Sorry for the long period of inactivity but I am really busy with school and work. I hardly have time to myself any more. I’m still working on the baby dress, although it is taking longer than it normally would. Since I found out that I’ve been purling incorrectly my entire life, I’ve restarted the baby dress and I’m now about 80% finished. I look forward to finishing it and sending it out. Too bad I can’t shrink myself and wear it. It is going to come out fabulous. I love knitting baby things. It’s like they were created just for knitting. Or is it the other way around. Unfortunately with my lack on time, it is being worked on during lunch breaks and in the few minutes I spend each night in bed before sleep hits (or in my case before I decide to put my head on the pillow and wish for sleep.) I can’t wait to show pictures.
Tag: knit
Sweater Wear
For most of you in the Northern areas of the country, sweater season has arrived in full force. My family and friends in New York are repeatedly getting walloped by the unrelenting weather. Even here in Southwestern Florida, I am getting the sweater itch. By itch, I mean the want to knit not the want to wear itchy old-fashioned sweaters your grandmother used to give you for your birthday.
I am probably the last person who should give advice on knitting sweaters. I have made a total of one bolero and one shirt. My lovely shirt came out wide and short and I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing it. When they say that gauge is important, GAUGE is Important. Think of spending your hard-earned money on this wonderful skeins of yarns, putting hours and hours of time into it and then standing in the mirror horror-struck (and in tears like me.) But don’t let that stop you. We all learn in different ways and the only way we get better is from learning from our mistakes.
I flip through patterns constantly and my latest favorite is Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard. The author also writes a blog http://www.knitandtonic.net/
I love her book because it doesn’t just give you patterns, but explains the way sweaters are knit, how they look, the way they are designed and how you can create what looks best on you. I want to try everything immediately. I highly recommend any knitter who is interested in making sweaters, shells, or any other clothing item to read this book! It can only help in later projects.
Sticks and Socks
Most knitters have at least tried to knit socks but many of us have a love of creating those unique pair of toasty warm socks. It is a bit crazy, considering that you can buy a three pack in Wal-Mart for a few bucks but many of us will go out and spend ten to twenty dollars on yarn and a week or longer of our blood, sweat and tears. Blood because of the small sharp pointy needles, sweat due to trying to follow intricate patterns while using small sharp pointy needles and tears when one of those needles fall out and you lose your place in the pattern.
There are several ways to knit socks.
1- Toe up. This is what I’m working on. It is easier because you can try it on as you knit and don’t have to worry about running out of yarn.
2- Double pointed needles. Take 4-5, five to seven inch long needles and spread the stitches out between them. Work in the round and try very hard not to allow the needle to fall out.
3- Two circular needles. The stitches are split between the working points of two circular needles.
4- Magic Loop. This uses one circular needle that is at least 40 inches in length. The stitches are split between the cable and the working needle point. One side is worked, moved and the next side is worked.
5- Two socks on two circular needles. I haven’t figured out how to do this, but there are many books and websites willing to explain further. Someday I will conquer this too.
6- Cuff down. This is the classic method that most patterns refer to. You work on dpns, knitting from the cuff down to the toe.
Christmas Gift Ideas Pickle Ornament
Gift Idea #23
It is said that there is an old German tradition to hide a pickle ornament on the Christmas tree. The first person to find it will receive good luck the rest of the year. There are American versions of the story as well although I hadn’t heard of the tradition until last year when all these pickle patterns began popping up. This is knitpick’s free downloadable pattern and maybe you’ll start a new tradition in your own house.
http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Christmas_Pickle_Ornament_Pattern__D50801220.html
Christmas Gift Ideas Celestine Star
Gift Idea #22
I was looking for an ornament to post because chances are if you are looking for ideas at this point, you need a quick knit object. Then I came across this dodecahedron star (please don’t ever make me pronounce that). This does not appear to be a quick knit object, but it is truly unique. It doubles either as a tree topper or a stuffed animal. If you use different colors for each point, it would make a great baby toy!
Have Fun.
Christmas Gift Ideas Snowman Ornament
Gift Idea #21
If you are still looking for knit ideas at this point, you are nearly out of time. Your best bet would be to stick with the ornaments because they are quick knit and often can be made out of small amounts of yarn already in your stash. Below is a cute little snowman. With short simple instructions, this can be whipped up in no time and will appear to have taken much more effort and time.
Christmas Gift Idea Knit Garland
Gift Idea #19
This is truly unique. There is a pattern for a quick knit holiday garland made out of a fun fur like yarn. Personally, I think this would look better with a more metallic fun fur, like silver with a little dark green thrown in, but it still looks remarkably good. I’m not sure how long it would hold up outdoors but it would be used indefinitely inside.
Christmas Gift Idea Rudolph Hat
Gift Idea #18
Less than a week before Christmas! This is a knitted hat, made out of one of my favorite inexpensive yarns- Caron Simply Soft. The instructions are given for Newborn through ten years old. This is a great gift for the little reindeer lovers.
2010-11 Cabled Fingerless Gloves
2010-11 Cabled Fingerless Gloves
Another pattern completed. These are my favorite things to make. I work in cold offices and tend to have frozen fingers that have to keep typing away, so I’ve made a few pair of these and decided to write down the pattern. I’ve attached the downloadable pdf document but would appreciate a donation either through Ravelry or Etsy. The gloves are made out of Caron Simply Soft yarn but would work with any worsted weight yarn. My hands are on the smaller size and these are knit with size 5 needles. They do stretch. If your hands are on the larger size, please use size 6 needles.
2010-11 Cabled Fingerless Gloves
Christmas Gift Ideas Knitted Mice
Gift Idea #17
These knitted holiday mice are adorable and made out of worsted weight yarn. This is a great use for left over balls of yarn from other projects. The author gives instructions for knitting them flat or in the round, with worsted or sport weight yarn. The pattern is fairly easy to read and these could me made pretty quickly.
Christmas Gift Idea Sweater Ornament
Gift Idea #16
This adorable ornament is cute enough on its own, but add the felted Christmas tree and the mini hanger and you can’t help melting. The instructions are fairly straight forward and you can sub in a different design besides the tree on the front of the sweater.
http://naturalsuburbia.blogspot.com/2010/11/christmas-sweater-jersey-knitted.html
Christmas Gift Idea Elf Hat
Gift Idea #15
This is a three in one link. First, you have three different versions of elf hats. I want the one with the elf ears. I wish I had seen this a few weeks ago. This would be great to where to a Christmas party if you like to stand out.
Second there are elf slippers. The curled toed footwear are almost too adorable. Imagine running around the house in these Christmas morning.
Finally there is a Christmas tree hat. Now to complete the look, you’d have to somehow attach Christmas lights or knit up Christmas lights (see previous post).
My favorite is still the Elf Hat with the huge ears.
Christmas Gift Idea Knit Lights
Gift Idea #14
This is a quick pattern to make cat toys or decorations that look like Christmas lights. Another idea is to make these and attach them to an icord to make strung lights. This is a version that I made, but it looks better filled as in the pattern.
Christmas Gift Idea Santa Ornament
Gift Idea #12
Here is an easy ornament to make for the Santa fan. The hardest part about making this will probably be trying to find flesh colored yarn, but pink seems to work. All you need is a little scrap red, pink and white yarn and a half an hour of time.
http://www.allfreeknitting.com/ChristmasKnits/Santa-Face-And-Head-Ornament
Christmas Gift Idea Antique Ornament
Gift Idea #10
This lacy pattern is simple but remarkably beautiful on a simple ball ornament. With pearl seed beads and a bit of linen, you can create a classy gift in a short time. The pattern is relatively simple if you are accustomed to lace knitting but easy to catch on if you aren’t.
Knitwerks 