Red Camo Hat

In February, Main Street Art held their first annual Knit In.

They provided a meeting place, yarn (including donated yarn from Riverslea Farm), knitting patterns, camaraderie and excellent snacks from private sources and the Newfields General Store.

The drop-in knitters provided our labor and good company.

From those ingredients, this red camo hat was created.

Inspiration & Motivation:

• Join the fun at Main Street Art
• Contribute a well-made, warm hat to New Horizons of New Hampshire
• I chose this gorgeous red yarn from a bin of different yarns because I loved the cheeriness of this color

What I liked about this project:

• Knitting in good company for a good cause
• It really is possible to knit a hat in a day
• It's a luxury when some one else makes all the decisions on a project for me
• I actually started and finished a project within days.....so unusual for me!

What I'd do differently next time:

• I didn't use Riverslea yarn which bums me out because I'm curious about what it's like to work with
• I didn't set aside as much of that day as I'd have liked....so I had hat homework!
• Something about the decreases at the top of this pattern doesn't sit well with me.
• I messed up, and forgot to make the "turn up" row, where instead of rib, it's a row of all knit. Ooops!!

Needles: US 7 double-pointed bamboo needles
Yarn: Takhi yarn from the 1980's, probably Takhi tweed of some sort
Pattern: Camo Hat by Merri Fromm from Blue Sky Alpacas Pattern Leaflet: Traveler's Series

Have you noticed that you can sing "Red Camo Hat" to the tune of "Red Solo Cup"? (For some reason, that song is such an earworm for me....maddening! Luckily I didn't name this hat til I was done knitting, or I would have been singing that song in my head the whole time!)

Related posts:
On Ravelry
Announcing the Knit-In

Green Banana Silk

Motivation:

• Feel excited about this yarn and about doing a quick project that's for me
• I loved receiving this yarn as an unexpected gift, and wanted to complete this project before the next time I see the giver
  
• I wanted to get back into a satisfying creative routine
  

Inspiration:

• A weaving buddy gave me this yarn at a spring weavers guild meeting. I was so touched. I don't get surprises very often! (Especially not pleasant yarn surprises!!)
• I would love to create an open, spring-like scarf to wear in spring and fall indoors (not my usual, keeps-me-warm-in-winter scarf!)

What I liked about this project:

• I really like how the yarn and pattern work together to show off the luster and irregularities of this yarn.
• I tried lots of dropped stitch patterns, and really like that this one combines knits and purls with the dropped stitches to make a more interesting scarf.

Pattern: Opera Scarf by Laurie Kimmelstiel

Yarn: Frabjous Fibers Banana Silk Yarn

Just under 1 skein of yarn used.

Needles: US 10 3/4

Finished size: 5 1/2 x 56 inches

On Ravelry

Knit-In: Feb. 7 at Main St Art in Newfields, NH

If you're in the Seacoast of New Hampshire (USA) during the first week of February, there are two yarn-y events you might enjoy!

First, from Main Street Art in Newfields, NH:

Knit for a cause! Please join us at Main Street Art as we knit warm hats and mittens for the residents of New Horizons, a homeless shelter, soup kitchen and food pantry located in Manchester, New Hampshire.

When: Tuesday, February 7TH from 8AM -8PM

Where: Main Street Art

75 Main Street, Newfields, New Hampshire, USA

What: Patterns and yarn will be provided. (Optional-Bring your own yarn stash to share or trade.)

Bring: Your own knitting needles and nimble fingers! (Size 7 needles or whatever you like with worsted weight yarn)

On any given day in New Hampshire, there are 2,248 people who are homeless. -NH Coalition to End Homelessness

I plan to be there for part of the afternoon and hopefully evening. I have no idea if I can knit a hat in a day, but I'll try!!!! Let me know if you plan to be there too!!

Another local event of interest to knitters and weavers:
Fuzz Fest on Feb. 4 in Exeter, NH

I'll try to pop in there too!!! Last year there was some local angora yarn that was so gorgeous. It's still tempting me!!

Diagonal Scarf

My backup knitting project for the last few years (gasp!) has been this multi-directional diagonal scarf.


What I liked about this project:

• Easy, but still interesting
• Fun to see how the two variegated yarns I used interact
• The scarf is noticeably different from other things I've knit

What I learned from this project:

• When my intuition says "you don't have enough yarn", it's usually right!

What I'd do differently next time:

• Have enough yarn to begin with!!
  

Yarn: Classic Elite Desert and Regia 4 ply
Pattern: Multidirectional Diagonal Scarf
Needles: Size 7
Amount of yarn: 2 skeins Desert and less than 1 of Regia

Finishing: Wash for 3 minutes in warm water with Woolite. Dry flat.

Finished size: 6.25 x 63 inches

Pattern modifications: Cast on 63 stitches

I haven't decided yet whether to keep this scarf, or give it as a gift. Maybe it will head to my gift bin for a while.

Or maybe, since we finally have snow on the ground, and sleet still falling, I'll bundle up in this scarf next time I go out!

Related posts:
On Ravelry
Getting started (in March 2009)
Out of yarn!
Yarn Shopping
Unraveling this scarf
Starting over

Finished Cowl

Very soft, very cushy, very warm.

Notice how the wrong side of the cowl looks like large sections of knit woven together.


I finally finished my first cowl. I do have a fleece cowl that I use a lot in the woods when it's really cold. This knitted cowl will be prettier and could be worn around town.


Quick to knit, but I couldn't knit this while chatting. I don't know if other people count lace in a different way than I do, but I was counting in my head....and definitely got confused if I stopped mid-row.



Needles: US 8 wooden double-pointed needles
Yarn: 1.5 oz (.85 of a skein) of Princess by Classic Elite
40% merino, 28% viscose, 10% cashmere, 15% nylon, 7% angora
Color 3432
Pattern: Lush-ious Swirl Cowl by Linda Frydl

We're having an unusually warm winter so far, so I've barely had the chance to use my new cowl. I'll bet I'll get a chance to use it soon though!

Related posts:
Starting this cowl
On ravelry

Striped Hat

You know how projects spawn other projects, right?

With leftover yarn from the animal tracks sweater, I plan to make an animal tracks hat or two.

But first, I want to make sure I have a hat pattern that fits.


In consultation with Mr. LifeLoomsLarge, the recipient of this future hat, I picked a plain hat pattern, and then made a striped version for a wee bit of interest.

The good news is that this hat fits perfectly. It's so nice to knit a project and have it come out as hoped for on the first try!!!!


The details:
Pattern: Ellen's Knit Hat (SHIPS Project)
Yarn: Harrisville Highland in Midnight Blue & Cypress (Less than half a skein of each)
Needles: Size 7 double pointed needles


Here it is on ravelry!

Note: My computer died last week, while this blog entry was almost done, so please don't feel neglected that I haven't caught up with comments!!! Hopefully I'll be back to full steam ahead computer-wise very soon!

Related posts:
A hint of the animal tracks sweater (which is finished, but barely blogged)

Knitting a Cowl

Inspiration
During a moment of panic while I was weaving my First Time at WEBS Scarves, I believed more yarn was the answer. I stopped at Hub Mills Store in Lowell to pick up a few balls of yarn that went with that warp.
Later, I realized I didn't need that extra yarn for that project after all.
So I wanted to find something beautiful on ravelry to make with this ball of yarn.


Motivation
I put my started knitting projects in one place recently when I was cleaning up for houseguests. I realized I should finish something! This cowl project seemed like it would be quick and easy, plus the yarn is soft and gorgeous.



Goals for this project:

• Use this extra ball of yarn
• Make a cowl that's pretty and warm
  

Pattern: Lush-ious Swirl Cowl by Linda Frydl
Yarn: Princess by Classic Elite, Color 3432 (Majesty's Magenta)

Sunrise Lace Scarf, While Hawk Watching

When I started this lace scarf, Theresa asked me what the yarn was like to work with.

Since I've been true to my promise to only knit this project in public when I need mindless knitting, I hadn't worked on it until this weekend.


We went hawk-watching. (Definitely an autumn birding addiction in these parts.) We were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time...we saw a record number of Broadwing hawks soaring over Pack Monadnock on their way to South America.

For more on this phenomenon, including an excellent video shot the day after we were there, check out the William Kramer Studio blog.

Between exciting parts where I was watching thousands of hawks, Bailey and I had plenty of time to hang out. And I had plenty of time to knit.

The yarn has been great to work with. Even though it's a single (not plied), I haven't had any problems with it splitting.

Last time I knit this project in alpaca. It was softer and more drapey, but I like the crunchiness and springiness of the wool. The stitch pattern shows up much more....which I haven't mentally adjusted to yet.


The color of this yarn is gorgeous. It got lots of compliments at the hawk watch! I think of it as "Sunrise", even though the Riverstone Yarn name for this color is "Tangerine."

So Theresa, my answer is "Buy this yarn." Are you surprised by that? "More yarn" is practically a philosophy at my house!

Related posts:
Casting on
The alpaca version of this scarf

A VERY Belated Thanks

Posting on Tuesday about my prize from LAM's Blog made me wonder if I had posted my thanks for another giveaway from the spring. I'm mortified to discover that the post was partially written, but that I hadn't posted it yet.

I hope Theresa will forgive me for my very belated thanks!


An embarrassingly long time ago, Theresa had a give-away to celebrate her first blogoversary.

I was one of the lucky winners! Look at this gorgeous box of yarn she sent me!!


These colors are great for me, so I'm probably going to knit something for myself. Theresa generously included the pattern for this cardigan (On Ravelry: Peony by Marie Wallin). I've also love this leaf kimono in this yarn on Ravelry.

I'm not quite ready to start knitting something fabulous from this yarn. But it does seem like it will make a beautiful garment, perhaps to wear next summer.

Brittie, our first Brittany

To thank Theresa, she requested that the winners donate to the animal shelter of their choice. I chose our local shelter, the NH SPCA. They're a fabulous shelter.

Our first Brittany came from the SPCA. Plus, Bailey has attended two classes there, "Oh Behave!" when he was about a year old, and the stop barking class he attended last summer.

I even used to volunteer at the SPCA. Very fun and rewarding! (I usually did fund-raising or events because of the fear that I'd fall in love with too many dogs!!)

A huge belated thank you to Theresa!! Here's hoping for many more blogoversaries!!

Mindless Knitting

I'm in the mood for mindless knitting, a project I can easily work on while hanging out, chatting.


I visited the Yarn Basket in Portsmouth, NH and found two beautiful yarns.

The purple is 220 Superwash Paints by Cascade Yarns in color 9871 (Grape).


My plan is to make two more Misty Garden scarves, for gift-giving opportunities that pop up.


The orange yarn is worsted weight by Riverstone Yarns Hand-dyed natural fibers in color Tangerine. It was made in the US, but dyed in Creston, British Columbia. (I can't find a link to it to show you....but you can see my pictures!)


I just noticed that last August I started my first Misty Garden scarf. Must be something about this time of year....

Chickening Out

I haven't been to my knitting group in months. I miss my knitting buddies!!

I need to have a knitting project I can work on while chatting.


These slippers are excellent to work on at a knitting group. Only thing is I ran out of yarn and started making the toe with doubled purple yarn from my stash.

While the project incubated, I decided to heed the warnings of my fellow bloggers. I'd rather spend a few more dollars to get an extra ball of yarn than risk having a bad felting experience when it's time to felt these slippers. I probably could have made it work, but since it's my first time felting I decided to be more cautious. (Or did I just want an excuse to shop?)


Luckily, the yarn shop still had the same colors and dye lot, so with my newly added ball of yarn and a little frogging, I'm good to go.

Photographic note: Despite my best attempts at color correction or fixing the white balance, I can't get the colors in these two photos to be the same. The second photo is more true to color than the first.

Related posts:
Starting the project, includes pattern and yarn info
Trying to use stash yarn for the toes

Saved by the Stash

What is this monstrosity???

A giant slipper from Noro Kureyon that I will knit then felt.


Can you see that I'm running out of yarn??? Uh-oh!!

Perhaps I should have tried harder to get gauge.

Perhaps I shouldn't have extended the cuff by an inch.


Luckily, I have this purple yarn in my stash that I think would make cute purple toes on both of my slippers. (The Kureyon skeins are slightly different colors.)


I'm thinking of knitting the toe with two strands for durability and because the purple seems a little thinner than the Kureyon.

All of you experienced knitter/felters.....do you think that will work???? Adding in a different yarn? Knitting with two strands of that yarn??

I could always frog this and keep the cuff the right size, so then I could eke out enough yarn for the toe.

Related posts:
Starting this project last fall

Even though my LL Bean slippers are on their last legs, I repaired them so I got another winter out of them. (I sound confident that spring is here, even though we've just had one sunny day in the 50's. (10-15 C))

I'm more confident that I'll have these slippers done for next winter!!

Finished! Red Velvet Curtain Gauntlets

Hot off the needles, here are my fingerless gloves.


What I liked about this project:

• Interesting and quick to knit
• Such a soft and comfortable end result
• I still LOVE this yarn

What I learned from this project:

• Sometimes I need to go through the project directions and make them my own at the beginning

What I'd do differently next time:

• Finish while it's still cold enough in my house to need to wear them (But not worries....it will be cold again next winter!!)
  

Yarn: Misti Alpaca Handpaint Worsted in color 035 (Inca Red)
Pattern: Velvet Curtain Gauntlets

Needles: Size 6
Amount of yarn: 1.75 oz (Less than 1/2 skein)

Finished size: 6.75 x 3.125 inches (length and width of gauntlet)

Pattern modifications: Cast on 2 extra repeats of pattern (42 stitches)


These seem to stay put pretty well. Since they have a thumb hole, but not really a thumb, I can push them back and use them as wrist-warmers when needed.

I might still have enough of this yarn left to knit another pair.

Related posts:
Starting this project

Or go see it on ravelry.

Winter Fuzz Fest

So much fun at the Fuzz Fest today!!


Chatted with Patricia Morton of Treeditions about dyeing, warp painting, upcoming workshops and bead leno.


Marveled at Hal of the Angora Hutch, spinning angora directly off the bunny - and at the bunny remaining calm despite all the hubbub.


Tried spinning on a spinning wheel for the first time ever!! (Can you see the tiny needle-felted figures on the table in the background??)

Saw so many of my favorite knitters and weavers, plus met new knitters and weavers!!

I snapped just a few pictures at the very end of the day, and totally missed out on seeing Sarah Haskell with her prayer flag project until we were cleaning up.

A busy and fun event!!!

Related posts:
Fuzz Fest Announced
Fuzz Fest Schedule

On the Needles: Velvet Curtain Gauntlets

As soon as I saw this pattern on the WEBS blog, I really wanted a pair to keep my chilly hands warmer.

When I finished the second red scarf, and had yarn to spare I did some weighing and some math.

I think I easily have enough yarn to make a pair of red velvet curtain gauntlets for myself.



On ravelry, I've seen that a few people have made longer gauntlets, casting on 36 or even 42 stitches. I went with 42 because I have plenty of yarn (I hope), and my hands are definitely plenty cold!!

I'm definitely having tons of fun with this yarn purchase! Two scarves and now (I hope) a pair of gauntlets!



I did take your advice and add the finished scarf to my "Gift" bin. Not quite ready for next Christmas...but it's a great start!

Another Red Scarf: Finished!!!

I just finished my second red scarf!!


It's a little embarrassing to finish a project in January. If I'd had it done by Christmas, it would have been a Christmas gift.

Now it will just wait until the next gift-giving opportunity. (Maybe that means I have my first gift ready for next Christmas!?)

I sense a post coming on the subject of deadlines and me. But that's another topic for another day.



What I liked about this project:

• Gorgeous yarn
• Knits up fast
• Perfect social knitting - interesting without being difficult
• I will repeat that I LOVE this yarn
  

What I learned from this project:

• I knit more often when I'm actually going to my knitting group meetings
• Deadlines and I don't get along
  

What I'd do differently next time:

• I think this scarf could still be at least a little wider.
  
• Buy enough of this yarn to knit something for myself!!
  

Yarn: Misti Alpaca Handpaint Worsted in color 035 (Inca Red)
Pattern: Free Pattern: Ribs and Ruffles Chunky Scarf

Since I used worsted weight yarn, I used 2 strands together to simulate chunky yarn.

Needles: Size 13
Amount of yarn: 5 oz (1.4 skeins)

Finished size: 4.5 x 50 inches

Pattern modifications: Cast on enough extra stitches to add 1 more repeat of the rib.



I'm finally on ravelry with this project.

Related Posts:
Starting this project

Winter Fuzz Fest

Saturday, January 30 10 am - 2 pm
The Congregational Church in Exeter, UCC
Downtown Exeter, New Hampshire

The first Winter Fuzz Fest

At this free event, there will be shopping, eating, spinning and weaving demos, and more!!!

Sarah Haskell will bring looms for people to weave prayer flags. What a great chance to try weaving on a table or floor loom and to participate in a great project!

Riverslea Farms will be selling local wool products, including yarns and sheep skins.

Water Street Bookstore will offer books specially selected by the craftspeople.

Spinners with various types of wheels, and even at least one spinner spinning directly from a rabbit in her lap will be making gorgeous yarn.

A basket maker and a cane carver are participating, as well as knitters and weavers.

Things you can do at the Fuzz Fest:

• Weave a prayer flag
• Try a drop spindle
• Make a nesting ball
• Felt some beads for a bracelet
• Listen to a story
• Learn about needle felting
• Be part of a human loom
• Feel the softness of many kinds of natural fibers
• Shop
• Snack on refreshments for sale
  

There will be a wide variety of looms being used including floor looms, table looms, a Swedish band loom, and possibly others. One weaver will demonstrate dressing your loom (putting the threads in place to get ready to weave). This event will be a great place to learn more about weaving and spinning.

For more details, check out the official flyer and the schedule of activities.

In case of snow or bad weather, cancellation information will be on the church website.


What else is within walking distance of the Fuzz Fest?

The Chocolatier - my favorite chocolate shop

Photography exhibit and talk at Exeter Town Hall
(Gallery Talk at 1 pm: Collecting Photos)

Who's got free wireless?: Me & Ollie's Cafe and Exeter Public Library

Exeter Fine Crafts - inspiring shop for browsing or shopping

For a bite to eat, I recommend:
Blue Moon Cafe, Green Bean on Water, Loaf and Ladle, or Me and Ollie's