Category Archives: Finished Objects

FO Friday: My First Sweater

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I finished my Stockinette Shrug. I used Berroco Vintage DK and the Lion Brand Glitter Shrug pattern.

This sweater took me over a month, but I was running three to four shows a week at the local community theater. So my knitting time was limited to say the least, ha! I loved loved loved the yarn! It is wonderfully soft for a wool blend and I didn’t have any problems with it splitting. While I was hoping to make this project with larger yarn and bigger needles to make it faster, I was glad I chose this yarn. I will definitely use it again!!

I did have one major hiccup, see that blog here. I survived that disaster and my skills (and sweater) are better for it! I even managed to make pretty seams for the first time ever 🙂 !

My only regret is that when I washed and blocked it….I blocked it a bigger than I intended. I made the sweater a bit wider across the shoulders than I intended. I wore it to work this week and ended up having to safety pin it to my tank to keep it from slipping off my shoulders. No worries my friends, I can remedy this the next time I wash it.

Finishing this project has really stirred the sweater itch in this knitters’ soul. But alas, I promised myself I would learn socks first. And on top of that, I have TWO craft fairs to prepare for this fall. A knitters work is never done!

For now just enjoy some FO photos! Happy Friday!!

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Rainy Saturday Indulgences

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It’s rainy day here in Kansas, a much needed rain I might add!

To me this means couch time with my knitting and puppies, listening to thunder, and delicious rainy day food. I picked up a new crock pot recipe on Pinterest the other day, Beef and Broccoli.

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I made a few changes to recipe:

– I doubled all the liquids and the broccoli but not the beef.
– I used stew beef because that is what I have in the freezer.
– I thickened my liquid but not to the point of sauce or glaze.
– I used low sodium soy sauce to cut down on the salt.

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So in my version it’s more of beef and broccoli soup but it’s still delish! Soup just felt right today. Husband thought it was a little sweet but he still loved it!

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We poured the beef and broccoli over steamed brown rice and paired it with a mixed green salad and cottage cheese for a heavenly warm, filling, and nutritious lunch. This is another Pinterest find that’s going to stay in our permanent kitchen files!

In knitting news, I finally cast off my Stockinette Shrug! I gave it a nice bath in Soak and blocked it out to dry on our guest bed. Should be able to seam it up tomorrow after its dry tomorrow! For now I’m going to cast on some matching boot cuffs for my sweater.

Happy Knitting and Eating!!

FO Friday: Boot Toppers/cuffs

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Because its FO Friday I want to talk about my boot toppers I started awhile back.

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Those simple cuffs seem to be all the rage this year! I am starting to see them pop up in other blog posts and Ravelry queues. See my project link on Ravelry.

I knit these in bulky weight extremely soft and silly yarn. Because of this they worked up very quickly! However I failed to take into account my own body.

I am a lifelong and avid volleyball player. In volleyball you spend (or should spend) most of your time on the court up on your toes and the ball if your foot in what is mostly a perpetual calf raise. Long years of this have given me very muscular and round calves, thus making it hard to fit into tall boots. Last year I happened on an pair with elastic vents on the sides that fit me! Though even with the elastic they are a snug fit…

Therein lies the rub….my toppers are bulky. They fit into my boots with some coaxing but are not comfortable to wear for long. I love how the simple rib turned out and the color is amazing for fall.

I am not defeated however! I am in the final stages of finishing my Stockinette Shrug made with Berroco Vintage DK and I have yarn leftover! I want to adjust my topper/cuff pattern for DK weight and try making them again. I think a thinner knit “fabric” will suit my body needs better and they would match my sweater!! Who know I may throw in a hat to match, ha!

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I choose to look at this project not as a failure but as a learning moment. I am not going to frog my bulky originals. Who knows I may find a friend with skinny legs who wants super cool cuffs for their boots! I still need to finish the matching scarf but its at the bottom if my priority list.

I hope to finish, wash/block, and seam my sweater this weekend, stay tuned!!!

Happy Knitting and TGIF!

Free Dishcloth Pattern

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Hello, my name is Rachelle and I am a knitter who needs instant gratification.

I absolutely love the feeling of finishing a project. I a list maker who enjoys crossing off completed tasks. Therefore I have always gravitated to short one or two skein projects. And I almost always have several items in the works. I am NOT a monogamous knitter, lol.

Currently in my needles I have:
1. Stockinette shrug
2. Bulky boot toppers and skinny scarf set
3. Berry Basket Dishcloth
4. One Row baby blanket
5. Hanging kitchen towel
6. Sashay ruffle scarf
I prefer to work on a project that speaks to me at that moment. Depending on my mood that may be any of the above! I know, I know I will never break any knitting speed records this way, but it makes me happy. And isn’t that what knitting all about?

So I would like to share a dishcloth pattern I wrote this year! It’s a simple garter stitch that’s worked corner to corner with an eyelet/lace border. You can find the free Ravelry download here! I love love love working this pattern with Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton. It yields a deliciously soft cloth that’s very durable. I think it’s perfect for new baby washcloths or a face wash cloth because it is so soft and smooth.

I can whip out two or three of these babies in an evening of TV watching! They make great gift for the upcoming holidays. Enjoy this pattern and I’d love to see your finished works on Ravelry if you get a chance! Here are a couple shots of my finished works 🙂

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Happy Knitting!!

FO Friday

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Ok….truth time…. I haven’t picked up needles in four days. My time has been consumed by TCT’s Legally Blonde, the musical. It’s been a glorious blur of amazing acting and scenery whizzing by! And I wouldn’t trade it for anything (except for maybe a nap) but I feel like my knitting is glaring at me due to neglect. Therefore for this FO Friday I share something special I finished this summer!

I needed a baby blanket this summer for a special bundle if joy! I found the One Row Blanket by Da La Harlot and fell in love. I chose to knit it with Knit Picks Biggo yarn in dark purple. It’s a blend of merino and acrylic and oh so soft and lovely to work with!

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It’s an easily memorized one row pattern that is great TV knitting and creates a beautiful finished product! Perfect for knitters of all levels and it’s free!!!

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I have made this project twice now, the second time with extra fine merino wool I up cycled from a goodwill sweater. I was really happy with the finished projects!

Happy Friday to all!

FO – Frilly Knit Scarf

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Just a little FO this Friday. I had a three hour car ride to kick off my labor day weekend. Only took me 2 hours to complete (in between chatting with the hubby)!

It’s Frilly Knit Scarf by Red Heart made with Red Hearts’ Boutique Sashay in Salsa. I made one small change to the pattern, I only cast on five stitches instead of six. I wanted a little more length and it doesn’t change the look of the scarf very much.

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