In the nick of time... again.

October is finished, and what a finish it was! I spent the morning at my children's school partying it up in both of their classrooms. Being the parent in charge is WORK! Sadly, I can't blame Halloween preparations on my last minute post. My project was actually 98% done weeks ago. My tardiness was in sewing on that button. Sewing is not my thing.

About the bag: I used Lion Brand Wool for the bag- quite fall-ish if I do say so myself. It felted quite nicely. Maybe someday I'll be motivated to line it... The top picture is the "after" and the bottom picture is the "before".


My November project will involve wire and beads. More to follow. I'm trying to find the "right" pattern.

October FO: My First Knitted Stuffed Animal

I finished Mr. Rabbit just in time. Here he is:

Follow him over to my blog for additional pics and to read more about him, because.....well, I'm too lazy to write an entire second post about him. =)

Finally!

Here it is. This was my first time knitting lace, and it honestly was not hard at all. I didn't add the buttons, I intend on just wearing it as a scarf. The yarn is Plymouth Baby Alpaca Brush and it is insanely soft!!






I'll have pictures of me wearing it as soon as I get my senior pictures on CD.

Delinquent Again...

You know, when I finally finish a project I should get two letters: one for the project and one for the post! Grrr!! November. I"ll get my N.

Panda Wool Socks

Here are my Panda Wool (bamboo/wool) socks for my October submission.


So what's new about them? In my VAST experience of knitting 3 pair of socks before these, I have always followed a pattern exactly. These are the first socks I've knitted where I branched out and sort of made them up as I went along. I chose a 4-stitch rib pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks

AND varied the heel for a wide heel, as per the instructions in that book. I made a mistake in doing the heel flap, but it looked OK, just different--so I did the same thing on the mate. And I did the Kitchner Stitch on the 2nd one from memory (that is HUGE for me).

For November? I might actually seam up the UFO that lurks in the closet. That would be the 1st completed non-scarfy, sock, shawl, hat, mitten (ummmm, maybe it's called a . . . sweater?) that I've ever COMPLETED.

A Pair of Fair Isle Socks

done for October.







This was a huge learning process for me and while both socks fit they aren't exactly the same size. I learned a lot about "floats" and the importance of making them loose enough. Socks, mittens or any small-ish project is prefect for an introduction to Fair Isle knitting for anyone wanting to give it a try.

I will wear these as they are extremely warm (knit with Peace Fleece wool) and since long pants will cover any of the slight imperfections, well, no one will ever know but me :-D

Where has October gone?

First my camera got sick, then came college applications and a mountain of homework every night. I promise I will get my Wisp posted tomorrow.

Progress on Lace Legwarmers

I've been getting a lot of knitting done while me and my boyfriend go to karaoke, plus we've been spending at least an hour on the porch each day this long weekend (I have every other friday off) just sitting while I knit and he smokes his new pipe. I'm not quite done with the first legwarmer but considering the late start due to needing to swatch I think I can catch up and have everything done by the end of November.

Ive actually gotten through another repeat since I took this picture yesterday. I'm also anxiously awaiting the arrival of the yarn for my Dec/Jan project that will be a scarf for my boyfriend http://thestormmoon.blogspot.com/2007/05/dark-mark-illusion-scarf-pattern.html . I have some nummy suri alpaca/merino yarn coming. I can't wait to cast it on, just knitting it is going to be sinfully sensuous.

The End Is Near

It looks like I'm going to make it in time to submit my October project. =) Here are all the pieces knit up and blocking.

The three tear-drop shaped pieces will be sewn together to make the body, and the two (kind of) rectangle shaped ones will be the ears. They've been drying on my ironing board since this morning and I think they're ready to be unpinned. I made the fluffy pom-pom tail this after noon. After every thing's sewn together and stuffed with fiber fill, I just have to embroider eyes and a nose. Here's a closer pic in an attempt to show you the fluffy boucle texture, but due to taking the pictures in dim artificial light, it's really hard to see the true character of the fabric.

When it's time for FO pics, I'll venture outside for natural light. My five year old daughter has already claimed this project as "hers" when it's done. She likes to pet the fabric, and seems in awe (and somewhat skeptical) that all these flat funny shaped pieces will eventually be a rabbit.

I can not decide....

Heeeelp!
For my November project I am going to knit a hat/cap. That I have done before, but I am either going to knit cables (not done before) OR knit with pearls (not done before).
November is soon comming up - but I can not decide - cable or pearls - cable or pearls - Heeeelp!

Lop Eared

I started my October project Monday night. But I also got my Ravelry invite that night. It's been a little bit of a challenge to not spend all of my free time at a site about knitting, instead of actually knitting. Anyway, I've never knit a stuffed animal before. And given the fact that I only have about a week to complete it, this projects perfect -it's much smaller than a sweater and gauge doesn't matter. It's the pattern called "Rabbit" from First Knits by Luise Roberts & Kate Haxel. Here's the picture from the book.

But the rabbit I'm making is a distant cousin of theirs - I'm knitting it in a white boucle yarn. I'm really liking how it's knitting up all soft and fluffy. Will post in-progress pics soon. Oh, and by the way, I'm GirlMeetsYarn on Ravelry. Stop by and say hello if you're on there. =)

September Socks!!! on October =)

Project:

Alli's" Anklets Socks

What's New: DPN's and Socks
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver - black, I have no idea about the other color! This was my husband's grandma's yarn! =)
Participant Name: Claudia

Finally!!! lol I finished it yesterday!!!! My hand is much better now, I kinda have a scar thou... O well it is life. Now I gotta start the mobious scarf!!! =) Kisses

September loveliness!

I hate that it took so long I was out of town when the package came and then had to pick it up from my bf's house. Well, anyway... here the beautiful September prize. Thanks again so very much Tina!!!!

New To The KAL

Hi everyone. I just joined this KAL, and it's my first ever. I'm excited to be taking part, and equally as happy to meet more knitters. I'll be choosing my project for October and posting it very soon. I better hurry - October's coming to a close very quickly! By the way, I'm "Steph" over in the sidebar and my blog is Girl Meets Yarn.

October Project Complete

This was such an easy pattern that I didn't want to put it down! I finished it last night and love the result. I will definitely be making more of these in the future. The photo quality is horrible but there are more on ravlery and flickr.

New October project

I have decided that socks are not for me. I tried several times to cast on and begin the second sock but just wasn't feeling it. It is marked with zzzzzz until I feel like tackling it again.

I decided that I would switch my project to a beaded hat, as I have never tried beading before. I threaded 110 size 6 pink beads on to a pink skein of Rowan Yarns Cashsoft Baby DK. The pattern is from http://www.magknits.com/feb06/ and is called Odessa.

This is a great project because it gives an orphaned skein from my stash a purpose, I'm learning something new, and by donating it to my LYS http://abcsofcreativepursuits.com/ it will be donated to local cancer victims in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Here is my progress. The pattern is fairly simple and easy to follow. The beads blend in with the yarn but I believe they will show better when the cap is worn.

October project done!

A combination of my two craft loves: knitting and mosaic!

For more photos and probably way more information about the project than you need, come on over to the blog. ;-)

October is done!

I finally 'got' entrelac, pictures are on my blog, www.knittymumma.blogspot.com.

I also (this has been a challenge too) finally persuaded my DH to buy me a ball winder and have been making balls all over this place. Next month - lace!

October project in progress...

well, I'm still slacking on lining the knitted bags. So, I've gone with a past "do something new" idea which has not yet seen fruition: combining knitting and stained glass and tile mosaic to make an art piece. Here's some shots in progress:


It should be done tomorrow, hopefully. In case the photo doesn't show it well, the cross shape in the middle is knitted.

Ravelry

So how else is on ravelry other than me and coffindontwantme? Im Kiarapanther on there too.

My October project

I finished my October project and I should have waited until tomorrow so that I could get better pictures outside, but I just couldn't wait. I am so glad to have this finished for more than one reason. 1) The Seasilk is incredible and B) Lace knitting just does not come naturally to me and it was a little frustrating at times.

Here is a crappy picture, I will go take some pictures in natural light tomorrow and post them on my blog if you want to see better pictures.



She is:

Montego Bay Scarf
By Amy R. Singer
Interweave Knits Summer 2007
Knit using Handmaiden Seasilk
Size US8 straight needles

Here is a better picture of the pattern:

October Cape DONE

I really like how it turned out. I used Debbie Bliss Donegal Aran Tweed in a deep purple color, and pink heart buttons. The pattern was The Short Simple Cape, found on the Twin Willows Farm website, but apparently the pattern is no longer available.

But if you're interested, you can probably ask about it.

If the picture thingee doesn't work, try this link.

- Michelle

www.flickr.com

Simple Short Cape

I've been working on this cape for my daughter for the last month or so. I got about halfway through and realized that the increases were crooked, so I frogged the whole thing and started over.

Here it is in progress. I just have to put on buttons, and have my daughter model it for me this afternoon, and Ill post the completed pics.

I have finished my October project

I finished my clapotis last Wednesday but have been in D.C since then and haven't had access to the internet! I love D.C. and took pics of the clapotis there! I loved this pattern. I also know that if it were not for me purling the sts to be dropped, I probably would not have finished the project. It added interest to the knitting and purling across especially during the straight sections. I will be making another. November's project will be entrelac. I have started a scarf but only got as far as the first triangles- I keep you informed. Ohhh- I got a job!

Actually, it was my job that sent me to D.C.- the day after I got sworn into the practice of law! It has been a hectic week!

Happy knitting

Tonight!

I will finally be finishing my Wisp tonight! Definitely! Pictures may not actually be posted until tomorrow though, because I will be wearing my wisp tomorrow for a couple of my senior pictures.

Also!! I got my Ravelry invite today!! I've been waiting a month and a half and it's finally here! I'm coffindontwantme on there.

Swatch for October/November

This is my next project. More Legwarmers, this time practicing lace. Just from this swatch I've already learned how to read my knitting if i lose my place. I thought a 25 line lace pattern would be too complicated but decided to give it a try, but I think its going to be okay. Considering how long it takes me to knit, this will probably not be completed until November, or at least that is the goal. This swatch is really only half the pattern. The full pattern are repeating diamonds, but I figured I learned enough from this swatch that I could go ahead and start the project. I have another inch of ribbing to go before I can start the lace pattern on the first legwarmer, but Ive been taking the knitting to karaoke so Ive actually been getting a bit more knitting done per week than in the past. We will see how this goes.

A Dual KAL: Something old, Something new...

I'm not sure how much this is going to count for the month of October for this KAL but, I gathered up these materials

along with a pattern and set to work on the 7th of October for something really new to me. I had no idea just how new this was going to be until I started knitting and sweating. I was doing stranded knitting or Fair Isle (I'm pretty sure this is Fair Isle) and knitting from a chart - two new things!

The knitting, no matter how hard I tried to loosen it up, was super, super tight. I was doubtful that it was going to fit anyone I knew, much less myself. But as you can see above, I was able to get it on - past my foot and up my leg where it belongs. Getting it off took a good three minutes, mainly due to the fear of losing stitches off the ends of the needles. But I was in the home stretch at this point and had the foot and toes to go, so really, it was a cakewalk from here on out.

On the 10th of October, I had this to show for my efforts:

Truthfully, it looks better on my sock blocker than it does on my foot. I feel good about the fact that I have conquered Fair Isle (if that is in fact what this is) and that I was able to knit from a chart. I am also proud that I have what I think is a pretty good looking stocking. I don't know if this meets the guidelines of either this KAL or Socktoberfest as it isn't a pair, and I'm not 100% sure whether I'll cast on for its mate soon, but I would like to believe I will as it is nagging at me...that unfinished pair...that unfinished pair of sockS - that unfinished sock needs a mate!

It's just a matter of when, but if I do finish the second sock, I'll be sure to post it ;0)

This sock most likely won't be worn, but I may hang it on my mantel at Christmas, because I look at it more as something decorative than everyday wear.

My First Project!

I casted on for my very first pair of socks last night!! Yay! This is practically the whole reason I did this knitalong... and this will be my first letter.


I was going to knit with novelty yarn this month, but I just got this knit socks book and I couldn't wait any longer to get started!

a change is as good as a rest...

... so again I will procrastinate on the task of learning to knit cables without needles. My new October project will be - lining 2 knitted bags! (I've never done this before and have accordingly been putting the finishing of these two UFOs off for... well, let's say at least a year.)

Here are the "before" pictures:




More info at my blog.

Two other projects for me for October (unofficial ones - but thanks, Tina, as this KAL has lit quite the fire under my lazy a**):

Knitting related: submitting a pattern for publication (sorry, can't share it. But if it doesn't get published I'll share it for free)

Non-knitting related: cutting back to one small pack (20 cigarettes) per day. So far, so good.

Happy autumn!

Socks

For October I am going to make a real pair of socks. This pattern is No Sweat Socks from No Sheep For You. It only took me 4 days to get the first one completed but now I just need to find the motivation to finish the second one. Why is it so difficult to think about starting another one??? The pattern is very simple and I have learned a few things already. My ribbing is loose so if I ever do another pair, I will decrease my needle size for that part of the pattern. Is that a valid and workable solution? I am using DPNs. The yarn is Adriafil Knitcol and the colors are a bit garish but fun nonetheless. I haven't blocked it yet either so it's still creased and puckered in some areas. I will welcome any constructive criticism or tips.
I am having such a great time with this KAL. Thank you so much!

And the September winner is . . . . .

Shalanda!!!!!!

So Shalanda, if you can email your mailing address, I'll get your prize package in the mail to you Monday morning!! Congratulations!

I am done!!

I do know that October just has started, but I was so eager to start my mitten project...
The mittens was supposed to be knitted from a pattern called Paradoxical mittens, but I changed it to Rose mittens instead. Not that it matters because the new thing was to; knit mittens, knit from a color diagram, and to knit with several colors.
None of these is ever done before. (Well, I have tried to make mittens one time before but that was a disaster!!) And I can tell you that this was a challange!!
To read the pattern, to hold two treads of yarn on one finger at the same time - without dragging it and knit to hard, to put the thumb on the second mitten on the opposite side and make it fit into the pattern.... There has been some heavy frogging and thinking going on before the mittens became what you see here!!
The yarn is Rauma finull (wool) and the colors are great aren't they? Or not? Maybe a bit too much....

"O" for shopping?

I'm sure to complete something new this month, but I'm thinking my do-something-new just might be shopping---in San Francisco! I've never even been to California--we (husband Kelly and I) are leaving on 10-13 to celebrate our 25th anniversary (it was in July). Although Kelly doesn't think that shopping for yarn is the point of the trip, it is certainly on the agenda, mine anyway. Or, I could save the grafting of my almost completed socks to do on the plane--a different version of the mile-high club--HA! Would either of those count for my "O"? What's your plan? Glad to be a part of this group--cheers, Annie.

Felting Success -- Twice!

I just had to share my Christmas stocking. It turned out so nice that I am going to do 2 more. Thanks for all of the encouragement.

Great Pattern + Great Yarn

doesn't always result in a great garment. This was my Oct item but when I tried it on it didn't look good on me so the sleeves will not be added. I have yet to successfully complete a sweater. On the upside I highly recommend the Cherie Amour pattern and the designer was quick to respond when I had a question. I don't know why this didn't look good on me I'm thinking it has to do with the yarn. This is the third sweater attempt at using this yarn with no success but it makes great scarves. Back to the stash pile for this yarn. Latter today I will be updating my blog with more on this subject.

Congratulations for all the S's!

I came to congratulate everyone that got a "S"! =) No "S" for me this time... I burned my hand a couple weeks ago it was really bad but I am getting back on track!