Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Getting My Knit On

So, we finally had some sun today so I decided to take some photos of projects in the works, things I've finished (yay!) and some gifties I got in the mail that I haven't posted about yet. When I got the pictures loaded in the computer I realized that I took 69 of them. Ok, yes, some of them are multiples of the same thing. I'm not a great photographer. What I lack in skill and knowledge, I make up for in luck and taking a whole lot of photos of the same thing hoping I'll get decent results. Generally this works for me. But even after weeding out the "oh yuck, who the heck took that one" photos, I still had way too many for one post. So, I have photos for the next three days worth of posts.

Today's offering? Well -- hopefully the title kind of explains it. I've mentioned that I've been kind of taken with knitting again lately. Well, the current obsession fascination has paid off in some finished objects to share. First up is the scarf I showed here. Done. Ends woven in (am I the only one who puts this step off until the very last possible minute? I actually had this one off the needles about a week and 1/2 ago -- but, I had to weave in the ends and block it. So, what did I do? Cast on and finish two more projects that also needed ends woven in. I think this is like my aversion to sewing down binding) and blocked. Of course, to do that I needed to go out to the lovely LYS and get some blocking pins and a new yarn needle -- but, we do what we must do. Finished in time for our weather to get back to normal January freeze your tush off cold. (single digits expected for the weekend -- and please remember I'm using the F scale here) And since this is for me, I'm wearing it as an early birthday gift to myself.

Also done (remember I said I had finished two projects while avoiding weaving in ends?) is a pair of warm and soft, soft, soft mitts/wristwarmers for me. They're made out of some Noro cashmere/silk/wool/nylon blend yarn and may I say they are nummy. The pattern is from (of course) Last Minute Knitted Gifts -- and while I couldn't find the really short circulars they called for in the pattern, it works up just fine on double points.

And because after I was done (more ends to weave in remember) I wanted to make another "quick" project. The pair for my aunt out of the same yarn. Though, I do love this color -- too bad my aunt has seen photos of the yarn I bought for her -- otherwise I might think about trading colors...no, that would be wrong (and my aunt would kill me as well).



And just to prove that I only have second sock issues (and no, the second pair of those is NOT done yet), not second mitt issues -- a photo of both PAIRS of mitts.

Oh, and I may be addicted to making these. I mentioned having to go to the LYS to pick up some notions? Well, I finally took my mil out to the shop as well. She goes to quilt shops with her mother and I every year -- but, well, she doesn't quilt or sew much. She does, however, knit. While there she saw the yarn I made these out of and I offered to make her a pair. She decided on this lovely variegated version (looks much more like "Noro" colors hunh?) for her pair.



And speaking of doing the same pattern again -- um, I think I'm going to be making another one of those chevron scarves. Wayyyyy too much fun with that one. So, I may have (just may have mind you -- despite the photographic evidence I'm about to show) purchased some yarn already. This one is going to be for a friend for Christmas (next year!!! How's that for an early start?). I did call and ask her if she wanted something calm or not -- she said go for the hot pink and green so, hope you like it B! Personally, I can't wait to see how these go together in that pattern. The yarn is Shibui sock yarn in orchid and wasabi.

Christmas gifts -- I'm already working on another one for next year! (woo hooo -- another New Year's Goal I'm actually working on. Now, if I keep it up will be another thing) This will be -- um, well, it will be something. I'll show it when it's finished and tell you my plan. Until then -- it's easy peasy knitting in the round (yes on dpns -- but, still, all knit stitches, no purls, no decreases, no pattern, you know -- boring). I'm about 1/3 of the way done with it -- but, it really goes quickly.

And I have more yarn for the next one of, whatever it is, when this one is done. This should be fun (and I hope it works) since it is recycled cotton yarn. It is made from the leftovers/ends that are part of fabric manufacturing. I really like the idea of hand made gifts using something that is recycled (not by me mind you, I bought it -- but, still, by someone).

And one last knitty thing to show. I did mention I was going to have a hard time leaving alone the yarn for my daughter's sweater right? Well, despite having a few other things going -- I did get the gauge swatch for it done. Just need to block it to know for sure, but it looks like I've got gauge!!! Wooo Hooo! (though I'm thinking about trying out a new pair of needles -- I love my addi's but, I may try the addi lace turbos to get a better point for parts of the pattern. We'll see.)

So, wow. I guess I did get a few things done. Though, those ends were woven in on Sunday night and the scarf was blocked before I went to bed. AFTER little one was feeling better. Tomorrow's post (I hope) will be all about fabric and gifts. In the meantime, my living room looks like a daycare center exploded all over it. I had to shove aside move a whole lot of junk stuff in order to be able to take the photos while we had some sun. I think it's time for even my non-domestic goddess self to get some cleaning done!

14 comments:

Joyce said...

You have been busy with all that knitting. Housework can wait. And it always does.

Kristin L said...

Man, that's a lot of knit you got on there. I have yet to make those mitt things,but they are on my list. I am however on my fourth (yup, 4th!) chevron scarf! They rock! I look forward to seeing the pink and green -- I bet it will look great.

The Calico Cat said...

WOW! (Can you please explain the mittend without fingers... I get it for marching band, but for real life?????)

Happy early/late/on time birthday... Mine is the 30th.

Karyn said...

Holy Toledo!!! You accomplish in two weeks what most people accomplish in a YEAR!! I love everything, especially the scarf (I'm glad you finally wove in the ends) :)

Anonymous said...

Ohhh I just love all the projects. The yarn looks so great too. I have a pattern for wristlets and now after seeing yours done I think it may be my next project. Oh yea and my little guy had the stomach bug last Friday night and while he made it to the bathroom great for a four year old he forgot to lift up the potty seat.UGh. I think bedding is MUCH easier to clean. Glad your little one is doing better.

Shelina said...

You certainly did get a lot of knitting done. I really like the wristwarmers, and look forward to seeing what that pink and green yarn looks like all knitted up!

Unknown said...

The scarf is beautiful. I love the colours of the new wool for another one. It looks like spring! I an knitting other socks at the moment, can´t seem to stop! AND my DS got the tommy bug yesterday (fortunately not too heavy!).Is it a world virus or what?! Take care.

Samantha said...

Look at you go! Did you accept your ravelry invite yet?

Magpie Sue said...

Hey, if you ever need someone to make a scarf or wristwarmers for just let me know! ;- )

allie aller said...

Just love all those yarns, oh my goodness!
Wouldn't it be cool to knit different patches that would be made up into a crazy quilt?

Paula, the quilter said...

True confession: I wait until the bitter end to weave in the ends. Want to try a different pattern for the mitts? Go to knitty.com and search for the Fetching mitts. They have lovely short cables on them. Yum.

Jenni said...

You are on a roll! Just remember that "dull women have immaculate homes". Repeat that a few times and you'll feel fine. The chevron scarf looks great.

Nan said...

More knitting porn, I see. When you get to the knit-speak, it's like you're speaking Chinese, I'm afraid! Ah well, everything you've created and creating is absolutely gorgeous!! You make me want to learn to knit! Congrats on starting on Christmas projects already, too!

Felicia said...

Those wrist warmers are tres fabulous.