Ribbon Edged Cardigan

The never ending sweater is finally complete!




Started: July 29th, 2007
Finished: October 26th, 2007
Yarn: Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino 2 balls in pale yellow and a bit of cream for the stuffed heart.
Pattern: Ribbon Edged Cardigan from Debbie Bliss Special Knits and a stuffed heart based on the heart mobile from Debbie Bliss Essential Baby (someone stop me from buying the baby knit books!)
Adjustments: The obvious, no ribbon. I looked for one but couldn't find anything I liked.

Here's a look at the heart and the perfect little buttons I found...I think 8 buttons cost me 50cents!



Sew in a label, put it all in a cute little box...and it's ready to go.



Just waiting for that baby!

Noro Scarf.

Simple.
Beautiful.
This was really a beginner project, but when you let the yarn do the work, the outcome is just gorgeous.



Started: October 14, 2007
Finished: October 20, 2007
Pattern: One by one ribbing. Inspired by Jared's, of course.
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden. 2x 245 and 2x 251. Knit on US#6 needles.

This was mindless knitting, but it did keep my interest watching the colour change. I really had a hard time putting it down...I just couldn't wait to put it on!
I am not the only one who wanted to wear it...



Ok, so this was for me...now on with the Christmas knits.

Shooting stocking heel.

I am really starting to get my knitting mojo back with this sock. I love this yarn...the feel of it as you knit is just perfect. The yarn slides so nicely across the needles and the pattern definition is outstanding.

I have been working away on the leg and then the heel flap



Of course, I couldn't put it down until I finished the entire heel...



When stretch out on the leg, the pattern is quite nice. I actually could pull the leg up to my knee...and immediately wanted an pair of knee socks in this yarn...for myself!

Must make knee socks.

Ampersand socks for Socktoberfest.

I finished my first (and probably only completed pair) pair of socks for Socktoberfest!
This also marks the first official Christmas knit...complete!



Started: October 1, 2007
Finished: October 16, 2007
Pattern: Ampersand socks
Yarn: Koigu 2 skeins knit on knitpicks #2 needles. 14sts 18rows/2inches unstretched
Adjustments: None to speak of, just foot length.

This pattern is great for variegated yarn. I am just glad to have completed something...especially a Christmas Knit.

What are the planned Christmas Knits you ask?

A pair of socks or two...the Ampersand and possible knee socks.
A pair of socks...gentlemen's shooting stockings...and possibly mittens and hat
A major knit...sweater possibly or a vest (even more possible...you know the whole 4 ply issue).
A hat for K.R.
A hat for N.R.
A hat for B.K. black tweed Zeebee. (it's been done for a couple weeks...awaiting grafting)
A pair of mitts for L.K. (possibly with pattern...maybe skulls?)
A hat for C.A.
A hat for C.A.
A hat for C.
A hat for S.S.
A hat for A.S. (possibly the koolhaas hat)
A hat for F.M. (koolhaas again)
A hat for C.M. (koolhaas)
A hat and possible a coat like sweater for G.M. (yes the youngest is always spoiled)
Something for my boys...hats, mitts, stuffed animals they seem to be interested in.

Those are definite...but if time permits....the list, of course, grows!

He's not a hunter...

He's not a hunter, but I'm knitting him the "Gentleman's Shooting Stockings".



The pattern is from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush. The yarn of choice, one of my favourite fingering weight sock yarns, Regia Silk.
This yarn knits up very nicely. It has a very similar feel to Debbie Bliss's Baby Cashmerino and it really shows the pattern nicely...I am a very happy knitter today!

These are going to be some big socks...so they will take a little while, although they are the only things on the needles right now! I am officially into the Christmas knits!

Look for some FO's this week;)

Catching up.

I bought my niece a little dress to wear next summer for her birthday in September. I have yet to send it off...I wanted to knit something to go with it.

I love stuffed knits...especially those made of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (I think it would be safe to say that it is my all time favourite yarn!)



Started: October 1, 2007
Finished: October 19, 2007
Pattern: Rabbit from Debbie Bliss Special Knits
Yarn: DB Baby Cashmerino 1+ ball (I dipped into the second ball for one ear) in Duck Egg blue. Scrap cream for the pom pom tail and embroidering thread (or scrap 4 ply) for the facial features.
Gauge: 24sts and 36 rows on knit picks US #3 needles. (a little smaller than recommended gauge...but what does it matter?!)

I love knitting little stuffed creatures. They really don't take long, they are quite finicky with knitting the little pieces, all the seaming and assembling...but the outcome is quite satisfying. Plus, she didn't get a doll last year;)

FYI I am considering all of your recommendations for my sisters gift. Some facts:

• She brought the knitting to me before I knew I had her name for Christmas.
• I don't think she expects me to knit her either sweater...well at least not for Christmas.
• I love knitting the Christmas gifts and usually make one major project for the sibling who's name I have.
• Knitting a st st sweater on US#2's may kill me (death by st st) and I would dread knitting it.
• She choose that sweater because of the knitting level she is at and the wear-ablility of it for work.
• I do have an idea in mind and did pose the question so that at least one of you would recommend doing it, thus justifying my decision in some way;)

A little bundle of joy was out on my door step!?

Dear knitting friends.

Something horrible has happened.

A knitter has surrendered.







I found this on my door step.

Two wonderful pattern books...some freedom cotton yarn (enough for a sweater), some 4ply rowanspun...needles...notations....even a fabulous knitting bag.



I know who left it...my sister.

You see, her work (law) consumes her time. She had attempted to knit, but was never really hooked...let's say as I "could" possibly be hooked (the first step to addiction recovery is recognizing the problem...I have no problem...)

I had discouraged this "occasional" knitter from attempting a sweater of 4 ply yarn...CRAZY! I also tried to sway her from purchasing cotton for a sweater (not so easy to knit with, sometimes painful...literally).

She surrendered her knitting to me.



Now, here is the problem. (yes, there is a problem...not just free knitting stuff!)

Lets say hypothetically that a certain family draws names for christmas gifts. Let's say that a certain person from said family...a knitter, lets say...drew the name of another person...a knitter who just surrendered. Does that knitter knit one of the sweaters that the knitter who surrendered had wanted to knit for herself???



Are you following me here...are you picking up what I am putting down?



Here are the sweaters in question:



Isla by Kim Hargreaves. It is a st st pattern for a raglan pullover knit with 4 ply yarn on US#1 and #2 needles!!!! Can you imagine knitting that?!

the second choice

Monika in freedom cotton DK. A zippered cardigan (I prefer buttoned up) in an interesting rib pattern with some moss st...but knit in cotton.



OR



Do I do something else with the yarn...maybe double up the 4 ply and knit a vest or something.

HELP.

It's all I've been thinking about...

The more I thought about that noro scarf....the more I couldn't stop thinking about it.
I left work the other day and went straight to the LYS...



I know it was on my gift giving list....but...I really love it....

(notice the fire....I LOVE that it is finally fall!!!!)

Oh, I started another project a couple weeks ago that has been sitting on the back burner. It doesn't look like much now. It actually looks a little over stuffed...



I'm going to finish that...but after the noro scarf!!

The sock creature thanks you.

I am a knitter.
I am not a seamstress.
I know a fair amount about yarn and knitterly things.
I don't know a whole lot about sewing, but I can do it.

This being said...thank you to a couple of my readers for delurking and letting me know that it is not a bobbin problem but a top thread problem. All I had to do was rethread the machine! I owe you $50!

The sock creature thanks you.



Now...a little inspiration for Christmas knits.

Firstly, check out the Holiday Issue of Interweave, if you haven't already. Gifts...yes. For me...yes. Love many of the patterns featured!

Some socks that are possibilities...spiral boot socks, clessidra knee socks, father and son socks, diamond and waffle socks and winding cable socks.

Hat patterns I have been eyeing...short row hat, cap karma (brooklyntweed...he could knit a garter stitch swatch out of crappy yarn and his photo will make me want to knit it!), foliage hat, and the shedir cap.

Have you seen these snugs? I must make them!

I know it is the most simple scarf (Jared again...just go look at the photos!) but I really love this noro scarf. If not for a gift, then for myself!

Lastly, some mittens.

Do you have any great accessory patterns to share?

Socks for Socktober

I have been flipping through old knitting mags/patterns/books and spent a good part of the day yesterday reading many of your blogs....looking for Christmas knits inspiration.
I found some ideas...but also decided I would benefit from a trip to the bookstore.
Nothing there.
I brought my 5yr old who spotted this book...mistakenly placed in with the knitting books. Fate? Who knows. He had to have it so that I could make him one.
It came in a kit, missing pieces...but it was 50% off.

Once home, we searched through daddy's socks to find the perfect pair! I read it through...pretty simple. I took out the sewing machine and....did a little test sew...



Yeah, this isn't the first time I have had bobbin problems. I KNOW that I have recently had this repaired...and have used it maybe 3 times since. The machine is a fairly good one...I bought about 12 years ago for around $200. I have also spent a good $150 on repairs for the bobbin...$50 each time. I can't do it again.

I think it is time.

So the sock creatures will have to wait, because my attempt at hand sewing just won't do.

In other sock news....



One is complete now and I am part way down the leg of the other...second sock syndrome is starting to set in.
I need to start another project...

Zeebee Hat

What do you think...to "matchy, matchy"??



Started: October 5, 2007
Finished: October 6, 2007
Pattern: Zeebee hat
Yarn: Jo sharp silkroad tweed dk 1 ball (2 balls for the set)
Gauge: 20sts 40 rows/4 inches using US#6 needles (the great thing about this pattern is you can use any yarn and any gauge...it generates the pattern for you!)
adjustments: None. the next hat I will make longer. Because I decided to go with a 2" negative ease...I didn't take into account that it would shrink up in length as it stretched to fit.
It JUST fits. I would prefer another inch I think.
What a great pattern. It is great for handspuns or varigated yarns as well.
I seem to be rekindling my love for tweed lately.
Fingerless mitts info found here.

Here is a view from the top.



And speaking of tweed...we were speaking of it, right?



I gave in to the yarn diet...it was 1/2 off...how could one resist?
(please ignore the box of tissue...the sun was putting a glare on the camera window...and hey, I have a cold.)

Christmas? Yes..it's coming...

So this is the thing...I know that it is 86 degrees out today...but...you can't avoid the fact that Christmas is a mere 2 1/2 months away!
Seriously.
The snow, the music, the lights, that man in the sleigh...it's all on it's way.

(On a side note...for those of you that are parents of "believers" Santa threats are now fair game...i.e. "Know that Santa is watching you do that...and he is marking things OFF your list..." or my favourite "That's it! Get me the phone...I need to make a call...1800CALL SANTA". These are both great...but remember,use the power of Santa wisely;))

I am quite troubled with Christmas knits this year. I am so busy...work...kids...house...very little knitting time. No...no...there is knitting time but not so much planning and designing time this year. The WOW factor may not be in this years knits. I don't have time to really think about my knitting, I only have time to actually knit.

So, there won't be any of this...and there is really not time for this...or any of these.
I know, I know, it is really quite disappointing. But fear not my dear knitting friends...there are so many simple knits as well as talented knit bloggers out there...the patterns are endless.

Take for instance the Zeebee hat.

Yes?

Oh yes...I will be making some of these. What a great pattern...it's simple, quick and the short rows keep your interest. In a variegated yarn, this would be great! I think the nephews in my life would really appreciate it...hint, hint...send me some colour choices.
Anyway...I gave it a go. With extra yarn in the stash, itching to be knit...I did just that in a couple of nights...



The first dozen grafted stitches didn't work out. For some reason, I was grafting like it was reverse st st. I ripped them out and studied it again...and away I went...grafting the garter stitch.



Success! It is beautiful. I wish I did this for those fingerless mitts...hmmmmm.
Fear not the garter stitch grafting! It is so satisfying.
I am thinking of a little how to lesson...on the next hat!

Happy Thanksgiving!!! You know what's next (well, besides Halloween and then the American Thanksgiving...)

It's Socktoberfest...and I am knitting a sock!

I have been searching and searching for a sock pattern I wanted to knit. I started jaywalkers...but it wasn't working out for me. (don't get me wrong...it's a great pattern, I've knit one pair...but this yarn wasn't loving it)

I missed out on sockapalooza...it just wasn't a good time for me...next one!

Now with all the Socktoberfest posting in knittingland...I had to do something.

I came across this pattern.
Great for varigated yarn...and perfect for the koigu that's been burning a hole in my stash!



It is like riding my bike again....oh socks, how I have missed knitting you! I don't know what I was thinking?!

In an ideal world, I will be knitting four pair of socks this Socktober...will that happen? We will see. This, my dear knitting friends, will be the beginning of the Christmas knits!

FYI I found the Ampersand sock pattern writer on this blog. With my life a constant "catch up", I love the idea of previewing all those great knittng blog entries out there.
Yes, I still read all those blogs that I have in my bloglines...but many I just scroll through...no real reading. I love that I can learn of some fantastic knitters...many of which are new to me, PLUS I have come across some great free patterns and some inspiration!

Fingerless Mitts.

I finished those fingerless mitts in no time! What a quick knit and they would really make a nice gift.







Started: September 26, 2007

Finished: September 27, 2007

Pattern: Fingerless Mitts from Weekend Knitting

Yarn: Jo Sharp Silkroad DK in Boheme.

Adjustments: None.



I am thinking my two older nephews would really like something like this for christmas. I remember them saying they liked the knucks pattern on knitty last season...this may be the beginning of the Christmas knits!



In other knitting news...I have finished the never ending sweater...well knitting and seaming it. I need to find some buttons and decide if I am putting the ribbon edging on it. I guess a trip to the notations store will determine that.

AND

I started another project!
Look who's knitting again!
Seriously...FO's, new projects, blog postings...look out!