Year of Projects: UFO #1

I have started my first UFO, a mitten, and I am having problems with it. At first I was knitting it using the two needle method, but that wasn't working out quite right with my stripes so now I am knitting it flat. My advice: self striping and variegated yarn for mittens if you want your life easier. My next option it to locate dpn's in the correct size and give that a try. My fear is that if I knit them flat the size will be off since I knit tighter in the round.

the first mitten

I polished off three very cute projects for a baby shower, you can check them out on my pinterest board, and so I haven't really worked on my beret. I managed a few rounds while watching Total Recall (the new one) with the hubs and it is quite possible that I'll have it finished in time to not need it.

I forgot to add a few things to my list. I want to write a sweater pattern (for a baby) and a toy. I already knit the prototype for the toy. It is a little bunny rattle (perfect for Easter Baskets!). I have the rough draft of the pattern worked out I just need to reknit it to make sure I got it right and then I'll test it on rav. If you are interested in testing let me know (message me on Rav: DeliaMae) and I'll tell you how testing works. Here is a link to the bunny toy and a video of her sweet "song". I am having issues getting my vision of the sweater onto the needles. I think I may need a few designing books: suggestions?

Belle Bottom Bunny

My other projects are beckoning me in my list, but I still only have the two hands. I think I'll accept a little startitius and cast on a sock and some Easter stuff next.

On My Mind

I have been thinking a lot about going to a knitting retreat of some kind. On some of the blogs I follow there has been people attending these events. It looks like a good place to improve my knitting and be challenged. I thought, at the very least, I could attend some workshops. Workshops on what I do not know, maybe socks or spinning? I did a little hunting around the other day and I found this that I might try out this year. I did stop by my LYS today and picked up their flyer but right now they are not offering a specific workshop, just a standing couple of Saturdays that people gather to knit with an instructor there to help. I think I will go and check it out in mid-March when I have a free Saturday.

My Sweater

The Hubs and I went to the same LYS and used up my gift certificate that was in my Christmas yarn. I picked up this tweed to make a sweater for myself. I haven't knit anything for myself since I made mittens and a hat two years ago, I think it's time for some knits for me!

Baby Bowl in Progress

I am only a few short rows from finishing the first part of the Props Package I am working on for a friend of a friend of a family member. I am knitting for trade. I am making some things for her and she will take pictures of "Stomper" this fall when he turns one. I bought the patterns (a bowl and a hammock) from 4asong she can be found on Raverly and on Etsy and they are both simple and easy to follow.

My sister is turning Sweet 16 in March and we are celebrating her birthday. I leave you with images from the promised Monster creation. I got him finished just in time!

Love Monster

Plugging Away at Things

I am slowly working through my to-do list. 

I have one half of a pair of mittens completed and almost all of my first Monster Prototype. The prototype is coming along, but I'm not totally pleased with it. Something is a little wonky with it. I am hoping to get it finished up and stuffed by tomorrow. As soon as I'm done posting I'm going to dig out my stuffing, stuff the little Monster, and see how it looks. Good or bad I'll give you a little preview. I do know I will change a few things, the first being the size of needles. I am currently working with US size 3 and it is taking too long, or maybe I'm too impatient? I also think I may have made the mouth a little too big. Only time will tell. Once I post the pictures you should tell me what you think.

The gaming gloves for my brother are coming along smoothly. I did have to alter the pattern slightly because of my gauge I was knitting, but nothing too drastic. I think if I ever knit this again I will use thinner yarn. My brother seems to like them and is eagerly awaiting the second mitten. I really should be knitting glove #2 right now instead of my Monster, but I felt I needed a break. It's that "second mitten/glove/sock syndrome" once you have one knit you loose ambition to knit the next one. I almost feel like: "See I conquered that pattern, why make another one?"

The other thing I need to knit is some sparkling cider cozy's for my SIL wedding. She wants a bride and groom cozy for the head table and red ones with the letter "L" in them for some of the other tables. I told her I didn't think I could do the bride and groom (a dress and a tux), but maybe I can. I can knit anything, right? 

Flannel Hat

I've been working on a very exciting project. I am designing a men's hat pattern that I hope to sell. My inspiration are the manly flannel shirts that are often found in my father's closet. The first version I am knitting up is a child's size. The hat will have earflaps when I am finished with it and potentially some furry stuff on the inside. I haven't quite decided how I will finish it yet. The lighting in the photo's aren't that great (it's overcast and snowy today) I hope to have the body of the hat finished this week.


If you are interested in test knitting this pattern for me let me know!