knitting on my mind

While I was in the hospital I couldn’t really pay that much attention, so knitting was more of a chore.  Now that I’m home recovering I have a lot more time to sit and enjoy knitting.

A couple of days ago I picked up my Cable Comfort Throw again.  I’m loving the quick progress of working with size 11 needles and chunky yarn.  The picture doesn’t do the blanket justice.  I’m knitting it in the round instead of in strips as the pattern calls for, so it’s all bunched up and you can’t see the full width of it.  I’m using Debbie Bliss Superchunky Cashmerino yarn in sage green that I got on clearance at Little Knits, and it’s turning out to be super soft and cuddly.

The other unfinished project that I would like to get going on is the teddy bear for my little cousin.  All the pieces for the bear itself have been knit, but I ran out of stuffing!  I need to pick some up at a Joanne’s or something.  I didn’t bother with gauge so the bear turned out to be huge.  I think the toy will end up being as big as she is!  I still have to knit the sweater for the bear, but I’m trying to put that off … due to the sheer size of the bear i think it’s going to be like knitting a sweater for a baby.

On a different note I’ve been contemplating knitting in the round using the magic loop method and/or using 2 circulars.  The problem is that I absolutely love my dpns.  They’re quick, easy and efficient.  Why do I want to stray you ask?

Ultimately what lead me to thinking about all these ways was my 2 socks at once on dpns project.  I’m almost done with a pair using this method – it’s been great, but it’s also limiting because you can only efficiently knit patterns with ribbing and/or straight knit/purl since every other stitch is a sock.  Trying to do 2 at a time on dpns with cables, lace, bobbles etc.. would not be worth the effort.  I figured if I could use the magic loop or 2 circs method to do 2 at once it would be much easier.

I spent time on You Tube yesterday looking at all their magic loop and 2 circs videos.  My first thought – interesting.  I think my inherent bias for dpns is going to make this journey inflexible.  Both the magic loop and 2 circs method has you pulling cords here and there and needles flopping about and dangling… seems cumbersome when dpns are quick with just one needle flying about.  But as they say, you never know until you try.  Who knows, maybe I’ll end up loving it and abandon my dpns (gasp!).

The one hiccup I have with trying these methods is that I don’t have the needles for them.  For the magic loop I need fixed circulars that are at least 32″ long.  I do not own fixed circulars longer than 16″.  I’m all about my interchangable tips which do not come in sizes smaller than US 4.  For the 2 circs it’s even worse cause not only do I need fixed circs that are longer than the 16″ I own, I need 2 of each size!  We shall see if I end up going down this road.

Stitches West + Rockin’ Sock Club

Today Carol and I went to Stitches West in Santa Clara.  I’m very fortunate to live close enough to drive to the big yarn expo.  This was my first year going, and it was fantastic.  We didn’t take any classes, but spent over 3 hours at the market.  There were hundreds of vendors and more yarn in one place than I’ve ever seen.  Talk about a sensory explosion.  I didn’t go all out crazy, but treated myself at the same time.  Here’s what I bought:

3 Skeins of Peru by Blue Moon Fibers – Jabberwocky

1 Skein of Franklin Socks by Valley Yarns – Claypot

2 Skeins of Shepard Socks by Lorna Laces – Roadside Gerry

1 Skein of Socks by Malabrigo – Chocolate Amargo

1 Skein of Socks by Malabrigo – Tiziano Red

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Another indulgence that I’ve made recently – I joined the Rockin’ Sock Club from Blue Moon Fiber Arts.  It’s a year membership, and they send you a sock kit every other month.  Included in the kit is: a pattern specially written for the club by a known knitter, socks that rock yarn specially dyed for the pattern, and little club specialty trinkets.  Here is January’s kit:

Once I finish knitting the pair I will post it…  it may be a while, but I’m hoping to get it done sooner than later.

herringbone linen scarf

Today I finished the herringbone linen scarf for my cousin.  The original pattern that he picked out had the pattern written all funny, so I couldn’t get the rows to work out with the number of stitches that I casted on.  In the notes section of that pattern it said it followed the Herringbone Stitch from Vogue Stitchionary Volume 1.  Since I happened to own the Vogue Stitchionary Volume 1, I went directly to the source.  Turns out the stitch is called Herringbone Linen on page 120.  I followed the pattern as stated in the book and slipped the edge stitches on the right side of the scarf to give it clean edges.  The scarf measures 8″ x 56″ using Queensland Collection Rustic Wool in colorway Taupe with size US 9 needles. The next project I’m starting on is a teddy bear for my cousin’s daughter who turns a year old on January 15th.

hat & gloves

For a Christmas present I knit up a k5, p1 ribbed beanie out of Moda Dea’s Tweedle Dee Yarn in colorway Sahara.  It knit up very quickly, and the yarn is super soft and warm.  Hopefully it doesn’t pill too much.

Another Christmas present that I just recently finished is a pair of Evangeline gloves by Michelle Szeghalmi.  I used some more of the di.Ve’ Zenith yarn which worked perfectly due to it’s stretchiness and fabulous stitch definition.  The pattern was easy, and knit up quickly.  I followed the elbow length pattern and the size was just right.  If I were to make these gloves again I may add a thumb gusset.

boy beanie

This week has been all about knitting gifts.  One of the projects I just finished is a beanie.  I did a 4×2 rib pattern using the same yarn as I did for the Triumph Scarf – di. Ve’ Zenith in dark grey.  Total number of cast on was 126 stitches for a circumference of 23″ and made it 9″ in length.  Quick and easy knit for the holidays.  I bought a whole bag of the di.Ve’ Zenith on clearance, and it’s come in handy.  Despite that fact that it’s a bit splitty I love it because it doesn’t pill, it’s super soft, and the yarn has a bit of a spring to it that gives great stitch definition.

triumph cable scarf

Yesterday I shipped Dylan the Donkey, the Lupin Scarf and the Triumph Cable Scarf to NY.  The scarf was a lot of fun to make.  The pattern was easy enough to do while watching tv, but also interesting enough to keep me from being bored.  I used di.Ve’ Zenith yarn – super soft machine washable Merino wool – which I love, but the yarn was splitty, especially with my pointy options needles.

Right now I’m in the middle of a scarf that was supposed to go out with the above package and a couple of Christmas presents.  My recovery literally consists of: hospital, eat, knit, tv and sleep.  What am I going to do when i have to go back to work?

baby gnome hat

Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash Paints in colorway Jelly Bean, double stranded

Needle: US 10

Pattern: Baby Gnome Hat from One Skein Wonders