Can I have too many scarves?

This one is made with Noro yarn -- Kereyon Sock Yarn. I saw the pattern  and purchased the yarn at Country Woolens in Lebanon, NH. The pattern seemed intimidating but when I started it and followed the set up carefully it was not hard at all. It is a free download on Ravelry -- Gaia Shoulder Hug. The color changes for the stripes are based on the color transitions in the yarn. How clever of the designer, Anne Carroll Gilmour.

A few notes:

-- I used a bamboo needle

-- I used two small stitch markers on either side of the center stitch 

-- I stopped at 137 stitches total on either side of the center stitch (I was running out of yarn)

-- Need approximately 15 grams (or 45 yards) to do the picot bind off. The picot bind off is wonderful!

Hat for Don

I had some left over yarn in my stash -- Knit Picks "Wool of the Andes." Don picked out a hat pattern on Ravelry -- Ribbed Watchman's Hat. I was worried it would be tight and scratchy but it came out perfect. I must make another. I used a size 8 needle and knit the hat in the round.

Mittens

I love the pattern "New England Mittens" purchased from Knit Picks. I used Bartlett Yarn purchased at the Yates Farm yarn sale this fall. The yarn I used is a heavy worsted so a little bit bulky for the pattern. I had to scale it down a little but the results were wonderful. I made them for Taylor. The heart is done in duplicate stitching that is not easy for me but I do like the results. I want to make a plain (thanks Beth!) white pair for Morgan (sshhh -- don't tell her).

EZ Jacket

I took a class before Christmas at Country Woolens to make an Elizabeth Zimmerman Surprise Jacket. I got a lot done in the 4 week class but still more to do.

Love self striping yarn

I have done a lot of knitting but not a lot of blogging. I found this great yarn in my stash and made Morgan a pair of socks using my old standby Yankee Knitter sock pattern. If you don't have it -- invest in one. The pattern is for baby, child, women, and men and includes directions for finger, sport, and worsted weight yarn. After you buy the patten make a copy (or copies) and circle or highlight the numbers you need.

I sometime struggle with "pick-up and knit" usually getting some gaps I am not happy with. I have tried a new technique using an extra needle to pick up the stitch then knitting through the back of the loop I picked up. This puts a twist in the yarn and takes up the slack I sometimes get in the picked up stitches. I like the result.

Something for me

With short hair it means I wear a hat -- a lot. It is easy in the winter to have fluffy, wooly, floppy, fuzzy, nubby, ribby hats(s). But they look pretty silly in the spring and fall. And my head is pretty cold if I don't wear one. Solution?? Ravelry to the rescue. Found this cute slouch hat pattern. I used Reynolds Saucy -- 100% cotton, worsted weight. I don't think they make it any more. Luckily I had (and still have) some in my stash.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lace-ribbon-slouch-hat

I had my usual SSK problem. Do you slip knit wise or purl wise? I thought I knew but guessed wrong. I did not rip it out but I learned my lesson: look up SSK and which way to slip!

I recommend you count after your pattern rows to keep your unknitting to a minimum. This pattern also has a lot of yarn overs in it and if you miss one it will really mess you up.

Horcrux Socks

If you have read Harry Potter (or watched the movies) you have heard of a horcrux. Tom Riddle (Lord Voldemort) divided his soul and put the pieces into objects -- making a horcrux. So a horcrux is a creapy object -- but these socks are really a tribute to Harry. The Z in the design, his scar.

 

I used worsted weight, Plymouth Encore yarn. I really needed to pay attention to the pattern because of all the yarn overs. And I always review how to SSK, I have trouble remembering to slip knit wise. The best suggestion I can make is to count the stitches after you do a row with all the yarn overs. If you make a mistake you can correct it before going too far.

I think the socks came out great.They are a free pattern on Ravelry, available in worsted and fingering weight.


http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/horcrux-socks-worsted-weight

 http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/horcrux-socks-fingering-weight