Yay Me!

Yes, I know I sound like London from The Suite Life of Zac and Cody (or Suite Life on Deck if you're currently watching the show), but I got over another "blah me" hurdle and finally started my Knit Along Project for Goldenbird's New Techniques year long KAL! And I've found that I'm learning a few new techniques.

I decided on the Mini Mochi Entrelac socks (and if they don't fit me, I may cry until I totally dissolve, because I think they are going to be a lot of work).

source

I am using Premiere Yarns Deborah Norville Collection Serenity Sock Weight Yarn which is nice and cheap, 50% Merino Superwash, 25% Bamboo, and 25% Nylon. It is a little splitty, but at $4.50/230 yards, the price is right (but I am realizing I'm going to have to get more, as size 3 needles are recommended, and I'm using size 1 - as per the pattern, and I need 500 to 550 yards and I only have 460). And the colorwasy are lovely. I'm using Chili.


socks by PaulaStitches

AND, to get started, I had to learn a Provisional Cast on, which totally geeked he out when I watched Lucy Neatby's great video on it, as it's crochet AND knitting at the same time!! Could anything be better? You can watch the video here.

So, I'm only on the first knitted layer of the first sock, but I was so excited about knitting a few stitches that I had to blog about it. Why have I not been knitting? I LURVE to knit! Look for updates, I will try not to gripe as these are my mortal nemesis, socks.

Yay Me!

What? Knitting content?

I know. It's been an inordinately long amount of time since I posted anything about knitting on my formerly knitting blog. But guess what, knitty friends? I'm writing a knitting post! This is all brought on by the fact that I joined Golden Bird Knits' 2001 New Techniques Knit Along and am feeling that urge to pick up the sticks again. She's having a giveaway right now; go check out her site and become a follower (and the KAL is on ravelry).

Anyhow, I have never knit a pair of socks that properly fit me. My calves are genetically large and I have a very very very high arch. So when I go to put on my knitted socks I (a) can't get my foot into them and/or (b) constrict all of the blood in my calves to the point that my foot looses all circulation. I Want to knit a pair of socks I actually like! And in the process, I'll practice a few techniques.

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Crystal Palace Yarns has a really cool pattern for entrelac socks that uses two single pointed needles. The Mini Mochi Entrelac sock pattern offers me a chance to learn entrelac and also learn a new sock making technique. The ravelry reviews on this sock have said that it is a large sock, which fits my huge calve needs, too. And it's so darn cool looking, and would give me an opportunity to use some of the self striping yarn that I have.

This pair of kilt hose was knit by Ravelry member mrsmcg

Then there's the Tiorneach Kilt Hose. They have a lovely lace edge which hides a garter to hold up the sock. The calves are ample and the pattern uses DK weight yarn. I have some cashmere blend Karabella yarn that I've been holding onto forever, waiting for the right pattern, and I think this might be it. And I like the "seam" detail that runs up the back of the hose. This pattern was designed for man legs and can also be modified, so I'm thinking they just might fit me.

So what do you think? What pattern do you fancy? I'm not sure which to start with, so let me know what you think!

Knitting 101 at Puzzling Posts

Hey kids! Today, Im over at Puzzling Posts writing about how to knit. There's also a free pattern - its like the Aisley Cowl but it's a scarf - so make sure to go over and check things out!

Sponsor Love: Knot-Cha-Chá!™

I have my first sponsor and I am so excited to introduce you to her!

I've been reading Sharon's blog, Knot-Cha-Chá!™ for a long time and it has become one of the required stops on my blog list. Sharon is "a designer/maker, teacher, writer and spinner of yarns with a love of color, texture, and simplicity of line." Her articles on spinning (and the beautiful results) have made me want to learn to spin and her featured knitting is beautiful. In addition, she writes fun articles about her life and adventures and includes tutorials for some really beautiful projects (I Love the Understatement Necklace).

Her Etsy store, Knot-Cha-Chá!™ is full of gorgeous knitted and crocheted confections like this merino wool scarf (that I have been coveting) in a lacy ribbed pattern. Buy it for me, won't you?

She also makes hats, bracelets, wraps, cowls, and many other delicious handmade accessories. Be sure to check them out!

Thanks, Sharon, for being my first sponsor!

More information on sponsorship opportunities can be found here or by clicking the "Become a Sponsor" button in the left sidebar.

Snowy Ramblings - Cause The Snow is Everywhere!

It has been snowing here. And snowing and snowing and snowing and snowing. Our town was featured on the Columbus, OH news the other night as being one of the Central Ohio towns that has gotten the most snowfall. According to the newscast, our snowfall last year to date was 15 inches, we've gotten 30. And today, we are getting up to 10 inches more.

When you look out the window, it is blinding white. There is no time for the snow to get black and ugly because the old snow just keeps getting covered with new. So it looks pristine. And I would imagine, a little like Alaska. Or at least Wisconsin.



We were snowed in for two days - I was able to shovel out to the cars, but the cars didn't cooperate when we tried to get them out of the driveway, and our main car also had somehow sustained a flat tire during the first snow storm. We were forced to get the cars out, come hell or high water, yesterday as the kids had school and needed a way to get there. It's funny, we have a house full of food, but when you are snowed in you start to wonder what you are going to do when the food runs out. Silly, I know. But I don't want us to resort to The Donner Party's menu!



We didn't get mail on Saturday - the mail carrier couldn't get down our street. The library was closed today, along with almost everything else in town (well, except the Mexican Resteraunt and Starbucks - they are ALWAYS open).

So I'm just rambling. I've been keeping bust by repairing some holes in my husband's friends baby blanket - it's become threadbare in some spots and the guy that owns it is so attached that he has been calling and checking on it. Also working on the lace, unraveling some sweaters, and doing lots of shoveling, which I will not miss AT ALL in the summer!



So how's the weather where you are? Any of you in the Carribean who would like to switch places with me are MORE than welcome! I need some Vitamin D and some sand between my toes!

Lace Knit Along Update

So I've completely changed my mind about what to knit. I am knitting the Cold Mountain Stole by Kieran Foley from the summer 2009 issue of Knitty. I'm not much into girly lace and I'm growing sick of socks because of the current pair I'm knitting, so I did a total knitting turn around. This stole is right up my alley and would work with yarns and supplies that I already have.







I tried using my red merino wool cashmere blend, which I have tons of, but I have found that if I pull it too tight it breaks. I suspect this would be a problem with any one-ply cashmere, so I'm just going to be careful with it. I think red would work extremely well with this pattern. Another option, but one that would take a bit more time, is that I have a 100% silk sweater with 4 ply lace weight yarn that I haven't unraveled yet. It's a salmon color, which isn't a fav of mine, but silk is incredibly strong - oh, and it's silk. BUT, I probably could make a boatload of money off of 100% silk laceweight, so I think I'll go with the red (stream of consciousness writing helps solve so many problems, I've found).

So that's it. Will be casting on Monday! Happy Sunday!

The Morgan Hat

I promised my mom that I would knit her a hat, something unique. What I cam up with is a reversible cap with a stylized brim. Decide which side you like, and wear that side!



The brim takes the most time, and, quite frankly, it's not all that tough. From there, it's just stockingette stitch with a few decreases here and there. It's also a hat that would work equally well for a man (although, not in pink, like here). I would, however, cast on 4 to 8 stitches more.

The Brim is made from a lovely reversible pattern that you can see above, and the reverse side below. The reverse almost looks like a cable, but it is just a series of knit and perl stitches.



I used a recycled dehaired angora coupled with Lion Brand cotton to create a chunky yarn. Other appropriate selections would be Extra Fine Merino Chunky by Jaeger or Newport by Classic Elite.



Gauge: 16 stitches/4 inches
Yarn: Heavy Worsted Weight
One Skein ought to do it
Needle size: one 10-1/2 circular or 4 10-1/2 dpns

ybk = yarn to back

Cast on 88 stitches.

Brim:
Rows 1, 3, and 5: P
Row 2: *P2 tog but leave stitches on LHN, ybk, Ktog same 2 stitches, rep from* to end
Row 4: P, *P2 tog but leave sitiches on LHN, ybk, Ktog same 2 stitches, rep from * to last stitch, P

Continue rows 1 - 5 for 3 inches.

Place stitch marker at beginning for rows.
Next row: *P7, P2 tog, rep from * to end
Remaining rows: P

Continue in this manner for 7 inches

Crown decrease:
Row 1: *P6, P2 tog, rep from* to end
Row 2: P
Row 3: *P5, P2 tog, rep from* to end
Row 4: P

Continue in this manner until 6 - 8 stitches remain. Run yarn through remaining stitches, ties off, and using tapestry needle, weave tail into knitting.

Viola! You are done

Note: When knitting the decrease rows, you may find a few extra stitches at the end of the row. Perl these, then continue with pattern.

Hope you enjoy the pattern, let me know if you have problems, and have fun!

The Wallis Hat

After a brief Thanksgiving hiatus, it's back to the old blog. As promised, I am bringing you the pattern for my hat (William's hat, for my regular readers) which I am calling "The Wallis."



I used recycled yarn with a gauge of 7 stitches per inch. This hat can be made for all age groups. As you can see, I put ear flaps on the toddler version and didn't on the adult version. You could do flaps and ties if that is what you would like.

The yarn measured out at 14 wraps per inch, so look for a sport weight yarn.



The pattern looks difficult but it really is quite simple and should be easy to pick up once you start knitting it.



Wallis Hat

Gauge = 7 stitches per inch

Knit with 4 size 7 double pointed needles or one circular (you will need dpns for the crown decrease)

Because I give instructions for 5 different sized hats, I have noted the repeated stitches in parenthesis and state to stitch "all around" which means to continue the instructed stitches to the end of the row (where you have placed the stitch marker).

C4F = Slip two stitches on cable needle, hold in front. Knit next two stitches, then knit the two on the cable needle

T3F = Slip 2 stitches onto cable needle, hold at front of work. Perl next stitch, knit the two off of the cable needle

T3B = Slip one stitch onto cable needle, hold at back of work, knit nest two, perl stitch from cable needle

Hat Pattern

For a newborn cast on 96 stitches
For a 1 year old cast on 120 stitches
For a toddler (2 - 5 y.o.), cast on 126 stitches
For a child (5 - 12) cast on 132 stitches
For an adult, cast on 144 stitches.

Join the last stitch to the first stitch being careful not to twist the stitches. Place a stitch marker on the first stitch.

Rows 1 - 5: (K4, P2) all around
Row 6: (C4F, P2) all around
Row 7: - 11: (K4, P2) all around
Row 12: K2, then (T3F, T3B) all around
Row 13: K2, then (P2, K4) to last 4 stitches, P2, K2
Row 14: Transfer last 2 stitches from Right needle to Left needle, (C4F, P2) all around
Rows 15 - 20: (K4, P2) all around
Row 21: (C4F, P2) all around
Row 22: (K4, P2) all around
Row 23: Transfer first 2 stitches from Left needle to Right needle, K2, then (T3B, T3F)all around

Repeat 23 rows until length is about 1/2 to 1 inch shorter than you would like the hat to be.

Crown decrease

This crown decrease is for the adult hat. The smaller hats have less stitches, so you will be able to tie off the hat with fewer rows. Just follow the pattern for the adult crown decrease and once you are down to around 6 stitches, you can thread the yarn through the stitches, tie off, and you are done!

Row 1: (K1, K2tog, K1, P2, K4, P2) all around
Row 2: (K3, P2, K4, P2) all around
Row 3: (K3, P2, K1, K2tog, K1, P2) all around
Row 4: (K3, P2) all around
Row 5: (K1, K2tog, P2) all around
Row 6: (K2, P2) all around
Row 7: (K2, P2tog) all around
Row 8: (K2, P1) all around
Row 9: (K2tog, P1) all around
Row 10: (K1, P1) all around
Row 11: K2tog all around
Row 12: K all around
Row 13: K2tog all around

Thread yarn through remaining stitches and tie off tightly. You are done!

To knit on the ear flaps:

First, a Disclaimer: I sort of improvised the ear flap pattern as I went along, so if your flaps turn out either too long or slightly wonky, it is because this was my first set of ear flaps! You have been warned!

use size 7 dpns

On either side of the hat, pick up 18 stitches in the following manner (going Right to Left):
Start at the right side of a knitted rib, pick up 3 of the knitted stitches, then (1 perl, 2 knit)x4, then 1 perl, and finally 3 knit stitches.

Using this basic pattern (3 Knit stitches on either end), you can make the ear flaps wider of skinnier, depending on your preferences.

Rows 1 - 10 (or however long you want the main body of the ear flaps to be): K3, (P1, K2)x4, P1, K3
Decrease Rows: At the beginning and end of the flap on the right side, knit 2 together TWICE, then on wrong side, follow pattern as established. Continue in this manner until you are down to 4 stitches. Bind off.

Make a cord in the length of your choosing using the method of your choosing (I used braids on the toddler hat, i-cord is ok, a crocheted chain would work, too). Attach cords to flap ends using a tapestry needle.



Please let me know if you find any errors or have any problems with the pattern. I know that it's not written in an entirely traditional manner, so if you can think of ways to change it or make it more user friendly, I'm always open to suggestions. I'm just a beginner in the whole hat designing area, so it's a learning process for me. But I hope you find it easy and a fun knit! Enjoy!