A friend of mine is having her second child, a boy. I happen to know that her husband is very much into college football, so I decided to make the football helmet hat for them, from Itty-Bitty Hats. I chose Northwestern University's colors, because that's where the parents went to college, and where they met.
I was looking around for an appropriate bootie to go with them (while the knitted Converse sneakers are very cute, they're not really footballish) and I found these great sneaker booties. I ordered some Cascade 220 superwash from WEBS and got started.
The ear flaps, while quick to knit, were HUGE. Like, they'd cover my ears and then some. But I persevered on (you know, like the Harlot has said many times before, your inner knitter knows this is wrong, but you have this hope that when you complete it, the rest will shrink to fit the size it was supposed to be?) Finally, I finished the hat and it was ... okay. The cap part seemed baby sized. The ear flaps were impossible. I thought and I thought, and I said, I am a knitter. I can fix this.
I decided that the culprit was actually that the ear flaps are in seed stitch, and my seed stitch (apparently) is way, way looser than my stockinette. (I'm starting to suspect that it's either switching to purl or purling itself that is looser than my knit stitch.) So I decided, the ear flaps are modules, I can cut them off and kitchener new ones on. But then I thought, well, the first few rows of the brim are also seed stitch, so I could just redo the beginning of the hat, and kitchener in stockinette. Much better. (And along the way, I can correct the number of stitches to be odd, so that I can seed stitch around. And I can center the ear flaps on the brim - the original offset them toward the back of the head.)
So while TLD was napping in the car, I took a deep breath and picked up stitches around the bottom of the hat, checked twice, and snipped the yarn. Pulled out that sucker, and I had a brim and a hat to attach to each other, with about the same number of stitches.
Then I had my inspiration - I could use the 3 needle bind-off instead of kitchener, and it would create a nice line between the seed stitch brim and the stockinette. I ran it past my knitting group, and it was decided.
I finished it with some brown KnitPicks swish DK I had around. Why is it that the Swish DK and the Cascade 220 knit at the same gauge? (I know it doesn't matter for the football but I used it in the booties below also). Exact same!
Pattern: Football, from Itty-Bitty Hats
Yarn: Cascade 220 superwash in royal purple, KnitPicks Swish DK in brown and white.
Needles: Size 7 circular 16" (my first needle; forgot the brand), DPNs (Bryspun), and size 5 circular 16" (Addi Turbo, I think) and DPNs (Probably Clover Takumi) for the seed stitch section.
Mods: I accidentally had too many stitches in the first few rows of the stockinette section, so I did a k2tog to fix it. It's visible, but I put it at the back. Should've seen if I could sew the football over it!
The booties were really wonderful, quick, and easy. And I'd wondered for a long time why I hadn't seen any bootie patterns that knit the bottom and attached the sides at the same time. I'd thought that's how I'd like to make a bootie, but I assumed there was something wrong with it that I'd find out. Nope, nothing wrong, just not a very common construction. This is great- it makes a rectangular sole, and no seams at all (no seam up the bottom, no seams up the side, just no seams!) The roll-top is perfect (I did sew it down, as it was threatening to reveal my woven-in ends), and the lacing was fun.
Pattern: Sneaker Booties
Yarn: Cascade 220 superwash in royal purple, KnitPicks Swish DK in brown and white.
Needles: Size 2 DPNs (Clover Takumi)
I gave these to my friend, and she asked if I'd put the hat on TLD. It was so cute, I've got to make another hat for him to wear during college football season!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
FO: Brown Bricks dishcloth
Here it is, at long last: the Ballband dishcloth. I made it with two colors of Lion cotton I got on sale (boy, those balls have great yardage!). It is a fun pattern, and I could get into these easy slip stitch patterns. So easy to make colorful stuff with no fuss! As I made this, I realized that a blanket that was given to TLD is the same pattern, except that it's all in stockinette instead of putting the "bricks" in reverse-stockinette.
Pattern: Ball band dishcloth, from Mason Dixon knitting or the ball band of Pisgah Peaches & Creme.
Yarn: Lion Cotton, red and brown.
Needle: KnitPicks Options, size 6.
I did this exactly as written.
Here's a modeled shot:
When I handed this over to TLD, he put it in his mouth (of course), but then he started polishing his toys and wiping the floor! So now of course it's his.
Pattern: Ball band dishcloth, from Mason Dixon knitting or the ball band of Pisgah Peaches & Creme.
Yarn: Lion Cotton, red and brown.
Needle: KnitPicks Options, size 6.
I did this exactly as written.
Here's a modeled shot:
When I handed this over to TLD, he put it in his mouth (of course), but then he started polishing his toys and wiping the floor! So now of course it's his.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Still here Tuesday
Leaving on vacation at the end of this week, so I'm working hard at work and The Sweetie's working hard at home. I'm hoping to get the 160+ photos off the camera before leaving so I can take more photos. Of course, I still have to get the good ones chosen and uploaded, emailed, shared, etc. But that can wait until after vacation if need be.
TLD is so great these days. Such a wide smile, such raw pleasure in simple things - running around and falling on the carpet, opening cupboards and taking cans off the shelf, replacing them and closing the cupboard, putting his hands under running water in the sink. This weekend he picked a tiny daisy and handed it to me. And he didn't even want it back, as he often does when he hands me treasures. And he blew a kiss to his grandmother as we were leaving.
Here is a "where is it now" photo of my Grandma's Favorite dishcloth. It seems to have had a run-in with a knife. Poor thing.
Have a great 4th of July!
TLD is so great these days. Such a wide smile, such raw pleasure in simple things - running around and falling on the carpet, opening cupboards and taking cans off the shelf, replacing them and closing the cupboard, putting his hands under running water in the sink. This weekend he picked a tiny daisy and handed it to me. And he didn't even want it back, as he often does when he hands me treasures. And he blew a kiss to his grandmother as we were leaving.
Here is a "where is it now" photo of my Grandma's Favorite dishcloth. It seems to have had a run-in with a knife. Poor thing.
Have a great 4th of July!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
World Wide Knit in Public Day 2009
We made it to my local knit guild's World Wide Knit in Public Day this year. TLD hasn't missed one yet!
The ladies asked how TLD was while I was knitting. In fact, this is the first time he's seen me knit! I usually do it when he's asleep.
I've got lots to show you - but as usual, it's languishing on the camera.
The ladies asked how TLD was while I was knitting. In fact, this is the first time he's seen me knit! I usually do it when he's asleep.
I've got lots to show you - but as usual, it's languishing on the camera.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
FO: XOXO Baby Socks
I can't believe it's been over a month since posting! I'll try to at least present bullet updates more often. I've been knitting as much as I can (lots of babies are gestating this season...) but mostly it's been the lack of ability to upload photos in a timely fashion.
I knit these socks for up and coming younger sibling of the recipient of this, in the same yarn (had it left over).
Project specs:
Pattern: XOXO Baby socks (pdf)
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Sport
Needles: Size 2 DPNs (Clover/Takumi bamboo)
Mods: None.
I seamed with the cast-on tail, and the only hitch was the pattern has you hold two stitches when you join (the cuff is knit flat and seamed, then joined in the round to finish the sock), and it didn't say what to do with them. Turns out you just thread the seaming yarn through them to secure them; they create a nice transition between the seam and the in-the-round, where the selvedge stitches are taken up.
I knit these socks for up and coming younger sibling of the recipient of this, in the same yarn (had it left over).
Project specs:
Pattern: XOXO Baby socks (pdf)
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Sport
Needles: Size 2 DPNs (Clover/Takumi bamboo)
Mods: None.
I seamed with the cast-on tail, and the only hitch was the pattern has you hold two stitches when you join (the cuff is knit flat and seamed, then joined in the round to finish the sock), and it didn't say what to do with them. Turns out you just thread the seaming yarn through them to secure them; they create a nice transition between the seam and the in-the-round, where the selvedge stitches are taken up.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
FO: Propeller Hat
I made a Who Hat (it was named by trek) for R..., but when I gave it to her, her son Island Boy tried to put it on, and I realized I had brought no gift for him! I went home determined to rectify the situation.
A while back I made a sweater for him (this was before he arrived) and I thought a matching hat would be just the thing. I even had the yarn leftover, so it would be a perfect match. It took me a while to finish it, but I did finally do the propellers (fiddly, but really short work) and mail it off. The parents took photos and emailed them back!
Pattern: Autogyro. Be sure to get the errata on the Ravelry page:
Erratum
Rounds 15 and 16 of the propeller section should read:
Round 15: K1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1 twice. 12 sts.
Round 16: K1, k2tog, ssk, k1 twice. 8 sts.
Needles: Size 4 and 6, 16" circular (Susan Bates, I think) and dpns, I think Clover/Takumi
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash. Yep, it's washable!
Mods: I didn't do the turned hem with elastic - I did a picot cast-on for stretch and 1x1 ribbing instead. Then I replicated my stripe sequence from the sweater, in reverse. I tried out slipping stitches to avoid jogs as described by TechKnitter here. They look okay in the photo, but at the time I still wasn't too satisfied.
And here is the little scholar wearing the ensemble, studying to be a Cal Bear like his dad:
A while back I made a sweater for him (this was before he arrived) and I thought a matching hat would be just the thing. I even had the yarn leftover, so it would be a perfect match. It took me a while to finish it, but I did finally do the propellers (fiddly, but really short work) and mail it off. The parents took photos and emailed them back!
Pattern: Autogyro. Be sure to get the errata on the Ravelry page:
Erratum
Rounds 15 and 16 of the propeller section should read:
Round 15: K1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1 twice. 12 sts.
Round 16: K1, k2tog, ssk, k1 twice. 8 sts.
Needles: Size 4 and 6, 16" circular (Susan Bates, I think) and dpns, I think Clover/Takumi
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash. Yep, it's washable!
Mods: I didn't do the turned hem with elastic - I did a picot cast-on for stretch and 1x1 ribbing instead. Then I replicated my stripe sequence from the sweater, in reverse. I tried out slipping stitches to avoid jogs as described by TechKnitter here. They look okay in the photo, but at the time I still wasn't too satisfied.
And here is the little scholar wearing the ensemble, studying to be a Cal Bear like his dad:
Monday, May 4, 2009
FO: Wee Tiny Sock 2009
Wow, this little knitblog seems to be turning into an FO blog. It's because I seem to be able to download photos from the camera in small bursts, and by then there aren't any in-progress shots. That and my new schedule (baby and work) seems to only allow small projects - they really don't admit much by way of in-progress, because by the time I get a photo, they're done!
Here is my Wee Tiny sock, waiting to be mailed. I took it on my camera phone because I forgot to take a photo at home, but it was mailing day so mail it I did. Note the vintage Flash Gordon stamp, which I had to lick! And the collection ofantique 1c, 4c, and 5c stamps with antiques on them. The notecard is by rkbezzie who blogs at Random Meanderings, but doesn't seem to have anything for sale just now. She's been working hard at work and just had a baby, but I hope she'll pull out the sheep print again, because I love the cards!
Pattern: Wee Tiny Sock pattern (pdf)
Needles: Size 0 dpns, Brittany birch (slightly warped)
Yarn: KnitPicks Risata
I only did 6 plain rounds for the toe, which ended up with a short toe, but there you have it.
My pal was Grace and she loves it. She made her Wee Tiny Sock as her first (well, second) sock. She kept the first "practice" one, as her first sock, and made a second one for the swap. You go, Grace! I'm sure it won't be her last sock!
Here is my Wee Tiny sock, waiting to be mailed. I took it on my camera phone because I forgot to take a photo at home, but it was mailing day so mail it I did. Note the vintage Flash Gordon stamp, which I had to lick! And the collection of
Pattern: Wee Tiny Sock pattern (pdf)
Needles: Size 0 dpns, Brittany birch (slightly warped)
Yarn: KnitPicks Risata
I only did 6 plain rounds for the toe, which ended up with a short toe, but there you have it.
My pal was Grace and she loves it. She made her Wee Tiny Sock as her first (well, second) sock. She kept the first "practice" one, as her first sock, and made a second one for the swap. You go, Grace! I'm sure it won't be her last sock!
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