Lots of knitting no posts

I've been knitting lots these last few weeks. I knit a pair of longies for N. I made a pair of slippers for MIL and discovered after felting that they were way to small. I also made a pair of shoes for Little T and had the same shock after felting. Then I made a pair of shoes for him that fit. I then knit a hat that was way too big so off to the frog pond with it. Then a sun hat which actually turned out, I just need to decide if I want to put ties on it. Now OTN I have a pair of socks for me and a hat for Tony. My mom has my camera today so I will have to add pics later.

Carving Pumpkins

Today we carved pumpkins and lest you think that I am really THAT talented, four words, Pumpkin Saw and Stencils. Ahhhhh, they really made carving 5 pumpkins so much easier.

Also, OTN are a pair of longies for N made with 100Purewool 3-ply in the Nuts colorway. I am in love with this yarn, it isooooooooo soft and the colors, oh the colors are gorgeous. The waistband is 100Purewool 1-ply undyed, I wasn't sure if I had enough of the Nuts to make the longies for N so I went with a contrasting waistband and maybe cuffs depending on how much yarn I end up having.

And of course The Socks remain UFOs and are in time out contemplating all that they have done wrong.

For future projects; I am planning shorts for Tony from some Knitpicks Wool of the Andes, in three colors, he wants stripes. And some longies for Little T with some more of the delicious 100 purewool in Blue Sea and Brown Lilac. I am going to design them as I go, starting from the ankle and knitting upwards. I am going to make them with Fibonacci stripes and want the narrowest stripe on the bottom.

More sock problems

Again, why don't the stripes match????????

On other projects. I finished K's hat.

I got the yarn for Tony's shorts and for more longies for N and Little T. So which to start first?

I think N's longies, I'll probably cast those on tomorrow. If I don't decide to frog the darn socks again. I am contemplating cutting out the part of the yarn that keeps coming out wrong and just leave in the other stripes.

Nursing necklace

My craftyness for the week is a nursing necklace. I've been looking for one that I liked and could afford (which honestly is probably an impossible quest) and didn't find one. When I was at the store the other day I found these beads and for just over $7 I made this.



Close up of the stones.



I love it. And so does Little T.

The socks strike again

Why, oh why, oh why don't the stripes match?????

Yes there are the same number of stitches on both socks, it doesn't make any sense at all and I reeeeeeeaaaaaaalllllllllyyyyyy don't want to rip them out again.


AAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGG

Let me tell you a story

So, as you know, I am making our holiday gifts this year. And Jolene requested a pair of socks. I am beginning to think that someone somewhere is trying to tell me that I shouldn't make them for her.

Jess and the Socks of Doom

I found some beautiful self-patterning sock yarn in a blue and grey colorway. It is perfect for Jolene. Exactly the colors she loves.

First I had to separate the skeins of yarn.
I've read that you have to separate each skein in half to be sure that they match. So I went to the store to buy a kitchen scale. And they didn't have one and/or I couldn't find one or an associate to help me find one. I had to go to two other stores before I finally found one and, then proceeded to buy one that wouldn't work for my purpose. I then had to return that scale and get a new one. Whew two weeks after I bought the yarn it is separated into two balls and I'm ready to cast on.

The Cast on
So first I decided to have a short row toe because I like them better so I'm knitting along and I have holes in my toes, so I tear them out, and then I have holes in my toes, so I tear them out. Then I decide that the yarn would look better if I did the other kind of toe, so I tore them out again.

Then I cast on some toe up socks using Knitty's Magic Cast On
http://http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/FEATmagiccaston.html about 7 times.

At last here we go
So I am knitting along and the socks are going wonderfully. Look they are coming out perfectly...but wait...... Wha.... why.... what!


Why are they different? Do I have the wrong number of stitches somewhere? No, they are the same, but they are different, but they are the same, but they are different, buttheyarethesamebuttheyaredifferent........AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! What did I do??????? I tore them back.

Then I started knitting them again. Yay! they are the same!! Wooo Hooo! But... wait.... they look a little big

So I tore them back again and I'm knitting and..... wait a minute.... they are different again. Ah, forget it. I don't care. They can just be different..... can't they? But wait............... they look a little too small. AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGG!

Now they are too small and they are different!

RRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPPPP!

So I cast on, using Knitty's Magic Cast On. Crap. So I cast on. Crap. So I cast on. AAAAAHHHHH CRAP! So I cast on and YAY!!! Here we go........................again.

What is it with me and socks??

More FOs

I finished D's slippers, they just need to be felted.






I also finished a swirl wash cloth.






And I so liked the swirl pattern I decided to make a hat for K with the same pattern at the top. I am also going to add some shaping to it so that it will cover her ears. I'm just making it up as I go along.

String bag

I decided that I wanted to make something for myself so this week I made 1 and a half string bags. lol The half is because I thought I had more of the yarn I started with, but of course, didn't. So I started again with other yarn and completed a bag. I love it. I am going to use it for when we go to the Library and when I have a few more made I'll use it for a shopping bag.






I don't like the white though, so I am going to dye it at some point next week.

Socks Done!

Yay! I finally finished the socks (except for weaving in the ends, but that doesn't count). I'm so relieved to have them done. And now I'll start some more, lol. Yep, I'm a glutton for punishment.

Here is some yarn I dyed for D's slipper socks she wanted rainbow colors and this is what I came up with. Yes I know it is sideways but I have no idea how to turn it now that it is on here. (I forgot to turn it before I uploaded it).

Longies

The longies for the KAL are done, and they turned out great.




They have a Fibonacci sequence stripe on the legs. Here is a close up.



They should fit Little T for quite a while, probably for the whole winter. The cuffs will roll down another 2.5 inches.



Also, they look like they will fit N, but she refuses to try them on. The little butt! LOL



I've finally finished the heels of the socks with NO holes. YAY!!! But now I've decided that they are not to be for Jolene, because I was naughty and bought new yarn that she will like better. Instead the socks that have been my nemesis for so long will go to Janiece. Which is good because honestly I am getting sick of them and she has smaller feet. LOL

Socks and Longies

I've still got the socks to finish. I'm taking a bit of a break from them while I participate in a Longies KAL.

I'm making longies for Little T out of some green and blue Peace Fleece, I'm combining several patterns and sort of making my own so that they will be just how I want them. I want them to be more cargo pant style so I've increased two inches from the waist measurement for the hips. I hope that the hips and legs will be quite baggy, but I'll have to see how they turn out.

For the socks I've finally got the toe done with only one hole in each toe and I intend to use my tail to sew that hole closed. Yay! I've knit quite a bit on them and have just started working on the heels for the third time. The first time I started the heel too soon and the socks were way to short, the second time I messed up on the short rows and had huge holes. I think that I have the way of it now, I was doing the short rows wrong, and when I get back to them it should go very quickly.

I also still have the Lion washcloth OTN but I think I hate it and may just take it out and come up with another plan.

For future projects I still have a list about a mile long. LOL

I just got a catalog from KnitPicks and a coop I am in just opened a database for Purewool. I am admittedly a yarn addict as I plan just how I am going to get my hands on some more luscious yarn.

Is there a twelve step program for yarn addicts????

Tank top done

And it turned out really cute, if I do say so myself. LOL

Next I will be working on the socks. Again (sigh) I'm beginning to think that top down socks aren't such a bad idea. Or that top up socks aren't such a good one. lol Ahhhh, the holes, the holes are driving me crazy. First I tried making a short row toe and hole, hole, hole, hole, hole. Then I tried making the other kind (I can't remember what it's called) and hole, hole, hole, hole, hole. Darn it all. Off to http://www.knittinghelp.com/ I go. Hopefully I can find something to make them work. I really want to do toe up socks so that I can make sure they fit right.

I am also still working on the Lion washcloth, here and there and I need to make Little T some new shorties as his are getting a bit small. I am going to buy the Sheepy Pants pattern and try that one for a bit of a change. I like that she has so many cuff options on that pattern.

Ahhhhhhh Socks

Well I have frogged the toe of the socks 5 times now. And now there is a mess instead of a nice neat ball. I am sooooooo frustrated with the socks that I have started working on a Lion washcloth instead.

I told Jolene "Maybe you'll get socks for Christmas."

Aaaargggghhh, maybe I should start some top down socks but I love the idea of toe up because you can try them on as you go.

Oh well, the socks are on a back burner for a bit, I'm going to finish the Lion washcloth and then the tank that is giving me fits, then I need to make Tavis some more shorties becuase his are getting too small.

So sometime after all of that and after I get the sock yarn in some semblance of order I will cast on yet again for the socks.

Poquitos on models

Well I said that the poquitos fit both Little T and N. And here they are.

Christmas present number 2

I've finished the second Christmas present. It is a Marlin for my dad. Made from two strands of the same yarn I used for Tony's slipper socks.

And here it is with N modeling it.

For other projects I am still working on Little Ts' tank and am nearly finished. I am also starting Jolene's socks. I had the toe of one done but tore it out because I had some holes from the short rows.

Wooo Hoooo! Snap Press!!!

For some reason it won't let me put a title on this post and this is my third try. pblttttttt. Oh well....

Nemermind I dot it. (Jolene will remember this one lol.)

The snap press arrived,



And with it so many snaps that I could put snaps on everything in sight and still have enough snaps to last me until the end of time. lol



So yesterday I worked on the Poquitos and got this one finished all of the way.



The rest only need to be topstitched and have snaps applied. Wheee Haaa!

The funny thing is that the Mediums fit both Little T and N. I'll add pics of them both when I have more than one done. ; ) lol

Phew

Today is our Anniversary and the slipper socks are done.


Also done are N's shorties, but somehow they are missing. (If you could see my house you would know why lol) so when I find them I will add a pic.

I am now working on lengthening these pants. The butt and legs fit well but, they were too short.



This is to be a tank for Little T. I looked and looked for a pattern that I liked but, coudn't find one so I am making it up as I go along. Wheeeeeee!



Finally, I found this gown. It is another of my older projects. Little T wore it when he was new.

Oooooopssss

I just realized that I have only a little over 2 weeks until our 10th Anniversary and I hadn't even begun Tony's gift. I'm making him a pair of felted slippers (his feet are always cold). Eeeeeekkkk!

N's shorties need to take the back burner for now, I'll work on them when Tony is around.

So today while he was at work, I cast on and, oh no that's not right. I cast on and, N don't play with mommy's knitting. I cast on and, crap. I cast on and, ahhhh at last, I knit most of the top. Tomorrow I should be ready to start the heels. I'm making both at the same time because otherwise they wouldn't be anywhere near the same. They are going quite fast as they are on a US 10.5 needle.

They are to be these http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/PATTfuzzyfeet.html out of some Cascade 220 that is blue and black plied together.

Some more old work

Longies made from Lion Wool Ocean Blues and the Perfection Pants pattern


Soaker skirt made for N from Lion Wool Autumn Sunset and my own pattern


OTN right now are a pair of shorties for N that I should have finished today. I am making them with the Perfection Pants pattern and Peace Fleece in Moldova Burgundy.

And sewing I am trying to finish the Poquitos because I have ordered the snap press and it should be here within the month.

Some older projects

Today I decided to add some older projects to my blog.

My first longies; made for N out of Patons Classic Merino in Blue Storm (I think, it might have been New Denim) and the Aubrey Doodlepants pattern. http://www.aubreydoodlepants.com/ One leg is actually shorter than the other just not that much, (I didn't manage to lay them out flat) the difference is not really noticeable when they are on. But this has led me to only do longies and shorties with both legs knit at one time.


Skirt for N; made from Cascade 220 I don't remember the color with my own pattern and the Curly Purly waistband http://www.curlypurly.com/pdf/soaker.pdf Little T wore this as a sleeper sack for a few months. We called it his kilt.


Newborn size longies made for Little T; made from Lion wool that I dyed and the Perfection Pants pattern http://www.woolywonder.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=39 . They fit as shorties now.


Same as above.


Wrap made for Little T from Lion Wool Majestic Mountain and the Warm Heart Woolies pattern http://warmheartwoolies.com/PlainWrap.pdf I modified it to add the button holes and buttons because I don't care for velcro.

Socks

I made my first pair of socks on Friday and I'm hooked. I loved making them. Fun, fun, fun. They were for Little T because I wanted to make very small ones for my first try just in case. The pattern I used (http://tinyurl.com/lj7fb) called for worsted weight yarn and sz 9 needles so they are more booties than socks. Other than the fact that they don't fit well and won't stay on they turned out great. LOL

Casserole Mitts Check

I've finished the Casserole Mitts.


And I've been working on dishcloths the first is done the second half done.


On the sewing Poquitos front, I decided to buy new fabric because I discovered that the swaddling blankets were not all cotton. I bought a two yards each of baby blue, white, yellow and red, with plans to have the white be the inside of the blue pants and the yellow inside of the orange. I bought two different sets of colors because I was planning to make some for N as well as Little T. But when I measured N to determine her size I discovered that she needs the same size as Little T so I'm going to make twice as many mediums as I previously planned. I've also decided to buy a snap press because it will save me lots of angst.


So far I've got the inners and outers of the blue pants cut out as well as the soaker pad. Next the batting needs to be cut, then assembly. I'm stalling a bit on them because I haven't even ordered the snap press yet ( there are tooooooo many choices of snaps and I can't decide). But, I need to hurry because the small Poquitos are really getting too small for Little T.


Projects I am planning are some shorties for N, more washcloths and, a soaker sack out of the Purewool (after I decide what colors to dye it).

Another trip to the frog pond

I finished half of the casserole mitts I was working on and decided that they looked really stupid so off to the frog pond I went.

By the way, I am really good at weaving in ends, so good that I can't find the ends when I want to frog.

So, after spending an hour (at least) frogging, I cast on another version of the casserole mitts and am about 30 rows in.

Arrrghh. Maybe I'll make Christmas presents for everyone this year.

No, I am definitely making the presents, it'll be OK.

Right???

Christmas Presents

Today I have been working on the first of the handmade Christmas presents I plan to give to my friends and family this year.

The first of the presents is to be a pair of casserole mitts. They are coming along very well except for when I k2tog accidentally and then I made a stitch in the wrong place when I thought I was picking up a stitch. It was really messed up so I took a trip to the frog pond and now I am back to where I was before I noticed the mistake. I should think that I will be more than half done before I go to bed tonight.

More purse and Poquitos

For the poquitos out of swaddling blankets, the cutting is done.



For the purse, lots more is done, I did have to get more yarn but, hurray there is no noticeable difference in the different skeins.



I'm having a bit of a design problem on the sides, I can't decide if I want to stay in pattern or just do 2x2 ribbing on them. She wants it to be stretchy so if she wants to stuff it full she can but, if it is more empty it will go back to smaller. Hmmm decisions.





or

Frogging

Work on the purse proceeds well but, I ran out of yarn. Now I have to frog the scarf I made for Jolene two Christmases ago. She decided she didn't like it because it was too heavy. So today I will be frogging and using the frogged yarn to finish ( I hope there is enough) the purse.



Oh and I found some fabric I can use to make the med Poquitos. I'm going to use the swaddling blankets I made for Little T since he's never been impressed by swaddling. Also I have a sling that I made from some green jersey and it has never been right so it gets cut up too.

Yay!! I love being able to make stuff with out buying anything. Today is a craft with recycled materials day.

My fortune cookie

My Fortune Cookie told me: A bird in the hand makes it awfully hard to blow your nose. Get a cookie from Miss Fortune

giggle, Or knit, giggle. This struck me as very funny, lol.

And for craftyness, the purse today. I also am hunting for fabric for some medium Poquitos. And organizing (read, playing with) my yarn stash, trying to get some inspiration for dying the oh-so-yummy 100Purewool, it has to be perfect because I can't waste this yarn.

Poquitos-Done(almost)

So I finally finished the Poquito Pants (except for 2 pairs because I ran out of snaps and don't have any velcro).

It only took me 2 days. Yesterday my kidlets were demons and I was only able to sew some of the elastic on. Today I finished sewing and top-stitching and Tony helped me pound on the snaps.

Ooops, that's not going to work.

Aaaaah done.... with these five.

These two need fasteners of some sort,

And on the little sweetie.