I can't believe I'm crocheting

Thanks to youtube I learned today how to crochet a square from a circle. It's a kind of granny square. I had these odd balls which are bulky weight and was thinking what I could do with them. I think I might make a bag from couple of granny squares. I'm pretty excited and I find crocheting more portable than knitting.

Knit Stitch in Eastern European Knitting style

Purling in Eastern European Knitting Style

Roundabout Leaf Tank by Norah Gaughan from Knitting Nature book

This is my first WIP (work in progress) after my return from Romania and my second project from Norah's book: Knitting Nature. The first project was Droplet Hat. The hat for a swap on Ravelry but I am making this lovely tank for myself. I am using Turkish yarn from Linate Okiteks, CotoLin Gold: 50% cotton and 50% acrylic. It was a true bargain as it's a discontinued yarn and the seller told me it was the last batch. I just adore the color: yellow peach, very close to the skin color. My gauge/tension is 20 sts per 4'' with US 7/4.5 mm needle and I cast on for the smallest size. My nickel-plated KnitPicks interchangeable circular needles are perfect for this type of yarn.

My favorite knitter THIS WEEK ...

... is Katya because of her exquisite work: Cape Collar Jacket by Vladimir Teriokhin. It's a pattern design from Vogue Knitting magazine (pattern #16), Winter 2007/2008 issue. Vladimir Teriokhin is one of may favorite designers too. His beautiful designs are in every issue of VK.

Congratulations Katya! I always admire your work but this one drew my attention instantly.

I am an ebay seller!

Just one week before my trip to Romania I posted 2 skeins of 100% ORGANIC wool for sale on ebay. The yarn is just perfect for hand dying and/or felting. I was surprise to see how quickly it had been sold. Today I posted some more (5 skeins).

For those who are interested in this yummy and soft yarn, click here. I tried myself this yarn. It knits easy and it felts beautifully. I hand painted with natural paints and it works wonderful too. One hank has 186 meters/203 yards.

Back to Istanbul

I'm back. I came back on 23rd April at 05.00 a.m. One week ago. It was a long and nice trip. I visited my parents and my relatives, I knitted a bit, I bought books, I watched TV a lot. I ate Romanian traditional food and I learned how to cook traditional Romanian sponge cake. It takes one full day but it's worth it. I received one old knitting machine from a cousin who was renovating her old parent's home. She gave away many things and I got this old mechanical knitting machine and now I spend lots of time on youtube trying to learn to use it. My cousin lost the manual and completely forgot how it works. The machine is still in Romania, it's very heavy and I couldn't carry it back to Istanbul. I intend to visit again my parents during Summer. I hope I will be able to use it by that time.

Saying Hi from Constanta

Hi everybody: I'm still in Constana and don't know when I'll be back. Some administrative issues aren't solved yet.

Cable Vest (#17) by Twinkle Wenlan Chia from Vogue Knitting, Holiday 2004

Another Finished Object: Cable Vest (#17) by Twinkle/Wenlan Chia from Vogue Knitting magazine, Holiday 2004 issue.
I used 5 skeins (500 gr) of Harmony Ironstone Yarns. It's a bulky yarn but I still knit with 2 strands together and my gauge/tension was 9 sts / 4". I used 12 mm Pony circular needles and I cast on 14 sts instead of 12 sts. For the front collar I made one extra cable pattern repeat. Overall, I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. It was a fast knitting, only 3 days.

I fell in love with Knit Picks Options Interchangeable Circular Needles

Today I received my Knit Picks Options Interchangeable Needles. Wow! WOW! They are so great! I love them. My knitting is more enjoyable now. I was so curious about them, the reviews on the internet are so various and different, but I love them. The cable is so soft and the needles are very light.

Tomis tank: inspired by Norah Gaughan

Inspired by Norah Gaughan's genius work with geometric shapes, this high empire waist tank is my first attempt to write a pattern for multiple sizes. It has a deep V-neck and a lovely A-line shape which is just perfect for those who don't like the idea of an exposed belly. The generous armhole shaping make possible to wear this tank over a t-shirt or shirt or even another tank. Link to this pattern here.

SKILLS: Easy (increasing, decreasing, picking up stitches)

SIZE
32 [34, 36, 38, 40] inch bust


FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 33.5[35, 37, 39, 41.5] inches

MATERIALS
Alize Lidya [60% viscose, 40% acrylic; 186yd/170m per 100g skein];
color: LSD 15; 4[4, 5, 5, 6] skeins
1 40-inch US #8/5mm circular needle
Stitch Markers
Tapestry Needle

Tips for replacing the yarn
Replace Lidya from Alize with soft yarns which produce very drape-y fabrics. I recommend blends of acrylic with cotton, linen, rayon or viscose.


GAUGE: 16 sts x 24 rows/ 4” in Stockinette stitch

All rights reserved. This pattern may be used to make items for your own personal use, for gifts, or for charitable donations. It may not be used to knit up items for sale. You may make copies for your own personal use. You many not distribute it in any hardcopy or electronic format.

Priscilla Gibson-Roberts and Barbara G. Walker books

Yesterday was a very a happy day! I got my amazon.com order: 2 books.
Knitting in the Old Way: Designs and Techniques from Ethnic Sweaters by Priscilla Gibson-Roberts and Knitting from the Top by Barbara G. Walker

My swap box: thank you Nancy

Yesterday I got my swap package from Nancy. I sent her 3 skeins of Alize Cashmira 100% wool and was waiting for a Berroco booklet pattern, #271 bonsai.2. But she sent me additional goodies. Thank you Nancy, you made my day. The coffee is so tasteful.

2 FOs for my swap pal: Norah Gaughan's Droplet Hat and Calorimetry from Knitty.com

Norah Gaughan's droplet hat from Knitting Nature book. It was quite a fast knit (2 days). I hope my swap pal will like and wear it. As an alternative, I knit the Calorimetry from knitty.com. t was another super fast knit (2 headbands in one day).

You Make My Day AWARD

Yay! Knitaly awarded me with You Make My Day Award. What a nice surprise! It's the second time I'm awarded through my blog. Now, it is my turn to choose 10 blogs for this award! These are blogs I frequent, even I don't post comments. I like to read them and always find them inspirational. So, ladies and gentleknits, here are 10 blogs I have chosen as winners:


Mama's World - a digi scrapper&knitter

CJ Kopec Creations - adding fiber to your creative diet

LaneDesigns - handmade bags just for you

Purlygrrrl - Sticks & String Forever

Janice ROSEMA - fiber artist

Sulkycat - you couldn't make it up...

Yarn Traveler - life's adventures with family, friends, and lots of fiber

Svetlana - My Knitting Island

BananaKnits - A knitters confessions, opinions and life experiences.

Teeweewonders - Tina - omme i London