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It is a very busy time of year (this is my explanation for the slight lag in posting), yet I have still been managing to find time to neglect my gift knitting in favor of other projects. A lot of time actually. This time around my excuse was my poor cold head.
Pattern: Chicabean Hat (ravelry)
Source: The Amazing Adventures of the Kelly Green Rogue
Yarn: Black Water Abbey, 2 ply Worsted
Needles: US 6
Started: November 17, 2008
Finished: November 19, 2008
Find it on Ravelry here.
Kindly modeled by Liz (to avoid drawing attention to just how shaggy my hair is right now), I whipped this up in about two days. I like the motif of the cables joined by lace trees. It is more interesting than a basic cabled hat, but has a more traditional aran look than a true lace hat. I wanted a pattern at least reminiscent of that look because the Black Water Abbey yarns have the look and feel of traditional Irish wools and are all made in Ireland. It is beautiful yarn for this kind of project.
Ladies and Gentlemen, for you today I have something special. I have a combo post both with an FO and with a pattern. My first real pattern in fact. I’ve been designing things for ages, but usually as I go along, with no notes kept. So today, it is with great pleasure that I offer you the first knittingprettyindc pattern.
Pattern: Prettybird Neckwarmer (ravelry)
Source: knittingprettyindc (right here in this very post!)
Yarn: Fleece Artist, Blue Faced Leicester DK
Needles: US 3
Started: November 23, 2008
Finished: November 27, 2008
Find it on Ravelry here.
This is a quick knit, simple with just a little something to keep it interesting to the eye and in the hands. The name comes from a favorite nickname from a favorite friend of mine. It’s sweet and simple, but it makes me feel special when she says it.
This neckwarmer was designed out of necessity. I recently got a new coat, and one of it’s best details is the stand-up collar. The collar can be turned down to wear scarves, but I wanted to chance to show it off sometimes. My cowls are mostly too bulky to sit under it, but with nothing underneath, the wind works it’s way in and I end up shivering. So in came a neckwarmer, fitted enough to sit well underneath the neck, but oh so very warm.
Prettybird Neckwarmer Pattern:
Yarn: About 150 yds of DK weight yarn.
Needle: US 4 straight or circular needles.*
Gauge: 8 sts= 1″ in Cable Patttern.
Click above to download the PDF!
*You may notice that I used a US size 3 needle, but I tend to knit loosely and always have to go down at least one needle size, so if you generally knit to gauge, I estimate a size 4 will work for you.
Please let me know if you find any mistakes. Oh and you can queue it up here. Enjoy!
What have I been up to other than just acquiring more and more yarn? A lot of secret gift knitting, a lot of knitting that’s now hibernating as a result of frustration, but also a little knitting I can share with you.
Pattern: Axel Mitts (ravelry)
Source: Blue Garter
Needles: US 9
Started: November 12, 2008
Finished: November 14, 2008
Find it on Ravelry here.
I was feeling a bit blue last week and decided I need an instant gratification project to take my mind off it. I’d bought the Cocoon at Stitches with these mitts in mind, so I thought that would be the perfect thing. I got to use new yarn and see my progress fly by at the same time. These mitts worked up incredibly quickly and the chunky and extremely fuzzy nature of the yarn makes them very cozy. They were the perfect pick me up project; great fun to knit and a treat to wear.
This one has been finished for awhile now, and even the photos were taken quite some time ago, but I just never got around to putting the post together, so I’ll go ahead and show you now while I’m largely consumed with secret knitting.
Pattern: Weaver’s Wool Mini Shawl (ravelry)
Source: Knit List
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS, Alaska
Needles: US 10
Started: August 24, 2008
Finished: September 12, 2008
Find it on Ravelry here.
As I’m sure many of you can guess this shawl was inspired by mustaa villaa. After seeing how gorgeous hers was I knew I had to have one. I chose a more neutral pallet. I really wanted this to be something I could wear all the time with pretty much anything. So I went with shades of grey and brown. I love the end result. It’s very subtle, but it makes it great to wear all the time.
Most projects I choose because I want to knit it, but every now and then there is something I make just because I want to own it. This was definitely the latter of the two. The garter stitch was a breeze, but the yo increases provided just enough to think about which kept me from getting bored. Normally I shy away from garter stitch projects, and it had been ages since I’d knit anything on needles as big as 10s, but I really enjoyed knitting this shawl. In fact it spoiled me so much it was a little hard to transition back to complicated stitch patterns on size 1s.
It’s also one of the most wearable things I’ve knit in a long time. The overall look is simple, but the color blocks make it more interesting. And it’s great to grab and throw over your shoulder or wrap around your neck on your way out the door. I also think it will make a great impromptu lap blanket for the winter days when the shop is freezing and I’m sitting around knitting (I usually wear an “outdoor scarf” and bring an “indoor scarf” to change into anyway when we reach that time of year). I’ve already got lots of use out of it, and I’m sure I’ll get much more.
I already told you all here about how I was swept up in the newest craze to sweep ravelry over the last month. So here they are the end result of the Through the Loops Socktoberfest Mystery KAL.
Pattern: TTL Mystery Sock Basic Version (ravelry)
Source: Through the Loops
Needles: US 1
Started: October 1, 2008
Finished: October 29, 2008
Find it on Ravelry here.
These socks were a real joy to knit. Just smooth and easy. Enough pattern to keep you from getting bored, but not so much that you really need to concentrate. I love to be challenged in my knitting, but sometimes it’s nice to have a project that just knits up like a dream. And who doesn’t love a good KAL? It’s been such a blast to see how beautiful everyone’s are in different ways.
This post has been a long time coming. I finished these some time ago (you may remember me blogging about my progress way back when), but I wanted to write up my modification to the pattern before posting about it. I’ve finally had the time to do that, so now I’m ready to show you. The other tricky bit about this post was deciding whether or not to use pictures of myself in the garment (you know, since it is under garments). The self conscious part of myself said “no”, but in the end my desire to let you all see what the modification really looks like won out.
Pattern: my own modification of the Criss Cross Garter (ravelry)
Source: Naughty Needles
Yarn: Ella Rae, Silkience
Needles: US 3
Started: June 18, 2008
Finished: July 31, 2008
Find it on ravelry here.
I made a pretty substantial modification to this pattern. The pattern is written to be a garter belt, but I modified it to be actual underwear. I also chose to leave the garter straps off. I’ve written up a pattern for the modification and I’m going to share it with you. The modification is only written for size Medium, which is the size that I made, but the principals could likely be applied to the other sizes relatively easily using your own measurements. Also please let me know if you find any mistakes and I’ll correct them.
Modification for Criss Cross Garter
Follow pattern as written until you reach the section titled Lower Edge.
FRONT SIDE
Row 1 (RS): Sl 1, k1, p1, k1, p2, p21, PM, k23, PM, p23, p2, k1, p1, k2.
Row 2 (WS): Sl1, *k1, p1, repeat from * to 1st marker, p to 2nd marker, *p1, k1, repeat from * to last st, k1.
Row 3 (WS): Sl1, *k1, p1, repeat from * to 1st marker, k to 2nd marker, *p1, k1, repeat from * to last st, k1.
Repeat last 2 rows twice more. Then work Row 2 once more.
Next Row (RS): BO to 4 sts before 1st marker, work 4 sts in seed st, SM, k to 2nd marker, *p1, k1, repeat from * to last st, k1.
Next Row (WS): BO to 4 sts before 1st marker, work 4 sts in seed st, SM, p to 2nd marker, work last 4 sts in seed st.
DECREASES
Row 1 (RS): Work 4 sts in seed st, SM, ssk, k to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, SM, work last 4 sts in seed st.
Row 2 (WS): Work 4 sts in seed st, SM, p to 2nd marker, work last 4 sts in seed st.
Repeat last 2 rows until 3 sts remain between markers.
Next Row (RS): Work 4 sts in seed st, SM, k to 2nd marker, work last 4 sts in seed st.
Next Row (WS): Work 4 sts in seed st, SM, p to 2nd marker, work last 4 sts in seed st.
Repeat last 2 rows for one inch. Place sts on holder.
BACK SIDE
Row 1 (RS): Sl 1, k1, p1, k1, p2, p28, PM, k23, PM, p28, p2, k1, p1, k2.
Row 2 (WS): Sl1, *k1, p1, repeat from * to 1st marker, p to 2nd marker, *p1, k1, repeat from * to last st, k1.
Row 3 (WS): Sl1, *k1, p1, repeat from * to 1st marker, k to 2nd marker, *p1, k1, repeat from * to last st, k1.
Repeat last 2 rows twice more. Then work Row 2 once more.
Next Row (RS): BO to 4 sts before 1st marker, work 4 sts in seed st, SM, k to 2nd marker, *p1, k1, repeat from * to last st, k1.
Next Row (WS): BO to 4 sts before 1st marker, work 4 sts in seed st, SM, p to 2nd marker, work last 4 sts in seed st.
DECREASES
Row 1 (RS): Work 4 sts in seed st, SM, ssk, k to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, SM, work last 4 sts in seed st.
Row 2 (WS): Work 4 sts in seed st, SM, p to 2nd marker, work last 4 sts in seed st.
Repeat last 2 rows until 3 sts remain between markers. Graft together with live sts from Front Side.
I’ve actually got many a backed up FO to share with you, but since this project was years in the making I couldn’t help myself in sharing it right away now that’s it’s finally finished. There was a lot of hibernating and waiting for certain things to fall into place. But here it is. It’s finally done.
Pattern: Pleated Skirt (ravelry)
Source: Blue Sky Alpacas
Yarn: Louet, Gems Opal (discontinued)
Needles: US 0 & US 2
Started: end of 2005, beginning of 2006?
Finished: October 14, 2008
Like I said this project was started years ago. It spent along time hibernating, then once it was finally knit up, it sat around until I could afford a Knitter’s Block, because I wanted to be sure it got blocked out very well. The final hang up, was that while it was somewhat miraculously still going to fit, there was no way the waist band was making it over my hips. I decided to modify it by installing a zipper in one of the side seams to lend ease to taking the skirt on and off. Right about the time I was ready to seam and install the zipper, my mother’s sewing machine which I had been using for a few months broke and was unusable. So I waited for my birthday when I asked for a new machine of my own. Last week, months into being the owner of a new sewing machine, I finally got a moment to prepare and sew in the zipper, so I went to change the “easy snap of presser foot” to the zipper foot and it wouldn’t snap on. Once again I was foiled. Yesterday I just decided I didn’t want to wait until I had time to explore the presser foot situation and just installed the zipper by hand. It’s not the absolute neatest thing in the world, and I have more than few holes in my hands today from all the pins, but the upside is that I actually wore the skirt yesterday evening!
Now that it’s done I absolutely adore it. It’s easy and comfy and it looks great. With the zipper to assist in the dressing process the fit is perfect. It sits right on the hips and the softness of the Gems Opal (post washing) makes it drape so well. It is quite possibly my favorite FO to date.
Find it on Ravelry here.
So I’m finally getting around to getting some good pictures of FOs that have been kicking around for awhile. This was actually my second Ravelympics project. Unfortunately it didn’t quite make the cut, as I finished four hours after the closing ceremonies ended, but since it was the same day I still feel quite good about that.
Pattern: Razor Shell Neckwarmer (ravelry)
Source: Knitology
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas, Alpaca Silk
Needles: US 4
Started: August 8, 2008
Finished: August 24, 2008
This is a great simple cowl pattern and combined with this yarn the end result is incredibly luxurious. The color is so rich and the sheen of the silk is just lovely. The stitch definition of this yarn is also fantastic, which is great for this stitch pattern as you get a real sense of the diagonals. And Alpaca Silk has a nice soft drape, which works out really well for a cowl. I have a feeling you’ll be seeing me in this cowl a great deal this fall.
Find it on Ravelry here.
Alright I have finished my first Ravelympics project for the Sock Put event. You’ve seen the progress, now see the full pair.
Pattern: Spring Forward (ravelry)
Source: Knitty Summer 2008
Yarn: Three Irish Girls Kells Sport Merino in Lady Slipper (1 kein)
Needles: US 1
Started: August 8, 2008
Finished: August 21, 2008
Avoiding pooling with this yarn and pattern combination took a little work. I generally prefer a more random look with variegated yarns, so I pulled from two balls and alternated rows. While working on the first sock I actually manipulated the look even more by cutting and rejoining the yarn to mix up where colors came in a number of different times. On the second sock I was worried about running out of yarn, so I didn’t use this technique. But I am a bit happier with the lack of pooling on the first sock.
I also tried a new kind of short row heel on this pair of socks. I’ve long preferred short row heels, but was never able to pick up wraps perfectly, but with this pair I worked the short row heel as detailed in the “Beyond the Basics: Toe Up Socks” article by Ann Budd in the Summer 2007 issue of Interweave Knits. It is based one Priscilla A. Gibson-Robert’s short row heel. I found this style much easier and was incredibly pleased with the end result. This may be my new go to heel. Just to clarify, I worked these socks top down which is my preferred method, but still worked the short row heel from that pattern.
I think the choice of this yarn for this pattern was a great one. You can still clearly see the stitch pattern, but there’s still all the fun of a variegated yarn (I really am a sucker for them). And now I’m a ravelympian.
Find them on Ravelry here.
I believe I mentioned that I’ve been feeling productive lately. Well here’s another project resulting from that productivity (I have another knitted FO to show you as well, but I’m waiting until I can get better pictures), a new case for my DPNs, which have long been overflowing the old one.
I bought the fabric for this project when I was in Portland back in April at a shop called Bolt. Bolt calls itself a “neighborhood fabric boutique”, and it is amazing. It’s a small shop (thus the neighborhood feel), but they really pack in the gorgeous fabrics. They had such incredible prints. I wanted to start right away when I got home, but machine issues held me off. This was my first project with my new machine (!!!).
My exterior fabric is a print called “Carnaby Street” by Robert Kaufman and the interior fabric is called “Botanical Pop” by Jackie Shapiro for Windham Fabrics. I love how graphic they both are and the mix-matched scale of the two combined.
To make this needle case I used this tutorial from Multicrafty. I modified it a bit to make it a more appropriate size for DPNs, but the tutorial was a great starting point for creating something to my own specifications to fit just what I needed. I only made two rows of needle pockets, making the finished open dimensions only 16″x17″. The pocket heights are 7″ and 10″, but the 10″ pocket is sewn shut 3.5″
from the bottom so that the actual depth of the pocket is only 6.5″. I also made pocket divisions in different widths to accommodate different needles sizes. There are seven 1.5″ pockets on the right and five 1″ pockets on the left for smaller DPNs (I do love me some tiny needles).
My sewing skills are still a tad shaky in some aspects (apparently it’s not like riding a bicycle), but I’m hoping some of what I used to be able to do will return with more practice. Either way, I’m still very pleased with how this came out. Really darling and just what I needed.
Also the ric-rac (which just happens to be the perfect color) was just one of the lovely trimmings sent to me by swap partner guiderbec on swap-bot. It turned out to be ideal for this project!
