March Post - In The Nick Of Time...

Creative titles for my Blog don't really seem necessary since I only manage to post once a month anyway! (Which actually is a good thing with my sleepy brain). Wow, I'm sitting here totally bewildered! Where did the month go?? I figured I was good for at least TWO this month! I'm such a slacker!

Well, on to the knits:

I realized that I never posted my finished colorwork mittens! These were really fun to make despite my mistakes along the way. There's one glaring right at me in the pic, but they're still warm. Sometimes you just have to let things go. My friend Mona designed these, she's got some great patterns in her head!

Pattern: Ambassadeur d`amour-Ambassador of Love
Yarns: Cascade 220 in pink fuchsia and black.

Next:

Pattern: Tie Band Chevron Beret
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in Cranberry
This was a last minute test knit on Ravelry (as I wasn't aware I was an "official tester" until things were already underway) so I had to marathon knit to get this done. Overall I enjoyed knitting it but the yarn wasn't the best. I wouldn't buy this again, it was badly spun/plied, really rough in some spots, very raggedy looking at times. Maybe I got a bad skein, but even Red Heart has never been this bad for me, and that's really saying something in my book. The color was the only saving grace for me.

Next:

Pattern: My basic 64 st stockinette sock
Yarn: Paton's Stretch in Cherry Sours
There's a "weird" feel to this yarn when knitting it up, sort of "rope like" sticky, but they end up softer somehow. My daughter loves them.

Next:

Pattern: Basic Socks (again)
Yarn: Premier Serenity Sock Weight in Spring Fling
My usual formula didn't work so well on these, they came out on the small side. The yarn felt thinner but I'm next exactly an exemplary "swatch" knitter so they are what they are. My youngest can still wear them, barely.. but they'll last a bit. I guess the sock bug has bit me again because another pair is in the works.

Next, since it's my Auntie's Birthday today, I'm posting what I made for her:

My FIRST embroidery project ever: Pillowcases.  I enjoyed each and every moment of it so I've already started on some more for myself. These fit her perfectly, she's always had a thing for "little blue birds". I hope she'll  enjoy these. Happy Happy Birthday Auntie! (I didn't iron them before I sent them but they still look cute!) I guess I'll save the remaining knits for next month since it's almost here!

I suppose the Lyrica has been making me sleepier than I realized because I swear the month just began! I've also just started taking Plaquenil for my auto-immune problem. My numbers are increasing in that department and my pain has been SKY HIGH, so, as chicken as I am, I'm also pretty darn desperate for some kind of relief. Here's to hope for less pain and having a "life" again.

I'm looking forward to Aprils post, I went to a fiber festival last weekend and had a blast. :O)  I paid dearly in the pain department, but it was still so much fun!

Happy Knitting!

Mystery Beret KAL Update #2

My Meret is done and she's being blocked right now.
I finally finished it while watching Dancing With The Stars on Tuesday night and it was so easy to follow the instructions even while watching TV. Did I mention I love this pattern? I think I did in a prior post but it's so worth repeating. Easy but FUN! I'll be looking for more projects like it in the future.

Both of these pictures aren't quite accurate in the colorway department. It's actually darker and not quite as pink as my camera represents here. I'll post the specs on it when it's dry (and maybe I can get one of the girls to model it for me).

I don't know, it just feels good to get something done. Besides cleaning house for company that never shows up, I feel like I'm going in circles. Off to find a pattern to work up a scarf or hat for The Big Guy for Christmas. Happy Knitting.

Gretel

She's done. Whew. I thought those cables would never end! Still...a very quick knit! I love it!

While "showing off" my knitting on Ravelry during the last visit with my in-laws, my SIL noted that I had never knit her anything. So we browsed thru some patterns and she really liked this beret. I purchased the pattern from Ysolda and picked up some Caron Simply Soft Heathers in the Sage colorway. My SIL is one of those that doesn't like wool (too itchy for her), and her color choice was tough, since "Sage" can vary GREATLY between so many different yarns out there. I liked this colorway when I saw it, and I like Simply Soft yarns - so here it is.

My Gretel turned out "large" (my SIL told me she has a big head!) but I made the "slouchy" version so I kind of expected that. I just hope after her wash she keeps around the same dimensions or I may have to redo it. What I may do is work some elastic in the band like others have had to do to their own berets so it'll be okay. We had a lot of laughs trying this hat on as well. It can fit kind of funny until you get it situated on your head just right. What great entertainment!
If I make it again, I'll do the "regular" version and probably go down a needle size on the ribbing. This is why I'm so glad I skipped the "tubular" cast on. My gut instinct was "don't make it too stretchy" and I was right. A regular long tail cast on was perfect. I highly recommend this pattern, it's easy to read, easy to make, and FUN to watch evolve. 2 Thumbs Up Ysolda!