It's been knit: Christmas Gift Edition: Ragdoll

I made these up for the kiddos for Christmas. I'm just slow to blog them. :) I'm not even going to attempt to tell you what yarn I used. It was way too many odds and ends (and even some acrylic). The torso is done in a dark brown on each of them for 2 reasons...I wanted a layered look and I didn't have enough body color. :) The head on the brown haired one is a bit floppy and drives me batty but I'm not motivated enough to take it apart and add a bit more stuffing. :)

Pattern: Ragdoll by Debbie Bliss

(hair detail...kind of...the brunetts is pig tails and the blonde one is a funky pony tail)

(detail of the dress...the back is left open though the pattern says to put a button)

I've been requested to make more clothes. We shall see. :)

Oh yeah! The Pogo socks have been under test knitting. I did take the pattern down in the mean time to allow for that and it will be up again here shortly!

It's been knit: Gift Edition:

Pattern: Knotty but Nice from Knitty
Yarn: Wool-Ease
Mods: None. I actually did what I was told. :)

This was a brother in law for Christmas. Our birthdays are right next to each other and for mine he gave me a giftcard for yarn and a request for a hat. To say I'm a slacker would be polite. I finally made him one for Christmas when we drew nanes for the guft exchange and he happened to be our giftee. Seemed fair enough. He wanted a hat and we had his name. I'm not sure he saw it like that though. :) I have no action shots (though not for lack of trying. I asked AND the spouse asked...nothing yet) so I have no idea how the fit was. It fit me rather snugly (remember...that's CABLES not ribbing) and his noggin is bigger than mine. I'm determined to find out though. It's such anice hat and a fun knit. There are some mistakes (in mine..not the pattern) and only because I wasn't paying attention. It doesn't need a super amount of it but it does require a little bit. The weather is warming up but this pattern has been on my mind for a bit now. I want one for myself. :)

Pogo Socks

are now available!

Sadly, I won't be entering the sock contest. My gauge is 1 stitch off (which in the grand scheme of things can make for a much different fitting sock). It's up and ready though. I just hope it's well done and makes sense!

I asked a friend for help on the name. The construction of these is not a common one. You start at the heel and work DOWN the length of the foot. After that's all done you go back to your heel and work your way UP the length of the leg. Easy and fun but still offering a bit of a change in pace to keep you interested. It works great for handspun. I like toe up socks for the fact that I get to use every last bit of yarn but I don't always like the fit of them. With this pattern I was able to get the foot (and heel!) fit that I want. By turning around and going up the leg I was still able to use up all my yarn and not worry about running out too soon.

Calling all test knitters

Come out, come out, where ever you are!

I need some test knitters! You must be familiar with sock construction (yes, I will be entering this in the contest mentioned in a previous post so if you are entering as well, please don't ask to test knit for me!). There are 2 sizes available. You can do 1 sock in each size, a complete pair in both sizes, a complete pair in one size, or just one sock in one size. However you want!

This is a unique pattern that uses sport weight yarn, size 5 needles, has a short row heel, and uses a provisional cast on.

For those who do this (I'm thinking I could 2 or 3 testers), you can get a final copy of the pattern for free. I do plan on listing this one for sale. Gotta love the motivation of a contest to get your butt in gear! I've been meaning to write this up since I made these socks.

If you are interested please leave a comment! First come, first serve!

I love surprises :)

Ok that's a big fat lie (by the way I have new yarn and socks to show!). I really don't...unless I don't know about them in advance. :) I noticed a visitor off to the side had stumbled upon my blog via another website. It's not one I know so I clicked it. My child's apron was linked on another site! Small on the grand scheme of things but cool in my book. :) It's this one. Lots of good links there!

For the sock knitters out there lookie! A contest to help battle SSS. Who can resist goodie baskets? I think I'll give it a shot....if for nothing else than it'll be fun to see what everyone else cmes up with.

This is more of a note to myself but I have a couple things in the wings to blog. A hat for a brother in law (waiting on pics) and two (technically 4) final Christmas items (stockings and dolls). We are out of town right now so they will have to wait. Up next though are the socks mentioned above and another Apple Blossom Cardigan.

Here I go....

making my first attempt at selling a pattern. :) Nothing big but I've been pondering it for awhile now. I've decided to make my soap sack (blogger isn't letting me link to it tonight...I'll try again later) a purchase pattern. You can find it over on Ravelry!

Buy now!

Go check it out! I'm hoping this is the start to lots of designs (however simple they may be). I'm eager to see how it turns out. :)

Fiber to FO: Gifted Socks

Fiber: No 9 "Black Coffee" superwash merino from FiberOptic on Etsy. GORGEOUS colors and fantastic dye job. I had no dye transfer on my fingers or bobbins. The color was deep and saturated and just all around beautiful.

All plied! Did my basic 2 ply. Not sure of what the yardage was. This was done for sometime before I was even able to get a good picture. I gave up on trying to get yardage and WPI. I'd say it was sport weight-ish.
The socks ended up being a Christmas present. The toes and heels are done in leftover Swish Worsted from my sister's socks. It ended up being a perfect match for the handspun. It was a bit thinner but it worked out well I think. I was hesitant to use it at first but knew they would be too short without. These are like my last handspun ones and done both toe up and cuff down. Not sure ont he numbers right now but I do have the notes somewhere. They fit a man's size 10.5 shoe though so just assume "large". :) I love the way they yarn striped. I didn't plan it at all. At first I wasn't a fan of it but in the end I really like the effect. Reminds of "country" scenes you see in gift shops...the ones with moose and pine trees and little cabins.

It's been knit: Gift edition: Curly Purly soaker

Size: Newborn
Needles: 5, 6, and 8
Yarn: Red is random wool and green is Wool of the Andes. Snowflakes are done in Paton's Merino.

This was for my neice, L. I swear my sister said she has a picture of her in it but I could be mistaken. I'll have to ask. :)

Alrighty, I think all the gift edition knits for my sister have been blogged. Grand total? 10 items.
Hats: 3 "child", 1 "toddler", 3 "adult"
Socks: 1
Extra: 1 doll, 1 soaker

I do believe she can never complain about never getting anything knit. :)

It's been knit: Gift edition: Socks and a doll

This is "Ragdoll" by Debbie Bliss (free pattern on Ravelry though it's also in Essential Knits for Kids: 20 Fesh, New Looks for Kids). This works up super fast! I was able to use up lots of little scraps with her. The purple (I know, hard to see) is some of my handspun. Pink is Paton's Merino, green is Cascade 220, body is Wool of the Andes, and panties/bottoms is more Cascade 200. Hair is leftover Swish Worsted from socks (posted below). Stuffed with wool.

These are Blueberry Waffles by Sandy Turner. I did these over 40 stitches on size 5 needles with a short row heel and 2x2 ribbing. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these socks and it was tough to send them to my sister.

It's been knit: Gift edition: Earwarmer Caps galore!

There should be three more in this set (hint hint) but they were also gifted once they were mailed out so there are no pictures. Le sigh.

First pic: Wool of the Andes, largest size and with the zigzag texture. I think there might be extra rows in this one but I can't be sure. 2 of the missing 3 were also done in Wool of the Andes, largest size, and with texture. I can't remember which one though. Note to others: Do not rely on the recipient to take pictures for you if you intend to blog the item. :)

Second pic: Girls hat: Lion Brand Wool Ease with tree texture. Boys hat: Wool of the Andes with tree texture. Child size on both.

Third pic: Lion Brand Wool Ease with tree texture. Can't remember size here.

The 3rd missing hat pic was done in some random acrylic I have lying around.

If I remember right (wow, there is a huge lack of memory in this post isn't there?) the Wool Ease ones were done on size 6's (instead of 8's). The smallest one (pic 3) has extra rows. I did the pattern as specified and it turned out oddly short...I added more length and I, personally, think it's oddly cone headed now but apparently it's a perfect fit

I'm cutting this post short...there's not enough memory to make it worthwhile. :)

It's been knit: Cold weather gear

Woah! Would you look at that! Quality pictures. :)

Bis S's gear stats:

Hat pattern: Earwarmer Cap with the herringbone texture (size child)

Mittens pattern: A combo of one I found on Ravelry and my own numbers

Yarn: Paton's Merino in Pink Petal and my BFL Handspun

Needles: 8's and 6's (I think on the mittens)

Little S's gear stats:
Hat pattern: Earwarmer Cap without texture (size child though not as big as Big S's)
Mittens: Kidlett Mittenz on Ravelry (I think I made them a tad bigger than the pattern...yarn held double)
Yarn: Cascade 200 (brown) and Manos Del Uruguay ("recycled" from some longies I knit Big S years back that got slightly felted...perfect for this hat)
Needles: 8's and 6's (I think)

The hats were done first. Big S's mittens were done pretty quickly after the hats but Little S's weren't done until Halloween. I realized a few hours before heading out that it was flipping cold! She was a monkey and since the brown was the same color as her costume I hauled but. She had "monkey" hands as a result. They were a tad big then but she's grown into them already. Sad thing is it's only been cold enough to need mittens a couple times and the hats a few more than that. I totally love their sets this year and they are rarely getting to wear them. Hopefully I only have to upsize the mittens next year and they can use the hats again. We shall see.

Up next: Christmas stockings! Yes I know but I haven't posted the finished ones yet and they are deserving of it. Then if my sister behaves and gets me pictures already I can show you what I sent her (and it was a ton....7 hats, a soaker, a pair of socks, and a doll!). Then the 3 things I did for our Christmas. Then it's on to current stuff. At first it was only going to be one measly WIP but tonight I was begged for some Barbie clothes. Yes, you read that right. As of tonight I have done one dress and a pair of panties. See what I've been reduced to?

Fiber to FO: Handspun socks

I wish i had better pictures of this yarn! I also wish I remembered any details about it. I know I have the band around here somewhere. Anyhow, this was a braid I bought at the sock summit this last August. I had bought it due to the colors: oranges and browns and reds with a bit of a olivey green. Very fall. However, the way it spun up reminded me of my parent's wedding colors...the one that used quail feathers as part of the bouquet. The one done in tones that makes me think of aging pictures from the 70's. I wasn't impressed.
I finally broke down and knit them. I had done a kids sock in it but it was too thick (even though the yarn was maybe a sport weight. Maybe.) so I opted for some me socks. They are growing on me. I like the colors better knit up (and look how it stripes! that was unintended) but they still seem a bit dull and faded to me.

These are done in a unique way. This is the second pair I've done like this (the first pair will be blogged about soon). I was unsure of the yardage which makes most sock people recommend one thing: do them toe up. I however don't like the heel and foot when done toe up which makes sock people recommend one thing: do them cuff down. See the issue? So I opted for both. I did a provisional cast on and started at the heel. I worked the heel and foot from the top down. Once that was done, I yanked out the provisional cast on and knit the leg toe up! I think this is my new favorite way of doing socks. I have another pair ont he needles right now going that way.

Stats:

Pattern: Mine. Done over 38 stitches both toe up and cuff down. Leg ribbing is staggered to create a stairs effect on the back of the leg (1x1 ribbing with a stretchy bind off). Short row heel and rounded toe. (Pattern will be available soon)

Yarn: My handspun

Needles: 5's

Once I get the pattern written up I'll get better pictures. Blasted winter light!

It's been knit: Gift knits: Apple Blossom Cardigan

Near Christmas, a sister-on-law had her baby (after much waiting..the stinker was late!). The day she was born (naturally) I decided I neeed to knit something right then. I hopped on Ravelry and got searching. I ended up using the Apple Blossom Cardigan (sorry no link right now). I am so in love with this pattern I already have another one in the works (for a friend due this summer).


The pattern calls for icord ties but it just didn't seem like a sweater that could use those. I found these little heart buttons and decided to stick them on (2 of my increases ended up working perfectly for button holes!).

It was a super quick knit (yes my pictures suck but guess what!? My camera is back in action so no more craptastic pics :) ).

Stats:

Pattern: Apple Blossom Cardigan

Needles: 8's (this is a mod)

Size: Newbornish

Yarn: Random acrylic

Mods: Only 4 repeats of the lace pattern (pattern calls for 6 which would be huge on a newborn), size 8 needles (I think the pattern uses 10's), buttons instead of icord ties.

No pictures of it yet on the baby..every time she has worn it (a couple from the sounds of it) I haven't been around them that day. :)

Gift Knits: A sweet little sweater

(Two posts in one day...boy, aren't you lucky!)

The nice thing about having knitting friends is when the occassion calls for it, you get awesome handknits! Another friend sent me a sweater (Seamless Baby Kimono for the curious) before she was born 9the baby that is, not the knitter). When I first got it I was sad to see that the wee one would likely not wear it in the right season. I have tiny babies that don't grow fast. Note to others: when you'd like to be proven wrong, say the idea/notion out loud. The universe has a way of providing. :) The wee one was indeed small (being early does that to one) but she has grown FAST! The weather here has been freaky just like the rest of the US so we've managed to get by with thicker jackets/sweaters. This one is perfect! I only have to cuff the arms a tiny bit. She has growing room but it fits great. It's my favorite top for her and we use it often. So on to the good stuff...a picture!

(Ahhh! Good ol' quality cell phone pic in the dead of winter lighting....always a lovely result.)

Gift Knits: Monstery longies

(I'm a slacker and missed my own blogiversary...better luck next year I suppose!)

Back when I was pregnant (she's 2 months already!!) a friend offered to knit me up some longies. She'd done some faux monster/cranky pants and I wanted some. She showed me her yarn colors, I picked, and she went to town. They are one of my favorite pairs now. They look so stinkin' cute on and they fit really nice (we use different patterns)! Since the wee one was early all her longies were super long on her (like the entire length of her body could fit in them...not quite but close enough). She took a couple weeks to grow into them (and even then they were cuffed). This is one of the pairs that no longer needs to be cuffed (the Manos pair and handspun pair I did are also this way) and I am going to be so sad when they no longer fit. I can see the appeal of monster pants for sure! Without further ado, here are some pictures!

(This pictures is hers....I have yet to get a good shot of them in my house.)

(Who doesn't love a picture of handknits on wee ones?)

Stay tuned...

I have quite a few kindasorta catch up psots coming. Ones with lots of pictures (good ones!). All are Christmas knitting (see? Only kindasorta catching up since the only reason they aren't posted yet is due to laziness on my end). There'll be an item count too of what all was knit this last year. I'm interested to see that number since I didn't feel particularly productive.

I have a plan for my knitting this year. In an effort to get on track and finish up various things I made of list of unfinished stuff. One of which is level one for the master knitter program. Not too long ago the harddrive on my computer died (again! BACK UP your files) and I lost ALL of the q&a portion to it. I'm still quite ornry about it and as a result have ignored it. This should be done already! I've written out my list of books I want and am going to be nabbing them from the library soon. I'm not knitting anything until I finish this level! The only thing that will be knit is the hat as the end project for it. I don't have too much left to do. It's ridiculous and irritating (to me) that I haven't finished it yet. I'm looking at this as a chance to answer my questions better (hence the list of library books) and really do it well and not rushed through. There will be actual posting about it now as well. (This does not apply to spinning as well...gotta leave something open for myself)

Once that is finished I am wanting to do one of a couple things. My ideas are: 1. knit only from my Ravelry queue (7 pages worth!). I will have 'rules" for this but for the most part it'll be knit only from that and I can add as many patterns as I want but can't delete anything. We'll see. Still tinkering with that. My other idea is to knit only socks for the year. I made 3 pairs since September and my sock love has been renewed (now these pairs were done on thicker yarn and bigger needles but it gave me a boost). I only have 2 pairs of matching socks. The husband now has one (after being on the banned knit list for losing the first pair) and the oldest has one sock. Read again: ONE SOCK. Not a pair. Just one single sock. She keeps asking why I haven't made the other one yet and told the husbands mom at Christmas she was glad to get socks from her because "Mom won't make my other one". There is no reason there should be a lack of sock pairs (matching ones...I have a couple "pairs" but they couldn't even be deemed faternal twins) in this house considering 1. I have an insane amount of sock yarn and 2. know how to knit them. :) Still trying to decide which one I want to go with. I won't decide til level one is done.

My blogiversary is in 2ish weeks. Thinking of doing a giveaway but I don't think my readership is that high anymore (what with the distinct lack of posting). I do have a loose goal of blogging at least once a week for the year. Hopefully I can stick to that.

I'm feeling twitchy. I have nothing on the needles right now. NOTHING. I cast off my last project last night. I don't have anything on my wheel either (though I do have a bit on my spindle). There is a distinct lack of fiber stuff going on right now.

It's been knit: Playing Catch up 1: Red Shorties

Pattern: Picky Pants
Yarn: Wool of the Andes: Onyx Heather and Firecracker Heather
Needles: 8's
Pattern Picks: Short rows, Icord bind off, 2x1 ribbing (I think)
Mods:Hmmm, not that I can remember.

This was the final pair (of 4) meant for a friend. Luckily she got them in time to at least wear in shorts appropriate weather. :)

It's been knit: Manos longies

Stats:
Size: Newborn with backside increases and short rows
Yarn: Manos Del Uraguay in Wildflower and....can't remember the name of the purple one so we'll call it Purple
Mods: Extra crotch stitches, longer length (6.5 inches?)
Garter stitch cuff

I will be going back and fixing the second leg. It's about 2 rounds shorter than the other and it drives me nuts. I'm constantly pulling on it which I'm sure isn't going to help.

When handknits are worn: Super Secret Stealth Surprise

I think it fits rather well. :) The sizing ended up being around 0-3 months and this little dude is definitely in that range. I think he looks rather good in it, if I do say so myself. :)

Up next:
2 pairs of longies (one knit by me and one a gift)
5 (FIVE!) hats: 3 adults and 2 kiddos
Newborn soaker for K
My first intarsia: Christmas stocking: Technically a WIP but humor me

WIPS:
K's socks (one down, one to go)
4ish (FOUR!) more hats: one adult and 3 kiddos
2 pairs of Kiddo mittens
Me socks
Kiddos socks
Christmas stockings (planned for 2 but maybe will do 3...unless mom really does decide she wants one and then there's that one as well)
3 more soakers for K: 1 newborn and 2 small

I think that's it...I went out to my sister's this last weekend and in that time finished one of 3 hats (one had already been done). I got back on Monday and in that time I have done 1 adult hat, 2 kids hats, a newborn soaker, and half of a Christmas stocking that has intarsia. I won't say it but you know what I'm thinking has happened right? It's back. That's all I'll say. DOn't want to jinx myself. :)

It's been done: Fiber to FO

Remember this fiber? Safari from Freckle Face Fibers on Etsy. I never blogged the spinning of it because I had intentions for the final yarn. I wanted to show it all in one post.

I LOVE the way it turned out. I spun it thicker than I normally would and had enough for my item with some left over.
I never did figure out the WPI or end yardage but I had a ton. Squishy too! I admit that at first I wasn't sure I liked how it plied together (my standard 2-ply). There were parts that seemed to cancel out because it plied together with another chunk of itself. I had hoped the green would pop more as well. Once knitted though I loved how subtle the colors were. It really is very Safari like in the sense of the scenery I think.

This horrible picture is from my cell phone. The sad thing is this is the BEST picture I have managed to get in weeks. Weeks? Yes, these have been done since August. I have tried inside and outside and at all times of day. Lights on or off, with dark and light backgrounds. It's impossible to get a decent picture. I am hoping to get truely better ones soon but this is all you get for now. The yellow tones make it hard accuracy wise.

This one almost looks felted but they aren't. Oy, I wish I had better pics! I had to seize the chance though because these really are the best color wise.

Stats:

Pattern: Picky Pants

Size: Newborn with backside increases and short rows

Mods: Longer inseam (6.5 inches? They are put away so I can't measure right now). I did a simple icord bind off since the yarn is the oomph to these I think. :) I kept everything simple for that reason.