Sunday, 31 December 2017

2017 review

As 2017 comes towards an end, I have been looking back over the year.

Some joys, some worries……

Some successes, some failures…...

Some happy times, some sad times……

Some celebrations, some heartbreaks……

Some small changes, some really life-changing changes……

Some new friends made, some special people no longer with us……


This year has certainly been a challenge. There have been more difficult times than usual. But throughout it all, and especially in those difficult times, my crafting has kept me together! In the rhythm of my knitting there has been solace for my soul.

And there is much to celebrate!  ~
 
·        Over 10 million views to my blog!

·        Over 8,000 members in my facebook group (all helping & supporting each other!)
      https://www.facebook.com/groups/made.by.marianna

·        Over 300 free patterns now shared https://www.ravelry.com/designers/marianna-mel

·        Friendship, and lovely messages of appreciation and support

 
Thought you might enjoy a review of my work this year ~
 
 
 


 
Thank you all for sharing my journey and supporting me with lovely comments and messages throughout the year !


 

Friday, 29 December 2017

Friday Night Mystery Knit ~ # 3

Friday Night Mystery Knit       #3
 

Requirements:

2 DK yarns in complementary colours or tones – one self-coloured & one short colour change (or self-patterning)

4mm needles (or 4.5mm if you are a tight knitter)

 

 

Top Tips:


·        It does not matter which yarn you start with

 
·        Do NOT cut off the yarn after using it – just carry it up the side of the knitting
 
·        There are 2 sizes – why not make one of each!
 
 
 
PLEASE DO NOT SHARE ANY PHOTOS OF YOUR FINISHED ITEM
until given permission to do so.
 This will allow the mystery to continue for others who may join in late depending where in the world they are based.
Please do not spoil the surprise!
 
 


 

Pattern:

 

Using yarn A, cast on 57sts

 

1st Row:         K1, * k1, p1, repeat from *to last 2sts, k2

 

2nd Row:        S1, * p1, k1, repeat from * to end


Change to yarn B (do not cut off yarn A)

 

3rd Row:        Knit to end

 

4th Row:        S1, * p1, k1, repeat from * to end

 

**    Change to yarn A

 

5th Row:        Knit to end

 

6th Row:        S1, * p1, k1, repeat from * to end  


Change to yarn B

 

7th Row:        Knit to end

 

8th Row:        S1, * p1, k1, repeat from * to end   **

 

Repeat from ** to ** seven times more

 

(You should now have worked 36rows, and the length of knitting should be around 4½“ – add 2 or 4 more rows if required )

 

Continue alternating the 2 yarns every 2 rows

Shape Top ~

Next Row:      K2, * k2tog, k2, repeat from * to last 3sts, k2tog, k1               (43sts)

Next Row:      S1, * p2tog to end                                                                (22sts)

Next Row:      K1, * k2tog to last st, k1                                                       (12sts)

 

Next Row:      S1, purl to last st, k1

 

Cut the yarn leaving a ‘tail’.

With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops and secure

Sew up side seam and darn away ends.
 
 
 
 
REMEMBER ~ NO PHOTOS TO BE ADDED YET !
 
 
Pattern:

 

Using yarn A, cast on 65sts

 

1st Row:         K1, * k1, p1, repeat from *to last 2sts, k2

 

2nd Row:        S1, * p1, k1, repeat from * to end


**    Change to yarn B  (do not cut off yarn A)

 

3rd Row:        Knit to end

 

4th Row:        S1, * p1, k1, repeat from * to end

 

Change to yarn A

 

5th Row:        Knit to end

 

6th Row:        S1, * p1, k1, repeat from * to end       **

 

Repeat from ** nine times more

 

(You should now have worked 42rows, and the length of knitting should be around 5¼“ – add 2 or 4 more rows if required)

 

Continue alternating the 2 yarns every 2 rows

 

Shape Top ~

Next Row:      K2, * k2tog, k2, repeat from * to last 3sts, k2tog, k1              

Next Row:      S1, * p2tog to end                                                     

Next Row:      K1, *k2tog to last st, k1                                             

Next Row:      S1, purl to last st, k1

 

Cut the yarn leaving a ‘tail’.

With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops and secure

Sew up side seam and darn away ends.
 

 
REMEMBER ~ NO PHOTOS TO BE ADDED YET !
 
 
I am happy for you to use my patterns for your own use or for charity donations.  
In addition:  You can gift or sell any finished items you make from my patterns.    
However, please do not copy my patterns
 
Copyright © 2017 ‘made by marianna’  All Rights Reserved
This pattern (the information and photos) may not be copied or reproduced
or republished on another webpage or website.
 
 

Saturday, 16 December 2017

Tunnock's Teacakes Christmas Puddings

No doubt my family will be expecting a wee Christmas Pudding from me next week.
Two years ago ~ I gave them all a little Ferrero Rocher mini Christmas pud.
Last year ~ another, with a chocolate orange inside! What to do this year?
 
Well my OH found the perfect solution!


 
 

 
Well..... I am Scottish after all!
 
 
 

 
Marianna’s Tunnock’s Teacake Mini Xmas Pudding
 
DK yarn
4mm needles

Using brown, cast on 33sts
1st Row:            S1, * k1, p1, repeat from * to last 2sts, k2
2nd Row:           S1, * p1, k1, repeat from * to end
Repeat the last 2 rows three times more
Change to white ~
Knit 4 rows
13th Row:          S1, knit to end
14th Row:          S1, purl to last st, k1
Repeat last 2 rows once more
17th Row:          *K2tog, repeat from * to last st, k1
18th Row:          *P2tog, repeat from * to last st, p1          (9sts)
Cut the yarn (leaving a ‘tail’ to use for sewing up), draw the end through all stitches, pull up tightly.
Sew up the seam.  Darn away ends.
 
Holly leaves – makes 2
Using green yarn cast on 1 stitch
Row 1:  Knit
Row 2:  Knit 3 times into the stitch                                  (3sts)
Row 3:  Knit front and back into the first stitch, k1, knit front and back into the last stitch    (5sts)
Row 4:  Cast off 1 stitch, k3                                           (4sts)
Row 5:  Cast off 1 stitch, k2                                           (3sts)
Row 6:  Knit front and back into the first stitch, k1, knit front and back into the last stitch   (5sts)
Row 7:  Cast off 1 stitch, k3                                           (4sts)
Row 8:  Cast off 1 stitch, k2                                           (3sts)
Row 9:  Slip 1 stitch, k2tog, pass slip stitch over               (1st)
Row 10:  Knit 3 times into the stitch                               (3sts)
Row 11: Knit front and back into the first stitch, k1, knit front and back into the last stitch                (5sts)
Row 12:  Cast off 1 stitch, k3                                         (4sts)
Row 13:  Cast off 1 stitch, k2                                         (3sts)
Row 14:  Knit front and back into the first stitch, k1, knit front and back into the last stitch               (5sts)
Row 15:  Cast off 1 stitch, k3                                          (4sts)
Row 16:  Cast off 1 stitch, k2                                          (3sts)
Row 17:  Slip 1 stitch, k2tog, pass slip stitch over            (1st)
Fasten off
 
Berry
Using red yarn cast on 3 stitches
Row 1:  Knit in the front and back of every stitch             (6sts)
Row 2:  Purl
Row 3:  K2tog three times                                              (3sts)
Cast off purlwise
Sew leaves and berry onto pudding
 
 
 
I am happy for you to use my patterns for your own use or for charity donations.  
In addition:  You can gift or sell any finished items you make from my patterns.    
However, please do not copy my patterns
 
Copyright © 2017 ‘made by marianna’  All Rights Reserved
This pattern (the information and photos) may not be copied or reproduced
or republished on another webpage or website.