FO's

04 Cabled Beret [RA]
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted
Needles: US6(4mm)/US8(5mm) 16" circ
Notes: I made this pretty much exactly as the pattern stated, but I have a pretty big head so it's more of a toque than a beret. For this one I am debating ripping back and then maybe adding another repeat.. however, it does make a *damn* nice toque...

Malabrigo be so buttery <3



Swallowtail Shawl [RA][Evelyn Clark Designs]
Yarn: Cascade 220
Needles: US7(4.5mm) 32" circ
Notes: I don't know why, but for the nupps I was determined to do p5tog, so since I was using Addi Turbos I figured out that it was infinitely easier to use a crochet hook to do the nupps! I did only 9 repeats of Budding Lace, then on row 3 of Lily of the Valley I did:

k2, yo, k2tog, k5, yo, nupp, yo, k1, sk2p, k5, yo, nupp, yo, k1 to 10 sts before marker, ssk, k6, ssk, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k1, yo, nupp, yo, k5, sk2p, k1, yo, nupp, yo, k5 to last 4 sts, ssk, yo, k2 (I think.. I forgot to write it down actually..)

This did turn out smaller than I anticipated (what with using worsted weight yarn and all) even though it did block out to a pretty decent size. I just prefer neck scarves to wrap all the way around to the front whereas this one I need to tie in the back. I'm still debating ripping back to budding lace and just following the pattern. Hmm...







I think I might just have very tight gauge. I'm wanting to knit a Swallowtail for my mom for Christmas (a laceweight one with beads instead of nupps), but I'm worried it'll be too small! I suppose I can always just throw in a lifeline and block it once I'm done budding lace to make sure the size is alright.

Anywho, hope you enjoyed!

Habitat

I'd just like to thank the people who were able to give me some input on changing the Habitat pattern! I appreciate the suggestions!

After a lot of thinking and planning, I finally managed to lengthen the hat by one repeat, and it turned out nicer than I could have hoped!



This doesn't show the colour well, but it's the best pic of the extended pattern.



The next two show the most true to life colour:









Habitat [RA Link]
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted, Marine
Needles: US8(4.5mm)/US9(5.5mm) 16" circs
Notes: So I made this toque for my friend Adrian, and his head is 24” circumference and about 7-8.5” in height for hats. I started by increasing the circumference. I CO 108 sts with US8’s then increased to 144 sts and switched to US 9’s.

I could tell by everyone else’s pictures and by the length I got by row 16 that it wasn’t going to be long enough. It took me a while but I figured out how to extend the pattern. After row 16 I inserted this chart. After that I replaced all the “c2 over 2 left” on the left side of the pattern (column 17-20) with “c2 over 2 right”.

So in the end it managed to cover his ears totally, and the hat doesn't look too stretched out (I prefer an end result where the cable is still bumpy rather than stretched) and I'm super pleased with the outcome!

New yarn! <3

Fleece Artist - Trail Socks







I've taught myself how to knit socks in the past few weeks. I am overly excited about socks, I will not lie.

Malabrigo Worsted







I'm gonna use this to make myself a sweet hat. I just need to go out and buy the proper sized needles tomorrow... and then hopefully not knit and write an essay :D

Mosey, Snowboarder Hat

Opps! I've been so busy with school I forgot to update!

Mosey [RA][Knitty]
Yarn: Patons Classic Wool Merino, Natural Mix
Needles: US7(4.5mm)
Notes: The only changes I made was to do one extra repeat of the back panel, since I knit them for Amie and I knew she would want them to be long and still have some slouch. The only thing I found annoying was making the damn pom poms circular, lol! I had a ton of fun knitting these, and I think I’ll definitely knit a pair for myself at some point… maybe in black :D







Snowboarder Hat That Rocks [RA][We Do Not Have a Knitting Problem]
Yarn: Patons Shetland Chunky, Black
Needles: US10.5(6.5mm)
Notes: I double stranded the yarn and knit loosely to see how thick/stiff I could make it. In the end it turned out too snuggly for me to add lining, but I still enjoy it. I used 16 20” strands for each ear flap and attached them in groups of 4 before braiding them. If I ever made this again I'd still double strand for the sturdiness, but I think I'd go up a needle size or two so I could line it and have it be a tad more flexible.







I also finally finished blocking the Meseta Alta shawl, but I'm still debating on what to do with the tassels. I don't have enough yarn to tassel the way it is in the original, so I either have to buy more or just space them out a bit better. I should decide soon, this was a Christmas present after all!

Currently working on socks... I wasn't expecting it to be this complicated with the gauge! Knitting socks is waaaaaay easier than I suspected it would be, I'm even beginning to like dpns... but for whatever reason I get itty bitty stitches using recommended yarn and needles.. I think I'm just going to have to math it up every time I knit socks. That's not so bad I guess, it's really fun to knit them in any case.

Sock Measurements

Me

Calf Circ: 14.25
Ankle Circ: 10.25
Heel: 2.5
Foot Circ: 10.25
Foot Length: 10

Mom

Calf Circ: 11.5
Ankle Circ: 7.5
Heel:
Foot Circ: 8.75
Foot Length: 9.74

Alex

Calf Circ: 12.5
Ankle Circ: 10
Heel: 2.5
Foot Circ: 11.5
Foot Length: 11

Finished Christmas Gifts

Geeze, that took me long enough. I managed to finish the majority of gifts before Christmas despite how busy it was at work the past few months.

Green Button Hat [RA Link]
Yarn: Patons Shetland Chunky in Sage Green
Needles: US9(5.5mm) 16" circ
Notes: For this hat I used the brim technique from the Robin's Egg Blue Hat with the measurements from the Republic Hat. I knit it longer than the pattern said. I don't understand why all hat patterns are written so short. I live up in Winnipeg and it's hella cold here! Hats need to cover the ears!







6-Hour Throw [RA Link]
Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun in Deco, Earth and Rococo
Needles: US35(19mm)
Notes: I originally knit this with 50's and followed the pattern, but the end result was too loose and curled to much, so I frogged it and re-knit on 35's, CO 50sts and did a 5 st garter border on either side. At then end when I put on the tassels I braided every set of two together so they wouldn't fray and shed all over the place :P





Teal Spring Beret [RA Link]
Yarn: Cascade 220 in 9420 Teal
Needles: US8/9(5.0mm/5.5mm) 16" circ
Notes: I did this in 1x1 twisted rib.. I think... I did k1tbl, p1 for the rim because I wanted to see what it looked like. Anyways, this was a really easy lace knit, you just need to pay attention and by the time you're on the second repeat it's easy to zone out and knit. It was fun watching my fingers turn blue :D Also, this was my first blocked project!! I'm amazed at how my shitty gauge evened out with the blocking and all the lace opened up like wow! I was so impressed!

Also, I was so worried this wouldn't be big enough, but after blocking it on a dinner plate it fit my auntie's head perfectly AND it miraculously matched her winter scarf which I've never seen before! :D







Drip Coasters [RA Link]
Yarn: Bernat Handicrafter in various colours
Needles: US6 (4mm)
Notes: Used larger yarn than called for, so I started the first row here: CO 41 sts. Sl1, k18, sl1, k2tog, psso, k18, p1. This helped me get rid of a lot of extra yarn from other various dishcloths lol






I'm still working on mom's shawl, but the good news is, it's off the needles! I just need to weave in one end, block and tassel and it will be done! I was totally nervous to block this because of how much work went into it, but I got some help from the Knitting LJ and I think it'll all turn out ok!

Once I'm done that and my gift for Amie, my plan is to learn socks! I want to do my first pair legs down, then try toes up, then magic loop. I'm kinda crappy with DPNs, so I think in the end magic loop will work best for me.

I went to Ram Wools to pick up one more skein of Sirdar for mom's shawl, and I came across this:

Fleece Artist's Somoko in Burgundy Boil. OMG.





I was going to buy $4 sock yarn for my first attempt, but do you see how I couldn't resist?? And 30% off!



Ok. So. I bought a set of Bamboo US2.5 (3mm) needles because I am determined to learn. I'm going to try leg-down first because I bought Getting Started Knitting Socks, and it makes a whole lot more sense to me now. So, this yarn is amazing and I want to knit something simple, but not just plain stockinette all the way down. I'm thinking of doing the 6 sts per 1" pattern in the book, and doing the rib pattern down the top with stockinette on the bottom.

My only problem now it that this yarn is in a huuuuuuuge hank, and I don't think I'd be able to wind it all over my thumb, so I'm really considering buying a swift and winder. I've found a few on ebay for about $30-40 so maybe I'll buy them at some point. I'm wondering if I can pay anyone at Ram Wools or Wolseley Wardrobe to wind them for me? Hmm. I think I'll need to make a phone call..