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. 

K'needles update 10

When going through my room looking for a book, I discovered an unfinished scarflette and a whole bunch of knitting projects that just need the ends sewn in. I don't particularly enjoy that step so I'm not surprised I clumped them together like that, but it is surprising I hid them in a box. I put them in my nice green container and placed them in the living room where they could openly nag me.

It's been a couple of weeks and I haven't touched them yet. Ha plan malfunction.

However, I did pick up the scarflette today so I could take a break from the pound of love blanket.  

K'needles update 9

I've been lazy at posting. Still not wanting to turn on the laptop. However, I did download the blogger app for my iPhone; I'm glad they finally made one. Saves some steps when it comes to photos because I take them on my iPhone anyway--and now I don't have to email, download, then upload. 

I'm still trying to use up all the yarn I have lying around. Every nook and cranny is crammed full with collections of yarn. My room is reminiscent of tribbles on the Enterprise. Easiest way to do that is blankets!

I had some pink worsted weight yarn so I knitted up a simple square blanket with stripes.

I like the color combos. Dark to draw the eye and light to give the eye a break. I really hope it can be a continual source of smiles for a little girl. 

I also had some orange yarn so I crocheted a granny square blanket.

I ran out of yarn so it ended up being much smaller than I was hoping. However, it will still be a nice accent in a crib. And despite the large holes, it's still warm--my main complaint about any granny square blanket. 

This past weekend we had a scrapbooking day at my grandma's old house. I didn't have anything ready so I just knitted. I worked on the purple shawl. Perfect time to work on it because I could focus on the lace pattern with ease and manage to stay awake. Didn't get that far (so it's not pictured) but it's sweet progress!

Lastly, I started on another blanket.

This time I'm using up one of the many Pound of Love I have, pink yet again. I started out with a lace pattern that was going to be the whole thing...but I got tired of doing it, so it's now just a border and the middle is reverse stockinette. I made the blanket so wide that it will probably use two skeins.