Spicy Jellybean Knits

Up next... a hat for me!

2012-01-24T08:37:00.002-06:00

With G's hat completed, I needed a hat for me. I loved Norby the first time I saw it. I'm trying not to buy new yarn unless totally necessary, so I dug around and came up with this wonderful gray Artyarns Ultramerino 4. I was going to knit this up into a Henry scarf for my brother-in-law, but that project was abandoned awhile ago. So Norby it is!

Double Done!

2012-01-22T12:14:00.000-06:00

I finished G's hat! And, I'm glad. It has finally gotten really cold and snowy here in Wisconsin, so he can wear it skiing. Loosely based on the 2 for 1 hat, I made up a pattern for the center panel that worked with my gauge. The double knitting was definitely a challenge and actually a bit tough on my hands. But the fabric is really thick and warm and he REALLY likes it.

Pattern: The 2 for 1 Hat by Josh Ryks

Yarn: Angel's Kiss Alpaca Worsted Alpaca-Merino and Cascade 220

Needles: US #8

Going crackers?

2012-01-17T10:51:00.000-06:00

I was inspired by Homesprout's homemade crackers, so I'm trying this recipe today. I'll let you know how it turns out!

*****UPDATE*****

In just over 30 minutes I have homemade crackers! I used smoked paprika which really gives them a great flavor. I don't think these will last long around here. Give them a try!

Baked Eggs

2012-01-15T12:47:00.000-06:00

Recipes for baked eggs came around the blog world awhile ago. While intrigued, I hadn't tried it until last night. G made this version from La Buena Vida and it was delicious! Definitely give it a try!

New "to me" nightstand

2012-01-15T11:37:00.000-06:00

I love Craigslist. I'm addicted to buying furniture this way. Not only is it SO much less expensive than buying new, it is fun to think that I have a unique piece that isn't from a big box store. This $25 nightstand is the perfect find for my bedside. I've been looking for awhile... a LONG while. I didn't want to spend hundreds on something when I knew eventually I could find what I wanted on Craigslist. So when this one came up as a set along with two dressers, I had to strike and see if the seller was willing to separate the pieces. Unfortunately I wasn't the first one to ask about buying the nightstand separately. But luckily the first buyer did not turn out, so it was MINE! My wonderful husband even drove me on the snowy-est night of the year (which really isn't saying much this year) to pick it up two towns away. There will be some DIY changes, but I'm so excited to finally have a nightstand!

Options

All color swatches from here; Pulls no. 1, no. 2, no. 3

Oasis

2012-01-13T09:39:00.000-06:00

We are in the dark days of winter. The natural light is much lacking and we keep the house at a chilly 62F to lower our heating costs. Last weekend we decided that we needed to warm up a bit and what better way than a trip to Olbrich Botanical Gardens Boltz Conservatory. This lush indoor rainforest is an oasis in the cold city this time of year. I thought you might enjoy some photos from our trip. The orchids and other flowers were beautiful!

Big progress

2012-01-09T11:45:00.000-06:00

It is too bad that a productive weekend of knitting is fairly unproductive in other ways, but sometimes you need a big block of time to really make good progress on a project. I put my Pomegranate down before the holidays to work on some gift knitting and really flew through it on Saturday and Sunday. I'm almost finished with the back and then onto the front. I'm pretty sure I'll finish this soon.

The other project I'm making working my way through is G's hat. The double knitting on this one really slows me down. I'm about halfway through the pattern and once that is finished, it will be a breeze.

Hope all your projects are going great!

Free Patterns

2012-01-01T17:53:00.000-06:00

For your hands:

Bainbridge Mitts: Textured fingerless mitts (adult small)

Corrugated Mittens: Textured mittens (adult small)

Green Leaf Mittens: Leafy lace mittens (adult small)

For your head:

Elena's Hat: Toddler-sized hat

For your neck:

Lauren's Cowl: A lacy little cowl (adult small)

Menu for New Year's Eve

2011-12-31T18:30:00.000-06:00

We are really excited about our New Year's Eve dinner menu:

YUM! Happy New Year! Oh, and for breakfast tomorrow - Orange Sweet Rolls!

In The Works

2011-12-29T12:40:00.000-06:00

I find myself with more projects (or at least ideas of projects) than time these days. It is wonderful to have a few days off around New Year's to put some of my plans into action.

First up is my Double Hat for G. This is a nice challenge for me. Double knitting is a technique that I haven't tried before, but with this year being an introduction to cold Wisconsin winters, I think G needs something that will withstand the icy temperatures and wind. Of course I can't just follow a pattern, so this is modified not only in stitch count but in the charted pattern on the main part of the hat as well.

I've been throughly encouraged by the interest in the free knitting patterns I've recently released (Thanks you guys!), so I'm working on something I can publish for sale. But don't worry, I love a free pattern just like the rest of you, so there will be more of those to come! This little cardigan is reminiscent of something I've created in the past with some interesting design elements. I can't wait to finish it!

And the last in-progress project that I will share is also a new design. I saw something similar while walking around the farmers market before they went indoors for the winter and I just had to try it! You'll have to wait and see the finished product!

In the spirit

2011-12-20T14:22:00.000-06:00

Avery

2011-12-16T11:32:00.000-06:00

I love knitting for other people. So much so it seems that when I go through my finished Ravelry projects, a majority were made for someone else. Usually the project is a gift for the holidays or a birthday. It it a small accessory with thought given to their style, favorite colors, and something I know they will use. This year I am knitting only two holiday gifts. And the first one is Avery by Melissa LaBarre.

With a wonderful knit/purl texture, a huge tub of knitted fabric turns into a sophisticated infinity scarf or a cozy twisted cowl. I like this one so much, I wish I could keep it for myself. Or add it to the list of things to make for me!

Lauren's Cowl

2011-12-13T11:43:00.000-06:00

I knit this cowl for my best friend's birthday a few years ago and was so happy to hear that it was her new favorite thing! It uses one of my favorite stitch patterns in a very simple repeat and showcases the lovely Silk Blend by Manos really well.

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Yarn:

DK weight yarn (approximately 150 yards)

Needles:

US #8 (5.00 mm) - 16 inch circular needle

General Pattern:
Cast on 96 stitches and join to knit in the round. Place a marker to indicate the beginning of the round.
Begin knitting in pattern across the row. You should complete 8 pattern repeats across the row (12 stitches x 8 reps = 96 sts total).
Complete Rows 1-8 of pattern 6 times (8 rows x 6 reps = 48 rows total).
Bind off loosely across row and weave in the ends. Block to open up lace pattern as needed. Enjoy!

Chart:

K = Knit
P = Purl
O = Yarn over
// = Knit two together
Grey box (worked over 6 stitches) = Slip first 3 stitches onto righthand needle. Knit into the front and back of next stitch and then knit next two stitches. Pass the three slipped stitches over the 4 stitches just worked.

©2011 Amy Mercer. All rights reserved. No part of this pattern may be reproduced in any form.
The written instructions, photographs, charts, and illustrations are intended for personal, non-commercial use. Feel free to give away what you make, but please do not sell items made from this pattern. Thanks!

Nephew Knit

2011-12-13T09:55:00.000-06:00

Back in the summer my sister requested a sweater for my nephew based on something she saw in a fancy kids catalog. It seemed simple enough - light blue and navy stripes with a lowercase initial on the front. So I started looking around for yarn. It had to be washable, come in the right colors, and be... well, inexpensive. I'm not knitting a sweater for a one-and-a-half year-old that costs me $60 in yarn. My sister may as well buy the one from the catalog at that rate. So, I settled on Berroco Comfort. It hit all three criteria. So it's not a natural fiber... but it is really soft - and washable!

Credit

Then I started on the pattern. The catalog version had a turned hem and the neck and a rollneck collar. At first I thought I needed the stripes to match on all sides, so I started in on the front realizing that I was going to have to sew some seams. Oh well. I knit until I hit the intarsia for the initial... and seriously stalled! Since I wasn't working with wool, the yarn just didn't hold well where the colors were joined. In addition, I had all sorts of uneven tension. Plus, my light blue was so light that my white initial didn't really show up very well... a fear I had right from the beginning. I put the project aside knowing that I wasn't going to make it work for my nephew's July birthday.

Months went by...

After forgiving my inability to make the sweater look exactly like the picture, I started in again this winter. I already had the yarn after all. This time I knitted in the round up to the split for the sleeves. I also decided to do drop shoulders (like the picture) and definitely dropped the initial from the front. This was a sweater I could finish!

This sort of stop-and-go often happens to me when I am working on a requested item rather than something I choose to knit myself for someone else. In the quest to make a product just like the picture, I sometimes lose my ability to be creative, be flexible, be myself. And the project often suffers. But this sweater taught me a lesson... not to stop taking requests, but rather to stop putting so much pressure on myself and go ahead with my own interpretation of a project. Do what works!

Elena's Hat

2011-12-08T20:11:00.001-06:00

This is a cute little hat that I made for a friend's 2 year-old daughter. I wanted to put together a basic pattern that could be jazzed up with stripes or other patterwork and even a pompom - a great way to use up scraps of DK-weight yarn. The stripes I used are two rows each.

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Yarn:
DK weight yarn (approximately 200 yards - scraps)

Needles:
US #5 (3.75 mm) - 16 inch circular needle

Abbreviations:
K = knit
P = purl
K2tog = knit two together

General Pattern:
Cast on 90 stitches.
K2, P2 ribbing for 8 rows.
Knit in stockinette until hat measures 4.75 inches from cast on edge.

Decreases:
K2tog, K6, K2tog – repeat across row (72 stitches).
Knit 4 rows.
K2tog, K4, K2tog – repeat across row (54 stitches).
Knit 4 rows.
K2tog, K2, K2tog – repeat across row (36 stitches).
Knit 4 rows.
K2tog – repeat across row (18 stitches).
Knit 2 rows.
K2tog – repeat across row (9 stitches).
Knit 1 row.
Pull yarn through last 9 stitches and weave in ends.
Make a pompom!

©2011 Amy Mercer. All rights reserved. No part of this pattern may be reproduced in any form.
The written instructions, photographs, charts, and illustrations are intended for personal, non-commercial use. Feel free to give away what you make, but please do not sell items made from this pattern. Thanks!

Corrugated Mittens

2011-12-08T12:28:00.001-06:00

Another mitten pattern worked on two circular needles (although you can use DPNs, too). This pattern is for my Corrugated Mittens. I should note that this makes mittens sized Women's Small. This mitten has a 6-row pattern that is repeated for the whole hand, while the thumb is worked stockinette stitch.

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Yarn:
Worsted weight yarn (approximately 200 yards)

Gauge:
5.5 stitches and 8 rows = 1 inch

Needles:
US #6 (4.00 mm) - two circular needles
(Or four double-pointed needles - you'll have to adjust your stitches for DPNs)

Abbreviations:
K = knit
K1Tbl = knit one through the back loop
P = purl
M = make one
PM = put marker
K2tog = knit two together

General pattern:
Cast on 36 sts - 18 sts on needle #1 and 18 on needle #2. K1Tbl, P1 ribbing across and close to knit in the round. Complete 12 rows of ribbing.

Once you complete the ribbing:

Row 1-3: Knit

Thumb gusset:
Row 4 (increase row 1): Knit across all stitches on needle #1. On needle #2, K1, PM, M1, K1, M1, PM and knit across. 38 stitches total (3 thumb stitches)

Rows 5: K1, P1 across needle #1. On needle #2, K4 (across thumb stitches), and K1, P1 across needle #2.

Row 6 (increase row 2): K1, P1 across needle #1. On needle #2, K1, (slip marker), M1, K3, M1, (slip marker) and K1, P1 across needle #2. 40 stitches total (5 thumb stitches)

Row 7: Knit across needle #1. On needle #2, K6 (across thumb stitches), and knit across.

Row 8 (increase row 3): Knit across all stitches on needle #1. On needle #2, K1, (slip marker), M1, K5, M1, (slip marker) and knit across needle #2. 42 stitches total (7 thumb stitches)

Rows 9: Knit across all stitches on needle #1. On needle #2, K8 (across thumb stitches), and knit across needle #2.

Row 10 (increase row 4): Knit across all stitches on needle #1. On needle #2, K1,(slip marker), M1, K7, M1, (slip marker) and knit across needle #2. 44 stitches total (9 thumb stitches)

Rows 11: K1, P1 across needle #1. On needle #2, K10 (across thumb stitches), and K1, P1 across needle #2.

Row 12 (increase row 5): K1, P1 across needle #1. On needle #2, K1, (slip marker), M1, K9, M1, (slip marker) and K1, P1 across needle #2. 46 stitches total (11 thumb stitches)

Row 13: Knit across needle #1. On needle #2, K12 (Across thumb stitches) and knit across needle #2.

Row 14 (increase row 6): Knit across all stitches on needle #1. On needle #2, K1, (slip marker), M1, K11, M1, (slip marker) and knit across needle #2. 48 stitches total (13 thumb stitches)

Rows 15: Knit across all stitches on needle #1. On needle #2, K14 (Across thumb stitches) and knit across.

Row 16 (increase row 7): Knit across all stitches on needle #1. On needle #2, K1, (slip marker), M1, K13, M1, (slip marker) and knit across. 50 stitches total (15 thumb stitches)

Rows 17: K1, P1 across needle #1. On needle #2, K16 (Across thumb stitches) and K1, P1 across needle #2.

Row 18 (increase row 8): K1, P1 across needle #1. One needle #2, K1, (slip marker), M1, K15, M1, (slip marker) and K1, P1 across needle #2. 52 stitches total (17 thumb stitches)

When knitting next row, knit across needle #1. On needle #2, K1, put 17 thumb stitches on waste yarn and cast on 1 stitch (backwards loop method) and knit across the rest of the row for a total of 18 sts on needle #2 (36 sts total for hand).

Close to work the hand in the round. Work the rest of the hand in pattern repeating the following 6 rows to desired length. The row you knitted to close the hand is Row 1 in the pattern stitch.

Pattern Stitch:

Rows 1-4: Knit

Rows 5-6: K1, P1

Finishing Hand:
Row 1: K2tog across - 18 sts (9 on needle #1, 9 on needle #2).

Row 2: Knit one row even.

Row 3: K2tog, K2tog, K1 across - 10 sts (5 on needle #1, 5 on needle #2).

Row 4: Knit one row even.

Row 5: K2tog, K1 across - 6 sts (3 on needle #1, 3 on needle #2).

Pull yarn through remaining 6 stitches.

Finishing Thumb:
Remove waste yarn and divide stitches onto two circular needles, 9 sts on needle #1, 8 sts on needle #2. Start knitting in the round and pick up 1 st from the edge of the hand where you CO 1 sts. Total thumb stitches = 18.

Work in the round until you are ready to decrease.

Row 1: K2tog across both needles (9 sts total).

Row 2: Knit one row even.

Row 3: K2tog, K2tog, K1 across both needles (5 sts total).

Pull yarn through remaining 5 stitches.

The gusset instructions above work the right mitten. When you want to work the left one, just move the increases to the end of needle #2, rather than at the beginning. Work the front exactly the same for both.

I'm still new to pattern writing, so if you have any comments on how to make this pattern better, please do let me know. Enjoy!

©2011 Amy Mercer. All rights reserved. No part of this pattern may be reproduced in any form.
The written instructions, photographs, charts, and illustrations are intended for personal, non-commercial use. Feel free to give away what you make, but please do not sell items made from this pattern. Thanks!

Green Leaf Mittens

2011-12-08T09:58:00.001-06:00

I really like to knit my mittens on two circular needles. It just seems easy to have the front half your stitches on one needle and the back half on the other. This pattern is for my "Green Leaf Mittens". Feel free to think of this as a recipe in which you can switch out the center panel for anything else. I also like cables. I should note that this makes mittens sized Women's Small. To make larger mittens, add an equal number of extra stitches to each needle (making sure to keep the pattern centered on needle #1).

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Yarn:
DK weight yarn (approximately 200 yards)

Gauge:
6 stitches and 9 rows = 1 inch

Needles:
US #3 (3.25 mm) - two circular needles
(Or four double-pointed needles - you'll have to adjust your stitches for DPNs)

Abbreviations:
K = knit
P = purl
M = make one
K2tog = knit two together

General pattern:
Cast on 48 sts - 24 sts on needle #1 and 24 on needle #2. K1,(P2, K2 across to last stitch), K1.
Continue ribbing for 14 rows.

Needle #1: Work Charted Pattern. Knit across all sts on needle #2.

Note: You will have 26 stitches when you complete Row 1 (and all odd rows) of the charted pattern, but will go back to 24 when you complete Row 2 (and all even rows).

Rep for 2 rows before starting the thumb gusset (through Row 3 of the charted pattern).

Thumb gusset:
Row 1: Rep pattern across all sts on needle #1. On needle #2, K1, M1, K2, M1, knit across.
50 stitches total (2 thumb stitches)

Row 2 & 3: Work two rows even on both needles continuing in pattern across needle #1.

Row 4: Rep pattern across all sts on needle #1. On needle #2, K1, M1, K4, M1, knit across.
52 stitches total (4 thumb stitches)

Row 5 & 6: Rep Rows 2 & 3
54 stitches total (6 thumb stitches)

Continue increasing in same manner for the thumb gusset on every 3rd row until there are 18 sts for the thumb (or 9 sets of 2 increses = also equals 27 rows). Put thumb sts on waste yarn. When knitting next row, cast on 2 sts (backwards loop method) for a total of 24 sts on needle 2 (48 sts total).

Work the rest of the hand to desired length.

Hand Decreases:
Row 1: K2tog across - 24 sts (12 on needle #1, 12 on needle #2).

Row 2: Knit one row even.

Row 3: K2tog across - 12 sts (6 on needle #1, 6 on needle #2).

Row 4: Knit one row even.

Row 5: K2tog across - 6 sts (3 on needle #1, 3 on needle #2).

Pull yarn through remaining 6 stitches.

Finishing Thumb:
Remove waste yarn and divide stitches onto two circular needles, 9 sts on each. Start knitting in the round and pick up 2 sts from the edge of the hand where you CO 2 sts. Total Thumb stitches = 20.

Work in the round until you are ready to decrease.

Row 1: K2tog across both needles (10 sts total).

Row 2: Knit one row even.

Row 3: K2tog across both needles (5 sts total).

Pull yarn through remaining 5 stitches.

The gusset instructions above work the right mitten. When you want to work the left one, just move the increases to the end of needle 2, rather than at the beginning. Work the front exactly the same for both.

I'm still new to pattern writing, so if you have any comments on how to make this pattern better, please do let me know. Enjoy!

Pattern Chart:

K = Knit
P = Purl
O = Yarn over
// = Knit two together
\\ = Slip, slip, knit together through the back loop
Grey box = no stitch

©2011 Amy Mercer. All rights reserved. No part of this pattern may be reproduced in any form.
The written instructions, photographs, charts, and illustrations are intended for personal, non-commercial use. Feel free to give away what you make, but please do not sell items made from this pattern. Thanks!

About

2011-12-07T17:58:00.000-06:00

Hi! My name is Amy Mercer. A knitter since childhood, I'm slowly inching my way into knitwear design. I'm happy to share my love of all things yarn, fabric, gardening and home with you.

Thanks for taking a peek into my world.

Quilt Top Done!

2008-06-15T15:40:00.001-05:00

Been Caught Quilting

2008-06-06T16:35:00.001-05:00

Bainbridge Mitts

2008-03-12T14:25:00.000-05:00

I recently completed a Bainbridge Scarf, and since I had just enough yarn leftover, I thought I would make some matching fingerless mitts. The set came out looking super-cute, so with Minty's permission to use the name, I thought I would share my pattern.

Bainbridge Mitts (on Ravelry):

Yarn: Approximately 150 yards of DK weight

Needles: US #5 (you can use a set of DPNs, but I like to use two circular needles)

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Size: Women's Small

Abbreviations:
tbl - though the back loop
PM - place marker
M1R - make one right
M1L - make one left

Cuff:
CO 36 sts and join to knit in the round. Place a marker to indicate the beginning of the round and begin with twisted ribbing (K1tbl, P1) for the cuff. Work 12 rows of twisted ribbing.

Start the broken ribbing pattern for the hand as follows (for row-by-row instructions, scroll down to the bottom):

Pattern:

Row 1 (and all odd rows): Knit across
Row 2 (and all even rows): K1, P1 ribbing

Work in pattern for 3 rounds. On the fourth round, begin increasing for the thumb gusset as follows:

Round 4: Work in pattern for 16 sts. PM, M1R, K1, M1L, PM, P1. Continue in pattern to the end of the round. You will work to increase the number of stitches in between the markers to create the thumb, and the remaining stitches (35 sts total) become the hand.

Continue to work in pattern for 2 rounds. On next round, work a gusset increase row:

Gusset increase row:

Work in pattern to 1st marker. Slip marker, M1R, knit to next marker, M1L, slip marker. Continue in pattern to end of round.

Continue in pattern, working the gusset increase row on every 3rd round until there are 17 sts between the markers. The hand will be worked in the broken ribbing and the thumb will be worked in stockinette (see photo).

Finishing Hand:
Place the 17 thumb sts onto waste yarn. You will have 35 sts remaining for the hand. Continue working the hand in pattern, casting on 1 stitch using the backward loop method when closing the hand to knit in the round to make an even number of stitches (36 sts total). Work in pattern until the mitt covers your palm to the base of your fingers. Work twisted ribbing (K1tbl, P1) again for 4 rows to cover the lower part of your fingers. Cast off loosely.

Finishing Thumb:Place thumb sts back onto your needles (17 sts total). You want an even number of stitches, so pick up 1 stitch at the base of the thumb where you cast on 1 stitch for the hand (for a total of 18 thumb stitches) and begin to knit in the round. Knit in stockinette for 1 row and then knit 2 rows of twisted ribbing (K1tbl, P1). Cast off loosely.

Weave in your ends. Work the second mitt the same way!

This is my first written pattern, so if you have any questions, just let me know! Thanks!

Row-By-Row Instructions

Cuff:

CO 36 sts and join to knit in the round. Place a marker to indicate the beginning of the round and begin with twisted ribbing (K1tbl, P1) for the cuff. Work 12 rows of twisted ribbing.

Start the broken ribbing pattern for the hand as follows:

Row 1: Knit across

Row 2: K1, P1 ribbing

Row 3: Knit across

Row 4 (gusset increase row): Work in pattern (K1, P1 ribbing) for 16 sts. PM, M1R, K1, M1L, PM, P1. Continue in pattern (K1, P1 ribbing) over the remaining 18 sts to the end of the round (38 sts total, 3 sts in between the markers become the thumb, 35 sts become the hand)

Row 5: Knit across

Row 6: K1, P1 ribbing

Row 7 (gusset increase row): Knit across to 1st marker. Slip marker, M1R, knit to next marker, M1L, slip marker. Knit across to end of round. (40 sts total, 5 sts in between the markers become the thumb, 35 sts for the hand)

Row 8: K1, P1 ribbing

Row 9: Knit across

Row 10 (gusset increase row): K1, P1 ribbing to 1st marker. Slip marker, M1R, knit to next marker, M1L, slip marker. K1, P1 ribbing to end of round. (42 sts total, 7 sts in between the markers become the thumb, 35 sts for the hand)

Row 11: Knit across

Row 12: K1, P1 ribbing

Row 13 (gusset increase row): Knit across to 1st marker. Slip marker, M1R, knit to next marker, M1L, slip marker. Knit across to end of round. (44 sts total, 9 sts in between the markers become the thumb, 35 sts for the hand)

Row 14: K1, P1 ribbing

Row 15: Knit across

Row 16 (gusset increase row): K1, P1 ribbing to 1st marker. Slip marker, M1R, knit to next marker, M1L, slip marker. K1, P1 ribbing to end of round. (46 sts total, 11 sts in between the markers become the thumb, 35 sts for the hand)

Row 17: Knit across

Row 18: K1, P1 ribbing

Row 19 (gusset increase row): Knit across to 1st marker. Slip marker, M1R, knit to next marker, M1L, slip marker. Knit across to end of round. (48 sts total, 13 sts in between the markers become the thumb, 35 sts for the hand)

Row 20: K1, P1 ribbing

Row 21: Knit across

Row 22 (gusset increase row): K1, P1 ribbing to 1st marker. Slip marker, M1R, knit to next marker, M1L, slip marker. K1, P1 ribbing to end of round. (50 sts total, 15 sts in between the markers become the thumb, 35 sts for the hand)

Row 23: Knit across

Row 24: K1, P1 ribbing

Row 25 (gusset increase row): Knit across to 1st marker. Slip marker, M1R, knit to next marker, M1L, slip marker. Knit across to end of round. (52 sts total, 17 sts in between the markers become the thumb, 35 sts for the hand)

Finishing Hand:Place the 17 thumb sts that are in between the markers onto waste yarn. You will have 35 sts remaining for the hand. You need to have an even number of stitches to begin working the broken ribbing again, so cast on 1 stitch using the backward loop method when closing the hand to knit in the round to make an even number of stitches (36 sts total).

Begin working in pattern again:
Row 26: K1, P1 ribbing (36 sts for the hand)
Row 27: Knit across

Work in pattern repeating rows 26 and 27 until the mitt covers your palm to the base of your fingers.
Work twisted ribbing (K1tbl, P1) again for 4 rows to cover the lower part of your fingers. Cast off loosely.

Finishing Thumb:Place thumb sts back onto your needles (17 sts total). You need to have an even number of stitches to begin working the broken ribbing again, so pick up 1 stitch at the base of the thumb where you cast on 1 stitch for the hand (for a total of 18 thumb stitches) and begin to knit in the round. Knit in stockinette for 1 row and then knit 2 rows of twisted ribbing (K1tbl, P1). Cast off loosely.

Weave in your ends. Work the second mitt the same way!

Tulip Fest

2007-05-09T15:59:00.000-05:00

With Albany's Tulip Fest starting this Friday, I finished this little cardi just in time.

A combination of various patterns (Rusted Root, Puff Sleeve Cardi - Fitted Knits) and a little of my own creativity. I love it!

Peeking out

2007-04-27T19:53:00.000-05:00

I'm ready for spring, but who isn't in the Northeast this time of year. We had a few days of summer - in the 80s - last weekend, but this weekend returns us to the rainy, cool weather of what seems more like early March than almost May.

Despite this setback in the weather, my knitting is helping me peek into spring and summer.

Pattern: Rusted Root by the gals at Zephyr Style, size S

Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool (less than three skeins)

Needles: US #6 circulars

Mods: I mirrored the decreases for the waist with increases for my hips!

I've got an almost finished EZ February Baby Cardigan, just needs a few more buttons and some ends woven in. I'm also in the planning and yarn-buying stages of a great summer cardigan for myself. It is actually taking elements from Rusted Root (the puffy sleeves) and combining it with the a cardi from Fitted Knits and a little of my own hopeful magic.

Stopped on the Green Light

2007-03-25T10:30:00.000-05:00

I'm finished! Knitting was completed on Green Light Special last night, and after a nice evening of blocking over my cereal bowls, it's finished.

Pattern: Red Light Special by Jared at brooklyntweed.

Yarn: Jamieson's Double Knitting 100% wool. 1 full skein of main color (Rye) and maybe 1/3 each of the three others (Moorland, Sphagnum, and Moss). Lining was a partial skein of Classic Elite Premiere 50% pima cotton, 50% tencel (Spring Green).

Needles: 16" US #5 circulars.
I got this yarn at a going out of business sale in CT one weekend when I was visiting my folks and I wish I bought more. Such a great classic wool and beautiful colors. Unfortunately, I didn't yet have a pattern in mind - otherwise I would have gotten enough for matching mittens! As it was I was holding my breathe to the finish and only had about a yard left on the Rye for wiggle room. And althought I am greatly looking forward to spring, I wouldn't mind one or two cool days so I can show off this new beauty.

Green Light Special

2007-03-18T19:25:00.000-05:00

Green means GO! And I've really been going on the Red Light Special from brooklyntweed. Green cotton-y lining, wonderful wool-y wool in earthy colors of Jamieson's Double Knitting: Sphagnum, Moorland, Moss, and Rye. Can't wait to finish!

One more blast of cold?

2007-03-08T16:45:00.000-06:00

Just as the last(?) arctic blast is heading into Albany, I'm heading out to the Bahamas!!

Ribbed cabled hat

Needles - US #6 16" circular and set of DPNs

Yarn - 1 skein of Classic Elite 'Princess' 150yds

Pattern - Winged it and it worked!

The other half

2007-02-25T13:40:00.000-06:00

With thoughts of springtime on my mind, I finished these gorgeous spring green socks.

Pattern: Embossed Leaves Socks by Mona Schmidt, Interweave Winter 2005

Yarn: Lornas Laces Shepherd Socks, sage green

Needles: Inox circulars, US #1, 2 sets

Mods: A few simple things... I worked these on 2 circulars rather than double pointed needles. I completed 7 sets of the leaf chart and left off the last 8 rows to accomodate my little feet. In addition, on rows 14, 16 and 18 of the toe, I worked a knit row between the K2tog rows, adding a total of 3 rows. One last mod - for the second sock, I worked the pattern so that it would mirror the first sock.

Just in time for spring!

Things I would like to work on

2007-02-09T17:15:00.000-06:00

1. Embossed Leaves Socks - sock #2
2. Eunny's Endpaper Mitts - mitt #2
3. Stripped Mittens - mittens 1 & 2
4. Monkey socks - bearfoot yarn
5. Rust cabled sweater - from French pattern
6. Thermal - but what color Gloss?

Half and Half

2007-02-04T10:00:00.000-06:00

...and not the kind for coffee, although I used that this morning, too.

This weekend I finished two things, well really, half of two things.

First, one of Eunny's endpaper mitts. I haven't done much stranded knitting so I thought this was a good project for me. I am not a continental knitter, and while I have practiced this technique before, I can't quite get it down. And this really causes a problem with fair isle. So, I developed a new technique, that makes stranded knitting just as fast for me as regular knitting. I do hold both colors in my right hand, looping the "under" or dominant color over my ring finger, and the "over" color over my middle finger. I do not drop either color between stitches, I just use which ever color I need at the time, using my middle finger to throw the dominant and my pointer to throw the other. Is it wierd that I can be so dexterous with one hand, but can't get continental knitting down? Second, I have had this wonderful sage-y green Lornas Laces Shepard Sport in my stash specifically for the Embossed Leaves socks from IW Winter 2005 since this past summer. I don't know why I haven't worked on these before. I love them! So, 1 down, 1 to go. And no second sock syndrome here... I already cast-on and the first one was so much fun, I'll have no problem making the match.

Juan Manuel's sweater and a view from above

2007-01-28T11:23:00.000-06:00

Juan Manuel's sweater: Garnstudio Drops design Babydrops nr 13,pattern 7.

I knit the 12/18 months size and it came out great. I love the buttons up the raglan seam and the rolled neck collar. I followed the pattern pretty closely until the neck and then I made it up as I went along as the directions were kinda tricky. This little sweater will make its way to Columbia next week!

Yarn: Cascade EcoWool

Needles: Inox US #6 circulars for the body and US #6 DPNs for the sleeves.

And, I guess this is how I am spending the rest of my afternoon. I just wish I had a snack with me before Lucy chose her spot for a nap!

Vintage Handknit Gloves

2007-01-03T19:03:00.000-06:00

Pattern: Vintage Handknit Gloves from Handknit Holidays

Yarn: Blue Sky Alpaca & Silk, 2 skeins

These gloves were fun to make until the end, Sunday night when I was finishing the fingers on the second glove! But in the end, I'm very pleased with the way they came out. I decided to add a thumb gusset - it worked out better on the second glove than the first.

Happy New Year!

Holly Perdita

2006-12-18T21:44:00.000-06:00

I just loved the perditas that I found here on Tangled's blog. I thought that they would be a quick, fun gift for a friend of mine. Here's my version of "Bluebell", although I think I will call it "Holly":

Pattern: Knitty Perdita (Bluebell)

Yarn: DCM Pearl Cotton #5, 1 hank, color #355

Needles: Susan Bates aluminum DPNs, US #1

I didn't have quite enough beads, so I eliminated the one at the center of each pattern, using a total of 30 instead of 35.

Who knew I could strand?

2006-12-17T10:44:00.000-06:00

So yesterday I was on a mission. My coworker and his wife are having their first baby - SOON - and while they don't know the gender, I would like to make a little something for the new little one and of course, I want to make it now! I had a great idea - why not try out some colorwork on a little hat. To make if gender neutral, I thought that off-white would be the perfect background color for some light blue and navy snowflakes. I had the blues in Baby Cashmerino in my stash, so my quest was to find some off-white. Since I just moved to a new city, I haven't become familiar with the LYS's, and unfortunately am still not. I googled before leaving the house and found one nearby (only 6 miles away). But, after searching stripmall after stripmall and making several illegal U-turns, I found a locked door and a place that little resembled a yarn shop. So, as you can see below, I did away with the off-white and stranded along with my navy and light blue. I did run into a second issue... I know nothing about baby sizes, and in the end, this prototype will now enter MY hat collection! Not that there's anything wrong with that! I did start on hat #2 - new, improved and baby-sized.

Yarn: DB Baby Cashmerino colours #202 and #207 (less than one skein of each)

Needles: US #3 circulars

Pattern: My own - CO 112 sts, K4P4 ribbing - 9 rows, knit with pattern until hat is 5 inches, then work decreases over the next 2 inches, making the hat 7 inches in length and 17 inches around (unstretched) - perfect for my head! For the baby hat, I CO 96 sts and I'm thinking that will translate into a much more baby-sized hat of ~14 inches around.

I really liked the stranding, although I did it by dropping the yarn each time to pick up the new color with my right hand. I would like to take the time to learn to use both hands, but I was in too much of a rush to finish this one, especially when I realized that a second hat would soon have to be on the needles.

State of "The Republic"

2006-12-09T22:46:00.000-06:00

I loved the look of Nik's version of this button-brimed classic, so I took the plunge with some old DB Cashmerino Superchunky in my stash and added a button from my Nana's old button tin. I use "The Republic" pattern as a general guide, but worked this one over 60 stitches on US #10 Denise circulars. Another hat to keep my head cozy for those long, cold walks to and from work!

Quick Winter Hat

2006-12-07T17:39:00.000-06:00

I needed a new winter hat with the impending snowfall overnight, so I whipped up the Silk Garden Beanie.

Yarn: Noro Silk Garden no. 88
Needles: US #5 DPN

I'll be all set for the walk to work tomorrow!

Button Wreath

2006-12-06T19:17:00.000-06:00

I had to make one after seeing these!

Vintage Beaded Gloves...

2006-11-28T11:08:00.000-06:00

...sans beads, for now. One down and one to go. These are for my mom for the holidays.

After reading about these gloves on other blogs, I decided to add a thumb gusset because other knitters commented that the lack of gusset in the pattern resulted in an ill-fitting glove. This lead to some mods that I'm hoping I can replicate on the second glove. Wish me luck!

Mittens for Christmas

2006-11-27T13:04:00.000-06:00

I recently finished a pair of mittens as a Christmas present for one of my friends. Last year I made her this lovely scarf and found that I had enough left over to make a matching set. The mittens are my own pattern and have a leaf pattern found in Knitting on the Edge and lace on the scarf is the Kimono pattern, which I "figured out" and charted myself by looking at Eunny's beautiful shawl. Elann provides the yarn: Peruvian Quechua (65% Alpaca/ 35% Tencel), color: Rich Olive.

Licorice Whip

2006-11-27T12:43:00.000-06:00

I finished the fun and easy Licorice Whip today.

Size: XXXS - yes, this is a fitted sweater!

Yarn: Cascade Ecowool #8015 - 1 skein and a little bit from the second. I really liked working with this yarn. It comes in HUGE skeins and is wonderfully soft.

Needles: US #8, combination of addi turbos and birch DPNs.

Mods: I didn't end up doing the lace details down the sleeves. Not sure why, just didn't. I did four sets of increases on the waist-shaping because the first time it was a little short, especially because of the rolled edging. I just steamed it a little with the iron to even out wonky stitches, but no real blocking.

Summer Brook Valley Farm

2006-11-25T16:25:00.000-06:00

I saw alpacas today!! My mom and I went to a small local alpaca farm: Summer Brook Valley Farm. It was an open house where we were able to pet one of the six alpacas and see some of the products that are made from them in their native Peru. But the best part was the I bought three skeins of yarn that were made from the farm's alpacas!! Super fun!

Gloves, mittens, and fingerless mitts

2006-11-21T15:46:00.000-06:00

Pattern: My own:)

Yarn: Dale of Norway Heilo

Counterpane accessories pouches

2006-11-21T15:11:00.000-06:00

Project: Counterpane accessories pouches

Pattern: Handknit Holidays by Melanie Falick

Yarn: Elann Endless Summer Collection 'Lara' #254 - deep olive (100% cotton) and Filaturo de Crosa 'Mirto' #35 - denim (cotton, rayon, linen blend)

Lining: Handsewn with fabric from stash

Mods: I used US #6 needles and CO only 47 stitches (2 x 21 stitches + 5 from the counterpane pattern). I also added I-cord zipper pulls.

2006 Finished Project List

2006-03-20T11:08:00.000-06:00

Pattern: Here and There Cables from Scarf Style
Yarn: Reynolds' Odyssey (100% merino wool) in #476 Granite Mix, five balls
Needles: US 7 addi turbos
Mods: I cast on 56 stitches instead of 74 for a thinner scarf.

Pattern: Rib and Cable socks from Interweave Knits fall 2005
Yarn: Mountain Colors Bearfoot (60% superwash wool, 25% mohair, 15% nylon) in Lost Trail, 1 skein
Needles: US 2 Susan Bates
Mods: I did my own short-row heel and toe instead of what was called for in the pattern.

To Do (March)

2006-03-20T10:27:00.000-06:00

So I have a few goals for this month. Let's see how I do, shall we?

Cabled henley sweater
This is a sweater of my own design. I love cables and I really wanted a rust-colored sweater. Working with Ann Budd's The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns, I figured out a cable pattern that I liked and just followed her directions for a crew neck with set-in sleeves. I've finished the back and am almost finished with the front. Then I have a little designing to do before I start the sleeves. But the goal is to finish this up be the end of March. Since it is still really cold in Massachusetts, I should be able to get some wear out of this before spring arrives for real.

T's ankle socks
I have been working on these, well really just the first sock, for about a month. The problem is that now that we aren't living in close proximity (2.5 hours apart) I can't have him try it on as often as I would like. I'll try to remember to have a fitting this weekend! I would like to finish these up ASAP!

Orangina
I love this pattern from Glampyre. I'm only a few inches into the front so I think this is going to take awhile. This is going to look great with a skirt for the summer. I can't wait!

Socks for me
I decided that I would try to knit one sock per month so I would have six new pairs by the end of the year. I finished the Rib and Cable socks for Jan/Feb, so I need a new pattern to work on for Mar/Apr. I recently bought Nancy Bush's Knitting on the Road and have some DB Baby Cashmerino that would be nice for one of the lacy patterns. I need to decide soon, March is more than half-way over!

2006-02-27T18:58:00.000-06:00

First post!