Great, just found this thread! I’ve now started to knit the hand-spun undyed latest bag of wool into a cardie for my partner, and also working on crocheting some “surprises” for friends for Xmas. Oh, and several other bags of wool are waiting for me to get going on them (yes, my lounge looks like a wool shop . . . ;-o) xx
Hi
Have just found this thread. I started crochet again during chemo last year. So far I have made 6 baby blankets for friends at work who were all having babies.
I think it takes your mind of things and Ifeel this helps me relax and look forward to another day. This time last year I was wondering what was going to happen. Now I have no evidence of disease and getting on with life.
Looking forward to getting lots of handy hints and tips.
Love Anne xxx
Fab thread, well done Sarah. I really must get my knitting out again.
I will keep reading and hoping you will all motivate me to get crafty again.
Sue x
FANTASTIC! Thanks for the link to ravelry!!Can’t wait to get started but have to wait unti I come back from holiday- long awaited holiday - and I’m excited already!!! Leaving on Tuesday. Harry Potter World here I come!!!
Margaret x x x
Hi fellow yarners
I wish to report that I have nearly finished first sleeve. Randomly these are knitted first. Very proud of the snowflake pattern. Does anyone spot the looniness of knitted ultra warm garments in the middle of a heatwave…
X sarah
Morning Sarah, I’m a knitter too (and crochet etc). My granny and mum taught me all the crafts and I rarely get the chance these says. Feeling quite inspired by you all to rescue my various carrier bags of unfinished projects ! Can I just say how lovely it is to see a thread about something like this and that things are going well for you xxx
PS: I always knit on circular needles. I studied german and lived in germany for a while and that is what they do (and they knit a bit differently there and in Russia too - same stitches but done differently). I discovered I was much faster at knitting “in german” after they howled laughing at me with my kneedles stuck under my arms. Have knitted “their way” ever since - 25 years now - so will have to compare notes with you some time!! x
Hi mg! It’s nice and tasty isn’t it! I would love to see how you knit. I am off to the seaside next week so perhaps we could meet up week after that? I aim to finish my sleeve tonight. I must admit to catching a few zeds in the garden today. Bella, our tabby cat came and dozed on my chest and that sent me to the land of nod. I shall take my knitting with me next week. Now I have got the hang of circular needles it’s fine. I think the secret is to make sure you have the correct length.
X Sarah
Oh the joys of the iPad spellcheck! It was meant to read’ toasty’. I remember going to holland in the 80’s and being wowed by the way they mixed fibres, mohair and cottons, and feathers on a thread.
Hi ladies
As you know I’m not a knitter but I did smile today when I had an email about something completely different and it included a pattern to knit a cat. Yes, a cat. Do any of you want it? I’m sure I can copy it to you somehow.
Happy knitting 
Nicky x
Lol. Yes nikky a cat pattern would be great x
Hi Sarah, and other knitters. I couldn’t email a link as it was a download so I’ve just copied and pasted it below. Personally I think it’s all a coded message about something completely different but I’m assuming all of you will understand it! If you want to see a picture of him, or her, I can change my icon so you see what the finished product should look like? Just hope other regular posters don’t get worried about why I look like a knitted cat these days LOL. Nicky x
The Ginger Cat
The Ginger cat is one of the more complex cats. For an easier version you can reduce the number of stripes, or knit him in just ginger-coloured yarn.
Measurements
Length: 15cm (6in)
Height to top of head: 15cm (6in)
Materials
• Pair of 2 3⁄4mm (US 2) knitting needles
• 2 spare 2 3⁄4mm (US 2) knitting needles or small stitch holders or safety pins
• Pair of 2 3⁄4mm (US 2) double-pointed knitting needles
• Tiny amount of Rowan Pure Wool 4ply in Snow 412 (sn)
• 15g (1⁄2 oz) of Rowan Felted Tweed in Gilt 160 (gt)
• 10g (1⁄4 oz) of Rowan Kidsilk Haze in Ember 644 (em)
• NOTE: use gt and em yarns held together to make yarn A
• 15g (1⁄2 oz) of Rowan Pure Wool 4ply in Quarry Tile 457 (qt)
• 10g (1⁄4 oz) of Rowan Kidsilk Haze in Brick 649 (br)
• NOTE: use qt and br yarns held together to make yarn B
• Small amount of Rowan Cashsoft 4ply in Fennel 436 (fn) for eyes and collar
• Tiny amount of Rowan Pure Wool 4ply in Black 404 (bl) for pupils
• Cream sewing cotton for whiskers
• Two pipecleaners
• Bell for collar (optional)
Left Back Leg
With 2 3⁄4mm (US 2) needles and sn, cast on 9 sts. Beg with a k row, work 3 rows st st.
Cont in A and B.
Row 4: P5A, p4B.
Row 5: K3A, k3B, k3A.
Row 6: P2A, p1B, p6A.
Row 7: K4B, k3A, k2B.
Row 8: P3A, p3B, p3A.
Row 9: K4A, k4B, k1A.
Row 10: P4B, p5A.
Row 11: K1B, incB into next 2 sts, k3A, incA into next 2 sts, k1B. (13 sts) Row 12: P2B, p6A, p2B, p3A.
Row 13: K1A, incA into next 4 sts, k3B, incA into next 4 sts, k1A. (21 sts) Row 14: P8A, p3B, p7A, p3B.
Row 15: K7B, incA into next 2 sts, k3A, incA into next 2 sts, k7A. (25 sts) Row 16: P17A, p3B, p5A.
Row 17: K7A, k2B, incB into next 2 sts, k3A, incA into next 2 sts, k9A. (29 sts)**
Row 18: P14A, p3B, p12A.
Row 19: K15A, k3B, k11A.
Row 20: P22A, p7B.
Row 21: K3A, k6B, k20A.
Row 22: P18A, p5B, p6A.
Row 23: [K2togA] 3 times, k3A, k4B, k10A, [k2togA] 3 times. (23 sts) Row 24: P11A, p2B, p10A.
Row 25: [K2togB] twice, k2B, k13A, [k2togA] twice. (19 sts)
Row 26: P13A, p4B, p2A.
Row 27: [K2togA] twice, k4B, k7A, [k2togA] twice. (15 sts)
Row 28: [P2togA] twice, p4A, p3B, [p2togA] twice. (11 sts)

Row 29: [K2togA] twice, k3B, [k2togA] twice. (7 sts) Cast (bind) off.
Right Back Leg
Work as for Left Back Leg to **. Row 18: P12A, p3B, p14A. Row 19: K11A, k3B, k15A. Row 20: P7B, p22A.
Row 21: K20A, k6B, k3A.
Row 22: P6A, p5B, p18A.
Row 23: [K2togA] 3 times, k10A, k4B, k3A, [k2togA] 3 times. (23 sts) Row 24: P10A, p2B, p11A.
Row 25: [K2togA] twice, k13A, K2B, [k2togB] twice. (19 sts)
Row 26: P2A, p4B, p13A.
Row 27: [K2togA], k7A, k4B, [k2togA] twice. (15 sts)
Row 28: [P2togA] twice, p3B, p4A, [p2togA] twice. (11 sts)
Row 29: [K2togA] twice, k3B, [k2togA] twice. (7 sts)
Cast (bind) off.
Right Front Leg
With 2 3⁄4mm (US 2) needles and A, cast on 7 sts. Beg with k row, work 2 rows st st.
Row 3: Inc, k2tog, k1, k2tog, inc. (7 sts)
Join in B.
Row 4: P2A, p3B, p2A.
Row 5: IncA, k2togA, k1A, k2togB, incB. (7 sts)
Row 6: P2B, p5A.
Row 7: K7A.
Row 8: P2A, p5B.
Row 9: K3B, k4A.
Row 10: P5A, p2B.
Row 11: K7A.
Row 12: P4B, p3A.
Row 13: IncA, k1A, k4B, incB. (9 sts)
Row 14: P2B, p7A.
Row 15: K4A, k3B, k2A.
Row 16: P5A, p3B, p1A.
Row 17: IncB, k6B, k1A, incA. (11 sts)
Row 18: P7A, p4B.*
Row 19: Cast (bind) off 5 sts, k to end (hold 6 sts on a spare needle for Right Front Leg).
Left Front Leg
Work as for Right Front Leg to *.
Row 19: K6 sts, cast (bind) off 5 sts (hold 6 sts on a spare needle for Left Front Leg).
Right Side of Body
With 2 3⁄4mm (US 2) needles, cast on 2 sts B and 2 sts A.
Row 1: K2A, k2B.
Row 2: P2B, p2A.
Row 3: IncA, k1A, k2B. (5 sts)
Row 4: P2B, p3A.
Row 5: IncA, k1A, k2B, incB. (7 sts) Row 6: P3B, p4A.
Row 7: IncA, k4A, k2B. (8 sts)
Row 8: P1B, p2A, p3B, p2A.
Row 9: IncA, k7B. (9 sts)
Row 10: P3B, p2A, p3B, p1A.
Row 11: IncA, k1B, k5A, k2B. (10 sts)
Row 12: P1B, p9A.
Row 13: IncA, k2A, k7B. (11 sts)
Row 14: P8B, p3A.
Row 15: IncA, k3B, k3A, k4B. (12 sts)
Row 16: P3B, p6A, p2B, p1A, p6A sts from spare needle of Right Front Leg, cast on 2 sts A. (20 sts)
Row 17: K4A, k3B, k2A, k1B, k8A, k2B.
Row 18: P1B, p11A, p2B, p4A, p1B, p1A.
Row 19: IncA, k1A, k1B, k4A, k2B, k10A, k1B. (21 sts)
Row 20: P2B, p3A, p7B, p4A, p2B, p3A.
Row 21: IncA, k3A, k2B, k6A, k5B, k1A, k3B. (22 sts)
Row 22: P6B, p8A, p3B, p3A, p1B, p1A.
Row 23: K2A, k1B, k3A, k3B, k8A, k5B.
Row 24: P2togB, p2B, p2A, p10B, p2A, p2B, p2A. (21 sts)
Row 25: K2A, k3B, k2A, k10B, k2A, k2B.
Row 26: P2togB, p2A, p2B, p3A, p2B, p4A, p5B, p1A. (20 sts)
Row 27: K1A, k2B, k1A, k3B, k4A, k2B, k3A, k2B, k1A, k1B.
Row 28: P2togB, p1B, p3A, p2B, p4A, p3B, p1A, p2B, p2A. (19 sts) Row 29: K3A, k2B, k1A, k3B, k3A, k3B, k2A, k2B.
Row 30: P2togB, p1A, p3B, p4A, p2B, p2A, p1B, p4A. (18 sts)
Row 31: K2togA, k2A, k2B, k2A, k2B, k4A, k2B, k2togB. (16 sts)
Row 32: Cast (bind) off 3 sts B, 2 sts A, p9A icos, p2togA (hold these 10 sts on a spare needle for Neck).
Left Side of Body
With 2 3⁄4mm (US 2) needles, cast on 2 sts B and 2 sts A. Row 1: P2A, p2B.
Row 2: K2B, k2A.
Row 3: IncA, p1A, p2B. (5 sts)
Row 4: K2B, k3A.
Row 5: IncA, p1A, p2B, incB. (7 sts)
Row 6: K3B, k4A.
Row 7: IncA, p4A, p2B. (8 sts)
Row 8: K1B, k2A, k3B, k2A.
Row 9: IncA, p7B. (9 sts)
Row 10: K3B, k2A, k3B, k1A.
Row 11: IncA, p1B, p5A, p2B. (10 sts)
Row 12: K1B, k9A.
Row 13: IncA, p2A, p7B. (11 sts)
Row 14: K8B, k3A.
Row 15: IncA, p3B, p3A, p4B. (12 sts)
Row 16: K3B, k6A, k2B, k1A, k6A sts from spare needle of Left Front Leg, cast on 2 sts A. (20 sts)
Row 17: P4A, p3B, p2A, p1B, p8A, p2B.
Row 18: K1B, k11A, k2B, k4A, k1B, k1A.
Row 19: IncA, p1A, p1B, p4A, p2B, p10A, p1B. (21 sts)
Row 20: K2B, k3A, k7B, k4A, k2B, k3A.
Row 21: IncA, p3A, p2B, p6A, p5B, p1A, p3B. (22 sts)
Row 22: K6B, k8A, k3B, k3A, k1B, k1A.
Row 23: P2A, p1B, p3A, p3B, p8A, p5B.
Row 24: K2togB, k2B, k2A, k10B, k2A, k2B, k2A. (21 sts)
Row 25: P2A, p3B, p2A, p10B, p2A, p2B.
Row 26: K2togB, k2A, k2B, k3A, k2B, k4A, k5B, k1A. (20 sts)
Row 27: P1A, p2B, p1A, p3B, p4A, p2B, p3A, p2B, p1A, p1B.
Row 28: K2togB, k1B, k3A, k2B, k4A, k3B, k1A, k2B, k2A. (19 sts)
Row 29: P3A, p2B, p1A, p3B, p3A, p3B, p2A, p2B.
Row 30: K2togB, k1A, k3B, k4A, k2B, k2A, k1B, k4A. (18 sts)
Row 31: P2togA, p2A, p2B, p2A, p2B, p4A, p2B, p2togB. (16 sts)
Row 32: Cast (bind) off 3 sts B, 2 sts A, k9A icos, k2togA (hold these 10 sts on a spare needle for Neck).
Neck and Head
Row 1: With 2 3⁄4mm (US 2) needles and RS facing, k4A, k2togB, k1B,
k3A from spare needle of Right Side of Body then k3A, k1B, k2togB, k4A
from spare needle of Left Side of Body. (18 sts)
Row 2: P2A, p1B, p2togA, p2B, p4A, p2B, p2togA, p1B, p2A. (16 sts)
Row 3: K2A, k1B, k1A, k2togB, k1B, k2A, k1B, k2togB, k1A, k1B, k2A. (14 sts) Row 4: P3A, p1B, incA, p1B, p2A, p1B, incA, p1B, p3A. (16 sts)
Row 5: K3A, k1B, k2A, k1B, k2A, k1B, k2A, k1B, k1A, wrap and turn. Row 6: P1A, p1B, p2A, p1B, p2A, p1B, p2A, p1B, p1A, w&t.
Row 7: K1A, k1B, k2A, k1B, k2A, k1B, k2A, k1B, k1A, w&t.
Row 8: P1B, p2A, p1B, p4A, p1B, p2A, p1B, w&t.
Row 9: K1B, k2A, k1B, k4A, k1B, k2A, k1B, w&t.
Row 10: P1B, p2A, p1B, p4A, p1B, p2A, p1B, w&t.
Row 11: K1B, k1A, k1B, k2A, k2B, k2A, k1B, k1A, k1B, k2A. (16 sts on right-hand needle)
Row 12: P1A, p1B, p2A, p1B, p2A, p2B, p2A, p1B, p2A, p1B, p1A.
Row 13: K1A, k1B, k2A, k1B, k2A, k2B, k2A, k1B, k1A, wrap and turn. Row 14: P1A, p1B, p2A, p2B, p2A, p1B, p1A, w&t.
Row 15: K1B, k2A, k1B, k2A, k1B, k2A, k1B, w&t.
Row 16: P1B, p2A, p1B, p2A, p1B, p2A, p1B, w&t.
Rep last 2 rows once more.
Row 19: K1A, k1B, k1A, k1B, k2A, k1B, k1A, k1B, k2A, k1B, k1A. (16 sts on right-hand needle)
Row 20: P1A, p1B, [p2togA] twice, p1B, p2A, p1B, [p2togA] twice, p1B, p1A. (12 sts)
Row 21: K3A, k2togB, k2A, k2togB, k3A. (10 sts)
Cont in A.
Row 22: P2, p2tog, p2, p2tog, p2. (8 sts)
Row 23: [K2tog] 4 times. (4 sts)
Cast (bind) off.
Tummy
With 2 3⁄4mm (US 2) needles and A, cast on 5 sts. Beg with a k row, work 6 rows st st.
Row 7: Inc, k3, inc. (7 sts)
Work 17 rows st st.
Row 25: K2tog, k3, k2tog. (5 sts) Work 33 rows st st.
Row 59: K2tog, k1, k2tog. (3 sts) Work 4 rows st st.
Row 64: P3tog and fasten off.
Ear
(make 2 the same)
With 2 3⁄4mm (US 2) needles and A, cast on 6 sts. Beg with a k row, work 2 rows st st.
Row 3: K2tog, k2, k2tog. (4 sts)
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: [K2tog] twice. (2 sts)
Row 6: P2tog and fasten off.
Tail
With 2 3⁄4mm (US 2) double-pointed needles and B, cast on 6 sts. Work in i-cord as folls:
Knit 4 rows.
Join in A.
Row 5: K1A, k4B, k1A. Row 6: K2A, k2B, k2A. Row 7: K6A.
Row 8: K2A, k2B, k2A. Row 9: K1A, k4B, k1A. Knit 2 rows in B.
Rep rows 5–11, 3 times more. Cont in A.
Row 33: K2tog, k2, k2tog. (4 sts) Knit 2 rows.
Row 36: [K2tog] twice. (2 sts) Row 37: K2tog and fasten off.
Collar
With 2 3⁄4mm (US 2) needles and fn, cast on 26 sts. Knit 1 row.
Cast (bind) off.
To Make Up
Sew in ends, leaving ends from cast (bound) off rows for sewing up. Using mattress or whip stitch, sew up legs starting at paw. Cut a pipe cleaner to fit length of back leg, fold over the ends (so they don’t poke out of the paws) and slip into leg. Lightly stuff and sew along top of back legs, bend into shape as shown in photograph. Using mattress or whip stitch, sew along back of cat. At head, fold in half and sew cast (bound) off edges of nose together. Using mattress or whip stitch, sew cast on row of tummy to bottom end of cat and sew final row to nose. Ease and sew tummy to fit body. Leave a 2.5cm (1in) gap in one side.
Roll a pipecleaner in a small amount of stuffing and bend into a U shape. Fold over the ends (so they don’t poke out of the paws) and slip into body down front legs. Stuff, and sew up gap with mattress stitch. Using whip stitch, attach back legs to body, sew along top of leg and down back edge as shown in photograph. To hold the legs in place, at about 1cm (1⁄2in) down from top of leg, sew the inside of the leg to the body. Mould into shape.
Attach the tail as in photograph. Sew ears to head, leaving about 3 sts between the two ears. For the eyes, use fn yarn to make elongated French knots. Work each knot over 2 sts at a slight angle and wrap the yarn around the needle five times. With bl yarn, make a stitch over the centre
of the French knot. For whiskers, cut 8cm (3in) strands of cotton and thread through cheeks, then trim.
Slip optional bell onto collar, sew ends together and slide over head onto neck.
Abbreviations
alt alternate
approx approximately
beg begin(ning)
cm centimetre
cont continue
dec decrease
foll follow(s)(ing)
g grams
icos including cast (bound) off stitch (after casting (binding) off
the stated number of stitches, one stitch remains on the right-hand
needle. This stitch is included in the number of stitches in the
following group.)
in inches
inc increase (work into front and back of next stitch to increase by one stitch) k knit
k2(3)tog knit two (three) stitches together
oz ounces
p purl
p2(3)tog purl two (three) stitches together
rem remain(ing)
rep repeat
RS right side
st stitch
st st stocking (stockinette) stitch
w&t wrap and turn (see Wrap Method below)
WS wrong side
work instructions within square brackets as directed
* work instructions after/between asterisk(s) as directed
Fair Isle Technique
If there are no more than four stitches between colours you can use the Fair Isle technique. Begin knitting with the first colour, then drop this when you introduce the second colour. When you come to the first colour again, take it under the second colour to twist the yarns. When you come to the second colour again, take it over the first colour. The secret is not to pull the strands on the wrong side of the work too tightly or the work will pucker.
I-cord
With double-pointed needles *knit a row. Slide the stitches to the other end of the needle. Do not turn the knitting. Rep from *, pulling the yarn tight on the first st so that the knitting forms a tube.
Wrap Method (w&t)
Knit the number of stitches in the first short row. Slip next stitch purlwise from the left-hand to the right-hand needle. Bring the yarn forward then slip the stitch back onto the left-hand needle. Return the yarn to the back, this prevents a hole forming. With this method you only work on the stated number of sts, leaving some sts unworked at both ends. On a purl row use the same method, bringing the yarn back then forward.
Blimey. Thanks very much
I’d quite like to knit Nicky08’s avatar! 
xx
Nicky if you read it backwards it is a coded message so thank you for letting us know all about the magical properties of the digestive biscuit. I’ve been worried about your avatar kitty for a while. Has he grown much? Hope he’s kind to your soft furnishings.
Lol. I think I am going to have a go at that cat, after the celebrated Sarah Lund sweater of course… Many thanks to nikky for going to the effort of posting the pattern.
X Sarah
Love this thread as I have just started knitting and crocheting again after many years.
Just completed a jumper and hat for hubby and now doing bits for grandson and great grandaughter both due in January and niece’s baby due in Mar/Apr.
Keeps the brain occupied lol.
BW
Jean xx
Ah yes, my ‘baby boy’ I had the privilege to meet him (and his brother and sister) last year at a conservation park in South Africa and didn’t quite get to smuggle him home with me - much as I tried. I think he would have got a bit too big by now to sit on the sofa and the claw marks would have been dreadful I think, in all due respect Marilyn, he would be a bit difficult to knit LOL.
Talking of soft furnishings though you may like to know that in next week’s Sat and Sun Telegraph there are 2 free books of Cath Kitson ‘things’ to sew - now, aren’t I good to you
Nicky xx
Are you sure you’re not a secret crafter? I shall certainly keep an eye out for that.
X sarah
Update on Sarah Lund sweater, I have completed both sleeves and am now starting on the body. A bit dodgy as you have to make sure that you don’t twist the work
X Sarah