Becky's Knitting

I have lots of FO's, WIP's, and Christmas gifts to show you, but since it is the last day of the year, it seems most appropriate to dedicate this post to a look at the knitting year that has been and that which is to come.

To begin with, here's a status report on my list of projects posted this time last year. 

• Hanne Falkenberg Mermaid - I am past the second armhole.  So I have 1/4 of the body left, 2 sleeves, and all of the finishing including the fixing the i-cord cast on I did and doing an i-cord bind off.  My goal is to have this done by next winter.
• Colinette Ab Fab Afghan - not a lot of progress on this.  Something I'm just working on now and then, savoring the process and the yarn
• Debbie Bliss Cathay sweater for my mom - I made a swatch, but that's it.  I'd like to get this done for Christmas next year
• Pinwheel baby blanket - I ran out of yarn and we decided the recipient wouldn't appreciate the effort so it is on hold and will be finished when a new recipient comes along.
• Baby item for June baby - the Dragon Hoodie was completed and was a rousing success
• Finish Hopeful - completed for the Knitting Olympics
• Daniel's UT scarf - once we realized he is allergic to wool, this project got put on hold
• Make myself a UT scarf - I have the yarn, but still need to do this sometime.  Not high priority b/c I got a sweet Rose Bowl scarf in Pasadena last year.
• Finish my first pair of socks. Done.                                                                                 
• More socks - halfway done on my second pair, the purple trekking socks.  Also started a pair for Daniel's dad, but didn't get very far because I'm not sure if I like what I started. 
• Lace wrap - Lacy Lattice Stole in progress, goal of finishing to wear for a March wedding

I also finished many projects which were not on last year's list

• Christmas stockings for me and Daniel (although I want to embellish them more next year)
• Jo Sharp Justine skirt
• Missy Lace scarf/stole
• 7 scarves
• 2 hats
• 7 dishcloths
• Harry Potter bookscarf
• I-pod cover

Which brings me to my list of projects for this coming year

• Finish Hanne Falkenberg Mermaid by next winter
• Finish Lacy Lattice Stole for a wedding in March
• Pink cabled sweater for my mom - Debbie Bliss Cathay, pattern a combination of a Debbie Bliss pattern and a Louisa Harding pattern
• Grey cabled sweater for Daniel - Silky Tweed yarn, Rowan Classic pattern
• Finish the purple trekking socks and make lots more

As well as a few smaller projects

• Finish Vickie Howell collection test knitting by Jan. 10
• Finish the Grandmom Wrap (knitting done, need to block and fringe)
• 3 Texas squares for LSSK babies
• dishcloths for my mom for her birthday or mother's day
• embellish Daniel's stocking with beads and add names to both

I'll be back soon with pics of several FO's.  In the meantime, here's my team for the LSSK UFO to FO Challenge taking place in January.

Clockwise from bottom left

• Finish Grandmom Wrap (block and fringe)
• Finish test knitting scarf for Vickie Howell Collection
• Finish at least 1 purple trekking sock
• At least 1 Texas square for LSSK
• Lacy Lattice Stole - this one probably won't get done in January, but if I can make some serious progress on it, that would be awesome.  My goal is to finish the main panel in January. 

Happy New Year!

Posted by Becky at 11:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I've finished 3 scarves in the last few days.  I guess studying for finals is good for something.    Two were projects that have been sitting around for awhile that I finally finished (my sister's scarf in yesterday's entry and the Brooks Farm scarf below).  The last is a new one that I cast-on yesterday and finished today.  Of course, now that I have something warm to wrap around my neck, the highs are sposed to be back up in the 70's tomorrow.  Sigh...

Here's a picture of the quickie scarf.  I am going to write up the pattern and share it soon as it is a cheap, easy and quick project that would make a great present. 

I bought 3 balls of Berroco Plush last winter when I received this jacket for Christmas because I wanted a scarf to match.  The original plan was to make a traditional scarf, but as I was wrapping the first few inches around my neck last night admiring the softness, I realized I would really like it as a short key-hole scarf.  So I just played it by ear and came up with this pattern.  I'll use the leftovers to make a matching hat, and, depending on how much yarn that takes, maybe I'll make another scarf and gift it.

Project Specs:

One Skein Plush Keyhole Scarf
Pattern: my own - garter stitch, 17 stitches - will post full pattern soon
Yarn: Berroco Plush Color 1946
Balls: 1 (90 yds)
Needles:  Addi Turbo 10's (6mm)
For: me, to match my purple North Face jacket
Started: December 9 , 2006

Finished: December 10, 2006

As promised yesterday, here's the Brooks Fiber Farm Simple Scarf.

 

 

Project Specs:

Brooks Farm Scarf
Pattern: Simple Scarf
Yarn: Brooks Fiber Farm Four Play
Skeins: 1 (270 yards)
Needles:  Denise 8's and 10's
For: me
Started: August 26, 2006
Finished: December 9 , 2006

I got this yarn at the Houston Knit at Night Guild's Knitting Conference back in August.  All of the Brooks Farm yarns are BEAUTIFUL.  Most are about $32 a skein, but for approx. 500 yards.  The Four Play is $16 for about half as much yarn, but that was plenty to make a scarf and fit better in my budget.  This yarn is amazing!  The colors are exquisite, subtly blending from one to the next with no pooling.  The pattern is very simple, but shows off the yarn quite well.  I added a slip stitch edging as shown in the last picture.  I really like putting this edge on things as it looks a little more finished to me.  I will probably block this scarf at some point, but it is definitely wearable even without blocking.  I can't wait for my next opportunity to pick up some more Brooks Farm yarn.  Although you can order online, the pictures don't do any justice to the beautiful color combinations they have.  I took a few pics in Houston at their booth:

The lighting was horrible so just imagine something way better than what you see.  The Four Play wasn't my only Brooks Farm purchase.  I also got a skein of a discontinued colorway of Duet that was on sale.  They suggest using this yarn to make a Clapotis which I think might be a lot of fun since I am just about the last person in the knitting world to make one.  I only have 500 yds so it will be more of a scarf than a shawl, but that's fine with me.  I need to spend some time reading on the knitalong sites to see how people have modified the pattern. 

Hmmm, maybe this will be my next easy knitting for studying...?

Posted by Becky at 12:57 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I finished my sister's Christmas present on Thursday.  When I visited her in San Diego last January we went to Knitting in La Jolla.  Initially, she was embarrassed to be in a yarn store, but she did enjoy looking at the projects they had on display.  In CA, probably even more so than TX, there is very little traditional knitting of warm hats, scarves, sweaters, etc. going on so there were shawls and beach wraps and things on display that she liked.  I told her to pick out some yarn she liked and I would make her something.  She really like the color and softness of the Cashmerino Astrakhan.  I showed her what it looked like knitted up and explained I couldn't do anything fancy due to the texture, but she was fine with that.  So, I cast-on for a basic garter stitch scarf right away.  After getting through most of the first ball, this project stalled out while I worked on lots of other things.  But lately, the combination of needing a Christmas present for her and needing simple knitting to do while studying led me to complete it.  I was going to use up all 3 balls I had, but as I was knitting it on Thursday I suddenly had the urge to see how long it was.  I stood up and it was already several inches taller than me.  I still had about a half ball of yarn left, but decided that if I kept going it was going to be too long.  So I cast-off right then and there

Pattern: Garter stitch, 20 stitches
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Astrakhan Color 31010
Balls: 2.5 balls
Needles: Addi Turbo 6's
For: Christie
Started: January '06
Finished: December '06

Yesterday, I finished my Brooks Farm scarf.  Next up, my purple Berrocco Plush scarf.  I'll take pictures and post information on these two scarves next time - in the meanwhile, you can check out my FO and WIP pages for info.

All this studying is really helping me get my basic scarves finished which is great since it's been chilly here in Texas.  I can't wait til finals are over, though, so I can work on aran and lace stuff.

One last FO, not mine.  Carrie, a member of the LSSK, recently posted a picture of her completed Texas baby blanket which members contributed squares to.  My square was a little late so will either be made into a pillow or used as a washcloth.  I always love seeing these come together, and she did a great job.  I love how the yellow really accented the whole thing. 

Posted by Becky at 12:00 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Life is LAW SCHOOL FINALS*

And so, because of this, life is also procrastination.  Thus, while I should be writing a Constitutional Law paper on separation of powers, I'm taking a break to give you a quick status update.

I finished the knitting on Daniel's stocking.  The good news: I have now finished the knitting on both of the stockings I am making for Christmas. The bad news is, now I have two stockings which need lots of ends woven in, lots of beads added, names stitched on, and seaming. This is the part I am NOT looking forward to.  Plus, it is not work I can do while studying.  So, it is likely this won't get done until after Dec. 18, the date of my last exam.  Daniel designed this pattern for his stocking.  I used the same pattern as the one I made for me from Elegant Heirlooms and he drew up the design.  I switched out the cuff color on mine to this blue used on his so they would coordinate, and likewise used the white from mine for his cuff. 

Here's a pic of the Grandmom Wrap.  I'm actually further than this now.  I'm getting pretty close to the point where I could cast-off.  While I don't want it to be too long, my grandmom is a large woman and I want to be sure it is big enough for her.  I'm thinking about 20" wide should be good and I'm at about 17" right now.  The pic is at 13" or so.  I'm making good progress because I can work on this while reading for school.  Should be able to finish it up soon.

Here's a scarf I'm finishing up for my sister.  She picked out the yarn when I visited her in San Diego last January.  It is from Knitting in La Jolla and is Debbie Bliss Cashermino Astrakhan.  Basic garter stitch.  I had put it aside for awhile, but decided to pull it out again cause I was struggling with what to get her for Christmas.

I started the second purple trekking sock.  I was just past the ankle on the first and couldn't decide what to do on the leg.  I like the yarn in stockinette, but wasn't sure if it would stay up.  So, rather than make a decision, I cast on for the second sock.  I'm hoping that this will also help avoid second sock syndrome.  I don't work on this very much, but I keep it in my purse and get a few rows in every now and then.

 

* Remember when those t-shirts were really popular?  I'm thinking it was early to mid 90's b/c I think I had one during middle school.  I had the LIFE IS BASKETBALL shirt.  My sis had LIFE IS ROLLERBLADING.  What shirt did you have?

Posted by Becky at 01:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)