Look, knitting!

I have actually been knitting lately! I made a scarf for the Christmas gift exchange at my grandparent's place. I used 100% silk laceweight yarn doubled on a 10.5 needle to make a basic garter stitch scarf.



I think it turned out beautiful and my sister must have thought so too cause she "stole" the gift from the person who originally opened it!




I ended up using only 250 yards of a 1400 yard skein, so I have plenty more to either make one for myself or make something else out of this gorgeous yarn. I think the picture below better shows the colors. I had to take the above pictures the night before the exchange.




It is kind of silly, but I have to give myself permission to knit or not knit as the mood strikes me. There is no knitting police that will put me in jail if I don't finish a project within a certain amount of time. Here is to being easier on myself!

Tags

I needed to be creative tonight, but didn't have much time or energy. So I pulled out my paper and Fiskars templates and made these.



I have always had a hard time knowing how to tell people how to wash knitted gifts. A card can get separated from the gift and i know I would forget if someone just told me how to wash a gift. Now I can write the washing instructions on the back of these tags and tie the ribbon to the gift.

Two Color Brioche Scarf Redux

Time to get back to happy things. I finished a second Two Color Brioche Scarf just before summer started. I used this same pattern, but different yarns. I used Blue Sky Alpaca 100% Alpaca (now discontinued) and Noro's Cashmere yarn, can't remember the name. I like this one much better, mainly because it is so soft.

I used it all fall and for the warmer part of the winter. Now I just need a hat to match! I'm planning on using the Fake Isle hat pattern from knitty. Hopefully I will have it done for the warmer spring weather.

Happy Weekend!

It is Friday, and I am in a good mood! I think I've been in a little bit of a hormonal funk lately. (Using the word funk always seems odd to me because my Great Grandparent's last name was Funk, so it has a different meaning for me than just the usual usage.) My cycle has returned and I'm still getting used to all the hormonal swings I haven't had to deal with for a year and a half.

Has anyone else checked out Twist Collective yet? It is a new online magazine with both knitting patterns and articles. The layout took me a little while to get used to, but I immediately bought the Come Together and Jaali patterns. The checkout process was very easy, I used paypal, and when I checked the e-mail address I used with paypal I had already received a link to download my patterns. You can download them for 100 days, or 3 times. The patterns I received seem easy to read and are beautifully laid out.

If you want to see pictures of my beautiful baby girl, check out my photographer's website. Click on Babies. On the first page of pictures, her picture is in the top row, middle square (all in white, standing next to a white chair). On the second page of pictures, her pictures are in in the top row, middle square, and bottom row, right square. Nicole takes beautiful pictures and we have always enjoyed our sessions with her. If you are in the area I highly suggest you check her out. If you do, would you mind telling her I sent you? I get a free picture with every referral. I feel ok having Nicole post Audrey's picture because her site has way more security measures than mine does, so I'm not as worried about someone stealing her picture.

And because I can't have a post without a picture in it, here is a small flower we found during one of our evening walks. Have a good weekend!

Sock Backlog

I love socks. I always have a pair (or two) on the needles. But I don't like to do fancy patterns. Toe up stockinette socks for me baby! So here are some socks that I have completed over the past year or so. Yes, I am a bad blogger. And please ignore the bad pictures. It was either these or nothing.

These are my thick socks [r] done in 1824 wool. They are very cushy, but the yarn got weird on me. I think I washed them wrong. I like to wear them around the house when my feet are cold. They are a bit too thick for regular shoes.

These are my Mexico Socks. [r] I started them before I was pregnant, and finished the first one after my feet started swelling. I tried it on and almost started crying because it didn't fit. Luckily I realized my feet were the problem, not the sock, before I ripped. I also used these to get the perfect fit for my feet. The second sock has 4 fewer stitches and 5 fewer rows in the foot. The difference isn't enough to really notice once I have worn them for a while, but I found overall I like the smaller sock.

I call these my Jewel Socks. [r] I love the way the Lorna's Laces is striping. So pretty! I am almost done with the first one and into the foot on the second one. Hopefully I can get a better picture once they are done.

After I finish the first Jewel Sock I will cast on for my mom's socks. I got her to pick some yarn out of my stash when she visited a few weeks ago. I really need to work through my stash before buying any more sock yarn!

Messed up the scheduling on this one, so lucky you! Two posts in one day!

Catching Up

I realized that I never posted a picture of my finished Shedir [r]. I love the way this hat looks, but I made it a bit short due to the fact that I cut out a pattern repeat because it was too long. Plus the cold wind just whips right through it. I have been thinking of extending the ribbing using some tips I got from the Rainey Sisters Blog, and then knitting a lining like in the Red Light Special [r]. I'm not sure how I will attach the lining, but I'll figure something out. If that doesn't work I'll line it with fleece.

The [r] links are links to Ravelry. I may be posting some older projects every now and then. It is bugging me that not all my projects have a blog post in Ravelry. Yes, I know I am anal retentive.

Ironic

I have so much to write about and no time to write! So a list will have to do for now.

• Chris knit Audrey a beautiful sweater! It fits great. Chris, I'll send a picture soon. I promise!
• Finished a second Two Color Brioche Scarf. Used different yarns, but one is still a Noro yarn. Had to make a few changes to the pattern, but it is still basically the same.
• Finished the final thumb on a pair of mittens I started before Audrey was born. Glad I waited. Was able to figure out why the first mitten didn't fit very well. I made the thumb too short!
• Finished a pair of socks and started another pair.
• Went to Shepherd's Harvest and got a few odds and ends. Needle felting fiber, niddy noddy, basic Kumihimo Braid kit, and wool felt.
• Made a couple bibs for my nephew. Really need to work on my sewing skills! Too ashamed to post pictures.
• Started swatching for the Ruffled Surplice, without the ruffle! It was on the cover of Interweave Knits Spring 2007. I got the yarn, Tahki Bali, for 40% off at Webs. I got one of the discontinued colors -06- which is a beautiful teal/turquoise.
• Started attending a knitting group in downtown St. Paul. We meet every Tuesday during lunch time. Fun group of people!
• Still managing to resist spinning. My LYS is making it harder now that they are carrying spinning wheels and fiber!
• Started "running" again. If only running 3 min at a time can be called running.
• Visited family in both Kansas and Oklahoma. It is amazing how much I miss that place.
• Audrey has starting army crawling and pulling up on things. Time to baby proof!

Overall life is very good if busy. I am trying to cut out the extra stuff that is not needed, but I think knitting and blogging will always stay. Even if I can't do them as often as I want!

Comfort

I am knocked flat, stretched thin, worn out and just plain tired! I wasn't planning on writing about this, but it seems to be consuming my days. My husband has been out of town for the past 4 weeks, and will be for the next week and a half. To any bad guys out there, I set the alarm every night! Being a "single parent" and working full time is exhausting. And I am probably in the easiest part of parenting. All I have to to is keep Audrey clean and fed, no discipline involved yet. We have had some good days and some days I was just thankful to reach the end of. I don't know how real single parents do it! At least I have an end in sight.

For some reason the yucky weather we are having just about sent me over the edge. At least we are not getting the 10 inches of snow predicted! Searching for some comfort I spotted these on the kitchen table.

The pair of Fetchings I had finished just before returning to work. I used Lobster Pot Yarns Hand Dyed Cashmere. I ended up needing more than one skein of yarn, so to use up more yarn I lengthed the thumb by 4 rows and added a cable turn at the top. I probably could have used just one skein if I would have done one less cable turn at the wrist. There is just something about cashmere that is so comforting. And fingerless mitts are great for the cool but not cold weather we are having.

I wasn't sure what to do with the 3/4 of a skein of yarn I had left so I used Ravelry to find a pattern. I love that website! If you love Ravelry consider donating during Ravelraiser. I didn't realize that they were still operating in the red, and just yesterday were able to get out of debt! Plus, you might get a wonderful prize. You have until April 25!

Ok, back to my story. So I found this pattern on Ravelry and knit Ellen.

I love how the cast on edge does that swoopy thing, but not so fond of the top edge. I don't know if I will ever wear it, but it might make a good gift. It sure is soft, and I completely used up the yarn. Can't let cashmere just sit around!

Can someone tell my why my text changes after I put a picture in?

Life Continues

Well, I have been at work for just over a week, and so far it is going well. Work is just busy enough to keep me occupied without stressing me out. The house is a complete wreck, but pretty soon I'm sure I will find a method to keep everything in order. Chaos is to be expected with a major change like this.

Audrey is doing very well at daycare. She loves all the activity and her nap schedule has adjusted well. Everyone says she is a joy, but I'm sure they tell all the parents that!

I realized that I never shared some of the knitting I had done for Audrey.

Here are two pairs of booties and a pair of socks. She only wore the socks once. I missed the short window of time that they acually fit her, plus I made the heels and toes too pointy! She wored the pink booties ALL the time. They were the only thing she didn't kick off. Both booties are from the 50 Baby Booties to Knit book. She doesn't fit in these any more and I haven't had time to make her more.

This is her 3-6 month sweater. Pattern from Last Minute Knitted Gifts and knit in Malibrigo worsted weight yarn. She looks so cute in this. I am hoping to get her 6 month pictures taken in it. I have enough yarn left over for a baby hat, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

Cold

Remind me why I moved to MN. Oh, I remember, I love my husband and want to help him further his career. Next time he needs to move to further his career I'm going to ask him if we can move south, way south! I guess I have gotten used to the cold when 23 degrees seems warm! Because it has been so cold I needed something to keep my ears warm when I wear my hair up. I knit Calorimetry from Knitty.com in Debbie Bliss Casmerino Aran.



It is a little bit bigger than the pattern says it will be, I think it covers my ears better that way. And it fits just fine.

Making the Christmas Rounds

I'm back visiting my parents and inlaws in KS and OK. Everyone loves
Miss Audrey and wants to spend a lot of time with her. What am I,
chopped liver? But seriously, I think it is so wonderful that she has
so many people who love her. I just wish we lived closer.

I have been knitting and managed to finish a couple pairs of booties
that she has already outgrown. I am almost done with a sweater for
Audrey. It is the Childs Placket Sweater from Last Minute Knitted
Gifts. I am using Malibrigo in a beautiful light blue. I'll use pink
beads to close the placket. I love doing these small sweaters, they
are so quick! Well, I should get back to family. I've ignored them
long enough!

Babies, Babies Everywhere!

I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July! We had a relaxing day with friends and watched the neighbors shoot of their fireworks. The neighborhood put on a better show than I have seen at some organized shows. Plus we didn't have to fight traffic.

My younger sister had a little boy back in April and I finally got this vest done. I made it in the 9 month size, so I had plenty of time to get it finished.

It is a Debbie Bliss pattern out of her Baby Cashmerino 2 Book. It is also my first attempt at intarsia. I think it turned out pretty well, but not good enough for a close up!

I don't know if I have mentioned it but between my husband and I, my husband's family and my family there are three babies due within a week of each other. September is going to be a busy month! I have started a project for my husband's brother and his wife. They are having a little girl, so I am making the Matinee Jacket from the same book I mentioned earlier. My brother and his wife are having a little boy and I am considering making them the vest as well. They live in Portland, OR and it doesn't get really cold there. So they might get more use out of a vest anyway.

I am hoping to have all these projects done and sent off before I have my little one, so I have only 2 months to go. Time to get crackin!

Indulgence

I've been splurging on crafting stuff a little too much lately. I was determined to cut back. At least, until I saw these beautiful stitch markers that Carrie had up in her brand new Etsy shop. Now I have received stitch markers from her as a gift before, so I knew how high quality they were, and you just can't beat the price!

Aren't they georgous! Go grab some for yourself while they last. And while you are there, check out the cute doggie blankets she has made.

Purple

I had good luck with my first try at tulips, this one was my favorite. I love the color and the spiky edges on the petals.

Next year I think I will plant them a little closer together to get more of an impact. My clematis is doing very well this year, and I didn't do much to it. I love it when gardening works out this way!

I picked up some fingering weight yarn from Wooly Wonka Fibers (an online business run by Anne) because I fell in love with the colors. I had no clue what I was going to do with it, but I had to have it. I very rarely do this, so I figured I was entitled. This yarn is a combination of Merino wool, bamboo, and nylon. I cannot believe how wonderfully this knit up. It is so very soft and the colors are beautiful, no pooling!

Once I found out I was having a baby girl I knew I had to use this yarn for something. I finally decided on the EZ Baby Surprise Jacket. My gauge was off, so this turned out smaller than it should be, and who knows how long she will be able to wear it, if at all! But it is so cute I really don't care.

This took up only one skein of the two skeins I bought, so I think I will do socks for me with the other skein, and with the leftovers baby socks for my little girl. I even ripped out the swatch so I could use it for something. I am determined to not waste a yard of this yarn!

Next step, the world!

I was traveling to New Hampshire this past spring to visit family and we took a day trip up to the Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory. While waiting for the tour I spotted this -

I almost bought some, but the yarn was acrylic. Not my favorite thing to knit with. I think knitting is starting to take over the world!

Baby Hats

Three women in our church are having babies in June, talk about a baby boom! We had a combined shower for them and of course I had to knit something for each of them.

These hats are out of the Itty Bitty Hats book. I used GGH Samoa for the first two and Debbie Bliss Pure Cotton for the last one. I loved the Samoa, but I don't think I'll use the Pure Cotton for a hat again. It doesn't have any of the bounce that I feel is needed for a hat. I am going to do the purple hat for my little girl. The list for her keeps growing!

First Baby Project

As soon as I found out I was pregnant I wanted to knit something for the baby, but I wanted to wait to do any clothing or a blanket until I found out if I was having a boy or a girl. Then I thought, burp cloths! I'll need a ton of those! I used the pattern out of the Mason Dixon book and a bright colorway. Here is it, with the bulbs that will hopefully sprout soon.

I started this before I felt sick, and finally finished two months later. I have another one cast on in a green colorway. I had better get cracking if I hope to have enough!

Something Accomplished!

I think life has finally slowed down. I had a great visit with my friend. We did some shopping, watched chick flicks, ate good food and had lots of time to talk. I don’t have too much going on the next month and a half, so hopefully I can get some crafting time in before Christmas. I have bought a few patterns from Wee Wonderfuls that I haven’t been able to even really look at yet. I would love to make a toy for my niece for Christmas.

Thanks for all the comments on the aprons. The short one is my favorite too. But I was tired of getting flour on my shirts when I bake, so I made the long one as well.

It has been so long since I have posted on a regular basis that my finished projects are starting to pile up. The most exciting one, to me anyway, is my first sweater!!! It is the hourglass sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts.

I did something either very brave, or very stupid with this sweater. I felted it. Let me explain, when I went to wet block this sweater it stretched, a lot. I about had a panic attack. I tried to squish it together, but I just didn’t have any faith that it would turn out ok. I let it dry while I thought about what I should do. I remembered that I had some sweaters that were supposed to be dried flat, but I dried them in the dryer every now and then to tighten them up. So I decided to throw the sweater that I had spent hours and hours on in the dryer. To make a long story short, it turned out ok. The sweater fits ok, I think I made a size too large, but it will allow me to wear a thin long sleeved t-shirt under it. I am always cold, so this is a good thing! The sleeves felted a little more than the body, so I had to shave them, but they look great.

I used Araucania Nature Wool, and while I love this color and the yarn was nice to work with, I wouldn’t ever use it for a large project again. When I bought the wool I realized that there were no dye lots, so I tried to match the skeins as well as I could. I was fortunate that the skeins were sort of close, but if you look closely (or not so close) you can see where I changed skeins. Overall I am very happy with it.

I have also been making stitch markers. I love the way beaded stitch markers hang and move from needle to needle, but I couldn’t see spending so much money on something I could make for so much less! These were so much fun to make and I can see making many more. Plus with each one my technique improves.