Saturday, May 28, 2011

Hit By A Farm and Sheepish, both by Catherine Friend


You must read Hit By A Farm by Catherine Friend. And after you do, you'll want to read the next book, SHEEPISH.

If you love love stories (both human and ovine -- but not in the gross way [read the books; you'll understand]) these memoirs are for you.

Highly recommended!

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Thursday, May 26, 2011

When Good Knitting Goes Bad

Funny Pictures - Cute Kittens

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

And another new baby in the family


Our next-to-newest member of the family, Kingston, was born earlier this year. (Isn't he adorable?) Now don't ask me why I made a New England winter hoodie for a Southern California baby but knitters sometimes think with their hearts, not their heads.

This is the Easy Baby Cardigan by Diane Soucy for Knitting Pure & Simple and it really is wonderfully easy.
  • 2 skeins Sirdar Crofter DK 0049
  • US6 needles
You can use an I-cord tie or work buttonholes. Lots of places in this pattern to make your own choices. I ended up making it a pullover hoodie instead of a hooded cardigan. I also made matching socks and mitts with the leftover yarn.

Another highly recommended pattern.

Not that I'm partial or anything but that is one cute baby boy.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Patriotic Baby Stuff


These were made for a U.S. Marine family's baby boy.

Yarn: Schoeller+Stahl Fortissima Colori Socka, #1776
Needles: US#1
Socks: my own top-down pattern
Hat: Lyric by Laurie Lee

Quick, easy knits.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Cabled Keyhole Scarf


This is Anne Hanson's Cabled Keyhole Scarf. I celebrated New Year's Eve working on it and I must say a good time was had by all. The friend I made it for loves it and I'm delighted.

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tweed Aran, 1.01 skeins.
Needles: US6

I would probably knit an extra few inches next time I make it. As it is it's a little snug for larger necks.

This is a clearly written, easy to knit pattern with just enough going on to keep your interest. Definitely recommended.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Little Entrelac Bags



A heavenly project. I loved every second of this. Of course any time I find a new way to use Noro Kureyon I'm a very happy knitter.

This is Jennifer Lawrence's Little Entrelac Bags pattern from Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2009. I used a half skein of #40. Very few bucks, very big bang.


Felting just never gets old.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Helena's Dice Bag


A friend and his wife were expecting their second daughter. I was busily working on some booties for her arrival when it occurred to me that her four year old big sister might be feeling a little left out. Enter the ET Dice Bag pattern by Elizabeth Thomas.

I used less than half a skein of Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Aran Tweed and size 5US needle. (The pattern calls for dpns but I substituted Magic Loop and two-circs depending on my mood of the moment.)

Fast. Easy. Totally adorable. Highly recommended!

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Saturday, May 14, 2011

I Don't Do Hats


I'm not a hat lover. I look a total idiot in hats. But I've got to tell you this winter was so cold and so snowy that even I, an avowed anti-hat kind of girl, gave in and yanked one on.

And boy did I pick a winner. Now there are those who might (unkindly) say that I am way too old to wear a Thorpe but when you're digging your way through a few feet of snow in sub-zero wind chill, trust me when I say Thorpe is your only choice!

This is a fun knit. Easy and quick and it keeps your ears worn in a winter storm. What more can you ask for?

SPECS: One skein Noro Iro; size 9US needles

I made this one for my niece in Huntington Beach. When it comes to cold YMMV.

You can find the pattern for Thorpe right here.

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Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Bloomin' Babies

I don't know about your world but my world seems to be popping with babies. Every time I turn around another relative or friend is announcing another grandbaby on the horizon.

From January through April my needles were flying!

This was made for my old friend Pat's first grandson, Ryan, who arrived early this year. Pat and I lived a block and a half from each other back in Queens. We chased the Beatles together. She even caught the bouquet at my wedding! I can't express how sentimental knitting something for her first grandchild made me feel.

SNUG by Hinke can be found on Ravelry.


The mitts are Wee Baby Mitts by Christine Vogel. They also can be found on Ravelry. (Is there anything that can't?) The booties are Greemy Booties by Machelle Salmeen. The cap is Welcome to the World Newborn Cap by Nona.


The cap, booties, and mitts are all worked in leftover Schoeller + Stahl Fortissima Colori Socka Color #4008. The snug was Sirdar Highlander Chunky trimmed in the Fortissima.

I have to admit I started to understand why everyone loves knitting for babies. The FOs come fast and furious and there's something unbelievably satisfying about seeing a tiny person wearing the garment you knitted.

For awhile I couldn't stop making those Greemy booties. I think I was obsessed with them to be honest. Is there a baby item you just can't seem to stop knitting?

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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Knitterly Milestone


I know I've been very quiet but that doesn't mean I haven't been knitting. (Or writing for that matter but that's for another post.)

Last month I had the absolute pleasure and honor of being one of Dusty Mills's test knitter. If you don't recognize her name, I'll bet you know her from The Knit Life. I volunteered to test knit CHIPPEWA, a stranded hat that I knew would definitely stretch my skills.

What a terrific pattern! (And I'm not just saying that because I'm part Chippewa.) Even better, a portion of the proceeds will go to Friends of Pine Ridge.

I have so many things to show you. I did a ton of knitting during our long, cold winter here in central NJ. Mostly baby items because it seems that suddenly everyone I know is expecting a grandbaby.

This may not be a long post but it's a start. Hope to see you again tomorrow.

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Thursday, May 05, 2011

Free Pattern: Magic Loop Eyelet Mitts

Here is a free pattern I hope you’ll enjoy. Please don’t sell the pattern or sell the mitts…it’s for your personal use only.

These came out pretty nicely and were easy to make. Let me know if you have questions!

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MAGIC LOOP EYELET MITTS
by Elizabeth Delisi

Materials:
1 ball Jojoland Melody Superwash fingering, 220 yards
40" circular needle size 2

Size:
One size

Eyelet Lace Pattern:
Multiple of 8 sts.
Row 1 (right side): Knit.
Row 2 and all other even rows: Knit.
Row 3: *K6, yo, k2 tog, rep from *.
Row 5: Knit.
Row 7: K2, *yo, k2 tog, k6; rep from *, end with k4.
Row 8: Knit.
Repeat rows 1-8.

Directions:
Cast on 56 stitches, divide in half on both sides of the needle. Join into a round.

Work K2, P2 ribbing for 16 rounds.

Work rounds 1-8 of Eyelet Lace pattern, then work Rounds 1-4 once more.

Thumb Gusset:
Round 1: M1, K2, M1, place marker, knit across round as established in pattern.
Round 2 and 3: Knit to marker, slip marker, continue in pattern as established to end of row.
Round 4: M1, knit to marker, M1, slip marker, continue in pattern as established to end of round.
Repeat rounds 2-4 until there are 20 stitches before marker, which should end on row 5. Do rows 6-8 in pattern.

Knitting Hand:
Place first 20 stitches on holder for thumb. Cast on 2 stitches, continue in pattern to end of round 1. Continue in pattern for 15 rounds, ending on knit round. Work 8 rows of K2, P2 rib. Bind off.

Knitting Thumb:
Join yarn, knit 12 stitches in first end of needle. Knit remaining 8 stitches with other end of needle, pick up and knit 4 stitches across open area of thumb. You now have 24 stitches. Work 8 rows of K2 P2 rib. Bind off. Weave in loose ends.

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Copyright 2011 Elizabeth Delisi