68 Squares

That is how many squares I have produced so far. I do count the large squares as 4 instead of 1... just so you know.



This photo shows 54 squares seamed together and I feel it's a good width to maintain. I've tested on my bed and it covers nicely. Now, granted I don't know if I'll get to the full length of 80 inches... a square blanket seems like it would be really lovely too. I think I'll play it by ear and let the project kinda speak for itself.

With only 5 full days left to the Olympics I'm really hoping I'll reach 100 squares. If I'm to stick to that goal, then I'll need to produce at least 6 squares every day.

8 Days Left and So Much More To Go

When I started, I had already made 15 squares and now I have 24 squares completed since Monday.



I think that's a good start, but a drop in the bucket when it comes to this over all complete number of 414.

Some of you might have noticed that the one of the squares was larger then the others. This larger square technically takes up the same space as 4 squares. I like the randomness of adding larger squares to this blanket... I adds character;)

If I continue at this pace I believe I'll have another 50 squares completed come the end of Ravelympics. That would put me close to 1/4 of the completed project. wow. This is truly a big project.

FO: Beaumont Tam

Pattern: Beaumont Tam

Yarn: 2 skein of orange and green in Kauri Merino Possum Silk

Needles: US 5 dpn and circular needles

Started: February 12, 2010 - Ravelympic Opening Ceremonies

Finished: February 15, 2010

I do have to say that there are some things I did change and some I didn't mean to change. First off, now looking back at the directions, my 2x2 rib is too long. I didn't realize that when the pattern called for 1" (3/4") ... those are for two different patterns... The one inch is the Tam and then the three-quarters inch is the Beanie version. sigh. Not a full 1 and 3/4 inch. I'm sure I'm getting points deducted for not staying in form or something... but perhaps I'll gain points for creativity???



In the beginning I wanted the details to be in orange and the background in green, but once I got really into the pattern I wasn't feeling the contrast. I then ripped back, but not all the way. You can see the orange wave line where I had attempted the switched colors.

I didn't rip back further because there was an increase row and didn't feel that I had to go back and redo those too.



The yarn is really soft, lofty and with the added silk a smoothness is definitely there. The tam has a bit of a fuzzy halo to it that I kinda like. The colors don't contrast enough for my liking, but it's not like I wont wear the hat;)

The Play Date Continued...

If you've been following the activities from Laurelena's blog of these cute, adorable and lovable Giraffes... go now to catch up on what they did earlier.



At some point during the day, someone gave these two a soda. I'm blaming the Shop Daughter, as she's very well known for stirring things up!!

The next thing you know All Hell Brakes Loose!



They start climbing the shelves!



Squishy yarn start falling all over the shop floor!



Then Geoffrey gets stuck and Eugene tries to help him up... Total and complete chaos.

To see more please visit Laurelena's blog.

A Play Date With Eugene

Some weeks ago, my dear friend Laurelena told me she too was also in the middle of making a Giraffe and it just so happens that we both finished with our little guys at the same time!

This then brings on a great opportunity to have a Play Date with my Geoffrey and her Eugene. With the weather conditions outside not the best place to gather we headed to Nana's Knitting Shop.



They were Best Buds from the beginning.




Although as the afternoon progressed, they did fall into some trouble and Mr. Ben had to intervene to hold down the law in the shop.

To see what other antiques these little guys got them selves into... stay tuned.

Ravelympics Update

I think I have truly underestimated my knitting abilities. I thought this would at least get me through the week.



I'm currently on the decrease for the top and I don't feel that I've really set myself up for any real challenge. So I pulled out the Left Over Sock Yarn Blanket...



This is really all that I've done so far. Pathetic really. 15 squares. This is where I think I'm going to set myself up for a REAL challenge. I'm planning on knitting ALL My Left Over Sock Yarn for the remaining days of Olympics.



Each square measures 3.5 inches. Currently the blanket is 17.5 inches and I plan on making a 60 x 80 size blanket. Lots and Lots of squares. 414 squares to be exact. Yes, that's right... Four Hundred and Fourteen squares.

I'm off to knit!

2010 Ravelympics

It seems that I've gone off the deep end and have joined in the craziness that is called Ravelympics.



This basically means that come the torch ceremony at 8pm (Chicago Time) for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. I will cast on for new project and then have 17 days to finish this project.



This is the yarn I plan on using to make the Beaumont Tam... scroll down to the hat done up in red and white.

The only downside I see with this project is my color selection. I have a feeling I might not like it. More contrast is needed, but heck you never know.

So what happens if I don't finish the Tam?



I then pull out this sucker. Yes, the Left Over Sock Yarn Blanket. I haven't touched this since 2008. I Know! For.Ever.

And this might seem kinda weird, but I'm really kinda looking forward to working on the blanket a little. I might not finish the blanket in 17 days, but I will have gotten a huge chunk of it completed.

Cedar Leaf Shawlette

I blame it all on A:) over at Knit and Run. When I saw her knitting hers out of sock yarn... SOCK YARN. I had to have it. Thanks for MAKING me buy that pattern. sigh.



The Cedar Leaf Shawlette has you knitting with a DK or worsted weight yarn, but sock yarn is what I'm looking for. The pattern is built in such a way that you can easily increase the size to accommodate a lighter weight yarn.

I then went stash diving and pulled out some Socks That Rock in the Muddy Autumn Rainbow colorway that was part of the Sock Club package from two years ago. I figured since I hadn't make the sock club pattern that it would be fine to make something else besides socks.



Now the other interesting thing the Cool Kids are up to, is making the shawlette with two different colors. The body in one and the leafs in a complimentary color. I pulled out another STR yarn in the Lagoon colorway, but now that I've applied the first leaf, I'm not feeling it. I'm going to rib back and just do the whole thing in the Muddy Autumn Rainbow. I guess my only concern is yardage. But isn't that typical?!!;)

FO: Geoffrey the Giraffe

Pattern: Giraffe by Susan B. Anderson

Yarn: 1 skein of orange and 2 skeins of yellow Cascade 220 Superwash

Needles: US 5 dpn and circular needles

Started: January 19, 2010

Finished: January 30, 2010

Geoffrey went to the park with Mac for a quick run around and a photo shoot. She adores him just as much as I do. Every time I look at him he makes me smile. How is it that a toy can do that to you?



I did modify the spots a bit because I wanted them more reform then all the same size.



The pom-poms were super fun to make and I was concerned that to get "good" pom-pom I would have to buy one of those plastic pom-pom maker... instead I found a fun YouTub video that is clear with no annoying voice to distract you.



I added pellets to this feet with fewer added in the "hands" as I didn't want it to pull the head down when he was in sitting position.



Despite all the finicky parts with 11 spots, 9 pom-poms, 2 horns, 2 ears...I believe this is considered to be a fast knit and with such details added it surely makes Geoffrey come to life.

FO: Am Kamin Hat

Pattern: Am Kamin Hat by Toshiyuki Shimada

Yarn: 2 skeins of Classic Elite Yarns Renaissance

Needles: US 7 circular needles

Started: January 12, 2010

Finished: January 28, 2010

The translation of this pattern from Japanese to English wasn't too difficult, but it wasn't until I opened the book and was scoping out the sweater did I see something odd.

Go click on the link above and see if you can spot it (you'll have to scroll down a bit...it's the sweater/hat set in red). If you need a hint, look at the cables in the photo compared to my finished version. Go, I'll wait.

Do you see it? Do you see the X-O cable? Yeah... the pattern directions didn't have that in the pattern. Go figure that this Japanese pattern book would have errata in it. I really should have been paying more attention, but I was more concerned with stitch count and decreases verses if the chart was accurate to the photo.

Either way I love the hat and would totally do it again.