tab for Sweet Lemon. It costs $5.

Fibre East 2013

Beeptwo and I usually make an annual pilgrimage to the Knitting and Stitching Show in London in October, and the date for this October is on the calendar.  Anna spotted that Fibre East was to be held this weekend in Flitwick, literally a few minutes walk from where she lives, so as she pointed out 'it would be rude not to go!'.  So we wandered down on Saturday morning, and had a great time.
It was held in the local secondary school/college, in lots of different rooms, with marquees in the grounds, and if you came by car, lots of parking.  It was also a (doable) walk from the station, with direct trains to London, Brighton and Bedford, and just off the M1, so very easy to get to.
The admission cost was £6 for Anna and £3 for me as an OAP, so very reasonable, especially with no travel costs.
It was a hot day, and some of the rooms were quite stuffy, but we certainly should not complain about that, it was the poor stall holders who were struggling. The venue was fine if you could excuse that it was a school, and there was plenty of room.  Compared to the Knitting and Stitching Show there was certainly less there, with more emphasis on spinning and weaving than knitting, but enough for us to be able to buy yummy yarns and accessories and our three hours there went very quickly.  Of course it doesn't have the classes or the exhibitions of art works, but the big bonus point for us was that it was so wonderful and easy to wander around, you could easily get to all the stalls without the jam packed feeling of the London show.  We were able to see and buy lovely yarns which are difficult to get locally, and although they are available online, it is good to see before you buy.  The stall holders were all so very helpful and knowledgeable, and a pleasure to talk to.
Anna was able to introduce herself to the Editor of Knit Now (she is one of their designers with a new pattern coming out there next month but has never actually met them before).
We have almost decided to give the London show a miss this year, due to the travelling difficulty and the crowds, but will certainly go back to Fibre East if it is local next year.

So what is it with 'magic loop'?

I am knitting a sweater from a pattern I bought on Ravelry.  It is a standard pull-on sweater with a pretty lacy panel down the outside of the sleeve.  I am using a cotton yarn frogged from a cardigan so I am going to have to be a bit careful with how much I have, but I am hoping that with the low neckline and half a ball of the original left over I will have enough.

I am of the old school where garments were knitted flat, each piece separately, then seamed together.  I am not a big fan of knitting in the round, I hate using double pointed needles and struggle a bit with circulars, but hey ho, this pattern is completely in the round and seamless so I thought I would give it a go.

I started with the neckline, knitted downwards flat until joined at centre front, used a long length circular needle from then on, going OK if a bit fiddly pulling the loops of needle through, but fairly mindless knitting.  I carried on to about half way down the body, then as I am watching the amount of yarn, decided to do the sleeves so I could finish the body using what I had left.

So I started the sleeves using magic loop with my long length circular.  Not happy, taking ages doing all that moving the loops along, not enjoying this at all.  I moved onto a set of 4 dpn's, hate doing this, so slow and difficult trying to do the lace pattern.  So then moved onto a smaller length circular needle and continued with magic loop, and it is really awkward, slow and forming a definite ridge at the change over point.

I have nearly finished the first sleeve and I am just hoping that the stitches will even themselves out during block and wear.  I have scoured the internet and I seem to be doing it right, it must just be the way I hold the needle.  How I wish I had knit the sleeve flat before I joined the body, it would only have needed the one seam down the inside of the sleeve.  And I still have another sleeve to go....  I know what I will do next time and it won't be magic loop.

Update 5th May.  Got as far as the ribbing on the first sleeve and not happy with the result.  Pulled it undone and started the sleeve again knitting it flat.  Flying along now and much happier!  A lesson learned.

bitstobuy miniature knitting patterns is changing

I have been running the bitstobuy business for about 10 years now.  It all started when I wanted to expand my knitting hobby in some way, but really didn't need any more garments for myself.  A book from the library about knitting tiny items for the dolls house really inspired me, and when I found some oddments of laceweight yarn in my stash I started knitting some tiny sweaters which were snapped up immediately on ebay. 
Eureka!  Something I loved doing and was of use to others. 
I have to admit that my interest has always been on the knitting side, and I do not own a dolls house or have any interest in doing so.
I searched the internet and books for patterns, but all the ones I found were very complicated and took a lot of knitting, in fact would be very difficult for someone who just wanted to produce something quickly and easily.  So I did the obvious thing and started designing my own.
My first pattern was for this bedspread and cushions

For some reason this really captured knitters' imaginations and this is probably my most popular pattern ever.  From there I quickly developed patterns for all kinds of tiny furnishings and garments, and miniature toys.

For a few years I just sold patterns, but developed into kits (so that the customer didn't have to deal with the difficulty of getting hold of small quantities of fine yarn), needles and haberdashery.  I have since written three pattern books, each of which have about 25 easy to knit designs.

I have sold through ebay and my own website, and have had patterns published in the dolls house press and online.
I am slowing down a bit now, and decided I just wanted to carry on with the knitting, and move on from the business.

So I am proud to announce that the bitstobuy webpage business has been passed on to another wonderful miniature knitter, my daughter Anna!

Anna has put in many hours over the years in setting up and running the webpage for me.  She is really into knitting, with designs published in the main knitting publications (two patterns out this very month in Issue 19 of Knit Now) and on Ravelry.  On the miniature side Anna has concentrated on patterns for 6" bjd but also has other crafty things going on such as selling beautiful buttons and ribbons.

The www.bitstobuy.co.uk webpage will continue as at present for the moment, selling all the same lovely things, but it will now be Anna who is managing it and despatching stock.  Eventually she will be redeveloping the site and moving it over to beepbeepminiatures .  We will make sure that the old webpage address still stands though and will transfer to the new one.

Thank you to all my previous customers and I hope you will support Anna in the new business.

I will continue to knit and sell the tiny garments (I still need to keep my fingers busy) on ebay and a new shop that I have opened on http://www.etsy.com/shop/bitstobuyknits.

Free gift for January!

With all orders made from the webpage in January I am including a FREE gift of the kit to make this lovely heirloom bedspread and cushions for the dolls house.  It is knitted in sections which are seamed together, and is not as difficult as it looks to complete.  The kit contains the pattern and all the yarn needed to make the set; you will need to supply a pair of 2mm knitting needles.
The finished blanket fits a double sized dolls house bed in 12th scale.
This kit is also for sale on ebay at the moment for £3.50, and a finished ready knitted set can be bought from the webpage for £20 if you don't want to make your own.

How to upcycle reclaimed needlepoint

Last time I went up to London I did my usual walk around Liberty as their Christmas stuff is just amazing.  Unfortunately most of the prices are out of my range but it is lovely to look at all the crafty-type makes.  It is a pity that they don't do as much fabric and haberdashery now as they used to but I suppose they have to stock what sells.
It is always interesting to look at the 'vintage' room where they are selling clothes that I was wearing in the 1960s and 70s, although they are probably much higher quality brands than I could afford then.  There are some lovely evening dresses that would be wonderful to have for that special occasion.
There are always some unusual and quirky items, especially in the furniture.  I was greatly amused to see old furniture which had been renovated and recovered in old 'reclaimed' needlepoint tapestries, which were in lovely bright condition and well cleaned.  One was an vintage metal dentist chair, which was covered in brightly coloured scenes of thatched cottages and wheat fields or similar.  Other similar unusually shaped furniture or metal objects had been reupholstered in the same way.  It seemed that the idea was to put together two disparate items, the object and the bright needlework, to make a statement. 
I am not sure what my point is really, I am just a bit bemused.  I suspect if we were clearing out an elderly relative's home the old furniture and needlepoint would have been put in the skip, even though we know that many hours of work went into the stitching.  Someone is able to see past this.   I hope they sell.  I hope that someone will give my old needlepoint a new lease of life and that the Liberty buyer is around to rummage through my skip.

Free knitting pattern for a rag rug for the dolls house in 12th scale

Here is a pattern for a dolls house rug, made to look like a traditional rag rug.  Of course it can be made in any size you want, could even be full size if you use big needles and thick or doubled up yarn and more stitches as required.

It is very quick to knit for the dolls house and looks very effective.  A good way to use up all the tiny bits of yarn left over from other projects.

Use all bright colours or all pastels for the best effect.

‘RAG’ RUG

 

Materials required:  A pair of 2.00 mm (UK size 14) knitting needles.  Scraps of 2 ply yarn.

 

Make a ball of random yarn as follows:  cut lengths of different coloured yarns about 4 to 8” (10 – 20 cm) long (or use lengths left over from other projects).  Knot firmly together in random order to make a long length, and wind into a ball.  Wind 2 small balls of black yarn.

Cast on 25 sts in black using the first ball of black.  K 6 rows.

Next row:  k5 black, join in random ball and k15 random, join in second small ball of black and keep on this side of work for left hand border and k5 black.  Make sure that the knots are kept to the wrong side of the work.

Repeat this row until work measures 2 1/2 “ (6 cm) or desired length.  K 6 rows in black.  Cast off.  Trim knots if necessary.

 

Happy knitting!

 

Just taking a break for a couple of weeks, back soon.

www.bitstobuy.co.uk

Christmas is coming TIME TO START MINIATURE KNITTING

Time to start setting the dolls house up for Christmas.  Lots of patterns in my Christmas book.

http://www.bitstobuy.co.uk/book/book3.php


and don't forget the free pattern for a tiny Christmas stocking (scroll down the blog for details).

Happy knitting everyone!

Christmas is coming - TIME TO KNIT

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/how-bout-a-nightcap

Off to Ally-Pally!

So me and beeptwo are off to Alexandra Palace on Saturday to the Knitting and Stitching show.  Can't wait, already got my shopping list and sharp elbows ready and looking forward to seeing all the knitty things.  Woo Hoo.

http://www.twistedthread.com