Monthly Archives: January 2025

To The Heels

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I think I might have made an oopsie on my second set of advent socks….

I am NOT ripping these back. As I have a high instep I normally work extra plain rows in my heel. I think I will just take out 4-5 of those plain rows to reduce the length of fabric that gets to the back of my heel. This could totally fail, but let’s see!

I installed a life line exactly where I put the heels in the first socks. And I didn’t account for the for the extra fabric that those flecks make up. My advent yarn went that many stitches farther so my foot is half to three quarters of inch longer than I would normally do.

I just finished stripe 15 so I am on the downhill half of these socks. Lord help me!

Jenn’s Brim

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Jenn’s beanie has quickly reached the brim stage. This teal is such a bright pop to the dark winter moody vibes.

Cozy winter weekends and dark nights have fired the mojo for this hat. I am still coming out from cold germs so my brain finds this stockinette very soothing. This brim is the result of about three cups of tea and four naps. I really want to work on some more complicated things but I need the fog to lift first.

Happy Knitting!!

Synthe Swatching

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As I promised myself after finishing my huge crochet blanket, I want to start a sweater with some of the sweater lots I own!

The post Christmas germs finally got me so this swatching process is brought to you by cold medicine, duke snuggles and hiding in my guest room. I wound a skein of my Brooklyn Tweed Shelter and got started.

The Synthe sweater is worked in the round with a purl row breaking up the stockinette. So I decided to swatch the proper way….in the round. I knit my swatch and then moved the work around my circular needle to leave a span of yarn across the back. This means that I should get a truer picture of my pattern gauge in the round.

Once I had my swatch done, I gave it a good wash/rinse in the sink and then bravely cut the strings in the back to get a flat swatch. That was nerve wracking!! The tails are long enough and the yarn is “sticky” enough that they didn’t go anywhere.

The swatch is now pinned out and drying. Once it dries, which should be quick, I can then measure my gauge and determine how close I am to the pattern. I know what size I want to knit based on my bust measurement. I’m hoping I don’t have to adjust too far!

Happy Swatching!!

New Fits

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I have a hoodie addiction and I can’t help it. I just love the feeling of being cozy so much! At Christmastime I got some cash in lieu of gifts and I put that to work on Etsy….

Jellybean helped me model these. But first up was a crewneck with the cutest font saying “Coffee & Knitting” in a nice neutral cream color. This was a XXL and is the perfect slightly oversized fit.

Next up was a full on XXL hoodie about knitting super powers. I have been working on changing my health for the last 6 months and I am a smaller human than I used to be. I could have probably taken this down to an XL. But I am still learning to trust my body and the mirror. It’s a struggle for real!

Do I have enough hoodies to wear a new one for every day of the week? Yes. I would be happy if I could live in hoodies all year round. I’m all about the hygge. Stay cozy friends!!

Cast On: A Hat For Jenn

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I have my second worsted skein from Thelittlewolfknits in my stash. That dyer is a Pigskin Party KAL sponsor so this yarn gets me extra points in the game. I also had this thought that my friend Jenn would love this yarn. She is ALL things teal.

Over a cup of yummy coffee, I started a basic beanie. My typical 88 stitches on a US 8 needle. I do NOT feel like ribbing this hat so stockinette it is. Jenn also has a March birthday so I could make this an early birthday present. She doesn’t know about this plan and I kind of like the idea of a random surprise gift in the mail!

Happy Knitting!!

Fleck Update

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I am flecking right along on my second 2024 Advent Socks!

I am doing my best to work these in tandem to keep the mojo going on this project. Keeping the tension even and workable between flecks takes some concentration. Not all of my flecks are coming out the same size as I work. I think that is just due to my newbie status at colorwork. It should block our right?

Happy Knitting!!

Cast On: 2025 Chiefs Beanie

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I have a few days left of the 2024 Pigskin Party KAL and I decided to cast on another football themed hat. This is some malabrigo singles I got last fall.

I am going to make my normal beanie recipe. I am starting with 88 stitches and the yellow. The base is Malabrigo Worsted in 022 Sauterne and then the red is 102 Sealing Wax. I also still have some Chiefs logo patches that I can sew on as well.

This base is a singles and I’m not wild at the moment of how I am struggling with snagging. I think my needles are too blunt. I need to switch to my Chia Goo needles? I do love the hand of the finished fabric as it is very very soft. Therefore I will persevere!

Happy Knitting!!

Books to Kick Off 2025

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This past holiday, I was blessed to receive some books from my friends. I have fallen off the reading trend in December and moved to some audio books for my commute while my podcasts were on holiday hiatus.

But these books look great and I think I am going to jump start my reading on my upcoming Moms trip to Oklahoma. Four days, one AirBnB, no kids and all the down time. Right now my plan is to take All Good People Here and We Solve Murders with me. And of course my knitting….possibly my spinning. I haven’t decided.

Happy Reading!!

Cast On: Scandia Hat

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After finishing my Flats Hat, I needed another easy project on the needles. So I cast on a hat called the Scandia Hat.

This was the DK yarn that Santa put in my stocking from KnitCircus. It is their Divine DK in the color Pet Rock Speckle. Since this is a plump DK, I moved down to a US 7 but did cast on up to 100 stitches.

These hats are so forgiving that they will always fit someone. I am ribbing this hat brim with a 2×2 rib. It will still be my basic beanie recipe with a folded brim. Those just feel automatic to my hands while I am watching or talking with people.

Happy Hat Knitting!!

Finished: Pigskin Party Blitz Blanket

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The Pigskin Party Blitz Blanket is DONE DONE DONE!

As predicted, this thing ended up MASSIVE. After blocking and drying, this thing covers my whole entire sofa. Those holes really opened up.

Pattern: Sundance Throw by Jessica Reeves Potasz (Rav Link)

Hook: K hook (6.5MM)

Yarn: Chromatic Yarns – Sturdy DK base in so many colors (Rav Link for specifics)

Mods: Omitted the fringe in the pattern.

This project contains a ton of mistakes, flubs and fixes. But it is cozy and so warm to snuggle under. I think I plan to put this on my side of the bed on top of my quilt for some extra winter warmth. I used 11 skeins totaling 2,706 yards of yarn. I scored over 650 points in the Pigksin Party KAL for this blanket.

I think I will be done with blankets for a minute and switch to some sweater knitting for a change of pace. At least until next year’s KAL….

Happy Crocheting!!