Hats!

I know it's still fairly warm and sunny but I have been knitting hats and scarves getting ready for winter. Recently I made a bobble scarf and loved the wool I used.  There was not enough for a hat as well but I found some chocolate alpaca the same weight and added in ribs of that to the hat.  Here's a photo of the hat to go with the bobble scarf.  Yay! It turned out so well and looks cute on!  I also found I love knitting with the alpaca, such a lovely soft wool.  .  
 Here's the set.  cute huh? 

This is Craig's new wool hat which he has now pronounced is too "scratchy" when he gets hot.  This may end up getting felted to be softer.


While I am here I may as well throw in the headband I made.  I really did not love this pattern but the wool is so pretty.


I am not sure about other people but I tend to have about three projects on the go at once these days.  Something kinda complicated or needs me to pay attention when I am knitting it, something I can just knit away at while watching TV and then something small and portable.  Gee, sounds balanced to me!!

Enjoy your day and happy knitting!

Marquis

Here's a photo of Marquis wearing the leggings I knit him, that finally fit!! 

Apparently he really likes them and my "trick" of the open bottom and using a plastic bag to slide them on and then remove the bag worked really well.  I am so happy for him!! 

These were for Leggings for Life.  

Bobbles!

When I went to the Kitchener Knitters Fair I found some amazing hand dyed and spun yarn - for $15!  It's so lovely it was hard to just pick one color!  I went with the neutral and found a nice neck piece that shows off the wool and taught me how to make bobbles.  It's called the Melissa scarf.  Here it is. 

There is almost enough left to make a hat but since I am not sure, I bought some nice soft brown alpaca to do the top of a hat and then I can mix the brown and this wool for the sides.   Still have to figure out how I want that to look.  

And if you need a laugh...look at this poor doggie.   People actually knit to humiliate their dog.  

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/flintknits/to-humiliate-the-dog

Little Leggings for a Kitty

I recently made some leggings for a kitty and unfortunately they did not fit.  I also didn't like knitting them flat and having to sew them together!  Out of need comes a solution.  Check out the new leggings pattern I wrote to accomodate the change in size request and my desire for knitting without sewing up.   They are almost done and will be in the mail tomorrow!

You can see the first pair I knit in my blog post Leggings for Life.

Socks and more socks

Here are some more things I have been knitting! The purple ones are a few years old now. I recently found the red socks, one done to the heel. Finished that up and carried on. I love the colors in the wooly ones - and although I am not looking forward to winter, I am looking forward to these warm squishy socks in a pair of boots.
The green socks are lightweight and took forever. Not loving them on either as the stitch pattern leaves an imprint on your feet and they are a bit scratchy. Live and learn.
Sent from my Blackberry.

Three strand cowl

These are so awesome. I have made five I think. They only take an evening and although there is a lacy pattern it is simple enough to do it and watch TV. Here are two of them. I gave a cream one to my cousin visiting from England and a white fluffy summer one to a friend.
Sent from my Blackberry.

Lilac Bush Scarflette

Here's one of the knitting projects I am working on. It is a small scarf which should be nice with my purple coat.  It is almost at the half way point now.

This yarn is from Expression Fiber Arts in Alaska. It has already been made into a sock but the colorway left a line across the front of the foot with the color change so I ripped it out. Tried a nice holey shawl patter but after 3 attempts to follow the pattern I gave up on that too. The JJ Scarflette was the answer. It shows the color so nicely and is a nice sock weight so it won't be bulky.

River John Needle Company

I like to pass on discoveries when I think other knitters may be interested.  

Am just starting another scribble scarf.  They are so lovely and unique and you can really create a lovely gift.   I have made one so far and have two more to do. It is ribbon yarn and fine cashmere and makes a scarf or shawl.  The pattern I used last time had me cutting and joining yarn every 5 rows.  This pattern was from the wool shop owner (not impressed with that) and when I went back and looked at her sample, she did not use the pattern she sold me for the wool as her accent wool was carried up the side.  

Of course, the easier way is to carry up but you would have to transfer your wool to another needle or use double pointed.   The cashmere does not slide back onto the double pointed string needle easily.  

Here's the solution!!

Here's River John's site - (Yay, Canadian!)  http://www.lismoresheepfarmwoolshop.com/needles/index.htm

He makes swing needles...for those cases when you want to knit on a really long double pointed needle.  Like making a scribble scarf - http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/scribble-lace-wrap 

No cutting and joining new yarn using these needles.   

Enjoy!!


* I will post a photo soon of the first one I made and then when I get the new one done!!

Leggings for Life

I am a knitter for Leggings for Life. We make leggings to protect kitty legs for cats that are paralyzed or disabled. The leggings protect their tender skin when they drag themselves around. The cats don't know they are disabled and just like to enjoy life.

So far my knitted tests have not worked out too well. Its hard to measure a kitty!

These red leggings are for Marquis in a Montreal shelter. They were too long for him so need to try again.
Leggings for Life Facebook page