Owl Mittens

I made these mittens as a part of a class at Stash Needle Art Lounge. I had done fair isle knitting before but I taught myself and I have been known to make some things up so I wanted to take a class to learn the right way. Low and behold, I did make some stuff up with my own creative fair isle technique. Before the class, I couldn't figure out how to wrap the main colour when working along patch of contrasting colour, so I would twist the yarns awkwardly which involved getting the two colour threads tangled most times, as my way to wrap the main colour. It seemed to work, but it defeats the purpose of fair isle two handed knitting, where your threads never get tangled. So I learned how to do that properly in the class (yay! no more tangled yarn cakes!) and I also learned how to do Kitchener Stitch properly! I found out that I also made up my own little way to do that. Trust me, the proper way looks a whole lot neater! Also a fun little tip I learned for when you join the first round on double pointed needles to avoid the little hole in joined-in joint.

Here's the tip:

1. Ok so you've cast on your stitches and distributed them around on your DPNs.
2. To join in the round, take the first stitch off the left hand needle and place it on the right.
3. Take the second stitch on the right hand needle over the first stitch on the right hand needle and place it on the left hand needle.
4. You have now joined the round by crossing over the stitches. And there's no little hole or jog on the seam edge! Wahoo!

I'm actually a little scared to post this because I already have 3 or 4 requests for a pair of these from people who have already seen them. I guess it is pretty hard to resist the cuteness!!

For information on yarn and the pattern you can see my ravelry project page. I've committed to actually recording my finished projects on Ravelry now because eventually I want to start test knitting so the project page of my Ravelry account will serve as a resume of sorts to showcase my soon-to-be-acquired-mad-knitting-skills.

more baby knits

 

Baby season is coming to a close. Which I am happy for because there is a bite in the air which is making me eager to work with woolly worsted weights. This cardigan was pretty easy and I really enjoyed the yarn, obviously, it is Quince & Co. after all.

I did the second size which looks to fit a 3-6 month old. But what do I know about babies. The yarn was tern in columbine. I loved the strength, twist and softness to this yarn. It seems like it would keep the baby really warm without being scratchy. The silk has a nice drape too that I could see translating well into wispy sort of cardigans. Q&Co. actually has some designs for tern just like this which includes the Abigail Cardi. Which I need to make btw. Right, I was talking about the baby cardigan....the pattern is Wee Brock. You can make Wee Brock as just Brock to be an adult size. I don't think that shape of cardigan would be flattering on me, but it is a super cute cardi.

eeee yarn!

I'm making my first men's sweater! I'm knittin' up Slade for Matt. It reminds me of a smoking jacket. The lovely lovely Brooklyn Tweet yarn, Shelter, in Nest arrived this week and I am in love with the colour and the everything about it. I am NOT in love with tubular cast on though...

Baby Season

All I have been knitting lately is adorable little baby stuff. Which has been great in the unseasonal hot September we've been having because it's much more pleasant to knit something small while sun tanning on the balcony.

This little number was for friends of mine that just had a baby girl. For months I had been planning on knitting sweaters for their cute Chihuahuas but I never got around to it so I suppose the human child warranted something hand knit.

The Tee

The baby tee is a Quince & Co. (sqweee!!!) pattern called Immie Tee and I did it in Knit Picks yarn called Cotlin which is a DK weight 70% cotton and 30% linen in Crème Brule. It is super soft and has a lovely breeziness to it. I quite liked the pattern once I got my hands on this handy dandy little gadget for following charts.

The Booties

I used the same yarn as above for the booties and the hat. The pattern is called Easy Mary Jane Booties. Soooo this was the second time I made these booties and the pattern is really NOT HARD at all, but I am retarded, and the first time I made these I had to re-do the left 3 times and the strap kept being on the wrong side and in frustration I just gave the booties as a gift anyway even though I gave them two right hand feet. Shame on me! I know! Babies don't know which way straps are supposed to go right? Anyway, so this time I was determined to get it right and made the left hand bootie 3 times again and then realized that it had been inside out the whole time. Seriously, it took me 6 booties to figure that one out. Good thing cotlin comes in enough yardage to support my mistakes!

The Hat

I wanted to a lacy hat to tie in the look of the tee. I started making this hat called Bonnet and Booties and I cast on and did the whole fancy boarder thing and it was looking great and then I couldn't figure it out from there. So I unraveled and looked for an easier lace hat pattern and made Baby Leaves Hat which was actually the better choice aesthetically because the leafy pattern on the tee was picked up in the hat. so YAY. I wanted to make it look like an outfit so I had to find a way to incorporate the bootie buttons (look at them! they have penguins on them!!!!) into the hat so I found a flower pattern to stick on it and use the button as the flower centre.

I can't wait to start making sweaters! Fall is coming!!!

Stranger Cardigan - Part 2

I actually finished this quite some time ago but work is crazy busy and we went to Mexico etc etc so this is the first time I've had a moment to take pictures of the final product! My goal was to finish this in 4 weeks but it took 7 weeks total, with a break to go to Mexico in there, so really 6 weeks. I'm okay with that! Once I was cruising on the cable panels it was smooth sailing from there.

The most annoying part of this project was the blocking. I don't have blocking mats or wires so that added an element of complexity. Plus I was so excited to wear it that I didn't want to soak it overnight like the patterns said to, so I only soaked it for a couple hours in the tub. Then the drying took like 18 hours. Seaming was fine, I got lots of practise on mattress stitch!

I really loved this pattern, and I would totally make it again. Since there is no shaping and a lot of stockinette stitch it's an easy pattern with a big payout on the pretty. Cables are just so damn pretty.

Pattern: Stranger Cardigan by Michiyo
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes 100% worsted weight wool in Bramble Heather (25073)
Needles: 5mm 32" circulars

I am happy with the yarn, especially for that price. There's nothing about the yarn that makes you melt or feel all warm and fuzzy inside like some yarns do, but its sturdy, fairly soft for 100% wool, the colour was saturated, nice twist and I really loved the colour. It's a greyish brown that can go with anything, which is great because I plan to (and have already!) wear this a lot. Since I've already worn this for a couple of weeks I have been paying attention to the pilling, and it is pilling in the usual spots, but I'm not sure if it is more or less pilling than any other kind of wool yarn. I'm looking forward to experimenting with other brands of wool to see how much they each pill. I need one of those buzzer de-pilling things. One downfall of the yarn is the low yardage. Yes, you can make a whole sweater or cardigan for around $30, but you're going to need 11 or more balls which means there are 22 tails to weave in. Brutal! To end on a positive note, I would definitely use this yarn again, its good value for low cost.

Now that I've made my first cardigan nothing is stopping me from making the 15 or so that I have saved to my Ravelry library muahahaha!

03/21/2013 Training and Guest Blogging!

Saturday Thursday - Aerobic tester

AMRAP in 25 minutes:

Row 300m

15 DB Thrusters @ 15/hand

50 Double Unders

 

6 rounds.

 

I'm happy I managed to get a few unbroken 50 DUs sets which used to be standard for me. Not so much lately! I did this wod this morning even though it was scheduled for Saturday because it was a faster wod. This morning I laid in bed for half an hour debating if I should get up and knit, or get up and go to the gym. Since it was plus 3 out this morning, the gym won, but I had less time.

 

By the way, The Loop, my favourite local yarn shop asked me to be a guest blogger for them chronicling my journey as a new-ish knitter. Check it out.

Yarn Bowl Attempt Number 2

I tried a different method this time instead of the swirl. The swirl is really hard to do and time consuming. When the pot was bisqued it was still perfect and not sagged, but after I glazed and fired it, the top was all sagged! My pottery teacher said it was because they fire it at high fire and would have done better in Raku. Oh well, it still works. I also love how the glaze came out.

I put holes in it too in case I'm working with multiple colours. 

This has inadvertently become my knitting shelf. There's also knitting drawers...knitting cubbies...a knitting box...and maybe one day a knitting room, wouldn't that be cool!?



Stranger Cardigan - Part 1: Right Front Panel

Here is the Right Front Panel I finished last night. I budgeted 7 days for this but it took me 10. I always see on Ravelry that people finish entire sweaters and cardigan in about 3 weeks, and then there's these amazing bloggers that have it done in like two. I wonder if these bloggers and avid knitters have more time on their hands or if they just knit faster. I'd like to say they just have more time on their hands. With working a full time job, getting up at 4:30 am to workout, cooking healthy (or trying too!) every day, juggle a social life and family etc., it's hard to fit in a significant amount of knitting. But really, who am I to complain, I don't have kids or work an 80 hour week like some people, and my life is pretty balanced. I think if I had an infinite amount of time I would still complain about not having enough time to knit.

There's some a lot of mistakes in this panel. I got the hang of it about half way through. This is the second thing I've made with cables, and I've never had to work off two cable charts in each row. It's not hard, but it took me a bit to figure out that I couldn't remember which cable chart to start with from row to row, so I started taking notes, telling myself what I just did and what I should do next. The first 3rd was annoying because I kept messing up and fixing it was taking so long and I just wanted to keep knitting so that I would make my deadline. I'm not the type of knitter to re-do and re-do until it's perfect. Don't get me wrong, I love it when a piece is perfect, but I just can't stand not moving forward. Plus, I hope the mistakes aren't so noticeable......just don't look directly at the 1 cm round hole in the centre. THAT my friends, is what happens when you drop a stitch in the middle of a cable and don't know, or have the patience to figure out how to fix it.

The things I've learnt so far are things that I should really know by now. Up until now I have been making tonnes of cables and just faking it until I make it. Once you start to do more complicated things like sweaters, instead of just recording WS and RS on your pattern, its really time to just learn to recognise it.

Things I've learnt from this project so far:
1. Attention span is a good thing.
2. Long tail cast on.
3. To pay attention to right  side and wrong side.
4. Picking up dropped stitches sucks when its in the middle of a cable.
5. Buy extra yarn in case you have so many mistakes in the first fraction of a portion that you want to start over again.
6. Have patience. The mood you're in is reflected in your knitting. Frustration and rushing results in too-tight stitches and split stitches.
7. Do a swatch in the cable pattern. I know that you're supposed to do this, but I ended up just doing the stockinette stitch swatch. Matt made a comment the other day that I should do a practise run for about 3" because he says it always takes me about 3" to figure out and memorise the cable pattern and those first 3" are always riddled with mistakes and cursing. Such a wise man.

Random side note: There have been some really good movies out in theatres lately and I have been disinclined to actually go to a theatre because a) its really expensive and b) most importantly, you can't really knit in a dark crowded theatre, so why not stay at home to watch movies where you can knit freely! We went to see Django Unchained last night and the report is:  you can knit during the previews (which were a half an hour!) but certainly not during the movie. It's too dark. I thought that in bright scenes I'd be able to see my knitting, but no dice.

Here's Loki, the biggest snuggle bum. Defiantly snuggling my yarn after her failed attempts to sit in my lap while I knit.

My First Socks

Everyone says that once you knit your first pair of socks you will become addicted. I really enjoyed making these, mostly because of the gorgeous yarn, but if I am already addicted to knitting in general how much more can I become addicted? I ended up going on an unexpected business trip and fortunately had a sock cast on and ready for easy transport so I could knit them on the plane. I think socks are the best travel project because they are small and the dpns are so tiny (toothpick sized really!) that I don't think customs could misconstrue them for weapons. Maybe weapons for mice?

I used Misti Alpaca Hand Painted Sock Fingering yarn in I think Noir Noir, but I lost the tag. I LOVE  LOVE LOVE this yarn and the colour. It's made up of 50% Alpaca 30% Merino, 10% Nylon and 10% Silk. This was the first time that I knit something with the specific yarn recommended in the pattern. And since I didn't do a gauge swatch (bad Char, bad!), it's a good thing I did that! Here is the free pattern from Misti Alpaca. The pattern is really easy to follow and is a good pattern to use as an introductory sock since it's all stockinette stitch except for the top lace detail for the women's pattern. I also lost track at how long I was making the ankle portion and made it quite a bit longer than what the pattern said, so I just made the pair the same length. After the Turn Heel section that is worked flat, I got a bit confused by the foundation row since you aren't working all the stitches on that needle right away. But if you just do what the pattern says and don't over think it like I always do, everything will be peachy.

Now since I know how to do cables AND socks, guess what's next?! CABLED SOCKS!

More Headbands!

The Horizontal Herringbone Stitch Headbands were such a hit that I ended up making several of the chunky version for my friends. Here are a couple:

I used HiKoo by Skacel Simpliworsted  for this one above in Royal. I doubled up the yarn to make it bulky and needed 2 skeins.

I used Cascade Superwash Paints 100% Superwash Wool in Tropical Punch for this one and doubled up the yarn again but I only needed 1 skein for this. I love the colour, it reminds me of pink grapefruit lemonade or something. I look like I have jowls in this picture...ew.

Adorable Mary-Jane Baby Booties

I love these so much. I want a pair for myself!!!

Here is the pattern. You can make these in an evening so it makes a perfect baby shower gift (which mine were). I used Cascade 220 Superwash Sport  in Cotton Candy which was super soft and it's aways good to use a superwash for baby items.

Just showing off my yarn bowl a bit!
 

Ester Shrug

I'm back!
Work has been crazy busy and taking up all my time and energy. But I still have been training and I still have been knitting up a storm. Just not bogging about it.

This is my first "full garment" project and I really enjoyed it. I made it as a part of a course offered at The Loop and it was good to do my first larger project as part of a course because it forced me to adhere to deadlines. But that also meant getting up at 5am on a Saturday trying to finish it before class. I took this as a course because I wanted to learn how to do cables. Turns out they are as easy as everyone claims! Now the possibilities are endless with what I can make! This was also one of the very few things I've knit that was perfect - no mistakes or fudging it. The success of this project inspired me to take on a full length sweater - The Stranger Cardigan. Isn't it gorgeous!?

I had a few knitting projects that I had cast on several months ago so I promised myself that I have to finish all of those before I start the Stranger Cardigan. I plan on making myself deadlines for it too because otherwise I'll never finish and get bored of it if it takes too long.

Anyway, back to Ester Shrug. Here is the pattern. Really listen to the pattern when it tells you not to make the bottom part longer, it will really mess up the construction. If you like a longer shrug, you can wear this two ways. If you wear it one way, the collar is higher and the seam of the shrug hits your mid-back. Then if you flip it upside down, the collar is lower and the seam of the shrug will be lower on your back.

I used Cascade Eco + in Turtle. I made an extra small (which is true to size) and only needed 1 skein since a skein has 478 yards. I was really impressed with this yarn. On the Ravelry page it says it's "bulky" weight, but it is decidedly aran weight. It knits up rather soft. This is the first 100% wool yarn that I've used and I am surprised that it does not bother my skin, even if the collar rubs on my neck. In fact, working with the yarn made me fall in love with wool. I love the stitch definition in the cables, I love the sturdiness and I love the warmth. I can't wait to work with wool next!

A Noble Cowl

 

I made this over the Christmas holidays. Actually, I frantically tried to knit the entire thing on the drive to Kelowna which is about 7 hours. Turns out this cowl takes more than 7 hours to make! I think the total time including finishing was about 10 hours. That makes me sound like slow knitter. I would make this again, I really liked the lace pattern and the way it drapes. I agree with the author of the pattern that it would look really pretty with a broach. A friend of mine added buttons to hold a certain fold to hers and it also looks adorable. One thing I would suggest if anyone decides to make this, is to highlight sets of 2 or 3 stitches in each row. There are so many yarn overs and knit 1s that it was making me crosseyed, so I colour coded 2 stiches in each row so that my eye could focus on the green bit, the blue bit etc. instead of searching for which set of yarn overs I had just done. Oh and if you make a mistake in the lace pattern, don't worry! It's not that noticable :). That's the tough thing about lace - not much room for error since it will mess up all the rest of your rows!

 

The pattern I used is A Noble Cowl which is a free pattern on Ravelry.

 

I used Zen Yarn Garden, Serenity Worsted  which is 75% merino, 15% cashmere and 10% nylon, in Japanese Maple Red. This yarn is WONDERFUL and I wish I could afford to use it for more things. The yarn is incredibly soft (well duh, there's cashmere in it!), feels dense and drapes really well so it was a good choice for this project. Also, it did not split at all so it was nice for working in a lace pattern. 

Yarn Bowls!

Look what I made!!!!
Apparently clay shrinks in the kiln A LOT. I didn't realize that. So I have 3 really tiny yarn bowls now. I was also thinking of using them as candle holders and put a tea light inside or something. Next pottery class I'll try round two of yarn bowl making and go big this time!

Minty Thrummed Mittens

I made these for a Secret Santa that my family holds every year and my mom ended up winning them. Which is good for me so that I can steal them. I had a hard time giving them up! One thing about this pattern that I do not like is that the tips of the mitten are so pointy. This is the second time I've made this mittens and I swear its the pattern, and not me that makes them so pointy. Oh well, I guess it gives them an old school look. On the other hand, this pattern is extremely easy to follow so I will probably continue to use it for future thrummed mittens.

Thrummed mittens are great because the thrums create a nice heart pattern on the mitten as well as insulating the inside. After a couple months of wear, the inside thrums felt together to create an air tight barrier against the cold and wind. At first the mittens feel too fluffy and are kind of hard to get your hands into, but eventually they pack down and mould to your hands.

I used Red Neck Goat yarn which is 30% Wool and 70% Alpaca and hand died. I also used their fibre for the thrums. I really like the durability and weight of this yarn. As well as the colours. The labels do not indicate colours so I have dubbed this yarn "Minty".

Here is the pattern I used.

Headband Version 2

Darn. Now I have to go out and get more baby alpaca. Because damn, this is warm snugly and soft. And super cute.

This is the same idea as the horizontal herringbone headband that I posted the other day.

I used 100% chunky weight baby alpaca and I think it really showed off the stitch pattern.

I cast on 28 stitches and worked in horizontal herringbone pattern until the desired length. Then seamed the ends together.

Then I wrapped a really long tail around the seam in edge to create a bow effect. Then I tied in my ends.

Horizontal Herringbone Stitch Easy Headband

Yay a knitting post!!! I have made lots of little stufflately but I keep forgetting to take pictures of it before I give it away forChristmas. I really love this headband I kind of (really) want to keep it…

I had some left over yarn from some thrummed mittens. It was malabrigio worsted, lime blue.

It’s super easy:

Just cast on 18 stitches. Or any multiple of 2.

Work in horizontal herringbone stitch until desired length.

Merino wool stretches a bit so I made my headband a bittight.

Block the headband before seaming.

Seam the ends together using invisible vertical seam stitch.

Then cut a super long tail and wrap it a million timesaround your seam edge.

Tie in your ends.

Give as a last minute Christmas present. Or keep it for yourlovely self.

Random side note:
I REALLY want to make these!
http://www.purlbee.com/little-cable-knee-highs/2012/11/20/whits-knits-little-cable-knee-highs-1.html#comments
I can't wait for my cable class in January. Then you cutsy little knee highs will be mine!

Birthday Toque

My baby brother turned 21 the other day, so what better gift than to give him a responsible-sister, nanny-ish birthday gift!? Actually, it's a pretty hip version of a nanny gift. Viola! Behold the very cool, very practical, Slouchy Toque!

Pattern: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/laire-toque

Yarn: Diamond Luxury Collection, Color Cascade Chunky - 50% Alpaca 50% Highland Wool

Pattern Notes:
I've made this toque 3 times before all with 100% baby alpaca. The baby alpaca is a dream to knit with, lovely to wear and creates the perfect drape for the slouchy back part. However, alpaca acts more like fur, so expands with use.  I wanted yarn with mostly alpaca to have the drape effect, mixed with merino to add some structure. The diamond luxury yarn that I used for the above toque wasn't as slouchy as I wanted, but still creates the desired effect.

My husband still loves his baby alpaca version of the toque but it stretched out too much and is now super slouchy and THE ultimate indie toque. So I made it again (picture above). This time with City Tweed Aran/HW Yarn in Orca: http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/City_Tweed_AranHW_Yarn__D5420183.html

The City Tweed Aran is with 55% Merino wool, 25% Superfine alpaca and 20% Donegal tweed.This is the closest fibre breakdown I found combining merino and alpaca that also comes in colours I wanted, and I love it! It's very soft and creates enough drape without losing the structure. Plus the tweed adds a unique look.