Lace Ribbon Scarf...Very Chic!

Another wonderful knit form Knitty.com...Lace Ribbon Scarf by Veronik Avery!!!!...I love this scarf!!! This is my first lace scarf project and the results are beautiful. It took me a few attempts to get the hang of the pattern but when I had it memorized it was a fast knit. The only modification that I made was to knit 2 garter stitch rows before beginning the 24 row lace pattern. I continued per the instructions to knit and try on until it was my desired length.

Classic Elite Alpaca Sox yarn is wonderfully soft and airy. The alpaca provides a beautiful fuzzy texture. I do recommend bamboo straights with this yarn. Although it feels silky on my fingers it easily splits and it needs something grip on to. It was too slippery on my addi turbos.

I used about 1 1/2 skeins of the alpaca sox to yield a scarf about 100 inches long. The added length provides the extra drama and versatility that I need in a scarf. It is a scarf I can wear season to season. The color, Sky, is a subtle blue-grey, that is great with my denim jacket, as well as, with my winter dress coat.

To my surprise, I think I am hooked on lace knitting because I am already planning my next lace venture...It is probably going to be the Swallowtail lace shawl pattern in Interweave Knits Fall 2006. My Misti Alpaca Lace Yarn in Pink is on order.

Monkey Socks!

Socks are a great take along project and they are also a great project to pass the time when you not feeling your best. I started these socks the night before I embarked on my journey back home from a short visit with Dad. My departure from Fort Myers was smooth and on time but all chaos occurred in Atlanta. My Delta flight was grounded because the plane did not pass inspection.

I was glad that I decided to include this project in my carry on. In between several gate changes I was able to make good progress on my Monkey Socks by Cookie A. My time was not a complete loss because I had completed 50% of the first sock before I boarded the plane at 11pm for my final leg home. I did not arrive at home until 1:30 am.

A few days later I came down with the flu. Surprisingly, this set back did not halt progress on my Monkey Socks. In between my hot and cold spells I cast on and completed the second sock.

Koigu KPPPM is a great sock yarn. I am not an avid sock knitter so my experience with sock yarns is limited, but I consider it a favorite. The colorway for these socks had to grow on me but I am pleased with the results. I love this pattern. It is very simple to memorize. My 1.5 DPN 's resulted a perfect fit for my size 8's. I am already looking for my next yarn selection for Monkey Socks 2.

Daisy Baby Sweater

Welcome, Michael Walter Stewart! You are going to be looking sweet and cuddly in your new hoodie sweater, hat and lovely booties. Your mom requested that it be made in a variegated yarn which includes deep and vibrant colors. No pastel blue for you!

I used Cascade Sierra Quarto which includes a mix of royal blue, blue, purple and light blue or white. I can't wait to see it on. The pattern Daisy (size 3-6 months) designed by Stephanie Japel is found on knitty.com. The matching hat and booties were derived from a Crystal Palace Pattern. Maybe a coordinating blanket is in the future.

The sweater design was a very simple. The instructions are well written and easy to follow. The body is worked as one piece. The only adjustment I made was the number of stitches on the hood edging and front button-band. Instead of 3 garter stitches, I completed 2 garters.

I knitted the entire sweater in a weekend. Finishing was a breeze. Seaming is minimal: Raglan shoulders and sleeves. It took me a moment to decide if to seam the shoulders before seaming the sleeves. Great decision! The arms worked perfectly. I was able to practice my grafting on the hoodie. My results were ok, but I know I will improve with practice.

After wet blocking, I added 3 mother of pearl buttons. Perfect...! I am very please with the results and hope Michael's Mom is happy with the yarn selection and finished results. Since Michael arrived earlier than planned, it will be months before I see him in his new hoodie. I am going to find him a pair of jeans and a cute onesie to finish the outfit.

Composed Mitts...Looking Good!

My Composed Mitts from Interweave Fall '07 are done just in time for our first snowfall. They are blocking and will be ready for wear in the morning. I am very pleased with the results...These mitts are absolutely gorgeous!

This was a great knit to practice fair isle or color standing knitting. I am a bit rusty in this area but the pattern directions/charting were easy to follow and needed no major adjustments. I would recommend this pattern to an advance beginner who wants to learn fair isle or knit something fun with more than one color.

I used Berrocco Ultra Light instead of the Blue Sky Alpaca that is used in the original. Berrocco Ultra Light's color selection is awesome for those who love rich vibrant colors. The five colors that I used are not an exact match to the original pattern but they are close and I was able to result the same visual impact. I have a lot of yarn left over but I am considering knitting these mitts again in another color palette.

With size 4 6"Chia Goo bamboo double point needles I was able to get gauge. I ordered these needles to try them out. My experience is that they appear to get better with use. On these needles, Berrocco Ultra Light knits up soft and airy. The wool definitely adds strength and provide the memory effect to the yarn. I was concerned that my mitts would grow with wear if I used 100% Alpaca.

Let's get organized!!! Marimekko-inspired Felted Needle Case

My needles use to be all over the place. Now they have a lovely home. Those handy Lancome cosmetic cases will now be used for something else. Instructions for this Marimekko-inspired Felted Needle Case is included in Hip Graphic Knits by Rochelle Bourgault and Lisa B. Evans. This is a nice little book if you are looking of simple color work patterns. I purchased it because it has some basic, youthful designs that are helpful for developing my intarsia and fair isles skills.

Using bobbins and carrying your work is a learned skill and time to execute these techniques must be factored in. It took me about a week to complete. Since this was my first felted knit project I opted to used reasonably price Lion Brand Wool in Rose and Pumpkin that I purchase from Michaels. This yarn is perfect for felting. It works up well and felts smoothly. I only had to run it through one 15 minute cycle. When the felting process was complete, I measured my piece and left it to dry overnight.

Overall I am please with the results. Deciding on the number of compartments was probably the most difficult task. Once I decided on the interior configuration, stitching the needle pockets was a breeze. This is also my first project on my new sewing machine. I have been without an operating sewing machine for several years and was concerned that I could still sew a straight seam. No problem! I am back in there...!

My case is finished with a sheer coordinating ribbon that I found at Hancock Fabrics. I am not sure how long the ribbon will hold up. Its okay for now but I anticipate that I will have to create an I-cord with the leftover yarn.

Embellished Stitch Markers...

One of my upcoming projects will include knitted panels where several stitch markers will be necessary. I have seen bead embellished stitch makers shown in the top knitting magazines and it occurred to me that these stitch markers would be easy to make. Just like my knitting stash, my beading stash is overflowing. I am always looking for a good beading project to make use of some of my beading "odds and ends". This afternoon I whipped up a set of 14 stitch markers with lampwork and silver(925) silver bead charms.

That new digital camera is still on my list...! Unfortunately, I can't get a good picture of them to post. This picture does not capture the beautiful details of the lampwork, swarovski, and silver beads that I used. All of the lampwork and silver beads are handmade. The lampwork are various shades of purple with white accents or cores.

The silver beads are mix of Bali, Turkish, and Thai silver. I threw in the swarovski and freshwater pearls to add some contrast and sparkle. The rings are Hilltribe Thai silver and they will fit a needle size up to 10 1/2 (US). Most of the knitting projects I select require a needle smaller than 10 1/2, therefore I will get a lot of use out these. I will probably make a set that can be used on needles as large as 15 to 17 (US). I have to find larger rings. This should not be a problem.

Scarf to go with that beret!

I had some chunky alpaca in the my stash and I whipped up a beautiful, soft cable scarf. I am a scarf person and I like to wear a different one as often as I can. Also, I like them long so that I can wrap them around a couple of times. This one is a dusty rose pink and it is about 7' long with the fringe. These pictures do not do justice to the beauty of this piece. I love pink as an accent. It adds a feminine touch to anything you wear. It is, in my opinion, a versatile, feel good color that compliments most skin tones.

This was a quick knit on size 10 needles. Alpaca is a great yarn to work with. It is very soft, warm and durable. This is my first project using 100 per cent alpaca and I am now convinced it will not be my last. I have ordered more yarn with Xmas in mind. Now...if the weather will make up its mind...cold? hot?...cool? I am kinda looking forward to wearing my beret and hat combo with jeans or one of my nice wool top coats.