Skewed

Add me to the bandwagon:

My First TOE UPS EVER!! 

And probably my last to be honest. 

I totally and thoroughly enjoyed knitting this pattern (Lana is an amazing designer and super nice person - I had to bug her about something and she was fast and so helpful). The thing I guess I didn't care much for was the fit on my leg and the bind off - and that would probably bother me with ANY toe ups I think.  I just ended up using a larger size needle and it worked out - but they were either too "loose" or too "tight" for a bit there.  These are still fun to make (a LOT of FUN!) but it's going to take adjustments to make them easier to pull on and take off if I make them again and I'm just a lazy relaxed sock knitter.  If it takes too much brain power, I'm not up to it right now, even with everyone's mods on Ravelry to refer to. 

Project: Skew
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Semi Solid in Slate colorway
Size 1 needle ML
The PERFECT sock pattern for that FUNKY yarn you aren't sure what to do with!

Side Note: I had forgotten how "fuzzy" CTH sock yarns can get and this one was the same. I haven't even worn these yet but they already look like I have....LOTS!  But they're soft - and so FUN to look at so I don't mind. (too much).  This pattern is super fast to knit up, if you haven't tried them you should, I think Lana's already added mods to the main pattern on her blog to adjust for a better fit.

I was so excited to knit these after the Ravelympics that I'm feeling "lost" right now trying to pick another project to start. I think it may be more socks, but... cuff down this time I think!
Happy Knitting.

The End of Another Great Event

I've finally crossed the finish line and all of my events are done. I entered this project in the Lace Luge and my mittens were in the Mitten Mogul Event.



Pattern: Birds Nest Smoke Ring Cowl
Yarn: Madelinetosh Sock in Dahlia colorway
Needles: Size 5 & 6
Mods: Left out one repeat (my neck isn't that long). I also made an error in the second repeat where I should've moved my marker at the end of a round but completely skipped it. I can definitely see it now that it's blocked out. Can you see it?



Since this is a cowl and is worn bunched up, I wasn't going to sweat it (plus, realizing it about 20 rows later meant that I was NEVER going to knit back to fix it in a million years anyway with all those yarn overs!).

Overall, I really enjoyed this pattern. It has a chart (which would've made me see my boo-boo earlier on) and written instructions so anyone can do it. What I wasn't crazy about was the picot edging. That messed me up more than anything for some reason (and it's so EASY!). Next time I'll just knit a regular edge and crochet a scallop or picot edge on if necessary. Crocheting is SO much easier to rip back and fix for someone like me who can fall asleep while knitting.

I used the same yarn for my SIL's cowl (that was worsted weight though) and the "bleeding" issue was still pretty bad. Three rinses and it was still turning the rinse water pink. Oh well. It's lovely otherwise. I really should email them and let them know that's a bit excessive though.

I'm very pleased to be done for the 2010 Ravelympics. Now I can breathe, rest, and knit whatever the heck I want to, when I want to. It was fun, but I'm ready to be a slouch again. Go Team USA and Go Ravelympians!!

One Event Down, One To Go....

Pattern: Lola's Flip-Top Mittens

(pattern is in "101 One Skein Designer Patterns")

Yarn: Moda Dea Sassy in Crush (discontinued)

Team: Burnin' Up The Stash (We're teamBUTS!)

Size 2 needles

I made the women's size medium I believe (7" hand circ.) and they're a bit snug. I think I could've gone a size larger as tight of a knitter as I am.

Mods: Used the same 1x1 ribbing up on the flap instead of garter stitch and used my own decreases for the top.

I didn't add a button....yet. Still deciding if I want to.
I love this design. The flap is pretty sturdy, it doesn't seem as floppy as some I've seen and read about. Next time I would make my bottom ribbing longer as well, I like more coverage on my wrists.

I know this one is boring but it's very soft and squishy. I used this UFO as an entry for the Yarn Harlot's Olympics. I got it done but was slow at getting the ends weaved in.

Pattern: Lion Brands Baby Blanket (about 32x32)

Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun

Size 11 needles

Colorway: Baroque

This is an entry into Dawn's contest she's holding for lapghans for her Grandmother's nursing home. Just spreading a little love. I have another one already going as well. Sometimes Garter stitch is so relaxing. This is stash yarn as well. Maybe someday I'll be able to see my closet floor!

Onward for Olympic Gold. Go USA!

~*~Happy Valentines Day!~*~

I celebrated yesterday with a trip to Hobby Lobby, Barnes & Noble, and eating out with my family! In between I made it to my knitting meeting and after having missed two in a row, it was like taking a nice long drink of cool water! It was SO refreshing for my non-knitting mojo and I had a blast! Today we're watching the olympics and relaxing. We've got little snow flakes coming down, it's a nice day to chill.

I've got to really get back to knitting on my Ravelympic projects...soon!

Olympic Spirit!

Wow! All set and cast on for the Ravelympics! What a fabulously fun thing to be involved in! This is my second time and I have to admit, it's even more fun this time. I joined two teams this year, I'm on Team Mine! (for us "selfish" knitters) and Team BUTS (Burning Up The Stash - no explanation why I'm there is necessary) I'm having SO much fun, but haven't gotten too much knitting done. Yet.

I've also joined Yarn Harlot's Knitting Olympics as well. For that challenge I'm going to working on one of two UFO's that are just the bane of my existence so they ARE a HUGE challenge for me. I don't even want to say what they are (and I said I'd only finish one to save face).
Confession: I am NOT a sports fan. I get totally annoyed at announcers voices and constant banter and I hate that "two minutes left on the clock" could take 2 hours to wrap up. I would rather just watch the very end to get the score than watch a whole game of ANYthing. But the Olympics are so different for me. It's so much more. So much much more. I especially love the Winter Ones.

Gee, I wonder why?

Hmmmmmmm.

Yowza.

Ahhhhhh........Awesome.

Back to the games.....

I Guess I Asked For It

I forgot I changed my door decoration this year:

Mother Nature must've liked it!

But it's gone for the most part now. We may get more next week.

Isn't this little birdie a cutie! Nice and "round" like me! ;O) Happy Winter!

Whiskers On Wednesday

Can't sit still for a minute around here:



Heated Throw + someone in the recliner = CAT STUCK

Happy WOW!