Christmas Present 1 done part 2

Here is the hat post blocking but still drying. You can't really see the difference but it is a lot longer and narrower. I think this will look good on her. I even have enough yarn to make a slightly smaller version for her or perhaps a matching scarf. Well time to start Christmas project two.


I need to take a class about digital photography.

Christmas Present 1 done

Here is the present for my daughter. I used size 17 needles to get the correct gauge on this project of 2 st per 1". Talk about awkward! I had a rough time using needles that large in the round. I did skip buying circular needles in size 17 and just used dpn, the circular needles probably would have made the beginning easier.
My daughter was willing to model the hat so I could check the size. It was a little loose here, hopefully something blocking will correct.
I has some extra buttons I wanted to add for a little extra zip. I unfortunately forgot to block the hat before adding the buttons. Oh well, they wold have to be washed at some point.
The Hat preblocked it a little longer than 12 inches. Post blocking it grew 3.5 inches but I like the narrower shape better.
Preblocked the hat was 19 inches in diameter. Post block it is looking to be closer to 12 inches.

Christmas Presents

Now that I have finished baby sweater #2, the Christmas present for my niece, I find my knitting list growing larger not smaller. I have hope ( and the help of my Monday morning crafting group at Church) that I will get this increasing list done.

The first photo is the yarn and needles recently purchased to create the Elf Cap I found in "Handknit Holidays." I love so many of the patterns in this book. Using thick yarn and size 17 needles this shouldn't take long to knit. I also have a pair of metal daisy buttons I would like to add for extra zing; it all depends on how they look with the finished product.

Next up is the mystery present for my mystery recipient. Each year our family draws a name for Christmas giving. The ladies get another lady and the men draw another man's name. This is done in the hopes to cut down Christmas expense and gives the ladies a chance to make a handmade gift. It also allows the men to purchase a gift rather than having to make one :). As we have not drawn names yet I don't know who I am knitting this for, but I hope they like it. The yarn is Debbie Bliss Cashmereno.
Lastly is the yarn I am going to use to make a scarf for my niece Kaitlyn. I have hopes of using yarn I have previously purchased to make most of my gifts, but as with all good intentions, I am finding I keep wanting to buy more. Thank goodness I had left over yarn from the baby sweater and a ball of white cotton to work with. Pink is a much loved colour by the little girls in our family and this is a great way to use it up. Since her family lives in Dallas I want to make an accessory she can wear throughout the year.
I am wanting to make a long hat for my oldest son and have not yet purchased the needed items. So much knitting, time to get back to it so I don't fally behind.

Completed Sweater 2

Here is the finished sweater for my niece Keziah. The colour is more of a raspberry shade then the one shown in the following photos. The buttons are small turtles, an animal her mother loves. The size knit is 9-12 months, I made the body a little longer so she could wear it for a greater period of time. The yarn is by Casscade and made from 80% cotton 20% wool.

Here is the sweater before I seemed up the sides. I did a much better job seaming this sweater then the previous one. I did some research and found a wonderful article on knitting daily that clearly illustrates how to do the mattress seam.
Just look at the outside you can hardly tell where the actual seam is, I was very excited about the whole sewing process an it has given me courage to knit clothing for myself and older children.
Here is a lovely photo of the inside seam. So much tidier than my previous try. It is great to see success when overcoming silly worries and fears about learning a new technique.

Completed!!

The buttons have been added and the sweater is now officially complete.




The sweater is being modeled by my youngest's stuffed animal (thanks oma and paka!). First I attached the elephants on the outside flap and then added on snap button on the interior. Easy off and on, plus it save me from having to create button holes.

baby sweater

I had to post pictures of a baby sweater that I have knit. I am very excited as this is the first article of clothing I have ever knit. All that is missing is attaching the snaps and buttons.







This sweater is intended for my new nephew and another one is almost complete for my newish niece. All that is needed is for this sweater is the sewing on the snaps and the buttons. I have another one planned for my own little one. :)

The pattern is free by Debbi Bliss found at this craft site. Very easy and quick to knit up.

Branching Out

Just recently I enjoyed a wonderful visit from my sister-in-law Michaela. During that time she was working on a scarf from Knitty called Branching Out. I was smitten and had to start one of my own.

I am still working away on my lace shawl but this was great instant gratification. On my shawl I am currently at the tedious middle section that feels like it is going nowhere fast. This on the other hand was an easy lace scarf that I could see unfolding every row I knit. It took me about a total of 5 days of knitting off and on, I used a large yarn then what was called for but that is the great thing about lace, gauge doesn't matter. It was so much fun to knit I might have to make more for gifts. Pictures to come eventually.

WIP

Sadly the hat has made no progress. In fact I have ripped it all the way back to the beginning. It is the first project I have done any cabling on; everything was fine and sailing along until I actually looked at the hat and realized I had messed up somewhere. I had failed to move a stitch over or cabled a stitch too early but after several more failed attempts I had to put it away. I am still determined to finish it, I love the hat.

However, I am currently working on my first lace project. It is the Juno Regina and can be found on Knitty. I had to restart several times since I had never read or worked on a lace pattern before. I finally decided to do two shawls, one in worsted weight for practice and one in lace weight for myself. Thank goodness I went that route even though it means more yarn used (ran out of the stash yarn I was using in worsted had to buy more lol) and more time spent but I am very happy with the results. Photos to follow whenever I get around to posting them.

Edit to add photos: I have completed the worsted weight shawl and still working on the lace weight.