Burma Rings Resolution

I made a resolution to finish all the projects I had on the needles.  The Burma Rings sweater from The Best of Interweave Knits was my oldest project that had been started and stopped over and over.  This slightly oversized sweater was easy to knit up in Plymouth Encore Worsted Yarn.  The heathered colorway gave it a great textured look.  I finished this project in October 2019 and proudly wore it to the New York State Sheep and Wool Fetival in Rhinebeck, NY.  I was happy to receive many compliments and get some wooly love.

Short Row Ombre Fun

I love the time I get to spend with  my sister and her husband.  They always do something special for me on my visits home.  On this particular visit, they treated me to a visit to a yarn store.  I found this Mochi Plus yarn from Crystal Palace and the Short Row Multi-Directional Scarf.  My sister was unaware that she picked this yarn as a project for her. 

This merino blend yarn is under-spun, making a super soft smooshy fabric.  Although it is aran weight yarn, the size 9 needles make for a lightweight piece.  The short-row pattern along with the ombre colorway makes for a beautiful scarf. 

Tamarix Throw

I saw this in the Fall 2010 Issue of Interweave Knits, and had to knit it up.  When I started this project in 2012, it was intended to be a wedding gift for a friend.  However, the intended recipient changed again and again.  When I finally finished it in 2018, it was given to my sister as a "wedding/birthday/christmas/anniversary" gift.

The Tamarix Quilt is a 36" x 36" quilt is perfect for either a throw or baby blanket.  This piece is made up of 100 mitered squares.  I was especially intrigued with the "knit as you go" rather than seaming the pieces together.  This method is quite easy once you get the hang of it, but I wish the pattern had given more guidance in where to begin in the pattern.  I chose to go left to right, bottom to top.  It did become problematic in some parts, but I made do.  When I do this project again, I would start from the center squares and work my way out.

I used Brava Worsted from Knit Picks.  This is a top product with great value.  I have had success using this yarn for several projects.  It was the perfect weight for this project.
 

(Not So) Vanilla Latte Socks

 

I've been wanting to make a pair of socks for my cousin for a while, but never had her foot size.  On a recent trip back home, I was able to take proper foot measurements and get started.  Hannah was more than happy to be the recipient of one of my creations, but had one condition.  She didn't want me to spend too much on the yarn.  I assured her that I had tons in my stash, but she insisted that we take a trip to Joanne's to pick out something for her.  

I have always admired Paton's Kroy Sock Yarn.  An inexpensive, but extremely durable yarn is such a great value.  They also have a great selection of colors as well.  The colorway that Hannah chose was "Meadow Stripes."  It turned out to be a great choice for the Vanilla Latte Sock pattern by Virginia Rose-Jeanes I chose for her. 

As you can see, Hannah was more than happy with the results.

Mason Dixon Kimono

Lately, I've been doing a lot of baby knitting.  Three cousins, a co-worker, and my landlady were blessed with little bundles over the past year.  When my friend Rosalie told me she was expecting her third child, I wanted to make something really special.  I had always wanted to knit up  the Baby Kimono from Mason Dixon Knitting.  

While the pattern seems complex, it's really simple to follow.  It was knit up in Lion Brand Cotton Ease which, unfortunately, is discontinued.  You can use almost any cotton yarn,  but I liked the softness of the fabric that this yarn knit up. 

I discovered the patterns from Mason Dixon Knitting quite some time ago..  You'll see in earlier posts that I have completed three Modern Log Cabin blankets; one adult size and two baby.  I love their selection of everyday knitted patterns.  

Fawke's Tail Scarf

 

Another great design from Yarn over New York!!  I was flattered to be invited to test knit one of her new creations.  The Fawke's Tail Scarf was knit up in Rain City Knits Supersock in the Steel Gray colorway.  Everyone else participating in the test was using variegated colorways and I wanted to do the same.  However, I just couldn't make up my mind from the many colorways I had in my stash.  Additionally, I wanted to do something a little different than everyone else.  I feel that the gray colorway really makes the pattern pop out.  I also discovered that, depending on the light, the yarn gave off different hues.  Love the way it knitted up and can't wait to wear it this fall.

Is that a Family Name?

I have discovered and fallen in love with the yarnbox subscription.  Every month with perfect timing I get the most wonderful packet of sock yarn and a suggested pattern.  This shipment of Louet Gems Fingering yarn in "CandyApple Red," "Flourescent Green," and "Peacock" featured the sock pattern "Tilson Socks," by Jessica K. Larson.  I couldn't wait to try this pattern for two reasons.  One, I really wanted to do a sock project to perfect my striping technique and second, the name of the pattern.  My mother's maiden name is Tilson; I thought it a remarkable coincidence.  I love how the colors blended together.  I got many compliments on these socks and plan on doing them again, but in the smaller size.  With no stitch pattern, these "vanilla socks" are better knit up in a smaller size.

Ghost Ranch Cowl

My most favorite designer I like to test for is Yarn over New York.  https://yarnovernewyork.wordpress.com/

I was very happy to participate in the test knit for the Ghost Ranch cowl.  I love the was the slipped stitches combined the colors and gave the impression of a herringbone design.  The cowl pattern was knit in the round with US Size 3 (3.25mm) needles, and have to be careful to use the shortest circular needles you can.

I used two color combinations for each cowl.  The cowl on the left was made with Debbie Bliss Rialto 4 ply in forest green, yellow green, and cream colorways.  Although the colors are neutral, the pattern made them really pop.  The cowl on the left was made with Rowan Super Fine Merino 4 ply in Sky, Lilac, and Fresh.  These contrasting colors gave me great look as well.

I look forward to the opportunity to test again for this designer

International Sock Swap

I hadn't been involved in any swaps in so long.  I find that there are very few swaps on ravelry.com these days.  Luckily, the International Sock Swap is alive and kicking.  I chose "Dither" by General Hogbuffer.  I wanted to try my luck at stranded knitting and just loved the color graduation the pattern offered.  It took me a while to find the right combination of colors.  I settled on Heritage Solids by Cascade Yarns in purple hyacinth, turquoise, and citron.  The results were fantastic.  I received several compliments on them while they were on the needles and the swap recipient loved them as well.

I plan on doing this pattern again, but I think I'll try a  more subtler color combo.

Parker's Cotton Cardi

 

I was so happy with the results of the "Little Coffee Bean" cardigan, I couldn't wait to get another one on the needles.  Because the recipient lives in Alabama, I wanted a lighter yarn.  Hobby Lobby's "I Love this Yarn" also has in a cotton blend, making it perfect for this project.  

While the pattern called for Size 7 and Size 8 needles, I felt these sizes made a fabric that was too loose.  I ended up using Size 5 and Size 6 needles.  I do recommend that you use the "super stretchy bind off" for the button bands.  It gives a more even button band, preventing the bottom from riding up.  

Check out Cat Bordhi's video instruction for the Super Stretch Bind Off.  It's super easy to follow and to learn.

Undulated Ribbed Trekking Socks

 I needed a quick and easy project to do while I was on vacation and I hadn't knit up a pair of socks in a long time.  I had this perfect ball of Deborah Norville Serenity sockweight yarn I had purchased from Joanne's.  

The hard part, though was to find the perfect pattern that would quickly knit up.  I ended up modifying a free "trekking" pattern on ravelry.com.  While the original pattern called for the two alternating ribs from the cuff down, then stockinette stitch down to the heel.  I though that was incredibly boring so I continued the rib in alternating rows.  The stripping of the yarn contributed to a nice undulating pattern.  For the heel, I used the "Fish Lips Kiss" heel which worked out well.  

I love the result of my first attempt to step out of my comfort zone by modifying a pattern.

Baby's First Ragland

The arrival of my landlord's wfirst child, gave me the perfect opportunity to complete my first top down ragland cardigan sweater on a small scale.  I took two recommendations from my friend Diana by using "I Love this Yarn," which is Hobby Lobby's own brand and her go to baby sweater pattern.  

"I Love this Yarn" is soft, inexpensive, and comes in a wide variety of colors.  The sweater pattern, "Little Coffee Bean," can be found on Ravelry as a free download.  Don't be intimidated by this stripped, top down pattern.  You can find instructions on youtube.com to eliminate the jogs that you get as a result of knitting stripes in the round.  If stripes aren't for you, you can do a solid or variegated yarn; it will still look great.

Baby, Baby, Baby.....

When I returned from vacation, I couldn't wait to raid my stash yarn to make some more goodies for my new little cousin, Emily.  The center pair of socks were made from Online Supersocke, a 100% wool yarn I used to make my first pair of socks.  I love the way the striping works out with the colors, while the pink gives it the "girly girl" look.  I improvised on the pattern by gauging the size of her feet and comparing it to other baby sock patterns.  The cuff was a simple 2x2 rib, followed by the "Fish Lips Kiss" short row heel.

The booties on the right were made with Paton's Kroy sock yarn that was left over from a pair of socks I had made for myself.  The pattern "Magic Slippers," is free on Ravelry and is a very easy pattern to follow.  What attracted me to it was that it was knitted in one piece, eliminating the need to seam up the back.  It is also easy enough to make larger or in a heaver weight if desired.

The booties on the left were made from left over Plymouth Encore yarn from the "Flo the Elephant" project.  A simple "Mary Jane" booties which are also free on Ravelry.  I found many variations.  This pattern was easy to follow as well, calling a mattress stitch to sew up the back heel.  Although it was done in all garter stitch, the seaming worked out fine.  The buttons were found at Hobby Lobby.  Their light pink with a center rhinestone gives the proper amount of bling for our new little princess.

Flo the Elephant - Part II

I was thrilled when my cousin told me his wife, Tiffany was pregnant and immediately told them both that I would knit anything they wanted.  The baby's room was decorated in an animal theme and she wanted "Flo the Elephant" which I had done for a friend's daughter a while back.

The pattern is free on "knitty.com" and very simple to work up.  It took me a while to find exactly the right colors.  They were having a girl, so the color pink was a given and I wanted to find a green to make it really pop.  I knit it up on US Size 4 needles with Plymouth Encore worsted weight yarn.  While the pattern called for 100% wool, Plymouth's acrylic/wool blend did the trick.  Instead of embroidering the eyes, I chose safety eyes which worked out better and even added the daisy stitch flowers with the pink yarn.

The recipients couldn't be happier with the results.  In fact, the gift was such a big hit, I got a request for another!!!

Random Acts of Kindness

I just love the Ravelry Group "Random Acts of Kindness."  Each month, you post your wish list; it can be anything from yarns to patterns, or books.  What I love the most about this group is that the timing of these "random acts" is impeccable.  I came home from a long day at work to a package from fellow raveler "Freedom1776."  She sent me two beautiful diaries that I will use for my knitting projects and the candy which almost disappeared in an instant.

 

If you are a fellow raveler, you have to check out this group.  I love giving as well as receiving!!!!  Join this group and make someone's day......