Category Archives: Finished Objects

FO Friday: Rye Socks

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Confession time: I love thick yarn on large needles. I am totally in love with the instant gratification of a quick project. They just fill me with knitterly glee! On Wednesday, I had one finished Rye Sock…..well now the set is done!

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Pattern: Rye by Tin Can Knits

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft in Yellow (I ended up using 211 yards or 113 grams of worsted weight yarn. Less than one skein of Simply Soft!)

Needles: US 4 and 5 dpns

Size: Large

Mods: I didn’t knit all the toe decreases as written in the pattern. I left out a few to create more room for my toes. It came out kind of square but very comfy!

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I may or may not have accidentally made one cuff longer than the other. It is only about 1/2 inch so I’m not going to worry about it! I also had marked improvement on my kitchener stitch! Look at the right sock (first attempt) and left sock (second attempt) pictured above, much improved!

And now that I have conquered this pattern I’m going to knit some different colors/versions in wool! This set was just a test using acrylic to see if I liked the fit.

Don’t forget to swing over to Knitting Sarah and follow #sockswithsarah on social media and Ravelry. There are some really cool things happening over there! At enrollment is open for this KAL, so join why don’t you??

Happy Knitting!

FO Friday: Blackberry Cocoon

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Huzzah, the longest and most neglected WIPs of my life is done!!!20140119-084357.jpg

 

Pattern: Strawberry Cocoon by Bernat Design Studio

Yarn: Bernat Satin Solids in Plum Mist Heather and unidentified green

This project ended up using about 376 yards of yarn or 148 grams.

Needles: US 6s or 7s?

Time: FOREVER! I started this sometime back in 2010

Mods: I didn’t knit the full 17 or 18 inches of straight body. Seriously, I just got tired of knitting and stopped at 11 inches before moving the decreases section. This thing is knit plat and then seamed, so LOTS of purls! I also didn’t make the duplicate stitches or french knot looking dots on the leaves. Again this was because I was SERIOUSLY over this project.

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You have to gather or bunch up the leaves when you seam then to the main body of the cocoon. I’m not the best at seaming, but it didn’t turn out terribly!

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The one feature that I do love about this now that I’m done is that this is SUPER soft thanks to the satin yarn. And look at all those wonderfully nubby P3tog bits! I love to run my fingers over them!

I do have a great feeling of accomplishment getting this out of the WIP pile. No clue what I will do with this either. But for now it’s washed, blocked, dry, and folded in my FO storage bin in my basement.

What is the longest something has lingered in your WIP pile without being frogged?

 

Yet Another Sophisticate

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I seem to be addicted to baby sweaters lately….baby fever anyone?!?

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Pattern: Baby Sophisticate – Free by Linden Down

Needles: US 8s

Yarn: Lion Brand Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton in Pistachio (190.6 yards, 157 grams, or 1.85 skeins)

Size: 12 months

Mods: I knit short sleeves by working the garter rib right after separating for the sleeves. I also knit the button band solid with no button holes. I just wanted something that would look great thrown over a long tee to keep baby snugly!

Into the baby shower stash this goes! I love this pattern, but I will admit by the end of this project I was ready for a different pattern….

Happy Knitting!

A Teeny Tiny Sophisticate

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Just a quick post today… 

A dear friend requested a light cardigan for her 14 month old. It has been quite cold this winter and she worries about keeping her baby bear warm!

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Knitting to the rescue!!!

Pattern: Baby Sophisticate – Free by Linden Down

Size: 12 months

Needles: US 8s

Yarn: Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton in Berry Jam (I used just over two skeins of yarn, or 211.2 yards, or 174 grams)

Time: I whipped this out in a couple of evenings 

Mods: I chose to knit short sleeves because this little tornado gets her hands into EVERYTHING and Mom is always rolling up her sleeves anyway.

Now I’m off to work and to spend some serious hours studying for my CMA exam!

Happy Knitting!

FO Friday: Spiral Leg Warmers

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Tah Dah!!!! This WIP is finally a FO!!!

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Pattern: Spiral Rib Leg Warmers by Purl Bee

Yarn: Knit Picks Comfy Worsted in Lady Slipper

I used approximately 462 yards, 212 grams, or just about 4 1/2 skeins. This was a long hibernating WIP, so we won’t discuss how long it took to finish 🙂

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Mods: the pattern is written for small size only….so I swatched and did the math. I ended up casting on 68 stitches. Based on my, ahem, athletically muscled legs these can definitely be quantified as “large” size.

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This was Stashbustin’ #24 back in 2013 for anyone keeping score.

TGIF and Happy Knitting!

WIP and FO Object Wednesday: Appi Slopes #2

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My friend squealed over the sight of my first Appi Slopes hat. And the pattern is quite addicting, so I cast on another. It just flew off the needles!

Project: Appi Slopes (#2) by Melissa Mall

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Needles: US 4

Yarn: Knit Picks Comfy Sport in Duchess Heather

I used 196.8 yards or 60 grams. That is just about 1.2 of the teeny skeins.

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I did one mod this time. With all the trouble I had with seeing the brim closed last time, I elected to knit the brim together before moving to the stockinette section. My Rav notes on this are here.

It worked okay….but the plastic brim made it hard to knit around the first few rows and my stitches at the join are wonky looking. BUT….it’s very stretchy and flexible. I’m calling this one a draw.

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(Sorry about the photos…it’s dark too fast this time of year. So I took these in my guest bath because it has the best light I can manage in the house)

This was #4 for 2014 Stashbustin’

Happy knitting!!

FO Friday: Appi Slopes

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My first FO for 2014 Stashbustin‘!!! This was SUCH a quick knit.

2014 Stashbustin’: Project #2

Pattern: Appi Slopes Hat by Melissa Mall

Yarn: Knit Picks Cottom Simply Sport in Prussian Heather

Needles: Size US 4s (I went up a size from the pattern to get guage)

I used 196.8 yards or 60 grams of yarn. I started on 16 in circs and finished on dpns. I find myself getting more comfortable with this! I knit this hat in a matter of a couple of evenings. Super easy and great TV knitting.

I did encounter one issue. At the end I seamed all the way around inside the hat to secure the brim…and I lost all the stretch. This hat wouldn’t fit a toddler let alone my gigantic noggin. So I ripped that out and just put small “tacks” about 1 inch apart around the inside to secure the brim. That way the ribbing would still stretch. Fits like a dream. I even tested this out last weekend whilst shoveling snow. Great fit, love the brim….but the cotton isn’t terribly warm. Upside….totally washable after it got all sweaty from scooping snow!

And lastly….the photos…

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(Side view)

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(Front view)

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(Back view)

Pride and Labels

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Awhile back I purchased several sets of labels for my knitting from, Remember Wynn on Etsy. Seriously, I love this shop and her labels rocked my world! I had a set made for my Etsy shop and a set for personal gifts. But for some reason I stopped adding them into my items I knit for myself.

Well, I’m proud of what I knit and why shouldn’t I advertise my goodies! So I took some time last night on the couch and sewed in labels to my Brick, Nutmeg, Mud Season #1, Mud Season #2, Abalone, and Shalom sweaters.

Take a look!

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FO Friday: Sophisticate

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Its finally done, buttons on, and tag sewn in! 2013 Stashbustin’ #38 is complete! This officially completes all my (non-hybernating) WIPs from 2013. I feel a great weight lifted off my shoulders!

Pattern: Sophisticate by Linden Down

Size: Medium (I should have made the large)

Needles: US 8

Yarn: Caron Simpy Soft in grey

I used 1,043 yards of yarn or 562 grams. That is about 3.31 skeins of the 6oz Caron Simply Soft.

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I worked on this project on and off for several months. I should have finished waaaaay faster. But I chose to savor the process and the soothing stockinette.

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I love it open or all buttoned up. (Sorry for no modeled pictures….the husband has been working overtime and therefore is unavailable to help me photograph my projects while the light is good.)

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The buttons are my favorite. I found some plastic buttons that look like wooden/brushed buttons in a coordinated grey tone.

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I highly recommend this pattern to all knitters! It’s a paid pattern but so worth the money! It’s creative, yet simple. And the instructions are very clear….trust me, that’s not always the case!

Happy Knitting!

FO Friday….(err I mean Saturday): Abalone

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I did a bit of monogamous knitting the last couple of days. And so I actually have a FO to show you!

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Well it’s done…but despite my best math and knitting know how it’s not quite right. Don’t get me wrong, the pattern is great! It’s written for small size only with directions/percentages given to help you “upsize” your garment. I should have been more meticulous…

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Here it is anyway….

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I completed this sweater in a little under a month. I used 3 skeins of Knit Picks Brava worsted in Wine knit up on size US 8 needles. I simple adore the color! (In math terms I used 657 yards or 300 grams of yarn)

I did my calculations and cast on 80 stitches and increased up to 149 total for the body section. I then knit 17 inches of stockinette up to the arm holes. Then I separated and knit another 7 1/2 inches of height for arms shoulders.

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Now looking at the FO, here is what should have happened:

  1. Cast on 90 stitches (ish) and worked up to 159 stitches (ish)
  2. Knit 19 or 20 inches of stockinette before getting to the sleeves
  3. Knit 8 or 8 1/2 inches for the shoulders/arm holes
  4. Paid attention to the written directions and added increase at the corners of the knit border so it would curl.

This was supposed to have been a gift for a very lovely, elegantly tall, and slender friend. This sweater doesn’t have a snowballs chance in you know where of fitting the intended recipient in any flattering manner. So into my closet it will go after some additional aggressive blocking. I would like it to hit past my butt at least.

Instead my friend for her birthday shall get some local Kansas wine from grape vines that I helped to plant. That’s sort of like knitting her a sweater right? Sigh….

P.S. this is one of my last FO from my 2013 Stashbusting efforts! It’s #45 and I hope to have a post with my final year end stats soon!