Silk Garden Mitts

I knit these as a Christmas gift for my sister. She never reads my blog so no worries about spoiling the surprise.

Pattern: Fingerless Mitts

Yarn: Noro Silk Garden

Embellishments: Silk ribbon, Turquoise Jasper, Rose Quartz and Amethyst.

River of Gold

AKA Vinyasa by Susan Pandorf.

I've been lusting after Susan's patterns for a while but being fairly new to lace knitting, and being prone to mistake making, I hesitated trying one of her patterns.

Vinyasa is a very easy pattern. Her directions are clear and the pattern is easily memorized. Of course that doesn't mean I haven't made any mistakes nor did I have to frog it and start all over, twice. But that's just me.

I would like it if she would include the pattern repeat in the specs. Otherwise, it's perfection.

BTW Vinyasa is my very favorite yoga style to practice and to teach.

Whisper Cardi

Finished my 'Whisper Cardigan'. It was an easy, straightforward knit, with no seaming!!! I like it so much I may have to knit another.

I really love the DIC 'Starry' yarn. It was soft to knit with, didn't split and I love how the subtle color variation adds texture and interest.


I embellished it with a lovely turquoise and sterling pin made by me and a sweet little vintage enameled pin.

Possibilities Aplenty

What am I doing with this yarn that I purchased from the Loopy Ewe a while ago?











I've got a good start on the 'Whisper Cardigan' from IK Spring '09.












Potentially perfect for the 'Pansy Golightly', the 'Lace Ribbon Scarf' from Knitty.

I'm a bit stumped on how to use 'Butter Peeps'. Maybe a pattern from one of the etsy shops I have in my favs.












I love this rose lariat from Timaryart's shop.
















I've really been wanting to try one of Caffaknitted's patterns.
What do you think?

A Little Loopy

I recently discovered a new on-line yarn shop, The Loopy Ewe. They have great customer service and amazingly gorgeous yarn. I could not believe how fast their shipping was.

The Dream in Color hand dyed yarns caught my eye, so I just had to buy a few skeins. I really wanted a whole bunch of skeins, such yummy colors, I had a hard time choosing.

The red is DIC Starry in 'Lipstick Lava'.
The yellow is Starry in 'Butter Peeps'.
The lavender/blue is Smooshy in 'Pansy GoLightly'.

The names alone make me want one of each.


The 'Loopy Elves' even included a little gift.

Monkey Two (See'n Giraffes)

I finished my second Monkey Sock just in time to post in this month's Cookie A. KAL on Ravelry.

It really was a pretty easy pattern even for a sock novice like myself.

I used #2 DPN and Fortissima Colori Socka #15 from Skakel which I purchased at a LYS. I think the yarn is a little too busy for this pattern and I will probably use a semi-solid for my next pair.

I do like the reddish brown spots that formed.


They remind me of my favorite African animal, giraffes.

And if you like videos, take a look.

A Sock is Born

I've finished the first 'Monkey' sock.

It's a little big on me but fortunately it fits DD perfectly.


Cookie's patterns look like they are all sized for medium sized feet. I'll have to figure out how to make them smaller or sadly I won't have any socks knit with her patterns.

Monkey See

I'm having a serious case of sock lust.

Triggered by a post by Susan and fueled by the super addictive site, Ravelry, I've been pouring over patterns and yarns.

After knitting my first and only pair of socks a couple of years ago I wasn't sure it was something I wanted to do again. But then I discovered Cookie A. patterns. Wow, these aren't socks they are little wearable works of art.

Following the recommendations of fellow Ravelers, I chose Cookie's 'Monkey' pattern.

I'm off to a good start and will keep you posted on my progress.

Block Head

I finished another one of these berets.

Here's how I block them. I don't know that my technique is 'correct', but it seems to work pretty well.

I fill a spray bottle with water and grab one or two hand towels.

I fold the hand towels so that they approximate the desired shape of the hat. Then I place one or two towels inside the hat so that the hat is filled up, without any gaps.
I spray the hat generously with water and leave it to dry.

I like to block my hats this way so that they have a nice shape when they sit on the head.

If you have favorite technique for blocking hats, please share!! I would love to hear about it.

Instead of making the hat all one color I used a contrasting color for the brim and the top of the hat. Partly planned and partly out of necessity, one skein of Manos is not enough to make the entire hat.

The dark blue yarn is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky. I used seed stitch instead of the rib stitch.

The variegated yarn is Manos Del Uruguay Heavy Worsted Wool in 'Autumn'.

I didn't want this hat to be as big and floppy as the first one, so I knit only 4"( instead of 5") of the stitch pattern.

P.S. The title of this post does not refer to my lovely model.

Spring to Mind

Ever since I discovered Project Spectrum my brain has been on overdrive. Plotting and planning. Seeing possibilities everywhere. Ideas springing up like daffodil leaves and crocus buds.


While cruising the internet drooling over some new patterns and yarns, a truly wondrous thing happened. A long forgotten UFO (unfinished object) sprang to mind.
Hmmmm, A hibernating project + Springtime = a novel idea. Finish the unfinished object.

The back has long been done. I am now knitting the the front.

I absolutely fell in love with this Noro yarn, Sakura. I have so much fun watching the color changes flow from my fingertips, trying to guess what color is coming next.

Out of the Box

I find a lot of comfort in the status quo, but I also appreciate the learning that comes from challenges.

Challenge #1: Create an ACEO
I can't draw or paint, not even stick figures, so when I saw that my BBEST etsy team's monthly challenge was to create an ACEO I turned to what I know - 2 sticks and a ball (of yarn).

Coincidentally, I stumbled upon SupaCindy's blog which led me to my next challenge.

Challenge #2: Project Spectrum

Started by a knitter*, but not limited to knitting, Project Spectrum participants create art according to themes that change every few months. For March/April the color is green and the materials are stones, gems, rocks.

Challenge #3: Stash Only!!!
I don't know why but every time I start a new project I almost always seem to need to buy something new/more. Not this time :)

Sooooooo

I hand-knit a 2.5" x 3.5" 'card' using two shades of green yarn and a metallic for a bit of glitz and glam.

I wanted my ACEO to be more than just a pretty face so, I made a pin. Hand-formed of brass wire and embellished with a green turquoise stone and copper wire decoration.

But wait! There's more.


I love dangles and charms and wanted to add some to the pin. I thought it would be even better if the charms were removable so they could be worn as a necklace. And so they are. A lavender chalcedony and a coin pearl are strung on a handcrafted cord and attached to the back of the ACEO.



This is my very first ACEO. I hope it meets the recipient's expectations.

*Thanks Lollyknitting!

Bouncey Beret

This beret pattern was a quick knit. My gauge swatch was a little tight, 3.75 to 4 stitches per inch rather than the specified 3.5, which was ok with me. The pattern photo made the hat look like it was a generous size. Even with this slightly tighter gauge mine turned out fairly big. I like the hat, but I think I'd like it better just a bit smaller. I'm planning on knitting another and will use either smaller needles or cast on fewer stitches.

Pattern Error
I found one error in the pattern.

For the final row 9 sts remain, you are told to cut the yarn, leaving an 18" tail and then to seam the hat. It doesn't tell you what to do with those live 9 stitches that are still on the knitting needle.
Leave the stitches on the knitting needle, cut your yarn (I cut it 24" and had just enough length).
Thread the end of the cut yarn through a tapestry needle. Draw the threaded needle through the 9 live stitches, dropping them off the knitting needle and gently tighten, closing the hole.
Now sew down the seam to the ribbed brim.

The yarn is absolutely yummy. I used 'Rustic' by Cascade Yarns. It was new at my LYS.
It's wonderfully soft and I love the subtle variegation.

New Technique: Knit One Below
Used in the above pattern.



Insert R needle into the K stitch below the live stitch on the L needle.



Wrap yarn knitwise around R needle.



Draw yarn through the K stitch and pull newly formed stitch plus the live stitch off the L needle.



Viola, new stitch formed.

I was a little hesitant to pull the live stitch off with the stitch knitted below, but it really works. Almost like magic :)
This technique creates a raised, somewhat elongated stitch and resembles ribbing in its look. The resulting fabric however is not as tight and elastic as ribbing. It just has an interesting texture.

Charting a Course

Love charts?
I read on Kkhymn's blog, who read on Orangellous' blog, who got the idea from Astroknits for a Knitting Chart Generator. It's a program that allows you to type in a written knitting pattern, row by row, and receive the pattern in chart form.

I haven't tried it yet, but it looks like a great idea. If you give it a test drive, please let me know what you think!

P.S. Currently on the needles.

I really love the red yarn. It's soooo soft. Stay tuned for the finished objects :)

A Contest with Heart

I really enjoy reading Kkhymn's blog. She's having her first contest; a wonderful idea encouraging her readers to knit or crochet items for charity and then leave a comment as to what they've done.

I love her idea but didn't know how to act on it until today. While browsing the bookstore shelves I found some inspiration.

A whole book full of ideas, Knitting for Peace names specific charities that welcome donations and offers easy patterns to complete the mission. From helping people to shelter animals, close to home and abroad, this book gives specific information on a variety of organizations and their needs.

Also listed in the book are several online resources.

www.interweave.com/knit/charities.asp
Last updated September 2008, this site has an extensive list of organizations.

www.lionbrand.com/charityconnection.html
Provides a search option to help you select a charity, and a list of most frequently requested item patterns.

www.woolworks.org/charity.html
This site looks like it hasn't been updated in a while, but it does list specific organizations by state.

Now the dilemma. With so many wonderful organizations and super patterns, which one to choose?!

No Shrinking Violet

The 'Big Ivy Scarf' pattern knits up into one hefty scarf. It was the cover pattern for the Fall 2008 issue of Knitscene and I loved it the moment I saw it.

I've been wanting to knit something with stranded colorwork and this pattern was perfect, small sections of colorwork interspersed with an open meshwork pattern. I had so much fun knitting this I was actually a little sorry when I finished it.

I couldn't find the Asian Trends yarn specified in the pattern. So, I substituted Berroco's Ultra Alpaca. The main color is actually a brighter gold shade. I just couldn't get the colors to photograph well.

Just for Fun

Lollipop Mitts

I knit these fingerless gloves without a pattern. Just for fun. Just to see if I could do it.
I have never knit anything without a pattern.

Those of you who routinely knit your own designs know knitting mitts without a pattern is no big deal. For me, this was a big step. I have wanted to be more fearless in my knitting. To loosen the white-knuckle grip I've had on published patterns. To free-fall into knitting from my my own creative thoughts.
Yikes, I hope I have some - creative thoughts!

One Down

My first effort at stranded colorwork. It wasn't nearly as hard as I anticipated. Fortunately, several months ago I decided, just for fun, to teach myself to knit holding the yarn in my left hand. Turns out it works great for colorwork; hold one working color in the right hand and the other in the left.
I just have to repeat this pattern seven more times and I'll have a finished object!

I hope you've had a great January 1st.
One down and 364 more days to go. I wish you the very best for 2009!
~Mary

Good Hair Day (and warm ears too)

I love this headband. It keeps my head and ears warm without that 'compressed' feeling I sometimes get from a hat. A little kinder on the hairdo too :)

This is the Cable and Bobble Headband from Winter '06 Interweave Knits. It's knit in a bulky weight yarn, which makes it a super fast project.
Very beginner friendly for those who've never made a cable pattern, this is a great first project.

On the Needles

Another hand-knit gift.
I thought I had all of my hand-knit holiday gifts covered, but I just got another request.
There is no way I can refuse so here's a new project; well on it's way to becoming a hat.
(I actually feel very honored when someone wants something I make as a gift.)


Shop Stress Free, Shop Etsy.
Here are a few ideas for the knitter or knit lover on your gift list.

Sassalynne has the most beautiful hand-dyed yarns. My biggest dilemma is which one to choose.
This beauty even comes with a free scarf pattern!



Betani has these sweet stitch markers that knitters and crocheters could use to keep them stitching smoothly along.



Want a hand-knit scarf but don't want the work? Scarfitup has this blue beauty to add warmth and unique style.

"Project Runway"

Etsy Bloggers want to know - what am I working on?

I'm the featured artist at a local gallery for the month of December. So, I'm working on lots of new jewelry pieces for both the gallery and my etsy shop.



And I'm knitting:

Fingerless gloves in baby llama yarn. Soooo soft.



A scarf in alpaca yarn. My first colorwork project.



And a caplet in a kid mohair/silk blend that is a gorgeous shade of teal green.