Monday, November 24, 2008

Oregon State Socks!!! Civil War Weekend!!!



So....if you are a Oregon Duck fan....move on to a different page. This is not the page for you. My husband came to me last week and asked for a pair of socks since his feet were freezing (our house can get so cold so layers are a necessity). Being that this was the first time he had ever really asked for me to knit him anything I was shocked. So I found a pattern by Knitting Pure and Simple "Men's Heavy Weight Boot Sock # 998" then changed the pattern slightly to have stripes at the top and orange heels and toes. Finally I decided to put a big orange "O" on each of the socks. Now I must be completely honest. I hate the "O" part and have threatened my husband's life if he even thinks of leaving the house in these things. They are doing their job by keeping his little toes warm but I do have to giggle when I see them on him. Oh well.....with each thing you knit you learn new things then move on (learning when to never do certain things ever again). Now that I look at the picture it kind of looks like his feet have mouths that are open, waiting to be fed. Civil War this weekend!!! Go Beavs!!!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

I Love Getting Mail!


I am a eBay junkie. There....I finally admitted it. I search randomly throughout eBay looking for crazy things, that all in all I really don't need but kinda want. Well today, the coolest things I have ever bought on eBay arrived from England. Knitting patterns of Gromit and Shaun the Sheep from the Wallace and Gromit series. Ever since I saw the movie "Wallace and Gromit and the Curse of the Were-Rabbit" and saw Gromit knitting in the car while waiting for Wallace I have been hooked. I can't wait to get started on these!! I might even have to keep them for myself! Now if I could just find a pattern for Wallace.....

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Looped Preemie Hat


The Looped Preemie Hat Pattern
This cute little preemie hat is adjustable for various sizes all by rolling up the brim. The yarn stripes as you work your way up to the top little loop to finish it off.
Perfect for a charity!

Materials:
Needles- Qty 4 Size 5 (3.75mm) Dbl pointed
Yarn-1 ball of Bernat Baby Jacquards (shown in Berries & Cream), or any other DK size yarn
Notions- 1 yarn needle
Pattern:
1. CO 48 sts
2. Divide between 3 needles
3. Rib 1x1 (K1, P1) for 1 inch
4. Knit 1 row, increasing 2 sts (1 stitch after 23rd and 47th stitches) (50 sts)
5. Knit 10 rounds
6. Round 12- *(K8, K2tog), *repeat 5 times (45 sts)
7. Knit 4 rounds
8. Round 17- *(K7, K2tog), *repeat 5 times (40 sts)
9. Knit 3 rounds
10. Round 21- *(K4, K2tog), *repeat 6 times, K2, K2tog (33sts)
11. Knit 2 rounds
12. Round 24- *(K3, K2tog), *repeat 6 times, K3 (28sts)
13. Knit 1 round
14. Round 26- K1*(K1, K2tog), *repeat 9 times (19sts)
15. Knit 1 round
16. Round 28- K1*(K2tog), *repeat 9 times (10 sts)
17. Round 29- *(K2tog), *repeat 5 times (5 sts)
18. Round 30- K2tog, K1, K2tog (3sts)
19. Put all stitches on one needle
20. Knit 1 1/2in I-cord, pulling yarn through stitches when completed
21. Sew I-cord end to top of hat to create loop

Friday, November 7, 2008

The Christmas Presents and My Aching Fingers


I could do it. I could be proactive and have all of my knitting projects that have been classified as "Christmas Gifts" done by let's say....June. I could wrap them up and put them away until the 25th of December, in the mean time enjoying each day baking cookies and working on the other projects that have been classified as "Just for the heck of it". But I, as many people, have decided to wait till the last minute, in which I must juggle history essays, work, sociology tests, and computer assignments all while squeezing in the occasional stitch. As I look at the project that I have torn apart three times, just to make sure I get it right since it is a present, I think "Maybe it would be a good birthday present next year...or maybe Christmas 2009!". Pathetic is another word that comes to mind in this moment of weakness but that's a whole other problem. So why is it that we wait, and wait, and wait? Do we enjoy the pressure of being up at 5am on Christmas day, stitching together those last few pieces of an afghan? Or is it just life and the ability to get up to our necks in "stuff"? We are the only ones to blame in this situation (even though most of us are in denial about it). So in this moment of pure irritation in realizing that if I don't stay up till the crack of dawn to knit this project it may never get done....I look to those who have the right idea.

Just sit back, relax, even take a nap with a buddy, and know that everything will eventually work itself out.....whether you like it or not.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

Searching through one of my many knitting magazines, I found a small article about the newest way to block your projects. The Knitter's Block is a bag that carries multiple puzzle-like blocks that you lay out in the size of your project. The felt like blocks keep the project in place but there are also a small container of push pins if you ever have that project that just doesn't cooperate. Contained in the bag is also a soft piece of fabric, made of 100% Egyptian cotton can be used to either assist in drying the project or a barrier when you want to block by iron drying. There are two different sizes of Knitter's Block bags (the picture is of the smaller version), one small and one large. I recently used the Knitter's Block on one of my recent sweater projects and it was amazing the difference. I am so used to improvising when it comes to blocking. It was down to the point that I was using a large framed photo on top of the project to flatten it. Sounds weird? Well, you do what you have to....plus it worked! Anyway, the Knitter's Block is absolutely amazing and I would suggest it to any knitter. You can find the Knitter's Block at http://cocoknits.com/block/knittersblock.html