What my son knit in 3 weeks

He actually knit 4 scarves and, that fourth one is already packed away. Don't you just love the way the multi-directional one looks?

Knitting in WA on winter break

{Mike}

{Kevin, Shea and Frank}

It was like a whirlwind while the "college" friends, of my son's, were visiting. I taught three of them how to knit since my son already knew how.

Two (Kevin and Shea) finished knitting a pot-holder, fulled it and gave it to their mothers. Mike got about 7 rows done.

It was nice to see they wanted to learn something out of the ordinary. Made me smile, too. :)

The Boys.....

....posing for me during the Underground Tour in Seattle on the 16th of Dec. Left to right: Mike, Kevin, Shea & Frank (my son).

The three friends, of my son, learned how to knit with two of them completing their small projects. Congratulations!!!!

They are all now safely back home. I really enjoyed getting to know them!

Warm thoughts.....

Wishbone or Hurry-Up Last Minute Sweater

After waiting 3 days for this sweater to dry, I put it in the dryer. I used that contraption that keeps the dryer from tumbling the clothing.

This is one BIG sweater for my very tall, college son. The fitting will take place when he comes for a month long visit this month. [trying to contain my extreme happiness here without shouting!!!!]

Ahem......

Elizabeth Zimmermann was right in that it didn't take long at all to knit up at 2 1/2 stitches to the inch. I used the best wool - Sheepsdown - and you can get that at SchoolHousePress. I finished the inside neck, cuffs and hem off with some red wool and a hidden message on the inside of the hem in purl stitches.

It's not too late to start YOUR Hurry-Up Last Minute Sweater with others at EZFans. It's the December project in Knitter's Almanac. The group is very nice and helpful!

Spanish Infanta test crocheted.....

CraftyGryphon said...
How about this one: Spanish Infanta Tablecloth

So, I made it yesterday and here it is. Hmmm, not too bad. It was only 10 rounds.

The pattern suggested sz 20 thread with a US sz 9-10 hook. I used a US sz 7 hook with my sz 10 thread.

I think I like it!

Variegated knit into ?

I am just itching to knit a tablecloth out of the two balls of Steinbach Wolle sz 10 Cotton. So, I have 1200 yards to work with.

What I need is a pattern that won't get "lost" with the colors.

Any ideas?

Moccasin Socks

I wanted to share my first moccasin sock from Knitter's Almanac! I have hesitated on knitting this for a few years. I could not fathom how I would know when knitting the "top" was long enough for my foot.

I decided to plunge right in changing only one thing......I knit it in the round.

I used Briggs N Little worsted using US sz 3 dpn's. I am a loose continental style knitter and usually have to resort to smaller needles to get gauge ~ 5 sts/inch.

I doubted EZ regarding the length of the "top" knitting so I made it shorter. As I was knitting merrily along, I got all kinds of ideas swimming in my head with ways of using this technique, as well as, several "Aha!" moments. Thank you EZ and Meg!

Since the top was made shorter, they will be gifted to my lovely mom whose feet aer slightly smaller than mine. I can see my mom now (the woman pictured in my header and who taught me to knit) .....turning it that way and this way and saying out loud, hmmmm.

It makes me smile just thinking about it.

SOTS iii prize......

....was brought home from the mail box! It's a beautiful shawl pin made exclusively for the theme of the stole ~ "Estes Park".

I was also awarded a 20% off coupon, on my total purchase, from Robbie of RubyVegas.

Thank you, Nautical Knitter, for a wonderful adventure into lace knitting and for the great experience on the group!

I love my prize, my stole and am styling now with my pin.......

A Contest!!!!!

....by Nautical Knitter! Okay, you all...head over there and follow the very simple rules [3 to be exact] and be entered into a contest.

I joined the contest because there were no essays involved.... ;)

Wishbone (EZ) sweater for my son

After I knit my son the hat of his choice, I asked him if he would like the Wishbone sweater. He took a look at it and without missing a beat, said he would indeed!

All EZ fans know this comes from the Knitter's Almanac. I used the Sheepsdown wool that she used but not the size needles she used.

EZ got 2 1/2 sts/inch using US sz 10 needles. I tried that and I wasn't even close. I had too many stitches. So.....I experimented with many needles and found I got gauge with US sz 13!!!
What's with that?! I am a loose knitter but with this thick wool, I am a tight knitter. I would love if someone could explain that to me.

It didn't take long [see picture] to knit the sleeves and then the body (a few days) but I had to wait to join to make sure everything was long enough before joining. I found I need to knit the sleeves a bit longer. Once I join, the knitting is going to go so fast! My son will have a sweater to go with his hat and will surely be warmly surrounded by my knitting.

So, I'm off to knit!

Secret Of The Stole thru Hint 9...and Finished!

Well, I've finished this beautiful stole on Friday and am finally posting my picture. It still needs to be blocked and I still need to guess the theme....Fall Leaves or Snow falls?

I am sad it's over......but not all is lost as there will be another one next year!

I've had a great time with this.

Double Basketweave Reversible Scarf..for my son

Many, many of you know what it's like to buy yarn you just HAD to have. You don't know what you're going to do with it.....but you have to have it!

I bought three balls of Plassard Merinos (100% SW Wool) in Couleur 241 and Bain 42. [I'm guessing that's Color 241 and Lot 42.]

I knew I wanted to knit my son a scarf from this wool but I could not find a pattern that "spoke" to me.......until 10-11-08. Why that date?

Well, that's the day Terry's group posted that pattern. I instantly could picture my son wearing a scarf with THAT pattern and THAT yarn.....TOGETHER. Yea!!!!!

It's a great knit and looks like cables. I'm about half way through with this project to keep my son warm.

Smoked Salmon..........the best!

On September 26th I watched the Foodnetwork channel with The Neely's. They were in Montana, visiting a gal that takes Salmon to a whole new level!!

Her business, Montana Mountain Smoked, is one place I knew I had to look at! She not only smokes the wild sockeye, she makes a salmon dip that you could eat like ice cream!

My mother LOVES smoked salmon [and that's an understatement!] so I ordered the biggest package they had - for her birthday.

I wish I had a picture of my mom digging through the box that she said she thought didn't have a bottom! It was HUGE!Needless to say, my mom is in salmon heaven!

I will be ordering some for my college son during finals week in December. A smaller gift package of smoked salmon and salmon dip should feed his brain!

Excuse me while I go and order some for me!

Do you eat Cashews whole?....

We got these from Costco and the brand is Kirkland.

I happened to see something sticking out of a whole cashew and went to break it off. You know how some of them have a little 'tail' sticking out of the wider end?.....

Well, this one wasn't firm and it left a trailing web-like silk thread when I pulled at it.

My curiosity got the best of me and I opened the cashew.

The picture shows what I saw.

I was telling a friend about it and she said, "Well, since it's roasted, the little guy is dead and sterile so it won't hurt you". That made sense..........but I'm still not going to eat it.

I used to wonder why I always ate the halves and broken pieces.

I do not wonder any more.......

Secret Of The Stole thru Hint 8

I don't want this knitting to end........yet I do, so I can wear it.

For me, it's like being pregnant and enjoying the feeling of the baby growing, moving around and kicking. I couldn't wait for the birth to see what my baby would look like.
Oh, the happy day to finally see, touch and share with family and friends. After his birth, I felt a little empty inside, missing the kicking and developing and secret of what my child was going to look like....

I know it has to end........but the good thing is [like Nautical Knitter said]....there's next year and another SOTS!!! I checked on the yahoo groups and there it was! SOTS iv!!! I am going back there and signing up, after I publish this post, so I don't miss out!

**Important UPDATE: I found out you should be signed up with Nautical Knitter Designs at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nauticalknitterdesigns so you can get an email when sign ups are open!

Mystery Stole thru Clue 5

I like the contrast of the Ebony colored wool/silk and clear silver lined beads on this stole.

I finished too soon and now have to wait until Friday for Clue 6.

It's luxurious.

Something really, really FUN!!!!!

This is a peek into the excitement that's happening in Terry's group!

It's not too late to join in the chatter and fun that's going on there!

I can't remember the last time I laughed and smiled so much!

You won't be disappointed.........there are also all kinds of small ideas for Gift Giving in knitting AND crochet.

Terry is a fabulous host and check out her blog, too!

Socks for my ex...a second pair

My ex said he liked the socks so much that I couldn't resist asking him to pick another color so I could knit another pair.

He picked black for daytime wear in Iraq.

I am happy to report they are finished and have been sent off on Tuesday.

MS4 update

This is Mystery Stole 4 through Clue #3.

I LOVE, LOVE knitting it.

I need to get busy and knit Clue #4 now!