Author Archives: atangledyarn84

FO Friday: Mere’s Lacy Cowl

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The cowl is done! My second attempt is much improved and I’m much happier!

Pattern: Mere’s Lacy Cowl (my own improvisation)

Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun in a purple ombré

Needles: 10 1/2 US

Size: 14 inches by 12 inches 

I’ve put both of these in the mail and they are winging their way to the knit worthy recipient. The cowl is perfect and stretchy and squishy. Not to mention very close to her original. I didn’t expect the color shirt as the yarn in skein was deceiving. But I thinks it’s pretty!

One thing I’ve learned….. I don’t like Homespun as much as I used to. The loose wavy plies have a tendency to split and snag on the needles. I’m seriously considering de stashing the remainder from my stash. Now, don’t get wrong, I think it’s perfectly respectable workhorse yarn. It’s not great for my hands and knitting style. 

Happy Knitting!!

Wednesday Pick Me Up

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 I’m woefully behind in my blog reading but there are a few I make sure to catch. One of those being Knitting In France and she recently held an awesome contest with goodies from the BurningImpressions2 etsy shop. 

And this lucky girl won! Just the perfect pickup up this week after taking care of Jellybean who is suffering through round two of some sort of bug.   

I won the Soxyzz measuring tool. It’s beautiful, sleek, and ultimately practical. Perfect for my sock knitting addiction!
 

I highly recommend taking a look at both these wonderful sites!

Happy Knitting!!

A Do-Over

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I finished a cowl for my friend Mere last week. And I was less than pleased with my efforts to duplicate a years old project. I took it as a matter of pride. So what’s a knitter to do? I pulled some purple (her second color choice) and cast on again. This time I’m adding more stockinette in between the eyelets to better replicate the original.

I feel a bit more revived with this project but it’s still a little bit “the song remains the same”

 I’ll just have to keep knitting! 

 

A Much Better Fit

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Sock number two is complete for my Active Vanilla Socks!

The fit is MUCH better. I used 50 stitches and changed the leg to 1×1 ribbing. Otherwise it’s the same toe up vanilla sock with gusset heel I intended to make in the first place.

This sock fabric is pretty thick and don’t fit in my dress boots. But they fit extremely well in my house shoes and snow boots. These will be excellent snuggly warm deep winter socks. And I should be able to find them in the dark they are so bright! Now I just need to start sock number three or re-do sock number one depending on how you look at it.

Happy Knitting!

FO Friday: Mere’s Eyelet Cowl

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 I surrender, this project defeated me! It’s done and while it’s pretty….it’s not the fabric I was wanting to create.

  

Pattern: My own, Rav notes here

Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun in Black

Needles: US  10 1/2

Finished size: 19.5 inches long and 10 inches tall.
 

I had previously blogged about slogging through this. I should have realized that it was a slog because the fabric created did not match the original. I finally gave in and bound off just to be done. I used 70% of the skein or 129.5 yards. I am going to start another cowl in a deep purple in a stitch pattern that better matches the original. I will still probably gift this cowl to Mere as well. There is nothing wrong with it as it’s very soft and pretty. I’m just disappointed in myself for “forcing” the knit.

Oh well, I guess I have to knit more!

Sock Update

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 I’ve been working on my socks on my commutes and lunches here lately.  First up are my Active Vanilla Socks…  

This is sock number two that I started with less stitches. I haven’t tried it on but it looks much better. I’ve turned the heel and I’m working through 1×1 rib for the leg. I also mustered the strength to pull out sock number one and the yarn is waiting patiently to be reknit.

Next up is my Mandrake Vanilla Sock in String Theory Colorworks MCN base.
 

I’ve completed the foot and installed the lifeline for the afterthought heel. This sock is just so soft that I find this project being my “comfort” knitting. This might end up being a tall sock because I still have a generous ball of yarn left. We shall see…

Happy Knitting!

WIP Wednesday: Dad’s Lap Blanket

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Just a quick fly by post. After a stressful day yesterday culminating in getting my rear end kicked in volleyball….I needed to cast something on!

  
I pulled out more Bernat Blanket from my stash and cast on Dad’s Lap Blanket. I’m aiming for a wider blanket than the one for Mom. I chained 80 stitches and I am having Mom measure hers to make sure this one is bigger. Because this crafter didn’t take copious notes 😊!

Happy crafting!

Slogging

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I’ve been working on the last of my knitting requests. And boy I’m just not inspired….

  
I’m three inches done of 15 total. But this project is black (not my fav color), not my favorite yarn, and it’s keeping me from my Aeon vest. I dearly love my friend so I’m going to keep plugging along. This is why I don’t knit for craft fairs anymore or for other people much. I do best when I work on something that captures my mood rather than a to-do list. 

Does this mean I’m growing as a fiber artist or just that I have project ADD? 😜

Happy Knitting!

A Sock For A Giant

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Warning: Huuuuuuuge guage fail ahead!

  
Doesn’t my finished Active Vanilla sock look pretty?  

It’s pretty…..huge that is! Look at all that extra fabric. I should have listened to my instincts. This was 60 stitches in DK weight on US 3s. That’s apparently about 10 stitches too many. This would have fit my husband width wise!

  
I started sock #2 from the second ball with 50 stitches and I’m zooming right along. I’m almost to the heel. The first sock is sitting waiting to be ripped out and reknit. I guess this pair is going to require three knit socks to render a usuable pair!

Harrumph! I mean Happy Knitting!