Knitting – Page 12 – Thimbleanna

Yo.

55 Comments / January 26, 2009 February 22, 2011 / Knitting

Did you all have a good weekend? I was very happy to come home from my trip and just lie around most of the weekend, not doing much. I did manage to finish up and block the scarf I was working on when the quilty peeps and I escaped last weekend.

It’s a late birthday present for my youngest niece (these January birthdays kill me after the rush of Christmas!) She received a new brown coat for Christmas, so I decided to make her a quick scarf to go with it.

The yarn is Patons SWS (Soy Wool Stripes) and I was really impressed that as I added each new ball, the same pattern continued. It even ended up in the same striping pattern that was at the beginning of the scarf. I’ve never had such good luck with self striping yarns before.

I didn’t have a pattern — I just wanted a simple rib-type pattern. I cast on 35 stitches on size 8 needles and repeated two rows (Row 1: Knit, Row 2: Knit 1, Purl 1) until it was as long as I wanted. I ended up using 3 balls of yarn.

Mr. Spikey Haired Snowman conned me out of it for a little bit, but it kept him so warm that he wasn’t wearing it for long. And see his little snowman eyes? When it was all over, I placed them on the bumper of my car. Then I drove to MeMum’s. Then I drove to MyDadLovesMeBestSister’s. And finally to Barnes and Noble for a little magazine ogling. And when I came out of B&N, there sat those eyes still on my bumper. Pretty funny.

So. New week. New Project. I hope it’s as good for you!

XOXO,
Anna

P.S. You must go check out the fabulous 100th post giveaway going on over at Bitty Bits and Pieces. And tell her I sent you LOL!

Need a Scarf?

36 Comments / December 14, 2008 February 18, 2011 / Holidays, Knitting

Well, how’s it going out there? Are you all busy working on holiday projects this weekend? I’ve been sewing all day and plan to do more tomorrow. I would normally put up our real Christmas tree this weekend, but I have too much sewing to do and didn’t think I could afford to lose the weekend to decorating. I’ll work on the tree this week after work.

A few weeks ago, when I posted the knitted hats pattern, I mentioned to a few of you in e-mail that I have a scarf pattern that can be knit to match the hat. Just like the hat pattern, our now-out-of-business yarn shop provided this pattern when I purchased yarn from them. It’s a great scarf — it’s knit in the round, so it’s effectively a two layer scarf and it’s nice and cozy and warm!

I made this hat and scarf a few years ago for TheFirstChild. I knit it in his school colors and before I put the fringe on the end of the scarf, I used my embroidery machine to add an “E” (he went to Earlham College) to one end before I closed the end with the fringe. It’s a fairly quick knit — the year I made it I started about 10 days before Christmas and had it finished in time for a Christmas present. (This pattern can also be used to create a Harry Potter type of scarf without a letter.)

The “E” is from Husqvarna Viking’s baseball font set. I loved this font when the kids were in high school. One year I made our family baseball sweatshirts with our last name across the back of the shirts. Very Dorky, but everyone knew who we were there to support!

Collegiate Scarf

Sizes: Children’s (Adult’s)
Measurements: approx 6.5″ x 60″ (8″ x 84″) excluding fringe
Materials: 2 skeins each gray wool (Cascade 220, Encore, etc. — I used Cascade 220) and burgundy wool, 16″ #8 circular needle, piece of cardboard 4″ x 7″, size F or G crochet hook and yarn needle.

Note: Cut fringe before beginning scarf — with gray, wind 48 (56) times around the 7″ length of the cardboard. Cut one end and set aside. With the burgundy wind around the cardboard 56(64) times.

Scarf: With burgundy yarn, cast on 60 (72) stitches and join being careful not to twist cast on edge. Knit 20 (25) rounds. Change to gray and knit 20 (25) rounds. Repeat this color sequence for 17 (21) stripes, ending with burgundy. Bind off all stitches loosely. Using an overcast stitch, sew the ends of the scarf closed.

Fringe: Beginning with burgundy and alternating colors, attach fringe with crochet hook using 4 strands per fringe for a total of 13 (15) times. Trim edges of fringe even.

My front door Santa seemed very happy to have a little warmth — it’s cold out there. He’s not alone, even TheEmptyNestChild loves this scarf!

And for the non-knitters among you, primarily Isabelle (who I’m sure is only temporarily a non-knitter), I offer my front door Christmas lights. Isabelle posted her front door (make that beautiful front door with the gorgeous stained glass window!) with a description of how it will look after Mr. Life puts some lights on her little tree. Rather than wait on TheManoftheHouse to put lights on our trees, I’ve resorted to two little fake trees and a garland that get put into the attic with lights in tact every year. That way I can just pull them out of the attic and plug them in. The Christmas tree in the window is fake too (although it gets taken apart, so it’s more work) and it’s inside where it can be decorated in warmth. The red bells in the window were my grandparents and they’re one of my most treasured Christmas ornaments. They’re not valuable (SweetiePie just bought some on e-bay for $3.00) but very sentimental.

Oh! And I had a really weird thing happen last night. I was commenting on someone’s blogspot blog and the verification word that popped up was our last name! Has anyone else ever had that happen? Your own last name??? Maybe blogspot is stalking me LOL!

XOXO,
Anna

Working on the Catch Up

35 Comments / December 1, 2008 February 18, 2011 / Knitting

Boy, I hope all of you in the US had a good Thanksgiving. It sure went by quickly, didn’t it? I’ve been trying to catch up on a few blogs — I’m so far behind! Like many of you, I can’t believe December is here already. I guess I should come to grips with the fact that Christmas is only 24 short days away. Aaaacccckkkkk!

I managed to knit four hats for Jean‘s hats for the NYC homeless while we were just sitting around with the in-laws over the holiday break.

I used the jogless stripe method that I mentioned in the previous post, but I had trouble with it when there were consecutive single rows. Guess I’ll have to get that figured out and, in the meantime, I’ll just cross my fingers that Jean, being the expert knitter that she is, won’t look and laugh. Just remember, Jean — Look ‘n Laugh — it’s like Drink ‘n Drive and it’s a no-no!

Some of my bears decided to model the hats. Their heads aren’t big enough though, so they’re looking a little goofy. Don’t worry, those hats will conform to a normal human head shape and they should look ok. I really enjoyed knitting them and it was a great way to use up some yarn scraps. The red was left over from a hat and scarf set that I made TheFirstChild in his college colors (red and gray) a few years ago. I’ll try and take some pictures of the scarf later this month.

Look what came in the mail the day before we left for Oklahoma:

I ordered two needle punch kits from Karen‘s online shop, Farmhouse Woolens. I love doing needlepunch and I thought these patterns were cute. My big problem is that I never know what to do with these when they’re finished. My wall space is pretty limited and you can only have so many pillows. (Note: No plan didn’t keep me from ordering LOL.) If any of you have any great suggestions for needlepunch pieces, I’d love to hear them!

Anyway, look at the beautiful thread that Karen included! I couldn’t believe it when I opened the package — what a wonderful surprise! Aren’t those colors beautiful? I can’t wait to use them (after the mad Christmas rush, of course.) Karen’s service is fantastic — her shop is easy to use and she has quick service. Go check her out — maybe you’ll find something you love there too!

So. On to the big one. I’m. Not. Ready. A lot like We’re Not Worthy, only I’m. Not. Ready. So much to do. Guess I should get off of this computer and get to work, huh???

XOXO,
Anna

Hat Knitting

31 Comments / November 26, 2008 February 18, 2011 / Chat, Knitting

Well Hello there! If you’re in the US, are you sprinting to the finish for Thanksgiving? I’ve lucked out this year and won’t have to do any baking, as we’re visiting the in-laws. I will miss my pie baking though — my family always lets me bake the pies, which is really fun for me. So…….sorry, there won’t be any fun Thanksgiving pictures here!

Anyway, as I mentioned in my last post, since dear Hester is out of commission and I’m not in charge of any holiday cooking, I’m going to try to squeeze in a few hats for Jean‘s hats for the NYC homeless. I started knitting one yesterday and it’s moving along pretty quickly.

TheManoftheHouse says this will be too small, but not to worry. I’ve made these before and they fit just fine. If they’ll fit my big-headed boys, they should fit most people. In case any of you might like to knit some of these hats for Jean, I thought I’d share my favorite easy pattern. Although, I must say, taking a peek at the hats already starting to arrive at Jean’s, I’m thinking I need to go in search of that rolled brim hat too — it’s pretty cute! Oh, and check out this exciting post — Jean is giving prizes and some of them are REALLY cool. Go on — go check it out — it will make you want to knit hats. I’ll wait.

Tap…Tap….Tap…

Ok. Are you excited now??? So, here’s the pattern I’m using. I got this several years ago from our LYS, which, sadly, is now out of business. They used to give this pattern out for free if you purchased the yarn at their store.

Beginning Knitter’s Basic Hat

Materials: 1 skein of yarn + scraps if you would like to add a stripe. Light worsted weight (Cascade 220 is nice).

Instructions are for knitting on straight needles, but I like to knit them on circular needles so that I don’t have to sew up a seam at the end. If knitting on circs, start off with 80 or 84 stitches, depending on where you fit on the gauge spectrum. Also, if knitting on circs, and adding stripes, there’s a fantastic tutorial here for making jogless stripes!

Gauge:

4.5 sts = 1″ on #8 needle

Beginning at lower edge cast-on 82 sts.

Row 1 (WS): P2, *K2, P2, repeat from * across.
Row 2(RS): K2, *P2, K2, repeat from * across.

Repeat last 2 rows until piece measures 1″ from cast-on, ending with a WS row.

On next RS row dec 2 st evenly across row. 80 sts remain. Continue in st st until piece measures 6″ from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

To shape top of hat:

Row 1(RS): *K8, K2tog, repeat from * across.
Row 2 and all WS rows: P.
Row 3(RS): *K7, K2tog, repeat from * across.
Row 5(RS): *K6, K2tog, repeat from * across.
Row 7(RS): *K5, K2tog, repeat from * across.
Row 9(RS): *K4, K2tog, repeat from * across.
Row 11(RS): *K3, K2tog, repeat from * across.
Row 13(RS): *K2, K2tog, repeat from * across.
Row 15(RS): *K1, K2tog, repeat from * across.
Row 17(RS): K2tog across.

Cut yarn leaving a 20″ tail, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight and sew back seam.

Abbreviations: dec-decrease, inc-increase, K-knit, P-purl, RS-right side, st st- stockinette stitch, sts stitches, tog-together, WS-wrong side.

It will be a few days before I can do my normal blog visiting, but if you’re in the US, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. (If you’re traveling, travel safely!) And if you’re not, you should make a pumpkin or pecan pie just because they’re so darn good!

XOXO,
Anna

A Weekend Vanished

54 Comments / November 16, 2008 March 8, 2016 / Knitting, Socks

Ok. Where’d the weekend go? Did it whiz by as quickly for you as it did for me??? I meant to post sooner, but the weekend just got away from me.

I did get a lot done though. Lots of sewing, and of course, being the time of year it is, I can’t show any of it here on the blog. That’s one reason I enjoy the week between Christmas and New Year’s in blogland — everyone shows all the goodies they made for holiday gifts. Anyway, other than sewing, I had a fun, quick trip with MeMum to pick up this quilt from the quilter. (Binding will have to wait until after Christmas!)

I also managed to bake a quick batch of cookies. When we were in a grocery store in Scotland, I noticed (and bought) some custard powder because I don’t think we can get it here, and I remembered seeing some good recipes requiring custard powder around blogland. Fortunately for me, Lisa posted about her little Custard Shortbreads just the other day and saved me a bunch of time searching through archives.

OhMyGosh! We LOVED them. They’re quick to make and they were a HUGE hit with TheManoftheHouse who doesn’t really like sweets. He loved them so much he’s making it his mission to figure out how we can get custard powder! Lisa — thank you so much for posting the recipe!

I also haven’t shown you my finished Mockery Socks (pattern here).

I finished knitting them on the flight to Scotland, and Sirius and I worked the kitchener magic to get them off the circular needle. I love them. They’ve already been worn and washed three times. They’re SO warm!

These socks also have a new to me heel pattern. I think it’s a little different than the eye of the partridge pattern, but maybe they’re the same? In either case, I’ve always just done a standard stockinette heel but this heel is very cool and I WILL be making it again.

I love this yarn too. I wish I could remember what it is. I bought it from Cami over a year ago and I’m just awful at keeping track of the ball bands — partly because it takes me so long to make a pair of socks and those ball bands get lost. Maybe Cami knows what it is — I’d sure like to know ’cause it’s awesome yarn.

I think these will be my new favorite socks. I took them off and laid them down in the leaves for one last picture. Just as I was about to click the shutter, a little wisp of wind plopped that perfect maple leaf right onto my socks. I love it when that happens!

XOXO,
Anna