Tea For Two...

What is nicer than sipping a cup of tea while working on your latest project. I found this pattern at the Sean Sheep website, while checking out their yarns. They have quite a selection and it is reasonably priced at $2.99 a ball. Actually when I went back to buy some more to make this tea cozy it was on for $2.75 a ball. So a very economical project. I think it turned out quite nicely.

It is 100% wool. I think it would be too scratchy for a wearable item, but I don't suppose my tea pot will notice. All it cares about is keeping warm.

The colours are really quite lovely, but they worked up rather strange. A very random stripping effect. I think it would be hard to get both sides of the pot to have the same coloured stripes matching up. I don't mind though as it is quite fun the way it is.

As I was working it up I thought it would be nice to try it in Patons SWS. It would only take two balls and would make a nice gift, not to mention being much softer. I think I'll keep that in mind for future projects. In the meantime, I've put the kettle on and I'll be trying it out as I sit and sip my tea while working on my next project.

Wheat Cable Vest

I saw this vest in the March issue of the Creative Knitting magazine. Quite frankly on first sight I did not like it. But later as I was browsing the pattern index in the back I decided it was worth another look. I realized the reason I didn’t like it was that the sample project was done up in pink. Not a nice kind of pink either, a purple-pink. Then I remembered that I had purchased some Lion Brand CottonEase (50% Cotton/50% Acrylic) to make another sweater from the previous issue. I had abandoned it because I didn't like how loose it was working up. I wondered if the tight cable pattern in this vest would help with the sproinginess that I didn't like. So I hauled out my little stash of rewound balls and started on a test swatch. It seemed to be okay and I began working on the pattern. Everything was going well, until I got finished with the ribbing and started in on the cable part. I realized that even with checking my pattern gauge and going down a size in needles it was going to be too stretchy. So of course, I ripped it out. But I had really liked how the yarn was looking in that pattern, so I reworked the pattern to have one fewer cables across and started over. It worked and I completed the front and back pieces.

I was really pleased with how it turned out and even managed to figure out how to make the decreases for the neckline without mucking up the cable pattern along the neck edge. But I hit a snag when I was sewing up the side seams. The armbands wouldn't lay flat. I tried it on thinking that maybe as it stretched over me it would pull out and down like it was supposed to but no such luck. It looked like I had wings. I knew that if I didn't fix it, I'd never wear it, so I undid the seams and ripped out the armbands. Finally after much trial and error (and a little help from a kind poster at Knitty), I ended up picking up quite a few less stitches than the pattern called for and re-sewed the side seams. It still doesn't lay as flat as I'd like it, but once the vest is on it lays quite nicely. I don't know why I thought I could do a project without some sort of reworking, as I usually rip out part of most of my projects or re-figure a pattern to the way I like it. Anyway...it has turned out nicely and I will wear this vest for years to come.

Strange looking socks

I have been working on a vest for the last few days, but got stuck with making the armbands. I asked for some help on Knitty forums and while I was waiting, I took a look through my sock yarn and discovered this ball of Berroco Comfort Sock. I had forgotten I'd bought it, but I must have picked it up on one of my touchy feely browsing days. It is very soft. I decided to try another pair of the socks I made up from a few different patterns and this is the result...

Rather a funny looking sock if I do say so myself, but as my mom said, once it is blocked it will look fine. Although in my case blocking means putting in on my foot. It's working up really nicely and the colours are very pretty. It will be a nice every day sock. I think I'm just going to keep knitting to see how long I can make it. There are about 450 yds in the 100 g ball. Besides I never know what to do with all my bits and pieces left over from socks. They just seem to end up in little balls in a bag. Waiting for who know what.

The vest is almost done. I got the help I was looking for and it's ready for the seams to be sewn up. Hopefully I'll get it done tonight and get some pictures taken in the next few days.

The Year of the Sock

It occurred to me as I was going through the pictures of the projects I've completed over the past several months, that although I have purchased yarns to make afghans, sweaters, scarves and hats, I also have accumulated a lot of sock yarn. And the only completed projects, other than a sleeveless top for this coming summer are socks. I only discovered socks last fall. Not that I never knew there were patterns for them, because my mom made many pairs of socks for 'the menfolk' in her day. Yet I always considered them as fussy and time consuming and never thought I'd ever make any.

I began browsing the internet for sock patterns and the more I looked the more socks I found. There are some absolutely beautiful patterns and those who have designed the socks are very talented indeed. It takes more than just technical know how, it takes a great eye for pattern. Not all patterns can translate to a nice looking sock. My sock making is rather basic right now, as I purchased sock yarn that wasn't overly expensive. In my quest for patterns I came across several websites devoted to beautiful sock yarns of all types and most importantly all colours. The hand painted ones are my favourite. Alas, they are also the most expensive. But I have promised myself that once I have mastered the sock (which means making a sock without little holes in places they shouldn't be), then I will splurge and order myself a few skeins of absolutely scrumptous hand painted, hand spun sock yarn.

In the meantime here are a few of the socks I've completed:

This is my first real pair of socks made from DGB Confetti - 75% wool 25% nylon. I got the pattern from the internet, but I see it has disappeared.

This pair is made from Paton's Kroy - 75% wool 25% cotton. The colour is called Krazy Stripes and the pattern is a free Paton's sheet at most local yarn shops or downloadable from the net.

This also is Paton's Kroy - Tutti Frutti. It is the free Paton's sock pattern made into an ankle sock.

The last sock and my favourite pair so far is made from DGB Confetti and a pattern I made up myself. I wanted to try a pair of toe up socks so I combined a figure 8 toe with a wrap and turn heel. For plain socks I will be using this pattern over and over and as soon as I write up my chicken scratch notes I'll post the pattern here.

So as you can see this is indeed the year of the sock. I have started another pair with SWTC Tofutsies in a beautiful pattern created by Chrissy Gardiner named Kaibashira. This sock yarn is a delight to work with and I have another ball which I am going to use to make a the Monkey sock by Cookie A.

Spring Has Sprung

As I sit here typing this the sun has finally decided to push through the clouds and the rain will hopefully hold off until tomorrow. It even feels warmer outside, although that might just be wishful thinking on my part. The windows are wide open and my apartment is airing out with the crisp early spring breeze. Outside, the wee crocuses and some daffodils have pushed up through the ground and some are bravely blooming. I have noticed the last few weeks that the grocery stores are carrying primroses and pansies and potted bulbs, and so I was tempted to go out to my local nursery and see what types of plants they had on offer. I found beautiful 'Danova' primroses and pansies and violas. Plus they had a table full of ranunculas. I caved in and bought enough to fill about five pots. They look so perky and happy out there I had to take their pictures. *smile*

I even spent a little time cleaning up the mess that winter and my resident squirrel left behind. And wouldn't you know, I had no sooner turned my back and the little rodent was perched out on the cement wall peering up at my pots. I had better not find any uprooted plants out there in the near future or he will be scampering about without a tail. That is if I can catch him.

Now that I have a little bit of spring happening out on my patio I have got the bug and I have begun making a list of those things I would like to plant for the rest of the season and on through the summer to add to my two hostas and peony which have started to sprout. Yes...spring has definitely sprung.

New Years Resolutions?

Another year has come and gone and now at the beginning of this new year I sit here contemplating new years resolutions. As a rule, I never make them. Not because I don't believe in them, but because I never keep them. I think that maybe new years goals might be a better way of doing things. So, having said that, I will see if I can at least set some goals for the coming year.
Of course, first on the list will be to keep up with this blog. I was very good at taking pictures of my projects last year, but not so good at posting them here. This year I have several major projects lined up, from a crocheted afghan (which I started last year and is approximately half done) to a beautiful knit sweater from the most luxurious silk, rayon, linen blend yarn.
Second, I will take more pictures. Not just of my projects, but of my family, my friends and the places that I go. What better way to remember those special events that happen throughout the year.
I think I'll leave it at two goals for now. Maybe throughout the year I'll add some more and who knows, by the end of this year I might just be able to say I stuck to my new years resolutions.

Sock it to me!

I've joined the knitted sock craze! I browse through knitting blogs and it's amazing how many people are making socks. I remember my mom having sets of double pointed needles and a myriad of books with sock patterns. Some very elaborate with argyle patterns and fancy stitches. I never had the urge to attempt making socks though. But now there are so many beautiful new yarns out there and sock making has become popular again. So...here is my first attempt:

Not terribly well done, I'm afraid, but I'm quite happy with them nonetheless. It's not the correct yarn for socks...much too heavy, but it was good to work with for my first attempt as it was easy to work with the thicker yarn. Now I'm learning how to make it neat. It's amazing how many wonderful tips there are on the internet from accomplished sock knitters.

More Crochet Totes...

I finally got around to working up a lining for the tote bags. A friend had oodles of cotton lining left over from drape making and she gave it to me to use as a lining for my bags. I think that I could quite possibly make several dozen bags with the material. I have now completed four.

The colours are quite summery and I'm pleased with how they turned out. I have several more colours of yarn to use still. Currently I'm working on a tan coloured bag. I will have to get a different lining material for this one as well as the other scrapbags I made before. The white will be too stark I think. Sewing is not one of my favourite past times. I haven't made anything for ages and I usually only sew when something falls apart and needs repair, but I actually enjoyed making the linings for these bags. Maybe I'll get into sewing again. I've always wanted to try quilting... *winks*

Afghans

I recently had the opportunity to photograph a couple of afghans that I made for a friend of mine. They have been living at her house for quite a few years now and I never had the chance to take pictures of them when they were completed. The first one is called Simple Times and is from the same pattern book as the Peaceful Interval afghan that I previously posted. The second afghan is a plain granny square.

More Tote Bags

I am really enjoying making these bags. They are simple and rather easy to make. I did try another round one and used another crochet stitch for the body of the bag. The stitch is called fish tail. I quite like it. But it uses a lot more skeins of yarn than the mesh bag does. I don't think I'll make another one. Although it was fun figuring it out. It's a lot heavier too. I also tried doing an oval bag, but I am not happy with how it looks so I'm not going to complete it.

I do however like the original bags more, now that I have made several of them. This latest one turned out quite nice. My friend really likes it, so I'm going to give it to her. Everyone who saw the bag said the same thing...you should make a lining for it. So I am going to go get some cotton and sew some up. I agree...it will make the bags better and ensure that nothing slips through those little holes. Now here's hoping I can get my sewing machine working.

Sherbet Blankie

I completed the 'Sherbet Blankie'. It turned out really well. The colours are so soft and the blanket feels very cuddly. Just right for a baby. It measures about 30" x 30". With all the pink and purple in it I hope the baby turns out to be a girl, although a baby boy wouldn't know the difference, eh?

What Not to Wear?

Lately I've noticed a lot of people talking about certain yarns not being 'wearable'. And it got me thinking about the items that I've made recently and whether they were made from 'wearbable' yarn or not. But then I thought, what does that matter? Isn't it just a matter of opinion? Besides, if I like it and work hard on a project, shouldn't I be proud of the finished sweater or hat and choose to wear it regardless of what somebody I don't even know thinks or feels? So here are a few of my 'wearables'. They are all knit as I've never crocheted anything wearable before. Although maybe one day soon I will.

The cardigan is made from Bernat Solo Yarn, the pullover from Red Heart TLC Amore and the poncho from Lion Brand Suede.

I also enjoy making scarves and hats. They are not only a fashion accesory, but a necessity during cold winter months. I have made many sets and given a lot of them away, but here are two sets as well as a hat that really like. Although I may have to give the green and yellow hat away as it is too big for my head.

The green and yellow poor boy cap is made from Scheepeswool acrylic/wool blend, the blue scarf and hat are made from Bernat Boa and the green and pink scarf and poor boy cap are made from Paton's acrylic/wool blend.*

*Oops! I thought it was Paton's yarn but I just found a ball that was left over and realized that it is Moda Dea Cache made by Coats. But it is still a wool/acrylic blend.

Crochet String Tote Bag

I enjoy knitting dishcloths with Bernat Handicrafter Cotton. They are quick and easy and they make great gifts. But I always end up with bits of cotton left over and never enough to make a full dishcloth. I have been hording the bits and pieces for ages now trying to figure out how to use them up. I noticed on one of the labels a pattern for a Crochet String Bag and I thought maybe that could be a use for the scraps. At any rate I could use them up and if the project wasn't to my liking at least I wouldn't be wasting new cotton. The pattern is easy and works up very quickly and I completed one in no time. It is not exactly like the pattern as I did not like the strap and so I invented my own. It's a wee bit colour crazy, but it will be useful for toting things about.

Once I completed one I got the crocheted bag fever and began searching the web for other patterns. I found several but only one really caught my eye. It is from the Berrocco website and called the Annie Bag: http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/annie_bag/annie_bag.html I wasn't sure if I wanted a bag that was solid like that because I liked the openwork stitch of the Bernat bag, but I really liked the idea of a round tote. So I used the base, again using up some cotton scraps:

And then I worked up the sides using the open mesh pattern from the Bernat Crochet String Bag.

Finishing it off with the Berrocco drawstring for the straps. The finished project came out quite well. And I'm so pleased with it that I am going to make several more.

I think I am going to try using some different stitch patterns for the main body of the bag just to give a change. The mesh is nice, but it would be difficult to keep small things from slipping through the holes. Such as, say...a crochet hook! *wink*

Now that summer is almost upon us it will be time for picnics and going to the beach and what better way to tote your bits and pieces around than with a stylish Crochet String Tote Bag. Of course now that I have the pattern mastered I will allow myself to use some new cotton such as the marvelous colours below, combined with white.

Peaceful Interval Afghan

This is an afghan that I crocheted recently for a client of mine. The original was done in a dark beige colour, but I'm glad we decided on white because it really shows the edging beautifully.

The finished project was about 48" x 60", so it is a substantial blanket even though it is termed a 'throw'. I used Bernat Super Value 100% acrylic 4 ply worsted weight yarn and it came out really soft. There is just a touch of sheen to this yarn, if you know what I mean, and it really adds to the quality of the piece I think.

The border of the afghan consists of ten rows around and was not the most fun time I've ever had crocheting I can tell you that. I did quite a bit of ripping out and re-doing before I finally figured out what the instructions were telling me to do. Once I caught on it was really simple, but I would definitely call this an intermediate to advanced pattern. Not because it's difficult or uses strange stitches but because you need a doctorate in crochet translation to follow it!

All in all I was really pleased with how this turned out. I wish I could have kept it. Maybe one day I'll make one for myself.

Wave afghan

One pattern my aunt really enjoyed doing was the wave afghan. I'm pretty sure everyone in the family got at least one afghan or throw made in this pattern. My parents have a couple. Here is one that I made years ago for a friend who was having a baby:

It's a very simple pattern to do. And can be adapted to any size of yarn, needle or afghan. The original pattern calls for making pattern strips (29 stitches wide) and then sewing them together, but my aunt always used a circular needle and put spacers every 29 stitches, thus eliminating the need to sew it up at the end. Very practical was my aunt. I have made a few other afghans using this pattern and have decided to use up my 'ice cream' coloured baby yarn making an baby throw for one of my clients. So far it's working out nicely:

This pattern is limitless in what you can do. Mixing up the colours in any way...no two afghans ever need be the same. And the other nice thing about the stitch is that it always ends up soft and airy no matter what type of yarn you use.

A little time out from knitting

Spring is here so I decided to see if I could find some nice flowers in bloom. It wasn't the best day, as it's threatening to rain and quite chilly, but I managed to find a few early blossoms at the library.

Azalea

Lone tulip

Cherry blossoms

Happy daffodils

Early rhododendron

A surprise in the pockets

My aunt didn't only teach me to knit and crochet, she taught me a lot about life. Most notably about generosity and giving of oneself. Here she is in one of her knitted sweaters.

She made a pattern up for knitting cardigans using a circular needle, starting at the neck and increasing raglan style. It was adjustable to whatever size she wanted. She made numerous sweaters for any one who might need one, incorporating different stitch patterns and various other features, like pockets. I remember getting a new sweater almost every year, with a special addition, a two dollar bill in each pocket. The memory alone is special, as we no longer have two dollar bills any more. I don't think it would be quite the same with a two dollar coin in the pocket. I have a few sweaters still that she made, but one in particular I cherish. It is a wee baby sweater and although I have no children of my own and have not ever used it I keep it as an heirloom and reminder of what a special person she was.

I attempted my own version, but as you can see I never finished it. I expect I should get to it...one of these days.

To crochet or not to crochet

My aunt taught me to crochet a few years later, but oddly enough I wasn't as fascinated with crocheting as I was with knitting. There was only one block that I learned how to make, one that my aunt taught me. It's a hexagonal block, rather simple, but quite fun to work with. I made a couple of afghans using it.

The picture above is from my Bible School days. It was the first afghan I completed using this block. Sorry about the poor quality, but it was taken pre-digital camera days. I hope you at least get the idea. (Don't look too closely, I wasn't terribly fond of weaving in my ends).

I don't have a picture of the second one I made. It was in shades of blue and I gave it to a friend for her baby many years ago.

The following picture is a close up of a block:

I, like many woolaholics, have scrap yarns to use up. I have a supply of what I call 'ice cream' colours that my mom had on hand and I think I'm going to use them up making these hexagonal blocks. When I get finished I'll post a picture.

Since those days, crocheting has grown on me and I've made several afghans. Most of them I have given away, so they are living at other people's houses and I don't have pictures of them. But now that I have a digital camera I will go visit them and take their pictures.