Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Will it get cold enough for hats?

OH the weather out side is frightful....Not really.

It's 60 degrees here today...hardly what I would consider a winter day.
Where are the below freezing temps?
Where is the snow?
Where is the wool wearing weather?????

With that, let me show you a couple of completed hats...



Started: Nov 4, 2006
Finished: Nov 22, 2006
Pattern: We call them pirates hat
Yarn: Patons Classic merino in red and black.
Needles: I think US#6...I don't remember now.
Adjustments: None. It is a little big....but I like it that way...hopefully my nephew will too!





Started: Nov 26, 2006
Finished: Nov 28, 2006
Pattern: Ribbed helmet from Behive's Winter Headwear (see post below)
Yarn: Diamond Tempo. Green (with flecks of blue in it) and red...as requested.
It's only 25% wool but it is machine washable and dryable. This is necessary for this household...I have seen my knits felted.
I have used this yarn before...it's not my favourite yarn, but it is a good washable one.
Needles: US#4 and US#5
Adjustments: I ended up knitting the child size and then after trying it on my son, I added a little length to the head.

Two more done...

...but the fire is so delightful...since we've no place to go...let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Monday, November 27, 2006

Winter Headwear.

We had visitors this weekend so I didn't get enough knitting done. I am starting to feel the Christmas pressure....I know the last three on the list will not get done, let's be serious.

Anyway, many have asked about the book I have for the Ribbed Helmet. It is Beehive's Winter Headwear from Patons. Book No. 118...there doesn't seem to be a year written on it.
What great patterns in here I can envision in modern yarns.



This is my second attempt at this hat. There is no gauge listed, just worsted weight yarn. I know I knit tighter than the average knitter, so I knit the adult size up to the eyes....
NOPE!
So I started again.
Whatever.
I have lots of time;)

(That's the back of Urban Aran in the background...blocked so beautifully.)

Friday, November 24, 2006

Few are far between.

I know, I know. The posts are few lately. Sorry...things are a little stressful now.

Remember when (well, maybe you are still there) you were in highschool and had no worries...they said enjoy it because those were the best years of your life...remember...yeah.

Well, I don't know if I would consider those the best years of my life...but I loved not having a care in the world.

So as we decide if we should stay or go...between the bomb dropping that my DH is doing...I have done a little knitting.

I am happy to say that urban aran is back on...no worries, it blocks just fine.
A hat is complete and drying.
A new hat has begun.
I've knit somemore doll clothes and of course....



done a little holiday decorating....there's your friday eye candy!

Happy Thanksgiving and crazy shopping to all...

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

The inner knitter is talking....

I started Urban Aran a couple days ago...well, friday on a long drive. So here I am...the back is complete



You see, I am having trouble with those stitches at the waist area. Although there is no shaping, these cabled stitches actually create the shape. I don't really want any shaping. I think they appear tighter because my row guage was off. I just feel a little unsure of the whole thing...but look at Jared's...it's so fabulous.
I figure I will block this piece and see how it turns out before I proceed.

On another note...windows sent me some update for my browser. So I updated it...the colour is great...but wouldn't you expect them to import your favourites? I am having a small heart attack right now. All those links you saved...the knitting tips...the one day I will knit this...those blogs you haven't added to bloglines...online yarn shopping...EVERYTHING IS GONE!

And what's up with my header...the outline is now all wonky...and it is cut off at the top? Do you see that too?

I just can't deal with this right now.

Monday, November 20, 2006

Sheep Dress and Booties

This is cute...like really cute...consider yourself warned...



Started: October 25, 2006
Finished: November 17, 2006
Pattern: Sheep Dress and Booties from Debbie Bliss Baby Knits.
Yarn: Baby Cashmerino in teal, cream and brown. I knit the 6-9 months size and used 5 balls of the teal and a little bit of the other two colours.
Needles: Knit picks US#2 and Addis US# 3
Adjustments: Wellllll....I had some gauge issues...so I was going to make it a smaller size because with my gauge it would work out to the 6-9 month...but my gauge changed for some reason and I had more stitches to the inch. I had to go back to the pattern as written, so the skirt should be fuller...I didn't rip it back. I knit the skirt in the round using fair isle, instead of back and forth as written with intarsia.

I added a button at the back which forced me to split the collar. I was worried about the head getting in there...



It turned out just fine. No worries about that head now!

The booties...



Debbie bliss booties are the cutest...

Now, after seeing that baby this weekend...I am worried about the size. I really hope it will fit her at christmas...I may have to give it to her early! She is only 2 months! Stop feeding that baby so much Christina!

Another one off the list...Fa la la la la...la la la la.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Tatami Kimono Sweater

I am a little late on the reveal....



Started: August 16, 2006
Finished: September 6, 2006
Yarn: Sundara's Sport Merino burgundy over raspberry
Pattern: Tatami
Adjustments: I did knit it as is for the purpose of test knitting. Then, I shortened the ties and tied on the inside of the sweater and then on the sideseam on the outside. I didn't like the ties all wrapped around me. I find it more flattering this way.

The pattern was simple to knit. I do love knitting all in one piece....but for some reason it seems to take longer.
The yarn is absolutely fabulous. I am so grateful to be able to do some test knitting for Sundara...you would have to be crazy to not work with this yarn!

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Finally home.

You know when you get back from a week away from home...and you get into your OWN bed...with your own pillows and your own blankets....and just make a hole?
That's where I've been. In the big hole I made in my bed.

I got home late Monday night...and look what arrived Tuesday...



Nothing like a fantastic pair of socks coming to your door! (Please ignore the crumbs on the floor...I am getting to those)
Elli knit me these gorgeous socks...which I saw on her site and loved! Check out Elli's site. I am a new reader of hers...via Brooklyntweed...she has been doing some seriously fantastic knitting.

They fit absolutely perfectly...I have been wearing them all day today. Thanks so much Elli...and thank you for the chocolate.

There is nothing like beautifully handknit socks and chocolate!

I am so behind on posting. I will try to catch up in the next couple days.
I decided to start putting out some festive decorations...well, my little North Pole Village...

Like a need a reminder of the knitting I have yet to complete for Christmas.

Friday, November 10, 2006

Up and coming project.

Check out the hat pattern for my nephews...



Chris is so excited. He loves the holes for the mouth and eyes and how you can fold it up if you don't want it over your face.

This should be a fun knit. I do have to find a superwash soft wool. I can't knit anything hand wash for this household...I have seen the felted projects!
Speaking of which, I must go get the laundry moving. More to come once I find the right yarn...maybe a trip to the LYS today.

Notice the line in the pattern...YOU MUST USE THE EXACT YARN SPECIFIED IN ORDER TO BE SURE OF SATISFACTORY RESULTS. LOL I love it.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Still knitting...

I'm blogging from C.T. this week. Giving my sister a hand and trying to find a little time to knit. I thought of all you NY knit bloggers as I flew into LGA. It would be nice to meet up with other knitters, but that is not the priority of this visit....so maybe next time.

I finished the sheep dress...at least the knitting part...and have moved on to the booties.



Ahhhh, so close to the finish line on this one.

I also got a thumbs up for Connor and Christophers hats. Chris can't wait and keeps asking me everytime he sees me if I have finished sewing it yet!?
Maybe I can get to the LYS here a litttle later to pick up the colours they selected...

Monday, November 06, 2006

How many days left?

Oh, I need to get a move on these Christmas knits!
I was a little busy this weekend but did manage to make this...



We call them Pirates hat in red with black skulls as requested for a nephew.
I need to finish it off and find a nice soft yarn in the stash to line it with...
Almost one to mark off the list.

My inlaws have decided that we are picking names this year....YEAH! Now only one to knit for from that bunch!

Friday, November 03, 2006

Join the KAL

Ok, I am starting a debbie bliss KAL. Join me for knitting some of those gorgeous designs! I am thinking I will start with that gorgeous circular cardigan....yeah...after christmas knits.

http://debbieblisskal.blogspot.com/

Can't wait to see what everyone it knitting!

A little eye candy for this friday...



Guess who we saw the other day...
Poor Greg was sick...but Jeff, Murray and Anthony were there!
THE WIGGLES!

Thursday, November 02, 2006

New Debbie Bliss Books

Ok, we covered the "yarn fiasco". Now, let's get to the new books and yarn.
I picked up Debbie's new book Out of Town (the link shows you the inner photos and click on information to see the other shot of the Circular Cardigan)

There are 12 designs in this book made of cashmerino aran, astrakhan and chunky. As well as Alpaca silk dk , aran and Soho.

I tried on many of the knits from this book and loved them. The Circular Cardigan is one of my favourites...the back is gorgeous. Unfortunately I am allergic to alpaca...so I must come up with a sub for it.
I have made mits, hats, scarves and baby garments out of cashmerino aran...but have never made a sweater. I tried on the Shaped Edge Sweater made of cashmerino aran and you can't even imagine how it feels. Everyone must have a sweater made of this yarn. SERIOUSLY this stuff feels divine next to the skin. I will make this sweater in the same teal colour...loved it. The classic cabled sweater is another design in this book that I love. They are all nice, but those are the three that will make my knit list.

The best part of Debbie's new books (I know she has done this in recent ones as well) SCHEMATICS!

Dongel Tweed is also one of the new books and yarns. Gorgeous knits in here as well. I love the simple designs to make the tweed. I should have got this book as well...it will go on my christmas list for sure.

I am thinking of starting a Debbie Bliss KAL...any joiners?

My current project, the sheep dress is moving along well.
I ditched the top down sleeve.



It works out wonderfully but just doesn't suit this dress. I wasn't sure the actual length of the sleeve, where to start the decrease...and it looked a little big. Maybe the formula doesn't work the same for baby knits.
Anyway, it is a great technique, one I will use in the future on adult sized garments.

I finished one sleeve and am working on the other...there will be a finished sheep dress soon!