On the Go-veralls

Pattern: On the Go-veralls (Ravelry link)
Yarn: Knit Picks Swish Worsted
Needles: #7 DPN's and Circulars

Notes:
This pattern is BEYOND adorable. It is lightning quick to knit and a real joy to complete. I only struggled when I joined the legs to knit the body, it was very tight, but once I switched to DPN's, I was OK. The pattern took just over two balls of the Swish, so I had to do the straps in a coordinating chocolate brown...which is fine, it actually looks quite cute.

I think I"ll be knitting another pair of these in the green color I used to make the Gift Wrap Romper, I have a feeling my little man will get lots of use out of these. :)

More pics and details on Ravelry.

Gift Wrap Romper

Project: Gift Wrap Romper
Yarn: Knit Picks Swish Worsted (Superwash) in Truffle, Lawn, and White
Needles: #7 circulars, #7 DPN's, #4 circulars, #4 DPN's

Notes: When I saw this pattern I fell in love. It cleared me of the "dry spell" of creativity that hit the moment I found out I was pregnant. After months of looking at my knitting needles and piles of yarn with disinterest, I saw this, cast on with a fury, and I haven't looked back since.

This pattern is easy as can be, VERY well written, and fun at the same time. It's the perfect storm of knitting. I chose to do the stripes (as you can see) but I think this would be equally adorable in a solid yarn. I think this will be a nice warm piece of clothing for my little baby to lounge around in all Winter long. I will probably be knitting several more of these...so look for a few more here and there over the next few months.

My favorite feature of this finished romper are the little vintage buttons I used. These were given to me by my husbands Grandmother, so they are an extra special addition to her grandchild's knitted garment.

The only place I ran into any issues was the short row shaping...and it was completely my fault. I was thinking of short rows in terms of sock toes and heels, and not in terms of, well, shaping. So, I knit several sock toes onto the back of my romper before I stopped, read the instructions again, smacked myself on the forehead, and started over for the last time. Once I scaled that mountain of stupidity, it was smooth sailing. I highly recommend this pattern for anyone who has a baby, is expecting a baby, or wants to knit for a baby. I've also recently completed the matching hat...so stay tuned for a run down on that project!

New Project

You may have noticed a lack of projects going on around here lately, and I can tell you why. I haven't been knitting. At all. Since I finished the Clementine Scarf, I've knit nary a stitch. I just haven't felt like it.

I think it's due to another project I'm working on...our first baby! I'm due November 9th and I'm sure that once this severe exhaustion lets up, you'll be seeing lots of little baby things show up on the blog.

Until then, stay tuned...and have a beer for me. :)

Ravelympic WIP Dancing - Clem Again

Pattern: Clementine Shawlette
Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Lace, "Glazed Carrot"
Needles: #3 Takumi Straights

Clearly, I love this pattern. This is the third time I have knit it, and I loved it just as much this time. I have modified it to make it a scarf, removing all of the patterning to create the "tassels" and increasing. This also allowed me to just knit it straight from cast on to bind off (thereby avoiding knitting it in two pieces and grafting them together). This made for some wonderfully mechanical knitting while watching television.

The yarn/needle combination was perfect...just tight enough to keep it a solid fabric, but the needles weren't to tiny that I wanted to kill myself halfway through. The yarn itself was amazing, as all Malabrigo is. The colors are amazing and I'm convinced that I'll never be able to capture it accurately on film...deep, luxurious, and amazingly carroty.

This scarf is a gift for my cousin Kelly (Grace and Natalie's Mom). She's my very best friend, is basically my sister, and I owe so much to her (she taught me my multiplication tables, sent me Disney movies and candy when I was sick in college, traded stickers, jelly bracelets, and charm necklace charms when were were kids) that I could never possibly knit enough to show her how much I love and appreciate her...but that's not going to stop me from trying.

Recently Finished Items

It's been a while, but I have some finished items to share with you! I've been quiet because work has been busy and the Holiday season was hectic (as I'm sure it was for everyone), but now I'm back and I have a little FO parade for anyone who may drop by...

First up is a little cardigan I made for my boss Holly's new baby; Eliza Jane. I didn't know Miss Eliza was going to be a "miss" until she was born, hence the green yarn. I didn't use a pattern for this...I just winged it. It's a perfect newborn size and Holly loves it. The yarn for this was Debbie Mumm Traditions in "Pine Needle" and I used a #6 circular needle and #6 DPN's.

I attached little snaps inside the button band so that it could be more easily taken off or put on by the parents. Also, buttons are a choking hazard (though I admit I wasn't thinking of that when I made the choice).


Next up is the beautiful Mara:

Pattern: Mara by Madeline Tosh
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Merino Aran
Needles: #7 circulars

Notes: I liked this pattern, but I was a bit short of the yardage for it...so I improvised by doing a stockinette ruffle at the edge instead of the ribs. I'm happy with it, but honestly would have preferred the ribs. It needs a good soak and block, and maybe then I'll be more pleased. We shall see. The color is versatile and that is a blessing. The wool is warm and comfy, and the pattern couldn't have been easier.

Third in line is a matched pairing of EZ's Ganomy and Mitered Mittens:

Patterns: Ganomy and Mitered Mittens by Elizabeth Zimmerman
Yarn: Noro Silver Thaw, #1
Needles: #9 circular and #9 DPN's

Notes: I loved knitting both of these patterns. EZ is a genius and I love to be reminded of that when I come back to one of her patterns. The hat is wonderful because of the ear flaps and the mittens are lovely because they conform to the shape of ones hands. If I were to change anything it would be to make the mittens shorter (I have very short hands) and to give the hat a tassel. I think this hat just screams for a tassel. Next time I will likely knit this set out of a sturdier yarn as well...for though the silver thaw is beautiful and luxurious, it doesn't stand up the way I'd like it to.

Finally I have the bird infested baby knit that everyone has been working on:

Pattern: Owl Baby Vest by Jodi Haraldson
Yarn: Jaeger Baby Merino DK, butter
Needles: #4 circulars

Notes: This was really fun to knit. It took only a few days and then was complete. I wasn't able to join the circulars (it would have been too tight, even on my smallest set) so there is a seam up the back of this...however, you really can't tell. I've used tiny red vintage buttons from my husbands grandmother, and I think they stand out nicely against the butter yellow of the yarn. All in all, this is one of the cutest things I've ever knit and I'm sure to make more!

Lady Eleanor

Pattern: Lady Eleanor
Yarn: Noro Silver Thaw, 5 hanks
Needles: #8 circulars

Notes:
First, let me start by saying that I'm completely in love with the finished product. It's just what I'd hoped it would be. It's very long (love that) and just wide enough. I can wear it as a scarf or as a shawl. It's very warm. The fringe is beautiful, and the knotting (though tedious) is worth all of the time it takes as it really sets this shawl apart.

I loved every minute of knitting this...and I've been knitting it for some time now! I started it three years ago this Christmas! I knew when I started it that it would be a relaxing knit to pick up when I was bored with other projects, and it was just that. It moved along at a snails pace until I learned how to knit backwards. This is an amazing technique, and I now use it whenever I'm supposed to purl (because I prefer it and because my tension requires it). If you would like to learn how to do this, I suggest this tutorial. It just takes some practice, but you'll get used to it in no time.

The yarn for this project is amazing. The white and brightly colored nubs are all tufts of angora, and I can't tell you how decadent that is against the skin. The wool itself is nice and soft because it's blended with the angora and with nylon. It did bleed when I blocked it, but it only took a few rinses to take care of that. And honestly, I'd put up with a lot for the beautiful color transitions of Noro.

I get stares and compliments whenever I wear this, and I love telling people that I made it. If you haven't tried enterlac yet, this is an excellent project to start with. If you don't to jump in with both feet, this pattern would also be a lovely selection.

Raven Rib

Pattern: Retro Rib Socks
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Ravens Clan "Koorpi"
Needles: #2 DPN's

Notes:
The only part of the Retro Rib pattern that I used was the cuff ribbing, and I didn't even do that fully...as hubby wanted a very simple sock. I think that this pattern really lets the beautiful hand dyed yarn shine, I can't say enough about how subtly beautiful this yarn really is.

Hubby is happy, but now I think he expects a sweater...better get to work!