Kauni Hat

Finally got my chance to work with Kauni yarn! It is lovely to work with, I thought it would be scratchy on my hands but it wasn't. 

Details

Pattern: Knit a Hat, by Ruth Sorenson, for sale from Fun Knits here.

Yarn: Kauni Effects EI and Kauni Solid Baby Blue SS1, also from Fun Knits. A small amount of green sock yarn from the left-overs tub.

Needle size: 2.75mm circular and dpns

 

The only modification is that I didn't sew up the ribbing underneath. I like the look of it folded like in the picture, and the colour change.

What I liked about these hat patterns is that Ruth is very upfront about the fit. She reminds the knitter that tension on a two-colour pattern can be tricky. A hat will fit someone. As I don't like pure wool on my delicate forehead (starts to itch within minutes) this hat will go in the gift basket most likely.

It was a challenge for me, as I don't do a lot of two colour knitting, but I enjoyed it. I will certainly be trying another hat from the collection!

Fishing Mitts

Well, I haven't got the sweater done yet but I did manage to knit some fingerless mitts for fall fishing. Because Mr. Kate likes lake fishing he spends a fair bit of time rowing as well as hanging on to the fly rod, and his hands are getting pretty cold at this time of year. So I found some wool in my stash and knit him a pair of fingerless mitts. I started and finished them in 4 hours!

 

Details: Fingerless Fishing Mitts

Yarn: Unknown Wool, two strands (one worsted, one sock weight)

Needles: 6.5mm double points

Pattern: My own. I'm happy to write it up if anyone is interested.

Cap Shawl Finished!

For Christmas last year I received a gift certificate from my husband, to Village Yarns in Cumberland BC. I had fun at their January sale and came away with enough Fiddlesticks Zephyr Laceweight to make this:

The Cap Shawl from Victorian Lace Today, by Jane Sowerby.

I am happy with how it turned out - it's a gorgeous thing - but a little perplexed as to why I made it...it's not exactly a good fit with my lifestyle! But, I'll wear it twice a year with a black dress and feel like a million bucks.

Full post, with more photos, is at Half Soled Boots.

Every Girl Needs a Little Glitz

We all know by now I am not a girly-girl. I'm happiest in shorts and a T-shirt, mucking in the garden or looking at bugs. But, even I feel the pull of the girly things now and then.

About a year ago, Z*llers was clearing out some of Bernat's ladder Matrix yarn. I think it was about $1 a ball, and in a fit of girly longing I picked up three balls.

Finally found a good project for some of it (still have over a ball left). A basic, garter-stitch triangle shawl, with fringe for good measure. I knit it with Cool Linen, a cotton/linen blend. A fun, sparkly wrap for those days I just need a little glitz.

Red Lace Cardigan - Shaker Wanna-be

Hey girls!

I have a project from last year to show at last. Remember the red lace cardigan? Well it is finished! 

Pattern is Shaker, by Kim Hargreaves.

Modifications - I shortened the sleeves and didn't add a button band, instead I did a single crochet edging. All because I was short on yarn. Good thing, I ended up with just a small nugget of yarn at the end.

I love the lace pattern, easy to memorize but interesting in construction. My first red garment, a step out of my usual wardrobe colours!

Socks and more

One more thing off the needles. A pair of simple 3x1 ribbed socks, short row heel and paired decrease toe (what is that called?). This yarn is Moda Dea Sassy Stripes, in the colourway Lucky. The yarn is much thicker than regular sock yarn, so it makes a much cushier sock. I only needed to cast on 36 stitches, instead of my usual 64.

Next up, the socks I made mum for her birthday. Again a 3x1 rib, but this is my one of my new favourite sock yarns from Lana Grossa, Meilenweit. The variegated colours are so subtle.

In keeping with the sock theme, a pair of baby socks made for my cousin who just had her first baby. These are to go with a lovely sweater my mum made from the same yarn. It is Sirdar Tweed DK, so delightfully soft!

Now that spring is coming (I think) I am in the mood for lighter knits. Kepler will get finished, and then the red lace cardigan will come back out and get done (only one sleeve and a collar band to go). More socks, a shawl or two, a baby blanket .... oh so many projects!

Shawl for my niece

My first lace..
I'm so exciting!!
Lace was unexplored area, I didn't even think i could..
but it was fun..
I also pinned and it stretched a lot.
(It looks like botoxed face, very flat, little too much stretch I guess)

My last gaol will be socks..
Now i have tons of times so maybe I will^**^

The Runway Beckons

Tom Tom couldn't resist the call of the runway with all his new duds. You can check him out (and some amazingly dressed other creatures) in the Mason-Dixon competition...

I could only do one entry, so Popsicle feels left out. But Tom Tom says he is still his best pal, and that the lure of the runway won't get to him.

best buddies

teapot cozy

hahaha!

I just finish this one.

100% wool,

I dyed with coolaid(2lime+little bit of grape+1lightblue(i forgot))

Erin helped me open the pouch,

Jeremy helped me rewinding the ball.

it was fun!!

The Bobbles Have It

Well, the sweater is done at last. OK, except for one button at the top because I only bought six buttons and needed seven. D'oh.

Details

Pattern - Cabled Cardigan from Vogue Knitting Winter 2005/2006

Yarn - Patons Shetland Chunky, colour Taupe (6 balls exactly)

Notes - This is for my sister-in-law, as chosen by her. Thus the fit is a little loose on me in the pictures, but should fit her well. The collar is my favourite part, it is done with short rows and very cleverly constructed. I find Vogue patterns in the magazines to be very curt, so I had to pay very close attention and be able to interpret the brief directions. However the pattern had no mistakes and turned out as it looked, so overall a good one.

Modifications - I took out almost all the bobbles in the pattern, only putting them on the fronts at the button band. Bobbles just weren't going to work for what my sister-in-law wanted from a sweater, but she loved the look of this. I also used different yarn, as she needed something practical for washing and I needed something that fit the budget.

Overall I'm pleased. It is something I wouldn't knit for myself, but I think she will like it and that is what matters.

There has been Knitting

There has been knitting, but few pictures as we couldn't find the rechargeable batteries for the camera. But in the last couple of weeks I have made:

+ one beanie hat for the boy-child

+ one beanie hat for me

+ one pair of socks for Mum (birthday present)

+ clothing for Webkinz

Sister-in-law's sweater has one sleeve and the band remaining. It continues to hate me.

Swatched and then cast on for Kepler. For me.

Dreaming of lots more projects that are waiting for the sil's sweater to be finished. I'll be on Ravelry by the end of the week, by the way.

sunmi's back!!!!!

hi, i finally figure out my way back here!! hew^^;
i haven't FINISH any big thing.
i think i should go for little items for a while.
(i really envy shannon's unwavering efforts)

but, here are my new slippers..

one for me, one for erin.

enjoy~~~ and be happy!!!

I Like to Have Warm Ears

Another quick project, an ear warmer for me, off my needles today.

Yarn: Trendsetter TONALITA. It is a 32% wool, 48% acrylic yarn. Soft and shiny. I bought it at Village Yarns' (sorry no website) year-end sale for $3.00, and didn't even use the whole ball to make this (maybe 3/4 of it or a little more). What a deal!

Pattern: My own. I knit alternating bands of stockinette and reverse stockinette, shorter rows at the bottom and then increasing once past the neck. Then reversed shaping on the other side and did a three needle bind off with the cast-on edge (just picked the stitches back up). It is nice and stretchy, stays in place, and covers my ears completely.

My First FO of 2008

This week saw the first project of 2008 off the needles. Started and finished in three days, and I love them.





Wrist Warmers
My own pattern, a simple 3x2 rib with a seed stitch top and a slit thumb. Knit in the round on 3.5mm dpns, except for the thumb section which is worked back and forth.

Yarn: the delicious elann.com Peruvian Baby Silk, in Gentle Violet. The colour is more purple, rather than the blue my camera shows. So soft and warm.

Christmas Knitting, complete

(FYI, this is written by Kate, not Shan as it says at the bottom. Shan was kind enough to take the photos and upload them for me. Thanks Shan!)

Well, having looked at my list I would say I have done well.
I have completed:

• wrap and two pairs of socks for my mum
• sweater for my dad (see pictures of it on me below - we are the same size)
• mittens for my step-mom
• head wrap for my sister-in-law
• pair of socks for friend
• scarf for father-in-law
• wash clothes
• miscellaneous gifts not to be mentioned before the knit group's Christmas party :)

Of course, most of these items are already being wrapped without being photographed, but at this time of year I just don't remember everything I should. (For instance, today I forgot to check on the hot lunch volunteers. As one of the coordinators today was my day to do that. I forgot. No volunteer showed up. Teachers handed out the pizza. Oops.)

So now it is a week before Christmas. The one big project still on my needles is my sister-in-law's sweater. I do have the back finished and a good start on the front, but this might wait for her birthday in February, as I don't feel the urge to speed knit it. Or I might just give it to her in the New Year. We'll see where we get with it.

I do want to make some hats for a friend's family as well.



front of the cycling aran. I see the zip is crooked on me, but you can see the lovely fit and the stand up collar here. I hand sewed the zip in. Also note the lovely cables up each side, although in heathered charcoal they are hard to photograph!

the 3 by 2 ribbed back. Perfect for a snug fit while cycling in our west coast wet winters!

Finally, At Last, Not a Moment Too Soon

I am done Print o' the Wave. Hopefully it will arrive in time for Christmas, but I don't really care if it doesn't. I'm just happy to be finished.

See the entire FO post here.

Print o' the Wave

Pattern: free download by Eunny Jang
Yarn: 1.5 skeins Island Hues (by Sweatermaker) 100% merino handpainted laceweight, 800 metres per 100 grams. Two different dyelots but they work together.

Yarn Source: Fun Knits, Quadra Island. Thanks again, Shelley.

Yarn Cost: $35 for both skeins, of which I used less than 1.5. So about $25.

Needle: 3.5mm Clover Takumi bamboo circular, and 3.5mm Addi Turbo Lace

Cast On: August 12, 2007

Bound off: December 14, 2007

Finished Dimensions: 97" long, 27" wide after an aggressive blocking.

Seriously Relieved.

Full project details can be found here. And I'm totally done my Christmas knitting! I have one more FO to post (once it's finished blocking) and I can relax and enjoy the season.

By the way chickies, once the stole is dry it'll be wrapped and mailed immediately....I won't be able to bring it to knit night next week! Maybe I'll do a victory lap to everyone's house just so you can see it, on my way to the post office.

Love, in the form of a Sweater

Oh, how I love thee, Cycling Aran. I love your cables up the front, your comfy ribbed back, your stand-up collar and stylish fit. I love the easy pattern, and the delicious yarn used (Tosca Jaspe). My Dad will love you as well. All you need is a zip, and we are good to go.

This was a great pattern to knit up, although it assumes a knowledge of construction (it is quite terse but it all works if you have knit a sweater or two). The sleeves will be too long for my Dad but they fold back easily, and I don't think I will change them now.

Phew, another one off the list (at least the knitting is done on this one)!!

PS Better pictures to come when I can get someone to take one. As my dad and I are the same size it fits me so nicely. I wants it. (This is getting to be a problem.)

The Road to Hell.

Kate posted a long time ago about putting up our Christmas lists - that is, the things we have to knit for Christmas. I meant to get around to it but didn't until today.

My problem this year is, NOTHING IS WORKING OUT. Here is what I had planned:

1- Aran sweater for FIL
2- Print o' the Wave lace stole for MIL
3- mittens for my sister (later SOCKS for my sister)
4- spiral scarves for all my nieces
5- wristers for my SIL
6- socks for my brother

and what has happened to all these fine intentions?

1- still working out, thank God.
2- ran out of yarn. Haven't heard yet whether Shelley has been able to find me more. And, in my last conversation with my mother-in-law, she said "I once had one of those shawl wrap things...I wore it a few times but it kept sliding off my sloping shoulders and it drove me crazy." Doesn't bode well.
3- my sister didn't like mittens. So I cast on Chuck's Cabled Socks, accidentally reversed the needle sizes, and ended up with a sock that has enormous ribbing and a cruelly tight ankle. Gave up.
4- Gwen saw the scarves while visiting, and, trying to let me down easy, didn't give me much hope that her daughter will wear it. Apparently if she has seen a similar thing on someone cool, we're golden. If not....well, I guess a wrinkled nose is all I can expect. The donation bin will get these.
5- wristers.....yeah, right. NEXT.
6- wool socks for my brother? who wears like a size 12 shoe and lives in North Carolina? Again I say Yeah Right.

I'm a bit cast down about it actually, but I have made my peace with the situation and am content to just knit the Aran. If THAT doesn't work out, then I will be truly distraught, and qualify as an utter failure.

It's that old story about whether people appreciate it. I've come to realize it doesn't bother the intended recipients not to receive the knitting I had planned for them - at least, not nearly as much as it bothers me not to give it. My people, as far as I can see, would rather have a DVD or a couple of books. It costs me, what...$20 for that?

So, we'll finish off the Aran sweater, and that'll be it. If I get the stole done, maybe it can be a Mothers' Day gift for my mother-in-law, along with a nice pin to keep it on her shoulders. Or, maybe I'll rent a table at a craft fair one of these days, and sell it for $200. And use that money to buy yarn to make something for.........myself.

The Ocean Ripple Wrap

I don't know if I can bear to part with this wrap. I'm calling it The Ocean Ripple Wrap. I based it on a stitch pattern found in The Complete Encyclopedia of Stitchery, by Mildred Graves Ryan. The stitch is called Lace Wings, and is apparently found in Dutch stitch patterns. I then added a garter stitch border. I love the way the colour flows along the lace, giving the feel of water along pebbles at the edge of the shore. I picture this wrap over a coat, or even as an accent for a nice turtleneck and a pair of jeans. It will be very hard for me to part with it, as I love it.