Keepers

Green Gable

2007-02-07T14:22:00.000-08:00

A near-perfect knit. Easy, relatively fast - what's not to LOVE about Cotton Fleece, and a very nice fit.

Pattern: Green Gable.

Yarn: Cotton Fleece, Sedona Red, 2-1/2 skeins

Needles: Size 6 KnitPicks Options

Size: Medium

All in all, a winner, except for the self-created drama (see here, if you must know). I think this one will get a lot of wear.

Eiffel

2007-01-27T09:46:00.000-08:00

The fit is perfect, the pattern is very well-written, the yarn was fun to work with - a total winner.

Pattern: Eiffel, Winter Knitty, 2006
Yarn: Louet Euroflax linen, fine/sport weight, in Eggplant, 3 skeins
Size: Medium

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed knitting with the linen. I ran the garment through the washer, and gave it about 10 minutes in the dryer, then laid it out to block. It hasn't softened up tooooo much yet, but I think it will with time.

Style note: I decided not to put the ribbons on the sleeves, but felt it still needed it on the body for fit, but I have tied it in the back.... I think I'm of an age where the ribbons and bows are just a bit too cute for me.

Sizzle

2007-01-07T15:30:00.000-08:00

Pattern: Sizzle. Great pattern, quick knit!!

Yarn: KnitPicks Shine Worsted in Sea Spray (not thrilled with the yarn, unevenly spun, with uneven color, and even unattractive slubs of fluff), approximately 750 yards.

Size: Medium, although it's a little big (get me!, even I'm surprised with that).

2007-01-07T15:26:00.000-08:00

Pattern: Calorimetry
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden #87, less than one skein

This took me two nights to knit, but you could easily do it in a day.
This second one on the left is from some unknown Noro left over, and I knit it slightly more narrow. I wear this one the most.

Mittens

2007-01-07T15:22:00.000-08:00

This is actually the first pair of mittens I've made... they may have turned out a bit big -

Pattern - made up
Yarn: Cascade 220, color 9336, with a little added stash mohair for the cuffs.

Fetching

2007-01-07T15:19:00.000-08:00

Pattern: Fetching, Knitty, Summer 2006
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashermino Aran, color 300201 - one ball, EXACTLY, not an inch to spare.
Modification: No picot edge, just a plain cast off.

A beatiful, fun, and FAST knit!

Fake Fair Isle x 2

2007-01-07T15:11:00.000-08:00

Two Fake Fair Isle hats. I love this pattern!

Yarn: Noro Kuryeon (right)

Noro Silk Garden (left) colorways unknown.

Starsky

2007-01-07T15:07:00.000-08:00

I.Love.This. LOVE.IT!and..... IT FITS!

I think everyone needs to make one. And, use this yarn. This Cascade EcoWool is my new favorite. It is SO soft.... and it took less than 3 skeins to make the sweater!
Pattern: Starsky, Knitty, Winter '05
Yarn: Cascade Ecological Wool, Color 8087, less than 3 skeins.
Size: Large - but my gauge was way off, so it ended up blocking out easily to the medium measurements, and luckily fits perfectly.

Prosperous Plum

2007-01-07T14:55:00.000-08:00

Ok - so it isn't so flattering as a tank top (tharms... doncha know) - but I'm thinking I really like it as a vest, and vests are coming back, so there ya go.Don't stare at the cables if they make you uneasy.... I just blithely ignore them, myself.
Pattern: Prosperous Plum
Yarn: Cotton Fleece, less than three skeins
Size 8 KnitPicks Options

Comments: The pattern says to knit with 4" negative ease - and they're not kidding. It is certainly not too small, in fact, I stretched it as long and thin as I could when I blocked it - because it was a bit too short and slightly too big (even though I added an 1" to the length).

All in all, I'm happy with it. I love the eyelet detail and the picot hem. And.... it only took me a week to knit! That's gotta be some kind of record for me!In fact, I have already bought more Cotton Fleece and plan to make another - but I'm gonna figure out a different cable pattern. We'll see

Wrap Yourself In Nature

2006-08-29T14:44:00.000-07:00

Pattern: Wrap Yourself in Nature, from Inspired Cables, Fiona Ellis

Yarn: 3-ply Prime Alpaca, MuskSize 6 needles60" x 17"

Modifications to pattern: This is meant to be knit in two pieces and seamed together in a "V." I knit it straight, in one piece, to the same length as my favorite pashmina.

This Prime Alpaca is the SOFTEST yarn... and very warm. I enjoyed every minute of knitting this yarn and pattern. The cables were fun, and I LOVE the triangled edging.

Icarus

2006-08-29T14:41:00.000-07:00

Specs: Icarus, Summer 2006 Interweave Knits.

Yarn: Interlacements, Rick Rack II (Judy Ditmore), color 119, about 1200 yards. 100% Rayon. And yes.... to my great relief, rayon blocks well and makes "points"

Needles: Addi Turbos, size 3, 24"

Comments: Great pattern, fun knit, well written. Big payoff. I still walk into the other room just to look at it.

Rib and Cable Mitts

2006-08-29T14:33:00.000-07:00

Pattern: Rib and Cable Mitts, Spring 2006 IK

Yarn: Khroma, The Fiber Company, colors Plum and Aegean

Needles: Size 3 DPN

Nail Polish: OPI Ultimate Party Girl

You have enough yarn left over to make another pair, just by swithcing the body and trim colors! Score!

Black Purl Socks

2006-08-29T14:29:00.000-07:00

Specs:Pattern: Simply Lovely Lace Socks, Spring 2006 IK

Yarn: Lorna's Laces, Black Purl colorway. I used just barely over one skein

Needles: size 2 Crystal Palace DPNs

Comments: I did the cast on for 60 stitches, and did the Picot cuff - which I must say - I LOVE!!! I'll be using this a lot. Very cute, very easy.Also, I did NOT knit through the back loops, as it says to in the pattern. Why - because I didn't want to, that's why... I tried it for awhile, hated it, didn't want to be stressed while knitting... and so, there. I just didn't. So, my socks don't have those twisted stitches, but hey - it saved my sanity and I still think they're "Simply Lovely."

Crazy Jaywalkers

2006-08-29T14:25:00.000-07:00

Jaywalkers

Trekking XXL, colorway 105, one ball

Size 2 DPN

These are wild. You either love 'em, or hate 'em. I love 'em!

Dublin Bay Socks

2006-08-29T14:17:00.000-07:00

Socks: Dublin Bay

Yarn: Lorna's Laces, Sherbet colorway. I used just a smidgen over one skein, which is pretty sweet, I think!

I revised the pattern a little bit for size 2 DPN's, casting on 64 stitches. That's the only real modification. I think this is such a pretty pattern for the variegated yarns, like Lorna's Laces.... very pretty, but still simple enough it doesn't complete with the yarn. I'll be using it again.

Rogue

2006-04-07T13:32:00.000-07:00

I can't even tell you how much I love this...I will wear it everywhere. I will wear it until it falls apart. People will get sick of seeing it...

Pattern: Rogue, Girl From Auntie
Yarn: Bartlett Yarns, Fisherman, Burgundy Heather, 6-1/2 skeins
Time: exactly one month, working exclusively on Rogue

Hubby's Snowflake Hat

2006-04-06T13:35:00.000-07:00

Pattern: Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns, Ann Budd.
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk DK (colors?)

Duplicate stitch snowflake

Lady Eleanor

2006-02-20T12:47:00.000-08:00

Specs: Lady Eleanor Entrelac Stole, out of the Scarf Style book by IK70" long, 6-3/4" wideYarn: - Schaeffer Yarns, Miss Priss (100%merino wool), colorway "Mr. Funny"about 1-2/3 hanks - LOVE THIS YARN!- Various coordinating colors of Cascade 220Needles: Size 10, Boye Needlemaster circular

Ok - it's not your typical Lady E, but I like it. I kind of broke a lot of style rules here... but isn't knitting about making it your own? I made a scarf instead of a stole, and I didn't use the typical Noro or yarn that makes it's own blocks.

Hubby's Hat

2006-02-20T12:42:00.000-08:00

Specs: Pattern - out of "The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns" - Ann Budd

Yarn: Knit One Crochet Two, Ambrosia, color 455, 1-1/4 balls

Size 3 circulars I didn't get a picture of it on the hubby, but Kaity and Carmen modeled.

The hubby actually wears it all the time. Definitely a winner.

BlueBonnet Socks

2006-02-20T12:38:00.000-08:00

Gotta love a fast knit!!! I have been wearing these like crazy, and they wear and wash beautifully.

Specs: Hill Country Yarns, Instant Gratification Sock Yarn, color: BlueBonnet One skein.

Knit on two size 5 circs, in 5 days!I didn't really have a pattern, but cast on 44 stitches kind of winged it from there, consulting a few different books.

Jaywalkers

2006-02-20T12:36:00.000-08:00

Love these!!!

Here's the specs:Pattern: Jaywalker, by Grumperina.
Yarn: KnitPicks Sock Landscape in RedWood Forest - two skeins
Needle: Size 2 DPN's

I made them the smaller of the two sizes, casting on 76 stitches.

Sister Scarf

2006-02-20T12:29:00.000-08:00

Pattern: Sister Scarves
Yarn: KnitPicks Shine

Sorry, I don't remember a lot of the specs on this, such as needle size, but I know it took less than two balls. I changed the pattern and used stockinette for the body.... a mistake, because it curls terribly.

I'll probably make this again, using just the Horseshoe lace (on the bottom of the scarf) for the whole scarf... I really love that part of the pattern.

Branching Out Scarf

2006-01-02T22:45:00.000-08:00

Pattern: Branching Out
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, color 03 (mint); 1-3/4 balls

Wendy/Heather Essential Stripe

2005-11-29T13:25:00.000-08:00

Pattern: Wendy's Essential Stripe
Yarn: Cascade 220, color 8420 for main body; Casdade 220, color # unknown for small stripes; and some beautiful handspun variegated I was gifted by Heather.

Great pattern, very easy to follow and fit to size. Wendy gives LOTS of options for striping, sleeves lengths, and neckline finish.

Sitcom Chic

2005-11-04T16:18:00.000-08:00

Pattern: Sitcom Chic, Knitty.com
Yarn: Cotton Tots, Bernat

I love this sweater, because it ended up just as I had hoped - a warm, cotton, feels-like-a-sweatshirt sweater. It's great for running around town and I'm very happy with it.

I learned after the fact that I've been doing my yarnovers all wrong, so the eyelet detail is not as noticeable as it is supposed to be, and I lengthened the sleeves to full length sleeves, instead of 3/4. We'll call it "artistic license!"