In which I force my knitting on people

Right after Christmas I went on a small work-related road trip with two ladies that I like a lot. Over the course of the couple of days I had decided to make one a cabled hat, and the other asked for a messy bun hat for running. All it takes is a couple of compliments on my knitting and I am off and running. Oh the joy when people WANT me to knit something for them.

First up, I knit Father Cables, with a blue Lions Brand yarn I had leftover from my Bloomsbury sweater. This pattern is free, and I loved knitting it. I just love cables, I do!

I decided to give her the hat for her birthday in February, and she loves it. I won't post a picture of her on the blog, but you can see it well enough on Poly. 

Next up I took a look at messy bun hats. I didn't really want to try to crochet, and I didn't want it plain and boring. She did ask for brightish colors since she would wear it for running, and she does like my Hermione Hat that I keep in my work car. So, all that sorted, I used another stash yarn-- Loops and Threads Impeccable Ombre (it hurt my hands but I got it done), and the Hermione Hat pattern (free!).

 It looks really rather funny to me, and I think the opening is too high, but maybe that is just me. I used another free messy bun pattern to do the opening, and there are so many different way to do it. Here is a bad bathroom picture of me in it:

All in all, a few fun hats. I also ran into another co-worker that crochets for a kids charity up north. I made her a bunch of hats last year and she was sniffing around for more, so I guess I had better get started on those one of these days........

Lastly, you've earned a moment of zen, compliments of Biscuit

Addictive knits

I've just recently discovered something so addictive I feel like I shouldn't even talk about, lest more people become addicted and lose precious hours of their day to it. However, since this IS a knitting blog, and I'm having so much fun, I will. 


I just started a 10 Stitch scrap blanket, and it is divine. The other day I drank a strange combination of wine (with dinner) and tea (after dinner) and somehow ended up with energy to burn and a craft closet to clean out. It looks wonderful now, and it got me to thinking I should start another scrap blanket. I made a crochet one years ago now (I love it),  but that didn't use up the tiny little bits I've been storing, and I feel like the 10 Stitch will. So I put all the smallest pieces in a basket, and let the girls lay them out in the order they wanted me to use them, and I got going. It is really very easy, though I didn't do the daisy join right the first time, but I soon realized I wasn't slipping the stitch on the reverse side correctly and once I'd fixed that--presto!

The thing I most love about scrap blankets is that they can be ugly to everyone but the person making it. I like to think about each yarn as I use it--where I bought it, what I used it for, who I gave the project to. It is a lovely little trip down memory lane, and so very enjoyable. For some reason, it is also highly addictive, and I am having trouble putting it down. The laundry lays neglected, the kids are playing too much computer, the husband really deserves help with the fence, but here I sit, knitting. It is really quite addictive.

Baby sweaters

I may be quiet, but I'm still here!! I've been knitting some baby items, for my husband's friend at work. She is expecting a much anticipated grand child, and so I got busy with my needles. Plus, knitting baby clothes is so much fun!

I made the above with stash yarn and free patterns (yay!), so not only am I gifting, but I'm technically cleaning too. The cardigan is Puerperium cardigan, and the booties are Baby Uggs. Those baby things were so fun, I made a few more:

It is called the Little Seedling Soaker. I used Deborah Norville Serenity Baby yarn for it. And lastly, one more sweater and a hat, also from stash yarn (that I think I've had for about 10 years, just waiting for a project). The set is called Star Bright, and in hindsight I should have knit the hat in the round, but live and learn I guess. The yarn is Sidar Supersoft Aran, and the picture doesn't really do the color justice, it is more of a pale grey blue.

All of those projects I finished by June, and then I started knitting Isla a sweater for this winter. I'll post about that next, because I'm really rather proud of how it turned out. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Summer is for socks

As if I don't have enough projects on my needles, I cast on a new one. I got an incredible urge to knit socks--so I did (one anyway).

The pattern is My Cup of Tea free on Ravelry. I love tea, these socks, and things that are free. I'm using the Cascade 220 fingering from my Roxborough Dolman that I didn't like. I know, I know, there is no nylon in this yarn but I don't really like the feeling of it for a top. So far, I'm happy with it for socks. Which is good, since I have plenty. I'm working on the second one right now, and finding them rather compulsive!

Happy knitting friends!

If you are happy, I am happy

Hello Friday!! I love the weekend, even though I've had a pretty great week. I have two FO's to share today. 

The first, a headband, I made over a month ago and forgot about. It was one of those, "I really need a quick project so I can feel like I'm accomplishing something" deals. Also excellent stash-busting. I ended up gifting it to my co-worker, because I'm just not a headband kind of girl. I guess. I keep trying.

The pattern is Winter Morning, and it is free. The yarn is from my stash, absolutely lovely soft stuff, Wendy Viva.

The latest project I've finished is a hat for fellow blogger Anke's friend. She had a shout out a few weeks ago asking for hats for her friend who is facing some health issues. The idea grabbed hold of me at once, and I cast on that day. I wobbled for a while, thinking the yarn didn't match the pattern. And maybe it doesn't, but let me tell you, I think it is lovely in person. The yarn is super soft and I think it will feel lovely against her skin.   

Pattern: Foliage Hat
Yarn: King Cole Inspire 

Mindless knits are essential

Well, I cannot deny the truth of it--I have castonitis. In a BIG way. First (weeks ago now), I cast on some fingerless gloves. Then I got to the finger portion and

they were abandoned. I cast on a cabled sweater with the yarn I have left over from this

that was abandoned because I cast on a vest with this gorgeous yarn. It is Wool of the Andes Tweed. 

 
then that was abandoned and I cast on a vest for my daughter

Ok, that isn't all true, not everything has been abandoned. I am knitting the Mielie vest while the kids and I watch TV at night, since it is mainly stockinette. 

I  had to cast on the vest for Isla because all this beautiful yarn arrived in the mail. I also discovered something wonderful--yarn really does cheer me up! We've been having just a wee bit of family worry/drama, and the pumpkin yarn in particular make me feel ever so much better, just by looking at it. So I've left it and a red skein out on my desk, in case I need a quick pick me up. Another nice thing is that the kids saw all the pink (which they had picked) and decided in the future maybe they should pick some other colors. Wouldn't that be wonderful, if they threw in some greens and blues! Rori at least picked that lovely purple on the right, and Isla picked the red. 



So all that should keep me out of trouble for a little while. But I'm not going to lie, for some reason the cold weather is making me want to knit socks. We will see where the season takes me!

What's happening here

It feels like yesterday that I was over enjoying lori times five's blog, when I learned about yarn splicing. She's got a video here, where she demonstrates how to do it. Recently, I've adopted it when knitting with 100% wool (both the sweater I'm knitting and the cardigan are pure wool). I love it! I love not having to weave ends in. Thank you Lori, you are an inspiration!

Recently my Dad made me this:

Which I also love. I know, it is a big, but it can sit out of sight under my table when not in use. And it makes life easier. Much easier. And faster.

In other news, I am trying to learn Continental knitting instead of English. I've been suffering from repetitive strain injury for what feels like forever. I get better, then knit too much, and it comes back. So after reading that Continental is better for people that suffer like me, I'm trying to switch. It is hard, and I am not patient, but I am trying. I used this video as help. I'm using some stash bulky and huge needles to make a scarf just like the very first one I ever made (in 2009, yipes!), when I learned English-style.

Lastly, in an effort to let me hands rest a bit, I decided to start a scrap quilt. I am not a quilter, but I do try. I'm using this book:

to quilt as I go. I'll let you know how that turns out. I'm mostly using fabric my Grandma gave me, with a few scraps of my own, so I feel happy every time I work on it. I love my Grandma!   

Happy Crafting!!

SockSaga

Here I am, finally back on a FO Friday. I've been knitting, a lot, but I don't have much in the way of FO's to show you. Life's been stressful--we are moving, again. To another continent, again. I have my fingers and toes crossed this is the last move for a while, and I'm pretty excited because we are moving back to the USA. Hurray for being closer to family!

But I digress. I decided to use some yarn left over from my Hermione socks to make some sports socks (that's what I call these little short socks, I don't actually do sports in them. Or any time, really).  In truth I'm just using up stash so when I get a job in the USA I can buy more yarn. Just don't tell Dave that. What's that you say, he already knows?

I almost had enough yarn to finish these. But I didn't. So I used up a bit of spare 4ply I had, and I am pleased with how they turned out. I'm not one to be critical of the miss-matched colors. I'm a big fan of "different."

I've got a bit more spare sock yarn that I will use to make another set of these. My girls call them "summer socks" and luckily I get to go from the southern hemisphere summer to the northern. Hurray! If you are interested in the super simple yet satisfying pattern, you can find it here.

Hopefully in between all the packing I will be here on Wednesday for a WIP show and tell. I'm making some good progress on things! Until then, happy crafting!

These Tasmanian Devils remind me of my twins.......

The last of it

Well, my Christmas knitting is done. The final tally is 4 hats, two shawlettes, one pair of mittens, one pair of fingerless gloves, and one pair of yoga socks. They have all been sent and received (though not all opened yet, oh the will power!!)

I knit two Watch Caps, for two young men in my family. The pattern is brilliant, you can use whatever yarn/gauge you want, and it tells you how to make the hat. The pattern is in the book Knits Men Want, which I got for Christmas a few years ago. Both hats were made from stash yarn, one is 8ply and the other 10ply. I love how simple and great these hats look. I want one for myself.

It has been so hot today, but I'm going to sit down and knit a wee bit. I've been busy preparing for my folks to arrive, and haven't knit in days. *gasp* I'm going into withdrawals. But before I go, one last FO, the striped pair of socks I was working on. I finished them about a month ago, but never got around to taking the picture.

Now, while I go and ooh and aah over the yarn that arrived with my parents, you have yourself a very happy holiday season. I'll see you in January!!

Hungry Monsters

Hi guys. We've had a mixed bag of weather this week, but some days of beautiful warmth and sunshine. Oh how I love the sunshine. Luckily the sunshine hasn't made it too hot for knitting, but I've been getting some sewing done too. Right now I'm working on my quilt for my daughter, since I finished her sisters. I just finished the top today, so hopefully it won't be too much longer.

Now on to my FO. A wee while ago I downloaded a cloth napkin pattern on Craftsy, to get some ideas on making new ones. Afterwards owner of the pattern emailed me with a link to her newsletter if I was interested.  I didn't think I would be, but I was wrong. She sometimes includes free patterns in the newsletter, one of which I thought was too cute to pass up.

It is called Gobbler, and it's a pencil case. I made these three for my nieces and nephew in Louisiana. I've put some goodies in as well, because I couldn't resist. 

I used fabric that my Grandma gifted me a while ago, she tie-dyed them all, and I love love love them! I had enough to make two bigger ones for my own girls for Christmas, but I won't put a picture up just yet. They are nosy wee girls and might see it on my blog and then the gig would be up!

If you are interested the newsletter is called Shiny Happy News, and the blog is here.

Take care, I'm off to the post office to get all my crafts on a plane to the USA. I've got one more post for next week and then I'm done sharing Christmas projects (I think!).

A tale of two mitts

Well, I'd like to think I am almost done with my Christmas knitting. I went from knitting for no one to knitting for 7. Sigh. And I feel the pressure to get the gifts done and in the mail, you  know, soon.


So brief history on this project, and this yarn--Sirdar Crofter Chunky, purchased to make my niece first this (in 2010):

than this matching scarf (2011):

and since I had just a wee bit left over I thought I'd make her some fingerless mitts to use it up. After much searching I found the Camp Out Fingerless mitts pattern, so I gave them a try. And while it looks ok, it was too tight and boring on my arm. Back to the drawing board.

After much searching and no joy, I remember the mitts I had first made when I purchased my Nicky Epstein Block by Block book. They are the Curvy Cable pattern, and originally they were knit flat and seamed, with just a hole left for the thumb. This time, I used what I've learned in the last several years to make them better.

I knit them in the round, and I added a gusset for the thumb, taken from the Camp Out pattern (so my time wasn't wasted after all). They ended up being just a wee bit shorter than I would have liked, but I ran out of yarn. I am quite happy with the result, and I much prefer them seamless with the gusset. They are of course chunkier than the originals, due to the yarn I used.

And there you have it. No more yarn, and a complete set for a lovely, lovely person. 

Have a great weekend!!

Mittens for Gramps

I am almost done knitting for my Michigan Christmas parcel. I had a hard time figuring out what to make my Grandpa. I've given him a hat, and a scarf in the past. This time I made him some mittens. Who doesn't need mittens?

Pattern: Cruiser (free pattern)
Yarn: Lion Brand Pure wool (stash-busted this yarn!)

I am not sure where I went wrong with these, but I had to make adjustments to get them to the right size. I added 5 extra knit rows while decreasing, and 3 extra knit rows for the thumb, also while decreasing. I am fairly satisfied with the finished mittens.

Have a great weekend!

A hat for Mike

Another hat! Carrying on with the Christmas knitting, I completed a hat for my Uncle Mike. 

This is what you get when you ask my seven year old to take a close up of the hat:

The pattern is free, Susies Winter Beach Hat. I used some Fisherman's Wool I had in my stash.

I didn't particularly like making this hat. I followed the pattern and it was much too small (think skull cap), so I had to rip back and make it the right size (thank goodness the diameter was ok). An upside of making it though, is that I got to practice cabling with using a cable needle, which I had never done before. I was getting annoyed at having to cable every row, and it was such a small cable every few stitches. So learning this new technique was very worthwhile, and really sped things up. 

Anyhoo, it turned out nice, and that's one more present done. I can't wait to show you the second shawl I've completed, I love it. I didn't get a chance to take any pictures this week however, so, same time next week ok!! See you then.