Through the Loops!

Christmas Knitting

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday.
As usual things have been hectic but fun around here.

Now that most of the gifts have been given, I am free to post photos of my Christmas knitting.

First, for the music teachers, we have mittens.  Both of the patterns below are currently with test knitters and should be available shortly.

"All The Water" named for a song written and performed by DD#2's piano teacher and our good friend, Joanna.  Check out her music, Joanna is a very talented vocalist and songwriter.  She also happens to be one of the nicest people I know.  She is a pretty cool mentor/role model for my daughter.
Raveled here.

"Breathe Deep" for DD#2's vocal teacher.  Another talented teacher who has become a good friend.  She doesn't let DD#2 get lazy or rest on her laurels, she is always pushing her to be her best.  Sarah, just had her first child on the 23rd, so these mittens will have to wait until we see her next.
Raveled here.

A pair of Dashings for my dashing son (who needs a shave).  I knit these on US 5 needles out of Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed.  They were a little tight at first, but with a bit of blocking on a pair of wine bottles, they fit just fine.
Raveled here.

And finally, a sweater for DD#1.  I went out two days in a row, with different daughter each day, and tried to get good photos of this.  Most of the time the girls just gave me attitude.  I guess that is to be expected.
Raveled here.

Sorry for the lazy blogging, the Ravelry links all have the yarn details, etc.

Wishing everyone a very happy new year!

See you in 2009 with some mitten patterns.

Lisa and Katie

Lisa and Katie are my sisters.  It was endless fun growing up in a family of girls (even the cats were always female).  My father said he always wanted daughters and told us that we should never let gender get in the way of our dreams.  My sisters and I played together constantly.  The oldest, Lisa, with her combined weapons of superior age and a natural disposition toward bossiness leadership, never lacked in ideas of what we should do.  Weather permitting we were outside constructing elaborate games in the fields and woods around your house.  We built tree forts & caught toads, frogs, turtles & snakes.  Katie the second born had a natural ability with animals.  The family cats always liked her best and she was genius at catching snakes. The three of us hiked the trails around our home and sipped the sweet nectar from honeysuckle plants or made daisy chains and dolls of grass.

As we grew older and moved to a new home our interests and the ways we spent our time together started to change. Being the youngest I always felt it my responsibility to tease and harass my sisters' boyfriends.  We shared clothes, secrets and a bathroom.  (Oh the horror of those early mornings as we got ready for school.) First Lisa and then Katie went off to college, started careers, got married. These days they live much too far away and I miss them.

I have named these two new beret patterns in their honor.

First I give you Lisa.  The pattern is written for either a worsted or bulky version.

Lorna's Laces Shepherd's Worsted.

Malabrigo Chunky.

My own handspun.  (Fiber from the talented Scout.)

Now for Katie.

Indie Dyer DK Supersock Select DK.

Specs

For Lisa

Size:  One size to fit a 20-22” head.  You may adjust gauge to make this hat larger or smaller.

Materials
Yarn: Worsted Version – Lorna’s Laces Shepherd’s Worsted, 100% Superwash Merino, 225 yards/205m per skein, color Carol Green, 1 skein.
Bulky Version – Malabrigo Chunky, 100 % Merino, 104 yards/95m per 3.5 oz./99g skein, color Charrua, 1 skein *see notes*
Needles: Worsted Version – US 7/4.5mm & US 9/5.5mm (or size to obtain gauge.)
Bulky Version:  US 9/5.5mm & US 11/8mm (or size to obtain gauge.)

Tapestry Needle
8 Place Markers – Bulky Version
6 Place Markers – Worsted Version

Gauge:  24 sts=4”(10cm)

For Katie

Size:  One size to fit a 20-22” head.  You may adjust gauge to make this hat larger or smaller.

Materials
Yarn:  Indie Dyer, Supersock Select DK; 100% Superwash Merino; 340 yards/310.9 m per skein.  1 Skein.
Needles:  US 4/3.5mm & US 5/3.75mm (or size to obtain gauge).
Tapestry Needle
8 Place Markers

Gauge:  24 sts=4”(10cm)

Price $6.00 US
You will receive both patterns together in one PDF.

 

ETA:  Oops, I forgot to mention that over on the Through the Loops Group on Ravelry there is a Hat KAL going on.  You'll find it in the thread "Let's Talk Hats".  To join in all you need to do is knit any one of my hat patterns.

Acer, Acer, Acer

Introducing Acer, with big thanks to Megan for test knitting.

Inspired by the green Peace Fleece yarn as well as the charming wooden buttons, I named Acer for the noble maple tree.  It is the perfect sweater for a walk in the woods on an autumn day, sitting fireside after an afternoon of playing in the snow, or sitting in a café enjoying good company.

Worked from the top down, the neck edge and button bands are knit in one piece with the body leaving minimal finishing.  Waist shaping is added for a flattering fit.  The simple lines of Acer will show your favorite yarn and buttons off beautifully.

SIZE  XXS [XS, S, M, L, XL, 1XL, 2XL, 3XL]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS  Chest: 30[33.5, 37, 40, 42.25, 44.25, 46.25, 48.25, 50.25] inches

MATERIALS  Peace Fleece Worsted Weight [70% Merino Wool / 30% Mohair, Approximately 200yd/183m per 100g /4oz.ball]; color: Shaba Green; 4[4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7] balls

Needles:  US #9/5.5mm 32” circular needles (or size to get gauge), US #9/5.5mm DPNs (or size to get gauge) or the 32” circular from above may be used with the magic loop method

Scrap Yarn

6 Stitch markers, 2 in one color, 4 in another (stitch markers A & B)

Tapestry needle

6(6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7) buttons.

GAUGE  16 sts / 25 rows = 4 (10 cm) inches in stockinette stitch  

Price $6.00 US

Baby Thorpes

My daughter's vocal teacher is due to have a baby any day.  What knitter doesn't jump at the chance to make cute baby gifts?

I decided that for a baby Thorpe a pointy, elfish top would be just right.  To do this I skipped two rounds between the increase rounds in the original instructions.  I also stopped increasing when I got to 64 stitches which seemed about right for this yarn (Rowan 4ply soft, two strands held together).

I made two, because baby Thorpes are like chips and m&m's, you can't stop at just one. The second one is in handspun.  Since the yarn was heavier I only increased to 56 stitches.

It has since been given a pompom & braids, but I'm too lazy to set up another photoshoot right now.  Maybe there will be modeled baby photos soon.

In other news, I am thrilled to announce that the Loopy Ewe is now carrying hard copies of my patterns!  It was an honor to have Sheri contact me and ask to sell them.  Her shop has such an amazing selection of yarns, patterns, rovings and all manner of knitting goodies.