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. (: