Special Announcement Time

Time for a break in my regular scheduled knitting activities.

It's another Mitten Challenge for 2007 - 7 Pairs in 2007

Details on Ann's Blog here.

So here's my first pair - 6 more to go!




I used a 2 strands of knitting worsted and a very basic pattern.
Here are my "mods":
Cast on 24 sts, worked a k1,p1 cuff to the bottom of my hand, then a few more rows.
The thumb is EZ's famous afterthought thumb with waste yarn on 6 sts.
Knit until I was almost to the tip of my fingers and did decrease rounds.
Picked up thumb sts, added 2 more on each end, knit 2 rounds, then decreased them down to 13. I kept trying it on to see how far to fit my thumb and then decreased, gathered up and mittens were done!
They fit perfect! Someone on the Rez will fit into them too - I'll probably make more and have fun combining my yarns.


The crocheted squares blanket is officially an FO!




I used light worsted wt yarn from my stash. The multi-colored yarn for most of the centers is Moda-Dea Sassy Stripes. A good way to use up the sock yarn I bought and thought I would knit socks.

Here's a closer view.

On Hooks & Needles

The WIPs I have on my hooks and needles this week.

Ripple #2 and wow is this bright or what?




The Crochet Square Blanket
I have about 14 more squares to do and then join.





Curve of Pursuit blanket that I must finish. I only have a few more color repeats and then the border.





Rita's Vest has to be sewn together.




Cottage Creations Babies & Bears Sweater
It starts at the sleeve then increases up to the middle where you put it on a holder and start the other side. I'm working both sides at the same time because it's no fun going back to the beginning for the 2nd side. Sorta like knitting 2 socks at the same time. Good thing I have 2 - 16" circs.

Tally Tuesday

I'm proud to say I have 3 FO's to report!

Here's the crocheted ripple blanket/afghan/laprobe.
I used an I crochet hook and stash yarn. It measures 42" x 42"



These ripple blankets are so addictive that I've started another one with some really bright colors.


Now for knitting

The sunburst star blanket is done! Not too happy with my color arrangement but it's a nice 43" across size. Good for a baby or a lapghan or even folded in half as a shawl.
I started out with garter stitch as the pattern suggests, but worked rows of stockinette with some garter stitch ridges every few rows.
I think I had about 450-500 stitches all on that 60" circular with room for more if I had wanted to make it bigger.
I'd love to try another one, but perhaps I had better wait until the fall and cooler temps. No use starting something that will be tossed aside as the weather warms. We are expecting 80's temps this week. Besides, I've started working on the Curve of Pursuit and want to finish it!





Finally those little teeny socks are done! Socks are so easy, but I do not like knitting with such fine yarn. I still have enough of this Lion Brand Magic Stripes for another pair - someday soon.

Wednesday's Wip Update

Ready for my line-up? Here are my 5 current WIPs.

WIP#1 - Crocheted Ripple blanket/lapghan from this pattern.
I'm using colors that were listed as the favorite colors of the Cheyenne River Reservation.





WIP #2
Another crocheted granny square blanket. I plan on 49 squares - 7x7
Using up more of that stash yarn - especially lots of white and some Moda Dea sock yarn.



WIP #3
Remember this poufy creature? It looked like a hat, but it is really a Ten Point Sunburst blanket.




Other side with lots of ends to weave in as I go along. And I am using a big #9 - 60" Addi Turbo circular needle. I like the drape of worsted wt with #9 needles, so I jumped on a half-price sale when Knitpicks was selling them.





WIP #4
This is part of a diagonal rectangle for a vest for my sis, Rita. I have one more rectangle to go!




WIP #5
I am slowly working on these - small and difficult for me with those teeny tiny needles -
but a good way to use up some of that stash sock yarn.






A little FO - These are from a Debbie Bliss pattern and I added the ribbed cuff. Even with #2 needles and sport yarn, these came out a child's size. I sure knit loosely.

Another Blanket FO

Well it took me long enough! I decided to join the blocks up as I crocheted the edges.
It's called the Flat Braid Square Joining Method. Easy and pretty.

I don't know about the yarn stash, but the WIPs are getting done!

Mystery FO's

A mystery to me why I did not blog about these!

I knit these back in February and found them as I was packing up a box to send to the Rez.
They are made on my knitting machine and the top and side seams sewn up later.

Should have posted them on Easter as they sorta look like Easter Eggs!





Here are the two folded up on one side and


the "other sides/hats"



Now for a slightly bigger size below.

This is what the it looks like opened.

Mystery Project

Could this be another hat?




Well it does look a bit mysterious at this point.
A big thank you to Debbie who came to my aid for my quest for a knitted star blanket.
She suggested the Ten Point Sunburst pattern in Barbara Walker's Sampler Knitting
I am so lucky to have found a copy in my local library! I love how it is growing along.






Must get back to my weeding chores..... I'd rather be relaxing with my crafts inside the house but it is very nice outside - perfect weather for yardwork. Summer comes too soon around here and that means hot, hot heat!

Blogging Blahs

I've got the Blogging Blahs.... but fortunately not the knitting blahs.
And I've finished my crocheted 8 point star blanket - yipee!




Here is a close up - the colors are closer to the actual ones in this picture.





It measures about 44" across.

My next crochet project will probably be a ripple rectangle blanket.

On to knitting where I have finished a garter stitch baby sweater.





This started out as a big rectangle. I used an old pattern from Meredith Glover for the inspiration. It was a little fussy knitting because I had to keep some of the stitches on separate needles or holders. Next time I might just knit 2 mitered squares and add sleeves later.

I have more FO's to report, just have to unload the camera and post.

Too many things to do around here lately - taxes, doctors, weeds, and aching joints!

Is Wednesday WIP Day?

Yeah! I finally finished the crocheted squares afghan. It's pretty colorful and warm looking!


Finished a poncho I started last month using up even more stash. Pattern here




KFYS Report (Confession)

Well I am happy that I can crochet more without my wrists hurting. I just have to remember to switch from crocheting to knitting and rotate the crafts.

And, I've been using up more stash by crocheting up the leftovers from the bigger blankets into little grannies. But when I went to Joann's today to buy some buttons, these 3 fellows jumped in my shopping cart and came home with me.....



Little 8 point star still needs a few more rows and thanks to a reader I think I have a source for a knitted chevron/ripple type blanket.

Answer to Monika about the Curve of Pursuit I started last year. No I have not forgotten it, I am just "aging" it :) - seriously I do have it out and in my conga line of Wips.

Blanket Binge

Another fork in my knitting road - I've been on a kick to finish up some blanket WIPs that have been laying around here.

I started this woven one back in Sept 2006 and never got around to crocheting the edgings.
It will be baby blanket size when I'm done assembling.








Then there is this warmish bigger afghan, mostly crocheted squares, one or two knit ones.
This one was also started back in Sept of 2006. I've got all those squares to put together and then it will be another FO for me!





I'm almost done with the 8 point star blankie. I think about 4 more rows should do it.



And I didn't know but these are popular on the web right now - they even have a Ripple KAL going.

Mik has a couple of great patterns that I wish I had seen before I tried working my brain to come up with my 8 point star. I think I'll be giving hers a try because I like the rounder points on her blankets.

Now if only I can find a KNITTED round ripple pattern. Anyone?

Knitting For The Wee Ones

I've gone into a baby sweater knitting zone! I just had to make another Mossy Jacket and this time I used some baby weight yarn from my stash. I really do not like knitting with lightweight yarn of this type, so I doubled it up and followed the instructions and added some cute kitty buttons.





And I could not resist starting another Free Pattern From f.Pea. This is so cute!
It's an Organic Guernsey - well mine is just plain old Red Heart, but it's still looking good!






8 Point Star Update

I've been adding more rows and here is what it looks like today!

Seeing Stars

I've just veered away from my next project and started out on this cute 8pt star blanket.
It's based on a number free patterns of star blankets on the web. This being one of them.
I tweaked the pattern a little bit to get 8 points. I Googled around and found other patterns under 6 point ripple afghans. It is not finished yet - I still have more rounds to go!





Cute Sweater Update

Well Ms.Pea, here's the outcome of that cute little baby sweater you have under Free Pattern Fridays.

I think I got the shaping right and I used a few odd balls from the stash to make stripes.
Now I need to buy some orange or lime green buttons. All the buttons in my button stash are just too boring for these lively colors. The pattern is so easy, that I've started another one :)




Blanket Eye Candy for those Blanket Junkies

Yeah, you know who you are :)

I finally finished this afghan that started out with my good intentions of making a few squares to mail to one of our listmom's (Gail ) who collects them and makes up afghans for the Rez.
Well I just got so entranced by all the color combos that I decided to make up the afghan myself and I'll be mailing it to the Rez soon.







I just love how those diagonals came out that I am thinking of making more diagonal only blankets.





Answers to Questions

Monika asked where I got those cute little WIP baskets.
I found them at different stores, Kmart and Target. The other day I was at Target and they had some in the Dollar Bins.

And how did I connect the blanket? I worked 2 rows of single crochet around each block and decided to join into 4 block groups using plain old mattress stitch. Then I worked another round of single crochet around each 4 block group. I joined up each 4 block group and finally worked a round of single crochet around the whole blanket.

Sandy asked me about the pattern I used for "Cute Little Raglan".


It's from Children's Sweaters & Hats Knitting Seamless Raglan Top Down: Step by Step Patterns & Photos (Richdesigns)

March KFYS Update

Knit From Your Stash Update

Well I'm doing great but I did have to go out and buy some yarn. I only had one skein of a cadet blue that I was using to edge an afghan I am working on, so I went out and bought 2 more skeins. And that's ok because I had allowed myself to purchase more yarn IF I needed it to complete a project.


This is the afghan that I've been working on using up most of my odd bits and leftovers.
It's basically garter stitch on #6 needles and a crochet edging.



I've joined up some of the squares - these are the diagonals.





Meanwhile on the back burner are these little projects lined up and waiting for their turn.



And I'm being tempted by this cute baby sweater on f.p's blog.

Plus my sister ordred this vest pattern from Patternworks and I am supposed to be knitting up a sample.

Comments on some Comments

Thank you to Needles of Steel for the picot hem advice - I think I'll try it all in one next time.

Pam I have a Bond knitting machine or USM/ISM.

And yes, Debbie, I have tried EZ's Mocassin sock pattern - I like it but it is not that quick and easy to knit up.