Ruffled Scarf

I finished this easy scarf in about two nights of tv watching. Jim made me watch Friday night fishing so I could devote a lot of attention to the scarf... I love this yarn, but the scarf came out a bit short since I knit so tightly. I actually used my camera to take the photos instead of my phone, so the pictures look much better. Here is the link to the pattern:

http://www.mistialpaca.com/downloads/ribs_ruffles_scarf.pdf

Yarn Stash Trade

I was just thinking about my ridiculously huge yarn stash. I have quite a few skeins that I no longer need or want. Just wondering if anyone else has this problem? I have given some older cheap yarn away to the good will, but I still have some really nice stuff that I just don't care for as much anymore. I was thinking we could have a yarn stash trade if anyone is interested. Any thoughts?

Pink!

This afghan was made for the Christmas blanket drive held by the Social Services Department in Escondido. My neighbor, Miriam, works in adoptions, and the blankets are given to foster children. I got the pattern book from one of Jim's aunts after she passed away (Bernat Afghans, #132, 1966--it only cost $1.60!). It lacked some crucial information, and I took apart every panel save one before I could get it to work. Now I know why his aunt never made this afghan (the booklet is precious with her notes and comments). This afghan will be donated next year. Sorry about the picture above--the colors are much more vivid, I just couldn't get my camera to cooperate. If you espy a little lump in the center, that's Cricket, our cat. She loves to help with all my projects.

Wrist Warmers

I think these look really cool. The link below will take you to the free pattern and free chart to follow for the leopard print. I think I may make a hat. I also found a mitten pattern with leopard print.
http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=0&d_id=401&lang=en

Girly Cabled Brimmed Beanie

I REALLY wanted to make this cute hat. I decided that this year I want to advance my skills and take on more complex projects. I met Mary (the knit whisperer) at the cafe a couple of weeks ago and she showed me how to do cables (very easy) and a few other tricky stitches. First I made the hat in a beige color and it came out way too small. So I upped my needle size and yarn weight by one and followed the same pattern and it fit perfectly. I made the beanie and the strip (complete with button holes) across the front with zero errors. It looked and fit perfect. Next, I began working on the brim. I tried it three times and also tried doing it on some test pieces at least five times. It just didn't look that great. I could not grasp the M1R and M1L concept the pattern designer came up with. I spent two days trying to perfect it (swearing) and searching the internet for the technique - with no avail. Finally, I just did it my own way by cutting out a small brim of heavy cardboard, knitting a strip to cover it and sewing it on. It looked fine. The hat also looked really nice without a brim at all. The leopard print buttons completed the look. Here is a link to the pattern: http://www.rosi-g.com/uploads/capitanhat.pdf

Coffee Sweater

After trying 3 different prototypes I finally googled "cup cozy" and found a pattern. I had to modify the pattern I found to my yarn and needle size. I used the cotton "Sugar and Cream" yarn and size 5 needles. It is a tad big, but I adjusted the button so it would fit more sung around the cup.

Oh, and I learned how to do a keyhole stitch!

Kid Knits

I love to knit hats for kids. Here are some of my new ones. Lola my model was not being very helpful so I had to use a stand in...

Slouchy Hat

I made this slouchy hat over the course of two evenings. I wanted to add something different to the top of the hat instead of a pom pom. I added knitted curlicues. Cast on 20 stitches. (The final length of your curlicue will be the same as the length of your cast on row.) Knit into the front and back of each stitch loosely, ending up with 40 stitches. Bind off purlwise. I made four curlicues and made each one a slightly different length. I think they would be cute on a baby hat, too. Here is the link for the slouchy hat pattern:
http://presentsknits.blogspot.com/2007/11/slouchy.html

Sammy's Baby Blanket

I started this blanket when my friend, Monique, told me she was going to have a baby. This is Sammy's blanket. The squares are individually made and then sewn together. I used block patterns from Debbie Abrahams' book, 100 Afghan Squares to Knit.

Zig-Zag Stripe Chart

I recently came up with this chart to create zig-zag stripes for hats. I haven't tried it yet, but it is on my list.

I tried to post a .pdf file of the chart, but so far I can't figure out how. So I just posted it as a .bmp.

Suggestion

Do you think on the side with the Youtube and google links, we could have a list of knitting blogs and yarn websites? I need ideas and have no idea what sites are good.

What do you think?

Damon's Billed Beanie

I finished Damon's billed beanie hat last night. It was actually easy. I just made the ribbed brim twice as long (about 3 inches) and folded the cardboard insert we cut out under half of the ribbed cuff. Next, I sewed it in and finished by sewing the cuff under all the way around. Damon is modeling it with the bill off to the side and is practicing his best "tortured artist" look.

My hat

I used Paula's pattern here

I think the hat came out cute, a little distorted and a few holidays but over all pretty good. I still have a hard time mastering the decreasing and closing it up nicely, hence the puff ball.

My next project

Anyone want to guess what this is??