Mittens for Me! Me! Me!

Well, the weather in Atlanta doesn't really justify knitting mittens right now but it is still January which means it's time for the NaKniMitMo  Knitalong.  I decided to knit Wood Hollow Mittens by Kirsten Kapur.  I'm using Aslan Trends Royal Alpaca Yarn in this pretty magenta color.

This little guy is hanging out with me while I knit:

Isn't that the cutest stitchmarker ever?  I found a set in Lavender Hill Knits' Etsy Shop.  Lots of cute stitchmarker sets are available there!

The pattern is fairly easy ... an eight row pattern repeat with cables ... There was a twisted stitch that was described to be knit without the help of a cable needle but I found it easier to use a cable needle.  I made a slight modification at the top to adjust the length without finishing another 8 row repeat. Overall, an enjoyable and quick knit.  I'm hoping to cast on the second one this afternoon while at my daughter's dance rehearsals.



The Colors of the Year 2012

I've only recently become aware that Pantone,  a renowned authority on color, announces its annual color of the year in the early fall.  Just recently announced, the  2012 color of the year, Tangerine Tango, is a truly bright and vibrant shade of orange, ready to re-energize you.

Pantone's 2012 Color of the Year!

And, then, last week, I read that Benjamin Moore, my favorite maker of paint, announced its 2012 Color of the Year, Wythe Blue, a soothing medium blue.  It's grouped in Benjamin Moore's  Earth & Sky Color Trends to assist you in creating a perfect relaxing color palette!

Benjmain Moore's Earth & Sky Color Trend Includes Wythe Blue

Of course, it's easy to find ways to use both of the colors around your home.  Throw pillows are a great (and affordable) way to give your home a color boost!

Another fun way to add the 2012 Color of the Year to your life would be to include it in your landscaping plans this spring...I'm thinking a little Tangerine Tango in the garden:

What about knitting with these beautiful colors of the year?  I found a few skeins in my stash which are close.

Since I'm trying to use yarn that I already own instead of rushing out to buy new yarn, I'll stick with these shades when trying out the 2012 colors.  Show here:  MadelineTosh Merino Light in Magnolia Leaf, MadelineTosh Vintage in Saffron, Pagewood Farm in Mississippi Mud, The Loopy Ewe Solid Series in Serenity Green, Madeline Tosh Sock in Mica and Royal Alpaca in #708.  

So, what do you think of the 2012 Colors of the Year?!!

You Know What This Means, Right?

I finished the first of the  Hermione Everyday Socks:

What a nice pattern!  A 4 row 4 stitch pattern that is super simple to memorize!  Every other row is all knit!

The yarn is terrific too! It's Pagewood Farm Alyeska in Cherry Blossom which is incredibly soft with a 80% Merino Wool, 10% Cashmere 10% Nylon Blend.  Perfect for nice soft socks!

I'm hoping to have some time today to really make progress on the second sock.  What are you knitting today?

New Year's Resolutions!!

I just read my knitty galpal's blog, Susie, aka KnittingKnoobie, about New Year's Resolutions and, boy, do we have a LOT in common!

I had two projects on my list a year ago...I only half finished my Norwegian Selbu Mittens. They always seemed to small but I found out that I love colorwork! .I've pulled theses mittens out to work on over the holiday break but alas! that was as fas it went. I also have a very minimally completed Beatnik sweater...did I not like the yarn or is it too warm in Atlanta? So...with these projects still in the works, I am going to make a few knitty resolutions of my own for 2012.

First, I am really going to try to stashbust!I have enough yarn to last me for a while so I certainly don't need to buy too much yarn this year!  When we get home, I'm going to design a counter of some sort...naughty vs. nice  so to speak. I'll put in on the sidebar of my blog... something like, I delved into my stash (nice) - yarn browsing got the better of me (naughty)! :)

Next, I'm going to try to complete some lingering UFOs...those mittens, a sweater and a few pairs of socks are still on my needles.

I'd like to knit some more shawls and wraps this year. Sometimes, lace is difficult to knit because it requires so much attention and I revert to mindless (although enjoyable) knitting. Time to step it up a bit.

Lastly, I'd like to design some socks...and mittens...and shawls...and...well, you get the idea! Lots of ideas...not always lots of time!

What are your New Year's Resolutions? Share here!

Nutcracker Knitalong Update!

The Nutcracker performances are over and I'm still knitting gifts!!!  How's everyone fairing with their Holiday Gift Knitting?  Mine is coming along although I might not finish everything quite on time...That's what the 12 days of Christmas are for, right?

I've finished a few Irish Hiking Beanies...might have to try a few more since they are a superfast knit and I need a few "boy presents".  I've also got a stockpile of mittens and shawls in my knitting drawer to share with family members.

Right now, I am working on a Raha Scarf by Nancy Bush.  The pattern is in Knitted Lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush which would make a lovely gift for any knitter on your gift list.  This scarf is about 50% complete.  I'm using The Sanguine Gryphon Skinny Bugga Yarn in Starry NightCracker.




Raha Scarf

I've also completed a few Noro Striped Scarves. What an easy knit! Here's one that I've completed. I love the way the colorways worked out. I used two different Noro Silk Garden colorways; one with primarily brown/gray tones and the other with pink/blue/green shades.



KCMomof2 shared her knitted Christmas Tree Skirt.  Wow! I love this pattern and have added it to my queue:

Snowball Tree Skirt

So, what knitting gift projects have you completed?  Share here!



Irish Hiking Beanie!

Just in time for last minute, holiday gift knitting, the Irish Hiking Beanie is a quick and easy knit...in just a few hours and with less than one skein of yarn, you can have a hand knitted hat ready to wrap!   The Irish Hiking Beanie is, of course, a companion to the Irish Hiking Mittens and the Irish Hiking Mitts, all which were inspired by Adrian Bazilia's Irish Hiking Scarf.  The Irish Hiking Beanie pattern, which is available free on Ravelry includes written and charted instructions.  Using worsted-weight yarn will keep someone toasty warm in no time at all!

Let's Celebrate!!!!

Crimson Tide Socks - Free on Ravelry - Click Here!

By now, all of you must know that the University of Alabama's football team will be playing for the National Championship on January 9, 2012.  I've been following Alabama football all season, mostly because of these socks that I designed.  To celebrate, my Crimson Tide Sock Pattern is now available as a  FREE download on Ravelry!  I have to admit,  as I decorate for the holidays, I might try to knit another pair before the holidays because they almost have a peppermint look to me!  

Nutcracker Knitalong

I can hardly believe that it's that time of year again! The Nutcracker is upon us! As you all know, my 14 year old daughter takes a LOT of ballet and dance classes and is cast in her ballet company's annual Nutcracker performance.  It's her 8th year performing and this year she is a Maid, Small Fairy, and is in Snow and Chinese.  That's a LOT of rehearsals and performances!  Sunday November 27th marks the beginning of the Eight Magical Days of the Nutcracker at our house.  What's that, you wonder?  Starting next Sunday, there are in-studio rehearsals and tech rehearsals and dress rehearsals at the theater all culminating in the performances on December 2, 3 and 4th.  I can't wait to see my daughter as a Small Fairy..the little girls are first cast as angels and they dance with the Small Fairies and so it is very exciting to get to this, uh, pointe.  And Snow...my favorite part of the Nutcracker! I. cannot...wait...until...the...performances! I'll be at all four! But first, lots and lots of hours at the theater and studio for rehearsals so I will have lots and lots of holiday knitting with me.

And that is what the Nutcracker Knitalong is all about! Just share here what you have been knitting for holiday gift giving.  A little Nutty inspiration to share!  Tweet me your pictures so I can add to blog updates. The Nutcracker Knitalong will run from Sunday November 27th through December 31st.  Enough time to get started and, hopefully, enough time to finish!

So get cracking on all those knitty gifts!  (sorry I loves me a bad pun!)

Are You Ready For Some Football?

I am! With the weekend just starting, I went into my stash to find some yarn to knit another pair of Hedwig and Friends Socks.  Think I'm going to try to see how the pattern works with a sport weight yarn and Size 3 needles.

I'm using KnitPicks Stroll Sport in Stream Heather.  It's a nice denim-y blue, perfect for weekend socks.  And, hopefully, a perfect fit for my husband.  Think I will skip the beading on these socks though.  Can't wait to get through with Saturday errands and chores so I can start these!  Which football games will you be watching today?

Hedwig & Friends

Hedwig and Friends is a new sock pattern now available free on Ravelry! Just a few rows of cables create this fun pattern.  The rest is knit and purl stitches.  Plus, a few beads for some added cute-ness! And, best of all, just in time to sit down and knit while watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part II on DVD!

The yarn above is Tern in Back Bay by Quince and Company.  At 221 yards per skein, two skeins are more than enough to make a pair of women's size medium socks.  Tern is a dream to work with, 75% wool and 25% silk.  A great fingering weight yarn, hand wash, lay flat to dry.

My prototype sock was knit with KnitPicks Stroll Fingering in Jack Rabbit Heather.  To say I love this yarn and this colorway is a huge understatement! It's wonderful! 75% Merino Wool and 25% Nylon, this Fingering Weight Yarn is machine wash and tumble dry low.  At 231 yards, 2 skeins,again, was more than enough to knit a pair of women's size medium socks.  

A Princess of Yarnia

My Halloween costume this year really reflects my knitty alterego....a sparkly tiara for a Princess of Yarnia.  You know what I mean...one of the many who love to knit and love yarn, all yarn! Here's a sampling...

Red Heart yarn for Special Olympics Scarves 2012 project.  Great project that I have done with my daughter the past two years...can't wait to start this year in blue & red!

Pretty Lorna's Laces yarn....perfect for socks and shawls.

Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock....great colorways for awesome socks!

Sanguine Gryphon...more great colorways for socks and shawls.  And the reason for the missing tiara in the last two pictures?? I'm wearing it, of course!  Princess Yarnia is off to fill the trick or treaters' bags full of candy!

Happy Halloween!



Footsie!

So, you’re getting ready to knit some socks for holiday gift giving and all you know is that your niece wears a women’s size 6 shoe and your brother wears a men’s size 10? How long should the foot of the sock be? I’ve been known to trace my kids feet so I know how long to make their socks but what if your sweet niece lives in Connecticut and you live in Atlanta? Such has been my dilemma. But not anymore. I found these great Shoe Size Conversion Charts at ehow.com These charts will assist you in determining approximate length of feet in inches if you know someone’s shoe size. I’m sure they are going to help me knit perfect fitting socks this year!!! If not, I always can add a note to put those all wool socks in the dryer for a while if they are a smidge too big or explain how to block them a bit if they’re running a little small!!

A New Pattern to Celebrate Socktober!!!

Effervescence Socks by iknit2purl2 on Ravelry

To celebrate Socktober, I designed a sock pattern to share with all of you! Effervescence is now available  as a free download on Ravelry.  It's an easy knit, using the mock cable stitch.  By utilizing yarnovers and slipped stitches, you create a pretty cable pattern over a 2x2 rib.  This sock pattern alternates the mock cable stitch between the ribs which creates a bubbly, effervescent look over the sock.  And did I mention it's easy? An 8 stitch pattern over 4 rows creates this fun look!

The yarn above is The Sanguine Gryphon Skinny Bugga in Miss Spider.  At 450 yards, one skein of this fingering weight sock yarn is more than enough to make a pair of Woman's socks in size Medium.  For the pair below, I used Blue Moon Fiber Arts Lightweight Socks That Rock yarn in Turquoise.  Again, one skein (360 yards) was more than enough for a pair of Woman's Size Medium socks.

 

FO - Hemlock Ring Blanket (and a Knitting Pictorial!)






Hemlock Ring Blanket - Pattern adapted by Jared Flood

 I just finished blocking my first-ever, Hemlock Ring Blanket. I have to tell you, once I started knitting it, I couldn't put it down. Really, it was much, much easier than anything I ever imagined! Nothing more complicated than yarnovers, SSKs, K2togs and PSSOs.
 



Fan and Leaf Pattern Detail

 I used about 1 1/2 skeins of Cascade Yarns Ecological Wool in Antique.  This yarn comes in big, generous 478 yard skeins and is reasonably priced at about $20 skein.  I should have bought 3 skeins so I could make two!  I used size 10 needles because that is all I had (size 10 1/2 is recommended).  As you all know by now, I knit loosely and, even with the smaller needles, my finished blanket blocked to about 60 inches through Row 55 of the chart.

The pattern is great and easy to follow.  I'd recommend stitch markers to keep track of the repeats.  (There are only eight).  I can't wait to start another.  And another!




Crochet Bind-off

 I was so excited to finish the Hemlock Ring Blanket that I chose to do the crochet bind-off instead of the knited one.  It's much easier, I think, once you get the hang of it and, I think, a lot of the completed projects that I have seen on Ravelry used the crochet bind-off.  I had never used this technique before and, while I was able to find knitting videos online for a plain crochet bind-off, I couldn't find a video showing how to crochet through 3 stitches, then chain 7.  I fiddled with it a bit and this is what I came up with:

• Chain 7 out of the last stitch ( I knitted through Row 55 and had 472 stitches, starting here leaves 471 stitches which is divisible by 3 and prevents any leftover stitches at the end).




Chain 7 stitches

•       Slip 3 stitches off of the knitting needle onto to the crochet hook. (At this point, there will be 4 stitches total on crochet hook)



Slip 3 stitches to crochet hook

• Pull yarn though the 3 stitches (2 stitches left on crochet hook) 

Pull Yarn through 3 stitches

• Pull yarn through remaining 2 stitches

Pull yarn through 2 stitches

• Repeat starting from Chain 7.

As far as blocking goes, you need a LOT of pins.  I pinned each loop from the bind-off.  If you did the math above, that's 157 loops! Plus the points of the flowers and the inner loops and, and, and!  I used my bathroom floor and my Alphabet Blocks when my husband was on away on a business trip.  And, I kept the door shut to keep the cats and dog out.  Too many pins to worry about!


Hemlock Ring Blanket - Blocking- That's a lotta pins!

I'm going to give this to my mother-in-law for Christmas.  I think I will knit at least one more as a Christmas gift and then, hopefully, one for me as well!

Socktoberfest - Right Around the Corner

One of my knitty pals, Susie, aka Knitting Knoobie, just reminded me that it's almost time for Socktoberfest, a month long festival of knitting which you can find on Ravelry.  I've been looking for some patterns on Ravelry (and I've been looking at Susie's project page on Ravelry because she finds great sock patterns!!).  Here's some patterns that I'd like to knit.

Diagonal Lace Socks by Wendy D. Johnson



Hermione's Everyday Socks by Erica Leuder



D-Man Socks By Karen Lauger

Now to go through my stash and select some yarn to use! What sock patterns have you run across recently that you are planning on knitting soon? Share with us here! 

Block Party!

I think most knitters would agree, a knitter's idea of a block party is significantly different than what most people would think...I finally blocked some finished knitting projects.  I had so much to block that my small set of Knitpicks foam blocks wasn't enough to get the job done.  I had my mind on completing this huge task and so last week I went to Target and found these children's foam blocks:

And, now, some blocking progress!

I finally cast-off Romney's Kerchief....I couldn't get myself to do the recommended cast-off...it seemed like it would be just too time consuming. Last week, I decided to go up to size 10 needles and cast-off.  A bit of a risk, as I was almost out of yarn but it all worked out fine.

My Not At Sock Summit Socks...I loved knitting with The Sanguine Gryphon Skinny Bugga yarn although I was "meh" about the pattern....size 1 needles too...a never ending project but very nice results!

My Rose Lace Stole!! I love this! I love the lace pattern! I really love rectangular shape! I want to knit another rectangular shawl ASAP!

Andrea's Shawl - Loved this pattern too!  Such a pretty combination of green! And, surprise! Look!  The lace looks mostly like the pattern photos! (I thought I was making all kinds of mistakes!)




What did I learn from my block party? Wow, blocking can really accenuate lace patterns! And, all of my shawls blocked to the correct size.  Even the Rose Lace Stole which I was soooo worried about.  Now, to get some photos of all these finished projects onto Ravelry! 

Crimson Tide! A New Pattern on Ravelry




Crimson Tide Socks on Ravelry

 

I cannot begin to tell you how much I enjoy knitting colorwork projects! And, now, just in time for fall (better known around here as Football Season!), I've designed a sock pattern called Crimson Tide.  Priced at $2 US, I am going to contribute all of my proceeds from sales of this pattern through January 9, 2012 (date of the College Football National Championship) to the Red Cross Disaster Fund.  Originally, I wanted to raise funds for the Red Cross to help with Disaster Relief from this Spring's tornadoes in the Southeast, particularly in Alabama (hence, my design inspiration!).  With the recent hurricanes in the Northeast and along the East Coast, I have decided to contribute to the general disaster relief fund to help wherever funds are needed most.


About Crimson Tide...a basic sock pattern really with an easy to memorize pattern that repeats around the leg of the sock and across the top of the foot.  The colorwork striping on the bottom of the foot adds extra interest to the look of the sock (and minimizes the need to weave in loose ends!).  I've used KnitPicks Palette in Pimento, Garnet Heather and White...perfect for all of you Alabama fans out there!  This pattern would also be pretty in blues and greens for a more aquatic look.  

I Couldn't Resist

Kirsten Kapur has some of the prettiest designs on Ravelry.  One of my current favorites is Cladonia.  I think I'll knit it as part of the Small Knits Knitalong (SKKAL on Twitter) that Rachellynnec on Twitter is hosting.  Yes, another knitalong, but, really, who could resist knitting such a pretty shawl!

Cladonia by Kirsten Kapur on Ravelry

Knit from the top down, it has a large stockinette section and a comparitively smallish lace section.  Perfect for sitting in carpool (the stockinette section) and night-time knitting (the lace section).  I found this beautiful yarn at The Loopy Ewe:

 

It's Alpaca with a Twist Baby Twist in Natural and Seasprite. It is amazingly soft! 100% Alpaca, DK weight. Hand wash and dry flat. Each skein is approximately 245 grams and 549 yards, so I am hoping to make two shawls from this beautiful yarn! 

I love knitting with this yarn!