I have been pretty lax with my Project Spectrum knitting so far. I seem to have an urge to knit in a color once that month has passed (for instance, right now I want to knit a pair of green socks.) Go figure. With this being said, I will point out that though I didn't always knit these things in order, they were knit with the Project Spectrum color scheme in mind. Besides, I am sure Lolly has a forgiving heart and wouldn't mind that I knit something pink in March.
As a recap:
The February/March colors were Blue, White and Grey. I knit the Husband Hat in a Grey alpaca, Cable Twist Socks in Blue and Grey, a Ribbed Shrug in White, the Bed Shrug in Antique Ivory which qualifies as White (still in progress), and the sadly disastrous Seaberry Shell in Blue.
The April/May colors were Pink, Green and Yellow. I knit the Gentleman's Fancy Socks in Pink, The One Row Hat and Scarf in Pink, Monica in Green, the Airy Wrap Cardigan in Green, and last but not least, I repainted my basement a lovely shade of Green!
The June/July colors of Red, Black and Metallics excite me. I am currently working on a few projects that fit into this category and am now trying to think of some others I can work on with yarn from my stash (I am on a diet, Mama needs a new computer.) Currently on the needles are my (recently ripped out and begun again) Sockapalooza 4 socks in beautiful Fleece Artist Brick Red and my Roza's Socks in Black. I have 1,000 yards of a lovely copper yarn in a cobweb lace weight that I would like to use to make the Kimono Shawl (Eunny's beautiful example) from Folk Shawls by Cheryl Oberlie. I think that's the only June/July yarn in my stash, though the Kimono Shawl could take quite a while...
5.31.2007
5.29.2007
Where have I been?
I was so good there for a while, but now it's been days and days since my last post. Want to know what's been going on with me? OK, I'll tell you...
The Bed Shrug is coming along nicely. I went back and did my math again (always a good idea) and determined that I had made a mistake. I must have carried a one or something, multiplication was never my strong suit. At any rate, I have cast back on and have knit the picot edge and one of the lace repeats. However, my dear dear Mother in Law will need to wait on this as priority one is finishing the wedding invitations for the event at which the shrug is to be worn!
My Sockapalooza 4 socks are OK. Kind of on hold because I noticed that I missed a round about 12 rounds ago. Nothing major, just one measly round. Problem is, it was the actual cable round...which really stands out. You can see it if you look closely in the last picture I posted. Because of this, and my inability to rip out and pick up stitches with yarn overs, it is sitting on my knitting basket frowning at me. I don't want to completely start over again, but I can't bear to tink 12 rounds of a sock....how mind-numbing.
The Lace Tube Top is beautiful, but is also on hold, though for no real reason. It's just sitting there, looking like a perfectly good piece of knitting...and I am ignoring it. Same thing with my Airy Wrap Around Cardigan...except I know why I am ignoring that one; I am on the wraps. Anyone who has knit this will understand.
My Roza's Socks are beautiful. I have turned the heel and knit about halfway down the foot of the first sock. It fits like a glove, I just hope that I can remember the alterations I made when I go to knit the second sock. Why can't I just follow a pattern?
The Gentleman's Winter Socks are nice. Nice and slow. They have become my resident work socks, which mean they live in a cabinet at work and I only knit on them when I am at work. I don't like bringing things back and forth and am in no great hurry for these to be complete, so they will stay here and be knit at an arctic pace.
In other knitting news, I will be meeting up with my friend Peter to share with him the joy that is knitting. That's right Peter, I am talking to you! We will be forming a knitting circle (albeit a very small one) with Peter, Shelley and myself. At these circles, Peter is going to learn to knit with some yarn the Shelley was generous enough to give to him for his birthday. Yay, another one bites the dust!
In news that it totally unrelated to knitting, we are 90% finished with renovating the back portion of our basement! The walls are complete, sanded and painted and the ceiling is finished too.
The basement before all of the work, the right hand side is where the washer and dryer are.
The Bed Shrug is coming along nicely. I went back and did my math again (always a good idea) and determined that I had made a mistake. I must have carried a one or something, multiplication was never my strong suit. At any rate, I have cast back on and have knit the picot edge and one of the lace repeats. However, my dear dear Mother in Law will need to wait on this as priority one is finishing the wedding invitations for the event at which the shrug is to be worn!
My Sockapalooza 4 socks are OK. Kind of on hold because I noticed that I missed a round about 12 rounds ago. Nothing major, just one measly round. Problem is, it was the actual cable round...which really stands out. You can see it if you look closely in the last picture I posted. Because of this, and my inability to rip out and pick up stitches with yarn overs, it is sitting on my knitting basket frowning at me. I don't want to completely start over again, but I can't bear to tink 12 rounds of a sock....how mind-numbing.
The Lace Tube Top is beautiful, but is also on hold, though for no real reason. It's just sitting there, looking like a perfectly good piece of knitting...and I am ignoring it. Same thing with my Airy Wrap Around Cardigan...except I know why I am ignoring that one; I am on the wraps. Anyone who has knit this will understand.
My Roza's Socks are beautiful. I have turned the heel and knit about halfway down the foot of the first sock. It fits like a glove, I just hope that I can remember the alterations I made when I go to knit the second sock. Why can't I just follow a pattern?
The Gentleman's Winter Socks are nice. Nice and slow. They have become my resident work socks, which mean they live in a cabinet at work and I only knit on them when I am at work. I don't like bringing things back and forth and am in no great hurry for these to be complete, so they will stay here and be knit at an arctic pace.
In other knitting news, I will be meeting up with my friend Peter to share with him the joy that is knitting. That's right Peter, I am talking to you! We will be forming a knitting circle (albeit a very small one) with Peter, Shelley and myself. At these circles, Peter is going to learn to knit with some yarn the Shelley was generous enough to give to him for his birthday. Yay, another one bites the dust!
In news that it totally unrelated to knitting, we are 90% finished with renovating the back portion of our basement! The walls are complete, sanded and painted and the ceiling is finished too.
The basement before all of the work, the right hand side is where the washer and dryer are.
The basement now. We walled in the washer and dryer section, and painted the doors with magnetic and white erase paint.
Another shot of the fabulously bright color, Honeydew, and the cat door (leads to the litter boxes).
The painted ceiling. We needed to camouflage the wires and pipes...and 22 cans of white spray paint later, they disappear!
The only thing left to be done is the flooring and that is all up in the air. We are waiting to see if our contractor can put it in for us...if not, we are stuck "winging it." I have to be honest, I am not too comfortable winging the flooring!
Another shot of the fabulously bright color, Honeydew, and the cat door (leads to the litter boxes).
The painted ceiling. We needed to camouflage the wires and pipes...and 22 cans of white spray paint later, they disappear!5.23.2007
Bed Shrug
I measured (and re-measured) and calculated (and re-calculated) and cast on last night for the Bed Shrug. Then I ripped out. My intention is to do the shrug with picot cuffs instead of the ribbing. I don't feel like the ribbing is "fancy" enough for wedding attire, and the picot edging is girly, without being "ruffly". Thing is that with me only casting on 53 stitches, (which is what I get gauge on in the lace) the mainly stockinette picot edging will never be as stretchy as the lace, I would need almost a third more stitches!
So, my solution is to knit the lace first and block it. Then do a stockinette gauge and determine how many stitches I'll need and pick up that many stitches for each cuff, then knit those on. It's more work, which means more room for error, but it actually seems like the only way to do this without running the risk of teeny tiny cuffs or big billowy backs. Ahhh, alliteration.
Anyway, I will cast on again for the lace part tonight, and post photos of how far I get...wish me luck!
So, my solution is to knit the lace first and block it. Then do a stockinette gauge and determine how many stitches I'll need and pick up that many stitches for each cuff, then knit those on. It's more work, which means more room for error, but it actually seems like the only way to do this without running the risk of teeny tiny cuffs or big billowy backs. Ahhh, alliteration.
Anyway, I will cast on again for the lace part tonight, and post photos of how far I get...wish me luck!
5.21.2007
Sockapalooza Progress
I am four repeats in to the first Saucy sock. This pattern is very easy and really fun to knit. I am taking it slowly (I make it a point to knit a lot on another sock and then let myself do one repeat on Saucy) still, it is moving very quickly. I am liking the Fleece Artist, it is nice to knit with and works well with the larger needle size this pattern requires. It is rather variegated, but not in a bad way. I think it will make a pretty sock. :)
I have plans to send my sock pal something small this week. Though (and correct me if I am wrong as this is my first time in a Sockapalooza,) I am concerned that I am making a mistake in doing so. I have read on some posts on the site and on some at the Pligg that people aren't supposed to send small gifts to spoil their pal. I am unclear on what to do, but appreciate advice. I'd like to send her something (I have yarn and small things set aside) but won't if it's "taboo".
I have plans to send my sock pal something small this week. Though (and correct me if I am wrong as this is my first time in a Sockapalooza,) I am concerned that I am making a mistake in doing so. I have read on some posts on the site and on some at the Pligg that people aren't supposed to send small gifts to spoil their pal. I am unclear on what to do, but appreciate advice. I'd like to send her something (I have yarn and small things set aside) but won't if it's "taboo".
5.15.2007
I wound some yarn tonight when I got home...
isn't it beautiful?
Fleece Artist Merino in "Brick"
100% Superfine Alpaca in "Charcoal"
Fleece Artist Merino in "Brick"
100% Superfine Alpaca in "Charcoal"The Good, the Bad and the Ugly...oh, and the Lace
Let's go in order, shall we?
The Good.
The yarn for my sock pal, plus a few extra skeins arrived yesterday in the mail. I was so excited to see it that I went and picked it up before work. The Fleece Artist Brick Merino is beautiful, and slightly more variegated than the web site photos showed. After seeing and touching this yarn, I can safely say that Saucy is the right pattern. I will cast on soon for these socks. I really want this project to last me a while...so I plan to knit a bit, set them down, then knit some more. I don't want them to be finished in a few days.
Fleece Artist Merino in "Brick"
From Left to Right: Regia Cotton in "Parakeet", Noro Kuryon in "175", Fleece Artist Merino in "Brick"
The Bad.
A while ago, I knit one Jaywalker in some beautiful Austermann Step. I really liked the way this looked, but I wasn't happy with the result of knitting Jaywalkers on size 1 needles. I need to learn my lesson (this is the third time I have gotten the Jaywalker smackdown) and knit them on larger needles...or add a stitch here or there. Anyway, I will rip out the offending Jaywalker, and I cast on last night for a Gentleman's Winter Stocking, like the one I made my Dad for Christmas. I think they will be awesome, and I am really looking forward to knitting the Dutch Heel again!
The Ugly.
Have you ever knit something that was SO beautiful in the pattern that you knew immediately that you would make it for yourself? You buy just the right yarn, you carefully swatch and you begin to knit. As the fabric takes shape you love it, and you see the details from the pattern form and you just know it will be perfect! Then you finish. And it's not. It's AWFUL. It makes you look 20 pounds heavier and about 4 months pregnant. It makes you feel sad because you tried so hard and you wanted it so badly....and it just didn't deliver. Such is the case of the Seaberry Shell. With that in mind, if you have about a 36" bust and NO STOMACH to speak of and are relatively short (about 5'4" or under) this sweater could be yours. I can't bring myself to rip it out just yet....so if you want it, speak up. If not, I will rip it out and make it into something that I thought of while getting ready for work this morning...
Seaberry Shell, IK Spring 2006. Knit in Patons Shetland Chunky, held double.
The Lace.
Ahhh, the lace. I swatched for my Mother in Law's Bed Shrug this weekend and got 3" instead of 4", which isn't that bad considering the fact that I am using teeny tiny silk yarn and #2 needles! She approved of the pattern, with the modification of picot edging instead of the ribbing that is there (I wanted to dress it up some) and LOVED the color. I will be casting on for this tonight, I can't wait to get started, though my hands need to adjust to the fine nature of this yarn.
Handmaiden Silk Lace in "Antique Ivory"
Up next in the queue is the Lace Tube Top from Fitted Knits for my best friends birthday...can't wait to get started!
The Good.
The yarn for my sock pal, plus a few extra skeins arrived yesterday in the mail. I was so excited to see it that I went and picked it up before work. The Fleece Artist Brick Merino is beautiful, and slightly more variegated than the web site photos showed. After seeing and touching this yarn, I can safely say that Saucy is the right pattern. I will cast on soon for these socks. I really want this project to last me a while...so I plan to knit a bit, set them down, then knit some more. I don't want them to be finished in a few days.
Fleece Artist Merino in "Brick"
From Left to Right: Regia Cotton in "Parakeet", Noro Kuryon in "175", Fleece Artist Merino in "Brick"A while ago, I knit one Jaywalker in some beautiful Austermann Step. I really liked the way this looked, but I wasn't happy with the result of knitting Jaywalkers on size 1 needles. I need to learn my lesson (this is the third time I have gotten the Jaywalker smackdown) and knit them on larger needles...or add a stitch here or there. Anyway, I will rip out the offending Jaywalker, and I cast on last night for a Gentleman's Winter Stocking, like the one I made my Dad for Christmas. I think they will be awesome, and I am really looking forward to knitting the Dutch Heel again!
The Ugly.
Have you ever knit something that was SO beautiful in the pattern that you knew immediately that you would make it for yourself? You buy just the right yarn, you carefully swatch and you begin to knit. As the fabric takes shape you love it, and you see the details from the pattern form and you just know it will be perfect! Then you finish. And it's not. It's AWFUL. It makes you look 20 pounds heavier and about 4 months pregnant. It makes you feel sad because you tried so hard and you wanted it so badly....and it just didn't deliver. Such is the case of the Seaberry Shell. With that in mind, if you have about a 36" bust and NO STOMACH to speak of and are relatively short (about 5'4" or under) this sweater could be yours. I can't bring myself to rip it out just yet....so if you want it, speak up. If not, I will rip it out and make it into something that I thought of while getting ready for work this morning...
Seaberry Shell, IK Spring 2006. Knit in Patons Shetland Chunky, held double.The Lace.
Ahhh, the lace. I swatched for my Mother in Law's Bed Shrug this weekend and got 3" instead of 4", which isn't that bad considering the fact that I am using teeny tiny silk yarn and #2 needles! She approved of the pattern, with the modification of picot edging instead of the ribbing that is there (I wanted to dress it up some) and LOVED the color. I will be casting on for this tonight, I can't wait to get started, though my hands need to adjust to the fine nature of this yarn.
Handmaiden Silk Lace in "Antique Ivory"Up next in the queue is the Lace Tube Top from Fitted Knits for my best friends birthday...can't wait to get started!
5.11.2007
Child's First Sock
Pattern: Child's First Sock, Nancy Bush "Knitting Vintage Socks" Yarn: Regia 4-ply wool in a "mushroom" color
Needles: #1 DPN's
Notes: I loved knitting this pattern, it was super easy to remember the stitches and I didn't even need my book by me when I was knitting. I pretty much finished the second sock without looking at the pattern except to determine the number of cast on stitches. The socks fit really well and I am super happy with my first "lace" pair completed. I am eager to try another pair of socks with an interesting stitch pattern!
5.10.2007
The people have spoken...
And the winner of the Sock Pattern Poll is:
(drum roll please...)
Saucy Socks AND Travelers Stockings with a whopping 6 votes each!
Thelonious was a close runner-up with 4 votes (I think that's enough for me to knit these for myself, what do you think?) And the lonely Pomatomus and Cable Net received only one point each. (Don't feel too bad for them, I will be knitting these for myself one day too!)
Hmmm, I don't really know what to do with this. I like both of the winning patterns, but they are so different from one another. One has large cabled patterns and open yarn overs that span the whole sock, the other has tiny fussy details in the cuff and an almost entirely stockinette leg and foot. I feel that I must be the tie-breaker, however. I think I have come to the most reasonable decision, and that is that I am going to wait until I see the yarn to make a final call. Swatching and feeling the yarn in my hands to get an idea of the thickness of it will likely lead me down the right path.
Speaking of the yarn, I ordered it yesterday, along with a small gift for my sock pal and a not-so-small gift for me. In addition to this good news, I completed my "Child's First Socks" last night (couldn't go to bed until the toe was finished) and tried to do a photo shoot, but the battery died after one (blurry) shot. I will get that and my completed Ribbed Shrug tonight and post them tonight. I have Roza's Socks on the needles....but I think I need another sock going at the same time (best to have two in case you get bored of one)...what, oh what, to knit next. :)
(drum roll please...)
Saucy Socks AND Travelers Stockings with a whopping 6 votes each!
Thelonious was a close runner-up with 4 votes (I think that's enough for me to knit these for myself, what do you think?) And the lonely Pomatomus and Cable Net received only one point each. (Don't feel too bad for them, I will be knitting these for myself one day too!)
Hmmm, I don't really know what to do with this. I like both of the winning patterns, but they are so different from one another. One has large cabled patterns and open yarn overs that span the whole sock, the other has tiny fussy details in the cuff and an almost entirely stockinette leg and foot. I feel that I must be the tie-breaker, however. I think I have come to the most reasonable decision, and that is that I am going to wait until I see the yarn to make a final call. Swatching and feeling the yarn in my hands to get an idea of the thickness of it will likely lead me down the right path.
Speaking of the yarn, I ordered it yesterday, along with a small gift for my sock pal and a not-so-small gift for me. In addition to this good news, I completed my "Child's First Socks" last night (couldn't go to bed until the toe was finished) and tried to do a photo shoot, but the battery died after one (blurry) shot. I will get that and my completed Ribbed Shrug tonight and post them tonight. I have Roza's Socks on the needles....but I think I need another sock going at the same time (best to have two in case you get bored of one)...what, oh what, to knit next. :)
5.09.2007
To my sock pal...
I haven't heard from you yet. I am sure you are out there, thinking of what to knit me, looking at yarn and checking out patterns just like the rest of us...but, I sure would like to say hello!
So, if you are out there lurking on my blog, checking out my color and yarn preferences....drop me a comment to say hi or shoot me an email.
So, if you are out there lurking on my blog, checking out my color and yarn preferences....drop me a comment to say hi or shoot me an email.
Pattern Choices
Based on the wonderful feedback from everyone yesterday, I have decided upon the Brick Merino by Fleece Artist for my sock pal's finished pair. Now all that stands in the way of me ordering said yarn is determining a pattern. I have to have enough yarn, after all.
Here are the options:
Option 1: Saucy Socks (PDF) by Cider Moon
Option 2: Travelers Stockings (this pair knit by Grumperina) by Nancy Bush (Knitting Vintage Socks)
Option 3: Thelonious by Cookie A
Option 4: Cable Net from Knitty
Option 5: Pomatomus from Knitty
So, please cast your vote and I'll order the yarn and cast on!
Here are the options:
Option 1: Saucy Socks (PDF) by Cider Moon
Option 2: Travelers Stockings (this pair knit by Grumperina) by Nancy Bush (Knitting Vintage Socks)
Option 3: Thelonious by Cookie A
Option 4: Cable Net from Knitty
Option 5: Pomatomus from Knitty
So, please cast your vote and I'll order the yarn and cast on!
5.08.2007
Sockapalooza
Well, I have made contact with my pal! I am happy to report that she is open to pretty much anything, and has the exact same size feet as me! She also has exceptional taste in sock yarn, which is exciting for me because I am going to try a brand I have never used before, but have always wanted to.
Just a quick question about sending gifts before the August 2 sock deadline: I'd like to send little care packages, this is OK right, since it's not the actual socks? Just making sure, it's my first swap, so bear with me.
I still haven't heard from the person who got me, but I am sure he/she is busy stalking my blog and learning plenty about me.
Sockapalooza 4 Poll:
Help me decide on the perfect color of Fleece Artist Sock Yarn for my pal:
Option 1: Raspberry Sea Wool
Option 2: Aegean Sea Wool
Option 3: Brick Merino
Option 4: Harvest Merino
The yarn should be a semi-solid as I plan a very detailed sock pattern (either Nancy Bush's Travelers Stocking or Ladies Silk Stocking.)
Just a quick question about sending gifts before the August 2 sock deadline: I'd like to send little care packages, this is OK right, since it's not the actual socks? Just making sure, it's my first swap, so bear with me.
I still haven't heard from the person who got me, but I am sure he/she is busy stalking my blog and learning plenty about me.
Sockapalooza 4 Poll:
Help me decide on the perfect color of Fleece Artist Sock Yarn for my pal:
Option 1: Raspberry Sea Wool
Option 2: Aegean Sea Wool
Option 3: Brick Merino
Option 4: Harvest Merino
The yarn should be a semi-solid as I plan a very detailed sock pattern (either Nancy Bush's Travelers Stocking or Ladies Silk Stocking.)
5.07.2007
Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival
So, Saturday my friend Shelly and I went to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. I had no idea what to expect, since this was my first year, but I was not disappointed! There were baby sheep and adult sheep galore, yarn aplenty and food to die for! I carried home quite a haul:
From Left to Right: Top Step - Emerald Green Koigu KPM, Shetland Sock Yarn in "Tundra", Louet Gems in "Neptune"
Middle Step - Mountain Colors Bearfoot in "Mountain Tango", Mountain Colors Bearfoot in "Magenta", Cloverhill Sock Yarn in "Merlot"
Bottom Step - 100% Superfine Alpaca in "Charcoal" (it is 1330 yards!) and 100% Superfine Alpaca in a light brown (665 yards.)
I am very pleased with all that I brought home and already have plans for most of these balls of yarn! I spent all last night winding them into balls, and I think it is easy to tell which were last in queue (the Cloverhill is very messy indeed.)
I also ran into Lolly and Eunny there, but by the time I realized who they were and made the decision to go say hello, they had vanished into the crowd. I really regret not saying hello, so if you ladies see this post...Hi!
Here are some close ups of the yarns:
The Mountain Colors and Cloverhill.
The Koigu, Shetland and Louet.
The Alpaca.
From Left to Right: Top Step - Emerald Green Koigu KPM, Shetland Sock Yarn in "Tundra", Louet Gems in "Neptune"Middle Step - Mountain Colors Bearfoot in "Mountain Tango", Mountain Colors Bearfoot in "Magenta", Cloverhill Sock Yarn in "Merlot"
Bottom Step - 100% Superfine Alpaca in "Charcoal" (it is 1330 yards!) and 100% Superfine Alpaca in a light brown (665 yards.)
I am very pleased with all that I brought home and already have plans for most of these balls of yarn! I spent all last night winding them into balls, and I think it is easy to tell which were last in queue (the Cloverhill is very messy indeed.)
I also ran into Lolly and Eunny there, but by the time I realized who they were and made the decision to go say hello, they had vanished into the crowd. I really regret not saying hello, so if you ladies see this post...Hi!
Here are some close ups of the yarns:
The Mountain Colors and Cloverhill.
The Koigu, Shetland and Louet.
The Alpaca.Overall, I can say that the Sheep and Wool Festival was a wonderful success for me. I had a great time, met tons of knitters and spinners (and sheep) and really enjoyed the food (the ice cream was amazing.) I will be heading back next year, hopefully with a bigger bag and deeper pockets!
Monica
Pattern: Monica from Knitty
Yarn: Knitpicks Shine Sport in Apple and Grass
Needles: My trusty #6 Addi Turbos
Notes: I really liked the look of this pattern, and knew that Grace, as a "girly-girl" would take to it immediately. My main modification was to knit it in the round. I decreased one stitch on each side of the front and the back as I wouldn't be needing them to seam. I got a smaller gauge than the pattern suggested, which ended up being fine because I wanted a 3T and the pattern only provided a 2T and 4T...so I went for something in the middle. It knit up very fast and I had great fun attaching the ruffle to the body. The smaller modification I made was to leave the straps unattached in the back, but with button holes in them so that they are adjustable. I will attach buttons to the inside of the top (I can't find my button stash right now) and there are two slots on each strap for adjustable sizing. I wish that I had two more skeins of each color of yarn so that I could have made the whole tank longer, the ruffle longer and the straps longer. Alas, it will have to do as is. I promise to have a better image once the little princess tries it on...this is just a placeholder photo...
Oh, and it's a Project Spectrum project!
5.03.2007
Grace
Grace has always been the most grateful recipient of my knitted wares. The first thing I knit for her was her First Birthday Sweater, coincidentally my very first project. It was a hot pink sweater out of Elsbeth Lavold Silky Wool on size 6 needles. She wore it and wore it until it was so tight that her circulation was suffering.
Next I knit her a fun winter pullover in a fuzzy chunky green yarn from Red Heart. She was equally obsessed with this sweater, and referred to it as "boojoo". She would wander around the house saying this until someone (anyone) would give her the sweater, at which point she would put it on and refuse to take it off. She grew taller, and the sweater seemed to get shorter. It has taken up residence in Auntie Courtney's knitting basket to be lengthened this year so that she can wear it again. You must know how much I love this child based on the amount of mulch I pulled out of this yarn.
For Easter I knit her a lovely striped raglan in orange and yellow with a big pink flower, again out of Red Heart (left over from my husband's Grandmothers afghan stash.) She was not a fan of this sweater, which was surprising to me, as it was, in my opinion, much cuter than the green one. I soon determined the cause of her concern, it was "itchy". Really itchy. It just plain drove her nuts, so I resolved at that moment to always knit for Grace with softness in mind.
Since I had just learned my lesson, I was well prepared for her next birthday when I knit her the Second Birthday Sweater out of Manos Cotton Stria in grape and raspberry. She loves this sweater, and it feels so good to have hit a home run with it! I just recently got a few photos of her in it (yes, it has been several months - blame her Mother!) and wanted to share....
As you can see, it is a little large on her. This is for a few reasons. 1 - Auntie Courtney wasn't careful with her gauge. 2 - Grace won't let Kelly wash it, so it has had several months to stretch. 3 - I used a button that was WAY too heavy, and should have put ties on it. At any rate, she enjoys it and I know that she will enjoy Monica as much!
Next I knit her a fun winter pullover in a fuzzy chunky green yarn from Red Heart. She was equally obsessed with this sweater, and referred to it as "boojoo". She would wander around the house saying this until someone (anyone) would give her the sweater, at which point she would put it on and refuse to take it off. She grew taller, and the sweater seemed to get shorter. It has taken up residence in Auntie Courtney's knitting basket to be lengthened this year so that she can wear it again. You must know how much I love this child based on the amount of mulch I pulled out of this yarn.
For Easter I knit her a lovely striped raglan in orange and yellow with a big pink flower, again out of Red Heart (left over from my husband's Grandmothers afghan stash.) She was not a fan of this sweater, which was surprising to me, as it was, in my opinion, much cuter than the green one. I soon determined the cause of her concern, it was "itchy". Really itchy. It just plain drove her nuts, so I resolved at that moment to always knit for Grace with softness in mind.
Since I had just learned my lesson, I was well prepared for her next birthday when I knit her the Second Birthday Sweater out of Manos Cotton Stria in grape and raspberry. She loves this sweater, and it feels so good to have hit a home run with it! I just recently got a few photos of her in it (yes, it has been several months - blame her Mother!) and wanted to share....
As you can see, it is a little large on her. This is for a few reasons. 1 - Auntie Courtney wasn't careful with her gauge. 2 - Grace won't let Kelly wash it, so it has had several months to stretch. 3 - I used a button that was WAY too heavy, and should have put ties on it. At any rate, she enjoys it and I know that she will enjoy Monica as much!
5.02.2007
Scarlett's Socks
A few months ago my friend Jack and his wife had a new baby girl, Scarlett. She joined them and her brother Reed and is a lovely as a baby can be.
To welcome her to the world, I knit her a pair of socks using a pretty standard sock recipe. The only thing that could really be considered a "measurement" is how many stitches I cast on; 30. When I completed them, I couldn't believe that they would fit a human foot, they were so teeny tiny....but they did, and surprisingly, still do. I used some Lisa Souza Sock in "South Pacific" (they weren't sure if they were having a boy or girl, so I wanted the yarn to be perfect for either) and size 1 needles. They took a total of about 2 hours to make, and Jack and Kris were so appreciative. He got me a photo of her in her socks today, and I wanted to share.
I think they suit her very well. I have a sneaking suspicion that this is where the bulk of my leftover sock yarn will be going from now on....baby socks! I'll just knit them and save them for when I have babies. OK, maybe I'll give some of them away!
To welcome her to the world, I knit her a pair of socks using a pretty standard sock recipe. The only thing that could really be considered a "measurement" is how many stitches I cast on; 30. When I completed them, I couldn't believe that they would fit a human foot, they were so teeny tiny....but they did, and surprisingly, still do. I used some Lisa Souza Sock in "South Pacific" (they weren't sure if they were having a boy or girl, so I wanted the yarn to be perfect for either) and size 1 needles. They took a total of about 2 hours to make, and Jack and Kris were so appreciative. He got me a photo of her in her socks today, and I wanted to share.
I think they suit her very well. I have a sneaking suspicion that this is where the bulk of my leftover sock yarn will be going from now on....baby socks! I'll just knit them and save them for when I have babies. OK, maybe I'll give some of them away!
Progress Photos
First up is Monica. I am knitting this in Knitpicks Shine Sport in Apple Green (and eventually Grass Green.) I know Grace will love it because she loves soft things and this yarn is SOFT. I am knitting the size 4T, though my gauge is a little smaller, which is good because she's a 3T. She's a little small for her age, so I am hoping she can wear this next summer as well. My goal to have this done is May 20th so that I can give it to her Mommy when I see her that day.
Next up is the Airy Wrap Cardigan from Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel. I am knitting this in Romance, and I really like the way it looks. There is plenty of yarn in one ball to make the whole thing, which is nice and economic. I wish I had knit one size down though, as I think it's going to be a bit too big. Oh well, live and learn, right?
Finally, we have the front of the Seaberry Shell. I am knitting this with two strands of Patons Shetland Chunky held together and getting a great gauge. It's really a quick knit and the Bobble and Lace pattern is easy peasy.
The edges are curling a bit and it needs to be blocked...but not until it's seamed. I can't believe I took on a project with seaming!
Next up is the Airy Wrap Cardigan from Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel. I am knitting this in Romance, and I really like the way it looks. There is plenty of yarn in one ball to make the whole thing, which is nice and economic. I wish I had knit one size down though, as I think it's going to be a bit too big. Oh well, live and learn, right?
Finally, we have the front of the Seaberry Shell. I am knitting this with two strands of Patons Shetland Chunky held together and getting a great gauge. It's really a quick knit and the Bobble and Lace pattern is easy peasy.
The edges are curling a bit and it needs to be blocked...but not until it's seamed. I can't believe I took on a project with seaming!
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