Mandel

I'm so excited about my latest knit!  This was a test knit for a fellow Raveler in Germany, Anke (fallmasche).  Mine didn't turn out quite as refined as her's nor some of the other test knitters' but I'm still in love with it, none the less.  I love everything about this sweater.  The saddle shoulders and pleats on the side make for a really flattering fit...which is the case for every test knit I've seen thus far.  It did end up big under the arms and above the bust line and the sleeves were a bit too long.  Though not pictured here, I did remedy most of that by dampening the sweater with water and throwing it in the dryer on high heat.  Normally, I wouldn't recommend this but the yarn does say machine washable.  I know, typically, that doesn't equate  to mean really washable but in this case, it worked out just fine.  I'm definitely going to knit this again in a short sleeve version and/or at a tighter gauge.  I'm sorry the pattern is not yet published so I can't share a link with you but as soon as it is published, I will update this post. (eta 02.19.11 - pattern is published and links added)

Mandel by fallmasche

Yarn: Rowan - Felted Tweed DK

Color: Clay - 177

Ravelry

A few more...

Keeping up with a theme, today's post will show off a few hats that I knit recently.  And from these two knits, I've realized that adding cables to a hat provides added thickness and warmth making 'em that much cozier.

The most recent hat I finished was a test knit for Breean Elyse.  And since knitting it, I've fallen in love with cabled hats.  I can't stop looking at them or for them.  This one was a special treat because it was for me.  Zinc is one of my favorite Malabrigo colorways.  And the hint of taupe really helped make the cables pop!

Obstacles Hat by Breean Elyse

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn - Twist

Color: Zinc - 613

Ravelry

Now this hat was knit on a whim.  This was for a friend's mother that recently had brain surgery and as a result needed hats to help protect her from the cold Minnesota winter.  I wasn't even looking to knit a hat but when I saw the pattern and noticed it called for some yarn in my stash, I cast on!  I didn't do the best job paying attention to the plain knit rounds so it isn't as slouchy as the pattern called for but I'm not so sure that's a bad thing.  Because of the chunky yarn and the cables, the hat ended up being fairly heavy so a slouchy hat may have resulted in a hat that wouldn't stay on the head (at least that's what I'm tellin' myself).  :-)  I hope this does the trick and helps keep her head warm!

Slouchy Braid Hat by Cheryl Beckerich

Yarn: Berroco - Vintage Chunky

Color: Lilacs - 6183

Ravelry

I Don't Know Why

I don't know why I haven't blogged in awhile.  When I think maybe I will, my next thought is, "I could be knitting."  I always seem to place these self imposed deadlines on myself and then the thought of blogging instead of knitting gets me all stressed out.  Ach!  There could be worse things, huh?

Well, I have a lot to share since my last post.  I'll start with a few shawls that I finished up recently....

This first one is a (belated) test knit I did for Debbie O'Neill.  I am really please with the end result of this shawl.  I wasn't so sure about the color as I was knitting it, but after blocking, I'm in love.  The bamboo in this yarn resulted in such a light airy feel and the silk gives it such a nice sheen.  This will be perfect for those spring/summer evenings when a sweater would be just too much.  The stitch pattern transitions nicely from one section to the next without getting too long.  I enjoyed this knit, very much.

Arielle Shawlette by Debbie O'Neill

Yarn: Araucania Itata Solid

Color: 2009

Ravelry

My next knit flew off the needles.  Unlike the last shawl, this one has more of a crescent shape.  The colors of this shawl are absolutely gorgeous!  I just love pink and brown together.  For those of you heading out to Stitches West, stop by  Sunshine Yarns - booth 1139, as Dani will have this on display at the booth for all to touch.  :-)  When I finally received the much anticipated Malabrigo Book 3 booklet, I was (pleasantly) surprised to find that Stephen West has three patterns in the book!  He did not mention a peep about it.  Though the shawl is crescent shaped, per his usual style, it still has nice angles and symmetry.  

Lakedale Shawl - Stephen West

Yarn: Sunshine Yarns - Classic Superwash Sock

Color: Badlands (pink) & Coal Creek (brown)

Ravelry

Instant Gratification

Ah...isn't it nice when you can get an FO in less than an hour from start to finish?  These little gems are instant gratification.  I busted out 6 of them in less than 5 hours of knitting time.  These are my final FOs for 2010.

Café by Miss T (page 42)

Yarn: Dream in Color - Classy & Malabrigo - Rios

Ravelry

I've been off the grid for a while because I was working on a sample knit.  That sample knit was the biggest knitting project I've ever worked on...ever!  And the longest thing I've ever knitted on a consecutive basis.  I can't post any pics until the pattern is published but I'm very excited to share it!

Happy New Year and here's to many happy FOs this year!

Sea Princess

...and how...isn't she! 

This was, by far, the most challenging and rewarding test knit I've ever done.  I really love how this little sweater turned out.  And I had a hard time parting with it.  This pattern gives you a lot of bang for your buck.  It comes in sizes 6 months to 14 years (depending on the yarn you choose)!  The pattern is very comprehensive so nothing is left to guessing. I finished this test knit back in October but waited to blog about it until it was gifted.  This was a late birthday gift for a friend's daughter.  It's a perfect fit and I couldn't be happier that she has it. 

Sea Princess by Anadiomena

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed

Color: Angel Delight - 168

Ravelry

Christmas Knitting...

Now that Thanksgiving is just one week away, I think most of us have lined up what we'll be knitting for gifts and started knitting or planning.  A friend of mine shared this with me this morning and I just had to share it with my fellow knitters.

Christmas Knitting

Yo! Yo!

Our first accumulation of snow this morning.  Perfect timing for Ronan and Seamus's winter hats that I finished sewing the buttons on last night.  Every year it's a struggle to find a hat pattern that all of us (me, my husband, and the boys) like.  For me, it's a struggle finding a pattern that I really want to knit.  For my husband, it's finding a hat that won't look too crafty.  And for the boys, it's finding a hat that they will actually wear.  After (only) one evening of searching and deliberating, I settled on Stephen West's Piece Out hat pattern.  I always want to cross my arms in front of my chest and holla "Yo, yo!" when I say the pattern name.   :-)  Anyway....  This is my first project in Malabrigo Rios.  Heavenly!  It's really soft and the colors are so rich!  I have the same colors in the Malabrigo's Merino Worsted base and it's just not as vibrant.  Ha!  Not like that will get me to stop using it, though.

Piece Out by Stephen West

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn - Rios

Color: Paris Night - 52, Lettuce - 37

Ravelry

And on to other knitting news.  I'm really frustrated with the number of WIPs I've got going on right now.   I'm hoping to get two more finished up before the weekend starts...because I'm gonna be adding two more WIPs!  :-)  These hats were a nice reprieve from all the test knitting that I've been doing.  I do love test knitting...it gives me the opportunity to knit something I otherwise probably would not knit.  (How's that for sounding passive?)  :-)  But I do enjoy it...and hopefully, I'll be blogging more about those in the upcoming month.

Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween!  Only one of my boys was able to trick or treat tonight because the other one is home sick with a fever and cough.  He's so sick he doesn't even care that he's missing out on trick or treating...poor guy.

Ronan (Anakin Skywalker - Jedi) with his neighborhood buddies.

Anderson Farms - 2010

Fall is officially here.  Today was our annual trip to Anderson Farms with lots of friends.  But this year was different.  This year's trip included a new BFF from the boys' kindergarten class.

Mermaid Dreams

The pattern is live!  This was a test knit that I finished a few weeks back but didn't have a modeled pic of it until now.  I finally got around to shipping it off to the recipient and her mom took some beautiful pics of Pria and the top.  Speaking from a test knitter's point of view, there was a lot of hard work and consideration, by the designer, to make this a well fitting top.  Taking a look at the number of test knitted FOs is a testament to this.  In fact, I would say this tank fits better than any other child's top pattern I've ever seen.  As knit, this top should fit a child ranging from 6-8 years old and took less than 300 yards in a worsted weight yarn.  The pattern is quite comprehensive in that it offers sizing from newborn to 6 years, in three different yarn weights, several length options, and finally, many hem alternatives. 

Mermaid Dreams by Anne McCrea

Yarn: Stacy Charles - Mosaic

Color: Magenta

Ravelry

Doesn't Pria's mom, Lynna, take beautiful pictures?  I could never do this top justice.  And it fits Pria perfectly!

Testing, testing...

...yes, I've been doing a lot of test knitting.  All this test knitting has give me the opportunity to stock up on hand knits for my twenty year high school reunion fund raiser.  It's still undecided if I can go but it looks like it probably won't happen.  Not only is that disappointing in itself, but that gives me less knitting time as I need to account for shipping.

This test knit was for a fellow Malabrigo Junkie, Kristen Hanley Cardozo.  The Maple Leaf Rag Hat isn't published yet but I know a lot of people have been chomping at the bit for the pattern.  The hat can be knit in two different styles, cloche or slouchy.  The first time knitting this pattern I knit the slouchy version.  I fell in love with it...this hat will be hard to part with.  My only consolation is that it's such a fast and easy knit, I know I can whip out another one in no time.

Maple Leaf Rag Hat by Kristen Hanley Cardozo

 Yarn: Dream in Color - Classy 

Color: In Vino Veritas - VM250

Ravelry

 

Since it was such a quick knit, I decided to work up the cloche version in a navy.

Maple Leaf Rag Hat (cloche version) by Kristen Hanley Cardozo

Yarn: Malabrigo - Merino Worsted

Color: Paris Night - 52

Ravelry

And, oh my goodness...take a look at this little thing.  This test knit is not for the auction, instead will be gifted to a friend's daughter.  I just love this little top.  This can be knit in several styles as well.  I opted for the tank version.  This was a quick knit using a worsted weight yarn and can easily be knit up in just a few days (if you felt so inclined).  :-)

   

Mermaid Dream by Anne McCrea

Yarn: Stacy Charles - Mosaic

Color: Magenta - 113

Ravelry

(pattern not yet published - I'll update links when available)

And...I can't forget to share a sample knit I finished up a little bit ago.  These samples are for Debbie O'Neill.  With the pattern being on the back of the leg only, these knit up really quick, too.  I just love how this colorway knit up.

Cascading Leaves Socks by Debbie O'Neill

Yarn: Pagewood Farm - Yukon

Color: Forest Camo

Ravelry 

Some lace...

I've recently finished some lace projects...not to be confused with lace weight.  I love lace patterns because they are so forgiving.  Lace stitch patterns tend to hide changes in my tension much better than garter stitch and and even more so than stockinette stitch.

I was fortunate enough to do another test knit for Kirsten Kapur of Through the Loops.  The Snow Drops & Snap Peas patterns can be purchased individually or as an e-book set.  This set is a great gift giving knit because they're such quick and easy patterns.  I finished each mitt in one evening and the hat only took a few more.  I will be donating this set to the Salinas High School 20 year reunion's auction to benefit the Mr. Getris Scholarship Memorial Fund.

Snow Drops & Snap Peas Slouch by Kirsten Kapur

Yarn: Dream in Color - Classy

Color: Blue Lagoon - VM160 

Ravelry

Snow Drops & Snap Peas Mitts by Kirsten Kapur

Yarn: Dream in Color - Classy

Color: Blue Lagoon - VM160  
Ravelry

This next lace pattern was just something fun for me.  After a summer of test and sample knitting, I wanted to knit something just because and just for me.  This vest is perfect!  It will still be warm for more than a month so I'll get to enjoy it without long sleeves for a little longer and it will help keep me warm in the cold office at my new job!  :-)  Oh...and have I mentioned how wonderfully soft this madelinetosh yarn is...heavenly!  

(Yes...another crummy self portrait, but look at that sky and those Rocky Mountains!)

Crystal by Mel Clark 

Yarn: madelinetosh - pashmina

Color: Rose
Ravelry 

2010 Rockies Stitch 'n Pitch

Last night marked the annual Colorado Rockies Stitch 'n Pitch.  A group of us from a local knitting group carpooled down to participate in the festivities.  I didn't actually get much knitting done as I ended up messing it all up shortly after the game started.  All was well in the end...it just allowed me to watch more of the game.  The Rockies pulled thru with an exciting win! 

That's me (in the pink) working on Crystal.
Photo courtesy of Emmy
 

Curatio!

When I say that in my head I feel like Harry Potter.  :-)

This is a test knit I did for Through the Loops - Kirsten Kapur.  It's a beautiful triangular shawl with such fantastic texture...the wrong side is just as beautiful as the right side.  My gauge, of course, was much smaller than the pattern.  I'm such a tight knitter and should know better but I always think I can block it out.  When will I ever learn that blocking is not a cure-all?  :-)  Anyway, regardless, this is still the largest shawl I've knit to date.  It's so beautiful!  I know I keep using that word but I can't think of a better adjective.  It's the pattern, the texture, the color, and of course...the yarn.  The yarn was so soft and wonderful to knit with and only increased exponentially after washing. 

Ravelry: Curatio

Pattern: Curatio Shawl by Kirsten Kapur

Yarn: madelinetosh - Prairie

Color: Winter Wheat

Not for lack of...

Though I haven't blogged in a bit, it's not for lack of knitting.  I've actually been pretty busy...most recently with test knitting...and sock knitting.  In this post I'll show off the socks that I test knit for Cookie A's upcoming book, Knit.Sock.Love.  The patterns I test knit had all been previously released but she wanted all the patterns test knit in the new book format.  Here they are in order of completion.

Ravelry: Monkey

Pattern: Monkey by Cookie A

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn - Sock

Color: Arbol - 858

Ravelry - Hedera

Pattern: Hedera by Cookie A

Yarn: Sunshine Yarns - Classic Sock Yarn

Color: Split Pea

So these...are not done.  I've only completed one sock so far.

Ravelry - Lissajous Stockings

Pattern: Lissajous Socks by Cookie A

Yarn: Louet - Gems Fingering Weight

Color: Cloud Grey - 21

The Monkey and Hedera patterns were surprisingly easy and fast!  I loved knitting those patterns.  The Lissajous Stockings turned out beautiful...but they were hard.  Hard on my hands and hard to knit.  The heel flap has cable crosses on the right and wrong sides...not an easy feat for me.