Project #10 Scratched but Quickly Replaced!

Sort of like the wacky astronaut's future missions, my SAL project #10 has been scrubbed. It was to be the Banff sweater, but has been frogged. Too much time had passed since I last worked on it to know why I had 2 different sizes going, the sleeves were not right because I was running out of yarn, and yada, yada, yada the rest is history. However, that yarn will not go to waste! I will create this jacket. I know it is the right yarn, I know I have enough yarn, I know I will have happy yarn! I am likely to have enough left to make this purse which is a free pattern!



So with that said I created a NEW SAL #10. It's a hat for a fellow church-goer who is having a girl on Thursday. I really love this little free crochet pattern!



Working on SAL #11, 12 & 13 simulatenously. Just need to weave in the ends of #11. 12 is a secret and 13 is a sock for Mr. Knotty. Stay tuned!

Uhhh... scratch that!

As I sat, just moments ago, knitting happily away at the front shoulder shaping on that Banff sweater, I realized that it would be a good idea to hold it up to the back to see how things were shaping up. Warning folks, this does not end well..... The front, which is incomplete mind you, is soooo much longer than the back. Houston we have a problem!

I think I may just have to frog the whole thing and make something else from this bulky ball of a mess. Let this be a wake up call to all you non-finishers! When you put it down and then pick it up after several years have passed, you aren't likely to have things turn out. Your tension may have changed, the piece may have stretched, you may not be working the size that you thought, the yarn will no longer be available in that dye lot, etc.

The good news is that I did spend my required 30 minutes on attempting to finish a project which will free me up to work on other, less frustrating things.

More, More, More

If you want to see what Ms. Knotty's been up to them pop on over to my blog for a sneak peek! I'll give you a hint, one is for your head, the other for your arm!

Stashing Away!

How about you? Are you working through some of your yarn and unfinished project stockpile? I'm working on a sweater that I started years ago. Not really a very experienced knitter then and I can see it in my work. But nonetheless I made it, it's almost complete and I am going to forge ahead with it thanks to the February is for Finishing KAL!

I'm also working on the secret project but I need to purchase a set of needles to complete it and will take care of that today. I only have one more section and a little sewing left to do on it.

After that I think I will CO for
Clapotis in some Waikiki from Crystal Palace in "Cool Jazz." I'm hoping to teach others how to make this at my LYS in or around March or so, therefore I need to complete an example/sample. I thought this would be a great accessory for sleeveless dresses this spring and summer as I don't exactly look smashing with bare arms.

How are your projects coming?

SAL # 10 Completed

This one is sort of cheating, but it is something that was on the list of things I wanted to finish. It's a sweater that I made my mother almost 3 years ago now. (:-0 blushing in shame) When she tried it on it seemed all wrong and I was certain I had made a mistake as I knit it in the dark car on the way to their house. So I took it back home, ripped it down to the yoke and tried again. Once more she tried it on and it didn't fit. As I new knitter I was so confused as to what on earth had happened. I'd made the same sweater for myself and it fit great. Hmmmmm.... So it sat in a corner until my 16 year old niece came to visit in July. I had her try it on and it fit her. I quickly learned that it wasn't the size that was wrong, it was that blooming gauge!!! ARGH!

That sweater was then taken back to my home town where my sister tried it on. It fit her so I packed it back in the suitcase with the promise to sew the seams and weave in the ends so that she could have it this spring. Thankfully the item that has become known as the "white sweater" will have a home and is finally complete.

I will post the photo of it when I've taken it. So glad that is over. Now I've got to work on a replacement sweater for Momma K that actually fits her. I'll get to it soon Mom I promise!

Still Stashing!

Just a quick post to let you know that I'm still SALing. I'm creating a surprise from this. I know, I know, it's not pleasant to be left in suspense, but that's just the way it goes. There's no way I would risk ruining a surprise. Y'all can see soon enough! :-)

SAL #9

I whipped up this cute little number last night for a little girl who's about to become a big sister. I made the Faie Isle baby hat with the I cord knot on the top for baby brother who will be here no later than Friday. Big Sister's name is Caroline (pronounced with the long i sound) and she'll be 2 in June. I got the pattern from Crochet with Dee and modified it slightly by not crocheting in the back loops and eliminating the sprial trip. I added a flower for this little girly-girl. It's a bit large scale but is fun and over the top! The yarn is Bernat Cotton Tots in Strawberry, White and Blueberry. I stuffed it with gift tissue but I guess I didn't even it out so it tends to look a bit "wonky" in the picture on the right, but I assure you it came out even! Best of all the mom of the recipients loved them! I think I may have to name this creation "Caroline" because it just seems to fit perfectly.

SAL #8

Here is a sweet little hat I made for a church friend who is expecting a baby boy any day now. I made it with the same Sirdar Snuggly Fair Isle that I used to make Kara's baby boy hat. I like the little double I-cord on the top, never done one with 2 on top!





















Also for your viewing pleasure is the "Sweet Pea Purse" complete with button, snap closures and stuffed with a little gift wrap tissue. I love how the green dots on the button echoes the bobbles on the flap and strap. I also appreciate that the buttons were hand made and are not perfectly symmetrical. It looks a little crooked on the bag but it's just where the button artist placed the holes. Handmade is truly unique.

Source for SAL #7 and more

Here is the book I got the caterpillar baby pillow pattern from. There are so many cute items to knit in here. I have, in my magnamomous stash, yarn to make a dress that is in here for Miss K. I purposefully bought enough yarn to make it this winter for her to have for spring-summer 2008. Told y'all I have a huge stash!





















Here is completed sock #1. I made this using Priscilla's Dream Socks pattern available from the Interweave Knits site. It's a members only pattern so if you don't subscribe to their magazine maybe you have a friend who does! The heel and toe are done in short rows and Mr. K really liked how that felt, much more so than a kitchner stitch close done just at the tips of the toe. The yarn is Moda Dea in Stormy. I like the self-striping yarn pattern but I have to say that I'm not a huge fan of acrylic yarn but Mr. K will not hand wash his socks and it will take a few reminders that they can't be machine dried. I believe that the recipient is an important person in the knitting equation and washability was a factor. It's my hope that once he gets used to the feel of custom made that we can move on to a finer gauge done in a Merino wool, and that he will be so delighted that he will cringe at the thought of tossing the precious jewels in the washer!

SAL #7 Complete!

I completed SAL #7 last night. This was a caterpillar pillow that is a head and neck rest for a baby. I started this in October! It may be hard to tell but the I-cord is purple and the eyes are navy blue. I really hope Knitty Yoda likes it and that it will be useful for her sweet new baby! The yarn is Brown Sheep's Cotton Fleece and I really like working with this yarn!! See my other site for additional pillows made in different colors.


Working on SAL #8 which is a pair of socks for Mr. Knotty. One down, one "toe" go!

SAL projects 5 & 6

WHEW! I got my SIL's scarf done, pressed and Mr. Knotty is on the way to the post office as I type. Her b-day is Tuesday. Here is what the final project looks like:




I crocheted it to increase the bulk and for the speed of completion. The section that goes behind the neck is smaller and will hopefully be easier for her to wear and enjoy. This was made with Moda Dea Sassy Stipes in Crush, same as the hat.













I also finished a hat for a friend who is about to have a baby! Seems as though all these babies are coming at once. Fun to see those tiny, sweet and oh so trusting little faces. The miracle of life is just that isn't it?



This was knitted with Sirdar Snuggly Fair Isle.














Today and tomorrow I am to finish up another project. This one for Knitty Yoda. Then I will cranl out a few more baby hats and begin working on large projects.

SAL projects 3 & 4

I love yarn, especially the color. It reminds me of all the possibilities a box of Crayolas has! Too bad the only things limiting me are my imagination and lack of skill.

Here is the lovely green Cascade Quatro I purchased

to make this:

Mine turned out like this! I modified it a little to have a bigger main compartment and widened the strap by 2 rows. I still need to block, sew on the snaps and locate a suitable buckle. It reminds me of peas and I have dubbed it my "Sweet Pea Purse." Since Brooke and Ann think yarn purchases for a class are ok then perhpas now I can shed myself of the guilt of the purchase!

Here is project #4. It's a hat for my SIL's birthday next week. It was made from Moda Dea's Sassy Stripes in the Crush colorway. I am a little concerned that it will be small but it fit Mr. Knotty so I guess it will be ok. I beleive I made the guage a little tight and therefore it may not have quite the stretch I was hoping for! I still have to make a quick scarf that will NOT be knit on 3's!! I'm feeling a 5 or a 6 coming on!




















Here is project #2! This was the bolero featured in a previous blog. I will model it one day so you can see how lovely it is. It somehow loses it's charm on the hanger. I made this from an Evita yarn in watermelon. I am looking forward to wearing it. The open lace-type work is much prettier than the pictures lets on.

Confession time!

OK, I gotta confess that I felt the need to buy 2 hanks of Cascade today in order to crochet a bag for a class at the LYS. Since I believe it needs to be from yarn that is available at the store I knew I didn't have enough yardage from that store to complete the project. Do you think I'm still within the rules or is that my get-out-of-jail-free card?

Yet another SAL Created

I've completed another SAL!!

The Short 'N Sweet Bolero


from Debbie Stoller's Happy Hooker (photo to come very soon!). I love it and am pleased as punch! It will be a great addition to my spring wardrobe!

My first SAL completed

One down, dozens to go!!!

This is "Miss Knotty," my daughter who is currently 20 months old.




This is a cupcake hat from the Naked Sheep. I used it making Brown Sheep's Cotton Fleece (wool/cotton blend) that was in my stash. I've had the beads since forever and the pink embroidery floss I used to sew them on with belonged to my grandmother (I inherited her quilt stash).

The hat was fun and easy to knit. I wasn't too excited about sewing all the "sprinkles" on one at the time but it really made a difference in the overall appearance of the hat. Best of all, my girl loves it and will wear it with that big 'ol smile on her face!!!

Welcome to my Stash-A-Long!!

Please feel free to grab this button!

The object here is to knit and/or crochet or create whatever it is you make from your stash for as long as you can. My goal is 12 months worth because I have a ridiculous stash! As a stay-at-home Mom it's time to stop the yarn buying insanity before my 20 month-old becomes aware of my nasty little habit.

These are guidelines that were altered (with permission) from wendyknits.net.

1. The Stash-A-Long started January 1, 2007 (or from the moment you found this and want to join in) and run through December 31, 2007.

2. Don't buy any yarn during that period, with the following exceptions:

2.a. Incredibly priced sale yarn does not count. A yarn sale is a terrible thing to waste. However, unless it is an emergency (you define emergency) you should hold off on making anything from it in '07. Afterall, the object here is to eliminate the stash you've already created.

2.b. If someone asks for a specific knitted gift that we really and truly do not have the yarn for, we may buy yarn to knit that gift.

2.c. If we are knitting something and run out of yarn, we may purchase enough to complete the project. I've already had to do that once.

2.d. We each get one "Get Out of Jail Free" card -- we are each allowed to fall off the wagon one time. (Love this one! Thanks Wendy!)

3. We are allowed to receive gifts of yarn.

4. Trading stash is allowed.

5. Spinning fiber of any sort is exempt.



Just try and do the best you can. Can't wait to see what y'all create from stash. Even if you just want to post the creations that you make from your stash this year without participating "full-up" we'd love to see those too!