An Old FO

This is the re-worked hat in Manos de Uraguay, doubled, which has been languishing unpublished for a few months now. The first time, I knit it about two inches too big, and had to endure it constantly slipping down over my eyes. I frogged the whole thing and started over, using the first hat as a big test swatch. Now it fits perfectly and looks way too cute. Can't wait for it to get cold enough to wear it. Did I really say that? I hate the cold. Good thing I now have a wonderful, warm hat that stays on my head without sliding all over the place.

These just finished:

Pattern: basic sock, 1X1 rib

Yarn: Paton's Kroy, Colour 54567- Paintbox

For: Jon's feet

Notes: I still don't love how this yarn worked up- I find it too blotchy for my tastes, but others aren't so picky.
Nice to get my hands into something a bit rough for a change.

Speaking of rough, these are coming along slowly:

My gauge is a uneven, but c'est la vie!


This is something I started a little while ago, and haven't done much on lately:


It's a top-down hat form Barbara Walker's Knitting From the Top in some chunky Malabrigo we found a Needles and Pins in London, for 50% off. I'm nervous about it being too big or too small, and the ribbing not being the right size- either not springy enough, or too big, or too small. It's an
experiment. Luckily the cold, cold weather is over, and this won't be wanted until next winter.


And this is the time-sensitive project, a baby blanket for early July. I know I have lots of time, but baby blankets seem to take forever.

Misti Cotton (83% Peruvian Pima Cotton, 17% Silk). Hope it doesn't pill up too badly. The pattern is the Bunny Hop Blanket. I made a chart to work from , and find it much easier to follow. I'm just getting used to it.

WIP's, as promised

My favorite current project:


Apparently Kureyon Sock is a love it or hate it yarn- me, I'm lovin' it.

Below is good old reliable Kroy, in the paintbox colourway. Love it on the ball, don't love it so much worked up, though others do. Next I'm planning some nice quiet colours to knit up into socks.



Sweater progress- yesterday:

and today:



My first real blocking experience.

I was listening to an old Stash and Burn podcast (check archives for April 3, 2007) on finishing, and heard about finishing as you go, rather than saving it all up 'til the end. Thought that as this is my first seaming experience, that might be a good idea. I put the front and back in the bathtub with tepid water and let it soak a few minutes, then pressed out the excess water into towels, then fit and pinned it. The unblocked pieces were much longer and narrower that the blocked size. My row gauge might be a bit off. I am curious to see what this looks like when it dries. Will have to wait until Sunday night to find out, as I'm off to London this weekend. Still have half a sleeve to knit up, but look forward to learning to mattress stitch the side seams and pick up around the neck.

London, Ontario, that is, not England.

Two Pairs

These are now keeping Jon's feet warm

Pattern: Basic sock
Yarn: Mountain Colors Bearfoot, color Yellowstone
Needles: 2.75 mm bamboo

Notes:
The yarn pooled quite differently on the two socks, which gives them an eccentric look as a pair.
I love this yarn and so do Jon's feet.

And these are on my feet

Pattern: basic sock, k3p2 rib
Yarn: Austermann Step, with jojoba and aloe; colour 4? I call it Denim Stripe- it's darker than in the photo in real life
Needles: 2.5 mm bamboo, I think.

Notes: the yarn softened and fuzzed up slightly with washing. Will my feet be soft and smooth from the jojoba and aloe? Or is it just a marketing thing. Time will tell.

Have WIP's, will post when I get another moment .

FO's and WIP's

I've been knitting, though not posting, and here's the proof.

Finished these a couple of weeks ago:


Yarn: Trekking XXL, colour 283
Pattern: Basic sock pattern with Picot edge and Lace Rib stitch from Barbara Walker
Needles: 2.75 mm bamboo, I think

Notes: Probably would not use this stitch again for socks. I found it time-consuming, and the socks look nice, but not enough to warrant the time

Also finished these a little while ago:

Yarn: Manos de Uraguay, colour unknown ( I frogged an unfinished scarf from last winter for the yarn

Pattern: Hat- Knitting from the Top by Barbara Walker, Handwarmers- basic mittens, just not all of them

Needles: Bamboo, can't remember the sizes

Notes: I doubled yarn for the hat, which makes it nice and warm, but it's a bit big, and falls down over my eyes. I might frog the whole thing and start over. I love the spring colours.


Then there's this clever reversible hat:




Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca 50% superfine alpaca, 50% Peruvian wool Colours 4287 and 4278

Pattern: Barbara Walker's Knitting from the Top. One row of YO, K2tog at the colour join.

Notes: This hat is a bit small- I may frog it back and re-do it, possibly with just one colour and a contrasting brim. I have started the Corazon Mittens from Knitty, in the same yarn, my first stranded knitting project, but frogged it all back as my tension changed halfway through, when I changed how I was holding the yarn, and I also found some great tutorials on YouTube that show how to catch the floats.


In Progress: Jon's Valentine Socks in Mountain Colours Bearfoot, in Yellowstone. He was thrilled to see the first sock finished.

Exciting news- I started my first sweater! The back is nearly finished. It's 3XChic from Knitty


That's all for today.

Hasta manana

Been a While

Valentine Yarn

My Sweetie got a lovely hank of Mountain Colors Bearfoot in Yellowstone on the 14th.