Emergency hat

My g'daughter lost her primary winter hat, so g'ma to the rescue with a quick pink knit. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo of it before gifting it. If I someday do get a pic, I will post it, just for reference. (Editor's note: added photo.)

Pattern: Basic Hat Pattern, by Ann Budd
Yarn: Cascade 220, colorway 9478 (pink)
Needles: US8
Modifications: I didn't follow the pattern directions very closely - details are here on Ravelry

Which brings me to a dilemma. I try to keep track of project details on Ravelry, then use those notes to create a blog post. It feels like a duplication of effort, so I am contemplating just using Ravelry in the future instead of blogging about my FOs. Still contemplating this issue. Any thoughts on the subject?

3 days until xmas

This is the LAST handknit xmas gift for 2014. It is blocking as I write. I need to give the xmas socks a good soak to plump up the stitches, but otherwise I am DONE (unless I decide to whip up something extra for the g'daughter, like a hat, as she lost one).

Pattern: Noro Striped Scarf, by Jared Flood
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden, colorway 357
Needles: US9
Modifications: I used only one colorway but knit from two skeins at a time, staggering the color shifts. Also, I used a provisional cast on and joined the ends to make it a moebius. Grafting instructions for ribbing may be found at Techknitting.

I draped this around my neck while preparing to soak it - MMM! Very soft and warm and cuddly. I may have to make one of these for myself. When I am done with my fiber diet. Which right now appears to be NEVER. Many stash-busting projects are lined up for 2015.

Stuck

Do you get stuck at certain points of knitting projects? I certainly do, which is where I am right now. Most of these sticking points are repeat offenders: seams on sweaters, thumbs on mittens, grafting ribbing or garter stitch, buttons.

I have a sweater that I started in 2008, finished knitting and blocking, that has yet to be pieced together. There are three sweaters I wear despite having no closures; I recently purchased a zipper for one and buttons for another, but the third defies a definitive solution. My granddaughter's belated birthday sweater lacks only buttons, which I have but have not sewn on. My first colorwork, a pair of mittens, lacks one thumb. Another pair has not gotten past the first mitten, which also awaits a thumb. Then there is a ribbed moebius scarf that has yet to become an endless loop.

I hit snags when knitting socks - casting on toes, turning heels, binding off ribbing - but with a little peace and quiet, I can get past these. Projects that require a lot of counting can also grind to a halt, but eventually they move on. Anything fiddly, however, is my Waterloo.

What are your UFO hangups?

13 days until xmas

Sometimes the finishing is the hardest part. I use Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off for toe up socks, but for some reason I could not get into the rhythm right away. Eventually it came, but struggles like this make me feel like I am getting dumber and dumber.

Pattern: none to speak of
Yarn: ONLine Supersocke 6-fach Milano Color, colorway 1616 (grays)
Needles: US3
Details: Turkish cast on (12 stitches, increased to 56 stitches), stockinette for foot, gusset heel, stockinette for leg, 1x1 ribbing for cuff, Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off

I refer to socks knit in DK as "boot socks" and made the legs a bit longer than usual. The foot came out a bit long, and the toes have "bunny ears". Not perfect but perfectly wearable by the intended recipient.

14 days until xmas

We are coming down the homestretch now for homemade/handmade xmas gifts. I didn't so much as plan ahead as simply start early. Consequently, things are looking good on this home front.

Pattern: Slouch 0-906 Hat by Drops
Yarn: Colinette Cadenza, colorway 72 Tapis
Needles: US7
Modifications: I knit until I had seven garter stitch ridges, then performed the decreases over stockinette only

I was hoping to get my granddaughter to model this hat to show how it slouches at the top, but she has been very contrary lately. You will have to use your imagination or check out the other photos on Ravelry.