James' Fair Isle Sweater Pattern and Yarn

For my Fair Isle class I am planning on making this sweater for James. I am going to change the red to the blue. I think it will look great! The yarn for this is also the Hauk with the Teflon. I think this will be a great yarn for James. I am sure we will test the stain resistance of it. Hey maybe we could be a test family teeheehee. I will be sure to keep you updated on the progress of it as I go.
Granted the pattern is a size 2 so he probably won't be able to wear it until next year or so, but it might just take me that long to get it done.


James' Fair Isle Sweater Pattern and Yarn


Sweater Yarn

Sock Pattern and Yarn

Here is the booklet and yarn for my socks. I am taking a class on knitting socks on circular needles. Of course I am only going to use one skein for the class, but I just couldn't resist the other colors. I was told that I only need 1 skein for a pair of socks and I should have enough to make a pair for James as well!! Whoo Hoo I can't wait. Don't you just love the colors?!


Sock Pattern and Yarn


Sock Yarn

Glove Pattern and Yarn

Here is the pattern booklet and yarn that I will be using for my mitten class. The Yarn is Hauk and has a Teflon coating. This should be great for gloves since we all know how dirty they get. It is supposed to keep dirt and stains from sticking to it. Also it is 100% wool! It is just amazing what they can do with yarn. I can't wait to see how they turn out.


Glove Pattern and Yarn


Glove Yarn

Afghan Yarn Layout

I have finally decided what layout I want my yarn colors in for my afghan. Now I need to decide what patterns I want to use. It will be 4 rows across and 6 rows down. I will just repeat the same colors in the same sequence below what is pictured. I know that I want at least one of the reds to be a pattern with hearts, but other than that I really am not sure what I want and where I want to put it. Such dilemmas. :)


Afghan Pattern


Afghan Yarn Layout

Still in the Works

Here are my 3 latest UFOs. I still need to add the single crochet border to the afghan square, finish knitting then felting the pumpkin and felt the clogs. I am hoping to get this finished this weekend so I can start another square or work on James' first sweater. Heck I might start both.



First Afghan Square


Pumpkin On Needles


Clogs Before Felting


Clogs Top and Side View Before Felting


This is what the clogs should look like after felting them.

Clog Pattern

James' Sweater Yarn & Pattern

I got this yarn on Wednesday when I was at Lambikin's Hideaway. It is Leggero Print and is 100% microfiber. Ohhhh is it soft! I have some more of a blue and green that I want to make another blanket out of. Can you imagine cuddling up under that???

I would like to get the sweater done in time for him to wear this winter. I plan on making it big so that hopefully he can get 2 years out of it. He will be a styling little man in it. I just hope that I don't screw it up. If I do have any problems I know all I have to do is take the mess that I have made to Lambikins and they can help me with it. :)


Yarn for James' Sweater


Sweater Pattern

Afghan 1st Block

This past Wednesday I had my first block of the month class. I chose one that was fairly simple that had yarn overs in it since I have never done them before. The pattern is called the Quatrefoil Eyelet. I think it is coming along fairly well. I still need to figure out what colors of yarn will go where in the afghan and what my next block will be. I will post a picture when this block is finished.


First Block for Afghan


Quatrefoil Eyelet

My Newest Needle Obsession

Ok so I have been hearing so much about the Lantern Moon knitting needles. I have to admit I am an Addi Turbo girl. I really have never been impressed with any of the wooden needles. To me they seem to like to keep a hold of the yarn and the metal ones knit so much smoother.

I was at Lambikins yet again and needed a size 8 needle. Out of my entire collection of needles, not one of them was a size 8. So I decided to give the Lantern Moon needles a try. I have to say I am in love. They are so smooth and knit so well. I am going to have to slowly add them to my collection. They are a little more expensive than the other needles, but with how nice they are they are well worth the few extra dollars.

I never thought that I would ever be a straight wood needle knitter, but I am a changed woman. I do have to say that if I am knitting something large like an afghan or something of the sort I will use my Addi Circular needles, but I think for the smaller things I will be using the Lantern Moon needles.

If you have never tried them I recommend running to you nearest yarn store and giving them a try. If they don't sell them, I would advise them to start. I know that once a few people try them they won't be able to keep them on the shelf.


Lantern Moon Needles

Clogs!!!!!

After James' Dr. appointment on Monday we stopped at Lambikins Hideaway to look at some of the new yarn that came in.

While we were there they had a few people cancel for the felted clog class. I was on the waiting list so they asked me if I wanted to take the class that evening. Heck yeah I did!! Now came the challenge. Kevin already had plans for the evening. So I needed to find someone to watch James. I called my Mom and she was screaming on the other line to bring him over. Boy that was a really hard sell (note: sarcasm). So I had to gather all my things, head home, get everything together for James, then head back to Hamilton to drop off James then get to Lambikins. I made it with a few minutes to spare. Boy was that a rush trying to get home and back, but my Mom was ecstatic to be able to watch James and I was happy to be able to take the class. I don't think James really cared too much either way, he was just glad to get out of the car seat.

Well my first class is over. They are really easy to do. The only thing is you have to concentrate on what you are doing because there is a LOT of counting. My next class is Monday. I was sooooo close to getting them both finished, but I ran out of the dark grey. AHHHHHHHH!!!! I have another unused skein of the light, so I will take that with me and trade it for the dark that I need.

They are made from 100% wool. Both colors are Reynolds Lopi and with the lighter color I have Artful Yarns Portrait. I can't wait to felt them and see how they turn out.


Clog #1


Clog #1 Side View


Beginning of Clog #2


Clog #2 Working on Toe Shaping


Clog #2 Working on Cuff

Felted Pumpkin

This Wednesday the 28th will be my 2nd class on my felted pumpkin. So far I have one completely done and a second waiting to be felted. I would like to get at least another one done and ready before class, but only time will tell on that one. I think that for my first try it didn't turn out too bad. I have 4 different colors of yarn for the pumpkins and one for the gourds. The green will be stems for them all. I believe that this class we will be felting the pumpkins.


Pumpkin Yarn


2nd Pumpkin Before Felting


Felted Pumpkin


Felted Pumpkin View #2

James' Newest Blanket

Here it is..... it is finally finished!!! I only started it while I was in the hospital waiting for James to make his appearance. So that is what...... 8 1/2 months. Wow I guess you can say that it was a rather old UFO. Now that it is finished I can go onto other things that I am wanting to do. I have learned so much from the few classes that I have taken so far that I want to put it all to use.

The blanket was made from Bernat Cottontots Wonder Dreams. I used a total of 14 skeins and the finished size is 43"x67". So it turned out to be a decent size that he can use as he gets bigger. He already likes it so that is good. It would have been terrible if I would have gone through all that work just for him not to like it. I think I would of had to shoot myself.

Now my conundrum is what to start next. I guess it is off to the books for some ideas. I don't want to get too involved in something since I still have classes to take that is going to require time to get projects finished. Hummmmmmm.... any ideas?


James' Newest Blanket


James' Blanket Close-up


James' Blanket Close-Up


James' Blanket Folded

Skein, Skein, Go Away......................

So I can start a new project today.

I am on my last skein of Cottontots yarn for James' new blanket. It is a variegated yarn of white, yellow, green and blue. I will be sure to get some pictures of it and post them. I can't wait to be able to start something new.

He already has 2 different knitted blankets and they are the only 2 that he likes. If they are store bought he doesn't like them and we HAVE to take one with us if we go out anywhere and expect him to take a nap. He refuses to sleep without one. It makes me happy that he likes what I spent so much time on. He really knows how to swell my head. :)

I already know that he likes this one because he will grab it and hold on to it if I have it draping over the chair arm. At least he is putting them to good use.

With the knitting classes and James not letting me get much knitting time in I hope to have it done in a week, but that could be pushing it. Hopefully I will be able to get it done sooner, but I am not going to hold my breath until it happens. Heck I started on it while I was in the hospital having James! He is 8 months old now and it still isn't done. I had my priorities though and unfortunately my knitting had to be put on the back burner. Sorry to all the avid knitters out there, my little boy came first. Now that he is a little older, can sit on his own and entertain himself more I can get a few stitches in here and there. Sometimes he will even let me sit on the floor and knit while he plays, but normally he wants to play with the needles and an 8 month old and pointy sticks are never a good idea.

Gauge Class is Over

I am glad that I took the class on gauge. Sara taught it and I learned quite a bit. I wasn't exactly sure how to count my stitches and such, I have just gone by luck and guess in the past. Now if I want to get adventurous and make a sweater I will be able to know how to make sure that the yarn and pattern will go together and most importantly if it will more than likely fit me when I am done. I don't think that I will be doing a sweater any time soon, but who knows.

I had a really good time and it was nice to be able to get out of the house. Kevin and James were waiting for me in the chair watching cartoons. James was fussy today and I guess he didn't get any better after I left. Poor little guy is trying to get 2 more teeth, so I am sure that is what is bothering him. I just wish that they would pop through and give us all a break.

Well Wednesday I get to go out again and this time we will be making a pumpkin. I still need to see if I have size 13 double pointed needles before I go. If not that is something that I will have to pick up there. I am curious to see what type of pattern we will use. I am guessing that since we are using the double pointed needles, that we will be knitting in the round, but I could be completely wrong on this.

I still need to pick my pattern for my scarf class. I think I have it narrowed down to 3 or 4. Now out of those I need to pick only one of them. This is going to be a hard choice. I don't want to pick something way over my head, but I also want something that is nice when it is finished. Guess I need to go through the book yet another time or two to see if I can narrow it down any more. Maybe I will see what they suggest at my next class. Humm that is an idea, that way I will know what to look at and what not to.

It is time to turn in for the night. Sweet Dreams.

Swatches for Class Tonight

Well here they are. Here are my wonderful knitted swatches ready to go for class tonight. I hope that they are exactly what I was supposed to do. I guess we will find out this evening if they are up to spec.


Galway Yarn and Knitted Swatches



Swatch on Size 6 Needles

Swatch on Size 8 Needles

Swatch on Size 9 Needles

Swatch on Size 8 Needles (K2, P2 Rib)

My next class is on Wednesday. In this one we will be knitting a pumpkin. We can either make a felted or non-felted one. I think that I am leaning toward the felted one since I have never done it before. Plus felting hides any mistakes you might have made :) I figure that I can always make the non-felted one later.

Homework

I am working on the homework that I have to do for my first class on Monday. We have to create 4 swatches for gauge measuring.

The first 3 are one a size 6, 9, and 9 needle. We cast on 30 stitches, knit the first 2 rows then use stockinette stitch until the swatch measures 4" long.

The 4th swatch is done on a size 8 needle with a cast on of 30 stitches. We are to do K2, P2 ribbing for this one until it measures 4".

We are not supposed to bind off any of the swatches. We are to either put them on waste yarn or a stitch holder. I am guessing that this is to prevent the swatch from rolling more.

I have 1 swatch done and 3 more to go. Guess I should get back to it. I will get some pictures of them as soon as they are done.

Paige's Hat and Scarf

Paige's Hat

Paige's Scarf

The hat was made from 2 1/3 skeins of Patons Twister and the scarf was made from 2 1/5 skeins of Patons Twister both on size 11 Addi Turbo circular needles.

Hat had a CO of 52 stitches. Scarf had a CO of 13 stitches.

The pattern was as follows...
Hat - Row 1 K; Row 2 P; Continue with K row, P row until work measures 2 1/2"; Next row evenly increase 4 stitches making count 56; Divide with stitch counters every 7 stitches; Knit every row until work measures 8 1/2". Shape Top of Hat - Row 1 K2 tog. between each counter; Row 2 and alt. rows K; Continue in this manner until 8 stitches remain. Cut yarn tail a little long and use to close top.
Scarf - K 4 rows; *Next row K3, P to last 3 sts. K3; Next row K across*; Repeat last 2 rows from *to* until work is desired length; K 4 rows; Cast off knitways.

Finished size of Hat was 10" tall and 21" head diameter. Finished size of scarf was 4"w x 47 1/4"l.

These were made for my niece Paige for Christmas 2004.

Baby Blanket

Variegated Baby Blanket

Variegated Close-up

This scarf was made from 8 1/2 skeins of Plymouth Yarn Dream Baby D.K Col. 204 on size 4 Crystal Palace Bamboo circular needles.

The pattern was as follows... K, P, K, P across row; K, P, K, P across row; P, K, P, K across row; P, K, P, K across row; repeat same 4 rows for entire blanket.

Finished size was 41"w x 45"l.

This was made for my baby to be. At the time we weren't sure what the sex was.

Variegated Baby Blanket with White Border

Baby Blanket with Border

Blanket and Border Close-up

This scarf was made from 10 skeins of Home Spun Baby of variegated and 2 1/16 skeins of Home Spun Baby White for the border on size 10 Crystal Palace Bamboo circular needles.

The pattern was as follows... Stockenett stitch for the variegated, cast off knitways. *K, P, K, P across row; K, P, K, P across row*; repeat from *to* until complete.

Finished size was 33"w x 45"l.

This was made for my baby to be. At the time we weren't sure what the sex was.

Blue Scarf

Blue Scarf

This scarf was made from 4 skeins of Bernat Boa Yarn on size 9 Addi Turbo circular Needles. It was a CO of 30 stiches.

The pattern was as follows... K 4 rows, *K3, P to last 3 sts. K3, K across* repeat from *to* until length desired, K 4 rows, cast off knitways.

Finished size was 6 1/2"w x 66"l.

This became a Christmas present for our White Elephant exchange in 2004.

White Boa Scarf

White Scarf

This scarf was made from 4 skeins of Bernat Boa Yarn on size 9 Addi Turbo circular Needles. It was a CO of 42 stiches.

The pattern was as follows... K 4 rows, *K3, P to last 3 sts. K3, K across* repeat from *to* until length desired, K 4 rows, cast off knitways.

Finished size was 7 3/4"w x 62 1/2"l.

This became a Christmas present for my Mother in Law in 2004.

Purple Scarf

Mom's Christmas Gift

This scarf was made from 2 3/4 skeins of Bernat Boa Yarn on size 9 Addi Turbo circular Needles. It was a CO of 28 stiches.

The pattern was as follows... K 4 rows, *K3, P to last 3 sts. K3, K across* repeat from *to* until length desired, K 4 rows, cast off knitways.

Finished size was 5 1/2"w x 49"l

This became a Christmas present for my Mom in 2004.

Sweet Matching Baby Hat and Scarf

Hat

Scarf

These were made with 2 1/3 skeins of Bernat Cottontots pastel varigated on size 4 Addi Turbo circular needles. The Hat was a CO of 92 stiches. The scarf was a CO of 22 stiches.

The Hat pattern was from Ann Norling's "Pointed Stocking Cap."

The scarf pattern was as follows... *K, P, K, P across row; K, P, K, P across row; P, K, P, K across row; P, K, P, K across row*; repeat from *to* until length desired. I also added fringe (3 pieces of yarn for each tassel).

The fisished size of the hat was 14 1/2" from bottom to top and 16" opening for head. The finished size for the scarf was 4 1/4"w x 43" plus 4" for fringe.

This was a Christmas gift for a friend's daughter.

Welcome to My Knitting Blog

Welcome to my Knitting Blog.......

This is my first post on this blog. I have created it so I will have a nice place to follow my knitting progress and to share with other knitters out there. I will post other crafts that I do from time to time, but mainly this will be focused in my knitting. I hope to learn as much as I can from anyone and everyone. I consider myself a beginning knitter, since the few things that I do know I have taught myself and those aren't many. I will be posting some pictures of knitted projects that I have done. They are mainly generic scarves and blankets. I am hoping to do that tomorrow, but it all depends on the amount of time that James will give me.