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”)
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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!
hooray! finished object!!
i’ve been trying to finish off gift knitting that has been in the works for a while. these are for my niece…but butter kinda wants them too. i think the afterthought heels were a success…i may have to start knitting endless tubes so that i can get through my sock knitting stash.
gift socks
pattern: my own (my ravelry link)
in knitpicks felici (color way unknown)
finished: october 29, 2014
needles: US #0 knitpicks nickel plated circs
notes: jmco, tube socks, afterthought heel
random thought: i want to avoid 100% merino socks. they just don’t cut it. a good number of mine eventually fell apart. i may just knit in some reinforcement on the heels and toes (because i have so much super wash merino)….OR…use wool/nylon blends for the toes and heels!
I just lost the last 15 minutes of my life! (my phone ate my post).
synopsis:
christmas = good
knit = fountain pen shawl
gift = for aunt sally
I like the yarn = kp shadow
on my second sock = just turned heel
happy day. bye
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crankygrrrrrl 