This and That, FOs and WIPs

Ah,the joy of quick and easy knits! Two FOs to report, which were both extremely fun to knit.


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Pattern: Munstersockens for the 5yo. No pattern, 3x1 rib
Yarn: scraps,bit and pieces of sock yarn
Notes: 56 sts on 2.25mm needles.


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Pattern: Bulky-Weight Andean Mittens from "Folk Mittens" by Marcia Lewandowski
Yarn: Odd balls of wool from stash.
Notes: Love this pattern. Second time around was a breeze and I'll knit this again. Beth's idea (in the comments) of doing mismatching mittens (same pattern, different colours) is fabulous.

Next up is my order from yesasia. I am fascinated by Japanese Crafting and these are my first actual Japanese books. I can't stop looking at them!



WIP Report


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1) in the background is a yellow afghan I am putting together from squares received from my crochet square exchange. I'm bordering each with Sage.

2) on the left, that tiny bit of ribbing is the start of the Salish Mittens from "Folk Mittens"

3) on the right, I am now working on the Traveling Socks by Lucy Neatby from "Socks, Socks, Socks". The variegated yarn is the Knitpicks "Hawaii" I received in the Sock scrap Swap. This has got to be the most fun I've ever had knitting a sock. I just love it!

Up Next: The sixsox, Folk Socks, and Knitting on the Road KAL's are all anouncing their next socks on the 1st of Dec.

More Mitts and Socks

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Pattern: no pattern
Yarn: Lane Cervinia Forever Jacquard Shade 40/ 2.25 mm needles
Notes: Basic sock pattern with a bit of rib down the sides, my first man size sock done with sock weight yarn. Also my first time using this yarn and I really enjoyed using it.


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Pattern: Bulky-Weight Andean Mittens from "Folk Mittens" by Marcia Lewandowski
Yarn: various odd balls from stash, 3.75 mm needles
Notes: Followed the pattern as written except the first mitt (the one on the right) ended up having points at the top of the fingers and thumb so I fixed this on the second one by doing one less decrease round and the finish is much more round. I love these mitts and the pattern. Using 85gr of MC, they can use up odd bits and pieces for the other colours, great stashbuster. And they are super fast to knit. I have another pair planned and may even make more!

Gotland Island Mittens

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Close-up of pattern:

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Pattern: Gotland Island Mittens from "Folk Mittens" by Marcia Lewandowski
Yarn: Lang Thema 100% wool on 2mm (US#0) needles
Notes: Followed the pattern almost exactly. I had one false start using the #1 needles the pattern called for, I had to go down to #0's to get gauge. Also the finger shaping band is done in pattern and I prefer a striped band so I changed the 3 band sts to 1 blue, 1 yellow, 1 blue. This was my first time using 5 dpn's and I will always use 5 now when doing stranded work in the round. Much, much easier than using 4.

Pine Cone Scarf

I know, lousy photo. I need a new camera badly.

Pattern: Pine Cone Scarf from Interweave Knits Winter 2004
Yarn: unknown. bought a bag of it at a garage sale, definately contains wool. very nice to knit with and very soft. Can't really tell in the photo but the colours are green, brown, and a dark brown that is almost purple.
Notes: really like this scarf. followed the pattern exactly using a chunky yarn instead of a worsted doubled.

Also did some shopping:



Gotland Island Mitts Update: I have half a thumb left to knit! Next post will bring you a photo of the finished mitts!

Mosaic Socks

First pair of socks for hubby! Now he wants more!

Pattern: Six Socks Knit-a-long Mosaic Socks
Yarn: vintage Pinguoin Sport Weight 100% wool
Notes: I used sport instead of fingering. Changed stitches to 56 sts. Used US#2 and US#4 needles. Worked my normal heel, instead of the strong heel in pattern as I thought it might be too boxy with the thicker yarn. Easy pattern, and fun to do. Will definately look at doing another mosaic pattern.

Latvian Socks

I am finally finished the Latvian Socks. I feel a sense of relief at having these done, not a hard pattern but on 2mm needles I seemed to knit and knit and get nowhere with these. But I am really pleased with them, they were well worth the effort.



Pattern: Latvian Socks from "Folk Socks" by Nancy Bush
Yarn/Needles: Fortissima Coton Colori Shade Santa Barbara, US #0
Notes: I knit a rib instead of the picot edge, and I cast on with 72 sts instead of decreasing down to 72, rest of sock was knit per instructions.
Heel/Gusset/Toe Notes: Heel and Gusset were knit with my usual method, I did however, learn a new method for the chain selvedge. All my life I have used the slip the first stitch method and this method created the same finished edge but was done by slipping the last stitch p-wise, then ktb the first stitch. Toe is the same as the Conwy toe and I am now used to it. And after wearing the Conwys quite a bit now, I like the way it fits too.

Also did some quick knitting and made a cabled scarf.



Pattern: Karaoke Cable Scarf from Knit Pixie
Yarn/Needles: vintage Mary Maxim Chunky wool blend. 8mm needles
Notes: I really like this pattern, very simple, but the cables create a neat effect looking like a more complicated cable, rather than two simple cables side by side.

Now that the Latvians are done, I will buckle down and get some serious work done on the Gotland Island Mitts. I am currently working a few more pattern repeats then I start the finger shaping.

Sock Scrap Swap

Edit: added link for the sock-of-the-month club.

A couple of FOs to show first-off. This is the Feather & Fan Shawl which I actually finished a while ago but forgot to take a photo. I started off thinking I'd go with Fall colours but it ended up being more Christmas-y colours.



The Big Granny Square Blanket is done. We've had this on the bed the last two nights and it is warm!! The colours are much more brighter than shows up in the photo.



The mailman paid me a visit this week. My Sock Scrap Swap yarn arrived from Liz. Yeah! I love it! There is Knit Picks and Sockotta, I haven't knit with either of these yarns before and I love the colours. Now, to decide what to use them in.



And my partner, Judy, received hers from me, too!

My October Sock-of-the-Month Club kit arrived. I can't say enough about how thrilled I am with this club. A beautiful lace pattern this time with gorgeous merino lambswool. The colour is a heather blue with wonderful subtle shades. I honestly can't stop stroking this yarn every time I pass it.



Click here to see larger pics of everything.

WIP Report:
1) Gotland Island Mitts - just about to place the thumb on the second mitt
2) Latvian Socks - working on the heel of the second sock.
3) Mosaic Socks - finished the first sock. It fits hubby perfectly and he loves it!
4) Fishies - knitting away. This is the TV knitting.

Child's Winter Helmet Pattern

This is a vintage pattern I have been using, I have rewritten it to work in the round.



Yarn: 100 gr. worsted weight
Needles: 3.75 mm (US #5) long dpns or short circular; and a longer circular.
2 safety pins or stitch holders.

Size: this fits my 5yo, but it will easily fit about a 3-6.

Cast on 70sts. Join. Work 3" in K1,P1 ribbing.

Next row: Rib 10, Knit 50, Turn. Put remaining 10 sts on holder.
Next row: Purl 50. Turn. Put remaining 10 sts on another holder.

Working on centre 50 sts. work back and forth in rows in stocking stitch until entire piece from beginning measures 9", ending with a Purl row.

Short row Head shaping:
1st row: K34,Sl 1, K1, psso. Turn
2nd row: P19, P2tog. Turn
3rd row: K19, Sl 1, K1, psso. Turn
Repeat row 2 and 3 until all 20 sts are on one needle, ending with 2nd row. Cut yarn.

Face ribbing: With right side of work facing and using circular needle long enough to fit around face opening, rib across 10 sts on first holder, pick up and knit 26 sts along side of face edge, knit across 20 sts, pick up and knit 26 sts along other side of face opening, rib across 10 sts on 2nd holder. Join, and place marker for beginning of round.

Work 9 rnds of k1, p1 ribbing. Cast off loosely in ribbing.