Fern and Fairies Socks

 Pattern: None. This is just a basic K3, P1 sock over 48 stitches.

Yarn: Neeley's Knits Sports in Fern and Fairies

Needles: US Size 3 DPNs

Started on: Jan. 3rd

Finished on: Jan. 29th

Comments: I love how soft and smooshy Neeley's Knits yarns are. The striping was different then I expected, but still very pretty. I love how fast sports weight yarn knits up.  If I was a monogamous knitter, I probably could have finished these in one week.

January Stats

This was a very good knitting month! I used up 10 balls of yarn / 1,446 yards! A great way to kick off the new year. I finished 2 pairs of socks  (one of which still needs to be blogged about) and 2 rabbit stuffed animals. I count each ball of yarn used up as I knit it up. So I also have 3/4 of the rainbow cardigan done and 1/2 a dishcloth done.

Another WIP Wednesday

Tulips Cardigan -  Last time, I was trying to decide on what color to use for the border. I got a great suggestion from a knitterly friend to use grey for the border. Because of the little ones, I find it much easier to just buy the yarn then dig through my stash to find a grey yarn that will match well (in weight and fiber content and color).

I actually stepped foot inside my LYS, probably for the first time in five years. There's nothing wrong with my LYS, it's just I've always found it more convenient and cheaper to buy online. I know I know... I should support my LYS more, and I'll keep that in mind in the future.

Anyway, I was able to find some lovely Mountain Colors Bearfoot in light grey to finish the border. I didn't do the border in the pattern, because I'm not a huge fan of knitting seed stitch. So I chose to do a 2 x 2 rib instead.

I actually should be even further along, but I had to rip the sleeves back, because I didn't do the math. I just decided to knit whatever length stripes I wanted to. I don't really know what I was thinking when I did that. And then when I got to the fourth stripe, I realized the sleeve was going to be way too short. So... rip...rip... rip.... Then I actually did the math, and now hopefully my calculations and knitting will match up and things will work out.

The sleeves are slow because I've had to switch over to DPNs and my size 5 DPNs are Susan Bates ones. I really don't like how clunky and heavy these needles are. That's what I get for buying cheapo needles from the generic crafting store (many years ago). I don't use size 5 DPNs enough to justify getting a nicer pair, so these will have to do.

Fern and Fairies socks -  I know it looks like I'm in the same spot, I was in the last time, but I'm not! These are the beginnings of the second sock! Yay! These are knitting up quickly as it's sports weight yarn. I'm knitting my favorite 3 x 1 ribbed socks.

WIP Wednesday

Tulips Cardigan - I'm using Neeley's Knits Sparkle sock in the reading rainbow gradient. This is a thinner yarn then the pattern calls for. so I have to make some adjustments. I'm not an experienced sweater knitter, so I'm not sure if my adjustments will work out.

I also need to find some yarn that will match these blues for the border of the cardigan. I don't want to use the rainbow gradient for the border because I want to make sure I have enough of the gradient to make a second small Tulip Cardigan.

Garter Rib Baby Blanket - I had to re-start this blanket. Somehow a hole developed in my knitting. I have no idea how it happened, so I had to rip out the whole thing and cut out the hole area. So I finally re-started it.

Gridiron Socks - The photo is of the yarn I'm using. I started these, but have only knit a couple of rows. These will be socks for DH.

Sophie

Pattern: Sophie designed by Ysolda Teague

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino in Lilac (purple Sophie) and Debbie Bliss Cashmerino in Primrose (yellow Sophie)

Needles: US Size 3 DPNs (five needles)

Started on: Dec. 27th, 2015

Finished on: Jan 11th, 2016

Comments: This was my first time knitting stuffed animals or toys! (I'm not counting the tiny not even 1 inch big amiugrumi bird, I knit 4 or so years ago.)

I love how clear the pattern was written and appreciated the many photos. It made it much easier to see where I needed to pick up stitches. Also the pattern is awesome because there is no seaming whatsoever. I will take picking up stitches any day over seaming!

There were a few more difficult parts to knit, this is not due to any fault of the pattern, but more so just the nature of the knit. Using all five DPNs to knit on the arms of the rabbit was difficult and fiddly especially when there's only a few stitches per needle. Also because the body is already knit, my DPNs keep poking into the rabbit at awkward angles. It was also tricky to keep the stitches from sliding off of the needles. The ears were also a bit fiddly, but not too bad after getting though the first two or three rows.

Aside from all this, I'm very happy with the results of this pattern. I think the rabbits turned out super cute.

Socks

I have socks on the brain. I've been itching to start some new socks.

I started is Glynis from Sock Innovation in the Neeley's Knits MCN sock weight in Smelly Cat. This yarn reminds me more of Anna from Frozen, then Smelly Cat from Friends.

Or maybe because Anna is the favorite doll in the house right now, I was subconsciously drawn and inspired to knit this yarn up. Haha.. I really love these color and am excited to see how it will knit up into socks.

I started some man socks. It's been a long time since I made a pair of socks for someone that isn't me. Heh. The yarn is Zen Yarn Serenity Hound of Baskervilles using the Spectator socks pattern. I'm hoping that a pattern that isn't too plain and isn't too difficult will be just the thing to keep me from getting too bored on these.

Last but not least is my Fern and Fairies sock which is Neeley's Knits sports weight yarn. I decided to do my favorite basic rib, which is K3, P1. This is another one where I'm excited to see how it will knit up in socks.

Jack socks

I knit this based on my own plain sock formula.

Yarn: Neeley's Knits Super sock in Nightmare Before Xmas Inspired colorway Jack with sidekick skein in sparkle sock in a dark purple. 

Needles: US 2

Started on: Sept. 5th

Finished on: Jan. 3rd

Comments: This is my first project of 2016! I love self striping sock yarn! It's much easier to match the stripes when you use contrasting yarn for the cuff, heel and toe. I love the colors of this sock. It only took a long time to knit because I put it aside to knit other projects.

WIP Wednesday

My primary knitting has been the rabbits. It's slow going because DD # 1 has started to guess that it's something for her. So I'm trying to wait for her to sleep before I work on it. And well, she's been sleeping late this week.  It's also slow going because I'm knitting two rabbits at the same time. I know it won't go over well if there's only one rabbit and two girls fighting over it.

Lilac rabbit now has a body and two legs. I'm knitting on Primrose rabbit's second leg. All that's left after that is the arms and ears. I've always been intimidated by knitting stuffed animals and toys, so I've never really done it. I'm glad I picked this pattern as my first one. The directions are very clearly written and easy to follow. There are lots of pictures to give extra guidance and help you see what you are supposed to be doing. And best of all there's no seaming! Woohoo! I will take picking up stitches over seaming any day.

Moon Shadows Shawl

 Happy New Year!

This is my last finished item of 2015!

Pattern: Moon Shadows designed by Romi Hill

Size: Large

Yarn: Main Color is: The Periwinkle Sheep in Silky Single in the colorway The Rising of the Moon

Contrast Color is: The Periwinkle Sheep in Silky Single in the colorway Ominous

Needles: US Size 5

Started on: Dec. 7th

Finished on: Dec. 29th

Comments: This is my "M" for my Lace A-Z Challenge. This means I'm officially halfway done with my challenge! Woohoo! The pattern was clearly written and fun to knit. The yarn was so soft and squishy. I really enjoy knitting with single ply. I know it tends to not be as strong and long lasting, but I think in a shawl it's just fine. I really love knitting with it. And I love The Periwinkle Sheep. The colors it comes in are simply stunning! I did run out of yarn on the contrasting color because I estimated the yardage I would need wrong. The dyer was kind enough to send me some more yarn, so that I could finish my project. My favorite motif in the shawl is the hem border. This shawl I'm going to keep for myself.