Jeff's first gift: a Dr. Who scarf

I kept bugging Jeff to tell me what he wanted me to make for him. (Of course, from the looks of what I've made so far, I'm not surprised he hesitated to ask for anything!) I finally pinned him down to "a scarf, in earth tones." Of course, it couldn't be like any normal scarf -- he wanted a really long one, down to his knees, a la Dr. Who.

Cool.

We settled on a skein of LionBrand HomeSpun in color "olive" and a skein of Bernat Soft Boucle "Earth Shades," which is a lovely blend of chocolate and very dark browns. Each stripe is around 8 inches, although I didn't count the rows, and sometimes one stripe would finish on a right side, while others finished on a wrong side. Oh well. He wears it a lot. I'm proud :)


METHOD:
22 stitches across, on #11 needles. I really just sort of pulled that number out of the air, and as such, the fabric is a tad bit loose, but he says it's warm enough! It certainly drapes well. The colors look good together, especially althernating solid colors and textured ones.

AND WHAT DID WE LEARN?
How to change yarn colors at the end of 8 inch rows. And to remember to count the number of rows I knit.

Purl bump heart bag

I saw this in the Stitch and Bitch book and thought it was neat, so I tried to make the heart design on practice yarn. At some point during the experiment, I put everything down on the floor to answer the phone, and when I cam back, one of my needles was missing! We tore the house apart and still couldn't find it. I think we might have a tiny black hole in the living room. So anyway, I ripped all that out and started it again.

This time I was so pleased with the result that I decided to make the swatch into a bag or a pilow or something. I made a drawstring closure around the edge and gave it to DH to "remember me" by :)

METHOD:
This was crappy acrylic practice yarn, but the design stands out pretty well. I probably should have framed the purl bump design in more stockinette stitch, so the design itself doesn't draw closed when the bag does.

AND WHAT DID WE LEARN?
These would make GREAT zill bags! I'm thinking of trying to chart an ankh or scarab or something and make little zill bags for my friends and students.

Edited to add: about a month later we finally found the missing needle. It was in the chair the whole time! I don't see how we missed it -- we practically turned the chair upside down.

Something bigger: Bow Ponchette

I saw this pattern at Michaels and loved the look of it. I knew I just HAD to make one, but I was hesitant to try something that would take more than a day or two to create. I actually started this on Nov. 23 but put it aside for all the scarves and hats of Thanksgiving.

This piece has taken the most time so far to complete, but that's also because I kept making other things along the way. Here's the thing, though. It's pretty, and I've worn it a couple of times already, but I don't really want it. I guess that's going to be an issue with me -- I want to knit the stuff, not actually WEAR it.

METHOD:
This ponchette is made from three skeins of TLC Amore yarn in "Vanilla." The pattern is from the yarn maker, and was one of those in-store free patterns. You knit two strands as one on 10.5 needles. (I did mine on the Needle Master circular needles, with the ends capped off.)

AND WHAT DID WE LEARN?
I need to learn some proper finishing techniques. The seams on this thing are really ugly, even though they are hidden on the inside of the piece. Still, I know they are there.

This had a much better overall look, even though there are a few places where I didn't pick up both strands and it looks like tiny holes or thin places in the garment, but I'm happy with it.

Too long long scarf

I wanted an extra long scarf, but I think I went just a bit too far on this one. :) It's very warm, I have to admit.

METHOD:
Done in LionBrand Fun Fur, 2 skeins of violet and two of raspberry, on #11 needles, this was going to just be alternating colors, but then I got all creative and decided the end of the scarf should look lilke they were dipped in the other color. So I had to rip out the cast on stitches, and knit backwards, which was interesting.

AND WHAT DID WE LEARN?
How to pull out the cast on stitches and knit from there. I had some issues, so I ended up frogging back about two inches of work, but I've learned how to fix that for the future. The "dipped" ends didn't come out even. I'm not sure how to figure out how to fix that, but for ripping it all out and cutting the ball of yarn in half. (edited to add: the simplest way to do this would just be to count the rows! And to think, I actually enjoyed math class!)

First gift- for Mona

The easiest thing in the world is to make a scarf for a friend. Especially a self-striping one.

METHOD:
Two balls of Fun Fur in the color "Mexicana" makes a festive enough birthday gift for a bellydancer. Thes are consistently shorter than I want, but they work out okay.

AND WHAT DID WE LEARN?:
The perfect $6 gift takes just a few hours to make, and people seem to really enjoy hand-knit gifts!

LAST Hat and Scarf set

METHOD:
This is a hat and scarf set from the LionBrand Boucle pattern in "Snowcone." I like this color, but for some odd reason, the yarn seemed to fuzz up more than usual. I DON'T like the scarf, which curled even though I added the garter stitch edge, and I don't particularly like having the "hole" design. I'd really like to give this set away.

AND WHAT DID WE LEARN?
I must remember to NOT watch "Gladiator" while knitting. Joachin Phoenix is waaay too distracting. :) Can you see the whole line of incorrect stitching? Probably not, but it's there. Now every time I see this hat I will think of Joachin. Hmm, maybe I won't give this one away...

P.S. Dad came over for Christmas and was admiring my work, and he thought this was just the neatest design -- so I gave the set to him! Mom said he actually wears it! That's the highest compliment I could be given! :)

One hat to match

So I just HAD to make the matching hat to go with the Bernat Boa eyelash scarf.
(This was donated in 2019.)

METHOD:
Bernat Boa "Parrot" on #9 needles.

(edited to add, in January I made another one, out of "Tweety Bird" to match the first scarf I made.)

AND WHAT DID WE LEARN?
I'm getting a little bored of hats.

I mean, I enjoy making them, but I've found that I'm very rarely wearing them, since I usually wear my hair in a ponytail all winter. So here's my brilliant idea: instead of sewing the seam all the way up, why not leave a little hole, to stick the ponytail through? Probably not an original idea, but a functional one. I don't know how easy this will be to do when knitting in the round, though. But that's a project for another day.

Oh, this one called for an increase by knitting into the back. One more trick in the knitting arsenal!

Really must get back to the ponchette thing.

Thanksgiving Projects 3 and 4: Moving on to Hats

Bored of boucle/fur scarves, I decided to try something different: matching hats.

METHOD:
I downloaded this pattern from the LionBrand yarn site. Each hat is made with one skein of Boucle and one skein of Fun Fur. I used the Lime Blue/Citrus combination and Rose/Fun Fur Prints "Fiji." The green hat was done on #10 needles, but I used #11 on the the pink one.

AND WHAT DID WE LEARN?
The importance of Gauge in sizing.

The gauge was completely and utterly off on the green hat. It started out okay, I thought, but as I was making it, I began to realize it would NEVER fit me. I also had to add rows to get the length I needed. BUT (and this is the part which I consider pretty clever) I figured out I could MAKE it fit, if I created a triangular panel and sewed it into the hat. Which I did, and that solved the problem. I don't like the Fun Fur Pompon, though. This was amazingly hard on my hands because the knit was so tight I could barely get the needle through! Mental note: RELAX!

The pink hat went much better. I upped the needle size and relaxed the knit. It went quick, but I still had to add a couple of rows to get the depth I wanted. Maybe I just have a really big head?

Oh, and what I learned from making hats was decreasing with KTtog -- knitting two stitches together to decrease.

Thanksgiving Project 2: Deep Sea stripes

I was hoping this would knit up longer, but this is a decent length. It's a very soft scarf, even though it took a longer time to knit than the boucle ones. This piece was started and finished on Thanksgiving day.

METHOD:
Made from the LionBrand pattern on the yarn, I used two skeins of self-striping Fun Fur in the "Deep Sea" color. Done on #10 needles, it took longer than the other boucle scarves. The whole piece is done in garter stitch.

AND WHAT DID WE LEARN?
ALWAYS check the dye lots. I got these two skeins at two different stores, and the difference in color is VERY apparent. I'm not throwing it away, though. I'm going to pretend I'm NOT mad at myself for not checking the dye lots, and instead attribute the off-colors to "character."

I think this scarf could be more narrow and still look good. That would also give it more length.

I also think I might get some more of this Fun Fur and knit some Christmas presents. It's so soft and warm!

Thanksgiving Project 1: Self-Striping ROCKS!

(pictured here is both scarf and hat. Rather cunning, don't you think?)

I got a lot accomplished over my Thanksgiving vacation. Here's the first project:

I had no idea when I bought this Fun Fur that it was stripes. I thought it was just variegated yarn. Imagine my surprise (and pleasure) to watch it knit up in these cool stripes!

METHOD:
This is another one of those Lion Boucle and Fun Fur scarves, like the green ones. This time I used the boucle "Rose" and the Fun Fur Stripes "Cotton Candy." Which gave it a cool block/stripe pattern. Did this one also on big needles (#19) and it would have only taken a day to make, but I started it at night (Thanksgiving Eve) and fell asleep. I finished it off Thanksgiving Day. The whole piece is done in garter stitch.

AND WHAT DID WE LEARN?
Self-striping yarn is cool! And the boucle/fur combination yields a nice thick heavy piece.

K2 for 2 scarves

I picked out this yarn combination for a scarf and then Mom decided she wanted one just like it. So here we are, in our matching scarves. I started the first one Nov. 21 and finished it that night. So I started a second one, and would have finished it, but the DH made me go to bed. NO!! ---- JUST ONE MORE ROW!!!!!! (LOL)

Actually, DH asked me to make one for him, but twice as long and in earthtone colors. I'm going to try mixing LionBrand Homespun with a Fun Fur -- the Homespun looks just as bulky and comes in some great earthy colors.

METHOD:
These scarves were made from a free pattern from LionBrand yarn, using one strand of Lion Boucle in Lime Blue + one strand of Fun Fur Citrus. Knitted on #19 fat needles, these scarves didn't take long at all to make.

AND WHAT DID WE LEARN?
At first it was confusing trying to knit with two yarns, but after a few rows, the yarns seemed to attract each other and hung close. Using the big needle means quick progress. This combo is a little scratchy for my Princess & Pea delicate skin, but it's so pretty, I can't resist wearing it.

One Skein Chenille Scarf (for Mom)

Started evening of Nov. 16. Finished at an SCA event, Nov. 19

METHOD:
This scarf is from the pattern in my "Teach Yourself to Knit" book. It's a one-skein scarf, made from one skein of Lion Brand chenille in Royal Blue. I used the recommended #13 needles and although it's a tight knit, it seems to fit the gauge. The whole piece was done in the stockinette stitch.

AND WHAT DID WE LEARN?
This is a super bulky yarn! I wasn't sure to keep the stitches loose or tight. I think I started them too tight. These big needles are huge and aren't as easy to work with, but it's possible that I'm just not used to them.

The edges curled in and I'm not sure if that's my fault, or because of the yarn itself, which (mental note) sheds tiny fibers EVERYWHERE! (edited to add: I just found out it's the stockinette stitch itself that causes this curl. A suggestion was to add a border of garter stitches to the edges to prevent this. I'm just pleased to know it's not me!) And the purl side, every now and again, doesn't have "bumps" so much as long threads that look like they I might have missed something on the other side. Curious. I blame it all on the tension.

BUT, I'm pretty sure I stayed with the same number of stitches the whole time, so at least THAT part is getting better. And I screwed up a couple of times and was able to successfully pull out stitches. It really helps when you can actually see them.

The pattern on the skein was for a button down vest. If this scarf works out, I might try to make that for Mom for Christmas.

Getting better -- fewer noticeable mistakes

(My lovely mother models her new scarf, in a yarn selected by her in her favorite color.)

Basically I restarted this project on Nov. 9 and finished it last night, Nov. 16 -- but I didn't get to work on it much last week or last weekend. This one went MUCH better -- I'm getting used to the eyelash yarn finally. There are a couple of places wher I picked up an extra stitch, and a couple of places where I have two rows of knit togther, so it kind of looks like a seam there. But all in all it looks MUCH better than the first two. I think I was being harder on myself because this one is for Mom.

METHOD:
This scarf is from the same pattern I've been using, from the Bernat Boa yarn label. It was made from 2 skeins of Yarn Bee yarn in the color "Blueberry." I used #10 needles instead of the recommended #9 -- which is slightly smaller than what I used before, and I think that helps to keep it soft. The stitches are much closer together and the "thread" is primarily on the inside of the stitches.

AND WHAT DID WE LEARN?
To pay attention to prevent getting an extra stitch. I know what I'm doing now, and can sort of feel it when it happens. I'm going through two layers of yarn instead of one. I also have sort of learned how to fix that after it's already happened.

Tension is still an issue. And apparently when I cast on, I'm not making it tight enough, because I'm still getting a sort of funnel cloud look -- the scarf is considerably wider at the bottom edges than it is through the center.

What NOT to do when you're frustrated...

I came home last night tired and frustrated, so I reached for the first thing that I thought would bring me joy. And proceeded to destroy it.

I'm working on a royal blue eyelash yarn scarf for my mom. Okay, first of all, eyelash yarn is probably not the best thing for a beginning project. When you realize you've screwed something up, it's very difficult to go back and actually see the stitches you've made, let alone find the problem. So, rather than approach the mistake calmly and rationally, I simply pulled it all apart and started over. I had about 7 inches of scarf, so ripping it up was rather disappointing and did nothing for my mood.

Today I went back to Hobby Lobby with mom, armed with 40% off coupons, and we bought two more skeins of Bernat Boa "parrot" because I decided I simply had to have a matching hat. They were out of tweety bird, but I think Michaels still has some. Everyone needs a tweety bird hat. Just everyone.

I found a lovely yarn called Yarn Bee "luscious" in a brilliant lime green, which will make a lovely soft cropped sweater for me. Someday. And another called "Infatuation." I'm seriously thinking about knitting some underwear in this stuff, it's so soft. Okay well maybe hand and leg warmers. What I need to do is just spend an afternoon or an evening in the yarn section, familiarizing myself with all the varieties and brands. When I get a spare three hours or so, I just might do that. My DH has to go Christmas shopping SOME time.

Second verse, same as the first

(Thanks to my lovely assistant Marilyn, for modeling this scarf.)

I started this one after skipping out on international dance class Tuesday Nov. 3, and finished it Sunday night, Nov. 6. Most of the work was done while I sat with hubby watching "Kingdom of Heaven." This was the second set of 2 for $5 Bernat Boa yarns I got at Michael's. I'm sort of tired of working with this eyelash yarn, but today my Mom found a pretty royal blue one for 40% off, so it looks like I'll be making at least one more. These are easy enough to make, however, that I might make a few more for friends. Hopefully with enough practice, they'll start to look less lumpy.

METHOD:
This scarf is from the pattern on the yarn label. It was made from 2 skeins of Bernat Boa yarn in the color "Parrot." I used #11 needles instead of the recommended.

AND WHAT DID WE LEARN?
To pay attention when knitting the last row! I checked to make sure I had enough, and then kitted the whole last row (which was supposed to be bound off!) Since I can't see the stitches in this yarn, I had to rip out about four or five rows before I was able to find the loops to rethread it back on the needle. How frustrating.

My first knitting project - A scarf

I'm not displeased with this, even though an experienced knitter would look at this and probably scream "For the love of God what did you DO?!" I started out with 23 stitches, somehow went down to 18, back up to 25, and ended with 29. Rather than mess with it, I just left it wrong. I think it creates character. :)

I started this the afternoon of October 29 and finished it Oct. 30. I wanted to wear it for Halloween, but it was unseasonably warm this year and way too hot for a scarf. Mayhaps next year?

METHOD:
This scarf is from the pattern on the yarn label. It was made from 2 skeins of Bernat Boa yarn in the color "Tweety Bird." I used #11 needles instead of the recommended.

AND WHAT DID WE LEARN?
I'm having issues with tension, but this is a hard yarn to knit. On my practice yarn, I'm a very tight knitter, which probably says something about the level of stress in my life. I left the stitches pretty loose on this.

I also figured out why my number of stitches varied, and on my next project I'll work to fix that. This yarn slips off the aluminum needles pretty easily, so I had to concentrate to keep it from falling apart.

One thing I need to figure out is how to fix a stitch that falls off the needle. I'm sure it's an easy fix, but I just need to read up on it.

All in all, I'm very happy with the result, and my next project is another scarf, using the same yarn only in a purple color.