wip: politically incorrect blanket

if you’re looking for a project to take along to stitch n bitch… this would be it!

this rainbow colored mitred square blanket is knit in garter stitch; it’s a very impressive project that is not at all difficult to knit. the only skills that you will need are: casting on, picking up stitches, and switching colors. As for the bad part: there are a hell of a lot of ends to weave in…

what a perfect project for hosting stitch n bitch! i could put it down at a moments notice and then pick it up without missing a beat. the only time i had to pause was to count the number of stitches before i began another square. it’s also proven to be a great project to knit while i listen to my audiobooks (the outlander series… in case you’re wondering. i plan to listen to all of the audio books in the series and then purchase the final one. i estimate i have over 100 hours of listening to go. i wonder what i will listen to after that?).

fo: unknown socks

can you believe this sat in the wip pile for YEARS? i thought i needed to weave in ends. lo and behold, when it came time to finish the job – the weaving was done. i simply snipped off the yarn ends and ….viola! finished.

(shakes head in search of other “wips”)

happy (belated) thanksgiving!!

the holidays are now upon us and the frenzy has begun!

and like most knitters around this time, my knitting ADD is in full swing! i’ve picked up an old wip…the politically incorrect blankie – a rainbow of mitered square goodness. this is a gift for the dd that was selected and started about 2 years ago. the project is divided into 4 quadrants then stitched together before a garter stitch border is added. i’m on square 27 (not yet pictured).

my sock wip is my car project…a plain vanilla sock that gets attention even on the quickest of car rides. if I had it my way these little project bags would be everywhere. the husband is not so keen on little project bags tucked into every nook and cranny.

(sigh)

loving that I have my needles going again. my inner crafter is finally resurfacing!

wip: winter cowl

progress on lace is much slower than with bulky. by my calculations, i would have had at least two GAPtastics finished.

the color is more accurate on this shot.

about 5 repeats completed!

i will say my fingers like the smaller yarn and needles. my eyes…not so much.

pattern and fo: GAPtastic (inspired) mitts

the lovely and elegant GAPtastic cowl was a quick knit that became an instant favorite of mine.  as of this writing there are over 12,000 GAPtastic projects!  my GAPtastic was made the remnants of a frogged sweater made with cascade 220, held double.  as i had quite a bit leftover, i thought i would make some warm mittens to accompany my new favorite knitwear.

these dense mittens are super warm and comfy.  for extra warmth or to keep the chill out, knit the cuffs a bit longer.  as the cowl is considered a good beginner project, these may be a good introduction into knitting in the round for a fearless beginner or someone already comfortable with the basics of knitting and purling.

GAPtastic (inspired) mitts
pattern: my own (my ravelry link) in cascade 220 (doubled)
color: unknown
1 skein | 220 yds : 100 g | 100% wool
gauge: 3.5 stitches per inch
needles: US #10 6 mm circs (for magic loop or dpns)
notes: this pattern has not been proofread

materials:
1 skein cascade 220, divided and balled. you will hold two strands together for a bulky weight yarn. (lucky you if you already own bulky!)
knitting needles: US #10 (6mm) circular needles length sufficient for magic loop or 4 dpns
waste yarn
knitting markers
darning needle

pattern key:
co – cast on
k – knit
p – purl
pm – place marker
m1r – make 1 leaning right
m1l – make 1 leaning left
k2tog – knit 2 together

instructions:
cast on – 28 stitches using long-tail method or any other stretchy cast on. arrange stitches on circular needles (magic loop) or equally on 3 dpns. join in the round, being careful not to twist stiches.

cuff – k2p2 for 2.5″

gusset – k14, pm, m1r, k1, m1l, k to end of round
k x 2 rounds
increase every 3rd round until there are 9 stitches in between markers, k to end of round
k to pm, place stitches between pm on waste yarn, co 2 stitches, k to end of round

body –
*(for left hand)
k14, k1p1 to the end of the round
k14, p1k1 to the end of the round
continue in this pattern for 2.5″ then continue in stockinette until 1.5″ from desired length
begin decreases. (k5, k2tog) repeat to end of round. (24 stitches)
k to end of round
(k4, k2tog) repeat to end of round
k to end of round
(k3, k2tog) repeat to end of round
(k2, k2 tog) repeat to end of round
k2tog, repeat to end of round
break yarn, and using darning needle, pull through remaining stitches. pull tightly and weave in securely on the wrong side
*(for right hand)
(k1p1)x7, k14
(p1k1)x7, k14
continue in this pattern for 2.5″ then continue in stockinette until 1.5″ from desired length
begin decreases. (k5, k2tog) repeat to end of round. (24 stitches)
k to end of round
(k4, k2tog) repeat to end of round
k to end of round
(k3, k2tog) repeat to end of round
(k2, k2 tog) repeat to end of round
k2tog, repeat to end of round
break yarn, and using darning needle, pull through remaining stitches. pull tightly and weave in securely on the wrong side

thumb – place 9 stitches on needle, pick up 5 stitches from around thumb hole
knit for 1.5″ (or for length of thumb)
(k2, k2tog) x3, k2
(k1, k2tog) x3, k2
k2tog to end of round. break yarn, and using darning needle, pull through remaining stitches. pull tightly and weave in securely on the wrong side

finishing – weave in all remaining ends.

wip: gaptastic cowl or a first knitting project?

my first (real) knitting project was… do you remember fun fur?

i was in the craft aisle at meijer, or another big box store,  and was taken aback with the PLETHORA of colorful furry skeins of yarn piled up on the shelves. i grabbed two purple skeins and some susan bates (right?) straight needles that were about 12 feet long. my mom taught me to knit when I was a young child…and surprisingly, i remembered how to cast on and knit (i actually was knitting tbl but didn’t realize it until later)…anyway, out of this a scarf was born and gifted to my then 6ish year old stepdaughter.

endless seed stitch

a friend asked me to help her get started knitting.  she picked out the GAP-tastic cowl by jen geigley…have you seen it?  well, 12,000+ projects can’t be wrong!  it is truly a beautiful knit…but geez endless seed stitch!  and….well…is this really a good first knit?

for someone who hasn’t yet mastered the knit or purl, i’m not sure it is.  it is a tad more difficult to read your knitting and maneuvering the yarn forward and backward may be challenging.  luckily, my friend is a fearless and quick learner.  she just needs to loosen her death grip on the needles.

oh, and random new knitter tip…avoid dark/black yarn for your first few projects.  it’s way too hard to see.

happy knitting!

fo: pup cloth

i am a between projects and found myself with a lack of knitting. ok. that’s a lie. i have sss for my owlie socks.

anyway, i whipped this up while i waited for inspiration to strike.

woof! woof!

i will add pattern information if anyone is interested. this took a scant 35 g of yarn!

so here is the bigger question: what do you knit whilst waiting for inspiration to strike?

fo: unnamed shawl for grandma

when I first started this blog I was very particular about the pictures that I posted here. each was carefully edited and color corrected. these days I am lucky to have posted anything at all.

*so* I’m posting what I have! (mostly) unedited pics of my latest finished object:

a shawl for grandma kathleen. happy 87th!!

the color is more accurate here

i made her pose with it

blocking shot (thanks butter for helping me!)

i made butter pose too.

i actually have a small village worth of lace shawls that haven’t been blocked. and out of this stash I selected a beautiful pink triangle lace shawl. the name of the pattern is lost…i don’t seem to have it documented in ravelry. if you recognize it please let me know!!

happiest of birthdays to you, grandma!

whooo

there is progress on the owlies!

pardon the fuzzy picture!

it so happened that I had some 6/0 beads in my craft stash (likely for another unnamed lace shawl). in lieu of beaded lace, i used the little purple glass beads as owl eyes. adorbs.

the technique is slightly fiddly; thankfully i chose to only bead the owls on the leg to avoid potential ouchies on the instep and heel. oh…what technique? i used dental floss! perhaps if I have time i will take pictures. using a tiny crochet hook may be slightly less fiddly…but i couldn’t locate my hooks 😦

anyway, looking forward to finishing up the first sock!

wip: autumn owlies

you know…i have something else on the needles!

this moody picture brought to you on all hallow’s eve…

autumn owlies (ravelry project link)
owlie socks by julie elswick suchomel
yarn: knitpicks stroll tonal in foliage
462 yards : 100 g | 75% merino : 25% nylon
needles: size 1 knitpicks circular needles
started: october 31, 2014
notes: long tail co, did not switch needle sizes

i will be attempting the addition of beads to this project.  keep your fingers cross.  it is actually the 31st tonight…i hope that the rain keeps the beggar’s away so i can keep knitting these socks.  yes, i am the scrooge of halloween.  boo to you! bah humbug!