2008 Wrap Up

I'm a little late finishing up my 2008 FO posts, but I had to wait for hubby's sweater to finish drying to take his pictures. Anyway, here are my last 4 FOs for the year. 

Pattern: Salina by Kim Hargraves, from Rowan Vintage Knits

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed - 7 balls

Needles: 5 US

Dates: Feb 2007-December 2008

Mods: My gauge was off, so I knit the largest size to get a 36"

Thoughts: Needs to be blocked. Could be a smidge longer. The yarn was crap to seam with. Didn't really take a year and a half to knit - back was finished in Jan or Feb of '08, other pieces knit this summer, waited until Dec (post xmas knitting) to seam. I think after blocking it will be the sweater I wear the most, after my Central Park Hoodie. Will be knitting it again, as my sister wants one too!

Pattern: Cambridge Jacket by Ann Budd, from Interweave Knits

Yarn: Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in Evergreen - 10 balls

Needles: US 7 Clover bamboo

Dates: um, 2006 sometime? to December 2008. Sat unworked on for most of that time.

Mods: Knit a tighter gauge to get a smaller size for skinny minny hubby. Didn't do the crocheted edging. 

Thoughts: Fits him really well after blocking - an amazing difference. He asked for no edging, and it's not flipping up too much. Zipper is put in much better than the zipper I used for my Ribby Cardi (which I need to redo). 

Pattern: Superlong Wrap by Kris Percival from Knitting to go box

Yarn: Baby Alpaca (no brand)

Needles: 10.5 US Clover bamboo

Dates: Sept 2008-Dec 2008

Mods: smaller gauge to make scarf instead of wrap.

Thoughts: can't decide if I should block it or not - I kind of like the curling quality of it unblocked. 

Pattern: Korknisse 

Yarn: scraps

Needle: US 6 or 7

Dates: Dec 2007-Dec 2008

Mods: none

Thoughts: knit all of the pieces last December. Got forgotten in a purse pocket. Found and bells attached for the girls' xmas ornaments this year. Will make more - they are so cute!

There were also 2 pairs of longies and a soaker knit for The Bug, but they are not super exciting blog fodder - they are in my flickr and ravelry, if you really want to see them. 

Now that my 2008 slate is clear, I can tell you about my 2009 plans. Tomorrow. 

More gifts

A few more gifts for your viewing pleasure.

Pattern: Generic - 20 stitches (i think) 

Yarn: Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande - 1 skein

Needles: Sz 15 Clover bamboo 

Dates: ?

Mods: n/a

Thoughts: soft and squishy. A gift for Hubby's best friend's wife - her first knitted gift!

Pattern: Teddy Bear Hood from Kid's Knits for Heads Hands and Toes by Debbie Bliss

Yarn: Sirdar Snuggly DK - almost 1 skein

Needles: Sz 4 and 6 

Dates: December

Mods: no inner lining for ears. 

Thoughts: cute! 

Pattern: Football Hat from Itty Bitty Hats by Susan B. Anderson

Yarn: Berroco Comfort and Sirdar Snuggly (football)

Needles: Sz 7 Clover bamboo

Dates: December

Mods: color change

Thoughts: Looks super cute on - will have to make this again. 

These two hats were made for our neighbor's boys and she told me today that the football hat has gotten several compliments - yay!

I also made three pairs of slippers (from Knit 2 together), but I don't have pictures of them - hopefully soon!

I finished seaming hubby's sweater last night - it needs a good blocking and a zipper. I'm off to seam Salina for me - the knitting has been finished since August - I had no motivation to seam it while I was still pregnant and no time after The Bug was born. It is sweater weather now, so I want to finish it!

Scarves and booties

More FOs on parade today!



Pattern: Isobel (can't remember the link)
Yarn: 1 skein Claudia Hand Painted Sport
Needles: sz US 8 DPNs
Dates: sometime last fall-July 2008
Mods: no fringe
Thoughts: edges curl under even with severe blocking. Oh well - it is still pretty. The repeat was easy to memorize and went quickly when I worked on it!


Pattern: Branching Out from Knitty
Yarn: 1 skein Claudia Hand Painted Sport
Needles: sz US 8 DPNs
Dates: sometime last fall-July 2008
Mods: none
Thoughts: very pretty - even hubby commented on it. Also went quickly when worked on.



Pattern: Magic Slippers
Yarn: Hill Country Yarns Sweet Feet
Needles: Sz US 3 DPNs
Dates: July 2008
Mods: um, none that I remember
Thoughts: They seem really small. And this picture of them sucks - they are cuter in real life.


Pattern: Saartje's Bootees
Yarn: leftover Mirasol Hacho
Needles: I think size 3.....
Dates: June 2008 - buttons sewn on in July
Mods: none
Thoughts: not sure I like the white buttons - I may switch them for some yellow ones. And this picture is the worst of the bunch, but I know if I wait to retake it, I'll never get this posted.

The finishing continues, though I sorely want to cast on for a February Lady Sweater - I think it would be great for the fall when I'm nursing. However, I am showing great restraint, since I'm excited about the numbers of things getting done around here. Maybe I'll start it when school starts, and try to finish it up before the bean gets here. At any rate, I'm off to try to finish a sleeve today, and maybe a baby sweater!

Again with the friggin sideways pictures! I don't think it's a blogger issue, I think it has to do with my iphoto program and my camera, but I don't know how to fix it, and I don't know they are going to be sideways until I upload them, and frankly, once they're uploaded, I'm out of blogging time, so I don't want to mess with them. My apologies - they were crappy pictures anyway.

Ketchup

I really have been knitting! Need proof?


Pattern: My generic 72 st sock with heel flap and gusset.
Needles: Chiagoo sz 2.25 mm DPNs
Yarn: Scout's Swag in Zuluknitty.
Dates: Um, September 2007-February 1, 2008.
Mods: none
Thoughts: I love these socks. I love the colors. I love how they sort-of stripe. I LOVE the base yarn. I've worn them twice and it'd be more if I did more laundry. Love. Go get some yarn people. Run! Now I really want to knit up my other two skeins of Scouty-goodness. Yum.



Pattern: Improvised hat - basic hat pattern with garter border.
Yarn: Mission Falls 1824 Superwash wool in the new tricolor.
Needles: Sz 7 or 8 Clover bamboo DPNs
Dates: January 2008-February 1, 2008.
Mods: Hubby really wanted an earflap hat, so that was the original intent. However, after I'd finished the hat part, and was going to go back and add the flaps, he decided he liked it the way it was. Voila!
Thoughts: Love this yarn too - so squishy!



Pattern: Fingerless gloves from Weekend Knitting - Ann Budd
Yarn: Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in Mist - about 1.5 skeins
Needles: Sz 7 or 8 Clover bamboo circulars
Dates: January 2008-February 1, 2008
Mods: None!
Thoughts: He seems to really like them and has worn them on the few cold days we've had.


Pattern: 1x1 ribbed scarf, inspired by all the other ones in the world.
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden, and I can't remember the two colors.
Needles: Sz 8 Clover Bamboo
Dates: October 2007-February 25, 2008
Mods: None
Thoughts: Don't know why it took me so long to finish, but I love it. My only complaint was with one ball of Silk Garden that kept pulling apart, leaving me with way too many extra ends. Wore it today and got tons of compliments. It really is pretty.


OK! Now that I'm all caught up with FOs, I wanted to share some fun with you. My LYS is having a retreat this weekend. All knitting, all the time. I'm really hoping to come home with some more finished objects. But a little wager has arisen. Apparently there is a pool to see how many projects I will bring. Funny, right?

In keeping with all fairness, I think y'all should get a shot at a prize too. So, you are invited to take your own guess, and the winner will receive a little goodie from the stash. To keep it fair, let me tell you that I currently have 40 WIPs. I hope to finish up two of those before we leave, but no promises. However, there is always the possibility that I will start new projects (at least I can admit this, right?).

TO PLAY:
EMAIL your guess to knitnlit AT gmail DOT com, with the subject line CONTEST. I will not open those emails until I get home on Sunday night. The contest will close at 4 pm CDT Sunday afternoon. Please do not leave guesses in the comments - I will see those, and I don't want to be swayed! :) And, if you know me IRL, you are welcome to play along too.

I think this post is long enough, perhaps I'll be back tomorrow to show you some of the new projects I've started recently, but it'll more likely be next week. Until then, happy guessing!

Stripey and Pink. What more could I ask for?

Pattern: Snowy Triangle Scarf by Iris Schreier from Handknit Holidays
Yarn: Paton's Soy Wool Stripes in Natural Geranium - a smidge under 3 balls.
Needles: Sz 10.5 Clover Bamboo Circulars
Mods: longer
Dates: July 2007-January 2008
Thoughts: Love this. Love the triangles, love the stripes. It was relatively easy, though I did make a bit of a mistake early on.



Hint to those of you think of making this - when you've repeated row 3 until you have *31 (if you have the pattern, this makes sense), DO NOT turn and knit back. Ask me how I know. You immediately start over with row 1.

The pattern was deliciously simple and went surprisingly fast. I knit 11 middle triangles, and I might have been able to get 12, but I didn't want to run out of yarn.

I find the yarn a bit scratchy on my neck, but not enough to not wear this loveliness. I haven't made a scarf for me in forever, so this is a welcome addition to my small collection. And just in time for the "winter weather" we're supposed to get next week.

Crap. Crap. Crap.

Um, ya'll know there's only two more weekends until Christmas? And I really only have one, since the fam will get here the Saturday before Christmas. Crap. When will I finish hubbo's sweater? Crap. Must knit faster.

One more gift done!

Pattern: Garter stitch over 15 stitches.
Needles: Sz 15 clover bamboo circs
Yarn: Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande - 1 skein
Dates: Friday December 7 - Tuesday December 11
Mods: n/a
Thoughts: Love the garter stitch in the lovely yarn. Oh so pretty, simple and warm. A sure winner!

Time to crank the gifts. Time for some speedy gifts. Speedy socks are my favorite kind, and these should zip right along. Monkey, Thuja and Log Cabin Socks should fly off your needles.

The TV pickings are slim again - I may retreat to the bedroom for some hubbo sweater knittin'. Wish me luck. And enjoy The Santa Claus (again), Grandma got run over by a Reindeer, The Ultimate Christmas Present, The Polar Express (again) and All I Want for Christmas.

Drive by

So, it is not yet a project, but it is possibility. Or it was, until this weekend, when I started a simple garter stitch scarf with it. Yum. Pictures of the scarfy goodness to come.

I'm in a bit of a hurry tonight, as I prepare to rush off to the yarn store holiday party (drinks and mexican food - huzzah!), so please forgive.

For knitting inspiration today, let's not forget the kids! Drive Thru works for girls and boys, while the Pinwheel Sweater is super cute. I know there are tons more kid's patterns, but we're all about the time folks. These two are quick and easy, while not being a plain old stockinette pullover.

While on the tube, you can enjoy The Road to Christmas, Snow Dogs, Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus, and I Want a Dog for Christmas Charlie Brown. Also, when is the darm writer's strike going to be over? The reruns are killing me! Thank cheese for sappy holiday movies - I don't know what I'll do in January!

More tomorrow, when I have more time!

Is it really December?

I knew that it was December. I'd posted twice. I'd thought about the Christmas countdown. But it wasn't until I wrote the date on the board in my room that I really KNEW it was December. Boy, was that a rude awakening!



Today's WIP is a FO!


Pattern: Diagonal Rib scarf from Misti Alpaca
Yarn: Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande - 1 skein
Needles: Sz 15 Clover circulars
Mods: none, besides larger needle.
Thoughts: relatively quick and easy and oh-so-warm!


What's up for today's project list? Blankets! Snuggle up with your knitting by casting on Log Cabins for mindlessness, Hemlock Ring Blanket for those who want a challenge, and Ripple Afghan for those crocheters out there.
If you really want your blanket to go fast, double up that yarn! Really, I think this is a great gift - keep yourself warm and finish your gift knitting!
I still have grand plans to someday soon finish the girl's log cabin blanket - maybe after Christmas.


Tonight, for your viewing pleasure - The Closer special 2 hour event (what I'll be watching! that and Heroes!), Father of the Bride 2, Bolshio Ballet Nutcracker, The Year with out a Santa Clause, and Silver Bells. Whew! I need more TiVo space!

Scarftober?

It's not all socks around here these days - several scarves have jumped on the needles this past week.



Out of the frogged Claudia's Sport - Isobel from Cider Moon's free patterns. I am really enjoying this, and it is working up fairly quickly.



Also from the failed Chevron scarf - Branching Out, restarted for the upteenth time. I'm finding it much easier this go-round.


And finally, I could resist the call of the Noro no longer. Two colors (for now) for a Striped Scarf. I love it. My only disappointment is that one of the colors has pulled apart on me FIVE times since I started. That's way too many freakin' ends to weave in for a scarf. It'd better stop it.

Your $.02

Time to chime in people! I started this scarf several weeks ago in the full-on chevron scarf frenzy. I wanted to not knit an entire scarf in sock yarn, so I looked for something a bit heavier. Claudia's Sport caught my eye, but since the yardage is slim (as well all know, since I have teeny socks knit out of it), I didn't want to make it as wide (and well, with a heavier yarn, it would be hyouge if I knit all those stitches across). So I did some maths (aren't y'all proud?) and decided to sort-of halve the pattern.

Now? I'm not sure about the color combo, though I'll admit that not working on it for several weeks has made me appreciate it more.

So, what do y'all think? Color combo good? Bad? OK? I'm waiting to continue until I hear from you! Vote early, and vote often!

Scarves and Such

More updates on WIPs today, as I have dead camera batteries, so I can't show you any new stuff!


In that recent bout of starteritis, I started a "My So-Called Scarf" out of Brook Farms Four Play. I ripped out the previous incarnation as it was too tightly knit. Now, on a size 11 needle (like the pattern calls for!) it is much better.


The beginnings of the Snowy Triangle Scarf from Handknit Holidays, which is just a multidirectional scarf. This is in Paton's Soy Wool Stripes, which I enjoy working with.




Sophie is much further than the picture shows - about four rows and some i-cord from being done.




The Rutabaga bag hasn't seen much progress, as I don't like working with the hemp yarn for too long.





I started the Jumbo Elephant from Zoe Mellor's Knitted Toys the same night I started the snake. I haven't worked on it since, but I really want a new toy for me!

There are a few more knits lurking in the wings, but they need to have their picture taken before their blog preview. More tomorrow!

Elongated Cables Scarf

Just in time for it to be almost 90 out today - I finished my alpaca scarf!


Pattern: Mine
Yarn: Alpaca with a Twist Baby Twist (DK weight), 3 entire balls
Needles: Sz US 6 Clover Bamboo (4mm)
Mods: n/a
Thoughts: It is grey. And yummy. And cabled. And warm. I love it, even though it will be a good 7-8 months before I have any use for it. I really like the relative skinniness of the finished product (don't have much need for big bulky scarves in Texas!) and the long stretchy cables.





Just for kicks - the pattern!
Yarn: Any DK/Sport weight yarn - approx 330 yds.
Needles: Sz 4mm (US 6)
Gauge is not crucial.





Slipping the first stitch on every row allows for a clean edge.

Set up rows:
Set up rows 1 & 3: Sl 1, K5, P4, K8, P4, K4, P4, K8, P4, K6
Set up rows 2 & 4: Sl 1, P5, K4, P8, K4, P4, K4, P8, K4, P6


Cable Pattern:
Row 1: Sl 1, K5, P4, C8F, P4, K4, P4, C8F, P4, K6
Row 2 and all even rows: Sl 1, P5, K4, P8, K4, P4, K4, P8, K4, P6
Rows 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15: Sl 1, K5, P4, K8, P4, K4, P4, K8, P4, K6

CO 48 stitches. Work set up rows (4 rows).
Begin Cable Pattern.
Repeat Cable Pattern 20 times.
Repeat Rows 1-3 of Cable Pattern again. BO loosely in pattern. Block if desired. Wear proudly, and be the envy of all!