Round Up

I didn’t have any internet yesterday! But I did write a Finished Object Friday blog post for you all:

The year is almost over....Time for resolutions, new dreams, new goals, and new projects! But first, to wrap up the old ones.

Smooth Edge(s)

Pattern: Smooth Edge by Veera Välimäki

Yarn: Alpaca With a Twist Baby Twist in Natural and Black Pearl

Needles: US 10

Project Page

I knit two of these in about a week. A black one for my stepmom and a white one for her mother. I never did quite figure out how to double it over my head to get the herringbone in the right place, but, as my grandma said, “I suppose you can wear it just about any way you want!” Indeed. They are both super squishy and incredibly soft. They also both shed alarmingly, so I hope my washing them took care of that.

The pattern was interesting and a challenge, which I hadn’t realized I wasn’t finding in knitting anymore. The challenge was mainly keeping track of where I was at, but still, any challenge in knitting is kind of nice. I may have to find some more challenging patterns this coming year.

Because I used dk weight yarn instead of worsted, the cowls didn’t get as big as I would have liked, but I think if they had been as big as the pattern indicates they should be, they would have been too big. It worked out pretty good. My advice for anyone who is going to knit this pattern: knit the garter pretty tightly so the wrap and turns don’t stand out and keep the herringbone sections really loose. I might make one for myself, but I’ll use worsted weight and probably alter it by omitting the short rows. That way it won’t bother me that I don’t know how to properly wrap it around my neck. :) If anyone can explain to me if the short section goes at the front or the back of the neck, please do let me know!

Baobab

Pattern: Baobab by Norah Gaughan

Yarn: Berroco Comfort Sock in Navy Blue Multi

Needles: US 3

Project Page

I began this for a friend a while ago and finally found the time to finish it up for her for Christmas, but she wasn’t in town when I was, so I’ll have to contact her about mailing it to her. I’ll also whip up some little fingerless mitts for her with some yarn I got in a stash swap at our shop earlier in the month.

The pattern is actually a Kindle cover or something. I was going to make it a purse, but I noticed at a wedding over the summer that she carries her make-up in a box, so I decided to make her a little make-up bag! It’s really flimsy, so I had to sew it together kind of funny so things will stay in it, but it should work out okay. I may alter the fastener. I’m not quite sure how, though....

Pillow

Pattern: Basic Pillow by Leigh Radford from One More Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit

Yarn: Ella Rae Classic Chunky Superwash in Purple Heather (?)

Needles: US 10

Project Page

This was a shop sample that I whipped up a while ago and in no time, really! It’s pretty stinkin’ cute, if I do say so myself. The colors of this yarn are all absolutely stunning, and when you really study them, they are even better. I love a really good heathered color and this all qualify. The yarn is a little splitty, but not annoyingly so, and it’s really soft. It’s even softer after it’s been washed too! It’s a great pillow. :)

Fingerless Mitts

Pattern: Fingerless Gloves by Leigh Radford from One More Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran

Needles: US 7

Project Page

Another super quick (and rather old) shop sample. Cashmerino is luscious! I made one large mitt and one medium one out of one skein. I really don’t like the seam. It’s too bulky with this yarn weight. I suggest knitting this in the round.

I think that’s it! I got my sample knit done Monday or Tuesday and mailed it Wednesday. I’m not sure what the rules are about sharing sample knits, but I think it’s safe enough to tell you that I knit a WispyCardi for Hannah Fettig out of Quince and Co. Finch. It was a dream. I need to make one for myself! I’ll give you a full post when her photos are published (though I did take some of my own too!). The shoot is in a couple weeks.

I hope you all have a very safe and very happy New Year’s Eve! This will be my first ever, I think, away from my family and also the first ever with John. I’m not sure we’ll do anything, but we’ll still enjoy it. :) Maybe we’ll let the bunnies run free throughout the house. I wonder if they’ll wear party hats...if they will, you’ll see it, I promise!

It's not too late to have a gander at everyone else's FO Friday posts!

Lazy Day

I'm too lazy to share a picture of the sweater I started the other day, so I'll just tell you about it and you can work up a flashy image in your head and I will reveal it next week and you will either be amazed because you pictured it exactly or disappointed because I didn't describe it very well. :)

I began a sweater this week from a couple-year-old Vogue Knitting issue. I loved and still love a good chunk of patterns in it, so from time to time I'll stumble upon yarn for one of the patterns I like it. We had a trunk show at the shop a couple months ago and had this Feza Mesmerize, which is a shiny metallic yarn with a tiny bit of black fuzz. It's incredibly soft and reasonably priced, so I snagged a bunch of the silver for the Ruffled Cardigan. It's WAY cheaper than the Tilly Thomas called for (though we recently got that yarn too, and it's super soft and pretty, but also super expensive) and I think it'll be a great substitute.

I'm about 3/4 of the way up the back and love the way it looks so far. Since I'm travelling back to Iowa tomorrow (read: loads of down time), I anticipate that I'll have it pretty much done this weekend, hopefully in time for New Year's Eve! John and I probably won't do anything, but just in case. :D

So, picture this: it's shiny silver, but with a slight black halo that actually makes the silver look slightly variegated. I'm going to make a couple mods, but it'll look more or less like the Vogue one.

For more (and better photographed) WIP Wednesday posts, visit Tami's Amis!

Christmas Cheer

Okay, so "loads" may have been an exaggeration, but I do have lots to share. I just might not have many pictures of all of them....Or very good ones.

Rocky Coast Cardigan

Pattern: Rocky Coast Cardigan by Hannah Fettig
Yarn: Quince and Co. Lark in Egret
Needles: US 10
Project Page

I made this for my aunt. She'll get it on Christmas, I suppose. I kind of guessed at her size, but since the ease is so generous in this pattern, I'm certain it'll be fine. Many have complained about the fit: the arms are too tight, the shoulders slip, it's not a very flattering shape. I'm really hoping my aunt will like it. I know the arms are tight, so I may need to block them again when I get back, but they will block out to the right size. I steam-blocked the whole sweater before heading west and the sucker bloomed absolutely beautifully! It looks just like the photos in the book! I thought I might like one myself, but after trying my aunt's on, I'm not sure it suits me very well. Hers is a bit bigger than mine would be, though, and I'd like to do it in the Organik called for, so we'll see.


I do highly recommend the pattern, it was fun to knit. You might want to add six stitches to the sleeves when you pick them back up, decrease the sleeves less, if at all (I didn't at all), and take into account the growth the stitch pattern will give you when blocked. I hope I can get some better photos at some point. :/

"I'd Wear It"

Pattern: Ribbed Watchman's Hat by Channah Koppel
Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers in Mallard
Needles: US 8
Project Page

This was a last-minute gift for my Gramps out of leftover yarn from my other aunt's Peabody. I asked him if he needed a new hat and he told me if I made one, he'd wear it. So I did. He has a big head (it runs in the family), so I knew I'd have to do ribbing. The pattern is 2x2, but I like the way 1x1 looks better. I only had to do the first row of decreases differently, I think. It's a pretty great hat and it fits his big head. :)

I've finished one and a half Smooth Edges, so I'll show them to you next week. Hopefully I'll be able to find a place around this dark house for some decent pictures. I'm also truckin' along on my sample knit, so it and a couple other Christmas stragglers may also be in next Friday's post. I'm not sure how much I can tell you or show you about the sample knit, so I won't until I know. :D It's really pretty, though.

For more FO Friday posts, visit Tami's Amis!

Now I know how Elves Feel

I have been pumping out knitting like nobody's business over the last week! I have some really crappy pictures to share with you of everything on Friday. :D

Right now I'm only working on one thing, however: my Grandma B's Smooth Edges cowl. I finished my step-mom's yesterday and was unimpressed, but it's blocking and looking much better, so I decided to pump this one out according to the pattern too. It needs to be done ASAP because I'm expecting a sample knit package tomorrow that needs to be done early next week. :S

Look at my cute sheepy stitch marker! John gave it to me for Christmas. He's so wonderful. :) I'm hoping for bunnies with flowers in their hair for my birthday (two weeks from now). Check out Designs by Tami! Our Thursday night group has been going nuts over her stuff!

Also check out Tami's Amis for more WIP Wednesday posts!

Twofer

I'm going to have a boatload of projects to share next week, too!

Willoughby

Pattern: Willoughby by Jared Flood
Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in Luster
Needles: US 7
Project Page

This scarf was an absolute dream to knit. I don't remember ever tiring of the pattern. Tosh Merino Light is equally, if not more dreamy! I could live in it! I bought two skeins based on the pattern's yardage, which calls for worsted or dk weight, I think. I only used a skein and a tiny bit of the second. That leaves me enough to make my own Different Lines (I've already bought Fragrant to do so!). :D I'll actually wear mine, unlike some boy I know...(though he did wish he'd put it on yesterday when the wind was absolutely frigid).

I just know my Grandma is going to go nuts over this scarf. I'm not sure how warm it is going to be. Maybe I'll give it a test-drive before I give it to her.... :)

Totoro

Pattern: Chu Totoro Toy by brella
Yarn: Mirasol Akapana and Lion Brand LB Collection Baby Alpaca
Needles: US 7
Project Page

This I whipped up in a day for my brother. Remember I made him a little Chibi Totoro for his birthday? I thought he'd like a real one too (plus the movie!). Let me reiterate how much I despise intarsia: I despise intarsia. I was tempted to rip the whole toy apart and duplicate stitch the belly. I'm glad I didn't, but it still looks sloppy. :P

The eyes were tricky too. I have such a hard time with the French knot! I got it to work finally, though. This whole toy is quite sloppy, really. Look at his poor, misshapen tail. :( Oh well. Spike has a crooked tail too. It gives him character. :)

I really, really like the Akapana. I got this little bit at a yarn-tasting at our shop (used every bit of it too). I've rearranged that yarn numerous times in the shop and never thought twice about it, but it's wonderful! I highly recommend it.

For more FO Friday posts, check out Tami's blog!

An Oldy

It is finals week in the Bunnies and Bettas house, which means paper, papers, papers, and grading, grading, grading (for me, anyway, John will discover the joys next semester). I finished Willoughby last Friday (not in time for and FO Friday post, obviously, but it's worth the wait this week, I promise!) and vowed not to start anything new until Tuesday this week (after my last paper was due). Grading ate up my Tuesday and my Wednesday now too, so I still haven't started anything new, but I did dig this goody out of the Therapy Room over the weekend for the moments my brain quit working.

I was so in to working that lacy, wonderful Willoughby that I needed more lacy goodness in my hands. I put Spring in the Mediterranean down last spring (probably because of school) and just didn't get back to it. It's really complicated and I have to drag my computer with me whenever I want to knit it because printing the pattern would only make me more confused, I think. Still, no mistakes, so it works. I have a TON of yarn still, so it's a long-haul project, but I'm glad I picked it back up, if only for a little while.

I fully intend to cast on a Smooth Edge tonight, after all the grading is done. I can't wait to snuggle up on the couch with cozy alpaca yarn! :D

Visit Tami for more WIP Wednesday posts!

P.S. Look! I finally got white poster board to take some decent pictures! I'm so excited!

A Bit of Procrastination and Some Dreams

I've been following Kate Davies for most of this year. Her knitting is stupendous and her style is impeccable! To be honest, I hadn't noticed how great her style was (it's so wonderfully understated!) until she released photos of her pattern Peerie Flooers. Look at the jacket she's wearing in these photos. I love it! Must have one!

Last week, she posted a note about her style and introduced us to her secret: Cabbages and Roses. Now that I have visited the site a few times and realize my styling woes have been answered across the sea, I long desperately for a perfectly-floofy, past-knee-length skirt and a dramatic, flowing coat...(did you see her coat?!). It's dreadfully expensive, though, and doesn't look like it ships to the U.S. so I'll save my money for a sale item on some far distant future trip to Great Britain (or eBay). But, the mere fact that the silhouettes and fabrics I long for in U.S. stores actually do exist in the world makes me a bit more optimistic about my ability to dress myself appropriately some day.

There, I've postponed paper number 2 long enough. Share with me your favorite clothing stores! I'm in a fashion (and procrastinating) mood!

Demolition Wrap Up

I believe I have completed Work-in-Progress Demolition Week with marked success! I finished three of the five projects I laid out last weekend, a fourth will go down easily (probably not too long after I post this), and the fifth I didn't think I'd get done until this following week anyway. Yay! Now I have to focus on my school work and not start any other knitting to distract me. :S

Anhinga

Pattern: Anhinga by Norah Gaughan
Yarn: Berroco Comfort
Needles: US 8
Project Page

This pattern is pretty great. My own finished project, not so much (nor is the picture...sorry about that!). Nylon doesn't drape. Period. I may attempt it again some day with more suitable yarn, but right now I'd rather not think about it for at least two years. Blocking it helped a little, but I think I'm going to have to kill the yarn* to get something resembling what I initially planned. That might not work either, though. The project was a full-blown saga. If you have days to read my Ravelry notes, have at it. :) But it's finally done! I can't complain about that!

Peabody

Pattern: Peabody by Leila Raabe (for BrooklynTweed)
Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers in Mallard (2448)
Needles: US 6 & 7
Project Page

Now this sweater is a real winner! The color is smashing, the lace is gorgeous, and the fit looks pretty good. I made this for my aunt because she wanted a pullover sweater. I'll probably wash it once more before I give it to her because when I washed and blocked the body, there was a lot of excess dye. And the lace panels in the sleeves need to be flattened out. I really think she'll look great in this sweater! I hope to get a picture of her in it during the holidays.

I had initially planned to make it a v-neck, but I made it too deep and it didn't look quite right. I think a shallow v-neck would look pretty cute. On the model, the crew neck looks too high. I had 12 sts more in the collar than called for, so mine might be a little deeper. I hope. I kind of want one of my own, but I have soooo many other projects I want to make first! You guys will have to help me pick one or two. :)

I'll finish up Rocky Coast tonight, but I can't show it to you until after Christmas. Hopefully I'll have Willoughby for you Friday. I'll be lost in grading and paper-writing for the remainder of the week, so don't be surprised if I don't post on Wednesday. In the meantime, I hope your holiday knitting is going well! I can't wait to see all of your projects too!

*You can "kill" acrylic or other synthetic yarns, making them limp and soft, by steaming them. You just have to be careful not to melt them.

I Thought Today was Thursday

Oh no! It's already Friday! Where did this week go?! That's okay, though. I'm ready for Friday. As of this moment, I have completely finished two of the five projects I set out to complete this week. Rocky Coast will be done tonight, Peabody will most likely be done tomorrow, and Willoughby (as I suspected) might have to wait until next week. I will do a Work-in-Progress Demolition Week wrap-up post on Sunday with all the goodies.

Anhinga is in the washing machine right now, as it needs a really good block (and maybe a good yarn-killing if the block isn't enough), so its FO post may have to wait until tonight or tomorrow. In the meantime:

Christmas Stocking

Pattern: Drifting Snowflake Stocking by Marinda Lariz
Yarn: Dalegarn Heilo
Needles: US 7
Project Page


This project is a commissioned project for a regular client. I knit a baby bunting and baby hat for her last year and now the baby needs a Christmas stocking. She was not too worried about the pattern as long as it was 18" and skinny. We both thought this one was cute. She picked the colors in Dalegarn Heilo (none of us at the shop know how to pronounce this. Do you?). I've never worked with it before. I rather like it! It knits up really unevenly, but blocks like a dream.

I didn't mind the pattern too much, but if you ever use it, be aware that the cuff directions make absolutely no sense at all. I tried to follow them and ended up with a weird mess. From the pattern pictures, it seems you are supposed to start knitting the CC in reverse stockinette, which might help the loop directions make sense, but it never says to do so. In fact, it says to switch to CC and knit 8 rows, or something similar. When I ripped back and tried again, I realized I would have to modify the cuff to get the name on there anyway, so I sort of made up my own cuff as I went. It works for me.

Overall, it's pretty cute. I hate intarsia, so will avoid it (and probably stockings in general) in the future, but the finished project looks pretty cute in spite of the unpleasant technique. :)

Head over to Tami's blog for more FOs! Come back here tomorrow and/or Sunday to see more of them here too! :)

Chuggin' Along

Over the weekend, I declared this week Work-in-Progress Demolition Week. If you noted my works-in-progress progress bars to the right over there, you may notice that one's gone. I was really hoping I'd have two or three done by today, but I had some paper trouble. :( Now the paper's going much, much better, but the knitting is on hiatus. I still think I can get four or five things done by this weekend, though, so come back Friday to check it out.

I only took pictures of my aunt's Peabody, which could have been done today with a bit more attention. I have to turn it in for partial points at the Harry Potter Knitting and Crochet House Cup. There's no chance I'll get a sleeve and all the finishing done tonight. If only I had started it a tad sooner....This time in the semester is just ridiculously busy. Everyone wants something all at the very same time. I always make it through, though. Next week should be nice and relaxing. :)

I hope it is for you too! Head over to Tami's blog for more WIP Wednesday posts!

Time to Check the List

I hope everyone had a great holiday this week (if you had a holiday this week)! I had every intention of posting a Work-in-Progress Wednesday post before we left town Wednesday, but we had an unexpected accident that required attention that morning instead. Long story short, turns out tetanus shots can ache much longer than whatever you needed it for. :) We had a good Thanksgiving regardless. John got a glimpse of just how large my family really is, but he had fun, I think.

In any case, I'm supposed to do a style post today (even though I've slacked off the last two months :P), but with a paper draft due Tuesday that needs lots of work, I figured I'd make up for my lack of posts this week and substitute that one with a declaration: I declare the next week (maybe the next two) Work-in-Progress Demolition Week! If all goes as planned, you will see the list of projects at right diminish by about half. I really should hibernate some of those projects, but I keep thinking that if I see them here, I'll be more inclined to finish them. That might be true this week....Maybe.

Right now I am aiming to finish five of those projects. Here they are in progress:

Anhinga: just needs to be seamed and washed (or washed and seamed maybe).

Old photo from two years ago b/c I'm lazy.

Christmas Stocking: will probably be finished today. Intarsia eats my soul a little, but I only have a few more rows left. Then it needs to be steam blocked, seamed, and personalized.

Peabody: has to be done by Wednesday or I fail my first Harry Potter House Cup class! D: All it needs is sleeves, a wash and block, and finishing. Yep. Only. It'll get done, though. No worries.

Rocky Coast Cardigan: just needs to be washed, blocked, and finished with a button band.

Still kind of secret.

Willoughby: I probably won't be done with it by the end of the week (especially with all the above plus teaching and learning to do), but I only have 18 repeats left to do and they don't take that long.

I don't think I'll have the time or inclination to post more than the usual Wednesday and Friday this week, so keep an eye on the list and come back next Friday, when I hope to sprinkle finished objects galore upon you! Then, the following week I will probably start just as many. I have to knit a hat for my grandpa, mittens for John, and one other mitten (Love Bytes, Robots Rule) for me before the cold sets in for reals. My Office is a Fridge and Baobab may join that list too. And a pair of fingerless mitts. And two Elijahs....I have a lot of knitting to do.

I can't wait to get back to being a selfish knitter. It's much less stressful. :) Fewer deadlines, too!

If the paper goes well, I may post a style post later today or tomorrow. It will be better than the first one, but don't hold your breath, haha. Have a great weekend!

We Love Dexter!

And so, naturally, when I discovered a post about Dexter-inspired yarn, I HAD to have it! Here is what it turned in to (modeled from the Halo chair while playing Halo, so sorry for the sub-par pictures):

Dark Passenger Socks

(a.k.a. Halo Socks)

Pattern: Garter Toes by Karen Harper
Yarn: Propaganda Yarns Nadya in "Dark Passenger"
Needles: US 1
Project Page

I complain that I don't like to knit socks for John because he has big feet. Really, I kind of love it a lot! He's not picky about what goes on his feet, so I have nearly free-reign with color and design. But let me get to the good part! I read a post in the Ravelry Dexter Forum about this Dexter-inspired colorway, saw it and the stitch markers (duct tape roll, plastic wrap roll, blood spatter tile), and ordered it without a second thought! When it came in the mail and I saw it in person, I knew: socks for John. I had queued the pattern weeks before and knew it would be perfect for the colorway. I was right! She sells a blood orange colorway that's pretty awesome, too.

This was my first ever attempt at two-at-a-time, toe-up, magic-loop socks. It was wildly successful! I love toe-up socks. They are so customizable! I don't think I had any trouble at all, despite all the questions I was asking my super-knowledgeable and sock-class-teaching friend Ann. She knew I wouldn't have any trouble, but I didn't have any trouble because I asked her so many questions!

The only modifications I made to the pattern were to up the stitch count for his larger foot. You can see all my mods on the project page. He'll be getting a few more pairs out of this pattern, I suspect. He really likes them. But he says that about everything I knit. :P I told him he can't have this pair until we start watching Season 5 of Dexter. He's thinking about it. :)

Now back to Christmas knitting! What are you making for Christmas?

Head over to Tami's Amis for more FO Friday posts!

Still Working Away

I'll keep this short and sweet (I'm a bit ill. :( ). The main thing I'm working tirelessly on is my aunt's Christmas gift (I have to keep it kind of hush-hush). I'm super close. I have to finish it so I can start a commissioned project.

I may have to share a shop model on Friday, since I don't think anything else will be ready....But we'll see! Actually, John's socks are pretty close....Stay tuned!

Oh! Look at this sweet little girl: >:3

Hop on over to Tami's Amis for more WIP Wednesday posts!

Buyer's...Something

I need your advice on:

Indulgent Rikke

Pattern: Rikke Hat by Sarah Young
Yarn: Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend
Needles: US 4 and 7
Project Page


I think I've mentioned that I work at a yarn shop. Well, a few weeks ago, while working my usual Thursday night, I noticed some bright, shiny Manos staring at me from the display island. There was only one skein in this super wonderful colorway and only 150 yards in the skein, so I fondled it, but put it back. I talked to my friends about it Friday, who urged me to get it (we are always so accommodating of one another's addictions :) ). I happened to be working the following Monday. It was still there. So I bought it. And looked frantically for patterns. Actually, that probably happened before I bought it, but it happened. I've loved Rikke since before it was released and I saw one project (ignoring the other two to the contrary) that led me to believe I could get a nice slouchy hat with few to no modifications. Nope. Close. But nope.

Don't get me wrong! I really love the finished result! I could just love it more! I have just two problems with it: my decreasing modifications left the crown much more puckered than the pattern turns out for others and it's not really that slouchy because I had to shorten it. I have two options: block it or wait and see if more of this colorway comes in.

What do you think I should do? Will the silk content like blocking? Will it stretch unattractively? Do you think I'm just nit-picky? :) I will knit many more in many more wardrobe-fitting colors, so don't tell me to do that! ;) Thanks in advance!

Visit Tami's Amis for some beautiful FOs!

Seasonal Laziness

Last week I was just too lazy to post a work in progress. Friday, I had a finished object, I just didn't get home until at least 10:30, so I couldn't share it! :( I'm not entirely happy with it, but I'll post it and you guys can tell me what you think. That's what happens when I buy yarn on impulse. :P


I have been working casually on a pair of socks for John. It's really the only project I have that can be carried around and worked mindlessly on the bus. They are called Garter Toes and I really like how they are knitting up. I'll admit that this yarn was an impulse buy, too, but I knew the yarn would become socks for John. I'll explain better in the FO post when I finish them, but it may be enough to say that the colorway is Dexter-inspired and came with Dexter-inspired stitch markers. How could I not buy that yarn?!

I'm also still working on the entire pile of WIPs from a few weeks ago, but I'll have to start keeping it hush-hush because I post my blog posts to Facebook, where one family member might see her Christmas present. I promise to share post-receipt. I can probably also show you my grandma's Willoughby Scarf because she is not on Facebook. :) I'm half-way through and it looks really pretty! I keep thinking it could be longer, but then I remind myself that every time I think that, I end up with a scarf as long as a football field....Again, I'm too lazy to share a picture. Fall is so terrible as far as motivation goes.

However! I did do away with my needs-to-be-sewn-up pile in a fit of homely inspiration. I patched an arm-pit hole in a sweater I wore once (store-bought), the side seam in an abused pair of undies, a belt loop in a pair of tight jeans (belt loops are just so helpful pulling pants on! and so hard to sew back on!), patched a hole in John's pants pocket, and fixed my $10 Walmart bag's awesome magnetic clasp. The clasp was hanging by a thread, so I snipped a bit of canvas from my high school backpack and patched it back in. I feel so smart! I'm not sewing savvy in the least. As you can see from the photo, I sewed in a circle around the clasp instead of around the edges of the canvas. That is as good a demonstration of my skill as any. I hope all my repair work holds. :S

For more WIP Wednesday posts, visit Tami!

Happy Halloween!

It's Cold

So John should wear his scarf, right? Especially when he's sick? Tell him!

It's a Scarf

Pattern: Different Lines by Veera Välimäki
Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in Smokestack and Stovepipe
Needles: US 7
Project Page

John says he needs a haircut before he'll wear his scarf and pose for a picture. I can't cut his hair until tomorrow, which means you're stuck with these pictures today. They aren't so bad, but they'd be better with John looking so nice in his nice new scarf! :)

This was super easy to knit and kind of fun until the rows got so long at the end. If I hadn't done the 15th stripe (one more than the pattern calls for), it would have been perfectly bearable. I did use up almost all of the Stovepipe (blue) and have enough of the Smokestack left for part of a shawl. The construction is super clever and requires little to no brain power. I worried that I would forget to increase at the end of every other row if my brain got too far from my knitting, but looking back at it, I don't think I ever missed one that I didn't catch immediately. And if I did miss one, you sure can't tell!

I wish that the stripes were uniform in width at the end where they are one to two rows wide because when one is two rows wide and sits between two that are one row wide, they just look a little wonky or drunken or something, but I suppose I'm the only one who notices. Overall, it came out amazingly well. It's HUGE. The colors are fantastic. The fabric is super soft. The dark blue didn't bleed a single drop. John wonders if it will be warm at all because it's so airy (6s might have been a better choice after all), so feel free to reassure him there too. It'll wrap around his neck about three times and probably make him too hot.

He better wear it after I cut his hair tomorrow or I'm keeping it for myself!

For more FO Friday posts, visit Tami's Amis!

Landmarks All Around!

This is our 50th post and it's about my 100th project!

It's Rikke in Manos Silk Blend. The yarn was so delicious that it called to me for four days. When I saw no one had bought it, I snatched it up and went on a Rav search for anything I could do with 150 yards of variegated dk yarn.This hat should fit the bill.

I really shouldn't have started it. I still have the pile of works in progress from a couple weeks ago, minus John's scarf (my finished object this Friday!). My department is holding a conference this weekend, so I thought a small, mindless project would fit the bill. I might have it done before then, though!

This week (I think), also marks an anniversary: Sweetpea and Spike's first together. Awwww. I've had Spike two years this month and Sweetpea one. Happy anniversary, little bunnies!

For more WIP Wednesday projects, visit Tami's Amis!

Finally!

Here it is! I'm so proud!

Pacific Coast

Pattern: Larch Cardigan by Amy Christoffers
Yarn: Shibui Merino Kid
Needles: US 4
Project Page

I love this cardi! I did have a few issues with the yarn when I began: it shed like a little green bunny, it turned my bamboo needles and my fingers green, and it wasn't quite the right gauge. After looking at finished pictures, I realized the bigger gauge was perfect because then I wouldn't look too big for my sweater. The green fuzz vacuumed right up. The green needles got a rubbing alcohol scrub and I learned how to set dye: soak for 20 minutes in cold water with 1/2 cup of vinegar, bag in an oven bag, set on a cookie sheet, put it in the oven at 200 degrees for 30 minutes, let cool, wash in tepid bath with wool wash, and voila!

Really, I probably could have just rinsed the excess dye out of it (which I ended up doing in the post-cook bath), but I'm glad I took the precaution with the vinegar bath too. I wore it over an expensive white Banana Republic shirt all day yesterday and no green stains! Just green hairs. :)

I don't think I modified it at all. The sleeves are even knit to the prescribed length, I think. Finishing was easy. I HATE twisted rib, though. Goodness, it took FOREVER. But it looks really neat. Love the bound-off detailing on the hem and the sleeve cuffs. John helped me pick the buttons. He's a genius button-picker!

I named it after our trip to Washington in the spring (during which the yarn traveled in the back seat, waiting to be knit and returned home in exactly the same state). The yarn varies in color between the trees of the Olympic Peninsula and the water of Crescent Lake. I miss the Pacific Northwest....

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Very Nearly Finished

I still have the same pile of WIPs I did last week, some in the same condition. It got really cold here all of a sudden, though, so I've been pushing to finish John's Different Lines. Fortunately, with grading almost out of the way and showing videos in my classes, I've almost finished it.

I'm on the 15th (and final) blue stripe. Just the border to go! I'll show it to you next Friday. This time I mean it!

Sorry I keep promising and postponing showing you Pacific Coast. John and I got buttons for it on Sunday. It will be ready for showing Friday! I PROMISE! I may share some photos of our trip to Indianapolis, too. John did very well at the marathon considering everything was working against him. He's a trooper, for sure.

For more WIP Wednesday posts, visit Tami!

A Pile of WIPs!

I totally had Pacific Coast ready for Friday (minus the buttons), but I didn't have any time or light to take pictures. I still haven't taken pictures, but I'll try to get some before Friday. John's running a marathon out of town this weekend, so we'll be out of town, but hopefully not out of touch!

Now on to the works-in-progress! I have a Willoughby for my grandma (who just had major surgery! Send her your thoughts!), John's scarf, Rocky Coast Cardigan for my aunt, and my Breezy is still waiting for one more sleeve. The weather has been so great that I wish I could finish it really quickly, but I just know that as soon as I put it on, it'll snow or something horrible like that. :)

Head over to Tami's Amis for more WIP Wednesday posts!

Short and Sweet

I didn't get Pacific Coast set, washed and seamed. But! I do have an FO from last week.

Chibi Totoro

Pattern: Chibi Totoro Toy by Brella
Yarn: Lion Brand LB Collection Baby Alpaca
Needles: US 2 (?)

Project Page


This was a cute little project for the eldest of my younger brothers, who turned 23 a couple weeks ago. I have a disease that prevents me from getting birthday, anniversary, and any other time-sensitive items and cards in the mail before the recipient's big day, so I mailed it about five days late and he got it just this last Wednesday. He said (and I quote), "Oh my god. This Totoro is mind-numbingly amazing."

We used to watch My Neighbor Totoro all the flippin' time when we were young and I kept stumbling upon this pattern in my queue each time I went through to purge it (I do that a lot. I never gets any shorter than five pages :/). I told him I have a pattern (maybe even two!) for the big Totoro that he might could expect for Christmas. I just have to find my grey yarn. He's super excited. I mentioned he's 23, right? :)

I have three knitting goals this weekend: design and knit a new cabled phone cozy for my super awesome new phone, begin my grandma's beautiful scarf (before winter hits!), and SEAM PACIFIC COAST. It will happen, I swear. I also have a lot of grading and Greek, so...it's going to be a busy weekend.

I'm also due for a Style Saturday post since I was out of town last weekend and didn't do it. It will be much better this time, I swear.

Go see more FOs on Tami's Blog!