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I’ve been finishing things so quickly around here lately (one of the benefits of being unemployed) that I don’t believe I ever had the chance to mention I was working on this skirt. And now it’s done!
Pattern: Carnaby Skirt from Knitty
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes, 5.5 skeins in Hollyberry
Needles: US 6/4 mm KP Options
Mods: I apparently can’t read, so my wedges don’t have the purl rows and I didn’t do the garter hem around the bottom, so I just did a couple rows of crochet.
I absolutely adore the buttons I used for this. They’re super sparkly. I love silver. The problem was that I only had four so the top two are just plain black buttons. I figured those two will almost always be covered up by my shirt, so it’ll be fine.
This was a super fun knit and it kept me entertained all the way through it. It came out a titch too big but I crocheted a chain to weave through the top and it fits just fine. I can’t wait for the weather to get cooler–this skirt will look great with tights, boots, and a blouse.
In more life-related knitting, I sold my first pair of shark mittens of the season yesterday on Etsy. I dyed up some yarn and am currently knitting them up. Tis the season, so get ready to see lots of sharks on the blog. I certainly won’t complain–I could do with the income.
So remember that project I started after Counterpane that I was 80% through? Well it’s done now, natch. I have a lot of time. So yeah.
Pattern: Veyla from Whimsical Little Knits 2
Yarn: Recycled cashmere, navajo plied
Needles: US 3/3.25 mm dpns
In addition to being completely adorable and soft and warm and beautiful, these mitts were also extremely fast and fun to knit. The cuff is interesting and there isn’t much plain stockinette. Definitely kept my attention.
So I will have a lovely pair of mitts when the weather gets around to cooling. Especially if I have to commute on the Metro. You know, when I eventually get a job. Cause I need one. Anyway, pretty.
I made a thing:
Pattern: Lacy Vines, a test knit. I’ll edit with a link when the pattern is up.
Yarn: Recycled wool, hand-dyed by me with Kool Aid
Needles: US 8/5mm
Mods: None, though I did use a provisional cast on.
It was supposed to be a scarf but mine came out rather wide and shortish so it’s more of a shawl. I really do like it. I like it (and you all) so much that I suffered 90 degree (F) temperatures to snap an action shot:
The pattern was super fun to knit and when it goes up, you should all go knit it. It works up super fast in heavy yarn and there are lots of dropped stitches, which is super fun. My yarn was really sticky so I had to tug the dropped stitches all the way down, but it’s lovely nonetheless.
This is a pattern that really benefits from a wet block. When I had finished one half (it’s knitted in two parts and seamed in the middle unless you cast on provisionally, which I did) I steam blocked it to see how it came out, and it’s definitely more open and airy after a good strong wet block than it was with a steam.
I am currently down to two projects on the needles (we won’t talk about the scarf in hibernation): a sweater, which is a design I’ve been showing you, and some TARDIS socks, about which I am totally thrilled.
And one final note about the Ravelympics kerfuffle. If you’ve been following me on Twitter, you’ll know my opinions on the matter (and also that I’ve started watching STTNG). I’m knitting a sweater for the Ravelympics. Because that’s what it is and that’s what I’m calling it and the USOC can suck it. It’s a challenge for me and just because I didn’t sweat, I did train and it is an accomplishment.
The Ravelympics are in the spirit of international cooperation, something the USOC should know and care about it. When you piss off knitters, we band together, stronger, and speak out for ourselves. The Ravelympics is happening (though I’ll not be watching the Olympics after this PR disaster) and I, for one, will not be silenced.
Also, Twitter Knitters are fabulous. I love the community of knitters on the internet.
So my boyfriend has a 13-year-old cousin who is, as is typical, really into guns. As sort of a joint design effort between him and his mother, they requested mittens that look like finger guns. Six months went by and he still really wanted them, so I went ahead and made them:
Pattern: None. I might write it up but it involves intarsia in the round.
Yarn: A recycled wool (tan) and a recycled wool/acrylic (black). I’d have liked to use acrylic for a teenaged boy but I didn’t have any in a flesh color.
Needles: US 6/4 mm
They were sort of a pain in the ass what with the intarsia and whatall, but I still think they came out pretty well. The triggers are only on one side but I knit the thumbs so each glove can go on either side. The trigger and trigger guard are just a bit of embroidery.
I might still add a band of orange around the tip of each finger/barrel (since these are clearly not actual firearms and law requires toy guns have that stripe) but I’m calling them done for now. I hope they fit. I think they should. I based the sizing on my own hand but made the fingers longer. So they should fit at some point.
In any case, it’ll probably be at least a couple of weeks before they make it to their recipient.
Okay, so I didn’t post yesterday. Life got in the way. Went to the oceanfront with the boyfriend and played some games and did not blog. So maybe there will be two posts today. Then again, maybe there won’t. : )
Pattern: Aviatrix
Yarn: Handspun Corriedale from Lakehouse Loft fibers
Needles: US 7/4.5mm and 8/5mm straights
Mods: I made the largest size but worked seven panels. I also made the straps even since I probably button it.
I’ve been meaning to knit this pattern in this yarn practically since I spun the yarn, but things had gotten in the way until now. And it was super fast–I blew through the pattern in about two days. And I totally love it. I love working with handspun, the colors are amazing, and the fit is great. Because of the extra wedges, it sits all the way down on the back of my neck and just above my eyes in the front to keep everything toasty warm if it ever gets actually cold. Which, who knows cause today the high is 77 and I’m wearing a short-sleeved dress.
I haven’t started anything new just yet, but you know I probably will soon. I ought to work on the things I already have otn, but starting something new is just so damn fun.
I finished Karlsro yesterday!
Pattern: Karlsro
Yarn: Recycled wool from a gigantic sweater I thrifted
Needles: US 9/5.5 mm
Mods: Made the length a little shorter and went down a couple needle sizes for a slightly more fitted sweater.
I’m quite pleased with the way this one came out. I love wrap sweaters, it’s nice and warm, the sleeves are long (a little too much for the weather now). And it’s in a neutral color, so it’ll go with anything. I can’t wait for the weather to cool down some more so I can actually wear it.
(scuze my face)
This sweater makes ten for the year, for those in the know of IntKniSweMo. I have 11 on the needles (not that it’ll be done by the end of the year seeing as it’s lace mohair) and I may or may not make it to 12. At the moment, I’m casting on for a hat (Aviatrix) and finishing up some other wips.
The boyfriend arrives today, so prepare for less interesting posts for a bit.
First: A small clarification. When I say I participate in NaBloPoMo, I mean unofficially. I didn’t sign up anywhere; I just want to try to post every day. Apparently the official NaBloPoMo is located at BlogHer this year (a site for female bloggers), but the point is all blogging, not just female bloggers, so… Unofficial. Feel free to unofficially blog every day with me!
For today: The projects I currently have on the needles:
The second pair of fingerless mitts for WWFY, same yarn, same pattern.
Shark mittens for Etsy.
And my Karlsro, which I worked on for the last couple of days and is now about halfway done. There are a couple of other things on needles at the moment, but I’m not actually working on them. I think I have a total of five wips at the moment, which is more than I’d like. Guess I’d better knit faster.
Today Tomorrow is November 1st. That means the beginning of NaNoWriMo and also NaBloPoMo, which I will be attempting this year. I’m actually working now which might make things difficult (especially for pictures), but I’m going to do the best I can. So look for new posts every day this month! First up: A knitted thing.
Pattern: Baby Fan Mitts
Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in Rosehip, about half a skein.
Needles: US 4/3.5mm
Mods: None, knit exactly as written.
I made these for a WWFY swap (along with a second pair I’ve started) in return for two skeins (different brands though) of wool/silk yarn and a skein of baby alpaca yarn. Which I have pictures of. Tomorrow! For additional blog fodder.
Anyway, happy November (tomorrow)! Anyone else doing NaBloPoMo?
ETA: I’m dumb and published this post instead of saving it for tomorrow. So um, yeah. Happy Halloween! Have some candy. See you tomorrow for NaBloPoMo.
So Monday’s Halloween but people celebrate on the weekend cause they have jobs and stuff. Unfortunately, I’m doing nothing for Halloween. Well, I’ll be knitting. And watching science fiction tv (finishing up Charmed and starting Torchwood next I think). And drinking. Cause I’m a grown up, that’s why.
So I’m bummed that all my friends are three hours away so I have no one to celebrate with. Maybe I’ll wear cat ears and sit on the porch with some candy. Maybe I’ll dress young and go trick or treating. *shrug*
Anyway, things are going slowly on the knitting front because I’ve been volunteering full time. I have substitute orientation on Tuesday, so after that I’ll be actually getting paid for all the work I’ve been doing. Which will be the exact same time commitment but I’ll have some money. Which I’m going to need if I’m going to move next year (and I am).
Here are some things I’m working on:
Lace Ribbons Pullover in mohair for WWFY. Possibly a long-term project.
Fingerless mitts which I’m sure I’ll finish up quickly. Also for WWFY and in EL Silky Wool.
And this sweater. My mother picked it up at the thrift store today for me to unravel, which I’ve started doing. It’s a very loosely spun thick/thin single in a nice blue. Some of it will probably get knit into an Urchin hat, but much of it I think I will attempt to respin into a thinner more even yarn. It’s a ton of yarn as-is and would probably end up as twice as much of an even 2-ply dk. So that’ll be nice.
Do you guys have any plans for Halloween? Tell me in the comments so I can live vicariously through you.
Sooooo I finished knitting up that new design I was talking about the other day! And it is way too hot for modeled shots, so enjoy these pictures on my yarn-themed mannequin head.
Pattern: Slip Stitch Hat, currently in testing. Needs a new name. Suggestions?
Yarn: Cascade Eco (light grey), Plymouth Galway (dark grey), recycled wool (cream), recycled wool hand-dye (pink), Valley Northampton (purple), and KP Wool of the Andes (light purple cast off row). Basically, scraps.
Needles: US 6/4 mm dpns and circular
So I’m pretty pleased with how these hats came out, especially the grey one. The pink/purple one is just a tick too short (I ran out of yarn and couldn’t make it any longer), so I will have to find a recipient with a smaller head than mine (shouldn’t be too hard; my head is 22″ around). The grey one fits perfectly and I adore it. ADORE.
I was flipping through a stitch dictionary the other day and found one called “Joyous Stripes”, which I’ve adapted to this hat here. And let me tell you, it is PERFECT for using up scraps. I may make another with rainbow colors provided I can find some more of some colors (maybe I’ll just dye some). Also, super warm. The stitch pattern makes the hat pretty dense so it should keep the wind out.
In other knitting news, I am thisclose to finishing the Ivy sockettes, which means I am thisclose to starting a new pair of socks (Skew, I think). I’m also plugging away on my Box 96 pullover, which I hope I can finish in time to wear in warm weather (I should; you know I knit like the wind). I keep meaning to pull out my sewing again so I can work on my blankets but I don’t really have a good place to put the machine, so it’s mostly knitting here.
Stitch, Brinn, Stitch! 