Parade of Finished Objects

Looks like I've got some catching up to do since I'm a Blogger Slack-off.

Haruni Shawl

I've been forever trying to decide what to do with two skeins of Malabrigo variegated laceweight, when I saw this pattern (Haruni by Emily Ross) go up on Ravelry it was destined to become a Haruni. Maybe not the best choice for showing off the pattern stitches but it turned out okay (remind me not buy this type of variegated color, not really my style, always looks better in the unwound skein than it does knitted up). The revised version of this pattern is easy to follow and fun to do, didn't take too long either.

Bayerische Socks
This pattern is by Eunny Jang, currently the editor of Interweave; the pattern is here.


I think this sock pattern is gorgeous and tried several times to begin these socks. The problem was that there are four charts and it was tedious and confusing to work from one chart to the next without losing your mind. Finally I took the time to chart it myself in excel and once I printed it out it was smooth sailing........one sock done and one to go. The yarn is Cascade Heritage which I really like for this type of pattern as it shows the stitches nicely.

Starry Night Baby Blanket

Two neighbors' daughters are having babies soon, this will go to one of them for a shower gift. It is really cute but a bit puckery, not sure how great it will look if it just gets tossed into the dryer, I'll put a note with it that it should be dried flat for best results. It was fun crochet project, took a little longer than I thought it would and got a little tedious/boring once I got past the cloud section but I'm happy with the way it turned out. Pattern here.

Carol's Clever Little Shawl

I thought this was a nice idea but it's written for worsted or DK weight and I wanted to use Dream In Color Baby that I recently purchased. I only had one skein and wasn't sure there would be enough yarn (I worry about that for every project!) but there was actually plenty. Had to make some adjustments to the pattern to accomodate the lighter weight yarn and also to mirror the edging in a left and right direction, notes on my Ravelry project page. The flower is from my Flower Scarf pattern and it still needs to be steamed.

Shetland Shawl Redux

I love my fingering weight brown Shetland Shawl but as I wrote in a previous post it was not large enough, I want to be able to wrap/snuggle into it. So I'm glad that I took the time to add some length to the edging, it's much better now. I'm working a better version of this pattern as I'm still trying to work out a nicer transition of the interlocking diamonds around the corners.

CableKnot Scollar

I have a new pattern up on Knit Picks through their Independent Designer Program.


I'm excited that they are offering this program for several reasons...

• the Designer retains all rights to the pattern;
• Knitpicks has a phenomenal customer base through their website and catalogs which will provide a lot of exposure;
• the Yarn is provided;
• the project is returned to the Designer;
• photographic assistance is available.
• all monies for sold patterns go to the Designer.

I didn't think my photos were so great but they did use them.


I designed this piece a few years ago when the Greater St. Louis Knitters' Guild participated in the Fall Folk and Fine Arts Festival at Faust Park by holding their first Knit-Out. There was a scarf contest as part of the Knit-Out; the scarves were later donated to a Women's group.


The design was inspired by an idea in Knitting Over the Edge by Nicky Epstein in the section titled 'Cords' and the pattern named 'Love Knots'.


I used the Love Knots idea for a scarflet/neckwarmer that begins with intertwined cords , the cords become cable, the cables end as intertwined cords at the opposite end of the scarf and the cords serve as buttonholes for the ball buttons (idea for ball buttons also taken from one of Nicky Epstein's books - I love her creative ideas).


CableKnot Scollar was posted last week the Knit Picks website.


It is also available in my Ravelry Store.

Ariel Socks - Updated

The Ariel Sock Pattern is now available on Knit Picks through their Independent Designer Program.

This pattern has been updated with a redesigned toe - I think it looks much better.

This is the fourth time I have knit this sock design and it is fun every time, these socks really seem to knit quickly and fit very well (Stacey at Knit Picks tried them on for a photo for this blog post and told me that they fit her perfectly).  I really liked the new Knit Picks Stroll Tonal yarn.

Ariel Socks are worked cuff to toe, instructions are given for double pointed needles, and the stitch patterns for the panels on the front and back are charted but the two charts are very easy to follow as there are only 7 patterned rows/23 stitches/very few symbols.

 

Check it out on Knit Picks or in my Ravelry Store.

A few more things..

Twisted Stitch Socks
I love the look of twisted stitches (knit through the back loop); that really makes the pattern stand out.


Ordered this book from Knitpicks:

The stitches look best if all rows are twisted so an object knit flat would have to have stitches that were 'purl through the back loop' and that can be awkward, so it would be easier to work twisted stitches in a project done in the round i.e. hats, socks, mitts, etc.
I am looking forward to playing with some of the stitch patterns in this book for a pair socks soon.

In the meantime I knit this sock design using two similar type of stitch patterns from other books in my library. Loved the feel of the yarn, not crazy about the pooling but I do like the colors. It is really difficult to take a decent photo of your own feet!!

Yarn: 

Twinkle Toes by Chameleon Colorworks Dyeworks & Fiber Studio; Merino/Tencel, 1 skein, 100g equal 360 yards, Color: Peacock

Pattern:

My own design

Son In Law Socks

Finished the second sock, although these look like argyle they are actually fair isle.

Remind me not to knit with three colors on the same row again.

Here's David showing off his new socks:

Life is better with good lighting.......

Last week I bought the cutest little "Mini Ott Light" at Tuesday Morning.

It is so much easier to knit in the evening with the bright light that this provides, should be easier to knit dark colors - I'd like to make a black shawl one of these days.

Gnocchi Scarf

The other day at Kirkwood Knittery, Susie was working on the cutest scarf made from Gnocchi by Lana Grossa.  

It reminds of cattails and looks like cotton balls when knit up.

This is the simplest and quickest project, it is nothing but garter stitch.

You knit the chain between the puffs.

You would think it would have been easy but I can make things so hard 

I cast on too many times to count:

Didn't see any option but to use a backwards-e cast on.

Very bulky stuff, first needle I tried (size 9) too small to keep control.

Also I am a continental knitter but found that it was easier to work this 'yarn' by throwing with from my right hand. Frog.

Change to Size 11 Denise needles, cast on and knit a few rows. Too tight.  Frog.

 Settle on Size 10.5 Denise needles, cast on and knit a few rows.

Still seems loose, maybe I should twist the stitches. Frog.

 Cast on, knit a few rows with twisted stitches, still not right. Frog.

 Cast on and knit a few rows regular.

Looks weird along the side edges, puffs sitting vertically v. horizontally across the row.

Don't remember Suzie's looking this. Frog.

 Look up this yarn on Ravelry. See 8 similar projects. One is by my friend Anita who noted that she slipped the first stitch of every row.  Cast on and knit slipping the first stitch - should I slip knitwise or purlwise? Try a few rows both ways. Decide on purlwise. Frog.

Cast on and knit about 8". Hold it up to check my progress. Slipped stitches are tighter than the other stitches causing the scarf to bow/arc at the bottom edge. Frog.

Decide that life would be easier if I'd ever learn to put KISS into practice (keep it simple, stupid). Keep it simple: Cast on 8 stitches with backwards 'e' method. Knit 8 sts. Turn. Knit 8 sts. Turn.  Finally - success! Well, success until I reach the bind off....

Regular bind off, too tight, frog the bind off

 What would work? Needs to be loose like Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off.

Couldn't remember exactly how that went and I was too lazy to look it up.

Decided that my bind off needs backwards 'e' 's to be similar to the cast on.

Here is what I came up with:

  *Knit one.
  Create a backwards 'e' stitch with the chain between the next two puffs.
  Pass the knit over the 'e'.
  Knit the next stitch.
  Pass the 'e' over.**
  Repeat from * to ** to the last stitch.
  Bind off previous stitch and draw the tail through the last stitch.

Final step: Sew (with matching thread and needle) in all the ends.

Voila - Finished!!

Fall Finished Objects

Beaded Scarf

This was a fun project, nice yarn, pretty colors, easy pattern:

Very Pretty Yarn:

Swiss Mountain (65% Cashmere/35% Silk) by Handmaiden from Loopy Ewe.

Beads:

Size 8 from Ladybug Beads.

Pattern:

Center portion of Waves of Grain by Rosemary Hill available free at Knitty, Fall 2008.

Recipient:

Lovely daughter.

Twisted Candle Flame Cardigan

As I wrote in a previous post My friend Gerta lent me her copy of "Omas Strickgeheimnisse" and I was enchanted with the stitch pattern "Tulpen mit verschrankten Maschen".   Not sure what that translates to but I'm calling this Twisted Candle Flame Sweater:

Yarn:

Adrienne Vittadini Alexa,

100% cotton tape yarn, worsted weight;

16 skeins, 50g and 100 yards per skein,

purchased at Kirkwood Knittery.

Stitch Pattern:

Twisted Candle Flame from Omas Strickgeheimnisse.

Buttons:

From Joann's.

Designer:

Me

Cute Baby Sweater

I saw this cute ball of yarn at The Weaving Dept. at Myers House - tucked inside the ball are darling little buttons and two sweater patterns (cardigan and pullover).  It isn't the greatest yarn (lots of thick and thin) but it turned out cute, it's machine washable and was quick to do - now we just need someone in my family to have a baby who can wear it!

Yarn/Pattern/Buttons:

Cotton Kisses by Plymouth Yarn Companypurchased at

The Weaving Dept at Myers House.

One skein, 200g, 396 yards

Stitch Pattern:

Made it up.

Recipient:

To be determined.

Sock in Progress?

I love the glitter sock yarn from Berroco and bought a skein in pink/green/orange.  

Of course after many swatches I couldn't settle on stitch pattern.

In the meantime I ordered some Gloss sock yarn in Black from Knitpicks.

I thought it would be nice to have some black handknit socks - what was I thinking?

Very hard to see to work on black yarn. Need to try some better lighting.

It occurred to me that I could combine these two yarns and came up with this. Finished the first sock but it is loose at the ankle even though done on 64 stitches with Size 1 U.S. needles; the Gloss sock yarn is a bit on the heavy side.

This may end up in the frog pond.

More to follow soon...............