-
The Multi-year Totoro Mittens
So I started these Norwegian Totoro Mittens (ravelry link)… uhhh… a long time ago. I actually am not sure when I started them, because of course I didn’t log them in my Ravelry Notebook. My Ravelry notebook that’s gone largely neglected the last few years. Of course I didn’t. But I do know that they’ve been on the needles a long time. Long enough to have stray strands of fur from my cat Genghis still knitted into them.* And Genghis has been pushing up daisies for several years now, soooo… there’s that. But it’s time to be done with them. I’ve dragged them back out, and I want them OFF…
-
It Was the Shawl That Wouldn’t End…
So I made a Boneyard Shawl (ravelry link). I went with the YO options to create a perforated edge and middle, and I LOVE the way it turned out, but oh, em, gee did I get bored with this pattern fast. It’s a super easy knit, but the bigger it gets, the more tedious the knitting was for me. It’s super mindless, which is GREAT if you’re someone who can like, knit without looking at your stitches? But I still can’t really do that. I’m in awe of people who can read while they knit, or even watch something on TV that’s visual heavy, because I can basically only do…
-
Six Last Minute Knitted (and Crocheted) Gift Patterns
It’s that time of year again! Gift giving season! I figured that this would be a perfect time to post a compilation of a few of my favorite, tried and tested fast knitting patterns – you know, in case anyone needs to procure a thoughtful, hand-knit gift in the span of a mere afternoon. All photos are taken from the Ravelry Pattern page, and link back to the original source. 1) Fern Lace Cowl by Jami Brynildson – I’ve made several of these over the years – it’s a quick knit that’s interesting enough to keep you entertained without being too brainpower intensive, allowing you to easily pump this project…
-
WIP Wednesday
I’ve been really really lax when it comes to knitting lately. I think I ended up with a grand total of 4 FOs (Finished Objects) last year? Maybe? But I got my mojo back last week and I’m finally making some progress on some of the stuff I’ve been working on. First, my Undertow Shawlette (Ravelry Link), which has been in progress since this was a KAL pattern by my LYS (which has sadly now closed) in May of 2013. I’ve been super slow with progress on this, not because I don’t like the pattern (it’s pretty easy actually), but because the yarn is not really my favorite – I’m…
-
How To: Dealing with Stiff Circs
Every knitter who uses circs knows the struggle of wrestling with the cords of cheap circs. You take them out of the package, expecting the cord to unwind only to end up with this: Ugh. Seriously the worst. And it’s not like they’ll gradually soften and straighten as you knit – no matter how much you pull, that spiral stays. Except, I figured out how to make it go away. (Or rather, my father suggested it to my mom who then tried it, found out it works, and then told me… but anyway…) All it takes is a little bit of hot water and about 5 minutes total. All you…
-
Tempted by Sweater Knitting
Pumpkin lattes are out, and that always triggers a pavlovian response in me. Because of course, pumpkin latte time is sweater time. Never mind that it’s currently 90 damn degrees out as I type this. Facts? Who needs ‘em? So I’ve been in a sweater state of mind for about two weeks now. My knitting box is starting to look attractive again, I’m itching to pull everything out of storage, and every time I look out a window I’m half hoping that the leaves have already started to turn. But of course, they haven’t. And they won’t for a while. And if I ACTUALLY put on a sweater, I’d be…
-
Quick WIP Check In: Liesel
Just a quick check in on my current WIP: My Liesel Scarf in Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica 110 – Stellar. I’m almost done with the first of my two skeins, and the scarf is only about a foot and a half long (it’s shown with my 6 inch sewing gage for scale). I’m still worried that both skeins are not going to make a scarf long enough for my preferences – even once blocked, and despite being more than the yardage called for in the pattern. But I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see what happens. Progress has admittedly been slow now that the weather has warmed,…
-
On the Needles…
On the needles at the moment is a Liesel scarf (ravelry link) using some of that lovely yarn I broke all my spending rules for a few weeks back. This will be the third time I’ve attempted this scarf – I love the pattern soooo much, but as of yet have never been able to successfully complete it. The first attempt was a number of years ago and I think my lace skills were just not yet up to the task. I don’t follow written lace instruction well – it’s very hard on my eyes – and I hadn’t learned to read charts yet. So after many many mistakes, it…
-
Kogarashi Cowl
Today we have an FO from before I started my financial yarn fast (so it doesn’t count towards those 5 FOs). Another Fern Lace Cowl in the books (ravelry link). This will make 3 of these cowls – the second was my Mom’s Birthday Cowl and the first was an FO I finished during my time off the blogosphere… and I still haven’t gotten around to photographing it for Ravelry. This time the cowl is once again for me. The yarn is Noro Kogarashi in colorway #7. I’ve had this in my stash for a very long time, and sadly this yarn has been discontinued since… I actually bought this…
-
I’ve Been a Bad Girl…
So I told you last post that I broke my spending rules already thanks to a trip to NY. Here’s the fall out. These first two skeins aren’t technically rule violations – my mom gifted them to me. A skein of Jitterbug and a skein of Cascade Heritage Silk. Both so beautiful, and ohhhh so soft. When she told me to pick out two skeins of sock yarn for myself, I tried to veer away from my usual color choices of purples, pinks, and greens and instead go for something more neutral. They’re both just neutral enough to still be considered neutral, but still interesting enough to hold my attention.…