Twiddly Fingers

I'm plagued with Twiddly Finger Syndrome. :) My mother had it, my dad had it for a while, most of my cousins have it. Little known outside my family, TFS is a disorder characterized by an incessant need to constantly do something -- ANYTHING -- with your fingers. Sometimes this takes the form of smoking, sometimes eating, in other cases nail-biting. Having learned to channel this compulsion, I now put hooks and needles in my fingers and make things most of my family members don't need or want.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Knitting Workshop: Knit Cap

I bought Elizabeth Zimmerman's Book "Knitting Workshop" with the intention of going through all the projects this winter. Or for the next few winters. Anyway, I had extra of the Cascade 220 Blue and Yellow from the Nautical Hats, so I thought I'd use up the yarn.

METHOD:
Done in the round, as per the book.

AND WHAT DID WE LEARN?
1. The decreases must have been too close together or something because the top was bunched and gathered in an unpleasant way.
2. While showing it off to friends, Tracy said he liked it, so I gave it to him.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Desert Poncho

This bad boy took me a year to finally finish, but when I saw the pattern in a Lionbrand ad, I knew I had to have it, to match my cowboy hat. I enjoyed the knitting of it but I had to do the fringing in sections, because I bore easily.

METHOD:
Done in LionBrand Suede, in colors Coffee, Ecru, and Mocha, the colors from the original pattern (although this would be really pretty in a different colorway, I think.) Done on all circulars, this things was HEAVY. And it's super long when finished, but I think it looks quite cunning.

AND WHAT DID WE LEARN?
1. Bind off LOOSELY! This this is so tight, it almost shows.
2. Double the amount of fringe it calls for. It looks cooler.
3. LionBrand sizing calls for an insane amount of yarn. I have so much left over!