Cast-on-itis Day #2

Look familiar? I introduce to you, Stashbustin’ #28 or Baby Sophisticate #2. You may remember my first attempt from last week!

20130822-161629.jpg

This pattern was a joy to knit and beyond adorable. I honestly couldn’t wait to cast on another, way to go Linden Down!

20130825-185218.jpg

(Apologies for the terrible picture! I was rocking knitting at Grandma’s kitchen table this weekend)

I am using Caron Simply Soft again, this time in Berry Blue. And this was a partial skein I had floating around in my stash. So to be safe I am going to make the smaller 0-3 month size. The 0-6 month size used slightly over 3/4 of a skein so I should be safe. I hope this a great way to turn a partial skein into a great project!

This one should be off the needles again in no time!! I highly recommend this pattern to everyone!!

Labor Day Cast-on-itis

Happy Labor Day!!!

I had a fit of “Cast-on-itis” this past weekend over labor day. Even though I spent all weekend with family having fun, I had yarn urges that could not be satisfied. I may or may not have cast on three more projects….oops!

So this week I thought I would take you on a walk of shame tour of my newest de-stashing efforts!

Today I introduce to you, One Piece Baby Pullover from Lion Brand! This will be Stashbustin’ #27 effort of 2013. I was in the mood for something cheery, fun, and baby adorable. It’s only a start but I feel sunny already!

20130825-185052.jpg

 

Eventually, it will look something like this….

l0062a_medium

 

(Photo courtesy of the Lion Brand Ravelry page)

I have A LOT of Caron Simply Soft to chew through in my stash. What better to deploy that yarn towards than adorable baby knits!!! The pattern is worked flat in a cross shape and seamed together. And the whole thing is in garter stitch. This is going to be my mindless TV knitting project and will live next to the couch!

Stay tuned for a new project tomorrow! I hope everyone in the US had a happy and safe labor day weekend!!

FO Friday: Baby Sophisticate

My Little Old Man Sweater is done!!! (Stashbustin’ #26)20130822-161629.jpg

I cannot get over how adorable this is!!! And SUCH a quick knit. This would be a great pattern to pull out for a last minute gift. I made this whole thing from start to finish in about 7-8 hours working time?

20130822-161704.jpg

I used Caron Simply Soft in Grey to make the 6 month old pattern size. I used about 118 grams of yarn so just under a full skein. The pattern was very well written and organized. It helped me learn my very first wrap and turn!! I highly recommend this pattern for someone wanting to learn sweater construction. It’s top down raglan style and SOOO easy!

20130822-161717.jpg

The mommy to be who specially requested this got to pick out the buttons. She went with off white (slightly pearl-ish) 1 inch buttons. Not what I would have picked, but I’m not about to argue with a pregnant lady, lol! But I do have say they do come off as very grumpy old man…

20130822-161735.jpg

Only a few more weeks until we get to meet the little guy to fill this sweater! Well and maybe a couple more months before he is big enough to fill this, lol.

My only thought now is….how do upsize this pattern to make myself one?

WIP Flash

For this WIP Wednesday I thought I’d do a little WIP flash!

First up, my Baby Sophisticate (Stashbustin’ #26) is flying off the needles!! I have the body complete and the sleeves done! I even put my big girl knitting pants on and used dpns for the sleeves instead of magic loop. I had to frog a few places but the Simply Soft yarn is holding up well.

20130822-161114.jpg

This is turning out to be the perfect “old man sweater” for my friends. I still have to pick up and knit the button band and shawl collar. I have never done the wrap and turn short row construction that the pattern calls for. But the author gave excellent directions so I think I got this! This has been my obsessive at home knitting project. I may have to crank out a few more of these for my emergency baby shower/present stash.

20130822-161126.jpg

Next up is my spiral leg warmers! (Stashbustin’ #24)

20130822-161514.jpg

I now have 22 inches complete on leg #1. This is currently my “travel/purse” knitting so progress is slower. But I just love the feel of this yarn as I work with it. I have to admit that sometime I stop knitting and just fondle the knit fabric…. gotta love Knit Picks yarn!

20130822-161526.jpg

These have absolutely no practical purpose, but I can’t wait to wear them. I have a feeling that these will be one of those rare projects that is fun to knit and to wear!

Happy Knitting and Happy Wednesday!

FO Friday: Aunt Martha’s Prayer Blanket

Tah dah!!!! Aunt Marta’s Prayer Blanket is done!

_MG_0052

 

After a good bath and days of drying….the edges still curl (ARGH). I know it was more to hope from acrylic but still. The center also still has a little pooch. Laying flat it looks a bit like a volcano. And the outside is a bit warped like a spider web? I improvised this blanket based on the basic concepts of the Constant Square Blanket by Tina Laiho.

_MG_0054

I have to say that even with my trepidation about the colors, I rather like them together in the FO.

_MG_0058

 

My end product is a 38 by 40 inch square(ish) blanket. I used 882 yards or 340 grams of Caron Simply Soft yarns. I used Dusty Rose, Watermelon, and Light pink. I went down a needle size to US 7 for this project to create a tighter fabric.

_MG_0060

 

Now all that’s left is to package this up and send off to Aunt Martha for her new home! Now, I’m off to pack to spend the weekend with my best friend as she celebrates the impending birth of her baby girl! Happy Friday to All!!!

 

 

FAL Project Progress!!!

Having a deadline really puts my but in gear! I have made some stellar progress on my Sage Yarn FAL project. This blanket had sifted to the bottom of my priorities in June and July but I’m full steam ahead in August!

20130808-151822.jpg

 

This is a center out blanket made is from an interpretation of the Constant Square Blanket by Tina Laiho. I’m chewing through some of my stash of Caron Simply Soft in pinks. I had 2/3 of skein of the first color (dusty rose) and full skeins of the bright pink (watermelon) and light pink (still in the yarn protector). I am hoping to get this done before Aunt Martha moves into her new apartment!

I’m just about ready to transition to the last color. I’m doing the whole thing in stockinette so it’s getting a little boring. But I’m powering through. I have been doing a lot of Netflix and knitting on this blanket. At least one of those things always keeps my attention.

I’m interested to see how big this ends up being when I am done. My “plan” if you can call it that is to knit until I run low on yarn and then cast off. Check out the Ravelry page for this FAL to see what everyone else is working on!!!

Happy Knitting!

FAL for August!!!

I’m joining the FAL (finish-along) at Sage yarn for August! I have a case of WIPs here lately and I feel the need to finish something. I’m not giving up on my recent stash busting efforts by any means. But I need to give some monogamous time to some of my older projects!

Remember, Aunt Martha’s Prayer Blanket?

20130528-210322.jpg

(Stashbustin’ #19)

I made fairly good progress in the beginning and even made it to the second color. But then I started second guessing the two colors together. I hemmed and hawed and the project slowly migrated to the bottom of my knitting bag. And then I saw the blog post about the FAL and I thought it was kismet!

I’m determined to finish this blanket but I fully realize that might be a lofty goal by the end of the month. But at the very least I am going to keep up with the group on Ravelry and do weekly postings. You get credit for making progress even if you don’t finish. I can’t wait to see what others are working on finishing. The Rav group is here!

Anybody else have a finishing goal?

Stashbustin’ Post #2

I have WIP-itis……and it’s bad.

I cast on another WIP just because I felt like it. I have at least five baby showers to knit for (that at least partially substantiates my WIP-itis right?)

I have a LOT of Caron Simply Soft Solidsbin my stash. I picked up most of it from a destashing friend years ago when first learning to knit. It’s soft and washable and I used to love it. But my admiration has flagged a bit and its been relegated to mostly baby knits.

20130101-161526.jpg

I found the Waffle Blanket (free pattern) through a Pinterest pin linked to a Ravelry pattern. I was smitten immediately and cast on! Not sure who this blanket is destined for yet but I have a few months left to decide. I’m very optimistic and can’t wait to see the finished product.

20130101-161742.jpg

20130101-161753.jpg

I knocked out the border and one repeat of the pattern while watching a TV DVR-ed episode. It’s very pretty and I’m sure after a couple repeats very memorizable.

I must have baby blanket fever!! (Or baby fever if you ask my mother.) Stay tuned for updates on this and my Waves and Ripples Blanket!

Happy Knitting!!