Shopping interrupted

My SO and I headed north to Knitting Today yesterday, the 29th (this is important), for their end of year sale.    It was a beautiful day for a drive in the country, as a freezing fog had left the landscape frosted.  The trees made me want to knit something in evergreen and sparkling silver.  Much to our surprise, when we arrived at KT, there were no cars in the parking lot and the closed sign hung in the window.  WTH?

We turned around and headed back to town and found our way to Sarah Jane's, where I managed to find something to spend my money on:

I need some orangish socks (haven't picked a pattern yet):

The following is for a Suede Baby Hat and "Ugg" booties (Ravelry links):

And this is for Oor-flap muts (another Ravelry link):

When we returned to my house, my SO checked the newsletter from KT that was hanging on the refrigerator and read that the sale was Dec. 27, 28, and 30.  Oh.  Maybe I need to pay better attention.  And I could not go today, the last day of the sale, because this little stinker came to visit:

Diaper blow out!

I also had a gift card from Barnes and Noble to use, and among my selections was One Yard Wonders.  It was only later, when I was perusing the book in the privacy of my own home, that I discovered a bunch of pages were missing and had been replaced with dups of other pages.  WTF?  I've never seen that in a book before.  Needless to say, I will return the book and hopefully be able to replace it with one that has all the pages, nothing more and nothing less.

Happy New Year!

Three down, one to go

Finally finished these socks for my son for xmas.

Pattern:  Four-Stitch Ribbing Pattern by Charlene Schurch (garter rib) - 80 stitches around (I think)
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Sassy Stripes, in color 765
Needles:  US1 dpns
Modifications:  none

I made a half-assed attempt to match the stripes, but casting on was flummoxing me, so once I got both socks going and discovered they were not going to match, I said, Screw it.  These socks are larger than most I knit, so used more than 100g of yarn.  No surprise there, but I was surprised when I soaked them and the blue bled out into the water.  I will have to warn my son about that, although pale blue tee shirts are not a catastrophe.

On to the final pair of socks for xmas, although I am not so delusional as to think these will be done on time:

Again, casting on was a pain, so no attempt to match stripes.  I am liking these blues, though.

No FOs yet

These photos are out of date already, but I'm too lazy to take more recent ones.

Pair number three of four for xmas is actually closer to the toes than this indicates.

In fact, I measured them this morning, and one is a few rows from toe-start, while the other has another inch or so to go to catch up with its mate.  These may get done today.

Not only does this top now have sleeves, the matching pants are over halfway done as well.

I am not happy about the curling, though.  This morning I tried several different borders, including applied i-cord, to uncurl the bottom, but none of them worked very well.

Belinda is still far from being even halfway done.

The loss of daylight savings time has not helped.

Only eight more inches to go before the Moebius scarf can be Moebiusized.

Then I will add an applied i-cord border in "natural".

The brioche scarf is about 80% done.  The stay-on baby booties ground to a halt because I don't like knitting the yarn - it is too fine and splitty - and now I fear they would be too small anyway.

I have been enjoying my Ringwood gloves, but if I were to knit them again, I would choose a stiffer yarn.  The fabric is stretchy to begin with, and the bouncy yarn makes them even stretchier.  It difficult to pull them on and slide the cuffs under my coat sleeves.  Ditto the Mistake Rib scarf, which has grown in length even though I have been careful not to hang it from a peg.  Good thing they are so pretty.  And warm!

Not a newborn blob anymore

Babies grow so fast.  One minute their feet are too tiny for the infant socks, the next they are outgrowing them.

Dancin' feet!

Growing out of one size sweater, into the next.

Please ignore the spit-up on my face.

*sigh*

Meanwhile, I am a bit bogged down on the xmas socks.  I thought choosing fairly vanilla patterns would help me knit them faster, but instead I am getting bored.  I will be lucky to get pair #3 done in time; pair #4 may be just a promise on xmas eve.

It doesn't help that I started another project: a Moebius vest that morphed into a scarf once I realized I would not have enough yarn for the former.  Lately, I have had the urge to use up some of my stash.  That urge has not translated into not buying more yarn - according to Webs, a boxful is winging its way here right now - but maybe the stash has reached critical mass and I feel I must divest before I invest in more.  Or something like that.  Anyway, between three and four skeins of Lamb's Pride Bulky is about two-thirds on its way to becoming something warm and wearable.

Speaking of warm and wearable, I have been making good use of the Bog Jacket lately.  One thing I can't understand, though, is why, wherever I go, nobody stops me to ask, "Did you knit that?" or to say, "I LOVE your sweater!" or to proclaim, "YOU are a knitting GENIUS."  What is up with that?

It's about time

The knitting for these gloves has been done for a while now.  The buttons were purchased at least a week ago, at Joann's.  The gloves were soaked some time back.  Only today did I finally sew the buttons on.  Now they are finished, just in time for some snowy winter weather.

Pattern:  Ringwood Gloves by Rebecca Blair (pattern on knitty)
Yarn:  Colinette Cadenza in 'Copperbeach'
Needles:  US5 DPNs
Modifications:  None

It's difficult to capture on "film" just how pretty this yarn is, especially in the ringwood stitch.  However, the fabric is very stretchy, so take that into consideration when choosing needles and size.  I have large hands, but the medium size was plenty big, even after dropping a needle size from the one recommended by the pattern.

These are to wear with my brown faux shearling coat, along with the Mistake Rib scarf.  Now all I need is a hat to complete the ensemble.

Nothing new

Despite all the cooking and cleaning and family and friends, some knitting has been going on, just nothing worth photos or commentary yet.  So, let's look at the most adorable grandbaby in the world!

Pretty in pink

Pink pilot cap.

Does this hat make my eyes bluer?

Purple baby bonnet.

Acrylic - a fine petroleum product

Sweet Cherries baby blanket.

More sleeves, please

It took me a little while to decide how I was going to extend the sleeves on my Bog Jacket.  My vision was something not as wide but still blousy, extending down to a ribbed cuff, but I was concerned that would look goofy.  While perusing Handknitting with Meg Swansen, I came across the Round the Bend Sweater, which is similar to the Bog Jacket in looks, including sleeves similar to my idea.

So I picked up the stitches around the sleeve, which numbered around 90, and decreased the sleeve width by about 10%.  Then I knit in stockinette for about six inches before decreasing the sleeve width again, by 50% this time.  A couple of inches of 1x1 ribbing finished it off.

I liked the result, but solicited a few opinions before executing the second sleeve.  All two of the people surveyed approved.  And now that the weather is acting more November-like, I can actually wear this jacket out and about.

Where am I?

In order to keep the current projects progressing, I try to work on each one a little bit each day.

An inch a day on the xmas socks,

The goal is to finish these by end of November

a finger a day on the gloves, 

I'm this many years old.  In glove years.

one or two pattern repeats on the scarf and stole.

Side A

Side B

I don't always succeed, but I try.

18 inches

And then, invariably, something new crops up, in this case a pair of stay-on baby booties.

Not an obscene gesture.  Really.

Because the grandbaby needs a new pair of shoes.

Oh, wah

The heels in my Go with the Flow socks are going.  They are made from Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Solid which is 100% merino.  No nylon.  No silk.  Just wool.  I checked my other Cherry Tree Hill socks, the Diagonal Cross Rib and the Embossed Leaves, and while they are not holey, they are on their way.  Lesson learned:  knit socks with sock yarn that has been reinforced with nylon or silk (but not acrylic).  Please.  Save the 100% wool sock yarn for shawls (which will remember their blocking better without the nylon anyway.  Ask me how I know.)

So.  What do YOU do with holey socks?  The cuffs and legs are still good, and I worked so hard on these that I think I may frog them back a bit, then convert them into fingerless gloves or mitts.  Or I might just save the yarn for a future crackghan.  After a proper period of mourning, that is.

Pebbles of color

After I knit my SO these gloves, I wanted to make myself a pair.  In the latest knitty, I found this pattern.  In my stash, I found some Colinette Cadenza in "Copperbeach".  The two are hitching up.

(Sorry the pix are so dark.  I'll do better next time.)

Two down, two to go

Here is pair number two of the xmas socks.  I bought three 50-gram skeins for these, but since I was doing nothing fancy, used only two of them.

Identical twins!

Pattern:  Four-Stitch Ribbing Patterns, from Sensational Knitted Socks
Yarn:  Cascade Yarns Sassy Stripes
Needles: US1
Modifications:  Used a 1x1 rib stitch instead of a 2x2 one

After nearly matching stripes on the last pair of socks, I decided to try matching them this time.  Of course, before I could even get sock #2 cast on, I came across a splice.  I retried, though, and ran into no more splices.  Whew!

When is Shibui not Shibui

When it's Malabrigo.

Pattern:  Shibui Baby Bonnet, from Shibui Baby (available from Simply Socks)

Yarn:  Malabrigo Yarn Sock

Needles:  US2

Modifications:  None

I have not sewn on the buttons yet - waiting for a "fitting" on Baby N to ensure proper placement.  Bawling pictures to follow.

This is the same yarn as used for one of the February Baby outfits.  Another complete ensemble!

Heartbreakingly cute

I was holding off on knitting hats for Baby N until she was born, just in case she was like my babies, who skipped the newborn size.  But N is (to my eyes) petite and lean.  And nearly hatless, so I had to whip up some headgear.

Pattern:  Heartbreakingly Cute Pilot Cap, from Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines

Yarn:  Oasis Yarn Aussi Sock, in "Faded Valentine"

Needles:  US3

Modifications:  None

I found it really difficult to get gauge using sock yarn, but decided to just go with it.  The resulting fabric is stretchy enough to fit a baby's head (as demonstrated by my new model, who not only has eyelashes but  doesn't cry when we play "dress up".)

This is the same yarn as I used on one of the BSJs, so now N has a complete ensemble in Faded Valentine.  If only the socks would stay on.

Done, with picture

I think I forgot to post a photo of the Pine Forest Baby Blanket.

Pattern: Pine Forest Baby Blanket, by Ingrid Aartun Bøe (available in Ravelry)
Yarn: Lorna Laces Shepherd Worsted Solid
Needles: US8
Modifications: None to speak of, other than the number of repeats - I knit fewer.

I didn't block it with wires and pins, but it did get a good soak and a rest on the blocking bed. Before blocking, it measured about 26" square. After, about 29.5" x 27.5".

Bad sock day

Since I finished xmas socks pair number two and xmas is only 54 days away, I decided I had better get going on pair number three.  But for some reason, these socks don't want to be knit.  I have lost track of how many times I have cast on, but I'm sure it is over twelve.  And it is not like I am a sock-knitting neophyte.  And it is not like I am trying to do something tricky.  These are relatively plain vanilla, at least the cuff is, but they are rebellious.  So I am just setting the yarn and needles aside for a little time out.

Meanwhile, let's look at that lovely grandchild of mine some more.

She doesn't look real, does she?

Oops, that one is a little fuzzy.

Please do not disturb

That's better.  And, oh, look, she is wearing a new hat.  I knit that for her when she was still in the hospital, but I forgot to take a picture of it.

Pattern:  Super Stretchy Hat by Lynne Beckett
Yarn:  Valley Yarns Valley Superwash DK
Needle:  US6 (I think)
Modifications:  None except to cast on a number of stitches that is divisible by four, since this is basically a 2x2 rib pattern, but I can't recall exactly how many that was

I measured Miss N the other day, or tried to.  Her head is almost the same circumference as her chest.  Good thing that will not continue into adulthood.

No longer bogged down

I love my Bog Jacket!  It is long enough to go past my butt, is as warm as a blanket, and looks good, too.

Pattern:  Bog Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmermann (in Knitting Around)
Yarn:  Cascade 220 in black, red, and gray
Needles:  US7 for most, US6 for applied i-cord
Modifications:  None of my own, but I selected most of the options recommended in the pattern

I still want to do something additional with the sleeves, like add a cuff.  They come just past my elbows, are rather kimono-like, and appear to bell although technically they are not bell shaped. But for now, I am going to consider this project done and enjoy the warmth.

Delayed

The football hold

This little sweetie has impacted my knitting schedule (in a good way!) so I am not making progress on Belinda or  Zandloper, but knitting has been going on.  The Pine Forest Baby Blanket is done and soaked but not dry yet.  Most of the pink washed out, so I am guessing over time, it will all be gone.  The Bog Jacket is done except for some weaving of ends and a good soak.  Also, I want to do something more with the sleeves, I just don't know what yet.  The second pair of xmas socks is almost there - one done except for final grafting, the other down to the toe.

So, of course I started something new:  the Shibui Baby Bonnet from Shibui Baby Knits, but not in Shibui yarn.  I'm using Malabrigo left over from one of the February Baby sweaters.  Whoever said baby things are quick to knit has not knit them from sock yarn.

Let's play dress up!

I could not wait to see how the smallest outfits I knit fit Baby N, even though she was a reluctant model.

I can't work under these conditions!

All that crying is exhausting!

The sleeves on both the February baby sweater and smallest BSJ were on the short side, while the leggings were plenty long.  As you may recall, these items were knit in fingering yarn on US2s.  The infant socks (not pictured) which seemed so tiny to me are large enough that they don't stay on.  Guess I will have to whip up some stay-on booties for this girl.

The best early birthday present EVER

Presenting baby N:


7 lb. 2 oz.


Mom, dad, and baby all doing well.  Grandma, on the other hand, is beside herself, hopelessly in love, can't get enough of baby N.

Finally

Finally it is cool enough to wear the alpaca Mistake Rib scarf I knit last spring.  It is also cool enough for hand knit socks, but I have been wearing them for a while because in my office, thanks to the HVAC system, there is no sweating, except from nerves or stress.  We moved to a new "green" building recently which is even colder, and now I need wool sweaters as well.  Good thing I have picked up the Bog Jacket again, and maybe I will "man up" and finish seaming the Minimalist Cardigan as well.


So, how long should a WIP be a WIP before one gives up on it?  The WIPs I have the most trouble picking up again are the crocheted ones.  Originally, I was a hooker and not a knitter, but now I am a knitter who occasionally crochets.  I tried learning filet crochet, but it's too fiddly for me.


I have also tried to become a spinner and have aspirations to be a dyer.  Toward the latter, I recently "harvested" the marigolds in my garden, storing the petals in the freezer until that magical time when there will be more than 24 hours in a day and/or I will no longer need to sleep and/or the stops setting.  
  

I have also started saving the dry skins of onions.  The robins beat me to the poke berries, though.

Now, where was I?

Oh, yeah.  Grafting the bog jacket.

And I did it!  Not perfectly, but good enough.  I tried on the jacket and it actually fits, although I'm not excited about the collar.  Now it is time for about a mile of attached i-cord. 

Progress on Belinda: 

That's thirteen inches.


Progress on Zandloper: 

And I am still working on the final baby blanket (which I think will become the blanket-that-stays-at-grandmas-house) and xmas socks. 

And I want to start these gloves before the snow flies, for moi.


And that's the end of this progress report.