Settling In…

I’m moved in and loving it (pics of my dorm at bottom of post)! Knitting has definitely been keeping me sane the last two weeks. First, I made a hat for my little brother’s birthday.

Cast-on: August 30, 2007/ Finished: September 2, 2007

Pattern: Basic Cable from Stitch n Bitch Nation

Yarn: Patons Classic Merino in Dark Grey Mix and Plymouth Galway in Grass

Needles: Knitpicks Options US 7 & 8 24″ circs and US 8 dpns

Mods: I made a foldover brim. I knit 15 row 1×1 rib, knit 1 row, knit 15 more rows 1×1 rib, then knit the hat as written. I also added an extra cable repeat.

For easy projects, I picked up some Sugar n Cream cotton for dishcloths and other miscellany (such as crocheted coasters!).

I love Sugar n Cream’s new Stripes yarn!

And the marled yarn!

Rusted Root has become an obsession. I’m having so much fun, and it’s Project Spectrum compatible.

Up next for PS, if possible, is the Aran Rose(scroll down) from Interweave Knits Spring 2006 in Patons Classic Merino. I’ll be ripping out my Wicked that was too big.

And now, dorm pics…

My knitting corner:

My bed:

My desk:

Moving…

That’s right, this week I finally move into my dorm. I’ve been packing frantically this week and have only daily items left to pack. Despite all the packing, I’ve still been knitting… and sewing! Here’s my most recent sewing project:

Pattern: Artist’s Organizer from Simple Sewing with a French Twist

Fabric: Green decor fabric and cotton quilting material, both from JoAnn’s

Started: August 18, 2007/ Finished: August 19, 2007

Thoughts: I love it and can’t wait to hang it from my loft bed! I will take some pics of the dorm once I’m settled and it’s decorated to my liking.

Noro Hats

Two birthday presents are done!

Cast-on: August 11, 2007/ Finished: August 19, 2007, although I do still need to weave in some ends.

Pattern: Noro Hat by Saartje de Brujin

Yarn: Noro Kureyon

Needles: US 7 24″ circ and US 7 dpns

Mods: Mostly I just made the hats a little smaller. The purple one is smaller than the blue-green one as well, since it’s for a girl.

Another FO that was nearly finished, but was abandoned due to lack of interest.

Cast-on: May 1, 2007/ Finished: August 15, 2007

Pattern: Daffodil Dishcloth (May Monthly Dishcloth Group Pattern)

Yarn: Yellow Sugar n Cream

Needles: US 7 Knitpicks Options

That’s all for now, but after moving in Wednesday, I’ll try to post pics of the dorm room and my knitting getting settled in its new home.

Katja Complete

Recipient: 2nd cousin, J

Cast-on: June 26, 2007/ Finished: August 7, 2007

Pattern: Katja from Knitty, Size: 12 months

Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease in Purple and White

Needles: US 6 circulars

Mods: Hardly any, I just left out the purled rounds. I like the look of smooth stockinette better. Overall, I’m very happy with this pattern, would totally make it again, and definitely recommend it as a quick, easy, cute pattern for a little girl.

A few more bear-y cute shots.

1234*

The dishcloths are off!!

Cast-on: July 17, 2007/ Finished: July 20, 2007

Pattern: BallBand Dishcloth from Mason-Dixon Knitting

Yarn: (1) Sugar n Cream in Countryside Ombre and Sage, (2) Sugar n Cream in Westport and Cornflower Blue, (3) Sugar n Cream in Countryside Ombre, Sage, and Grape, Lion Cotton in Black, (4) Sugar n Cream in Cornflower Blue, Westport, and Wine

Needles: US 7 Knitpicks options

Pattern thoughts: This is such a great reading project, one purl row every 6 rows and the slip stitches make it more interesting. I love this pattern, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to knit another dishcloth pattern (I’m a big fan of mindless knits!)

Now back to other projects.

*Here’s to hoping some of you are Feist lovers.

One a Day…

 For the month of July, I’ve been crocheting a square for each day. I noticed today that it’s just right for Project Spectrum as well. I will be making strips of squares soon, so that I can tell how big the afghan should be and how many more squares I have to make.

When I’m not crocheting, I’m knitting Ballband Dishcloths for my aunts in Missouri who were such excellent hostesses.

 

The same blues,  but in reverse, plus a cute kitty.

Here’s what I’m thanking them for:

Productivity

I finished the Ballband Dishcloth last night at a friend’s house.
Pattern: Ball Band Dishcloth from Mason-Dixon Knitting
Cast-on: June 11, 2007/ Finished: June 12, 2007 (Yarn: Sugar n Cream Cotton in Cornflower Blue, Ecru, and Sage, using up leftovers
Needles: US 7
Thoughts: Quick projects are such a great feeling when you finish! I made this dishcloth for my mother, as I don’t need them while still living at home. I loved how quick the 4 row slip stitch pattern went, so rewarding.

And now I know just what to work on next.
The Pick:

Rebecca White Silk Sweater in Regal Silk
I enjoy the silk and the pattern. I began writing this post and listing excuses not to work on this sweater. Now, however, I see that the problems are simple to fix and the sweater doesn’t have too much left to go. I plan on picking it up right now while I read Pride and Prejudice for my summer reading challenge.

Here’s a fun shot of all the dishcloths I’ve made my mother:

Knit, Knit, Knit as Fast as I Can

This fall, I’ll be moving into a teeny, tiny dorm room. And I have overwhelming amounts of UFO’s, yarn, and books!
UFO’s are my current focus.

Tonight I worked on a Valentine Pillow(something I cast on before I became a yarn snob). And ran out of yarn.

Then, I picked up my first Better-than-Booties Baby Sock and I screwed the toe up royally.

So far, my attempts at finishing these projects are failing miserably.

I received Mason-Dixon Knitting today from KnitPicks and I plan on making a few ballband dishcloths to rid myself of my overflowing cotton stash.

More progress and hopefully a few FO’s coming soon.

Ta da!

That can only mean one thing.
Yes, the Central Park Hoodie is finally finished and I wore it tonight! And I just realized that it also coincides with green for Project Spectrum!

Cast-on: November 14 ,2006/ Finished: May 13, 2007
Pattern: Central Park Hoodie from Knitscene Fall 2006
Size: 36″ and fits great!
Yarn: Plymouth Encore Worsted color #1233 , 4.5 skeins
Needles: 4.5 mm(US 7) and 5.5 mm(US 9) Clover Takumi for the body and 4.5 mm Knitpicks Options
Modifications: I read the double cable chart backwards on the back, so I made the sleeve cables match.

For a bit of randomness, I found this after emptying out the purse I took with me to Europe last summer. Which is perfect cause my lips have been cracking so much lately.

Determination and Its Knitting Benefits

This week I’ve been taking a few AP exams, I went into 2 of 3 determined and sure of myself: English and Calculus… Government was disastrous. All the studying and just the feeling of determination (also the adrenaline rush of the end of the semester/high school!) made me determined to finish a project: The Central Park Hoodie.

I picked up and knit the edging, the seams have been sewn and by tomorrow all of the (MANY) ends will be woven in and I’ll have my FIRST completed sweater.
Stay tuned for more fibery goodness!

Relaxing Knits

I’ve been relaxing this week before everything begins next week. Doing the daily rows of my KAL seemed to be just the trick. I had to leave in a hurry for a meeting and took a hat I’d started a while ago, frogged part of it, and left it sitting alone for months. It got some love today, but I forgot the book with the pattern and had to hope I could remember the stripe width (Candy Cane Hat from Handknit Holidays).
Yesterday I said I’d be trying some combination knitting and, people, I think I’m sold. It’s so quick. My one problem is keeping a consistent gauge, but practice makes perfect, right?