New Month

Time seems to get away from me and next thing I know a month has gone by!
I guess time does fly when you're having fun.

Having start"itis", for April I started a new bag

Essential Tote by Ana Cohen, yarn: Imperial Yarn Native Twist

two new shawls...

Shoalmates Shawl by Heather Anderson, yarn: Manos del Uruguary Alegria color Fondo Del Mar

Reflections by Mira Cole, yarn: Baah Platinum color Grey Onyx and Framboise

Fingerless Mitts...

Dragon Hide Mitts by Karen Troyer Ladman, yarn: Lana Gatto Feeling color Red






Two Headbands (one finished)

Drops 112-41 by Drops Design, yarn: Classic Elite Yarns Liberty Wool Light color 6628

Drops 112-41 by Drops Design, yarn: Lana Gatto  Feeling, color Blue









 
I've worked a little bit on the mate to Jazz Strings socks, Full Spectrum Shawl, and Smorgasbord Cowl. I'll show pictures of them when I get them finished.

More ice...

...is coming

Since I last blogged:

I finished a felted bag 

I finished a piece of needlepoint 

I haven't decide if I'll frame it or how I'll have it finished.

I started two pairs of socks, a cowl, and a headband. 

We've had more cold weather followed by warm and again cold. The last time with terrible ice. And since it looked deceivingly wet (not icy), I went out and slipped and fell. Luckily nothing was broken just a sprain of my left wrist. It sure puts a crimp in my knitting time! So no knitting has been done for 6 days!! and none expected to be done for a while.  :( 

Now to the weather.  We are expecting freezing rain late this afternoon into the evening.  It's looking like I won't be going out tomorrow, lol.
The good news is it will start warming up and be in the 60s by Sunday.

FO Friday

I finished this cable square a couple of weeks ago but didn't have a chance to post it.

one down... many more to go

And here is the finished felted bag

Total finished for January - 2

January beginnings

a cable block (will become part of a blanket)

a fingerless mitt

 

felted bag

I think this year will be the year of fingerless mitts, lol.  I have quite a few planned.  And I will be knitting socks (of course!)

Purple Monday

PURPLE the color of royalty.


......brought to you by our hostess, Jen, at unglazed.


Check out her sidebar for other participants in the mini meme COLOR and their PURPLES.

PURPLE Mosaic Socks

 A-Maze-ing socks, knitted for a socks contest. No, I did not win but I had great fun learning how to knit a mosaic pattern.

My second favorite to knit... fingerless mitts.

Nathair mitts and  Turning a New Leaf mitts.

And my last PURPLE for today

... PURPLE bag

Why yes, it is unfinished. It is missing the handles. Which are still on the needles.  Inside another finished knitted bag (which is not PURPLE). I thought you'd like to see that I do have some an unfinished project.

Hope you've had a very PURPLEy day.  Don't forget to stop by and check out all the other PURPLEs on Jen's sidebar.

Blue Monday

     Blue... my favorite color!!


... brought to you by our hostess, Jen, at unglazed.


Check out her sidebar for other participants in the mini meme COLOR and their Blue.

My first thought of the color BLUE is BLUE skies!. The skies are very BLUE in our part of TX.

My favorite BLUE butterfly dish, water pitcher and bowl, and BLUE pottery from Buffalo Gap, TX.

The grandkids came to visit this weekend. Of course they wanted in the pool. This weekend would be the one that the temperature was NOT in the hundreds so the water was a little cooler. But it did not stop them from getting in!!

Knitted BLUE bags.

BLUE fingerless mitts.

and finally ...a needlepoint piece. It is eight of the stitches from a huge project called Pieces of Eight from the Needlepoint Now magazine.

Hope you enjoyed the color BLUE and will stop on by the sidebar at unglazed to check out some more BLUE Monday posts.

Finished Objects

The ribbon won!

I started an i-cord but just wasn't happy with it. It might have looked better if I had some dark blue yarn for an i-cord. It was lost as the same color.

I don't have much ribbon stash and didn't think the white ribbon would look as good.

SuKnitWitty to the rescue!
She had just the right color ribbon. Perfect!

More info on the beaded bag can be found here.



The Yellow Baby Set (trust me, it is a pale yellow)


I started the yellow baby sweater on New Year's Day. It worked up quickly so I had to start a pair of socks!

Of course it wouldn't be complete without a hat...
which I finished the hat last night.

I think the new to be granddaughter will be warm in her sweater set.




Nathair Mitts (rav) designed by Dianna Morgan.


I started these in July and put them aside to work on baby stuff and Christmas stuff.

I love the cables! The Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk yarn is luscious! So soft!

I think SuKnitWitty likes her birthday present, don't you?

Beaded Blue Bag

Almost done with the Beaded Blue Bag. (I turned it since it is worked from the top down)

You can barely make out the eyelet round at the top. It starts with stockinette stitch so the the top is meant to curl.

I used 136 size 6/0 seed beads I previously purchased from BeadWrangler for a beaded sock project. That project never happened because I could not get the yarn through the bead by the crochet method. I have threaded beads before and knitted and it works for me!

Details:
Yarn - Bernat Satin Sport, 100% acrylic, 221 yds
Needles - US 5/3/75mm dpns
Pattern - Beaded Bag designed by Gwynn Erickson. I bought the 2010 Knitting Calendar and was glancing through the patterns and found this one (June 14 & 15). It is also available on Ravelry.

It didn't take long to thread 136 beads (compared to the 1200+ I've done before) and it knits up quickly.

I haven't decided if I'll thread a ribbon through the eyelet or make an i-cord. What do you think?

WIP Wednesday

Another beaded project...

It's hard to tell just what it is...

Here's a closeup...

It looks like a hat but it's not.

Eventually it will be a beaded bag (hopefully)
Details posted tomorrow.

Mystery Bag #2 KAL

I've signed up for another mystery kal. It is another bag! I love the first She-Knits bag (and yes, I am still working on the handles, I've just been knitting scarves and neglected these handles)

Here are the colors of my next bag. I love them! The alpaca is so-o-o-o soft.
So I won't be doing Sockdown! Oct with the Sock Knitters Anonymous group. I'll be finishing up my Sep sock, finishing up a pair of fingerless gloves, and working on the new mystery bag!

Huckleberry Bag finished

Ta da!
the finished Huckleberry Knitting Styx Bag...
a close up of the front so you can see the heart button and little beads
and of course a picture of the back (reverse st st)
and now the cute lining inside... with a pocket, of course!
(yes, I did have help with the machine sewing of the lining... the hand sewing part I did on my own. So I only have myself to blame for it being just a tiny bit off center. BUT, I didn't let my OCD make me take it out and re-do it, HA! maybe I'm getting better about being such a perfectionist?!)
And now the details:
Yarn - Lion Brand Wool, colorway 1 skein Ocean Blues and 1 skein Black
Needles - bag front knitted on US size 10 1/2, back knitted on Bond Knitting Machine
Pattern - Modified Knitting Needle Knitting Bag by Pam Allen (or find it here)

Mods:
For this bag, I CO60 (instead of the required 80). I did make it shorter by 1 1/2" and did not decrease. The back was knitted on the Bond Knitting Machine and I used the purl side out. The handles were Tunisian crochet and folded in half and sewn closed. The bag was lined and decorated with a heart button and some metal beads.

I hope the birthday girl likes the bag! She will be surprised that her presents were mailed in time to get there BEFORE her birthday (unlike the usual lateness)

Some assembly required....

Lest you think I have NOT been knitting and have been playing in my craft room (and you would be partially correct)... I have been playing with the Bond Knitting machine.

I machine knitted the back for the Huckleberry Bag and then I machine knitted the 100 rows for the Bond Styx Bag (pattern courtesy of SuKnitWitty).

The assembly part is sewing the side seams and knitting/crocheting the handles. And with some help from my very best friend, I'll line both the bags with some totally awesome material!!

I used J C Brent Marble Chunky and Lion Brand Jiffy

I added a ribbing at the top...and now have to add it to the other top before sewing the side edges.

It was great fun knitting this bag on the machine! I can see LOTS of unfinished bags in my future if I get too carried away with just the knitting part and don't do the assembly part, lol!

Disappointing yarn

Yep, I'm disappointed with the Brown Sheep Lanaloft yarn.

Last week I started another Berry Stitch Bag using Brown Sheep Lanaloft in Turquoise.
The back is done on the Bond Knitting Machine so I didn't notice anything. BUT! when I started hand knitting the front there was blue dye on my hands!!

I thought, hmmm.... it can't be from the yarn and put the project away. But when I knitted a few more rows last night and saw my blue hands I was upset. I can't have the dye coming off! and I don't plan on felting it. I don't want to frog it, wash the yarn, and then start over. Also, I don't like the thick and thin places throughout the yarn. So the yarn is in a bag while I ponder what to do with it.

I still want to make this bag as a gift and I need to get it done soon. So I got out some different stash yarn.

Lion Brand Wool in colorway Ocean Blues. I also have some Ebony that I plan on using on the back and maybe for the handles.

So far NO dye on my hands!!
and a close-up of the berry stitch pattern
As much as I like the Turquoise colorway, I am liking this yarn much better.

Progressing Along...

...even with startitis, knitting progress is being made.

This month's Fingerless Glove Fanatics kal is "purple." You choose what pattern you want to knit but the yarn has to be purple or a variegated purple or striped with purple or handpainted with purple (you get the idea).

Nathair Mitts by Dianna Morgan (Knitasaur)

I'm using Debbie Bliss Alpaca (80%) Silk (20%) Aran (worsted weight) in Purple on US 8 dpns.

A lovely cable pattern. I have the thumb to do on this right mitt and then I'll start the left one.

I am finding it hard to think about giving these away but I am suppose to be working on Christmas presents. I love this cable pattern and will definitely have to make myself a pair!


The FGF: the Sock Group is having a Green kal. Knit any pattern in green.

I am knitting a basic sock with a K2, P2 cuff, a three inch leg, and to change it up a bit, I've knitted an Eye of Partridge heel flap.

I'm using Plymouth Yarn Rockin' Sox in Green/Teal/Purple on US 1 1/2 dpns.

This sock is my traveling sock. And, since we are traveling this weekend, I hope to finish it and start the mate.





Here is another berrystitch bag. This one is definitely a gift and I need to get it done soon.


The back was done on the Bond Knitting Machine. The front is the Knitting Needle Knitting Bag

I am using Brown Sheep LanoLoft in Turquoise on US 10 1/2 straight needles. I'll pick up the stitches for the back and add a few rows before sewing the side and bottom seams.






And definitely NOT last (but the last one I'll mention today) is a sCrapBag. It is part of a kal with SuKnitWitty.
I am using (what else) scraps!! Well, since I don't have many scraps, um... they're mostly um... from SuKnitWitty. She is kind and generous to share some scraps with me.

They are (so far) Red Heart worsted weight yarn.

The back was done on the Bond Knitting Machine (did I tell you I LUV that machine?!) (I am going to get one of my own... soon... so I hear)

I then picked up the stitches and proceeded with the hand knitting of some delicious ribs.


So that is all I'll mention for today, don't want to give away all my WIPs (hehe) Some are worked on a few rows at a time and some are sitting patiently for their turn.

"When life throws you scraps, make a scrap bag!" (you can always use it to carry a new project)

Knotty Strawberry Sachet

Knotty Strawberry Sachet


Materials: Kollage Luscious (63% cotton, 37% nylon) (sock weight)
Size 4 straight knitting needles
Tape measure
Yarn needle (to sew side seams)

Abbreviations:
K = Knit
P = Purl
K2tog = Knit 2 together
YO = Yarn over
RS = Right side
BO = Bind Off

Cast on 32
Work in K1, P1 Ribbing for 8 rows.
Eyelet row: K2, *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2.

Lace pattern:
Row 1: Purl
Row 2: (RS): K3, *YO, K3, pass 3rd st on right hand needle over first 2 sts and off the needle; repeat from * to last 2 sts, K2.
Row 3: Purl
Row 4: K2, *K3, pass 3rd st on right hand needle over first 2 sts and off the needle, YO; repeat from * to last 3 sts, K3.

Repeat Rows 1-4, 14 times (measures approximately 7 1/2" from beginning)

Purl one row.
Eyelet row: K2, *K2tog, YO; repeat from * to last 2 sts, K2.
Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 7 rows.
BO in pattern.

Fold in half and sew side seams. Thread ribbon or twisted cord through eyelets. Approximate finished size is 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"

(Lace pattern from 365 Knitting Stitches A Year Perpetual Calendar, January 8)

Close-up of stitch pattern:
Copyright © 2009, SusanB-Knits. This is a free pattern for non-commercial use only. Please do NOT copy or sell this design or products made of this design; nor distribute this pattern in any form without the express written permission of the copyright owner.

(This pattern has not been tested, please let me know if you find any mistakes)

Vandyke Lace Sachet

Once again I started knitting little sachets. They are quick and fun to make.
So for all you knitters who love lace AND love bags AND love quick knits AND love free patterns, here is the


Vandyke Lace Sachet
Materials: Kollage Hope (100% organic cotton) (DK weight)
Size 5 straight knitting needles
Tape measure
Yarn needle (to sew side seams)

Abbreviations:
K = Knit
P = Purl
YO = Yarn over
K2tog = Knit 2 together
SL = slip stitch knitwise
PSSO = pass slip stitch over
St st = stockinette stitch

Cast on 27
Knit 4 rows.
Work St st for 6 rows.
Eyelet row: K1, *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2.
Purl one row.
Work St st for 4 rows.

Start Vandyke Lace pattern:
Row 1 (right side): K5, *K2tog, YO, K1, YO, SL1, K1, PSSO,* K3, YO, SL1, K1, PSSO, K2; repeat from * to * once more, K5.
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: K5, (K2tog, YO, K1, YO, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1)twice, K2tog, YO, K1, YO, SL1, K1, PSSO, K5.
Row4: Purl
Row 5: K5, *K2tog, YO, K1, YO, SL1, K1, PSSO,* K2tog, YO, K3, YO, SL1, K1, PSSO; repeat from * to * once more, K5.
Row 6: Purl

Repeat rows 1-6, Six more times

Work St st for 4 rows.
Eyelet row: K2, *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to last stitch, K1.
Purl 1 row.
Work St st for 4 rows.
K4 rows.
Bind off.

Fold in half and sew side seams. Thread ribbon or twisted cord through eyelets. Approximate finished size is 4 1/2" x 5 1/2"

(Lace pattern from 365 Knitting Stitches A Year Perpetual Calendar, April 29)

Copyright © 2009, SusanB-Knits. This is a free pattern for non-commercial use only. Please do NOT copy or sell this design or products made of this design; nor distribute this pattern in any form without the express written permission of the copyright owner.

This pattern has been test knitted by the wonderful and talented SuKnitWitty. Check out her blog for more pictures of Grasshopper (her Vandyke Lace Sachet).