Spring!

April 26, 2011
Well with spring finally arriving here in the Kootenays I guess it is time for new beginnings and that includes my excitement to continue my blog project of knitting every project in Veronique Avery's book, "Knitting 24/7". I might even start a new strain. Lately, I have been on a real kick of finishing up UFO's. I don't know if it is officially a kick yet but I have completed a Knitchic Ribbi Cardi- it only needed one front edge, sewing together and the collar and I have gotten out 2 other projects and begun perusing their finishing needs.
I may also ignore my rules of finishing each item before beginning the next AND doing them in order because I really want to knit the cute hemp tank top. I can't even show you the picture or give the official name of the project because I can't locate the book! Time for Spring Cleaning

Missing Headband Photo

November 17,2010

Here's the missing photo for the Red Nuna Does it Again post.

I even got it turned right side up.

Languishing Mittens

November 17,2010

The Heilo Mittens from page 105 to 107 have been in the same state as you see here for 2 1/2 weeks! I got on them right away after finishing the headband and believe me if you think knitting the gloves two at a time on circulars was challenging then try fair isle, two at a time on circulars. I swear each round was a 30 minute journey when you included all the sorting out of the three colours of yarns in between each mitten.

I am using Drops Alpaca and enjoying the softness and the opportunity to choose from a wide range of shades. I learned how to do the Latvian braid. It is lovely and not as complicated as I had envisioned when I first saw it. I thought you literally braided the yarns and then picked up stitches along the side of the braid to begin knitting! I am glad that there are ever so many clever people that seek simpler ways of creating the look of complexity.

I haven't changed much on this pattern but because I am doing the mittens two at a time I had to reverse the pattern for the second mitten. Not too difficult and I am grateful that the pattern for the back of the hand is symmetrical.

Why have these sweeties been sitting lonely in my knitting basket? I have had a real spate of ADD knitting going on.

1.)I had organized and put together a group knitting project which I cannot divulge as it hasn't been gifted yet. All I can say is that it involved a long stretch of knitted on I-cord.

2.)I joined Wooly Wormhead's mystery KAL for not one but two hats.

3.)I started my fifth "Citron" for a friend that I was visiting.

4.)The big finale is a baby sweater that needs to be done by Saturday.

Won't somebody dump a bucket of Ritalin on me?

To think that I contemplated naming this blog 24/7/365?! At this rate it will be 24/7/730. Hang in there kittens you will get those mittens.

Red Nuna Does it Again

Red Nuna Does it Again

November 16,2010

I know, I know, the photo is sideways. It is just that it has been so long since I posted and I knit this head band about a month ago!! I did my best to rotate it but no luck.

I used the left over Nuna from Mirasol that I used for the red gloves (which I am wearing everyday now that it is getting chilly). This was a one night knit.

I changed the sequence of this pattern. The instructions call for casting on in the centre front of the pattern and knitting down one side and then picking up stitches on the cast on and knitting down the other side. I just started at the one end and knit all the way to the buttonhole end.

I found it curious that in order to have the two ends symmetrical and using only decreases on the sides that you would have a weird ridge in the centre front. Why wouldn't you at least have a provisional cast on to disguise the restart?

Oh well, a delightful stitch pattern and I can see using it again some time as a cuff on sleeves. As a headband it would be great to put beads in the yarn overs for a much snazzier look. Really I thought I would be giving this little knitbit away but I have been making it a coordinated 60's look with the headband and the gloves.

OK that fries it! I just lost the photo altogether. I will include with the next post.

Bookmark aka Bracelet

I spent about 2 days searching out the right beads to add to the bracelet. Three visits and two bead shops later I audition the all of the beads you see in the picture. I tried stringing them and was not satisfied with the way that didn't stay in place and had a tendency to slip to the back. I decided that I would go with the tried and true method that I used for the socks: using a .5mm crochet hook. I ended up using 6mm beads.

The trick is to knit the row with the yarn over as usual. THEN on the return row slip the yo off with the crochet hook that already has a bead slipped onto its neck and slide the bead on over to the yo. You then knit the yo which has its own little bead choker on its base and voila-its been bling'd.

Here's a site for visuals on how to do the crochet hook method.http://knitting.about.com/od/knittingskills/ss/bead-as-knit_3.htm.

In many ways I am relieved that this seems the best all around method because one day I just might be thunderstruck by some beaded shawl pattern and I just know that I would not be able to bear threading 2,000 weeny little beads ahead of time.

The yarn info: I had some leftovers from a crochet pattern that I wrote up for Amy Swenson's "Sensual Crochet" book. If you crochet you should sleuth it out. It is a much under publicized book with rockin' patterns. Back to the yarn: Alchemy's "Bamboo" as in 100%bamboo, colourway Moonstone, 150 yards/50 grams and 6sts= 1" on US size 5. I used 2.75mm needles.

A very silky, shiny turquoise that is just right for jewelry. I ended up with the silver beads (middle of the photo) and I put them on every third yarn over. I did eight repeats of the pattern.

To finish it off Lace Knitter Extrordinaire Suzanne lent me her stash of beautiful jewelry clasps to select a closure from. It is great because it is magnetic and you only have to get the two sides in the vicinity of each other and they connect.

October 28, 2010 Super Catch Up

With technical challenges and a full week of teaching I have quite a few projects that have been finished but not blogged. So I will start with the finishing of the socks. I have worn them 3 times and washed them once. They are comfortable for wearing and easy washing.

Super Catch Up