K1, P1 round and round

I haven't had time to take pictures and to be honest it isn't anything yet. Still, I'm proud (and a bit crazy) for having today cast on a hat for someone special. I pulled out some variegated wool, in autumn shades of brown, and am hoping inspiration hits by the time I'm done with the ribbed band. It is for a man and I'm not used to that. We'll see how it goes. :) Photos soon, I hope. The second liner mitten is on the needles as is the second purple sock. I found the leather I had tucked away and found the perfect spots to cut from. Things are falling into place. Four week countdown here I come!

WIPs: Mittens times 4 and Stripey Socks

I've blogged before about a very special pair of mittens that are underway. I've made a lot of progress and think I will be able to finish without a problem, before Christmas (knock on wood). I've finished the two mittens using the soy/wool combo yarn. Now, I've moved on to using Caron Simply Soft to knit the liner pair (the inside-out mitten shown below). This will, I hope, eliminate any scratchiness from the wool as the recipient reportedly doesn't like wool next to her skin. So far I have one liner done and it fits in fine and my hand will, too.

When I'm done with these I think I'm going to cut some leather (from an old coat) to use for the palms so they can also be worn for driving. As I may have said, the recipient has very, very cold hands.

On another set of needles is a sock for my youngest. I'm using two size three, sixteen inch circular needles. My daughter went through a phase, when I purchased the yarn, where she adored purple. Shortly after she went back to thinking everything has to be pink. So, I used the purples I had intended (Caron Simply Soft) and stole some pink from the yarn for her sister's pair, making the heel. Not sure how long I'm going to make the cuff, but so far it is turning out pretty well. The foot part is striped and the cuff will be solid in the darker purple. Quirky, like that daughter.

Happy Knitting!

FOs: Doll Clothes

I know, I know. I need to put more on here about WIPs (works-in-process) but I have trouble remembering as I focus on the stitches. As far as that goes, I also have a bit of trouble scheduling writing time as well. Eh-hem. Ok. So, here we are on a Saturday morning and I'm taking a few minutes to say "Hey, world!" here's what I've been up to.

I have a friend who got me into knitting for 18 inch dolls (American Girl) and I've really enjoyed the journey. Last week I put the finishing touches on a few items and shipped them off to her. So, here's what I've been crafting:

 

With My Own Two Hands

 Over the Summer we had a visit from a dear friend, who kindly introduced us to the music of Jack Johnson. The girls and I have been listening to the Curious George CD over and over again and this song has just touched me lately on a lot of levels.

It dawned on me that those knitters that do so for charity, or provide patterns for free, or even just knit for loved ones...we change the world by sharing that love. Think about it, if even just for a moment...we CAN change the world, with our own two hands...isn't that a happy thought?

Fall Hits Arizona (FO)

I've been waiting...even forgot a few times. Then, the other day I got an email from a friend. Yes, Fall has hit in Arizona and now that days are down near 70 degrees she was taking a moment to try on the socks I knit for her (in honor of ones her Grandma used to make). Thanks, for sharing a photo:

These were knit on two straight needles and seamed along the sides and heel. I like that they are a bit thicker yarn (sport or worsted weight) and larger needles (sz 3 or 5) so the socks work up faster than traditional ones. I've since altered the oh-so-basic pattern and put it on two circulars and knit toe-up. I'm thrilled and can't wait to make more to share.

Busy Bee, that's me

I guess it's only appropriate, as my name does mean "bee", that I've been buzzing around knitting crazy the past few days. I'm so glad to have finished the cabled skull cap, but I had some of the Simply Soft Eco left and it was too good to pass up. So, I cast on another (88 sts on sz 7 bamboo needles) and came up with this one (Eco for the grey and regular Simply Soft for the black):

(another good photo by my little one)

Then, I started a sweater for my eldest daughter. I'm making it up as I go, so we'll have to see how that turns out. The white was purchased months ago with the intent to make shrugs for the girls to wear on cool summer mornings, with their dresses for church. Silly me...nope, never made it to the needles. So, now I'm looking toward Christmas and toward using some yarn from my stash so I grabbed a skein and cast on. Seeing as it is almost Winter now I thought I'd add some colors to the white to make it more versatile for all seasons. It has a picot detail at the bottom, garter stitch "side seams", stipes of dark and light shades of the same color, and it will be a cardigan of some sort to be thrown on over any t-shirt. So far so good:

Last, but not least, I finished the first gift mitten. The yarn is a blend of wool and soy. Strange sounding to me, but it is remarkably soft and great to work with. The outside of the Patons SWS (soy wool stripes) isn't very soft, but once it is pulled off it unwinds a bit and is much nicer. I hope the person receiving these will think so, too. The yarn is self-striping (subtle in the middle of the mitten). I purchased two skeins (on clearance, I think) without checking how much I'd need. I was worried I would run out, but when I pulled out my reliable two-needle pattern (Many Mittens by Mary Lamb Becker) it showed that I may be able to make the pair with just one skein. Bonus! Maybe I'll get a pair, too. I've modified the pattern just slightly, to make the cuff a half inch longer for any size. I found that if I use the printed measurements the cuff isn't long enough to stay inside a coat sleeve,which in winter here is important. Who wants to play in the snow if you constantly have to adjust the mittens? I love to play in the snow!