Hat Trick

Over the last few days, I've made three hats. Love winter break.

Flat Four Coaster Set

Coasters worthy of holding any of your favorite beverages, such as a Half Cycle IPA from local Indy brewery Flat 12 Bierwerks.  The pattern stitch forms a firm, dense fabric that holds its shape well and lies flat.

Materials:

• Size 3 straight or circular needles or size to obtain gauge
• About two ounces fingering weight yarn such as Koigu KPPM (for a set of 4). Sample shown is worked in madelinetosh tosh sock in the Filigree color. 
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Note: Yarn is held double throughout. You can pull one end from inside and outside of a center pull ball of yarn, or hold two separate strands together.  

Gauge: 22 stitches per 4 inches in pattern stitch with yarn held double

Pattern:

Holding yarn double and using long tail cast on, cast on 22.

Row 1 (WS): Knit to last stitch, slip 1 as if to purl with yarn in front

Row 2 (RS): Knit 1, *slip 1 as if to purl with yarn in back,  knit 1*, repeat from * to last stitch, slip 1 as if to purl with yarn in front

Repeat rows 1 and 2 nineteen more times for a total of 40 rows, or until piece is just shy of square, ending with row 2. 

Bind off all stitches loosely. Weave in ends.  Make three to four more.

Variations: 

• Stripe by alternating between two colors, changing on the right side and carrying yarn not in use up the side. 
•  Cast on 66 and work as written until piece is 16 inches long to create placemat

Small Tiles

Took a break from mini socks to finish this pair of adult socks. Pattern is Small Tiles from More Sensational Knitted Socks. Need to get them mailed before Christmas.

Peppermint KAL

Clay Purl, a yarn store on Nashville, Indiana, is having a holiday knitalong of my Peppermint Stick socks. Visit their site at http://claypurl.com/ for more information about the shop. There is also a group on Ravelry where the KAL is being discussed. Pattern is available on Ravelry as well.

2012 mini stocking recipe

I've made one or many mini stockings over the last several Christmases.  I seem to alter the pattern a bit from year to year, but do most of them the same in any one season.  This is a great way to use up scraps.

This year's are shaping up as follows:

Size 3 double pointed needles, set of 4
Fingering to light worsted yarn

Cast on 24 stitches. Divide on three needles (6, 6, 12)
Purl three rounds.
Knit all stitches for about 1.5 inches.

Heel flap is worked back and forth on 12 stitches, starting on the wrong side.
Row 1: K1, purl to last stitch, slip 1 with yarn in front
Row 2: *K1, slip 1 with yarn in back*, repeat between * to last stitch, slip 1 with yarn in front
Repeat rows 1 and 2 five times for a total of 12 rows

Heel turn:
Row 1 (WS): K1, p6, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 2 (RS): slip 1, K3, ssk, K1, turn
Row 3: slip 1, purl to last three stitches, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 4:  slip 1, knit to last three stitches, ssk, K1

Divide heel stitches evenly on two needles. Place instep stitches one needle.
Pick up and knit six stitches on right edge of heel flap. Knit across instep. Pick up and knit six stitches on left side of heel flap, then knit remaining heel stitches.

Gusset rounds begin at the bottom of the foot.
Round 1: knit to last three stitches on first needle, K2tog, K1. Knit across instep. On third needle, K1, ssk, knit to end.
Round 2: knit all stitches

Repeat gusset round until 24 stitches remain.
Knit all stitches for about .75 inches.

Toe rounds begin at side of foot.
Round 1: *K2, K2tog* repeat to end
Round 2: knit
Round 3: *K1, K2tog* repeat to end
Round 4: knit
Round 5: *K2tog* to end

Cut yarn, draw yarn through remaining stitches to close toe.
Weave in ends.  If desired, use tail from cast on to fashion hanging loop.

Feel like making some super Supersock socks. These two skeins were from my New Year's Eve haul off of DBNY.

Made today

Second sleeve. Potato leek mushroom bacon soup. Piles of clean laundry. Grocery trip.

Had my hour of gymnastics-watching knitting time this morning. Finished the yoke of the fresh picked cardi and picked up one sleeve for a short cuff. Don't have enough yarn for long sleeves as written so I'm improvising.

Tour of Champions

Brought the girls to the Fieldhouse to see the Tour of Champions, including some of the US Olympic gymnastics team members. Show starts in 20 minutes.

Phone banking

Not much knitting this week, either working or making calls related to next week's election. Vote!

Scarecrow Slacks

My first grader brought home a family project assignment: cut out and dress up the enclosed scarecrow pieces and return to school.  

While digging around in my craft drawers for buttons and string, I came across a pair of swatches in the round that I had done a while back when trying out an idea for a scrap blanket.  These just happened to be exactly the size of the scarecrow's legs.  

I pulled out a complementary ball from the scrap bag, picked up along the top of each swatch to join in a circle, asked myself if it was entirely absurd to be knitting pants for a cardboard scarecrow, decided it was, kept going anyway, then added an inch of ribbing on top and a bow made from one of the swatch tails.  

Note to self: try that scrap blanket idea again on fingering again.

Autumn Flora

Last night I cast on for a Fresh Picked Color cardigan for my younger daughter. It is her favorite color theory pink. I will be making it longer than the directions for less of a cropped look. I should have enough yarn but will be winging it a bit when I get to the sleeves. Wish me luck.

Aged Stash Project - Rainbow Twist

Short sleeve sweater for the kidlet is done. Mostly based on the October pattern from Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitter's Almanac.

Newest Knitter

My younger daughter, 6, asked me if I could teach her to knit today. Here are her very first rows, in her favorite color.

Aged Stash WIP

Starter this bottom up pullover last night with some Mountain Colors River Twist I've had since 2010. Sized to fit elder kid, I hope. Striping in leftovers from her hat on the body.

Aged Stash Project - Buttonhead

My daughter wanted a hat covered in buttons after going through the button bag to find a closure for her Helium shrug. She choose an assortment of buttons with a shank that I could thread on to the yarn before knitting. I worked from both ends of a center pull ball, with the buttons threaded on the center pull end. Brim and most of the body were knit from the outside end. Every few rows I would work from the center end and place a few buttons.

Pattern is based on Handy Book of Patterns basic hat. Yarn is from the deep stash, a skein of Plymouth super wash merino left over from a sweater project.

Gymknitstics

Today's gym watching knit is the second Hedgerow sick. Finally up to the toe.

Seesaw Seiche

Started another Seiche tonight. This time I am alternating between two skeins of silk garden sock, changing yarns at Row 13.

Pumpkin Tosh

Baby hat made from madeleinetosh leftovers.

Seiche Shawl Pattern

Seiche is a term for a standing wave that occurs in a fully or partially contained body of water.  The well mannered ruffle on one side of this triangular bottom-up shawl is constructed of stockinette short rows contained between garter stitch ridges.  The pattern is written for sport weight yarn but can be easily adapted for other weights.

Materials
650 yards sport weight yarn such as Noro Silk Garden Sock, 2 skeins
Size 6 (4 mm) circular needle, 24" or longer
Two stitch markers
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Gauge: 4 stitches per inch in garter stitch

Abbreviations:
K - knit
p - purl
pm - place marker
slm - slip marker
yo - yarn over
w&t - wrap and turn. (Bring yarn forward between needles. Slip one stitch from the left needle to the right needle. Bring yarn backward between needles. Return the slipped stitch to the left needle and turn the work.)

Pattern

Set up:
Cast on 12 stitches with long tail cast on.
Knit 3 rows.
Place markers as follows: K10, pm, yo, k1, yo, pm, K1.
Knit one row.

Body:
Row 1: K9, w&t
Row 2: p to end
Row 3: K6, w&t
Row 4: p to end
Row 5: K3, w&t
Row 6: p to end
Row 7: K6, w&t
Row 8: p to end
Row 9: K9, w&t
Row 10: p to end
Row 11: K10, slm, yo, K to second marker, yo, slm, K1
Row 12: K to end
Row 13: repeat row 11
Row 14: K to end

Repeat rows 1-14   45 times or until piece is desired size, ending with row 14.

Finishing:
Knit two rows to form upper edge.
Bind off all stitches loosely.
Weave in ends.
Block if desired.  The ruffles may turn under a bit at the edge but I like the way it helps to shape the ruffle.

Finished dimensions of sample: approx 29" tall by 62" wide

New WIP - Maxima Shrug

I started an Antropologie Inspired capelet / shrug for my elder daughter last night.  I'm using a skein of light teal Manos Maxima on size 10 needles.  I'm partway through the raglan increases so far.

Seiche in progress

Shot of second Seiche from Saturday.

Second Seiche

Started another Seiche tonight, with larger yarn and needles. Already through one skein of Silk Garden Lite.

Breather

No knitting the last two days. Resting my hands from the Games ( and the baby hat I made the next day).  Trying to decide which WIP to finish, or what to cast on new.

Individual 1400 Meter Knit

What I accomplished during the Games.

Needles down

It's past midnight in London, and the 2012 Ravellenic Games are over. This morning I finished my fourth and final project and have posted all of them in their respective finish lines. Here's looking ahead to Winter 2014 in Russia!

Bonus Round

Ravellenics shawls are done! I cast on a bulky cowl tonight to continue to have a challenge to finish by 7 tomorrow night.

Seriously?

I plan to stay up and knit until the end of Olympic broadcast and it's bmx racing night? Uninspiring.

Unsporting

Olympics went out tonight due to a thunderstorm interrupting our satellite. I'm continuing to work on the third wrap; almost done with the first skein of Noro Silk Garden Sock. The piece is more than 30% done now, so at least it could medal in the cast in trap shoot event if I can't manage to finish.

Time out

Haven't mentioned Afternoon Tea in a few days because I'm peeved with it. Bound off tightly because yarn was gone and haven't tried to block it. Shoved in the yarn cabinet until the weekend at least.

Slog

Garter based shawl on size 6 grows a lot slower than lace on the same size. Finishing this wrap by closing ceremony is looking doubtful.

Garter and Gin

Monday's harsh. Gin and soda and garter stitch, plus a little Olympic watching, then I'm done for the day.

Sunday Start

Began my third planned wrap of the Ravellenic games today. It's a design prototype as well.

Remainder

I think I need to cut out part of the last lace repeat to avoid running out of yarn on Afternoon Tea. Will switch to garter border early to prevent rolling.

Two days, ten rows

I have got to pick up the pace this weekend. Too much work and home interfering with knitting time.

Taking care of busines

Business dinner tonight, so no knitting yet again. I don't think all three of these shawls will get done before the games end at this rate.

To the nines

Made it through row 99 of Afternoon Tea, even with some tinking to recover a dropped stitch.

Knitless

No progress on knitting today. I did learn how to disassemble the door of my microwave to diagnose why it stopped latching. Thanks, Internet!

Brewing Tea

Nearly done with the lattice lace section of Afternoon Tea.

Julia in the Gym

In honor of the women's gymnastics I'm watching right now, here's the beginning of my Tea with Julia shawl getting going during my daughters' gym lessons yesterday morning.

Sprinting

Horrid dark unblocked shot, but that is a freshly bound off edge of the Multnomah Woodland shawl I started last night. One of three planned shawls for the Ravellenic games done! A bit smaller than planned as I was running short of yarn.

The Games Begin

First several rows of Woodland done as I watch the opening ceremonies.

Needles at the Ready

Julia will be on a size 6 and Woodland on a 5. I would probably choose a 6 for both if I didn't think they may overlap in execution.

Will likely wait to cast on until watching the ceremony tomorrow evening even though I could officially cast on around 4. Pageantry!

Good thing there will be plenty of Olympics to watch, because I have just run out of Doctor Who on Netflix. Could always go back to the classic seasons, I guess.

Ready for Tea

Also wound my Julia Child Nichole yesterday, for Afternoon Tea. I don't know which of the two shawls will end up on the needles first come Friday. I may just flip a coin.

Woodlands Wound

Ready to cast on for Multnomah on Friday.

Swatching

Had an idea for a simple wrap on the way home from work. After feeding the children I took a scrap of Noro from the leftover bag to play with some short rows.

Just bound off the interminable edge of the sampler shawl. She needs a good blocking, but I really like the shape. Would like to write up a proper pattern with the same construction.

Bordering on Sloth

Lazing about watching Doctor Who and starting the garter border on my Jewel Sampler shawl.

FO Friday

Textured step cowl, take 2, finished up this evening.

Non-Fiber Spinning

My husband is packing tonight for a weeklong bicycle ride across Iowa. There will be a full day of riding a bus to the far side of Iowa before the ride starts, and any number of postride hours to fill. He has two duffles of various bikey things, and the bike itself, and the shoes and whatnot. On a solo trip of similar duration, I would be packing ridiculous amounts of yarn.

Hyperbole

I've made two of these hyperbolic crochet washcloths recently. They were quite interesting to watch develop, even via my crummy crochet skills. I found the pattern here: Hyperbolic Crochet Scrubbie

Wilting

Too hot again to think about knitting, and my wrist could use a break this evening. Maybe I'll wind yarn for a Ravellenics project. Or open a beer and a book and go to sleep at 9:30.

Step Two

Cast on another textured step cowl last night out of leftover Boku. Have just joined the second skein.

Textured Step Cowl Recipe

  

This reversible cowl recipe can be worked in your desired yarn and chosen gauge by doing some simple calculations from a gauge swatch.  Circumference, height, and needle size can all be adjusted to suit your personal preference and chosen yarn.

Materials 

• Artyarns Golden Siam, 420 yards (held double to approximate worsted weight) or your chosen yarn
• 16 inch circular needle, US size 7 (4.5. 0mm) or size needed to obtain your desired gauge
• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle

Gauge: 3.5 stitches per inch in sample, or adjust to suit
Circumference: 28 inches or adjust to suit
Height: 8 inches or adjust to suit

Preparing to knit

Knit a swatch in pattern stitch that is at least 4x4, or big enough to judge that you are producing a fabric with the drape and density that you desire.  Once you've settled on a yarn and needle that are working for you, determine your gauge in stitches per inch.

Gauge: ____ stitches per inch

Decide on your desired circumference:  ____ inches

To estimate the number of stitches to cast on, multiply your circumference by your gauge.  Estimate: ___ x ___ = ____

Your cast on number needs to be multiple of 6 plus 2 additional stitches.  Subtract 2 from the cast on estimate above, then divide by 6.

___ - 2 = ____

___ / 6 = ____

Did your estimate divide evenly by 6?  If so, great!  If not, add or subtract a few stitches to your estimate until it is a multiple of 6 plus 2.  

Calculated cast on number:  ____ stitches

In the sample shown, the circumference is 28 inches and my gauge was about 3.5 stitches per inch.  28 x 3.5 = 98.  98-2=96.  96/6 = 16.  So my cast on number was 98 stitches.

Pattern

CO calculated cast on number from above (98 stitches in sample shown).

Place marker to note beginning of round. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.

Row 1: *K3,P3*, repeat between * to last 2 stitches, K2
Row 2: K1, *P3,K3*, repeat between * to last stitch, P1

Row 3: P2, *K3,P3*, repeat between * to end of round

Repeat these three rows until piece is 8 inches tall or desired height.

Bind off all stitches. Weave in ends.  Block if desired.

Aged Stash WIP - Textured Step Cowl

Testing a cowl idea with yarn from the aged stash. Holding this particular yarn double at the moment.

Vanilla whip

Almost a FO, need to weave in ends sometime between now and winter.

Aged Stash Project - Vanilla W(h)IP

Just started this hat tonight from leftovers in the aged stash. The alpaca is soft and pretty and has an angelic halo. It also makes me itch and sneeze and makes my face tingle, so it's a good thing this hat isn't my size. I have a wrap made out of it that I really enjoyed developing the design for and cannot wear. Oh well!

Aged Stash Project - Ruffle Shrug

This one was finished while I was on vacation in Central California in early June. I tried to get a photo of it on but it was too awkward to self-photograph.

Aged Stash Project - Comfy Dolly

Another project from the older stash made recently. This is a crocheted doll blanket that used up all of my Knit Picks Comfy. Improvised pattern, yarn held double.

Aged Stash Project - Fluffy Bit

So where did the yarn go between April and August? The pink Possum Lace WIP became this scarf, doubled on large needles and ruffled at each end. It's currently in the "to be gifted" pile in the stash cabinet.

Aged Stash Update

In comparison to the April aged stash shared yesterday, here's what left from that group of yarns as of today.

I'm thinking maybe hats from the purple merino and white alpaca, but no real plans for the rest as of yet.

Aged stash

As of April, these were my oldest yarns in the stash, over two years old. I've been focusing on knitting out of this group since spring. You can see the yarn that became my Summer Maple shawl near the front on the right. The WIPs in the picture have finished, with the exception being the baby sweater in the front, which was frogged and repurposed.

Woodlands

Here's the yarn for my second Ravellenic challenge, a Multnomah shawl from the Prism Saki.

I've had this skein for just over two years. I bought it in North Carolina while visiting extended family. One of the step-aunts-in-law was another knitter and we went yarn shopping at the Hillsborough Yarn Shop.

I've stashed it long enough! Time to get it knitted up.

Julia

This skein of Schaefer Nichole in the Julia Child colorway is earmarked for one of two shawls I plan to knit for the 2012 Ravellenic Games. The pattern I'm planning on is Afternoon Tea from Knitty. I bought the yarn in our first trip to Chicago, a year and a half ago. The project will compete in the lace, stash, shawl, and single skein events.

An Extra Day

Having a Wednesday off is just weird. I've spent today doing some of the things I wish I had more time (or motivation) to do around the house. Some of them were mundane, like going through the books in the office to weed out items to donate, or actually putting the bags for Goodwill in the car. Syncing my phone with the main computer so it can download the latest OS (and upload 23 months worth of photos). Some were more fun, like loading up a laundry basket full of my newer yarn and taking it outside to get photos, then updating my Ravelry stash. Photo shoot was very quick because it is still brutally hot.

I downloaded the Wooly app this afternoon and it's ultracool to update Rav right from my phone. I recommend it.

Maple in the Breeze

Took Summer Maple out on the porch in the scorching afternoon heat to get a picture. When it's 40 degrees cooler, maybe I can wear it.

Candid Jewel

The small one, playing with my phone during her sister's gymnastics lesson, snapped this shot of my shawl in progress.

Summer Maple

Christmas Day, 2007: I receive 3 skeins of Knit Picks Shimmer lace weight yarn in the Maple Leaf color way as a gift from my husband, along with other yarns. It is lovely and appreciated.

Sometime later: I discover that I do not love knitting lace weight yarn. Very much anti-love, in fact. The Shimmer remains stashed.

June 2009: we move from California to Indiana. The Shimmer comes along.

Years pass. A few times a year I pull all of my stash out and rearrange, photograph, and otherwise play with it.

April 2012: I decide to make a concerted effort to knit up some of my older yarns. The Stash Knit Down group announces a lace weight along as a stash busting challenge. I decide to knit the Shimmer into Elizabeth Zimmerman's Pi shawl, the July pattern from the Knitter's Almanac.

April-May 2012: I plug away at the shawl, which is easy enough to be relaxing. Eventually I start to add a faggotting edge. I wonder why I don't like lace weight.

June 2012: I edge. And edge. And edge. I begin to think that the pattern is named Pi not because of the increase pattern but because it is infinite. I edge some more. I remember why I don't like lace weight. Finally, at the end of June, cast off and sew up the edging. I put the unblocked piece over my shoulders and like lace weight again.

Today: I crawl around on the floor of my office for an hour trying to figure out how to block the damn thing into the semblance of a circle. Hate lace once more. Eventually fold it in half and pin down the diameter straight, then ease the curved edge out.

In the end, it is quite lovely. I could end up with lace weight amnesia in the wearing of this shawl.