New things

It's becoming very fall-like around here. This is the view from my deck. (NOT the view straight out, which would show a brand new house that was hidden by the leaves, but now that they're falling, I'm going to be able to see it oh, too well.)



I've been working on these doll soakers. I'm writing up a pattern that I meant to have done before I loaded the pictures, but seeing that I'm halfway I'll just show the pic and post the pattern later.



Aren't they cute?

The next is a CIC sweater from (insert 10 minutes here as I realize there's no bookmark, search the house for the pattern, realize that it's a pdf file so no link listed on the bottom, then google for the link. Whew!) Guideposts Knit for Kids .



Each side is supposed to be done separately, then seamed together. Instead, I knit the bottom together in the round, then am doing the top half separately. The theory was that since I'm using scraps then it'll have a more cohesive look. Not true, but it was a nice thought.

Here's the last new thing that I'm working on: Socks for DH. He's liking the bold stripes, and if I can get the sizing correct, they'll be a winner.

Ralph

Less than 24 hours later, DD had her scarf completed. She put the fringe on and wore it the next day.

The fringe is pretty cool--it quickly unravels into 2 different colors. It totally doesn't look like 2 different strands when you're knitting with it.





"Mom, can you make me a hat?" came next. (Actually, we started out with her knitting the hat, but she's never knitted in the round or on dpns before, so I didn't want to ruin her for life.)

I knitted the hat, but took three tries.
1. Too tight
2. too big
3. ok (but running out of yarn.)

Here's the result (modelled in my newly painted dining room. Don't inspect the woodwork too closely--it needs another coat of paint.)



I made a chemo cap like this over a year ago (check it out here).

This time, it's a bit smaller (and two-toned.)

Basic recipe:
Paton's Bohemian, 1 skein. Cast on 42 sts loosely (I used size 15 needles).
Join in round, using size 11 dpns and work 6 rows of seed st.
Change colors and increase 3 sts, working for 4 1/2 inches from cast on edge. (Do another inch if either a) it's for an adult sized head or b) you're not afraid of running out of yarn the way I was--I started with a partial skein of orange.

Decreasing:
K7, K2tog around.
K 1 round.
K6, K2tog around.
K 1 round.
K5, K2tog around.
K 1 round.
K4, K2 tog around.
K3, K2tog around.
K2, K2tog around.
K1, K2tog around.
K2 tog around.
Cut yarn and draw through remaining loops. Hide ends.
Convince DD to let you take a picture of her. (Bribing with chocolate if necessary.)

There you go--one hat.


Oh, and the title of this post? Well, the scarf's name is Ralph. I'll report back if the hat gets named.

Seven Hours Ago

Seven hours ago this yarn was bought. DD#2 decided to knit a scarf from Paton's Bohemian to match her new winter coat.

Here's what it looks like:



She's actually knit more after the picture was taken--a total of 27" to be exact. In that amount of time there was also a nap. Hers, not mine. (Although mine was nice too.)

Nothing like being excited about a project to make you knit faster!

More handwarmers

As I said in my previous post, I've been fiddling with patterns and such.

I had decided to redo the Diamond Handwarmer pattern so that all the counting is done on the even rounds, and the odd rounds are plain knit. Why I didn't do this the first time, I don't know.... Or rather, I do. I like to do things the hard way.

While I was at it, I made 3 sizes to allow for different weights of yarn.

Check out my pattern here. (It's a pdf file.) There's also a link in the sidebar.

If you try it out, please leave a comment if you find any errors.

Here's a pair I did for me. Idea courtesy of DD#2.



These two pictures were taken right before leaving for work. I may or may not have been late for work. (If you're a co-worker and reading this, let's just say that I cut it close.)

I had to take the picture quickly (and hide in the ends), because I gave the following pair to the knitting teacher at work. Knitting people never seem to get handknit items for themselves. It was fun to give a "just because" gift.



They were knitted from Paton's SWS 70% wool and 30% soy yarn. Lovely and soft. I had to redo one about 4 times and part of the other twice to have enough yarn.

Proof

Most of the time I've been fiddling with patterns and knitting and stuff. Not much to see other than a pile of tangled yarn.

Here's some proof, though, that I've finished something:



the latest CIC sweater. I think that's actually the current challenge--imagine that!

Somebody stop me

All these pictures have something in common besides
a) they're all of yarn and
b) the yarn is all at my house.

The common factor can be spelled with 4 letters

S...A...L...E...

That's right, there was a sale, and I was weak.

I'm on a couple of email lists that send out sale notices. Very dangerous. If only I keep from looking I'm okay (well, duh!), but if I look....
Well, you can see what happened.

(To justify myself a bit, they were not all bought at once, but...they were bought before the previous skeins were knitted.)

Here's some cones from ebay that I've always wanted to try:

I hope to dye it first, (and soak in hair conditioner--it's not very soft.) This should be a caretaker's shawl or two.

Paton's Classic Merino was bought during a sale at work.


It's a nice yarn to always have around.

Cascade Sierra cotton/wool blend:


I meant to buy 5 skeins of the boysenberry, but during an incredibly slow internet process (I actually left it alone for a day before buying it the next), 2 skeins ran out and got substituted with the green. It was going to be a summer sweater, but now? Dunno.

This ribbon yarn was purchased sight unseen from the same place. Why? It was on sale.


What I'll do with it is unplanned. Maybe a funky scarf or two.


More White Buffalo from ebay:


This purchase was 2 skeins gold and 4 skeins brown. Good yarn for CIC sweaters or such.

Since I got the above, I also got the Paton's Anna thick and thin, just because I could save on shipping.




Finally, here's 4 skeins of Opal yarn I got on ebay:



A previous unknown fact is that my DH would like a pair of wool socks (who knew?). My sock drawer is starting to get full, so it'll be fun to knit for someone else. He gets to pick from these colors.

While all these yarn purchases were fun (and were a good deal. REALLY!), I have enough yarn for awhile. If you catch me purchasing yarn, please stop me!