The Knitting Den

Serious Stash Enhancement!

2012-02-18T12:19:00.000-08:00

I've mentioned before that I've never really had much of a stash when it comes to my yarn. I usually like to buy the yarn once I know what I want to knit. But the reason for that has usually been that Hobby Lobby and Michael's just don't have the kind of yarn I (or anyone for that matter) would want to stash!

Now that I've discovered my new LYS is not really that far from me I've gone a little crazy over the past couple of weeks (well, crazy for me, that is). Now, don't get me wrong, I still don't really want to have that big a stash (or did everyone with a big stash start off by saying that!!) but it is nice to just pick up a skein or two now and then - and have a project in mind for it.

I blame those (wonderful) podcasters for 'enabling' me - Diane in particular! She is just the sweetest knitter I've ever not met - LOL :-) She (and other podcasters) have mentioned a few times about the bags they have been buying for their projects. Truth be told, I've never put my projects in a bag, but I had to change that after seeing their bags. And here's mine . . .

My first bag from Lois at Knittings My Bag! You can find her shop on Etsy HERE. This is the small size and easily fits your sock projects or your shawls (while they're not too big). The picture is a little blurry because I didn't have the flash on.

Here it is closer and in focus (with the flash). I love it, it's full of little pockets inside. It will not be my last I can tell you. Lois has all kinds of different fabrics, I can't wait to order another one.

Here is the stash of yarn I've accumulated over the past couple of weeks. Some of this is from Knitpicks too.

I cast on for the Cedar Leaf Shawlette a couple of days ago with the Manos Silk Blend I bought last week (I actually bought an extra skein today at the yarn store incase I ran out).

and THIS . . .

is my first EVER skein of 100% CASHMERE :-)

I am beyond excited to have this sweet skein, I've never bought 100% cashmere before and I'm dying to know what it feels like!! I have a Jared Flood cowl pattern in mind for it. THIS ONE to be exact.

And I bought yarn to knit this . . .

This is the beautiful new design from Julie at Knitted Bliss. - Wildflower Tank. And it's featured in the Spring Issue of IK. I'd been looking at some summer tanks to knit soon and when I saw this on Julie's blog, I knew it would be my next garment project! I couldn't get 100% silk at the LYS, so I've picked something else. I'll be swatching this weekend and will let you know if it will work and show you when I cast on.

So much yarn. . . . so little time to knit! (actually I get lots of time to knit, but I still want more time - shame we can't knit our sleep!!!).

Dahlia

2012-02-10T05:55:00.000-08:00

Dahlia by Heather Zoppetti

Yarn: Manos Del Uruguay Serena

Needles: US 4

I enjoyed knitting this but think I could have gone down another needles size as the stitches were very loose on the needle. When this was blocked and finished, I first tried it on with a tank underneath, but it kept slipping off my shoulders. Then I put a long sleeve T on underneath and it felt much better. I'll still try to wear it with a tank or t-shirt (the t-shirt might help it from slipping) as it will be a nice cardi for the spring or cool summer evenings - ha ha, who am I kidding we NEVER get 'cool' summer evenings here in TX!!!

The Drifty Set

2012-02-08T18:01:00.000-08:00

I finished the mittens that matched the Drifty hat and I love them (my ravelry link is HERE) :-) I loved this pattern the minute I saw it on one of Diane's Podcasts. I bought the hat and mittens pattern on Ravelry and knit the hat within a day.

The mittens always take me longer, because I tend to put them to one side to do the thumbs later, then inevitably I cast on for something else and they get left in the wip basket for a while. Luckily these didn't stay there for very long. . .

I'm happy to say my daughter loved this set too. Hopefully we will get a few cold days before Spring really gets here, although it was 77 degrees one day earlier this week, so who knows - we may already have seen the last of winter here in TX!

I am seriously considering knitting a set for myself, but I may wait until we get colder weather again, probably much later this year.

My Dahlia cardigan is blocked and finished AND I wore it for the first time last weekend for a trip to my LYS :-) More about that later.

Too busy to blog. . . . I like it ;-)

2012-02-02T11:32:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad I decided that this year is going to be a ME year for knitting. I am having so much fun with it, not to mention that I am just loving watching the new video podcasts that I recently discovered, while I knit :-) I don't know how I didn't notice them sooner, some of the podcasters have been going for nearly 2 years, and others have only just started! Both are fun to watch. I am adding the podcasts that I like to follow in my sidebar, so it shows the date when they have uploaded a new video, which is usually once a week.

A little confession, my favorite day of the week is now Thursday! That's when Diane from Knitabulls uploads her new podcast, and I have to admit she is my most favorite to watch right now. I've never been one to have much of a stash, but oh my word, I want to buy just about everything she shows us each week - I guess that's why they call it 'enabling' :-) One of the things she mentioned recently (and other podcasters have too) are the project bags from Lois at Knittings My Bag. Seems like every time Lois posts her bags they are bought up SUPER quick! I don't usually use project bags, but I want to now that I've seen everyone else using them!

I could have bought one last week when Lois updated her Etsy shop but when I went to purchase one... I realized that my PayPal account didn't have any money in it, and I needed to transfer some from my bank. That usually takes a few days for the transaction to complete, so I sent a PM to Lois and asked if she could hold the bag for me, or would she have any others pretty soon! By the end of that day all of Lois's bags had sold. I'm so glad I PM'd her though, because she sent me a message back saying she can custom make the bag for me when I was ready to order. I've just noticed I missed another shop update today, and looks like ALL of the bags (except one) have already sold again. I have one on order, so I will have to be patient and hopefully I will get it in the next couple of weeks.

So, I have been knitting lots, and Dahlia is finally off the needles - yay :-) I have blocked it too but just haven't had a chance to take photos of me wearing it. I will share that next time. I also cast on for a quick knit this past week, which was Altounyan, by Lily Kate.

I haven't taken any photos of me wearing this either, but I did snap a shot of it just after I cast off.Because I don't like wearing any wool around my neck (it's just too scratchy for me) I chose to knit this in a soft acrylic.

Pattern: Altounyan by Lily Kate

Yarn: Dark Horse Fantasy - pink

Needle size - US7

This was such an easy pattern, and I loved how it turned out. I've already worn it a few times too. I'll try to get some modeled shots soon. The pattern was a free gift from Lily to say thank you to everyone for supporting her this past year.

And speaking of 'freebies', well prizes really - I won this wonderful skein of Laughing Yaffle yarn from JosieKitten a few weeks ago. Thankfully it didn't take too long to get it in the mail from England. Along with it came some yummy English sweeties, that I hadn't had in years, 'Minstrels' - they're like M&M's on steroids ;-) but all chocolate coated, not different colors. Thank you again JK, I'm loving them both.

Here's a picture of the yarn. Not a very good picture I'm afraid, hopefully you'll get to see it better when I take a picture of the WIP I have now. Well, when I take a picture of it that is.

I was thinking I'd use this yarn for socks, but then I decided to cast on for Magrathea after seeing Tina's FO on her podcast Knitting Blooms. She recently had a KAL for it, but that's over now, so I'll be knitting this one alone. Not that I mind at all. I loved the look of hers, and couldn't wait to cast on once I bought the pattern last weekend. I've only knit about 10 rows so far. It's patiently waiting for me as I finish up the Drifty mittens AND another cowl that I just started yesterday!! No pics of the new cowl, but it's the La La Love You cowl. I'm joining in with Diane at Knitabulls for her February KAL :-)

Yes, so much to knit.... so little time!

Yarn Along - 1/25

2012-01-25T08:48:00.000-08:00

Joining in with Ginny for Yarn Along this week. I'm almost finished with my Dahlia cardigan, I just have to knit one more sleeve which I'm already half way through. I have both sleeves still on the needles because I wasn't sure how much yarn I would have left! The first sleeve needs a few more rows of moss stitch (if I have enough yarn!). I'm hoping I'll finish it by the weekend and I can block it - I'm so excited!

As much as I want to finish Dahlia quickly I sometimes just need a break from knitting with the same yarn. I cast on for the Drifty mitten last night, actually late afternoon! And I finished it last night, all except the thumb!

I'm knitting with the same yarn again (Hobby Lobby's I Love This Wool), but using size 6 needles. It has turned out a perfect size for Kristen's hands. Usually mitts that I knit often turn out a little big. I'll probably try to finish Dahlia before I cast on for the second mitten.

I finished reading Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese last week for our book club, so before I start our next monthly read (which is Girl in Translation) I thought I would pick up the Harry Potter book again. I started the 5th book weeks ago and am not even half way through it. I'd like to get it read so I can watch the movie. I haven't seen the 5th, 6th and 7th movie yet, but I want to read the books first.

FO's!

2012-01-21T15:04:00.000-08:00

Yay, I have Fo's! My first for 2012. I have been knitting up a storm this week. Got my pink socks finished. I realized that the reason they were turning out big was because they were meant to wear over socks! Duh. I am thinking of getting some of that puffy paint stuff to put on the bottom of them to make them non-slip.

Pattern: Double Knit Over Socks by Ray Reid

Yarn: King Cole Splash DK

Needles: US 4

I saw this pattern this week on a podcast I was watching (it was an older podcast from Diane at Knitabulls). I am rather addicted to her podcasts right now and keep watching old ones while I wait for her new weekly ones! I would quite happily watch all of them from last year but for some reason they don't show up on my ipad, and that is what I use to watch, while I'm sitting with my feet up knitting!

The pattern is called Drifty It's from the Red Collection by Mandy Powers. I don't like anything with fairisle or intarsia in it because I hate knitting it. . . . or so I thought! I loved the look of this hat so much I wanted to give it a try. What a pleasant surprise to discover that actually fairisle is much easier to knit than intarsia! I discovered something new too. All the time I was knitting intarsia it was so slow going because you had to cross the yarn over, but with fairisle you don't have to actually twist the yarn as you knit. I'm sure most of you all know this already. It makes knitting something like this so much faster than I expected.

I started this yesterday and finished it off this morning! I would have finished it last night but my neighbor came over for a glass of wine so I put it down. But oh my gosh, I just LOVE it, and I am so proud of myself for trying something I thought I didn't like (and finding out I actually do like it)! I didn't have any bulky yarn for it but I thought if I knit the largest size and use worsted weight wool it might turn out the right size for Kristen - and it did :-) I want to order the Lambs Pride Bulky yarn to knit this for me now too, AND make us both a pair of mittens to match. The only sad part is we won't probably wear these until next winter, it already feels like spring here in TX with temps in the 70's this week!!!!

Pattern: Drifty

Yarn: Hobby Lobby's I Love this Wool!

Needles: size US 8

I'm making good progress on my Dahlia cardigan, although I do have to rip one of the sleeves out. I didn't realize I had to start the decreases so soon, so it ended up too long and not decreased enough. I thought it might look ok like that, but it doesn't, and considering the price of this yarn, I know I need to frog it and do it right. I'm on the second sleeve right now and once that is knit (correctly) I'll frog the other one and re-do it.

Yarn Along - 1

2012-01-11T11:54:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd join in with Ginny's Yarn Along this week. The two things I've been doing most since Christmas is knitting and reading :-) I'm now in two book clubs, my main (real) one, and a 'virtual' online one with some friends.

This week I'm reading Cutting For Stone with my 'real' club, we'll be discussing it at our first monthly meeting on January 19th. I have to say, this is not my kind of read at all, so I'm not really enjoying it, but still plugging away at it . . . it's over 600 pages long!!! I'm also reading a Thomas Kinkaide novel with my online club and I'm really enjoying that one (more my kind of read).

As I mentioned in my last post, I cast on for a pair of socks so I had something small to knit while working on Wray and Dahlia. I'm using THIS pattern on Ravelry, they are called Double Knit Oversocks. Even though I've gone down two needle sizes (the pattern calls for us6 and I'm using us4 dpn's) I still feel like it's a little loose! I know, I know, I should check gauge, and honestly this is the LAST TIME I don't! I really will check my gauge with everything I knit from now on out - promise!

I've come to the conclusion that I have tiny feet - well not tiny in length, I'm a size 7-7/12, but the width of my foot seems very small, either that or I just knit really loose. All of the socks I've ever knit have felt loose and could, in my opinion, be a little smaller for a better/snugger fit.

Still, one sock finished, the key now is to cast on straight away for the second sock or I will be dealing with SSS (second sock syndrome) and will end up with yet another 'lone sock'! Yes I have others sitting in baskets waiting for it's partner!

I'm waiting for a package from Knitpicks this week, I ordered a 16" needle so I can knit the sleeves of Dahlia, doing them on the dpn's is slow going and I keep getting 'ladders'! I'm hoping I can knit them on the 16" for the most part before the decreases start? I've also ordered some sock yarn from them, in cream. I've wanted to knit these socks for ages. . .

They're the Lingerie Socks from Knitty.com You can see them on Ravelry HERE. The picture is linked to the Knitty site. Not sure if I'll make them or pick a different pattern, I'm also wanting to try toe-up remember!

It's ME Time :-)

2012-01-09T18:29:00.000-08:00

This past week I've been knocked down with allergies, really BAD allergies, Cedar Fever to be exact!!! I've had a sore throat, itchy ears, headaches, no energy, stuffy nose, and now the pressure in my head is so bad I can hardly hear :-( I haven't been to the gym in over a week (again) and I'm feeling pretty sorry for myself. I finally called my ENT Dr this morning, can't get an appointment to see him until Friday! but thankfully he called in a prescription for antibiotics and steroids to help me until then.

Suffice to say, feeling so 'out of sorts' this week, I've been having a lot of down time. Wanna know what I've discovered? Knitting Podcasts!!! VIDEO knitting podcasts to be exact (cos I need the visual). I'm sure I'm way behind the times and you've probably all been listening (or watching) podcasts for years, but I've never really bothered - until now. I have an Ipad an I like sitting on the sofa knitting and watching the podcast while I knit. It's like having a friend there chatting to me, about the one thing I'm passionate about.

Two of my favs so far are Tina from Blooming Knitter, her podcasts are called 'Knitting Blooms' and you can find her group on Ravelry HERE. The other one I like is Tammy 'The Proverbial Knitter'. Her Ravelry group is HERE.

So, it's 2012, and it's time to knit for me. And guess what?, I don't know what to knit! Well that's not really true, right now I have Wray and Dahlia on the needles that I cast on last year.

This is as far as I've gotten with Wray, I just divided for the armholes. The ribbing is slow going, but I just love this Lily Kate design and can't wait to wear it!

My Dahlia cardigan is a bit further along than even this photo shows. I've actually picked up one sleeve and am nearly finished it, I've just started the pattern at the cuff. I have vowed not to start any large projects until both of these items are off my needles - please hold me accountable! I am allowing myself one small item along with these two larger ones. The only problem is I don't have much in my stash and therefore I don't know what that small item should be.

Tonight I decided to cast on for a simple pair of socks. I haven't taken pictures today so that will be something I'll share next time. I hope to blog a lot more often on here this year AND visit my knitting friends blogs much more too. I also would like to treat myself to some NICE yarn (read 'not acrylic', and not from Hobby Lobby or Michael's!) but I'd rather I buy it when I know what project I have in mind for it.

A couple of other goals I have for this year (cos I don't call them resolutions, we all know they just get broken!) is to 1) organize my 'stash', the little that I do have, and 2) try and knit a pair of 'toe-up' socks! I seriously have never tried this, and I've been told it's much easier to do and helps the sock fit a lot better too! Is that true? Do you knit 'toe-up'? What do you think?

Well anyway, that's what I'm up to here. Off to read some blogs now. If you pop in to read me, please say hi, I love your comments and will always return the visit.

Happy New Year - 2012

2012-01-02T17:20:00.000-08:00

Wow, here we are at the start of a new year! I haven't blogged here since November, simply because I haven't been knitting much since November!!! I got so busy planning Christmas I didn't even finish all of my Christmas knitting. I was just 4 items short. I did pack up everything else I had knitted and shipped them off to my family in England, but sadly they didn't receive the package until just after Christmas. Oh well,they at least got them and hopefully at some point I will see pictures of them in their knitted attire :-)

As I have mentioned (on a few occasions now), 2012 is gonna be a ME year. I am solely knitting for Me, Moi, pointing finger at self!!! BUT, before I do that, I have 2 hats to finish knitting then I can send the last 4 gifts home.

First thing I will be knitting (or finishing) is my Dahlia cardigan. After that I want to work on Wray that I also cast on last year! Once those two items are knit I will allow myself to browse and pick what I want to knit next. I think I might alternate from a small project to a large one, but it might just depend on how I feel.

I do look forward to blogging more about my knitting here, and visiting more blogs to see what you all have on the needles too. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. We had a ton of fun. If you'd like to see pictures you can visit my daily blog HERE.

ADVENTure Update - last one!

2011-11-15T12:31:00.000-08:00

Well, October 25th has been and gone and I didn't do an update post. November 25th is just around the corner, that would have been my last update but I thought I would post it now. I am still knitting some hats for Christmas, not sure if I'll get them all done in time?

I've started wrapping my knitted gifts, keeping it very simple with some tissue paper and yarn. There's really no point in using other bows and such because they seem to just get squashed in the mail! I like the rustic simple look of these. I hope my family appreciates the time I've spent knitting for them this year ;-) Hopefully in the new year I can share picutres of the gifts I sent home - assuming my lovely family will take photos on Christmas day. Next year, I may get my sewing machine out, it's a lot faster. And I'll be leaving the knitting for just me!

Speaking of knitting just for me, my Dahlia cardigan is coming along nicely. Although it's on the back burner right now until I get the last of the hats knitted. Here's a picture I took a couple of weeks ago . . .

I've since picked up and knit the other side, AND started on the sleeves, well one sleeve. This will have to sit patiently until all Christmas gifts are finished. Then hopefully I'll be able to work on it over the Christmas break. Nothing like putting your feet up and knitting over the holidays.

Birthday Treat

2011-10-11T16:01:00.000-07:00

I was about to name this post "what have I done!" but that would seem to indicate that I regret what I had actually done - and I by no means regret it. What have I done you might ask? I've gone and bought the yarn to knit the beautiful Dahlia Cardigan, and not only that but I'VE ALREADY CAST ON!!!!

It all started last week when I finally got a chance to drive along to a new LYS that I'd heard had just opened. As some of you may know, my only LYS closed last year and I've had no where to get yarn since, other than on line or Hobby Lobby and Michael's! This yarn store is about a 20 minute drive from me.... well worth it too. It's called Happy Ewe. You can see the website HERE.

and here's a picture of the inside (taken from their website). LOOK - comfy sofas :-) A small corner of the shop is dedicated to spinning and weaving. The owners are two lovely ladies and I chatted away with them last week for well over half an hour. Turns out they are doing a Dahlia Cardigan KAL. They meet once a month and had only met once already last month. So, that was it - I decided to treat myself for my birthday and bought the recommended yarn and join in.

The yarn feels gorgeous, Manos Del Uruguay 'Serena', baby alpaca and pima cotton. It is so nice to knit with too. I would have liked to knit it in the mauve color (as seen in Interweave Knits) but the owner was already knitting it and didn't have enough yarn for me in that color. I chose this blue/grey instead. I think it will be great with my jeans, which is probably when I'll wear it most.

So, as you can see, I've knit the lace panel already for the back, that only took me 3 days. And I'm now on to the right and left sides. It's a strange set up, but I'm just taking my time and not reading too far ahead, because to be honest, it sounds rather complicated. I know it can't be that hard as there are already hundreds of FO's on Ravelry.

The thought 'what have I done' has entered my mind a few times this week, because I still have Christmas gift knitting to do but I can't put down my Dahlia knitting. And of course the sweet 'Wray' has taken a back seat too. But not to worry. A few more hats done and I'll be finished with gifts, then it's full steam ahead for ME ME ME :-)

It's taking forever!

2011-10-05T11:24:00.000-07:00

It's Wednesday - time for another 'Yarn Along with Ginny. Christmas knitting is getting rather boring!!! There's nothing worse than thinking you HAVE to knit something (tell me I'm not the only one who thinks that). In order to make sure I have a little something knit for all of my family back in England, I've resorted to making hats for the last few people on my list (mainly the guys!). I think I only have about 5 to go.

Other than hats, I have Wray on the needles for me, designed by the lovely Lily Kate . . . .

It's taking forever (in the title) is pertaining to the 1x1 rib around the yoke! It was only for 31 rows, but with over 200 stitches on the needles, it did indeed feel like it was taking me forever. Especially as I wasn't picking it up very often. But I love this pretty cardigan, knit in lace and I think it will all be worth it in the end ;-)

I'm hoping this will be my first FO of 2012 - the year I knit for ME (even though I cast on in 2011)! Along with the knitting, I am back to reading Harry Potter - after a short interval where I read 'Look Again' for book club this month. I'm reading the 4th book and can't wait to finish it, just so I can watch the movie. I borrowed the book from my neighbor and it doesn't have a dust jacket, hence the reason for the photo courtesy of Amazon.

Also joining in with WIP Wednesday

ADVENTure Update

2011-09-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

So, last Sunday marked the 3 month mark to Christmas - Sept 25th. Only 2 more updates after this one! I didn't think I had much to show this month for my ADVENTure update, but I have 3 hats that I haven't shown pictures of yet. I enjoyed knitting the 'Who' owl hat pattern for my nephew's little boy, so I decided to stick with that for his little girl too . . . I'm also working on a blue one for his other little boy ;-)

Also got a ribbed hat finished this week . . . this is the 'fit for a boyfriend' hat pattern on Ravelry.

It knit up nicely with Hobby Lobby's I love this Wool, but knitting rib is so boring. I felt like I wasn't getting anywhere for the first couple of inches, but then it seemed to go quicker and before I knew it I was decreasing. This was originally intended for one of my brothers or brother-in-law but it's a bit small. It fit's Kristen perfectly so I will gift it to my niece's boy who is 10 yrs also, and next time I knit one for an adult I will add an extra inch before starting to decrease.

Finally, another hat like the one I did last month but this time in grey. . .

Excuse the terrible photos! I was taking them quickly so I could write up a post. I'm hoping after the holidays I might actually get some pictures with the recipients modeling them ;-)

86 Days to Christmas! Have you started your Gift Knitting yet?

Yarn Along - 9/28

2011-09-28T06:25:00.000-07:00

I was going to post my ADVENTure update today, but I thought I'd join in with Ginny's Yarn Along first, and post my other update later this week (cos I haven't got much to share for it!). Just like Ginny and many others who join in with 'Yarn Along' two of my favorite things is reading and knitting. I do a little of both just about every day. For the past few weeks I've been reading the Harry Potter books. I only read the first one many years ago, even though we have the first 4 books sitting on our shelves, and I've seen 3 of the movies. I started book 2 a couple of months ago, finished it in about 3 days, then watched the movie again. The following week I read book 3 and watched the third movie again with my hubby and daughter (she's 10). Now I'm reading the 4th book which is over 700 pages long and it's not going as fast.

As well as that I'm also reading a book for book club this month called Look Again by Lisa Scottoline. It's about a woman who adopts a baby boy and later finds out he was actually kidnapped from his parents and then abandoned by the kidnappers because he had a bad heart. Bit of a mystery/suspense book and a pretty quick read. It's an interesting story line and one that will make for a good discussion at the meeting too. The woman has to make the heart breaking decision to either ignore what she finally realizes and keep the child, or share what she knows, knowing she will have to give up her son to the rightful parents.

On the needles next to the book is another Christmas Gift hat (fit for a boyfriend!) Knit with Hobby Lobby's I love this Wool, in black. I actually started knitting Jared Flood's Koolhaas last week but made a mistake and with black! oh my, I just couldn't do it - I hate knitting with black, so I pulled it out and started this simple beanie. I really want to do Koolhaas, but I think I'll try it with a grey yarn next time.

Berets

2011-09-21T14:21:00.000-07:00

I like knitting berets, so I think I'll have to start wearing them! I took (at least I tried to) some modeled shots of the Rustling Leaves Beret I just finished. Loved this pattern and wouldn't mind knitting it in a lovely Fall 'orangey' color sometime. I love Alana's Autumn Vines beret too, so I think I'd want to knit that first before I do another Rustling Leaves. Anyway, here's some photos (the best I could do on my own, with bright sunshine and a little too much breeze for my hair!)

Looking a little too serious I think!

Trying to keep my hair from flying all over!

Yesterday I knit another beret at the request of a friend :-) (you know who you are ;-) That's all I'll say about this one, as it may be gifted to someone from her. She wanted a simple chunky beret, so I used big needles and cast on 53sts. Increased every other stitch after the ribbing, knit 5inches more and then started decreasing.

The yarn was Sensations Angel Hair from JoAnn's Fabrics. It turned our rather nice I think, and is super warm. Might have to knit me a couple of these too ;-)

A Little 'ME' Treat!

2011-09-20T08:24:00.000-07:00

Next month is my birthday, so I decided to treat myself and pre-order the lovely Coastal Knits book by Alana and Hannah.

With the pre-order you got two lovely patterns, incase you wanted to get started on something before the book arrives ;-) I decided to cast on for the pretty Rustling Leaves Beret because I had some sock yarn in stash that I could use.

I used Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn in a soft sage green. You can see my Ravelry page HERE. I still need to take some nice modeled shots this week. I'm not usually a hat person, but I've decided I'm going to be more 'stylish' this Fall/Winter, so wearing a hat when I go out is a good start I think (of course I'll be wearing more than just the hat, you understand!!!).

blocking on a dinner plate!

The color looks much darker than it actually is, in the second picture, because the flash went off. It's really more like the top photo, a soft sage green. I've just cast on for another hat for a Christmas Gift. I'm finally trying out the wonderful 'Koolhaas' by Jared Flood. I've wanted to knit this hat for ages. I'll share pics when I'm done - it's going to be a pressie for my brother. And I can mention that, cos I know he doesn't read this blog ;-)

Time for ADVENTure!

2011-08-24T13:53:00.000-07:00

Wow, I'm actually on time this month for an update on my ADVENTure knitting. If you don't know what I'm talking about, head over to Krysten's blog to read about it. I started way back in January with her, having the intention of knitting a lot of my Christmas gifts this year. As usual during the summer I get a little off track, but right now, I have to admit I'm doing pretty good.

Since I last posted I finished Alana's lovely Cream and Sugar Cowl. It's so hard getting good photos though!

I also knit the Shawl Collared Cowl after buying it in her wonderful sale she had earlier this month. This still needs blocking and buttons adding to it. I used Malabrigo Merino Worsted that I had in stash.

And I also got a cute Owl hat knit. The pattern is actually called OWL and you can find it on Ravelry, HERE.

This still needs buttons for the eyes, not sure if I'll just put two buttons on or put the eyes on all the owls? I like the owl hat, it's rather cute and a fast knit. I may knit a couple more for my nephew's little boys.

Did I mention 2012 is gonna be a 'ME' year? I'm dying to cast on for something that I actually want - is that selfish of me?

I 'heart' Alana :-)

2011-08-14T12:53:00.000-07:00

Alana Dakos! I just LOVE her patterns and her blog 'Never Not Knitting'. Does she have a group on Raverly? If not, she should have ;-) If I knew how to start one I would! I want to knit everything she designs.

This week Alana has had a Fall Pattern Sale featuring one of her gorgeous patterns every day. Just the other week I bought the Cream and Sugar Cowl Pattern. It was the first one on sale this past week which of course I didn't need. Day two was the beautiful Autumn Vines Beret, but I missed it!!!! Not to worry, Alana has kindly extended her pattern sale to Monday (tomorrow) and will have a 'Oops I Missed It Sale' from between 4pm - 7pm pacific standard time. I plan on getting the beret pattern tomorrow. I also bought the lovely Cosette wrap pattern this week and the Shawl Collard Cowl.

I've already finished the Cream and Sugar cowl and blocked it. I just haven't taken a final photo yet. I used Knit Picks Imagination sock yarn that I had in stash. I loved knitting this, and hope to add it to my queue to knit one for myself soon. Speaking of my queue (on Ravelry of course) I've started adding things that I want to knit for ME! I think I tried this last year, but ended up knitting gifts again! 2012 is going to be a 'ME' year, definitely this time. I think most of Alana's patterns will be on there for myself ;-)

I cast on for the Shawl Collard Cowl as soon as I got the pattern the other day, using some Malabrigo Merino Worsted - again from stash! Not having an LYS I have to use stash or wait til I order the yarn online. This one will be a Christmas gift this year, so I plan on getting more yarn that I like and can hopefully knit one for myself for this winter.

Still got tons to knit for Christmas. It would help if I had all the patterns picked out that I want to make, but I don't. I'm just thinking them up as I go along. Mainly hats for the kiddos (cos they're quick), cowls and scarves for the girlies and I don't have a clue what I will do the menfolk! So much to knit . . . . . so little time!

Christmas in July!

2011-07-20T17:57:00.000-07:00

I know there's some people actually celebrate Christmas in July! One of my neighbors back in MD actually bought presents for her hubby (and he bought them for her) and they cooked a turkey, on July 25th, played Christmas carols and songs all day and would talk about Christmas past and make plans for Christmas that year. I think it all sounds wonderful, but I've never actually done it myself. Hmmm? I have 5 more days, wonder if I should cook a turkey and get out the Christmas cd's? Hubby would think I'd gone mad, I'm sure - but doesn't it sound like fun!

Well anyway, I thought it time I got back to knitting for my ADVENTure! Have you joined in with Kristyn this year? You can read her ADVENTure posts HERE.

I have only posted 3 times this year about my Christmas knitting, and as I expected, as soon as the weather started to warm up, my knitting time decreased. BUT, I have started to get back to it this week....

I cast on for this yesterday, it's a combination of a couple of different hat patterns, featuring a simple garter stitch band and a knitted flower (from a Sirdar book I have). Knit with Hobby Lobby's 'I Love This Wool', in a flesh color. I added 3 pearls to the center of the flower too. Right now I won't mention who the items are for, hopefully after Christmas I will get pictures of recipients with their gifts and can post a big update in January.

I did ask Kristen to try it on for me though, I think it looks so sweet. I finished it this afternoon. With knits like this I should be finished by September, ha ha - I wish! Still got lots to do, I'm casting on for another in grey tonight.

What about you? Are you 'gift knitting' this year, and if so have you made a start on it?

Spring Garden Tee

2011-05-01T07:39:00.001-07:00

I need to do an update on my ADVENTure progress, but I don’t have much to share since last month because I was busy with this . . .

Spring Garden Tee by Alana Dakos

Size 32 :: Needles #5 :: Yarn Naturally Caron Spa, 2.5 balls::

This is the first pattern of Alana’s I’ve tried (love them all though) and I would definitely knit it again. I love knitting in the round with no seams :-) In fact I’m already thinking of making another one in a different color for myself, and using a different yarn. The yarn was ok, but I’d like a ‘nicer quality’ one if I do it again.

As you can see from the pictures it was rather bright outside when I took them! So, do I knit another one OR do I get on with some ADVENTure knitting for Christmas gifts? Decisions, decisions!!!!

Hmmm!

2011-04-08T11:06:00.000-07:00

Well as you can see I didn't take part in the Annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week! The time just got away from me. I was also having my 'daily blog' redesigned and I decided I would keep all my posts (that I usually add to my other blogs) over there.... knitting related ones included!

I may still post FO's and Wips here from time to time, but if you want to follow along with me on my 'daily journal' come on over HERE and say hi :-)

I'll still be keeping this blog up and running, if for nothing else so that I can visit you from my blogroll list. Feel free to comment here still or over at my daily blog. I will see both :)

I've knit Alana's pretty Spring Garden Tee and just need to take modeled shots of it. You can see some details on my Ravelry page here.

Blog Week!

2011-03-01T06:35:00.001-08:00

This looks like fun. I think I might just have to join in :-) Click the banner above to read more about it.

ADVENTure Update

2011-02-25T13:16:00.001-08:00

I’m joining in with Kristyn this year as she journeys on an ADVENTure to make all of her Christmas gifts. Mine will mostly be hand knit.

So far, I have a Juliet Scarf, Bella Mittens, Ruffled Scarf, and a cowl (will make matching mittens). I have other items that need to be finished off, but this month I started working on this… I think this little turtle hot water bottle cover is the cutest thing. I may make more than one. I’ve done the back and this is the front. I was reading a lot this month so didn’t get too much knitting done. I’ve also made a beanie hat and 1 (yes, just one) fingerless glove for Kristen’s friend. Once I get the other mitten knit I’ll take a picture.
I also started on this little guy. . . .

right now he is a 3 legged puppy! You’d think I would just get on and do the last leg! For some reason, I always want to knit toys, but once I get started I don’t enjoy the process of knitting so many ‘parts’! There’s not even than many parts to the ‘wrap me up puppy’ by Susan Anderson, but I am still putting off knitting the leg. Also this was knit on size #4 dpns cos I didn’t have size 3. The stitching is a bit loose I think. I have now bought the size 3’s so at some point I will try another one. This one already has Kristen’s name on it!

What I’d like to work on next is getting some gift cards made!

Modeled Shots!

2011-02-15T09:54:00.001-08:00

LOOK! I finally got hubby to help me take some modeled shots of McCafferty! I loved knitting this. Lily, it is a beautiful pattern:-) I’d love to try it with different weight yarns.

I used KnitPicks Palette, in color Fawn. Only took 3 balls!

Hubby started getting ‘snap happy’ with the camera!

Yup, that’s a thread hanging (above pic) I haven’t woven in the ends yet!

Now, it’s back to some GIFT knitting!

What next?

2011-02-03T09:20:00.001-08:00

I’ve finished McCafferty :-) Here it is sitting on the bedroom floor blocking!

I think it will be for me, because I had no one in mind when I started it It turned out beautiful and it would make a wonderful gift, I just don’ t know who I’d give it to? So would it be so terrible if I gifted it to myself? I think I know the answer to that! I shall try to take modeled shots soon (when it’s not so cold outside!)

So, what to start next? I have a huge list of gifts to make, I just don’t know what to start on next. On the agenda is this little tortoise . . . from the Knit Simple magazine (but I don’t have the yarn for this yet)

A ‘Wrap Me Up Puppy’ from Susan B. Anderson

This pretty little hat and gloves set is already on my needles from last year, so I could finish that off!

And these Thuja socks are on my list too

Hubby keeps hinting that he wants a sweater knit! To be honest, I’ve never knit hubby anything! He’s never shown an interest in getting socks or a hat from me and it’s a running joke that I won’t make him anything! but I wonder if I should try this . . .

Cobblestone Pullover by Jared Flood. I’ve always liked the look of it, but not sure I could knit it as a surprise as I would want to make sure it was fitting as I knit it? What do you think? Should I just try it and let him know I’m knitting it, or could I try and keep it a surprise? Have any of you knit it for your man? Kelly I think you did it for Moose didn’t you? Did he try it on as you knit? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Yarn Along!

2011-01-26T15:07:00.001-08:00

I wanted to join in with Yarn Along last week but never got around to it. Then I saw Northern Knitters post and that reminded me again to get out my camera. I know I just shared pics of McCafferty yesterday but I thought I’d take another photo today next to the book I’ve been reading. I actually just finished this book by Jodi Picoult. We read it for our January book club meeting that I hosted at my house last Thursday.

I thought it rather fitting that the book jacket matched the yarn I was using for McCafferty, which by the way is Knit Picks Palette. The color is ‘Fawn’, although it looks more like a soft burnt orange to me. The book was a good read, about a young Amish girl accused of murdering her newborn! Made for a rather interesting book club discussion.

Ginny at Small Things is also having a giveaway with this week’s Yarn Along. If you hurry you might still have time to enter!

ADVENTure Update!

2011-01-25T13:04:00.001-08:00

It’s the 25th of January already! I thought I’d be on the ball and write a post to update about my ADVENTure :-) Hopefully I can link up with Kristyn later too when she puts her post up.

I’m trying my best to only knit one project at a time right now. I have a ton of things on the needles from last year and if I think about them all I’d get a bit overwhelmed, so they are tucked away safely in my ‘wip basket’ and as and when I feel like it, I’ll pull one item out at a time, OR I will cast on something completely new.

After I finished the Juliet Scarf (which still needs blocking!) I did cast on for something completely new. This (above) is McCafferty! A beautiful pattern created by a beautiful young girl. I’m sure many of you know Lily (and her Mom Amanda from JoliHouse). They live in my neck of the woods in England ;-)

To be really honest with you I never intended this to be a gift, I’ve loved the pattern ever since Lily’s Mom blogged about it, and I just had to buy it as soon as it was available. I have every intention of keeping this for myself - is that naughty of me? No, I didn’t think so ;-)

I did cast on for something really easy while I was knitting the lace edging of this, and it is to be gifted . . .

Hard to tell from this picture, but this is a simple cowl using Lion Brand’s Homespun. It has a contrasting ‘fluffy’ edge. I can’t quite remember the name of the yarn but I’ll put it on the finished details once it’s complete. I plan on making a pair of mittens to match with fluffy cuffs too. Should be a rather nice gift set I think.

So, that’s what’s on my needles this month. What’s on yours?

ADVENTure!

2011-01-18T06:21:00.001-08:00

Have you seen Kristyn’s posts about her ADVENTures? I only read about it yesterday over at ‘Stitching Under Oaks’, but I love the concept.

As I mentioned before I have already made a start on my Christmas gift knitting for this year, but it’s great to see I’m not alone and that there are others committed to doing this. It will be so motivating as I move through the year (because I’m bound to ease up on the gifts as the warmer weather arrives and memories of winter months and Christmas start to fade!). On the 25th of each month Kristyn will be posting about her ADVENTure happenings, showing completed projects, projects in progress, and sharing tips for success and encouragement along the way. She’ll also be putting up a Mr. Linky so we can join in - which I hope to do.

The Juliet Scarf I just finished is to be gifted this year, I also have a couple of projects that I completed last year that now have someone’s name attached to them ;-) As I post about the projects I’ve just completed I won’t mention who they are for incase any recipient happens to read this!

I’m busy working on McCafferty…. not sure yet if this is for me or if it will be a gift! I’ll try to take wip pics soon.

(above pics are past projects that were gifted a couple of years ago)

Hmmm… what to knit?

2011-01-06T12:06:00.001-08:00

I finished the Juliet Scarf I started a couple of weeks ago – another 2011 Christmas gift, but shhhhh! I won’t say who it’s for!

I took some pictures today but it still needs blocking. The yarn is Sublime Angora Merino in a kind of taupe color. One skein wasn’t enough to make this thing look like a ‘scarfette let alone a scarf, so I broke in to the second skein and used about a 1/4 of it. I didn’t want it too long, just enough to cross over and pin the little flower to it (which still needs a button or something in the center of it).

First picture was taken without the flash, the above and below pictures were taken with flash. Huge difference in colors but I think the ‘flash’ pics are more accurate to the color. I doubt I’d knit another of these. The pattern wasn’t easy to memorize (except for the wrong side rows) and I kept forgetting a YO every now and then, resulting in knitting backwards a couple of rows!

So, once that was cast off yesterday, I cast on and made a beaded cuff! I’ll finish the other one off tonight. Knit with Knit Picks Merino DK. Not sure who these will be for yet, I just felt like trying them. Rather cute looking I think.

So, what to knit next? I have a ton of ‘wips’ in my closet that I don’t even want to think about yet! I would like to sort out all my stash and craft stuff then maybe I’ll feel more in the mood to finish some old projects off. But for now I feel more in the mood for casting on another Christmas gift . . . . I just don’t know what yet?

Nearly New Year

2010-12-29T11:38:00.001-08:00

We are enjoying another relaxing week at home, after hubby decided to take this week off work too!

‘Santa’ brought me lots of fab knitting books last week that I’ve been browsing through each night. . . . (I’ll take pics of the other ones later), here’s me on Christmas day with one of them.

I’ve been knitting lots, I’m half way through the Juliet Scarf and I knit one of these mittens this week (shown on the front of this book I got last year)

but it’s TOO BIG!!!! I’m surprised too because I went down a needle size. I know I should check gauge but I didn’t on the Bella Mittens and they turned out perfect. I shall probably pull this one out and start the smaller size on yet a smaller needle? I thought perhaps it would shrink if I hand washed it in hot water? but then I thought better not, just frog and reuse the yarn to start again.

So what is everyone up to for New Years Eve? Do you set any resolutions? My resolution is to knit as many Christmas gifts as I can for next year and to use a lot of yarn I have in stash for the projects :-)

Finished Bellas

2010-12-20T18:50:00.001-08:00

These were a great knit. The pattern was really well written, no errors, and such a fast knit. I’m really happy with them. You can see my Rav details HERE.

(it’s not really snowing here, I’ve just been playing around with Picnik.com!)

As usual I found it hard to get good pictures! These used less than one ball of Malabrigo Merino Worsted. I would definitely make them again. So that’s another gift ready for 2011! I’m on a roll. I cast on tonight for the Juliet Scarf ;-)

All In A Day’s Knitting!

2010-12-13T09:18:00.001-08:00

I knit this yesterday . . . .

I told you I wanted to make a start on my 2011 Christmas knitting, and I wasn’t kidding ;-) You probably recognize the pattern, it’s the ever popular Bella’s Mittens (found here on Ravelry). What a great pattern, and it knits up so quickly too. Not sure if I’ll get the second mitten knit as quickly mind you, but by this week I should be finished. I have already cast on for it and knit 6 rounds.

Yarn I’m using is Malabrigo Merino Worsted from my stash. Not sure what the color is called. I’d say grey but it also has a little fleck of mauve/pink/purple running through it. The picture above that I took with the flash on shows that a little more (if you click to enlarge).

Now, I’m not going to say who these will be gifted to (the recipient might wander in here and read?) and as I get to knitting more things I may not even mention that it’s a Christmas gift at all? I’m super happy that I’ve made a start though. I think the best time to knit for Christmas is right now, no doubt by the time March or April rolls around I’ll be wanting to knit spring and summer stuff and won’t be in the mood for Christmas/winter knitting! So hopefully I can get a lot done before then.

Christmas Knitting

2010-12-08T15:12:00.001-08:00

Well I did say I wasn’t knitting gifts this year but this is a little hat I just made for a friend’s daughter :-) It’s just a simple beanie pattern and I stitched on buttons and knit the eyes and nose.

Kristen is modeling it for me, isn’t it cute (and she is too of course)

I still have that feeling that I wish I’d knit a lot of Christmas gifts this year. Oh well, there’s always next year, and I hope I can stay true to my goals and knit a lot of gifts for Christmas 2011.

Tis The Season

2010-12-03T10:54:00.001-08:00

Wow, December already! I’ve been knitting but just not organized enough to blog about it. I’m not knitting gifts this year, but usually around this time I always wish I had :-( And I always start getting the urge to plan for next years knitted gifts – do any of you feel like that? I had great intentions of starting Christmas knitting last January too I think, but I didn’t get very far. I am going to try harder this year. I think the best plan of action is to get the ‘winter knits’ made in the first 3 months of the year (those will be the gifts I send home where the weather gets really cold), and the other ‘not so wintery gifts (for those of my friends who live in warmer climates) could be knit throughout the spring and summer.

Well, that’s my plan at least. I’m already searching Ravelry for ideas and making a list of who I’d knit for and what I think they would like . . . or more to the point what I think I would LIKE to knit them ;-)

This is already in my ‘gift box’ . . . .

Another ‘Just Enough Ruffles’ scarf. The yarn was just Hobby Lobby’s ‘I love this Yarn’ which I find super soft. The black edging happened by accident because I ran out of grey yarn (having started with not quite a full skein) but I like how it turned out. I think I might gift this to my nephew’s wife for next Christmas. . . . so, that’s one down, about 20 more to go!!

I need to sort my yarn out and see what I have in stash. Mittens and cowls are always good gifts and I’m sure I already have plenty of yarn to get started on a few. Hopefully I can post and keep track of what I knit here. I feel pretty motivated, but who knows how long that will last. I hope to be back soon. In the mean time I’m off to catch up with some knitting blogs ;-)

Too Busy to blog!

2010-10-07T13:40:00.001-07:00

I’m knitting like crazy but can’t find the time to get on here and update! I didn’t want you to think I’d dropped off the face of the earth again. I finished the green top, it’s blocked too and I just need to model it and take pics. It’s not cold enough yet to wear it but I think it will be perfect this winter once I start wearing my long sleeved T’s.

The color looks completely different in these pictures compared to my last post! This is a dark ‘hunter green’ but above it looks more like sage!

Citron has taken a back seat I’m afraid, been too busy knitting fingerless mittens for a friend (3 pairs to be exact) AND I cast on for the TTL Mystery Sock KAL, which funnily enough is a sage green in color! I haven’t taken pictures of the yarn yet, or the cuff – can’t wait to get the second clue tomorrow. Just in time to take away with me this weekend. I’m headed here . . . .

Rockport, TX - spending the weekend away with our next door neighbors – no kids allowed! I’ll be back soon.

WIP Wednesday

2010-09-17T09:52:00.001-07:00

Ok, I know it’s Friday but I wanted to start doing a post each week (to fill in between FO’s) and show you what I have on the needles. I’m trying to be really good right now and not start/work on too many projects at once.

After my last post I finally decided on a pattern I found on Ravelry that was very similar to Boheme but it had cables on it. It’s the Cables and Garter Cardi found here on Ravelry. I love the cables on this but I didn’t feel like knitting cables, so I’m changing things up a little and making the bottom part a lace pattern. The pattern is from a free leaflet I got in Hobby Lobby. I’ll have to scan or take a picture of it to show you later. Here’s how the top is looking so far. And I’m just using ‘I Love This Wool’ from Hobby Lobby for it.

Also on the needles is ‘Citron’. I cast on for this at the end of August using the lovely lace yarn I ‘won’ from Amanda many months ago.

I’m trying to concentrate on the green top now, so Citron has been put aside. As soon as I finish the top I’ll pick this up and finish it before I cast on for anything else! Well, that’s not exactly true, I am thinking of joining in with the Kristen’s Mystery Sock KAL this year, and that starts on Oct 1st. No matter where I am with these two knits I WILL be casting on for those . . . . but first I gotta find some sock yarn! That means searching on Ravelry or online because my LYS has closed and I don’t want any ‘sock’ yarn from Hobby Lobby or Michaels. I want some ‘real nice, fancy’ sock yarn ;-)

If any of you have any in your stash that you’d be willing to sell, by all means let me know! Is anyone else joining in with the KAL?

Can I ask you something?

2010-09-06T17:47:00.001-07:00

I have to say I’m rather ‘obsessed’ with Ravelry at the minute. I seem to go through phases where I just love to surf the patterns, check out my ‘friends activity’ page and blog posts just about urmm . . . . every hour or so!

Today I saw a friend had added the ‘Boheme’ pattern knit by Retroversa to her favs. I haven’t really seen this pattern before but I loved the two little tops shown in the picture paired with a long white sleeve top and jeans. The size was only for 12mths!

A long sleeve white top and jeans is my staple wardrobe for the Fall and Winter months so I was wondering if there is a pattern out there that is very much like this one but in an adult size.

DO YOU KNOW OF ANY SUCH PATTERN? Can you recommend anything like this. Having just finished the Leaf T-shirt and loving how it was knit seamlessly I know a pattern similar to Boheme would be great knitting. I’d love any suggestions you might have, so please leave a comment, I’d so appreciate it.

In the meant time, I have to decide whether to knit the other sock to match this one?!! The pattern is THIS ONE – Lace Cuff Anklets from the book ‘Favorite Socks’. The yarn is Patons Kroy Sock. The problem is . . . . it’s too big :-( I only have myself to blame, I NEVER check gauge when I’m knitting socks, although most times I often think (after they’re knit) that I could probably have gone down a needle size as they are often ‘loose’ on my feet. After I’d started knitting with the yarn I realized the pattern actually suggested sport weight, so I thought for sure it wouldn’t turn out too big if I was actually using thinner yarn – wrong! Is it possible to ‘shrink’ a sock? I thought I might be able to if the yarn was hand wash and I perhaps threw it in the washer or dryer, or both. But the yarn says it’s machine washable? What do I do now? What would you do? Please don’t tell me to frog the sock and start over!

Added:+++++ I just saw Sue’s comment about the sizes of Boheme so I went back to search Ravelry for more info. I saw a forum post about Boheme AND Boheme Mama, so I clicked on that then found the link to the adult version :-) You can find it HERE

“Come play with me”. . . .

2010-08-31T07:17:00.001-07:00

. . . said Penelope, just as I finished sewing on her arm and announced she was complete :-) So I did! We went in to the garden and frolicked about – well she frolicked, I took pictures ;-)

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She was a super quick knit, yarn held double (acrylic stuff I had in stash). I wanted to knit her in pink but I didn’t have any yarn in that color so I just used what I had. Cream probably isn’t the best color to show off her mouth but overall I think she turned out pretty cute.

She was rather tired after her photo shoot so she went to rest on my bed, and as the morning sunlight fell in to the room, Penelope took a nap.

Monsters!

2010-08-27T10:46:00.001-07:00

Have you seen them? They are the cutest ‘monsters’ ever and they’re popping up all over blogland :-) You can see them HERE, and HERE and even HERE and of course HERE! And every time I see one I want to knit one for me!

Penelope is my favorite. . . that’s her sitting above (picture linked to Rebecca’s Blog), I finally got around to ordering the pattern this week and I’ve made a start on her.

In the mean time while surfing Rebecca’s blog I noticed she had two free patterns – Monster Chunks and Bunny Nuggets! Both just as cute as (but smaller than) the monster clan. I asked Kristen if she’d like a Monster (but really, the first one I knit is for me) but she said she would rather have a Bunny Chunk! I informed her that it was either a Monster Chunk or a Bunny Nugget, but she insisted she liked a Bunny Nugget “you can put ears and a bunny tail on the Monster Chunk and he’d be a Bunny Chunk!

Hmmm, yes well, for now I’d like to just try the pattern as it is written . . . so she settled on a Bunny Nugget,

and here he is :-)

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Her favorite color is orange but I didn’t have enough to double the yarn so I used a burnt orange with it too. He’s one of a kind, that’s for sure! I went out today to buy the eyes and stuffing, so now he’s just waiting to greet Kristen when she gets home from school.

And I am off to finish work on Penelope ;-)

I love me a fast knit!

2010-08-25T07:47:00.001-07:00

Leaf T-shirt came off the needles last Saturday, it only took 10 days to knit :-) It’s been a while since I knit a top down ‘seamless’ pattern but boy are they easy. I can’t imagine wanting to knit anything with seams in it now.

I played around with the camera this morning and got some modeled shots!

Knit with 6 skeins of Classic Elite Four Seasons Cotton, you can see full details at my Ravelry page. I like how this turned out but I do wish it had some shaping to it.

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I like the ‘off the shoulder’ look but it can be worn on the shoulder too. I wanted this top to be a bit longer than the ones I’ve previous made. I often find I’m pulling them down if they just sit below my waist, so this one is as long as most t-shirts I wear.

During the winter I’ll probably layer this with a t-shirt and then later maybe along sleeve T when it gets really cold. . . which I wish was right now instead of the 100 degrees we have forecast!

It’s been a while . . .

2010-08-20T14:27:00.001-07:00

Wow, nearly half a year to be exact. . . it’ s been over 5 months since I blogged in here! I’ve been knitting, but just not blogging about it, and not knitting anything for me either. A few months ago I decided to open up a little Etsy shop. Mainly for my friends who have often mentioned that I should sell the things I knit. I started out just knitting dishcloth and facecloth sets which my friends loved and bought straight away, then a few hats, and then some cowls and mittens for Fall which I haven’t even listed yet because . . . well, it’s over 100 degrees every day here in TX, it just doesn’t seem the right time of year to list Fall stuff!

When the weather cools down I’ll list the few things I’ve made and who knows it might bring in a little spending money for Christmas!

In the mean time I decided I WOULD knit a little something for me. I’ve had this Classic Elite Four Seasons cotton in my stash for about a year, so I decided to knit the Leaf T-Shirt. I started this just last Thursday, and I should be finished this weekend. I have to say I love the ease of knitting this in the round and from the top down. Just thinking about casting off and NOT having to sew up seams is exciting to me :-) I’m already looking for something else to find to knit that is similar.

I fell in love with the adult version of Spring Garden Tee as soon as I saw it. It might have to be that next. . . . or (in the hopes that Fall will be here soon) I love THIS too!

One thing for sure, I MUST get my knitting organized. I have all kinds of smaller things still on the needles, things I cast on for that haven’t even made it to my Ravelry page! School is back on Monday, it’s usually the time I want to start having a good clear out of everything, inc. my knitting basket. Wish me luck!

Denise

I've been knitting. . .

2010-03-10T14:32:00.001-08:00

. . . just haven't been taking photos! But first, great news about Mam, she came home from the rehab center yesterday and is doing really well. Hmm, some of you may not know she was even in the rehab center, well she left hospital a couple of weeks ago and agreed to go to an assisted living place for rehabilitation before going home. She is healing well and gaining strength daily, but still has to take things very slowly. I'm just glad she's home.

I had Ishbel II on the needles when I went home, didn't get much of it knit there because, well, you know, it's lace and you have to concentrate right! But I'm happy to say she's all done now... I went outside today to try and get some photos and wouldn't you know the wind picked up as soon as I did!

I also tried to get more shots of my first Ishbel, I tried the first one before the second one actually, which is why I only have one shot of the grey one!

That's one of our fruit trees it's hanging on, already blooming :-) I think it's an apricot, I really hope we get some fruit this year. We've only had the trees 3 years and so far not much yield!

Also off the needles (but I haven't taken pics yet) is a cupcake hat from Susan's Itty Bitty Book, and a sock just like these

which will be going away in my 'Christmas Gift' box as soon as I do the other one. I think I'm in the mood to knit myself a tank, now that Spring is upon us, I just don't know yet which one?

headed home....

2010-02-04T18:49:00.000-08:00

I'm flying home to England tomorrow for 2 weeks - my Mam is very sick :-( I am leaving hubby and dd here. I only hope I can get on the plane with my knitpicks.... the journey will take me 17 hours!

Be back soon.

Just a quickie

2010-02-03T08:44:00.000-08:00

After seeing this cowl HERE on Ravelry recently using Lion Brand Homespun, I decided to knit up a quick one for myself with a ball of yarn I had left in stash....

As usual I found it hard to get any good photos! I really like this, and again because it's acrylic I find it perfect for me... not itchy at all ;-) I could probably get another one out of the yarn I have left.

Specs:
Snug Cowl (Ravelry link HERE)
Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun
Needle size: US# 8
Cast on 70 sts, followed pattern to row 48 then did the 5 rows at the end, so it wouldn't be too long.

NOOOooooooooo!

2010-02-02T12:08:00.000-08:00

What a sad day when you find out your local LYS is closing at the end of the month :-( She's the only one for miles around. High rents and the likes of Hobby Lobby and Michael's have made times hard for her from what I can gather. It's so very sad.

I must admit I haven't been in there for a few months but it was always nice knowing I had a good Local Yarn Store where I could get good quality yarn when I needed it.

Haven't had a chance to get any modeled shots of Ishbel, but I love it so much I've cast on another one in the KnitPicks Lace I just bought. And I'm on a quest to find some nice yarn to knit a friend a hat and scarf.

Sweet Ishbel

2010-01-28T08:42:00.000-08:00

I knit my very first lace shawl last week and I LOVE it. Seriously, in all the years I've been knitting I've never knit a real lace shawl using lace yarn! I've knit lacy patterns before on edges but nothing like this.

Ishbel
Yarn: Plucky Classics 'Ms. Marianne Dashwood
Needles: size US 6
Started: Jan 15th
Finished: Jan 24th

I thought when I cast on for this that it would take me forever to do. The yarn was so thin, but after knitting a few rows of the stocking stitch I realized it would go much faster than I thought. I was thrilled when I started the lace pattern but oh my, the amount of times I had to knit back a row because I had forgotten a yarn-over! I soon learned that I needed to count after every lace row to make sure I had increased the right amount of stitches, then I would purl the next row and knit the next lace row, then count again. It was much better this way because I still did forget a YO now and then but I could go back along that row and correct it instead of having to undo the purl row too.

I was thinking of gifting this but I like it so much I might have to keep it. And can I tell you I just about had a heart attack at the end while casting off. I don't know what I did but as I purled two stitches together it was like I'd dropped a stitch and the edge started unraveling before my eyes! I quickly tried to pick up what I thought was the dropped stitch and carried on MUCH slower, and it happened again. I don't know what I was doing wrong, I can only think I wasn't 'scooping' up the first purl stitch? And then it happened a third time and this time there looked to be about 10 stitches unraveled? I don't know how, I just sat there looking at it hardly daring to move, and not knowing what to do. Finally I carefully tried to pick up what I could so that more didn't unravel, and finally I did it, although a tiny bit of the edge looked a little off by now. I tried to take a close up picture of the 'error' when I had it blocking but when I look at it you can hardly notice because it's all so lacy, so I think no harm done.

It's raining today so I will try to get some modeled shots at the weekend.

Also last week my goodies arrived from Knitpicks....

I finally got some sock blockers, and some holders for my dpn's while knitting socks (haven't used these yet, but I still have my mystery socks on the needles, so I need to try them out. I was surprised though that they are only made of cardboard?)
I also got 3 skeins of Gloss lace in 'Sterling' (grey) 2 skeins of Alpaca Cloud lace in 'Autumn' and 4 skeins of merino wool, 2 in Hollyberry and 2 in Vanilla. I think I'll be doing more Ishbels in the lace for gifts.

A good photographer I'm not!

2010-01-18T17:36:00.000-08:00

Seriously, my pictures seem to be 'sucking' of late. It doesn't help that I don't go outside to take photos I'm sure, but I always feel kinda weird going out there with my tripod trying to take pictures of myself!

Anyway, I tried to take some modeled shots of my latest knits and this is the best I could do....

The 'Just Enough Ruffles' scarf. A few of you wanted to see this modeled and wondered how you actually wore it? The Ravelry Link seems to show it at it's best... you can see it HERE

Can I just say again how nice this is to wear seeing as it's not itchy wool ;-) Still don't know who the lucky recipient will be, but I'm sure they'll like it. It feels so warm wrapped around my neck.

I knit another cowl this past week... the Ridged Lace Cowl (you can see my Ravelry page here). This is for a friend who just moved to a colder state and is experiencing her first winter there.

Specs:
Yarn: Sublime Angora Merino
1 skein and a few yards of the second skein (I will try to make another one with the second skein and just make it one pattern repeat shorter).
Needles : US 8

I tried taking more pictures of the Fresco Basket Whip Cowl, but I won't even show those... disaster!

Right now I'm working on my very first lace shawl - I cast on for Ishbel over the weekend. I picked this pattern because it didn't seem so intimidating, having a lot of stocking stitch in it. Oh my gosh, I started the lace pattern yesterday and I am making a mistake in EVERY row! Without fail I will either forget a yarn over or forget to pass the slipped stitch over. I have resorted to counting my stitches after every lace row. Is that what I should have been doing all along? Do you do that when you're knitting lace?

It was knitting up pretty quick until I started the lace. Now it's slow going having to count every other row, but it will be worth it because I simply hate unpicking the rows. I hope I can get better pictures of this when it's finished.

Yay for Knitpicks :-)

2010-01-15T09:00:00.001-08:00

I heard from Knitpicks last week and they kindly sent me replacement 32" cables :-) So, I got my ruffled scarf finished as you can see.....

but it needs blocking and the ends sewn in. Then I will try to get some 'modeled' shots of it. I don't know who I'll gift it to yet, but I think I will definitely make another one(if not more). I used the Caron Simply Soft I had in stash and I love that it feels so soft. I'm not very good at wearing wool, especially around my neck, I find it very 'scratchy' so this is perfect for me.... oh, hang on, this isn't for me is it, ha ha. Oh, well hopefully the recipient will feel the same - nice and soft, not scratchy ;-)

I got a $50 gift card from Knitpicks for Christmas, oh my gosh it must have taken me about 5 hours yesterday to spend it on line. I'm not kidding, I just didn't know what to buy with it - too much choice! I knew I wanted some sock blockers and I bought the little set that you put your dpn's in while you're knitting socks... but then I was so undecided about yarn. I wanted yarn (I have a ton of books, so I thought yarn stash would be better) but I didn't know what I wanted to make. I prefer to buy yarn with at least something in mind for it later. Finally after many hours of surfing Ravelry and the Knitpicks site I decided on some dk wool and some alpaca lace. I'll show you my goodies when they arrive.

While I wait....

2010-01-05T11:13:00.000-08:00

haven't heard from Knitpicks yet but I think I might go to their site and send my message via their 'contact use' button. The email I sent was to customer servicet from a previous email I had from them. Plus they only re-opened after the holidays yesterday so they may be behind a little.

Anyway, while I wait for new cables (hopefully) I cast on for the One Hour Earwarmer yesterday! I want to start walking again in the mornings, only right now it's way too cold for me... was only 28 degrees this morning. I will need something to keep my ears warm, because as soon as they get cold I get a really bad headache. This should help. I've tried all morning to get a good picture but I just can't - it would probably look better outside but this is the best I could do -

Details: One Hour Earwamer
Yarn: not sure, I think it's lionbrand wool?
I don't have the band any more!
Needle size: US 10

I also tried on the Basket Whip Cowl which still needs blocking but couldn't get a good picture of that either!

Details: Fresco Basket Whip Cowl
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft
Needle size: US 8.

I will continue with my mystery socks until I hear from Knitpicks and be thinking of what else I can cast on for next ;-)

what just happened?!!

2010-01-03T14:39:00.000-08:00

A few nights ago I cast on for the lovely 'Just Enough Ruffles' Scarf. I'm using my lovely Knitpicks Interchangeable circular needle with the 32" cable. Last night I was knitting away and as I went to move the stitches along on my right needle, they felt like they just 'fell off'? I looked down and to my surprise saw that the purple cable had come away from the metal part of the needle!

I was so shocked, thankfully there were only about 30 stitches that had fallen off the cable. I carefully scooped them all back on to the cable then I went and got my other 32" cable (which already had 4 rows of a lace yarn on it) to 'swap them over'. I decided because I'd only done 4 rows I would just frog that project, it had been sitting like that for months anyway, and I really wanted to finish up this scarf.

So, that was last night. Today I was getting excited because I had finished all the wraps on the scarf and just had to knit 2 more rows before I could increase to the 600 stitches that would make the ruffle. I was excited - until I looked down and saw this in my lap....

OMG, not again? Yes, again. My only other 32" cable has done exactly the same as the first one and come away from the metal part? I couldn't believe my eyes, and arghhhhhh, how many stitches have fallen off the cable this time?

a lot more than 30, that's for sure. See the blue line I've drawn on the above picture? those stitches are all just lying there waiting to unravel, I hardly dared move! You can click on the photo to see up closer.

I had to get another needle and cable out and carefully scoop up the stitches. Now it sits because there's no way I dare increase to 600 stitches with a chance that the cable will just fall out again, which it quite easily does now.

I will have to email Knitpicks and hope they can replace both these cables. The surprising thing is, I don't think I've even used the first cable before. It's rare that I need such a long cable, the only time I did need it was when I cast on for the lace project and that cable was just sitting untouched for a while. So it's not like either of them have had a lot of use! Now I will have to wait til I get replacements before I can finish off my lovely scarf. I'm so bummed!

the trouble with Christmas knitting....

2009-12-29T16:54:00.001-08:00

you're so busy trying to get it finished in time (and in some cases mailed to England) that you forget to take pictures! As well as the gifts I sent home to England, I knit a cowl and some mittens for my neighbor/friend, a golf club cover for my father-in-law to add to his stocking, and I forget to take pictures of them. I'm hoping that some of the recipients might send me some 'modeled' shots of their 'wears' but I don't know when that will be. In the mean time I do have a picture of my sweet Mam not quite modeling her shoulder wrap....

I mentioned on my daily blog that my dear Mam had her pacemaker replaced a few weeks ago but due to some complications she was in hospital for 3 weeks instead of just a few days. I thought she might not even get home for Christmas. And of course not being able to get to England and be with her just breaks my heart. She came home two weeks before Christmas and is still having some 'not so good' days. She spent all day Christmas Eve in bed, not feeling very well at all. The above picture was taken on Christmas day at my sisters. She's 84!

I mentioned in a previous post how 2010 would be all about ME when it comes to knitting.... can I be honest and say I think I've changed my mind! Honestly, I love knitting small gifts for others (and sometimes not so small when you think about the cabled throw) that I just don't want to stop. I've already cast on for this .... (haven't taken a pic yet, so this is from Ravelry)

It's the beautiful 'Fresco Basket Whip Cowl (Ravel it HERE) I'm using some Caron Simply Soft that I have in my stash in a lovely soft blue color. I'm just about finished, so in a few days I should be able to post pictures. I'm not even sure who it will be for yet, but there are plenty of gals I have in mind. I won't even say here who it's going to be when I decide (they might be reading!). I've got lots of little nephews and nieces I can knit for too (actually they're the kiddies of my nephew and nieces!) so I'm browsing all my knitting books and magazines to see what I fancy casting on next. If I knit for everyone in my family back home in England it should keep me busy for most of the year ;-)

and you thought I hadn't been knitting...

2009-12-17T11:02:00.000-08:00

Back in October it looked like this.....

Today it looks like this.....

I finally finished the Cabled Throw, with not an inch of yarn to spare! I think my neighbors will love it though. I know hubby does, he keeps hinting how nice it would be if we had 'one of our own'. Guess I know what I'll be knitting in 2010!

I got lots of little knitted goodies out to my family this year, some just quick knits like cowls and mittens. I didn't take pics of them all though. Hopefully the recipients will mail me pictures after Christmas?

One of my favorite little knits this year was the Hedwig cowl and mittens I made for my nephew's wife. She's a huge Harry Potter fan and I know she'll love the owls on these. I wish I could see her face when she opens them....

I also knit my sweet Mam a shoulder wrap... she could probably use it right now, she's in hospital having some complications after her pacemaker was replaced. We're hoping she comes home this week, after 3 weeks in there!

Didn't get a good picture of this, so hopefully Mam can model it for me after Christmas :-)

Ravelry Pattern can be found HERE.

I'm already thinking ahead to what I can knit next year. I know I said I might knit just for me... but I'm just not sure anymore? I get so much pleasure knitting for others, I find it hard to stop. I'm already planning on knitting toys for the kids.... I bought Susan's new book 'Itty Bitty Toys' and can't wait to try some of those cute things out. I also plan on finishing my mystery socks, that sadly got left by the wayside while I was trying to finish up the throw, and lastly I still have one small gift on the needles for a sweet friend for next week ;-)

SO, what will be your first knit of 2010?

The Winner!

2009-10-26T06:02:00.000-07:00

I just realized I didn't post the winner on this blog after I announced it on Friday night at my other blog!

The winner of my scarf give-away was Jessica of The Pelkey's Place Thanks for everyone that took part in it.

I'm behind on my mystery socks! Haven't even started with clue 4 from last week, but I should hopefully catch up and get them knit before the next clue is out, at least I think there is a next clue? I haven't really looked at this one but I'm assuming it doesn't include the toe finish yet?

My latest knit. . . . A Give-Away!

2009-10-16T09:56:00.000-07:00

It's my birthday this weekend, so to celebrate I thought I would have a 'give-away'. It's also my way of saying thank you to you all for reading my blogs and taking the time to leave your sweet comments.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month I wanted to knit something pink.... and I wanted to give it away to a lucky winner on my blog :-) I chose this beautiful 'Breast Cancer Awareness Scarf from Ravelry.com. Knit with Patons Baby Bamboo, it is a mix of 45% bamboo and 55% acrylic and is super soft. I love it (might have to knit myself another one!).It's machine washable too :-)

For a chance to win, it's simple really. . . . just leave a comment here and your name will be entered in to the drawing. I will draw a winner next Friday (Oct 23).

For an extra entry post about this give-away on your blog and link back here so others can enter too. (leave a separate comment to say you've done this).

For another extra entry 'follow' my blog. (leave another comment to say you've done this).

That's 3 chances to win :-) Make sure I have a way of contacting you (email, blog site etc) if your contact info isn't in your profile).

I will draw a winner next Friday (Oct 23).

I'll also be posting this give-away on my Daily Blog but duplicate entries over there won't be counted - a maximum of 3 entries per person will be allowed. This give-away is open to non-USA residents.

I've gone a little crazy....

2009-10-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

.....with the cast-ons this week! I got started on my mystery socks last Friday as soon as my yarn arrived. Here's my 'cake' all ready and waiting :-)

and here's my progress from week 1 (the next clue is out today and I haven't even had a chance to look at it yet! That's next on my list as soon as I've posted this). I'm not sure the pattern will show much with this variegated yarn, but I do love the colors, and I'm loving how the yarn feels as I knit with it.

As well as the socks I decided to cast on for a sweet little scarf (in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month), it's THIS pattern over at Ravelry. I'm using Paton's Baby Bamboo in a soft pink. And just yesterday I decided I'd carry on with some small Christmas knits so I've just cast on for THESE. I will have to make about 6 pairs for my 'niblings' (the kids of my nieces and nephews back in England). But they are small so I shouldn't think they'll take me long.

Just off the needles is a 'bed jacket/shoulder shrug' that I knit for my Mam in Lion Brand Homespun. I need to add a ribbon tie, then I'll take a picture of it.

With that said, I'm off to grab my next clue ;-)

i just wanna hold it!

2009-10-02T13:30:00.000-07:00

LOL :-) . . . but if I did that, I'd never get a sock started! My Schaefer 'Nichole' arrived today. Oooh she's so soft and squishy, I just wanna hold her all night! I love the colors in this. It doesn't say on the label what they are but to me they range from olive green to teal to mustard. I can now get started on the mystery socks. Well first I have to wind this in to a ball, then I might just be a good girl and check my gauge. . . . or then again I might not!

I've been dying to check the forums and see a sneak peak of what the pattern looks like (I'm assuming some of you have posted pics already), but I shall wait until I've cast on and got the cuff done and some of the pattern before I do. Hopefully that will be tonight.

Enjoy your Friday evening..... I'm off to wind ;-)

Getting Antsy!

2009-10-01T08:03:00.000-07:00

Kirsten's Soctoberfest Mystery Sock 09 starts today.... and I'm joining in :-) Only problem is, I haven't gotten my yarn yet! I bought a lovely skein of Schaefer 'Nichole' from a fellow Raveler's stash but it was only mailed to me on Tuesday. I am hoping it might arrive today, but I think that's wishful thinking. If I'm lucky it might arrive tomorrow, or perhaps not til Saturday. I'll be a day or two behind in that case, but that's ok. I have nothing else on my needles (that I'm working on) except this. . . .

It's the Cable Comfort Throw from Lion Brand. I fell in love with this when I first saw Leslie's HERE. The one I'm knitting will be a Christmas gift for my lovely neighbors. I've also thought I might make some pinecone firestarters to go with it. It doesn't get cold that often here in Austin Texas but there have been times when it's cold enough for us to light a fire and many times when the mornings are cooler that we like a blanket over our legs when we're sitting on the sofa. I think I'd like to make one for us once I've done this one. I can't stand the thought of seaming, so I'm knitting this on one big circular needle.

Also, I finally finished Woodland!! Can I hear a big 'hooray' from you all? It only took me about a year, make that a year and a half. Ravelry shows I cast on for this in April 2008!

It's off the needles but I'm still trying to sew it all up, it's already taken me 2 days! Urghhhh, I never realized I hated seaming so much, and after Summer's End cardigan, when I realized that no seams was so nice, I will be hesitant about knitting a cardigan in 4 pieces next time with a band that has nearly 300 stitches on too!! I still have to block and find buttons for her, but I will try to get some modeled shots soon ;-)

So, until my yarn turns up I will knit away at the cozy throw. Are you joining in with Socktoberfest?

Farewell Summer

2009-09-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

Hello Summer's End :-) Did a little photo shoot today to show off my Summer's End cardigan (despite the fact that it's still too warm to be wearing it right now). I took some pics inside then went out back too. You know how it is, you take about 50 shots and get about 4 good ones!!!

Specs:
Summer's End - by Heather Sapp
Yarn: Taki Yarns New Tweed - 8 balls
Size: 36"
Needles: US 6 and 8
Started: Sept 1 2009
Finished: Sept 14 2009

It's hard to see from the photos (unless you click on them to enlarge then study the edging!) but I made a HUGE mistake with this and I only realized it when I was adding the sleeves!! When I looked at the pattern again I realized that I was supposed to keep the edge in st st, but I had been keeping it in garter stitch. I wondered when it hadn't mentioned buttonholes by the time I was adding the sleeves. You think I was going to frog all of it? You bet I wasn't. I thought I could make it work by just keeping the edge in st st then doing a few rows of garter stitch around the neck. It worked out well, the only thing still missing was the button holes. Not to worry, I sewed on buttons and I just created a hole by pushing the button through, at least just for the photo shoot. When I wear this as it gets colder, I probably won't even button it up.

In hind sight it was just as well I knit it the way I did, otherwise I would have ran out of yarn for the band! All in all I'm pleased with how this turned out, and what I loved the most is no seams to sew. I've never really knit a cardigan or sweater this way before, but I liked it :-)

What next? Well I feel inspired to get on and finish 'Woodland' for myself (in between knitting a few small gifts). I only have a little of the second sleeve to do and then sew it up and knit a button band for it. And after that I'm thinking I will tackle Spook. It would be nice to get it finished for Fall or Winter this year.

Anyone bought the new IK 'Weekend' magazine? What did you think of it? I love IK and pick up just about every magazine they bring out, but I'm not sure there is much in this one that I would knit. Can't wait for their Christmas Gifts one though. There's always some lovely stuff in that, and I love looking at my older issues too.

Thank you Robin :-)

2009-09-15T06:21:00.001-07:00

I did get this sorted out thanks to Robin. The funny thing was, before I saw her comment I had just been knitting away and continuing with the decreases then realized I would indeed end up with 60 stitches, I just still couldn't figure out how I could!

Thankfully it was just me not counting right, and not me making a huge mistake which is what I feared. I did not want to frog this at all. All that said, I am indeed finished Summer's End :-) I have to block her today and hopefully take pictures soon.

HELP! Can someone help me with the math?!

2009-09-14T14:04:00.001-07:00

I was doing so well with Summer's End but I've got to the point of decreasing after joining the sleeves. Everything was going good until I decided to calculate how many stitches I'd have left after I'd finished my decreases!

The pattern says I should have 238 stitches once I've joined the sleeves. This was correct. I am decreasing 4 stitches every RS row at the armholes. It says to do this 20 times. That would mean 80 stitches decreased - right? I also have to decrease at the neck edge every other RS row, a total of nine times. I decrease 2 stitches on these rows, (one at either end) so a total of 9 times would mean a further 18 stitches decreased. That brings the total to 92 stitches decreased. Take 92 from 238 and you're left with 146 - but the pattern says at this point I should only have 60 stitches left??? It totally doesn't make sense to me?

I've looked for any errata on the pattern, looked at other finished projects on Ravelry, but there is no mention of an error here.

Can someone help. Am I missing something obvious? If anyone can look at the pattern and see if I am mis-reading it at all, I would SO appreciate it. For now I'm rather stuck?

Full speed ahead...

2009-09-07T14:53:00.001-07:00

I'm making great progress on my Summer's End Cardi. I know if I don't keep at it I'll get sick of it before long and think I'm never going to finish it. When that starts to happen.... well there's no telling how long the poor 'wip' will stay on the needles... in a basket... forgotten for a while (just like Spook and Woodland!)

But that's not going to happen this time..... no it's not! Here's my progress so far. I have about 3 inches to knit in st st on the body, then I put it aside to start the sleeves on dpn's!

It's hard trying to get a good picture of this because the yarn is quite dark.... so this is the best I could do for now.

It's here...

2009-09-05T08:38:00.001-07:00

Not only do I feel like 'Summer's End is actually here (we had a lovely big storm here in TX last night, and lots of much needed rain) but my new yarn arrived a few days ago so I could start knitting 'Summer's End . . . . I LOVE it! New Tweed by Tahki Yarns is a mixture of wool, silk, cotton and rayon, although it's said that newer skeins (silver label) have this fiber composition: 60% Wool, 26% Viscose (rayon) and14% Silk.

The color I chose (for Fall) was brown/chocolate but it has lovely little flecks of red and cream (like oatmeal) in it. I think it will be perfect for the cooler weather , that we hopefully will be getting soon. I like the softness of this yarn too. Usually if yarn has too much wool content in it I find it 'scratchy' on my skin. The mixture of rayon and silk keeps this from feeling so 'rough' for me. It's a perfect combination.

I cast on the same day I got my yarn, I've already started on ball #2. The pattern calls for 8 balls, which is all I bought. Now I'm thinking I should have bought more! For one, I would like to make the sleeves full length and not 3/4, but I don't think I can do that without buying more yarn. And I think it's always wise to get a ball or two extra just incase - I just don't know why I didn't!

I'm hoping to knit this up fast so I will be able to tell, at least half way through if I need more yarn, and hopefully I can order from the same company and get the same dye lot without a problem? I'll take pics of my progress this weekend and post again soon.

Just For Me!

2009-08-27T16:47:00.000-07:00

Since I last posted I've been knitting up a few 'small' things for Christmas gifts. And I've started on a little 'shower' gift for a friend. I've been thinking a lot about my knitting lately, and can I be honest with you (even though I know this is going to sound really awful) it's not really much fun when I'm knitting for someone else! I have a few 'wips' on the needles that are for me, but I never seem to get around to finishing them because I'm always coming up with ideas to knit things for others as gifts.

The socks I just knit for instance. OK, I HAD to knit the socks because I promised my friend I would make her a pair, but the other 'gifts' that I've started knitting (for Christmas) are already becoming a chore and once again puts stuff on the needles for me 'on the back burner' so to speak. I recently decided that after Christmas I was going to make 2010 the year for ME. Well I've changed my mind. 'For Me' starts RIGHT NOW! I sound selfish, but honesty there really isn't much fun in knitting right now when all I do is worry whether the recipient will really appreciate my efforts or not.

So today, I ordered some yarn on line and I've decided to start afresh (yes, the wip's can wait) and knit myself a cardi for Fall, (despite the fact that it's still 100 degrees here every day, I can dream of cooler weather).

I've chosen this...
and what a perfect name. It's 'Summer's End' and it's a free download HERE on Ravelry. I ordered the Tahki New Tweed online today in the color 'Chocolate'. I thought brown would be great for Fall. I can't wait to get it. I got an email to say it had already been shipped today too, so I'm hoping it comes pretty fast.

Of course, it doesn't mean I won't knit any more gifts. In fact I may still be able to do some while I'm knitting the cardigan. But I just want to feel like I'm doing something for me, and reap the rewards of the many hours I knit when I'm finished . . . . . at least for a little while.

A Knitted Gift

2009-08-01T11:22:00.000-07:00

I'm back! Despite the fact that we are still in the throws of a very hot summer here in Texas, I have picked up my needles once again to get started on some gifts. Yes, I'm talking about Christmas gifts, and it's only July! I figure if I start now I might just have some things to send home this year.

But before I show you the Christmas gifts I've started on, I thought I would show you what I just finished working on this week.... yesterday was my neighbor's birthday and I decided to make her a pair of socks. Not something she needs in this heat, but she had hinted at getting some quite a few months ago, and well, that was about the time I started 'losing my knitting mojo'!

I picked up the needles a few weeks ago and started on these. . . .

And I finished them just in time on Thursday!

Specs: Curly Cuff Bedsocks, from Knitted Sock Sensations.
Yarn: Sublime Angora Merino (2 balls)
Needle size: US6 Clover dpns
Modifications: The pattern says knit on 2 needles and
sew up the back seam. Instead, I knit the cuff on 2 needles,
but then changed to dpn's and joined in the round
to finish off the socks.

where am I?

2009-04-02T14:58:00.000-07:00

Knitting has taken a back seat since my last post, hence the reason there's been no new posts from me! There's no doubt about it, I've lost my knitting mojo and I'm not sure when I'll get it back. I know the cause of it too - two things really... 1) the weather has been lovely here in Austin, spring has definitely sprung and I've been outside a bit starting to plant flowers in the beds and lay down new mulch... 2) I picked up the book 'Twilight' that I borrowed from my neighbor! and yes, like most others who have read it, I can't put it down. Well actually I can put this one down because I've already finished it. I started book 2 earlier this week! As well as reading that book I'm reading 'Three Cups of Tea' for our April bookclub meeting.

So, lots of reading and lots of outdoor time has squelched the urge to pick up the needles. I am so close to finishing my Woodland cardigan too, but I just don't get the time to pick it up. I have a couple of baby knits to do this month so I might try to get them started and hopefully they won't take long to finish either as they're so small.

Until I have something to show you then, I will just continue to visit your blogs and see what you're knitting ;-)

finally finished.... and fabulous!

2009-03-20T09:11:00.001-07:00

Yay! I finally finished 'Soleil' and I really like how it turned out this time - in other words "it fits" and if I say so myself, I think it looks fabulous!

Specs:
Soleil from Knitty, Spring 05
Yarn: Elsbeth Lavold Cotton Patine - 5 or 6 skeins (I can't remember!)

Size: 33" bust
Started: June 2008
Finished: (off the needles) Jan 09 (finished crochet edge 3/19/09)

So, without further ado..... here are some modeled shots!

You should be able to click on the photos if you want to see them larger.

where am I?

2009-03-19T15:05:00.000-07:00

I'm still here... in case any of you are wondering ;-) I just haven't had much knitting news so I haven't had anything to post about.

I have only half a sleeve to do on my Woodland cardigan then the massive task of picking up over 300 stitches to do the edging! I just can't wait for this to be done. I checked my Ravelry stats and noticed I cast on for this back in April 08!!! Of course I haven't been continuously knitting it all that time. It probably went in to hibernation for at least a good 6 months if not more, but every now and then I'd pick it up and knit a little ribbing here and there, and all of a sudden I found myself with only 2 sleeves to go so I 'found my second wind' so to speak and picked it up every chance I got. I may have to have a little party to celebrate when it's finally off the needles - either that or one big huge photo shoot!

Tonight I'm going out to book club, and I'm hoping to finally wear my 'Soleil'. It's been hanging in my closet for weeks now. I finally got the crocheted edge done but when I tried it on one of the armholes was a bit loose and I wanted to re-do it. I finally took it out today and re-did it, spurred on by the fact that it's 81 degrees out there so it's certainly a fitting day to wear it.

I'm hoping hubby will take some pics of me in it before I go out tonight and I can post again tomorrow to show you....... but don't hold your breath!

no (knitting) news... is Good news

2009-03-12T06:50:00.000-07:00

Well just because I don't have any knitting news to share doesn't mean I shouldn't post - right?

I'm making great progress on my 'Woodland' cardigan and only have 1 1/2 sleeves left to knit. I'm getting rather excited about it, I mean it's only been on the needles for 11 months! That's all the knitting news there is.... now on to good news....

I just wanted to post about a wonderful site I just found that sells great t-shirts (IMO!). And the good news is they are having a fabulous give-away right now. If I don't win one of these, I will have to buy one of these! They look great! Transform Your Mind is my favorite.

Hop on over and take a peek yourself. The button is in my sidebar, or you can click below to go straight to their blog!

Finished.... and only $6!

2009-03-05T11:17:00.000-08:00

I finally finished up my Almeara gloves this morning. It took a little longer than I expected but not surprising when I actually knit a tank in between gloves!

Good news ..... these little beauties only cost me $6! The yarn is ' I Love This Wool' from Hobby Lobby. I bougth 2 skeins but only needed one (actually only used about 3/4).

Bad news . . . . I think our winter is already over, it's forecast to be in the 80's ALL week, so these little beauties will have to be put away until it's cold enough to wear them. I did wonder if I should 'gift' these or not but I made a decision - they're mine ;-) All mine!

Specs:

Almeara Gloves by Jared Flood

Vogue Knitting, Winter 2008/09

Yarn: I Love This Wool - 1 skein

Needles: Clover dpn's size US#6

Started: Feb 6, 2009

Finished: Mar 5, 2009

Ribs and Lace

2009-02-25T08:10:00.000-08:00

Pattern:Ribs and Lace Tank - IK Spring 07

Yarn: Naturally Caron - Country - 4 skeins

Needles: KnitPicks interchangable US#8 and US#4

Size: small - 33 1/2"

Started: Feb 14th, 2009

Finished: Feb 24th, 2009

I'm happy with how this turned out and it was a pretty fast knit. Just not happy with the photos! You don't wanna know how many clicks of the camera I had to make before I got a few decent ones!

I bought the yarn at Hobby Lobby because I liked the soft feel of it. It's 70% acrylic/30%wool! It was only after I got it home that I realized the pattern was knit in 100% cotton. Still it turned out pretty nice, and I should be able to just throw it in the washer and dryer (according to the ball band!). Don't think I'd use the yarn again though, there's too many nicer ones out there. I didn't actually use all 4 skeins, but had to break in to the fourth one when it said to split the top for shaping and knit both sides at the same time. I might even try to knit a pair of ankel socks with the left over, just to put on when my feet get cold in the summer! (yes I wear socks in the summer indoors cos the a/c makes my 'tootsies' cold!)

a closer shot of the back!

and even closer!

and my little Boo man, getting in on the action!

my 15 minutes of fame!

2009-02-23T06:37:00.000-08:00

Over the past few days I've recieved 2 messages in my Ravelry inbox. They were from someone I didn't know - someone named 'bioengiknitter'! The messages were a request to use my photo on the Ravelry page for that particular pattern. The first was the Lace Bolero from Sirdar, and the second was the little baby jacket and hat I just knit. So if you click on these patterns you will see my photos featured in the left hand column :-) I have to admit I was rather thrilled to get the request - that someone liked my FO that much that they would feature it in the photos column... well, it really made me smile.

On another bright note, Hetty awarded me with a 'Fabulous Blog award last week - thank you Hetty!

Hetty wants to know 5 things I am addicted to and then I should pass the award on to 5 other blogs! Right now I'm seriously only addicted to one thing, and that's knitting, but I'll try to make a list of 5:

1. Knitting! There's not a day goes by that I don't pick up the needles.

2. Knitting Magazines - seriously! I can't stop buying them, even when I know I will probably never knit anything from a certain issue, I'll buy it anyway!

3. American Idol - I can't deny it, I love everything about this show and never miss it. AND... I really like Simon Cowell!

4. My computer! and all the things on it like Facebook, Plurk, IM... I'd feel totally lost without it.

5. and last but certainly not least .... RAVELRY! of course. To be honest, I don't think I'd be as addicted to knitting if it wasn't for Rav ;-)

I can't pick just 5 blogs to pass this on to! I think ALL of the blogs I read are just fabulous :-)

and look who's coming along nicely.....

...she may well be off the needles in the next couple of days!

I wish I could knit faster!

2009-02-19T09:33:00.000-08:00

Don't you ever wish that? When I start a project I seriously wish it would take only about 3 days to complete, because by that time I'm already itching to cast on for something new! That would obviously be the 'ADD knitter' in me, but it doesn't help that there are so many great patterns out there that I would love to knit. I've always felt this way, and Ravelry certainly didn't make it any easier for me. I sometimes get on there and can sit for hours browsing all the patterns and seeing what everyone else is knitting. Silly really, because that is some serious knitting time I'm wasting!

I don't have any FO's to show this week, but I still wanted to just post an update (lest you all think I've disappeared and you stop visiting!). I'm half way through the second Almeara glove but I have to admit I've slowed down a little on it... that's because I cast on for the Rib and Lace Tank from IK, Spring 07. The weather is really warming up here in central Texas and all of a sudden I felt the urge to find some summery looking tops to knit (and by that I mean 'quick' knits that have no sleeves in them) ;-)

I am hoping I can get the tank done in the next few days. I have book club next Thursday, if the weather is nice enough I may even get to wear it that soon! One last thing before I go, I must point out my pretty 'knitting graphic' at the top of this post - isn't' she adorable? She was made by my sweet bloggy friend Judy form Homespun Blessings. Judy asked me what kind of things I liked, and of course I had to say knitting. I also love reading, so this totally sums me up. She created it so I could add it as a sigtag to my emails, but I want to keep her on my blogs for a while too.

problem sorted - kind of!

2009-02-15T07:51:00.001-08:00

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Turns out that blogger works ok for me in Internet Explorer but not in Firefox! Hubby says sometimes Firefox will get a glitch in it and they will get it sorted eventually. The problem is that Firefox on my laptop doesn't seem to have the glitch? so I'm still a little confused, but for now I'm using IE when I use blogger and it lets me upload photos etc.

I mentioned to a couple of knitting buddies online that I was planning on making 'heart-shaped' meatballs and spaghetti for my loved ones yesterday..... I blogged about it on my daily blog. So if you want to see/read go HERE.

I'll be back soon with some knitting news! Hope you all had a lovely Valentine Day yesterday.

it's rather strange!

2009-02-12T14:09:00.001-08:00

It must be my computer, this problem with blogger. The reason I think this is because I checked blogger from my laptop this morning and it has the same screen as it's always had, and it lets me click on icons above the 'posting' box. I wonder if I have a bug in my system:-(

I'm going to have my hubby look at it tonight. In the meantime I wanted to show a picture of my finished 'left hand' Almeara Glove. I am happy it's finished but not even looking forward to starting the second one! I am attaching the picture here by using my laptop, so hopefully you can see it.

It's only taken me a week to knit, so hopefully by this time next week I'll have a pair! And I can then get back to the Cleopatra Wrap, which is ALL for me (unlike the gloves, which I'm not sure are for me or will be gifted yet?)

what's wrong with blogger?

2009-02-11T07:48:00.001-08:00

Well I was going to show a picture of my Almeara Gloves with two fingers knit! But the little icons at the top of the post in blogger aren't there and I can't see how to add an image? I rebooted my computer but it's still coming up the same when I restart the program. Has anyone else tried to blog and got this problem today? It's very strange!

taking the plunge!

2009-02-09T11:30:00.000-08:00

So yes, I 'bit the bullet' - 'took the plunge' or however you want to call it. . . I cast on for Almeara Gloves on Friday night! Eeeek! I thought it would be rather scary what with all those complex cables but so far I'm fairly happy with how things are turning out. The pattern has been pretty easy to read and each round knits up pretty quick, so I can do at least 10 rounds in an evening or afternoon if I get a few minutes on my own (it seriously has to be very quiet around me when I pick these up!) and sometimes more than that.

The only scary part I find is when the pattern calls for changing the cables and you end up purling a stitch that was perhaps knit in the previous round - I'm never quite sure if that is indeed correct or if I'm a stitch off or something.... as far as I can tell though I think I'm doing it right.

I have about 10 rows to go before I cast off for the pinky, then things might really get scary! I can't remember the last time I knit fingers, let alone fingers with cables on them! Is anyone else going to cast on for these? I know Charity did - how are you doing with yours Charity? Hope you're getting some quiet knitting in as I type this ;-)

ADD Knitting!

2009-02-07T14:32:00.001-08:00

I finished the socks off for Kristen today. Remember, with the yarn I ran out of! They came out pretty nice and she loves them (first pair of socks I've made for her!).

Just in time too, cos I already cast on to knit the Almeara Gloves! And a couple of days before that I cast on to knit the Cleopatra Wrap. Yes there is some serious ADD knitting going on here. I might have put off knitting the gloves, but Charity said she'd knit along with me if I started them, so I couldn't resist :-) I'm hoping I can get the gloves knit pretty quick, if I don't I fear I may lose interest and want to put them aside - hopefully that won't happen now that I have a 'knitting partner'

The wrap will be put aside though until I get the gloves done. I'm still trying to get photos of me modeling Soleil! I was waiting for warmer weather, which we actually have this weekend (don't hate me, but it's 75 here today!) but I still have to crochet around one armhole, which I know I won't get to this weekend.

We're having a nice relaxing Saturday today, and I think I'll go pick up the gloves again ;-)

off the needles

2009-02-05T07:27:00.001-08:00

Knitting took a back seat this past week when I started painting our master bedroom. That's not to say I didn't already have something on the needles that was very nearly finished. This was a quick knit that I decided to try with some yarn I had in stash.

I wear a lot of long sleeve t-shirts at this time of year, but lately I was still feeling the cold. I hate wearing layers, my arms just feel so hindered when I do, so I decided a vest would work better for me.

Here's the 'Scoop' on the Scoop!

Pattern: Ski Lodge Scoop, from 12 Months of Knitting
Yarn:Cascade Yarns Eco+, from stash
Needles: US10 (US9 for armhole and neck edge)
Started: January 28th, 2009
Finished: February 4th, 2009
Mods: Knit in the round up to armholes

I actually checked my gauge for this and had to go up a needle size in order to get it. I knit the small size 30" and it's a perfect fit. I'm always worried that patterns like this will turn out too tight under my arm and I was even more concerned because I would be wearing something under this. But it's very comfortable to wear, armholes are the perfect size, and I love how the ribbing hugs my body. It's like having a little extra blanket wrapped around me to keep me warm, but at the same time my arms don't have that annoying 'covered' feeling like when I wear two 'long-sleeved' tops (which I don't do very often).

I wish I could get some decent shots outside, it would be much more interesting than up against the plain wall in the bedroom - note to self "when you can't get a decent (read flattering) shot of yourself, simply 'chop your head off'!

while I'm waiting

2009-01-30T10:41:00.000-08:00

As I said in my previous post, I have ordered some yarn from WEBS so I can continue with my gift knitting, and I'm waiting for it to be delivered.

I've also ordered some yarn from a fellow Raveler so I can knit a baby onesie for Kristen's 1st grade teacher (from last year) who we just found out is pregnant, and I'm waiting for that to be delivered (hoping it is today).

I've ordered a knitting book from Amazon, 'Sensual Knits' so I can start knitting something with Amanda's lovely lace yarn, and I'm waiting for that to be delivered.

In the meantime I'm finishing off the socks for my daughter with the yarn I ran out of last week! And to also keep me going, I picked up these in the book store today. . .

I've just had a quick browse through them and I can tell you I'm not disappointed, especially not with the Vogue mag - once again there are some lovely patterns that I'd love to one day get around to! I've been thinking of knitting some gloves lately, either for a gift or for myself, and I saw these in Vogue. . .

They are from the one and only 'Jared' of Brooklyn Tweed. I have never knit any of his patterns but love many of them I've seen on Ravelry. I'm wondering if these might be a little too complex for me, or if I should just bite the bullet so to speak and give them a go? What do you think?! I can't remember the last time I knit a pair of gloves - mittens are so much easier!

what is wrong with this picture?

2009-01-26T09:35:00.000-08:00

OK, let's not look at the obvious - the fact that I desperately need a pedicure, but look at the other obvious - the fact that I am not finished the second sock, and yet there is only a tiny little bit of yarn at the end of the needle!!! Yes! let's look at that shall we?

Is that not the most annoying thing? And yes, I can show you the full picture of what I started knitting last week, because these pretty things will no longer be gifted. The pattern said 1 skein of Classic Elite Montera for all sizes! Even the men's large sock said only 1 skein needed. I did the 'girls large' size and I even knit the cuff about 3 inches shorter than the pattern called for - so what is up with that? How can I be so short of yarn? The only reason I'm not as annoyed as I could be with these socks is that they knit up in like 2 days, so I haven't put a ton of time in to them. I plan on frogging them of course and I'll knit up a much smaller pair, probably on smaller needles too, for my daughter!

In the mean time I've ordered some yarn from Webs (my first order from that site, so I can't wait to get it) for . . . . well, more gifts is all I'll say for now.

Today I must crochet the edge of Soleil so I can show off the finished look. And I've pulled out 'Spook' from hibernation (just until the yarn from Webs gets here)!

finally

2009-01-24T13:20:00.000-08:00

Soleil is off the needles! I think I'm in shock! I cast on for this way back in June last year, after the first one I knit turned out way too big for me (in fact it's still hanging in my closet waiting to be frogged!). I knit the smallest size this time and I think it's gonna be much better. I tried it on before blocking and everything looks good.

I'm just a little nervous about doing the crochet around the arms and neck? I'll try to do that tomorrow and all being well will try to get some 'flattering' shots of me wearing it next week!

On a non-knitting topic, I had to try THIS recipe that I saw last week. Here's how mine turned out. . .

it's sitting on top of vanilla yogurt, probably the only way I'll eat it - because I like it best this way, (although I am tempted to try some in a bowl with milk on it). The recipe was super easy and tastes really nice. I love all the healthy stuff in it like oats, wheat germ, whole wheat flour. And what I really like about it is that it's not overly sweet. Just the perfect crunch to it and a rather yummy snack!

and before I go I had to mention my new blog background! Thought I'd try a change from the usual white!

sneek peak

2009-01-18T12:35:00.001-08:00

I wish I hadn't mentioned that my next project is another gift. Perhaps if I hadn't I could have brazenly shown the progress I made after casting on last night. After all, surely the recipient (should she even take a look over here at this blog) would forget all about said 'FO' by the time Christmas came around? Or perhaps she would remember seeing the FO but say "oh I never realized it was for me"?

But I did mention it was a Christmas gift so I don't want to spoil the surprise. For now I will give you just a sneek peak and tell you that you can see other pics over at my Ravelry.

An avid knitter could probably guess what this is! If you're a member of Ravelry but I'm not listed in your 'friends', you can search for me under 'knittingden.

finishing touches

2009-01-17T14:21:00.000-08:00

The owl mittens are finished. I have no models to try them out for me and as you know it's difficult taking pictures of mittens on your own hands. The ones I tried came out blurred, so here are the mittens along with the cowl.

I think the recipient will be well pleased with these :-) The cabled mittens are also finished. I liked how these turned out and let me tell you these feel super warm when I try them on. I'm not sure yet who these will be gifted to (actually I have someone in mind but I shouldn't say here, in case they're peeking)!

Just when I was wondering what to knit next these two books turned up from Amazon....

I have to say I was a little disappointed in the Debbie Bliss book. I mean the patterns are nice enough but most of them are cabled patterns, and I'm talking 'serious' cable patterns! I have another book of hers for kids that already have a lot of cabled sweaters so I was hoping to see a little more variety in the patterns. But the 12 months of knitting? Oh boy, that one is a keeper. There are some lovely patterns in this book, which leads me to my next knit. . . . which ermmmm, I can't actually tell you what it is because again the recipient might just be checking in here! You will see it on my Ravelry page soon when I cast on and when I finish the project. For now I will show you this -

In keeping with using the called for yarn I bought this from a fellow Raveler, it's Classic Elite Montera (50% Llama/Wool). Can't wait to cast on with it, which knowing me will probably be tonight ;-)

Oh and that finally brings me to the title of this post - finishing touches! Now that I have a few gifts off the needles, I'd like to add a little finishing touch by sewing in a 'hand knit' label of some sort. I was thinking of searching Etsy for some fabric labels. If any of you have ever bought any and can recommend a seller or a website that I can go to, please do. I think it will add the perfect finishing touch to my gifts made with love.

the kindness of strangers

2009-01-14T07:25:00.000-08:00

Back in December just after I finished the blue cabled mittens for my friend, I decided to cast on for another pair because I had enjoyed the pattern so much. That and the fact I had a lovely skein of Berroco Foliage that I'd bought on sale at my LYS, which I thought would work well with this pattern. Half way through that first mitt I realized one skein was not going to be enough to make a pair! I finished the mitten just before Christmas but didn't bother posting about it because, well one mitten is only half a pair which isn't truly an FO.

I couldn't just let it sit there forever on it's own - what use would it be? So I decided to search Ravelry and see if there was another skein out there with the same dye lot of course. I was in luck, or was I? Someone had two skeins in their stash but they didn't have stated that they would trade or sell. I decided I'd ask anyway. I'd be more than happy to buy both skeins if they didn't want to be stuck with one themselves. Imagine my surprise when the lovely lady replied to me saying she'd be more than happy to pop a skein in the mail to me - FREE! She wanted nothing for it! I insisted I would pay for it or send her something in exchange (not that I have much in my stash) but she insisted that she was more than happy just to do this and wanted nothing in return.

So, as you can see from the photo above, I've now received the yarn and started on mitten #2. Pat, if you're reading this, I just want to say thank you again for your kindness and generosity. (I would link to a website if I could but Pat doesn't have one, at least one doesn't show up on Ravelry).

Other updates.... I'm nearly finished Hedwig Mittens. I'll take FO pics when I get the second thumb finished off, hopefully later this week. And the baby jacket and hat is almost complete. All I have to do is another flower for the jacket. This turned out very sweet, don't you think?

I'll give specs once I get the flower knit and the set is finished.

ta da!

2009-01-08T16:14:00.001-08:00

Another Fo, and a quick one at that. Here's Hedwig, isn't he cute? Well I should say "aren't they cute" as there are 7 owls total on this cowl.

I love how this turned out, and I think the recipient is gonna love it too. Shame I have to wait 12 months before I can give it to her! I've never knit with Dream in Color Classy before, but I'm sure I will again. It is quite a soft merino yarn and not 'itchy' at all.

Of course I had to take a few modeled shots for you :-) I really liked wearing this and wouldn't mind one for myself.... but alas, too many other gifts need to be knit, not least the matching owl mitts, which you know I've already cast on for ;-) Keep your fingers crossed for me that I have enough yarn!

it came in the mail

2009-01-05T14:25:00.001-08:00

Don't you just love when you get yarn in the mail? I ordered this the other day when I saw a pattern on Ravelry that I wanted to knit (another Christmas gift!).

The yarn is 'Dream In Color - classy, the color is called Lipstick Lava. It's the actual yarn the pattern calls for - yay :-) It's hard to get a true color of it when taking photos. It probably looks a little darker than in the photo but it does have a hint of purple running through it. The recipient likes shades of red which is why I picked this color. I've never knit with this yarn before and I'm dying to cast on with it!

The pattern is Hedwig Owl Cowl, available as a Ravelry download for $3.50 (you can click on the photo above to go directly to the website of the designer ). My nephew's wife is a huge Harry Potter fan so I thought this would be a fun gift for her. The pattern calls for only half a skein, so I'm wondering if I will have enough yarn left over to make THESE mittens? They would make rather a cute set if I could.

I'm nearly finished the Sirdar baby cardigan and hat (the hat is complete, just needs the flower) so I might allow myself to cast on for the cowl tonight!

first FO of 2009

2009-01-02T12:52:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Can you believe Christmas and New Year is already behind us! It went so quickly but we've had a wonderful time. New Years Eve was spent next door at our neighbors house. It was just us two families (plus my father-in-law who came in to visit for a few days from Amarillo, TX).

And here is my very first FO of the new year. . . albeit a small one, but an FO is and FO - wouldn't you agree? I'm getting a start on my 09 Christmas gifts (don't laugh). I want to try and send my sisters and my nieces something hand knit this year, so I started with these - cute fur trimmed socks from 'Knitted Sock Sensations'.

One of my goals this year is to try and knit with the specified yarn in a pattern as much as I can. This may be easier said than done. My LYS usually doesn't have what I'm looking for (I went along there the other day and once again came away empty handed - but that's a whole other post!) and I couldn't find the yarn I needed for these on ebay or ravelry or anywhere else on line. So in the end I cast on with some Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino that I had in stash (waiting to be knit in to more Rainy Day socks). They turned out rather well, but I still think I need to go down a needle size when knitting socks on dpn's. They fit nice, but I think they should be just a wee bit 'snugger'!

Still, they are one quick gift already off the needles and I'm very happy with them.

Before I cast on for the next gift (and also continue knitting Soleil and Woodland) I have two little baby gifts to knit for my soon to be born nieces (actually the daughter's of my nephews to be exact). Babes are due April and May this year so I figured I should start now and get ahead of the game.

I'm going to cast on for this. . . .

again, I don't have the exact yarn (from what I've heard Sirdar discontinued their Snowflake yarn) but I have something very similar which I think will work. So, happy knitting in 09 ya'll - I'm off to pick up them thar needles, for a lazy Saturday afternoon of knitting :-)

a new year upon us

2008-12-28T15:47:00.000-08:00

We're home from our Christmas trip and Christmas 08 already seems a thing of the past. We had a nice time visiting with my hubby's family for Christmas eve and day but I missed being home and seeing Kristen wake up on Christmas morning and watching her coming down the stairs to see if Santa had been (we stayed in a hotel for both nights!). We did get a white Christmas which was kinda fun, but I'm glad to be home.

So as a new year approaches I find myself already planning what I want to knit in 2009. Yes! despite the fact I still have things on the needle that I started in January 08! I just can't help myself :-) Although I have to say it bothers me a little that I do still have wips from the beginning of this year, so I want to make a concerted effort to finish them before I cast on for any other large project. As I said in an earlier post, I want to try and make a resolution to only have two main projects on the needles at one time plus a small project that I can carry around with me (like socks or mittens).

Right now I'm concentrating on finishing Woodland and Soleil. It will feel like a huge achievement when I get both done. And after that I want to find something I can knit with Amanda's lovely lace yarn I won earlier this year.

Isnt' it beautiful. I want to knit a lacy shawl, I just don't know which pattern yet and whether I want a triangle or rectangle shape. And if possible I'd like an easy pattern! Anyone got any recommendations?

What do you have plans to knit in 2009? Or is it too early to ask!

thought this would be fun

2008-12-22T14:23:00.001-08:00

Leslie just posted about a photo challenge on her blog. I couldn't resist looking at the fourth folder in my picture files just to see what I'd come up with. I keep my photo files in year order (since 2000) the fourth folder was 2003 and inside that folder were the months (not quite in order) the fourth folder was February and here's the fourth picture in that folder. . . .

rather appropriate for this time of year don't you think! This was the swing on our back porch in Maryland - we got 21 inches of snow that week (Feb 2003)

Later that night, the swing looked like this. . . .

I really do miss the snow at Christmas time! Merry Christmas everyone.

a quick FO

2008-12-21T13:06:00.001-08:00

I started these mittens last week when my friend (the one I sent the Chicabean scarf to) mentioned she would like mittens to match. She is a knitter too but doesn't find as much time to knit, but she said if I could let her know what yarn I used and perhaps suggest a pattern, she'd try and knit herself a pair!

Well of course I couldn't let her do that when I already had a ball of yarn left over from knitting her scarf, so I searched Ravelry myself and saw this simple cable pattern.

These were a quick knit (I always love doing a simple cable pattern) and would have been quicker if I hadn't knit one cable less on the second mitt! I had to unwind it this afternoon cos it looked an inch shorter. They look the same now, so I'm sure she'll be pleased with them :-)

Specs: Basic Cabled Mittens (free Ravelry download)
Yarn : Black Horse Yarns, Fantasy - 100% acrylic
1 skein (I actually only used about half of the ball for the pair)
Needles: Size US 6 dpns

I love quick little projects, and am wondering what I can cast on next! Something small while I work on my bigger projects.

what to do with Rio

2008-12-17T16:42:00.001-08:00

I decided to cast on for Cap'n Crunch with the Rio De La Plata skein I bought a few months ago. I had in mind that it might be a gift for Kristen's teacher who's birthday it is at the end of the month. That is, until I finished it.

I'm not really happy with how this turned out. It seems overly wide compared to all the pictures I've seen on Ravelry, and I wasn't sure at all where to place the buttons. As you can see from the picture I had to fold it over nearly half way to get it to look anywhere near decent! I don't think it's long enough either but I knit til the end of the skein and could do no more. I just don't think this yarn is right for the project.

At least one thing good came out of it. . . . . it gave me a few hours of enjoyable knitting!

that's much better

2008-12-13T14:14:00.001-08:00

I can't thank Kelly enough for her suggestion of blocking the cabled beret over a dinner plate! It worked like a charm. Can you tell I'm much happier about this now. . . .

So much happier that I had to take lots of pictures of the beret to show it off to you ;-) I'm sorry about the picture overload, but I just couldn't help myself!

flying off the needles

2008-12-10T14:05:00.000-08:00

Well that's a slight exaggeration, these have been ON the needles for way too long. I actually finished the second mitt a couple of weeks ago but just never got around to casting off! I did that this afternoon and will wrap these for a gift to Kristen's piano teacher.

I really enjoy knitting these but I don't really have a lot of people to knit them for, so this will probably be my last pair for a while.

I'm trying to concentrate on two major wips right now, 'Woodland' and 'Soleil'. Soleil is really just a lot of knitting in the round right now, so that's the perfect wip to take with me when I'm out (like at piano lesson yesterday). I've nearly finished the back of Woodland and will start on the right side next, then just two sleeves and I'll be done - well those and the button band, but I don't want to think of that right now.

Despite my 'early' New Year Resolution of only working on two projects at a time (which I haven't really made yet, I just kinda mentioned it), I am feeling the urge to cast on for Cap'n Crunch with the Rio De La Plata I have in my stash! I just found out it's Kristen's teacher's birthday at the end of this month - I thought this might make a nice gift?

I must say it's fun knitting what you want WHEN you want to. Perhaps I should make that my New Year Resolution ;-)

A little knitting....

2008-12-09T11:27:00.000-08:00

Despite feeling quite ill last week I did manage to pick up my needles while I was taking it easy and recuperating. I did think my next post would be all about how I am going to make a new year resolution early. The resolution is that I am only going to allow myself to knit two things at any one time. I was thinking that one large item and one small item would work well. Or another approach to this would be to knit one 'complex' pattern and have another 'easy' pattern on the needles for taking with me 'on the go' so to speak.

Well that post fell by the wayside when I saw Katie's hat on Ravelry and discovered that she had knit it with Malabrigo!

Of course you all remember this. . . .

. . . . my lovely Malabrigo I bought a few weeks ago. I still hadn't decided what to knit with it until I saw Katie's post. That was it, I whipped out my needles and cast on immediately!

Isn't it amazing how quickly you can get something knit when you really really want to knit it (unlike many of my wip's that have sat in the closet for this past year, barely touched!). Within 4 days I had this. . . .

In fact I just cast off today and took pictures to share on here. Now I have one problem... how do I get this to look good on my head? Seriously! I tried it on and it looks ridiculous. Granted I have not knit the last cable because I was running out of yarn, and that might be why it's looking a bit pointy and not 'flopping' like it seems to do nicely on the model!

Would blocking help this? And if so, how do I go about blocking a hat? Any help would surely be appreciated, or this pretty thing will end up sitting in my drawer never to see the light of day (*sigh*)

Specs:
Cabled Beret by Debbie Bliss (Debbie Bliss Knitting Magazine - Fall/Winter 2008)
Malabrigo Merino Worsted - 1 skein
Needles US #5 and #8

It Sucks To Be Sick. . .

2008-12-04T09:39:00.000-08:00

. . . especially at this time of year, when you realize you have so much to do before the holidays! I got sick last weekend. Started getting a sore throat on Friday and by Saturday I had a really painful right ear! I suffer quite often with sinus problems, just recently I was diagnosed with chronic sinusitis and put on antibiotics for 30 days.

I feel like it was mainly self-inflicted because I had ran out of my nose spray and hadn't used it in nearly 2 weeks (waiting for it to be mailed to me). By which time I was getting really stuffed up again as usually happens when I don't take my allergy meds. My right ear became really blocked, I think from the fluid that seems to build up in the tube whenever I get a lot of congestion, and I can still hardly hear. It's really very frustrating. Anyway, long story short, I went back to the Dr on Monday, was given 5 days worth of antibiotics to help the infection in my ear, and was sent for another x-ray on my nose. Got the results back yesterday and the diagnosis is I STILL have chronic sinusitis! I'm back on the antibiotics for yet another month. After that I have to have another x-ray and will be sent to an ENT if nothing has improved.

So in saying all of that, what I'm really getting at is that there's not much knitting being going on around here. I did decide one thing (even before I got sick, which was just as well really), I have decided to send the 'kiddies' a money gift for Christmas and keep the toys I've been making them for their birthdays next year. Two reasons for this... I was beginning to think I wouldn't get every thing knit in time to mail to England, and it will also help spread the cost of shipping rather than try to mail everything at once this month, which believe me gets very pricey at this time of year. So once I feel 'normal' again and not so tired from being sick I am going to get back to some 'Me' knitting. I think I will get back to knitting 'Woodland' from the Rowan Nature book. not sure if that link will work, but I tried to link to the 'wip' in my Ravelry.

For now I bid you all a great day and hope to be able to blog about knitting soon!

Bake-A-Long!

2008-11-26T17:07:00.000-08:00

No knitting content in this post I'm afraid. This is mainly a picture shoot for Claudia ;-) (and anyone else that wants to see how you bake a 'Christmas Cake'.

Ready to get started....

My little helper . . . look at the concentration on her face!

Kristen helped crack the eggs and weigh out all the fruit . . . but the best part for her was licking the spoon, or in this case the whisks!

She took this picture of me, just to show I 'helped' too . . .

Ready for the oven. . . .

And here's my cake out of the oven (upside down in this pic, as I'd just poured a tablespoon of brandy in to the holes I made on the bottom)

So now we 'feed' the cake each week (which is adding a tablespoon, or more, in to the holes on the bottom of the cake). Next week I'll cover the cake with marzipan, which will not effect the feeding, then a few days before Christmas I will decorate it with icing.

Claudia, fyi - I baked my cake for 3 hours at 225 like the recipe said, but after 3 hours it was very 'uncooked'! so I turned up the heat to 275 and baked a further 45 minutes. I was worried it might still be undercooked when I took it out of the oven that night, but the next day it was very firm to the touch. . . . so of course now I'm worried it's over cooked! Time will tell ;-)

Christmas Traditions.

2008-11-23T15:48:00.001-08:00

Still no 'mojo' but I thought I better post or you'll think I've dropped off blogland - and if you think that, then you might stop coming by to 'read' me! And I wouldn't want that to happen.

Despite having new sofas I've still not felt in the mood for knitting. I was busy painting in the living room and kitchen last week and also planning a birthday party for my soon to be 8 year old little princess (yeah, not so little any more!). The party was at our house yesterday and it all went well. We had just a few friends over and we had a bouncy castle in the back yard.

With no knitting to show you I thought I would post about 'Christmas Traditions' as suggested over at Amanda's blog earlier this week.........

..... this is my 'tradition'! Dried Fruit? Well not exactly. A Christmas Tradition for us in England is making 'Christmas Cake' - otherwise known over here as 'Fruit Cake'. OK, stop laughing!

When I first came to the US (10 years ago) I was shocked when I heard how fruit cake gets such a bad rap. I was once told there is only one fruit cake in the US, because everyone who recieves it will wrap it up and mail it on to someone else! I have to say, when I saw what fruit cake in the store over here I wasn't surprised at that joke. It's a much lighter 'cake' here, but in England our fruit cake is very dark and filled with a lot more fruit.

My mom used to make a Christmas cake every year when I lived at home. The tradition (for a lot of families) is to make the cake at least a month before Christmas and then 'feed it' in the following weeks so that it's nice and moist when you cut in to it on Christmas day. When I say 'feed it' I mean adding a spoonful of brandy or sherry each week until the big day. HERE'S a little history on the English Christmas Cake.

I am happy to say that this year I have found a lovely knitting friend who wants to join me in baking a cake :-) The lovely Claudia didn't laugh when I told her about my 'tradition'. In fact she told me she loves fruit cake and has made her own in the past. I shared with her this year a recipe I have a from a friend that worked really well for me, and we've both planned on making one together and even sending each other a slice of our own cakes to try :-) I'm really excited about this. And so the big day looms. . . . I have my ingredients all gathered and one day next week I plan on making the cake. The other tradition I told Claudia about is that I have to have Christmas songs playing while I bake and the 'cook' (that's me) has to have a glass of her favorite drink poured (usually a glass of wine).

Now, if there's any other 'fellow Brits' out there in knitting land that would like to join our Christmas 'bake-along', please do so, and of course let us know via your blog if you can, or leave me a note here :-)

One other thing before I go, I just want to say Thank You to Nicole. I was the lucky winner in her blog competition a few weeks ago and I received my prize last week. Her beautiful alpaca 'Toasties'.

Nicole took much nicer pictures, but here's my toasty arm inside of one. Thanks again Nicole.

Have you seen it. . . .

2008-11-06T09:46:00.001-08:00

. . . my knitting Mojo? I seem to have lost it this week! I know the reason why too - I'm having a new sofa delivered tomorrow, so last weekend I sold my old sofas and since then my living room has been rather bear. We have one 'basket' chair (from Pier1, and similar to THIS) which is sort of comfortable, but not really! And we have hubby's old recliner, which is a tad more comfortable than the chair, but still not... ya know!

So because I don't really have anywhere 'cozy' to sit right now I think that's why I've not really picked up my needles much. I'm hoping all that will change tomorrow when the sofa, which has a chaise at one end and a reclining seat at the other, is delivered. I look forward to a weekend of putting my feet up and relaxing ;-)

I ordered two new knitting books from Amazon last week, which were delivered really quickly even though I'd opted for free shipping.

I think I can honestly say that other than knitting, one of my other passions is collecting knitting books! I know I'm not alone when I say this - I've seen some of your 'libraries' on Ravelry, so don't try to deny it! . In fact my little collection looks quite tiny to some in comparison! I love browsing through knitting books and reading the patterns. Even if I have no intention of knitting the said garmet. It's 'reading' about 'knitting' what could be better than that?

So what do I think of these two new books? I have to be honest and say with the Luxury Yarn One Skein Wonders, well I'm a little disappointed in it. There's not a lot in there that I think I'd knit, but that's really just at first glance. I think I need to browse through it very slowly and take a really good look at it. With the Mason Dixon book, again, I'm not sure how much stuff I'd knit in it. The first book from what I can remember seemed to have a lot more stuff I'd like to do, but I haven't gotten that book yet, I just loaned it from the library one time.

I must say that one of my favorite things in this book that immediately caught my eye was the 'Jane Austin' dress and shrug. Oh, these look SO pretty, and I just love pretty girly things. I definitely will have to knit some of these and get out my new (and hardly used) sewing machine next year. I say next year because come January I will be planning on what I'm going to make for gifts for that Christmas. Yes, call me crazy but my intentions will be good and I'll want to start planning right away. I always feel like that just after the holidays, then after a couple of months my good planning usually goes by the wayside!

But aren't these just adorable? The fabric and yarn color choices will be endless. Hmmm, I wonder if anyone has knit them on Ravelry yet?

Happy Halloween!

2008-11-01T09:58:00.001-07:00

I usually only share 'knitting content' on this blog because I post our 'daily life' on my other 'daily' blog! But I thought I would start sharing some other stuff other than just knitting here, because... well I feel like I've come to know some of you as really good friends, and... well, I really just want to share :-) (plus it means you don't have to read two blogs!).

So here's my little 'princess' having a fun time last night (with the other kids in the cul-de-sac).

Kristen is the Pikachu with the Boo bag! I splashed out and bought the 'hard to come by' costume on Ebay, only to find out later her friend's mom two doors away made her costume - now why didn't I think of that? Oh yeah, I was too busy knitting ;-)

Let me just say that in all her 7 years my little 'princess' has never actually dressed up as a princess for Halloween! Her first Halloween at age 11 months I dressed her as Winnie the Pooh with a big pumpkin belly, oh, ok I'll show you the picture. . . . .

How cute is that?! The following year when she was 2 yrs old, I took her to the Disney store and let her pick a costume. I tried to steer her towards the princess outfits but she ended up going straight to Tiggr! And since then it's been dogs, more dogs, batgirl, scooby doo and now Pikachu.

I'll say one thing, it sure is fun waiting to see what she wants to be each year :-) I hope you all had a fun and safe evening last night too.

Oh What Fun!

2008-10-31T07:34:00.001-07:00

Through the Loops Mystery Sock Kal was the first knit-along that I've ever participated in. And it was SO much fun. I'm rather saddened that it's already over. The past 4 weeks have just flown over and what's been wonderful about it is getting online and seeing everyone else's socks. The yarns people used were just so pretty, the colors awesome! I love the cabled pattern on the socks, but I chose to do the plain pair incase I got overwhelmed and a little confused (which can often happen for me when I'm reading a new pattern!). So, here are my finished socks. . . .

Yarn: The Natural Dye Studio Merino/Tencel 4 Ply/Sock. I think the colorway is Mirage.
Needles : US size 2, dpn's

It's really hard trying to get good photos of your feet! I asked my hubby to take a couple of pictures last night, but I took a couple more today in the sunlight. When I first started knitting these socks I thought there were going to be a little too tight, but as I knit then tried them on I realized there is quite a lot of 'give' when you pull them over your feet. In hindsight I think I'd like them to be a little snugger. I found when I knit my Monkey socks that they seemed a little loose too. So next time I knit socks I am going to go down a needles size and see if that helps the fit.

Have a great weekend everyone - and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!