Watermelon Trekking Socks

Watermelon Trekking Socks

Started: March 4th
Finished: March 13th (knitted) March 16th (grafted)
Pattern: Standard sock pattern, Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns
Yarn: Trekking XXL 107 (from Lettuce Knit)
Needles: 2mm 32" Knitpicks Classic Circular (faulty!)

These were super fast socks, for the amount of time I spent on them. I got them grafted in time to wear them to a conference at Western that Mike and I attended. I love these socks!!

Trekking is a nice fine yarn, even finer than Regia. These socks should therefore be wearable further into Spring than any other handknitted socks I own.

Manos: Hat of FATE!

Manos Odessa
Finished February 21, 2007
Pattern: Here, modified to accommodate yarn
Yarn: Manos Del Uruguay from Knitomatic
Needles: 5mm Addi Turbos, magic loop method

I put a lot of effort into swatching for this hat, the swatching took me almost as long as the hat itself. I wanted to make sure I knew how many repeats to take out to make up for the thicker yarn. In the end I went with 8 repeats (from the original 11) but now that it is finished I think 9 repeats would have been ideal.

The finished item has a vaguely papal quality to it, one might less charitably call it the nipple effect. As such, it worked it's way off my ears through the day. Not surprising considering my hat curse. Also, just as I had predicted over and over again, the finishing of this hat brought about a warm spell in the weather. Tuesday I had a few more decrease rounds to go: -15C. Wednesday I sewed in the ends: +3C. Perhaps my knitting affects climate change? Alert Al Gore.

I ripped it out once because it wasn't long enough, and I think that another inch more wouldn't have hurt. Perhaps I didn't factor in the fact that I was asking the hat to stretch quite a bit (I like a tight hat).

I have yet to block this hat, and am still holding out hope that this will solve all my problems.

Donegal Hat

Donegal Hat

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Donegal Chunky Tweed (102), 1 skein
Pattern: Knit Fiend's Spiral Top Down Hat Pattern here.
Started: January 16, 2007
Finished: January 19, 2007

This is a hat I knitted for Mike, when it came to my attention that he, the supportive husband of a knitter, was knit-hatless. Problem solved: a quick and dirty hat that is sturdy and warm enough to stand up to winter. Not the softest of wools, but it did soften when I washed it.

Oh, if you knit with this wool, don't pull hard on it. Just don't.

York

York
Pattern: Noro Knits by Jane Ellison
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden 247, 8 balls
Started: end of August 2006
Finished: January 11, 2007

Notes: I somehow forgot the front neck shaping, but it doesn't seem to have made too much of a difference. Must remember to READ the pattern more often.

Thanks for Rosemary for the book! What a great birthday present. I had bought the yarn on impulse, glad I did.

This was my very first zipper! Thanks to everyone for the advice!

Christmas Knitting Summary 2006

After seeing all the wonderful things that other people were knitting for Christmas, I decided there was no excuse to not make this Christmas a woolly one. I started late, October 26, but made up for lost time.



Mittens for my mom
Yarn: Lamb's Pride, colour Kiwi (from Alterknits)
Pattern: Standard mitten pattern from Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns
Adjustments: I extended the cuffs for extra warmth.



Mittens for Charlie
Yarn: Lamb's Pride in kiwi (what remained from mom's mittens)
Pattern: Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns

I love making tiny things!



Odessa for Hilary
Yarn: Rowan Cashsoft DK
Pattern: Here

I was really happy with how this turned out. This yarn is super-durable, only slightly splitty (I blame the 'ssk's) and very very soft.



Behold! Giant Dad Socks!
Yarn: Paton's Shetland Chunky
Pattern: Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns

Dad likes really really thick socks, so I always knit them out of Shetland Chunky (machine wash) and use 4mm needles, which make a really firm fabric. I know know exactly how long they need to be to stay above his boots.



Koigu Fancy Merino Scarf (for my Aunt RA)
Yarn: Koigu KFM (in a kit)
Pattern: Simple lengthwise garter stitch scarf

I think I cast on too tight, but blocking improved it somewhat. The nylon was a little hard on the hands, but that may be because I knit this scarf in two sessions over two days. I fringed it after, but didn't take a picture. For those of you who block on your bed? The orange dye ran a little... it looks like my sheets are slightly rusty now.



Fetching for Leanne

Yarn: Blue Sky Alpaca Worsted
Pattern: Here

This yarn is utterly and completely divine. Go now and buy some.

I steam blocked these, and the yarn got even more soft and drapey, though I didn't think that would be possible. The picot edge required a pressing to stay straight. I want a pair for myself!




Don't Drop the Soap Pouch! for Rosemary

Yarn: Sugar N Creme from Mary Maxim (!)
Pattern: My very own!

My mom had one of these that my grandma had crocheted... I decided to make my own version. I always thought they were a neat idea, a washcloth and soup dish all in one.

Testing, testing!

Tubey!

Tubey!
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted Merino (Cinnabar) 5 skeins?
Pattern: Here
Finished: February 14th, 2006

I am pretty sure this was the first pattern I ever finished while the pattern's issue was still current.

I love the design of this sweater! It actually took my awhile to fully understand the construction. The neckline is very flattering on me, I think. I love this sweater. I also love Malabrigo.