Did you spot a glimpse of Angies hat in the “say no to alcohol” advert? We loved it – couldn’t wait to design a pattern.

Here’s our version using eyelash yarn (similar to Patons Ostrich) and Spotlight Moda vera “jessica” (or you could substitute Moda Vera “Jazz” and Moda Vera “trinity”  .

our pattern is in download pdf format – you can read more about it and see a more detailed photo at hat knitting patterns in the meantime…happy knitting…..

Hi knitters, yes we’ve been missing for a while, heads down, butts up, designing, testing and writing our 2008 winter collection. Seems only yesterday we were developing our summer range and now its nearly winter.

We lit our first fire last night….brrrrrr.

So what have we been up to?

We’re still rather fond of funky fur, fun scarves, great hat detail, and funny little bags…you’ll see the patterns on our site soon.

If you like fair isle you’ll love our new 2008 range of hats and bags – knitted and felted. We love fair isle.
Love the colour combinations, love watching a concept turn into a beautiful finished item……and love the speed achieved once we mastered two handed knitting. Here’s a hint. When you’re learning to knit with both hands, make a fair isle felted item first….the felting process will tighten and disguise any sloppy stitches….then move on to non-felted items…you’ll have developed the ability to hold your tension even with both hands by then.

What else? You’ll find an increasing range of hats and beanies in the latest colours and combinations. We’ve designed patterns for 2 needle and 4 needle knitters.

Here’s a hat pattern we loaded today…..

It’s a lovely cosy, neat fitting hat. Panda Woolbale has a superb range of vibrant colours, perfect for perking up a winters day.

We chose Tangerine for our example but it would look equally eye-catching in hot pink. Of course if your taste is more subdued you’ll probably prefer pale blue or beige tones.

I personally wouldn’t knit this hat in darker colours – you won’t be able to see the stitch definition which is a feature of this hat pattern as you can see below…

If you don’t have access to this yarn, or you want a wool you can machine wash in hot water, by all means substitute any 8ply wool or acrylic you prefer.

You’ll find the pattern on our hat pattern page at
www.houghtonavenue.com knitting patterns

We’ll be back again soon with more patterns and hints and tips, in the meantime …
happy knitting….

Australian knitters, today’s blog is all about touching base and finding out whether you enjoyed your Easter holidays.  Ours was lovely and quiet, a few eggs, good company and some thoughts about the real reason for the Easter celebrations.  Whatever your personal beliefs we hope you also enjoyed a happy peaceful few days.

On the knitting front – what have you been up to?  We’ve been refining new sock patterns for the winter months, designing fair isle items using traditional methods and colours and testing new yarns.

Has anyone tried Spotlight’s Moda Vera “marshmellow” yet.  It’s a very interesting soft bumpy yarn.  We’ll have a pattern on site shortly – just adding the finishing touches to it.   Lincraft have a similar yarn “Snowball”.  Take a look next time you’re in either store, they aren’t expensive and knit up very quickly.

 For bulky (14ply approx) knitters we’ve added a new pattern using Moda Vera “Spell”, one of our favourite self patterning bulky yarns.  Use this link to go directly to the knitting pattern hat or beanie page for a photograph and more details.

Happy knitting everyone……..

Australians knitting alpaca gloves in February may seem a little strange – but I’ve just been reminded we’re now into Autumn and the weather has been so topsy-turvy lately who knows when we’ll get a cold snap.

Have you tried Lincraft “Lima” yet? It’s a lovely soft and cuddly alpaca/acrylic/polyamide blend.  I promise once you try it you’ll find a load of “projects” to use this lovely yarn for….and if you make a pair of these gloves on you won’t want to take them off….

You can see from the photo below these gloves are the perfect compliment to a business outfit.  Although they are warm and comfortable they are also elegant and stylish. 

You’ll find the pattern fits an average width ladies hand and we’ve included within the pattern clear instructions to adjust the finger and wrist lengths – you’ll get a perfect fit everytime.

Knitted on 2 needles and requiring only 2 x 50g balls of yarn you’ll probably want several pairs….

Here’s where you’ll find more about our alpaca knitting patterns for these gloves… and whether you use our pattern or one of your own – do pop into your nearest Lincraft store and look and feel their “Lima” alpaca blend yarn…it’s an absolute delight…..as usual…happy knitting till next time….

Australian knitters – hi again.

I noticed Moda Vera “Spell” included in Spotlight stores current catalogue.   We’re so fond of the look and feel of this yarn we’ve designed several patterns for it.

One of them is our  rasta hat pattern.  It’s a lovely easy pattern (2 needle knitting) for a Rastafarian style hat – perfect for long hair.

Moda Vera “Spell” is available in quite a range of colours and designs – for the long hair hat mentioned above we used a self patterning colour suited to women – but Spell also comes in some really vibrant colours – perfect for Bob Marley type guys.

The yarn is selling at the moment for A$5.59 per 100g ball to VIP members.   If you decide to make our hat you’ll only need 1 x 100g ball…pretty economic.

Happy knitting till next time…………..

I guess what’s on your needles depends where in Australia you live doesn’t it? If you’re around Rocky you may well be knitting boot-toppers to stop your wellies chaffing your legs. If you’re in Brisbane you’re probably knitting something in cotton – a summer scarf or a bikini wrap. Whereas Victorians are probably knitting one of everything – just in case…..

Here’s what’s on my needles at present…..

one of the new knit-to-felt bags from our 2008 winter range.

We’ve also responded to requests for elegant ladies business gloves – our patten is worked using Lincraft “lima”. Lima is an alpaca blend, incredibly soft and warm but still durable enough for gloves, once you put them on you won’t want to take them off again – ugg boots for your hands. …

Well that’s what’s been on our needles the past couple of weeks…..what’s on yours?….

Hi Australian knitters – are you a knit or knit-to-felt bag maker?

If so, do you knit or purchase your handles?

We do both. At times a knitted strap or felted i-cord is the perfect finishing touch.

On other occasions – there seems to be something – not quite right….a quick check shows us the perfect shoulder strap should be of fabric or leather. Then again, something shorter may be required – perhaps a hand held acrylic handle.

It took me quite some time to find an Australian based online retailer of straps and handles knitted purses or felted bags – at reasonable prices.

www.tallpoppycraft.com are Australian based catering to both Australian and US purse and bag makers.

While many of their items are suited to sewn purses they do have a range of acrylic handles and braided handles and straps – suited to knitted or felted bags.

I’ve personally purchased from Tallpoppycraft and was pleased with both their service and delivery. Speaking of delivery they do appear to have a base postage, shipping and handling charge of approx A$8.91, but that amount covers several items – so plan ahead…

If you’re a purse knitter it’s worth your while investigating their site for yourself. And if you have used other Australian based purse or handle suppliers, and are happy to recommend their services…please share ….

Happy knitting………

Are you an Australian knitter living or working flexi hours near Albert Park, Victoria?

Feeling social and would like some knitting company? Tried social knitting yet?

Wool Baa run a free Knitting Club – Every Thursday 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Phone them for further details between 10.00am to 5.00pm 7 days a week.
You’ll find their published contact details below :

Wool Baa
124 Bridport St
Albert Park
Victoria 3206

Telephone:
03 9690 6633
 

Moda Vera yarn is on sale at Spotlight stores from Weds 6th Feb to 17th Feb (just in case you didn’t catch yesterday’s blog).

The sale offers 20% off usual prices for members.

If you aren’t already a VIP member (it’s free) sign up in the store and receive your temporary card and number before you select and take your yarn to the checkout.

the yarn bargains

Moda Vera “Harmony” is one of the yarns in the sale with a VIP price of $2.39 per 50g ball.
This is gorgeous 50% wool 50% acrylic blend with very little twist and is cool machine washable.

We’ve tested, and created two patterns for this specific yarn.  You’ll find them on our website.

The first is a beginners purse using basic knitting stitches and includes all the instructions to optionally line, and foam stiffen the purse. 

You only need two balls of yarn making it the cost effective and the perfect project and yarn for beginner knitted purse making.  The pattern is at harmony purse (opens in a new window).

The second pattern we designed suits an experienced knitter who enjoys using dpns and circular needles. This medium sized circular drawstring bag is unlined – you can stuff heaps into it and it just springs back later.  (link opens in a new window)

Featuring a genuine circular flat bottom, with a removable base insert, the bag simply packs flat and sits on a shelf when not in use. 

If you’re a quick experienced knitter this bag should only take 2 or 3 evenings to complete, and uses only 3 balls of yarn.  If you follow our pattern directions the insert will cost you $1. 

For instant download – in standard pdf format – you can purchase one or both the above patterns securely using either your credit card or Paypal account in A$ and of course our free knitting help comes with the pattern.

Whether you purchase one of our patterns or have something else in mind for this yarn we hope you can get along to the sale and purchase some of this Harmony yarn.  It really is a delight to knit with.

Happy knitting……….

Flurry yarn sale at Spotlight stores. Did you notice Spotlight stores are selling off Moda Vera “flurry” at 79c per 50 g ball, this is a very good price.

Here’s a photo of the type of yarn we’re discussing (the actual yarn in the photo is Sullivans Sun and Surf but it’s a good representation of the type of yarn we’re discussing here).

If you like to crochet as well as knit, pop in to your local store and pick up a free crochet poncho pattern for this yarn, you’ll need 11 balls and a size 6mm crochet hook.

Happy knitting……