Sock it to Me.

I cast on for my first pair of socks last night.

Insight: those little needles are hard to deal with.

That’s all.

Eat Your Veggies!

Specifically, make sure you have your recommended daily intake of rutabagas:

But wait! What about this type of rutabaga?

Technically, I suppose we’d have to call this a ruta-”bag”-a. Ha!
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Just wanted to give everyone a moment to appreciate the hilarity that was my last sentence.

The point, is, of course, that I finished my first bag, and I feel like it’s my first more complicated FO. The pattern is from Knitscene, which I picked up on a whim, not thinking I could actually tackle any of the designs, but I gave it a shot and couldn’t be happier with the results!

This gave me my first real pattern-reading test, as well as having to figure out how to pick up stitches and do a 3-needle BO. You should see my test swatch where I figured all of the new techniques out, but it quickly became a plaything for Lucy.

I did lengthen the strap, because it called for a 19.5″ strap and I like to wear bags diagonally across my shoulders (does that even make sense?) and 19″ isn’t long enough. The strap is now about 32″ or so.

I’m very proud of this one, and it definitely motivates me to try other things that are a little more involved.

And since Knit Happens is having a ridiculous sale right now (shhh!), I picked some things to build my stash over the weekend and have big plans for some of those……

Now, it’s on to major work on the Top Secret Birthday Project and I may cast on for my first pair of socks, with some yarn I picked up on DeStash from YarnBeans!

Happy Monday everyone!

Project: Knitscene Rutabaga
Yarn: Cascade Sierra in Navy (2 Skeins – I used almost all of it with the lengthened strap)
Needles: Addi Turbo Circulars – Size 10.5, Length 24″

I Think This Catches Me Up…Incredible!

I believe that after this post, all of my FO’s will be posted, I will be caught up, and then I can start to post about WIPs, and yarn, and patterns, and all kinds of other stuff.

This is the Incredible! scarf. It’s all ribbony and colorful and spring-like. It’s not really me, but I believe my friend The Dancer will look smashing in it. Pictures of it in actual use are forthcoming.

Project: Incredible Ribbon Scarf
Yarn: Lion Brand Incredible in Rainbow
Needles: Size 13

…And speaking of the Kids…

I don’t believe I’ve formally introduced you.

When I talk about “The Kids,” I will be referring to my pets, naturally.

Meet Lucy, a 5-year old tabby:


She has severe paranoia, especially when it comes to shadows, dust bunnies, and other harmless and/or imaginary foes.

This is Katy, a 2-year old labrador evader:

You’ll notice I said evader, and not retriever, because I do not recall her ever retrieving anything in her two years of life. Instead, when I throw balls and things, she looks at me as though I must be nuts for thinking she is going to get up and go get anything. Also? She answers to everything from “Chunk” to “Refrigerator,” which according to the experts on The Today Show means she’s not especially bright. All of which is ok, because she’s still the best mutt in the world.

I’m sure these two will be making regular appearances, as models, inspiration, or just for the plain-ol’-cuteness factor.

Speaking of Hats…

I made one for myself, too, just in time for 80-degree weather. Ha. Maybe I’ll go on vacation to the southern hemisphere this summer and have an excuse to wear it before November.

I actually made this hat before the baby hat, and did knit this one in the round (my first in-the-round thingy – yipPee!!), and so that’s why I can definitively say I like doing hats this way better than flat, like the baby beanie.

Project: Alison’s Beginners Cap
Yarn: Plymouth Galway Worsted - Color Number 600 (a bit less than 1 skein)
Needles: Size 8 – 16 inch circulars and dpns

My first baby knitting project!

Once upon a time, there was a need for a baby shower gift.

Why not knit a hat, I thought?

And so, I did. I think it turned out ok, but I don’t think I like knitting hats flat and then seaming them. (I think that’s because I’m not so great at seaming yet, but that’s a technicality). Plus, I somehow got one of the cables all screwy, and I’m also not good at fixing mistakes yet, so if you look closely enough, you can see it. So don’t look closely.

As far as a model for the picture, I do not have a baby and the kids would not cooperate, so the bear will have to do.

Project: SweaterBabe’s Cable Baby Beanie
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in Celery (Color Number 11, I believe)
Needles: Size 9

The UGLIEST Ever!!!!

It’s not ugly because of the knitting, mind you, but because of the colors! However, I am a woman of integrity, so when I made a bet that Florida would lose to Ohio State in the NCAA football championship, I had to follow through.

Hence, the results:

I will get my revenge in the NCAA basketball tourney though…as long as Kansas makes it further than Florida, I’m all set! Free MARTA card, baby! (What high aspirations I have!)

Project: Modified from Simple Ribbed Scarf (2 x 2 ribbing)
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Royal and Caron Perfect Match in Orange
Needles: Clover Bamboo 29″ circulars, size 8

Fancy Fur, Round 2

This one’s the same as the blue scarf from a few posts ago, but I only used 1 skein, so it’s fairly short. I made it for Mom since she likes these colors.

That’s all.

Project: One-hour Knit Scarf
Yarn: Lion Brand Fancy Fur in Jungle Print (1 Skein)
Needles: Size 13

Megan’s Baby Blanket

My first baby project – and also the first of thousands of things the nieces will get! I finished this as a gift for Megan’s christening and was pretty pleased for my first non-scarf project.

It is knit in garter stitch throughout, and ended up being about 28″ x 24″.

Thanks to the lovely ladies at Knitch for giving me the pattern idea and directing me to the right yarn, as well as helping me knit a gauge swatch and all of that stuff beginners don’t necessarily know about!

Also thanks to Mom for taking the picture, and the model for being so very helpful as well. Hardee-har-har.

Project: 28″ x 24″ Baby Throw
Yarn: Cascade Sierra in Mauve & Charcoal
Needles: Clover Bamboo 29″ circulars, size 8

Oooh, so Fancy!

I would like to point out that contrary to what the people told me at a certain craft store, this is not necessarily a “beginner” yarn. Because of the nubbiness, it’s impossible to see what you are doing if you aren’t at all familiar with a basic knit stitch… So this was actually started and restarted about 6 times, and only finished after I did the other two scarves. But! I did finish it, and it is a quick knit once you know what you’re doing!

Project: One-hour Knit Scarf
Yarn: Lion Brand Fancy Fur in Brilliant Blue (2 Skeins)
Needles: Size 13