Sherbet Socks

Pattern: Mrs. Hunter's Socks from "Steppin' Out" by Rowan
Yarn: Plymouth Sockotta Fair Isle Effect, #6670
Needles: US size 2 (2.75 mm)
Began: June 18, 2007;
Finished: July 30, 2007 (While on vacation)

I bought this yarn at a really nice knitting store in Atlanta, Ga. in February. The store's name is Why Not Knit and it's on 314 Buckhead Ave. When I found the pattern in the leaflet by Rowan, I decided to try knitting a lacy sock with patterned yarn. So far I like it, and it the colors remind me of sherbet! Yum.

Fuzzy Wuzzy Baby Girl Hat

Last weekend, I finished off another baby hat for (yet) another friend who's baby recently made her debut. I believe that I don't know anyone else who is currently expecting a baby, so this may be the last baby project post from me for a while.

I got the pattern at my LYS in a little kit, but the instructions don't say who designed it or anything, so I can't give her/him due credit for this easy, stylish little hat. The directions do give sizes up to Adult, so let me know if you want one!

Here is the girly version of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Baby Hat.

Pattern: Fuzzy Wuzzy Baby Hat
Yarn: Tweedy Cotton Classic 100% mercerized cotton #477
Plus some coordinating eyelash yarn that wasn't marked
Needles: US size 6, 16" circular
Began: June 16, 2007
Finished: June 17, 2007

First Raglan, Final Update

Pattern: My First Raglan, Lisa Knits #SW-024
Yarn: Filtes King Australian Merino (product of Italy) 100% Merino Virgin Wool
It's supposed to be shrink resistant according to the label. Color #1021
Needles: US size 5 for ribbing, US 6 for the rest.
Began: May 3, 2007 at around 8 pm
Finished: June 12, 2007

Well, it took 6 weeks to knit the sweater, but it is now finished! I had a great time taking the knitting class, and I learned a lot. I think that there are some areas of the sweater that could be better, but that's normal. I was very, very nervous about knitting the v-neck at the same time as knitting the raglan shaping for the sleeves, but it turned out well. My sweater teacher did say that the v-neck seemed shallow, but we couldn't figure out why, since I did it exactly according to the instructions.

The other part that had me worried was picking up the stitches around the neckline to finish it. This is one area that I think could have turned out better, but I think it means I need to practice. I did bind off too tightly the first time. It fit over TL's head, but just barely, so I un-bound off and redid it with a larger needle size (7 instead of 6). I think it was too tight because my tension got tighter due to my fear of this part. Now the neckline is nice and stretchy and fits over TL's head just fine. I think it is about 1 1/2 to 2 sized too big for TL right now, which is just what I wanted it to be, since it is in the 90s right now and he's unlikely to want to wear it very soon. He likes the sweater (he said so) but was reluctant to even try it on in the heat. The part where we have air conditioning in the house, so it's not hot in here, notwithstanding.

In an early post about this sweater, I said I wasn't sure if I'd ever knit another one. I guess it's still debatable, but I did buy the yarn to knit myself a cardigan, so here's hoping that I knit at least two!

Knit the Classics

I know this is something most people would love.....it's a sort of cross between knitting and a book club. Since I'm a pop culture junkie, I can't imagine reading the stuff they are talking about, but....I know at least one former English major who could.

First Raglan Update

My goodness but it's been a while since I've had time to add updates to the blog! I have been learning a lot in class and have made great progress on the sweater I'm knitting. I have the whole back done, as well as both sleeves. I am just about to start the decreases for the v-neck and the sleeve inset area. Here's a photo I took just a few minutes ago, after I'd set the pieces out to be blocked, but before the wet towel came out of the washer...

Pattern: My First Raglan, Lisa Knits #SW-024
Yarn: Filtes King Australian Merino (product of Italy) 100% Merino Virgin Wool
It's supposed to be shrink resistant according to the label. Color #1021
Needles: US size 5 for ribbing, US 6 for the rest.
Began: May 3, 2007 at around 8 pm
Finished: TBD

The mat that I've pinned the sweater parts to has been covered in clear shelf liner so that the ink from the cardboard mat will not run all over my wet knits. I like using this mat because it has the grid, which is marked in 1-inch increments, so it's easy to make the pieces measure what they should. I put it on a bed, so the pins go right through and hold everything in place.

It doesn't really seem like it's been over a month since I started this project, but then again, a lot of stuff have happened. Including that my friend had her baby (2 weeks early) and I rushed off finishing BBBB#3, and gave it to her, once again forgetting to take a photo of the finished blanket. Oh well, I'm pretty sure she'll let me take one sometime.

Hot Dog

Everyone should take care of their eyes, especially if one plans on hanging ones head out the car window with a lolling tongue.

A little bird told me the other day that this hot dog needs a bun-shaped sweater. Way too funny at the time!