Winter Knitting

It's been some time since I posted but that's because I have been busy knitting!!  It's become a passion of sorts and takes up time in my head even when I am not knitting.  The act of knitting is so calming and relaxing but it is also creative and gives me even more ideas to create my own knitting patterns.  Driving home from the office last night I had a wonderful idea for a modification to a sweater I am knitting and don't like how it is turning out.  Working on multiple projects at one time provides inspiration for modifying other projects.   Just tweaking the design will make it look totally different and be more my style.

Here's some recently finished projects.

This scarf is called Linus and it's an amazing squishy soft scarf using Misti Alpaca that I really enjoyed making.  You make it on the bias so the colors are always changing and it grows into a long asymetrical piece.

 

 It was made for this new Mountain Equipment Co-op windbreaker but it will actually go with 3 of my coats and several of  my sweaters!!  A great bonus since the wool was expensive at $25 a ball and I used the whole ball to make the scarf.  Still a $25 hand made scarf is unique and that makes it so enjoyable!!  AND...it is a featured finished item on the designers web site.  Pretty cool!!

On to the other projects.  This is a hat I started making in a knitting class.  I love the hat but the new bind on technique I learned is a bit tight but it fits o.k. and I am wearing it a lot.  I also made a simple scarf to go with it.  Really love the transition of colors in this beautiful wool.  

  

And the best item to date - it was a long haul to make this. It is a color play mohair shawl, knit from two balls at the same time.  The design is a classic from Churchmouse Yarns.  

On the cruise we took in January I tool along some knitting of course.  Turns out it's an icebreaker and a number of people spoke to me to ask what I was knitting.   Here's one of the items - it a Wiggle Lace scarf.  

In the works

This is my new adventure creating a lacey cowl that is knitted sideways.  The red yarn is for the provisional cast of and it gets ripped out and the blue is joined using those live stitches for a nice seam.  Another new thing I am trying.  Some patterns can intimidate me but now I think just go for it since it can always be ripped out and made into something else!!  AND, this is also featured on the designers web site!!  I guess I am not too bad huh?  Its called the Radiant Orchid Cowl on Ravelry. 

 

 The Churchmouse patterns are classic and I am working on this Easy Folded Poncho as well.  It's miles of straight knitting but it's great for in front of the TV.

  

In the mean time, I am always scouting out new patterns and planning my next knit project.  There is nothing as wonderful as sitting by the fire with a cup of tea with my knitting.  You can find me and my other projects on Ravelry, my favorite site.  

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.