Goal!!!!

I had cast on for the little cardigan on September first. I made it a goal to finish by the end of the month and I did! I finished the second sleeve, weaved in the last ends, and sewed on the buttons all before midnight last night.

Corinne tried it one this morning and was so thrilled. It looks adorable on her!

Pattern:  Bella Cardigan

Yarn:  Knit Picks Comfy Sport in Planetarium (Blue) and Zinnia (Pink)

Start Date:  September 1, 2013

End Date:  September 30, 2013

Notes: Simple, well-written, lovely pattern. I think I’ll make another of these! I love the little cable twists. I knit the size 6 for Corinne (age 5) and it fits very well. I had to increase the sleeve to approximately 14.5 total inches, but I didn’t make any other modifications.

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September Baby Sweater

September Baby Sweater (link to Ravelry)

Pattern: Baby Sweater on Two Needles (February) by Elizabeth Zimmerman

Yarn: Dream in Color Classy in Cool Fire

Needles: Size 6

Start: September 7, 2008

End: September 8, 2008

Comments: Another quick little baby knit. I was hopeful that one skein of Classy would be enough and it was! I ended up with just a small ball leftover. I decided to knit this sweater without the lace as the yarn has such a pretty variegation. This is my first time knitting with Classy and all the while I was a bit nervous about how rough it was. I didn’t swatch (I know – gasp!) for this sweater because it’s a baby sweater, I only had the one ball, and it was going to be as big as it was going to be. The downside to not swatching is not knowing how the yarn will behave once washed. I was relieved, upon laying out the sweater after a quick dunk in a wool wash bath, that it was incredibly soft and fuzzy. The yarn bloomed beautifully too.

The directions for this sweater were, in typical Zimmerman fashion, rather on the lean side. I got a bit confused about the casting on 7 then later knitting 7 around the arms, but I think I did it correctly. Basically, you cast on 7 on either side of the arm stitches (adding 14 stitches), then, when you are knitting the whole body again you pick up 7 stitches in each of the cast on sections (4×7). Confusing? Yes!

I like how this sweater fits Cori like a fashionable little swing coat. Tres chic!

I have now cast on for a pair of socks* for my Chicago Knitting Group’s informal summer of socks. I’m hoping to get these done before the end of the summer (Sept. 22), but since we’ll be traveling in the last few days leading up to then I really need to get these done by next Wednesday. Time to get off the computer and knit!

*Yarn: Sundara Sock Yarn in Lenten Rose, Pattern: Hedgerow by Jane Cochran

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Simply Perfect

Ridges and Ribs Redux Socks (link to Ravelry page)

Pattern: Ridges and Ribs (link to Ravelry page)

Yarn: Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock in the Simply Socks 3rd Anniversary Color (I think she plans on getting more of this color, but I’m not 100% sure).

Needles: Hiya Hiya double point needles size US 0/2.0 mm, and Knit Picks options double point needles size US 0/2.0 mm

Start Date: August 3, 2008

End Date: September 6, 2008

Comments: Love these socks! I got almost through one whole sock using this pattern and some mediumweight Socks that Rock before I realized that the yarn was just too thick for the pattern. I decided to switch to the Lorna’s Laces and I absolutely love the result. This pattern had been suggested to me by Liz and I can’t thank her enough. I’m not sure I would have stumbled across this one on my own and I have a feeling it’s going to become a standby for a lot of my variegated yarns.

The pattern is clear and concise with a terrific heel. The ridges and ribs really show off the colors wonderfully. I was thinking as I photographed these socks how time after time my favorite socks are knit using Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock. As much I enjoy other sock yarns, Lorna’s Laces is such a pleasure to knit and creates such a lovely fabric that I find myself so happy with the end result.

For the first time I decided to work a pair of socks at approximately the same time. I cast on and knit the leg of one on dpns then cast on and knit the leg of the next. Then did one heel then the next, etc. In some ways this made it seem to take longer than knitting them completely separately, but it was nice to finish them at almost the same time. I think I may do this again, but I might need to get another set of Hiya Hiya dpns. I love those needles!

Over the last two days, while I should be casting on for a couple socks with due dates (end of summer for one, end of the month for the other), I instead cast on and completed a February Baby Sweater for Cori. Pictures as soon as it is dry and I find some buttons. It feels like I am always looking for buttons…

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Scattered

I had every intention of posting photos two weeks ago. What happened? I feel scattered. I’m torn between mommyhood, wifehood, tv time, knitting, cooking, not cooking, reading, yoga, Wollmeise yarn hunting, (very rarely) cleaning, Ravelry, ebay, my walking group, Baby Boot Camp, the Twilight books, shopping, and staring off into space.

Summer of Socks is drawing to a close and I’ve just completed my 4th pair (see below) and I have 2 more pairs nearing completion. SOS officially ends today and then I want to knit a pair for the informal summer of socks my Chicago knitting Group is doing. September also brings the first solid and semi-solid sock knitalong and I already have the yarn and pattern all picked out. Oh, and I want to knit another little sweater for Cori.

Then there are the dozens of pairs of socks, more little sweaters for Cori, and lace scarves I want to knit. Am I delusional?

Even with all sorts of stuff going on I am so very happy. 🙂

Yarn Chef Socks

Pattern: Silver’s Sock Class toe-up sock on two circular needles

Yarn: Yarn Chef Minestrone In the Pond

Needles: HiyaHiya size 0 circulars

Comments: These socks were my second pair using the two circular technique. While it seems like a perfectly reasonable method for sock knitting, I’m heading back to my dpns, I think. I find it takes more time to slide the needles rather than just move from double point to double point. Plus I was getting some rather nasty laddering even though I was tightening stitches on the “corners.”

The yarn is some I picked up a couple years ago from the Yarn Chef’s Etsy store. I absolutely love the feel of it in the skein and it was very pleasant to knit. It softened even more after its bath. I love the slow fading stripes. I have another skein in my stash that may be knitted sooner rather than later.

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Third Down

Rugby Socks

Pattern: My own. Used Judy’s Magic Cast-on and a peasant heel

Yarn: sKnitches Syncopation in Rugby

Needles: Size 0 (2.0mm)

Start Date: June 21, 2008

End Date: August 2, 2008

Comments: These socks were my mindless knitting socks to take to knitting group. Overall I love the finished socks, but I did not necessarily enjoy the knitting experience. I found the yarn to be a tad splitty for my taste and I kept catching myself splitting stitches. Blech. I adore the striping so that makes up for the hassle.

This pair is my third finished pair for Summer of Socks 2008. I missed the last two week period due to the stall on the Ridges and Ribs socks I had started. I have since moved on. I cast on for another pair of Ridges and Ribs last night, but this time I will use a thinner yarn, Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock in Simply Socks 3rd Anniversary color. I really think this combination is working well. Hooray!

Things are busy around here and Cori keeps me moving. She has had a bit of fussiness lately, but she just has to giggle and it makes it all worth it. 🙂

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It’s a Wrap

Offset Wraplan

Pattern: Offset Wraplan by Sara Morris

Size: 9-12 month

Yarn: A Swell Yarn Shop Original Duet in Hip Chic

Needles: US 2.5/3.0 mm

Start Date: July 18, 2008

End Date: July 20, 2008

Comments: When I saw that someone had knit this little cardigan using Duet I knew I had to too. I was a bit nervous about knitting the 9-12 month size, but I wanted to use as much of the Duet as I could and have the cardigan big enough for Cori to wear once it gets colder. Anxiously I knit all weekend ending up with just scraps leftover at the end. Hooray!

I knit the whole body first saving the sleeves for last as I figured I could always make it a short sleeve cardigan if I ran out of yarn. Using my handy dandy kitchen scale I was able to determine the exact amount I could use on each sleeve so that at least they would be even. In the end I was able to knit them with all the necessary decreases. Another hooray!

I skimped a little on the borders as I knew that is where I would have trouble for sure as there is only so much contrast color (the brown). I knit about 6 rows for the top, bottom, and cuffs, but did 9 for the plackets. I got completely off on the collar and it came out more a seed stitch then a mistake rib, but it looks cute, so it’s staying.

If anyone else is brave enough to try to knit the wraplan using one skein of Original Duet, please be aware that even a couple yards difference or a gauge difference or a slightly longer body, etc., could cause a yarn shortage. Knit the 9-12 month size at your own risk! 8)

Back to Summer of Sock 2008 knitting…

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Second Down

Little Bunny Foo Foo Socks

Pattern: Toe Up Sock on Two Circular Needles by Kristin Bellehumeur (Silver)

Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Lightweight in Little Bunny Foo Foo

Needles: Two Knit Picks Options Harmony Wood Fixed Circulars size US 1.5 (2.5mm)

Start Date: July 12, 2008

End Date: July 17, 2008

Comments: Second sock for Summer of Socks 2008.

This yarn started its life as Spring Forward, but after completing one sock and realizing it would never stretch enough to comfortably go over my heel I knew I had to start over. I’ve been wanting to try socks on two circulars for a while (Lynae and Jen are both big proponents). I looked up online instructions and found the tutorial at Silver’s website. (She also does a two socks on two circulars toe-up tutorial that I think I’ll try soon). The instructions were so clear and easy to follow that I got the hang of it in no time at all. I flew through this pair of socks. I like the two circular method so much more than the magic loop one that I had been trying recently (and have since abandoned…).

Of course the yarn was also lovely to knit. I will never grow tired of Socks that Rock. Even when it decides to pool completely differently from sock to sock (how does that happen?). I was pleasantly surprised that I did not hate my Harmony circular needles. Having disliked the Harmony double points I was prepared for an unhappy time with the circulars (they were the only ones I had two of in a smaller size), but happily the points were much better. I’m not sure if I’ll ever buy more, but at least I know I can use these without irritation.

Next up? I’ll be maybe actually finishing my first sKnitches socks and casting on for Ridges and Ribs (as suggested by Liz) using Socks that Rock Mediumweight in Torridon. I think I may try knitting those top down on two circulars.

And here’s Cori (slightly blurry, but happy)!

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First Down

Zombie Socks

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Pattern: Zombie Socks (links to Ravelry project page)

Yarn: Wollmeise Sockenwolle in Poison Nr. 5 dunkel

Needles: US 0/2.0mm

Start Date: June 21, 2008

End Date: July 4, 200

Comments: This pair is my first completed pair for Summer of Socks 2008. I was knitting down to the wire to make the first two week cut off, but I got mine posted with an hour to spare.

The Zombie Socks pattern was fantastic. I did modify it by adding one extra repeat and I did not do a purl edged heel flap. The pattern involves dropping stitches which is always fun to do intentionally and the Wollmeise is just a dream to knit. The yarn has a stiffness while you knit it that just makes it so pleasant, even when knitting nearly black yarn in the evening. I’m glad I have a couple more skeins in ye olde yarn stash.

I would absolutely knit this pattern again and I have plans to before the Summer of Socks 2008 is over. But first I want to finish up my plain vanilla socks (that caused me so much trouble when I put the heel stitches in the wrong place) and for some reason I have the urge to knit burp cloths (Cori’s becoming an excellent spitter upper as she is starting to teethe). Oh, and I cast on another pair of socks, Spring Forward using Socks that Rock in Little Bunny Foo Foo.

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Little Knit

Baby Shrug

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Pattern: Baby Shrug by Debbie Bliss

Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Prosperous Purple

Needles: US size 6 (4.0 mm)

Start Date: May 6, 2008

End Date: June 5, 2008

Comments: I absolutely love this little shrug! I had made the Fiery Bolero a few years ago for myself and it is practically the same pattern. It’s knit all in one piece then you just pick up to do the edging and sew the side and arm seams. Easy! I used Cotton Fleece so that it wasn’t too warm, but would be warm enough to put on over some of her summery clothes that Cori fits now, but it’s too chilly to wear alone. I think she’s pretty happy with the results. 🙂

I am finally finishing up some socks I started back in July of last year. I hope to get them off the needles asap so that I’m ready to start the Summer of Socks 2008 starting Saturday. My goal is to knit a pair of socks every two weeks this summer, but we’ll see if Cori cooperates. (Anyone remember when I knit 5 pairs in one month? Ahh, pre-baby knitting time…)

In non-knitting news, I am feeling much more myself after all the post-baby complications. We took a nice day trip to the Columbia River Gorge on Saturday and saw a lot of the waterfalls. Wrigley came too and was such an attention getter. Everyone kept stopping to pet him. He was in heaven!

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A New Mom Finds Time to Knit Lace!

Lace Ribbon Scarf

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Pattern: Lace Ribbon Scarf by Veronik Avery

Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Mediumweight in Bella Coola

Needles: Addi Lace size 3 (3.25 mm)

Start Date: May 19, 2008

End Date: June 1, 2008

Comments: I did it! I found time to knit a lace scarf while caring for my newborn baby. Yay! I was a bit skeptical when I signed up for the Lace Ribbon Scarf Knitalong (hosted by Allison of Simply Sock Yarn Co.). I wasn’t too sure that I would be able to find time and concentrate on a lace project. Thankfully, Cori began to sleep more during this period of time and my brain has started to function again. I had a great time knitting this pattern. I normally think of myself as a lazy knitter. I don’t like to have to do to much pattern as it takes focus and energy. This pattern is the perfect amount of commitment. I memorized it after the first repeat and then it just became a rhythm. (I highly recommend putting stitch markers between each repeat).

The finished scarf, blocked, is 70 inches long, 7 inches wide, and 16 pattern repeats. As I am right around 5’9″ and I like longer scarves, this scarf will be a gift for a shorter person in my life. I only had the one skein of Socks that Rock in Bella Coola so this was the maximum length I could get out of one skein of mediumweight. I had cast on 44 (one repeat less than the pattern indicates) to make a slightly more narrow scarf and to stretch the yardage I had. Overall, I am very happy with this project and I think I may actually make it again though I always say that, don’t I?

Gratuitous baby photo. 🙂

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