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Category Archives: FO

FO : Chapel Of Love

04 May

It is always amazing to me, the way some people stay in your life for a long time, and the way some people go.  I have very few people, who are not related to me still around, that I either see or talk to on a regular basis, that I have known for more than ten years.  Of those people, one is Brandon, and he is getting married to a lovely lady in July.  I’m so blessed to count both Tory and Brandon among my close friends!

Tory asked me last year if I would knit her a wedding shawl.  I was all too happy to oblige.  She handed me yarn, picked out a pattern, and the rest was easy!

Beautiful Tory!

Perfect wingspan

  • Project : Tory’s Wedding Shawl
  • Pattern : Mantra by Susan Pandorf
  • Yarn : Blue Heron ‘Rayon Metallic’, in ‘Polar Bear’

The shawl took longer to knit than I had planned, mainly because I couldn’t do any knitting during my first trimester, so this project had to take a side seat.  I was so happy when I was able to not only finish the shawl, but to deliver it to the lovely bride-to-be.  She is so happy with it (as you can see in the photos.)

I can’t wait to attend the wedding in July.  I’m so happy for them, and I know that they are going to be happy together, for a very long time.

Tory and Brandon, the happy couple!

 
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Posted by on May 4, 2012 in FO, Friends and Family

 

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Babys Galore

21 Apr

This is certainly going to be the season for babies!  Jess, a fellow knitting friend, is due in July.  Two of my cousins are due in June and July (respectively), and another cousin’s wife is due around the same time as me.  So, you can imagine what I’ve been working on lately.

  • Project : Baby Pullover
  • Pattern: Bulky Baby Pullover by Diane Soucy
  • Yarn : Jackson by Tahki Yarns

At first, I wasn’t sure how this was going to turn out.  Yes, it is a simple pattern and knits up quickly with bulky yarn.  But the neck was a little odd; you go back and pick up stitches.  The way that it was written, I thought that there would be a placket.  Still, it turned out nice and I’m happy with it.

The yarn that I ordered to make the baby blanket for MY baby finally arrived!  I really want to cast on straight away, but I have some other projects that need to be finished first.

The color is called ‘Charteuse’; it is a little brighter than in the photo.  And the pattern I’m going for?  Why, The Hemlock Ring of course!   Boy or girl, this is the blanket that I’ve dreamed of knitting for my child since John and I started trying almost four years ago.  So, I’ll keep you posted.  I don’t know how long I can hold off before I start casting on!

 
3 Comments

Posted by on April 21, 2012 in FO

 

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FO : Baby’s First Sweater

14 Apr

Now that I can knit again, I’ve jumped ship into the Sea of UFOs.  There are soooo many projects that need attention, including socks, a shawl, baby items for other people, birthday gifts, and Pay It Forward items – all started before I became pregnant and should have been finished by now.  Damn that pesky first trimester and its extreme sickness.

But, now that I am able to knit at my regular pace again, I can start posting some finished projects.  And I’ll admit, while I have tons of things to work on right now, the compulsion to cast on more and more baby items for ‘Cletus The Fetus’ is overwhelming.  But at least I have one sweater completed.

Good for a boy or a girl

 

  • Project : Cherry On Top (aka, Baby’s First Sweater)
  • Pattern : Garter Yoke Baby Cardi by Jennifer Hoel
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Sport

As you can tell from the cat hair on the sweater, Cooley fully approves and wanted to make sure to show his love on it last night, after I finished sewing on the buttons.  And speaking of buttons, I want to thank Amanda B (Mander) for the awesome antique buttons.  I’ve been hoarding them, and they turned out to be perfect for this project.

 

 

The sweater was easy to knit.  I really love the contrast with the garter stitch yoke against the straight stitch of the body and sleeves.  I want to make another, smaller one for the baby to wear sooner.  It is just a fun pattern, with no seaming and minimal weaving in of ends.

I’m also interested to know what you, my fellow knitters, like to knit for babies.  What are some of your favorite patterns?

 
6 Comments

Posted by on April 14, 2012 in FO

 

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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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