Sunday, May 06, 2012
Moving Right Along
What's this?
EZ's Surplice Baby Sweater and matching bonnet .
Yarn is Plymouth Encore in several stashed shades (same as the Rambling Rows blanket that Bub --Big Ugly Baby--is seated on).
Both are relatively mindless once I got in the groove.
Good TV knitting; not especially good car knitting because of the need to check the pattern regularly.
Fair entries.
And I believe that this is 12 of 12.
Labels: 12 sweaters, baby things, fair entry
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Another FO
Another fair entry completed, as I sat this morning web surfing. It's actually been finished for several weeks, but I procrastinated on sewing on the pewter clasp at the neckline.
If you click on the picture, it will get bigger and you can see the detailing.
This sweater is knit from cuff to center back twice (once for each side, d'oh!), then grafted up the center back. That's the only seaming and the only sewing is the buttons or other closures.
Interesting construction that is very similar to the original Babies and Bears, without the textured panels and hood.
I like the detail under the arm (again, click to make it bigger).
Did I mention that the yarn is from my stash? It is!
Particulars:
Pattern: Babies and Bears Sweater for Grown-Ups by Cottage Creations (available direct--Cottage Creations, At the Farm on Deer Creek, Carpenter, Iowa 50426, or at LYS everywhere). I'm thinking I made the Medium (wow, a medium!) which is 44". It fits nicely.Yarn: Filatura Lanarota Puno (100% alpaca) in the denim heather colorway from Smiley's. I used just about 11 skeins (less than 1100 yards) so the yarn requirements listed on the pattern are generous.
Clasp is from Schoolhouse Press (Meg Swansen's shop).
Currently on my needles are two more fair entries. I'll post photos when they are finished.
In the planning stage, some "shop samples" for my friend Rabbitch who has a growing fibre (she's Canadian) business. I'll use the samples as fair entries, then send them along to her for display. Her stuff (hand-dyed and -painted sock weight, mostly) is to dye for (pun fully intended). Watch for photos!
Labels: big people clothes, fair entry
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Pretty in Pink
I am really pleased with my accomplishments this week. Two small items, but both were pretty intricate and so, required lots of concentration.
On weekends, once required errands are completed and I put in a little time in the yard, I can spend a couple of relaxing hours in front of the TV, watching movies and knitting.
During the week, my knitting time is pretty limited, so I am plugging away at fair entries, about 45 minutes a night (watching Dr. Who re-runs, and now, new summer season shows) one recorded hour (actually 45 minutes if you fast-forward through commercials like we do) a night.
This one's a fair entry.
Pattern is in one of the little Vogue Knitting On the Go books, Caps and Hats ((c)1999). It's called Swirl Cap and features a total of 23 stitch keys including 20 for shaping the cable(s). Lots of looking back and forth!
Right now, it's drying on an inflated balloon. I am so pleased with the result!
Yarn is Sidar Denim Tweed DK that I got in a grab bag from the Yarn Girls. Yarn is MW blend of acrylic, cotton, and wool. Not terribly scratchy. (Faint praise, no?) You never know what will be in one of those grab bags, but I've found that I always get full value.
Next FO (actually, I finished this one first) is from this very scary booklet ((c) 1976) that I bought at a used book sale (probably $5 a bag on the last day). Thank you Friends of the Library or AAUW!
More than 40 patterns (for the princely sum of $2 cover price) and probably 10 that I will make (eventually). I figure that each useable pattern cost me about 2 cents.
It has a couple of very Carnaby Street designs (Hey, there, Georgie girl), and those ski masks right out of a 1970s slasher flick, but there are also some pretty nice classics.
This was the first one that I knit.
I converted the crown to circular (it has a seam) because the intendedvictim recipient doesn't need that in her life right now. (Who does? Ever?) The brim is knit with two strands and sewn on after.
I confess that I attempted to knit and attach as I went and gave up after a very few minutes.
I love the way the decreases are done on this and will try to remember so that I can replicate when I make beanies with a cable or rib pattern.
Yarn is Classic Elite Classic Silk (another grab bag treasure) and is a cotton, silk and nylon blend.
It's in the mail and should arrive Monday.
On weekends, once required errands are completed and I put in a little time in the yard, I can spend a couple of relaxing hours in front of the TV, watching movies and knitting.
During the week, my knitting time is pretty limited, so I am plugging away at fair entries, about 45 minutes a night (watching Dr. Who re-runs, and now, new summer season shows) one recorded hour (actually 45 minutes if you fast-forward through commercials like we do) a night.
This one's a fair entry.
Pattern is in one of the little Vogue Knitting On the Go books, Caps and Hats ((c)1999). It's called Swirl Cap and features a total of 23 stitch keys including 20 for shaping the cable(s). Lots of looking back and forth!
Right now, it's drying on an inflated balloon. I am so pleased with the result!
Yarn is Sidar Denim Tweed DK that I got in a grab bag from the Yarn Girls. Yarn is MW blend of acrylic, cotton, and wool. Not terribly scratchy. (Faint praise, no?) You never know what will be in one of those grab bags, but I've found that I always get full value.
Next FO (actually, I finished this one first) is from this very scary booklet ((c) 1976) that I bought at a used book sale (probably $5 a bag on the last day). Thank you Friends of the Library or AAUW!
More than 40 patterns (for the princely sum of $2 cover price) and probably 10 that I will make (eventually). I figure that each useable pattern cost me about 2 cents.
It has a couple of very Carnaby Street designs (Hey, there, Georgie girl), and those ski masks right out of a 1970s slasher flick, but there are also some pretty nice classics.
This was the first one that I knit.I converted the crown to circular (it has a seam) because the intended
I confess that I attempted to knit and attach as I went and gave up after a very few minutes.
I love the way the decreases are done on this and will try to remember so that I can replicate when I make beanies with a cable or rib pattern.
Yarn is Classic Elite Classic Silk (another grab bag treasure) and is a cotton, silk and nylon blend.
It's in the mail and should arrive Monday.
Labels: fair entry
Saturday, July 02, 2011
One More Thing
Friday, January 14, 2011
Mission Accomplished
Last year's 10 sweaters project was so successful (and helped reduce stash so effectively--not!) that I decided to host a re-do.
This year, I'll call it 11 in 11 and attempt to use stash to make 11 sweaters, (and this is new) at least 5 of them for charity (though a lot of last year's batch were donated.
Here's Number 1--the front.
And the back.
The pattern is Rambling Rows Jacket (Cottage Creations). The yarn is Red Heart Classic leftovers from the 9-patch blankie.
This is easy in-the-car or watching mindless TV mindless knitting once the various sections are set up. It's a relaxing knit.
There will be a hat. And once the hat is finished, the trio will be a Fair Entry. (Yes, I really am starting early this year.)
I have requests (from family--I don't take requests from friends or casual acquaintances) for at least 2 more sweaters, but I'm thinking that Tiny Prince Two/Too might be in line for one of these. His will be washable wool, though.
Labels: eleven sweaters, fair entry
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Round and Around ad infinitum
Another finished object for fair entries. Pattern
here.
The yarn is Patons Decor in the Florals colorway, purchased a while back from Smiley's. Since most of their yarns are closeouts, I wouldn't expect there to be more waiting in the wings, but you never know.
To finish it off (and make it lie flat) I added a garter-based lace edging from Jan Eaton's A Creative Guide to Knitted Lace.
The edging is knit on, so except for weaving in some ends, there was no finishing.
Finished size, 40" (about). Blocking needed.
Labels: baby things, fair entry
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Driveby Blogging
It is almost past my bedtime (yes, folks, 8 in the P is sleepy time around here for us that gets up at 5 in the A).
Since I have been so noticibly absent I thought I would share a quick post and show my version of the Garterlac Dishcloth.
I used Sugar n Cream in one of the stripes (Lime, I think). Planning might have made the colors fall better.
This was not difficult, but it requires some concentration.
Labels: fair entry, FOs
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Fit For a Princess
This was going to be a long ranty post about the morons I encounter on the road. . .
but then, I finished this sweet little princess dress and everything seemed too fine to start a rant. I'll save that for another day.
I love the lace panel. And the top-down, practically seamless construction. And the picot edge on the sleeves and hem.
Pattern is available (for free)here. You can see the modification I made, subbing 4 rounds of ribbing for the eyelet round and eliminating the satin ribbon.
Do you like the buttons? They are tiny bows. (Click on the picture to make it bigger.)
I have to say that this was a very quick knit. Something like 5 days start to finish, just working on it a couple hours a day. Of course, I made the smallest size.
And here's the whole thing. I like it!
.
but then, I finished this sweet little princess dress and everything seemed too fine to start a rant. I'll save that for another day.
I love the lace panel. And the top-down, practically seamless construction. And the picot edge on the sleeves and hem.
Pattern is available (for free)here. You can see the modification I made, subbing 4 rounds of ribbing for the eyelet round and eliminating the satin ribbon.
Do you like the buttons? They are tiny bows. (Click on the picture to make it bigger.)
I have to say that this was a very quick knit. Something like 5 days start to finish, just working on it a couple hours a day. Of course, I made the smallest size.
And here's the whole thing. I like it!
.
Labels: baby things, fair entry, FOs
Thursday, April 08, 2010
One Down?
This scrappy scarf, made from Elann.com sample skeins, may well be my first entry
for the 2010 fair!
The knitting (many miles of seed stitch) took seemingly forever, but I stayed interested because each row (it's knit lengthwise) used a different yarn. Click on the picture to make it bigger.
There's a mix of luxury and utility in this one and some sparkly stuff and ribbon as well.
I am pleased, and I think I will enjoy wearing it.
Pattern is in the free patterns section at elann.com. Yarn selections are your own. Each row calls for 10 yards. I believe I have 45 different yarns in this one.
Labels: fair entry, stash busting
Monday, August 10, 2009
One More Down
Child Sweater, finished.
Love the yarn! (It's not flat, it's heathered.) But it's pretty well likely discontinued. Plymouth Encore DK. The color is 1405 Malt. I have 1 ball left that might become a matching hat.
Or not.
This will look a whole lot better once it's blocked.
Nine more to go. Seventeen days left. ::eep::
Started another tonight. Will start another tomorrow.
Stay tuned.
Labels: children's things, current events, fair entry
Sunday, July 26, 2009
I Know What This Looks Like
But it really is a potholder, or "panhandler," if you prefer. The other half looked at it and snickered. Then I added the leaves.
He snickered again and said that it still looks like that but also like Sideshow Bob.
Stranded knitting that goes against everything that you know. You are instructed in one version to draw the strands up tight (and indeed, that is what you need to do in order to make it work).
Pattern here. Accept no substitutes! I found "the pattern" on another website and large bits were missing from the cut and paste. But then, the original (my printout is dated 2001) is missing crucial bits as well.
Here's the inside. See what I mean?
This was not a fun knit, but I knocked one more off the list.
15 to go. In 33 days.
::eep::
And here it is in use. Look at the photo sideways and you'll see what made the OtherHalf giggle. No wait, you don't need to turn it, do you?
I think the next one, I'll use some Indian corn colored variegated yarn.
That's assuming that there is a next one.
.
He snickered again and said that it still looks like that but also like Sideshow Bob.
Stranded knitting that goes against everything that you know. You are instructed in one version to draw the strands up tight (and indeed, that is what you need to do in order to make it work).
Pattern here. Accept no substitutes! I found "the pattern" on another website and large bits were missing from the cut and paste. But then, the original (my printout is dated 2001) is missing crucial bits as well.
Here's the inside. See what I mean?
This was not a fun knit, but I knocked one more off the list.
15 to go. In 33 days.
::eep::
And here it is in use. Look at the photo sideways and you'll see what made the OtherHalf giggle. No wait, you don't need to turn it, do you?
I think the next one, I'll use some Indian corn colored variegated yarn.
That's assuming that there is a next one.
.
Labels: fair entry
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Who's This Posting Mid-Week?
When there are things worth posting about, I can get motvated to post in the middle of the week!
Another fair entry finished. This one is Tote Bags-other (as in "not canvas").
Particulars: Pattern from the Vogue KOTG series, Bags which has several interesting patterns, some of them quite strange (the cover bag, for instance) but others, usable and easily put together, like this one.
I chose to color block (rather than use the muted shades of the model) with Bernat Chunky Cotton (because I didn't have enough of any of the bright colors to make it all one shade). The model calls for double strands of linen.
I kind of like it.
It's smaller than the model, though the size is useful. The straps are long enough for it to be a shoulder bag.
It's a practical bag. The solid bottom and the drawstring will keep things from dropping out (I hope).
All in all a statisfying project.
I might even keep it for myself!
Jean sent a photo of her second batch of Mittnz. Aren't the white ones with the green trim handsome?
This year's Mittnz project seems to be off to a very slow start. I hope that's just beecause all of you are quietly knitting away and not saying anything. You want to surprise me. That's it, isn't it?
I will gladly accept photos of Mittnz at any time. Email them to me: abmcmanus*AT*verizon*DOT*net (make the obvious changes) and I'll share them here to inspire everyone else.
Labels: fair entry, mittnz
Friday, July 17, 2009
Little Things
I've become a Weekend Blogger! When the heck did that happen? Right about the time that life got incredibly complicated, I guess. Complicated in many, many ways.
And work got very busy. Busier than I could ever have imagined, in fact.
All will be revealed, Dear Reader. Soon.
In the meantime, I have not become a Weekend Knitter! I've shifted into high (or low, depending on your POV) gear with fair knitting. Witness:
The beginning of the first "Department 19" (Art, Photography, Crafts) knitting for this year's fair.
The premiums are higher here, the making entirely fiddly, but truth be told, this is the impractical stuff, and the stuff that's most fun to do.
At most, it will see the light of day for a week or two in December. I give most of it away to unsuspectingvictims recipients who seem to cherish it, though they could just be good actors.
This? Oh it's the beginning (or end) of a Winter Bauble (not a Christmas Ornament), "Snowman, other" that I have already promised to a young friend. This is the first attempt which turned out to be way too small, even for something this tiny. Film when it's finished.
This weekend, Iwill must compile my list of entries and get them into the mail. But first, I need to decide what I can still reasonably accomplish in the 39 ::eep:: days I have left.
And work got very busy. Busier than I could ever have imagined, in fact.
All will be revealed, Dear Reader. Soon.
In the meantime, I have not become a Weekend Knitter! I've shifted into high (or low, depending on your POV) gear with fair knitting. Witness:
The beginning of the first "Department 19" (Art, Photography, Crafts) knitting for this year's fair.The premiums are higher here, the making entirely fiddly, but truth be told, this is the impractical stuff, and the stuff that's most fun to do.
At most, it will see the light of day for a week or two in December. I give most of it away to unsuspecting
This? Oh it's the beginning (or end) of a Winter Bauble (not a Christmas Ornament), "Snowman, other" that I have already promised to a young friend. This is the first attempt which turned out to be way too small, even for something this tiny. Film when it's finished.
This weekend, I
Labels: current events, fair entry, life
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Seeing Red
One more entry finished, and this one does "double duty" as it is also a red scarf for the Red Scarf Project. I don't know that I'll be making another, but if the deadline moves (or I suddenly finish everything else on The List), I might just try to do a second.
When I mail it, I'll be enclosing Dunkin' Donuts gift card and maybe one from Target or somewhere else "national" as well. I'm really glad I decided to participate.
Particulars on this one:
Yarn is Cervinia Genova, a sportweight acrylic (for washability) knit up on size 5 needles. It still needs a soak and block, but even without, it's nice and soft.
I used the Twin Rib Scarf pattern found here. It was mindless and simple, and (frankly) a row of 42 stitches took as long to complete as a 90 stitch round on the cabled bolster.
Because I kept getting "lost" in the pattern and found myself tinking at least every 4th row.
::le sigh::
But it's finished and done and all that.
If there's another, it will be wool. Superwash (for washability) because even though the Genova is an okay ack, it's still ack.
Labels: big people clothes, fair entry, FOs
Friday, July 10, 2009
Finished Another
This just in: Another O is F!
The category? Cushions and Pillows-Knitted.
I debated posting this picture. I don't think the intended victim recipient reads the blog. At least not often. In any event, s/he is unlikely to connect this bolster with Christmas, seeing that the holiday is forever away at the moment.
The particulars: Pattern is my own, a compilation pattern ideas of several bolster covers, some from a couple of oop Hayfield "novelty knits" booklets, an old Knitting Digest, and a Vogue KOTG book. None met my needs entirely, so I decided to wing it. I knew I didn't want a seam.
The pattern stitch is from Traditional Knitting Patterns compiled by James Norbury, a Dover reprint of a (c)1962 book. My pattern is called Peterhead and is named after a small town in Scotland.
It's knit in the round on a 16" circular needle (size 7) to fit a purchased 14" bolster form.
The yarn is Plymouth Encore (acrylic/wool blend) for washability and the whole cover is removable for washing. Color #256 if anyone is trying to duplicate my effort.
The "recipe":
Cast on enough stitches to fit onto the circular needle and also to fit the boster form. In this case, it was 90. Join. Place a marker for the beginning of the round.
Ends: Do some rounds of garter stitch (k 1 round, p 1 round-- I did 8). Then switch to stockinette (k every round). Knit some more rounds. I did 9. Throw in an eyelet round (k2 tog, yo around). Knit some more stockinette rounds. I did 9 more.
Main part: Find a pattern stitch that fits the number of cast on stitches. At this point you could increase or decrease a couple of stitches (perhaps as many as 5) so that the pattern fits evenly. Note: If you are using a pattern that was written for rows rather than rounds, you may not need the "plus" part of the pattern repeat (as in "multiple of X + Y") as that usually just centers the pattern on a flat field.
Work until the patterned section is as long as the length of the bolster form, then repeat the "ends" portion in reverse order, ending with the garter rounds. Bind off.
You could use ribbon or a crocheted chain to gather and close the cover. I chose to make a 12" 3-stitch i-cord. Weave your "closer" through the eyelet rounds. Pull very tight. Tie an overhand knot, then another, then a bow. Or make a shorter i-cord (maybe 6") and skip the bow.
I used about 165 g of worsted weight yarn, about 330 yards. Your mileage may vary.
The category? Cushions and Pillows-Knitted.
I debated posting this picture. I don't think the intended
The particulars: Pattern is my own, a compilation pattern ideas of several bolster covers, some from a couple of oop Hayfield "novelty knits" booklets, an old Knitting Digest, and a Vogue KOTG book. None met my needs entirely, so I decided to wing it. I knew I didn't want a seam.
The pattern stitch is from Traditional Knitting Patterns compiled by James Norbury, a Dover reprint of a (c)1962 book. My pattern is called Peterhead and is named after a small town in Scotland.
It's knit in the round on a 16" circular needle (size 7) to fit a purchased 14" bolster form.
The yarn is Plymouth Encore (acrylic/wool blend) for washability and the whole cover is removable for washing. Color #256 if anyone is trying to duplicate my effort.
The "recipe":Cast on enough stitches to fit onto the circular needle and also to fit the boster form. In this case, it was 90. Join. Place a marker for the beginning of the round.
Ends: Do some rounds of garter stitch (k 1 round, p 1 round-- I did 8). Then switch to stockinette (k every round). Knit some more rounds. I did 9. Throw in an eyelet round (k2 tog, yo around). Knit some more stockinette rounds. I did 9 more.
Main part: Find a pattern stitch that fits the number of cast on stitches. At this point you could increase or decrease a couple of stitches (perhaps as many as 5) so that the pattern fits evenly. Note: If you are using a pattern that was written for rows rather than rounds, you may not need the "plus" part of the pattern repeat (as in "multiple of X + Y") as that usually just centers the pattern on a flat field.
Work until the patterned section is as long as the length of the bolster form, then repeat the "ends" portion in reverse order, ending with the garter rounds. Bind off.
You could use ribbon or a crocheted chain to gather and close the cover. I chose to make a 12" 3-stitch i-cord. Weave your "closer" through the eyelet rounds. Pull very tight. Tie an overhand knot, then another, then a bow. Or make a shorter i-cord (maybe 6") and skip the bow.
I used about 165 g of worsted weight yarn, about 330 yards. Your mileage may vary.
Labels: fair entry, FOs, pattern
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Is it Only Saturday?
It sure feels as though it should be Sunday here in the US of A, doesn't it?With the holiday falling on a Saturday, many of us got Friday as our Holiday Day Off. That made for a 3-day weekend, and, at least for me, a 3-day workweek.
I could get used to this!
And to celebrate, I had Finished Object Friday a day early! W00T!
Here's the center-out throw that I've been working on seemingly forever. All done and with the ends woven in. It isn't blocked yet, but it will be before it's entered in this year's fair.
The colors blend nicely with our living room furniture and rug.
Patons Decor in a color called Sand Castle. Bought it at Smiley's, where else?
I used just slightly under 10-100 g. balls for a 60" (about) square. The entry specs call for 60"X72" max. I really didn't feel like pushing the envelope with a 65" square (approximately the same area) so stopped at 56" and added on a border.
The knitted-on border was supposed to be a lacy edging, but I just couldn't get my mind around how to do that.
I might try again on a washcloth at some point, but not for this year's entries.
I had all my stitches bunched together on a 60" circular needle by the time the throw was at 56".
Working with the active stitches still on the circular needle, this edging was applied counter-clockwise by casting on 10 stitches on an 8" dpn, then knitting across 9 and knitting the last stitch together with a stitch from the edge of the throw. Each WS row is knit across on 10, each RS row is knit 9, k2 together.
The corners were accomplished with short rows. When I got to the marker for each corner, I knit 9, k 2 tog, turn, k 10. Next row, k 9, turn, k9, next rown k8, turn, etc. until I k 1, turn, k1.
Next row (RS) was a k 9, k 2 tog, and work the edging for the next straight side.
The border alone was almost 15,000 stitches. ::whew::
But it's finished and another fair entry is tucked away in the bin, waiting for a good warm bath and a block.
The Tiny Prince isn't here this weekend. ::sigh::
And I'll leave you with this "Saturday Picture" of the Tiny Prince enjoying his very own Sour Apple Slushie because Mammo is happy to share, but sharing spit wasn't in the contract I signed.
.
Labels: fair entry, FOs, Tiny Prince
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Day 41
We are being held hostage by the weather. Today marks 41 straight here in eastern PA when the skies have opened and spit upon us.
Even when the sun makes its (very brief) appearance, it's still raining. Like yesterday.
We are growing webs between our toes. We are building an ark. What the heck is a cubit, anyway?
Of course, nasty weather means that no gardening is taking place. It means that a lot of Front of TV Knitting is.
Here's the latest FO--for the fair,
Patternis was at the Interweave site. It's called Cabled Raglan Baby Sweater (well, duh!) and is knit seamless from the top down.
One small modification I made was to install a buttonhole instead of a snap as I find buttons slightly easier to fasten than snaps on newborn necklines.
Yarn is Di.ve Zenith. This one got mixed reviews from me.
Using the suggested needle size (3.5 mm) I got a wonderful cloth. It's very soft and great to touch. However (isn't there always one?) it is so loosely plied that it is extremely splitty. That means that I often left one of the (very thin) "threads" (there are 6 of them) behind and didn't notice until several rows later, causing 1) fits and 2) a need to drop the stitch back to the offending row and hook it back up with a size 3 crochet hook.
Not fun.
Fortunately, the yarn is very forgiving and (at least to my eye) the repairs don't show.
Were I choosing a washable wool DK weight yarn to buy for another project, it probably wouldn't be this one.
Were I shopping the stash? Well, 11 balls (in 4 colors) remain, so I guess I'll be seeing a bit more of this down the line.
Oh, and I plan to make a pair of bootie sandals with what's left of the pink.
Even when the sun makes its (very brief) appearance, it's still raining. Like yesterday.
We are growing webs between our toes. We are building an ark. What the heck is a cubit, anyway?
Of course, nasty weather means that no gardening is taking place. It means that a lot of Front of TV Knitting is.Here's the latest FO--for the fair,
Pattern
One small modification I made was to install a buttonhole instead of a snap as I find buttons slightly easier to fasten than snaps on newborn necklines.
Yarn is Di.ve Zenith. This one got mixed reviews from me.
Using the suggested needle size (3.5 mm) I got a wonderful cloth. It's very soft and great to touch. However (isn't there always one?) it is so loosely plied that it is extremely splitty. That means that I often left one of the (very thin) "threads" (there are 6 of them) behind and didn't notice until several rows later, causing 1) fits and 2) a need to drop the stitch back to the offending row and hook it back up with a size 3 crochet hook.
Not fun.
Fortunately, the yarn is very forgiving and (at least to my eye) the repairs don't show.
Were I choosing a washable wool DK weight yarn to buy for another project, it probably wouldn't be this one.
Were I shopping the stash? Well, 11 balls (in 4 colors) remain, so I guess I'll be seeing a bit more of this down the line.
Oh, and I plan to make a pair of bootie sandals with what's left of the pink.
Labels: current events, fair entry, yarn diet
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Three-Piece Done!
There was almost exactly enough!
I feared that I would run out of the Soft Baby (the variegated) before I ran out of sweater, and I really wanted to make a matching cap so that I could call Infant 3pc. Sweater-cap-blanket finished for another year.
That's why I picked up the ball of Plymouth Dreambaby DK (the yellow trim). It's a good thing that I did! The leftover Soft Baby weighs in at 8 grams. I used about 18 grams of the Dreambaby.
::whew!::
Particulars on this one: Yarn is Plymouth Dreambaby DK in color 0104 and Red Heart Soft Baby in color Laddie.
Pattern for the hat is "my own" (see below). Sweater pattern is an old Carole Barenys one that I printed out 5 years ago. It's similar to one at her site. (Aren't the booties cute?)
Both the hat and sweater were knit on size 4 needles.
Hat Pattern:
Cast on 70 stitches, join being careful not to twist. Do several rounds of garter stitch--k1 round, p 1 round then switch yarns and start stockinette--k all rounds--to about 3" from the cast on, decrease at 7 points, finish off. Pick up 3 stitches between the garter and stockinette and make i-cor for 12". Repeat on the second side. Weave in ends.
Labels: baby things, fair entry
Friday, May 29, 2009
Blue On Blue
Okay, pretend to be surprised.
I have yet another fair entry project on the needles.
It started long ago (maybe 5 or more years) with a yarn swap.
Frankly, I don't remember what my half of the swap was (it might have even been cash), but I remember fairly clearly that the part I was getting was "thick and thin wool yarn, sufficient for a sweater."
It arrived in due course in three huge hanks. Lovely, scratchy, wonderful royal blue wool.
And then it languished.
Right there on the shelf amid my other (ala Sally Melville Styles) color-sorted blue yarns.
Then, not to terribly long ago, I put the first hank on the swift and started to make center-pull balls of the masses of yarn.
Running it through my fingers, I got a sense of what it might become, and so I swatched for a sweater for me. Sort of an outerwear tunic-y sweater, loose and cozy. I envisioned a Cottage Creations sweater (Tunic for the Family, I believe it's called) and swatched a little bit.
Lumpy, bumpy. Very wavy hem-line. Not what I wanted to wear.
So I tucked the swatch back on the shelf with the rolled yarnballs and let it have a little time out.
Earlier this week, a light went on! Shawl! Perfect for homespun-y wooly stuff. No need to worry about the thick- and thinness messing up the gauge. One size fits most.
So I cast on some stitches (36?) and started the good old Increase a Stitch Every Row basic shawl.
Current plan is to knit until my eyeballs fall out of my head (or to 72" or so across the top) and bind off.
Then I will knit an attached lacy border (okay, rustic moose lace, but open work and pointy edges of some sort) to finish it off.
Ideas all came together from a number of sources. I can thank Jared at Brooklyn Tweed for the garter-stitch-with-edging and I really like the idea of not having a point pointing at the butt, though I cannot find the link or reference that added that to the mix.
By the time it's finished, this shawl will be "my creation" with a little help from my friends.
I have yet another fair entry project on the needles.
It started long ago (maybe 5 or more years) with a yarn swap.
Frankly, I don't remember what my half of the swap was (it might have even been cash), but I remember fairly clearly that the part I was getting was "thick and thin wool yarn, sufficient for a sweater."
It arrived in due course in three huge hanks. Lovely, scratchy, wonderful royal blue wool.
And then it languished.
Right there on the shelf amid my other (ala Sally Melville Styles) color-sorted blue yarns.
Then, not to terribly long ago, I put the first hank on the swift and started to make center-pull balls of the masses of yarn.
Running it through my fingers, I got a sense of what it might become, and so I swatched for a sweater for me. Sort of an outerwear tunic-y sweater, loose and cozy. I envisioned a Cottage Creations sweater (Tunic for the Family, I believe it's called) and swatched a little bit.
Lumpy, bumpy. Very wavy hem-line. Not what I wanted to wear.
So I tucked the swatch back on the shelf with the rolled yarnballs and let it have a little time out.
Earlier this week, a light went on! Shawl! Perfect for homespun-y wooly stuff. No need to worry about the thick- and thinness messing up the gauge. One size fits most.
So I cast on some stitches (36?) and started the good old Increase a Stitch Every Row basic shawl.
Current plan is to knit until my eyeballs fall out of my head (or to 72" or so across the top) and bind off.
Then I will knit an attached lacy border (okay, rustic moose lace, but open work and pointy edges of some sort) to finish it off.
Ideas all came together from a number of sources. I can thank Jared at Brooklyn Tweed for the garter-stitch-with-edging and I really like the idea of not having a point pointing at the butt, though I cannot find the link or reference that added that to the mix.
By the time it's finished, this shawl will be "my creation" with a little help from my friends.
Labels: big people clothes, fair entry
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
One Night, Two Finished
When I stick with serial monogamy on the knitting front, I can accomplish stuff.Just look!
Completed during the season finale of "24" (Thank you, DVR)--a short-sleeved summer cardigan. The pattern is a free one from Elann, the yarn, also from Elann, though not free, is called King Kim (I think) and is a pale gray-blue cotton blend.
Truth time: The knitting has been finished for weeks. One sleeve has been installed nearly as long. It took 2 hours of Jack Bauer to get the rest of it seamed.
And in fair knitting, the blankie, she is done.
My own "pattern" and Red Heart Soft Baby (from Smiley's) in the Laddie colorway.
Personally, I think it's suitable for boy or girl, but what do I know? I make most baby prezzies in red.
I am pleased with the pooling, and the yarn (100% acrylic) is rough and ready. I'll enter this on in the fair then pass it along to the next baby that appears, or donate to the reservation.
It's been a very long week (and it's only Wednesday), but there's good stuff coming on Friday (besides the 3-day)! Film at 11 (or so).
Labels: baby things, big people clothes, fair entry
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