Project "knit for boyfriend"

It was my 100th day-sary on the 20th of March. I know, you must be thinking, what the hell, who celebrates 100 days of their relationship? Well, apparently, Koreans do. "100 days" is significant for a couple's relationship- some will express their love to each, some go on a date wearing matching couple clothes, the guys will normally buy a couple ring and give it to his girlfriend and the girl will buy or make something.

Since we already expressed our love to each other during our first month of dating, and since he got me a ring for his Valentine's gift, I suggested to go away somewhere for the weekend. Of course with this busy boy's schedule taking two days off from work was impossible, so he compromised and he booked us a room at the Hilton and booked a table at the Glass brasserie. I wanted to but him a present, but I thought that wouldn't be meaningful, so I decided to knit him a scarf, and winter is just around the corner so it just all tied in perfectly.

It took me quite a long time to decide which pattern I was going to knit. I finally found a free pattern by steamykitchen. Iit was the perfect look, not too girly yet soft and comfy to look at.

I did change the yarn to something else, as I didn't have the time to order the one she recommended- although I was really in love with how her yarn looked! Maybe I'll order it and knit one for myself ^_^ !!

Here is the free pattern, enjoy and I hope you have a pretty knitty scarf!

Yarn used: Cascade Eco Duo (3 hanks)
Gauge: 4.5 stitches per inch
Needle size: US 8 (6.0mm)
Finished measurements: 11 inches wide x 56 inches long (If you want to make a skinnier scarf, decrease cast-on stitches, but keep it an odd number of stitches)

Cast on 49 stitches or to your desired width of scarf: 2 stitches on each side for the border and 45 stitches for the herringbone pattern. You should have an odd number for the herringbone pattern.

Row 1-3: Knit 3 rows garter (knit every stitch)

Row 4: (Right Side) Slip 1 purlwise, k1, *K2tog through back loops, but slip only the first stitch off the needle, leaving the
second stitch on the left needle*. Repeat to end until you only have 1 stitch left before the border stitches. Knit this last stitch through back loop, k2 (for the border)

Row 5: (Wrong Side) Slip 1 purlwise, k1, *P2tog, but slip only the first stitch off the needle, leaving the second stitch
on the left needle*. Repeat to end until you only have 1 stitch left before the border stitches. Purl this last stitch, k2 (for the border)

Repeat rows 4 & 5 until desired length of scarf

Last 3 rows: Knit 3 rows garter (knit every stitch). Bind off and weave in ends.

Good Bye Summer!

Today is a very special day, it is the 29th of Feb 2012 -  an added day to the calendar because it is a leap year and also, it is the the last day of summer! A lot of my friends are whining that summer is over, I appear to seem like I empathize them, but I am actually secretly doing a celebration dance behind their backs!

I absolutely love the cold, no sweat patches, no stuffy trains and no putting up with the excruciating summer body odour f other commuters in the packed morning trains.Another reason is because I get to wear jackets and scarves to cover my chubby body!

I recently completed a scarf for a friend, this scarf was way overdue, we bought the materials last summer. I admit it was plain laziness - no excuses at all. Anyway, the main thing is, I completed it finally and she loved it! The blanket stitch gave it a little more cosy warm touch! I love the colour too, Navy Blue with a hint of blended red streaks! I am so proud of myself.

Since we are on the topic of knitting, I want you to have a look at a project that my friend Amanda urged me to get into. We are knitting a new scarf for winter! My project is about 60% completed and the results are looking fantastic! What scarf am I talking about? The scarf is a cute little foxy number. Yes, literally foxy! It is a cute little plushie scarf. Will show you more pictures soon.

Have a merry winter, and I hope everyone is as happy as I am!

xoxo
Your chief elf

Knitting is the new clubbing!

The elves at glücklich have been enjoying their knitting as they recently recruited 3 new little knitty elves. Today was their first knitting session. I must say, these elves are truely fast learners.. though a little eager, they seem to be coping well. We had fun today going yarn ball shopping and getting our hands to do the work!

To ensure you truely enjoy your knitting process i feel that are important things to take note of:
1) Get a simple yarn with normal thickness (not to slim or thick)
2) Make sure that if you are getting a few balls of the same yarn, check that the dye lot number is the same - ths is  to ensure that your color is even
3) check your yarn ball for commended needle size, but i believe you can increase or decrease the needle, the bigger the needle size the bigger and looser the holes.
4) try not to start with needles that are too small, when u are more experience and comfortable then use smaller needles.


Casting on:

Like when you construct a building, you will need a foundation for your knitting. This step is call  casting on. Casting on is the process whereby you construct your first layer of stitches. I belive there are many method to cast on , one of the methods is called long tail cast on method. If you want to make a scarf, cast on the number of loops your require. depending on the thickness of your yarn, the thinner the yarn, the more loops. I did about 18 - 20 for a big wool yarn.

English Knit Stitch & English Purl stitch:

Secondly you should learn the english knit stitch & the  english purl stitch. Technically these are only 2 stitches that you will really only use. There are many patterns for you to learn also can mix and match the stitches to obtail the different looks. To make a scarf, if you want the stitches to appear neat and constant on one side, you should purl one row and when you finish and start on the new row, you knit the whole row and when you start on the new row you purl again. Remember, you are alternating the stitches.

Clearing mistakes:

Ok!! Now that you have tried a few stitches, you might have a few mistakes, you might have dropped a few stitches along the way, not to worry, if there is a will there is a way, watch this video on how you can pick up ur stitch. picking up your dropped stitch

Closing & ending:

Once you have finished a ball of yarn and decided that that is the length or enough knitting! Watch this video it will teach you how to bind off. Binding off is the process of closing of the end of your knitting.

We will be back for more tips in future! Enjoy your knitting!