Woobie Video: Connecting Provisional Cast-on Hem

I know the one thing that a lot of knitters have when making the Woobie is hem. Yeah, it's a lot of stitches in the beginning...and Yeah, the hem takes up practically a whole skein of yarn, but the idea is that it gives the blanket weight.

 The other big issue with the hem is unraveling the provisional cast-on. Your connecting the 300 live stitches with the 300 cast-on stitches. I decided that perhaps a video might help. The video is a little long, but you get two techniques on how to handle this portion of the pattern. You get the safe technique which involves placing the provisional cast-on onto a separate needle and then you get the "Living on the Wild Side" version.

New Pattern: Woobie Butterfly

I'm excited to announce a new pattern release!!

The Woobie Butterfly is now live! I had so many wonderful testers during this process. I could not have done this without them.

The release of this pattern also jumps off the beginning of the next Woobie Collection Series. In collection #3, some of them will have a different alt on the construction which will give more opportunities to expand the collection.

During the design process for this butterfly, I did come to a wall that I had to pretend wasn't there. If you see a butterfly, you'd never actual see a butterfly's face from above. Butterflies look down, so I had to let go of reality just for moment with this one.

I also had the great pleasure of knitting this up in the Cascade 220 Superwash® Sport. It's high on my list of wonderful yarns to work with. It also blocks beautifully and has this smooth drape to the finished fabric. I'm really looking forward to showing you more of the collection series.

FO: Jacob's Woobie Monkey

It's been a long time coming, but I've finally put a face on the lingering project for an online sweetheart who had an adorable baby boy named Jacob.




I personalize the blanket with the initial J using a stem stitch embroidery technique. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. I'm shipping this in the mail in hopes that Jacob adores it as much as I do.

The only downside to making something so cute...getting asked by everyone if I can make them one too! I love each and everyone of you out there, but there is no way that will happen.

Want to make one? Sure, go here to buy the pattern for the monkey!

Callahan Cabled Blanket

I'm sure you're wondering what I've been up to?

Well, let me just share with you a little something...



The Callahan Cable Blanket was inspired by my cousin's first born son, Finnegan David Callahan. I've always wanted to do a big cable design and when I heard she was with child I knew it was time.



There are so many kinds of cables to choose from, but there were certain ones that I knew had to be in the blanket. These cables had meaning and in a way had a story to tell. You have hugging ropes guarding each side that lead to textured honeycomb panels. There are twists and turns going in and out leading to the X and O cables that represent hugs and kisses. The hillsides mirror each other with intertwining trees that show two families coming together. Then in the center you have an infinity knot that means eternal love.



The lovely little model is Martha, my niece. She was only 4 weeks old the day of the shoot. Born just days after little Finnegan and was a trooper through our all day photo shoot.

Going For Gold

When last we left off I was showing you the blanket and it looked something like this:




It then grew...




And grew a little bit more...



And it kept growing and growing...




And then when all the pieces were laid out it looked like this:



And then came the seaming. Oh the seaming... and then what happened? It turned into one of the most amazing knits I've ever accomplished.



Its permanent home is now The Knit Zone. Just makes you want to curl up on loveseat and catch a few zzz's huh?

Just to give you an idea of how many hours this undertaking took...I've calculated the time.
It look me roughly 101 hours to completely finish this project. Knitting on the train to work and back. Knitting and seaming during lunch breaks. Then once home I would make dinner and knit from 7pm-12 if not till 1am. Get up and do it all over again. Labor or love is and understatement. I then wore it all day Sunday at Stitches Midwest. It was like a badge of honor to wear that sucker. It was my flag. My Olympics. And I won Gold.

Ravellenic Finish Line Here I Come!!

Do you see that wonderful blanket?

Oh, Yes people, I've been a mitered square knitting fool. As of right now I only need 11 more squares and I can fill in the hole on this blanket.

The games end on August 12th, which I know I can do. Finishing 8 to 12 squares a day was the way to success...doing 4 a day was not a realistic goal.

The only thing I'm thinking I should do is to add an i-cord edge. I know you're probably screaming at me to just shut-up, but in all honesty I think it needs it. I'll be testing those waters tonight and make a decision. The hardest part would be to pick a color.  My gut says green.

Woobie Owl

I'm saving the best for last. I'll tell you I was not feeling this Woobie Owl at all while knitting the head. It looked like a bug. It also didn't help when I added the cream circles for the eyes. It made it completely worse.



It wasn't until I added the yellow beak that I just sighed and awwww'd about this little guy. He's also slightly different since I added wings, but I don't think having just the head would have sufficed. He is my winner. Love him so much!

Woobie Dragon

How could I not do a fire breathing Woobie Dragon?



A dragon with scales no less and more Stripes! I'm also leaning on adding nostrils to this little guy. It would seem the proper thing to do!

Woobie Unicorn

If I was going to go down that road of frog prince and princess... then you know I had to add the Woobie Unicorn to the list. It just seemed proper.



The Woobie Series collection #2 was starting to fill it's slots of 8 very quickly. The direction of the series is fun and exciting and only 2 more to go...

Woobie Princess

So after coming up with the Woobie Froggy, I then had this idea about a Princess... come on, a frog prince totally needs a princess!!



I didn't want to do a pink dress... we already have the Piggy in pink. I then was thinking of all the Disney characters and what colors did they use. I then knew blue was the perfect fit. A yellow crown would then show off better on contrasting hair, so a brunette she became. This one was the most challenging designs of all because it's all about the hair. I've never done doll hair before and just kind of winged it. Ultimately I'm thrilled with how it turned out!

I've Lost My Mind...

Just a little bit. I signed up to participate in the Ravellenic Games of 2012. It's basically the Olympics for Knitter! With the opening ceremonies starting today, I had to pick a project that would be challenging. For the next 16 days I'll try to complete the project.

Since my Leftover Sock Yarn Blanket has been on go since circa 2008, that had to be it. I pulled it out of its sleepy chamber and counted and measured.




There are 247 squares so far assembled (big squares count as 4). I have 94 squares to add to the blanket and if I want the blanket to be as long as it is wide I have to knit 80 more squares.

Holy-Squares-Batman! I know. I know. It is a challenge after all. I'm going for the gold people! Wish me luck.

Woobie Froggy

How could I NOT do a Woobie Froggy?



He makes a fine addition to the second series of Woobies. I was also very close to making this one stripy too. I mean seriously? Can't you see this little guy with light and dark green stripes?!

Woobie Ducky

The Woobie Ducky was another must have in the second series!



I didn't intentionally cross-eye the face, but had to leave it because it makes me smile every time I see this picture!

Woobie Piggy

Another in Woobie Collection Series #2 is the Piggy.



I love the striped Woobies! And when this little piggy came to mind I knew he was going to have stripes. One of my awesome testers just finished her little piggy... Click Here to Check out the thread!

Left Over Sock Yarn Blanket Update

I started this blanket back in October of 2008. Perhaps I should just rename it to the Never Ending Sock Yarn Blanket. It's not that I don't work on it... I do. See here's proof:



I just seems like there hasn't been much progress because the blanket grows only one square at time and who wants to watch that grow. I still love it and it will most likely take another 2 years to finish, but I'm well on my way. See here, I have more squares to add:



In case anyone is curious, the awesome Thirty-One bag was a gift from my mom. It holds the blanket, extra squares and plenty of room for the left over yarn balls.

Do you have any Never Ending Projects that your working on?

Woobie Giraffe Pattern

The Woobie Giraffe a is ready to Play!



This playful Giraffe is number 8 in the series of Woobies... be on the lookout for the full set of Woobies in ebook!

I can't express how much I love working with the Cascade Superwash Sport. It knits up beautifully and with the yarn being a superwash, it gives me peace of mind knowing I don't have to worry about spills and messes.

Size: 14 in / 35.5 cm square blanket

Yarn: Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Sport (136 yd/124 m, 1.75oz/50g ball), Yellow #821: 2 balls, Orange #822: 1 balls and Brown #818: approximately 50 yd

Materials: 32 in / 81 cm - US #3 / 3.25mm circular needle, Set of 5 - US #3 / 3.25mm double pointed needles, 8 stitch markers, waste yarn, size B / 2.25mm crochet hook, poly-fill, embroidery floss and yarn needle. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Gauge: 26 sts and 34 rows = 4 inch [10 cm] in stockinette stitch. Every knitter’s gauge is unique, so be sure to check.

Woobie Puppy Pattern

The Woobie Puppy a is ready to Play!



This playful Puppy is number 7 in the series of Woobies... be on the lookout for more to come.

I can't express how much I love working with the Cascade Superwash Sport. It knits up beautifully and with the yarn being a superwash, it gives me peace of mind knowing I don't have to worry about spills and messes.

Size: 14 in / 35.5 cm square blanket

Yarn: Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Sport (136 yd/124 m, 1.75oz/50g ball), Blue #897: 2 balls, Brown #819: 2 balls and White #871: approximately 30 yd

Materials: 32 in / 81 cm - US #3 / 3.25mm circular needle, Set of 5 - US #3 / 3.25mm double pointed needles, 8 stitch markers, waste yarn, size B / 2.25mm crochet hook, poly-fill, embroidery floss and yarn needle. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Gauge: 26 sts and 34 rows = 4 inch [10 cm] in stockinette stitch. Every knitter’s gauge is unique, so be sure to check.

Woobie Zebra Pattern

The Woobie Zebra is ready to Rock!



This rockin Zebra is number 6 in the series of Woobies... be on the lookout for more to come.

I can't express how much I love working with the Cascade Superwash Sport. It knits up beautifully and with the yarn being a superwash, it gives me peace of mind knowing I don't have to worry about spills and messes.

Size: 14 in / 35.5 cm square blanket

Yarn: Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Sport (136 yd/124 m, 1.75oz/50g ball), Off White #817: 2 balls and Brown #818: 1 ball

Materials: 32 in / 81 cm - US #3 / 3.25mm circular needle, Set of 5 - US #3 / 3.25mm double pointed needles, 8 stitch markers, waste yarn, size B / 2.25mm crochet hook, poly-fill, embroidery floss and yarn needle. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Gauge: 26 sts and 34 rows = 4 inch [10 cm] in stockinette stitch. Every knitter’s gauge is unique, so be sure to check.

Woobie Lamb Pattern

The Woobie Lamb is ready for a sleepy time snuggle!



This sleepy lamb is number 5 in the series of Woobies... be on the lookout for more to come.

I can't express how much I love working with the Cascade Superwash Sport. It knits up beautifully and with the yarn being a superwash, it gives me peace of mind knowing I don't have to worry about spills and messes.

Size: 14 in / 35.5 cm square blanket

Yarn: Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Sport (136 yd/124 m, 1.75oz/50g ball), Off White #817: 2 balls and Brown #818: 1 ball

Materials: 32 in / 81 cm - US #3 / 3.25mm circular needle, Set of 5 - US #3 / 3.25mm double pointed needles, 8 stitch markers, waste yarn, size B / 2.25mm crochet hook, poly-fill, embroidery floss and yarn needle. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Gauge: 26 sts and 34 rows = 4 inch [10 cm] in stockinette stitch. Every knitter’s gauge is unique, so be sure to check.

Woobie Zebra Pattern Testing

I just had to share these photos of the New Woobie Zebra! I'm super smitten!!

If your interested in testing for the Zebra come join the test thread on Ravelry.



I Mean Seriously, how could you not resist the Mohawk! Look for this new pattern out the end of November.