Norwegian Star Hat

My grandson is modeling my first fair isle type knitted hat. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. The hat was made with the same yarn as the 1864 Godey's Shawl.

I got the pattern for the hat through Ravelry. The pattern called for size 7 needles but the yarn suggested size 8 needles. I chose to use the size 8. The hat came out a little large but I'm really happy about that. I don't particularly like tight fitting hats. I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

Spun Roving & Shawls

I finished spinning my dyed roving. At first I was a little disappointed on how it turned out, colorwise, that is. I was expecting to see more blotches of red. In person it's more of an orange color. But when you look at it close-up, you can see the red. It reminds me of the color of fire so that's what I named it. I have approximately 285 yards. Now to figure out what to make with it.

This week I've been busy doing my "homework" for the Harry Potter Knitting/Crocheting House Cup (HPKCKC) forum on Ravelry. We're basically pretending to be students at Hogwarts. Since most of the sorting hat quizzes put me in Hufflepuff, that was the house I requested and was sorted to. There are classes and even a quidditch team. It was very well thought out. All the participates are having a great time.

I've started making the Danish Tie-Shawl. I'm about three-fourths done with it. I'm making it out of Red Heart Painted Sand. I figured for my first one, I'd chose a variegated so I didn't want to mess around changing colors every few rows. I'm not sure if I'll make another one of these or not.

I finished making a pair of socks that I dyed in my class at Hanks. I'll have to take a picture. They turned out very well.

Latest Activities

I finally finished the 1864 Godey's Knitted Winter Shawl. Although it's a very simple pattern, I had a hard time staying motivated to finish it. It was very boring to work on. The shawl is completely knitted in garter stitch.

I took a beginner's class at Hank's Yarn and Fiber store a few weeks ago on how to dye wool. It was a very interesting class. I can't wait to dye more wool and take some more advanced classes on dyeing. I've started collecting all my supplies. Last night I mixed up the stock of the Jacquard Acid Dye in Cherry Red, Brilliant Blue and Sun Yellow.

The roving is a 100% merino superwash and dyed 4 oz of it. The merino feels like silk. It's definitely much softer than the corriedale wool I'm used to working with. I've spun what I've dyed so far. At this point, I could turn it into 2-ply yarn for socks or dye the remaining 4 oz and ply them all together. I'm leaning towards dyeing the remaining roving. I just hate the idea of hiding this in my shoes.

The Danish Tie Shawl is progressing. It's also knitted completely in garter stitch with yarn overs every other row and has definitely reached the middle of the project boring stage. I'm hoping to have it finished by the end of August.

Danish Tie Shawl

Last night I started my first Danish Tie Shawl (featured in the Spring 2008 Spin-Off magazine) with the help of Sharon and Lorena at Hanks. It is such an easy pattern. I'm making the first one with Classic Red Heart, worsted weight, in a variegated called Desert Sand. The original pattern calls for spun yarn but I don't have enough yarn spun to use homespun.

I finished the third pair of socks Monday night. I've ordered the book Knitting 2-at-a-Time Socks but it hasn't come yet. That will really help in making sure both socks are the same length. The first pair of socks I do using the 2 at a time technique (also a Magic Loop technique) will be for my daughter.

These socks were made with Cherry Tree Hill hand painted DK supersock yarn in Blueberry Hill.

I just love how these socks feel on my feet.

Another Pair of Socks

I finished my second pair of knitted socks last night. I used Cherry Tree Hill hand painted DK supersock yarn in Cherry Blossom. This is really nice yarn. Much softer and loftier than the Lorna Laces Shepherd Sock yarn I used for the first pair.

I've already started my third pair. I'm making them out of the Cherry Tree Hill hand painted DK supersock yarn in Blueberry Hill.

I finally finished my first pair of knitted socks. I used the Magic Loop technique and it was so easy. I love this method. I've already started on a second pair and it's going much faster. I have 5 more pairs of socks to make.

Back in May, I purchased an antique Singer hand crank sewing machine. I'm having a bit of trouble figuring out how how to wind the bobbin but I'll eventually get it. Now I can sew even when the electricity goes out.

Here's my "new" machine:

It's been a while since I've posted. I've been working on knitting a toe-up sock using the Magic Loop technique. That's a really great technique. Much better than struggling with double pointed needles. My first sock came out a tad big. I made some adjustments and started a second sock. That sock looked like it was going to be a bit too small, plus I messed up the gusset & heel part, so I ripped it back to before the gussets and am starting that part over. When the second sock is done, I'll post a photo.

I've also been teaching a few crochet classes at Hank's Yarn and Fiber store. That's been really great.

I'm also knitting a shawl from an 1864 pattern that was in Godey's Ladies Book. It's taking so long to finish that I'm really getting tired of working on it. Hopefully it'll be done within the next month or so.

Several weeks ago, I went to a spring festival. There was a booth with a man who restores and sells antique sewing machines. I'm now the proud owner of a 1927 Singer 128K hand crank sewing machine. I'm really excited about it.

Knitted Dishcloth

Lately I've had this urge to knit something. I was so impressed by the knitted cotton hand towels at Hanks Yarn and Fiber, I wanted to make one too. So, I got out my needles and some cotton yarn and found a pattern. The pattern was supposed to be the basketweave stitch but I somehow messed it up. It just wasn't turning out right. I decided that I would continue with the pattern I had already started and forget trying to do the basketweave. I think it turned out fairly well.

I did discover that if I hung it by the loop (as seen in the photo), the dish towel skewed so I crocheted 2 rows across the top and put a loop in the middle. It hangs so much better now. No more distortion. You can always count on crocheting to save the day!

I've also been busy spinning some yarn. I know, I already have a ton of store bought yarn but I got this really great fiber from Hanks last week. It's a combination of wool, alpaca, and silk. It makes the prettiest silver grey color when spun. I can't wait to finish spinning it so I can make something from the yarn. I was thinking I'd knit a pair of fingerless mitts. Hopefully I'll have enough yarn.

Amigurumi Swap

I belong to an amigurumi Yahoo group and we had a swap this month. This is what I sent to my swap partner. I purchased the pattern for Irish Rock People from CrochetSal's Etsy store. They are really cute and so quick to make.

I'm also making the Babette Blanket. At first I didn't particularly care for this afghan. Too many bright colors, I guess. Well, I was in the mood to make a scrap afghan and decided I'd try that pattern since it uses the solid granny square. I'm mainly using the scraps from the Molly Weasley Sweater with a few other colors I've added in. The afghan is made up of panels and I just finished the first panel. I'm using worsted weight yarn and a G hook. It's going to be a very heavy and warm afghan. Here's what I've gotten done so far.

Crocheted Socks Finished

I finished the crocheted socks. Although they fit my feet, they turned out to be a tad too big for my shoes so they'll become my house socks instead. When I make my next pair, I'll make them a size smaller.

Socks

For the past two weeks, I've had this really huge urge to knit and to make a pair of socks. I bought some fingering yarn and dug through my needles. I found a pair of size 3 double pointed needles. My fingers just couldn't work with them. So I went up to size 4 needles and it's much better. It's still a little awkward but I'm getting the hang of it. It would be so much easier if the knitting community came up with circular needles that had a smaller cable just for socks.

While I'm working on the knitted pair, I decided I want to crochet a pair. I'm using the basic sock pattern from the book, Learn to Crochet Socks by the American School of Needlework. It uses worsted weight yarn. Yes, they'll be thicker than store bought socks but at least I will have made them.

Finally Got a Blog

I decided it was time I got a blog to chronicle my craft and charity projects. I really enjoy doing crafts. It's so satisfying to take a piece of fabric or a skein of yarn and turn it into something beautiful and useful. Here are just a few of the many items I've made this past year.

I made the Molly Weasley sweater. I ordered the pattern from here.



I made each of my granddaughters one of these afghans. It's the Stained Glass Window Afghan.


I made the Spiderman afghan for my grandson. This was my first round ripple and I have to say I'm not that impressed with the round ripple. Don't get me wrong, I've seen some very pretty ones but I think I'll stick with the traditional rectangular afghans from now on.