I finally have a chance to take a breath at work. Not saying there isn't still tons to do, but I am getting help on the major project. Also, they are giving us the week after New Years to work on it. So I am not as frantic. Hooray!

So I am catching up on pics of FOs and WIPs. Whee.

I will probably do these a couple at a time from oldest to newest so I post these as I get a chance today. I am hoping to get all caught up today. But that may not happen as I have work that needs to get done. So here goes!

Christmas Tree Dish Towel

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Cast On:

November 25 2008

Completed:

November 29 2008

Made for:

Big George

Needles:

US 7 / 4.5 mm

Yarn:

Lily Elite Cotton

Purchased at Smiley's Yarns sale in NJ

Size:

Prewash - 12" x 12" (including flap)

The tree chart was created with KnitPro by microrevolt.org:

http://www.microrevolt.org/knitPro/

I was going to use the towel top from the Christmas Lace Kitchen Hanging Hand Towel.

http://wishingiwasknitting.blogspot.com/2008/04/christmas-lace-kitchen-hanging-hand.html

However, I tried that top and ripped it out. That top cuts in very sharply which was obscured the pattern on the towel. Because of the way it pulls in, it was making the top of the tree disappear in the folds.

So I improvised the decreases on the top to not obscure with the design on the towel portion. It is some basic decreases taking into account the seed stitch pattern I had been using. I think it worked out fairly well.

I am planning on posting the finished pattern on my blog when I get the time.

Basic pattern:

Cast on 58 sts.

4 rows of seed stitch in green

At each edge, do 4 sts in seed stitch.

RS Row:

K1, P1 2x

WS Row:

P1, K1 2x

For the center of the towel, follow the chart.

Note:

If you want less bobbins floating around, you can either eliminate the seed stitch edge or do it in the background color.

6 rows of seed stitch in green

Now, start decrease for the top of the towel.

RS Row:

K1, P1, SSK twice *K1, P1* repeat to last 8 stitches, K2tog, P1, K1 K2tog, K1, P1 (54 stitches)

All WS Rows:

P1, K1 across

Next RS Row:

K1, P1, SSK four times *K1, P1* repeat to last 16 stitches, K2tog, P1, K1 K2tog three times, K1, P1 (46 stitches)

Next RS Row:

K1, P1, SSK four times *K1, P1* repeat to last 16 stitches, K2tog, P1, K1 K2tog three times, K1, P1 (38 stitches)

Next RS Row:

K1, P1, SSK three times *K1, P1* repeat to last 12 stitches, K2tog, P1, K1 K2tog two times, K1, P1 (24 stitches)

Next RS Row:

K1, P1, SSK three times *K1, P1* repeat to last 12 stitches, K2tog, P1, K1 K2tog two times, K1, P1 (18 stitches)

Next RS Row:

K1, P1, SSK twice *K1, P1* repeat to last 8 stitches, K2tog, P1, K1 K2tog, K1, P1 (14 stitches)

Tab for loop & buttonhole:

The length on this can vary to what you want. I like it to have a loop that is big enough to be buttoned over an oven door dowel or a drawer pull. So I made mine large enough to do that. But you can vary it to whatever size works for you.

Here is what I did for mine:

Repeat seed stitch for 3" then create buttonhole.

Button hole -

RS Row:

K1, P1 three times, bind off 2 sts, K1, P1 to end

WS Row:

P1, K1 three times, cast on two stitches, P1, K1 to end

I cast on using the knit on method. It is a little more rigid than some other cast on methods which I find useful for the button hole. I like them to stretch some but not too much.

Continue in seed stitch for 3/4".

RS Row:

SSK, *K1, P1* to last 2 sts, K2tog (12 sts)

WS Row:

K1, P1 across row

RS Row:

SSK, *P1, K1* to last 2 sts, K2tog (10 sts)

WS Row:

P1, K1 across row

Bind off stitches.

There can be a lot of variation with this. That is the beauty.

Other notes:

I find it very useful to place markers every 10 stitches when doing the chart. It makes it much easier to easily find your place in the pattern.

I used brown for the tree stem because I had some. It is easy enough to remove it from the chart or just do it in green.

I like the seed stitch for the tree. I find it gives a nice texture that echoes an evergreen. However, if you find it simpler, I am sure the tree would look good in stockinette as well.

I also thought about adding some embroidered ornaments or such. But I decided not to given the recipient. However, you could make it more fancy if you like.

The one confess I have to make is about the chart. I goofed when charting it. I selected the cross stitch grid, not the knitting one. Oops. So the tree is more squat than I intended. But it is still nice. I think when I do the pattern to post here, I will redo the chart as well. Though that might mean I never get around to posting it. So I might change my mind. *laugh*

Scallop Scarf in Three Bags Full Handspun

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Cast On:

November 22 2008

Completed:

November 25 2008

Pattern:

Scallop Scarf by Wendy Johnson

from Wendy Knits: My Never-Ending Adventures in Yarn

http://www.amazon.com/Wendy-Knits-Never-Ending-Adventures-Yarn/dp/0452287324/

(Picked up book on free shelf at work)

Made for:

Me Probably

Size:

62" x 6" (could have been 85" x 5" but reblocked to make shorter)

Needles:

US 13 / 9.0 mm Knitpicks Options

Yarn:

My Handspun made with Three Bags Full Silk and Wool Roving in the Midnight Magic

0.88 skeins = 154.0 yards (140.8m)

Purchased at Rhinebeck 2008 (think from Carolina Homespun but not 100% certain)

http://carolinahomespun.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=CH&Category_Code=3BF-ROV

Super simple pattern. Easy to memorize. And given the bulky yarn, it was very quick to knit.

I debated a lot what I wanted to do with this yarn. I really love how soft and squishy it is. It feels lovely with the silk and has a subtle sheen to it.

I wanted something that would highlight the yarn. But I couldn't do anything too complex because the yarn isn't very even. Also, I didn't think given the woolen spin on the yarn that anything with a lot of stitch definition would work well.

I decided this was simple yet pretty. I think it will come out well. I just hope it doesn't roll too much. But I think the garter edge will help it to stay flat.

I think it looks good. I was concern that there is enough to make a decent length scarf. I actually have about 1/2 an oz left.

I had to redo the blocking. The first time it was too long (85"). I didn't want that much length as this is a decorative scarf. So I reblocked it. It is now 62" which is a much better length for a decorative scarf. Though it doesn't show the pattern as much, it looks good.

Two for now. I will post more later I hope.

Finished & Almost Finished Projects

With my work conference last week, it was good for my knitting. I was able to knit under the table during a lot of the meetings. *grin* The funny thing is I actually pay much better attention while I am knitting than I did before. I only need to listen for a few critical things. So a lot of my time is idle and I don't need to write much. So it was good.

I finished up some projects which always feels good. *smile*

Cabled Cardigan for Littlest George

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Cast On:

November 15 2008

Finished All but Buttons:

November 23 2008

Pattern:

Seed Stitch Cardigan by Sarah Hoadley

http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/70204A.html

Pattern used as a base, but modified a good deal

Made for:

Denny / George III

Size:

3 yrs

Needles:

US 7 / 4.5 mm & US 8 / 5.0 mm Knitpick Options

Yarn:

Bernat Silky Soft

1.4 skeins = 385.0 yards (352.0m) in 135 - Navy

&

0.3 skeins = 82.5 yards (75.4m) in 00387 - Charcoal

Purchased at Smiley's Yarns sale in NJ

I have finished everything but the buttons. I need to buy some for it.

I took the pattern as a starting point but didn’t use the seed stitch pattern on the body. I have modified it a good deal to fit with what I wanted to create.

I did the edging in grey & the body in navy. I chose to do a rib at the cuffs and bottom edge with the size 7 needles. The body was done with the size 8s.

I wanted an even # of stitches on the back so I increased it by 1. I figured that wouldn’t make a difference in terms of size.

I decided on a claw cable with a reverse stockinette background highlight it. The cable is a very simple repeat with only 1 of the 8 rows requiring anything other than knit or purl for all the stitches in the row. Simple was important as I knew I would be knitting a lot of this while at my work conference. So it involved a lot of knitting under the table.

I like it. Though I think I should have gone up a needle size. It is a bit stiffer than I would have liked.

The yarn isn't ideal. It is okay. But I stuck with acrylic as it is easily machine washable. I think it was the smarter move. However, I really wish it was softer.

Scallop Scarf in Three Bags Full Handspun

(The pics are the first batch of blocking I did. I need to retake them later.)

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Cast On:

November 22 2008

Completed:

November 25 2008

Pattern:

Scallop Scarf by Wendy Johnson

from Wendy Knits: My Never-Ending Adventures in Yarn (Picked up book on free shelf at work)

Made for:

Me Probably

Size:

62" x 6" (could have been 85" x 5" but reblocked to make shorter)

Needles:

US 13 / 9.0 mm Knitpicks Options

Yarn:

My Handspun made with Three Bags Full Silk and Wool Roving in the Midnight Magic

0.88 skeins = 154.0 yards (140.8m)

Purchased at Rhinebeck 2008 (think from Carolina Homespun but not 100% certain)

Super simple pattern. Easy to memorize. And given the bulky yarn, it was very quick to knit.

I debated a lot what I wanted to do with this yarn. I really love how soft and squishy it is. It feels lovely with the silk and has a subtle sheen to it.

I wanted something that would highlight the yarn. But I couldn't do anything too complex because the yarn isn't very even. Also, I didn't think given the woolen spin on the yarn that anything with a lot of stitch definition would work well.

I decided this was simple yet pretty. I think it will come out well. I just hope it doesn't roll too much. But I think the garter edge will help it to stay flat.

I think it looks good. I was concern that there is enough to make a decent length scarf. I actually have about 1/2 an oz left.

I had to redo the blocking. The first time it was too long (85"). I didn't want that much length as this is a decorative scarf. So I reblocked it. It is now 62" which is a much better length for a decorative scarf. Though it doesn't show the pattern as much, it looks good.

Slip Stitch Dish Towel

Cast On:

November 15 2008

Completed:

November 18 2008

Pattern:

Textured Slip Stitch by Dishcloth Boutique

http://www.groupepp.com/dishbout/kpatterns/texturedss.html

Made for:

Cullen Probably

Needles:

US 7 / 4.5 mm Knitpicks Options

Yarn:

Lily Elite Cotton - Dyed by Me

1.2 skeins = 220.8 yards (201.9m)

Purchased at Smiley's Yarns sale in NJ

Cull likes Xmas stuff so I figured the red & green would work for her. I hope she likes it. I might switch some of the red & green dish towels around if I think there is a better fit. But probably staying with Cull on this one. We will see.

Very simple pattern. Was even able to do it at conference, under the table. *grin*

17" x 8" before washing & drying. Suspect it will shrink some with machine drying.

Productive, Yet Sad Weekend

I really am feeling like this was a productive weekend.

Friday, I finished the Falling Snow Stocking. My first piece with a lot of fair isle knitting. I think it came out pretty well.

Falling Snow Stocking

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Pattern:

Falling Snow Stocking by Jennifer Hoel

http://jenniferhoel.wordpress.com/2008/01/25/paiges-christmas-stocking/

Made for:

Xmas Present - Millie Maybe

Needles:

US 8 / 5.0 mm Knitpicks Options

Yarn:

Bernat Lana in Marine - 09135

0.4 skeins = 86.8 yards (79.4m)

&

Bernat Lana in Denim Blue - 09116

0.4 skeins = 86.8 yards (79.4m)

Purchased at Smiley's Yarns Sale in NJ

Decided to do this as part of the Oct. 2008 Sock Knitters Anonymous KAL. I figured it would be interesting and get me to do a good deal of fair isle work. So I learned a lot.

I cast this on in the car on the way to Rhinebeck. I am definitely learning that doing one strand continental helps a lot. So I am glad I learned how to do it. Not speedy with continental by any means, but I am able to do it.

I am not sure who I will give this to for Xmas honestly. Probably my sister Millie as she likes blue.

Because I used a thinner yarn that the pattern called for, it isn’t as large as the original pattern. But it is still a good size stocking.

There is a bit of puckering when I pulled the yarn too tight. But overall, it looks good. Not bad for my first fair isle project. *smile*

Saturday was spent dyeing yarn. I picked up 12 balls of Lily Elite Cotton at the Smiley sale in NJ. I figured I could make dish towels out of it for various people for Xmas. So I stirred up a lot of different dyes.

Alos, I dyed the Trellis sweater I did for my niece, who I thought was a nephew when I knit the light blue sweater. *laugh* I have to take some pics after I have washed it. I want to machine wash & dry it before giving it to them. I have only handwashed it with the dyeing.

I also dyed the Panda cotton sock blank I got from WhimzyPinzy on etsy.

http://WhimzyPinzy.etsy.com

The yarn 50% Bamboo 24% cotton 21% elastic. I really like dyeing the sock blanks. It is much easier than the long skein method! I am curious to see how this knits up.

I spent Sunday rinsing... And rinsing... And... *sigh* I do love the colors in the Procion dyes. But it does mean a lot of rinsing. Ah well. They did come out well I think.

I sat down to do some spinning in between soaking yarn. I got the Three Bags Full plied. I am happy with it. It is super soft.

Then, I sat down to start some new fiber that I got at Rhinebeck. I was just starting it when snap! The bracket that attaches the rodman to the wheel broke!! *whimper*

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I wrote Babe immediately. I am really hoping that Neils will reply soon. I have heard he is great about repairs. My biggest concern is because I bought the wheel used, I am not sure if that will apply to me. *sigh* I can only hope it will and that it will be repaired quickly. I try to spin a little each day. I find it is a good way to relax. *sigh*