"Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn't hurt the untroubled spirit either." ~ Elizabeth Zimmerman

1/27/10

Snowman #9


Only 3 more to go. Hurray!

(Yes, I do know there's a stain above his head. Coffee. Not worried. Can you say Oxyclean?)

Have a good day.

1/26/10

Simple Woman's Daybook for January 26, 2010



FOR TODAY

January 26, 2010

Outside my window...
It's gray and dreary, but I see a brightness in the clouds. They say it's supposed to be a sunny day. Maybe they are right?

I am thinking...
that I am an idiot for not taking Beano before eating last nights 15 Bean soup for dinner. What was I thinking, or rather-why wasn't I thinking?

I am thankful for...
my daughter Ruth. I know she's been going through a tough time lately. Even still, she is full of kindness for others. I'm also thankful she knits now so we have something in common to share.

From the kitchen...
No more bean soup for me! I'm making meatloaf tonight. My meatloaf is good. One of my best dishes. My kids have told me I make the best meatloaf in the world.

I am wearing...
Believe it or not, my purple fuzzy bathrobe and night gown. I know, it's after noon! I'm being a lazy one today.

I am creating...
as always. Couldn't have a day without digging out something creative to do. I am now to my favorite part of the cross stitch snowman-back stitch outlining. Yes! I get all excited when I'm doing it. Most stitchers hate this part. For me, the picture comes to life at this stage. My little snowman's personality is starting to show.

I am going...
no where today. I suppose, if that sunshine actually comes out I might brave the cold and go sit on the deck to soak some up. I actually got to do that last Thursday. I sat in the sun and knitted, until the sun went behind the house. Then the deck got too cold. It was the best 20 minutes of the week.

I am reading...
all the time. Not just novels, but non-fiction too, and magazines, internet articles, blogs, Facebook. I'm so glad I know how to read. I can't imagine living without that ability.

I am hoping...
I remember to take a fork to the Yarnies meeting tomorrow. I hear there will be peach pie for those who do.

I am hearing...
The yowling of two female cats trying to be top Diva in the house. Girls! Girls! This has GOT to stop. I'M top Diva in this house!

Around the house...
Doggy chews and cat toys. My goodness, it's like living with five 2-year olds. I will be so glad when spring gets here!

One of my favorite things...
Sitting in my favorite chair and browsing through my knitting books. I get so inspired. I looked through Viking Patterns for Knitting yesterday. Love this book!

A few plans for the rest of the week:
The usual-Yarnies, Knitting class on Thursday, laundry, cleaning house, finishing the snowman so I can start the next one, finishing sleeve two for the baby cardigan. No boredom in this life!

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...
A poem to go with it:

Sock one
Is done



Have a great day.

If you want to join the Simple Woman's Daybook, click here.

1/22/10

Snail Fiddling is Not an Occupation I'd Be Proud Of

The title of todays entry is a quote from a blog I found this morning that is hilarious. Sleep Talking Man is about the things Karen Slavick's husband says when he's asleep. If you need a chuckle, I recommend a visit. (Be warned, some of his night time language is not G-rated.)

You know what's even funnier? I was reading the blog this morning. I looked up at the TV and there was the blog on Good Morning America, along with Karen and her husband. Talk about coincidences!

The new washing machine was delivered and installed. I haven't tried it yet. It was delivered when I wasn't home, so the daughter got to try it first. I'll be getting good use out of it today.

I have finished the first sleeve of the baby cardigan.


No one showed up for my knitting class so I worked on it until it was done. Then I went grocery shopping at Walmart.

I went there because there was a particular item I wanted. Something my local grocery store just doesn't carry. A little piece of heaven that came out last month but I hadn't got around to getting it.


I picked up Susan Boyle's first CD, I Dreamed a Dream. It is awesome. Her voice does something to me. It soothes my soul. When I hear it an immediate peace and tranquility just come over me. Doesn't matter how stressed, sad, angry, frustrated I might be, her voice releases it. I can not stay mad when I hear her. Not very many singers can do that to me.

I also picked up some spring while at the store.


I'm anxiously waiting, though, for the daffodils. They should be hitting the local stores soon.

My snowman has a face!


Tommy was sitting on the couch looking elegant last night. I had to take a pic.


Last, but not least, I found this bib in my knitting room. I'd forgotten about it. It's a model one of my employees, Loretta Smith, stitched for me when I had my shop. I think I'll send it along with the baby sweater when the time comes.


That's all for today. Have a good one.

1/20/10

Washer Update

The washer is dead. Long live the washer.

The computer controller is damaged-we think by a small power surge we had the day before when it got really windy outside. (Lost a couple trees too.) To replace said controller would be $430 plus labor. I don't think so Tim!!!

Don't buy the electronic appliances with the push button controls. They are NOT reliable. The Sears repairman said he'd never buy one. He sees way too many of them in his job.

Anyway, today I went to Sears and bought a new washer. It will be delivered tomorrow. I bought a Whirlpool. It has the old fashioned twist dials on it. It's a model that they've not changed in 35 years cos it's so good. Don't be fooled by that. It has lots of fancy features. They just aren't controlled by a computer.



It has a super gentle handwash cycle for delicates-or in my case, alpaca/wool/silk/cashmere/take your pic sweaters. I have to have a good gentle cycle being such an obsessed knitter and all. Also can be set to rinse twice. I found myself using that on occasion with the broken one.

The deal I got on this baby! It was on sale to begin with. The repairman gave me a coupon for $65 off (to replace the 65 I had to pay him to tell me my washing machine was toast). I also get $125 in rebates (just happened to be there on the right day) AND they're gonna deliver it for FREE and take away my old one for FREE! By the time it's all said and done, I will have paid considerably less than $400 for it. So I'm feeling pretty good about it.

I have 8 rows left and the first sleeve of the baby cardigan will be done. I also stitched the face of the snowman last night. He has eyes and a smile now, and his snowy face is all sparkly. I got part of his roly-poly body done too.

It was a beautiful sunny day today. Nice and warm. I'm gonna be really sad when the winter chill comes back.

Have a good day.

1/18/10

WIP Update

It was a busy weekend. Saturday we drove down to Moscow, Idaho to get a truck load of the daughters belongings from her apartment to bring home. One more load after this one and it should be done.

I helped her unpack some of it on Sunday. She was feeling overwhelmed to start, but I got her in her groove pretty quickly. Oddly, we are finding places for her stuff. She's doing quite well with figuring out what she wants stored and what she will be using too.

I did quite a bit of knitting over the weekend. I worked on this sock both on the way to and from Moscow.


I thought I'd try knitting in the truck. Past tries have ended in failure-which means I got car sick. I didn't this time though. Didn't have any problems at all. Maybe my eyes are finally toughening up a bit. Heh heh.

Both front pieces are done for the baby cardigan too.


Next are the sleeves.

Sunday was an exercise in frustration. I was going to do the laundry and get some much needed file drawer organizing done, as well as helping Ruth. Yeah, right. My washing machine croaked halfway through the first load. It filled, agitated, then quit. I had a washer full of clothes in dirty water. It won't empty. So, I pulled the clothes out of the washer and took them over to sis-in-law Sue's for the rinse and spin cycles. (Ended up staying for dinner. Chicken enchiladas. Mmmmm) So much for getting anything else done at home. The files will have to wait for now. I've got an appointment for Sears to come Tuesday to fix the washer. I sure hope it's something easy and cheap to fix.

This morning there were quite a few woodpeckers having breakfast. I got a rather decent pic of one. He was chowing down on all the seed they've dropped there.


Have a nice evening.

1/16/10

Knit is Happening


To my fellow beaders: I have posted a free pattern on the pattern blog for you. It's the Just Peachy ornament cover.









I found the neatest book of beaded ornament cover patterns by Jamie Cloud Eakin.



8 luscious patterns by Jamie. It can be purchased on her site.

I also found this book at my local LYS for knitting beaded Christmas ornaments.


The designs are really pretty. I think it will come in handy for the Festival of Trees knitted tree.

Here is the finished clue 1 of the Mystery Shawl KAL I'm doing.


It has beads in it, which don't show up real well in photos but does in real life.



Yesterday I finished the right front of the baby cardigan. Haven't taken a pic yet. I will wait until the left front is done and do them together.

Today we're taking a trip down to Moscow, ID to get the rest of Ruth's belongings to bring home. I don't know where we're going to put the furniture, but we'll think of something-I hope.

The weather has been rainy. I'm hoping it clears up while we're loading the truck, and unloading the truck. It can rain all it wants in between. ;-)

Have a good day.

1/12/10

Simple Woman's Daybook for January 12, 2010


FOR TODAY
January 12, 2010...

Outside my window...
It's all gray, dreary, and raining.

I am thinking...
It's a soup kind of day.

I am thankful for...
comedians. I love to laugh and some of them are really good at making me do so.

From the kitchen...
Split Pea soup is in the crock pot for tonights dinner. I'm going to make biscuits to go with it.

I am wearing...
T-shirt and knit pants. I have nowhere to go today. Might as well be comfortable.

I am creating...
Making progress on the baby sweater. I got the first piece done last night. It's going to be so cute!

I am going...
to Yarnies tomorrow morning. I'm looking forward to it. I am hoping to take Ruth with me.

I am reading...

People of the Silence. It's a story about the Anasazi people, before the white man came to north America.

I am hoping...
my daughter Ruth is happier today than she was a week ago. Sweet Hubby and I are trying to create a place that feels extra safe and loving for her here at home. She's so down. We need to pull her up.

I am hearing...
a train going by on the tracks nearby. It's making the house rumble. The air is carrying the sound waves especially well today.

Around the house...

cat and dog toys-all over the floor. Gotta keep them entertained in the winter because it's too cold and wet to have fun outside.

One of my favorite things...
Beautiful orchestral music. Nothing stirs me up inside like the sound of an orchestra in perfect harmony. I miss the days when I used to play second violin in the orchestra in college. All that harmonious sound swirling around me. Sigh.... fun times!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Work on the knitting projects, cross stitch, and maybe a bit of beading. Ah yes, and hemming some pants. There are days when being short is a curse.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...

The back of the baby sweater.



Have a nice day.

If you want to join the Simple Woman's Daybook, click here.

1/9/10

New Sock Pattern for You


I have posted the pattern for Franks Little Cable socks on my pattern blog. Just thought you'd like to know that.




Besides the pattern, I've also been working on my cross stitch snowman.


I'm down to stitching the sparkly white and then it's outline time! I love doing the outlines. That is when the picture comes to life.

The weather has been winterish the last couple days. Periods of clear skies followed by short periods of snow-most of it kind of slushy. Last night we got some freezing rain. Everything was glazed when I got up. Now the sun is shining, it's above freezing, and the ice is falling out of the trees and hitting the house. It's kind of a scary sound so I'll be glad when it's all melted off.

Have a great day.

1/8/10

A Charitable Opportunity

Yesterday I was hangin' out at my friends shop, CDA Yarn and Fiber, knitting with my peeps (no students showed up for my class, but Judy did, so it turned into an impromptu Stitch and Bitch session) when we started talking about the annual Festival of Trees held at the Coeur d'Alene Resort every Christmas. Businesses and individuals come together to decorate and donate lavish Christmas trees and displays which are enjoyed by attendees and ultimately sold at auction. Each year proceeds raised at the festival help fund needed services at the Kootenai Health Foundation. I came up with this crazy idea-why don't we sponsor a tree this year with a knitting theme? Well, the idea was taken, and we're running with it. I've been put in charge of the project. I am SO excited! So, I'm asking my readers to please please, if you have some ideas, links to patterns, or whatever, leave them in the comments section? I want this tree to be super fantastic. Typically, the FofT trees bring in thousands of dollars each. I want our tree to be worthy of such a thing. It has to be beautiful and feature a knitting theme. I've got 'til next Christmas to pull this together. Here is a WIP. A baby boy has been born into our family recently so I'm making him one of my favorite baby cardigan patterns. It's coming along nicely, so far. I'm doing all this cabling without a cable needle. I still get great pleasure doing that. Still haven't started the lace shawl for the kal. Second clue was posted yesterday too. I need to get on the ball! We have had a moose in our yard this week, so they are back. (It was very early morning, before the sun came up, so I couldn't take a pic.) It was hanging around the garden fence munching on bushes. How do they know moose hunting season is over? It baffles me. I thought I might just mention, since there have been hints in previous posts-yes, there has been emotional turmoil in our house. Our daughter, Ruth, will not be returning to school this semester. She wants to take a break. After discussion (and tears) we've decided to let her come home for that rest. I think she's pretty burned out. It's a shame, because she is so close to graduating. Sometimes we have to put our health first though. She plans to return to school and finish next fall. (Keepin' my fingers crossed on that one.) Now we are busily moving her out of her apartment in Moscow (Idaho) and back into our house. Where are we gonna put all this stuff? I was pretty upset for a few days. But I'm getting over it now. We will turn this lemon into lemonade. Have a great day.

1/6/10

Openwork Shrug



Pattern: Openwork Shrug by Charlotte Quiggle.
Yarn: Cotton by Fantacia (a vintage yarn) Cotton and Acrylic boucle'
Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 9 and 10.
Size: Ladies small (45.5 inches long)
Cast on: November 3 , 2009
Bound off: December 26, 2009

Comments: The pattern is very easy to knit. It was a nice portable project to take places where I didn't want to think much (can you say chatting while knitting?). It's a pattern that works well with textured yarns. I did make a change in the sleeves. I seamed for 10 inches (instead of to the markers) because it seemed to fit better that way.

Close up of stitch pattern


Being blocked


More being blocked


Have a great day.

1/5/10

Simple Woman's Daybook for January 5, 2010



FOR TODAY

January 5, 2010

Outside my window...
Snow and slush all over everything.

I am thinking...
I am glad it has turned to rain

I am thankful for...

Blocking wires. They make blocking my knitted items so much easier.

From the kitchen...

Nothing at the moment. Haven't cooked anything in there for two days. On Sunday we went to Outback (I had a delicious Filet Mignon) and yesterday I wasn't home to cook so Ruth and I grabbed something at Wendy's.

I am wearing...
Tan slacks and a dark tweedy green sweater.

I am creating...

I've finished blocking the lace shrug and plan to sew it together today.

I am going...
to Rathdrum Knitalong-where I will sew up the seams on that shrug.

I am reading...
People of the Silence. Just started it.

I am hoping...
Ruth, Doug, and I will soon get over our bad feelings about Ruth leaving college and moving back in with us.

I am hearing...
the steady click of Ruth's keyboard as she plays Farmville on her laptop.

Around the house...
Sleeping fur kids. My favorite time of day.

One of my favorite things...
Leftover Lasagna for lunch, which I just had.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Yarnies and Knit Wits meetings on Wednesday, class on Thursday. Getting my knitting room cleaned up a bit so I can store some boxes in there on Friday.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...


I always love this kind of shot of lace.

Have a nice day.

If you want to join the Simple Woman's Daybook, click here.

1/2/10

Making Snowmen

We are having a very rainy weekend. I guess I prefer that to the alternative-snow. It's turning out to be a much milder winter than the past 3 have been. The weatherman says it's because of El Ninjo. Whatever. I'm just happy to have some relief after the past 3 years.

Just because it's raining instead of snowing does not keep me from making snowmen.

I have been craving some time with my cross stitch. I haven't done any since this time last year. Knitting, beading, life-all these things kind of pushed the stitching to the wayside. Anyway, I pulled one of my unfinished projects out a couple days ago.




This is called Snowman Row. It was designed by Ursula Michael and sold as a kit, though it was discontinued shortly after I bought it. I started working on it about 3 or 4 years ago. I work on a couple of the little guys each year.




I have four left, counting the half finished one I started Thursday. I think I'm going to finish it this year. I need to get it done so I can hang it on my wall next Christmas.

I have not cast on for the mystery shawl yet. I should do that this evening. Wow, I'm gonna be pretty busy with this many projects going at once.

We've had a sudden turn in life's road this week. Daughter Ruth is not going back to school for the next semester. She wants to take a semester off. She only has one class and her senior thesis left and she'll be finished and have a degree, but she is showing signs of pretty severe burn out so we've given in.

I am afraid that if she takes it off she will not go back next fall and finish. I hope that won't be the case. Having a degree gives a person such a huge advantage when it comes to earning income in our society. So, anyway, instead of leaving the nest and going out on her own, our little birdie is returning and settling in. I am disappointed, but I suppose I'll get over it.

Have a good day.

1/1/10

2010 Completed Knitting

 Knitting projects I've completed in the year 2010







Aran Cardigan for Ethan

Pattern:
Aran Baby cardigan from McCalls Knitting Book 5 (1972)
Size: 6 months
Yarn: Plymouth Encore Tweed #2334 Sea Foam
Content:
75% acrylic/22% Wool/ 3% Viscose
Needles:
Addi Turbo Circular size 6.
Cast on: December 30, 2009
Bound off: January 29, 2010

Comments: This is, of course, my favorite baby sweater pattern. I think I should use a larger needle next time though. Like a size 8, perhaps. Wouldn't have to stretch the pieces as much when blocking.

The buttons came from my stash of antique buttons that I 'inherited' several years ago.

The yarn is wonderful to work with.

~~~~~~~~~~



Pattern:
ArrowHead Lace Shawl by DragonWing Arts
Size:  70 inches wide by 40 inches long.
Yarn: Simply Soft by Caron in Soft Blue #9172
Content:
100% Acrylic 
Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 10-32 inches. 
Cast on: February 10, 2010
Bound off: February 28, 2010

Comments: Love the pattern. Very well written and easy to understand. It took a bit for me to memorize the stitch pattern, but I did memorize it. That's something. I would recommend this for inexperienced knitters as a first lace project.

As cheap acrylic yarn goes, I like Caron's Simply Soft. It's nice to work with.

~~~~~~~~~~



Bamboo Socks

Pattern: 4x2 Garter Rib by me
Yarn: On Your Toes Bamboo by S.R. Kertzer
Color: Iris Print
Content: 75% Bamboo/25% Nylon
Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 2.
Size: Ladies Medium (size 8.5 shoe)
Cast on: August 4, 2009
Bound off: March 1, 2010

Comments: I really like working with this yarn but there's not as much yardage as there is with wool. 328 yards to 100 grams, as apposed to 400-450 yards from wool. So be advised, if you have large feet. I just used my basic sock pattern with a 4x2 Garter Rib. Nuthin' fancy.
~~~~~~~~~~


Ugly Yarn Scarf for Knitwits

Pattern: Mohair Lace Scarf by Beadknitter
Size:  70 inches long by 6 inches wide .
Yarn: Dawn Mospun (2 strands held together)
Content: 100% Acrylic 
Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 15
Cast on: March 7, 2010
Bound off: March 19, 2010

Comments: Love the pattern, but I'm biased. Working with the yarn was interesting. It was an old acrylic fake mohair made in the 1950s with a very plastic feel to it. Thus, the name of the project-Ugly Yarn. I machine washed and dried it after it was done. It was so soft and cuddly and fluffy after that. I am quite pleased with how it turned out.

~~~~~~~~~~


Cat Hat for Sarah

Pattern:
Witch Cats Hat by Christine de Savoie
Size: Adult
Yarn: Lustersheen by Coats and Clark (vintage) in White and Peacock Blue/Cotton Classic by Tahki Yarns in Black
Content:
100% Acrylic/100% Cotton
Needles:
Addi Turbo Circular size 3 and 5.
Cast on: April 8, 2010
Bound off: April 20, 2010

Comments: I'm glad I decided to do this pattern. I re-educated myself on the techniques for knitting Fairisle so it was a good project to do. I don't enjoy knitting Fairisle as much as I did when I was young, but I can still do it.

The pattern for this hat is very very well written. I'd recommend it for those who are Fairisle beginners.

I enjoyed working with the yarn too. Lustersheen, circa 1970's, was a very nice yarn. I do not know if it still is though. I haven't seen it in any stores around here to find out.

~~~~~~~~~~



Pattern:
Kindle Pocket by Tahira Probst
Size: to fit Nook and Kindle
Yarn: Cascade 220 Paints in Grape
Content: 100%Wool
Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 9
Cast on: May 19, 2010
Bound off: May 20, 2010

Comments: A quick easy knit that turns out great. 

~~~~~~~~~~



Pattern: Vintage Shoulderette by Minerva
Size: 52 inches wide
Yarn: Nova DK by Sirdar
Content: 86% Acrylic/14% Nylon
Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 5 and 8.
Cast on: March 30, 2010
Bound off: May 26, 2010
Comments: A fun and easy knit. I only have one small complaint. The pattern tells us to sew the sleeve seams, but doesn't say how far that is. I chose to go 5 inches.

~~~~~~~~~~


Judys Monkey Socks

Pattern: Monkey Socks by Cookie A.
Yarn: Fibranatura Yummy
Color: 41361 Purples
Content: 100% Superwash Merino Wool
Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 2.
Size: for Womans Size 9 shoe 
Cast on: May 23, 2010
Bound off: July 5, 2010 (in Indiana)

Comments: I love this pattern, I love the yarn. Judy loves the socks. Can't be better than that. I finished these socks while driving through Indiana on our vacation.
 ~~~~~~~~~~


Herringbone Rib Socks
Pattern: Herringbone Rib by by Kristi Schueler from Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn
Yarn: Berroco Sox
Color: 1452 Bonham
Content: 75% Wool/25% Nylon
Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 2.
Size: for Womans Size 9 shoe 
Cast on: July 6, 2010
Bound off: July 24, 2010 (in Indiana)

Comments: I love the stitch pattern in these socks. It is fun to knit. Be advised, though, that it is a yarn hogging stitch pattern. Make sure you have extra yarn, or don't knit the stitch pattern in the foot. In fact, even if you don't carry the stitch pattern into the foot, have extra yarn. The Berroco Sox is nice to knit with.
~~~~~~~~~~



Pattern: Maine Morning Mitts  by Clara Parkes
Size: Womans
Yarn: N.Y. Yarns Fluff in black
Content:
100% Nylon
Yarn: Lionbrand Microspun in black
Content:
100% Acrylic
Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 7.
Cast on: September 28, 2010
Bound off: September 30, 2010

Comments: The pattern is well written, easy, and knits up quickly. It calls for Noro Kureyon, but I wanted black fuzzy ones, so I substituted. At first I tried with just a strand of Fluff, but it was way too thin and floppy, not anywhere near gauge (too small), even though the label says it should be knit on size 10 needles and I was using size 7. So I added a strand of sport weight Microspun and it worked perfectly.

~~~~~~~~~~


Easy Ribbed Fingerless Mitts

Pattern: Modification of Maine Morning Mitts  by Clara Parkes
Size: Womans
Yarn: Wisdom Yarns Poem in color #578
Content:
100% Wool 
Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 7.
Cast on: October 6, 2010
Bound off: October 7, 2010

Comments: My modification version is better than the pattern. But I'm biased. I do not particularly care for the Poems yarn. It's nice enough to work with, fairly even in size as you knit, soft to the touch (way better than Noro Kureyon), but it is easily pulled apart. At one point my project was laying on the table. I pulled on the yarn to draw it closer to me and it broke (the yarn, not the table). So, don't use it for something that you want to last awhile.

~~~~~~~~~~



Pattern: Personal (not available)
Size: Womans

Yarn: Jo-Anns Sensations Rainbow Boucle' in Purple
Content:
88% Acrylic, 12% Nylon

Needles: Addi Turbo Circulars 8 and 15.

Cast on: June 9, 2010
Finished: October 9, 2010

Comments: I can't believe how lightweight this shrug turned out to be. It can't weigh more than 4oz., yet it's toasty warm. I know because I tried it out. Too bad this yarn has been discontinued. I used a very simple drop-stitch lace pattern.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~




Pattern: Andoa Pullover by Berroco Design Team
Size: Medium
Yarn: Unknown
Content:
Definitely has acrylic and washable wool in it.
Needles: Addi Turbo Circulars 6 and 8.
Cast on: April 23, 2010
Finished: October 10, 2010

Comments: I love this pattern! It was a pleasure to knit. Easy enough that I could cart it around for KIPing, but enough variety that I didn't get bored with it. It's a good one for beginning knitters too. I'd recommend it for those folks looking for that first sweater project.

~~~~~~~~~~


Navy Childrens Mittens for Knitwits

Pattern: Basic Mitten Pattern by Ann Budd
Size:  Childs 4-6
Yarn: The mysterious yarn I made the Navy Textured Pullover with.
Needles: Addi Turbo size 6
Cast On:  October 21, 2010
Finished: October 29, 2010

Comments: Fairly simple pattern. Easy to follow if you're using double pointed needles. I used 2 circulars so I had to make adjustments.

~~~~~~~~~~



Pattern: Maine Morning Mitts  by Clara Parkes
Size: Womans

Yarn: , Lana Gatto Amsterdam in green/blue
Content:
73% Nylon, 27% Acrylic


Yarn: Snuggly Wuggly Baby Sport by Loops & Threads in medium green.
Content:
100% Acrylic

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 7.

Cast on: November 13, 2010
Bound off: November 15, 2010

Comments: The pattern is well written, easy, and knits up quickly. I substituted the fuzzy Amsterdam for the cuff. I also altered the thumb gusset instructions
~~~~~~~~~~


 


Pattern: Fancy That! Malibrigo Gloves by Hannah Poon
Size: Womans

Yarn: Snuggly Wuggly Baby Sport yarn by Loops & Threads in medium green.
Content: 100% Acrylic

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 6.
Cast on: November 13, 2010
Bound off: November 15, 2010

Comments: I love this pattern. However, as usual, I have made some small adjustments. The thumb wasn't quite long enough for my taste so I added some length to it. Instead of binding off the 10 gusset stitches, I put them on a holder. When I was done with the body of the mitt I put the thumb sts on needles, picked up 2 sts at the gap over the gusset, and knit 7 rows of 2x2 rib, then bound off in ribbing. Now it's perfect.
~~~~~~~~~~



Pattern: February Lady Sweater by Pamela Wynne


Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Superwash Worsted
Content:
100% superwash Wool
Color: SW36
 

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 8.
 
Cast on: October 8, 2010
Completed: December 6, 2010

Comments: I am so pleased with how it's turned out. If it weren't being given away as a gift I'd enter it in the fair, it turned out that perfect. Not one mistake in it.

I love the pattern. I'm even thinking about knitting one of these for me. If I were to do it again, I would replace the row of yarn overs with a row of Make 1's because the little holes bug me.
~~~~~~~~~~





Pattern: 220 Fingerless Mitts by Jessica Jensen
Size: Mens Medium

Yarn: The infamous never ending Navy Tweed
Content: Superwash wool/Acrylic blend

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 4.

Cast on: December 4, 2010
Bound off: December 6, 2010

Comments: 
This pattern is really good. I love the way it knits up. I thought it might be kind of cardboardy using size 4 needles with a worsted weight yarn but it isn't. It just feels snuggly and warm.
~~~~~~~~~~


 


Pattern:  Jeff's Mitts by Lorraine Ehrlinger.
Size: Mens medium

Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash in dark Grey.
Content: 100% Superwash wool

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 6.

Cast on: December 7, 2010
Bound off: December 10, 2010

Comments: Very simple pattern. Well written. Fits the hand well. I'd recommend it for beginners.
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Pattern: Notwoven Fingerless Mitts by Zortified
Size: Womans

Yarn: Dream in Color Classy
Content: 100% Superwash Merino

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 6.

Cast on: December 10, 2010
Bound off: December 12, 2010

Comments: I love this pattern. The stitch pattern is fun to do and looks wonderful.
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Pattern: Owlings by Kerrie James
Size: Womens medium

Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Worsted Merino Superwash in Red/Brown Heather.
Content: 100% Superwash Merino

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 6.

Cast on: December 12, 2010
Bound off: December 16, 2010

Comments: I really love the stitch pattern in these mitts, but the pattern design itself ended up being changed. For one thing I do not like the way the thumb is done. Hands aren’t shaped that way. How hard would it have been to actually knit in a thumb gusset? Easy as pie, that’s how. So that’s what I did.

I also finished the top above the owls with 2 rows of 4x1 rib, 2 rows of 1x1 rib, then bound of in rib. I’m not sure why she wants the sewn bind off, except maybe so the beginning and end match? I didn’t need that. I wanted just a bit of a flair, and got it with the 1x1 rib.

The owls came to life when I added their golden eyes done with size 8 seed beads.
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Pattern: Emerald Fingerless Mittens by Lucy Sweetland
Size: Womens

Yarn: Vintage by Berroco in Denim Blue
Content:  50% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 10% Nylon

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 4.

Cast on: December 16, 2010
Bound off: December 20, 2010

Comments: What a beautiful design! I love it! I did adjust where the thumb gusset goes a bit. One of these days I'll knit a pattern as written. LOL!

I LOVE the yarn I used for these. It's so soft and absolutely delightful to work with. Knitted with size 4 needles makes it absolutely snuggly wuggly. I shall be using this yarn again.

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