Oops…I Did It Again

I took a step (or several) backwards on my 2013 destashing project. And it was worse than last time, lol.

I had several special requests after my 10 year reunion from old classmates and family members who saw me knitting. Not my fault right? I mean the FOs they requested couldn’t be filled from my stash without detracting from the usefulness/beauty of the item. (Which by the way is sort of the point of de-cluttering my stash. I want to get to where I buy yarn a few projects at a time!)

So here is a little stash flash of what I purchased from Knit Picks

Brava Bulky in red, black, peapod, solstice heather, and cobblestone heather

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Easy care acrylic yarn that is destined to be a multitude of baby items requested at my reunion. (It’s also easy on the pocketbook!)

Swish Worsted in Lost Lake heather and Squirrel heather

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This wool blend is for some warm hats for a friend who works outside all winter!

And finally Felici Fingering Self Striping Sock Yarn in mixed berry, aquarium, and peachy!

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This was a little “just for me” yarn I threw in my shopping cart. I needed some incentive to teach myself to make socks! How can I go wrong with a beginner sock pattern and self striping beautifulness?

Just nobody tell my hubby I bought yarn again, ok?

Happy Knitting!!

WIP Wednesday: Spiral Leg Warmers

Introducing Stashbusting #24!

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Spiral Rib Leg Warmers by the Purl Bee!! I had some Knit Picks Comfy Worsted in Lady Slipper calling my name from my stash. So in a fit of WIPitis I just had to start a project with it.

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As the pattern is written for extra small to small, I cast on 68 stitches to upsize for my big girl legs. Otherwise I’m working the pattern as written. I have no idea what I will do with these. They aren’t practical but they are adorable and fun to knit. That’s all that matters right?

What’s on your needles this week?

FO Friday: Stashbustin’ #23

Stashbustin’ #23 is complete!!

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This yarn can be challenging but this time I was up for it!! This one skein wonder is just a simple stockinette blanket with a four stitch seed stitch border. Finished size turned out to be 27 inch by 27 inch square. I used 10 1/2 US needles for a nice tight gauge. For more details on the yarn and stitch instructions see my Ravelry project page.

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This blanket is oh so soft and yummy to the touch.

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So soft to the touch in fact that when my Mother found this blanket in my WIP basket last weekend she announced that she would LOVE a full sized afghan for her Christmas. She then proceeded to fondle the yarn and the blanket at every opportunity for the entire weekend. Do you know how long and frustrating such a project would be to this knitter? Insert forehead slap here…

I am sensing that I am not done working with this yarn. Has any knitter out there every worked with a pattern or project that vexed them just because a loved one of said knitter requested it?

Happy Knitting!!

WIP Wednesday: Stashbustin’ #22

Here is the progress on my Florelei shawl or Stashbustin’#22…..

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Doesn’t look much different from last time you say? Oh well that’s because I HATE CHART B!! I am however Queen of Chart A! I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I know how to do all the stitches in Chart B, they are actually easy. But no matter how careful I am I seed to end up with stitch markers in the wrong places or the wrong number of total stitches at the end of the row after a couple of rows. The yarn overs seem to be giving me the hardest time.

What am I doing wrong? Lace can’t be this hard!!!

I love the photos of other people’s finished projects and the Cascade Sunseeker yarn is beyond yummy and gorgeous. Not to mention the yarn stands up well to frogging. I am not giving up on this project. I’m going to cull the collective wisdom of the blog world. Then I’m going to have a glass of wine (or twelve). Then this project is going to hibernate for a couple of weeks (I go into tech week for my play next week and won’t have time to knit anyway). Then…then I say I shall attack renewed!!

Any advice for a lace newbie?

Tuesday Pick Me Up

My special delivery from last Friday arrived at it’s destination this week….

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Not exactly the use I had envisioned, but I guess a red/white/blue tutu can be an effective toupee, lol. And it definitely made this knitter’s heart swell to see someone enjoying my handiwork.  Just the pick me up I needed.  Albeit a strange one….

Only 3 months until Baby #2 arrives for the bald guy on the right and we can get a pic of the babies in the tutus, stay tuned!!!

FO Friday: Patriotic Tutus!

I am blessed to have many friends who let me lavish their children with hand knit love. One of my husband and I’s favorite couples recently found out that their second baby is going to be a girl. And I just couldn’t resist matching tutus!!! I found the most adorable red, white, and blue ruffle yarn from Premier…

First up a 0-3 months size….

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And then a matching 2-3 year old size…

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Their mom is going to flip when she sees these!!! I hope she will snap some photos of the pair so that I can share with you guys. Of course I will have to wait until baby #2 actually gets here, lol. Well I’m off to put these and a couple more secret presents (can’t share those because the recipients read this blog) in the mail.

I gotta hustle too because my parents, sister, and aunt are visiting for weekend and we have a Kansas City Royals game to get to!! (Don’t worry, I packed a knitting project so I can stitch while they pitch!!!)

TGIF!!!

WIP Wednesday: Baby Blanket

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Stashbustin #23 is coming along!

This blanket has been traveling back and forth to rehearsal every night. I have only managed a few rows every night between scenes but little by little it’s adding up! Concurring this chenille yarn feels a bit of a personal victory. This blanket doesn’t have an recipient yet as it’s destined for my “emergency baby shower” basket. It may not be fancy but this mindless project is all I can manage with so much of my energy going to my current acting adventure.

One downside….because I gave Chloe the first chenille blanket I made, she thinks all chenille blankets are hers…

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WIP Wednesday: Catching Up

 

Stashbustin’ # 22 still looks like this…

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Chart B is kicking this lace newbie’s butt! I either end up with my stitch markers in the wrong place or the incorrect number of stitches at the end of the row. The good news is that I am REALLY good at chart A, lol. I shall not be deterred by I may put this project aside for a few days to let my brain unmelt.

I have made some progress on my mindless and easy project. I have now tagged it my Stashbustin’ #23 project. This has been perfect knitting for unwinding after long theatre rehearsals at night. I think I can finally say that I can enjoy working with the chenille yarn. It takes some patience and it can really only be used in certain projects. But it makes a great baby blanket and I need to restock my emergency baby shower/present supply!

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I’m still addicted to knitting these cute tutus!! This pattern is addicting. And I found some adorable red, white, and blue ruffle yarn from Premier yarns. I plan on making a matching set for some college friends who have a two year little sweetheart and are expecting another pink bundle of joy in the fall. I am almost done with the newborn size and just need to make the 2-3 yr old size.

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So there you have it, the state of my WIP pile. My WIPitis is in full swing. I’m ignoring my Neon cardigan as it’s in timeout until my play is over.

What’s in your WIP pile this week?

Stashbustin’ #22: Florelei

After my success with my Spiral Staircase Shawl, my fingers are itching to do another. And this time I think I will step up the challenge! Drum roll please…..

Florelei by Kathryn C!! I pulled some Cascade Yarns Sunseeker in a light grey with a little metallic sparkle.

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This is a much more complicated pattern. And this is my first foray into reading charts…so far so good. I have completed chart a!!! We have some miles to put in the car this coming week but I think this project is going to stay home. Don’t want to lose my place in the chart, lol.

Wish me luck!!

FO Friday: Spiral Staircase Shawl

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Stashbustin’ #20 is done! Introducing my Spiral Staircase Shawl!!

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I made a few amendments to the pattern:
– I cast off 12 stitches instead of the 10 called for the pattern
– I worked a total 17 teeth

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This is a very narrow shawl and probably not incredibly warm. But it looks amazing against a black outfit. Wouldn’t this be an amazing pop of color with some red heels and a LBD?

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All in all a very nice warm up project for learning shawl construction. Row and row of garter stitch with just a smidge of lacy detail at the edges.

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Now what should my next shawl be? I’ll have to ponder on this…..

Happy Knitting!