What’s in a name?

That which we call a Rockefeller would be just as pretty if we called it Roosevelt or Eisenhower…

I’m (k)nitting on and have just (k)nits bound off  the twelve drummers drumming socks. I used 2.25 mm needles and Desert Vista Dyeworks Zien with a fish lips kiss heel complete with twin stitches.

Then I woke up the sockhead hat in GnomeAcres Sparkle Gnome Batgirl colorway using US size 2.5 needles. It is also just (k)nits bound off. I really like the way this hat looks but I didn’t like (k)nitting the 4 inches of 2×2 rib and 8 inches of stockinette to get the look.

The next hibernating project was Rockefeller (aka Roosevelt). I’m using Wollmeise Pure in Ruby Thursday and 47 Ag and US size 3.  I’ve changed the name of this project on my Rav page to Roosevelt because, prior to its hibernation, knitting group had a what’s on the needles check in and I answered Roosevelt. Another member of the group is knitting along with me and she called hers Eisenhower. Rockefeller was never president but served as vice president with Ford. I’m (k)nitting the dead (k)nitting part but it was originally a just (k)nits in the zone so I’ll leave it there.

My just (k)nits for others is Playdate in Wollmeise Pure in Feldmaus using US size 3 and 5 needles. I’m modifying and using an afterthought pocket on this one.

I also woke up as the on-the-go just dead(k)nits the Christmas socks that I cast on in 2014 and that have been hibernating. They’re in Desert Vista Dyeworks Zombody’s kissing Santa Claus. I’m using 2.25 mm needles and fish lips kiss heel. I’d transferred them to some Addi needles for sleeping and didn’t realize it till I was away from home. They will be transferred to Chiao Goos which are my weapon for preference.

Susan at Desert Vista Dyeworks is continuing the officially unofficial DVD monthly sock club but I’m dropping out. I’ve decided to do some shorter knitalongs throughout the year. Having to complete a pair of socks every month used up a lot of my (k)nitting time.

Till next time, I’m just (k)nittin’ on with no frogs, no tinks, just (k)nits.

Shakin’ off the dust and (k)nittin’ on

Those (k)nitting goals I set for 2015…I’m not even going there. Pretty much it’s been a year of (k)nitting whatever I wanted when I wanted. This is a good thing. Yes, I had deadline (k)nitting…the officially unofficial Desert Vista Dyeworks monthly sock club and baby sweaters…lots of baby sweaters…and a couple of KALs. Basically it was a fun year. I learned to let projects hibernate so that I could meet deadlines when needed and to not stress over finishing KALs on deadline. I did finish a pair of socks every month, 11 baby sweaters, 3 Christmas stockings, 2 dog hoods, 6 shawls, 12 hats, 32 softies and 1 adult sweater. For 2016 I’m going to shake off the goal setting dust and (k)nit on. My friend, Carl who went to a better place in 2015, listed as his favorite someplace EZ’s quote about knitting on in confidence. So to honor Carl, I’m going to dedicate 2016 to (k)nitting on in confidence without goals or tears.

So what have I been doing since last post??? I’ve just (k)nits bound off the eleven pipers piping socks and ten lords a leaping socks in Desert Vista Dyeworks Zien using 2.25 mm needles and fish lips kiss heel. Now my idea was to wear the twelve stripes socks on the corresponding 12 days of Christmas. It is Christmas eve and 70 plus degrees and will be flip flop weather for the foreseeable future. Maybe in 2016.

I’ve also just (k)nits bound off Playdate using US size 3, 5 and 6 needles and Wollmeise Pure in No Whale Watching in CO. I like this little sweater but didn’t really love the way the yarn pooled. As you’ll see below I’m (k)nitting another in a solid color.

I’ve also just (k)nits bound off TWO Peanut Vests in Berroco Vintage DK using US size 3, 5 and 6 needles. I love these vests. This will in future be the boy baby gift go-to pattern. It was a quick (k)nit and has lots of possibilities. I used size 6 needles for the stranding.

I also just (k)nits bound off a Doolallies Rocking Horse stocking using a kit from Elegant Heirlooms and US size 5 needles.

What am I (k)nitting now? I’m just dead (k)nitting the twelve drummers drumming socks in Desert Vista Dyeworks Zien using 2.25 mm needles and fish lips kiss heel. I’m hoping to finish by 12th day but it won’t matter because it will be too warm to wear them.

I’m just (k)nitting for others another Playdate in Wollmeise Pure Feldmaus using US size 3, 5, and 6 needles. I’ll be modifying in favor of an afterthought pocket rather than the one the pattern uses.

All this being said, Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it and Happy 2016!

I’m shakin’ off the dust and (k)nittin’ on!

 

 

Oh baby, baby!

Where have I been??? Knitting baby sweaters and Christmas stockings. Last post you’ll remember that all my projects except the baby sweaters, Christmas stockings and Desert Vista Dyeworks sock club socks had been put to sleep.

Since that post I’ve just (k)nits bound off five projects, one of these wasn’t even on the needles last post. First, I just (k)nits bound off the Zombody’s been eatin’ candy corn socks using Desert Vista Dyeworks Viso and 2.25 mm needles and fish lips kiss heel.

L’s Boheme is also just (k)nits bound off. I used Berroco Vintage DK and US size 7 needles. This is part of the baby sweater count and is actually a big sister sweater. I’ll also be (k)nitting one for little sister, M. I hadn’t been able to measure L and was a bit concerned that she’d outgrow hers before M grew into hers. Fortunately the size is good…YAY!!! It’s still a block away so I’ll post photo when I block.

I also just (k)nits bound off a Buttons cardigan for baby Apple. I’m invited to a shower for baby Apple so moved this one to the front of the to-knit list. I used Wollmeise Merino DK in Kakao and US size 5 and 6 needles. I’ll be adding giraffe buttons. I had not knit with Wollmeise DK but will be using much in the future. It is a delight to work and the fabric is soft and sturdy.

Also under just (k)nits bound off, I’ve finished two stockings, Up on the Woof and Here I go. Both are kits from Elegant Heirlooms.   I love these kits. They’re nicely done and have plenty of everything you need except needles. I’ve ordered 6 more to make for next year. I’m am downscaling to the Doolallies because they don’t have as much bead and sequin work which I don’t like to do. All of these kits are good value.

I also am just (k)nitting for others a Playdate for Parker. I’m using US size 5 and 6 needles and Wollmeise Pure in No Whale Watching in CO. It is off the needles but assembly and blocking need to be done.

For my new just dead(k)nits I cast on Eleven Pipers piping socks with modified fish lips kiss heels using Desert Vista Dyeworks Zien and 2.25 needles. I’m using German short rows instead of twin stitches. I’ve set aside sock one to work on baby sweaters and now that the sweaters are done, I’ve picked them back up. I’ve finished sock 1. Once the socks are finished, I’ll be casting on another Christmas stocking.

I really really wanted to knit along on the Westknits Mystery Shawl KAL 2015 but have resisted. I have selected yarn and am looking a spoilers to plan color “arrangement” but so far have resisted casting on. It’s been tough but I need to finish a few more things first.

Till next time, no frogs, no tinks, just (k)nits.

Canine Yarnivorous Virus

It rained and it rained and it rained. This means that Gilligan didn’t have outside playtime and had developed a huge case of canine yarnivorous virus. Late one evening (10pm), I noticed that he was vigorously shaking something that was not the color of anything he’s allowed to shake. I sat up so I could get a full view and discovered that he had a brand new hank of yarn that he’d gotten from the project basket–yes, I know I left it where he could get it…mea culpa–and had shaken it till it was yarn barf (for you non-knitting folks, this means it was a tangled pile of yarn and in this case messed up beyond all recognition and I failed to take a picture). Gilligan was immediately quarantined to his crate, and I spent the next three hours detangling and hand-winding the yarn. The next day the rain subsided enough that Gilligan was able to go outside some during the day. However he was having no part in going outside after dark. So he had another virus attack. This time I knocked a circular stitch holder off the end table. Gilligan retrieved it for me and chewed it up. Fortunately he didn’t consume any of this. He also damaged one of my Chiao Goo interchangeable cables. I’m not sure whether it was on the floor or he got it off the end table. Before the rain went away he got another interchangeable cable. Yes in all cases I left something he shouldn’t have where he could get it. Once again he was quarantined to his crate. I am very thankful that these small items were my only damages from the rains. I sent prayers and love to those in South Carolina who had real floods and major damage. (Makes me feel a bit guilty for my whining)

Since last post Rockefeller and Sockhead hat have started hibernation.

Just (k)nits bound off are Nine Ladies Dancing socks in Desert Vista Dyeworks Zien using 2.25 mm needles and Camo Gramps in GnomeAcres Squishy Gnome Wabbit Season Duck Season and Malabrigo Rios Lettuce on US size 6, 7 and 8 needles.

I cast on a couple of Just (k)nits for others projects. Boheme is on US size 7 needles and in Berroco Vintage DK. This pattern calls for worsted weight yarn but I’d bought DK weight for this project and this is 3rd pattern. I’m trying to make matching big-little sister patterns and sizing has become an issue. Vests can be a bit big with lots of room for growth. I’ve knit Boheme with the result that the recipient was able to wear it several seasons before outgrowing it. My gauge is usually a bit big so I was able to get the correct gauge with the DK weight and the fabric looks good.

My other Just (k)nits for others are Christmas stockings. I’m using kits from Elegant Heirlooms and US size 5 needles. These kits include everything but the needles and are economically priced. I purchased mine through Gate City Yarns. I’ve finished the knitting on the first one and have started the second. I still have duplicate stitch detailing, embellishing and assembly to do.

Now about Just dead(k)nits…I’ve been (k)nitting twelve stripes of Christmas socks each month as an entry into the Officially Unofficial Desert Vista Dyeworks Monthly Sock Club. So October 1, I should have cast on 10 Lords a-leapin’ but traditionally I’ve knit Halloween socks every fall. My friends starting posting pictures of their Halloween socks and I caved. So I cast on Eating Candy Corn socks on 2.25 mm needles using Desert Vista Dyeworks Viso in Zombody’s Eating Candy Corn. The lords will probably leap in November and the candy corn socks work for the sock club entry and I always eat candy corn around Halloween.

Till next time, no frogs, no tinks, just (k)nits.

User Error Eliminated

My Christmas gift to self every year for the last 10 years is fiber equipment. 2014 was no exception. I gave myself a Nancy’s Knit Knacks heavy duty ball winder…yes, the one most knitters covet. I didn’t get it till spring and, when it came and was unpacked, I noticed it was different from the one I use at my LYS. Some assembly was required, and, once assembled, I wound some yarn. The cakes were loose and a bit wonky and had no tension whatsoever. I got out the instructions and learned there was a tension adjustment. So I corrected it and wound more yarn. This time the cake had “floopies” (dangling loops at the bottom and top). I attributed this to user error and wasn’t too concerned about it.  Several weeks later, I again had floopies and again thought it user error. In the meantime, Gilligan who is a NAPE (North American Paper Eater) ate what I thought were the instructions to the ball winder. I continued to have floopies and was quite frustrated by this. I mean I’ve been winding on the older version of this winder for years…surely this new one couldn’t be that different. I watched NNK’s tutorial videos which were more relevant to the old winder. I tried several different remedies to no avail. One of the reasons I bought this winder was because it doesn’t normally create floopies and I do not…repeat do NOT…like floopies. I was mentally composing an email to Nancy’s, when reorganization of my desk top revealed that Gilligan had not eaten the instructions. Once found and read, I was able to quickly remedy the problem (another new adjustment) and am now a happy floopie-less knitter here in Southpark. The moral of this story is: the amount of user error is directly proportional to the time spent reading the instructions.

Now on to just (k)nits in the zone…I’m (k)nitting Rockefeller using Wollmeise Pure in 47 AG and Ruby Thursday on US size 3 needles. It has been a struggle….I’ve tinked a bit and done a bit of amphibious (k)nitting and left several mistakes that can’t be seen from the back of a galloping horse. I still love this piece and the red and dark grey are an excellent combination. I am working section 3 and, once this is completed, Rockefeller will hibernate for a while. I haven’t decided how long yet.

The reason I haven’t decided how long is just (k)nits for others. I have 2 Christmas stockings and 9 baby/toddler sweaters to (k)nit. The stockings need to be finished by November 1 and won’t be cast on until October 1. I’ve been (k)nitting the baby sweaters on Sunday but am finding myself a bit stressed by the “slowness” of this (actually the stress is coming from having too many projects on the needles). So once the stockings are finished, I’ll be working the sweaters rather than just (k)nits in the zone for a while and also will decide the duration of Rockefeller’s hibernation.My current just (k)nits for others project is Camo Gramps on US size 6, 7 and 8 needles using GnomeAcres Squishy Gnome Wabbit Season Duck Season and Malabrigo Rios Lettuce.

Peyton’s Fish Hat in GnomeAcres Squishy Gnome Lady Camo using US size 6 needles is now just (k)nits bound off. I really have fun (k)nitting these hats.

In just dead(k)nits I’m working on Nine Ladies Dancing socks with fish lips kiss heel using Desert Vista Dyeworks Zien and 2.25 mm needles. I’m on the leg of sock 2 and hope to finish by week’s end.  The Sockhead Hat using GnomeAcres Sparkle Gnome in Batgirl and US size 2.5 needles is now hibernating. This is another piece that is moving slowly because I don’t have enough “love” to go around.

Till next time, no frogs, no tinks, just (k)nits.

 

Take it Ease-y

Ease…those extra inches in sweaters that make them roomy or tight, if lacking. I love lots of positive ease. I like at least 3 inches of positive ease and would take more but sometimes that results in sweaters falling from shoulders or other issues. I have a tendency to occasionally buy patterns that work best with zero or negative ease and had several fails at adding ease to them to realize that sometimes that just does not work. A pattern’s stating “meant to be worn with zero or negative ease” means just that. I thought I’d learned to read Ravelry descriptions before pattern purchase but apparently not. I bought one last week and was in the process of queuing it when I realized it should be “worn with zero ease” and knew adding ease wouldn’t work with this pattern. I may use the motif later for design purposes. Yarn intended for this sweater will be used to make a design sweater down the road.

Speaking of sweaters, I’ve a major case of sweater castonitis. I want to cast on a sweater so bad I can hardly stand it. I think this is because my online friends are posting pictures of Rhinebeck sweaters (loving all the versions of Hitofude)  on Instagram. I even devised a plan of alternate weeks working shawl and sweater. Fortunately common sense prevailed and I won’t be casting on a sweater just yet.

Good news!!! Mint Julep is now just (k)nits bound off. This piece has been hibernating for a while and needed to be finished before I cast on another sweater. It is (k)nit from Classic Elite Majestic Tweed in Cherry Pie colorway on US size 8 needles. It needs buttons and wetblocking. I’ve (k)nit a couple of Baby Cocktails patterns and have found that her shoulder treatments don’t fit me quite right. I wear them and like the way they look but the shoulders just don’t feel right…same here and could just be me being persnickety. I do plan to knit more of her designs.

Actually I had lots of  things that are just (k)nits bound off since last post. The Eight Maids a-Milking socks from Desert Vista Dyeworks Zien on 2.25 mm needles are finished. Come What May on US size 6 needles using Another Crafty Girl Oh Shiny! Sock in Ghost Children colorway is a block away from being ready to gift. Davis Fish Hat in GnomeAcres Squishy Gnome Little Plastic Bricks colorway on US size 6 needles is ready to be bagged,tagged and delivered to young Master Davis. Backpack buddies using various yarns on US size 4 needles are now reminding school kids and teachers that they are loved.

Just dead(k)nits Sockhead Hat using GnomeAcres House Gnome in Batgirl on US size 2.5 needles is slowly moving along. I’m now in the stockinette section (YAY!) and, since I love to purl (yeah, I heard a bunch of “eews” from my knitting friends), I’m working it in reverse stockinette.  This may result in my decreases leaning the wrong way but we don’t have to tell. Except for the 4 inches of 2×2 rib this is a very good dead (k)nitting project.

I’m also dead(k)nitting Nine Ladies Dancing Socks on 2.25 mm needles using Desert Vista Dyeworks Zien and fish lips kiss heel. These are my September club socks and have to be finished by September 30.

I’m just (k)nitting in the zone Rockefeller #2 in Wollmeise Pure in Ruby Thursday and 47 Ag on US size 3 needles. One of my knitting friends wanted to (k)nit this and I wanted to knit another so we decided to (k)nit it together. I made one when Stephen West introduced it as a mystery knitalong and it is one of my favorite pieces to wear.

I’m just (k)nitting for others a Fish Hat for Peyton using GnomeAcres Squishy Gnome Doppelganger kit for Lady Camo and US size 6 needles. Actually it is off the needles and needs eyes and a bath. Sunday the plan is to cast on another Gramps for baby Jase using GnomeAcres Squishy Gnome in Wabbit Season Duck Season. Jase’s mom loves camo stuff so thought she’d like this yarn. I had owl buttons made for this project.

Sorry this feels like it ran long…but I finished several things at the same time. Next post my topic will be “when all else fails, read the instructions.”

Till next time, no frogs, no tinks, just (k)nits.

Greatest thing since sliced bread

Obviously I’m addicted to yarn but I’m also a gadget addict. I love gadgets. I’m no cook but a visit to my kitchen will reveal several drawers of kitchen gadgets that I don’t use. Before I became a knitter, I’d go in kitchen stores and visit the gadget aisle to check them out. I was also into stamping for a while and have a good many stamping gadgets. So the fact that I love (k)nitting gadgets is no surprise. I buy new ones often. Sometimes I only use them once or twice and sometimes they become don’t-know-how-I-knit-without-it tools.

My latest new tool is a Yarnit which looks a lot like a hamster ball for yarn. I’ve never really been interested in yarn bowls as I didn’t feel they really offered much protection from animal fur and have been using yarn cozies for a while to keep animal fur off my yarn. Gilligan, however, thinks that all exposed yarn, cozied or not, is his and will grab it in a flash and produce yarn barf extraordinaire before I even realize he has the yarn. So when I saw Yarnit, I knew I had to have one. Yes, it is price-y but no more so than a yarn bowl and cheaper than a couple of skeins of sock yarn. I believe it’s made of lexan which makes it fairly durable. The feed holes are in the “join” where the lid screws. This allows me to change yarn or detangle yarns without benefit of scissors. The base can be used to store markers or tapestry needle. It has a shoulder strap. Mine is purple but it comes in other colors. I don’t usually do reviews but had to share this because personally I think it’s the greatest gadget since sliced bread. My yarn’s happy, my dog’s happy and I’m happy.

Now on to the knits, first up is just (k)nits in the zone which is a do-over gift (k)nit. I’m knitting Come What May in AnotherCrafty Girl Oh Shiny! Sock in Ghost Children colorway on US size 6 needles. I’d planned to knit this from Dream in Color Smooshy but on stash dive found the Oh Shiny! Sock and loved the way it felt. I thought it would make a better shawl. Ghost Children is a pastel green and not my color so not sure why I bought it (obviously to make this shawl). It’s the perfect color for the recipient. I love my Come What May which is the just right size.

Just (k)nits for others has a lot of activity right now. All the backpack buddies are off the needles and I’m stuffing a few each day. I used US size 4 needles and various worsted weight yarns. The pattern is Bluebird of Happiness. I still have to duplicate stitch eyes on Fish Hat for Davis using Squishy Gnome in Little Plastic Bricks and US size 7 needles and a modified version for Fish Hat. I cast on Fish Hat for Peyton using Squishy Gnome Lady Camo doppelganger kit and US size 6 needles. I am using the original pattern.j

 

Just dead (k)nits is Eight Maids a-milkin socks using Fish Lips Kiss heel and Desert Vista Dyeworks Zien in Maids Milking and 2.25 mm needles. Now that the backpack buddies are done I’ll be casting on Sockhead Hat using 3.0 mm needles. Original plan was to (k)nit the first one from GnomeAcres Sparkly Gnome in Batgirl but then I saw a picture of a knitted piece using Desert Vista Dyeworks If They Kill Michonne and may just HAVE TO use that. It’s en route and will not arrive before time to cast on. The Michonne colorway will be a Sockhead at some point.

Last, but not least, the spinning mojo is back. I don’t remember when it left exactly but think it was February. It returned this week. I’m trying to spin 30 minutes a day so that I will have sweater yardage of 3-ply CVM Romedale by year’s end.

Till next time, no frogs, no tinks, just (k)nits.

 

F is for Fun

I reviewed my progress on my 2015 (k)nitting goals and decided that my grade is most definitely an F. I’m not even close on any of them. The tote I’m supposed to empty…I’ve added more projects to it than I’ve (k)nit.Technique Tuesdays stopped early in the year. The spinning 30 minutes a day ceased when Gilligan came on board and then hot weather came (this is to restart soon…very soon). I’ve one sweater still in progress because I haven’t assembled it to pick up neckbands. Once I reviewed, I reflected on this a bit and decided that, while I wasn’t completing the items on my list, I am having fun and that should be my #1 (and really only) (k)nitting goal. So that F is for fun and I’m going to continue to make that grade.

An example of what happens is my current case of castonitis. I’ve seen Sockhead Hat many times on Facebook and Instagram and a couple of podcasts. Recently a friend posted a picture of two she was making and now I have a huge case of castonitis for this hat. I even bought a skein of Batgirl in Sparkle Gnome to make it and am “planning” two more. Again I’m having fun (remind me of that when I whine about the four inches of 2×2 rib).

Before I can cast on the Sockhead, I must finish several just (k)nits for others projects. I’m focused right now on (k)nitting the backpack buddies for the church kids and teachers. I’m using US size 4 needles, leftover yarns and Bluebird of Happiness is the pattern  I had some issues with this pattern but didn’t realize it until I had finished quite a few birds. They look okay so I’m continuing to (k)nit my version. I should finish these over the weekend.

I’m also (k)nitting a fish hat for Davis from GnomeAcres Squishy Gnome in Little Plastic Bricks. I’m using US size 7 needles and reduced the number of stitches cast on to 78 stitches to make a small child size. This would have worked okay until I started my shaping decreases but I had math fail when trying to figure this out so once the mouth was shaped I cast on a few stitches so that total stitch count was a multiple of 9. I think the next one I’m going to try a US size 6 needle and cast on 82 stitches at the beginning then decrease an extra stitch in the first decrease round. That being said, I’m obviously planning to cast on another fish hat for Peyton in Squishy Gnome which will also need to be finished before casting on my Sockhead.

Also once the backpack buddies are done, I’ll start just (k)nits in the zone again. I’ll be casting on Perfect Retreat Shawl using Dream in Color Smooshy in Some Summer Sky colorway using US size 6 needles. This is also a just (k)nits for others project that is a do-over for a shawl I made earlier that was soiled/stained because I didn’t put it in a bag and left it in my office at work. So I want to finish it quickly and before I start my Sockhead.

My just dead (k)nits project continues is Eight Maids a-Milking socks using Desert Vista Dyeworks Zien in Maids Milking colorway and 2.25 mm needles. I’m using Fish Lips Kiss heel.  I also work on the fish hats as just dead (k)nits also. Note category name change.  Zombie (k)nits is used a lot so decided dead (k)nits was a better choice since these are projects that I can work while I’m “brain dead” or while watching the Dead.

Till next time, no frogs, no tinks, just (k)nits.

Why Shop Local?

As you know I’m making quite a few baby sweaters. All of the new babies are boys so most will use the Gramps pattern. I have some Wabbit Season Duck Season yarn which I thought called for owl buttons so I checked Tessa Ann‘s shop and didn’t see what I wanted.  So did a search on Etsy and found some from a seller in France. They were sized in centimeters and I ordered 2.4 cm buttons thinking they’d be pretty close to 7/8 inch. (After ordering, these I determined that I’d ordered owls before from Tessa Ann and ordered more from her to go with Wabbit Season Duck Season and decided to use the French buttons on Gramps Turner. The French buttons arrived and were well packaged in two bubble wrap bundles so I opened one to inspect (note that I only opened one). The button was much larger than the  7/8 inch I’d thought (so much for my metric conversions) so I made the buttonholes bigger and finished the sweater. When I finished Gramps Turner, I sewed on the first button–you know, the one I opened. Then I opened the second bundle to discover that the first button, the larger one, was actually a freebie and that the buttons I ordered were 7/8 inch and that my buttonholes were too large. So with the aid of a tapestry needle and a bit of yarn I fixed the buttonholes so they worked. The moral of the story…shop local and you won’t have any surprises. The button on the right is the free button and the other is the “right” button.

So Gramps Turner in Berroco Vintage on US size 7 and 6 needles is just (k)nits bound off and a block away and possibly elbow patches from gifting. I have some time because I cast on a fish hat for big brother Davis in GnomeAcres Squishy Gnome Little Plastic Bricks. I’m modifying the pattern a bit to make a small child size. I’m using US size 7 needles. Unhappily,I’ve had to make mods to get stitch counts right for shaping purposes so may go down to a US size 6 on the next one and increase the cast on stitches which would have been better. The fish hat is a just (k)nits for others project which I also can sleep(k)nit.

Speaking of just sleep(k)nits to go the Seven Swans a-swimmin’ Fish Lips Kiss heel socks on 2.25 mm needles and using Desert Vista Dyeworks Zien in the Swans Swimming colorway are just (k)nits bound off. On August 1 I will cast on Eight Maids a-milkin’ socks also using Fish Lips Kiss.

I am seriously contemplating calling this category just zombie(k)nits. I’ve been binge watching The Walking Dead and quickly learned that watching the zombies required full attention and that any (k)nitting needed to be of the mindless zombie variety. I spent much time amphibious (k)nitting, tinking or rewinding the television.

I also have just (k)nits bound off my version of Come What May in Annie Yarns Destiny in Blackberries colorway using US size 6 needles. This was a delightful (k)nit. I call it my version because it fell victim to the binge watching and had an accidental pattern modification. It’s still a block away and picture is sideways and color is no where close but you can get an idea. I had never knit any of Susan B Anderson’s shawls and am well-pleased with the pattern and the piece.

I’m just (k)nitting for others the 2015 backpack buddies for the church kids, youth and teachers. This year I’m using Bluebird of Happiness and yarn leftovers and US size 4 needles. I’ll wait till all are bound off to take a picture.

Till next time, no frogs, no tinks, just (k)nits.

Over it and done

Picnicknits Mystery Shawl KAL 2015…I’m over it and done with it and have amphibious (k)nitted it down by the pond. I’m sorry but I’m not liking it, and, if I finish it, I’ll wear it to the one wedding and it’ll live in a drawer. This is one of the caveats of mystery pieces. Sometimes I get one I just don’t like. Another example of this is Color Craving by Stephen West. I enjoyed knitting and finished this one but have never worn it. Sometimes I like the pattern but  yarn selection is just wrong as in the case of Follow Your Arrow 2. The Dirty Water Dyeworks Lillian I was using for Picnicknits will be re-purposed as Bond Street.

I just (k)nits bound off the TTL Mystery Shawl KAL 2015 in Shalimar Breathless Passion Fruit and Crayfish colorways and US size 6 needles. I love…love…love this piece. I think it will be worn often once blocked.

My new just (k)nits in the zone is Come What May using  Annie Yarns Destiny in Blackberries colorway and US size 6 needles. I’ve had the stinking tinks on this one. Some outbreaks caused by trying to watch The Walking Dead and (k)nit. I’m a new “dead watcher” and sometimes get caught up in the action and forget the (k)nits. Even thought about change just sleep(k)nits to go to just walking dead(k)nits.  Yesterday I realized I had an extra pattern repeat in one section which causes some concern about yarn shortage. Susan B Anderson designed this and was kind enough to give yarn weights when she started the ruffle and bind off so. I can check when I get closer to the end. I’m liking this piece also and may (k)nit another for a friend.

My first just sleep(k)nits to go Seven Swans a-Swimming sock is finished. I’m using Desert Vista Dyeworks Zien and 2.25 mm needles. No I’m not a Pittsburgh Steelers fan but I did go to Appalachian State which has the same colors.

Just (k)nits for others…Gramps Turner is being worked as a just sleep(k)nits to go project because I realized that school will be starting soon and I need to quickly (k)nit 30 backpack buddies which will be birds this year. I plan to use this pattern.  I had planned to (k)nit owl puffs again but really liked the bird idea. They don’t have eyes and even though I use safety eyes I still worry about the small kids choking. So for the next few weeks, I’ll be just (k)nitting birds for others. Since I’ve several fun  “me” projects that I want to (k)nit, I’m a bit bored by the just (k)nits for others right now  and have been unsuccessfully using the “me” (k)nits as dangling carrots. So the cure has been some yarn retail therapy (last time it was buttons).

I’ve just discovered that purchasing Wollmeise from Germany is more economical that purchasing it in the US. This is one of my favorite yarns so my yarn budget is a bit blown right now as I’ve splurged on quite a bit of this yarn. (Thanks to a knitting friend for enabling.) I also might have pre-ordered some GnomeAcres Sparkle Gnome in BatGirl to make a Sockhead hat for me (yeah it’s purple) and then there’s a bit of Desert Vista Dyeworks coming (hey, I had coupon codes). I also have a birthday coming up so this is my birthday present to me.

Till next time, no frogs, no tinks, just (k)nits.