Tha Cardigan... she is finished...

...as am I...

 

Laters.

Wonderful Things happen...

Hey Robin,
I had happened-upon a wonderful knitted-toy pattern, and since I was in the "find easy patterns for my Knitting Club Girls (a.k.a. Knitlets)" mindset I downloaded it right away with the intent to share.

I have been bitten by the bunny nugget bug

 

Apparently these guys like chocolate chip cookies, I think I better do something about that...

Later!

Kate

Catching up (again)

Hey Robin!
With the passing of the holidays, I finally find myself able to get some pictures taken and organized. Whee! A lot got completed in the mad scramble to clear off some needles before the New Year, what a relief that is. The ability to start new projects that don't really have a deadline is somewhat foreign lately...

Here we go. First up, I finished pair #2 of Through the Garden Gate. I like them in variegated!

Pattern: My own: Through the Garden Gate

Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Socks that Rock Heavyweight in Loch Ness colorway.

Next is a hat request from the Darling Hubster. I used the Point-Down Toque pattern which really just turns out to be a rough guideline. It worked fine for my purposes and Hub is really happy with it. He especially likes the tassle I think. The yarn was a gift from him (bless him), and I don't think he meant to give me yarn so I would make him a hat... but it's a great color and I definitely think it belongs as this hat.

Project: Scat (yes, I know what that means but it's a hat/scarf!)

Yarn: Patton's Classic Wool in... blue.

Next is one of the items I gifted which I didn't want to show before just in case. This was a gift for my Dad's best friend. She's really a special person and I wanted to make her something to keep her neck and hands warm when she rides her bike to work on a chilly morning. Here's a pic of her wearing the cowl, it looks so great on her!

Pattern: Melony Cowl

Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted, Rich Chocolate colorway

Lastly, here's a design I've been working on and I would like to 'sneak peek' it to you all today in hopes of gauging some interest in a written pattern. I saw a commercially produced hood like this somewhere and started working on designing one in my head. Finally got some pretty chunky-weight yarn and gave it a go. Alterations will be necessary, but mostly the finished product will look like this:

I love the gentle cabling and the way it covers my head. I also like that there's no seaming! I know, seaming is NOT hard, but any chance to avoid it is a good thing in my book. I am looking for a good name for it as well, any ideas?

That's all I got today, Later!

Last Minute Finishes...

Hey Robin!
Just wrapping up (literally) a few new FO's that I managed to squeek-out and I wanted to show off a bit.
First a pair of slipper style socks for my Uncle's wife Rita. I am hoping she gets a lot of use out of them, they are so cozy! I had to guess at foot length, mostly my guess was "smaller than MY feet"... which only eliminates most basketball players and clowns... so in the picture here I am hiding the fact that the heel is creeping up my sole

Project: Thuja Socks by Bobby Zeigler. 

Yarn: Moda Dea Superwash worsted in a candy-corn orange color... 

yeah she won't be losing these anytime soon.

Next up, this one took a lot longer but it's a labor of love. Actually I want to make several more of these because the pattern is so well written even as such a simple thing and it's SO COZY. Apologies for the awful blocking-net picture (yes, something bled on this ages ago, but the dye doesn't seem to be going anywhere) but this NEEDED to be blocked for a pic and it's going to be resting there for a while. There's no hiding this one from it's recipient. The pattern calls for a hood, but in this case that would be a waste of yarn... i like the collar!

Pattern: Wonderful Wallaby 

Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in Ravelry Red Child's size 6

On my Birthday I finished a Father-Son set. This one was a last-second addition to my Queue as the pattern was just released on Ravelry not more than a week ago! It was too enticing not to make a pair!

Pattern: Incognito by Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark 

Yarn: Moda Dea superwash in yellows and oranges

And THEN, because I can't leave well-enough-alone, I made one of my Shiny iPod socks for DSs Xmas gift (no, not an iPod but an MP3 player). Here is the awful picture of it, the flash-version was worse... the colors are a deep pewter grey, creamy-white and deep red. I like the combo! I altered my design (aside from changing dimensions) to create a flip-top for better security and I have decided to add a cord so he can hang it around his neck. I still love this pattern. I love that it is seamless (though I did have to tack-down the flip top, still it wasn't a pain in the neck or anything) and a fast-knit.

Pattern: Kate's Shiny iPod Sock

Yarn: Knit Picks Telemark in three colors

I know it's ok to post these items here because the giftees don't read this blog, but I have more to share and I cannot because I am not sure about THOSE giftees... they might be a sneaky bunch. So after the 25th I will try to pop back here and add pics of the rest of the stockpile of knitted pressies :)

Can I tell you about my day on the 20th? I want to thank everyone for the well-wishes and Happy Birthdays... it was a VERY pleasant and care-free day. I loved it. My boys let me sleep in a bit and made me my favorite breakfast. Then I got some brief knitting time before heading out for a Matinee of Princess and the Frog. I loved it. Such a cute story and a good re-telling, as always, by the peeps at Disney. Back home again, more knitting, and then off to a favorite restaurant for dinner. Benihana! I swear I want to install one of those hibachi in my house, I could eat like that every night! And aside from the terrible jokes, I think I could cook like that every night too! DS ate EVERYTHING put in front of him (yes, even the onions!) which is a rare and Mommy-pleasing thing. Happy Birthday to me :)

I hope your upcoming birthday is as wonderful and relaxing! I wish all of that and more for you dear friend!

Later...

What to do, what to do?

Hey Robin,
I find myself in a peculiar position... balanced on that thin line that we find ourselves on in this particular season. I finished a holiday gift (#18 or so in the list), so do I start another and face gift-burnout or do I start a little something for myself? Hmmm... to demonstrate:

I recently finished these for my Uncle Of the Large Feet (who's birthday is on Halloween but who I only just this weekend got to visit):

Pattern: Adult Moc-a-soc by Bekah Knits

Also finished this for a swap package, now received so it's OK to post a pic:

Pattern: Grid from Hello Yarn, colorwork pattern by my. 

Yarns used: Patons classic wool in natural and 

Debbie Mumm stuff from JoAnn. I'm too lazy to go find the ball band... sorry.

She is a fan of Moose. So the upper one shows the moose-print which is back-of-hand and the lower one shows the moose/antler motif I came up with for the palm. It was fun dreaming up this mitten, plus she really seems to like them so: score!

And now I have 50% finished this gift for another swap:

It's hard to see the leaf motif on the thumb gusset, no? Click to enlarge as always. This pattern is lovely and so well written. It's the October Leaves Mitts  by Abbie Tilden (yarn used: Malabrigo sock in Tiziano Red... I love this yarn base AND colorway... must get more). Mitt #2 is coming along quickly.

I did manage to make something that might or might not end up being for me, so perhaps I should not whine too much. I happened to catch that Woolly Wormhead was conducting a KAL (knit along) for some of her new hats and I have always wanted to make one of her projects. It ended yesterday thusly:

 

Pattern: KAL 'A' (name unknown just now) using Debbie Bliss Merino DK. See the purdy leaves??

Oh yes! I almost forgot that I also knitted up two hats for charity:

Both are the Warwick Hat by my dear friend Nina Machlin Dayton. Knitted up using Cascade 220 for both. They are extraordinary hats really. I think they might be my new faves as far as fun-to-knit factor and cuteness... both of them are child-sized but the pattern includes sizing all the way up to Adult Large.

So now.... what to do with all those lonely needles?

If anyone else has not suffered burnout from gift-knitting, Might I suggest the quickly-knit and wonderfully cute Baby Robitaille by a designer who's name currently escapes me?

Cute, no?

Beowulf I am not....

Hey Robin!
I have neglected to update you on my FO's recently! Allow me to rectify that aberration!

First up we have my "Sonnet" cardigan. I would be happy to bow to the desires of the designer regarding the name, but this puppy took me almost a year to complete (my bad, not hers) and so I redub thee EPIC POEM! Or "Saga" for short:

 Isn't she purdy? The yarn is a 50/50 merino/silk blend that is just luscious. (Malabrigo Silky Merino in Cloudy Sky colorway) It is one of my favorite yarns to play with as you will see in the next FO. The buttons are temporary placeholders... I haven't decided what to change them to. Currently they are a mis-matched set of shell-like white buttons. Some people have told me they like that about them, but I am not sure it's my preferred final look. Time will tell. The construction on this one is unique in that it is knitted side to side instead of bottom to top (or vice versa). I liked the idea of it... and I think I might make another someday, perhaps trading out the stitch-detail with something else.

Our next FO is a sort of a test-change to a friend's cowl design (cowl, gaiter.... potato, potah-to) It's a beaded pattern, a great one for the beginner with just lovely results. She designed it for worsted, but I found a skein of the Silky Merino that was screaming to be a lighter-weight version of the original (the silky is a DK weight, which is smaller-diameter than a worsted... for those of you unfamiliar with yarn weights) I got some fantastic beads to go with it and Viola!

Yarn: Malabrigo Silky Merino in the Tatami colorway with size 6/O beads.

Sorry for the unmodelled photo, I have been under the weather lately and not looking my best...

Another test-knit that was recently finished is another awesome hat by my friend Nina Machlin Dayton. She's a brilliant designer of things for one-skein usage. I love helping her with her projects. This one is a beret with some unique engineering. Instead of the usual hat construction, which is knit in the round, this one is knit back and forth on straight needles and grafted at the end. I have gotten very good at the grafting lately!

I give you: The Medici

Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Sunset colorway (love it!)

I believe that's all the knitting news that's fit to print! October is "Stockpile Month" in my Malabrigo Junkie world. All of us are knitting like crazy women in preparation for the Holidays. I won't be entering any contests but I am using the fervor to knock some projects out so that I'm not bleary-eyed and crazed on Xmas eve ;) Wish me luck!!

Later.

Juggling Cats

Hey Robin,
I have many balls-o-yarn in the air as I have definitely bitten off more than I should be chewing right now (I have to tell the Little Man to take "human bites"... stole that one from the wise MiL... perhaps I should be following my own advice!). I have jumped in on a few test-knitting escapades. One is in-progress and I am not sure it's ok to show the IP pictures, but the other is mostly done and I have gotten permission to show a couple of shots:

Project: "Frankie Hat" (title may be changed upon release)
Designer: Nina Machlin-Dayton
Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Rich Chocolate

I need to thank my Father for the pictures. He has ALWAYS been great at taking pictures of me... all through my life. Thanks Dad! Anyway, I love the versatility of this hat. It's sure to be another favorite in my wardrobe!

I have also managed to slip-in a couple of charity knits. These will likely be going to the Warm Woolies charity who send the items off to poor kids living in very chilly parts of the world (including North American Natives... I am sort of hoping mine will go there).

Both are knitted with Cascade 220, a good yarn for these purposes (and many others too!!) with two strands held together. The socks will be sure to warm someone's tootsies quite efficiently, and the sweater, while not as large as I had hoped it would be, will certainly warm up a deserving child. I hope they like the colors...

Since I had asked you folks so long ago to help me pick out the colors for the baby blanket, it seems only fair to show you the completed knitted-portion:

Cute, No? The fabric to the side there will be the backing, there's just too much going on on the back of the blanket, so a nice cotton fabric will protect widdle baby fingers. But wait, there's MORE!

This bib is definitely newborn sized. I hope to use some other blanket-leftovers for some more-practical older-baby sizes.
And then there's the adorable burp-cloth... way more fashionable than the cloth-diaper-over-the-shoulder ;) Shown here in it's infant stages:

And lastly, in the finished-it-fast-to-take-to-L.A.-and-then-forget-to-wear-it department:

My own shrug pattern, which may be too fiddly for anyone else to want to make it, and also I might want to make a few changes before release. It's pretty cute though! Wish I remembered I had it!

The rest of this summer is likely to be a blur, which Little Man's birthday party coming up (Yay Bionicles!) and a few other planned activities. I am a lazy Mom and don't go much for the very-structured-keep-'em-busy type summers. Is that a bad thing? I wonder...

On the kneedles now are the lace shawl test (the one I covertly mentioned above) and a pair of socks for a secret yarn-swap partner who is afraid of knitting socks for herself. Silly _____!

Hope all is well with you and the extraordinary Emme! It was a blast meeting you guys at the zoo.

Later.

A tapestry...

Hey Robin!
It's wonky and weird but I LOVE it and it's DONE!

Deets: Tapestry Cowl by Pepperknits;
Malabrigo sock yarn in Idiecita and Natural colors;
Size 5 (US) kneedles

In retrospect, I should have gone down a kneedle size (or two) because the natural is so much thinner than the indiecita and I suspect that both are thinner than the Koigu that was listed in the pattern. All in all though, I am so tickled by the techniques that I learned for this that it will remain close to my heart (and my neck!) for a long, long time.

...plus it's so squooshy!

Later!

Busy bee!

Hey Robin!
I've managed a few more notable FO's and wanted to share!

A couple of my Ravelry Friends and fellow Malabrigo Junkies have been busy designing items and I managed to finagle myself into a test-knitting spot! Whee!

Ariadne by Jenny Raymond:
Love Cables? I do! This mitt satisfied a real urge to get some cables done and wearable... and FAST! Soon I will tackle the right-mitt. Can't wait.

I'm sorry it's so hard to see the actual cables! Have I mentioned that the "close up" setting on my camera doesn't really mean what it says? I should really get to reading that manual.... This is Malabrigo's silky-merino in the Camote colorway... to match my clapotis!

Next up, is a sneak-peek at something that I made as a gift. So full-pictures will have to wait, but here's the teaser:

Pretty, no?

A request from a small-member of the household led to a stash-dive which ultimately resulted in this cuteness:

It's a Big Bad Baby blanket... only smaller :D Can you resist that sweet little face? I know I can't!

I also wanted to finally share my latest acquisition. I think I mentioned that my birthday gift to me was membership in this year's rockin' sock club with Blue Moon Fiber Arts. I am so excited, I've wanted to do this for a long time but always seemed to miss the sign-ups! Here's my first delivery (just the yarn-part) ain't it PURDY?!

Beads!! Beads!! I know I will try to rip out the bead the first time I put the socks on but I can't wait to make them. Really should finish the hubby's promised-pair first though.

Now I leave you with a question to ponder. What do you think of this yarn:

For making this pattern, by Angela Sixian Wu. Grey as the background color. The red is a discontinued Sundara Sock yarn that I am in love with and it's just so hard to finally commit to a project for it! I thought the argyle-pattern would be interesting in this... thoughts?

Later!

It's the Little Things

Hey Robin,
I think you have withstood my blathering-on about how difficult it has been lately when dropping the Kidlet off at Kindergarten... frankly it's been hell. I am now dreading the routine as much as he is and I haven't a clue how to fix it.

Today I have had an inspiration to try a new tactic: A woobie.

Woobie (n.) [wu-bee] 1. An item of emotional attachment, usually a blanket or stuffed animal. 2. Possible saviour of a Mom's sanity.

Little Guy already has a woobie. A stuffed puppy that is one of the most wonderfully huggable little creatures that he has ever gotten. It was just one of those things, received as a gift from my Aunt, forgotten almost immediately, then one day picked up and suddenly incorporated into every day family life and not put down since. She is a constant companion and well-loved, but she is not allowed at school... (absolutely understandable "no private toys" policy)

Enter new woobie. New Woobie was inspired when I sat here in this very spot, trying to imagine WHY he does not want me to leave the school property. Every morning in a panic: "Will you stay here all day Mama?!" I lie and hang-out for a while until I am sure he is thoroughly distracted by the classroom activities (I'm a bad Mother, but my god people, it's 30-40 degrees out there!). He knows I will leave eventually, but previous to this holiday break, it was a part of a routine where he would ask, I would lie, and all would be well....

Before the holiday break there was no panic though. It was simply a need for reassurance that I would be 'around'. However AFTER the holiday, the need for reassurance has exploded into a need for PRESENCE. I definitely cannot stay and have tried going the "honest route" by explaining that I can't be there because I don't want to distract him, that I can be there at a moment's notice if he decides he needs me more than anything else. That has NOT been a satisfactory answer. I am wondering if this will help:

As a result of my most-recent challenge of conquering the Tapestry Cowl (it is still in progress, but I have to say I am LOVING it and can't wait to see it all done) which is a double-knit colorwork project, I thought to myself that I could make a two-sided item that could be stuffed in a pocket with something in it that would MEAN something to us both. This is why there is an "m". "M" is for Mama and also for Little Guy's name. How fortunate that we share this initial!

I am hoping that presenting this to him with a story about how it's magic and that holding it will tell me he is thinking of me and that I will think of him at the same time will allow him to relax his fears about my not being around. What do you think?

Now to decide when to give it to him. Wish me luck!
Later.

Itinerant Stitches...

Hey Robin!
Another Ravelry-spawned project of mine is done. Kinda. It's called "Sisterhood of the travelling scarf". Sort of a spur-of-the-moment thing. We're in groups of 10 or 12 people, knitting 6" of scarf on each person's started-bit and passing it along to the next knitter. It's a fun idea, and I really can't wait to see mine when it get's back to me! Here's the starter:

It's more of the Malabrigo worsted in Loro Baranquero colorway. It looks kinda nifty in this broken-rib style ribbing pattern. I wanted to go with a scarf that would look the same on both sides, so that will be my "request" to subsequent participants. Should be interesting! I'll be sure to post the finished product when it returns to roost.

Another FO, inspired by your suggestion is my "Frosty Beret".

Yay I didn't blink!
Malabrigo Chunky in Pink Frost, 1 skein

It's a brilliant (and free!) pattern by the ever-so-talented Kirsten at Through the Loops

Such a cheerful pink, without being Sweet-n-Low

It's a top-down beret using any yarn that you like because it's really a seat-of-your pants style design. I gotta say a top-down hat is a great thing, but starting a project on size 10.5 (us) kneedles and 4 stitches (that's right people! 4!) is NOT EASY.

Mine came out a little large, so I think I might frog it and start again. It was seriously fast though, so it's not like I lost a lot of time. Now that I know the pattern better, I might try a textured stitch or something... we'll see.

Now to begin my Artisan Bread in 5 minutes a day! Can't wait!
Later

For the Manly Man...

Hey Robin!
I spend a lot of time on Ravelry... which should explain why I'm not here often enough! A little bit ago, there was a lot of chatter on the boards "What should I knit my brother/Dad/FiL/grown-son?" and Lots of times the answer was "A scarf!" or "A cowl!", amongst all the hat suggestions of course. This got me a'thinkin'... Vegas Sands is a pretty feminine pattern, in most colors, but what about an alteration to make it more "Manly"? I'm sure I can do it, I mean the original pattern was for a man!

I noodled around a bit and had the best idea yet, which was to turn it into something more like a neckwarmer, et VIOLA! Feast your eyes:

I give you the Manly Collar! Yes it's a dumb name, but I am definitely open to suggestions. It fastens with a hidden button, which I think is oh-so-stylish.

For the first time I got a test-knitter to check out my pattern before putting it upon you guys... good thing too because I did the button-hole instructions wrong! The pattern:

Manly Collar

Materials: 1 skein DK weight yarn (I used Knit Pick’s CotLin and at 123 yards I still had some left); Size 7 needles (straight or circular but I found the circs easier to maneuver) or size required to get-gauge; Tapestry needle

Gauge: approx 5 sts/inch in stockinette, approx 5.5 sts/inch in pattern

Finished size: about 6” wide by 19” long blocked.

Pattern stitch (adapted from Grumperina’s Shifting Sands Scarf):

Worked over 4 rows:

Row 1 (RS): *1/2LC, K2, repeat to end

Row 2 and 4: purl

Row 3: *k2, 1/2RC, rep to end

Pattern:

CO 105 sts loosely using whatever method you like to give you a nice-edge, I like to use the cable cast on because I can keep it nice and loose.

Knit four rows, purl one row (WS)

Next row (RS): K5, start pattern and repeat until 5 stitches remain, K5.

Next Row (and all WS rows): K5, follow pattern to last 5 sts, K5

Next row (RS): K5, start pattern and repeat until 5 stitches remain, K5.

Next row: K5, P2, bind off 3 sts, purl to last 5 sts, k5

Next row: K5, continue in pattern to your bind-off gap, use backward-loop cast on to add 3 sts, k7.

Continue following pattern, adding the knitted 5 stitch border on each edge. When piece is approx 5” tall ending with a row 1 or 3, change to garter stitch again for four rows.

Bind off in your favorite manner.

Finishing: Block and then weave in ends. To sew on the button I folded the rectangle in half lengthways and wrapped the collar around my model’s neck, then placed a small pin (careful not to nick your model!) where the button hole is. Then I sewed the button on where the pin was. (Don’t forget to remove the pin).

Abbreviations:

1/2LC: slip 1 st to cable needle and hold in front, k2, then knit1 from cn

1/2RC: slip 2 sts to cn and hold in back, k1, then k2 from cn

Note: If you take the time to learn Grumperina’s “Cabling without a cable needle” you will find it worth the time spent! Trust me!

I seriously hope that many people will try this pattern and let me know what happens! It's only been tested the one time (other than me) so please let me know if you find errors!

Later!

march of the FO's

Hey Robin,
I see my last post date and hang my head in shame. I wish I was doing better at keeping this up! But I wanted to post a few finished items because it just makes me feel good. Here goes:

These are the result of a test-knit for my good-friend-in-Malabrigo: Nina Machlin-Dayton. She has designed the soon-to-be-famous (I hope) Faberge line of knit wear. We all begged for mittens and she let me test the knit. I love them! They have been worn quite often here as it has gone the way of the chilly... Malabrigo Worsted in Stonechat colorway... just sayin'. NEXT!

Finally got the BYOB done! It's a good knit really. I wish it was a little faster.... but the bag is HUGE! Seriously it will probably hold more stuff than a single person should carry... but it's tres stylish. I can't wait to give it to the recipient. Lion Brand Cotton Ease was the yarn, much nicer to knit with than the kitchen cotton I gotta say...

Little Guy's sweater is finally done! I wish I had posted more while this was in progress because it was an interesting journey. I used Elizabeth Zimmerman's seamless sweater formula from Knitting Workshop. It's really fool-proof. I chose the shirt yoke shoulder type. I like it a lot but when it was completed the first time, the neck hole was far too small for my youngling's head. He's got a large noggin. What can I say?? So I had to rip back and open it up a little... and now it's a little large, but at least he will always be able to put it on lol. He wore it to a party yesterday (actually ASKED to wear it!) and it fared well with the rough-n-tough crowd. The yarn was Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in blue with hem-facings in red from Aidan's sweater. It's a nice combo I think!

I will leave you with this:

It's the back of a certain garment which shall remain nameless until after Xmas. Certain persons have been known to check this page to see what I am up to and I don't want to give anything away! This one is not an FO yet... but it's so pretty I had to share :)

Next up I hope to share a new pattern with you all! Cross your fingers that I can get it written-up well enough ;)

Later!