Finished!

I finally finished my socks, now I have to rewrite the pattern, so that it is understandable! I will offer the pattern for free on Ravelry when I have all the bugs worked out, and it has been test knitted!

I have finished these mittens too! This is not my pattern, they are Norwegian Totoro Mittens by brella. They are a free pattern on Ravelry.

 

My New Sock Design

I have been working on a new sock design, and it has been a real work in progress as I am trying to write out the pattern as I go. I am on the second sock now, and am finding errors in my pattern. I think I may have to knit a second pair to work out the kinks.

I will add more photos after I finish my second sock.

Afghan Squares

On one of my Ravelry forums we are doing a group afghan. We each make 4 squares for each of 6 people, then we receive 4 squares from each of those 6 people, and we have an afghan. Following are some of  my squares. 

Red Cashmere

I bought this red cashmere sweater from a thrift shop for a few dollars. It had a nice cable down the front, but it seemed a bit dated, and I cannot wear turtle neck sweaters. I unraveled it, washed it and skeined it. Now I just have to decide what to knit with it. It is super soft and nice.

Decadent Socks

I finished knitting my socks over a week ago, but just now got around to posting them on my blog. I adore the color of this yarn. I have two people on Raverly who test knit the sock pattern for me, and I want to thank them, so Thank you Jean and Linn!

I am keeping this pair for myself!

A Tea Cosy

I knitted this tea cosy for a swap on Ravelry. The pattern is from the book "Gifted" by Mags Kandis.

I embellished it by knitting in two colors and adding knitted roses and mice. A big thank you to Janet McMahon for her pattern of baby mice on Ravelry.

I think this turned out really cute! I used Philosopher's Wool for the body of the teapot cosy and scraps of other wool for the flowers and mice.

Decadent Socks

I have been working furiously on my design. I have scribbled erased, knitted, frogged, and knitted again. but I have finished one sock and am quite happy with the design. The picture below is not really very representative of the color as it was taken with horrible flash, because the day was so overcast.

I am now busy deciphering my notes and have started on the second sock. I will have to make some adjustments before I will be ready to publish the pattern, because I have little quirky things I have done that will have to be clarified. I am very happy with the design and am trying to come up with a name for the pattern. For some reason, the color makes me think of Paprika! This is closer to the real color of the yarn.

So back to knitting!

Decadent Socks

 I cast on my socks August 1 with hand dyed Superwash 100% wool from Woolbearers and #2.5 needles. I have finished the first 15 rows, and I love this yarn. Everything is going smoothly so far.

I am designing these socks myself and they will be called Red Wine Socks.

SOCKS!

I knitted these socks for Jerry for Father's Day. They are knitted from Lion Brand Classic Wool.

Bear

I just finished knitting this little bear and his clothing for a sweet little friend!

I hope he likes it!

It was really fun and easy to knit!

Three Months! Unh-Uh!

Okay, so I have been bad, very bad to neglect my blogs for so long!

I finished the Hedera Socks finally!

They were not fun to knit, I kept forgetting to knit through the back loop, and I ran out of this yarn about 1 1/2 inches from the end of the toe, which is why my toes are over the other toes! I tried to find more of this yarn, only to find that it was discontinued, so I ordered the same color, but with a slightly different content, and it really didn't match. The socks are for my daughter, and she didn't mind the mismatch, so I guess all turned out okay.

Meanwhile, I knitted these socks, and I love them. They were fun to knit and they fit like a glove! I really like the unusual way they were knit and this was the first time I did a short row heel.

I'm keeping these for myself!

Hedera Socks

I have been knitting the Hedera socks from the book "knit. sock. love." They are the first socks in the book. I started them about two weeks ago and it has been slow going. The pattern is easy and once you get the repeats down it is actually really easy. I don't know why I have so much trouble following the repeats. I have to actually stop and check each row when I finish to make sure I put in the right amount of yarn overs. I have finished one sock and am now about a third of the way through the second, but I keep putting it down and going to other projects. The yarn is really pretty and easy to work with, so it isn't the yarn. 

I am using Pagewood Farm Denali in the colorway of Grasshopper, which is a really close match to the color of the sample in the book. I am knitting with #1 dpn needles. 

Well I guess I'll just keep plugging away until I am finished.

New Design

I have been working on a new fingerless mitts design this month and have finally finished knitting two pair to try to check the pattern for errors or confusion. The first pair were knitted with Sensation Kashmira yarn, which is a very lovely yarn that has been discontinued. Sensation Kashmira is a worsted weight wool, but is actually more like a DK weight. I love the red colorway, and I really designed these mitts for Valentine's day. I was exploring ideas about hearts and x's and o's, but I love the idea of the lines apart, then meeting and parting again, thus the name Sweet Partings.  I knit the second pair with Paton's Classic Wool DK Superwash. The Paton's is very nice, but not as soft or defined as the Kashmira.

 This is the Sensations Kashmira.

 This is Paton's Classic Wool DK Superwash in the color way of Eggplant.

This pattern is available as a free download on Ravelry.

Art Nouveau Fingerless Mitts

There is an error in this pattern, and I have published the revised pattern on Ravelry. I am sorry for any inconvience this may have caused!

Designed by Janice Kuykendall
I have designed a pair of fingerless mitts for a KAL group on Ravelry. They are for the January selection, so I have been refining the pattern, and I have a working pattern now. I would love to have someone knit the pattern and then let me know if there are any errors or confusion in the pattern. The pattern and photographs follow.

Art Nouveau Fingerless Mitts

This pattern has an error that has been corrected and is free on Ravelry, 

Size

To fit: Lady 7 1/2 to 8 1/2"

Yarn

Worsted Wt, medium (4)

I used Paton's Classic Wool, 100 per cent  wool, 3.5 oz./100g, 210 yds., #77115 New Denim (Nouveau Denim) (1) skein.

Needles

U.S. size 5 (3.75mm) 4 or 5 don

U.S. size 6 (4.25mm) 4 or 5 don

Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain gauge

Notions

Cable needle, markers, tapestry needle

Gauge

20 sts and 28 rows = 4" (10 cm) in Stocking st on  needles

Stitch Glossary

K=knit

P=purl

K2tog=knit 2 together

tog=together

PM=place marker

SM=slip marker

st(s)=stitch(stitches)

M1R=make 1 right

M1L=make 1 left

CN=cable needle

dpn=double pointed needles

BO=bind off

Stitch Guide

Rib Pattern - Baby Cable Ribbing: Row 1, 2, and 3: *K2, P2* Repeat to end.

Row 4: *K2tog, leave on needle, insert right needle into first on left needle and knit, slip both stitches off needle. P2 * repeat to end.

Fancy Cable Stitch: Slip 5 sts on CN, hold in back, knit 5 sts, then knit 5 from the CN.

INSTRUCTIONS FINGERLESS MITTS

Left Mitt (cuff)

***Using the Alternating Cable Cast On ( or whatever cast on method you prefer), and smaller needles,cast on 44 stitches. Divide evenly on 3 or 4 needles, and join in round, placing marker on first stitch, being careful not to twist stitches. 

(Rib Pattern)

Row 1, 2, and 3: *K2, P2* Repeat around.

Row 4 and every other 4th row: *K2tog, leave on needle, insert right needle into first on left needle and knit, slip both stitches off needle. P2 * repeat around.

Repeat these 4 rows 6 x's more for a total of 28 rows.

You can make the cuff as short or as long as you like by subtracting or adding rows.

Change to larger needles.

Starting Palm

Rows 1, 2 and 3: *K2, P2* 5 x's, K6, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, K6, P2

Row 4 and 8: *K2, P2* 5 x's, K6, **P2, K2tog, leave on needle, insert right needle into first on left needle and knit, slip both sts off needle** 2 x's, P2, K6, P2

Rows 5, 6, 7: Repeat row 1 ***

Shape thumb gusset

Row 9: *K2, P2*5x's, K19, (PM, M1R, K2, M1L, PM), K1, P2 (46 sts)

Row 10: *K2, P2*5x's, K19, (SM, K4, SM), K1, P2

Row 11: *K2, P2*5x's, K19, (SM, M1R, K4, M1L, SM), K1, P2 (48 sts)

Row 12: *K2, P2*5x's, K19, (SM, K6, SM), K1, P2

Row 13: K2, P2, slip next 5 sts onto CN, hold in back, K5 sts, then knit 

5 sts from CN, P2, K2, P2, K19, (SM, M1R, K6, M1L, SM), K1, P2 (50 sts)

Row 14: K2, P2, K10, P2, K2, P2, K19, (SM, K8, SM), K1 P2

Row 15: K2, P2, K10, P2, K2, P2, K19, (SM, M1R, K8, M1L, SM), K1, P2 (52 sts)

Row 16: K2, P2, K10, P2, K2, P2, K19, (SM, K10, SM, K1), P2

Row 17: K2, P2, K10, P2, K2, P2, K19, (SM, M1R, K10, M1L, SM), K1, P2 (54 sts)

Row 18: K2, P2, K10, P2, K2, P2, K19, (SM, K12, SM), K1, P2

Row 19: K2, P2, slip next 5 sts onto CN, hold in back, K5 sts, then knit

5 sts from CN, P2, K2, P2, K19 (SM, M1R, K12, M1L, SM), K1, P2 (56 sts)

Row 20: *K2, P2*5x's, K19, (SM, K14, SM), K1, P2

Row 21: *K2, P2*5x's, K19, Remove markers, place 14 sts on holder, M1L in last bar of last stitch on right needle, M1R in first bar of first stitch on left needle, K1, P2

Continue for rest of mitt

Row 22 through 31: *K2, P2* 5 x's, K22, P2

Change to smaller needles

Row 32, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39: *K2, P2* Repeat around

Rows 33 and 37:* K2 tog, leave on needle, insert right needle into first stitch on left needle and knit, slip both stitches off needle, P2* repeat around

Row 40: BO in pattern

Thumb 

Row 1: Place 14 sts on holder on larger dpn, attach yarn, knit around, pick up and knit and knit 4 sts on base of thumb (16 sts)

Row 2: K13, K2tog, K2, slip last st onto left needle

Row 3: K slipped st and 1 st tog, K15

Row 4: K16

Row 5: K16

Change to smaller needles

Row 6 and 7: *K2, P2* repeat around

Row 8: *K2 tog, leave on needle, insert right needle into first on left needle and knit, slip both stitches off needle, P2* repeat to end

Row 9: *K2, P2* repeat around

Row 10: BO in pattern

Right mitt 

Follow same instructions from*** to ***, then continue with the following instructions for shaping thumb gusset of right mitt.

Row 9: *K2, P2* 5x's, K1, PM, M1R, K2, M1L, K19, P2 (46 sts)

Row 10: *K2, P2* 5x's, K1, SM, K4, SM, K19, P2

Row 11: *K2, P2* 5x's, K1, SM, M1R, K4, M1L, SM, K19, P2 (48 sts)

Row 12: *K2, P2* 5x's, K1, SM, K6, SM, K19, P2

Row 13: K2, P2, Fancy Cable Stitch, P2, K2, P2, K1, SM, M1R, K6, M2L, SM, K19, P2 (50 sts)

Row 14: K2, P2, K10, P2, K2, P2, K1, SM, K8, SM, K19, P2

Row 15: K2, P2, K10, P2, K2, P2, K1, SM, M1R, K8, M1L, SLM, K19, P2 (52 sts)

Row 16: K2, P2, K10, P2, K2, P2, K1, SM, K10, SM, K19, P2

Row 17: K2, P2, K10, P2, K2, P2, K1, SM M1R, K10, M1L, SM, K19, P2 (54 sts)

Row 18: K2, P2, K10, P2, K2, P2, K1, SM, K12, SM, K19, P2

Row 19: K2, P2, Fancy Cable Stitch, P2, K2, P2, K1, SM, M1R, K12, M1L, SM, K19, P2 (56 sts)

Row 20: *K2, P2* 5 x's, K1, SM, K14, SM, K19, P2 

Row 21: *K1, P2, 5.'s, K1, remove marker, place 14 sts. on holder, remove marker, M1L in last bar of last stitch on right needle, M1R in first bar of first stitch on left needle, K19, P2,  (44 sts)

Continue for rest of mitt

Row 22  through 31: *K2, P2* 5 x's, K22, P2

Change to smaller needles

Row 32, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39: *K2, P2* Repeat around

Row 33 and 37: *K2tog, leave on needle, insert right needle into first stitch on left needle and knit, slip both stitches off needle, P2* Repeat around

Row 40: BO in Pattern

Follow pattern for thumb

Weave in ends. 

Christmas Presents

I have been busy knitting and crocheting Christmas gifts for my family.

I crocheted this shawl in Cherry and White colorway for my Mom for Christmas. I used Bernat Alpaca Natural Blends yarn, which is a blend of 70% Acrylic/ 30% Alpaca. She doesn't like wool, so I had to find something that she would feel was soft enough. I used a size N crochet hook and a free pattern from Lion Brand Yarn. I added a white border that was not included in the pattern.

I also knitted and felted these French Press Slippers from Paton's Classic Wool in the colorway of Peacock. It was an easy pattern with nine pieces that had to be stitched together, then felted. These are for my Mom for Christmas also.

I knitted these moccasins for my Aunt for Christmas. I found the pattern in a booklet. They are knitted from Paton's Classic Wool in the colorways Cranberry and Loden. They are supposed to have beads  on the toes, but I liked them better without the beads.

These wool socks are from my brother, and I really liked the colors.

These are for me for Christmas. I really love the colors. I used yarn from a local yarn in Bristol, PA. This is my pattern, and I have made other mitts from this pattern.

Aren't they pretty?

You can also push them down and wear them this way.

Closing with my Mom's Christmas shawl.