Happy December!

I thought I would get at least one post in for December as were slowly settling in for the holidays. Starting with a Christmas Parade. Lights, Marching Bands and Treats...
 

Then my helper elf got busy decorating our tree. Most ornaments were placed only as high as the elf could reach.
 

Counting the days with the Lego Advent Calendar...



With a bit of stitching and knitting  thrown in...


Cozy Blue Stitch Club (November) and Blanket knitted in Knit Picks Brava Bulky.

Hope you are enjoying a peaceful holiday season.

Dishcloths - DONE!

I like carrying around a quick project and dishcloths/washcloths fit the bill. What I don't like is weaving in ends. Here's part of the stack of cloths waiting to be finished... Can I procrastinate anymore?  Just sit down and get to it!



So I did... And I have an assortment of cloths for gift giving.
 

Hello November!

Well, hello November! Did you see October just zoom by? I did manage to get some projects done.
Floral Opulence is off the needles and waiting to for the straps to be stitched down. No photos yet...

And while that was waiting, I used the extra skein of Comfy to knit up a pair of reading mitts for a college student in Tacoma...

Pattern: Susie Rogers' Reading Mitts
Yarn: Knit Picks Comfy in Pomegranate

Her mom made her a scarf and gave me the leftovers to knit a hat.

Pattern: The Vermonter
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick in Marble

And let's not forget the crown for a certain birthday boy...

 Pattern:Elegant Knit Crown
Yarn: Cascade 220

And there's a pair of socks on the needles...more info later.

Cast on - Floral Opulence

My stash consists of sock yarns and an odd assortment of one ball miscellany. So I was happy to find a project's worth of yarn, including the pattern, just sitting in my stash. A free book offer in 2014 led to the purchase of the Knit Picks Comfy 2014 Collection and the yarn to knit Flora Opulence by Rosalyn Jung. I'm using Knit Picks Comfy Sport in a lovely red called Pomegranate.
 
I quickly cast on and made some progress. The lace section of this pattern has a 34 stitch repeat that I am having trouble memorizing, but it is only a short section before the wide rib starts. I hope to get past the lace quickly and onto some simple knitting.

Happy Knitting everyone!

Kid Socks - DONE!

I used the Purl Soho Toddler Sock pattern to use up the left over yarn from my Smooth Operator Socks. I started the socks with the smaller ball of Knit Picks Felici in Marsh and ran out just before the toe decreases. Take a deep breath and do not panic... I dug into my stash and found the leftover KP Felici in Mermaid and even though it doesn't quite match I joined and finished the toe. One sock done, Cast on for the second side and at the toe decreases realized that I have more than enough yarn to finish both toes. But decided to cut and join the Mermaid to match the first sock.



These socks fit him now and with a little bit of room to grow. So we have almost matching socks. but it is mama made and that is what counts.

Slowly, slowly, slowly....

One by one, I am getting the star squares done. There were 25 more to do and I thought I would get a chunk done last week while waiting for car maintenance. My plan was to get all 25 blocks prepped, but once I got started ran out of glue. Best laid plans....


However, it became my "lunch project" this week and as of today there are only 10 more to go.

Smooth Operator Socks - DONE

So the deadline for the Smooth Operator Socks KAL was on August 22nd and I knew I wasn't going to make it. Did you see all the wonderful sock yarn in the KAL thread! It was so tempting to order some of those bright and cheerful skeins with creative names like "Hello Little Birdie", "Family Reunion", "Rainbow Bouquet" and "Rainbow Trout Stripe". I kept knitting and finished a few days later.



I love that the stripes are almost matching. I started the heel with the cuff facing the wrong way so the double up on the light green is on the heel of one sock and the leg of the other. I also made my foot too long, so I ended the decreases on the toe abruptly.See the sock on the right? It should decrease nicely similar to the heel, but I stopped before it got too long.

It fits fine, and there were some great tips in the pattern. I'm glad I tried, it but I think it will be returning to the regular gusseted sock.... do I hear another Fretful calling?...

The SALT collection - DONE

I finished the last dishcloth in the SALT collection by Aimee Alexander. A lovely set of simple to knit cloths. Here is my Refined Salt:




And here is the completed collection. The 2 pink ones are folded. I managed to make a matching set.


I think I will be knitting many more of these for my gift stash.
Happy knitting!

Smooth Operator Socks - WIP

I have been itching to start another sock and the Smooth Operator Socks by Susan B. Anderson fits the bill. It first caught my eye on Instagram and learning a new heel sounds like fun. There is a KAL which is perfect for me because to join you just need to start a pair, The KAL ends on August 22nd, but there is no pressure to finish. So stash diving, once again, I came up with 2 skeins of Knit Picks Felici in Marsh. I took some time to find the same color repeat on both skeins and cast on my normal 64 stitches.


And we're off....

Washcloths anyone?

I joined the Salt KAL in the Polka Dot Sheep group on Ravelry. Four washcloths to knit in the Salt collection. I dug into my cotton stash (which I keep saying I will not add to) and got started.

Sea Salt
Yarn: Peaches and Creme in Strawberry Stripes



Infused Salt
Yarn (left): Knit Picks Dishie in Coffee and Peaches and Creme in Strawberry Stripes
Yarn (right): Knit Picks Dishie in Coffee and Knit Picks Simply Cotton in Golden Heather


Himalayan Salt
Yarn: Knit Picks Simply Cotton in Golden Heather



All so far are quick, fun knits and have given me a head start on holiday knitting.You have until the end of September to knit all 4 cloths to enter the drawing, but there are random prizes given out in the KAL thread. I am so happy to have won a free pattern from Polka Dot Sheep when I posted my start to the Sea Salt. There are many wonderful patterns to choose from. I settled on the Harvest Moon Blanket. 

The last pattern in the collection, Refined Salt, was released today. I am looking forward to casting on to finish the collection.
Happy Knitting.

Zephyr Cove - DONE

Add this to the list "finished stitching, needs to be blocked!" A tiny bit of the dark blue (Jay) left, but I was playing yarn chicken with the light blue (Frost). And I lost, so I bound off a few rows short.



Pattern: Zephyr Cove
Published in: 7 Small Shawls; Year 3: Home is Where the Heart Is
Designer: Rosemary (Romi) Hill
Yarn: Knit Picks Glimmer in Jay and Frost


Yes, there are ends to weave in and blocking will help even out the garter stitch. This project gave me fits on the stitch count. Many rows were ripped back and reworked, so I am glad to have these off the needles.

Majestic Tie Cardigan - DONE

So, I've put the last stitches into this cardigan in at the end of June. It has been waiting patiently to be blocked and set up for a photo shoot. Who am I kidding? I need to set aside a big block of time to wash and block a bunch of things, yeah, not happening so here it is in its rumpled glory.
Majestic Tie Cardigan
Published in No-Sew Knits: 20 Flattering Finish-Free Garments
Pattern by Kristen TenDyke
Yarn: Cascade Ecological Wool

I think this will be traveling to the Pacific Northwest, where it will get more use than here on the islands. Hope you like it, Mom!

Making Progress....

Since I have finished my cross stitch project, I needed a new one for my lunch break. I pulled out my stars and have settled in to stitched them to my squares. Two patriotic prints will proudly show off my 50 States stars with a simple (wonky) running stitch. A poor choice of fabric to embroider the stars on leaves me with lots of little threads. My star points may not last too long. It is going faster than I anticipated and 10 stars are done already. Slowly but surely... a few stitches a day is better than none!


 There is other motivation to complete this project. Mollie at Wild Olive is starting a new stitch club, Around the House. I'm in, are you?

On the needles...

I am not a "BLING" person. I know that. So, why would I purchase yarn that has silver flecks in it? I have been struggling to find a use for some Knit Picks Glimmer, 2 skeins each of Jay, Frost and (grey). The "glimmer" is subtle, but still just not my style. I have started and ripped out no less that 4 projects using this yarn. This try is Zypher Cove by Rosemary (Romi) Hill. I started with Jay and I'm pairing it with the Frost. The lighter color is a bit more blue that what shows up in the photo. All of the garter stitch makes this project go fairly quickly.

I've made it through the stripes and need to find some stitch markers for the short row before I move on. Happy stitching everyone!

Live Simply...DONE

Ahhh.... I finished a cross stitch project. Last stitch for Live Simply put in today. A fairly quick stitch for a lunch only project. I started back in June. I love the colors. 

SOCKS!

I finished a pair of Dragonfly socks last year, YAY!

Pattern: Dragonfly Socks
Designer: Jocelyn Sertich
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll in Mermaid

While I was working on it the little guy asked if he could have a matching pair. So I immediately cast on a pair of child tube socks, knit from the toe up. These go really quickly and were cast off and promptly forgotten. I had some time for finishing this weekend and did a lot of weaving in those pesky ends.


Pattern: Tube Socks for Kids
Designer: Jane Richmond
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll in Mermaid

Of course, 4 year olds have feet that grow very quickly, so these will only see a few more uses before they are too small. Oh well, I got two pairs of socks from my 2 skeins of Stroll and a smiley kid.

Another Fretful - Blue

This one gets a post because it gave me fits to close that second toe. But all done now and ready to keep some toes warm.


Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll in Sapphire Heather. 
Pattern: Fretful by Janet D. Russell

Cross Stitch... really?

I dug out a small cross stitch kit from my stash to keep me busy during my lunch.
It is a Dimensions kit called Live Simply. Just the bottom third to go.

50 States Embroidery

"Much may be done in those little shreds and patches of time which every day produces, and which most men throw away" ~ Charles Caleb Colton

And that is the how I am working on my 50 States Stitching Club by Mollie Johanson of Wild Olive.

Each week she released a pattern until all 50 States were represented to be stitched on to an English Paper Pieced star. I worked on the embroidery and paper piecing during my lunch hour and slowly but surely all 50 of them are stitched up. 

I've also trimmed blue squares for the stars....  Trimming those stars?! Not a job I'm looking forward to... 

Cast on... a sweater

Really, why do I think I have a time to work on a sweater? Well I am making time.,, last year I took advantage of a sale on a sweater kit. Which makes no sense at all because 1) I don't have the time to knit a sweater, 2) I've only knit one sweater that I've worn once and has been put on the side because I want to re-knit the sleeves and 3) there really is not use for a wool sweater here where I live.

Regardless, the kit for the Majestic Tie Cardigan by Kristen TenDyke was purchased and I cast on last week. The yarn is Cascade Yarns Ecological Wool in Natural. It's been awhile since I've followed a chart, so it after three attempts to start I have made a bit of progress. It is a top down cardigan  that starts a the back collar. I've worked my way through the sleeve caps and will be dividing for sleeves soon.


I like working with this yarn and the pattern repeat is simple enough to follow. Let's see how far I can get before it gets too hot to sit under wool.

Amigurumi

I caught up with my Fresh Stitches kit club.

First up, Stego, who is sadly devoid of any color. There was kool-aid packets in the kit to dye him, but we haven't decided if those are the colors we'd like.

Here's the snowman that still needs a hat and scarf to ward off the winter chill :)

And next up are a bumble bee and tulip. The tulip needs some minor surgery to close up the holes between his petals. The bee came with some patriotic stars to attach, but I think he looks fine just the way his is.

And a brontosaurus that is begging to be named.

Sadly the last installment arrived in the mail this weekend. It is nice to have an entire project in one place. There was a fish, a couple of leaves and another flower. All projects are complete. 

Hello ... Is anyone home?

This space... a place to document my making... has no posts for quite awhile. Does that mean that there was no "making" going on? Honestly, very little happening. Let's catch up...
I have been diving into my yarn stash to keep my needles and hooks happy. There have been socks. My favorite sock pattern FRETFUL has been keeping me company. A few reds have been completed and a blue pair needs some ends weaved in.
This is Knit Picks Essential Kettle Dyed in Auburn and was gifted as soon as it came off the needles.

There have been stacks of dishcloths paired with hand-made soaps gifted to teachers. This is Vanilla Grit Stitch in Peaches and Creme.

And one lonely shawl, waiting to be blocked... This is Utsukushii using Knit Picks Gloss Fingering in Cocoa, no photos yet, it is still stuffed in its project bag.

Well there's also been a bunch of softies and some embroidery, oh and would you believe that I started a small cross stitch...but let's save those for another time.