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Category Archives: FO

FO: Split It

28 Jan

First, I must feel that I need to apologize for my lack of blogging.  It has gone hand-in-hand with my lack of knitting as well.  I have a very good reason, of which I plan to discuss with everyone very soon.  Just hang in there and bear with me.

As I’ve said before, my Mother is my biggest fan when it comes to my knitting.  She loves to see what I’m working on, what I’m planing to make next, and – most importantly – what her next pair of socks is going to look like.

When I heard that the Sanguine Gryphon was splitting up, I ordered a skein of yarn for myself and one for her. Then she also requested a pair of gray socks.  So, I pull out my iPhone and start picking out patterns, but in truth, all she wanted was a plain, simple pair of gray socks.  No ribbing, no lace, no pattern accents.  Just plain.  So, I agreed, making it clear that the Sanguine Gryphon yarn would be transformed into a Cookie A pattern.  Mom was cool with that.

 

Simple socks

 

  • Project : “50/50 Socks”
  • Pattern : Improvised; toe-up, short row heel, k2/p2 rib at the cuff
  • Yarn : Knit Picks Stroll Solids

 

I’ve coined these the “50/50″ socks because there are roughly fifty rows between the toe and heel, and fifty rows between the heel and the cuff.  I love it when things work out that way.  That, and I’m a bit OCD – I want the amount of rows to match up, even on plain socks, to make everything even.  But, quirks aside, they were a fun ‘take and go’ knitting project, one that required little thought and could be worked on in small doses.  And Mom loves them, so everyone wins!

 

A perfect fit!

 

 

 
4 Comments

Posted by on January 28, 2012 in FO, Friends and Family, Knitting

 

FO : Twice As Nice

08 Jan

I had promising, high hopes for the new year.  I always do; what isn’t there to love about a fresh new year?  A clean slate, in a way.  Or a new canvas in which to paint new memories.

All of that was shattered when someone let the air out of my new tires, right here in front of my house.  I have no idea who did it (probably some stupid teenagers playing a prank,) but needless to say, it left me feeling slightly vulnerable and a little bit violated.  Top that off with an uncommonly stressful week at work.  All I can say is, this year had better get movin’ and improve, soon.

In good news, my husband starts a new job this Monday!  I’m so happy for him.  He will still be doing the same type of work, but in a better environment that is a little closer to home, and is a little more money.  I just hope that his mood is elevated and he’s not as stressed as he has been.  One of the worst things in the world is seeing the man you love suffer in some way, and there is nothing you can do but be supportive.

 

Happy Hubby!

 

John’s parents stayed for dinner last night, after helping us install the new light fixture they gave us for Christmas.  We celebrated with cheesecake and a bottle of ‘Life and Limb’.

But, while this has been a week of ups and downs, I’ve still managed to accomplish a few things in the newness of the year.

 

I'm still spinning

 

  • Project : ‘The Crown Jewels’
  • Fiber : ‘Creatively Dyed’, 50% merino / 50% tencel, 4 oz
  • Ply : standard 2-ply
  • Weight / Yardage : DK/Worsted, 140 yds

I was drawn to the color of this roving, and the shine, at the Fall Fiber Festival last year.  Chan talked me into buying it, even thought I was feeling cautious.  I was happy staying in my ‘spinning comfort zone’; merino, BFL, etc.  Never had I tried to attempt something like this.  I was afraid that it wouldn’t spin up well, that I wouldn’t have as much control over the fibers as I did with 100% wool.  Well, I can safely say ‘Thank you, CHAN!’  This was a true pleasure to spin.

Next, I have a knitting project that I kept putting off, but why I have no idea.  Cowls are so easy to knit; they take me one afternoon, or two evenings of tele, to make.  My mother’s hairdresser had requested one and I was more than happy to comply.  My mother has had the same hairdresser for years, ever since Amy B was right out of beauty school.  She’s seen me grow up, she styled my hair for my wedding.  She’s a great lady and I know that she’ll love the cowl.

 

Mmmm ... Manos del Uruguay

 

  • Project : ‘Purple Seaweed Cowl’
  • Pattern : ‘Seaweed Cowl’ by Elizabeth Blake
  • Yarn : Manos del Uruguay, ‘Wool Clasica’

 

This is one of my all time favorite cowl patterns.  The ribbing is simply enough to memorize, and really give the yarn the texture that it needs, and compliments the yarn.  This yarn is warm and squishy, not to mention soft!

 

 

 

I hope that your year if off to a great start, and that you are enjoying your weekend!  What have you been crafting so far ?

 
5 Comments

Posted by on January 8, 2012 in FO, Knitting, Spinning

 

FO : Something From Nothing

27 Dec

One of the most satisfying feelings in the world, for me, is knitting with yarn that I’ve spun.  I remember the first time.  It was this overwhelming feeling of making something from nothing, of truly creating with my hands.  Since then, I’ve made a pair of socks and now, I’ve made another pair.  Because, honestly … is there such a thing as having too many pairs of hand knit socks?

 

So soft and so mine

 

  • Project : Hand-spun socks
  • Pattern : Just a ‘Plain Jane’ sock ; toe up, with contrast heels, toes, and cuff
  • Yarns : My hand-spun (Who’s A Pretty Boy Then) and Knit Picks (Palette) for the contrast

 

These are so comfy.  I wish that I could knit every pair of socks with hand-spun.  I also notice that I’m not as OCD about the color when I knit with hand-spun.  Usually I hunt for the perfect pattern for the yarn I want to use, and if the colors pool, I rip it all out and never look back.  But with these, I like the little imperfections in color.

 

Heels and toes that match and contrast

 

What projects have you been working on, now that Christmas is over and the ‘holiday knitting’ is finished for another year?

 

 

 
2 Comments

Posted by on December 27, 2011 in FO

 

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FO : Purple Haze

04 Nov

There it is again, the color that my stash can’t seem to give up.  Don’t get me wrong; I love the color purple.  It is my favorite color.  But I also think that everything is better in moderation.  I’ve been getting better, expanding to other colors, but I suppose I always come back to plum, eggplant, lavender, and lotus because they are all in my comfort zone.  That, and I have so much of it in my stash, that I’m trying to use it up.

But I don’t mean to sound negative about all the purple.  It really is a beautiful hue and I’m quite proud of the recent projects that I’ve completed.

  • Project : “Na-no, Na-no” Socks
  • Pattern : ‘Nanner Socks‘ by Wendy Johnson
  • Yarn :  Well, that’s a mystery …
I received this yarn earlier in the year from one of my local knitting friends, Kerry.  But, like a dummy, I lost the tag.  I do know that it is lovely; soft and a pleasure to work with.  It is also hand-painted.
The one thing that I can never tell with hand-painted yarns, is how they will turn out.  One pattern might have the colors pooling, while another will show off the vibrant variety.  I’ll admit that is why this yarn stayed in my stash as long as it did.  I was afraid to choose the wrong pattern.  But I think I did a spot-on job for this pair of socks, and I couldn’t be happier with how they turned out, especially since I didn’t make them for me.
The next project that I’ve been working on is for my Mom’s hair stylist.  She wanted a hand-made gift for a friend, and when Mom starting showing off photos of some of my FOs, she decided that she’d love me to make her a cowl.  She asked for purple, which was a good thing; I was given another chance to knit from my stash.
I’m still trying to figure out how this yarn managed to stay in my stash for over three years.  I love the soft feel, and the squishiness of this yarn.  When I think of Noro, I think of bright, bold colors but slightly scratchy yarn (not to knock Noro.)  But I remember this first time that I fondled this yarn at the LYS in Woodstock, Va, and I knew that I had to take it home with me.
This pattern was very easy; a simple two pattern repeat, simple to memorize and knit in no time.  I think, with a little blocking, I’ll get more length from it.  I’m pleased, and I hope Mom’s stylist will be as well.
 
2 Comments

Posted by on November 4, 2011 in FO

 

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FO: Sage Wisdom

22 Oct

I’ve noticed that I go through knitting phases.  All or nothing, it seems that the projects that I have on my needles go in cycles.  This time, its socks.

 

  • Project : Sage Socks
  • Pattern : ‘Big Tease’ by Amy Polcyn (from ‘The Joy Of Sox’)
  • Yarn : Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Solids in ‘Loden’
I really love the patterns in this book.  There are lacy patterns, cabled patterns, and even a pair of thigh highs (one day, I promise.  I love knitted thigh highs.)  The yarn really shows the pattern well; I think its how the yarn was plied.  I’m not sure of the technical term, but it really makes everything ‘pop’.  The shade of green is one of my favorites, and while I didn’t make these socks for myself, I’ll keep the color in mind for a future project.
 
3 Comments

Posted by on October 22, 2011 in FO

 

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FO : Good Luck

20 Oct

I have poured over the long, seemingly never-ending list of patterns on Ravelry, hoping to find just the right one to use up what I have left of my skein of Bittersweet Woolery Star Dust.  Luckily for me, in more than one way, I found the perfect pattern.  (You’ll get than pun in a moment.)

I love the way the pattern and yarn truly compliment each other.  The pattern is lacy but still keeps my neck warm.  I’m a huge fan of cowls; I hate to knit scarves and while I enjoy wearing a warm scarf, a cowl always stays in place.  This one is feminine and beautiful; a true piece of knitting beauty.
 
3 Comments

Posted by on October 20, 2011 in FO, Knitting

 

FO : Harvest Time

09 Oct

There are certain skeins of yarn that I tend to hoard in my stash.  Malabrigo sock, some lovely sport weight alpaca, and anything from my friends who dye yarn.  So last month, in keeping with my need to craft all things Autumn, I cast on a pair of socks with some beautiful yarn that Tina dyed.

 

I LOVE THESE SOCKS!  They are so comfortable; the yarn is soft and feels so good on my feet.  The pattern really fit the color of the yarn, and I couldn’t be more happy that it all worked out to plan.

The only modifications I made to the pattern were the style of toe (I use a Figure 8 cast on for toe-up socks,) and the pattern chart repeats.  By the time I finished the ‘Wheat Chart’ on the leg, it was getting really long, so I didn’t work from the other chart at all.  Still, I think that they are lovely and I’m wearing them on my feet as the days get more chilly.

The photos don’t do these pretties justice, but all the same, I took a few more shots.

 

And now, the Christmas knitting must commence.  I can knit myself something else after December!

 
5 Comments

Posted by on October 9, 2011 in FO, Knitting

 

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Mad About Mittens

07 Oct

I’m getting into my Christmas knitting full swing!  And like anything I knit, I tend to go in phases.  This time, its  mittens.

I love mittens.  There is something nostalgic about them; timeless yet small, they make me smile when I knit them, and especially when I wear them.  They make me long for winter, heavy jackets, and hot cocoa.

I want to make these again, in a non-superwash wool.  The pattern was very easy; despite the cables, it was a great project to sit and knit while watching tele.  They blocked up nice, but like I said.  Next time, no superwash.  Maybe I’ll modify the pattern for fingerless gloves.

 

The photo doesn’t do the pattern justice.  To get a better idea of the cables, check out the pattern page link.  If I make these again, I would make a longer cuff, that is for sure.  But they were fun, and they are very warm!

 
2 Comments

Posted by on October 7, 2011 in FO, Knitting

 

FO : Queen Of Night

22 Sep

If you don’t know by now, my friend Tina is amazing.  She spins, knits, crochets, and also has her own yarn business.  The fiber that she dyes is beautiful and amazing, so when she asked me if I would be willing to sample knit for her, I was all too happy to help!

Tina has been doing quite a few Fiber Festivals this year, and she wanted to have knitted and crocheted items to show off in the booth.  I don’t know about you, but I’m more apt to buy a yarn when I can see it worked up as a project, to see how the colors are going to flow.

Wool that sparkles

 

I love these mitts.  I love this yarn.  And I love the fact that there is enough left over to make a small project for myself.  I wish that you could see these in person, to catch the hints of silver and sparkle that natural light hits upon.  I adore these, which means I know that Tina will love them as well!

Both sides of the Night

 

 
4 Comments

Posted by on September 22, 2011 in FO, Knitting

 

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Ready, Set … Autumn!

12 Sep

I’ve been ready for Autumn to get here for at least a month.  Soon, I’ll get to pull out the cardigans and sweaters, and put away the summer dresses and sandals.  Not that I don’t love my summer wardrobe.  I’m just ready for the relief of cooler weather!

And my yearning has been showing in my knitting!  All of my projects are helping me gear up for the season change.

  • Project : Grandma’s Kitchen Socks
  • Yarn : Austermann Step, in ‘Moss’
  • Pattern : Plain Jane, toe-up

The color of these socks reminds me so much of my Grandma’s kitchen.  When I was a kid, she hadn’t re-decorated since the 1970′s.  There color scheme included olive green, squash yellow, pumpkin orange, and chocolate brown.  The appliances were also from the 1970′s, which just added to the retro vibe.  The moment I saw this yarn at the LYS, I just had to have it!

  • Project : Columbia Beret
  • Pattern : Columbia Beret by Sarah Pope
  • Yarn : Plymouth Yarn, Merino Superwash Solids

I’m a total whore for a good, slouchy beret.  I can’t have enough, hence my need to knit at least two or three every year.  I can promise that this won’t be the last one on my needles before the first snow hits!  I love this shade of blue; bold, vibrant, and super-wash!  Always good, as I have a bad habit of always getting something on my hat.

  • Project : Swamp Cowl
  • Pattern : Swampfield Cowl by Sara Amoroso
  • Yarn : Tahki Yarns ‘Presto’

Brace yourself.  There is more than 25% acrylic in this yarn.

Those of you who know me, know what a yarn purest I can be.  I never look twice at any yarn that has more than 25% acrylic in it.  But this was so soft when I held it in my hands at the LYS.  The colors were brilliant and I’ve been craving something bulky.  So,yes. I bought it.  And to my surprise, it wasn’t a pain to knit with.  Quite the opposite. The only thing that I don’t like about this project is that I look like I’m wearing a neck brace when I wear it.  Next time, I’ll add more stitches around, and add to the length.

So, what Autumn projects are you working on?  Anything on the needles or ironing board for the cool weather season?

 

 
4 Comments

Posted by on September 12, 2011 in FO, Knitting, Uncategorized

 
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