Becky's Knitting

I finished the Dragon Hoodie this summer right after we got back from South America, but I never got a chance to show it to you.

Project Specs:

Pattern: Dragon Hoodie from Marnie MacLean.  For more info, see Marnie's project notes here.

Yarn: Berroco Lullaby - Blue Chip with Lacquer (red) trim and spots

Needles: Addi Turbos - I think I used 9's and 7's.

For: Zahi - Zeina's baby boy

Started: April, 2006

Completed: August, 2006

Modifications:  The yarn was a modification from the original pattern, but Marnie used it in the second one she made, so I knew it would work.  It was a different gauge, though, so hopefully the modifications will allow it to fit.  The yarn is quite stretchy, so I think it will work even if it isn't ideal.  I made the sleeves longer so that the ribbing can be folded over and then unfolded as the baby grows.  Also, the picture of the hood doesn't show the shoe lace I ran through it to tie at the neck because I picked that up on my way to gifting it.

Project Notes:  The momma really liked it when gifted.  Now that it's starting to get chilly out and the baby is bigger, I am hoping for an on the baby picture soon.  I really like the yarn in that it is machine washable and soft.  These were my first raglan sleeves, and I don't think I did a very good job on them :-(  Luckily, I don't think the baby will notice.  I love the final look of the project, and it definitely has a great awwww, how cute factor.  However, the finishing was a pain as knitting and sewing on all the spots was not particularly fun, not to mention sewing the spine, ears, and assembling the sleeves.  I'm just not very good at sewing, so that was my least favorite part. 

And here's Major who is a little bored with mommy and daddy's favorite fall pastime.

Posted by Becky at 03:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

First, a quickie finished object:

Pattern: http://explaiknit.typepad.com/AppleaDay.pdf   Just knit all in white, bind off at the top, and then stitch the red baseball stitches.

Yarn: Caron and Red Heart

Needles: Addi Turbo 8's and some random DPN's

For: Julie's new baby

Started: October 18, 2006

Completed: October 20, 2006

Project Notes: I like the pattern I linked to as a basis because it has different sizes for the hats.  The way I did the baseball could easily be switch to another type of ball (basketball, tennis, etc.) to suit the interests of the parents.  Very quick and easy!

In this post I gave a quick status update of my projects, but at the I didn't have pics of all of them handy.  So, I went home and tried to remedy the situation. 

Here's the Lacy Lattice Stole

The Brooks Farm Scarf

Garterlac and DW Dishcloths which match MY kitchen :-)

Posted by Becky at 06:39 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Due to my temporary "leave" from the blog, I never got to post pics of my Labor Day Project - painting and organizing my knitting room know as the "purple room."  Even when it had white walls, we called in the purple room, but now the name is much more appropriate.  My mom, her friend, and I sponge painted and, I have to say, it was actually really easy and it looks awesome!  I also got some storage units for my yarn.  So, here are some pics of the room (and my stash).

While taking pics, I took the opportunity to show you some more of the cool yarn I got while in Houston for the knitting conference.  It is custom dyed, in perfect UT burnt orange, Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock!  Available only from Twisted Yarns in Spring - a very nice store which we definitely enjoyed visiting!  Isn't it awesome!

oh yeah, Major says hi :-)

Posted by Becky at 08:20 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I won!  Wendy had a contest for some extra sock yarn that she wanted to give away, and I was one of only 6 winners picked randomly out of 968 entrants!  I can't wait to see which yarn Wendy picked to send to me.   Thanks Wendy!

Since it's been forever since I posted knitting content, here's a quick update of where I'm at with all of my projects.  Pics included for the projects I have them for, and now that I have this list, I know which ones I still need pics of so I will try to post some of them soon.

Christmas Stockings - I have finished knitting mine and started on Daniel's.  I still need to weave in ends, decorate the tree, and seam mine, but at least the knitting part is complete.  This is my only project with a strict deadline, so I am trying to priortize it.  Mine is the a kit from Elegant Heirlooms, and Daniel's is his own design using the basic pattern of mine from the kit.  His will have a big silver star over a small town with a road leading up to the town.  Base yarn is Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride worsted.  The silver on Daniel's is Berroco quest.  Using size 5 and 7 addi's.

Grandmom wrap - otherwise know as my work on while reading law books project.  Because it's all garter stitch and the rows are long so there is minimal turning of the work, this project has gotten quite a bit of time over the last few weeks as I have had quite a bit of reading to do.  I really like the way it is coming together, and it received rave reviews at the Knit Out.  If I get it done for Christmas, that would be awesome, but if it has to wait, that's ok too.  Yarns are too many to name, mostly found in sales bins and such.  Knit on Denise 11's. 

Purple trekking sock - I took this with me to South America, and although it didn't get worked on a ton, I have really fun pics with the sock taken all over Chile and Peru.  They are on my other computer, though, so you just get the trying it on at home pic.  I haven't been working on this very much, but I'd like to start picking it up more so I can move on to all of the other sock yarn I have waiting. 

Lacy Lattice Stole - my other take to South America project.  I really haven't paid any attention to this since I got home because I have been focusing on the Christmas stockings.  I am attending several weddings next year, so I'd like to get it done by then, but it will probably be mostly on hold until after Christmas.  Yarn is Alpaca with a Twist Fino in black knit on Inox Express size 4 circulars.

Ugg booties and MN-style hat.  Every since I saw the episode on Knitty Gritty, I have been waiting for the chance to knit this pattern.  One of my college roommates just had a nephew and they live in Minnesota, so this pattern is perfect.  I just picked up the yarn this weekend (I'm using Lion Suede and a Yarn Bee yarn similar to Plush instead of shelling out the big bucks for the Berroco brands), and here's my start on the hat.  Hopefully this will work up really quickly and I can get it into the mail before it gets too cold up there.

Brooks Farm scarf - My mom and I went to the Houstin Knit at Night Guild's knitting conference at the end of August.  Our favorite part of the conference was the market, and our favorite both was Brooks Farm.  They had some gorgeous yarn!  I got some sale yarn to make a Clapotis, and some really pretty wool/silk called Four Play to make a basic scarf.  They had a sample of the scarf, and it is very simple, but really shows off the yarn nicely.  I definitely need to get some pictures taken of this project to show you.  My mom also got a skein in different colors, so we are doing a mini scarf knitalong.

Missy Lace - FINSIHED and gifted.  Picture and FO summary coming soon.

Dragon Hoodie - FINSIHED and gifted.  Picture and FO summary coming soon.

Mermaid - still working on it occasionally, this is such a fun knit that I want it to last so I'm in no real hurry to finish.

I also made a few dishcloths this summer that I need to get a picture of. 

Last, but not least, look at my pretty hibiscus that I've been trying to bring back to life!!

Posted by Becky at 03:25 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

This past weekend was the Austin Knit Out & Crochet, Too event.  It is sponsored by the Lone Star State Knitters, a group that I am proud to be a member of.  One of the group members "gently reminded" me that I hadn't blogged in awhile, so I thought what better time than now to at least post something.  It was a great way to spend a Saturday (and not just because the alternative was studying).  I got to meet several people who I'd only communicated with on our email list and got to hang out with lots of people I've met previously through the list who have become my friends. 

Here are some pics of everyone hanging out during the day.

First is Lydia, Rita, Esther, and Lia (who was an extremely confident young knitter!) with Laura in the background.  You should've heard Lia talk about how easy it was to knit with novelty yarn - she was putting knitters 3-5 times her age to shame. 

This is Amy (an Austin Meet-Up member who also spent some time spinning on a drop-spindle), Sue, and another Austin Meet-Up visitor to our group whose name I am blanking on.

In this picture Nancy (who finally just joined our group!) is modeling a multi-directional scarf made by Alice (who is in the background). 

Rainy is modeling a Princess Lea wig made by Shama (these ladies came all the way from Beaumont and Houston!!)  Rainy is also wearing an Anthropologie-inspired capelet which she made out of Berroco Air.  Several of the girls on the list have made these, and I am tempted to make one for my sister for Christmas or her birthday if I can find the time.

Alice, Laura, Nikki, some visitors, and Audrey on the end.

And, there were gifts!  I won 2 door-prizes, but gave one away to someone who came late and missed out.  I kept a $20 gift certificate to Yarn Bow, a new yarn store which opened in Lakeway, not too far (30 minutes or so) from my house.  One of our list members, Zulema (which we learned is pronounced Zoo - Lemma -rhymes with Emma), also brought a gift for everyone - homemade stitch markers.  I picked out this cute cowboy boot and put it to work right away!  

And, last but not least, my friend Laura from the group (pictured in red in some of the above pics) gave me this awesome felted bag!!!!!!!!!  Can you believe it!  It is in UT colors which of course I love and is an awesome size.  What a great friend to give such a wonderful gift!

I know I haven't posted since before we took our trip to South America, and I have to admit, now that law school has started I simply will not be able to post very often.  BUT, I would like to at least post an update every now and then, if for nothing else, than at least for my own knitting records.  So please bear with me and continue to check in every once in awhile.

Coming soon (I hope), a project status update, including pics of the projects I worked on at the Knit Out - Daniel's stocking and Grandmom's wrap.

Posted by Becky at 03:06 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)