Sabrina's Barn Raising Quilt, finally

Clockwise from top left: Zest, Surf's up, Mango Tango

I needed to start a new project for vacation, as my son’s Barn Raising Quilt just needed to be sewn together and I didn’t want to take it with us.  I’ve been collecting STR Lightweight minis for a few years with the intent of eventually knitting my daughter a blankie out of them.  With mine finished and Elias’ almost done, I decided it was time.

I grabbed a few of the brightest minis and put them in my carry-on (the rest went in my checked bag).

On the airplane, I had a few moments to wind the mini into a ball and start a square.  The first mini I pulled out was “Surf’s Up,” I got a chuckle because we were going to Maui.  The next mini I pulled out a few days later was “Mango Tango.”  I instantly decided that the squares I knit on vacation were all going to be Hawaiian vacation themed.

After Mango Tango, I knit “Zest” because of all the citrus trees in Hawaii.  Then there was “Cockcrow” because we stay at my mother-in-law’s house and there are usually confused roosters crowing throughout the night and day (surprisingly, this year there weren’t any, the neighbors must of got rid of them).  

Next is a bit obscure.  One of our favorite cold treats is this dessert item found at Maui Mall.  It’s called Guri Guri, but pronounced “goodie goodie.”  I was surprised when I pulled out a mini called “Goodie Goodie”!  It was like Blue Moon Fiber Arts knew I would need these and named them appropriately! 

After that luck, I pulled out “Dragon Dance.”  The one Chinese restaurant we would always go to on Maui was called Dragon Dragon.  It closed earlier in the year and we were super bummed.  But I still knit a square in honor of it!

And lastly, on the way home I worked on “Twitterpated” because traveling with a 2 year old is just nuts.

(I feel like I'm missing one or two, I'll update when I figure it out)

Old FO

I mentioned in October that I knit a toddler sweater in one week, but I never blogged about it again. Well, here it is after a winter of use:

Pattern: Child's Placket-Neck Pullover by Joelle Hoverson
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Twisted - Mill End so it doesn't have a colorway
Needles: US 8

Notes: I love this pattern and this yarn works so well with it! I used less than one ball of yarn, probably have enough for a hat. I realize that the pattern and the colors look a little boyish, but Sabrina doesn't mind.


(cheese face)

Pile of Toasties

I found an easy pattern and I'm now working on my 7th pair. Crazy.

Pattern: Toasty (rav link)

Yarn: Plymouth Galway Worsted (teal,purple, pink, lilac) & Blue Moon Fiber Arts Woobu in Tanzanite (second from right). The two that were given as gifts were a second Tanzanite and a blue caron simply soft. I think I like the Galway the best for this project (although something like Malabrigo would be better, but I didn't have that in my stash)

Needles: US size 7 dnps

Mods: Not much, I don't make them quite as long as the pattern. The first pair I thought I should do something to control the rolling and did 2 rows k1p1 rib after a few inches, but it just looked funny. I don't think these roll too much more than they're suppose to.

I think I'm going to continue to knit this pattern for awhile. It's really really easy and I can knit it anywhere. It's great stash busting! I am almost out of worsted weight wool though. I've been thinking about switching over to some of my acrylic, but we'll have to see. The simply soft pair turned out nice and I have a bit of that left in a few colors.

Kitty mittens

DSC00178, originally uploaded by a-chan.

Going into Halloween week, I still hadn't figured out what to do for Sabrina's kitty paws. I'd been thinking about some black mittens with pink paw prints on the palms. So I did it. Without a pattern. I'm actually thinking about writing one up. They came out so cute! I still need to get a good picture of Sabrina in her cat costume because it was already dark when we got all the kids dressed and ready for trick or treating.

I've been having a lot of those "I can't believe I made that" moments recently. I feel like I'm tooting my own horn, but I think there's a bit of a difference between when somebody else says a FO is good and actually seeing for myself that it's good. It feels good.

I've got a couple cute sweaters I've finished recently, but again, no pictures.

I think I've figured out what to do for the older nieces and nephew, mitts! I've found a few patterns that I like. The oldest nephew (12 or 13, I forget) will get some very basic black mitts (or hobo gloves as Key calls them) out of worsted weight. Key and Tess will get some either knit or crocheted out of sock yarn. I'm so excited, but I also feel like I'm falling further and further behind. I'm working on that scarf and it's taking quite awhile (size 6 needles, really?)

2 projects, 1 needle

2 projects, 1 needle, originally uploaded by a-chan.

So I'm knitting a Cream of Spinach scarf out of Jojoland Superwash Melody and I'm less than half done, using size 6 needles. I'm also knitting another Confection Baby Shrug out of summer tweed, using size 8 needles.

Now's the fun part. I always go down 1 or 2 needle sizes for ribbing or garter st. With the summer tweed I knew I needed to go down to the 6s. However, this may be lame, but I swear that those 6s are the only ones I have. I had to decide if I should finish the scarf before I finish the shrug or if I should put the scarf on a stitch holder. If I used the holder, I might never come back to the scarf. I didn't want to finish the scarf first.

So I just left it on the needle and used it anyways. Pretty clever, no? Now I'm back to the same decision, though. I finished both arms, so now the only thing left is the main border. And it's knit in the round. I won't be able to do my neat trick. For now, I'm knitting the scarf. But I really want to finish the shrug since it's a nice fall color. Maybe this weekend I'll put the scarf on the stitch holder as long as I promise myself that I will go right back to working on it when I'm done with the ribbing (it's only 3 rows and the bind-off, shouldn't take too long).

I just really liked the picture.

Knitter's ADD

I'm been knitting. Kinda like a maniac. I knit 6 hats for Christmas presents in a week. Then I stalled out. I started a toddler sweater on a Sunday and finished it the next Sunday. I've knit 1.5 Halloween dishcloths this week. The first one still needs to be bound off, the second one I stole the needles to use for a pumpkin hat that was suppose to be for this weekends trip to the pumpkin patch (that has been called off due to being sick). I bought needles to start my Barn Raising Quilt (no timeline, just whenever I feel like making a square) and needles to knit a pair of socks (yeah, I only had size 2 dpns and I needed 0, good thing Twisted was having a sale)

And I have no pictures to verify any of this.

Oh, I know. I didn't share this:



I started knitting this for Sabrina a few weeks before she was due. I would have had it finished if she had been on time. Oh well. It sat buried in my stash for quite awhile. I found it while I was looking for something else and realized I could finish it for my cousin who is expecting. I think it is my best February Baby Sweater so far. I love how the Socks that Rock turned out after washing and blocking. (Ravelry link)

I think I may try to make one for Sabrina is a worsted weight yarn.

And here's a picture of Sabrina with her Great-Great-Aunt Lou:



This is one of those pictures that I'll cherish forever. When I saw Sabrina sitting there, I yelled "where's the camera?" and at least 3 cameras showed up (including mine). Sabrina really made Aunt Lou's day.

I lurvs me teh lolcatz

Some of my recent faves that have shown up on icanhascheezburger?:















If you haven't already checked it out, please do so. They update a couple of times a day and it's hilarious! If anyone knows of any other lolcatz places that are worth seeing, please let me know!

And to prove that I've been knitting:



That's right, I'm on the third color already! Yayz! The reason I'm not further is scrapbooking! I'm trying to get the wedding scrapbook done (just started), the honeymoon, and a sports one (from my old team pictures that I just unearthed in my old bins). Then it's back to working on the two Disneyland albums (went twice in two years, I'm behind!)... that doesn't count all the everyday stuff I like to do.

Yeah. Now that all the wedding stuff is over, I might be doing more knitting and scrapbooking.

Lack of knitting

Hula-hooping, originally uploaded by a-chan.

I was in such a hurry this morning leaving that house that I forgot my knitting (and my headphones). What am I suppose to do during my lunch hour and breaks... and especially on the bus home? I’m so sad. Last time I tried to read my email on my cell phone on the bus, I got a bit motion sick and had to go to bed when I got home.

So, here I am on my lunch hour with no knitting. If it had been a better day, I would have taken a walk after eating... maybe taking a short trip to knit/purl along the way. At least then I could buy some more Koigu or Sea Silk and some needles and be able to do something. I guess I don’t need anymore Sea Silk (read that as: I can’t afford another skein of it). Koigu, on the other hand, I can afford. I really want to get two different colors that are similar and boy-ish to knit a double-knit hat for my nephew Evan.

I leave you to ponder the pictures above. I can vaguely remember those days of endless energy. I sometimes miss them.

U of O Log Cabin

U of O Log Cabin, originally uploaded by a-chan.

I love this log cabin knitting. It's so much fun. I'm sort of liking my yarn, although I think I might need to take a strand of each color and take it to the store so I can get some more varied colors... especially with the green, almost all of my green is dark and since it's for a baby, I kinda don't want it to be too dark.

A couple more times around and I might be done, or i might just keep going until I'm out of yarn.

Next post, I promise a picture of my green and pink scarf.

I'm already thinking about what my next blanket will be. I really want to do a log cabin for the state fair (and then for me to keep once I'm done). I was thinking of using some Plymouth Fantasy Natural. I really like that yarn. It's the bright green stripe in the picture above. I forgot how much I liked it until I pulled that scrap ball out of the stash. I believe it's my fave cotton yarn.

As for another blanket I'm thinking of doing, a giant granny square

Project Spectrum: April and May

Tulips on the transit mall., originally uploaded by a-chan.

The colors for April and May are green, yellow and pink. While I'm not fond of pink, green is my fave color, while yellow is Richards fave.

The other day I was wondering what I would knit with these colors. I looked down and realized I was knitting with green and pink already. Pretty spiffy. I'm most of the way done with a Rabbit-proof Scarf in Handmaiden Sea Silk - Rose Garden. So, my first goal is to finish that scarf. I've been knitting it off and on for a couple of months now and it needs to be finished! It's a spring time scarf, so I need to wear it soon before it gets too hot!.

My number 2 project is a blanket for my new little cousin in TX. I have bought yarn to start this blanket twice. I had planned to do another pinwheel blanket with green and yellow stripes. (my family is full of duck fans, go figure). The more I thought about it, the more I didn't want to commit to another one of those. I thought about a feather and fan stitch, a thought about a crocheted ripple blanket. Then it hit me: a log cabin blanket. I've been wanting to do one of those for awhile now and I had plenty of green and yellow worsted weight acrylic/cottons.

So, I'm making decent progress on that. I might even finish it before the scarf. If I do finish both of those projects, then my third will be a pair of socks in a green-ish pink.

I have to finish the baby blanket by late June so I can hand deliver it..

Hopefully I'll have some pictures soon, it's raining right now.

Stash-flash

Stash, originally uploaded by a-chan.

This is my stash before we moved last fall. I just found this picture on my old computer. Yes, that's mostly all acrylic. I need to find some use for it. I try to get my niece to make pom-poms every time she comes over to my house. She never does. But then, when there's not time for it, she always really wants to. Someday the two will collide and I'll have hundreds of pom-poms to decorate my house with.

Anyways, I joined the Charmed Knits knit-along, click the button below for the link. I'm so excited to get started on some new Harry Potter knits. I owe my fiancé a hat to match his Hufflepuff scarf I knit him for the last movie premier.



And I think I'll knit myself a Slytherin scarf and hat set. Not that I like Slytherin that much, but green is my color. Maybe my nieces and nephew need some Gryffindor hats. They do need new hats.

Blue pinwheel blanket

Blue pinwheel blanket, originally uploaded by a-chan.

Yarn: Jo-Ann Sensations Rainbow Classic Yarn 1 skein 615 yards and Lion Brand Jiffy, 2 skeins for the border (135 yards/skein)
Needles: size 9us. I probably could have use to a 10, but that's okay, it's nice and thick and warm.
Pattern: www.knitlist.com/00gift/round-baby-blanket.htm

Notes:
I do love this pattern. This is my 4th finished pinwheel and I'm in the middle of two more and one that's getting ready to be knit. This one I decided to try the garter stitch border to combat the edge roll that plagues these blankets. It worked very well. The only problem I have with it is that it puckers a little along the color change line. It's still cute though.

Project Spectrum

I joined another -along. This time it's Project Spectrum. (click the image above to get a full run-down of what this is) Last year I wasn't organized enough to even try. This year, it's all different. I'm finishing projects!

So, Feb. and Mar. are the first two months. The colors are blue, white, and gray. I'm currently knitting a blue, white, and blue-gray pinwheel blanket:



Right now I have it scrunched up on a size 9, 32" circular.... I'm waiting till I get paid so I can buy a 60". Hopefully that will help a little. I only want to do another two inches in the solid blue (garter stitch), so I'm crossing my fingers it will fit on the 60". I can hardly move the stitches it's so tight. This blanket is for baby Andrew, my cousin's newborn. I had hoped to get it done before he was born, but I ran into that problem with the needle.

I'm not sure what my next blue/white/gray project will be. I might do some blue scrapbooking, that might be fun. Or, I have this blue and white self-striping sock yarn (regia nation something or other). It's for a costume I want to make for an anime convention. I don't plan on going to an conventions for another year, so I really don't need to start the socks, but it would be the perfect project for March. They are going to be knee-high, so I'm crossing my fingers that I have enough. (the yarn is pictured below)

Another project I've been thinking about is a cookie monster hat. Check out this yarn:



That blue fluffy stuff? Wouldn't it be perfect for a cookie monster hat? And then all I'd need to do is add some eyes. It's exciting.

Oh, I also made a PS set on flickr of all my pictures that are mainly blue/white/gray.

2006 State Fair

SUC52436.JPG, originally uploaded by a-chan.

I have this problem when it comes to fairs. I have to have cotton candy. If you don't like it, then you probably won't understand. It's like Richard always having to have a deep-fried twinkie. I think it's gross, but he just has to have one.

Anyways, I also have a problem where I can't post an entry without a knitting photo. See, I knit that wrist warmer way back when I first started knitting (the 3rd or 4th go-round, that is). It's horrible. It was the only cotton yarn I had and I really wanted it in cotton. It's knit flat and has a very wonky-ly seam. I still wear it when I find it (I do loose it a lot). And here it is at the fair... matching my cotton candy. Life is interesting.

Anyways, the reason for my post: Have you been over to the Yarn Harlot recently? Stephanie has really outdone herself this time. She has almost 800 comments on her last post! And she has mentioned Portland. Go read it, it's very worth it. It's about non-knitters not taking knitting seriously.

Flickr is great!

So, I talked my mom into a flickr account because I love mine so much and I knew that she would love it just as much. Well, I was right. She's uploaded like 2X more pictures than I have. It's fun to see all the pictures that she's taken. Some of them I have never seen before, or it's been a couple of years since I've seen them.

This last batch that she uploaded had some of my old FOs in them!! Super exciting! These two hats are pre-blog. They might have even been some of my first hats completed.

Anyways, here's me knitting on our way to the beach for my cousin's wedding reception:



And here is the finished hat on my beautiful niece (being held by my aunt):



This would be Keags with his hat. Apparently, he really liked it and use to wear it around the house:



Last, but not least, a picture showing my haircut back then (about 2 going on 3 years ago - that would be Laurie that I'm holding). Do I like my hair that short?? Don't I like it long? I'm so confused. I saw this picture and I really wanted to cut my hair short again... I don't know. I probably should leave it long until after the wedding because I want my hair up and I don't want to have to use any fake hair....

Square!

SUC53675.JPG, originally uploaded by a-chan.

Here is my square for Larissa's square-along.

Yarn: Koigu KPPPM, not sure on the color, I'll have to look for the tag
Needles: 3US
Pattern: secret square pattern from Larissa's future book
Size: Blocked to 7.5 inches

This took me a few evening knitting sessions and one afternoon. It could be done in one sitting if I had the time. However, with all the baby blankets I'm working on, all my other knitting time is very limited (like 20-30 minutes before bed)

Next up, I have some old leftover pink yarn from a baby hat that I think might work for one of these squares. If it doesn't work, then I have some other sock yarn I might raid.

Oh, and Sophie Rae Danger was born this morning! Babies, babies everywhere.

square to be

SUC53621.JPG, originally uploaded by a-chan.

Here's a sneak peek at the yarn I choose to knit my square for Larissa's square along. It's done, but not blocked. It will probably block to 7.5"

I've been working on some blankets and a hat for my new nephew. He came a month early, but all's good. Everyone is home and healthy. The niece isn't liking it too much, but she'll get use to it. The blanket I'm knitting for Baby Evan is black and dark green Reynold's Utopia. It's the best acrylic yarn I've ever knit with. His hat is some ggh Aspen. I love that yarn. I think I'll need to buy some for a hat for myself. It's so squishy!

I started Baby Andrew's blanket and it looks real cool. It's just some varigated acrylic I got at the craft store. But it's blue and white and it's coming out to look like winter camo. Super-neat!

I'm still at a stand still with Baby Sophie's blanket. The yarn store hasn't gotten a new shipment of Plymouth Encore and I'm totally out. I might need to pick a new color or order some online.

Speaking of ordering online, I'm super excited about Blue Moon Fiber Art's geisha! I'm not sure what colorway I'm going to order, but I'm so going order a skein as soon as payday comes... a whole week. Not sure if I can last. I might do a clapotis or a Print o' the Wave stole. I'm super scared of knitting the PotWS, but I think I'm ready to bite the bullet and do some real lace.

Snow Day!!!

Snow Day!!!
Originally uploaded by a-chan.

I knit this hat over 2 years ago. It was before I fixed my twisted stich. I still like to wear it even though it's not perfect. I wore it today in the snow and it kept my head really warm.... I think it's chunky encore, but ti's been so long that that is only a guess. I would like to knit another one so it's perfect. I like chunky hats.

Kinda big update

I've been kinda busy the last month or so with my knitting. First were the Meatheads (see previous posts), then there was dishcloths (knit like 13 of them for Christmas presents, this is the lonely leftover):



And some more Meatheads for my cousins, but I didn't get any pictures of those. I should email them and ask for a photo shoot.

Then there are the scarves:





My fave:



Then there are some baby sweaters that are 90% done:





And then there's the socks! My first socks! So exciting! One pair was the last FO in 2006 and the second pair is the first project started and finished in 2007. (one scarf was started in 2006 and finished in 2007)



The green pair is for me:



The blue pair is for Erin (and a little bit snug on my foot):



And some WIP's:

Sophie's blanket:


Purple mittens:


Not pictured Christmas knitting: A scarf for my aunt out of trellis sparklie yarn and mittens for Sarah.

Meathead number 3

Meathead number 3, originally uploaded by a-chan.

Colors are off again because lack of lighting. I need to set my alarm earlier tomorrow so I will get up and take pictures in daylight.

Specs:
Meathead pattern knit on size 17 needles (16' circs and dpns) to get gauge
colors are sable (brown), kiwi and fuscia

Decoration is a bunch of old butterly beads found in my old bead stash. My niece helped pick them out because it's going to be her hat.