FO: A couple of hats, a pair of mittens

Finally, some finished photos!

Pattern: Simple Slouchy Hat
Knitting needles: Size 6 & 10
Size: Large
Yarn: Fisherman's Wool, doubled

Thoughts: Definitely love this hat, even the second time around knitting it. The pattern is so easy, great for TV knitting. The yarn softened up drastically after a good soak. 

Pattern: Urban Necessity Gloves

Needles: Size 6

Size: Medium

Yarn: Fisherman's Wool

Thoughts: These were a pain to knit. They aren't exactly a matching set, perfectly. One cuff is about three rows longer than the other. And one pinky finger is slightly longer. Not sure about the sturdiest of this yarn...

Pattern: Brambles Beret

Needles: Size 4 & 6

Size: Medium

Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted

Thoughts: Love the way this hat turned out, however it seems a bit small. I may put it through another soaking and blocking session to see how it turns out. As always, this yarn is pleasantly soft and warm. I'm definitely a huge fan of the malabrigo. The pattern was very well written.

So friends, I'm thinking about going out of my comfort zone, and trying to sell some of my handmade items. I've had the idea running through my head for years but I think the time has come to put it into action. Plus I could definitely use the extra money. We'll see what happens in the future...

The only April post

Not very great excuses... but we've been busy playing.





And sewing. Of course I have no photos of this. But I've made a couple skirts. And a bag for my new swift. (Yes, I bought a swift and absolutely love it! I can't believe how much quicker it is to turn a hank into a cake!)

I have done a bit of knitting as well. I made a lacy baktus for a swap present. I used baby cashmerino... SUPER soft after a nice soak. Although I must say I had some issues with knitting it, as it seemed a bit splitty. But it worked out and hopefully my partner liked it. :)



I also have damson and peggy sue on the needles. (Rav links) And now that I have finally figured out how to purl correctly (turns out I've been Ptbl this whole time thinking it was the correct way to purl).. both these things are turning out lovely.

Now, off to knitting. The computer has been so distracting lately!

FO: Ishbel the Second

Pattern: Ishbel
Yarn: Araucania Ranco Solid
Needles: Size 7
Thoughts: Obviously I adore this pattern, this is the second Ishbel I've made! I would absolutely make it again. And again. Especially since after making it, and being extremely frustrated about the curling that was going on with it even after blocking, a lovely fellow "raveler" let me know that I may be doing something wrong in my knitting/purling. So I looked it up. And what do you know, I've been purling wrong ever since I first taught myself to knit! (I suppose that it what you get for teaching yourself, ha.) Turns out I've been purling through the back loop the whole time I was supposed to be purling through the front. Oh well. Now I know. I still love everything that has been knit with twisted stitches. :)



I've also learned to crochet! Ah, so fun. :) I am working away at a giant granny square blanket and loving it. I love granny squares. I'm using probably the ugliest combination of colors but it's just acrylic I have laying around in my stash. What a great way to use it up. I can't believe how much faster yarn seems to be used up in crochet than knitting. Kind of crazy.

FO: End of May Mittens

New Mittens! Hooray!


Pattern: End of May Mittens (rav link!)
Yarn: Cascade 220 & a tad bit of KP Palette for cuff
Needles: Size 3 dpn
Thoughts: LOVE!! Such a great pattern. Have had so many compliments from people. And hints that they may also like a pair of these amazing looking mittens. They are very warm and I love the brightness of the green. Or I just love green. :D I would absolutely make this pattern again.



Speaking of green, I've cast on for another Ishbel. In green. I'm really pushing to get it done for the end of the month so I can use it for Feb in my 10 Shawls in 2010 group but it's not looking promising. The loooong purl rows just slow me down way too much. There's got to be a faster way to purl! Well anyhoo, I'm loving the way it's coming out and can't wait to finish it and wear it everywhere.

Here's a photo of Duncan to finish this post. He's kind of cute, even though he woke me up at 5:45 this morning to eat.

Finished Things are Fun!

Warmest Mitts for K.


Yarn: Cascade Pastaza & KP Wool of the Andes doubled
Thoughts: AWESOME. Took me two and half days MAYBE to complete these. He loves them. I love them. I'm pretty jealous of their coziness. The pastaza seems like it would be itchy but it keeps his hands very warm.

And a Gretel hat for me!


Yarn: KP Wool of the Andes
Thoughts: Favorite. Hat. EVER. Seriously.. I never want to take it off. It is so perfect. I thought the cabling would be terrifying but it was actually fun. I even learned to do one of the cables without the needle.. I just forgot which one now. Oops. Everyone should have one of these hats. In every color. Would love to make one up in something yummy like malabrigo.


Ok, Moo is not finished. She is just cute and I thought she deserved a guest appearance in blog land. :)

Awesome

Knitting is sort of awesome. It's my way to escape and relax. Getting so wrapped up in charts and yarn and needles (ok, maybe not needles) is an awesome feeling. Especially when you end up with something that is finished and well... awesome. So, to catch up on all the things I never post.. let's start with the most recent..

I made a shawl. Woo hoo! This blog makes me look like that is all I make. But this is not true. I just seem to feel like blogging when I accomplish something that large. I bet it will take me a very long time to post anything about the mittens that took me three days to make.





So, the pattern is Springtime Bandit(ravelry link) and it was very enjoyable. Even though I messed up on the edge charts and forgot to really LOOK at it on the purl rows... hey, no one notices if I miss that single knit stitch in the middle of all the purls. Right? :) Of course not. The yarn is Patons Classic Wool Merino. It's warm and cozy and I love it. I would most definitely make another of these. Perhaps when my blocking skills gain a bit more patience..

I also made these amazing blue socks quite a while ago.



The pattern is Child's First Sock in Shell pattern from Knitting Vintage Socks. The yarn is ShibuiKnits... and the yarn rocks. I love it. I actually bought myself another two skeins of it in a honey color when I took a trip to my favorite yarn store this past weekend. But that's a whole different story...

FO: Shetland Triangle

Hooray.. the purple shetland is finally out of my life. :) I didn't get very many finished photos of it. I think it was received well, which is good news. Amy seemed to like it.. and the older ladies in her family definitely liked it. I think I am done with shawls for now. Although I am really enjoying all the finished Ishbel shawls I keep seeing on Ravelry... hmph. I don't think I want to torture myself with knitting with such fine yarn for a while. Wait.. the only thing I'm working on at the moment is socks. Dang it.

I am planning on knitting the Garter Stitch Swingy Sweater or Favorite Cardigan from Custom Knits next. But knowing me I'll start something else instead. I would like to make a few bags to use for grocery shopping. Or for one of those rare occasions that we actually go to the market..

I don't have much news outside of the knitting world. It's no wonder I haven't shared this blog with anyone yet. I'm so lame!

FO: Shetland Triangle

Hooray, my first finished lace shawl! :) I loved working on this and now am a little irked that I decided to use KP Palette for it. I would love it in a much nicer yarn. But this was good for practice.. can you imagine how mad I would be if I ruined beautiful yarn? Agh. What a nightmare.


I'm sure I will make another Shetland.. the pattern was super easy and enjoyable. I am very happy with it. :)

Now I am starting the Fountain Pen Shawl for a wedding gift in Alpaca with a Twist Fino. I don't think it will be long before I'm sick of lacework!
That's all for now.. happy knitting!