This Week

:: Finished a romper in time for a baby shower.[Pattern: Rhino Romper]

:: Spent as much time as we could barefoot outside

:: Finally was able to play on the four wheeler he got for his first birthday.

:: Took him for short rides on Bumpa's four wheeler at Mimi's house

:: Uncle Allen played fetch with him at a recent family gathering

:: Met some family from "away" (Washington state) who are on a trip across the country. 

:: Finally had all five (5!) generations together

:: Was handsome and cute

:: Wrote a new pattern, will be posted on ravelry for a test knit very soon. If you are interested let me know!

:: Took a family photo 

:: Had visitors at the farm

Skill + 1 Up - 2KCBWDAY2

"Day Two Prompt Skill + 1UP: Look back over your last year of projects and compare where you are in terms of skill and knowledge of your craft to this time last year."

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March of 2010 found me casting on for the most daunting project ever, my first adult sized garment (find hood posts here and here and here) . My sister asked if I would make her a sweater, I suggested a really neat hooded vest from Spud and Chloe. She saw it and fell in love. The yarn drooling commenced and we picked out yarn that was affordable and in a color she liked.

Fearfully I cast on. I didn't know how it would turn out. Would it be too big, lopsided, uneven, ugly? Would she wear it once I finished it?

It wasn't too big, lopsided, or ugly, in fact it took 2nd place at the county fair! She wore it for a month straight and even though I haven't seen her wear it in a long time, I know she still loves it. I learned how to make a hood, pick up a large amount of stitches, make sleeves, pom-poms, embroider so many X's I thought I'd die, it was quite the experience. Ever since tackling this big project and finishing it faster than I could have imagined I knew that I could achieve anything! Since this project I've been taking on more challenging things. Like toys, writing my own patterns, and free hand embroidery with out fear.

April 2010

Sept 2010

The pictures above are the same pattern (more or less) knit five months apart, the first turtle was knit before the hoodie and the second turtle knit after. It is amazing what five months can do!

In the next year I am knitting my sister awesome gauntlets where I will learn and master many new stitches. Last year I wouldn't have dreamed of casting on for such a project, this year I am confident I can achieve my goals faster than I can imagine. Also, in the coming year, I would like to maybe make something with cables (I'm thinking a sweater or a vest for my son) and two-at-a-time socks, which seems more practical to me.

I am excited to see where my knitting will take me. When my aunt taught me to knit that fateful day in October I didn't know that I'd be here still knitting three years later. I didn't think that I'd want to knit so much that I'd  beg a surgeon to repair my wrist (from a previous break) so that I could "at least" knit. I'm amazed that the gigantic pairs of mittens I made ( 3 pairs ) or the hats that didn't look right ( 2 that I can remember) or the too short scarfs or too long ones or the one that had so many different gauges of yarn that it never looked right didn't deter me. I kept casting on, I kept knitting, and project by project I improved.

I am so very thankful for that aunt... I think it's time I knit her a thank you gift.

Embellish the Story - 2KCBWDAY8

Wild Card Prompt: "Blog about an embellishment, be it a zipper, amigurumi eyes or applique patch which you are either saving to use or have in the past used to decorate a project with. "

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"Nice"

In the waning hours before bed a woman holds up a baby sweater that she had just finished. She proudly turns it to show her husband her face waiting for the coming praise. "Honey, what do you think?" she asks holding her breath.

Turning from the TV he gives it a quick once over and then affirms with a nod, "Looks nice."

Nice, she thinks. I want more than nice. Nice means, you did it, you made it, you put just the right amount of effort to complete a project. I want more than nice, she muses. I want "Wow" or "Great" or "Fantastic" or "You Did That?"

The knitter frowns as she looks at her handy work and wonders where she went wrong. Did she block it right? Are her stitches neat and uniform? Are there any oddities? Yes, yes, and no but something in the back of her mind is nagging at her. She puts it down in front of her and thinks.

Her knitting is a blank canvas, inches and inches of clean stockinette stitch longing and begging for attention. Then it comes to her. She needs some embellishment. The knitter, now fueled with knowing the solution chooses some bright pink yarn, threads it through a needle, and gets to work. In a few moments she has added a flower, a heart, a little something to take her creation away from nice. 

"Honey," she says to her husband as she displays the sweater for him, "what do you think now?"

His eyes light up just a little like he's seeing the tiny sweater for the first time, "I like that, it looks nice."

This time the knitter does not fret over "nice". He said he "liked it" and she could see in his eyes that he meant it. Happily she sets her work down and picks up her needles, it's time to start a new project.

finished 

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That was a scene from Friday night at my house as I finished a sweater for a baby shower. It seems that often when a project is "finished" it's not really "complete" until that last little bit is added.

I usually add a little embroidery because I have not planned to add anything and I'm pressed for time. Some times, when I'm thinking clearly before casting on, I will add some intaria or fairisle to a project to "jazz up" the plainness of stockinette stitch. 

One of my favorite things to add on is a little butterfly I found on Spud and Chloe. I have put it on hats and doll clothes even though the intended project is a little ring.

 Doll pattern can be found here, doll dress pattern can be found here, sweater (with hearts) can be found on Raverly, turtles found here, hat is here, the flower on top of the turtle is here, 

and the other sweater (with trees and buttons) here. 

Embroidery is my own

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? 

Another Knitting Day

I am a lucky knitter.

Hallmark Inspiration

My hubby and Stomper are going to Men's Breakfast at Bean's Corner Baptist Church in the morning, so I get the house to myself.

My goal is to start and get close to finishing a hat for my future BIL. I need to clear my knitting plate. I have a huge project for March to start and a new pattern rolling around in my head to test out as well.

In order to have time to get to this new pattern project I need to knit a hat, some fingerless mitts, at least one prototype for some cider cozy's, and a modified Prop Package. All (optimistically) before April. I hope to get at least half the Prop Package done before April (two diaper covers).

dangercraft Inspiration

My inspiration for my new pattern is this little guy from Hallmark and these monsters from dangercrafts. I thought it would be neat to give my Sunday School Class kids something silly for Easter. I could put a trinket inside the toy and they could use the toy to hide treasures. I am very excited to get started on this, I have been wanting to write another pattern and this seems like a good place to start (Plus, also I'm sick of knitting hats!).

Speaking of hats, I successfully finished the pattern for the hat and sent them out to my test knitters. However, I am still looking for a couple more testers if you are interested. Check out my post here for more information, there is a contest and the winner will be announced at the end of April!

I finished the firefly inspired hat in one day. The recipient  is eagerly awaiting his hat. I don't have pictures of it because my camera is still at my Mom's. I asked him to take a picture of it though and as soon as he sends it to me I'll post it.

Have a happy knitful weekend!

Socks, Super Bowl, and Soaking Up New Knowledge

During my sprint to get the hat done I got a little lost and frustrated, and had begun to hate knitting. I was having some major issues with the yarn I was using and the gauge I kept achieving. After a needle change, two and a half rip outs, and some fast decreases I finally ironed out the kinks. However, an inch into the pattern my mind turned to mush and I found my self dreading the black and red yarn.

I decided that I needed a little break. I put the hat down and picked up some size 4 needles, the rest of the yarn I found at Marden's for $.99, and knit my boy up a pair of socks for Valentines Day. They knit up super fast. It was nice to settle into something mindless and enjoyable for a few hours. I hope that they will fit him through to next winter, they have quite a bit of stretch to them so I am optimistic.

Super Bowl Sunday, with one sock finished and hours of couch time ahead of me, I picked up the hat and commenced to knitting. I was very happy that I was surrounded by family because they were able to watch "Stomper" so that I could buckle down and just knit.

I was able to knit and knit and knit and by the time half time rolled around I had gone as far as I could without my DPN's on the wonderfully despicable hat. I happily set the hat back in my knitting bag and picked up needles and yarn to start (and nearly finish) the second sock, all before the end of the game!

My next project leaping on to my needles is a commissioned project from one of my brothers friends. He wrote to me on Facebook: "Do you think you could knit me up this hat?" To which I responded: "You mean like the one Jayne wore on Firefly, sure, I can do that for you."

I jumped headfirst into Raverly and typed in "Jayne's Hat" hoping that someone had come before me and had written the pattern. To my surprised (and really why should I be surprised?) there were 44 matches for my request! After sifting though several different versions I came upon this one from Keiyla. Lo and Behold it even has a new cast on (Twisted German) for me to try; I am so very excited!

If all goes according to plan and "Stomper" cooperates with me I get to cast on for the hat tomorrow. Also tomorrow I hope to snap a few more pictures of the completed Plaid Flannel Hunters Hat and send it off to the people who wished to give it a test for me.

Mindless Knitting

Yesterday after finishing the mittens I decided I needed to do something mindless. My son needed a hat so I said to myself "Self, knit your son a hat."

I used size 8 needles and DK/Sport Weight/size 3 yarn and CO 72 stitches. I stopped at 6 inches because I was bored and worked the decreases. I used the decreases from this pattern by shizknit because it is an 8 stitch repeat   (The decreases are in increments of 8 stitches *k2, p2, k2, p2tog*) with a 2x2 rib, my other favorite decrease for a ribbed hat is Spud and Chloe's and it is a 6 stitch repeat
 (The decreases are worked in increments of 6 stitches *k2,
p1,
k1,
p2tog*) with a 2x1 rib.

In encourage you to grab your favorite size needles, some soft squishy yarn, set up a gauge swatch and cast on!

2 Hats

Finally finished the Christmas order for my cousin. Took me long enough! *sigh* I am happy with the results even though I missed two rows of the pattern. I forgot to put in two stripes. I think though, that it looks just fine with out the stripes. With any luck my little cousins will feel the same! Both hats have some of our Grandmother's yarn in it. The purple is from a skein I found in her stash.

Still Here, Still Knitting

Made some booties for my baby boy and finished one hat (of 4). I started another Winnie Doll and I have the body made and that's it.

I had some issues with some hats I made so now I need to rip out, re-knit, and return. *Sigh* not fun, but necessary to keep my customers happy!

On a positive note I have had three happy customers. I sold two bunny hats and one Butterfly Beanie!

Rocket Powered

Rocket Ship

Filled the ship with some fuel of beans and rice!

It has a nice sound when shook.

Found this pattern at Running Jack Knits. 

Winnie's Dress

I created this dress to go with the Nursery Baby Doll you will need to purchase their pattern for the doll first. If you click on the link you will find ordering instructions, the pattern for the doll, a bunny suit, a bunny  hat, and booties is $5.00. (The doll is super cute and quick to knit up)

The dress is knit from the bottom up. You will need basic skills: knit stitch, purl stitch, and simple decreasing. Please be sure to check your gauge. I know it's a hassle, but I tend to knit a little loose. I wouldn't want you to come to the end of the project and find that the dress was too big. The dress is plain (other than the ruffle) and easily adapted. You could add stripes or some intarsia. I added a little flower embroidery at the end, but you could just as easily add buttons or other embellishments, have fun with it! I didn't include any buttons up the back in mine, because I designed this for a child under 3 and buttons can be choking hazards. That doesn't mean you couldn't if you wanted too. Please contact me if you have any concerns, confusions, or comments!

(Oct 2012-If you are using a different sized needles than the pattern calls for go up 1 or 2 needle sizes to knit the dress. For example: I have knit the doll with size 5 needles and her clothes with size 6 and adjust the length of the dress by trying it on the doll.)

Dress

Notions and Notes:
baby weight/sport weight/dk weight yarn (it's marked 3 on the label)
size 4 needles
sewing needle
bits of yarn to embroider a flower to the dress

gauge 6 stitches by 7 rows equals 1 inch

Cast on 91 St

Ruffle

1. k3, *p5, k3* (WS)
2. p3, *k5, p3*
3. k3, *p5, k3*
4. p3, *k1, slip 1, k2tog, psso, k1, p3*
5. k3,* p3, k3*
6. p3, *k3, p3*
7. k3, *p3, k3*
8. p3 *slip 1, k2tog, psso, p3* (44 st)
9. k3 *p1, k3*
10. p3 *k1, p3*
11. as 9th row

knit across all stitches (RS)
continue in stockinette (knit RS rows and purl WS rows)  stitch until piece measures 2 1/2 inches from cast on edge.

Decrease

• k1, k2tog, k17, k2tog, knit to last 2 stitches k2tog, k1
• st st 3 rows
• (RS) k1, k2tog, k to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1
• st st 3 rows
• (RS) k1, k2tog, k to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1 (40 st)

continue in stockinette stitch until pieces measure 4 inches from cast on edge

Shoulder 1
k 10
Turn the work leaving the other 30 stitches on the other needle. Now just work with the 10 stitches
work in garter stitch (knit every row) for 14 rows ending after knitting a WS.
Bind Off

Front
Rejoin yarn on the RS
k 20
Turn the work leaving the other 10 stitches on the other needle. Knit in garter stitch (knit every row) for 10 rows ending after knitting a WS.
With RS facing you k6, k2tog, k2tog , turn work
(8 st) knit
k4, k2tog, k2tog
k
Bind off

Rejoin yarn with RS facing you. Work the left side of the front
(RS) k2tog, k2tog, k6
(8st) k

sew 3 inches

k2tog, k2tog, k4
k
Bind off

Shoulder 2
Work as shoulder 1 and bind off

Finishing
Sew the tops of the shoulders together. There will be extra stitches at the back.
Sew the two halves together for no more than 3 inches.
Embroider something cute on the front if you desire.

Abbreviations:

k - knit
p - purl
slip 1, k2tog, psso = slip the next stitch knit wise, knit the next two together, and then lift the slipped stitch up and over the k2tog and off the needle
st - stitches
st st - stockinette stitch (knit the RS and purl the WS)
WS - wrong side or the back side of the work
RS - right side or the front of the work
*  * - repeat

Bunny Ears Pattern

I cannot take full credit for this pattern.
I married two patterns to get this hat.

Edit April 2004
The link to the original Little Boy Blue Hat is no longer working. You can find a different version by the same knitter using larger needles and yarn on Raverly. Just switch out the yarn and needles for the ones mentioned in the Little Boy Blue Hat Rav page. I believe the pattern calls to knit for 5-7 inches before starting the increase. I would err on the side of long since you will be planning on folding it.

Hat: Pattern & find it on Raverly
Ears: Pattern & find it on Raverly
Read through both patterns before reading how I made the ears.

This is what I changed-
Hat: I used a chunky yarn for the hat (Patons Beehive Shetland Chunky) and sized 8 needles and knit for 8inches before working the decreases.
Ears: I used the same yarn and size 7 needles

I altered the ear pattern quite a bit so I am going to write it down how I made it.

Yarns: Chunky in white and DK in pink
You will need to form three small balls (2 white and 1 pink). When you switch colors twist them once around each other. (Intarsia Knitting)

With size 7 needles, CO 7 white, 10 pink, and 7 white (leave 6 inch tails when you cast on, you will use the extra later)
Row 1) knit 7 (white), purl 10 (pink), knit 7 (white)
Row 2) purl 7 (white), knit 10 (pink), pulr 1 (white)
Repeat Rows 1 & 2 until you have completed 14 rows. If you want longer ears repeat more, but always end on Row 2

Decrease
Row 1) knit to last two stitches, k2 tog, p2tog, purl to last two pinks, p2tog, k2tog, knit to end
Row 2) purl the white stitches and knit the pink stitches
Repeat Rows 1 & 2 until you have 5 stitches left 2 white, 1 pink, 2 white
Cut a 6 inch tail (of white) and thread through remaining 5 stitches and pull tight. Weave in loose ends (tie them if you want to, I do sometimes) at the top of the ears - NOT the 6 inch tails from the cast on or the one used to pull the ear tight.

Using the white from closing up the ear mattress stitch the two sides of the ear together.
Using the pink cast on tail whip stitch the pink part down by the cast on edge, be careful to not go all the way through the ear you don't want to see any pink on the other side of the ear.
Fold the ear in half and using a white cast on tail sew the bottom together.
Attach the ear to the hat using the final cast on tail of white.
My ears are approximately 3 inches apart. You might want them further or closer apart. (The first hat I made the ears were too close together and it looked more like antenea not ears.)

Abbreviations:
k2tog - knit the next two stitches as one
p2tog - purl the next two stitches as one
CO - cast on

This hat on a 16month old
This hat on a 5year old

Baby Knits

I these up for one baby, but ended up giving it all to a different baby. I was going to give it to my friend who is having a baby, but then I was going to see my cousin who is also pregnant and who loves the color green and I thought to myself, I should give these to my cousin. So I did.

Baby Ribbed Beanie

Baby Booties

Baby Socks

Busy Knitter

I have been a very busy knitter this Christmas Season.

I knit 12 dishcloths, three Toilet Paper Caddies (my own design), three bunny loveys, and two Button Buddy Blankets (my own brilliance). Then with some leftover yarn I made a baby hat.

I promised my brother that I'd knit him some Trigger Finger Mittens (I haven't quite found a pattern that I've really enjoyed so I had to tweek it a bit and they came out all right, not fantastic but passable). My next project will be a skirt for my sister (if that's what she chooses) and a cow for my sister-in-law. In between those projects I'm knitting my brother a hat to match the mittens and a hat for myself using some argyle.