Promised Pictures Part 1: Fingerless Mitts

So let's start with my December projects. I decided to make fingerless mitts for my mother using some Lion Brand Superwash Merino Cashmere yarn from my stash. They turned out great and they feel amazing. I designed these mitts specifically for her tiny womanly hands, and I couldn't be more excited with the results.

Materials:

2 skeins of Lion Brand Superwash Merino Cashmere

US 8 double pointed needles

Stitch marker (or if you're like me, use the tail as an indicator of the new round)

Pattern:

Base:

Cast on 33 st onto 1 needle using long tail cast on. Divide stitches evenly among three needles making sure not to twist the stitches, then join for working in the round

Row 1: Knit 1 Purl 1, repeat to last st, then knit 1 (the first st and the last st of the round are both knit sts)

Repeat row 1 for 4 inches, then purl all stitches for 2 rows, knit 1 purl 1 rib for 3 rows, purl for 2 rows

Thumb hole:

A) Working across the same needle you just used to finish the previous row, turn the work so that the wrong side of the work (the inside of the mitt) is facing you. Then:

Purl 1 Knit 1, repeat to last st, then purl 1.

You are no longer working in the round so as to make space for the thumb

B) Turn the work so that the right side of the work (the outside of the mitt) is facing you. Then:

Knit 1, Purl 1, repeat to last st, then knit 1.

Repeat A)

Working in this same fashion, purl 1 row then knit 1 row

Repeat B) A) B) once more and then join for working in the round

Top:

You will be working the rest of the piece with the wrong side facing you

Knit 2 rows, then:

Row 1: Purl 1, Knit 1, repeat to last st, then purl 1

Repeat Row 1 until desired coverage of fingers is achieved.

Bind off in purl

Weave in ends and then BAM done!

Here are progress phone pics:

I'm so glad I have a new camera. So glad.

Last Week Has Been Exciting, To Say The Least

This has been my view for the last week:

Contents of this picture include: 

• My knitting, gatorade/liquid, saltines, pablo, my bed

I have not moved much from this spot. Why you ask? I had a horrible case of food poisoning which ended up getting me hospitalized with severe dehydration.

I ended up needing two bags of IV fluids without expelling much fluid of my own at the hospital. It was a grand experience.

Anyway it's safe to say that the worst has passed. Time to continue on! I'm thinking I will make that Link blanket I posted about earlier. Can't wait to start that!

Knitting With Two Strands of Yarn

Here is a swatch using my leftover "winging it" cowl yarns. I did not make the effort to keep one color on top/bottom so the result ended up looking like this:

I was really pleased with the texture but decided to switch it up to crochet.

Ended up with this cool looking beanie! Using a K hook, this piece took me about an hour and a half to make.


3/4 of the way through crocheting all dc, I decided to add cable. Here is a close up, although I think it is sort of difficult to see the cable in this pic. OH WELL it still looks awesome.

This piece is suprisingly soft, squishy, and it comfortably fits my tiny head. I definitely plan on wearing this when the weather gets colder.

Now I need to think up a new project! More to come, my good people.

Finished my "Winging It" Cowl

Check it out! It is a wonderful asymmetrical patterned knit that adds a cool quirky touch to anyone's outfit.



Seaming this piece was not as difficult as I thought it would be. I seamed my checkered cowl differently and, let me tell you, the change in technique shows A LOT when comparing my finished pieces.

Comparing seams from the winging it cowl and the checkered cowl:
These are my pieces turned inside out. The seam on the striped cowl is well hidden while the seam on the checkered cowl stands up like a sore thumb. You can notice the seam from the outside of the piece, too. For the striped cowl, I think I prefer more of a subtle, hidden seam.

And I finally learned how to properly weave in ends! You can see my seam just above one of my woven ends (in the purple square) in the pic below and I gotta say, I am impressed with how good it looks! From now on I will weave in ends like this from now until forever.

These colors have inspired me to try something different. Stay tuned, friends!

Winging It: Current Cowl Project

In the midst of apartment hunting, figuring out what I want to do with my life, and napping, I am trying to keep my hands busy and focused with the rhythmic and consistent movement of knitting. Let's see where these stitches take me!

Had some help determining a pattern for this cowl. Check it out what I have so far!


This is a straight up easy garter stitch.

Pattern SO FAR: MC knit 7 rows, CC knit 4 rows, MC knit 10 rows, CC knit 4 rows, MC knit 14 rows, CC knit 4 rows, MC knit 18 rows, CC knit 4 rows, MC knit 22 rows, CC knit 4 rows.

I am halfway done and plan to knit the same pattern but decrease the MC until I end up with 6 rows. Eventually I will sew the finished cowl together. White yarn is Galler Yarn Adorable, the same yarn I used for the Cassandra Cowl. The green yarn is acrylic Vanna's Choice (I have to decrease my stash somehow, even if the yarn is from Michael's. NO YARN LEFT BEHIND!).

Curious to see how it will turn out! The white part of the piece still has to be blocked, but here is a cool close up:


July is almost over. I need to stop blinking.

Finished Checkered Cowl and BSS Progress

I visited with my family the weekend of the 17th to celebrate my sister's graduation from college! During that time, I was able to finish my checkered cowl.


I decided to make a cowl instead of a scarf because I did not have enough yarn. Fortuneately, the piece still turned out nicely! I am LOVING the basketweave texture.

I also made huge progress on my BSS. I am slowly but steadily crawling my way towards finishing my first skein of yarn. BUT I SHALL PERSEVERE! This scarf is going to be amazing, no doubt. I have two more skeins left and a whole lot of motivation to help me along the way.





And lastly, photogenic pablo hanging out with my ukulele.

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend! My thoughts go out to my friends (and everyone) involved in the military. Thank you.

A Lazy Day

Now that the weather is heating up I have a great excuse to lounge by the pool, knit, and get some much needed vitamin D.


However: trying to knit with wool is a horrible idea when it's hot out, by the way. The wool retains ALL OF THE HEAT EVERYWHERE and then gets pulled apart by my poor sweaty palms.

Back to my BSS I go...

Back Home

I was greeted quite warmly when I drove back down to SoCal yesterday. It was 90 degrees out!

The ride down was not that bad, just long as f. I had pablo (an exceptional traveler) to accompany me, but no music. No radio. No ipod. Silence. And momentary kitty mews.

There are pretty cool sites to see on my roadtrip, like this:


The sun is HUGE when it sets in May. Also yes, I know, my windshield is really dirty. I show no mercy to suicidal bugs.

Last night, I was able to see Disneyland fireworks at a local hotel party. The show lasted like 5 minutes and it was wonderful. And loud.

Anyway, back to knitting my checkered scarf and then eventually my 40 hr BSS. Toodles, friends!

Pretty things

Here are some nice photos I took around the yard a few days ago while I was spoiling myself on vacation:





This day involved me lounging outside in the warm sun knitting and listening to tyDi pandora. It was marvelous. Peaceful. Serene.

Finished: Angel Hair Stripes Cowl

I was able to finish this warm cowl for my mom for Mother's Day!

I made the cowl thick enough to be worn a couple of ways:

I know my mom will love this because she helped me pick out the yarn! Angel Hair Stripes yarn is a soft acrylic/wool blend. Perfect for winter time!

Now I am trying to complete my checkered cowl. If I finish that, then I will have completed three projects while I was on vacation! Seeing your finished projects is seriously the best part about knitting. It takes a huge investment in patience, but in the end it's all worth it. I feel like I put my time to good use.

New Projects for the End of April

Along with plans to make a second Cassandra Cowl, I have started two new projects that I can't wait to finish!

The first:
This is a cowl I am making for mom. This is Angel Hair Stripes yarn made of acrylic, nylon, and wool and was found at Michaels. It's a soft cheap yarn used to make comfy winter accessories and gives rise to cool textured stripes in this pattern: knit 4 rows, purl 4 rows.

The second:
This is a wonderful knit using fabulous Debbie Bliss Andes yarn. It is a baby alpaca and silk blend, giving the piece a gorgeous sheen as well as a soft and luxurious feel. I am making a checkered texture using this pattern:  (K5 P5 for five rows, then P5 K5 for five rows).

These projects will be done soon, as they are both really easy knits. Then I plan on making two unique pieces for my sister's birthday that just recently passed. Details on that tomorrow, when I actually buy my yarn!

And now I shall leave you with a sleepy pablo, sleeping wherever his sleepy heart desires, like right on top of my yarn bag.