Goldilocks Market Bag

I started this bag three times. The first one was too small. The second one was too big. The third one was just right. I'm really happy with the outcome and I've used a big chunk of my worsted cotton stash. The yarn is Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Ombres & Prints, 470 yard skien. Colorway is Meadow. I used the ballband pattern, modified heavily, of course.

Mystic Light Shawl

Pattern by Anna Dalvi.

Yarn is Dream in Color Smooshy, colorway Dusky Aurora.



I started this way back in March of last year. A couple of months ago I decided I wanted to submit it to the California State Fair. I entered it with a fifth of the shawl undone! I have to take it to Sacramento this weekend. Think I finished in the nick of time? Yup.

Procrastination - the spice of life.

This is the first charted shawl I have done and I am quite pleased results. Let's see how I do.

Revontuli -huivi/Northern Lights

This lovely pattern is from AnneM and can be found on Ravelry and at her blog. Last year, I bought some Kauni from my local dealer, Marianne at The Yarn Boutique. It has been pestering me for some time, and I had to do something about that. For me, it's a little Halloween-y, or maybe a litte Goth. I still like it though. The examples shown on AnneM's site, and on Ravelry, are amazing.

I used about 190g of the Kauni. I purchased 290g. I have enough left over to do a scarf - even socks if I wanted to go that route. The color changes would be interesting on socks. I'll probably go with a scarf, or maybe a hat or fingerless gloves. We'll have to wait and see!

As a side note - it took me three days to knit. About 24 hours in total. It was quick for a shawl!

Raindrop Cardigan

The design is from the Rowan Plaid Collection book by Kim Hargreaves. The colorway is Lavender Mist. This was a fun and easy pattern. I liked the yarn very much, but it has been discontinued by Rowan.

This is the fourth sweater I have finished this year! However, this is the first one that I started from scratch - no previous efforts to start. I am very pleased with the results and will wear it when I go to my knitting group tomorrow night. Won't they be surprised. I cast on while at the meeting last week!

Malabrigo Cardi

I had a few skeins of Malabrigo and I wanted to make something special. Using Barbara Walker's first treasury, I found a nice pattern that I thought would make a nice detail for a cardigan. I cheated a little, looking at few other patterns for a guide to stitches and basic pattern details. The results you see above. When I have the opportunity, I will write a patten for it. It will take a little work to decipher my notes!

I used 2 1/2 skeins of Malabrigo worsted in the color Hollyhock.

Bath Puff Obsession, and a washcloth for good measure

I blame Carin of Lime N Violet -










Carin had mentioned a Bath Puff that she had crocheted. I thought, "hey, I could get rid of more of my Sugar n' Cream". Four skeins later, I had three bath puffs and a washcloth. I tried a bath puff and realized that the nylon ones that I can buy in the store for a buck actually work. Maybe I missed something in that "bath" is meant literally. It took 3 days for the thing to dry out naturally and then it was a crusty little rock. Throwing it in the wash, and then the dryer, made it soft and pliable again.

The idea is a great one. The results as far as construction is concerned is just fine. It isn't practical, at least for shower use with bath gel. Here I was hoping that I had found a way to beat the system and use my fiber skills to save myself some money in the long run. Nope, not unless I want to crochet with tulle, and I see no cost savings in that one either.

Oh well. My intentions were good. I look forward to the day I have a tub that is acceptable for a proper soak and I can use one of my eco-friendly bath puffs.

A Wench meets a Harlot

I was pleased and surprised to find out that Stephanie Pearl-McPhee was going to be withing driving range. She was doing a book signing at Copperfield Books in Santa Rosa. She is promoting her new book Free Range Knitter. Janet and Barbara, two of my knitting friends from my Wednesday night SNB were going, and I was able to tag along. We also had another knitter from Porterville join us, Jasmine. Janet offered to drive and we had a wonderful day.



This was the line outside the store waiting to get seated. I had not pre-purchased my book, so I didn't have a reserved seat, but Jasmin and Gigi from the Knitmore Girls Podcast were there, and we had attended the Cat Bordhi class together. They had an extra ticket and they gave it to me! Score! Awesome! They were recording some comments for their podcast, so I may hear myself in the podosphere.



Here is a shot of the crowd. It is hard to tell that there were close to 200 people there that day.



And here she is - the Yarn Harlot - actually reading from her book, which she says is something she hasn't done before.

She was funny and amazing and completely worth the trip to see her. She had a lot of great things to say, and many things to think about, especially how knitting is perceived in the bigger world. For all the work that we do, and the level of expertise we achieve, it's still viewed as a hobby and not an art form. One of the many reasons that knitting, and it my mind most of the other hand crafts, is not taken seriously.

She also said that the knitters she meets are some of the most amazing, smart and creative women that she has known. I would have to agree.

After waiting in line for what seemed forever to get my book signed, I also got this picture, thanks to Barbara:



Proof I met the Harlot. Her t-shirt says "I'm kind of a knitting Superhero. I want to be her when I grow up.

I can also be seen in a picture she took at Copperfield and it's on her blog for October 6th. Imagine, I'm on the Yarn Harlot's blog, along with several hundred others!

I hope I can see her again someday. If you have the chance to meet her - do it!

Ladders Washcloth

Playing around with patterns again, and the need to get rid of more Sugar n'Cream, I came upon this sequence. Overall, quick and easy. I like a washcloth that has some openness to it and offers some more scrubbing quality.

Another skein bites the dust.

Lattice and Columns

So, I finished this one back in July, and I have written a pattern for it. You can find it here. It uses 120 yds of Sugar n' Cream. It also has good scrubbing qualities. I'm hoping to have another pattern up shortly for another washcloth that I've been playing with.

The Jewel Bag

I don't know about this one. In this photo, it's looking a little washed out, which it isn't. I think I'm just too lazy to take another picture.



This is how it looked before finishing and felting, and the colors are still pretty true. It's a fuzzy mess now that it's felted and needs a shave.

This is the second time I've had this happen, and there's one common denominator - Lamb's Pride. I like the colors, and I remain ever hopeful. I may try one more time and see what happens. The accent yarn is Pepita by Trendsetter Yarns.

I started this from the top with a garter stitch in Lamb's Pride only. When I moved to stockinette, I alternated the yarns in a set pattern, and increased the size 2 stitches on the sides of the bag every five rows. Perhaps when I have found some handles I like, and figure out whether or not it needs a clasp, I may be happier with it.

Sleeptight Eyemasks

So, I mentioned these a while ago, and I figured I should probably post some pictures. I finished writing the pattern, and it is available on my website. There are three versions, they evolved so to speak, so I named them G1, G2 and G3 ("G" stands for generation, a la Apple).

Here is G1:



This one is slightly narrower than the other too and can be done in a DK or Sport weight yarn. The benefit of these is that there is nose shaping, helping keep it in place, and there are no seams! It comfortably wraps around the head and can be easily adjusted.

Presenting G2:



This one has a different shaping for the nose, and cups the tip. Now, I don't know about you, but I have a problem with cold nose in the winter months. This solves the problem! Also, it anchors the mask, so even if you move around a fair amount, it won't. This one is also for DK or Sport weight yarn.

Finally G3:



My fingering weight solution. Have extra sock yarn? Here is a way to get rid of that 100 yards or so that has been languishing in your leftovers basket.

Depending on length and width, you need approximately 70-100 yards of yarn. These knit up rather quickly.

I would like to thank my husband for modeling these for me. These were his idea, because unlike me, he actually needs a dark room to sleep. If necessary, I could sleep with spotlights on and it wouldn't matter!

FO Friday

Here are the Finished Objects of the Week:


My So Called Washcloth #6
Yarn: Peaches & Creme Cotton
Colorway: Peppermint
Needles: US10.5


My So Called Washcloth #7
Yarn: Peached & Creme Cotton
Colorway: Licorice
Needles: US 10.5


Sock Madness 2 - Round 1 - Zombie
Yarn: Cosmic Fibers
Colorway: Sweet Transvestite
Needles: US1


Arizona Stole
Yarn: Interlacements Arizona
Corloway: ? Gold, Blue, Bronze & Green
Pattern taken from Barbara Walker Treasury Of Knitting Patterns - Open Honeycomb
Needles: US 17


Close up of pattern.

That's it for this week. See you next Friday!

FO Friday

The little Preemie Blanket is done. I had only two skeins of the Patons Cotton Club, but it went far enough. Used one skein for the Moss Stitch center and then mitered the corners while knitting in the round for the outside edge. I ended up being one side short when I was casting off, but luckily had some other yellow baby yarn that matched enough to finish the edge.



There is something about matching up stripes that makes you feel like a genius. I called these Ribby Goodness and, it's official, I have now knit enough socks that I no longer require instructions. The yarn is Fortissima Socka Mexiko. They fit quite well. I purchased this at Stitches West. A decent flip on stash.

The stole I started last night has made sufficient progress that it will probably be done before next Wednesday. At least I have something lined up for next week.

What's On My Needles Wednesday

This week, it's one big Clapotis. I made a pretty good run at it last week, and by Saturday realized that I would not have enough yarn to finish. Frogged the whole thing and started over. I've made some adjustments to the pattern, and am tracking the usage very carefully.

I don't know why I am so obsessed with this. The yarn is from stash I found in storage that I know was purchased before my move to No Cal in 1991. I think I started something else with this, frogged it and put it in a bag. I am making some great progress, obviously.

This has been pretty much all I have worked on this week. I started another hat, worked on some swap socks (NOT a commuter project) and put a couple of rows on my chevron scarf.

I guess that's it for this week. Maybe I'll have this done by Friday. Maybe.

A Really Long Update

This is what happens when I fail to post as I complete or do stuff. It backlogs and I feel bad. So get your adult beverage of choice and enjoy the post.

September Baby Hats

I wanted to do some baby hats for Hats for Alex. I managed eight! The yarn used was Lion Brand Baby Soft in Pastel Yellow and Candy Print. Here they are...


Ribbed Baby Hat - pretty typical ribbed pattern - single strand


Lattice Baby Hat - alternated rows of stockinette and rib - double strands


Spiral Eyelet Hat - single strand


Raindrops Baby Hat - a combination of single and double strand - when stretched there is a faint pattern.


Rolled Brim Hat - double strand


Subtle Strip Hat - alternating yarns for a striped effect.


Spiral Eyelet V.2 - single strand


Seeded Hat - double strand - alternating k1p1 to create the seeded pattern

So that is it for the hats. Aren't they cute?

The Bag

I wanted to create a felted hand bag, and embellish they hell out of it. Here is the bag felted:



I used a little over 2 skeins of 2 Cascade 220 colors (8912 & 5015). The fabric is dense and rigid, which is what I wanted. I will be lining it. I have finished beading it and adding some surface embroidery. Once it's lined, I will post and update. I wrote a pattern for this, and I want to do it again to see what I need to do to bring it under 4 skeins of Cascade. When I have it done, I will post the pattern.

All Scarfs Should Be Made from Alpaca Blends

I had two skeins of Cascade Bulky Leisure, which is a 50/50 blend of Alpaca and Cotton. OMG it is so soft! I had planned on this going to the Red Scarf Project, but I had already made two scarfs and they had asked for quality not quantity. The other two were machine washable, and this is most assuredly not. So I got out the stitch dictionary, and decided to use the Moss Stitch.


The picture doesn't do it justice. The color is a much deeper red. I want it to get cold so I can wear it.

We're better than half way through.

Another Chemo Hat

I still have enough yarn for at least 10 more Chemo Hats, so I thought I would get another done. I have completed this pattern so many times, I now can get it done in one night.



And Then There Were Socks

So here are three of the 4 pairs of socks I have done this month.


A whole bunch of Mini Socks for my Sock Blocker Key Chain. I now have a mini sock for every pair of socks that I have made.


I call these Broken Rib. This is a pattern I wrote myself, and I am quite happy with it. I will be testing it again before I publish it. I used 2 skeins of Regia Design Line Kaffe Fasset #4252 on size 0US needles.


Heelless Sleeping Socks, from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush. The yarn is Super Socks Color, 2 skeins in #29 and knit using 2US needles.

I participated in Sock Wars this year, and I "died" today. I was able to "kill" my target, so I have that. It was brief, but fun. These are the socks that I knit:


Lana Grossa Meilenweit 6fach Special, the pattern is Scar by Julie Gardner and I used 3US needles. There was enough yarn left over to make a pair of ankle socks. I will post that in a separate entry later this week, along with the other stuff I finished the last couple of nights.

Well, that's it for now. I will be posting again tomorrow or Thursday with some cool news. Come back and check it out!

Thanks for stopping by.

Coupling Socks

I don't know which surprised me more - that it took me almost two months to finished these, or that if I had just worked on them they would have been done in 4 days. I finished the first one as we were driving through Santa Barbara last weekend. I learned two new techniques with these: a short row heel with a heel flap and a tubular bind off.

I liked the pattern. I liked the yarn. I like the way they look. I like the way they fit. Maybe they took so long because they aren't they type of sock knitting that allows for glancing.

I like to look up from my work in regular intervals. It allows for TV watching and taking in the scenery. These were not conducive to that habit. That's probably what took so long. In any case, I cast in another pair of socks on Friday and I still have a pair of Tofutsies on the needles that I need to finish.

Here are the specs: Fleece Artist Sea Wool in the colorway Parrot. Knit using the 2 circ method with size 2US needles. The pattern in Coupling for knitty.com.

Here are the socks completed:



Here is the detail:



They are pretty, fit very well, and I am sure will become a favorite before long. I can also say these are the first toe up socks that I have made where I am completely happy with the bind off. The cuff is loose and comfortable!

Utter cuteness

The hazard of knitting lots of projects is accumulating a lot of little balls of left over yarn. There usually isn't enough to make a functional item with what's left, unless you start combining.

I came across a key chain a few months ago. It's a mini sock blocker. Debbie Jennings of Felt Up Designs came up with a great idea. For $3.00 (plus s&H) you get a cute accessory and a pattern. Quite frankly, I love mine.

Here are my first batch of mini socks:


(LtoR top : Koigu, Zarina, Cherry Tree Hill, Schaefer Anne, Austermann
LtoR bottom: Opal, Socks That Rock, Jitterbug, Jitterbug, Koigu)

One note about the pattern - the recommended needle size created a sock too small for the sock blocker. I had to move up 2 needle sizes for them to fit properly. In fact, it's the 2nd one in from the right on the bottom row. I've knit a few more since I finished these, but I still have to sew in ends, add a loop, etc. I have about 4 more finished. They knit up quickly, use less than 20 yards and can be coordinated with the socks I am wearing that day. My goal is to knit a mini sock in all the yarns I have used for socks.

If you knit socks, you need a sock blocker key chain. Show off - be proud of your skills!!

Adventures in Felting

I really-really-really wanted to do some felting. So I dug out some feltable wool and got to knitting.

The first one I did was a pattern called Sophie, which I found at magknits.com. The designer is Julie Anderson. She has designed some cute bags. I decided to try the SWTC Karaoke that I purchased at Foggy Bottoms in Ferndale earlier this summer.

Here is the yarn:



Here is the bag knitted:



Here is the bag felted:



That little jar in the picture is a small Gerber food jar, used for perspective. One thing about Karaoke I learned is that once it starts to felt, it goes quick! This came out much smaller than I would have liked. Oh well, live and learn.

Next, I pulled out the Nashua Handknits Wooly Stripes Tweed and knit two things. The first was the Booga Bag from Black Sheep Bags. The other was Special Companions from knitkit.com. Here are the results:

Yarn....



Booga Bag knitted......



Booga Bag felted.....



Special Companions knitted.....



Special Companions felted.....



Not too bad. I was happy with the overall results and now feel comfortable to move on to bigger projects.

Check back for other felting results!