MILFORD - Everyone's place
Double knitting, making your own gifts and tips
It’s November and Christmas next month – So much to do and so little time!
I try to learn something new about knitting on a regular basis and today I had a go at doing double knitting.
What a great finish! This is knitting with two colours at the same time so that the finished garment is one colour on one side and another colour on the other. I have only completed a small swatch, but it is so cool! Great to make a baby blanket as there is no wrong side and once I improve my technique I can add designs... mmmm – I love working with colours!
Making your own gifts
Last Christmas I knitted some fancy silk lace gloves for presents. Of course I was knitting up to the last minute to get them finished but I have to say it felt really good to give presents that I made myself.
There are some great ideas for gifts that you can complete in a short time and put your own unique style to the gift.
Hand knitted pure cotton wash/dish cloths wrapped around a lovely soap and tied with pretty ribbon are a lovely idea.
There is an endless choice of free patterns online and we have a wide choice of cottons ranging from organic to Egyptian combed that make great wash/dish cloths. Cotton dish cloths are wonderful to use and really stay fresher than your usual commercial cloth.
A tip to ensure your cloth is clean... rinse it out thoroughly after use, wring out the excess moisture, pop it in the microwave for two minutes and it is fresh and sterilised ready for re-use.
If you are looking for a little more elaborate gift, why not knit a cashmere scarf. Try Filatura Di Crosa Superior Cashmere and Silk yarn. One or two balls can make a really luxurious soft light scarf that will be really treasured by the receiver. There is a very wide range of colours to choose from and a great range of patterns in store now.
And for kiddies there is such a wide range of fun knitted toys that can be knitted really quickly and they are so cute and cuddly. This is easy knitting and we are always happy to help with advice on finishing knitted toys.
Of course if you are not a knitter there are endless opportunities to create some great gifts from our fabrics - ranging from pincushions, cushions, bags, toys. There are tons of patterns and ideas to help you create a unique lovely gift.
And don’t forget if you dabble in needlework there are some fabulous kits ranging from beginners to expert level. Some really great New Zealand designs in store for your overseas gifts. Worth checking out.
If you are doing your overseas gift posting for those friends celebrating a white or colder christmas, a knitted hat or scarf in New Zealand yarn is such a good idea or if the receiver is a knitter send some New Zealand yarn. What could be better? Touch yarns Possum yarn spring to mind or Naturally Karamea (Mix of possum, merino and alpaca). Light to post and a nice kiwi touch.
To top it off we have a lovely range of gift ideas in store. So worth a visit to Crafty Knitwits during November.
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Crafty Knitwits Limited, 101 Kitchener Road, Milford, North Shore.
Phone 486-2724. Visit: www.craftyknitwits.co.nz
Tip of the Month
Knitting Toys with wool is fun, and call me a wool snob if you like, but I can’t bear to knit toys in acrylic. They are just not as cuddly and soft as wool. With all of the hypo-allergenic and antibacterial superwash yarns available why settle for less than wool. In saying that, I have just finished knitting a bunny in bamboo yarn – gorgeous and silky soft!
Eyes
You can use safety eyes and there are various types available. They have an anchoring system so that little fingers cannot pry them loose and swallow them. My preference is to use a contrasting colour yarn and stitch eyes on. I usually use the same yarn to do the mouth and nose. The thing I like about using yarn is that you can embellish the eyes differently to give the toy some original personality. There are lots of tutorials on line that can help you with your design. The Stephanie Cameron patterns are also very detailed and helpful when designing your toy.
Needle Gauge
Whatever toy you are knitting when you have chosen your yarn (often eight ply/double knitting) Use smaller gauge needles than you normally would. So for eight ply wool use 3mm - 3.50mm depending how soft you want the toy to be (larger needle for softer toy). But don’t use 4mm or larger as this will knit up too loosely for a toy and the stuffing may escape through the knitted fabric.
Sewing Up
Unless specified in the pattern use mattress stitch for sewing up the toy. This means you will be working on the outside (right side) to sew it up. Much easier with toys and really invisible finish. Remember not to pull your sewing up to tightly as this can distort the finished shape.
Experiment
Go on, experiment a little! The pattern you have is the basis, but you can add a different colour, use a different yarn or dress the toy in different clothes. The only limit to creating is your imagination. Let it run wild. You will create a unique little character that will be well cherished.
The Poynton: People
