What Else Would I Be Doing...

In the mists of carving pumpkins and Marking. Each. Day. Off. The. Calendar. Because we're so close to Halloween the kids can practically smell the candy. I'm a glutton for punishment. I finished the Ishbel scarf and had to immediately cast-on for the Ishbel Beret.




See the lifeline? Oh yeah, I've already ripped back twice and I'm still loving it. I'm kinda sick that way;)



I've been making some good progress on my Willoughby as well. I had reached the end of the required amount of repeats for the pattern when I noticed that I was only at the end of a one skein. I have three set aside for this project.

What do I do? Do I go as the pattern suggests and be left with a practically full skein? What would I do with it? Fingerless mitts? Nope... I really wanted to just use up all this loveliness in one scarf. I decided to add a few more repeats and that way I'm not left with a dilemma of too much left overs and the scarf will be all the more lovely with the added length.

FO: Ishbel

Pattern: Ishbel by Ysolda

Yarn: 1.25 skeins of Isager Strik Alpaca 2

Needles: US 6 circular

Started: October 14, 2009

Finished: October 23, 2009



This is one very popular pattern and you'd think it would be a fairly easy knit if so many people have made it. Well, I was wrong. It was very difficult for me. There is something about that darn yarn-over move that just makes my life hell. This is not to say that it isn't easy for someone else and I certainly don't want anyone to think I didn't like doing it. Granted NOBODY likes having to rip out anything, but this was an obsessed challenge that was I was not going to lose at.

Ishbel = 0 / Me = 1



The only modification that I did was knitting the larger size lace pattern on my smaller stockinette beginning. I did have to dip into a second skein which makes me ponder... Could I get a small version out of just one skein?

With the leftover yarn I'm going to cast-on for the Ishbel beret. I foresee tons more cussing;)

Random Monday

Just popping in to give some random updates. Lets see...



Linda and Eric got married. Congratulations! and how can you not love the lacey-loveliness she has draped over her shoulders.



Took advantage of the sunny day and made our way to the pumpkin patch.



And this piece of evil has been driving me bonkers. Yes, I love it and I want to burn it at the same time. Why-oh-why do I feel this driving force... I will conquer over this Ishbel.

FO: Boat Covers

Pattern: my own generic toe-up 2-at-a-time on 2 circular needles

Yarn: 1 skein Cascade Heritage Hand Painted

Needles: US 1.5 circular (2.5 mm)

Started: September 29, 2009

Finished: October 12, 2009

After completing Miss Mac's socks, I could see a slight twinge of jealously in my son's face. I ask ever so softly, would you like me to make you a pair? He replied with a very soft, okay.

He then went on to request red and white flame socks. Whoa-boy!



Yeah-no. You can pick from the stash, thank you very much. I think he chose wisely. The Heritage yarn was REALLY nice to work with and hell, you get 437 yards... plenty to cover this boy's boats. We lovingly tease him about his large feet and it has become a habit to requst him to remove the his boats from the ship yard... otherwise known as removing his shoes from the living room.



I didn't knit every yard of this yarn and should have made them a tad longer in the cuff, but you know when your just "done"... yeah, I was done.

I did try my had at the newest bind-off to enter our knitting world: Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off. I love it. Love it. Love it. and plan on using it more often and for every sock I do toe up...oh, and in case your interested in seeing the matching cast-on by Jeny as well. All very cool indeed.

That which wasn't documented...

I don't know exactly what's in the water lately, but it seem there are tons of people popping out babies... I alone personally know of 3 who are preggers, two more by association and one who just had a baby.



This is Larry. Larry works at the Panera where we gather for our South Suburban Stitch 'n Bitch. His wife is due in November with a little boy. I pumped out that hat he so fabulously has topped on his head.

The pattern is from the Itty-Bitty hats book and is called Vertical Stripes.

As cute as it turned out I don't think I will ever. ever. knit that again. It was a quick knit, but knitting in cotton and trying to not have gaps in between the strips was next to impossible. Just to fussy.

In one weekend I was done and the next SnB night I handed it over to Larry who just gushed. Hadn't even realized that I hadn't done a "real" photo shoot with the hat yet until I was heading home. I think I've become a snob photographer. I'd rather redo the photo shoot then post a unflattering photo.



My latest project has been something simple and mindless. Toe-up socks for my son. Let me rephrase that: These are Huge Ass Socks for my Son's Size 13 Feet!

The great thing about toe-up is you knit until you run out of yarn and I'll be doing exactly that. I hope he likes anklets;)

Quiet Blog = Surprise Knitting

There was a certain someone who is due for a bundle of joy come next year. We were graced with her presence this past weekend to laugh among friends and family and have our fills of good eats and cheesecake.



I completely wanted to steal this quilt right out of her hands... but I think I would have been tackled half way down the block.



This makes me want to SOOOOOOO learn how to quilt.



When you've got knitting friends, you end up with knitted presents. The knitted mobile is sweet and precious.



The Big Head stories started coming out about this point and as we watched her try to put all the ribbons over her head.... Sweetheart, I pray that your baby is health, but with a small head.



Dreamsweaver did a fabulous job on this basket weave blanket. The yarn is soft and completely washer and dryer friendly, how awesome is that!



I apologize now for the awkward photo... I do hope you like the Baby Surprise Jacket and Sweet Baby Cap. It was fast and fun... They turned out so damn cute that it was quite hard for me to part with them. Granted I'm not going down that road again, but sheesh what fun they are to knit.



Pattern: Baby Surprise Jacket (rav link)

Yarn: 2.25 skeins Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino

Needles: US 3 circular

Started: September 27, 2009

Finished: September 30, 2009

Note: I had to dip into another skein in order to finish the sweater.



The Peter Rabbit buttons were a great idea, big thanks to A:) for that suggestion.



Pattern: Norwegian Sweet Baby Cap (rav link)

Yarn: .5 skeins Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino

Needles: US 3 circular

Started: September 27, 2009

Finished: September 30, 2009

The cap was reworked to be a small newborn size cap and I modified the pattern to be in garter stitch to match the sweater.

I'm putting in a request to the Soon-To-Be-Mommy... I know you'll be sleep deprived and most likely wont even remember this, but if you do by chance happen to remember, I would love to know if these items fit. It's not often you have a newborn peanut just laying around handy to check for measurements.

Mazel Tov to you and E on your growing family!

FO: Purple Pink Love Socks

Pattern: my own generic toe-up 2-at-a-time on 2 circular needles

Yarn: 1 skein Aussie sock yarn (WS20 Plum Rose)

Needles: US 1.5 circular (2.5 mm)

Started: September 5, 2009

Finished: September 26, 2009



Comments: The pattern is my own generic toe-up sock based off of gauge and foot size. I started with the Judy's magic cast-on (video link) and ended up with 56 stitch sock for Miss Mac's feet. The heal is a slip stitch heal (side bar download) created from a formula which is based off of your full stitch count.



Don't her feet look huge out of the shoe? There not really, and I'm sure it's all camera angles. She loves them and it's been hard press to get her to take them off.



She is such a ham that taking EXTRA funny pictures is what she really loves. Rainy weather and the burst of coldness that has come into the Chicago area has made photo shoots a little difficult, but a quick run to covered picnic are did the trick.

These were quick 'n easy-peasy... the man child has picked out sock yarn for his pair and those I suspect will take a little bit longer, seeing he wears a size 13 men's shoe.