December 2005 Archives

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Originally uploaded by kerner.

This is a free pattern and the yarn can be had for a very reasonable price from KnitPicks.com. Join us, won't you?

What a great book -- lots of quick glove and mitten patterns (since I've been such a slacker with the Peaceful Palms KAL)

You gotta put down the needles sometime! One of my New Year's Resolutions is to start reading again (besides for work). And quit rotting my brain with all those reality shows (exception: American Idol. Oh yes, you know you love it too.)

No more excuses for this blogger... she got her very own digital camera! (Thanks Mom and Dad!)

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Originally uploaded by kerner.

I got this ornament from my mom, who had it on her tree for many years. She had a mailbox ornament because my grandpa used to be a mailman. I think it's a lot cuter than a lawyer ornament would be. =) (That's my job if you didn't know)

Hmm... the year is wrapping up, and everyone seems to be thinking about their knitting resolutions. I'm not quite there yet, but I can steal an idea from Sweet Georgia and give you my Top 5 for 2005:

1. New (to Me) Technique: Hmm... this would basically be everything I know except knit and purl. I learned how to cable, pick up stitches, knit with double-pointed needles, new cast-ons, all kinds of good stuff.

2. Favourite FO: This is easy. My Midwest Moonlight scarf. Love love LOVE it! I wear it all the time.

3. Favorite KAL: Well, I never got around to knitting those gloves I planned to make for Nona's Peaceful Palms KAL, so I'm going to have to go with the Sexy Knitter's Club's Picovoli KAL starting in January.
4. Favorite Shop: I do love petting the yarns at my LYS, but for a good value you can't beat KnitPicks and Discountyarnsale.com. It took me a while to discover that there was more to online yarn shopping than Elann (good prices, not so great selection).
5. Favorite Tool: Denise circular needle set. So useful! I have barely had to buy any needles since I got it.

I finished Winter Vineyard. (Woo hoo!) My only other self-declared Christmas knitting project was the socks for my husband. But you know... there's less than a week until Christmas. Those socks have been on the needles for months. No need to rush, maybe I should start a little something for myself. =) (I never even told anyone that I was trying to finish them by Christmas anyway... except you guys.)

So, I cast on and knit the ribbing for Cutaway. I've been planning to knit this sweatter since about September -- I even bought the yarn -- and it's been patiently waiting in my stash cupboard. But after I started the first row of stockinette, my husband looked over at me and asked: "How are my socks coming?"

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Originally uploaded by kerner.

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Originally uploaded by kerner.

The good news is that I finished the scarf, with plenty of time to spare! (Not really -- I wanted to finish this weekend so my parents could take it with them to my grandma's for Christmas, since I won't be there.)

The bad news is ... I left it at my parents house without taking a finished picture!

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Originally uploaded by kerner.

As you can see, we got a little snow at my mom and dad's house this weekend. It was great because it wasn't enough to make the roads bad, but just enough to have big fat snowflakes floating around outside while we celebrated Christmas.

Next weekend... Christmas with the in-laws and more knitted gifts! (Don't worry, they're already done.) I'll be sure to take pictures this time!

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Originally uploaded by kerner.

That wasn't working out, so I ripped back to the first 6 rows of ribbing and made up my own pattern. My main goal was to make a cabled scarf that is reversible, just like my inspirational scarf, Here and There Cables.

I am calling this scarf "Winter Vineyard." It fits the project because the muted purple color reminds me of the wilted grapes left on the vine when the weather turns cold. My uncle runs a vineyard that is right down the road from my grandparent's house.

I know you're all dying to knit up this scarf for yourself (ha!), so without further ado:

Yarn: Cascade 220, 100% wool, 2 skeins for average length scarf; 3 skeins for long scarf.
Needles: Size 7 straights
Gauge: The ball band said 5 sts / in on size 7s. Honestly I didn't knit a gauge swatch -- it's a scarf!
Pattern:
CO 26 sts (long-tail cast-on works well).
Establish pattern as follows:
P1, *K3, P3,* Repeat from * 7 times, K1. Repeat for 5 more rows.
Begin cable pattern:
Row 1: P1, *Put first Knit stitch on cable needle and leave it hanging in front. K2. Knit st off cable needle. P3. K3, P3.* Repeat from * 3 times.
Rows 2&3: Knit in pattern (P1, *K3, P3,* Repeat from * 7 times, K1)
Row 4: Repeat Row 1.
Rows 5&6: Knit in pattern (P1, *K3, P3,* Repeat from * 3 times, K1)
Row 7: P1, *K3, P3. Put first Knit stitch on cable needle and leave it hanging in front. K2. Knit st off cable needle. P3.* Repeat from * 3 times.
Rows 8&9: Knit in pattern (P1, *K3, P3,* Repeat from * 3 times, K1)
Row 10: Repeat Row 7.
Rows 11&12: Knit in pattern (P1, *K3, P3,* Repeat from * 3 times, K1)

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Originally uploaded by kerner.

(Note to self: oh, there are your black shoes! What are they doing on the couch?) Seriously. Those shoes were lost until I saw this picture.

The Sexy Knitters Club has chosen its first Knit Along... The Picovoli tee by the extremely creative Grumperina. I have been wanting to knit this pattern for quite a while, so I'm really glad it's what we picked. The KAL starts in January (thank goodness!)

The original yarn in the pattern is Debbie Bliss Cathay, which is kind of expensive, so I think I'm going to go with the suggested substitute yarn, KnitPicks Shine. Any suggestions on color?

I'm thinking either:
Butter

Green Apple

or Orchid

Let's start with a check-up on those old November goals:

1. Finish the Possum Socks. Not done. I had to put this project on hold because, true to form, I ran short of yarn. Luckily Jeannine came through for me and sent me a spare ball of superwash from her stash to complete the project. I think these are going on the Christmas gift list.

2. Finish Midwest Moonlight scarf for myself. Done! I really love this scarf. I wear it around town and I think to myself, "why isn't everyone swooning over this scarf?" But I guess it takes a knitter to appreciate such an awesome design.

3. Start gloves for Nona's Peaceful Palms Knit-Along. Not done... not even started. Although I noticed that there is a glove pattern on the new Knitty (urban rustic gloves) that looks interesting. (Actually, that whole issue looks great!)

DECEMBER GOALS

1. Christmas Knitting. I said I wouldn't do it this year, but I made a hat and it was so fun and easy... Now I am about 12 inches into a self-designed scarf for my grandma and I am forcing myself to finish those friggin Possum Socks in time to put under the tree.

2. Do I really need any other projects? I would like to start Cutaway, but the small needles are scaring me! Also, I have some really big projects at work that are going to be taking up lots of time over the next week.

If I can get that Christmas knitting done, it will be enough. That's the gift of peace, people.