owie

I've managed to injure my back knitting. Okay, I guess the repetitive motions at my job are also to blame. But I'm sad because it hurts to knit now. And I still have three toques to go! Will I make it? Who knows.

Also, I think my comments are working in case anyone felt like leaving a message.

I have an urge to make cute pixel things again. Hmm....

Knitted things

So far, for gifts, I've made:
-1 toque
-1.5 pairs mitts
-2 pairs slippers
-1 pair fingerless gloves

still to come:
-6 toques. Ha! Yikes.
-.5 mitten

I better get going on those. Toques, though, take only a couple hours to make. Depending on the design. So it should be okay.

Things to knit before Christmas:

-3-4 toques
-5+ sets of slippers
-one mitten (I lost one of the pair I made! grrr)

List will probably be added to. It doesn't sound like much but it'll probably take a while.

"Newfie" Mitts

I was searching for a plain mitten pattern (if I work without one they turn out funny) but found this one instead. It looks awesome, and it also looks like it'd be difficult. But it's not. It's actually really easy.

Here's what I've got so far:



I'm in the process of casting on for the second :D I think I might make some of these into Christmas presents. We'll see. Speaking of Christmas and winter things...



It's a little early for snow, but whatever. The weather does its own thing. Last year's first snow was November 9th. In 2007 it was Oct 27th. Definitely early this year.

Child's toque pattern

A cute and colourful toque with an interesting pattern. This was my first attempt at this style of knitting (whatever it's called, haven't even gotten that far yet!). It's also my first attempt at writing down a pattern. I think this would make a great Christmas present (although the child might prefer a toy :) you can give it to the parents though, who might appreciate it more). Better picture to come! I might make another one that actually adheres to this pattern ^^



Measurements: about 6.5" to the crown, about 18" circumference unstretched

Materials needed:
-2 colours worsted weight yarn (I used cheap acrylic stuff) 1/4 a ball of each will do.
-16" size 10 circular needle and/or same size dpns.
-stitch marker, yarn needle

Gauge: 20 st/4 inch stockinette

Loosely CO 80 st, join to work in the round.
Work 2x2 rib in main colour for 4 rows.
Begin pattern in stockinette using main and alternate colour
Pattern for design:

Work 15 rows of pattern, making sure to string along alternate colour yarn where more than three stitches of main colour are together.
Two rounds in stockinette in main colour.
Decrease round: k2 *k5, k2tog, repeat from * around.
next round: k all
decrease round: k2 *k4, k2tog, repeat from * around.
next round: k all
decrease round: k2, *k3, k2tog, repeat from * around.
next round: k all
decrease round: k2, *k2, k2tog, repeat from * around.
next round: k all
decrease round: k2, *k1, k2tog, repeat from * around.
next round: k all
decrease round: *k2tog, repeat from * around.

Break yarn, and, using yarn needle, thread the end through remaining loops and tighten. Weave in ends. Make pompom in alternate colour for the top. Sew in lining if desired.

Patterened toque

First of all, here's a picture of a toque I made. It's for a child. I don't know how old a person it would fit though, since I don't know any children. It was my first venture into this kind of knitting and I created my own pattern for it. I think the pattern would have shown up better had I used a non-multi-colored yarn, but oh well. Such is the nature of experimentation. I think I might post the pattern later.



Finished Charles, with hat:

And now, a random picture of my fall decorations on top of my bookshelves. :D

September already?

This year I decided to grow some morning glories, and they surprised me by how fast they grow. I've had to extend the guide pole/lines a couple times.





I also finally finished Fiz! Yay. I figured since I have no money to buy new craft supplies I should finish off the projects that I started long ago since I have the supplies to do so. That said, amigurumi Charles is unfinished and looks like he's got pimples all over. Those are just pins holding in his spots. I need embroidery thread to finish that one. So many things to do...



And here's Noorb and Fiz. I need to make myself the rest of the pets (Poogi, Charles (in this form anyway), Caesar, Eve). I made others but I gave them away.

more knitting

I really, really, want to make this and not just because the pattern name is "Aeolian". I haven't tried much lace yet, nor knitting from a chart so it would be interesting. And it's so pretty.

List of Things to DO

I have decided that before I start any new projects I have to finish the old ones first. All of them. This is going to take a long time.

Projects:

-Kim's Shawl. I should have been done this ages ago, but I will finish it tonight, if it has finally dried.

-Vest for me. I should not have started this. I just need to block it though, and then it'll be done.

-Fiz plushie. It's still sitting on top of my bookshelf, stuck through with pins. It too is almost complete.

-Pillow covers. I made one of six, but it's too big so I've got to take in the seams a bit.

-Little clay things of the Pets. I've bought the clay.

-My cloak. I have yet to hem the end of it and it is over five years old now.


We'll see if I I can stick to my plan or not. I have a feeling I'm leaving something out.

I'm feeling ambitious, so maybe I'll be able to finish more than one today.