Caught Red Handed

The pattern for these mittens is from the Jan/Feb 2006 issue of Piecework, a magazine published by the same company that brings you Interweave Knits. Piecework contains articles and projects for all types of handwork, mostly needlework, but a few esoteric kinds as well. I read my first issue two years after it began to be published and immediately bought up all the back issues. I've continually subscribed ever since. You can see my rather beat up working copy of the pattern under the mittens.




The knitted mittens are finished off with a crocheted border that shows up the best in this outdoor shot. The color is more accurate in the other two photos.
Details:
Pattern: Cable Mittens from Piecework Jan/Feb 2006
Yarn: fingering weight lambswool recycled from a J. Crew sweater (the pattern called for worsted weight)
Needles: Inox 2.5 mm. (U. S. size 1 1/2) dpns; small crochet hook
Size: Child's large
Begun: 1/06
Completed: 4/30/07
Notes: My favorite recycled yarn comes from J. Crew lambswool sweaters. I'll definitely make these again, probably in other weights of yarn. My daughter loves them so I gave them to her.

A Change from Mittens

It can't be all mittens all the time so I made a scarf, which you can see here lounging among the peach blossoms in January. That peach tree produces terrible fruit but always bursts forth in beautiful flowers just after Christmas to brighten the new year.

Details
Yarn: 3 50 g. balls of Cascade Bollicine Maxi, which seems to be discontinued because I couldn't find it on the Cascade site with other Bollicine yarns.
Needles: Clover Bamboo 5.0 mm. (US 8) circs.
Pattern: my own using Mistake Rib on 31 stitches with an extra stitch cast on for a slipped stitch border for a total of 32 stitches.
Size: 5" by 54.5" after machine washing and machine drying.
Begun: 12/27/07
Completed: 1/30/08
Notes: I like the brioche scarf pattern better because it has more depth. I made this so narrow because I bought the last three balls available in this color and wanted it to be long enough. Made for Native American Support.

Hiiumaa Socks

Hiiumaa Mismatched Mates Socks from Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush. Mine, however will match. I started these last year when they were the monthly sock for the Knitting on the Road KAL (sidebar). They're a little big so I lost interest but I think I'll finish them rather than frog them. I like how the marled yarn makes indistinct stripes.

I'm using Lang Yarns Jawoll Superwash Solid in Navy (#83.0025) for the main sections and Lana Grossa Meilenweit in blue/navy marl (#1299) for the stripes on size 2.25 mm (US 1) needles.

Log Cabin Baby Blanket in Cotton-Ease

I love the Log Cabin Blanket design from Mason-Dixon Knitting. Mindless garter stitch for reading, talking and movie watching. I started another one today with Lion Brand Cotton-Ease lavender on size 7 Addi Turbos.

February Baby Sweater in Jaeger Matchmaker Merino DK

Almost done. I just have to sew on the buttons. This has already been machine washed and dried.

In the Knitter's Almanac EZ called this "Baby Sweater on Two Needles" but, as did many other knitters, I made this entirely in the round. Details will be on the final post.

Helgi's Mittens in Gold & Brown

This is the beginning of Helgi's mittens from Folk Knitting in Estonia by Nancy Bush. I needed something for my trip to Texas in April and this fit the bill nicely. I'm not crazy about the color combination but it is what I had in my stash.

I'm using Dale of Norway Falk and size 2.5 dpns as usual. The white mark you see in the photo is the "thumb trick" waste thread.

I added a cuff because I can't imagine wearing mittens with no cuff. If someone from a cold climate can explain why so many mitten patterns have tiny cuffs I'd appreciate being enlightened.

These will probably be donated to Native American Support (see sidebar).

Rounded Corners

Washcloths are the perfect summer knitting-- small, portable, and cotton.

I recently found a free pattern on Ravelry and am using the pattern to make baby washcloths. The pattern is based on EZ's garter stitch baby blanket, one of which I made earlier this year.

Details:
Pattern: 4-Corners Dishcloth. Click the link on the sidebar.
Yarn: Peaches & Creme Ombre Worsted in 137 Sunrise
Needles: Inox size 4.25 ( U. S. 6)
Size: 8" square (cast on 19 stitches)
Notes: This is too small so I'll make the next one larger.

Eye Candy Friday Presents Christmas in July

One Christmas a friend gave me a pot of lilies. They continue to produce beautiful white blooms--but in July.

Another Tam

This was a project from a Sand and Sea Knitting Guild Tam Workshop. Although I had already made a tam, I wanted to participate with the other members of the guild. I learned how to do a tubular cast on, which is not difficult at all but probably easier to learn when someone shows you rather than when reading directions. I still need to add some rainbow elastic because the ribbing is a bit loose.

Details:
Pattern: Leaflet distributed in class. I chose the zig zag bind off option.
Yarn: Tahki Donegal Tweed in color 839, Dark Khaki, 73.4 g. The actual color has more green than is apparent in the photo.
Needles: Inox 16" U.S. 5 for the brim and Addi Turbo 16" U.S. 7 for the top. Also U.S. 7 dpns for the final decreases.
Size: 11.75" in diameter, to fit an adult.
Begun: 6/14/08
Completed: 7/12/08
Notes: I wish I looked better in this style of hat because they are fun to make and the fair isle designs are gorgeous.
ETA: I added some rainbow elastic I bought at A Mano Yarn Center (see sidebar) and gave this to my daughter, who says she wears it constantly.

Talisker Tam

This tam is knit in a Sailor's Rib pattern and was designed by Nancy Bush. It is the first tam I ever knit.

Details:
Pattern: Talisker Tam published as part of a sweater and tam set in Interweave Knits, Fall 1997.
Yarn: Tahki Donegal Tweed, 55.9 grams. The yarn was unlabeled so I'm uncertain about the color number.
Needles: 16" Inox US 4 for the brim and 24" and 16" Addi Turbo US 7 for the main part of the hat. Unknown brand of size 7 dpns for the decreases.
Size: 9.5" in diameter, adult size.
Notes: There are a few minor corrections to this pattern here. Fun and quick to knit. I'll be making more tams in the future