new pattern release

I have just completed my mini doll knitting pattern. She is only 6 inches tall and comes with three outfits, which can be changed.

casual wear

evening wear

dancewear

If you want a closer look or find out more, please visit my etsy / folksy shop.
Bye Ali.

peace camp

I spent the weekend up in Coleraine. We went to see the Peace camp at Whitepark Bay on Saturday night. The Peace camp was inspired by the United Nations Olympic Truce. It was an installation by Deborah Warner and Fiona Shaw. I thought it was great - I've never been to a beach at two in the morning before. Wandering through the tents the music from the tents and the sound of the waves was a great experience.
Here's some photos to share the night with you

My son was a very reluctant model for this photo but he managed to stand still for two seconds while I took the photo.

This photo was taken the next day. Its White Park bay from Port Bradden ...you can just about see the dots of the white tents on the beach.



Bye, ali

titanic pall

titanic pall
I have lived in Belfast all of my life and have only been to St. Anne's Cathedral once. Today, I went especially to see the embroidered Titanic funeral pall. It is truly beautiful. The background is merino felt which has been indigo dyed and represents the deep  midnight ocean.

The large central cross is made up of small embroidered crosses and there are more crosses towards the edge. It is bound with velvet.

On close examination you can see abstract gold crosses, Star of Davids and crescents. There are 1,517 of these which represent the number of people who lost their lives in the disaster.

It was made by Helen O'Hare and Wilma Kirpatrick, from the University of Ulster. Despite its function I didn't find it morbid, but a beautiful piece of art.

The cathedral itself has amazing stained glass windows, the new spire and mosaics. This one depicts earth, water and fire.

I lit a candle on the way out and must confess to saying a wee prayer even though I'm not particularly religious.

Bye for now, Ali

new freebie pattern

I bought a few of these egg cups with feet a while ago and have been meaning to knit wee jumpers for them. Just got round to it last week - so at least thats one thing ticked off the to do list!. The wee jumper is knitted with dpns with minimum sewing required. Hope someone can make use of it....see below.
Bye, Ali.

YOKE SWEATER EGG COSY

THIS PATTERN IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. DO NOT REPRODUCE PATTERN. DO NOT SELL ITEMS KNITTED FROM THIS PATTERN FOR PROFIT ONLY FOR PERSONAL OR CHARITABLE USE

Abbreviations
rd(s) : round(s)
k : knit
p : purl
M : make
st(s) : stitch(es)
rpt : repeat
tog : together

Materials
small amounts of dk (US 8ply) yarn - suggested yarn Rico baby classic dk
4 dpns size 3.25mm (US 3)

SLEEVES (make 2)
Cast on 10 sts in blue, join in the rd (4,4,2) and place st marker.
Rd 1 : (k1, p1) rpt to end of rd.
Rd 2 : (k1, p1) rpt to end of rd. Change to pink yarn.
Rd 3 : k.
Rd 4 : k.
Rd 5 : k.
Rd 6 : k1, M1, k to end of rd (11 sts).
Continue with k increasing every 4th rd until 13 sts.
Continue with k until work measures 5cms (2ins) from beginning of work.
Place sts onto a spare contrasting piece of coloured yarn.
Break off sleeve yarn leaving a long tail for sewing up.

BODY
Cast on 38 sts in blue, join in the rd (12, 14, 12) and place st marker.
Rd 1 : (k1, p1) rpt to end of rd.
Rd 2 : (k1, p1) rpt to end of rd. Change to pink yarn.
Rd 3 : k. Continue with k until work measures 5cms (2ins) from beginning of work.

JOIN BODY AND SLEEVES
k1 of body, place the next 3 body sts onto a piece of spare yarn
Place first sleeve in the position it should be in relation to the body keeping the increases pointing in towards the jumper body.
Place 10 sleeve sts onto the left hand needle (start with the last st of the sleeve rd and move anticlockwise) leaving 3 sleeve sts on the yarn these 3 sts should align with the 3 sts of the body on the yarn, this will be the underarm.
k 10 sleeve sts.
k 16 body sts, place the next 3 body sts onto a piece of spare yarn.
Place 10 sts of the second sleeve onto the left hand needle leaving 3 sleeve sts on the yarn these 3 sts should align with the 3 sts of the body on the yarn as before.
k 10 sleeve sts.
k 15 body sts (52 sts).

YOKE
Change to blue.
Next rd : k.
Change to pink.
Next rd : k.
Next rd : (k2tog) rpt to end of rd (26 sts).
Next rd : k.
Next rd : k.
Next rd : (k2tog) rpt to end of rd (13 sts).
Next rd : k.
Next rd : k.
Next rd : (k2tog), k3, (k2tog), k2, (k2tog), k2 (10 sts).
Change to blue.
Next rd : k.
Next rd : (k1, p1) rpt to end of rd.
Cast off in rib.

To Assemble
- Using the yarn tails in the underarms sew any gaps and weave back and forward the 3 sts of the sleeve and the 3 sts of the body.
- Weave loose yarns away.

copyright Alison Hogg 2012