Finally FO Friday: Fingerless Mitts (take two)

This Friday really is a FO Friday! I completed Stashbustin’ #40 or my second pair of finger less mitts.

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I used the wonderfully simple pattern Simple Fingerless Mitts by Tink’s Knits. A perfect pattern match to my current dpn skill level. I used about half a skein of Berroco Vintage DK (135.4 yards or 47 grams for those of you who like hard numbers)

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While I dearly love the color and ease of construction. I don’t like the stockinette section at the wrist. It bunches an doesn’t flex and stay fit to my wrists like my first pair. But that is by no means a dig at the author or pattern, more just a personal preference. And the mod to tailor this to me is SUPER easy to work in to the pattern. Going forward all my gloves will be ribbed right up to the bottom of the thumb gusset.

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This pair is definitely one for my gift pile. I think I have a recipient in mind for them already….

As for my next pair, I think I am going to gather up my Berroco scraps from both these two pair gloves (I still have 20 yards of orange left) and my Brick sweater and attempt a mixed color combination. If my idea works I’ll have another pair for the gift pile!

I have to switch gears, like right now….I have a craft fair to set up tonight! My momma is going to do it with me and we have lots of goodies to sell tomorrow!!!

Happy Friday and Happy Knitting to All!!!

Oops!!

My Socktober Socks are looking good!

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Only one problem…I have size 10 wide feet. I have big lady feet, since I was like 12. I’ve simply learned to deal. I managed to adapt the pattern to fit said size 10 feet. However, I failed to calculate correct yardage on the project….oops! I only have enough yarn for a single tall sock or a regular sock with a partial toe section of hte second.

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Lessons learned….patience tested….I’m finishing this as a single tall sock and moving on. It is a great learning experience and I shall keep this as a sample sock. And by the grace of god my next attempt shall yield an actual pair!!

Happy Knitting!

WIP Wednesday: Sleeves

My Nutmeg sweater or Stashbustin’ #37 is getting sleeves!!

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I was swimming along the body section and noticed my yarn quickly disappearing. I decided to pause on the body and work the sleeves (oh the joy of interchangeable needles!) lest I run out of yarn.

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I’m one sleeve down and quickly dispensing with the second. They are quite lovely and are giving me the tight fit I was missing on my Brick sweater. I am finding once again that I have to cut out a few pattern repeats on the sleeves to fit my shortish arms. I also opted for garter ribbed sleeve cuffs.

Now, when I’m done I will then work the remaining body either to my desired length or until I run out of yarn, lol. And I’m definitely going to use the garter ribs for the hem. I think it looks very sharp!

Happy Knitting!

Inspiration

After this past weekend’s funk…I needed some inspiration or maybe just a good pick me up.

Fall has been relatively good to us in Kansas this year (knock on wood). And this has let me get lots of walks in with my four legged children, including last night (2.5 miles…woot!). We walk all over the neighborhood, but I find myself drawn to one street in particular. Here’s why…

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This tree is so vibrant and beautiful that photos literally do not do it justice!

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I so badly want to knit a sweater in this color or maybe just roll around on yarn this shade, either way lol!!

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I’m in love….

What inspires you during fall?

Clutter and Junk

This past weekend I celebrated both the birthday of special princess and that of my very own husband. The hubby turned 30….shhhhhh. There was a great deal of planning leading up to this as he requested a LAN party with his friends. For those of you not in the nerdy know….that’s where a bunch of people show up at your house with their xbox and television, hook up on the household network, and play video games and drink till dawn.

Of course I purchased the obligatory cake, made homemade taco soup, and cream cheese and jalapeno spread for our guests. Not to mention scrubbing the house top to bottom. Boy, does my house collect clutter (and dog hair). I have a deep and profound hatred of clutter. It literally makes me grumpy at the sight of it. So let’s just say that preparing for the party did nothing for my mood on Saturday. I also didn’t get any of my normal workouts in due to Halloween on Thursday and party preparation on Saturday.

(Side Note: I would also like to mention that one of the party goers, after about 4 drinks, thought he knew how to “unlock” our alarm system. He succeed in sending not one but THREE silent alarms to the police. Who subsequently showed up at my door along with my neighbor across the street how works for the department as well….whoops! I was not NOT a happy camper. But now I can honestly say I’ve had a party where the cops show up. But all kidding aside, the officer was kind and polite and had a pretty decent response time…..)

Then there was the junk. Between the birthday lunch for a 1 year old where pizza and cupcakes were served and then the big kid party at my house where the above mentioned was served, I consumed copious amounts of refined sugar, carbohydrates, and alcohol. And it was all DARN TASTY! But it left me feeling lethargic and in a funk on Sunday. In my general life I do not abstain from those things, but I do consume them in moderation. And like it or not, they have an impact on my general well being.

Literally on Sunday I was agitated and listless all day. I HATE feeling that way. And here’s the kicker……I DIDN’T EVEN WANT TO KNIT! I’ll pause for your gasps of shock and horror………………………………………..

So I picked myself up by the shoelaces and set out on a long walk with the dogs. I took a lot of deep breaths, took in the beautiful fall landscape, and just spent a quiet 45 minutes with the dogs. And after our walk, I fixed a light romaine salad with diced chicken and lots of veggies and a side of Greek yogurt with a splash flax seed on top. Not to mention about five glasses of water. Not to mention a lovely cup of caffeine free herbal tea at bedtime to soothe my fragile nerves.

I guess this has been a long way around of saying…I don’t really have anything knitting related to show today and I have my grumpy/tired pants on. I will however attempt to put my big girl pants on and improve my mood. Though I have plans to pick up the needles on my Nutmeg Sweater and my Toe-Up sock this week.

I wish all you out there a week of happiness and healthfulness!

Warning: Non-Knitting Project!!!

I have discovered the joys of chalkboard paint. And I have the urge to paint it on everything!!!

I am working on turning this…

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Into this….

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I’m experimenting to see if these could become viable crafts for a nifty addition to my table at upcoming craft fairs!

So far so good….the chalk works and the paint doesn’t wash off.

Has anyone else every tried this?

Not FO Friday: Fingerless Gloves

Looks like a FO doesn’t it?

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Sadly, I only have one glove complete. I really really liked my first pair of finger-less gloves. I just had to cast on a second pair. I had exactly half a skein of my orange Berroco Vintage yarn left so I took that as a sign to make another pair.

While starting the second pair, I realized I didn’t follow the directions correctly the first time. I inadvertently worked the first 32 rows in the 2×2 rib instead of 10 rows in rib then 22 rows of stockinette. So for this pair I followed the directions as written.

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Based on how this glove turned out, I think I prefer my accidental pattern interpretation of the first pair. Those gloves were much more fitted right up to the wrist and flexed with my hand. This glove bunches slightly at my wrist when I wear it.

But I shall persevere and work the second glove to match. But I think this pair will definitely land in the gift pile.

Only 54 days to Christmas!!!!