Boot Socks, Just in Time for Winter!

I finished my daughter' Hunter Boot Socks, aka kilt hose, yesterday. She will be coming home from college for winter break next week, and I will give these to her on one of the eight nights of Hanukkah! They came out great, if I do say so myself--I have never knit knee socks, and these are even longer (16 inches, with a fold-over lace panel too!). I really enjoyed knitting these socks, which decrease from the calf down to the ankle and fit me perfectly (we're similar in size). I think I'd like to do a pair of knee socks for me! Any pattern recommendations?
I also liked knitting socks with Cascade 220 Superwash. I used size 4 needles and, despite the length, they went quickly. I started them in September, but really haven't worked on them much as I've been making hats for all of my daughter's friends, and have even sold a few in my Etsy shop! I am probably going to be doing a fundraiser for my son's high school in January and I will try to sell hats and headbands in the school colors there.
Next up--I may reward myself by making the Laura Nelkin Butin Collar, for which I ordered a kit as well as the e-book that contains this and other jewelry and accessory patterns. Then I'll get back to the Transverse Cardigan that I started in July!
Happy Holidays, everyone--stay warm!

Boot Socks, Just in Time for Winter!

I finished my daughter' Hunter Boot Socks, aka kilt hose, yesterday. She will be coming home from college for winter break next week, and I will give these to her on one of the eight nights of Hanukkah! They came out great, if I do say so myself--I have never knit knee socks, and these are even longer (16 inches, with a fold-over lace panel too!). I really enjoyed knitting these socks, which decrease from the calf down to the ankle and fit me perfectly (we're similar in size). I think I'd like to do a pair of knee socks for me! Any pattern recommendations?
I also liked knitting socks with Cascade 220 Superwash. I used size 4 needles and, despite the length, they went quickly. I started them in September, but really haven't worked on them much as I've been making hats for all of my daughter's friends, and have even sold a few in my Etsy shop! I am probably going to be doing a fundraiser for my son's high school in January and I will try to sell hats and headbands in the school colors there.
Next up--I may reward myself by making the Laura Nelkin Butin Collar, for which I ordered a kit as well as the e-book that contains this and other jewelry and accessory patterns. Then I'll get back to the Transverse Cardigan that I started in July!
Happy Holidays, everyone--stay warm!

Winter Wear

Happy Post-Thanksgiving! Had a wonderful long weekend with my beautiful daughter home from collehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifge. I loved spending time with her as well as seeing all of her friends--such a great group of girls. I gave two of them their earflap hats--three more to go in the "core" group of friends and one additional friend has requested a hat. At this rate, colleges all over the country will have samples of mhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gify hats, and hopefully this will lead to sales!
I have now made two official sales in my Etsy shop and look forward to growing my business.
As I said goodbye to my daughter until she returns again in three weeks, I promised that her Hunter Boot Liners , a variation of kilt hose, would be finished by Winter Break. Last night I powered through the first one while watching a too-close-for-comfort Steelers victory, and am about halfway through the decorative cuff of boot liner #2. I'm confident that I'll reach my goal. At 16 inches for the leg, these boot liners are a very significant project!
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and is doing lots of cold-weather knitting!

Winter Wear

Happy Post-Thanksgiving! Had a wonderful long weekend with my beautiful daughter home from collehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifge. I loved spending time with her as well as seeing all of her friends--such a great group of girls. I gave two of them their earflap hats--three more to go in the "core" group of friends and one additional friend has requested a hat. At this rate, colleges all over the country will have samples of mhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gify hats, and hopefully this will lead to sales!
I have now made two official sales in my Etsy shop and look forward to growing my business.
As I said goodbye to my daughter until she returns again in three weeks, I promised that her Hunter Boot Liners , a variation of kilt hose, would be finished by Winter Break. Last night I powered through the first one while watching a too-close-for-comfort Steelers victory, and am about halfway through the decorative cuff of boot liner #2. I'm confident that I'll reach my goal. At 16 inches for the leg, these boot liners are a very significant project!
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and is doing lots of cold-weather knitting!

Hat Mania!

After surviving four days and three nights without power after a freak October snowstorm, I am back to knitting as usual, and my chunky hats seem more needed than ever! I have been continuing to make gift hats and headbands for my teenagers' friends and hope that they will serve as good marketers for the hats and headbands in my Etsy shop.
I also made my daughter a nice, warm chunky ribbed scarf in her school colors and my favorite bulky yarn, Cascade 128 Superwash.
Now I am on to experimenting with some boys' hats from a fabulous book, Hip Knit Hats. So far, I've made the Skip and am in the midst of making the Pat designs from this book.
We gain an hour when we set the clocks back tonight--another hour to knit! Yay! Stay warm, everyone.

Hat Mania!

After surviving four days and three nights without power after a freak October snowstorm, I am back to knitting as usual, and my chunky hats seem more needed than ever! I have been continuing to make gift hats and headbands for my teenagers' friends and hope that they will serve as good marketers for the hats and headbands in my Etsy shop.
I also made my daughter a nice, warm chunky ribbed scarf in her school colors and my favorite bulky yarn, Cascade 128 Superwash.
Now I am on to experimenting with some boys' hats from a fabulous book, Hip Knit Hats. So far, I've made the Skip and am in the midst of making the Pat designs from this book.
We gain an hour when we set the clocks back tonight--another hour to knit! Yay! Stay warm, everyone.

Sweet Feet!

My poor husband has been patiently waiting for his Cauchy Socks to be finished. I have been so busy on my earflap hat kick that hishttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifsocks--begun on 4th of July weekend--have taken a definite back seat. Finally, this morning, I finished the socks. I really like the way they look--very masculine and a simple pattern with some interest both for the knitter and the wearer.

In other foot-related news, I'm now going back to the just-started Hunter Boot liners for my daughter, the college girl. I am using the Toirneach Kilt Hose pattern, from Knitty.com back in 2007. Because they are supposed to be worn with kilts, they are knee-high and have a fold-over cuff that my daughter can cuff over the outside of each boot. They are going to be very cute!

I'm also continuing to make earflap hats like crazy. Here is one of my daughter's friends modeling hers:

OK, friends, time to get back to my knitting and Podcasts! Will try to be back before too much time has gone by.

Sweet Feet!

My poor husband has been patiently waiting for his Cauchy Socks to be finished. I have been so busy on my earflap hat kick that hishttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifsocks--begun on 4th of July weekend--have taken a definite back seat. Finally, this morning, I finished the socks. I really like the way they look--very masculine and a simple pattern with some interest both for the knitter and the wearer.

In other foot-related news, I'm now going back to the just-started Hunter Boot liners for my daughter, the college girl. I am using the Toirneach Kilt Hose pattern, from Knitty.com back in 2007. Because they are supposed to be worn with kilts, they are knee-high and have a fold-over cuff that my daughter can cuff over the outside of each boot. They are going to be very cute!

I'm also continuing to make earflap hats like crazy. Here is one of my daughter's friends modeling hers:

OK, friends, time to get back to my knitting and Podcasts! Will try to be back before too much time has gone by.

GO BLUE!!

I've been busy knitting up a storm for my new ETSY SHOP! I am going to be making hats and headbands to start, all in collehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifge or high school colors. My crack marketing team consists of my daughter, now a college freshman, and all of her friends at colleges throughout the country; and my son, a high school junior who has been proudly talking up my goods to his friends!
Still learning the ins and outs of being an online seller, but I have my supplies and I'm ready to roll.
A few examples of what I can make in any school color combo:

It is AWESOME to be making up my own patterns for these items too!

While watching U of M's AMAZING win against Notre Dame tonight, I worked on a pair of liners for my daughter's Hunter boots, an apparent college staple! A Ravelry contact gave me the idea to use a kilt hose pattern so that I'd have the wide cuff to turn down over the boots. Great idea! I am making the Toirneach Kilt Hose out of Cascade 220 Superwash in the Daffodil colorway that I've now used for about five different projects! We'll see how it goes!

GO BLUE!!

I've been busy knitting up a storm for my new ETSY SHOP! I am going to be making hats and headbands to start, all in collehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifge or high school colors. My crack marketing team consists of my daughter, now a college freshman, and all of her friends at colleges throughout the country; and my son, a high school junior who has been proudly talking up my goods to his friends!
Still learning the ins and outs of being an online seller, but I have my supplies and I'm ready to roll.
A few examples of what I can make in any school color combo:

It is AWESOME to be making up my own patterns for these items too!

While watching U of M's AMAZING win against Notre Dame tonight, I worked on a pair of liners for my daughter's Hunter boots, an apparent college staple! A Ravelry contact gave me the idea to use a kilt hose pattern so that I'd have the wide cuff to turn down over the boots. Great idea! I am making the Toirneach Kilt Hose out of Cascade 220 Superwash in the Daffodil colorway that I've now used for about five different projects! We'll see how it goes!

Waiting for the Storm

As we in New Jersey and elsewhere on the East Coast await Hurricane Irene, I finished the first of my Cauchy socks for my http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhusbahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifnd. It was a bit challenging figuring out how to modify the pattern as the yarn is very skinny--about 9 stitches/inch, which is smaller than I'm used to for socks and different from the pattern's gauge. I finished sock #1 this morning and it fits its intended wearer, but does need to be stretched slightly for a perfect fit on the foot.

I'll start Sock #2 right away to prevent second sock syndrome, but will then cast on another earflap hat for one of my daughter's friends--the first of many as "my girls" head off to colleges around the country. I've become an expert at determining college colors from the Web--many actually have a page with their official Pantone colors. This first hat will probably be finished on our 8+ hour drive to take our daughter to school in a few days. I hope the rhythm of the stitches will keep me calm as I prepare to separate from my wonderful daughter!

Waiting for the Storm

As we in New Jersey and elsewhere on the East Coast await Hurricane Irene, I finished the first of my Cauchy socks for my http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhusbahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifnd. It was a bit challenging figuring out how to modify the pattern as the yarn is very skinny--about 9 stitches/inch, which is smaller than I'm used to for socks and different from the pattern's gauge. I finished sock #1 this morning and it fits its intended wearer, but does need to be stretched slightly for a perfect fit on the foot.
I'll start Sock #2 right away to prevent second sock syndrome, but will then cast on another earflap hat for one of my daughter's friends--the first of many as "my girls" head off to colleges around the country. I've become an expert at determining college colors from the Web--many actually have a page with their official Pantone colors. This first hat will probably be finished on our 8+ hour drive to take our daughter to school in a few days. I hope the rhythm of the stitches will keep me calm as I prepare to separate from my wonderful daughter!

Coming Up for Air

Wow, it's been almost a month since I last blogged and I feel like it's been a year. I haven't even knit for several days this week, which is unlike me. We returned from a vacation on August 1--after enjoying scenic locales like Prague, pictured above--to find my mom had been in the hospital and was now in rehab (at 90, she is fine now, but there has been a lot to do related to her care--thank goodness I am one of three sisters!); my daughter needing to prep for college and also needing a lot of TLC to get her in the right frame of mind for her big move; and work at its most intense in about a year. If something had to give, unfortunately, it was knitting.


I did successfully get my knitting needles through security in Vienna and Frankfurt and happily knit both going to Europe and coming home. My plane knitting of choice was the Transverse Cardigan, which is mostly stockinette at this point. Since it is a uniqhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifue, sideways construction, it will be a gamble as to whether it will fit or not, but I am measuring as best I can compared to finished sweaters and also favoriting a bunch of examples of this sweater on Ravelry.


I have also been enjoying the Cauchy socks for my husband; I would like to make sure they are done in time for winter and I am not even down the leg of Sock #1 (but almost)--so I think this will become my priority project for now.

Last weekend, after our trip, we went on a 6-hour car trip to visit my husband's parents, so I used the time to make the Gull Hat for my daughter's boyfriend in his soon-to-be-college colors of purple and gold. I loved this pattern and would consider making the sweater in the same pattern in the Norah Gaughan Men book, which I like very much.

So now I guess it's back to the socks, and hopefully more time to knit!

Coming Up for Air

Wow, it's been almost a month since I last blogged and I feel like it's been a year. I haven't even knit for several days this week, which is unlike me. We returned from a vacation on August 1--after enjoying scenic locales like Prague, pictured above--to find my mom had been in the hospital and was now in rehab (at 90, she is fine now, but there has been a lot to do related to her care--thank goodness I am one of three sisters!); my daughter needing to prep for college and also needing a lot of TLC to get her in the right frame of mind for her big move; and work at its most intense in about a year. If something had to give, unfortunately, it was knitting.

I did successfully get my knitting needles through security in Vienna and Frankfurt and happily knit both going to Europe and coming home. My plane knitting of choice was the Transverse Cardigan, which is mostly stockinette at this point. Since it is a uniqhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifue, sideways construction, it will be a gamble as to whether it will fit or not, but I am measuring as best I can compared to finished sweaters and also favoriting a bunch of examples of this sweater on Ravelry.

I have also been enjoying the Cauchy socks for my husband; I would like to make sure they are done in time for winter and I am not even down the leg of Sock #1 (but almost)--so I think this will become my priority project for now.
Last weekend, after our trip, we went on a 6-hour car trip to visit my husband's parents, so I used the time to make the Gull Hat for my daughter's boyfriend in his soon-to-be-college colors of purple and gold. I loved this pattern and would consider making the sweater in the same pattern in the Norah Gaughan Men book, which I like very much.
So now I guess it's back to the socks, and hopefully more time to knit!

The Big Project is Finished--Go Blue!

Finished my daughter's University of Michigan Afghan with over a month to go before she leaves for college! I am very pleased with it and hope that it brings her good luck and lots of love in college. I used almost 2,000 yards of yarn in this afghan and enjoyed the pattern very much. Making it in strips of two squares (as recommended on Ravelry) was great, and I liked the mitered garter border I added.
So now it's on to some new projects, particularly in advance of a vacation where I'll need some big and small projects to occupy me. I'm going to try my luck at getting knitting needles on a transatlantic flight too!
I'm working on the Cauchy Socks from Cookie A's Sock Innovation for my husband;
The Uisce scarf/shawl from Carol Feller's Stolen Stitches booklet-- a good way to use up my lovely Brooks Farm Mas Acero;
and the Transverse Cardigan from Interweave Knits, which I've always wanted to make and will be a nice use for my Autumn House Farm's Finnean's Rainbow yarn, purchased at Rhinebeck last fall.
Lots to do before I leave, but at least all of these projects are on the needles and ready to go!

The Big Project is Finished--Go Blue!

Finished my daughter's University of Michigan Afghan with over a month to go before she leaves for college! I am very pleased with it and hope that it brings her good luck and lots of love in college. I used almost 2,000 yards of yarn in this afghan and enjoyed the pattern very much. Making it in strips of two squares (as recommended on Ravelry) was great, and I liked the mitered garter border I added.
So now it's on to some new projects, particularly in advance of a vacation where I'll need some big and small projects to occupy me. I'm going to try my luck at getting knitting needles on a transatlantic flight too!
I'm working on the Cauchy Socks from Cookie A's Sock Innovation for my husband;
The Uisce scarf/shawl from Carol Feller's Stolen Stitches booklet-- a good way to use up my lovely Brooks Farm Mas Acero;
and the Transverse Cardigan from Interweave Knits, which I've always wanted to make and will be a nice use for my Autumn House Farm's Finnean's Rainbow yarn, purchased at Rhinebeck last fall.
Lots to do before I leave, but at least all of these projects are on the needles and ready to go!

Socks IMO A Dear Friend

First, Happy 4th of July to all--watching the fireworks displays in Washington, DC and New York City tonight makes me feel very patriotic. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
But on to knitting. Sorry it's been so long since I've posted--we've had a lot of big occasions in our household, most notably my DD's graduation from high school. So while the knitting (particularly her college afghan) has gone on, the blogging has taken a back seat. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Prior to the holiday weekend I finished the socks I have been knitting for quite some time--in between projects--from the “Egg-Stra” Special Sock Kit by Skacel; all proceeds went to Ovarian Cancer research, and I wanted to support this cause in memory of my dear friend who passed away from a form of this disease. However, the pattern looked a bit too complicated. I decided “On http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifHold”, from Wendy Johnson's "Socks from the Toe Up," was also a fitting pattern to honor Mimi’s memory, as she did hold on for so long, fighting as hard as she could.
I learned a lot while making these socks, including more experience at toe-up socks (although I just couldn’t get Wendy’s short-row heel, and ended up going back to my old stand-by, Sensational Knitted Socks, and used an Eye of Partridge heel). The kit had come with beads, and I worked them into this pattern in a pretty design. I also tried the dental-floss-threader method of adding the beads, and I think I like it much better than the crochet hook method. Good to know both ways.
Finally, I used the sewn bind-off to ensure stretchiness at the cuff. Very pleased with these socks.
Immediately cast on Cauchy, from Cookie A's Sock Innovation, for my DH, using the very pretty, but very thin, Swanky Sock BFL Yarn in Navy Blue from Evermore Studios. We'll see how I do with an 80-stitch sock (at a gauge of 9 stitches/inch)!

Socks IMO A Dear Friend

First, Happy 4th of July to all--watching the fireworks displays in Washington, DC and New York City tonight makes me feel very patriotic. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
But on to knitting. Sorry it's been so long since I've posted--we've had a lot of big occasions in our household, most notably my DD's graduation from high school. So while the knitting (particularly her college afghan) has gone on, the blogging has taken a back seat. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Prior to the holiday weekend I finished the socks I have been knitting for quite some time--in between projects--from the “Egg-Stra” Special Sock Kit by Skacel; all proceeds went to Ovarian Cancer research, and I wanted to support this cause in memory of my dear friend who passed away from a form of this disease. However, the pattern looked a bit too complicated. I decided “On http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifHold”, from Wendy Johnson's "Socks from the Toe Up," was also a fitting pattern to honor Mimi’s memory, as she did hold on for so long, fighting as hard as she could.
I learned a lot while making these socks, including more experience at toe-up socks (although I just couldn’t get Wendy’s short-row heel, and ended up going back to my old stand-by, Sensational Knitted Socks, and used an Eye of Partridge heel). The kit had come with beads, and I worked them into this pattern in a pretty design. I also tried the dental-floss-threader method of adding the beads, and I think I like it much better than the crochet hook method. Good to know both ways.
Finally, I used the sewn bind-off to ensure stretchiness at the cuff. Very pleased with these socks.
Immediately cast on Cauchy, from Cookie A's Sock Innovation, for my DH, using the very pretty, but very thin, Swanky Sock BFL Yarn in Navy Blue from Evermore Studios. We'll see how I do with an 80-stitch sock (at a gauge of 9 stitches/inch)!

Roxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxanne!

I know a lot of people have been talking about the fact that whenever they mention the name of the Roxanne Mystery Shawl, the Police song of the late 1970's-early 1980's comes into their head and won't leave! I've been having the same thoughts as I've sprinted toward the finish line of this cute shawl.
I really enjoyed making it, but now that it's done and blocked, I'm not sure if I will wear it all that much. It is a little short, but since it is somewhat rounded in the back versus triangular, it is not appropriate to wear with the point in the front and the ends draped forward. I think I would prefer that type of shawl as my next attempt. If anyone can recommend a good pattern that fits these requirements, please leave a comment!http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
The pattern was a lot of fun, and was my first experience with a true lace shawl. I loved the tab cast-on and I love the cables surrounded by lace. In addition, this was the first shawl that I really blocked out from the "blob" stage to a beautiful, opened-up lace garment, and it WAS magical to see how the shawl changed as many others have described.
Now I return to the University of Michigan afghan for my daughter. I am slightly ahead of schedule, and plan to finish the third of the four panels tonight and hopefully block it tonight--I have a lot of evening activities this week and tonight is probably my only chance to take the time I need with the blocking wires to get a nice, straight panel.
Hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend!

Roxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxanne!

I know a lot of people have been talking about the fact that whenever they mention the name of the Roxanne Mystery Shawl, the Police song of the late 1970's-early 1980's comes into their head and won't leave! I've been having the same thoughts as I've sprinted toward the finish line of this cute shawl.
I really enjoyed making it, but now that it's done and blocked, I'm not sure if I will wear it all that much. It is a little short, but since it is somewhat rounded in the back versus triangular, it is not appropriate to wear with the point in the front and the ends draped forward. I think I would prefer that type of shawl as my next attempt. If anyone can recommend a good pattern that fits these requirements, please leave a comment!http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
The pattern was a lot of fun, and was my first experience with a true lace shawl. I loved the tab cast-on and I love the cables surrounded by lace. In addition, this was the first shawl that I really blocked out from the "blob" stage to a beautiful, opened-up lace garment, and it WAS magical to see how the shawl changed as many others have described.
Now I return to the University of Michigan afghan for my daughter. I am slightly ahead of schedule, and plan to finish the third of the four panels tonight and hopefully block it tonight--I have a lot of evening activities this week and tonight is probably my only chance to take the time I need with the blocking wires to get a nice, straight panel.
Hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend!

We Interrupt This Afghan

The University of Michigan Afghan for my daughter has been going along well. The Cascade 128 Superwash is just wonderful, and the big needles and easy pattern go quickly. I've finished one whole strip and blocked it, to ensure that the afghan will be as long as my daughter would like it. It is over 60 inches long blocked, so with the addition of a border, this should definitely be long enough. My goal is to finish strip 2 by the end of May, strip #3 by the end of June, strip #4 by the end of July, and do the border/finishing in August.
In the meantime, though, now that the weather is FINALLY getting a little warmer, I decided I needed an alternative project to break up the afghan a little. I heard about the Roxanne Mystery Shawl KAL on a the Work in Progress Podcast and decided to cast on with some of my leftove KnitPicks Palette in Pool. I have always wanted to knit one of Liz Abinante's shawls, so this is my chance! I don't know that I'll keep up with the weekly clues, as this will get to be a pretty large project, but I am really enjoying it so far. I'm almost halfway through Clue 2. There's something very nice about a rhythmic lace pattern...I see more shawls in my future.

We Interrupt This Afghan

The University of Michigan Afghan for my daughter has been going along well. The Cascade 128 Superwash is just wonderful, and the big needles and easy pattern go quickly. I've finished one whole strip and blocked it, to ensure that the afghan will be as long as my daughter would like it. It is over 60 inches long blocked, so with the addition of a border, this should definitely be long enough. My goal is to finish strip 2 by the end of May, strip #3 by the end of June, strip #4 by the end of July, and do the border/finishing in August.
In the meantime, though, now that the weather is FINALLY getting a little warmer, I decided I needed an alternative project to break up the afghan a little. I heard about the Roxanne Mystery Shawl KAL on a the Work in Progress Podcast and decided to cast on with some of my leftove KnitPicks Palette in Pool. I have always wanted to knit one of Liz Abinante's shawls, so this is my chance! I don't know that I'll keep up with the weekly clues, as this will get to be a pretty large project, but I am really enjoying it so far. I'm almost halfway through Clue 2. There's something very nice about a rhythmic lace pattern...I see more shawls in my future.

Happy Endings

Just back from a lovely, relaxing vacation in San Juan where there was ample beach, condo and airplane knitting time! I started and finished my very first commission project, the Royal Llama Silk Slouchy Hat, which I will mail away tomorrow. I liked doing a project on commission, but don't know how much time I will have for this when I'm not on vacation! Now that my family is ever-more enthusiastic about my projects, I'd probably rather knit for them--but it's nice to know these opportunities exist when I am able to partake of them. The hat is very cute and the yarn was nice--warm, but not wooly. A little splitty, but nothing that my Denise circulhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifars couldn't handle. I used the Denises for the first time in awhile, because the pattern called for a 16" circ. Why doesn't KnitPicks make 16" cables for their interchangeables, I wonder?http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
I also pretty much finished the Microfiber Ribbon Tank. I had traveled armed with my fusing supplies--FrayChek, Liquid Thread, regular thread. It turned out I didn't get to too many knotted ends until the very end, when I was already home. After all of the issues I had with this project, the final product is just beautiful and I think I have been enchanted with this ribbon again so that next time I'm at a fiber event where Tess Yarns is present, I'll probably buy more! I don't think I would forget how to wind it after my most recent debacle.
So now it's back to the University of Michigan afghan tonight. I ordered a yarn thimble from KnitPicks to see if that makes the Fair Isle easier--I'm determined to master it, and the stranding on these squares is so elementary (alternating one stitch in each of two colors--basically either vertical stripes or a checkerboard--that's it!), that I figure by the time I finish the entire afghan, I should be a master and ready to tackle more complicated Fair Isle (or I'll know that I don't like it!).
Also feeling a bit overloaded with all of the great new Videocasts out there...but I'm working through them. They're great company while I knit.

Happy Endings

Just back from a lovely, relaxing vacation in San Juan where there was ample beach, condo and airplane knitting time! I started and finished my very first commission project, the Royal Llama Silk Slouchy Hat, which I will mail away tomorrow. I liked doing a project on commission, but don't know how much time I will have for this when I'm not on vacation! Now that my family is ever-more enthusiastic about my projects, I'd probably rather knit for them--but it's nice to know these opportunities exist when I am able to partake of them. The hat is very cute and the yarn was nice--warm, but not wooly. A little splitty, but nothing that my Denise circulhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifars couldn't handle. I used the Denises for the first time in awhile, because the pattern called for a 16" circ. Why doesn't KnitPicks make 16" cables for their interchangeables, I wonder?http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
I also pretty much finished the Microfiber Ribbon Tank. I had traveled armed with my fusing supplies--FrayChek, Liquid Thread, regular thread. It turned out I didn't get to too many knotted ends until the very end, when I was already home. After all of the issues I had with this project, the final product is just beautiful and I think I have been enchanted with this ribbon again so that next time I'm at a fiber event where Tess Yarns is present, I'll probably buy more! I don't think I would forget how to wind it after my most recent debacle.
So now it's back to the University of Michigan afghan tonight. I ordered a yarn thimble from KnitPicks to see if that makes the Fair Isle easier--I'm determined to master it, and the stranding on these squares is so elementary (alternating one stitch in each of two colors--basically either vertical stripes or a checkerboard--that's it!), that I figure by the time I finish the entire afghan, I should be a master and ready to tackle more complicated Fair Isle (or I'll know that I don't like it!).
Also feeling a bit overloaded with all of the great new Videocasts out there...but I'm working through them. They're great company while I knit.

Go Blue! (Despite Today's NCAA Loss)

Finished my daughter's Earflap Hat--this is a fantastic pattern, and the Cascade 128 is a dream to work with. The hat is absolutely adorable, easy to make (completed in 2-3 nights with about an hour's knitting time each night), and looks great on my girl. I am very pleased with it.
After finishing the hat, I immediately cast on for the coordinating blanket, for which I'm altering a baby blanket pattern I saw on Ravelry. About half of the blocks are one by one vertical stripes--which I realized means they are Fair Isle! Well, I hemmed and hawed and ripped this thing about five times, thinking I wasn't ready for Fair Isle and that doing a slip-stitch pattern would be easier. But I just didn't like how the slip-stitch stripes looked versus the Fair Isle ones. I read as many tutorials as I could get my hands on, and took the plunge with the Fair Isle. Since I don't know how to knit Continental, I can't really do the two-handed hold for the Fair Isle, so I'm using the right-handed hold and hoping for the best. I know I'm not doing it perfectly as far as technique goes, but the fabric is coming out very nicely and I am sure I will be more proficient by the time I finish this project.
I am also plugging away on the ribbon tank. After knitting more than 9 inches, I have only gotten to one knot from where I had to cut the tangled yarn. So I think the tangling wasn't as bad as I remember. I think I will just about have enough ribbon for this tank, but that's fine. The bottom is curling also; I may have to hem it if it doesn't steam flat.
Finally, I have been searching for a large knitting back, and finally settled on the Vera Bradley "Vera" bag. I have ordered it in the Purple Punch (now being discontinued) colorway and can't wait to receive it!

Go Blue! (Despite Today's NCAA Loss)

Finished my daughter's Earflap Hat--this is a fantastic pattern, and the Cascade 128 is a dream to work with. The hat is absolutely adorable, easy to make (completed in 2-3 nights with about an hour's knitting time each night), and looks great on my girl. I am very pleased with it.
After finishing the hat, I immediately cast on for the coordinating blanket, for which I'm altering a baby blanket pattern I saw on Ravelry. About half of the blocks are one by one vertical stripes--which I realized means they are Fair Isle! Well, I hemmed and hawed and ripped this thing about five times, thinking I wasn't ready for Fair Isle and that doing a slip-stitch pattern would be easier. But I just didn't like how the slip-stitch stripes looked versus the Fair Isle ones. I read as many tutorials as I could get my hands on, and took the plunge with the Fair Isle. Since I don't know how to knit Continental, I can't really do the two-handed hold for the Fair Isle, so I'm using the right-handed hold and hoping for the best. I know I'm not doing it perfectly as far as technique goes, but the fabric is coming out very nicely and I am sure I will be more proficient by the time I finish this project.
I am also plugging away on the ribbon tank. After knitting more than 9 inches, I have only gotten to one knot from where I had to cut the tangled yarn. So I think the tangling wasn't as bad as I remember. I think I will just about have enough ribbon for this tank, but that's fine. The bottom is curling also; I may have to hem it if it doesn't steam flat.
Finally, I have been searching for a large knitting back, and finally settled on the Vera Bradley "Vera" bag. I have ordered it in the Purple Punch (now being discontinued) colorway and can't wait to receive it!

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

The Tess Microfiber Ribbon that gave me a lot of trouble in the winding (partly, of course, because I didn't read the very clear winding instructions on the back of the label because I thought I knew better from last time I used this yarn), has also given me a bit of trouble as I started a project with it.
I decided to make the Essential Tank from Custom Knits, but make some mods based on the new Nicky Epstein Knitting on the Edge book I bought. The first edging I tried had you rotating the needle 360 degrees to make a twisted bit every 11 stitches. That's fine if you're working flat, but kind of a scary disaster if you're working in the round! Fortunately I was able to rip back and re-cast on without much trouble, and chose a different edging pattern...a very simple scallop that I think will look nice. Then, I decided to replace the ribbing in the center with a leaf motif from the Nicky book. I must have done something wrong on one of the first few rows, so I ripped that back and started yet again. Now things are moving along; I have about 2 inches done. It looks like it will be very close-fitting, which is what I am aiming for, as this ribbon stretches like crazy. We'll see. There's just something that hasn't been perfect with this batch of Microfiber Ribbon; I'm hoping the end results will be pleasing.
Tonight I will also cast on for my daughter's U of Michigan Earflap Hat, in honor of her committing to attend the University of Michigan next year! Lots of maize and blue yarn in my future! After the hat, I have an afghan queued up!
Did finish one of my On Hold Socks--looks very pretty! Will finish the second one after the tank is done.

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

The Tess Microfiber Ribbon that gave me a lot of trouble in the winding (partly, of course, because I didn't read the very clear winding instructions on the back of the label because I thought I knew better from last time I used this yarn), has also given me a bit of trouble as I started a project with it.
I decided to make the Essential Tank from Custom Knits, but make some mods based on the new Nicky Epstein Knitting on the Edge book I bought. The first edging I tried had you rotating the needle 360 degrees to make a twisted bit every 11 stitches. That's fine if you're working flat, but kind of a scary disaster if you're working in the round! Fortunately I was able to rip back and re-cast on without much trouble, and chose a different edging pattern...a very simple scallop that I think will look nice. Then, I decided to replace the ribbing in the center with a leaf motif from the Nicky book. I must have done something wrong on one of the first few rows, so I ripped that back and started yet again. Now things are moving along; I have about 2 inches done. It looks like it will be very close-fitting, which is what I am aiming for, as this ribbon stretches like crazy. We'll see. There's just something that hasn't been perfect with this batch of Microfiber Ribbon; I'm hoping the end results will be pleasing.
Tonight I will also cast on for my daughter's U of Michigan Earflap Hat, in honor of her committing to attend the University of Michigan next year! Lots of maize and blue yarn in my future! After the hat, I have an afghan queued up!
Did finish one of my On Hold Socks--looks very pretty! Will finish the second one after the tank is done.

Churning Out the FO's!

As part of my break after completing the Argyle Vest, I finished the Vanessa Headband. I really love how it looks on and off my head! This particular color (Swan Lake) of the Misti Alpaca Handpaint Chunky is cool, soothing and gorgeous, but it sheds quite a bit, and I ended up knitting this project with a pillowcase on my lap. But the shedding may ease with time. Now that the weather is warming up a bit, I hope I still have a chance to wear this at least once this season!
The headband was easy and fun to make, and I think I really have the cabling without a cable needle down. I started out using Grumperina's method, but ended up using the method detailed in Stitch 'N Bitch Superstar Knitting, a book I am really enjoying. I am also working on a Cables Dishcloth now, so I can continue to practice this method. Cable needles, be gone!
Now it's back to my On Hold socks, and my usual process of knitting one sock monogamously, then doing a bigger project (probably a tank with my latest Tess Microfiber Ribbon), then sock #2. These will incorporate beads, and I've been playing around with where to place them. More fun ahead!

Churning Out the FO's!

As part of my break after completing the Argyle Vest, I finished the Vanessa Headband. I really love how it looks on and off my head! This particular color (Swan Lake) of the Misti Alpaca Handpaint Chunky is cool, soothing and gorgeous, but it sheds quite a bit, and I ended up knitting this project with a pillowcase on my lap. But the shedding may ease with time. Now that the weather is warming up a bit, I hope I still have a chance to wear this at least once this season!
The headband was easy and fun to make, and I think I really have the cabling without a cable needle down. I started out using Grumperina's method, but ended up using the method detailed in Stitch 'N Bitch Superstar Knitting, a book I am really enjoying. I am also working on a Cables Dishcloth now, so I can continue to practice this method. Cable needles, be gone!
Now it's back to my On Hold socks, and my usual process of knitting one sock monogamously, then doing a bigger project (probably a tank with my latest Tess Microfiber Ribbon), then sock #2. These will incorporate beads, and I've been playing around with where to place them. More fun ahead!

My Masterpiece!

I finished my son's argyle vest! This was definitely one of the most challenging projects I've completed, and one through which I've learned a great deal. I learned intarsia, duplicate stitch, and how to modify a pattern that includes a chart. I feel like my seaming/finishing skills also continue to improve with each project I make. I actually thought about paying a yarn shop to do the finishing on the vest, but it turned out to be very easy and enjoyable--the short-rows and three-needle bind-off for the shoulders worked beautifully, the picking up stitches for the V-neck was great (I used my terrific new book, Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book for that), and the mattress stitch seams look very good. I loved the KnitPicks Palette (which is a good thing, as I have almost 3 skeins of each color left!!), and I'm looking forward to making something with that, perhaps more colorwork.
Now I'm moving on to finish up a bunch of small WIP's and work on my On-Hold Socks before starting my next "major" project. I've already finished my Linoleum Dishcloth and will start another as "purse/train knitting." Also cleaned up my notions bag within my larger knitting bag; am thinking of getting another Della Q tote and two small Della zip bags for easier organization of tools. We'll see.
I went to our Borders, which is one of the casualties of the chain's bankruptcy, over the weekend, looking for knitting book bargains. All books were 20% off, which isn't as big of a discount as can be had online, so I didn't buy anything. Considering that I am in the midst of reading the 5-6 knitting books I bought around the holidays, it's probably a blessing in disguise. I did, however, have a 55% off coupon for A.C. Moore, which is in the same shopping center, so I rewarded myself with Nicky Epstein's Knitting on the Edge, now in paperback, instead. I've wanted that book for a long time and look forward to getting creative with my edgings.

My Masterpiece!

I finished my son's argyle vest! This was definitely one of the most challenging projects I've completed, and one through which I've learned a great deal. I learned intarsia, duplicate stitch, and how to modify a pattern that includes a chart. I feel like my seaming/finishing skills also continue to improve with each project I make. I actually thought about paying a yarn shop to do the finishing on the vest, but it turned out to be very easy and enjoyable--the short-rows and three-needle bind-off for the shoulders worked beautifully, the picking up stitches for the V-neck was great (I used my terrific new book, Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book for that), and the mattress stitch seams look very good. I loved the KnitPicks Palette (which is a good thing, as I have almost 3 skeins of each color left!!), and I'm looking forward to making something with that, perhaps more colorwork.
Now I'm moving on to finish up a bunch of small WIP's and work on my On-Hold Socks before starting my next "major" project. I've already finished my Linoleum Dishcloth and will start another as "purse/train knitting." Also cleaned up my notions bag within my larger knitting bag; am thinking of getting another Della Q tote and two small Della zip bags for easier organization of tools. We'll see.
I went to our Borders, which is one of the casualties of the chain's bankruptcy, over the weekend, looking for knitting book bargains. All books were 20% off, which isn't as big of a discount as can be had online, so I didn't buy anything. Considering that I am in the midst of reading the 5-6 knitting books I bought around the holidays, it's probably a blessing in disguise. I did, however, have a 55% off coupon for A.C. Moore, which is in the same shopping center, so I rewarded myself with Nicky Epstein's Knitting on the Edge, now in paperback, instead. I've wanted that book for a long time and look forward to getting creative with my edgings.