Latest FO

Pattern: Basic Vest Pattern by Ann Bud in the Knitters Handy Little Book of Patterns

Yarn: Knitpicks - Wool of the Andes

Needles: Size 8

Fit: 38" w, 1.5 inches of positive ease.

Notes: It took me several tries to get the neck band done. First time I miscalculated the mid point for the point of the v neck reduction, Second time I picked up along the edge of the second shoulder seem (since the pattern states to sew the second seem after the neck band).  Third time was the charm.

FO: Blackrose Socks

Pattern: Blackrose Socks from Knitty.com
Size: Small (since my gauge was a little loose)
Yarn: Miss Babs Yummy Superwash Sock & Baby Yarn
Colorway: Love Letters from the Woolgirl sock club December 2010
Needles: Size 2 Circulars
Notes: Didn't change a thing about the pattern. Easy to follow and pretty results. If I make this pattern again I wont use such a variegated yarn.

Miri Bag

My latest finished project is a handbag I made using left overs. You saw my last project (Puzzle Ball) for my niece Miriam. I had lots of leftovers from that toy. Since I don't usually use acrylic yarn I was scratching my head over what to do.

I wanted to use three colors but I didn't want to use plain stripes. The bag is made using Linen Stitch. I love the look of this stitch but hate actually doing it. A small bag is all I could muster.

Bag Stats:
Pattern: My own design
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Solids & Heathers
Colorways: Grey Marble, Dark Grey Heather, Dusty Green
Needle: Size 8 Denise Circulars
Finished measurements (minus handles): 9.5” wide x 8.5” tall x 2” deep
Handles: Bag Boutique Purse Handles, 5.5” wide x 4.5” tall

A few more pictures....

Happy Birthday Miriam!

My only niece, Miriam, is turning 1 on March 2nd. My brother's family lives in Philadelphia so I can't make it down for her party but I definitely wanted to make her something to send. I have a whole set of favorited patterns for Miriam in my Ravelry queue. I needed something quick and I felt like making her a toy.

I decided on the free Braided Ball pattern. I had 3 different skeins of Vanna's Choice acrylic yarn that was given to me at my office secret snowman exchange this past Christmas. I never buy acrylic yarn, so having some on hand for a toy is too perfect. Easy washability is key.


The stats on this project:
Pattern: Gevlochten Bal / Braided Ball (originally written in German then translated) by Marleen Harto
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Solids & Heathers
Colorways: Grey Marble, Dark Grey Heather, Dusty Green
Needle: Size 8 Denise Circulars
Construction Option: 6, 20 stitch strips. 2 in each color.

It's made using 6 separate strips of stockinette. Mine is made using 2 strips in each color. The pattern designer gives tips on the easiest way to make your first one...I went with the easiest construction and knitting directions. You can make them using more strips and less colors which makes it harder to put together. I didn't have any issues with my construction so next time I'll be a bit more adventurous. I think it would be fun to use self-striping sock yarn. When putting mine together I used locking stitch markers on my strips before sewing all the ends.

Miriam's ball is 5.5inches in diameter. Soft and squishy and perfect for baby hands to grab and hold. I hope she likes it!

Finished! Lace Rib Socks

Second pair of socks for 2011 are complete. A simple lace ribbed pair out of a book I've owned for years. The book (Favorite Socks by IK) is a great book. I've made several patterns out of it even though I wanted it for only one pattern. I'm now even making another pattern out of it as we speak. The yarn comes from my Woolgirl Sock club from June 2010.

Stats for these socks:
Pattern: Go With The Flow Socks by Evelyn A. Clark from the book Favorite Socks by Interweave Knits
Yarn: Knitted Wit Superwash Merino Fingering
Colorway: Two Roads
Needles: Size 2 Knitpicks circulars
Notes:
I made these pretty much as the pattern states except

• Only worked 18 repeats for the leg
• I did not shift stitches as the pattern told me to for the heel and foot because I didn’t read close enough. I realized the socks aren’t symmetrical if you don’t shift the stitches. So I’m making the pair a mirror image of each other to compensate for my oversight. On the second sock I moved the pattern around my circular needles by two, so that the purls would end on the needle instead of begin like the first sock. Now, when the socks are on, the rib pattern will look correct going across the tops of the feet.

FO Friday: Vegas by Storm

First finished object of 2011 are my Vegas by Storm socks. Started January 8th and finished last Sunday, January 16th. Cast on while on a plane to Vegas and finished a couple days after getting home.

Stats on these:
Pattern: Storm by Kbomb (Ravelry link)
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Lightweight
Colourway: The Skein With No Name - a RSC shipment yarn for 2010
Needles: size 2US knit picks circulars
Notes: I don't like the heel construction on the pattern. It's written as a heel flap with short row turning. If I make these again I'll probably change the heel to a more traditional heel flap and turn method. They fit fine but it's a little awkward to make.

Another WIP spotlight

Second in my spotlight on my WIPS for 2011 is my "Recycled Ropes & Picots" cardigan. The last progress I made on this was October of 2009. It's a fun project and I'm excited to have it finished some day soon.

 

I Haven't much more progress then what is shown above. The two fronts shown in this picture are finished and I have about 5 inches of both sleeves done. While the pattern calls for full length sleeves, I'm making mine 1/2 length. Partly because mine is a summer weight yarn, partly because I'm afraid I'll run out of yarn, and partly just because I'm more partial to shorter sleeves on sweaters and shirts. This is my first recycled yarn project so I'm worried I didn't estimate the amount of yarn correctly. I think that may be way it's languishing in my WIP pile...fear of failure.

My goal for 2011 is to at least finish the sleeves on this bad boy....finishing in time to wear it in the spring or early fall would be fabulous.  So much to knit, so little time.