More progress on the Sirdar infant poncho.
Not whole lot of progress on the baby poncho. I did a mistake and had to frog, and then there's another mistake in the 3rd single cable from the left. I twisted it the wrong way - ugh. I guess I will leave it as is because I don't think my friend will notice. I've heard that in Amish quilts they always leave one mistake because only God is perfect.
Started the baby poncho. This is Sirdar 1516 pattern. The color is not quite right again - took the photo outside when sun was setting, but love the cables! I've got quite a ways to go. I'm wondering if there are shorter cable needles. The one I'm working with is about 4 inches long and prevents me from knitting as fast as I'd like to knit. Anybody know?
Beginning yet another bonnet. This one is a lime green color - (lighting not right in this photo). This pattern is just perfect for baby showers.
This is what greets me when I pull up into our driveway! Hello Spring!!!
Peace Fleece Cardigan
Here is a close-up of a similar cardigan I am struggling with. (The photo is from the Peace Fleece website.) I put it away for 5 years because I couldn't understand the instructions. I'm hoping to finish it for my 2-yr old before he gets too big.
The back is worked garter stitch for 11.75 inches. Then the instructions say: Bind off, placing center 22 stitches onto a holder. I know how to bind off on one side and have done that, but how do I bind off on the other side of the held stitches since my working yarn is on the other side?
Stuck here
Starting another baby bonnet - this time using Polo brand with the color "white". I will be doing the eyelet variation, but with the I-cord instead of the satin ribbon.
About to start heel on 2nd sock from Knit Picks - Sock Landscape. This yarn is so nice! I will definitely be ordering more.
Finished bonnet. I love how this turned out. The pattern has embroidered lace appliques on the band. (You can see pattern photos below that show bonnet with appliques.) What do you think? Does the bonnet need some appliques? The bonnet still needs to be blocked. Any tips? I've never blocked something this shape before.
Side and back profile
Finishing up the back of the bonnet.
I really like how this is coming together, but boy is the cotton rough on my hands! I'm also using an Inox circular needle and using the magic loop method because my daughter is using Addi's for her "fish thing". The cord on the Inox is stiffer and thicker than Addi's and really is bit annoying. I do like the feel of the Inox needle and the tip - especially when doing the lacework. Now if only Inox could improve on the cord.
Update: took back my Addi's from my daughter and I'm much happier knitting Magic Loop. I will not buy any more Inox needles. Without doing Magic Loop, I think Inox would be fine, but otherwise, Addi rocks.
More progress on the "fish thing". I couldn't find my daughter's so here is mine. So far, here are the techniques used and learned:
1. cast-on cable
2. garter stitch
3. stockinette
4. k1 p1 rib
5. twisted rib
6. k2 p2 rib
7. joining new yarn (same color)
8. joining new yarn (different color) in rib
Ok, while I'm still waiting for the Sirdar cabled baby poncho pattern to come in, I found this at a LYS. There are 2 new baby girls to knit for. I bought Cascade Yarns "Sierra" in hot pink and will put an embroidered white applique like the yellow bonnet. Isn't it adorable?! Both of the new baby girls have big brothers, so I know the moms are going to go all girlie-girl.
Yarn and new pattern for baby bonnet. Pattern is from www.fibertrends.com and is called Valerie and Friends CH-8.
My 18-yr old daughter and I are working on the funny-looking knitting sampler "fish" from The Sweater Workshop book, by Jacqueline Fee. This knitting sampler teaches many skills necessary in making sweaters. Our newest skill was the cast-on cable stitch. The close-up is my daughter's work.
Close-Up of my daughter's fish. Below are a couple pictures of the finished sampler.
Finished one sock. I love the KnitPicks Sock Landscape yarn! There were only 5 yards left in the skein - talk about close.
Addi Turbo!!! I had read about the recent price hike for Addi's Turbo needles because of the devaluing American dollar. I found a seller on eBay who sells them for about half the price of my LYS and the shipping was very reasonable. I added 6 more Addi's to my collection. Althought these are labeled Addi Premium, they are identical to the Addi Turbos that I bought in the US.
New sock using Knit Picks Sock Garden - Red Wood Forest. Love these yummy colors.
Sock Garden Yarn from Knit Picks
Okay, what is going on here? I knit about 4-1/2 inches and then noticed the stripe pattern changed. I did change to one size smaller needles about 1/2 of an inch below the last pink stripe, but the pattern had already changed. Is this a flaw in the yarn? I love the softness of the yarn otherwise, but this I don't know about this odd pattern. What do you think?
Below is the picture from KnitPicks site:
* * * * Followup: Knitpicks has replaced both skeins of yarn and I got it in just a few days! * * * *
Sirdar 1516
I MUST make this. I have had it on order from a LYS since the week before Christmas, but it still hasn't come in. My friend had her baby in December and the baby shower was last weekend. Since there was no gift to bring, I printed the picture out, glued it on cardstock and wrote an IOU for the baby - lol. The people at the baby shower got a kick out of that. I just can't wait to start knitting it!
Other knitting news: I finished the purple scarf for my friend. It turned out great. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of it - ugh!
I just started a new pair of socks for my mom who wears Ladies Size 12 shoes. She has never been able to wear girly socks, so for her first pair, I am using Sock Garden from Knit Picks. The colors are shades of pink and yellow. I didn't realize this yarn would stripe - kind of a spiraling stripe, but I really like it. This yarn is softer than the Sock It To Me wool from Elann.
I'm loving this yarn combination:
Artful Yarns: Portrait, Color 101
Plymouth Yarn Dazzlelash
The Artful Yarns didn't have enough of the deep color I was looking for, but the Duzzlelash really helped give it more deep purple and the glitz that was missing.
Pattern is 16 stitches knitted in garter for 4 rows and Elongated stiches (wrapped 3 times) for one row. Next is 8 rows of garter stitch. I think that will be the pattern. I'm working it as I go. Using Size 10 needles.
I went in to tuck 5-yr old ds, Dub, in bed. He had his light on (unusual)and was propped up on his pillow with a sad look on his face. I asked him if he was okay. Dub burst into tears telling me his ladybug was stuck. Earlier this evening, he had found a ladybug on the ping-pong table. She had become his friend. I asked him where the ladybug was. She (I guess all ladybugs are "shes" because they are ladies, you know) was stuck in the weaving of the wicker nightstand. I could see her - belly up - not a good sign for a bug. She didn't look alive, but in Dub's mind she was indeed alive. He said that there was no way for her to get out. Wiping his tears, I delicately tried to mention that I thought she might be dead because she wasn't moving. He told me that she wasn't dead, but just stuck and cried some more. I told him maybe we could try to get her out with the vacuum cleaner. That idea didn't go over to well because then she "would be stuck in the hole". He still didn't get it that she was not alive. I mentioned to him that I'd try to help get her unstuck tomorrow after he had a good night sleep. He was satisfied with that answer.
These are the difficult, yet very important issues of a five-year old boy. I'm glad he shared his stuck ladybug burden with me - such tender tears and such precious moments.
Expanding Knitting Library
I've been reading reviews on knitting books. I want to be able to design my own sweaters that fit my tall frame. There's no sense in taking a ready-made pattern and redesigning it to my size when I can try to do it right the first time. I figure the amount I paid for these 4 books was equivalent to one knitting class (approximately $50 total). Not a bad deal, huh?
I just bought this new yarn today to make a scarf for my friend, Karen, whose will be celebrating her 50th birthday. I also bought another Addi circular to add to my small collection. 
Newest Project: Purple Scarf
Completed socks for Child Size 2-4 using Ann Budd's Book of Patterns using Magic Loop method.
Socks on cute, chubby toddler legs!
Child's Sock using Ann Budd's Handy Book of Patterns
Having completed one pair of socks using dpn, I wanted to try the Magic Loop method on smaller socks before venturing onto my size socks (as in BIG - lol). Yesterday, I spent 1-1/2 hours at the DMV as my eldest waited to get her driver's permit so it was a great knitting opportunity with no interruptions. I thought I had followed the pattern properly on the heel, but it looks like I counted the stitches wrong. I was dissatisfied with the yarn and frustrated at the pattern, so I frogged it. This is today's work. I'm much happier with the results. This time I kept track of the rows more carefully and it worked out fine! I can't wait to shape the heel - it seems to come alive then! The color is not quite right - it's a light blue, 100% wool. I am really liking the Magic Loop method!
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
My 14-yr old son and I made cinnamon rolls together tonight. He loves good food and likes to spend time with me in the kitchen when we are working together on something yummy. I find that when we are working together on something, we have deeper conversations. I need to make a mental note to plan more events like this to strengthen our relationship.
Finally completed my first pair of socks! The Kitchener stitch was a real challenge. I went to 3 different websites and used 3 different books, knit and frogged 5 times, and finally the directions that worked for my feeble brain was the Stitch 'N Bitch book. I'm so happy!
They aren't quite as snug as I would like, but I'm not complaining for a first-time effort.
My next pair of socks, I will try doing the Magic Loop method with a toe-up pattern.
I just listed the auctions on eBay for the two Tsunami Relief pillowcases I made. You can scroll down to see the pictures. Please help spread the word. The last auction closed at $31. Money goes far in those countries. I'd be thrilled to see that amount doubled!
http://search.ebay.com/TSUNAMI-RELIEF-PILLOWCASE_W0QQsojsZ1QQfromZR40
Tropical Fish Pillowcase
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43397&item=4355465365&rd=1
Here's another pillowcase - this one of tropical fish among coral reefs. The fabric on the edge is gorgeous blue batik made in Indonesia - one of the countries most devastated by the Tsunami.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43397&item=4355465361&rd=1
The fabric in this one is much different than I had planned on using. However, when I was searching in the fabric store for something that reminded me of what I imagined the ocean waters to be like, I noticed the words "Made in Indonesia" on the batiks. It made sense to make a batik pillowcase. The colors are glorious!
My order from Knitpicks.com came in. This is one sample of their sock
yarns. I really like it - very soft and the colors are better in person. I am
going to knit up a pair of socks for my mom who wears Size 12 shoes. She
has always complained about having to get mens socks, so the color
really had to be pink for her. There will be no mistaking that these are
LADIES socks - lol.
I also got some Addi Turbo circular needles to try out the "Magic Loop"
method of knitting. I got it figured out - woo-hoo! I'm still trying to
decide if this method is faster than double pointed needles. After I finish
"those" socks down there, my next pair I will knit using the "Magic Loop"
method to see how that goes.
Knit Picks Sock Garden Yarn "Star Gazer Lily" in lucious pinks/yellow.
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