The one with all the FOs

So it finally got cold here, and I got knitting! First, I finished up my pirates.

Pattern: We Call Them Pirates from Hello Yarn.

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, just over 1/2 skein each color.

Needles: Clover Bamboo Sz 3 DPNs

Mods: I didn't knit a lining.

Thoughts: Love, love, love this pattern! It was my first time doing any stranded knitting. There are some wonky tension spots, but they're not really visible when it's on my head. The only thing I really don't like are the loose stitches where I went from one needle to the next. I do tighten my stitches when I knit on DPNs, but I didn't want to pull too tightly on this due to the stranding. I know it would look better if I had used a circ, but I didn't want to go buy one. I'll live with it.

The Husband has already requested one for himself, and yarn has been ordered.

When I saw how cold it was supposed to be this weekend, I got thinking about some projects I've had mulling around in my brain for some time. I've had my eye on two patterns, and when I cleaned out the stash a few weeks ago, I set some yarn aside as candidates. And this weekend, I decided to knit it up.


Pattern: Super Mittens from Weekend Knitting

Yarn: Lion Brand Landscapes, 1 1/2 balls

Needles: Clover Bamboo Sz 10.5 DPNs

Mods: I knit the hand longer than the pattern called for so that it would fit!

Thoughts: I LOVE these! I've been wanting mittens/gloves for some time, and I loved this yarn. It's a perfect match. They are very cozy and warm. And I love the colors. I'm thinking now that I need a matching hat - I have 1 1/2 skeins left....

But I made this instead:

Pattern: Belle Cloche from Knitting Pattern a Day Calendar 2005.

Yarn: Leftover Brook Farms Fourplay (leftover from my Clapotis).

Needles: Sz 7 Clover Bamboo circ and DPNs

Mods: I left out a few rows on the brim as I was afraid I'd run out of yarn.

Thoughts: The brim on the pattern hat seems to stick out more than it does on my, but that could be resolved by blocking. I really like the pattern - it's a nice alternative to a snug cap. I love love love this yarn. I was in torment about trying this for this pattern, as the pattern calls for 100g of worsted weight yarn, and I had 69g left over. But I thought I'd try it, and the worst thing I'd have to do was frog. Amazingly enough, I still have some left over! I think this is a nice "spring" hat - however, I'm sure that it will never be in the cool range this spring to wear!

Why all these cold weather projects in Texas? Because in three weeks I'm going to Disney World Boston! Woo Hoo! I'm so excited, and would love to hear your thoughts on what I should do/where I should shop! Mom and Em and Jules and her momma and I are taking on NYC too! I hope to have a finished sweater and a new pair of socks to wear there too!

I'm working away on the first sleeve for Ribby, and I'm over halfway through the foot on the first Trekking sock. I've got lots up my sleeve to show you this week too!