A Beet for Dwight

Back in the spring I stumbled upon a group on Ravelry called Beets for Dwight (Rav link).  It's a group of people who love The Office (US version) and, more specifically, Dwight Schrute. 

For those who do not know, Dwight Schrute is a beet farmer/paper salesman on The Office and is played by Rainn Wilson.  The goal of the group is to knit a beet for Dwight so that our moderator can eventually send them all to Rainn as a gift.

Now, I've had all summer and fall to knit a beet and I just never got around to it.  But our moderator set a deadline of December 17th to get the beet done and sent off to her, so I knew I had to get my butt in gear.

Last Sunday I finally cast on and it was done in no time!  I absolutely LOVE how it turned out.

I used Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Black Cherry Heather for the beet body and Knit Picks Palette in Verdant Heather (lighter green) and Rainforest Heather (darker green) for the leaves.

I didn't want the leaves to be as bulky as some of the other beets I saw on Ravelry, so I chose to use the fingering weight to make them thinner and almost wispy.  I made the right choice because they turned out perfectly.

Jeff thinks it's a little stalkerish and creepy to knit a vegetable for a movie star...and if I really gave it some thought I might agree.  But on the other hand I think it's a clever idea and hope Rainn finds it quirky and interesting and appreciates all the hard work that was put into it.

I was really reluctant to mail my beet away on Friday because I loved it so much, but it had to be done.  Perhaps I'll make another one someday.  I've already gotten a request for a carrot from my neighbor!

Jackson's Aviator Bear Hat

I sure hope he likes it. Because if he doesn't like this cuteness, I really don't know what will impress him.

Pattern: Amelia Earhart Aviator Cap by Flor (Rav it)

Yarn: 1/2 skein of Cascade 220 Superwash in Walnut Heather

Needles: Size 6 straights for the hat and size 6 circs for the ears

Notions: Tapestry needle

Modifications: I took out a few rows of the middle section to make it smaller. Also, obviously, the ears. I made them the same way I make a toe-up sock. Using Judy's Magic Cast On I started with 18 stitches and increased every other round until I had 42 stitches. I bound off, sewed the ears together at the bottom, and then sewed them to the hat so that the ears turned in a little bit. Oh, and I added some seed stitch for a little bit of decoration. All in all I think the ears are adorable.

I'm still debating as to whether or not I want to add any cords to the earflaps. Seeing as how I have a lot of holiday projects to accomplish in a short amount of time, I might just pass.

I can't wait to try it on this little guy. Here he is modeling my Simple Shawl.

I get to see him in two weeks and two days!

Next up, I'll fill you in on how my Nutkin knee socks are going. And I'll be starting on Jackson's first Christmas stocking tonight!

Pretty Little Thing

So, I've been feeling fairly frustrated at knitting lately. I'm suffering from chronic start-a-new-project-every-day-itis and I just can't seem to get into any of them. I'm chalking it up to the fact that I still haven't unwound from the summer season, even though I've been traveling and trying to relax a little.

Consequently, I was on the lookout for a very mindless and easy project that I could complete quickly...a project that could somehow escape the clutches of my knitting A.D.D. I finally settled on Pretty Thing (Rav it) by Yarn Harlot.

I used exactly one skein of Sarah's Yarns Mongolian Cashmere DK 4-ply in Natural White. I've had the yarn for awhile and I wasn't sure what project I'd eventually use it for. I was hoping that I'd find a project that could be worn close to the skin, as this yarn is so soft and buttery. Pretty Thing fit the bill.

I used the Magic Loop method with my Harmony interchangeable circs in size 5 with a 40" cable. Because it seemed like this pattern was written for a munchkin, I cast on an extra repeat of stitches so that there would at least be a fighting chance that I could fit my noggin through the opening. And I added an extra repeat of the middle lace pattern to increase the length a bit.

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with it. Heck, I'm just tickled pink that I actually finished a project.

Oh, and it appears that my Maplewing Shawl will have to wait a bit to get finished. While using my size 5 tips on Pretty Thing, I carelessly set my knitting on the floor at the foot of my knitting chair while I took a break. Upon return, I didn't see that the needle was sticking out and I stepped on it, breaking it in half with a heart-sinking snap.

Of course, these are the same size needles I'm using on Maplewing...and my only pair in size 5. (Maplewing was resting on its long cable, needle-less while I had an affair with the cowl.)

So, it looks like I'll have to make a quick order to KnitPicks before Maplewing becomes destined to live in the UFO pile indefinitely. And since I'm already ordering some needle tips, I might as well throw in some Swish Bulky in Squirrel Heather, because I've been itching to start this DROPS jacket for a long time now...and if I'm already getting that yarn, then I might as well try out some Imagination Hand-Painted Sock Yarn...and then...oh no, this could get ugly...

Maplewing Madness

So, I didn't get as far as I thought I would on my Maplewing Shawl while I was traveling. It turns out that there is something that I'd much rather do than knit: hang out with my family! Who would have thought?

Here's my progress so far...
I'm almost to the end of the bottom lace section, however I'm thinking I might add another repeat (or four) to make the shawl a little bit longer. Even though I'm making the tall size, I'm still worried that it will be too small. Although Anne Hanson, the shawl designer, is modeling the petite size in this photo, I'm fairly certain from other photos on her blog that she is pretty petite as well. So, I'm thinking that even though the tall size is bigger than what is shown in that photo, I don't know if it will be big enough. I'd rather knit it a little bit bigger and not take my chances that I'll end up with a neckerchief instead of a shawl.

I am, however, a bit concerned as to how those extra repeats will play out. I think I have a picture in my brain of the concept of the shawl and I'm thinking that a few more rows won't do any harm. I guess we'll see. I'd hate to rip back all those rows of tiny stitches, but if it isn't right then the tiny perfectionist inside of my brain will bug me until I do. But I have a hunch it will turn okay after some intense blocking.

As for the particulars, I am LOVING the Malabrigo Sock for this project. It is just the right amount of softness and durability. I have had recurring daymares about knitting a lace shawl with true lace yarn and then snagging it on a doorway or other object (because, let's be honest, I'm pretty klutzy like that) and crying my eyes out for days at the destruction of such a precious piece. But I don't get that paranoia with the Mal Sock, so let's all keep our fingers crossed that it holds up to regular wear.

And I can't say enough about the pattern itself. Anne Hansen does an amazing job of laying everything out in such a logical order, so it makes even the more difficult projects easy to understand and accomplish. It's written out line by line as well as charted, so you can take your pick of how you'd like to go about it.

Here's a couple shots of the stitch work. I can't wait to block it and open up the lace a little, although I am rather liking the way it is right now as well...all dense and squishy.

I will hopefully be getting some more time work on it as I will be traveling again here shortly. I'm headed to Reno for a conference for about a week and then to Seattle to visit some friends for a couple days. Of course I have already scoped out all of the local yarn store locations in both cities! I had no idea that Jimmy Beans Wool was located in Reno...and it's right down the street...so I just wouldn't feel right if I went all that way and didn't go visit...right? I thought so.

Maplewing Shawl

So, I've been in a bit of a knitting funk lately. I have a bunch of design ideas bouncing around in my head, but I'm so A.D.D. right now that I'm having trouble getting them down on paper and even more trouble creating them in yarn form. I think I'm just putting too much pressure on myself, trying to get some designs done for various deadlines coming up.


Finally the other day I made myself put all my UFOs in my knitting basket and put down my knitting for a few days. I think it helped somewhat, as I don't feel quite so frustrated when I pick up my needles.


With the knitting hiatus, I don't have a whole lot to show for my efforts lately. I have, however, been knitting on my Maplewing Shawl. I haven't gotten a whole lot done though...only completed to row 14 out of a few hundred...gulp! I just can't seem to focus, but I'm hoping with some upcoming travel over the next few weeks that I'll break out of my rut and get back into my knitting groove!


Here's my progress so far...of course it looks like nothing more than a jumbled ruffle all crammed on that circular needle, but I assure you that it's turning out beautifully. I love the stitch definition of the Malabrigo Sock and it's so soft and squishy. I'm hoping to have the shawl done by Christmas, but with all the other things I want to get done by then and my current knitting state of mind, we'll see...

I got my own headline!

So, I'm finally getting around to blogging about something that happened over two months ago...yeah, it's been a crazy busy summer.

I once again entered a few things into the SE Alaska State Fair. Of course, every year I vow to plan ahead and have some really cool stuff entered. And then life totally overwhelms me and I end up scrambling at the very last minute to pull things together. Luckily, I had some decent FOs on hand to show off.

This year was apparently my year at the fair. And I even have a headline to show for it! Yep, that's right. You're following the blog of a local celebrity. ;)

Here's a close-up of what the article says:

Remember Lina? Well, the judges just loved that little sweater and I can't say that I blame them! Here it is being completely blotted out by all the ribbons...for those of you counting, that's a first place, class champ and judge's choice ribbon!

Next up is the Granny's A Square Afghan. It received first place and best in class!

And I don't have a picture of the final project, which won class champ, division champ and judge's choice. It's a felted purse that is a precursor (and, thus, sort of similar) to a design that I am currently submitting to a publication. Even though it's not the exact design, I just don't feel right posting it on here, just in case. But the judge did say that it was so great that it should be published, which was very encouraging!

It's such a beautiful autumn day here...blue bird sky, crisp air and a quiet calm that has not been felt since last winter. I love the stillness that comes with the mass exodus of summer people. All of us locals now have our town back! And what better way to celebrate the fall than with a little...okay, a lot....of knitting! So I'm going to wrap up in my granny afghan, gather up a project and knit my little heart out. With a view like this from my front window, one can't help but be happy!

Granny's A Square Afghan Pattern Finally Available!

ETA:  Now available as a pdf download on the sidebar ----------------->.

So, I've finally got my act together and put together the pattern and schematics for the Noro Granny Square Afghan, aka 'Granny's a Square'.

You can Ravel it here or send me an email and I'll send you the pdf. Enjoy!

Lina

I've been thinking hard for a while now about what to make for my good friend Emily's first baby, a little girl named Lina who is due in September. Emily is very stylish and and always looks picture perfect(she's my exact opposite!), so I knew that whatever I made just had to have the right amount of style and cuteness.

I mulled over making a baby blanket, but I knew that she would probably receive more blankets than she knew what to do with. And I thought about making little booties or a hat, but I just couldn't find the right pattern.

And then I turned to the old standby classic, the February Baby Sweater by Elizabeth Zimmerman (Ravel it). It seems like everyone I know has made one at one time or another and I figured now would be a good time for me to try my hand at it.

Project details:

Yarn: Malabrigo Sock in Eggplant - 1 skein (Yarn held double throughout.)
Needles: Size 7 24" circulars for body and size 7 dpn for sleeves
Notions: Tapestry needle & 5 small mother of pearl buttons

As usual, I can never follow a pattern completely and I took many liberties while creating this sweater. My modifications are as follows:

1. I did the entire yoke in garter stitch, as opposed to starting the pattern halfway down.

2. Instead of making stitches (m1), I did eyelet increases for a different effect.

3. I changed the front to a side opening instead of right down the middle.

4. I used a different lace pattern than the gull lace stitch. (Horseshoe lace pattern from Harmony Guides Lace & Eyelets)

5. Instead of bringing the sleeves down to full length, I capped them and bound off with a cute picot edging.

6. Instead of a straight garter border, I added a row of (y0, k2tog) in the middle of the garter stitch rows for a little bit of added decoration.

I loved making this little ditty and it was a super quick knit. I hope to make many more as my friends keep having more babies!

Lacy Alpaca Scarf

Remember way back when I began a long-promised scarf for my friend Sarah? Well, I finally got it blocked the other day and it turned out pretty nicely if I do say so myself.

It did take me frogging it once for me to like the finished product. I initially had been knitting it single-stranded on size 6 needles. But it was turning out a little bit too dense for my taste so I started it over with the yarn double-stranded on size 10 needles. Much better!

I ended up using 6 skeins of Andean Treasure in Hot Rod Heather, which is 100% Alpaca. I LOVE the softness of this yarn and it's so warm. Sarah will be back in Skagway in just a couple days...hope she likes her scarf that she's waited on for about three year!

Noro Granny Afghan is FINALLY finished!

I've been working for the last month, off and on, to complete a granny square afghan out of about 9 different colorways of Noro. I've been wanting to do something like this for a long time, having been inspired by images of Crazy Quilts and also by many vintage granny square afghans , however the thought of changing colors every row in order to achieve the multi-colored look had really kept me from creating anything.

Enter one of my favorite yarns, Noro Kureyon. I have always been fascinated by all the different colorways and the seemingly endless hues that make up each skein. I figured that this would be the easier way to incorporate a lot of color without having to change color each round. Initially things went pretty quickly, but as with most projects I do I tired of it quickly and am actually quite proud of myself for seeing it through to completion. At one point I seriously thought that this project would languish forever in the corner, stacks of squares just begging to be pieced together to form something beautiful. But the desire to have it grace my knitting chair trumped my lack of motivation and I finally finished the border last night.

You can read more about this blanket here and here, and you can follow it on Ravelry here, and I'm so excited to FINALLY say that it's finished, but I'll probably block it soon to straighten out the edges and soften up the wool.

Details:

Approximately 30 skeins of about 9 different colorways of Noro Kureyon

Crochet hook size H

Notions: Tapestry needle

Here are some photos of the blanket lounging around my house...This is where I intend to use it the most. What better way to spend time in my knitting corner than to be covered in inspiring colors!But, I also suspect that it will get some use on our deck when we're sitting out there on chilly evenings playing Scrabble.
Or I could also see it as a decorative throw on our bed, for Jeff to use on nights that I hog all the covers...which I guess would be every night.

Whew! It feels good to get some projects finished before the summer hits and I have no time to think, let alone be creative enough to make something interesting.

Yep, that's right, tourist season is upon us and I'll probably be doing a lot of stockinette or repetitive lace projects, because I'll have no brain left at the end of the day for anyting more complicated. Looks like it's time to crank out some felted coin purses or something equally as mindless!

Noro Granny Update

Whew! So, I thought that I would be able to finish this up this weekend, due to the fact that we Alaskans had our own holiday today (thank you for your folly, Mr. Seward) to make it a three-day weekend, however I underestimated my ability to re-think a project as it is being created. Which means, I keep making it bigger and bigger in my mind so I feel the need to make more and more squares to make it so!

With the way I originally had the layout graphed out I required 64 small squares (currently have 43 done), 12 medium squares (currently 9 done), and 9 large squares (currently 7 done). By my calculations this would have made a blanket that was about 5.5' x 5.5' before blocking. After blocking, I was hoping for 6' x 6', but I really had no idea. I just wanted something beautiful and vintage-esque to have in our living room and make its home on the back of my recliner/knitting studio.

BUT, as I was laying out the squares, it just didn't seem big enough to me, so I decided to add another panel and make it bigger. Problem is, this now requires 96 small squares, 16 medium squares, and 12 big ones. I ordered more Noro for this (which completely defeats the purpose of making this a stash-reduction project) and now I'm just hoping that I get it done in time for the May 1 Skagway Artists in Residence showing. Because not only do I have that to get finished, but I also have to finish a felted bag/pattern for a submission by June 1, do a felted bag for a bag exchange I signed up for (Ravel It) by May 1, five potholders for a potholder exchange by June 1, my dad's Hemlock Ring Blanket by May 1, a scarf for my friend, Sarah, which I promised by mid-April, etc. Plus, since the season is just around the corner, I'll be starting to put in extra hours on the weekends to get everything in place by the time the first ship arrives. Ahhhhhh! I always bury myself too deep with not enough time to dig myself out.

Anyway, here are some more photos of the blanket in progress. I love granny squares because they're so easy to just zone out and do while watching tv. Before I know it, I have ten of the little ones done in about an hour. I only wish the big ones were so easy. They seem to drag on, but it's a nice change to alternate through the sizes so I don't get sick of doing any particular one.

Colorful and productive weekend

After being inspired by a recently-discovered-by-me fellow blogger Attic24, I decided I needed to add in yet another project to my current list of unfinished objects. And after a long, dark, cold, and windy Alaskan winter, this project needed some color.

So, I invaded my stash of Noro Kureyon that I've been collecting for awhile, with no good idea of what I would ever do with it all. All told, I have about 35 skeins of all different colorways. After reading Attic24's blog on Friday, I finally knew exactly what to do with it all.

For the most part I would consider myself a knitter, with a few brief forays into crochet. However, my knitting projects have been overwhelming me lately (why did I choose so many at once that are mostly stockinette--torture!) so I thought it was time to switch it up and throw in some granny square action.

Given the self-striping nature of Noro, I knew making a granny square afghan with it would be the easiest way to achieve the crazy quilt variety of blanket that I have been looking to make.

Even though we spent all of Saturday cleaning and rearranging our entire upstairs, I was able to finish about 1/3 of the afghan!

Here's a photo from my last post, put here to remind you of some the Noro colors I'm using.

Here are some shots of some of the finished blocks. I got many more blocks finished after I took these photos.

I think it will end up making a decent sized throw, one that I hope will find a home in our living room and brighten my day just by glancing at it. Hopefully I'll have this done in time for a local art show which will showcase all Skagway artists winter work.

Wynter's Flower

Now available in pdf format!  Click the download now button next to the Wynter's Flower pattern in the sidebar --------------------------->.


Last weekend our friends' daughter, Wynter, turned two so I set out to make a quick last minute gift for her. I've been going through a bit of a felting phase lately, as well as a granny square/circle phase, so I wanted to incorporate both of those things. I began rummaging through my stash to find the perfect colors to make a small felted flower purse.

This is what came out of the wash, and I was so excited by it that I just had to share Wynter's Flower. (Click to to be taken to my Ravelry site!) I love how the granny clusters create such a cool texture once felted.

The details:

1 skein Paton's Classic Wool in 00227 Taupe (a deep chocolate brown)

1 skein Cascade 220 in 8885 Dark Plum (a beautiful rich rose)

Substitutions: Any worsted weight feltable wool will do.

Needles: Size G crochet hook; size 7 dpn for I-cord

Notions: Magnetic closure, tapestry needle

Pattern

Small circles:
Base round: 5ch, join with sl st.
Round 1: 3ch, dc2tog into ring (counted as dc3tog), [2ch, dc3tog into ring] 5 times, 1ch, sl st into top of first cluster.
Round 2: 3ch, dc2tog into arch formed by 1ch & sl st(counted as dc3tog), *2ch, work [dc3tog, 2ch, dc3tog] into next space, rep from * 4 more times, 2ch, dc3tog into last space, 1ch, sl st into top of first cluster.
Fasten off.

Large circles:
Base round: 5ch, join with sl st.
Round 1: 3ch, dc2tog into ring (counted as dc3tog), [2ch, dc3tog into ring] 5 times, 1ch, sl st into top of first cluster.
Round 2: 3ch, dc2tog into arch formed by 1ch & sl st(counted as dc3tog), *2ch, work [dc3tog, 2ch, dc3tog] into next space; rep from * 4 more times, 2ch, dc3tog into last space, 1ch, sl st into top of first cluster.
Round 3: 3ch, dc2tog into arch formed by 1ch & sl st (counted as dc3tog), *2ch, work [{dc3tog, 2ch, dc3tog} into next sp, 2ch, dc3tog into next sp]; repeat from * 4 more times, {dc3tog, 2ch, dc3tog} into last sp, 1ch, sl st.
Round 4: 3ch, dc2tog into arch formed by 1ch & sl st (counted as dc3tog), *2ch, work dc3tog into next sp; repeat from * to last space, 1ch, sl st.
Fasten off.

I worked 2 small circles in the Paton's Taupe for the center of the flower (1 for each side and 10 circles in the Cascade Dark Plum for the flower petals (5 for each side of the purse). They're all pictured here to the right before assembly.

I-cord: Knit a 5 stitch i-cord to about 15" in length.

Assembly

Arrange 5 large circles in an overlapping circle. Taking tapestry needle, sew the large circles together from the underside. Then place small circle in center of larger circles. Sew small circle to larger circles, taking care to be sure that there are no gaps in between the circles. See pictures below to see how circles should be arranged and sewn together.

Repeat this process for the second set of 5 large circles and 1 small circle. You have now created the two sides to your bag. Taking both pieces in hand, lay one on top of the other so that the petals match up. With tapestry needle, begin stitching the outer edges of the flower together. Sew until there is one whole petal left open. This will be the opening to the purse. Attach I-cord to either side of the opening.

My little buddy, Josh, shows off the pre-felted flower bag!

Next, place the project into a pillowcase and toss into the washer, along with a dash of fabric softener, some jeans and towels or other articles that will create a lot of friction. Friction is our friend! Set the washer to Hot and wash the project on the Heavy Duty cycle. Repeat of necessary and block as desired.

And, voila, the finished project! Enjoy!

A Scarf for Sarah

Doesn't that sound like a Lifetime movie? Well, it's not. It's one of the many projects I have going on, but this is the only one that has a due date. I told Sarah that I would have it finished for her by the time she got back to Skagway in April. It's been the project that I take with me to bowling to make bowling night not so excruciatingly slow. I hope it doesn't end up smelling like the Elks or dirty bowling hands. :(

Of course, because my camera sucks the color isn't exactly right in this photo, but you get the idea. I just wanted to post a picture to let Sarah know that I am actually working on it and not flaking out on her as I've done for the last two years. :)

My kind of Saturday night...

I just got in my latest shipment of yarn yesterday...Classic Elite, Cascade, Nashua, Berroco, more Cascade...I am seriously in heaven.

I can't wait to see what these create, although there is a part of me that wishes they could stay beautiful like this forever...there's nothing like the rush of opening up a box of new yarn and the feeling of promise that what it can be made into is limited only by my imagination...