More Knitted Gifts

So once I started telling people about the boutique, more requests came in. So I made a red watch cap for my dad using Malabrigo Rios -- it's super soft and washable. I also modified the pattern a bit because I had problems with the side by side decreases leaving a hole between them. For this hat, I left one knit stitch between the decreases. More information on Ravelry.

I also made another glitzy cowl from the sequin yarn and Eco Duo for Frances because she's hard to buy for and she admired the one I made for the gift exchange. I picked a darker colorway of the alpaca yarn and black yarn with silver sequins. Details on Ravelry.

Sequin Cowls and the Gift Exchange

Jennifer & Debra wanted cowls made from some lovely gray sequined yarn (Universal Yarns Classic Shades Sequins Lite). I made the two cowls from one skein, with a little left over. Both pretty much look like the photo below. More about the pattern from Ravelry.

Of course, before all this boutique stuff, I had intended to make a sequined cowl for our group's gift exchange. I went ahead with it because it is quite different at least in appearance. I really like the Eco Duo; it is almost like angora. I'm not a fan of angora; it's a little prickly. Alpaca is so soft and non-allergenic. I almost didn't want to give it up. More information on Ravelry.

Making a Snowman

Snowmen are a favorite of mine. I have a bunch of different kinds of snowmen that I use to decorate for winter. So when I got a magazine with instructions for making one out of paper clay, I had to try it.

Boutique Follow-Up

Well, the boutique went pretty well. I sold a few things, but ended up with several commissions. It's nice to have my knitting appreciated and compensated, but it does take some of the fun out of knitting. Fortunately, the projects were quick and turned out well.

Jennifer's mom wanted a cotton version of the moebius cowl. It was a bit difficult to find a cotton yarn that would work for the pattern. I ended up with Lang Sol Degrade, which is a variegated/striping aran-weight ribbon yarn. I'm really happy with how it turned out, even though I had to rip it out and knit it again because I didn't make detailed notes about how I made the original. More information on Ravelry.

I also had a commission for a navy watch cap, which you think would be easy, but it needed to have a deep ribbed brim and work for worsted weight yarn. I selected Encore Worsted in a dark blue, it wasn't exactly navy, though. Why doesn't the finished hat look blue?

And Jennifer wanted a hat for her mom to match the cowl. I didn't think the Sol Degrade would work well for a hat, but I didn't know of a non-wool yarn that would work. So I picked Martha Stewart's Extra Soft Wool Blend since it is washable and mostly non-wool. I picked Grumperina's Odessa for the pattern since it has a swirl ridge pattern that complements the diagonal pattern in the cowl. The color is also a good match. Again, the hat does not look blue in the photo...Ravelry Notes.

Quick Knits to Sell

So, I'm going to sell some knitted goods at a holiday boutique. I have a stockpile of things that I don't wear and haven't given as gifts. But I also have quite a stash of single skeins that could be made into simple accessories. Here's what I made:

Simple Garter Stitch Cowl

Ribbed Chunky Print Cowl

Illusion Cowl

Chunky Print Cowl

Coral Reef Cowl

Bewilder Cowl

Inspired by the simple but dramatic cowl at Knitterly, I made this cowl using Universal Yarns' Bewilder that I found on my visit to The Twisted Stitch. Knitted in the round, the finished cowl measures 24" around & 9" high. It takes just one skein, and only one evening. The yarn is very soft, and this would make a perfect gift, but it would need to be handwashed.

Organic Cotton Baby Blanket

Well, this project took awhile. I didn't work on it that often, mostly when I met with my knitting group. I had bought the yarn to make "Hey, Teach" but then decided I didn't like the way the yarn split. I almost gave it away, but it made two baby blankets without being too annoying.

More details on Ravelry.

Another Alpaca Cowl

Did you know has a metallic sparkle? I didn't until I saw the yarn in person...so then I had to get some. It is very similar to Baby Alpaca Aire and Lima in color and construction, but that added glimmer...

So, I made the Canaletto Cowl that I'd been wanting to try for awhile. I'm not sure if I did something wrong or if it was a feature of the lattice lace stitch, but it does twist a bit. But overall, I'm very pleased with the result.

More information here on Ravelry.

Forest Queen

I found this pattern when I was looking for a pattern for the Western Sky Knits "Sequoia" and even started it, but I didn't really like how it was working out. So I decided to use another superwash yarn, Karabella's Merino Superwash. The "trees" in the pattern seem much nicer in green than brown. :-)

Read all about the specifics here.

Another Camel Cowl

I liked the cowl I made for a friend so much, that I wanted to make one for myself. On a trip to Carmel and Monterey, I picked up some Plymouth Baby Alpaca Aire which is very similar to Rowan Lima.

I struggled to find a pattern that I wanted to work with, so I improvised a simple cowl. It starts with a garter stitch border, then switches to a 3x3 mistake rib. The yarn is lovely to work with! It is so soft, which is my favorite thing about alpaca yarn.

I made it big enough to wear either like a scarf or twice around for a snug warm wrap. I like how it wraps around my neck when worn long.

Details on Ravelry.

Year of the Dragon

I finally found a pattern that I liked for the yarn I bought to make my Year of the Dragon shawl. It's based on a pattern available free on the Drops Studio website (pattern 134-3). I started out with the red yarn, and worked the lace border solid. When I started to run low, I did several rows alternating the red with the orange.

As the lace pattern is worked, the stitch count starts to decrease. The pattern is written to have a sort of raglan decrease, but I didn't like the way that looked. I did some math to work out a way of doing short row decrease to make a curved shape. I ran short of the orange, and substituted some Sincere Sheep Cormo Sport leftover from a cowl project, but that also ran short, so I used doubled Shepherd's Wool Fingering. The color changes are noticeable but not egregious.

Overall, I am pleased with this project. I wish I could have designed a shawl pattern from scratch, but this pattern was so close to what I had in mind, it really doesn't matter. Now to come up with a design for the Year of the Snake!

 

Check out the details on Ravelry!

Origami Cowl

This yarn has been hanging around in the yarn basket for awhile. I love ArtFibers yarns, and I would love to knit an entire sweater from one of their yarns. But so far, I've only tried out a couple of different yarns, sampling.

This time it's Origami, 100% nylon. This is another simple stockinette cowl, but a smaller loop. It can be folded and pinned to fill in a neck or just as an accessory. Approximately 35" around x 7".

Camel Cowl with a little Sparkle

After seeing how nicely the Knitterly Cowl turned out, I wanted to make another similar cowl. This time I used Rowan Lima and S. Charles Collezione Ristratto. I love the cable construction of Lima, although this pattern doesn't really show it off. The colors in Ristratto are lovely, but I would only wear this mohair blend over other clothing.

It's just a simple loop of stockinette, and I'm letting the edges roll. Approximately 35" around.

Furry Office Chair

Pottery Barn Teen has some very nice furry office chairs, but the price is a bit high (especially when you factor in shipping).

via PB Teen

So, I looked for a chair to modify. I found an office chair for $15 at IKEA; it is available in blue or red, and is mostly plastic. I decided to spray the back and seat white before assembling the chair, so add in another $5 for spray paint.

Then, I picked out some medium length faux fur fabric. It is at least 60" wide, so you probably could get away with 1/2 or 5/8 yards, but I went for a full yard. Considering it was on sale and the end of the bolt, I got 1 1/3 yards for $14. It ended up just taking a 20" by 40" piece of fur.

Two seams to make a pocket for the chair back and some sticky Velcro, and it's done! It's not as plush, but it'll do.

IKEA chair with fur slipcover

Wrap Bracelet with Beads

Ever since my friend came back from a trip to Lake Tahoe with a wrap bracelet, I've been wanting one. And I said, Hey, I can *make* one! So begins another craft experience...

First, I had to find out how to make a beaded wrap bracelet, so I went to Google and YouTube. This is the tutorial I followed, mostly. But I also used this recipe from Fusion Beads for reference.

I checked a couple of websites for supplies. One recommended 4mm Swarovski crystals, but when I saw how small 4mm beads are, I wanted to use something larger. I picked some 8mm stone beads and got started with version one. Turns out, that's a little heavy, so I took it apart.

Next, I picked out some glass 6mm beads and found I had some clear nylon beading thread, so started again. Got about halfway through, and then the thread tangled and broke. I got to thinking that the thread was a bit heavy to double, and I was tired of stabbing myself with the long, big-eyed bead needle, so I picked up some brown beading thread and smaller needles.

Third time's the charm, I guess. I finished the bracelet! Only problem, it's about an inch too long, but that's better than being too short. Overall, it's about 36" long and wraps 4 times around my wrist. I have 4mm beads and plan to try another.

Project for the Olympics

It's not officially sanctioned, but I did work on a knitting project during the Olympics. I cast on during the opening ceremonies, and bound off on the last day before the closing ceremonies.

I chose The Scalloped Shawl from Malabrigo Book 3, and I used Abstract Fibers Super Sock in Chartreuse and Sweet Pea. I had planned to make a striped shawl from these yarns, but Sweet Pea turned out to have more of the Chartreuse green than the other colors, so the stripes are very subtle.

 

Finished Size: 60" across x 25"

Petaluma Cowl

Took a small road trip to Petaluma to look at antique furniture, and stopped in at a yarn store, Knitterly. Lovely place full of yarn and antiques, both the shop and the town. We saw a shop sample knit from Lang Studio and Trendsetter Othello held together. Super-simple: cast on 72 stitches on US 15 needles, join and knit until there's just enough yarn to bind off. And quick! I finished it in an evening.

Very pleased with the result, which can be worn around the neck:

or shoulders:

Plucky Addiction Shawl

I've been wanting to make a striped shawl, and I have plenty of yarn that would work, so why did I have to get more just to make the Color Affection shawl? Because the Plucky Knitter colors are gorgeous and the yarn is so soft with cashmere.

Color Affection Shawl

I think if I were to do this one over, I would start with brown, then the yellow, then the blue. I'd like to have more unbroken stretches of colors. I love the way the fabric feels and my color choice is growing on me. It's a bit tight along the edge of the three color section though. Although, after a light blocking, I'm happier about the edge. And I want to make another...

Shabby Chic Nightstand

...with a secret compartment. I don't have a photo of what this nightstand started as...it was pretty much plain black. Then I sprayed it white and added gold accents, a glass knob on a faux drawer, and a place to keep small treasures.

the nightstand

I used glossy white spray paint, gold acrylic paint, and gold oil paint. Some places worked better with the acrylic gold, others required the gold oil paint, but it all blends. The table is more of an occasional table than a nightstand, but since beds are getting taller and fluffier, it should work. But it doesn't have a drawer or storage other than the bottom shelf, so I added a secret compartment...

jar attached to the underside of the table top

The table has a deep lip that creates a lot of space under the table top. I glued the lid of a jar to the underside and screwed the jar to it, a la hardware storage in the workshop. It will hold small trinkets out of the way. I might come up with an idea that will allow for storing larger things, so I placed the jar off to one side.

What was I thinking?!

I have two color work knitting projects on the needles, each with 3 colors! Crazy, that's what it is!

Color Affection Shawl

String of Purls Cushion

Prairie Apron

Super-easy and quick apron to match the prairie bonnet. Just a rectangle gathered on the long edge and some quilt binding for the tie. It was about a half yard of fabric; 50" of quilting binding. I used a "fancy" stitch to dress up the tie and make it lie flat. Photo coming soon?

Reworked Shawl

I wanted this to be a use of a selection of blue yarns, but it didn't work out. So I tried contrasting the blue center panel with magenta, and then green. It just didn't work for me. I finally found a relatively low-cost yarn that was a very good match for the original yarn. And it's done!

The pattern is Soho by Ivete Tecedor. Center panel is Baywood Yarns Pearly Twist Sock Yarn; the side panels are Knit Picks Stroll Tonal. It might take awhile, but I do finish knitting projects.

Two and a Half Hour Prairie Bonnet

Tuesday I got the request to make a "pioneer sunbonnet"; the deadline was Friday. So I searched on-line and found a great pattern and tutorial.

Wednesday, I took a look through my fabric stash and didn't find anything suitable. So, I stopped at Jo-Ann Fabric and found a nice mini-gingham check in barn red and beige. It had a nice weight and looked antique. I had some heavy white cotton to use as interlining for the brim.

Thursday, from cutting out to finishing, it really did take just 2.5 hours to make the bonnet. I was a bit concerned because it looked small, but it turned out to fit perfectly! Whew!

Modifications: I did add a casing and 8" of elastic across the back neck. I also top-stitched the brim before attaching it to the crown. I folded over one side of the long edge on the brim, and sewed the gathered crown to the unfolded side. Then I tucked the raw edges in and hand-stitched the underside of the brim to the crown. I hand-stitched some grosgrain ribbon for ties.

Slip-Stitch Cowl

This is exactly what I had in mind when I picked up the yarn at Stitches West! I found the Post & Rail Cowl on Cascade Yarn's website, but it was for a heavier weight yarn. So I made a couple of modifications - gauge and circumference. The wider cowl can be worn long or wrapped twice.

The Cormo Sport from Sincere Sheep is lovely and soft, with a crispness that is reminiscent of silk. Can't wait to wear this!

Wrapped Twice

Color Affection Update

I gave in to peer pressure and picked three colors of Plucky Knitter Primo MCN to use for the Color Affection shawl: Lincoln (a coppery brown), Milk Maid (a creamy yellow), and Edwardian Blue (a pale greeny blue).

Lincoln, Milk Maid, Edwardian Blue

Color Affection

I've been looking for a shawl pattern for 3 colors of sock yarn. Well, now I have two sets of three colors, and can't decide which one to use.

Selection One:


Tactile Fiber Arts, Wool Candy, Three Irish Girls



Selection Two:


Malabrigo Sock

Go Sharks! Hat

Well, the Sharks aren't looking so great, but my hat is done and ready for next year. I ended up doubling the yarn to make sure to use it all up and blend the colors more evenly throughout the hat. I tried several hat patterns but ended up with Chunkeanie by Wooly Wormhead. All the sordid details are in my Ravelry notes.

Leaflet Complete!

I "finished" this sweater following the instructions, but I just wasn't happy with the length. It was awkwardly almost-too-short, and I had plenty of yarn left to make it longer. One skein of Eco Wool was enough to complete everything except the ribbing around the front neck. So I took off the ribbing and ripped back the bottom ribbing. I did one more repeat of the leaf pattern and then re-did the ribbing. I am much happier with it now!

Back - 4 leaves long

Front - deep 2x2 ribbed edging

Customized Labels

This is a great tutorial for making your own fabric labels to identify your crafts.

via All Wrapped Up

Ventana

I love this pattern! It isn't that difficult but looks amazing. I made the first version from an alpaca yarn, this time I used Rowan Calmer, which is being discontinued. I wanted to make something out of Calmer for awhile, and had started a cropped lace cardigan. But I got stuck on the fronts, so I ripped out the back and sleeves and turned it into this shawlette/scarf.

Calmer has great stitch definition and a subtle stretch that makes it easy to knit. I haven't blocked it yet or woven in the ends, but you can see the lace pattern already.

Textured Cowl

I picked up two balls of Lang Space last November especially to make a cowl. I chose this textured pattern. The yarn is a fluffy wool blend over a metallic core, so I hoped that the cables would stand out through the fuzziness.

I'm pleased with the way it turned out, although it is fairly large in diameter and height. It could be a poncho for a small framed person.

Cowl as Swatch

I've gone back to buying a skein here, ball there of yarn that looks interesting. It's a try before I commit to a large quantity of yarn after a couple of missteps. The problem is that I don't want to just knit a swatch, I'd rather make something useful. Which leads back to...what can you make with one ball of yarn?
Anyway, I picked up a ball of Rowan's Lenpur Linen because I liked the color and I love linen. It's not the easiest fiber to knit with, but it makes a beautiful fabric. Lenpur Linen is mostly rayon with 25% linen. It's soft and has a little sheen. I decided to make the Spiral Cowl because it was possible it might only take one ball of yarn. Well, it needed more. So I used Aslan Trends Glaciar Del Cielo because it is similar in weight and texture. Glaciar Del Cielo is 100% cotton, so it doesn't have the same sheen as the linen, and didn't soften up quite as much, but it blends nicely.

The cowl looked odd while I was working on it because of the contrast between the dark and light green, but on the model it takes on a different look. It's like two different cowls depending on whether you wear it with the lighter color on top or the darker color on top. It's more of a fashion accessory rather than something that would keep your neck warm.

Go Sharks! Scarf

I've been wanting to make a scarf using linen stitch lengthwise, and when I saw the "Jaws" colorway of Lorna's Laces, I decided to make one using Sharks team colors. In addition to Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in "Jaws," I used Stonehedge Shepherd's Wool DK in Natural and O-Wool Classic 2-Ply in Black. I used this Linen Stitch Scarf pattern by Matthew Hesson-McInnis

Go Sharks! Scarf

The pattern says that the scarf takes a total of 500 yards. There are about 200 yards of the Sharks colorway, 200 yards of Sheperd's Wool, and 130 yards of O-Wool Classic 2-Ply so I worked out the following color sequence:
Row 1: Jaws
Row 2: White
Row 3: Black
Row 4: Jaws
Row 5: Black
Row 6: Jaws
Row 7: White
Row 8: Black
Row 9: Jaws
Row 10: Black

Stitches West 2012: Part Two

Some targeted shopping today at Kira K Designs, Western Sky Knits, Forbidden, and Knitted Wit. Probably ill-advised, but there were so many pretty things that needed homes. :-)

Clockwise from Top: Forbidden Wisp - Smoke Signal; Forbidden Pride Lace - Illyria; Forbidden Pride Lace - Chinese Fireball; Western Sky Knits Sequoia Superwash Worsted - Nandina; Western Sky Knits Willow DK Superwash - Fresh Earth; Western Sky Knits Magnolia Sock - Dew; Knitted Wit Fingering - Yellow Brick Road

Stitches West 2012: Part One

After my first recon day at Stitches, I'm happy to report that Anzula and Miss Babs were doing a brisk business. I "discovered" these two independent dyers two years ago. And I've actually knit up (some) of the yarns I bought! Last years finds, Becoming Art and Abstract Fiber were also busy.

This year's new "discoveries" include The Sincere Sheep, Forbidden, and Western Sky Knits. I can't resist indie dyers! Kira K Designs had some lovely kits that I will have to revisit, and Green Mountain Spinnery is also tempting me with their beautiful rustic yarns.

I was also tempted by Fiber Hooking. The color combinations in the kits are gorgeous, but I already have a slight different style rug hooking set, and don't want to have to buy another type of hook and frame. I might be tempted to get a kit if I can get just the pattern and yarn.

Artyarns of San Francisco had a large booth, but I really need to visit their store. Their yarns are so beautiful and unusual that I need some time to truly appreciate them. I also like Chic-a, Chicken Boots, and Erin Lane Bags knitting and project bags.

The "big box" stores of Stitches were there again doing a land office business. I have to remember that this Stitches serves the entire western US, not just California or the Bay Area, so people come from all over to get yarns and deals that they can't find at home.

Ysolda's booth was mobbed, so I didn't even try to look inside, but did get to check out the Narwhal Mittens, which are cute but very thick and warm.

I plan to return on Sunday and see if there's anything else I can't live without, and to see if I win the Grand Prize drawing. :-)

Clockwise from 12: Miss Babs Yummy - French Marigold, Miss Babs Yummy - Vlads, Sincere Sheep Equity Sport - Sverte, Sincere Sheep Cormo Sport - Praying to Artemis, Sincere Sheep Cormo Sport - Vitamin C, Sincere Sheep Treble - Kung Hey Fat Choi