pragueloop

Fresh stuff

2011-11-20T20:43:00.003+01:00

had a very little time to knit a crochet during the last few months, but made a few things as gifts nevertheless. Two cowls (instant knitting gratification!) and one triangle scarf / shawlette. It is getting colder and colder over here.

Ribby Crochet Scarf - free pattern

2011-08-28T21:37:00.014+02:00

I got asked about this scarf I made last year. It is a super simple project.

Needed to create a page with "pattern" to direst people to, so here it is.

Attributes: Worked lengthwise, crocheted.

Gauge: Not important at all

Yarn requirements: Any yarn you like. This sample was made in Zitron Filigran Lace (a very thin merino yarn) and 1.75 mm crochet hook and used over 500 yards.

(Another is in sock yarn and 3.25 mm crochet hook, about 400 yards). Choose a yarn you like and a hook that will produce fabric that is not too tigt, so the scarf stays squishy.

Directions:

Decide how long a scarf is good for you.

Chain an amount of st that is the length you want (usually can be between 140 and 400 st, but if you use super bulky yanr, it might be less). This scarf was made with 350 st.

You will be working back and forth in rows.

Setup row: HDC (half double crochet) in each st.

Row 1: HDC into back loop of every HDC of previous row

(Explanation for the beginner: unlike single or double crochet, the HDC stitches appear to have an extra loop at the top. You will be using this to your advantage - in a few rows, you will realize that the two loops you have not been using form a "chain" along the length of the scarf.

It is very easy, just use the loop that is at the back of the stitch.

There is also a video tutorial on youtube by a kind soul for crocheting through the back loop, but it shows crocheting in the round which might be confusing, anyway, you can look here)

Repeat row 1 till the scarf is as wide as you want or you run out of yarn.

You might want to work one round of single crochet around the whole thing, so the edge looks neat, but it is not necessary.

Weave in ends.

Blocking is optional.

Enjoy your new scarf or give it to someone!

You are free to use this pattern for anything you like, also for teaching others how to crochet, etc. Of course you can make it much wider and have an afghan, etc., etc.

Ravelry pattern page is here.

seeing a cat

2011-03-04T02:03:00.002+01:00

i have stumbled upon a blog via a friend on facebook - it is a nice knitting page at http://purlpuri.blogspot.com/, to my surprise, i saw this jumper with cats. it made me smile because it reminded me of mini-me in a sweater made by my mom, circa 1978:-)

knitting socks for pleasure

2011-03-01T12:06:00.002+01:00

knitting socks for pleasure
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

thin merino wool, bright orange colour, 2.5 mm needles and not that much time.

the lovely stitch pattern is called Twined Rib and if you are on Ravelry, you can get it for free here.

white teddy for a former colleague

2011-02-25T00:47:00.001+01:00

white odd teddy for a former colleague
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

crocheted, stuffed, with an odd expression. hope she likes it.

My socks design in the Knitcircus mag

2011-01-31T10:56:00.002+01:00

Very exciting news here - the Spring issue of the Knircircus magazine contains my socks design. The magazine with this and many other patterns goes live this Wednesday, so I will be posting more info and links soon.

It was great working with the mag - the Knitcircus people are really nice folks!

What a nice yarn

2011-01-20T12:35:00.004+01:00

I just got a new yarn for a yet-unknown project. It came from Sandra Singh who owns a small yarn company and kindly donated this yarn for a contest.

It is a nice, 3-ply merino yarn worsted weight - you can see several other color variations at her page. I just had to wind it into a ball the night it arrived which is why you see a ball of yarn and not a hank - it just looked too inviting to leave it as it was.

It is an exclusive yarn for sandrasingh.com - exclusive does not mean expensive though, the current price is a reasonable 10.35 dollars per hank. Whai i like about the yarn is that it looks classic in terms of being an evenly looking 3ply yarn, but, being a soft merino, it is much nicer to touch than the vintage balls of yarn from my mom's stash (those might have an even twist and a sturdy quality, bt no way could i wear a scarf made of them). The 215 yards / 100 grams look like they will make a nice hat that will not scratch my (or other's) forehead when worn. Now on to experiment with stitches that will complement the variegated goodness:-)

new scarf, pre-blocking

2011-01-14T19:01:00.001+01:00

new scarf, pre-blocking
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

new scarf, pre-blocking. my own pattern and design. the yarn is sock yarn by hedgehog fibres.

fingerless gloves = instant knitting gratification:-)

2011-01-02T14:17:00.002+01:00

fingerless gloves = instant knitting gratification:-)
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

nice grey yarn + remnnts of a red one + double point needles + 3ř stitches in a row, here we go

skinny scarf

2010-12-30T13:33:00.001+01:00

skinny scarf
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

made myself a skinny scarf
no pattern, just some knits, purls and stripes,.
i was lucky to have great yarns so it is really soft:) the main is cashmere by hedgehog fibres, the other one is alpage from the french label la droguerie, bought on a trip to france. i wanted something simple and almost unisex for daily wear.

just a troll

2010-12-17T23:21:00.003+01:00

just a small, blue, crocheted wooly troll. made for a small cottage out there somewhere

New website

2010-12-12T14:31:00.006+01:00

We have been working on a new website. Some sulture, art, sports, even economy. And music compilations created just for us. You can check out the mail page at http://www.protisedi.cz/ and articles in english are at http://www.protisedi.cz/topics/en. Will feature knitting too. Lots of my knitting time has been eeten up by this but no regrets! (the pic is from a report from an exhibition in Vienna:-)

french stash

2010-12-12T14:30:00.001+01:00

french stash
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

went to france with a limited budget. 6 euro was all i could spend on yarn BUT this is just so soft and nice.

Ollie

2010-10-30T10:42:00.004+02:00

Ollie
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

Ollie / Present for my friend Taz / crocheted octopus. Purely wooly.

squishy fish

2010-10-23T12:31:00.001+02:00

squishy fish 1
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

squishy fish with stripes. just knit.

the yarn used is 50% cotton and 50% wool and i find it pretty good for things like this: cotton can sometimes be too stiff for small things with lots of shaping, but it does look good. wool has a bit more give which comes handy when working on the items.

baby raglan sweater

2010-10-08T13:46:00.003+02:00

baby raglan sweater
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

just finished baby raglan sweater. the buttonholes were a pain (had to reinforce them).

used a modified pattern off the internet (no baby to try it on si o better used someone else's math for the basics) called Baby Sophisticate, it is available free on ravelry.

Unisex Basketweave Hat

2010-10-06T22:56:00.005+02:00

The winter is supposed to be cold this year. Made a hat for it. Free pattern will be available in November - now is in the test knitting stage.

Wear unfolded for a slouchy look, or folded for a regular style.

tweedy slouchy hat2

2010-10-06T22:50:00.001+02:00

tweedy slouchy hat2
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

loosely based on a slouchy hat pattern called Felicity, but heavily modified.

balaclava!

2010-09-26T13:13:00.003+02:00

balaclava in progress 2
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

promised someone a balaclava for winter. turns out quite creepy but i really like making it.

using a circular needle and a set of dpns, an a really nice merino wool.

What is a KAL?

2010-09-07T08:53:00.004+02:00

When i discovered the world of modern knitting last year, i kept bumping into a strange abbreviation - KAL. Turned out it meant "knit-a-long". Folks choose a pettern, colour, theme etc, a timeframe, and all of them knit it, sharing pictures, knowledge and stories during the process.

I am not that much into collective crafting actually, but found those useful (for learning new techniques that might be difficult) and especially for sharing with others - both with giving and receiving feedback.

I was very joyful when i discovered a few days ago that a group of knitters has chosen one of my patterns for a KAL - as it was completely unexpected and i never heard of any of them, it was especially nice. They are kind folks and are doing it on ravelry, so if you are (or plan to) become a member: the pattern is 41g scarflet (also available free on this blog - the first link is for its Ravelry page) and the thread for the KAL is here. It runs thru the end of September but you will not be frowned upon if you happen to join them later, methinks. One of the members is now making her second scarflet already and plans for a third one.

Scotland

2010-09-05T22:45:00.003+02:00

Just came back from Edinburgh. A few quick notes.

The city is beautiful and i was amazed how many houses - even pretty ordinary houses - are made of stone, or at least covered in stone plates.

The Scottish National Gallery has some very beautiful paintings.

The castle and its surroundings are picturesque and kind of noble.

Of course i went yarn shopping. Department stores such as Jenners and John Lewis have some yarn, but not a very wide selection and especially John Lewis have too much acrylic stuff for my liking.

The folks at ravelry.com pointed me to a local "knitting boutique" called K1 that ich much, much better. Beautiful, antural yarns, some local, some imported. Loved the colours and the whole experience. God myself a sweater quantity of this beautiful laceweight teal-coloured merino wool plus two balls of alpaca which are intended as presents. Could buy the whole K1 stash though - and they are open 7 days a week and very friendly.

hoody!

2010-08-30T01:08:00.004+02:00

finished knitting of my thin wooly hoodie. pretty happy with the result. the weather got cold today so i can actually wear it straight away.

knitting it did not take as long as expected. it took some time of course, but was expecting a much longer work.

handmade socks

2010-08-28T08:52:00.003+02:00

for some, handknitted socks are the ultimate in knitting. people keep asking me about them and for them. i have made some available on etsy - these feature fair isle technique used to achieve some fairly simple geometric shapes.

knitting these took some time but as one learns the techniques, it is quite enjoyable to produce these wooly buggers.

some tips for aspiring socks knitters:

when searching for inspiration, you will discover a ton of photos of beautiful socks made of impossibly thin yarn. making these will easy take as long as knitting a simple vest. it might seem odd for you to try that. please resist the temptation to tell the knitters of those socks they are crazy - they have been told already, countless times. and you do not even know how much a good sock yarn costs... yet.

your first socks will certainly not be perfect. unless the person looking at them is a very experienced and hypercritical knitter, it will not be noticeable.

the difference between wearing handmade socks and wearing mass produced ones is way bigger than anyone sees... until they try them on.

just knitting (a sweater)

2010-08-21T23:03:00.001+02:00

just knitting
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

i was curious how much st is such a sweater. a calculation later... 150 000 stitches! oh my god

Made it to Craftgawker

2010-08-16T14:45:00.003+02:00

updated:
i love discovering that other websites are featuring my crafts. just realizes that Craftgawker showed two of them http://craftgawker.com/post/2010/05/10/15311/
august 17 update: they also newly added the whale trophy, yay
http://craftgawker.com/post/2010/08/16/16688/

41g Scarflet - free pattern

2010-08-16T12:51:00.008+02:00

41g Scarflet by Prague Loop

This is an elegant, versatile lacy scarflet designed to require less than one 50 grams ball of yarn. Maybe you got a nice gift - one ball of a really pretty yarn - and want to utilize it. Or you have some left over. Or just really want to try that fancy yarn and the budget does not allow for a sweater quantity purchase. Whatever the case, this scarflet is for you. It is a lace aimed at the beginner knitter, or as an easy to memorize travel project for the others. After you get to the basic amount of stitches, it is only one row to memorize, so it can be worked over short periods of time. It features a garter stitch border to prevent the edges from rolling.

The lace is formed by yarnovers, whereas the decreases necessary to retain the same amount of stitches are places on the sides of the scarf - there are 4 yarnovers in every row, therefore, on each side there are two decreases. The scarflet is lacy enough to add a feminine touch to an otherwise simple outfit, but understated enough to remain elegant and not to make the result too frilly. Knits up quickly, so you can make several in various colors, and also makes a nice gift - you do not have to worry about the fit:)
SIZE
One size fits all
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Length 50 inches
Width 3.6 inches

MATERIALS
145 yds of any worsted weight (or other)yarn.
The example is knitted from La Droguerie Cashmere [90% Cashmere, 10% Lambswool; 180 yd/165 m per 50g skein].
The yarn is available in France, online at http://www.kaleidoblog.be/la-boutique/, but any other can be used - the scarf is totally versatile.)
1 set(s) US #4/3.5 mm straight needles
Thick needle for weaving in ends

GAUGE
Gauge is not important for this project, but for the sample, it is 26 sts/30 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch

PATTERN NOTES
Abbreviations
k knit
p purl
kfb knit into front and back of stitch
k2tog knit two together k2tog tbl knit two together through the back loop rep repeat

The size can be also altered by adding knit stitches into the middle, or making the border wider.

PATTERN
Increase rows:
CO 4 st
Row 1 knit
Row 2 kfb, k2, kfb
Row 3 Row 3 kfb, k to last st, kfb
Row 4 k3, p2, k3
Row 5 kfb, knit to end of row, kfb
Row 6 k3, p4, k3
Row 7 k4, yo, k2, yo, k4
Row 8 k3, p to last 3 st, k3
Row 9 k5, yo, k2, yo, k5
Row 10 rep row 8 (all even rows from now on are rep row 8, apart from the decreases at the end)
Row 11 k6, yo, K2, yo, k6 Row 12 rep row 8 Row 13 k4, yo, k3, yo, k2, yo, K3, yo, k to end of row
Row 14 rep row 8 Row 15 k6, yo, k3, yo, k2, yo, k3, yo, k6
(= 24 st. from now on, every row has 24 st)
Row 16 rep row 8 Row 17 k3, k2tog, k2tog, k1, yo, k3, yo, k2, yo, K3, yo, K1, k2tog tbl, k2tog tbl, k3
Straight part: rep rows 8 and 17 until the scarflet is desired length, or you are running almost out of yarn.
Then form decrease:
Decrease rows:
Row 1 k3, k2tog, k2tog, k4,yo,k2,yo,k4,k2tog tbl,k2tog tbl,k3
Row 2 k3, p to last 3 stitches, k3
Row 3 k3,k2tog,k2tog,k2tog,k1,yo,k2,yo,k1,k2tog tbl,k2tog tbl,k2tog tbl,k3
Row 4 rep row 2
Row 5 k3,k2tog,k2tog,k1,yo,k2,yo,k1,k2tog tbl,k2tog tbl,k3
Row 6 rep row 2
Row 7 k3,k2tog,k2tog,yo,k2,yo,k2tog tbl,k2tog tbl,k2
Row 8 rep row 2
Row 9 k2tog,k2,k2tog,yo,k2,yo,k2tog tbl,k2,k2tog tbl
Row 10 rep row 2
Row 11 k2tog,k8,k2tog tbl
Row 12 rep row 2
Row 13 k2tog,k6,k2tog tbl
Row 14 rep row 2
Row 15 k2tog,k4,k2tog tbl
Row 16 k
Row 17 k2tog,k2,k2tog tbl. Bind off in pattern (=knitting)
FINISHING
Weave in ends. Do not block the item unless you want a flat design that loses the slightly leafy, bumpy features.

da real hoodie

2010-08-15T17:18:00.005+02:00

time to make first real sweater. with a hood. kinda reluctant to dive into such a big thing (very thin wool = lots of stitches) but it seems to be the right time.

the yarn is from sweden. the black one is from jarbo, a scandinavian yarn company, the light blue is a special yarn that has been made especially for a lady owning a shop in a small swedish town i recently visited. both are amazingly beautiful, precious looking pure wool. will see...

black knitted scarf (a rewind)

2010-08-14T01:27:00.002+02:00

black knitted scarf (a rewind)
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

was pleasantly surprised (when googling my knits) to see this scarf, one of my very first creations, featured at the Lova Revolutionary Blog. nice one

and later on realized they even featured one of ym keychains in another issue. how sweet.

(guerilla) knitting in the Czech media

2010-08-12T14:05:00.003+02:00

The guerilla (and other) knitting has caught up in the Czech media a lot lately.
The Prague Post (a newspaper in English) has now an article at http://www.praguepost.com/tempo/5325-going-rogue.html.

Also there has been a piece of radio news yesterday (in Czech) - available at http://www.rozhlas.cz/regina/denik/_zprava/769721.

I like both as the authors took care to talk to several people (including your truly) and seem to be very professional in their approach.

finished socks

2010-08-08T20:55:00.002+02:00

finished socks
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

i do not normally knit things that are so "busy" but this time i did, as it was a challenge at the knitting server ravelry.com (there is a group called sock knitters anonymous that has all kind os challenges, special events and patterns).

so here go finished socks. great to learn a thing or two about knitting. pattern from ravelry dot com.

Ordinary things, such as a vest

2010-08-08T12:47:00.004+02:00

Ordinary things that are simple, versatile and timeless is what i like to wear.

I was given three hanks of a nice 50% alpaca / 50% wool yarn and decided to turn them into a vest. Plotted various colorwork things, but realized the amount would be sufficient for a vest, so turned it into a wearable, warm siple piece. It took 4 days which was not much.

Started on August 5, and now it is done, all ends woven in, and photographed (not the best wether for pics, will make better ones later on). I did nit want a spectacular piece that would turn heads, but an understated thing, which is a recipe for me using it a lot.

why not have a lacy stole

2010-07-31T16:22:00.001+02:00

why not have a lacy stole
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

it took some time to summon courage to work with that yarn (a super thin boucle that is not very easy to work with) but it quite paid off. it is prety huge, 240 x 90 centimetres, and used up the whole 1500 metres hank.

Odula

2010-07-13T13:44:00.003+02:00

made upon a special request.
a mash-up of a spider,medusa and odula from j.r.r. tolkiens books.yes it is supposed to be horrid.

Random knitting chart generator

2010-07-11T21:52:00.003+02:00

I love random anything generators really. Just saw a link to a random knitting chart generator (very customizable, so you can indicate whether you want lace, etc.)

It is at http://babyzcostumeshop.comyr.com/tools/knitting/random-knit-chart.htm

and i woved to knit the first chart it generates for me.

It looks pretty nice to me.

There is also a genrator for cable patterns at http://babyzcostumeshop.comyr.com/tools/knitting/knit-cables-generator.htm

and my first cable pattern is also pretty.

learning the secrets of fair isle knitting

2010-07-11T12:21:00.001+02:00

learning the secrets of fair isle knitting
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

learning the secrets of fair isle knitting. it will take some more time to master it, but it is fun
the pattern is "progressive sock party", now on ravelry at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/july-2010-colorwork-mock---progressive-sock-party

some more guerilla knitting photos

2010-07-02T23:11:00.003+02:00

some more guerilla knitting photos, this time by me

more about the event in the previous post here

also on facebook

title page of the Hater

2010-07-01T12:29:00.003+02:00

hater, the self-proclaimed hype hunting magazine, has put my knitted cemetery on their title page today. viva hater!
http://www.hater.es/

London, Science Museum

2010-06-30T22:37:00.001+02:00

The Stitched Selves (=knitted "autoportraits") are having a ball at the Science Museum in London right now.
um, why am i lying down and looking drunk here?

http://twitpic.com/21bbxa

More on this at http://www.stitchldn.com/stitchyourself.html

ok i know

2010-06-26T19:17:00.003+02:00

knitting socks to go with one's new sneakers sounds a bit odd but... it is not forbidden is it?

Macho Socks (free sock pattern)

2010-06-24T12:04:00.012+02:00

Macho Socks
by Pragueloop

This is a simple pattern for socks - you are welcome to use the stitch sequence for anything else.
The aim was to create a pair of socks for a rather conservative male. The pattern is meant to be kind of architectural - to remind one of old doors for example. The "rectangles in rectangles" look is created by a simple sequence of knits and purls.

Available in HTML at http://pragueloop.blogspot.com/2010/06/macho-socks.html

or in pdf at http://tinyurl.com/machosocks-pdf

and in word at http://tinyurl.com/machosocks-word

ravelry pattern page link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/macho-socks

Yarn: Any sock or non-sock yarn you like. The sample pair was created from 2 balls of Lana Grossa Elastico (a cotton blend)
Needles: not terribly important, here 3 mm DPNs were used
Gauge: not terribly important. This was about 7 stitches and 10 rows = 1 inch
Size: L

The socks were knit from the toe up, but the pattern can be used for top-down socks. Also feel free to substitute any of your favorite toe and heel.

Abbreviations: k…. knit, p… purl

Stitch pattern: use the chart or this worded pattern.
Round 1: knit
Round 2 and every even round: knit
Round 3: k1, p5
Round 5: k2, p3, k1
Round 7: k3, p1, k2
Round 9: knit
Round 11: repeat round 7
Round 13: repeat round 5
Round 15: repeat round 3

Pattern:
Using turkish cast-on or your favorite method, cast on 20 stitches. Keep adding 4 st in every other row on the sided of your needle (by kfb or any other way you like) till you have 50 st or the amount desired for your size (in this case you will be adding just 2 st in the last row, so the result is 50 stitches).

Knit the instep in pattern. The stitch pattern is a sequence of 6 stitches, so you will be knitting 4 repeats of the pattern, then knit one, then knit the sole.

Note: The chart is for ODD rows. You will be knitting the even rows (or purling them in case you are knitting something flat).

Repeat the stitch pattern 6 times or until you get to the heel. Trying the sock on is a good idea.

The heel here is a short-row heel. Knit it over 25 stitches, decrease to 11 st, then get back to the 25.

In the next row (row 1 of the pattern) you will need to decrease 2 stitches so the leg can now be knit in pattern. You will need 48 stitches for 8 pattern repeats, so in this first row, k2tog twice, preferably on the sides of the sock.

Knit 4 repeats of the stitch pattern for the leg.

The cuff was knit in k3-p3 rib for 15 rows (bind off in pattern).

Knit the second sock - they are identical.
Gift to your dad, brother, husband or plumber.

This pattern is free and you are welcome to do anything with it.

It is available in HTML at http://pragueloop.blogspot.com/2010/06/macho-socks.html

or in pdf at http://tinyurl.com/machosocks

ravelry pattern page link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/macho-socks

pragueloop@gmail.com, http://pragueloop.blogspot.com
Pragueloop, June 24, 2010

First exhibition

2010-06-24T10:06:00.004+02:00

My knitted (/crocheted) cemetery is now on display as a part of the Genius Loci exhibition in Galeria X, Bratislava, Slovakia (http://www.facebook.com/GaleriaX). More on this (in Slovakian) is at http://citylife.sk/vystava/genius-loci-12-rocnik-vystavy-textilnej-miniatury.

It made me very happy that i was chosen (it is an international exhibition and the jury chose just some things, plus, it is for professional artists so it was kinda cheeky of me to send my thing in, being a craftster).

The exhibition is open now and lasts till August 31, 2010.

guerilla knitting action

2010-06-17T22:58:00.004+02:00

the planned guerilla knitting / yarn bombing in prague finally hapenned a few days ago.

it was quite an ambitious project and the ladies were very brave to install the pieces at such height: the knits are mounted on a sculpture-ish objects that is a part of the new scene of the national theatre.

there is a report at http://www.hezkevecicky.eu/guerilla-knitting-po-cesku.html (the text is all czech though), plus they have a ton of photos on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2045710&id=1047305475.

worth seeing.

the photos in this post were taken from the facebook album (i do plan to make some pics yself too, just have to spend all the daylight hours at the office these days).

it was a greta pleasure to crochet some pieces for this project and i really admire the creativity of the whole idea.

kudos to hana and co!

socks revived

2010-06-17T22:14:00.000+02:00

some inspiration for sock knitters (and a way to link to a project i was involved in): "socks revided design contest" contenders. i do not think i win as there are too many socks that are much more intricate than mine, but it is kinda nice to see the company: the list with links to all the patterns is at

http://exercisebeforeknitting.com/2010/06/16/socks-revived-design-contest-entries/

sea peach and other life forms

2010-06-17T21:51:00.002+02:00

There is an (ongoing) clever project in Alaska. Textile artists from around the world are being asked to send sea creatures (and surfaces) to create a tide pool made entirely of textile objects. The address for this thing is http://tidepoolproject.blogspot.com/.

Of course i HAVE to take part in this as i find the idea brilliant. I plan for several things so far i have made sea peach tonight (more about this beautiful lifeform that reminds me very much of a heart can be found here, or just google it). Its latin name is Halocynthia aurantium and it is pretty variable in shape.

The sea life is quite fascinating, and i am hoping for more time to explore it:-)

"DYO"

2010-06-12T16:40:00.003+02:00

"DYO" stands for "design your own", at least on ravelry (the famous website for the knitting community). there is a group called "sock knitters anonymous" there, and there is a challenge each month. the tasks include knitting patterns from a certain designer, or using a certain technique, etc.

for june, it is "design your own" (or a choice of two other tasks). it seemed perfect for me as i want a pair of socks for someone and playing with stitches is great.

decided to make a simple, geometric, kinda architectural pattern which is actually dead simple.

am really glad i am using cotton yarn for this - the tempreratures are awfully hot here these days, the hottest in europe (yes, the mediterranean is colder than prague now).

these wil probably be called MACHO SOCKS as he pattern shall be appropriate for someone who is not into antyhing that might seem girly or frilly.

DeviantART

2010-05-29T09:45:00.002+02:00

DeviantART is a pretty famous piece for people to showcase their work. For ages, i thought 99% of it was fan art for sci-fi comic stuff and such (and did not care). Turned out it was not 99% (but slightly less) so i joined the site recently. It intend to use it forshowcasing some of my works, but it will not be a primary place for me i think. This blog and Facebook are my mediums of choice - however, DeviantART page for my stuff(fies) is there, at

http://pragueloop.deviantart.com/.

Some kangaroos are greedy

2010-05-28T23:53:00.003+02:00

Not every kangaroo you meet is nice and altruistic.

Sisyphus made it this time!

2010-05-28T23:48:00.002+02:00

As a kid, I was always baffles by the Sisyphus story and tried to find was to think he might, after all, escape.

Did not find a way to make that work, but got an idea to at least knit/crochet him - and ses, Sisyphus made it this time.

Victoria & Albert Museum

2010-05-27T10:45:00.003+02:00

The Victoria & Albert Museum website has a nice feature for knitters: photos of non-garment knits submitted by users. It is searchable. Nice thing to browse for inspiration and info. Had to add a photo of my whale, too.
The thing itself is now happily residing in New York in case you are curious.

myminime

2010-05-26T18:12:00.006+02:00

There is a funny and nice and interesting project by the Science Museum in London.

They plan an exhibition of knitted autoportraits. Each mini-me shall be 6 inches tall, knitted, crocheted or sewn - more info is at the Stitch London website at www.stitchldn.com/stitchyourself.html.

The figures will be exhibited on the 30th of June 2010. Will keep you posted.

Mde it very simple.

The body and head were crocheted as one piece, the limbs are i-cords pulled through the body, so they are movable to an extent.

I love monochrome things, hence he uncolourful design.

pup turned bug

2010-05-18T23:43:00.004+02:00

It started of as a slightly modified body of a pup (by Anna Hrachovec). The yarn kept looking too green to become a pup, though. It dawned upon me it was slowly turning into a garden bug.

I wanted it to have slightly weird eyes, hence the thread + bead play.

Here you go.

volcano

2010-05-18T00:58:00.003+02:00

volcano
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

a knitted volcano. it is very sad because everyone hates it. but it is not that evil. trust me

/// need pics on daylight

P.U.P. 1

2010-05-17T20:51:00.005+02:00

I am not normally a dog person and do not usually follow patterns. But when i saw a pic of the Pileable Pups, I was hooked.

Added some stripes and made it a bit more flat, stuffed with textile scraps to be more "grounded". Clever little pattern from a talented designer, plus, i love the pup. I plan to give it to my aunt but am not sure i can part with it.

headless knight

2010-05-16T17:36:00.001+02:00

headless knight finger puppet.

worked using turkish cast on.

after some rounds (where there were increases on the sides) i have casted off 12 st on each side, then continued in the rounds.

teddies

2010-05-16T15:20:00.005+02:00

finally finished two teddies for a colleague's two kids. they are very simple creatures and quite portable.

they made as one piece mostly, knitted in the rounds. the limbs of the bigger bear are crocheted.

eyes etc. are embroidered - no small parts for kids.

tiny plane

2010-05-16T12:45:00.003+02:00

could not resist the idea of knitting a tiny airplane. it is 4 cm (1.7 in) long.

made on tiny DPNs as one piece, some parts are i-cord.

this will be a part of a bigger project in the future.

UPDATE: just was told by a kind reader of the blog that it was featured in Craftzine. wow. chuffed. permalink is http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2010/05/craft_flickr_pool_weekly_round_84.html if you do not catch it on the title page.

toy snake

2010-05-15T10:32:00.002+02:00

toy snake
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

a quirky toy snake (after dinner)

knitted bag

2010-05-14T17:39:00.002+02:00

knitted bag
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

just finished: knitted bag with crocheted handles and some pleating.

i was testing a thick, rustic wool - it was a bit of a fight to tame the material but the result is robust enough for a bg, yet kinda wooly which i like.

knitted gnome finger puppet

2010-05-11T21:01:00.002+02:00

knitted gnome finger puppet
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

gnome finger puppet for marie.
last gift for her was snatched by her dad. this one might end up with her, finally

Hooray for an exhibition.

2010-05-09T20:06:00.002+02:00

Am very very happy. My work was selected for an exhibition that is going to take place in Slovakia.

The theme was "Genius loci – Spirit of a place – Geist eines Platzes – Duch miesta", so i knitted a mini cemetery and sent its photo to the organizers. The exhibition is intended for professional artists so i was thinking i might not be accepted but i was. So very happy.

(Photos as soon as the exhibition happens).

The organizers are "Slovenské združenie textilných výtvarníkov TXT" ("Slovakian Assocation Of Textile Artists") and this is the 12th year of the exhibition of textile miniatures (here, a miniature is anything up to 20 x 20 x 20 cm, so a mini knitted cemetery with a few gravestones and a tree was just fine.)

The website of the organizers is at http://www.txt.sk/ (also has an english section) and i will be posting any relevant info as it happens.

the spirit of the knitted bum bag

2010-05-07T11:08:00.005+02:00

the spirit of the knitted bum bag
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

made a knitted bum bag and this fella lives in it. hope the recipient likes them.

another yarn bomb

2010-05-05T20:57:00.002+02:00

and the last piece from the small packet i sent to Manchester for their yarn bombing event (part of the Sounds from the Other City festival). the piece is very modest - and i fell in love with its placement. the old-ish building, very British i think, plus that small thing - just perfect in my mind.

hangover teddy

2010-05-04T00:07:00.002+02:00

mini teddy (hungover)
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

mini teddy bear
made today from old blue wool
has a hangover

manchester yarn bombing event happening now

2010-05-02T11:21:00.005+02:00

in salford, greater mancheter, there is now a estival called sounds from the other city.

the crafty girls at artyarn called for people to knit things to put them on objects such as railings, etc.

they have now been installed - the girls took a lot of pics of it (yes i am very happy to see my things there). if you are on facebook, the address of the photo album is

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=223400&id=741316410&ref=mf

bamboo teddy. finally.

2010-05-01T11:29:00.002+02:00

kicked myself to finish a crocheted teddy started in march.

bought a nice, very dark purple bamboo/cotton yarn this march.
found out it was extremely difficult to work with - gave up knitting with it, crocheting went easier but still. very splitty and so for instance joining the parts, or even weaving the ends in was a drag. i quite like the results though, but will think twice before starting another project with the remnants.

retro cotton socks, just finished

2010-05-01T10:22:00.001+02:00

retro cotton socks, just finished
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

retro cotton socks, just finished... now on to making toys again:-)

spacecraft

2010-04-28T19:12:00.004+02:00

where there is an astronaut, there shall be some kinda spacecraft, thought i. crochted this one yesterday night. might need some adjustments.

guerilla knitting piece

2010-04-27T20:04:00.001+02:00

guerilla knitting piece
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

guerilla knitting piece. slipping stitches on a small piece for a guerilla knitting effort here in prague. it shall happen in may. more to come.

knitted astronaut

2010-04-23T22:17:00.002+02:00

knitted astronaut in progress
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

he might get his own spaceship too, eventually.

retro

2010-04-22T11:23:00.001+02:00

grey cotton sock in progress
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

wishes she has more time for retro cotton knitting thingys. simplicity + spring sun = bliss

the solid shampoo hack strikes again

2010-04-22T11:13:00.003+02:00

chuffed to see my old-ish idea of the solid shampoo hakc featured again, this time on the Indie Handmade Show:)

more socks

2010-04-18T17:44:00.003+02:00

socks
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

my family keeps poking fun at me for knitting constantly - but all of them want socks by me. phew:)

selected for a faves list for handmade things

2010-04-12T16:37:00.002+02:00

very chuffed to be chosen for the weekly fave list for handmade object by Sowashi. the thing that made it is my shawl in progress. pleasing news.

socks. everywhere

2010-04-11T04:33:00.001+02:00

socks. everywhere
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

socks. are. everywhere. knitting several pairs as gifts for friends and family who keep requesting them... before i finish them all, mine will be worn to pieces!
plus i am working on more interesting things but they are secret as of now (GRRH)

knitted bum bag (special commission)

2010-04-05T16:04:00.001+02:00

knitted bum bag (special commission)
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

knitted bum bag. making the lining and sewing the knit to it was actually harder than the knitting:)

no knitting policy

2010-04-01T23:52:00.001+02:00

at my airport. no knitting on planes what so ever. sad.

amazed by the Zauberball yarn.

2010-03-29T23:34:00.002+02:00

amazed by the Zauberball yarn.
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

German stuff is always good (and never cheap, alas). designing a simple shawlette with it.

The colorway is called "frische fische" so naturally i had to call the project Fischers Fritz fischt frische Fische, frische Fische fischt Fischers Fritz.

Easily adjustable lace panel socks - a free pattern

2010-03-27T10:00:00.013+01:00

EASILY ADJUSTABLE LACE PANEL SOCKS

by Prague Loop

This is a simple lace sock design. The sock features a lace panel worked over 20 stitches and the rest is knit in stockinette so the sock can be easily adjusted for different sizes and yarns.

The design was made by a newer knitter for newer knitters (or people who want to make something simple) and designed to be a quick knit. It features just 3 lace rows.

The pattern is both charted and worded.

All even numbered rows are knit. The lace is formed in odd rows and features basic stitches. It forms a panel over 20 st. The panel is positioned in the centre of the sock but you can put it anywhere, or make the sock entirely in the lace pattern. Also the panel can be used for pretty much anything elongated from fingerless mittens to scarves.

The construction is from the top down, heel is short rows. You can easily use the lace panel for any toe-up socks you want, also you can make your favourite heel and toe.

Credit where credit's due: the little “pillars” on the sides are inspired by BonBons, a free fingerless mitten pattern by Art Qualia available at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bonbons.

materials:

2.5 mm double point needles, or size needed to obtain a nice knit or gauge.

1x 100 g ball of sock yarn (fingering weight), or any yarn you want to make your socks with!

(if worked as follows, these socks need 58 grams of yarn, i.e. just over a half of the ball)

thick needle

Gauge: 7 stitches and 10 rows in 1 inch in stockinette stitch

(the pattern is available on my blog at http://pragueloop.blogspot.com/2010/03/easily-adjustable-lace-panel-socks.html and on Ravelry at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easily-adjustable-lace-panel-socks)

Abbreviations:

st: stitch

k: knit

p: purl

yo: yarn over

sl: slip stitch purlwise, yarn on the back

k2tog: knit 2 stitches together

k2tbl: knit 2 stitches together through back loop

Lace panel pattern:

round 1 and every odd numbered round:: k

round 2: p1, sl1, k2, pass slipped st over k2, p1, k2, k2tog, yo, p2, yo, k2tbl, k2, p1, sl1, k2, pass slipped st over k2,p1

round 4: p1, k1, yo, k1, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k4, yo, k2tbl, k1, p1, k1, yo, k1, p1

round 6: p1, k3, p1 k2tog, yo, k6, yo, k2tbl, p1, k3, p1

How to make them:

Cast on 60 st, arrange on 3 needles.

Cuff:

round 1: p8, k2 to the end of row

rounds 2 and 3: p8, sl 2 to the end of row

round 4: k

This will make a cuff with a rolled appearance.

You can make any other cuff you like - ribbed for a better elasticity, or fancy edges for a more girly appearance.

Leg:

Work lace panel pattern over 20 st, work the rest in stockinette stitch (i.e. always knit). Work until the item measures 4.5 inches or to desired length.

Heel:

Work the heel opposite the panel. Using the short row heel method, work a heel over 30 st (or the half of your st), decreasing to 15 st and then increasing back to 30 st. With 60 st, it means working one row of the lace panel pattern, knitting 5 and then starting heel. You can make any other heel you like.

If you are not familiar with the short row heel technique, google "short row heel tutorial" - there are plenty on the internet.

Foot:

Work lace panel pattern over 20 st, work the rest in stockinette stitch (i.e. always knit). Work until desired length, stop about at the base of your fingers.

Toe:

You will be decreasing on the sides of the toe. There are 4 decreases in every other row worked as follows:

Work in stockinette st, i.e. always knit.

On the sides of the toe, find the central 2 stitches, and decrease around them in this manner: k2 tbl, k2, k2tog. This will be made in every other row. You keep the central 2 stitches intact and form the decreases around these which creates a nice neat appearance.

Decrease to 28 st (or to about half of your stitches - try the sock on to see if it fits and adjust accordingly).

Break yarn. With a thick needle, pull the yarn through remaining stitches.

You can make any other toe you like.

Weave in ends. Make the other sock. Wear it proudly or give to a friend.

This is a free pattern and you are welcome to do anything with it.

Prague Loop, March 27, 2010

knitting a lacy sock, making up a pattern

2010-03-27T09:32:00.001+01:00

knitting a lacy sock, making up a pattern
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

making up lace patterns is such a nice thing. love the combination of wooly yarn and lace. kid in a candy shop really.

shopping and plotting

2010-03-26T09:58:00.003+01:00

came back from a short trip to Germany. planne dto buy a skein or two plus one as a present for a lady i met on ravelry. hmm. bought a bit more but not tonsy more (was very very tempted though!).

now plotting lots of knitted objects, some really weird.)

knitting and knitting

2010-03-19T00:07:00.004+01:00

Realizes for the umpteenth time that there is something soo relaxing about knitting... Lots of stress at work, and it magically went away with a few hours with a skein of merino wool.

Further pleased by discovering that my octopus was blogged about at http://artyarn.blogspot.com/2010/03/yarn-bombing-sounds-from-other-city.html (yarn bombing event in Salford, Greater Manchester). Happy.

knitted clock

2010-03-17T21:51:00.002+01:00

knitted clock
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

a (fully functional) clock made upon a special request.

it features a knitted panel mounted on a MDF board, a clock, and this time just the number 1 (as it is a part of the name of the companys recipient). plus a cuckoo as a nod to vintage clocks that had mechanical cuckoos on the top.

a custom clock can be made (crocheted or knitted) - orders via my etsy shop.

new photos for the shop

2010-03-14T11:49:00.003+01:00

new, better pics of shop items are online. very glad for that.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42196627

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=42682226

giraffe finger puppet

2010-03-13T23:59:00.002+01:00

giraffe finger puppet
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

giraffe finger puppet for the OMG! One Millin Giraffes

permalink to its own page is http://www.olahelland.net/giraffes/?id=49572

OMG - One Million Giraffes!

2010-03-13T22:16:00.000+01:00

i have wanted to make a giraffe for some time. on march 13 i found out about a site for handcrafted giraffes (they collect pics of various one speople made). this is it:)

("Support www.onemilliongiraffes.com in the effort to get One Million Giraffes handmade creations documented by 2011 by uploading your photos or scans of your items at the OMG site.") alright!

yak yarn triangle scarf finished

2010-03-13T19:29:00.004+01:00

yak yarn is an extremely soft and nice thing. was very lucky i was able to buy some (and glad i bought two hanks as this ate up only one)

made a triangle scarf that is a bit lacy but in a geometric way - nothing too frilly. it was started some time ago, finally finished this saturday evening.

form follows function on this one - the middle part is knit in garter and stockinette stitch so it doe snot squish and roll, the wings are lacy to allow for easier forming of knots and wearing in general.

working on a pair of lace fingerless mittens

2010-03-13T13:17:00.003+01:00

working on a pair of lace fingerless mittens
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

working on a pair of lace fingerless mittens for an upcoming trip. not too girly, kinda geometric, but womanly.

yarn bomb

2010-03-11T20:22:00.004+01:00

yarn bomb
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

one more yarn bomb for the manchester event at http://artyarn.blogspot.com/2010/03/artyarn-invite-you-to-participate.html - a music festival that will have some knitted and crocheted graffiti as an accompanying activity.

this is one of my small dangly objects to hang from trees in salford.

fingerless gloves finished

2010-03-09T12:49:00.001+01:00

finished the cabled fingerless gloves (custom order) last night and almost feel like keeping them - although they were made for a man, i kind alike them, plus the french yarn is silky.

the frenchies know they way around textiles, that is for sure.

yarn bombing in Manchester

2010-03-08T18:49:00.005+01:00

i will just have to take part in this

http://artyarn.blogspot.com/2010/03/artyarn-invite-you-to-participate.html

(off to crochet a yarn bomb or three, singling "come, come yarn bomb" to the melody of Morrissey's Every Say is Like Sunday)

...

edited to add: all set.

crocheted a quick, very blue octopus and used an earlier piece intended for some yarn bombing activity (not beautiful itself, bt might act as a good filler).

they are not huge - 10 x 15 x 10 cm (octopus) and 42 x 24 cm (railing cover) - but with many people participating, a big part of Manchester will have some knitted graffiti.

update - the pieces are featured on their facebook age at http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4152631&id=680186922&ref=nf - chuffed!

note: these are intended for a short time outdoor use, so they are not as tightly knit and no noble materials were used, if you notice any changes to my usual routine:)

twin stuffies

2010-03-07T19:21:00.005+01:00

made a pair ow stuffed teal toys. quite proud of them. they were actually knitted flat, then seamed.

They are now ava ilable on Etsy.

grey fingerless mittens in progress

2010-03-06T23:59:00.000+01:00

knitting a cabled fingerless mittens made to special order.

decided for a sort of irregular cable to keep them interesting.

MALE babushkas finished

2010-03-06T21:18:00.002+01:00

finished a set of three macho babushkas with moustaches. seems like i will have to make more of that kind.
and yes they do go into each other.

A brand new project: male babushkas (dedushkas)

2010-03-06T17:27:00.003+01:00

my colleague laughed at me for having lots of knitted pouches and bags saying my mobile has 3 covers, and i thought i shall make some MALE babushkas - i knew about cricheted female babushkas that were all cute, decided to make some macho version. probably will have moustaches.

needs to be fully working - not just dolls, i want them to go into each other

snake is soft and striped and sleepy

2010-03-06T16:28:00.002+01:00

snake is soft and striped and sleepy
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

another shop update at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42121631

shop update

2010-03-06T16:00:00.003+01:00

the shop has been updated and the newest toys, stuffies, soft sculptures... are in it.

teddy bear

2010-03-06T15:59:00.001+01:00

teddy bear
Originally uploaded by pragueloop

crocheted of merino and nylon. bendy. i like it.

stuffies

2010-03-04T22:13:00.004+01:00

i am currently into making stuffies - they are a kind of soft "sculptures" for me (do not want to sound to ARTsy though:)

featured on the Indie Handmade Show

2010-03-04T13:30:00.001+01:00

The photo of my crocheted baby was featured on the Indie handmade Show.
Am very very chuffed.

baby

2010-03-03T13:16:00.003+01:00

feels like me.