White and grey......

Thanks to everyone for the kind comments about the new blog look. I think I will give this a chance to grow on me. Sofee's photo in the header is a couple of years old, and it reminds me that she is aging. She has lots of white in her head, and facial area now. The Veterinarian says it is not due to old age, but that as a dog matures, they lighten in color - her white is "light" not "old". Hmmmm - not sure I buy that, but at least my Vet is a kind man - trying to make me feel better. She will be 4 years old this summer - not an "old" dog by any means. Too bad I can't use that theory on myself....I'm not getting old, I am getting "lighter". LOL...Wish that was true in more ways than one!

But...back to the knitting aspect of this blog.....

I have my first 2009 FO ready for sharing. My son's snowboarding socks are finished. One might wonder what makes them "snowboarding" socks. Absolutely nothing - except that is what he asked for. I did make the leg 8.5" long, to accommodate the boots. I am guessing that might be a good thing to do. But...they are wool socks, and he didn't want heavy ones. So.... Hope these make him happy. They are out of an older skein of Opal (ball band lost long ago) knit on 2.25 dpns. This time I used Knitpicks Harmony 6" dpns - not pony pearls. They have 72 stitches, 2" ribbed cuff, the rest plain knit. The Opal skeins are so generous, even with the larger size and longer legs I had a sufficient ball of left-overs - and no worries. I also had to waste a fair amount in order to match the stripes. These will be heading to New Mexico soon. I made a fun little sock wrapper for them. He doesn't expect them, so hopefully it will be a happy surprise.

And this morning, I cast on for my Son In Law's pair. He does expect them, but I still hope he'll be happy when he receives them. CIC has just announced their Jan/Feb project - wool socks for the little kids - age 1-6yrs. I may have to take a break from Grey yarn to make a few pairs of happy little socks for the kids! They go so fast, are a great way of using up left overs, are so much fun to make, and not to mention -- warming up some little toes is always a good cause. Kind of warms up your heart too, so..... if anyone is so inclined -- I am sure your help would be welcome. CIC - Children In Common.

Finally....2 FOs!

Snowmen mittens! (Does this count as 4 FO's??) This pattern was part of a "Mystery mittalong" in which the finished mitten was to be donated to charity. These will go towards CIC's current mitten challenge, with final destination being a South Dakota Indian Reservation I believe. Good cause - cold fingers - wherever they may be. I believe that I read that Jean (the designer) had plans of putting the pattern of Ravelry. She also has an owl pattern, and a larger version of this snowman mitten.
These are supposed to fit a preschool aged child. I have no model hands, so I can only hope they will fit. The mitten was fun to make, out of WW wools, and on size 4 DPNS, but the detail work was somewhat fiddly. The original instructions suggested embroidery features, but I did not trust my abilities. I dug in my orphan button box and found some suitable buttons, and used beads for the eyes and nose. Poor guys will be mute and have no lunch either....alas - no mouths!

So far -

so good with my New Year's resolution to do more charity knitting. Here is another toddler sweater for the CIC Yahoo Group. It was quite a lot of fun. The neckline is not to my liking - I may eventually frog it and do a plain ribbing. Live and learn.
This is the "Snakes and Ladders" pattern from the Knitting Ganseys book. The yarn is Galway, a 100% worsted weight Wool. Hopefully it will make someone smile some day.

I started another Grandbaby sweater this morning. The rosey colored Debbie Bliss cardigan. It is a little different than the blue version. It has a seed stitch border. We will find out on February 12th what color I should be knitting. Guess I should probably wait - but nope, that's not going to happen. How many years have I waited to knit grandbaby items???

Finished, if not dried......

Jerold's Gansey from "Knitting Gansey" by Beth Brown-Reinsel is completed. In order to do the pattern justice, I really should have read the entire book first, and perhaps even knit the small practice gansey offered. But - no - I just made the sweater. It came out ok - so no big complaints. It was a fun knit - although I was a little concerned about the sizing while knitting. Now I am happy with it. It was knit on US5 and US8 needles, of "Galway" a 100% worsted weight yarn. If it were knit to a different gauge, it would be a little warmer. Seems a little loose to me, but perhaps it will be better once dry. It is the recommended gauge, both for the yarn and for the pattern sizing. This will go to CIC, for their current challenge. Oh, and I finally broke down and purchased the book.... Hope the library will find another interested patron - it always seemed to be available when I wanted it.

Now I understand!

This is the Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket. I had a friend who used to talk about this pattern all the time. I never knew what she was talking about.... Well, now I do and I can understand her enthusiasm. It really is a fun little project.

I was originally making it for CIC, but not sure it will be big enough to meet their criteria. Even though I am using WW wool, and size 7 needles - it appears fairly small. Guess I won't make that decision till it is completed. All the stats will come with the "finished" photo.

One done, one in progress, and one "broken"....

I have the Wonderfull Wallaby for CIC finished. I am not too happy with the collar - I followed the patterns suggestion of a garter stitch collar instead of the hood - but next time I may search for a better alternative. It is out of Patons Classic Merino, Size 6 and 8 needles, Sweater size 4. Hope it will eventually keep a little body a bit warmer.

While waiting for the pattern for the glove kal to arrive, and as I am frustrated with the chore of picking out "contrasting" yarns with which to make these gloves - I started an easy pair of socks last night. "Waving Lace Socks" (yes - I have joined the masses) by Evelyn A. Clark from my new favorite book: "Favorite Socks". They are living up to their reputation of being a fun knit!!

And, I leave you with this:
It happens to everyone: A "bad hair" day!

Down with Fit Frustration!

Jennifer asked what my next project would be. Last night, I cast on a toddler sweater for CIC. I am hoping that will be the next challenge, but as I understand it, there is always a need for toddler sweaters. After all the sizing issues with the InsideOut socks, I wanted a fun project - and I know this "will fit some child -- somewhere!"

The patters is an old standby - "Wonderful Wallaby" by Cottage Creations. I have made it many times, and truly enjoy the pattern. This is a size 4, out of a Denim color Paton's classic Merino. I plan to make the "pouch pocket" from the Denim Marl. I do not plan on making the hood, rather a rolled open color. I wouldn't think the kids would need a hood inside, although perhaps the pocket would be fun for someone to keep their special "things" in. (Marguerite, if you are reading this, and have a different opinion, let me know. I have enough yarn for the hood, I am sure.)

It is a cool and rainy day here today. Low stress level in our house (aka: Lazy Saturday). Sofee is just chilling, trying to avoid all liquids in an attempt to wait out the rain!! Not sure she'll make it... but venturing out in the rain is just one step up from dealing with snow on the ground, and we all know how she feels about THAT!!

Two more for the "kids - big kids this time!"

These Worsted Weight socks were so much fun to knit up. I made these in what I think may be typical "bigger boy's" colors. The brown pair is a simple 4k/2p rib pattern. The Olive is an adaptation of the Fluted Bannister pattern offered several months ago by the 6Sox yahoo group. They were both fun and quick to knit.

This brings my total to only 6 pair. That was my personal goal for CIC's current challenge (knits for the bigger kids) - but I am a little disappointed that I did not do more. I will be sending these off, in addition to 5 toddler-size sweaters.

Off to travel the world in search of cold children - warms my heart!!

Foiled plans.... darn!

My plan was to knit "Dalarna" with the KOTR kal. I had the yarn called for in the pattern, and was ready to roll. I never thought to guestion the quality of yarn that had been carelessly stored away for probably 10 years! Well - it was pretty useless - lots of fraying and breakage. So - Wendy Guernsey in the trash... sniff sniff... lesson learned.

While I re-grouped, I knit these three pairs of "big kid" socks for the current CIC challenge. I would like to make 3 more pair before shipping them off at the end of the month. Perhaps I should re-check to see when the deadline is? The center pair is the pattern that Susan has posted on her blog in segmented fashion-- what fun! The other two are from the "Winging WW socks" pattern that Marguerite was kind enough to share with us. Thanks to both talented (and generous) ladies!

And, Shirley and I have decided to knit "Monkey" the pattern by the talented Cookie as our next KT. I am still undecided as to which yarn I will use, but leaning towards a Wildfoote in "Jazz" colorway. I purchased this yarn in Colorado last fall, and don't want it to go the way of the Wendy Guernsey..... My heart can't take too much of that....!

Cozy in Green

The Green Cozy in Cables sweater is done. This will eventually join the others going to CIC. I really enjoy this pattern - a quick knit and the Lamb's Pride Bulky is so soft to work with!

Next, Socks - I really must make a pair of socks for SAM-3. I also need to finish my Sockret Pal's socks. I fear I have the dreaded SSS with those! Hmmm.... we'll see....

Warm Belly-Buttons.....

Yes - everyone should have one! So - I added onto the bottom of my sweater! My DH (yes - darling man that he is) says it looks like it's supposed to be that way!! Sure!! - but he means well!

After I got the sleeves on, the body had shrunk even more - so, as a last resort. ... Then, I did not like the seams on the garter band, so -- a little creative detail stitching.

It will be warm!! Gotta remember that.....

Welcome Saturday Sun!

Yes, another sunrise photo. Sorry folks, I am a morning person.... What you can't see in this photo is the hoarfrost covering all of the trees. It is so very sparkly and beautiful. There is a winter storm warning predicted for later this evening - into tomorrow. It is expected to bring another 5-6 inches of snow to mid-Iowa. Yes - it is January after all!!

Now on to the knitting:
Shirley and I have decided to make the "little pink sweater" as we call it AKA: "A Tunic Sweater for the Family" - a Cottage Creations pattern - in colorblocks of bold primary colors. We plan to begin later today. If anyone else has this pattern and would like to join in, you are welcome to do so. While I am color-phobic for any garment that I plan to wear, I do enjoy working with bright colors for the CIC kids. Pehaps that is why I so enjoy the CIC knitting I have been doing - that and the fact that the whole idea of knitting for the kids just warms my heart!!

OK, it's a keeper...

well, not exactly, in that it will eventually be sent to CIC for the kids. But - at least I do like the finished product. Amazing what the blocking process does! I did re-do the neck, binding off with a much larger needle. I am sure the neck has plenty of stretch now.

My friend Shirley and I are thinking about doing this patten together, and making "color-block" sweaters. Sounds like a great idea to me! Should be fun - not to mention a great way of using up odd balls of wool.

The verdict is out on this one....

This is the worsted weight sweater that I am making for CIC. It is from a pattern booklet that I bought several years ago, yet have never used before.

I am just not sure I am happy with this sweater. My stitches seem so uneven in the SS section. What's with that?? The gauge is right on, 5st per inch, yet it seems so loose and floppy to me. Guess too many tightly knit socks, and firm bulky weights. I am probably just being too critical. Perhaps the blocking process will make my stitches better. Then - there is the neck. I think I am going to have to do it over. The ribbed neck and roll over are very stretchy, but I fear that the bind-off is not stretchy enough. Sigh...... I don't care for pink either. I will be glad when I am finished with this. I don't think it is the pattern's fault - I think it must be the knitter......

I will finish it, however, and it will be warm, uneven stitiches and all! And, hopefully, there will be a little girl that LIKES pink!!

On a much brighter note, you might notice the count-down that I have added above! How cool is that!!!

Cozy in Blue...

Here is the finished toddler "Cozy in Cables" for CIC. Oddest thing happened, though. My yellow sweater (same size - same stitch count/needle size/finished size) used quite a bit of a 3rd skein of Lamb's Pride Bulky. For this sweater, I had a small amount of the 2nd skein left!! Marguerite's pattern called for 250 yards (each skein is 225) so 2 should have been adequate. But, after the yellow experience, I ran back and purchased the 3rd skein of all the colors I had purchased (enough for 7 sweaters). So - I may have lots of yarn for bulky wool mittens!!!

Sweaters....

One is done:













One is not:

Mrs. Santa made an early pit stop....

She stopped at a LYS, that is unfortunately going out of business. Got all these wonderful 100% wools for CIC (and other charities) knitting! It really does sadden me to see this store close, as it has become my favorite LYS, and had only been in business for 1 year. I wish the owners all the best, as they seem to be wonderful folks. She also got a few notions, a booklet, and a couple of 24" Addi circs - 2.00m. I have never made socks on circulars, but plan to some day. Considering all that she could have purchased, I think "Santa" was pretty darn well behaved!! Way to go!!!