Saturday, December 31, 2011

XMAS yarn haul

 As the title says, this post is a yarn haul. These are the yarns I got as gifts for Christmas (except one, but I'll get to that :).


This first yarn is from my husband. He told me I could pick out some yarn from Knit Picks as my gift from him this year. I usually buy my yarn from Knit Picks because I like the quality and their yarn is a lot cheaper than comparable blends and quality yarns from other brands. Both colors are the same kind of yarn; Wool of the Andes bulky weight. It is hand wash so not exactly easy care, but isn't supposed to pill and should last for a very long time. It isn't really soft, but I don't really care as I will be making sweater tunics out of it and will be wearing them over another shirt for added modesty and comfort.

 This is the color "Juicy." I picked this color because it is bold and fun and should go great with black leggings/skinnies or the thigh-highs I had started. Just FYI, I plan on making this long enough that it will be more dress than tunic.


This is the color "Polar" and is reminiscent of icy mountain peaks. I liked the concept behind  this colorway and thought it was great for a more muted look that would be great for winter and would go good with jeans. I am not planning on making this tunic as long as the pink one as I plan to always wear this with jeans or pants and not stockings. I am also planing on making arm warmers for this tunic, but haven't decided if I will for the pink one.

The next yarn I picked out using the very generous gift certificate I received for a local yarn and needle craft store. It was fun to go into the store for the first time and see all the yarn that is usually out of my price range. I had a $100 gift certificate and spent it all on one bag of yarn. I went in looking for an easy care cotton blend in a peachy color in a dk weight. I didn't find exactly what I was hoping for, but am happy with what I selected.


 As you can see from the pictures I picked out yarn by Cascade. I have never used this brand of yarn before because of the hefty price tag. This yarn was $11.50 per 191 yard hank so it was $103.50 for the bag of 9 hanks. This isn't the soft peach I was going for, but it is a pretty salmon color that will work nicely and be bright and fun for summer. It is a worsted weight, so a bit bigger than what I was thinking of, but that is just fine. This is the Cascade "Sierra" yarn so is a 80% Pima Cotton and 20% Wool blend. I am hoping the wool helps add a bit of springiness to the yarn (but not too much!) and will make it a bit warmer for summer nights.

I am still planning on using this yarn for a self-designed spring/summer short sleeved tunic. I decided about adding extra beads or glittery thread for embellishment and think I will just use a more interesting stitch for added interest around the neckline. I am hoping to keep it simple and elegant but very wearable. I am not sure how washable this yarn is. I have never used it before and have found conflicting reviews online. Some people say it washes great in the machine, while others say washing it ruins it. I think I will try washing it in the machine, but on a gentle/delicate cycle only.

I am excited to use this yarn because it is the most "high-end" yarn I've ever had. I wish I could start working with it now, but I still have Christmas knits to complete and will probably do the cold weather tunics before doing this warm weather tunic. The yarn feels nice and has a pretty sheen to it, so it will be interesting to see how the finished product turns out.

 This next yarn is yarn I purchase while picking out yarn from my gift certificate. I wanted to get some sock yarn to knit a pair of socks for a friend, but didn't really want to order one skein of yarn over the internet. I am happy that I found something that will work.


This yarn is not the typical wool sock yarn that I usually use. The friend I will be making these socks for lives in a southern state and I wanted the socks to be wearable for more than a month or two out of the year. This is Kraemer Saucon Sock yarn in the color "Lime." It is 44% cotton, 43% acrylic, and 13% nylon. I would have preferred more cotton or nylon and less acrylic, but the yarn feels good and will be easy care. I picked this color because I thought it would go very nicely with the lacy wave-like sock pattern I picked. I have never used yarn from this brand before, but given it was $12.50 for this one skein I am expecting it to be good quality.

There you have it, the entire yarn haul. I got some very nice yarn and am excited to get started on these projects as soon as I finish the Christmas knits I have going now.

Happy New Years!!!

Christmas Knit #11

I've just started on another pair of socks. I am making the "Muscari" pattern from Knitty.com. I will be using KnitPicks Stroll hand painted fingering yarn again. This time I will be using a beautiful blue colorway called "Lullaby." I am using my nickle "Options" needles again, this time in size 0 (2.00mm).


See what I mean about beautiful blues? These colors are very vibrant and pretty.

 Here is my progress so far. This is the cuff and one pattern repeat.

 Here is a close up of the sock. You can see the flower pattern some here. It is also worth noting that the blues are deeper and not so bright in real life as they appear in this picture.

 So far I am liking the pattern. The cuff is shorter than I usually make them, but it is cool how it transitions into the flower pattern. The flower pattern is pretty straightforward with no tricky stitches and easy to work up. I have a feeling that these socks will knit up way faster than the last pair. That's all for now on these socks.


Christmas knits #9 "Hourglass" Complete!

I finished the "Hourglass" socks last night, finally! I think they turned out pretty great, though I'm not too thrilled with how the color worked out. A solid color would have looked better. The socks are longer than I usually make, hopefully the recipient doesn't mind taller socks.








The pattern worked up okay. It was kind of fun and quite engaging even if it did take forever to complete. I would definitely make this pattern again as I think it is really pretty and fun to work. I don't think I will use a hand painted yarn for it though. If I make these socks again in the future, I will be using a solid or lightly marbled yarn that doesn't over power the pattern.

This is the second time I've made socks with KnitPicks Stroll Fingering yarn. I really love this yarn. The colors are very vibrant and the yarn is soft and better yet it is affordable.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Progress update and future plans.

The "Hourglass" socks are coming along well. It is too bad that I wasn't able to complete all the Christmas knits on time, but it is what it is. I am halfway done with the foot area, so I am nearly done (top down socks). After this pair of socks are completed I will have a scarf and another pair of socks (maybe two) to knit up before completing my Christmas knits for this year. I am hoping to be all done within three weeks.

I have a few projects planned once my current queue is done. I want to make a knit tunic for myself (chunky yarn), finish those thigh-highs, finish the jacket for my husband, and I am planning a new project. I met nearly all my goals for this year with knitting, so I am thinking about new goals for 2012. I want to get into designing more and following other people's patterns less. This isn't really a problem for me since I am a progress knitter, but the problem comes in having a written pattern if I want to share with others. I want to get into designing and making patterns as it seems like I can never find a pattern for exactly what I want to make.

I was given a gift card to a local store that sells yarn and needlework supplies. I have never been in there, so I am excited to see what all they offer! I have decided what I want to make and what kind of yarn I want to use, but I need to come up with the technical aspects of it so it looks like I envision. I want to make a short sleeved tunic for spring/summer. I am thinking I want to find a dk weight cotton yarn in a light peachy color and keep the design of the tunic simple and feminine.  I am thinking of pairing it with light colored capris or skirt and a pair of wedges or flats (assuming I have the money to buy those things, lol). I am still trying to decide if I should include some kind of embellishment at the neckline (thinking either beads or glittery thread held along a white or cream colored yarn). So far all I have is a sketch. I need to actually buy a book and read up on designing and pattern making.

I hope to go shopping for the yarn for the spring tunic tonight. I hope to get the kind of yarn I want (don't care what brand it is). Depending on how much money is left after the yarn for the tunic, I will probably try to get some fun colors for summer things for the girls. I was thinking that some bright stripped summer skirts or dresses would be fun. At some point I want to pick up some chunky yarn for my 7-year-old, but I want her to finish the scarf she is currently crocheting first. I hope she finishes the scarf before winter is over. She wants to learn knitting, but I don't think she is quite ready for that yet.

I need to get back to working on the "Hourglass" socks. I am really hoping I can get them finished before the week is up. If I power knit all this evening I should be able to get the rest of the foot done and then work the toe tomorrow. I will update as soon as the socks are done and on the blockers!

Christmas knit #10 "Henry" Completed!

I am updating this late; however I did get the scarf done before Christmas (barely!). I was in such a hurry to get the scarf finished, blocked, and dried that I forgot to take pictures! It all worked out though since the recipient was kind enough to let me take a picture after Christmas.

My feelings about the "Henry" pattern are mixed. The scarf turned out beautiful, however it was very time consuming. I did not do the full 7 repeats of the pattern, instead I only did 5 so I could finish it on time. The width is still good, so 5 repeats was a good call. I don't know if I would ever make this scarf pattern again. It might be worth it if I had a lot of time to dedicate towards it, but I will never try to knit it up in a time crunch again.

The pattern just pops and looks great after blocking.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Christmas knit #10

Christmas knit #10 has finally been started. I am making the scarf with the jade yarn. I would have posted this sooner, but the scarf is taking much longer than I thought it would, and I wanted to have something to actually show in the pictures.

Firstly, the pattern I selected came from Knitty.com as have so many others I've knit lately. The pattern is called "Henry" and is located here. I chose this pattern because it is masculine, classy, and clean looking. It also intrigued me that it is worked lengthwise. Size 2 needles are used for cast on and the tiny border edge, then size 3 needles are used for the body of the scarf...just fyi ;)

The yarn is Knit Picks Gloss Fingering Yarn in the color Jade. The yarn is 70% Merino and 30% Silk. It has a nice sheen to it and it feels lovely. I am hoping the end product will have a wonderful drape. The green color is deep and rich with a jewel like quality to it that is just beautiful. I purchased 4 hanks.



So far I am liking the pattern and my yarn selection. The scarf is looking beautiful, but I am a bit dismayed at how long it is taking to make. I timed myself at 16 minutes per row, so the entire project should take approximately 42 hours to complete. Christmas is just one week away and I am stressing out about getting this completed. I have 3 other projects that need completed as well, each one needing about a weeks time to make. Unfortunately, some people will be getting their gifts rather late :(


 Here is the entire scarf with one full repeat of the pattern completed. That is a 40" cable. See why each row takes me 16 minutes? lol

 Here you can see the waste yarn on my starting edges. I used a provisional cast on, and will be pulling the waste yarn out once the project is complete.

 Here is just another look at the scarf at 1 repeat worth of progress.

Here is a more recent picture and you can really see the pattern a lot better here than in the previous pictures. This is 2 1/2 pattern repeats (the pattern calls for 7). This is a very recent picture, as I am currently only 4 rows beyond this.

I will be working on this scarf every possible second of every day until completion. I have very little time to complete this, and I really want to get it done on time. I have been working on this scarf so much lately that my left hand has been cramping. My middle finger has been locking up and my wrists hurt. I actually had dark green marks on my fingers where the yarn was rubbing on my skin. I am really liking this scarf, but dang will I be glad when it is done!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Christmas knit #9 "Hourglass" update.

I figure I have about 20 hours put into these socks so far. I have about one full repeat of the pattern left before I start working the heels. I am pleased with the pattern a lot. Sure these socks are taking forever, but the pattern looks really cool. If I had an year of my life to spend on one garment, it might just be a sweater made out of this pattern in a cream colored yarn. It is very tempting to think of knitting something like that, but it would most likely take a year to do, lol

This picture shows both the pattern and the colors pretty well. I put the pattern behind the sock so you can actually see the detailing better (the holes weren't even visible otherwise).

The pattern I am following is rated extra spicy (the equivalent of expert level). I have not ran into anything difficult yet, or at least nothing has stumped me or needed "figuring out." I am wondering if the extra bump up in difficulty is just due to how much attention the pattern requires. This is NOT a pattern to work while watching an interesting tv show, that's for sure. There is cabling, knitting through the back loop, and purl two together through the back loop, but I wouldn't say any of those are hard (gotta say I am not overly fond of the P2tog tbl stitches though).

I hope the person I am making these for loves them, seeing as how I am putting such a huge amount of time into them (and I think they are pretty cool!). These socks should be extra comfy as well. Most of the showing stitches on the outside are purl, so nearly all the stitches that will be against the feet will be smooth knit stitches.

I probably won't post on these socks again until I finish them, which will hopefully within the next week.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Christmas knit #9

You know how I started that pair of black thigh-highs for myself for fun? Well I started making them using the needle I needed for Christmas knit #9, lol Stupid, but hey, I power knitted through the foot of the thigh-highs so I could switch out the needles. Hooray for completing the feet on the thigh-highs!

I am making a sock pattern from Knitty.com called "Hourglass." It is an extraspicy difficulty level, but so far is pretty fun to work (I like patterns that require lots of attention and careful detail). I am using Knit Picks Stroll Hand Painted Sock Yarn (same kind of yarn as was used to make "Spring Forward"), which is machine washable and driable 75% Superwash Merino and 25% Nylon in the color "Make Believe." The coloring on this yarn is beautiful, and I am looking forward to seeing the finished product. And as usual I am using magic loop method. I think it is pretty safe to always assume that when working socks I am using the magic loop method, unless otherwise noted of course :)

 The hank of yarn on day 1.

 Here is the yarn divided as evenly as possible into two balls.  Aren't those pretty colors?

Here is my progress after 5 1/2 hours of straight knitting through last night... yes, I stayed up all night knitting (can't claim that's it's the first time either, lol). I have worked about two hours on it today and am nearing completing the first pattern repeat. I will post a new picture when I get enough progress that the pattern really starts to show.

Christmas knit #8

Christmas knit #8 is a simple black scarf. I am using Knit Picks Swish Worsted 100% Superwash Merino in black, and size 6 needles. I am using the "Apocalypse Scarf" pattern.

There isn't really much to say about this project so far. It is a really simple pattern and very easy to memorize. I added a chain edging to smooth up the edges, and am using a smaller needle to make it denser, but those are the only changes I've made thus far. I've only worked on it one evening so far, and progress is decent for the time spent on it. Anyway, here are the pictures :)



Saturday, December 3, 2011

New personal knit, and a dumb goof-up.

I started a new project, just for fun. It is something for me that will be on the back burner and isn't on any timeline. I have those 4 hanks of black sock yarn (Knit Picks gloss) just siting there not getting used. What would be cooler than having a pair of knit thigh-highs? So I cast on for toe up socks and started knitting. This is something I am just making and not following any sort of pattern, though I did look for inspiration on the lace. In fact I am using the lace pattern for a shrug on knitty.com titled "I do." I do think that is a beautiful shrug by the way, and I hope to make it at some point in the future.

I am not very far yet, though I think it is looking kind of cool so far. Weird to knit thigh-highs, right? I will admit I have always secretly wanted a pair of long knit stockings, but didn't have the ambition to actually do it and never found a pattern that inspired me enough to commit. I am envisioning wearing them under a bulkier knit dress with a pair of boots or plain heels. When my husband found out what I was making, he assumed I was making them for another reason...men and their dirty minds.

Right now I am using 2.5mm needles (magic loop method and two-at-a-time like usual) and plan to increase needle size as I work my way up the leg. I am hoping this will increase the size enough to prevent me from trying to increase, though I am sure I could figure out how (but I really don't want to have to figure it out!). I will no doubt run out of yarn and have to buy more, but I am not that worried about it as this is a "for fun" project for myself. I will just order more yarn if or when I need to. Here is a picture of my progress so far (about 2 days worth of work).


 
I kept the toe portion pretty short, hoping for good comfort and good looks with more variety of shoes. we'll see if in the end it was a good idea or pointless, lol


Where is the dumb goof-up? I assumed I had the needles required to make the next planned project. I ordered that pretty jade yarn to make a scarf for a Christmas knit, then decided I needed needles for the project. I ordered the needles, got them, and just tonight started winding the yarn into balls. I went to start the scarf and guess what? Those needles I bought special for this scarf, well they are the wrong size! They are not a tiny bit the wrong size, but way off. I bought size 6 needle tips, but I need size 2 (2.75mm) and size 3 (3.25mm). I don't own needles in that size with long enough cables! So frustrated with myself for making such a stupid mistake! I ordered the two needles tonight and hopefully I will get them around the 14th. I was so tempted to get some yarn too, but I resisted and only got the two needles.

Since I screwed up and need to wait for yet another order before starting this project, I will be working on something else instead. I picked a very simple pattern for a knit scarf for another person for Christmas, and I have two more pairs of socks to make. I will be starting one of the projects tonight, but I haven't decided which one yet. I am not sure I feel like winding more yarn to make socks, but I am not sure I want to work on a black scarf and the black thigh-highs for myself at the same time. All the dark colors may depress me, I am pathetic like that, being influenced so heavily by what color yarn I am working with, lol Anyway, I'll be knitting something! When I do decide what project to start next I will be sure to post, though probably not tonight. My husband is working late tonight and if I stay up and wait for him I will be up until about 3:00 am. So hopefully there will be a post with my decision tomorrow!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Christmas knit #7 "Spring Forward" Complete!

Hooray for a complete and finished pair of socks! These socks are super bright and happy looking (yes, a touch crazy too). I am planning on giving these to someone who has had a rough patch lately and could use something cheerful, and what is nicer than a pair of fun hand-made socks?

The pattern was decent, though I really didn't follow it. I used the magic loop method and the pattern is written for dpns. So while the pattern called for shifting stitches around between needles, I didn't have to move my stitches at all :D I think the pattern is interesting and it is very simple to knit, but I don't think I like it enough to make it again.

I love the yarn. I have been very pleased with all the yarn from Knit Picks that I have tried so far, but this sock yarn feels great and comes in some very nice colors. I have two more sock patterns to knit up using this same yarn in different colorways, and I can't wait!

I used my bum needle with the dull-ish tip and the sharp tip, and didn't really even notice it while working. I used the sharp tip to do the knitting, but didn't have any problems at all while using the duller tip for the ssk decreases.

I usually link to the patter and what products I used, but am too lazy right now to do so. I am not to lazy to post pictures though ;)




Christmas knit #6 "Danica" Complete!

I would have had this scarf finished on time and posted Thanksgiving evening if all would have went well. I ended up getting a terrible stomach bug that day and have spent most of this past week trying to get well again (knitting and barfing wouldn't make a good mix anyways ;). Well it is finished now and looks rather handsome.

The pattern lies when it says weaving in all the ends takes less time than you would think; it took me about 3 hours to do :( Weaving in ends is not my favorite thing to do, so I am glad that is over with. The scarf was trying to roll a bit on the ends so I blocked it. I wet blocked the scarf, but did not pin it and tried to scrunch it up a bit so it wouldn't lose that cool "woven" look. It lies flatter now and looks nicer. This was a great project, fun to make, quick to complete, and looks cool. Here are the pictures!



Christmas knit #3 "Skullface" COMPLETE!!

Yes, I finally finished "Skullface." In the end I choose to not make a back for it. Once I got the entire thing together I decided adding a back would just make it too heavy and too bulky. It is a wide scarf and I don't think it would be as functional if it were thick as well.

I made a few alterations to the pattern and I believe they were for the better. I omitted the scalloped like edging on the ends and the cord for tying it to make a "vest." I think it looks more masculine now and has simpler lines. I also chose to graft the two pieces together instead of a three needle bind off. I think it looks much nicer and isn't noticeable unless you are actually looking for it.

Over all, I am really pleased with the scarf. I think it looks great, is fun, interesting, but not so crazy as to be unwearable. I do imagine that it will be quite toasty and warm for this winter and is long enough to be wrapped around the face/neck twice. I really hope the recipient likes this scarf and enjoys it this winter.

Here are pictures of the finished product, including a shot of the back :)