Hearts for Olivia

I finally Have all my ducks in a row and my pattern has gone up on Ravelry.  It was published in the first on-line edition of Knitcircus Magazine Issue #9.  This has been such an interesting journey.  I have to admit, it feels pretty good to be able to say that I am now, officially, a published designer.

Oh, and speaking of official, yesterday I received my certificate from the Craft Yarn Council saying that I am a certified knitting instructor.  15 more hours and I will be a certified knitting teacher.

My camera is spending the week in New York City so I am not sure how much I will be able to post.  I suppose I could post without pictures but that does seem a bit boring..... we shall see.

S

Saturday Quickie - Ribbed for her pleasure

The hard case for my Blackberry had been in the process of breaking for months.  A few days ago it finally threw in the towel.  Deciding I was not in the mood to order another, I set my sights on making a sweet little cozy for it.  I did a bit of looking on Ravelry and found a pattern for an ipod sock which can be found here.  I used some leftover sock yarn and knit this up in an afternoon.

I am really happy with how this turned out and will never buy a case for my electronics again.

S

Super Secret Project pictures and review

The SSP was finished on time, wrapped, and gifted.  I am so excited with how it turned out and even more excited to share pictures.

For the life of me I can't remember what yarn I used. Knit night is tonight (if they do not cancel)  so I will check on the name of the yarn and post it in the comments later if anyone is interested.  The hat was knit up on size 2 needles.  First I tried doing the Liver bird (for that is what the pic is) with intarsia.  I started over many times, taught the kids some new swear words, and finally decided duplicate stitch was the way to go.

I want to thank Elizabeth for posting her Liver bird chart.  I truly believe if I had to add charting the bird, this project would never have started.  I am debating writing up the pattern and putting it on Ravelry, but I am not sure yet.


As far as I know my hubby is thrilled with his hat.  I think it looks great on him.  Hopefully he will wear it during matches and Liverpool F.C. will do a bit better from now on.

I have a bunch of new projects started but that is a post for another day.  


S

Saturday quickie - Thank you note and SSP update

It is DONE!  The SSP is wrapped and ready to gift.  I hope to have pictures, modeled by my hubby, up Monday.

This morning I got the urge to make a cute little thank you note.I decided to knit up a wee tiny sock and attach it to a note card.  The end result turned out quite darling if I do say so myself.

The penny is in the picture so you can get an idea of size.  The pattern is Jennifer's Mini-Sock Recipe and the yarn is some left over Misti Alpaca sock.  

Have a great weekend!

S

Madison Knitters Guild meeting.

Last night I met up with Alisa and went with her to the MKG meeting. 

The guest speaker was Susan Anderson, author of the wonderful Itty Bitty series of knitting books.  She was so great. I could have listened to her for hours. The picture is a bit blurry as she did not like to stand still while talking. After listening to her and seeing her beautiful patterns I have decided that I must own all three of her books. I only wish I would have got them before last night so I could have had them all signed.

At the guild meetings there is a market.  In the market was La Bella Vita where I got the Artyarns silk with beads and sequins in this gorgeous teal color. I already have a pattern picked out for this and it is taking all my will power to wait and cast it on when I am done with the projects I have  going already.

From the La Bella Vita shop I also got these two hanks of Sandy's Palette Merino Sox. I could not pick which color I like best so I had to get both.

The other shop featured in the market was The Dragonfly Yarn Shop where I got this great sock yarn by Lorna's Laces. I use Lorna's a lot and love the socks I get from it.  I am pretty sure this yarn will be made into a pair for me. Can't you just see them with my new shoes?  I think they will look perfect.

I am still working hard on the SSP and have put most other projects aside for now.  I hope that I will be done with it in time. All the projects I have made for hubby so far have been given to him as yarn so I could work on them in front of him. This year I really want to be able to give him a finished project. I want him to be able to put it on and wear it right out of the wrapping.  That said, I better get back to my knitting.

S

Saturday quickie - Grandma slippers

O was telling me how cold her feet were in the morning and the evening and could I please get her some slippers. I asked if she would like me to make her some like my Grandma used to make me.  She said yes. Here are the resulting slippers.

Made with some leftover Encore worsted.  Pattern can be found here.  There is and error in the pattern and for the life of me I can't find it unless I am knitting it.  One of these days I will write it down. I just usually knit these while watching good TV cause this is a pattern you don't have to pay too much attention to.


That is it for my Saturday quickie. Now back to getting the Christmas out of my house.


S

Finished socks and new shoes.

A few days later than I had hoped, the socks are now complete.  I am really happy with how they turned out.

I have to add a picture of the socks in action with my new shoes bought for the purpose of showing off all my lovely hand knit socks

I am quite fond of these shoes.  They are SO comfy and can be worn with almost anything. You can't quite tell from the picture, but the leather is brown and black.  I bought them online at my favorite shoe shopping site, Zappos.

Since I like to have a sock going at all times I cast-on a pair for O.  I had made her a pair of socks from this yarn before but she grew out of them right away.  I was initially just going to add length to the foot and knit a new toe.  Deciding that the original pair was too boring I ripped them out completely to reknit the whole thing.

This is a ankle length sock in 4x2 rib with a 2st cable going down the center of the knit section (my own design, thank you).  I am loving how it is turning out.  I just may have to make a pair for me.  The yarn is some leftover TOFUtsies in color 926.  I am a big fan of this yarn. I plan to knit many more pairs of socks out of it in many different colors. 

As I said in my last post I was going to start on the super secret project.  Well, I have started it and things are moving along pretty quickly.  I am happy with the results so far.  My worry is that I can't start on the tricky part for a while.  I will have to have the project almost done before I will really know if this method will relay the WOW that I am going for.  I tried to take a picture of the SSP but the camera can't get close enough (without being fuzzy) to not give away what the project is.  You will  have to wait along with Bradd to see it finished.  Maybe I will even be able to convince him to model it.

S