Check In for Fun Hoodie

So it was a rough last few weeks but I was able to get into Lambikins last Sunday (7/5) for some quality knit time with the ladies. I went with intentions to work on the Clapotis and Swallowtail, and I ended up leaving with a new project, new book, and the largest 1 times yarn purchase I have ever made. Everyone was working on this hoodie and I wanted a piece of it. I've watched countless projects done in classes and knit-alongs and I'd never jumped in. Until now. After seeing the Einstein coats, I wanted a squishy, lucious sweater/coat for myself. Enter Rowan Cocoon "aka Racoon" after a couple squeezes I couldn't let go. I went with an oatmeal and a red wine color. Knitting this up it is delightful. A little bit splitty and hairy because of the mohair but the resulting piece is unbelievably soft and warm. I've never felt anything like it. Christina swears that I will finish the object. I'm part of the Knit-A-Long on Sundays now so I have plenty of support and motivation. I can't wait to be able to wear this! (She also assures me it. will. fit!)

Oh and it's chunky yarn and Size 11 needles so it's moving along quite nicely!

This is a better representation of the color

v

I didn't tell the hubster how much I spent till later... much later.

Pattern: check-in-for-fun-hoodie-pullover from Big Needle Knitting
Yarn: Rowan Cocoon

Needles: US 11 Circulars, Metal

My Ravelry Project Page!

Swallowtail Shawl

So I have been wanting to do another lace project since I cast off and blocked my Japanese Feather Wrap. I had my eye on the gorgeous FO's of the Swallowtail Shawl that I'd seen all over Ravelry. My family has been going through some rough times since last week with my Papa who is in a nursing home. It seems that it is going to be a roller coaster ride and this project is going to be therapeutic for me, as well as (hopefully) comforting and therapeutic to it's recipient- my Mama. I chose a blue shade that reminds me of Papa's eyes, and his flannel shirts that he wore ALL THE TIME. It's light and delicate but a striking pattern that is absolutely lovely. I was able to cast on Monday night and made my way through the set up and starting the budding lace. It's my first time with charts so that was proving to be a challenge but now that I'm getting into it, it's getting easier to remember what symbols mean what.

it's already taking shape!

She has no idea that I'm making this for her so let's keep it a secret- kay?

Also, Saturday 6/6/2009, my Mama and Papa celebrated their 57th! Wedding Anniversary. They are truly amazing and wonderful people and I am so thankful that I can witness such a wonderful testament to Marriage.

(Photo from 4/6/09- Papa's 86th Birthday, note the flannel shirt :) )

Pattern: Swallowtail Shawl

Yarn: Plymouth Yarn, Baby Alpaca Lace, 1071

Needle: Crystal Palace US 4 26'' Circular
My Ravelry Project Page!

Test Pattern- Athena Headband

So among the other groups on Ravelry I am a member of the Free-Pattern Testers group. You may remember the Door Knob Cozy that I did a while back.

Well I decided to give it a whirl again, this time choosing a great, easy knit pattern from Cassie Miller. It was my first time using ICord (sooo easy!) and I whipped this up last week using some of the Stretch Socks yarn I had on hand. And a pink hairband. Duh, have to coordinate!

Testing is complete and Cassie has it up for sale in her Ravelry store!

Pattern: Athena Headband by Cassie Miller

Yarn: Patons Stretch Socks in Sugar

Needle: US2 DPNs

My Ravelry Project Page!

The Clap... I've caught it

So along with the other 11,367 people on Ravelry that are making/have made this lovely French woman inspired scarf, I had to hop on the Clapotis train. (that's clap-o-tea) I'm doing a smaller version using 4 balls of Crystal Palace Merino 5. It's a lovely iris colorway with bits of purple and green. I fell in love as soon as I saw it and knew it would be perfect for this. And since I'd wrapped up 2 projects last week (Japanese Feather and BSJ #2) Of course I had to cast on something else instead of knitting on the other WIPs I have sitting in the house.

I've started with the set-up rows and a total of 4.5 increase sections instead of the recommended 6.5 I also think I'll only be doing 10 repeats of the straight rows instead of the 13. This pattern is left up to interpretation on how large or small it wants to be that I am accomodating to the yarn and amount that I have. Basically as long as you stick to the rule of fifths you will be fine. (calculate your yarn yardage or weight- divide by 5 and allocate your yarn accordingly: that's 1/5 for the start/increase section, 1/5 for the decrease/end section, and 3/5 for the straight rows)

As of today I had the set up/ increase section completed and 3 repeats of the straight rows done. You drop stitches on purpose! ON PURPOSE! To create these pretty gaps in the fabric. I'm loving the color variations so far and the pattern couldn't be easier to memorize.

Photo taken at 3.5 increases and no dropped stitches yet. Color is more purple than the photo allows.

Pattern: Clapotis, Knitty Fall 2004

Yarn: Crystal Palace Merino 5

Needle: US 8 Circular

My Ravelry Project Page!

Gifted- Baby Surprise Jacket

I finally got around to seaming the BSJ, weaving in ends, and sewing on buttons. I couldn't find any cupcake buttons that I really loved so I went for some tropical fish. Luckily, mom and dad live in Cali so I deemed it appropriate!


Baby Quinn could be arriving as early as this weekend so I'm hoping the package found it's way safe and sound and made it's arrival before She did!


Hopefully come fall we can get some pictures of Quinn all bundled up! Since she isn't born yet, I'm hoping it will get LOTS of use since it can grow WITH her!

My Ravelry Project Page!

FO- Japanese Feather Wrap

I did it! I finished my lace shawl and in plenty of time for the wedding! I finished the actual knitting and weaving ends on Tuesday 5/12 but the blocking was done on Thursday 5/14 so that it could dry in time before we left on Friday.

Truly an amazing work of art and I would recommend it for anyone!

This shawl was a collaborative effort in the fact that the yarn was gifted from Agnes, the Eucalan was gifted from Tonia, and the pattern was a stroke of genius from Anne. I couldn't have done it without any of them!

Without further ado:

Before Blocking

Blocking

Finished!

Pattern: Japanese Feather Wrap- Knitspot

Yarn: Fleece Artist Nyoni, Blue Lagoon

Needles: US 8 Crystal Palace circulars

My Ravelry Project Page!

Moving Right Along

So I have 9 days until the wedding. Oh, I forgot to mention- I was asked to be the guestbook attendant for the couple :) So I'll be super excited to show off my fabulous handiwork. Well, if I can get it finished that is!

As of today I've got 4 more pattern repeats to complete. I am hoping to finish Monday at knit night so that I have plenty of time to block it and keep working on my other projects. Of course I'm a procrastinator so I wouldn't feel right if I didn't leave myself just minimal time to complete. My friend is due in less than a month- sometime this month according to her dr. so I've got to finish (and really thats all that needs to be done is the "finishing") so that I can share the goods here with you!

Back to the wrap:

It's looking gorgeous and I'm still not bored with the pattern. Anne Hanson is an amazing designer. Stop by and tell her so!

Here she is as of Tuesday night... slightly less than halfway done.




Isn't that pattern beautiful? I can't wait to see it blocked!

Fetching

Of course I had to start another project. I've been working slowly but surely on my Japanese Feathers wrap but as soon as I cast off the Baby gift for my friend (shhh it's still a surprise!) on Sunday night and I had to put something else on the needles. Enter Fetching...

I bought my first skein of Malabrigo Worsted last night (in Holly Hock) as my reward for working 10 rows on my wrap. I can't believe I lasted this long and oh my it is glorious. It's a beautiful purpley pink color. Got about 24 rounds done last night and it's already a fairly good size. This will be a quick and easy project and I'm all about the instant gratification! What a change from the fingering weight for lace and socks!



Pattern: Fetching
Yarn: Malabrigo in Holly Hock
Needles: Metal US 6 DPN
My Ravelry Project Page!

Japanese Feather Wrap

I have decided to make something for myself for a change. Well scratch that, start and COMPLETE something for myself. We (the hubs and I) are going to a wedding in May. Instead of going and buying yet another dress for another wedding I decided to change it up. I'll wear my LBD (Which I have yet to wear in black, only red) and make myself a lovely wrap/shawl and dress up with new jewelry- Cookie Lee of course!- and shoes. My friend Tonia recommended that I try a lace pattern by Anne Hanson and I fell in love with Japanese Feathers. I was struggling over choosing a color that I truly loved in a weight appropriate for the pattern that I almost scratched the project completely. Until Agnes came along. She made an absolutely gorgeous JF of her own and graciously offered to send me her remaining skein. 820 yds of Blue lagoon Nyoni awesomeness! I received it on Friday after a rough Thursday so it completely made my weekend and had me in good spirits. Not to mention the mailman arrived in time that I took it with me to show off at Lambikins. Agnes is good peoples, and I can't thank her enough for her generosity.

Isn't it gorgeous?!

I started it immediately on Friday and bought some new bamboo circs to get started (yes another set of US8's). The yarn knits like a dream. I'm 100% enamored! In 2 days I've completed a full 28 row repeat and 7 additional rows. Right now it looks like ramen noodles but a little stretch shows the lovely waves. I'm so excited by this project that I have no fear it will be done in time for the wedding.

My Ravelry Project Page!

Update: I worked on it again last night at Knit Night and have almost 2 full repeats finished. With 10 repeats total and at this pace I should be done over a week before the wedding. Plenty of time for blocking!

Gifted- Baby Surprise Jacket

I gifted the Baby Surprise Jacket to my cousin yesterday. His son just loved it to pieces and it fit great! He still has room to grow with it and I'm hoping he gets plenty of wear. The sleeves are short enough that a long sleeve t would keep him warm enough during the spring and then a short sleeve t will be cool enough in the summer. I hope they love it as much as I loved making it!

And of course I got lots of baby hugs and kisses in return!

My Ravelry Project Page!

Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket

I've purchased my first EZ book (The Opinionated Knitter) and completed my first EZ pattern. I know I join the other 592,847,202 knitters out there that agrees she is a genius. A fantastic pattern (though slightly difficult to grasp as it's not written like a normal pattern row by row) that amazingly turns out just how she intended. Trust the pattern. It works!

I made the jacket for my cousin's son Skylar, who will be turning 1. I have not made anything for him and felt he was very deserving and would be too cute in this jacket. I used worsted weight superwash wool (your welcome Winky!) So that Dad can throw it in the wash and not worry.

It took 1 week from start to finish. After a disastrous start, Christina was able to get me on track with starting out with the right number of stitches! Cast on at Monday Knit Night 3/16, seamed and sewed buttons on at Monday Knit Night 3/23.

Of course I couldn't have done it without Chloe's help... now I see why I have cat hair in my knitting :)

Buttons are oh so essential and Lambikins had the perfect ones! Pewter hippos adorn this baby and I think they look adorable! And at $1 a piece I couldn't beat it!

I love this jacket!

Pattern: Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket

Yarn: Cascade 200 Superwash, Plymouth Yarns Sara Superwash

Needle: US 8 Circular 24''

My Ravelry Project Page!

Happy Socks

Well, let's see. We left off on 2/27 and shortly after that I completed my first Happy Sock!





I'm beyond thrilled with it. It's even got a bit of red at the tip of the toe. Makes me Happy!

I immediately cast on the second sock but sadly the ribbing is just boring me to tears so it sits hibernating for now. Perhaps I'll pick it up a bit here and there till that dreadful ribbing is done.

Dishcloth Dozen

So I must have really wanted to make dishcloths this month. I only needed to do 1 for the swap and yet I ended up with 3 in a matter of speaking.

I give you what started out as my February cloth for the Dishcloth Dozen Swap:

Pattern: Be My Dishcloth

Yarn: Winter Berry

Needles: US6 Circulars

My Ravelry Page!

I love the pattern and think it is super cute but the variegated yarn just did nothing for it. Off to the frog pond it went. I'll try again with a solid.

I then decided to go with a repeat from last month. The Grandmother's Favorite. But either I can't read or subconciously chose to disobey the pattern because I only did K1 YO for all of the increases instead of K2YO. I ended up with half that had 2 stitches around (the top in the photo) and half with 1 stitch around (the bottom half) and I just couldn't send it out to someone as a gift. I'll still use it and love it even though it's lopsided.

Pattern- Grandmother's Favorite

Yarn- Cotton in Winter Berry

Needles- US6 Circulars

My Ravelry Page!

So I used what was left of the Winter Berry and decided to try a new pattern from my Lily book called Kitchen Kolors! I knew I wouldn't have enough for the entire thing so I brought in the sage green and since snelson says she loves green I thought it would be a nice contrast. It was my first time working something in this manner with leaving stitches unworked and I found it to be repetitive and easy to remember.

Pattern: Beach Ball Dishcloth

Yarn: Winter Berry and Sage Green

Needles: US6

My Ravelry Page!

Addiction

Man, people weren't kidding when they said to be careful when knitting socks- that they may become addicting. I'd say I'm an addict now. I worked on my sock again on Monday at Lambikins and finally reached 7 inches for the leg. Onto the heel flap.

No problems here back and forth back and forth. I finished it on Tuesday at lunch and went on to the heel turn. Major problems. Okay not major but I was unhappy with the fact that I miscounted and didn't follow directions so I ended up with some spacing issues. I frogged the heel turn last night and redid it. Onto the gusset. No issues here only I've found that on my one side where I picked up stitches I've got these straight lines of color. I don't know. I'm sure I probably picked up in either the wrong spot or only picked up 1 loop. It looks fine and I'm going to chalk it up to a personality quirk of my Happy Socks.

Here is what we are working with as of today:

(Please ignore the chubbiness of my ankles/calfs... this was an eye opener for me! Thank goodness I've started going back to the gym...or I'm hoping it was just an unflattering angle... but I'm going with no on that one.)

Dishcloth Dozen

I joined a group that specializes in swapping Dishcloths. They are great fun projects that are quick and actually useful! The group is fantastic because it doesn't matter if you knit or crochet or sew or do magic! all are welcome to participate. I've participated in the Round Robin and the Mystery Swap and am now an active member of Dishcloth Dozen Group A!

How does it work? There are 12 of us. Each person is assigned a month (I'm July!) Each month you make a dishcloth and send it to that person of the month. Then when it is your month you receive 11 beautiful handmade dishcloths from the group. It is such a great idea and I'm happy to be a part of a group that is full of such positive and talented people.

I was however a slacker for January. Unfortunately I had my cloth finished long before the end of the month but I didn't send it until last week. I would blame the snow, but I can't since it didn't come till the end of the month.

Anyway, here is the cloth for saclements in January.

Pattern: Grandmother's Favorite

Yarn: Sugar N Cream Ombre- Country Side

Needles: US5 Circulars

My Ravelry Project Page!

Thermis

Now that I think about it, I never shared what I've done with Thermis. As of now it is still a UFO, but only because it needs to be seamed and buttons added. Oh then blocked. Of course, the blocking.

Anyways, She looks great- Don't you think?


Too bad it's now 60* so she may not get worn until next winter but I'm still proud!

Happy Socks

Lisagh over at Grosgrain Garage makes the cutest socks! Naturally I want some too!

Since the first attempt was teeny tiny, I started my first "me" sized sock last night at Lambikins. I'm using my Trekking and praying that I don't srew it up and ruin the gorgeous yarn! I'm sticking with just 1 strand for now but if I can get good at this I would love some 2 toned like Lisagh did :)


I am using Yarn Harlot's Basic Sock pattern from Knitting Rules! Cast on 64 stitches and though I was worried about it fitting I tried it on last night and it fit! I only did a little over an inch of the 2x2 rib since I am so slow at it and just couldn't take it anymore. But once I started on the leg it was going MUCH quicker :)


After 2 hours of knitting at Knit Night, and another 30 minutes or so at home. Here is what I have so far:




Doesn't it make you Happy?

First Sock!

So that sock I mentioned that I worked on in the last post? It's finished!

It's a mix of a couple different patterns as I was just trying to learn construction. This sock will never have a mate. Methinks it will become an ornament for our Christmas Tree or for a family with a new baby girl for her first Christmas. :)

Knitting a sock was not nearly as daunting as I thought it would be. It was surprisingly easy if you put faith in the pattern. As I was working on the heel flap I gave looks of concern to the women at the table and they assured me, just keep going, it will be like magic. They were right!



Yarn: Patons Stretch Sock in Sugar
Needle: DPN-Crystal Palace US 2
Started: 1/31
Finished: 2/8

Socks and a Trip to LYS!

So I've decided I want to try socks! I went to my LYS Lambikins Hideaway for the first time on 1/31 with the intent of trying socks. I had some Patons Stretch Sock yarn in Sugar that I really liked and needed some double point needles and a little direction. I found Lambikins tucked away in a cute building about 8 minutes from my house. As soon as I walked in I was in love. There were women chatting and knitting around the table and yarn OH! THE YARN! was everywhere on display for me to admire. I was recommended a set of Bamboo US2 DPN's by Crystal Palace and I was ready to go. I was welcomed to the table and as I cast on and the women realised I'd only been knitting a short while they were surprised yet very supportive of my undertaking. Working with the DPN's was difficult at first but once I got a few rows in I got comfortable and was a-ok. I got the ribbing done and starting on the leg by the time I had to leave. As I was packing up to leave I fell victim? to an ENABLER! Mary was lovely enough to show me some gorgeous red yarn that Leslie was buying and then led me to THE BOX! of sock yarn. I grabbed a skein and didn't let go. Thus is how I purchased my first. ever. "good stuff." sock yarn.


I give you Trekking XXL in colorway 165.


I will be making my "Happy Socks" with this.

Thermis!

61. purchase a knit pattern from Ravelry

In honor of my trip this weekend to NYC, along with the fact it will be a blistering 18* most of the weekend I found, and purchased this stylish and (hopefully) quick and easy pattern to keep my neck warm while sightseeing in the city! (Only $2.49!) I've got a skein of Paton's with this pattern's name all over it and I can't wait! If anything I can get started today/tomorrow and wrap it up on the plane. What else am I going to do for 2 hours? Well, I suppose I could sleep but who wants to do that when you could be crafting?!

Get the pattern here