Through the Loops!

One Day Beret

This is a quickie that I cranked out at the last minute for DD#2.  I wasn't sure if she'd like it or not, but she's wearing it today.  I figure that's a good sign.

The yarn is Farmhouse Yarns, Andy's Merino that I bought at Purl last week.  This yarn is really, really soft and the colors are spectacular.  I couldn't buy just one.  Three colors came home with me, and I am dreaming about going back to get more.

I used two colors for this beret, "Pot Luck!" and "Brick", alternating them for each round.  I've got at least half a skein of each left so I'm planning to make matching mittens.

Rather than spend precious knitting time searching for a pattern, I made this up as I went along.  Working hats from the top down makes this very do-able.

Yes Virginia, There is a Use for Fun Fur. . .

. . . and Maryse has shown us what it is.  I couldn't resist.

The pink one looks a little like that thing DH and I found growing in the bathroom sink of our first apartment on E. 14th street.

Now the Korknisse have a place to play.

Wishing a very merry Christmas to all who celebrate.

Christmas Knitting Continues

I wasn't sure if I would be able to get this one done in time to be stuffed into my son's stocking.  As it turns out, I finished with a few days to spare.  So now there will be time for a hand-knit softie or two for my girls' stockings.

The beauty of teen-aged sons, or at least my teen-aged son, is that it is quite alright to work on his gifts when he's in the room.  He doesn't take the time to really see what I'm working on.   After all of the text messages, dreaming of his next meal, playing whatever random musical instrument is within his reach, and figuring out what language he wants to learn next, there isn't room in that brain of his to worry about what mom is doing.  As a result there were plenty of opportunities to work on the scarf.

I found the Skinny Scarf pattern, which is from an episode of Knitty Gritty, on Ravelry.  I love the texture created by the combination of the linen stitch and the colors.  The yarn is Moda Dea Washable Wool.  This is the first time I've used this yarn and I am very impressed.  It is easily found at your local large craft store.  You get 100 grams for just under $8 and it has a really soft hand.  It is a little splitty, but for the price/yardage, I can live with that.  The other nice thing is that despite the fact that I dragged this project everywhere with me for 4 or 5 days, the yarn looks as good as new.

I modified the pattern by making it much shorter and a bit wider than the original.  I cast 210 stitches onto a size 9 (5.5 mm) needle and worked close to double the number of rows.   

I plan to make another.  Next time using a tweedy yarn.

They Inherited the Crafty Gene

My girls are crafters and artists.  There is no longer any doubt.  For the past week they have been working madly creating gifts for their friends.

They started with three little softies.

A tree for one friend.  Finally that huge box of buttons I have has come to good use.

A candy cane for another.  We decided that the wonky stitches were part of its charm.

And a softie gift box for a third.  This photo doesn't really show it very well, but I love the little face!

They even created their own gift tags.  DD#1 did the drawing, DD#2 added the color.

 

My girls complained that the softies weren't enough.  They needed more ideas.  I couldn't resist.  I went to the closet and pulled out a Christmas gift I had planned on giving to DD#2, Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts.  They found just the thing in its pages.  The next day I was off in search of Moleskines, and that night they made these sweet little journals.  Now I want one.  If I'm a good little girl, maybe they'll stuff one in my stocking.

They didn't forget their momma.  They made these cute little stars from some old sweaters that we felted.  They hung five of them in a row between the kitchen and living room.

The Power of Bold

I had a vision of a very bold scarf, two colors, two vertical stripes.  The finished product is just what I'd hoped for.

This scarf has been my mindless/on the road knitting over the past few weeks.  It was alternately completely ignored and compulsively worked. 

This time of year, mindless projects are welcome.  I've had to battle DD#1 for ownership.  It'll be hers by the end of the week. . .

Yummy Koigu Kersti is so squishy, especially when worked in garter stitch.  And my, oh my those Koigu colors do get me every time!   I was in Purl Soho tonight admiring them again.  One of the gals who works there was pulling out glorious combinations.  I was tempted, but turned to other yarn choices in the end.

My wreath has been so dull, since I have yet to get around to buying a bow.  But no, this scarf belongs around my DD#1's neck.  The wreath will have to wait.

Bi-Color Scarf

Pattern:  Cast on 320 stitches and go.
Yarn:  Koigu Kersti - 2 skeins of each color
Needles:  US 7 (4.5mm)
Finished Measurements:  6"x70"

Working Hats

12/19/07 There was an error in the number of bind off stitches at the back of the hat for size M.  The correct number is 14 not 20.  The pattern has been corrected.

Thanks for all of your nice comments about my new hats.  The Thorpe Pattern is now up as a freebie
in the side bar.  You can also download it  here:

Download Thorpe.pdf (370.7K)

Consider this pattern my holiday gift to you for your kind words this past year.  It has been a difficult year that I will be happy to see end.  But it has also been a year full of new friendships, thoughtful support and constant inspiration.  Wishing all of you a wonderful holiday season and a new year full of peace, love, joy and of course knitting!!

Just to prove that Thorpe isn't just pretty, here's proof that it's a working hat too!

Yes, DD# 2 is wearing her brother's boots.  The scary thing is, they almost fit.  The girl's got some skinny legs and big old feet!

DD#1 was happy to help with the tree.

DD#2?  Nope, not so much.

I Knit Through the Messiah

I've started a bit of holiday knitting.  The only problem is that as fast as I can make these hats my kids claim them as their own, leaving me to make another, and another and another. . .
The lowest hat above was made during my son's Messiah concert the other night. 

Chunky wool makes them fly off the needles.

DD#1, asked for a color work hat.  Now my darling son wants one too.

I'm calling this hat Thorpe.  My husband said that the one below looks like Jim Thorpe's helmet.

Thorpe

Pattern:  My own - I'll write it up and post it soon.
Yarn:  Any chunky weight, I used Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky, Nature Wool Chunky & Malibrigo Chunky
Needles:  US 9

The half double crochet edge really finishes it off neatly.  It's fun to dig through the stash for contrasting yarns.

PS What is the secret to photographing pinks and reds??????  I NEVER manage to do it successfully!

Sigrid Again

The knitting is done on Sigrid.  Now for some pattern writing.

Have You Seen. . .

Kim's Belvedere?  She is knitting it in yarn that she dyed just for my pattern!   Her colors are gorgeous, I am elated, flattered, awed!  Kim will be offering the pattern as a kit with the yarn.  There is another colorway of equal beauty that will also be available as a kit.

Progress is being made on Sigrid, but I don't have any photos to show you today.  Instead I offer Dr. G's Memory Vest blocking.  I completed the knitting before Thanksgiving.  He is simply waiting for a bit of finishing.  It doesn't look like I'll have a chance to do that until after the new year.  So the pattern probably won't be available until mid to late January.  Sorry its taken so long.  My plans are still to contribute all of the sales from this pattern to Alzheimer's and Dementia research. 

I leave you with my number one blog model all dressed up for last night's dance.  Her sister, "the reader", opted out of the dance.  It's just not her thing.  I love the fact that these twins of mine are so different, despite their identical DNA.  The best part is that they adore each other and cherish their differences - as well as their similarities.    I wish I had gotten a shot of the two of them.  One all "dolled"  up, the other sporting cords, a sweatshirt and over-sized hat. 

Flash photography and a cluttered mantle do not make for the best photos, but you get the idea.   I can't believe how grown up she looks.  I was fun to see her with her friends, all of them easily falling back into their childish, goofy antics despite their formal dress!