Wishful Knitting

This pattern is very sweet- I love the way the wings button. We recently went to the zoo and saw a live bat exhibit in part of the Rainforest. Usually, my little Z is easily intimidated by all things she deems spooky- she uses her own scale of creep-factor and it's hard to predict what she will deem unacceptable. Interestingly, she was really intrigued by the nocturnal antics of these creatures! She now professes a LOVE for bats! I always forget, when making these toys, that the knitting portion is faster than the assembling portion. I am not a huge fan of the assembly, but it’s always worth it. I have several requests for more of these fellows. I remain unimpressed by this yarn- Vanna's Choice- I should have made it with Cascade 220 as called for in the pattern. The Vanna's Choice was splitty and hard on my hands.

(photo by H-bomb) I have stated on numerous occasions that I wanted something made with Aurora 8 around my neck. This lovely yarn is the yarn that gave me gauge fits when I knit "Hourglass." But, with a scarf, there is no gauge with which to have an issue : ) I do love gauge-less projects, you know. So, this scarf is Just Enough Ruffles . It was a quick, fun knit. It's a great intro to short rows. The only aspect I DON'T like about the scarf is where it rolls. Despite several rows of garter stitch at the beginning, it rolls. I tried to block it to stop the rolling and it didn't really help. I think I can just let it go, we'll see. Surprisingly, the Aurora 8 for this scarf doesn't seem as soft as the same yarn knit up in my sweater. My friend Buffy and I spent lots of time debating whether it has a little itch or not. I guess if you can't tell very easily, the itch factor is pretty negligible...but I am always searching for no-itch natural fibers. All ...

Hat number two- for daughter number two! Just about the same as the other one, except I made the decreases more severe to have a flatter top : ) She appears to love it!

This kid is a riot- she picked out these colors herself! I am thrilled about making knitterly items to keep them warm...more to come. Pattern: Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky Needles: Size 10, 3.5 sts/inch- nice and tight for warmth Mods: Changed the crown decreases to be more gradual, added afterthought garter stitch edging and decreased a few stitches so it would hug her head more

This project is on the verge of hibernation status. I think I know why. It's hard to see the value of a cardigan that doesn't actually close down the center! This functionality is particularly important since I am visiting Ohio and it's COLD here!! (The pattern actually comes much closer in the center- this is a fit problem.) But, I have been slogging away, and I was almost done with the body of the sweater. I know you are supposed to be able to try on the sweater as you go, but I usually don't. Ridiculous, really. Sure, I had many signs the fit would not be a good one- for example, my gauge was way off. (You know, the little details!) To the frog pond it goes....but not for long. I have already cast on and just divided for the sleeve. I decided to forge ahead and see how it goes. I love the yarn, so we'll see.

There was some concern these mittens would be thumb less, but alas, all digits are covered. I made these with a very utilitarian objective- to help keep the girls warm when we get back to Ohio. Soon, these little projects became a calming outlet for my nervous energy about the trip in general. What I discovered is that they are FUN to make! I was surprised by my tender feelings when my children donned their new little mittens. I really felt warm and fuzzy inside- it seemed, through my craft, I was able to somehow hold their hands from a distance...... The knitty gritty: Yarn: - Knitpicks Swish Worsted in sunshine and Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in mulled wine Pattern: Knitters Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd - When I purchased this book years ago, (actually I think my mom bought it for me when I lived in Washington, perhaps California?) I had no idea what a treasure it is until this project. First you start with the yarn and then you can find a pattern. This book does all the wor...

Things are looking up....this book made me laugh out loud! I chuckled my way through it, at one point laughing until I had tears running down my face. I'll have to find her first book, too. It's a collection of essays ranging from knitting to parenthood. She's hilarious....this should get the knitting back on track : ) Free-Range Knitter by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

Here is the feather and fan shawl I finished a little while back- I think in November. I like the style and the drape, but it is itchier than I thought it would be. I think I'll still use it, especially if our heater goes out again. I have a bit of startitis or some kind of knitting block going on. While my mom was here visiting, we bought some yarn at the market. The yarn label didn't specify gauge or needles or anything. I was thinking about using it for a little capelet, but it's the wrong gauge. (I won't make that purchasing mistake again!) So, determined not to stash this yarn, I have tried to knit with it for several days and have nothing to show for it. I tried a cowl, a hat, some mitts, and a scarf. I also tried making my own capelet design, but I really don't want to sit there and figure it out. I just want to knit. So, there it is. I am not sure what cures knitting startitis. I also have several half-baked amigurumi projects floating around he...

there's a shawl. I am really between projects, so this is what I have been working on. I would like to make Fantine . I have the yarn and the pattern, but I can't find the pattern. We moved a couple of months ago, and the last time I saw the pattern was on the table in our old living room. It hasn't turned up. I have been thinking about knitting some holiday gifts. Thinking about it isn't that productive. I have also been thinking about just reaching my hand into my bin o' yarn and knitting something out of whatever I grab. I dream of turning over most of my stash by using it up. Dreaming isn't that productive, either. Hey, at least I'll have a shawl to show for it. This is a feather and fan shawl with Andean Treasure from Knitpicks . The yarn is truly wonderful and soft. I don't think of this as a shawl as much as a thick scarf to chase away the Italian chill. "Shawl" sounds like something someone really old would use. Certainly ...

The Aviano Knitwits were the happy recipients of a package from our fervent, stateside supporters- Nanny-o and her knitwit friend Carol. I am surprised Nanny-o could wrestle the yarn from Carol before she knit it into holiday washcloths : ) Let me tell you- we were so thrilled. Those of you in the USA might take it for granted that you can easily go to your local yarn shop or Michaels to browse for inspiration and supplies. It's quite different here, so this box from home was a wonderful surprise. Here we are charging up the glow in the dark yarn. What fun!! Our box had candy, yarn, and patterns for ghosts and pumpkins in cute little booklets. There were also some knitterly magazines in there. This box was truly appreciated- we were like kids ourselves-oooh, look at this, look at that. Thank you for such a wonderful gift- it meant a lot to us. This is one of two pumpkins I made for the girls. H wanted hers to have lipstick and eyelashes, while Z's has a frown. Hers has...

This picture was taken just before packing this blanket up for its journey to Ohio. I made this for my friend's son's first birthday. Clearly they are fans of The OSU. I put the camera there to give an idea about the finished size...I think it was about 3.5 feet square. This was taken hanging over the edge of a twin size bed. Although the pattern is for a baby blanket, I usually make the blanket bigger- more of a toddler-size blanket. Here's a pic of the little fellow I made to go in the pocket. I just couldn't bring myself to create a Brutus Buckeye . A little lamb will have to do. Z gives him a christening kiss (even though it looks like she's trying to eat him) for the journey. I just really love this pattern- this is my third version. The pattern is the Bear Necessities Blanket from Vogue Baby Blankets . Instead of changing colors every row- I make the rows thicker- weaving in all the ends IS a bear! This time I made the pocket bigger. I used Encore Worst...

or a mouthful of hairy homespun! Yep, that's right. There is a new place in my heart for Hairy Homespun.... Just think, the very reason I started this blanket- after giving up my "crochet blanket dream," was because I couldn't stand the thought of stashing so much of this stuff! I wanted to "use it up," so to speak. I still don't like the colors, and I certainly did not enjoy knitting with the stuff, but the blanket is soft, easily washed, and snuggly! It was a very nice outcome and it never hurts that is was quite quick to make. This blanket was knit with 2 strands together. There's a garter stitch border and a single garter ridge between color changes. I fear there will be another one in my future as it has met with rave reviews from the girls, my mother-in-law, my sister and my dog. This original work of Hairy-ness is winging it's way to a new home in Seattle Washington. Enjoy this belated birthday gift my sister- it's a long-distance ...

This post is about my friend- I wanted her family to see the proof- this girl can knit! People, let me tell you, my friend S decided she wanted to learn to knit. I only had to show her the basics and off she went. (We had a few phone conversations, and luckily I live close by, so there were home visits- which were all fun...she is, after all, the hostess with the mostess.) Her first sweater is a lacy little cardi for her adorable daughter. The pattern is available on the Lion Brand website and I think the yarn was their cotton blend in the color Berry. It only took a couple skeins. Her daughter, was a little hesitant to wear it. (In this pic the ends hadn't been woven in, but the little munchkin wasn't bothered by that, she didn't want to wear it because it didn't have princess buttons, or some similar, very valid reason : ) And my friend knitted a little toy for her munchkin- the pattern is from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I think this is the first project we ...