Thursday, May 18, 2017

Sometimes I Knit ... and Sometimes I Crochet

Faux Cable Shawl | Knitting | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
Faux Cable Shawl 
Pattern by Christopher Salas

I love to knit and it has been a while since a knitty update. I have missed spending time with yarn and the knitting needles. Instead I have spent quite some time over the last 12 months either hand piecing or English Paper Piecing, both of which have meant less time with yarn. Sometimes though you have to make time for the things you love, even if it means staying up till the early hours of the morning. And the Faux Cable Shawl was not only a great pattern (a charted repeat of rows and intuitive knitting) but the finished shawl is also a warm and wearable item.

Faux Cable Shawl | Knitting | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
Faux Cable Shawl | Knitting | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017

THE YARN:
3 Skeins Madelinetosh Merino Sport
in Candlewick

Faux Cable Shawl | Knitting | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017

More photos of the Faux Cable Shawl on my Ravelry Page here.

And sometimes I crochet ...

Hexie Love Actually Crochet Blanket | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
Hexie Love Actually Blanket

My Hexie Love Actually Blanket may be the first crochet project that I have shared with you here but my history with the hook goes back quite some time. My mother taught me to crochet as a child and as a left hander I have fond memories of sitting opposite my mother to mirror her actions with the hook. Since then I have crocheted scarves and blankets (less successfully) and also curtains for my kitchen windows (more successfully). That was all some time ago.

Picking up the crochet hook again after more than a decade is like riding a bike; a little wobbly at first but you soon pick up speed. I have been working on this project since early March and since then I have frequently questioned my decision to use fingering weight yarn for this project, but I think it is going to be awesome when it is done. Right now I am about a third of the way through and have ordered more yarn to join the Hexie units together. There's still a long way to go on this project but I am enjoying every chain and every double crochet (not so much weaving in all the ends).

Hexie Love Actually Crochet Blanket | © Red Pepper Quilts 2017
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13 comments:

  1. Oh wow, that knitted shawl is beautiful, and the colour is gorgeous!

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  2. Absolutely beautiful. You are multi-talented.

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  3. I enjoy changing up my fiber projects also. Today is reorganizing to get out some sewing stuff to work on a minkee throw.

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  4. Beautiful knitting and crochet, thanks for sharing it!

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  5. Rita, I love seeing your work whatever the medium! You're so talented!

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  6. Oh my goodness! Is there anything you can't do? Both of your yarn projects are gorgeous!

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  7. Beautiful Rita. You are a "machine" haha just kidding. It is such a great feeling to be able to make all of the things we have in mind. I am much slower
    Your crochet is just beautiful

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  8. Rita I love seeing your knitting projects and glad to see a new picture of your wonderful shawl. You have inspired me to pick up my unfinished shawl project.

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  9. Beautiful work. I love the vibrant colors and your choices in patterns. Very inspiring, my dear. Eve

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  10. Beautiful projects. I'm a knitter/crocheter/spinner who quilts occasionally, so I love seeing your 'other' work.

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  11. Hi Rita, l loved your hexagon crocheted quilt, like you l haven't crocheted for a while and l was wondering what yarn you used, l am unfamiliar with the yarns listed. Could you give me advise me as to what they are please.

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    1. Hi - thank you for stopping by! The yarn I have used for my crochet blanket is a fingering weight yarn (75% extra fine merino, 20% cashmere, 5% nylon). You could substitute the yarn with most sock/fingering weight yarns, mix the different brands and use this project as an opportunity to use up yarn left over from previous projects. Just be mindful that crochet seems to eat yarn. I ordered 3 skeins for the "background" yarn and have to order another 4 skeins to make a useful size blanket. I hope that helps? Rita

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  12. Both gorgeous, and I never mind seeing lovely creativity even if it's off the topic I was expecting :-)

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