Mission Accomplished (part 1)

I finished the first of two scheduled projects for the Ravelympics. I completed the Irish Hiking Scarf. It was easy and fun at the same time. It refreshed my memory about how to do cables and how wonderful a knitted item looks with cables. I won't let this project be the last one with cables. I will have more cabled projects in the future. I was thinking a pair of socks...anyway my first project is done!

The scarf ended being a wee bit over 60 inches. I had hoped for 70 but since I knit one other scarf and a hat to match that scarf, there wasn't enough to make this scarf really long nor is there enough to make a matching hat. I am disppointed about the hat because I have seen a matching hat for this pattern on Ravelry. I might have to break down and buy another skein of this same yarn and try that hat.
Here is the scarf stretched across my dining room table. I hope the cables are the way they are supposed to be. I think they are. The next step is to wash the hat and the two scarves and get them dried and stored away until I have enough of them to mail off to OFA. Now I am off to finish spinning my roving for the next Ravelympics project. I am almost done with the spinning and then the knitting will begin!

Since this post was created I got this...I am really excited to knit for a logo. Silly, I know but it was fun and despite how easy the pattern was I feel like I pushed myself to get it done in a timely manner.

Revving Up for Ravelympics

I have been laboring over what to knit for weeks and what Ravelympic groups to join. Don't you know that I would finish other projects (UFOs) and then be left with time to kill until the official cast on time. This can make a compulsive knitter nuts. No sticks and strings in my hands? What do I do while avoiding laundry and housecleaning? Look for a small project to whet the knitting appetite but of course!

Since I am trying to do a serious stash down I went right to the source of all of my efforts. I found a ton of single balls of yarn that needed to be knit down. So I picked this project to work on while I watched the clock until cast on time. The worst part of waiting was knowing that we would be on the road while I was waiting. It's hard to pick the right project for a road trip. I didn't want to over pack but pack enough knitting supplies that I could have anything I needed for a knitting emergency at my finger tips. So one small one ball project was perfect.
Here is the perfect short-term project while traveling. This is the Knit Baby Hats 1 by Sandra Huffines. It was knit on #3 dpns with 60 stitches. I found two half balls of yarns in a zip lock bag; Plymouth Yarn Dreambaby DK and Sirdar Snuggly. I don't know which yarn is which and at this point I don't suppose it matters. I just wanted to knit. So I did and when it was finished, it was perfect timing for the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.
It's a wee bit blurry and the lighting isn't great but it's still a finished hat. It satisfied my need to knit, be a short and quick knit and it will be donated to yet another great cause sometime this year. I just love it when a plan comes together well... My model was another spare ball of yarn that was in the zip lock bag. It was probably between the size of an orange and a grapefruit. I think the pattern said it would fit between an 2-3 baby. I am not such a good judge of those kinds of things but it doesn't matter as long as it goes to a baby who needs it.
Then the opening ceremonies started and I cast on my project! Here is the pattern and the beginning of my swatch. I cast on and then measured the width and decided that it was outside the measurement specs set down by the OFA. So I went down to size 7 needles. I am using the rest of my Caron One Pound skein.














I made good progress while the opening ceremonies. I haven't done cables in years and years but found that they came back to me quickly. This Irish Hiking Scarf is super simple for anyone who is a beginner at cables. I really didn't remember how easy cables were until I got a good mojo going. It really was like riding a bike. I have made great progress over the weekend and am very pleased so far. I hope who ever gets the scarf likes it as much as I do so far. It is a bit stiff so I think I am going to wash and dry both scarves to soften them up a bit. I will post the finished project once it's done.

Simple Satisfaction

I am in sort of a knitting limbo currently. It's the time before the Ravelympics and the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics which is Feb. 12th. I have committed myself to two groups and hopefully I will accomplish the goals I have set for myself. In the meantime I want to continue knitting but on a project that I can finish by the time I have to concentrate on my two projects.

So to fulfill the need to be obsessive about knitting every single day, I decided that knitting my very first project for the Red Scarf Project was the way to go. I joined the group on Ravelry and have been looking forward to my very first project and yesterday I completed my very first project to be sent to them when the time comes.
So here is a close up of my very first non-pattern effort. It's a simple nondescript pattern of K3P3 for 6 rows and then do the opposite for the next 6 rows. I cast on 36 stitches on US 7 Addi Turbos. I used acrylic (please do not run from the room screaming) yarn because these scarves and hats are going to very busy college students who don't have time to worry about hand washing and blocking a lovely wool scarf and nor do they always have the money to have something dry cleaned. So truly acrylic or a super wash wool was the way to go. I went with acrylic because of the affordability.

I used Caron One Pound skein in the color called Claret 562. It's more of a maroon than a "real" red. I paid about $8 for it at our local A.C. Moore. I don't usually buy yarn from them but I really wanted something super affordable as I mentioned above.

It's such a simple knitting pattern that it only took me two days to make. I am not really a fast knitter but it was so easy, it was hard not to whip through it. I was so happy with the way it turned out I thought it needed an accessory... a nice warm hat to match. I did not have a pattern but used the basic concept from another hat to make this one.

I cast on enough stitches (78) to make it around my head and then continued the same pattern that I had used the for scarf. I knit about 5-6 inches of the pattern before starting the decreases. To start the decreases I knit 7 and decreased in the pattern by either P2tog or K2tog. Then one row of knitting in the pattern and so on and so forth. I did try to stick to the pattern of changing the K3P3 every 6 rows and then switching to P3K3. It worked out pretty well. I was pleased with the end product even thought it's not perfect. I hope that who ever gets the set, will have a nice warm head and neck!

Here is my model wearing both the scarf and the hat together. She looks warm although she wasn't so sure of my choice of fashion eye wear for this photo shoot.

If you are thinking that you would like to do some charity knitting and you belong to Ravelry they have a great group and their site has all the free patterns you could hope for. The site also has care labels and washing instructions. I printed them off today to wrap around my scarf and hat.

I wound up the rest of what was left of the One Pound skein and have it ready for scarf #2 . I have chosen a cabled pattern for my 5K Stashdown Ravelympic challenge. I haven't done anything with cables in over 5 years so I thought this would help me get back into cabling. The name of the scarf is the Irish Hiking Scarf. I sure hope I can get it done in the time allotted. I don't know if I will end up doing a hat to match the scarf but I will know after I have finished the scarf! Nothing like a new or rusty skill to shore up your knitting confidence!

Same Song, Green Verse
I know there are others out there in cyberland who keep knitting or crocheting the same pattern over and over because it makes them happy and brings such a satisfying sense of accomplishment. I love that feeling when I knit. I have looked at pattern after pattern of dishcloths so I know that others are knitting the same basic pattern over and over and over. You know a good pattern when you knit it. It feels good and you are comfortable with it. You know inside and out. Slipping into a familiar rhythm.

So this one is no different. I think I have knit at least 12 of this pattern. What can I say? It's the perfect 56 stitch lace scarf for a beginner. It's just enough lace to satisfy a need to knit lace and not feel like it's a life time commitment. Thus this makes the perfect gift for almost any occasion. I can knit this in 10 days or less even while working a part-time job. That's about the same amount of time that I can knit a pair of socks. Of course this time it took me a bit longer because I have been spinning and felting the same time I was knitting on the scarf.

I have never been one for doing gauge, swatching or blocking. I know better but some things you really need to know the gauge, swatch or even block. This pattern however does need to be block ever so slightly. All of the other times I have made this scarf I either steam and hand blocked or hand blocked it on an extra large bath towel. This time I have a new way.

My favorite enabler and I shared an order for KnitPicks and we bought blocking squares. I haven't used them yet and since I returned her blocking wires, I thought the blocks and some old sewing pins would do the trick. They did!

I love the blocks. I really wasn't sure about them but they are wonderful. Why did I wait so long to do this? The pins just slide right in and look at that! There was one little problem though...
My diningroom table isn't long enough to block the whole scarf. Since I sleep on a Sleep Number bed, pinning it the the bed to accomodate for length, isn't happening! So 3/4 of the scarf will be blocked over a two day period. Then I will have to wet the last 1/4 and block that. A little awkward but with five dogs my options are limited for sure.

Here is another view of the scarf in the process of being pinned for blocking. Lastly the close up of the lace. I am sure that if you are a member of Ravelry you can link to my project page and then follow the link to the designer's page. I feel like I got my money's worth from this pattern! I sure hope my friends think as much as their gifts as much as I did making them.

Pattern Stats: Mary designed by Linda Johnson. Knit with US #4 Addi Lace circulars with Misty Alpaca Lace weight.

Ferns
Ferns come in so many different shapes, sizes and colors. I have several different kinds between my house and the backyard. This beauty sits on my desk. I think I have had it for at least 4 years and it has thrived here in this same spot. I bought it because of the pot . I think it's made by Mikasa I bought it for about $10. Then I was house plant hunting and fell in love with the Rabbit's Foot fern. I just knew because of it's feathery top, it would make the perfect plant for the carrot planter. The fronds of the fern mimic the of the top of a carrot.



Over the course of time, the fuzzy feet have taken over and unless you lift up the fronds, you can't see the wonderful carrot pot. Soon I will have to have it replanted. Then I guess I will start with another baby Rabbit's Foot fern again.

Then I have these two guys in my back yard. I bought four when I got them 18 months ago, but two have not done well. These two are hearty and seem to be doing very well. I have thought about putting them in a huge planter for the deck because I think they get too much sunshine on them. I don't what to lose them.

Last but certainly not least, I have this Fern. This is just as prized as the other two, if not more. This is what I was working on for three weeks at class. It took me a while to get it cultivated but once it took hold it really went wild. It is softer than the other two ferns. The softness is Pure Silk (made by Debbie Bliss). While the color is a bit pale it is still fabulous. The offical name of this fern is Fern Diamond Scarf. The inventor is Sue Von Ohlsen from the Knitting Corner. I have always had a way with plants but never knew that Ferns would be my thing! Here is a close up of the Fern Diamond fronds. Aren't they just lovely?

Howdy Ya'll!
I just wanted to say howdy to all of you who have come from Knitting on Trial. I was certainly surprised when I started reading my favorite blogs and saw my name mentioned! Seeing your name in someone else's blog works like coffee as a great eye opener. Thanks to Christine for the mention and the chance to try my new found knitting skills at making squares for Jef. It was fun looking through the closet at some yarn I haven't thought about in years and years! Now I think I have a project in the making while digging for blue yarn.

I will talk about that after I get done with my up coming sweater class. I am so excited to be taking the class at The Knitting Corner here in Virginia Beach. The timing is a bit wonky because by the time it gets done (and I will get it done if it kills me and makes my house fall down around my knees) late in the season (we are talking humid summer here) and I won't be able to really wear it.

So since Christine mentioned my four doxies I will post pictures from time to time. I love to show them in my lap while I knit. I have some larger sized wing backed chairs and all four dogs think they fit my my lap along with my knitting. It's a trick sometimes to figure out how to knit with some much in my lap! Here is what I mean...

Meet Edward. He is the oldest of the four doxies. He is getting a bit gray but is one of the sweetest dogs we have ever had. He is the father of two more of the four and lives here with his wife, Sadie.

A Diversion is a good thing!
I signed up to crochet blue squares that are 8X8 for Christine at Knitting on Trial. Her brother is battling cancer. The afghan will wrap him up in love from all the bloggers who volunteered to do one or more squares. I was working on a dark blue crocheted afghan but scrapped it and took a ball from that stash and have been busy learning new stitches. I got a book of different knitting stitches from hubby for Christmas. So I am using that to try new things. I have finished two squares and am struggling through a design in the third square. I don't know how many I will be able to finish by Tuesday. I have signed up for my very first sweater class and it starts on the 7th of March and runs 6 weeks. That means that I will have to get my squares in the mail to Christine and put down my shawl from Sheep to Shawl. I have a feeling that it's going to warm up pretty soon so the shawl can wait for just a bit. I measured the monster shawl and it measures 31 inches. The pattern calls for 80 inches. Will this project ever get done? Let's see it gets cold here around Oct/Nov...

Scarves
When you are a beginner knitter you do a lot of scarves. This is one of three that I did right after my beginner class. I didn' know any other stitch other than straight knitting so I just went nuts with this. It's really long and has no fringe. I am not wild about fringe. It gets in your mouth and drives me nuts. I want to make a hat to match this so until the fall when I take a hat class, it will sit in the basket waiting for it's partner.The purple scarf is for my daughter-in-law as soon as I get a hat made for it. Her favorite color is purple so hopefully she will like this. I made another scarf from some yarn that my mother-in-law gave me years, and years ago, but I ripped it out and balled all the yarn for another project.

I signed up on Monday for a sweater class that will start on the 7th of March. I have the swatch done to take to class to make sure I have the right gauge. I am really excited to be such a new knitter and get to do my very first sweater. I am making progress on the shawl but have just signed up to knit a (some) Blue 8X8 squares for Christine at Knitting on Trial. I only have until the 24th and hopefully I can get a few done before then. I think I can...I think I can...