K'needles update 15

I started a cardigan from my aunt's old knitting book. 

It's been fun, but, now that I'm at the tedious stockinette stitch for 173 stitches back and forth for many many inches, it had me itching to do something else as well.

I've also been sorting through my huge stash (especially the yarn that was donated to me) and figuring out what to keep and what to pass on. During that I came across a cotton/linen blend and just had to do something with it. So I made a scarf. 

Here is a close up of the lace pattern:

It's a leaf and stem lace. I liked it so much, and I had more yarn, that I decided to make another scarf--but this time in the round. The first scarf works well for a little girl, and I'm thinking the second one will be good for a woman. Mom and daughter matching scarves :-)

K'needles update 14

I finished the head band a couple of weeks ago and then had arm issues and knitters block after that. 

I like how the headband turned out. It'll be really warm. 

Today, I decided it was time to knit again. 

I ripped up a blanket I had started a month or two ago but decided it was not a nice blanket. The nobbly yarn wasn't enough to make a blanket feel like a blanket. So I paired it with a soft machine-washable wool and it's going to be fabulous now. 

The blanket is now soft, has a nice stretch, and good body to it. Pairing up a good basic yarn with a novelty yarn is a great way to go. 

Today I also started and finished a simple cowl from some random mohair-esque yarn I found in a donated stash. It was cut up into pieces and wound around clothesline pins so I don't know anything about the yarn but it turned out lovely and just the right amount. 

On the mannequin head it looks a bit loose, but on me it's just flush with my neck. I crocheted it with an N hook and did a simple V lace with a base of hdc. 

It feels great to be back creating. 

Found this photo on the Lion Brand Facebook page. Not sure who came up with it but it's leaving many of us in stitches.

Playing with color

I rarely knit with more than one color. It's a lot of work and I didn't have the technique worked out because I never really tried. But as one of my New Years resolutions I was going to give intarsia a shot. Only took until Feb. 8 to try it out. And it's a lot easier than I thought. It's still more time consuming than plain knitting but opens up a new world. I went with a simple heart swatch of 20 stitches. 

Well, since that was easier than expected and crossed off the list, I had to add to my list. So I figured I'd give fair isle a chance. But this time I wanted to make a project out of it. So I came up with this headband. 

I've been using the one-handed stranding technique because I'm not good at English style but it would be nice to do two-handed stranding because my pinky is so worn out from switching back and forth between the two colors. 

Lastly, I started out using a simple bobbin of yarn just wrapped around a piece of cardboard with the ends folded up. It works okay, but the yarn unwraps freely. I remembered seeing someone make a butterfly bobbin once so I looked for a tutorial. This one was helpful: http://www.craftleftovers.com/craft/how-to-making-butterfly-bobbins/. So I made my very first bitterly bobbin and I love it!

K'needles update 13

Last week I ended up giving up on the shrug I mentioned in update 12. It was too rough on my wrists and the yarn just wasn't working right with it and the needle size. The yarn has almost no elasticity so it made a very rigid material. So I undid the work. The yarn was still in good shape so I decided to make a scarf. 

I perhaps made the scarf too wide so I ended up with a short scarf but it is warm and soft, and has excellent drape. 

I then started yet another scarf. Same yarn, different color, and similar ribbing, but narrower. I experimented on the bottom and tried to create a little ruffle. It didn't work as well as I had hoped but it'll still be cute. 

The past few days I've been working on more scrubbies. My mom had a big craft sale this weekend and her inventory is running low. I rather enjoy making them because of how quick and simple they are to make. It was just a matter of figuring out what system worked best for me. 

What are you working on this week? Don't forget to always be challenging yourself!

K'needles update 12

I took a long break from posting! Kept procrastinating. 

Firstly, I finished the blanket. It turned out really cute. 

Secondly, I've been knitting dishcloths and scrubbies for summer sales. We actually got down low on dishcloth inventory. Sadly, we haven't really been successful with the scrubbies but they are so great I'm sure they'll catch on soon. FYI - For the scrubbies I switched to the English method because it's nice not having to hold the yarn like one does in continental. It really rubs against the skin otherwise. 

I started a new shrug using this pattern: http://torirotsstitches.blogspot.com/2009/12/star-stitch-soulwarmer.html?m=1, but the star stitch is so rough on my wrists and hands! Really wears them out.

I got a bad farmer's tan line the weekend before a wedding. It didn't go away and my dress is sleeveless. So the day before the wedding I started a shrug that would match my dress out of comfy worsted cotton; and rushed the next day to complete it on the way to the wedding but I didn't finish in time. I did finish knitting it the day after but I'm saving the sewing up for later. It uses the same pattern I made for my grandma but I modified it for a short-sleeved version. 

K'needles update 11

This week I finished the hat from last week. I used the lace diamond chain panel. The yarn is warm and the ribbing covers the ears so it is suitable for winter even with the lace pattern. 

I started and finished another hat as well. 

It's a basic rib hat with a small section of trinity stitch.

The blanket has been coming along. Much bigger than initially planned. Also ran into a problem. I thought I had more pink pound of love but didn't bothering checking. Turns out I don't. So, instead of buying more I'm making do with what I have. So the blanket will now be a lovely two-tone of pink and cream.