Snow and Knitting Thoughts...the Two Go Hand-in-Hand

We've had several snow storms in the last two weeks. The last one earlier this week brought 4.5" to 5" of snow. Tomorrow and Saturday, we are expecting the BIG one. Predictions are around 18" to 24". I'll be knitting up a storm on Saturday.

I've been working on a red Noble Cowl. My second version, but this time using Rowan EF Merino DK yarn. This yarn is gorgeous and very soft. It's becoming one of my favorites. The red color is just beautiful. I need to make a mental note to knit more with red. It's a happy color and makes for happy knitting. Sorry, no pictures of the red cowl yet...

...but I can include a picture of my first version of my Noble Cowl in Heathered Purple:



This past weekend, I hand washed my My first Noble Cowl (Cascade Superwash). I used my Knit Picks blocking mats and dried the cowl flat. I also used the Knit Picks blocking pins.




My KP blocking mats have been a great investment. The mats remind me of interlocking puzzle pieces and I can arrange them to hold my blocking projects: from my small cowl to a large sweater/cardigan. So far, I haven't had the need to use all 9 mats at one time. You can see from the above picture, that I place a towel between my knitted project and the blocking mat. Then I use the blocking pins to pin the project into shape and let it air dry.

You can see a big difference when a hand-knitted project is blocked. Here's the project in progress. Notice how stiff and rippled the cowl looks:




After blocking, see how the lace patterns pops out and the cowl drapes nicely:




I've been thinking about my lonely CPH that's been sitting in my knitting bag since last November. I need to get in gear and finish it. I need to knit two sleeves (one is already on the needles). There will be two major design changes. First, will be the sleeves...to shorten them quite a bit. Second, will be to omit the hood and instead knit a deep ribbed collar around the neckline. It's probably a good thing that I put this project aside. It's given me time to think about the changes that need to be made.

Once I complete CPH, I need to start thinking about knitting for Spring. I've been going through my knitting mags and books looking for a fun project. I would love to tackle an easy fair isle or intarsia project. I think I'm ready for a multiple colored knitting project. I feel a challenge coming on.

I'm also thinking about Christmas projects. Already and again? As I continue to tackle my CPH and any new intensive knitting projects, I'll need some quick and easy projects to complete. I might as well use my time wisely and knits some gifts. My 30-day knitting marathon before Christmas is history. Been there, done that.

As you can see, I'm spending less time on my computer and more time with my knitting needles.

Happy Knitting!

Little Strawberry & Blueberry Baby Hats-Completed

** Updated to include the Strawberry Hat **

The Little Strawberry & Blueberry Baby Hats:







Pattern: Leaf Top Baby Hat by Michele Sabatier
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton-Ease in Violet and Cactus
Needles: US 7 & 8 (16” circs) and #8 DPNs
Amount: Less than 100 yards of yarn used
Mods: No changes were made

Comments/Conclusions: This is my first attempt at knitting with two colors. If you recall, this is one of my knitting goals for 2010. I spent several months looking for an easy two color knitting project. Lo and behold, I came across a great pattern and a cool baby gift to give to a friend. There are times when I try to over-analyze a technique. This was one of them. I decided to “just do it” and see what happens.

Here, you can see how I stranded the two colors. When color #1 required 7 stitches, I took color #2 and did simple twist (WS) with color #1 (after the 4th stitch) and continued with color #1. That way, the color #2 strand wouldn't be carried for more than 4 stitches. This helped shorten the long strands of yarn.






This is a versatile hat. You can actually roll the brim more to have the hat sit above the ears or roll the brim less to cover the ears. This has been the easiest and quickest knitting project. If I had the time to knit this in one sitting...it would take me at most 5 hours.

This baby hat is knit up in stockinette stitch, two color knitting at the start of the crown, K2tog for decreases or crown shaping, and then knitting an i-cord. It’s a fun knitting project that will keep your interest from start to finish. I highly recommend knitting this rewarding project.

I have one more hat to knit and then I’m off to search for another two- or even a three-color knitting project.

Some Completed Projects

Quick post to show you what I've completed in the last few days.

First up, is the Blueberry Baby Hat:



My DH saw a really cute version on Ravelry and suggested I make one in red and call it StrawBerry Baby Hat. That version is now on my circs.

Next, is my No Swing Jacket:



I will be back to post a quick review.

Knitting with Two Colors

One of my goals this year is to knit with more than one color yarn. I finally came across a perfect knitting project that required knitting with two colors and it's an easy one as well. I'm knitting a baby hat for a friend of mine. I found this on Ravelry, but here's the pattern for the Berry Baby hat by Michele Sabatier. A really adorable baby hat. I'm calling my version the "Blueberry Baby" hat. I'm using a violet/blue yarn for the base and a light yellow for the top.

This is turning out to be a quick knit, that I'll be making several to keep on hand for gifts. What a great way to practice knitting with two colors as well as using up the yarn from my stash.

I'll be back to post a picture of my new creation.

Happy Knitting!!!

Knitting Bliss

I started the new year working a long and tiring work week. Working until 1am and then 12am for two nights in a row, is not my cup of tea. Losing sleep and then missing meals, makes me a very grumpy person. Then sleeping half the weekend away doesn't help. I have somewhat recovered during this past work week. I'm trying to keep my sanity while balancing a new job and keeping house. I made a commitment to myself, that I would somehow work in more knitting time. Time for me to have fun. I've started to bring a small knitting project into work with me. I am managing to get at least 30 minutes of knitting time during lunch. Like a kid getting a "happy meal", I'm getting my "happy knitting time".

So the small quick and easy knitting projects that you see me post here and on Ravelry will actually take me a bit longer to knit. That's because 30 minutes can equate to 6 rows of lace pattern or 15+ rows of stockinette stitches. Still...this is my knitting bliss.

Since I've started my new job last month, I've now become an evening knitter. I've managed to find 30 minutes of knitting time. Sometimes, I can knit while I'm cooking dinner. E.g. waiting for a pot of water to boil or waiting for dinner to bake in the oven. Yes, I'm a huge fan of casseroles. My evenings are devoted to the bigger knitting projects. Like this "no-swing jacket" I've been working on:



This is my second version and it fits beautifully. As you can see from the picture, I removed the "a-line" from the body. I've adjusted/tweaked this pattern as it had too much ease for a petite person like me. It's a quick knit with the bulky yarn and I really enjoy knitting from the top down. I hope to complete this jacket before this weekend is over.

I have several small projects in the works. One or two new ones that will need to be completed rather quickly. Thank goodness I have the yarns in my stash to use.

Happy Knitting!

January Knitting Progress

I've been busy. I've been finding time, here and there to get some knitting done. I finally have a finished pic of my "Not So Swing Jacket". The pattern is from Plymouth Yarns. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick yarn in Barley (tweed) and trimmed the jacket in Black. The brown and black 1-1/4 inch button came from my button purchase late last year at the Sewing Expo. I used a little over 4 skeins of yarn to complete this jacket.




There is a lot of ease in this jacket. I knitted this without the increases in the body. You can still see a slight "a-line" look in the side profile. I did 2 of the 3 required increases (per instructions) in the sleeves. I'm thinking of calling this "My House Jacket" and just wearing this around the house.





Currently on my 16 inch circular needles is my "Noble Cowl". I'm using Cascade Superwash 220 yarn in a heathered purple color. This yarn is a dream to knit with. No splitting. This is turning out to be a beautiful lace cowl. I love how the edging came out.




Also on my needles is another jacket titled..."No Swing Jacket". This version will be more fitted and longer. I'm using LB WE T&Q in charcoal color. This is a beautiful heathered dark gray color.



I hope you are getting in some knitting time.

HAPPY KNITTING!!