What Got Done

About a month or so ago I decided that I was not going to have one of those stressful holiday knitting episodes of the past. In fact I wasn't planning on knitting anything for anyone. Yes it seemed a bit 'Grinchy' at the time, but I just had no desire to knit for everyone. Of course I changed my mind and only knitted a few small items for much fewer people than I would normally feel compelled to gift a hand knit.

My list of items: keychain sock blocker socks (5), Cassidy cap, super cupcake cowl, Capitals cap, felted handbag, Christmas Tree Lot face cloth & rib's & ruffles scarf were all so quick to complete it hardly counted as true Christmas knitting. Some could be called 'cheating' since it happened to be a test knitted item, but I had decided when I cast it on that I knew who I'd gift it to...otherwise I would not have decided to add that particular item to my test knitting obligation.

My favorite items were the sock blocker socks...so neat & fast that ideas ran through my head as I knit these up for a friend. I used 5 different sock yarn leftovers. Perfect solution to that problem and the extra perk of remembering those yarns. Each sock used really very little yarn of the following: Brown Sheep's Wildfoot, Wisdom Yarns Chicago, Pagewood Sock, Fleece Artist Merino Sock, & Mountain Colors Bearfoot. Next year I'm planning to have an entire garland out of these little cuties using up left over sock yarn and attaching them to i-cord for our tree.

The Cassidy Cap was a dream to knit if for no reason other than the yarn, Malabrigo Twist felt so wonderful in my hands. The cables popped and the softness of this yarn was unlike anything I've knit with lately...100% baby merino wool. The color was called green gray, but I would say it's more in line with teal in shades of lights & darks.

I've decided that I must make one for myself out of my left overs from my Cassidy cardigan.

I mentioned the test knitting for the Super Cupcake Cowl...or you could call this one a "tube top" which was the recipient's first thought upon opening it. My youngest asked me to provide her "directions" on it's use...and I thought I was the one slightly behind at being modern & chic. She'll get a chance in a few days to check out it's warmth when we head off skiing. No, I don't think it'll be seeing use as a tube top, but then again you never know.

I knitted up another rib's & ruffles scarf out of some Ironstone yarn that I happened across at a winter sale for my Aunt. She always enjoys something warm around her neck...for a 50/50 blend the yarn felt pretty soft & nice against the skin so I'm hoping she'll enjoy this one.

Last winter I ended up knitting 3 of these bags...my mom tried to knit herself one, but had a good deal of trouble keeping her floats loose across the bag. When she felted the finished bag it pulled in so much that she tossed it in the closet. I decided to knit her one out of some Patons Classic wool in colors to match her sweater. I did have a bit of tightness in the back corner, but overall the bag turned out well & she was both surprised & pleased with the gift. It's a take off of Little Slip of a Thing...once again a heavily modified version. Along with making it much wider and not as tall I added the flap closure and used one of my bone buttons I bought last winter from Camas Creek Yarn Shop. A perfect choice for the bag.


The last two items that I finished for the Holiday were a nice face cloth out of some cotton/acrylic yarn (Lion Brand Cotton Ease in lime) and a hat for my nephew out of colors to match the Washington Capitals. I have a ton of it left so I'm thinking I'll make him another in a more solid pattern. According to my dear husband I need to make it larger...seems guys wear their hats over the eyes? Mmmm...

All the details...needles, yarn & such are listed on my Ravelry Project Page.

What Christmas Knitting

I always start out saying that "no I'm knitting for Christmas" then I change my mind...again. Over the last week or so I figured I'd do a wee bit of knitting for those who seem to appreciate a warm "something." My list is smaller...much smaller in fact. It may only include 5 or so items of which half are already done. I'll share photos after the gift giving has been done...must maintain secrecy.

The only thing I can really mention is a hat for my nephew (no way would he or his mom read this blog)...at almost 15 years old I'm not 100% sure he'll "like" it, but I'm planning on appealing to his "hocky side" by knitting his favorite team's hat...the Washington Capital's. I was even able to score their emblem to attach to the hat to make it "more authentic." It's hard to please the teenage boy, but maybe I'll get a smile from him in a couple of weeks.

The rest must remain mum as some may be still following the goings on around here...there's going to be a few surprises to come.

Twofer...in One

I figured I'm up super super early today so I may as well post another FO...make that two finished items. Before Thanksgiving I had the opportunity to test knit a couple of accessories for Bonnie Marie Burns at Chick Knits. Figuring that I would have a good bit of knitting time (football) over the holiday I cast on for the hat first.

The pattern was simple enough to watch football and knit along without having to pay too much attention to it. I used up a yarn I've had for quite a bit of time...Rowan Cashsoft Aran. Talk about soft and scrumptious against the skin. Wow! The knitting only took two evenings so instant gratification...good item for quick Christmas knitting for those that are desperate.

I like the final outcome which is always pretty exciting when you don't really know what to expect when knitting something new. I must admit that it was weird not knowing exactly what it would look like since there were no actual pictures. A bit funky or trendy...whatever the phrase it's one of those kind of hats that most people would love to have as their own.

Details:
Pattern: Super Cupcake Hat by Bonnie Marie Burns at Chick Knits with knit on Ravelry.

Yarn: Rowan Cashsoft Aran, (57% extra fine merino, 33% acrylic microfiber, 10% cashmere), 95 yards/50 gram ball, 2 balls with only 1/4 oz left.

Needle: Addi Turbo ,US 7, 16" circular

Gauge: 20 sts/4 inches

Size: head circumference 21" to 23"


Almost forgot the second finished item...to go with the hat Bonnie Marie also has a large cowl. So I decided to stash bust again and use some Cascade 220 Heathers for it. Although this one wasn't as quick as the hat it was just as easy...could have made it longer, but stopped when I hit the magic number of 13.5 inches as required in the pattern. After all I was 'test knitting' and agreed to abide by the written instructions. If it were left to me I may have stopped sooner if only because I was getting bored with it...the yarn not the pattern. The cowl is pretty large and could go up over the head and protected more of my neck had I continued knitting a few more inches.

Details:
Pattern: Super Cupcake by Bonnie Marie Burns at Chick Knits with knit on Ravelry...cowl.

Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers, 100% Peruvian Highland Merino Wool, 220 yds/100 grams, almost 1.5 balls used, in blue colorway.

Needle: Addi Turbo ,US 7, 24" circular

Gauge: 20 sts/4 inches

Size: 15" wide, 13.5" length...unblocked

Miss BB

Another project is off my needles & blocking board. In fact it is all sewed up including the buttons! I must be on a roll around here lately with my knitting...the blogging of the knitting is a totally different story. My Miss BB turned out to be very coat like in it's appearance. It falls pretty far down on the hips which may not be the most ideal length for a sweater. It looks nice though and I'm pleased with the outcome. Love the softness of the yarn & hope that it will hold up well to wearing.

As for the button choice...mmm not so much. I do love the silver metal buttons that are currently on the sweater, but after wearing it out and about a few times I'm thinking that they weigh the button band down a good bit. I haven't totally decided what to do about it. A couple of things pop into my mind...maybe some reinforcement on the band itself to make it firmer or change out the buttons for something lighter. I guess I'll stew on it a few more days...weeks.... probably months. Who knows, but for now the sweater is complete.

Project Details: Pattern: Miss BB by Bonnie Marie Burns of Chick Knits, Raverly has in progress

Yarn: Classic Elite Waterlily, 100% extra fine merino, 100 yards/50 grams, in azalea (purple), a bit less than 14 skeins

Needles: Addi Turbo ,US 6 & US 8, circular 40"

Gauge: 18 sts/4"

Size: 40"



I noticed after the pictures were taken...my thanks to Stewart at The Yarn Lounge for taking the photos....that the cable on the back of my collar was a bit off. After a blast of steam from my trusty iron it looks & lays much better.