We had our carpets cleaned yesterday and this meant moving furniture and exposing some of my knitting hiding spots.  I found 4 more projects.  One got chucked - a DK weight granny square blanket that had about 10 out of 60 blocks done.  One is a finishing nightmare - a baby blanket using many different yarns with miles of ends to weave in - and I will finish it even though the recipient is now 2 1/2.  I found another baby blanket using Lamb's Price Cotton Fleece.  I'm thinking this one will get frogged and the yarn stashed.  Lastly I found these little beauties ...

They are another pair of legwarmers, only this time they are for my sister-in-law (mother of the striped legwarmies).  I've been looking for a project to leave in my car, should I encounter a traffic tie-up of some sort.  Something mindless and without any actual pattern to have to worry about following.  This is it!!
So I'm not wishing for unfortunate vehicular issues, but if I am stuck in stand-still traffic, I'll have something to do.

I resolve to ....

First, here is my most recent WIP - Legwarmies (designed by Alana Dakos).  They are for my niece "Baby Belly"!  She's 14 months old and her mom's a dance instructor.  I think dancing is in her blood.  The legwarmies are modeled by my dog Maisy who is not a dancer.


RESOLUTIONS

Although we are half way through January, I thought I'd jot down my knitting resolutions.  I think I should reward myself for completed resolutions.

1.  Finish WIPS.  I think I have 6, but as I dig through my hidden stashes, I think I'll find more.

2.  Use as much stashed yarn as possible, when possible.  (Love the little out I put in there for my LYS addicted-self.)

3.  Design something knitted.

4.  Knit a project that involves intarsia.  I am afraid of intarsia and will go out of my way to avoid it by stranding or knitting something else.

5.  Knit a Christmas gift a month.

I'm sure I could make 100 more resolutions, but why set myself up for failure.  These 5 are going to be stretch ... especially the using stashed yarn.

Lady Eleanor Entrelac Wrap - all wrapped up.

Started 12/18/08 and finished, I mean completely finished 1/1/09, is one of the best items I've ever knitted. This wrap was my first attempt at entrelac, and just like mittens and socks, I don't know what I was so afraid of. Knit some, knit two together, turn and purl. Repeat. What's so hard about that??!! Absolutely nothing.

The yarn is Silk Garden by Noro. 45% silk, 45 % kid mohair, 10% lamb's wool. Definitely pricey, but 100% worth it. At first it felt really scratchy but after I soaked it in "Soak" and blocked it, the scratchiness became silky-smoothness.

I wish I could keep this project but the recipient is well-deserving. All I have to do know is wrap it up and pass it on.

Pattern: "Lady Eleanor Entrelac Wrap", in Scarf Style, page 52-56.

Baby Brights

This is version #2 of a baby cardigan pattern by Fiber Trends (Baby Brights). Version #1, size 6 months, was knit in Encore Worsted for a baby due at Christmas. She arrived 5 weeks early! Even though Version #1 was complete and in the parent's possesion, it wouldn't fit little 4 pound Brooke until she was ... 2 or 3 years old!

Thus Version #2 was made. This one was knit in Colinette Cadenza, a DK/Sport weight yarn. Using the same instructions and stitch counts, the smaller gauge yarn made it the perfect size for the now 8 pound Brooke! So she may only be able to wear it for a couple months ....

A few words about the yarn .... I loved it! It's one of my favorite yarns now. Smooth, delicate hand with the bonus of machine wash and dry-ability. Great color combinations when you don't have time for colorwork. Try it.

Winter Warmth

It may be months between posts on this blog, but that just means that I have been busy knitting! I keep saying to myself that I've got to download the pictures off my camera and onto the blog, but instead end up knitting more rows!

I quickly started and finished a hat for my son, but I wasn't thrilled with the way it looked on him. So, I started and finished another one, complete with mittens, that came out much better. He loves them!

The set is knit in Bernat Camouflage - his choice. Although it is not my choice of yarn to knit with, it has worn and washed well so far. I wrote my own pattern for the hat - rolled brim followed by a section of 2x2 ribbing. The remainder of the hat is stockinette stitch with evenly spaced decreasing rows at the crown. Instead of a pompom or tassel, I made 5 curly-Q's at the top (CO 15 stitches. BO all stitches). The mitten pattern is from "The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns". I knit these with a tighter gauge for warmth and longer cuffs. My son does not like snow on his wrists (who does) but gets equally frustrated with bulky mittens tucked into his jacket sleeves. The two pattern changes made the perfect mittens for my little guy!

Blog or Knit

After viewing many other knitter's blogs, I have decided to create my own. I am easily inspired by the photos and postings of completed knitting projects and those still in progress. It makes me want to go out and buy more yarn and patterns ... although I could run a small yarn store out of my basement.

I just recently finished a baby blanket, hat and mitten set for my brother and sister-in-law using Reynolds Signature. I made myself use yarn from my stash when usually I would make a trip to the LYS. I didn't follow any pattern, but used the stitch gauge to estimate the number of stitches to cast on. Random striping made it fun and fast. I backed the blanket with some flannel fabric. It was a very cute set.

I have several projects in the works right now. Some have been on the needles for months and other have to meet a specific deadline - birthday, baby shower. And then there's my Christmas knitting ....

So for now, I should knit. Not blog.