WIP Wednesday: Simple Stockinette Baby Blanket

Posted on March 6, 2013 by atangledyarn84

Stashbustin’ #9 has been a learning experience. I try to give all yarns a fair shake….I really do. But this Bernat Baby Blanket chenille like yarn is kicking my butt. It’s no longer in cue to be a baby shower present. BUT I will not let it defeat me! I have seen some really cute projects come from this yarn on Instagram lately so I know its possible.

Based on feedback and input from the Instagram designers that had success, I made some design changes:

– Change from all over seed stitch to seed stitch border (to reduce edge rolling) and stockinette body

– Went from size 11 US needle down to 10 1/2 US needle

– Tightened my gauge bit to reduce gaps

– Cast on 110 stitches instead of 100

I made all these changes keeping in mind that this acrylic yarn is not going to be blockable. What I knit is what is what it’s going to be. My Rav page is here.

I really hope these changes help. I have three more huge skeins of this yarn in my stash and I really want it to work. My only other option is to switch to a simple crochet design. A very good crafter friend from college makes beautiful crochet blankets from this yarn. She claims it’s easier to crochet and shape this yarn since it doesn’t “grap” on itself like it does when it’s on the needles. I’m just not great at crochet…

I will persevere!!!! Happy Knitting to you all!!

Author Review: Richard Castle

Posted on March 5, 2013 by atangledyarn84

I know, I know Richard Castle isn’t a flesh and blood author but I couldn’t resist the kitchy-ness of a book series based on fictional TV characters. It’s like story within a story wrapped in humor. The husband and I have become obsessed with Castle lately. We started with re-runs on cable and now we have watched the first three seasons on DVD. I can’t wait to see the rest of season four and start five. One a whim at Barnes & Noble I picked up the first three novels.

Heat Wave

Naked Heat

Heat Rises

And I bought Frozen Heat on Kindle

All books are written and formatted as if Richard Castle wrote them in real life. There are few wink wink/nudge nudge passages in the book that allude to the real life actors and people. ABC or whoever wrote this book really went the whole nine yards on these. In researching for this post I found whole websites also dedicated to Richard Castle. And in keeping with the books they are presented as if Richard Castle is a real life persona. It was kinda trippy but I like it because I like a a little “suspension of disbelief”. Maybe it’s the theater diva in me?

I am a big fan of the murder mystery genre and I loved all four books. And these books allowed for me to combine three favorite things: Knitting, TV, and Books. They are fairly well written and if you are a fan of the show you can pick out little hints to events in the TV show. I love to knit and watch Castle re-runs. I mean who doesn’t like looking at Nathan Fillion, Jon Seamus, or Jon Huertas!? The show has enough crime and mystery to keep it interesting but has humor enough to make it too dark or gritty.

If there are any Castle lovers out there in blogger land, the books are definitely worth the read!! And even if you aren’t a Castle fan and just like murder mysteries the books are still perfect. Very well thought out and written series even if you don’t know the TV back story.

I’m hoping the come out with more!!!

(All photos are from RichardCastle.net and full credit goes to them)

FO: Rachelle’s Cowl

Posted on March 4, 2013 by atangledyarn84

Another new pattern! I was so inspired by Mere’s Cowl that I wanted one of my own. This design is of similar construction as Mere’s but with a little different twist.

I started with a simple knit stockinette section and then incorporated the same eyelet section as Mere’s. This was a SUPER fast knit, especially with the stockinette sections. The stockinette section does make the edges roll, but I kinda don’t mind that style? I like that it kinds of rolls up on itself it makes it super comfy and warm and cozy. The knit band and lace section is repeated four times to create 48 inch long by 8 inch wide finished object.

I wore this to work last week and I got LOTS of attention and compliments. The only downside is that due to the rolling property it does need a light blocking after a few wears, just to keep the shape. I really love it though. I have launched it as a free pattern on Rav, find the link here!

And for you non-Ravelers, the pattern is also listed below:

Rachelle’s Cowl

Materials

– Lion Brand Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton – 2 skeins Mustard (approx 3.00 oz or 103 yds each)

– US size 8 circular needle (16”)

– Stitch marker

– Tapestry needle

Cowl

CO 150 sts using loop cast on method, careful not to twist. Place marker

1: Join in the round, place marker and knit one round.

2-4: Knit

5: *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to end

6: Knit

7: *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to end

8: Knit

9: *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to end

10: Knit

11: *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to end

12-14: Knit

15: *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to end

16: Knit

19: *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to end

20: Knit

21: *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to end

22: Knit

23: *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to end

24-26: Knit

27: *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to end

28: Knit

29: *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to end

30: Knit

31: *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to end

32: Knit

33: *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to end

34-36: Knit

37: *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to end

38: Knit

39: *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to end

40: Knit

41: *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to end

42: Knit

43: *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to end

44: Knit

45-47: Knit

Cast off LOOSELY in purl.

Weave in ends.

Resulting cowl is 48” long approximately 8” wide.

Knit and enjoy!

* Pattern numbering amended 3/9/13

Finally Friday

Posted on March 1, 2013 by atangledyarn84

I have been swamped this week. I have accomplished some FOs, but they’ve not been photographed. Work is crazy lately and today is the 1st business day of the month and I’ll likely put in 9-10 hours easy.

So instead of a knitting post or whining about my packed schedule please enjoy some photos of my ridiculously cute dogs! I promise to work hard this weekend and have FO posts next week.

TGIF!

Movie Theater Knitting

Posted on February 28, 2013 by atangledyarn84

I hate sitting still doing nothing. And I married a man who loves movies. See my dilemma? Insert movie theatre knitting projects. I generally favor ruffle scarves and stockinette projects.

In the last month the husband has taken me to see Flight with Denzel Washington and the Oscar nominated Life of Pi. I cast on a simple stockinette tube to make a case for my workout mat.

Round and round she went in circles. Made with Sugar N Cream cotton in bright pink. I knit until I had a tube 2 inches longer than my mat and then started simple K2tog decreases to taper the end. I also threw in a few yarn overs in the 5th row to make eyelets to feed through a cord for a closure. Finished off with a garter strap for carrying.

<img src="https://atangledyarnknitter.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130223-130431.jpg" alt="20130223-130431.jpg" class="alignno

I could feel the stitches on my needles and therefore no need to have light to work. The tube was almost completely made in the theatre. The finishing bits I did complete at home with the aid of light. It stretched a bit in the strap but I don’t mind. It still keeps my mat from getting gunky. I also love that it’s washable cuz it takes quite a beating as I drag it back and forth to the gym.

What do you knit in the movies, or do you?

In Search Of Freshness

Posted on February 27, 2013 by atangledyarn84

This time of year I am left craving fresh food. Especially with all the winter and snow we have received the last two weeks. The vegetables and most fruits in the grocery store are sad looking. I’m tiring of soup and rice and canned goods. So to break my funk I’m kicking up my canned goods with anything fresh I can lay my hands on!

For lunch I pulled out some Campbell’s soup from my pantry:

Chicken Quinoa with Poblano Peppers!

I found a nice ripe avocado tucked away in my fridge so I diced it and threw into my soup:

The rich creaminess of the avocado really offset the heat of the poblano. The freshness also hit the right spot for my craving. I paired the soup with crisp sweet apple to give my meal something “crunchy”.

This meal was very very filling. It was spicy, warm, creamy, crunchy, and everything I was looking for. I got fruit, veggies, healthy grains, and healthy fats. And by rough estimates, around 500 to 550 calories. A little more than I like to eat at lunch, but trying to move around outside in almost two feet of snow should burn some calories!

FO: Meredith’s Cowl

Posted on February 26, 2013 by atangledyarn84

After many trials and tribulations, I have a FO! And I’m very proud.

Mere’s present is finished. The two skeins of Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton in Berry Jam really fulfilled my wine inspiration. This unique cowl is worked in alternating bands of seed stitch and then YO lace work. It is worked in the round on 16″ circulars US size 8. It was a tight fit on the needles but I made it work. Thanks to my husband for tromping through two feet of snow to take pictures of this for me!!!

As promised, I am launching this as a free pattern on Ravelry. You can find the pattern here!

And for those readers who don’t use Ravelry, I have posted the pattern below:

Meredith’s Cowl

Materials

– Lion Brand Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton – 2 skeins Berry Jam (approx 3.00 oz or 103 yds)

– US size 8 circular needle (16” or longer)

– Stitch marker

– Tapestry needle

Cowl

CO 150 sts using loop cast on method, careful not to twist. Place marker

1: Join in the round, and Knit to marker. (set up row)

Seed Stitch Section

2: *K1, P1, repeat from * to end

3: *P1, K1, repeat form * to end

4: Work row 2

Lace Section

5: *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to end

6: Knit

7: *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to end

8: Knit

9: *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to end

10: Knit

11: *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to end

Repeat rows 2 through 11 twice more.

Cast off LOOSELY in purl.

Weave in ends.

Resulting cowl is 48” long approximately 6” wide.

Knit and enjoy!

Mere’s Cowl: A Do-Over

Posted on February 25, 2013 by atangledyarn84

Ok…..designing something fromscratch is both fun and aggravating. Mere’s cowl is kicking my knitting butt. I literally have started it three different times….and frogged each version.

Guess the fourth time is the charm? (Aided by a large glass of wine last night….) I’m rocking and rolling now, hopefully have a FO soon!!

The snow hasn’t started, The Blizzard of Oz, part II is headed our way. I hope I can make it to and from work today. Pray or cross your fingers for me. Ill try to update on the snow later today, providing I survive and we have power…..

Happy Knitting!

Sunday Morning Adventures

Posted on February 24, 2013 by atangledyarn84

After getting much needed feedback yesterday on my “Where To Stop” dilemma, I made a yarn store run this morning. The husband was sleeping in after a late night of video gaming. I may be a yarn nerd but I married an extremely committed technology gaming nerd. My Chevron Blanket uses Loops N Threads Charisma yarn from Michaels. The store doesn’t open until 10 am on Sunday and I arrived 15 minutes early due to favorable traffic. I was amazed that I was not the first one there! I kid you not there were 8 to 10 cars parked and waiting for the store to open. Never under estimate the commitment of crafty people. I snagged my needed two skeins of yarn I needed to extend my blanket. I wanted three but the store was out of the royal blue (sad face). I did score some clearance Lion Brand Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton (happy face). I got out of the store before I put an even bigger dent in my pocket book.

Next stop was Sam’s Club. We needed supplies to stock up on before “Blizzard of Oz, part II”. We got 10-12 inches of snow last Wednesday/Thursday in what they dubbed: The Blizzard of Oz. We are set for round two starting tonight and snowing through Tuesday morning. So far they are predicting another 10-14 inches. I picked up bottled water, food staples, and dog food in case we get snowed in for a couple of days. I have plenty of yarn to work through a hundred blizzards, but we’re not going to talk about that. Sam’s was packed and I ran into at least five people I knew. At least people are taking the storm seriously!

Last stop was Starbucks. A girlfriend gave me a gift card for baby sitting her baby girl so she and her husband could have some date night time last month. I don’t usually get Starbucks but I had the gift card and wanted to try their blonde roast. Again never under estimate the commitment of caffeine addicts. I had to park and go in because the drive through line was running 9 cars deep. Even with parking and walking I had my Venti Skinny Mocha’ Cafe in less than five minutes and back on my way. It was delicious by the way.

Having a little “me” time this morning was wonderful. I got to indulge my yarn addiction, my caffeine addiction, and get some chores done. Sometimes I just need to get out and about by myself to clear my head. I love spend time with my family and friends but I also like being independent. Now my husband has woken up and I am trying to convince him to take me for Thai food “because the storm is coming”, lol. Good excuse as any right?

Project Dilemma: When To Stop

Posted on February 23, 2013 by atangledyarn84

I have been chronicling my Chevron Blanket here, here, and here. This started as a baby blanket but I have to admit its morphed into more of a lap blanket, lol.

I am on my last skein of yarn and I’m torn. Right now the length covers from my toes to barely mid chest. If I were to add another color/pattern repeat of three more skeins it would comfortably reach my shoulders. The length and weight of the blanket make it difficult to work. This makes half of me want to just be done with project and move on to other WIPs. But I really want to make this blanket useable and therefore the other half of me wants to buy three more skeins of yarn and keep going.

So I putting this out there to ask for opinions from readers. Thoughts anyone?

My Tangled Yarn Knitting Adventures

Ramblings from an obsessed knitter

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