Look, I Have a Pinky!
Thanks to Nona’s I-Cord Gloves Tutorial, I’ve got the beginning of a glove.
(mouseover to see the “ladder.”)
I’ve got some lovely Art Yarns Supermerino from Webs this morning. I was just too excited about trying out an i-cord finger. I’ve never made gloves or mittens before, but this seemed like such a neat technique for the fingers. I did discover that after closing up the ladder, the pinky got a little shorter, something to keep in mind as I figure out how long to make the other fingers.
One or two fingers a day and I’ll have gloves in no time.
International Scarf Exchange
OK, you can laugh now. I’ve just joined the International Scarf Exchange. You might be asking, “But what about those 12 knitted gifts you wanted to make for the holidays?” Well the due date for the exchange isn’t until mid-February. There’s plenty of time. And with my new love of Scarf Style, I’m just looking for an excuse to make another scarf.
Free Glove & Mitten Patterns
Here are some free glove and mitten patterns that I’m considering for the Peaceful Palms and Warm Hands knit-alongs.
Mittens
Fingerless Mittens in 8 ply by Sarah Bradberry
Fingerless Mittens in 4 ply by Sarah Bradberry
Warm Heart Mittens by Nancy McGlynn
6-Color Mittens by Nancy McGlynn
Gifted by Kate Gilbert
Lovers’ Mitten by Ann V. Gallentine
Gloves
Hooray for Me Gloves by Marnie MacLean
Hands Up! by Pam Allen
Grandma’s Gloves by Michelle Howard
Gansey Gloves by Beth Collins
Hand Knit Glove Pattern Generator by Lucia
Misti Update
With a gentle push from Nona, I got going on my Misti V-neck Pullover on Monday.
It’s knitting up fast and feeling so soft and lovely to knit. The Misti and Indulgence are working well together for me. There’s been some ripping back and doing parts over, but I don’t mind. I’m a little afraid how that huge cable is going to look on me. Bill will be away this weekend, so maybe I’ll finish the sleeves too. Actually this sweater seems to be pulling me away from all other priorities in my life right now. I’m really enjoying it.
I may also need to do a little blocking before adding the Indulgence ruffle on the bottom. We’ll see.
MenKnit
Is it coincidence that the day I discovered The First Men’s
Knitting Magazine the same day that Bill told me he was thinking about having me teach him how to knit? (You know I’m excited about this idea.)
Liam’s been asking me to knit him a scarf. This can be the perfect first project for Bill. Then maybe Bill can move onto that lovely “Lover’s Tank” from the first issue of MenKnit.
Oh, and check out the nice Knitter’s Review review of one of Webs new yarns.
Another Reason to Love Fall
I think Fall is my favorite season, for many reasons.
• wearing cozy sweaters and scarves again
• making (and eating) Concord grape pie
• looking at the colorful leaves that rustle when you walk through them
• smelling burning pumpkin and fireplaces
And now I can add The Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck to the list.
This was my first time there. And it was wonderful and overwhelming at the same time. I drove up the morning of the first day, picking up my friend Johanna on the way there. This was Johanna’s 11th year. She’s a spinner and knitter and lives just over the river from Rhinebeck. Day 1 was a wonderfully decadent day. I think it was the first time in over seven years since Johanna and I have spent the day together without children. We got to browse, talk, and even finish all of our sentences.
I resisted buying too much. I came home with a few knitting notions and only two kinds of yarn. The Baby Twist will be for a sweater for my husband. It is so soft. This yarn came from the booth of Johanna’s friend, David Stensland of Red Maple Sportswear Co. The merino/silk yarn from Maple Creek Farm will be for a Clapotis for me. And that’s all of the yarn! Are you impressed by my restraint?
A women was working on a pair of twined socks, and the technique was so cool I had her show me how. Basically you’re knitting from two strands, alternating every other stitch, and twisting the strands after every stitch. This technique makes a really thick fabric and I like the way it breaks up the colorway.
Day 2 was with kids and it was a much different experience. The weather had turned colder too. We started off the day watching the pumpkin chucking contest. Bill was inspired to use this as the subject of his quiz the next day.
Child’s Broom/Childs’ Broom? Liam liked the sheep. Sheepman scared a one-year old.
Here’s the big parenting mistake of the day. All day the kids asked to go on the big slide. We said we would do it on the way out. Here’s what we found when we got to it. Needless to say, they were devastated.
But we ended the day with some rolling down hills. The slide was forgotten, thankfully.
Scarf Style
I’ve been enjoying looking through Scarf Style ever since I got it from the library. I’ve started the Misty Garden with Filatura Di Crosa Ultralight yarn.
This is a very simple lace pattern, no need to look at the chart after the first couple of rows. It’s the perfect project to bring with me to Rhinebeck today. I hope it won’t be too soggy of a weekend. I’ll post details when I get back.
Socks & Gloves
My Sockapaltwoza socks have arrived. Thanks Lisa!
(I still haven’t figured out how to take good pictures of my feet.)
The socks arrived Wednesday as I was going out the door to pick up Ella. I opened them on the way, putting them on my hands. They felt great. So this is why people seem to like Koigu so much. They fit well and I’ve been wearing them ever since. And the colors look great with my purple Dansko shoes too.
I’ve joined the Peaceful Palms Knit-Along. I’ve been thinking about making gloves for myself, so this knit-along is good timing. I don’t have a clue yet what I’ll be making. Maybe I’ll be inspired by something I see at Rhinebeck this weekend.
Finished Project: Striped Teddy Bear
(Mouseover the photo for another view.)
Project Specs:
Pattern: Cashmere Teddy Bear from Simple Knits for Cherished Babies by Erika Knight
Yarn: Jo Sharp Desert Garden one ball each of Cinnamon and Solstice for the body and a little dark brown Lamb’s Pride for the face features
Needles: US 6 straight bamboo needles
There is absolutely no brown yarn left, and only a bit of the cream. I’m glad I went with the stripes and the cream head. The bear’s soft and squishy, but not floppy, just right for a cuddly bear. In the mail he goes.
My Blog Links: Knitting Books from the Library, Bear Parts
Windsor Button
I needed to pick up an order at The Container Store yesterday. So the kids and I decided to check out Windsor Button while we were near Boston.
I knew all of their yarn was 20% off on Columbus Day. And there was a lot more yarn than I thought there would be. But I resisted, knowing that the NYS Sheep and Wool Festival was this weekend. But I did get a couple of knitting notions. And the kids each got to pick out a special button.
The bear is all seamed. Now it just needs some features. He’s soft and cute. I’ll post pictures tomorrow.
