Giacomo's Baby Hat

The only knitting that was done this Christmas was a hat for my grandson.  I found this sweet pattern from the Purl      Bee website. If you've ever wanted to try Fair Isle knitting this is a great beginner pattern.  It is just four colors and the pattern is only 19 rows.  I actually  knit the hat twice, because the first hat ended up being too small.  I used larger needles for the second hat and it fit perfectly.

Details:

Pattern: Giacomo's Baby Hat from the Purl Bee

Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Suri Merino (55% Suri Alpaca, 45% Extra Fine Merino)

Colors: Blue, gray, light blue, and dark green

Needles: US 6 and US 7

I used a small Clover Pom-Pom maker in size 1 5/8" for the bigger hat and 1 3/8" for the smaller hat.  The directions were confusing, but I found a YouTube video that helped a lot. 

I thought I'd share my husband's handiwork for a change.  His craft is working with wood especially exotic woods.  He has made some beautiful furniture pieces.  He designed and made this rocking horse for our grandson.   

Nefertem

The Nefertem Shawl is a pattern designed by Kirsten Kapur for the Loopy Ewe Spring 2011 Sock Club. It came as a kit and included a beautiful skein of Madelinetosh Sock yarn in the colorway called Midnight Rendezvous. The color is a deep purple-blue with hints of black. It's very pretty in person. This was my first time knitting with Madelinetosh yarn and it did not disappoint.

The shawl is worked from the center top edge and has a lotus motif lace border. It was quick and easy. The crochet edging was a challenge for me, but I conquered it in the end. There is some errata for the crochet edge that can be found here. Unfortunately, I didn't find it until I was done.


Details:

Pattern: Nefertum

Designed by: Kirsten Kapur

Yarn: Madelinetosh Sock, 1 skein Midnight Rendezvous, 395 yards

Needle: US 8 circular

Knit while waiting for my power to come back on during Hurricane Irene. It took 3 days to knit the shawl and 6 days for the power to be restored. Ugh.

Candelia

Candelia (Ravelry Link)
Designed by Cecily Glowik MacDonald
Yarn: The Plucky Knitter Superwash Merino Wool Handpainted Fingering Weight in faded graphite, 2 skeins
Needle US 6

The yarn was wonderful to work with. I alternated between two skeins every two rows to avoid noticeable color changes.

This is my third time knitting a pattern by Cecily Glowik MacDonald. I love her design style and the patterns are easy to follow.

Have a wonderful weekend. I'm enjoying the apple blossoms.

Orchid Thief Shawlette

Orchid Thief Shawlette (Ravelry Link)
Pattern by Ysolda Teague
Found in Brave New Knits (Julie Turjoman)
Yarn used Quince and Co. Tern, 2 skeins in the color Wampum
Needle used was a US 6 circular

The good, the bad and the ugly details:
I used a Quince and Co. yarn which is always a good thing. Tern is a wool/silk blend. It has a slightly tweedy look and beautiful drape. The pattern called for 420 yards, but I had read that knitters were running out of yarn. Two skeins of Tern was 442 yards so I thought I might be okay, but I ran out of yarn with 3 rows left including the bind off row. I thought about ordering another skein, but I just wanted to finish the shawl and I couldn't bring myself to buy another whole skein for three rows.

The Last Three Rows:
I found some finger weight leftovers in my stash. I was worried about the shawl looking granny-ish so I tried to find complimentary colors. I knit two rows with some leftover String Theory hand dyed yarn in a blue color and then bound off with Berroco Alpaca Light in a green color.

There is errata for this pattern. Despite having the correct charts I still found the pattern confusing. That is why I love the Ravelry network. I never could have made this shawl without the help of members that took notes to make things easier for the next knitter. Thank You

Solstice Cardigan

Solstice Cardigan
Pattern by Cecily Glowik MacDonald
Yarn: Quince and Co. Osprey, 7 skeins
Color: Chanterelle
US 11 needles

Details: This sweater is knit from the top down with very few seams. (One joining the collar to the front and then the pockets.) The cable detail is done without a cable needle which makes it slightly easier, and the waist shaping is down with a rib stitch pattern. I wasn't sure about adding the pockets, but they won out in the end and I'm glad. I was nervous about getting them sewn on evenly. I think I've tried almost every Quince and Co. yarn and they are all wonderful for different reasons. The Osprey used in the sweater is 100% wool, nice and soft, and has beautiful stitch definition.

Ida's Kitchen

Just a quick post to tell you about this hat. It is knit from leftover yarn in my stash. I wanted to go out and buy new yarn. I wanted to buy the yarn that was called for in the pattern, but it was snowing, and the Governor had called a state of emergency. That is what stash yarn is suppose to be all about. At least that is what I tell myself when I'm buying it. Emergencies. The kind that keep you from getting to a yarn shop.



Yarn used: Bristol Yarns Gallery King George in blue, Cascade 220 in green, Rowan Summer Tweed in white, Berroco Ultra Alpaca in brown, Cascade Quatro in red, Patons Angora Bamboo in charcoal, and String Theory Merino Sport in Mustard.



The Details:
Pattern: Ida's Kitchen (Ravelry Link)
Designed by Kirsten Kapur
Needles: US 6 and US 8



I love how the top of the hat looks like a sunflower or daisy. It makes me happy.

Alderbrook

Bulky weight yarn + US 11 needles + lots of "passenger in the car" knitting = Alderbrook.

Alderbrook
Designed by: Cecily Glowik MacDonald
Yarn: Quince and Co. Puffin
Color: Pomegranate
Needle: US 11

Details:
This sweater was a really fast knit. Maybe it was because I was in the car as a passenger a lot between Christmas and New Years, so I had many hours to knit, but this sweater worked up super quick. It is knit from the top down with raglan sleeves and waist shaping. The collar can be buttoned up or worn open. There is a fun pattern detail on the front. I used Quince and Co. Puffin in the color pomegranate. This yarn is a slightly felted bulky weight yarn that gives beautiful pattern definition.

Serafina Cowl

My last knit of 2010

Serafina Cowl
Designed by Carrie Bostick Hoge
Quince and Co. Lark in Twig, 3 skeins
US 8 circular needle

Details: I was intrigued by the texture the offset cables added to this cowl. The pattern was well written and I followed it completely. (Including using the yarn called for in the pattern). Still loving the Quince and Co. yarn.

I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year that includes lots of knitting and chocolate.

Woodsmoke Scarf

Pattern: Woodsmoke Scarf from Brave New Knits
Designer: Jared Flood
Yarn: Quince and Co. Chickadee: Glacier, 1 skein and Bird's Egg, 2 skeins
Needles: US 6 circular and US 6 double pointed

This scarf looks more complicated to knit than it was. I love the simple garter center and the way it contrasts with the lace edging. The yarn I used is Chickadee from Quince and Co. It is a soft and springy yarn and comes in beautiful colors. It's 100% American Wool that is spun in New England. I highly recommend trying it, and checking out the Quince and Co. web site. There you will find lots of great patterns and yarns. I'm planning on making this sweater after the holidays.

This scarf will be a gift for my mother. Finished just in time!

It's a Wrap

Okay, so the stockings are hung. The gifts are mostly bought and it's time to wrap everything. Every year I try to come up with a few wrapping ideas to make this tedious chore more fun.

I have a few gift cards to give and it's always hard to figure out a creative way to wrap them, so I came up with this knitted gift card holder. It's so quick to make. You can whip out a few while watching your favorite holiday show.



You can use any worsted weight yarn. Use up your scraps. Make it fun. Pattern Here.



I also made some of these candy cane reindeer to tie onto packages. These are so easy and a perfect craft for kids. All you need are candy canes, tape, yarn, tacky glue, google eyes, and red pom poms.





First tape the two candy canes together. Then wrap yarn around them. Any way you want to... anything goes. When you are happy with your results tack the end of the yarn down with some tacky glue. Add eyes and a red pom pom nose using tacky glue and you are done.

They can also hang on the tree.


Linking to Censational Girl and It's Overflowing.

Quick Knitted Gifts

I'm always trying to think of a quick gift to give to a friend or co-worker. I like to give something that has some aspect of thought to it and this coffee cup cozy fit the bill.

I used the Knit Coffee Cup Cozy pattern from Elizabeth Murphy of The Sitting Tree and some left over Brooklyn Tweed Shelter from my last project with US8 straight needles and a few leather buttons from my stash. This project is perfect for using leftover yarn.



You can use a paper cup or travel mug and then fill it with cookies, candy or a gift card. Anything goes. Put a bow on top and you are done. I think I'll make a few more.

I can't believe Christmas is only a few weeks away.

Coveside

I love everything about this sweater... the pattern, the yarn, the color, the buttons... EVERYTHING! The pattern, Coveside, is from Cecily Glowik MacDonald who has been whipping out patterns faster than I can knit them and they are all beautiful. The yarn is Brooklyn Tweed Shelter from Jared Flood. It is 100% American grown and spun. That is a fact I really like because I think it is important to support American farmers, mills and designers. The color is called Long Johns and it was a gem to work with from casting on to blocking. Sometimes picking the right button is a chore, but I found some oval shaped wooden buttons in my stash that complimented the yarn and style.



I will use this yarn again. There are so many gorgeous colors to choose from.



The vest can be worn with the collar buttoned all the way up or unbuttoned.

Details

Pattern: Coveside by Cecily Glowik MacDonald (Ravelry Link)

Yarn: Brooklyn Tweed Shelter, 4 skeins

Color: Long Johns
Needle: US9

I think this might be my holiday sweater!

Corded Rib Leg Warmers

Leg warmers are making a come back. These leg warmers were a fast knit using a super bulky yarn and a large needle. Knit in the round, the pattern is cabled but you don't have to use a cable needle. They are soft and cozy too. This pair was made with Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Superchunky which has just enough cashmere to make them feel luxurious. Perfect with boots, as Welly Warmers, or even some cute high heels.

Details
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Superchunky, 3 skeins
Needle: US 11 - 16" circular
Notions: Tapestry Needle and Stitch Marker

Here is the pattern.

Enjoy

Hill and Dale Cowl

The days have been getting cooler and I feel like I just want to have something warm around my neck. I love the fir cone lace pattern and thought it would look cute as a cowl. I love the scalloped edge the pattern creates. I used a bulky yarn and a size 11 needle and whipped this puppy up in no time.



A girl can never have too many cowls.

Pattern: Hill and Dale Cowl (available for free on the side bar)

Yarn: Berroco Blackstone Tweed Chunky, color 6601 Clover Honey, 2 balls

Needle: 16" US 11 circular needle

Enjoy!

Pretty in Pink

While finishing this sweater last weekend I kept noticing how pink everything looked. It was so beautiful.



The sweater is called Miette and it is a free Ravelry pattern which is always a bonus. It is designed to be a cropped sweater, but I added four inches to the length. I used Cascade 220 for the yarn in Peony Heather. It changes color depending on the light. I used simple mother of pearl buttons. This was a quick knit, and the pattern was easy to follow.



Pattern: Miette
Designer: Andi Satterlund
Yarn: Cascade 220, Peony Heather, 3 skeins
Needles: Us 8 and US 7


I saw Wicked this weekend with friends. I highly recommend it! The set, costumes, singing and genius script were incredible. I enjoyed every minute of it.