My second goodie box from Trimcraft is a box of double knit Spiin yarn. Twenty 100g balls of it! The rainbow colours are impressive and with it being 100% acrylic, project will be washable. The 8ply construction means the yarn is relatively soft and in use resists splitting more than other yarns I have used. There is a downloadable project pattern book, which I will get to after I have finished my first project, a baby blanket.
It’s no secret that I have never really learnt to knit properly. I can crochet, but something about two needles doesn’t work for me – it’s like aerobics: I can do arms, or legs, but not both at the same time. Then I came across loom knitting. No needles, just 18 pins and a hook. Here’s my first loom knitted project. It’s a cross between a shawl and a scarf – a sharf or a scawl? The Irish roses and leaves are crocheted from the same yarn [200 Crochet Flowers, Embellishments & Trims] and sew onto the completed knit. I’ve even sewn round the button hole.
I had chance on Christmas Day to complete one of my presents – an extreme crochet cushion. For those unfamiliar with the concept, it’s not crochet in life-endangering situations. Instead, you use an outsize crochet hook (in this case a 1.5cm diameter) and several strands of yarn (6 for this project) of different styles. Mixed fibres seem to be more popular. I used trebles to make a suitable sized crocheted sheet (doubles might have given a denser fabric), double crocheted round the edges, added the tassels and here’s the result:
It’s 12 inches square, and more details on extreme crochet/knitting from www.racheljohn.co.uk from whence the kit came from. Tricky at first, but it doesn’t half knit up quick!