Knitted Sea Creatures

Here is a photo of the sea creatures (all invertebrates), that I knit for a friend's baby boy. I had intended to get them done before he was born, but I ended up getting them done by his 1st birthday. Considering the problems with the patterns, and the amount of un- and re-knitting I had to do, I think I did pretty darn well! I could add all the details about the designer, the yarn and needles, etc., but I frankly didn't jot enough down and would have to make up at least 1/2 of it.

Oh, and I did really get these done in February, so I'm pathetic, but not quite that pathetic.

New Blog to look at

I thought you both might be interested in this blog. "Bee Log" It's not knitting, but it is about a hobby! http://mtbees.blogspot.com/

Christmas Dog Shrug pattern

I always prefer to work from someone else's patterns. I was running out of time, and this one was a great idea, but would have taken too long.

This was written specifically for Roxy, a 6-pound Yorkie mix. I used Red Heart Christmas yarn--red with gold.

I didn't write down everything exactly, but this is pretty close to what I did. (I guess you could call this an Elizabeth Zimmerman type pattern...even though I don't like her style).

Cast on 16 stitches and make 1.5 inches of K2, P2 ribbing.
Then: increase 1 stitch for the next 10 rows.
Garter stitch until you are 2.5 inches from the full length. (Roxy's version is 16-18 inches total).
Then decrease 1 stitch for the next 10 rows.
Then K2, P2 for 1.5 inches.

Sew up the ribbing + a couple of rows of garter stitches on each side. Put on dog, and see how long it lasts!

Adapt this to your dog/any yarn:
measure around the dog's lower front leg--this gives you the width of the bottom of the shrug

measure from the dog's lower leg, across back to similar place on other front leg--this gives you the total length

I've finally done it!

I have finally figured out how to use DPNs. I think it only took me 4-5 years, 10-15 books, personal instruction. Ok--to be truthful, I can only seem to make it work if I have 3 needles in a triangle shape, but it has opened up a whole new world for me.

I have made 2 hats so far, and will probably make many more. I like one skein projects best. I like to finish things. I'm a project knitter for sure.