Petal and Blush Socks

Or just Pink and Pink Dobby’s socks from Charmed Knits.  The first knit I made for the Wee One, when she had just turned two years old, was a pair of two needle socks from Erika Knight’s Simple Knits for Little Cherubs.  She wore them non-stop, I tell you, they were positively threadbare by the time she out grew them, but still insisted on wearing them.  Eventually, they were forgotten (after I hid them) and a new pair has been in order for quite some time now. 

 

Pattern:  Dobby’s Orange and Pink Sock from Charmed Knits

Yarn:  Knit Picks Palette in Petal and Blush (one skein each0

Needles:  US 1 dpns

Size:  Child’s Small

I guess this makes four FOs for January (sweeet). 

Speedy, Simply Marilyn

I found out that in only four days, I can knit a Simply Marilynsweater.  I also figured that if I hadn’t dicked around so much on the first day, I probably could have whipped this out in three.  But four days… that has to be some kind of new SM record.  It has been decided that this is my new “gift” sweater, if I should ever want to knit someone a sweater as a gift, this would be it…  But they may have to pry it my my cold, lifeless fingers.

Pattern:  Simply Marilyn by Debbie Bliss (you can get it free here)

Size:  Smallest

Yarn:  RYC Soft Tweed, Slate Blue, 8 balls (exactly eight balls, I had maybe one yard left over)

Needles:  I used US 10s throughout

Mods:  No mods, but I do plan on knitting this again, I so enjoyed knitting this sweater.  Though next time, I plan on making it a bit longer before shaping the waist.

Ah, nuts

The body of the Simply Marilyn sweater was finished last night, can you believe it?!  After only two days and 348 yards of RYC Soft tweed the entire body is complete.  I only have one updated picture over in my Flickr, I had planned to take photos of the body this morning, however, Mr. Yarn Bearer took the camera to the base.

The last time our camera went to work with Mr. Yarn Bearer, it disappeared, then reappeared… with a picture of some guy’s  scrotum.  I still have nightmares from that…

Hello Chunky

I’m not going to say for sure, but what an overachiever I would be if I could end January with three big FOs?!  I’m joining in on the Craftster.org knit challenge for the new year.  When Debbie Bliss’ Simply Marilyn sweater was first published, I remember falling in love at first sight. 

Don’t ask me why I didn’t knit it sooner, I couldn’t answer that question.  The lure of teeny yarns and tiny needles has always kept me from the chunkier, quicker projects.  I wonder how fast I can knit this bulky bit?  There are eight days left in January…  Please send swift hand and needle vibes my way, perhaps I’ll surprise myself.

Is there a draft in here?

 

No, no, my newest FO is just a bit airy.  Say hello to Kat’s Pretty Pink (Purple) Dress from Greetings from Knit Cafe.  I can not begin to tell you how thrilled I am to have this finished, for several reasons.  First, because there were some hardships getting this book (two check-outs from the library, a swap-of-doom, a purchase from Barnes & Nobles, and then acquiring a second, thought forsaken, copy…).  Second, it is a effing awesome dress.  Third, so versatile.

Things you might like to know:

Pattern:  Kat’s Pretty Pink Dressby Kay Coyle (published in Greetings from Knit Cafe)

Yarn:  Knit Picks Shadow in Grape Jelly (now discontinued, I *think*, but they do have another shade of purple), one and a half skeins

Needles:  US 5 for body, US 7 for border

Size:  Small

Mods:  Several, but we will start with my knitting the dress in the round.  I saw no point in knitting the front and back separately considering that they are identical.  I changed the bottom border as well, though I wish I had thought of that before starting the project.  After finishing the entire body, I started on the given edging, but after a few repeats, couldn’t stand the tedium any longer.  Instead, I picked up all the cast on stitches, knit a few rounds, and then finished off with the border from the Hemlock Ring doily (since it was embedded fresh in my mind).

Errata:  Check Knit Cafe’s website for their correction, a minor flaw.

Lovely project, really, but it was disheartening to wake up this morning to a breezy 9 degree Fahrenheit.  This bit of lace won’t be getting its opening debut for a while.  Though, I did mention its versatility.  Lovely dress (add slip).  Great with jeans (add a tank top).  Lingerie (add nothing – Mr. Yarn Bearer’s suggestion).  I’ll spare you that trauma.

Everything is Green, Super Green

The award for my first FO of 2008 goes to my MIL’s Hemlock Ring Blanket (though it’s more of a shawl/wrap/lapghan).  Without further ado, let’s move on to the stats.

I don’t need to say it, because most of you already know that these instructions came from Brooklyn Tweed’s blog.  I used three skeins of Cascade 220 Wool in a swampy green color.  Instead of the purposed US 10 needles, I used US 6 for the center motif, switched to US 7 for first three repeats of feather and fan, and finally changed to US 8 for the remainder of the pattern.  I wanted the fabric to be a bit more dense, therefore the needle substitutes.  After blocking, the piece measured about 38 inches across. 

Did I like the pattern and process?  Yes, very much indeed.  The bind off particularly made for a lovely (if not lengthy) finish.  Like I stated before, this is more of a wrap and looks classic when tossed precariously over the shoulders.  I intend on making another (but not today) for our house and of the blanket persuasion. 

2008’s second place FO will be seen, in all of its glory, late next week.  I can’t say that I’m dying to get it complete as the weather here has been chilly, breezy, and gray.  Perhaps a bit of purple can melt this chilly disposition. 

All Work and No Play

I’ve always wanted to get a crappy job, just to get fired on the first day.  Wouldn’t that be fun?!  My free time, and some mindless knitting time, has been used to concoct diabolical humorous ways to get sacked, probably, within a few hours from clocking in on day one.

Take a those women’s “fashion boutique” mall jobs for example.  Oh, the havoc to be wrecked.  I can imagine my self with my very first customer…

“Do you have this in my size?”

“Of course!  We can just sew two of them together!”

Then there is always having the opportunity to say exactly what you’re thinking to the rude and/or pissy customers that come your way.  I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but I can give a mean tongue lashing.  Just think of the possibilities, “Why of course I understand why you’re upset, ma’am, it’s that time of the month.  A full moon always irritates post-op tranny werewolves such as yourself.”  (Cock head to side and insert big grin here).

Start Wearing Purple (or butt-ugly green)

I’m wondering what will become the first FO of 2008.  Will it be the belated kilt hose for Dad?  Or the Boyfriend Socks for the BIL?  Perhaps the lace dress I’m making for the “Start Wearing Purple” KAL over on Ravelry (in the Gypsy Punks Group)?  Or the newly ripped and restarted Hemlock Ring Lapghan for my MIL? 

Yeah, I ripped the Hemlock Ring after I ran out of yarn and found it to be on back order for well over a month…  Mr. Yarn Bearer and I rushed to Wild Fibre and grabbed some Cascade 220, he picked the color.  Not a shade I would have grabbed for myself, or would have guessed for his mother, but I occasionally humor Mr. Yarn Bearer with having faith in his delusions choices.  I’m surprised the camera picked up the correct color, that sort of murky green that it is, but in some lighting situations, it looks gray.  In others, it turns a brown-ish color.  I hope my MIL has decent lighting in her apartment.

My guess, however, is leaning toward the dress or the lapghan for the honor of being 2008’s first FO.  I’ve been pretty devoted to those two projects, it’ll be close.  (There’s Fluffy Butt, er, Tippy again!  Despite the scowl, he really likes the attention, little whore).

I received a surprise in the post today!  I’m looking forward to some stitching, Wee One’s bedroom walls are pretty bare, I’m  thinking she needs some hand stitched wall art.  Totally. 

There has been breath of fresh area around here.  What is it?  Oh yeah, Mr. Yarn Bearer is finallyoff of holiday routine and back to the regular work schedule…  And the house stays clean, and I can knit, and stitch, and actually get things done around here.  Not that I don’t love having him home, but Mr. Yarn Bearer is always on the go, he takes that damn Semper Paratus thing too far sometimes.

That’s his eager face.