Anna's Creative Corner

I’ve always wondered about the differences between continental / German knitting (left-handed) and English knitting (right-handed). I was taught continental / German knitting (being German that obviously makes a lot of sense). It was only when I came to England in 1996 I noticed that there are other ways of knitting, including what seemed to me a rather more complicated way of knitting, which involved rather a lot of moving around.

Naively, I always believed that my way of knitting (German / continental) was quicker and much more time efficient. So, imagine my surprise when I found out that apparently it is, Wikipedia states: “Continental knitting is preferred by professional hand knitters, as it is the more efficient method, requiring the shortest number of specific hand-motions per stitch.” Over on Ackwood’s YouTube channel is a great video demonstrating the continental technique.

English knitting on the other hand, according to Wikipedia is sometimes referred to as picking as “the yarn is held in the left hand and the motion of bringing the yarn forward with a needle held in the other hand” seems like picking it through. And over on LindsayLew’s YouTube channel a good example of British knitting.

I can’t say that I’ve ever tried using anything else than my German knitting technique, especially as it is so easy to learn. Just check out how easy it is in on TECHknitting. Now it would be interesting to hear what your thoughts are about the different kinds of knitting. Which one do you favour?

I’ve said to myself that I’m going to try and post more regularly. This might even involve writing about knitting in general, or sewing for that matter. I’ve been thinking about a couple of different things that I want to write about, particularly the difference between continental and British knitting. So look out for my post on that. In the meantime, here are some booties that I finished quite a while ago.

I made them so long ago I can’t even really remember anymore who they were for, but I am quite pleased with the colour combination and it works so well. For a little boy or girl.

 It’s also great how the ribbed part shows the green in the knit stitch really nicely.

And remember I’ve written up the pattern, which you can find here. If you try them out I would love to see some pictures.

I’m so pleased that I can share a picture of my friends little girl (Nina) wearing one of the hats I’ve made. I wrote about it here: http://annagueldenhaupt.wordpress.com/2009/05/25/bonnie-bonnet/. And now look at this gorgeous little girl:

When I was making the hat I was really worried that it would be too small, but she’s nearly ten months old (I think I remember that right) and it still fits perfectly.

And that’s a good thing too, especially for this time of year, when it’s getting bitterly cold.

I’ve been meaning to put these fingerless gloves on here for about a year. I made them for a colleagues mother last year, can you believe it? Last year? He did tell me that his mother had put them on the other day, as it’s getting colder. Yes, it definitely is. Even I, who am always really warm, am now getting cold. Especially when I’m outside. Anyway, here they are. I used a pattern from Garnstudio and it was such a pleasure to knit, really easy and quick.

I remember when I started making them I took them apart a few times as I thought they weren’t going to be big enough. That probably has something to do with the fact that my colleague didn’t tell me that they were for his mother and not for him. Oh well, I got there in the end.

FO: Fingerless Gloves in White
Yarn: Karisma Superwash, White
Needles: Double pointed needles, size 3
Pattern: Drops Number 98-8
Description: Easy to knit pattern that could be finished in half a day.

I completed this blanket a few weeks ago for my bosses nephew. I actually really like the material, it’s Silke Alpaca from Scandinavian Knitting Design, and while it was quite thick , it was incredibly soft.

Compared to my other baby blankets that I make this was easier and quicker to knit, as it was knitted in four separate parts. Also, the fact that it was so soft made it a real pleasure to work with. The colours were well chosen, especially as it was for a little boy.

I’ve got quite a few more things to add on here, but keep forgetting to do so during the week. At the same time I also have a whole lot more things to finish, especially some more blankets. So, look out for them here.

A little while ago I asked my mum to have a look at Garnstudio to pick out a design that she wanted me to knit for her. She picked this lovely linen tunic, for which I used exactly the yarn that is mentioned in the pattern: Drops Lin. It was really easy to knit, but at first I was a little worried that it was a little rough around the edges. As the skirt was knitted with quite large needles it meant that the stitches were quite lose. This is not something I’m used to as I always knit quite tightly, but it seemed to work well.
    
Following the skirt I knitted some pleats for the first time ever. This was quite well explained in the Drops Design pattern, but I also found my Ultimate Knitting Bible that I recently bought (thanks to my friend Dom) extremely helpful. It explains very nicely how to do pretty much anything in knitting, how amazing is that?

I made the smallest size of the dress as my mum is quite petite, and at first I was a little worried that it might be too small and that it wouldn’t fit her. But I didn’t have worried, it fits her perfectly and looks nicely elegant.

’m loving the fact that I’m starting to try out more and more new patterns as it is a perfect way to enhance my skills. I’ve still got a huge list of other things to finish, including a number of baby blankets (which take very long, compared to small baby clotes), some baby booties (nice and quick), a cardigan for myself (a new pattern) and a baby dress for a friend.

I finished the dress off with a nice crochet border and of course my trusted label.

I know it’s been a little while since I last posted and I really have been busy. I’ve been making more blankets (most are still in progress), finished the dress for my mum (she absolutely loved it, pictures to come later).

And hurrah, I’ve also finally finished writing up my booties pattern, please find it here: Anna’s Booties. I’m offering this for free, all I ask is that you send me pictures of your finished booties so that I may add them to my blog. Also, do get in touch if you have any questions at all! Happy knitting!

There are a couple of things I make that are well received, these include the blankets and the bonnet and booties. So, here’s another booties and bonnet combo.

I made this for my friend and colleague Simon, he’s found out that good friends of his are having their first baby, and it’s a boy. Hence the choice of blue and white, I think it looks quite classy.

And I keep remembering that I’ve been meaning to write up the booties pattern, but still haven’t managed to do so. It will come I promise!

I used some of my leftover wool from my stash that I’ve slowly been using up. As far as I remember it’s pure wool, so it’ll keep baby warm and cosy, especially as he’s going to make his appearance during winter. It’ll be nice to hear what mum amd dad-to-be will think.

I’ve been meaning to write about the amazing experience I’ve had every single time I order my yarn from Scandinavian Knitting Design. Bruce Bailey, the owner over there provides the best customer service experience I have ever encountered. I order my yarn from Bruce quite regularly and have on occasion ordered two different lots in one day, Bruce then contacted me to advise me he was going to send them in one parcel so I wouldn’t have to pay for postage twice.

Or a couple of weeks ago paid the courier charge to make sure I’d get the parcel the next day (I didn’t realise that this wasn’t what the courier charge was intended for). Bruce gave me a call and corrected me and advised me that he’d send it next day delivery and refund me the difference, which promptly arrived.

So, it’s not only the amazing choice of yarn and accessories at Scandinavian Knitting Design, but it’s the owner Bruce who makes shopping there a most enjoyable experience.

I just finished knitting a dress for my niece Clara. It’s from a pattern over at Garnstudio. It was really nice and easy to knit. It’s meant to be knitted with Merino wool, but I decided to use a nice red cotton, as little Clara apparently always gets really hot in wool. Maybe this will be better for her.

I like the fact that it was so easy to knit and even the borders were really easy. I’ve not crochet in a while, so had to look up some of the terms up, but managed to do it. Also, this is the first time that I’ve knitted in moss stitch, which has worked out really well. I really like the fact that I’m trying new things, now I just have to try out knitting cables.

I found it a little hard to photograph as the colour didn’t come out very well, but I think putting it on a yellow background seems to have worked.

The cotton was really nice to knit, it also meant that I my fingers wouldn’t get too hot whilst knitting.