Finished and never ending

Here is a pullover I knitted a few years ago for my granddaughter who was 4 years old.  I admit that I loved that pattern more than she did, and she has plenty of sweaters to choose from, AND she doesn't seem to get bigger, just longer...  (It also has a history which I shared 4 years ago.  Click the link above.)

So, on my last visit, I saw this one languishing in a drawer and decided that she would NEVER wear it because it's too short for her, both in body length and sleeves. I'm so thrifty... can't part with anything, it seems, so I.... yep, bought more yarn!!  Isn't that the solution to many problems?  (Mr. T., just go buy some yarn...)

Of course, I didn't have the sweater with me, but thanks to Ravelry I knew the brand and weight, just not the exact colors.  I bought 3 colors to match, and none of them did... hence, the contrasting bands.

My aptitude for ripping out, and adding and kitchener'ing back together has soared to new heights and lengths!  Now it's ready for an 8 year old who may or may not reject a repurposed sweater into a tunic.  Fingers crossed!

Meanwhile, back home, I haven't been attending Knit Nites like I used to.  Semi-retirement for a musician seems to backfire, BUT I finally convinced some of the group to double up and instead of meeting every two weeks, we've added a NOON date on the off weeks.  WORKS for ME!

Never ending... The Dr. Who scarf, which is really long.  How long?  Maybe Callie can tell us...because here it isn't finished, but now it is, and even has knotted fringe on both ends.  She says she quit when she ran out of purple... nice!

It's a beauty, and some lucky young man is going to love it!

Travel home

Leaving the boat behind.  We've never lost our orange luggage...

Landed at the Phoenix airport.  I knew it was 106º F outside, but inside... IT WAS FRIGID and I was thankful I had just finished my scarf.  

At home, I blocked my scarf, the same one above...color is "dirty dove" and true to the above color.

This is a Laura Nelkin design, and soon I will meet Laura... in Iceland!

Pattern: Oscillo

by Laura Nelkin

from Just One More

Yarn:  Reflection

by Propanicus Moon

Lace / 2 ply, held double

80% Wool, 20% Silk

875 yards / 100 grams

Knitting red

Icterine with my iPad mini for perspective

The Norwegians celebrate the 17th of May with lots of RED, white and blue.  That's why I used all my "free" time to finish and block this shawl.  It's called a CURL, however, mine didn't curl much, and it could have used another 2-3 skeins.  

LOOK at what the blocking did!!  The cables were 8x8 and really thick and bulky until a soak and a stretch produced this great design!  

If you look at the above photo closely, you might notice a bangle and beads in the bottom corner.  I intended to dress it up with a row of these.  It didn't happen, because life goes on, so I might get to it another time.  Should they be placed randomly or along an edge?

The Pattern:  My Ravelry Link

Icterine by Hunter Hammersen

from Curls: Versatile, Wearable Wraps to Knit at Any Gauge

The Yarn:

220 Superwash® Sport by Cascade Yarns

Sport / 5 ply, 100% Merino   136 yards / 50 grams 

Scarf: Pros and Cons

Pro:  Repetitive, easy to knit while talking/watching TV/in a meeting...

Con:  Repetitive, BORING, especially when you realize that it needs to get done by a deadline, and you're less than halfway through.

Pro:  Cuddly, you can wear it while you're knitting!

Con:  Will it ever be long enough?

Pro:  Cute!  I love the pattern!

Con:  I get tired of the same ol' pattern...

It's this interesting?  It is knit on the diagonal, yet when you lay it out (for blocking) it makes a nice honeycomb/waffle square pattern.  ahem....and easy to spot a mistake in the middle, while blocking...

Pattern:  19th-Century Honeycomb Stitch Scarf by Diana Foster, from Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders

Yarn:  Footprints by Blue Ridge Yarns, Fingering/4 ply, 100% merino, 400 yds.

 (I bought this thinking it was going to be socks, then I realized with no nylon, it wouldn't be MY socks!  It comes in two parts:  One is what you see above, and the other is 30g of a dark green, almost solid, meant to be toes and heels.  I, unquestionably, thought it would be something strong like nylon.  Not.)

A new Knitter!

I taught a friend to knit last Friday night.  It was late.  We were watching a movie at the same time.  This friend has insisted (for the four years I've known her) that she's not the crafty type, never has been, never will be... forget it.  She sat next to me and knitted... cast on and knitted row after row.  After awhile (and after several inspections on my part where I admired her perfect--no joke, incredibly straight even non-dropped stitches--work) she leans to me and asks why my knitting has holes in it.

I explained that I was making those holes, and then I showed her yo, k2tog.  She got it.  Did a row, and then went merrily on her way.
What makes this blog-worthy?  If you are a knitter, you know already, but if you haven't given it a try, and/or you have tried to pass on your craft to another person over the age of 20 or 60, I'll explain.  Learning to knit includes:

1. Teeth-gnashing as  "It doesn't look right".
2. Teeth-gnashing as "holes develop and stitches are increased and decreased without meaning to"
3. No one knits with the TV on, and watches a movie at the same time or
4. No one carries on a conversation while "learning to knit"
5. The first piece of knitting is always thrown to the floor in disgust.
6. You never ask to do more.

I don't know what happened...an alternate universe or something.

The next day, I chuckled and asked her if she had knitted any today (because surely she slept, and how can a beginner...???) and she answered no.
An hour later we were packing to leave and she announced she would knit a little to see if she could still do it, and... SHE'S HOOKED!
No help from me... she picked up where she left off, and on the car ride home she asked about binding off.  Well, she didn't know the term for it, but she wondered how you get a finished edge.  I was driving, so I explained as best I could, and she (taking the cue from one intrepid knitter to another) started binding off....  OK... I had to pull over a couple of times, but she got it!
I can't wait to see...take a photo for you.
It was the first time I witnessed someone starting with very little pain, and producing stitches where we didn't even count the number of stitches because it was so straight (garter stitch) I knew there was no need to confirm she had done it correctly!
I hope I get a picture before she rips it out...  Curious about who I'm talking about?

Above project is 19th-Century Honeycomb Stitch Scarf by Diana Foster

So many things! Tie up and stuffing!

You might think I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving, but no.  This has to do with smart people!  Makes me feel almost... Smart! LOL
Two things that I stumbled upon this morning:
1) Scarves:  I have some lovely non-knit scarves lurking in my closet.... and often feel so dorky when I try to wear them.  Besides wearing all black and gray, here are some tips:  Tying Scarves  Very clever!
If you see me wearing a (non-knit) scarf... you'll know I'm working on the new me!
2) Mittens:  I bought a "thrumming" mitten pattern while in Canada, but this one goes further.  It's called Stuffed Mittens.  What a surprise!  Alas, NM is not the place for such except for that one night a year when we gather at the river with luminarias.  It's always the most frigid evening of the year...
Just sharing!  Better get that turkey thawing!

A Week Later, Knit Nite

We met last week, and I remembered to pull out the camera, though there was SOOOO much scattered chatter thought provoking discussion that I nearly missed my chance!

Here's Elly-boo trying to scare us with stories of grand theft auto:

 She assured us she had a pattern, so I guess she's OK!

Elly-boo's pattern

Then Kooky Gran tuned into Face Time so Kooky Granddaughter could share from afar, and here she is trying on a tank top... uh, I don't think it's going to fit!

 Then Jeebie taught Newbie how to knit, and Newbie got many more stitches completed than the rest of us combined!  Really, Jeebie looks a bit miffed, but she did a great job and deserved to relax.

 In fact, she was knitting:  Knucks!  LOVE that colorway!

Then we have the perpetual projects team:

Beebie with her shawl, blanket, scarf,  throw, ahem, ??  What DO we call it?  A summer top?  We're waiting for the modeling session.

 And Beebie's inspiration:  Deedee, with the scarf that is too long for the picture!  How many times does it wrap around?  Is it a contest???  LOL

 Welcome, Newbie!  Hope we didn't scare you off...

Optimism Every Two Weeks

Last Thursday, we met.  Every two weeks we meet.  Sometimes it's three, and sometimes only one week... to feed our knitting urges for support, lively conversation, and a row or two.
Usually, I get my camera out and go around the room while everyone proudly displays their progress.  I don't know what happened last Thursday, maybe the jet lag, let's say that's it... I sat chatting wildly about the past month, and then moments of near coma would overtake me.
Next to me was something that was truly unique.  Even though the hostess put a sign on the door "NO crocheters allowed", Lee managed to slip by.  Oh, wait!  The sign was posted AFTER Lee arrived!  LOL
So that's how it happened:  Lee, who proudly knits with and without antique sock machine, was creating a HAT, out of PAPER, and CROCHETING!  What a rebel...
Gorgeous.  In MY color, too... ahem...

Yes, using raffia.  A sinister grin, too... Rebel!
And then, instead of continuing around the room to admire

1. The unfinished baby sweater turned hat,
2. Someone who appeared to NOT knit a stitch,
3. Perpetual two-at-a-time socks, which are definitely different from 2 weeks ago, and will be other socks in two weeks,
4. A huge, almost finished shawl/wrap, too complicated to be knitted in public, and
5. A scarf with holes (for ribbon, silly), that I know I saw in January or before,

I put the camera away.  Jet lag, I tell you.  That's why I can't sleep past 4 AM.

Then, almost everyone was gone, and Bee pulls out her never-ending scarf project, photographed numerous times before... from last September, we've seen it at every 2 week interval... and her please help me eyes.

It's finished!!  Isn't it, Bee?  At the time of this picture, 2 days ago, all but the finishing little triangle was finished... and a little bit of Plan A yarn attached.  I'm waiting eagerly to hear if a Plan B was needed. LOL

It's a beauty!

Here Today!

There tomorrow!
Link to Web cam.  I'll be within walking distance to this place.  Want to make a date? Mid day will be 4-8 AM MST.

I've been busy... Family, shopping, music, teaching, little knitting, and today I pack "for real".  Off soon, but you won't be forgotten!  My biggest challenge is to try to adjust my body forward 8 time zones.  Well, not 8, but at least 4.  I'm feeling like I could go to bed around 7 PM, so I feel I made some progress.  Say, bedtime is at midnight, I would have to adjust it to 4 PM.  My hope is to get some sleep on the 8 hour flight.  A good pillow and a boring book...

Last minute FO this morning.  Got up at 4 AM.  Trying to be quiet...

What is that?  Here's the... 'yarn'.  I have some difficulty labeling it 'yarn'.

Marinaby Rozetti YarnsWorsted / 10 ply
100% Acrylic
33 yards / 100 grams

By catching the upper loops, the material drapes and makes this:

What am I leaving behind? My favorite flower, Jenny, with THREE (3) stems with buds.  The second stem just started yesterday, and the first one has been out 2 weeks.  It's all luck!

Knitting is packed, but not much else.  Gotta go!  Thanks for reading.

Pattern Alert

I'm not advertising, but just wanted to share!  Very cute idea of a scarf and mittens in one:
Find it HERE.  Not a free pattern: $5.95.

To do Tuesday...

The pressure is on... suddenly, I'm in startitis mode, thinking of gifts, Christmas, little people growing out of sizes I've started...  you know that sinking feeling when you realize that you haven't picked up a project intended for that 2 year old, and realize that she's almost 3...
My hub is traveling East in less than a week, leaving home in three days, and I really would like to send two UFO's with him.
One:  A new bonnet, requested by a niece for her little one.  It's quite easy to do requests when someone knows exactly what they want, and the colors, and is willing to pay for it, too!  And family, of course.  So, I wouldn't take money for it.  It will be a gift.

Needs an inch of pink ribbing at the bottom, and a row of pink crochet around the face opening.

Two:  A little pullover for another niece's little one.  Back is finished, needs the rest... hmm. Two days?

Very cute ribbing pattern at the top and bottom, done in cotton.

Three:  Not really a deadline, but the child is growing!  Intended to be a pullover, I think I'll cut it open and make it into a cardigan so I can add a bit of width with button bands.

Hearts and Flowers - better be done by the end of the month so it will be delivered before Christmas.

Four and Five:  My knitting class that I'm teaching ends in one week.  Here are the projects, which won't be finished by then...

Cabled scarf, intended for my ambitious beginners, and short row heel sock for my ambitious intermediate knitters.

See you next week!!  HA!!

Remember back then?

I had a contest... back in March.  Details HERE.
And here's the short story version... Three contests in one, I invited everyone to guess how much knitting on the three projects I would get done while my daughter and granddaughter were visiting.  The results?  I finished the hat, the mittens and the scarf were partially/far from finished.
Today, I finished the scarf and ripped out the mittens.  (One of those mixed days...)
The scarf is super.

Pattern:  Hönkä by Eeva Saviranta from Ulla 1/07; Yarn:  Wool 8/2 Effektgarn by Kauni, Sport / 5 ply, 100% Wool, 656 yards

I can't get enough of those colors!

So off to Norway it goes.
The mittens... I knitted a bit on them last night, did a row of cupcakes and when I had to look for more bits of yarn, stolen from other projects I realized that the pile of yarn I "inherited" from Norway would be perfect for them.  I also have been having pangs of guilt about using yarn I specifically bought for a cardigan.
Today I felt justified frogging the whole thing, and will start with a thinner weight of yarn which will be pleasing to the touch and eye.

Cupcake Mittens by SpillyJane from SpillyJane Knits

.

Double Trouble... Kauni

Gotta luv that yarn!
But here's a tip.  A tip that should be kept in mind for all long self-striping yarns:  Don't use it doubled from the inside AND outside at the same time.  That causes the color pattern be in the opposite order:  red - orange - yellow vs. yellow - orange - red.  Putting those two together (doubled) can you imagine what's going to happen?  Solution is easy:  Divide your ball and make sure both strands are changing color in the same pattern or direction:   Red to Orange, and Yellow to Green.
I didn't think that far ahead, and it has been worrying me for months--the months that I haven't been knitting on this project.  Looks tremendous, IMHO, but in the back of my mind I've been running through the colors and imagining what's next.

 And my fear is that I'll have the same color doubled up. Look at this:
I start with (think rainbow) strand 1:  Blue Purple Red Orange Yellow Green;  Strand 2:  Green Yellow Orange Red Purple.  They line up like this:
Blue-Green, Purple-Yellow, Red-Orange, Orange-Red....Yellow-Purple etc.  Since the color change is so subtle, I know I'll have red-red or orange-orange in between my color changes, and I can't stand that much red and orange in the middle of my scarf.
OK, let's hear it... just shorten one of the colors, you say.  And I tell you, that would be fine if I discovered the enormity of the problem before I got to Red-Orange above. Once I was knitting with Red-Orange I couldn't shorten the red because it would still run into the orange of the 2nd strand, and the same goes with shortening the orange to red.  But...
My motto:  Divide and Conquer!  Divide (cut that yarn), roll up yards of red and orange, cut again, and reattach the yarns "switched".  Now I expect the order to go retrograde.  Blue-Green, Purple-Yellow, Red-Orange, Purple-Yellow, Blue-Green.  The only thing I'm losing is the two sides will never have the same pattern.  Each side will be unique, and THAT I call "A Plan".
I removed 27 g from the 160g ball and all is right in the Kauni world.  Hope the news gets out and prevents at least one other person from gnashing their teeth.

Somewhere out there, someone SHOULD do the calculations for where you can start as I did and using the right combination not have the same colors meet.  Here's a quick attempt:  Red - Orange - Yellow - Green - Blue - Purple - Red  AND  Green - Yellow - Orange - (no same thing happens)... Blue - Green - Yellow - (no)...  I don't think it can be done.
Contest time!  I have a ball of Kauni to give away... Send me your combination of colors where the six colors follow each other in the opposite order, and they don't cause the two colors to repeat themselves (as mine did) or the same color to occur at the same time.  Good luck!

What's with the Weekend?

Things to do on the weekend:
(caveat:  being semi-retired, there are many days during the week that are more weekend-like than Sunday, when I HAVE to get up for pay - especially unfortunate that I'm taking my time adjusting to the time change which was almost 2 weeks ago)
WIP's
Many more may find their way into my hands, but these are the top 4:

#1 - a little bolero that makes me smile

cotton, 3.5 mm needles

#2 - a double-knit scarf

Kauni, 3.0 mm needles

#3 - Europa tedious shawl

Merino lace-weight, 2.5 mm needles

#4 - portable orange sock

ALWO Sport and Sock, 2.5 mm needles

Only the bolero has a deadline of June.

Contest #2

This might be the final for Contest #2:  The reversible, double knitted scarf.
It's a beauty!  And I love to work on it, but I'm going for the hat, with only one more day to go.
Here's the scarf status:  15 inches, and I think it should be at least 40 inches when finished.
The colors may determine how far I'll go.

Yes, they are the same (one) scarf from the same ball of Kauni.  I'm pulling the green-yellow from the center, at the same time using the blue-purple from the outside of the ball.
I could make this a contest... notice that the purple is turning red.   What color in the rainbow comes after purple and red?  And what color comes after green-yellow?  The answer is ONE color.  I'm anxiously awaiting the fate of the orange... Will I have orange on orange?  Will they be identical or just a shade different?  The suspense is killing me!!

What's Knitting?

Another Thursday evening with nine of us gathered for discussion about everything, and help for knitters with picking up stitches for a collar, counting rows after the cat removed the needles, and heavy duty ball winding.
MLE is often busy, but she took time out to continue her futile attempt at finishing her sweater (in less than 7 years...).  She's got those beautiful sleeves to show for it! Go M!!

Fee is stretching one slipper to match the other and eager to wear them. Will they ever dry?  Gorgeous grays!

And Jee is on to something new - a baby not yet born:  Where's the sock?

And Simone has news of a summer grandson expected, Dr. P is still wearing her Winconsin shirt, Dee is twisting those cables again and again for her baby blanket in the round, Lee is cross-stitching roses on a piano, and Bee enjoyed the Bliss!
I showed off my granddaughter in her knitted finery, and two of the three contest pieces.  Really, I'm not swayed by guesses, and have been working on them as much as time will allow.  That's the point:  Toddler Time is a black hole!
Cupcake mittens:  One mitten need the convertible cap, the other mitten is up to the second cupcake row (which is the very beginning of the increase for the thumb gusset).
Scarf:  I the scarf (reversible, double knitted) in colors that I want to see.  Unfortunately, I have to look at the chart, so it's very slow going when there are 3 or 4 conversations to tend to... The pattern calls for 2-1/2 repeats, and I'm at 1.3.  However, by the size, I think I have to do at least 3 full repeats to get all the colors I want to see.
Hat:  Ummmm.  I haven't touched the hat.  It won't be much of a priority until my daughter mentions (on Monday) that she needs it for English weather on Thursday.

Time with a Toddler

For the next few weeks, a toddler will be living at my house!  How much knitting do you think I'll get done by March 16?  I have three things that I would 'like' to get done by that date. And by 'like' I mean I intend to send them off with their recipients that day.  Is this craziness?  If you would like a prize of your own, I'm running a contest!  I have 3 lovely tea towels from around the world that I will send to those who guess correctly the stage of each project on March 16th.
Contest #1:  The Mittens.  Cupcake Convertible Mittens as seen on Ravelry. (All links are to Ravelry.)  This is using the colorwork from the cupcake mittens and with the knitting pattern Broad Street.  Here's what they (er, only the first one) look(s) like today:

First mitten up to stitches being held for thumb

Contest #2:  The Scarf.  A double-knitted scarf with Kauni.  This is going to be tricky, but guess how long it will be by March 16.  (I don't know myself, yet!)

4-1/2 inches long

Contest #3:  Hat.  Newly started (last night), this is knitted flat as a head band and then a knitted disc top.  Pattern:  Braid & Bobble Hat.  The theme for all of these is the purple color and (in my demented knitter's mind) intended as a set with different patterns and yarns.

Shows 2 of 10 repeats for the headband.

Contest rules:  You must make your guess-timates by midnight Friday, March 4th, and the closest to correct wins!  There will be three winners, one in each contest, even if I have to have a run-off in case of ties. (Unless NO ONE enters.)
Good luck!

Knitters Part One

Every two weeks we get together.  Nothing structured, just knit, gab and nibble. We are Knit One, Drink Too.
Bee (featured previously) is enjoying a little warmth from her scarf which is long enough to wrap around her neck.  It's a beautiful, yummy soft, textured masterpiece!  Someone's going to be lucky...

 Dee is going in circles.  A baby blanket under way.  I see loaning needles in my future...

 And Dr. P is smiling like she's ready to move to Wisconsin!  Knit on, Friend!  There's more winter to come.