Summer time...

Summer is coming to an end. Back to school very soon. What a great time reading, raspberries, relaxing. And what about art shows, knitting, setting up securities on the new wireless network, sending text messages, visiting, working on photo albums and teaching new tricks to a rabble-rousing pup. (:

Berry Hats

Two teachers at school had babies! I made a blueberry hat for Amanda's boy and a strawberry hat for Ashley's girl. I used the Ann Norling pattern "Kids Fruit Cap" (a favorite of mine). The yarn is Reynolds Saucy, 100% cotton.

Pretty in purple

I made another shawlette with a mohair blend yarn. I meant to save it for Morgan's birthday but I couldn't wait, and I gave it to her last week. (: This is the third one I have made(link on right). The bind-off has always been a problem, either too loose or too tight, never quite right. I went searching for a different bind-off and found a gorgeous one, perfect for this project.

Wool Enough, and Time blog has several types of bind-offs. The one I used was refered to as the Russian cast-off. It is loose, lacey, stretchy, and ruffley. Just perfect for the shawlette.

Russian Cast-Off: Purl 2. Move the 2 stitches from the right needle to the left. Purl the 2 stiches you just moved together. Now you have one stitch on the right. Purl 1 move the two stitches to the left, purl 2 together. Repeat. HINT: Put the left needle through the back of the right sets up for the next thing.

Charleston in spring

We went to Charleston, SC for our annual spring trip. It was wonderful. Sunny weather, walking tours, good company. No trip to Charleston would be complete without a visit (or two) to Knit.

More socks!

Yes, I know, another pair of socks. I'm not crazy -- I just really like to knit them. (: The design on this is pretty cool. The cuff is knit 1, purl 3. Then I knit 4 rows before starting the pattern. Knit 1, purl 3 for two rows and then knit 4 rows. For the heel, I made the PGR heel. I learned the technique at Country Woolens in Lebanon, NH. (It was a great workshop!) I had to take the heel out a few times till I got it right, but it looks nice and feels very comfy.

I started with the Yankee Knitter sock pattern and size 2 needles. The yarn is TrekKing (XXL), 75% superwash wool, 25% nylon.

I made Taylor these cute red and white socks. She loves the color twist of yarn, it looks like bakery string. So cute! I used the Yankee Knitter pattern but made it with an inset heel. The yarn is Encore, worsted weight, size 5 needle. It makes a bulky sock, comfy for a chilly Saturday curled up with some tea or hot chocolate. I bought the yarn at White River Yarn Shop in White River Junction.

I learned the set in heel technique at a sock heel workshop at Country Woolens in Lebanon. I am going to another workshop this weekend to learn a different heel technique.

Mobius scarf

The pattern required only 2 skeins of yarn (each skein of yarn I used is 137 yards, the pattern says 150 yards) held together. The dark color toned down the brightness of the red/fuchsia color. I bought the yarn in Woodstock at Whippletree Yarn Shop. It is Hacho Yarn, DK weight, 100% merino wool. I used size 10.5 (40" circular) needle (the pattern called for #11). I wanted a neckwarmer fit so I made the S/M size with 70 stitch mobius cast on. For great cast on and knitting instructions see Cat Bordhi on You Tube, link on the right.

So here is the finished scarf. I love it! Cozy and warm. Can't wait to knit another one a little bigger for a drapier look. The pattern came from Ravelry: "Easy Mobius Cowl" Here is the link: www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-mobius-cowl

Flowers of love

Don got me these beautiful flowers for Valentine's Day. I was so surprised. I love them. (:

Another pair finished

I started these socks on one 40" needle and was knitting them 2-at-a-time. I got the legs done and decided to take them off to finish them. I am a double pointed needle knitter. I really like using 4 needles. These socks were started more than a year ago and I finished them quickly once I decided to go back to dp needles. I used Reynolds Swizzle, fingering weight, self patterning yarn and size 2 needles. Love them!
ps--that's Stella.

New heel

I made these socks with the Yankee Knitter Sock Pattern (#29), fingering weight yarn (Plymouth "Sockin Sox"), and size 2 needles. I used a different heal technique, it is a set in heel. I went to Country Woolens (Lebanon, NH) for a workshop. The heal is comfy and replaceable. Love them. (:

So here it is

So here is the finished hat. I used Encore Chunky yarn, about 100 yards of the 143 yard skien. The pattern uses size 10 needles so it knits up quickly. I did make it a little bit longer before I started the decreases. The pattern calls for 6" but I made it 6 1/4". I have a large head and I want to be sure the hat covered my ears. I had fun picking out a button for the hat. Yes -- it goes right there. Don made me this beautiful shell button, it is perfect!

Finally joined Ravelry

Yes, I finally joined. And I found a wonderful hat pattern there-- "The Republic." I have been wanting to make one for myself but have not found the right pattern, until now. (:


Here is the link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-republic-hat
I think you will have to be a member of Ravelry to get the pattern

Knitting storage

I had a great square basket that I kept on a stool next to the couch. Now I have an even greater basket on the stool next to the couch! (: I used a plastic zippered bag (like linens come in and you can never throw them out) to make this knitting storage bag.

If you want to make one, lay out on the bag the things you want easy access to -- things like pencil, needles, measuring tape, post-its, etc. Use a Sharpie to mark the compartments on the plastic. You need to be sure to make the compartments larger than the object otherwise they won't fit. Use a sewing machine to sew the lines you drew. Some of the pockets will be shut, so use sharp scissor to cut open the pockets. Use clips or clothes pins to fasten the bag on your basket. Love it!

Socks -- I love to knit them

As many of you know, I use Yankee Knitter Classic Socks for the Family pattern #29. It has sizes for infant through mens, fingering weight through worsted. I bought the pattern at my local yarn shop, made several copies of it, and used my copies to mark and highlight the size I am making. The socks above are knit with Plymouth Jelli Beenz yarn. The sock below is also Jelli Beenz but it is made with a different heel (inserted). I love knitting the infant socks and especially the striped ones below. It takes no time at all, and no yarn.
ps--Angus is the dog, and Sam is the cat. (:

My Girls

My girls at the orchard Christmas party. (: