I am a knitting machine....

Today started with finishing off Caitlin.

Once again, I think the right buttons make the difference.
Pattern: Caitlin -- Junior Knits by Debbie Bliss

Size 5-6

Yarn: Dale of Norway Freestyle

8--50g balls

Needles: 4.5mm

The pattern was great, I love the details. The pockets, the bands on the side seams, and the increasing and decreasing at the sides of the cables instead of at the seams.

The only complaint I have is no schematics. I prefer these when I'm blocking instead of using the measurements at the beginning of the pattern.

After that was done I was off to the Needle Emporium to pick up a customer's sweater to finish, and of course you can't go there and not buy anything.

Seeing that I'm trying to knit from my stash I picked up one of the new Noni patterns for a felted bag, a bottle of Soak to wash my new cardigan, and some Heilo for a long past due Kristen toque I've been wanting to make myself for a long time.

This week I started a new pair of socks with my Socks that Rock yarn, colourway Scottish Highland. I decided on the Dublin Bay pattern. This yarn is just as yummy as everyone says. The yarn seems to be spiraling on my but we'll say it's a design feature.

I also started one of my favorite Cabin Fever patterns with yarn from Sheldridge Farms that I bought at the Knitter's Fair in September. It's a wool-cotton blend in DK weight. I've made this cardigan before in Super 10 cotton and has been well worn and it's time for another.

So if you don't hear from me for a little while you know what I'm up to.

Buttons.......

The perfect buttons. Snowflakes for the Winter Sunset Cardigan.
This should have be finished last winter. But at least it's not filling up my basket any more.

Pattern: Winter Sunset Cardigan by Jamiesons.
Yarn: Jamiesons 2 ply.
Needles: 3.25mm
I very happy that I got this done. If I hadn't put it down to do other projects it would have been done a lot sooner.
I do have another kit from this company, Saga Rose and I would love to do it but I think it will be awhile. I'm thinking something with larger needles.

Mr. D also got a new toque this weekend. I just used a regular toque pattern and inserted the skull pattern. Patons Classic Wool and 4mm needle.

And now I'm going to try and finish Caitlin for Miss "P" but she conned me into this today.

Chocolate Chip cookies.

And every time I turn my back she's gone with the camera and takes pictures of the cats. This one's not to bad for a 3 year old.

Brrrr......

This is how the trees still looked this morning. I know it's not that great for the trees, but it sure was pretty with the sun bouncing off all that ice.


I got to the button band on my Winter Sunset cardigan and had to make a few changes. First the pattern says to pick up 192 sts, and I'm thinking that sounds like alot of stitches. Won't the band be all floppy and bunched up? So I started picking up 3 stitches for every 4 rows of knitting. It has always worked out well for me in the past. I ended up with 150 sts. If this doesn't work out I'll be tinking it and trying again. Not one of my favorite things to do.
Now pattern 4 rows and place 8 buttonholes.
Pattern says knit to buttonhole placement, sl1, sl1, psso, sl1, psso. Slip this st back to left needle, CO 2 st. Rep for other buttonholes.
Didn't like the look of that one. Now remember I'm working with two colours here. So I patterned to the place I wanted it (1 white st before the 2 black sts) ssk, wrapped both yarns around the needle twice, k2tog (2nd black st and 1st white st).
(click on pics for larger image)

So now on the wrong side these 2 sts should be white and I knit in the front and back of the double wrap to make 2 stitches for the next row.


So for this particular pattern, I have a buttonhole I can live with.
And to my amazement the eight buttonholes worked out perfectly even and in the same pattern repeat.

The only problem now is getting it back from Mr. Tibbs to finish the other band.

Winter Storm Warning...

This picture doesn't do it justice. We woke up this morning and everything was covered in ice.
What a way to start my week off of work.
I sat in the house, with knitting in hand, and thought " I am so glad I don't have to work in that today."




Here's is the proud recipient of the Tie Front Cardi. She said she has worn it everyday since she got it. I must say it fit well and looks great on her.

















Second: While I was watching the freezing rain this morning I finished my Web Socks.













Pattern: Web Socks/ Interweave Knits/
Winter 2005, free pattern
(check my sidebar)
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Superwash
Tropical Storm
Needles: 2.5mm
Excellent pattern, 4 row repeat, yarn is yummy.

















Next up: The sleeves are now done on my Winter Sunset Cardigan and time to cut the front steeks.
NO SWEAT!
This is not something that scares me anymore.































Now all that is left to do is pick up the neck and button bands.
It's amazing how much I can get done when I know I don't have to go to work all week.















My head is spinning right now with thoughts of what to start next.


And lastly I leave you with Russell all catniped out.

It's finally done........

Only a couple of weeks behind schedule but it's finished.

I don't think I'll be doing this one again anytime soon.












Pattern: Tie Front Cardigan, Frost Flower pattern
Shirley Paden design
Vogue Knitting Holiday 2006

Yarn: Filatura Di Crosa/Tahki-Stacy Charles Zarina
100% extra fine merino

Needles: 3-3/4 & 4mm



Beautiful stitch detail. I have always admired the intricacy's of Shirley Paden's designs. Believe it or not it's a 28 row pattern and after a couple of repeats I had it memorized.
Lovely bell sleeves.....








ruffled collared, increased to 808 sts....

The yarn is buttery soft and beautiful to work with.
I don't think there will be an itch factor here.














The pattern called for 12 balls for the largest size, I bought 1 extra just in case, and I only used 10.
The only issues I had with this pattern were the schematics. My gauge was right on but when I blocked the finished pieces the were smaller than what the pattern said.
On the sleeve it tells you to knit to 18" and ending on the same row as the back, but if you follow the schematics it has the sleeve at 16". And the waist and bust measurements are 1/2" larger on the fronts than the back but the hip measurements are equal. What's with that?

After all is said and done, 2 black cats and 1 black dog later, we will be plucking black hair out of this one for a little while, but Mr. Tibbs gives his approval.













Now let's go finish something else!

Starting off right...

It certainly feels good starting of the new year right.

The knitting for the Not So Top Secret sweater is finally finished. The first sleeve is blocking and the second is waiting in the wings.

Second: It's time to get back to the Winter Sunset Cardigan. I'm on the last sleeve, what's so hard about getting that finished.

I'm definately one of those people who shouldn't start too many projects because once I put one down and start another it's really hard for me to go back and finish the first one. This poor cardigan was started around 1 1/2 years ago (I think) and has been left in this state for quite awhile. I just keep finding so many other projects I want to do. I must say it's mostly my fellow bloggers out there, every time I read about someone knitting something new I want to knit it also.

Socks usually aren't a problem I always have a pair on the needles. They're for my car knitting, they are compact enough to take anywhere and I have enough sock yarn to last at least a couple of years or more.

I was so busy with the holidays and work that I forgot to mention that my daughter and I visited an alpaca farm last month. It's called Shear Comfort and it's located in St Ann's, just about 15 minutes from me. What a great afternoon! These animals are so beautiful, and she has just opened up a retail shop that sells her yarn and knitted items. Of course I had to buy a 15 oz. cone of lace weight (which was before New Year's ), so I will be going through some of my patterns for a shawl .

Yesterday was a great day with Miss "P". She actually spent alot of time with her grampa in the garage after we went for groceries.

So till next time.... I'm off to knit. (and finish the laundry and think about what to cook for dinner).