Severed

I performed a bit of surgery today. I have been working on a test knit and the sleeve didn't seem quite right. After communicating with the designer she rewrote the sleeve. I suppose I could have ripped the sleeve back to the correct length, did a little song and dance to get the right stitch count, and finished it off; but, I decided that doing it right was a better idea.

I cut a small hole, ran a piece of waste yarn through what would become the live stitches, cut it, and then tried it on the boy. The fit is much better now. I'll be done the other arm in a jiffy!

Yarn Along

As you can see I'm almost done with the sweater! Since this photo I have knit 1/2 of the second sleeve and joined my third ball of yarn! Yahoo! I think my issue with this sweater is the sleeves, well it's always has been, its not how the pattern is written or how it looks, its picking up all those stitches! I think I want to knit a sweater where the sleeves are sewn on and compare the two. I do like seamless construction, but I don't like how the pick ups look. Maybe there's a technique I need to learn?

I am very excited about reaching the end of this sweater. I will work on my sisters and my fingerless gloves next. My sisters I will work on when I don't have too many kids awake and mine I can work on while there are kids awake!

I finished Dragon Slippers and I was going to buy the next two for my Nook, then I remembered my vow to read a classic so I will read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea next. I already started it and so far it's an easy read. My biggest issue with classics is that they are hard to read. I tried several times to read David Copperfield and never got very far or maybe I did finish it?

Joining Ginny and you should too! Feel free to leave a link to your WIP and Yarn Alongs!

Yarn Along

I have not made a lot of progress on the sweater since my last Yarn Along. I have been dutifully knitting on it  a bit at a time. I got quite a bit done yesterday while the daycare kiddos played outside. I am optimistic about finishing the first sleeve today or tomorrow. The plan is to finish the sleeve, knit the collar, and then finally knit the last sleeve. I have been dedicating all my knitting energy to this sweater. Next I will be finish my sisters fingerless gloves, then my fingerless gloves, a teddy bear that just needs to be sewn together, and then back to designing and getting my items test knit.

I've been reading a bit here and there. The book I've settled on is Dragon Slippers. I like how it starts:

It was my aunt who decided to give me to the dragon. Not that she was evil or didn't care for me. It's just that we were very poor and she was, as was said in those parts, dumber than two turnips in a rain barrel.

As with most middle school books the pace is fast, descriptions minimal, main characters well thought out, and just a bit of magic tossed in for luck! It has just enough humor and intrigue in it with out being heavy handed. I will be reading the other two in the series. With my nook fixed I've been playing games at night when I should be reading (or sleeping), so it's been slow going. Reading is far more relaxing and probably more conducive to sleeping.

What has been taking up all my time? My poultry. I'm in love. Check out these two links to see them: Chickens and Ducks.

As with most Wednesdays I'm joining Ginny and you should too. Leave a link in the comments of what you are reading/knitting

Yarn Along

 Finished the body of the sweater and a book.The book is WondLa and it is amazing. It's a children's book, maybe 5th grade level? It has lots of illustrations, but they aren't too distracting. I read it in three nights while my husband worked. I love young adult and children's fiction, it is so easy to pick up and put down.

And moved on to more books and some sleeves. My Little Sister suggested I try these books too. This week I'll be catching up on all my blogs because Stomper broke the cord to my Nook and I haven't read any blogs in over a week! I miss all my blogging buddies!

I am more than half way along with my test knit. I am enjoy the testing and the knitting, but the pattern only so-so. However, I've only made top down raglans so I have nothing to compare this sweater too. I love the way the cables look which is why I asked to do this knit. I will be suggesting this pattern to other knitters once the test is completed. The sweater is size 4, but I think I'll be having him wear it this winter. He'll be so sick of this sweater by the time he out grows it! When I first put it on him he was so excited. Usually I tell him, "Don't touch Mummy's knitting please." But this time I said, "Do you want to wear it?" He squealed in delight!

Joining Ginny and you should too!

Feel free to leave a link to your books and knitting!

Gnome Knot (aka Stompers Winter Hat)

The pattern for this hat is ready! I finally got a hat with a moose on it. However, it was a lot of duplicate stitching and the hat no longer has any "give" to it making it good for one year, but not two. However, the original hat will fit probably until he is three. I tried it on the daycare kiddos and it even fit the first graders, so maybe he'll be wearing it until then?

It is a quick and gratifying knit, and with the color changes it isn't even a boring knit. I am not the sort of person who likes to take a long time at things. I like quick and noticeable progress. This hat is perfect for that. 

Last night I posted the hat for some pattern testing on ravelry. If you are interested in being a test knitter check out the thread here.

You can check out my original post about the hat if you'd like.

Evelyn Update

I am working on a second sweater, this one for sale, and I have decided to keep Evelyn (pictured above) open to the public for free. However, if you have knitted this sweater and would like to be entered into a contest to receive my next little baby girl sweater project using two yarn weights and three size choices, for free send me a photo of your finished Evelyn to my email [deliasknittedthings (at) gmail (dot) com] before May 1, 2012.

Happy Knitting!

You can find the Evelyn post here.

Ravelry page here.

Finished Flannel

This is how the Plaid Flannel Hunters Hat looks following the pattern as written. One with and one without ear-flaps.

This is how it would look if you added two inches of rib instead of the hemmed edge like in the pattern.

I am still looking for a test knitter or two. Email me if you are interested: deliasknittedthings@gmail.com

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.

Ready (Mostly)

Grrr...

*sigh*

I am having some issues with the yarn I am using to knit the adult size of the Flannel Hunters Hat. I am not using Vanna's Choice and I'm using up some of my Grandmothers Secret Stash yarn and so gauge has been an issue. I have ripped it out three times now, which is supremely frustrating!

However, I do have two sizes available for test knitting: Toddler and Child (4-8). If you are interested in either of those drop me a note to my email (deliasknittedthings@gmail.com) and I'll send it out to you right away.

Only 2 Slots left

The toddler size for my pattern is 95% done. All I need are a few construction photo's and it's good to go! I am so excited!

I have 3 definite test knitters. I think I'd like to have at least 3 different people test the toddler and men's size each. I'm still looking for a few more testers!

Flannel Hat Update

I wrote the pattern for this hat.

This fair isle or stranded hat is knit in the round on size 7 circular needles. When the hat is finished stitches are picked up along the edge to make ear-flaps. You will also need to know how to sew a little for the edge. If you desired to you could sew in some flannel or fur for inside the hat.

The pattern is written out with a chart for reference.

I currently only have one size right now but I hope to get a second size written in the next week.

I am looking for 5 test knitters. Everyone who knits the hat and comments on the pattern will be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate of $10.00 to WEBS which should be just enough to get skein or two of yarn and get it shipped to your house.

My goal is to have the hat pattern and two sizes (toddler & adult) done by the end of February, if not sooner.

If you are interested in being one of my test knitters please comment.

Delia

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!