More New Projects

I did actually finish one more project before I started a couple of new ones. The Embossed Leaves socks from Favorite Socks by Interweave Knits are now finished. Yeah!!! They seemed to take quite a while to finish but that is probably because I had so many other projects going on at the same time.

Yarn: Fleece Artist Merino in colour Lily Pond
Needles: 2.25mm for ribbing and 2.75mm for pattern
Pattern: Embossed Leaves from Favorite Socks

This yarn is so soft though not machine washable so I will need to be careful not to felt them!!

I did not finish the Fana mittens. I don't know why I can't just buckle down and finish them ... only have the thumb of one mitt left and then weaving in the ends of the same mitten. I need to get my package off to Afghans for Afghans soon so finished pictures will probably be posted next time.

Onto the projects I started.

Last post I said I was going to start Roam and I did. This sweater is knit in seed stitch which I was not going to do. I am a "thrower" when I knit and the thought of all those p1, k1 stitches just did me in!! I went through a stitch dictionary I have (The Harmony Guide To Knitting Stitches) and chose a pattern called Garter Slip Stitch Version 5. This pattern has 2 rows of plain knitting, 1 row of k1, sl1 and then one row of k1, yf, sl1, yb on the wrong side. Much faster to work for this knitter and it is a 2+1 stitch pattern which is the same as the seed stitch. Currently working the sleeves (both at once).
Yarn: Berrocco Ultra Alpaca in colour Denim
Needles: 4.0mm
Pattern: Roam from Knitty.com

Since I finished the embossed leaves socks I cast on another pair that my youngest daughter wanted me to make for her. She picked out the yarn and the pattern. It is from More Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. I started out casting on 60sts and did a few pattern repeats and had my daughter (8) try it on. Too small. She could barely get it over her heal. So rip and cast on 72 sts. This actually fits me so will definitely be big enough for her.
Yarn: Regia 4ply in bright pink, yellow, orange
Needles: 2.25mm for ribbing, 2.75mm for the rest.
Pattern: Heart from More Sensational Knitted Socks

We are currently having a thunder and lightening storm so I think I will get off the computer and knit for a while!

Feeling Better

I have finished two projects that I was working on and feel like my crafting life is a bit more under control.

My wonderful husband took me to a yarn shop in Seattle for our anniversary (12 years) and then out for Japanese food. We went to Weaving Works. This store has such a variety of yarns, fleece, spinning and weaving stuff, I could spend hours searching through everything.

What did I buy?!? 9 skeins of Berrocco's Ultra Alpaca to make Roam from Knitty.com . Roam is a hoodie sweater that has a zippered front. Pattern calls for DK yarn but since I knit tightly I thought I could get away with a worsted weight yarn. I haven't cast on yet because I want to finish my Fana Mittens first.

What have I finished. First the pink baby blanket that I have been working on (or not) since March. I am really happy with how it turned out and very happy that it is finished and checked off my "to do" list! Now to wrap it up and gift it away :-)

Yarn: Cotton Fleece from Brown Sheep Company
Colours: Pink-a-boo and Tea Rose
Needles: 3.75mm
Finished Size: 33" x 34"

Second is the felted bag that I had started in August for a secret pal exchange. I am thrilled with how it turned out since I don't have much felting experience.

Yarn: Elann's Peruvian Highland Worsted and Knit One Purl Two eyelash type yarn.
Colour: Dark Burgundy Heather (743) and Pink, Purple and Gold eyelash yarn.
Needles: 6.00mm and 3.75mm for I-Cord
Finished Size: 12" x 12"

Off to finish up my mittens for Afghans for Afghans and then cast on something for me! Happy Knitting!!

Too Many Projects --- Acckkk!

I am getting overwhelmed ... with too many projects ! I know at least 6 women at our church that will be having babies over the next few months as well as Afghans for Afghans that have a deadline of October 12th, a very dear friend who has adopted a new baby, and Heavenly Angels In Need that continually has needs (which I haven't supplied in a long while). What is someone to do? ... Cast on another project of course!!! Which is what I have been doing and therefore have a ton of unfinished objects all lined up on my counter.

I am sure my husband thinks I have lost my mind since every time he sees me I am knitting away on yet a different project. They will all get completed, right?!?!

First up is a felted bag I am making for a shoe box exchange that needs to be mailed by September 24th. No problem --- I am almost finished the knitting then it's on to the felting. The bag is Elann's Highland Wool Fancy Felted Bags. I am using Highland wool in a dark wine colour and Knit One Purl One yarn for the accent near the top.

Next is a baby hat that I completed last week for HAIN's Childrens Division. I was feeling overwhelmed with all these large projects so started something small so I could get a sense of accomplishment! Anyone else do that?

I made up the pattern by casting on 74 sts and then using the Fibonacci system to work stripes. I really like how it turned out knit in Paton's Astra yarn and I want to design a pair of booties to go with it (after some other more pressing projects are finished or I need another quick fix of a completed item).

Remember this baby blanket that I started months ago? I started working on it again and think I need to finish 5 more pattern repeats to have it square. I am thinking of giving it to my friend who has adopted a baby girl at the beginning of the month!

And there's the mitts for Afghans for Afghans children's project. Still working on those.

And the Embossed Leaves socks which I am turning the heal on the second sock. Knit a couple of rows on that each day. No new picture!

And (I'm almost done) a very cute baby shrug that is in the Fall '07 Knit Simple Magazine that may also be for my friend with the new adopted baby or one of the 6 others mentioned above. It is soooo cute!
I am using Softee Baby in a pink and white marl, 3.25mm needles and making size 3 months. To go with, I want to make Saartje's Booties.

Enough projects? Sure hope I can complete a couple before having the dreaded "new project bug" bite me again!!

School Starts Today

For us, today is the first full day of classes. My girls were excited about going and getting the year started with new teachers and old friends. Summer was fun, but I am definitely ready for some routine in my days!

I finally finished this sweater for Afghans for Afghans. I started it many months ago and can finally count it "off the needles".

Yarn: Jojoland Melody 2 strands together
Elann Peruvian Highland Wool
Needles: 4.5mm and 3.5mm
Pattern: From Margaret Hubert's Book One Piece Knits That Fit
Size: child 5/6


A very easy knit in one piece sweater!




One mitten complete. I really like how this turned out. I wasn't sure that my stranding would be "ok" but it looks fine to me. It was a bit tight when I changed from one needle to another, but I will need to concentrate on that for the next mitt. It is started and the check pattern is completed.
Yarn: Cascade 220 dark green and yellow
Needles: 3.5mm - 2 circulars
Pattern: Fana from Folk Mittens by Marcia Lewandowski