St. George's Day Dragon Scarf Done & WIP

I am feeling accomplished. I got two things off my waiting to be completed pile so there isn't anything waiting now!

St. George's Day Dragon Scarf

Cast On:

April 24, 2008

Off the Needles:

May 21, 2008

Finished:

June 4, 2008

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There are more pics in my flickr set:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/akkasha/sets/72157604706892854/

Pattern:

Puff the Merino Dragon Scarf by Morehouse Merino

http://www.morehousefarm.com/KnittingKits/Scarves/Dragon/

Yarn:

Morehouse Farm Merino Merino 3-Strand

2.5 skeins = 350.0 yards (320.0m)

Needles:

US 8 / 5.0 mm Bamboo dpns

Cast on for St. George's feast. grin

I ordered another kit as it was on sale. I had figured I would cast it on at some point. Then my hubby read me something my mother-in-law wrote him. She was wondering what dragons do on St. George's feast day. *laugh* I love the woman.

So it seemed only right to cast on the scarf.

I recall why I like the pattern. It is actually pretty simple once you understand the basic repeats.

I really think the pattern was designed for a small child because it turns out way too short if you follow the pattern as is.

I still miss my first one, Dracul. *sniffle* I lost him on the PATH train last fall. The problem was he was too short. So he kept falling off me.

This time I picked up an extra skein of the yarn. I have done more repeats & making it wider at the top. It really wasn't to challenging to tweak the pattern to get it wider. I went out to 15 stitches for the garter edge. I also did the 12-14 stitch spikes 3 times each. And then I did the 15 stitch spike 5 times to get it long enough that I can wrap it around my neck.

With the modifications, it is 77" total. A good length for me. I don't think this one will get lost.

I had to tweak the decreases to the head a bit, but it wasn't too bad. Since I increase to 15 stitches for the garter area, it gave me 2 extra to decrease. So I did the spike decrease at 10 stitches instead of 8 as the pattern suggests. Then I did a 5 stitch bind off spike instead of the 4 in the pattern. This means I removed another row. I did the final spike as a 4 stitch decrease spike as the pattern said.

I also am doing it on size 8 needles this time. I did my first one on size 10s because I was knitting so tight that that is what I required to get gauge. However, I want this one to be tighter, thus more dense.

Though I have to be careful… This yarn breaks...a lot. In the first 2 repeats, the yarn has broken three times. I loosen up on my stitches but there was still some breaking. The good news is that wool sticks to itself. So I just rejoin the yarn. But it does mean working back to get enough to join the yarn together.

I confess I don't see how this yarn is three ply. I find it is very loose and there isn't much twist to it at all. Guess it is just my tight knitting coming back to bite me. *laugh*

I really love the pattern. I found it was pretty easy as you get used to the repeat. I really enjoy knitting it. And I am glad to have a longer scarf so hopefully this one won't get lost like my first one!

I got the eyes from Suncatcher Eyes - http://www.suncatchereyes.net/ . I bought several different pairs to see which I liked best. I decided the copper looked the best.

I am happy with the way he turned out for certain. And hopefully with the additional length, this one won't disappear!

Scarf for Paul

Cast On:

May 24, 2008

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Yarn:

Handspun Kid Shetland from Unique Designs by Kathy

http://www.uniquedesignsbykathy.com/

1 skeins = 160.0 yards (146.3m)

&

Bernat Cashmere Natural Blends in Colorway 16040

4 skeins = 412.0 yards (376.7m)

Needles:

US 4 / 3.5 mm for the handspun

US 8 / 5.0 mm for Bernat

I wanted a super simple project to knit at a Memorial Day weekend BBQ.

I really wanted something that would feature the yarn I bought at Unique Designs by Kathy. But I knew it wasn't enough to make a scarf for my husband. And he liked the yarn.

So I decided to make a scarf for him by adding another yarn.

I figured the handspun would really be best featured by something simple. I decided to just go with garter stitch. Super simple for knitting at the bbq.

I cast on 80 stitches on the size 4 needles. However, after a couple rows it was turning out 12” wide. My husband's ideal scarf width it 8-9”. So I ripped it out and cast on 60. That gave me around 9” which was ideal.

When I added the Bernat Cashmere Blend, I knit one, then knit 2 together. This way I decreased to 40 stitch to get it around the same width. It isn't perfect but I think I can block it and they should look pretty even.

I am doing a basketweave stitch pattern for the body of the scarf. I handed Paul my first scarf which is a sampler scarf and told him to pick the pattern he liked. I find the basketweave is very simple. I am doing k4, p4 for 5 rows & then p4, k4 for 5. That way it seems to come out roughly square.

This is half done currently and about 37". So it should be a good length.

St. George's Day Dragon Scarf

Just wanted to share the pics my husband took of my St. George Day Dragon as he was hanging around to dry. It was finished knitting & blocking on Wednesday, May 21st. Just waiting to get some eyes for it (the kit came with eyes, but I want the plastic eyes that are used for stuffed animals).

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Pattern:

Puff the Merino Dragon Scarf by Morehouse Merino

http://www.morehousefarm.com/KnittingKits/Scarves/Dragon/

Yarn:

Morehouse Farm Merino Merino 3-Strand

2.5 skeins = 350.0 yards (320.0m)

Needles:

US 8 / 5.0 mm Bamboo dpns

I will take more pics when it is completed with the eyes and smoke. Just wanted to share these in works pics at the moment.

Organizing & Project Updates

I am feeling pretty good. Last night I feel like I accomplished a lot.

Silvercat/Beer Knits and I have been sending mail on Ravelry. She inspired me with some of the work she has been doing. She organized her patterns recently. And last night I decided to tackle that myself.

It isn't a biggie. But I put each of my patterns into a plastic sheet protector. I sorted they by type and added some dividers. They are in a large 3-ring binder. So that way if I decide I want knit some toe up socks, I can look at that section and see why I want to try. I feel like it was a big accomplishment to finally do it.

Though it also made me realize that there are a ton of patterns I have bookmarked and such that I don't have printed out. So I may print more of them and get them into the notebook.

I also may break down the notebooks into smaller ones. I have a huge one that is holding everything. It is a bit cumbersome. So it is probably worth it to put them into smaller, more manageable binders.

I am also feeling very accomplished as I finished knitting the Morehouse dragon scarf! I soaked it last night and blocked it. Then I just need to add the eyes & smoke to him.

I am going to see about getting some different eyes than the one that came with the kit. I would love to have some plastic cat's eyes. I think they could look very much like a dragon's eyes. I still need to get the buttons to finish the Tomten for Trinity as well. So it would be good to try and get both tomorrow. Though I do fear given I have a half day that many of the stores may be closing early for the long weekend. But I figure it is worth a trip to the Garment District's notion shops to see what I can find.

The Blue Jeans Lace Leaf Shawl has 33 repeats done out of 35. So it is getting there! I am hoping to finish that up this weekend as well. But it may not happen.

I need to figure out what to cast on next. I am thinking a simple scarf with the handspun yarn I got in AZ at Unique Designs by Kathy.

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It is really beautiful. Also, I will probably be going to a bbq on Saturday. And I really need something to keep my hands busy. So something simple that doesn't require too much counting and such it probably a good way to go. Now, I just need to decide on a pattern... Hmmm...

Works in Progress

Just wanted to update about my works in progress. It has been a while since I posted about them.

St. George Dragon Scarf

Cast On:

April 24 2008

Pattern:

Morehouse Puff the Merino Dragon Scarf

http://www.morehousefarm.com/KnittingKits/Scarves/Dragon/

Needles:

US 8 / 5.0 mm bamboo dpns

Yarn:

Morehouse Farm Merino Merino 3-Strand in Cardinal

3 skeins = 420.0 yards (384.0m)

Purchased at:

Morehouse Farm Merino

http://www.morehousefarm.com

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Cast on for St. George's feast. *grin*

I ordered another kit as it was on sale. I had figured I would cast it on at some point. Then my hubby read me something my mother-in-law wrote him. She was wondering what dragons do on St. George's feast day. *laugh* I love the woman... *grin*

So it seemed only right to cast on the scarf.

I have only done a little so far. But I recall why I like the pattern. It is actually pretty simple once you understand the basic repeats.

I still miss my first one, Dracul. *sniffle* I lost him on the PATH train last fall. The problem was he was too short. So he kept falling off me.

This time I picked up an extra skein of the yarn. I intend on doing more repeats & making it wider at the top. It will be interesting to tweak the pattern to get it wider.

I also am doing it on size 8 needles this time. I did my first one on size 10s because I was knitting so tight. However, I want this one to be tighter, thus denser.

Though I have to be careful... This yarn breaks...a lot. In the first 2 repeats, the yarn has broken three times. I will have to loosen up on my stitches. The good news is that wool sticks to itself. So I just rejoin the yarn. But it does mean working back.

I confess I don't see how this yarn is three ply. I find it is sorta loose and there isn't much ply to it at all. Guess it is just my tight knitting coming back to bite me. *laugh*

Edited here: Pattern is spoke for. Thanks for the interest.

Xmas Tomten for Trinity

Pattern:

Modular Tomten Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmermann

Needles:

US 10 / 6.0 mm Knitpick Options

Yarn:

Lion Brand Lion Suede Solid in Teal

Maybe 5 skeins = 610.0 yards (557.8m)

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I started this before leaving for my work conference. I wanted something simple to knit during the meetings. It definitely fits the bill with this.

I am thinking I might learn to do some crochet stitches to border the edges. It could look pretty.

Knitting it for Trinity, my grandniece (no, not that old, just have nephews around my age). I suspect it will be too large. But she can grow into it. At 4 months she was 20 pounds! So she is growing fast.

I admit I wouldn't have bought this yarn except for it was $0.99 a skein at a local store. So I figured it would be good for some baby stuff.

I dislike knitting it honestly. It isn't a yarn I would buy again. It sticks. A lot.

But I think her mom will like it. The yarn is very soft and fuzzy. And machine washable. So I am guessing it will be a good present.

It is nice getting a jump on holiday knitting. I figure this way it is very relaxed. I will probably knit a matching hat as part of the pressie.

Blue Jeans Lace Leaf Shawl

Pattern:

Ble Jeans Lace Leaf Shawl

http://whatgivesblog.blogspot.com/2007/08/blue-leave-shawl-pattern-remember-this.html

Yarn:

Malabrigo Yarn Lace in Azalea

I am also still working on the Blue Jeans lace shawl. It is about 60% done. I only have 8 more of the 35 repeats to go. But I am feeling less into it these days. I don't know why I am stalling a bit on this. Though I am going to knit some in the car for the road trip.

I think part of it is about the fact that each row takes a long while to complete. So if I have to stop in the middle of the row it is a bit of a headache.

The strangest part is I have three projects on the needles and NONE are socks!! It is sooooo weird. *laugh*

I have to scoot! Off for my fifth anniversary weekend. Can't wait.

Waaaahhhhh!!! Dracul Is Gone

I am very sad... Dracul is gone... *pout*

My dragon scarf is gone. I seem to have lost it on the way to work this morning... *grumblegrowlbitch*

There is some off chance that I lost it on the PATH train and someone will turn it in to lost & found. But that is pretty unlikely. I could have dropped it on the walk to or from the train as well. But it is raining. So if that is the case, I suspect it will be a felted mess anyhow.

This sucks...*sigh*

The good news is I have the pattern. So I can make a new one. But I am sad because it was first piece of three dimensional knitting... The first piece where I saw how stitches could really shape an object in ways I didn't expect.

Paul had me take it off when we went to the movies last night. He kept worrying I would lose it. He was right... *sigh*

I am so frustrated by it...

Waaaahhhh!!

There is a tiny part of me holding out hope I will find him...but... I called Lost & Found. No one has turned it in. I will check back again later in the day... *sigh*

Here he is:



*sigh* Need to get work done. But man, this is not a good start to the day. Then I dropped my bowl with some oatmeal I was about to add water to. Got all over the place.

Think I should have stayed in bed today...