Knitting Fever

Baby fever abounds. 

I found some of the cutest little knits wandering around the internet today. And since I am still in gift knitting mode, some of these are perfect for my plans. 

Like these adorable little 

Ugg booties

 

Doesn't that just make you want to knit?! 

Even with the quilting craze going on over at my house, I still don't like to sew my knitting. I prefer patterns like these cute little
No Sew Knitted Baby Booties

But if you do have to incorporate some sewing into your knitting, what better pattern than this cute little Baby Hat





Or for a little girl
Knit Bow Baby Hats

Have a look around her site while  you are there. She has some really cute stuff!
All of these websites have some really great patterns. Just picked you out a few to get you started.
Plus they are all adorable, how could I not?


 

It's time to start gift knitting! All free lineup!

What better way to start the gift knitting fun than with the little things.

This cute little headband would be perfect for any girl on your list, from young to old.

  Hot Mess Headband

Anything that has houndstooth in the name is a winner in my book. 

This would actually be cute in some crimson and white. 

Just sayin'

Halloween Houndstooth Cowl

 

Go for big and chunky and fast last minute gifts like this 

Openwork Infinity Scarf 

My crafty gift giving has been surrounded lately by babies.

Once again I went Down Cloverlaine for my tried and true go to knitting pattern for gift giving.

Tweetypie Bib 

Notice the date on that post? That's how long I have used her patterns for special babies in my life.

Countless babies on the Gulf Coast have spit and burped up on my creations! 

And her beautiful patterns! 

 

Clicking on the picture will take you to my Ravelry page to see all my current WIPs 

I should have this one finished by tomorrow.

 Which gives me roughly three months to make a blanket, a hat, some booties a quilt and a rag quilt.

Yest I have gotten into sewing. 

It all started innocently enough. 

Brat #1 made cloth napkins, then she showed me cloth napkins, then she made me a set of cloth napkins, then I thought "what good does one set of cloth napkins do me if I want to truly go green. I need a set of 5 napkins for at least five days." and wala! a monster was born.

She does great work, but she has so many requests she rarely has time to make any for her Mom. (sigh)
Hence, the birth of a monster. Now I am looking at quilting patterns, baby blankets, bibs, burp cloths, you name it, I have looked it up.

So don't be surprised if you start to see some sewing going on in and around the knitting. 

THERE'S ALWAYS KNITTING. 

As in this monster:

 

This is my learning curve blanket. I am determined to pick instead of throw on this blanket from beginning to end. It is getting easier, tho still not good enough yet to be able to watch the Pats play football while knitting last night. 

Don't ask, sad, sad game.  

So, yeah, I know it's been two years, I will spare you the typical "Oh my! I didn't realize how long it's been since I last posted!" 

We all know the lie detector determined.................

that was a lie

 

 

Balls to the Walls Knits: Friend of the Forest Hood

To kick off gift knitting season......

Balls to the Walls Knits: Friend of the Forest Hood: Friend of the Forest Hood Size Medium This particular design represents a perfect confluence of events; first, I got a request for a h...

LOTD:All about garter stitch

Besides my well known addiction to the linen stitch, my next and close running favorite is garter stitch.
It makes everything look rustic and old worldly.  I don't care what it is, a sweater, a throw, scarf, a dishcloth, it doesn't matter.
The fact that it is always mindless knitting keeps it at 2nd on my list. Though summertime is almost here and I won't be doing any knitting for a few months, anything I do work on will most assuredly be garter stitch.
So I thought I would go wandering around and see if I could find some really interesting patterns, just in case you are of  like mind.

Garter Stitch Swingy-Sweater

504 King West

Not exactly the mindless garter stitch I like, but this pattern is so pretty I had to add it

Garter Rib Baby Blanket

Rustic lovely

Sawtelle Adult

Knit sideways. Love it!

Corinne Cardigan

Just a few little knitting inspirations for you. ;0)

LOTD: Looking for some inspirtation: A hodge podge of patterns

I think I love the yarn in the Celtic Cable Scarf almost as much as the pattern.

Though this is a paid pattern, I thought it was too cute not to share. OUCH!

Cute Cabled Heart Cloth

That Nice Stitch Scarf

Nana's Favorite Dishcloth

Soda Fountain Scarf

If you can handle chart reading this Hooded Scarf is adorable!

What a nifty idea! Japanese Knot Bag

Sweatshirt Sweater

Mara Shawl

The Lamina scarf is definitely different

Winding Rivers Cowl

Dr. Who would love this Tardis Scarf pattern.

Quick and Basic Coffee Cozy

Farmer's Market Washcloth

Olaf

Nylon Net Scrubbers

A few really cute patterns can be found at Espace Tricot

Share Kitty

Who doesn't need a knit elephant? Babar

Hexa-ghan

PDF: Consider donating a pair of Nola's Slipper Pattern

I have a drawer full of tank tops in every color known to man, I need the Loose Drapery Neck Top

The Stylish Square

Surry Hills

Mulberry Hat

Lusekofte-sue Mitts

Bees Knees

Hopefully something above caught your interest.
I know mine has been piqued.

LOTD: Some nifty knitty videos

The boat sweater is still languishing exactly as it was the last time we spoke about it.
A week with the flu and finally a few dry days have made me realize it's getting crunch time.
The boat has been uncovered and cleaned up and it's almost time to hit the water, so as much as I have fought the idea, it's time to finish that sweater and get it off the needles.
While I spend the next few days getting that finished, here are a few helpful videos I thought you might be interested in.
Some I have never seen before, some are my faves. Maybe there are a few in here that will help you along your knitterly path. ;0)

This is one handy little video, until I saw this I avoided cables unless it was the absolute dead of winter when I would have to be inside and had the time to fool with an extra needle or two. It was just way too fiddely for me to do cables. That is until I finally saw one of these videos.

This is a definite must see.

I don't know that I would ever use this, but I am putting it here because I have never seen this particular stitch before. Kinda nifty!

This is always a good thing to know. 

Another handy helper:

You know I have to include this one.

A cutesie little stitch for baby items.

And last but far from least, I will master this one day!!!!

I hope you find some of these videos helpful. 

Comments are gladly welcome!

 

The worst knitter ever!

Yeah, that would be me.
I didn't knit on the sweater on that six hour road trip. I brought the new camera PB got me for my birthday so I spent the entire ride looking out of the window for anything that might be picture worthy, ncluding the rain on the windshield.
I posted some of the pictures over at the Lens End blog if you would like to see them.
I did bring the boat sweater. Had it sitting right where I could reach it. But then there was rain on the windshield, sun poking through the clouds, PB's sexy face. I just couldn't put the camera down long enough to get into anything else.
I just don't understand. I blasted through all the gift knitting and barreled through the Stonewall sweater. I just can't seem to get up the desire to finish a sweater that is already 85 percent finished. How dumb is that?
I need to find the motivation somewhere. I spent money on that yarn even though I have baskets and tubs and drawers a plenty.
I will get back into it, no matter how bad I just don't want to.
I have a knitting promise to keep and I can't until this sweater is finished.
Guess I better just bite the bullet and force myself to sit outside with coffee and just get 'er done!
I hope your knitting quests are going better than mine right now.
Knit ON!

 

Beachin'

I know most of the country is still caught under layers of snow and ice and slush but it really is officially Spring now! Whoot! Whoot!
Though at the moment, here on the Gulf Coast, it feels a little more like summer. 80 degrees today! On the first official day of Spring! I have a feeling we are in for a long hot summer.
I have been working hard at getting the yard back into shape. Since I have not raked all fall and winter long, all those oak leaves were five inches thick.
I literally had to dig down with the rake where the leaves that fell at the beginning of Fall had embedded themselves in the dirt.
In theory this would be great for the soil and as the leaves rot and wash down into the dirt with the rain it would be great fertilization. But come on, who wants a five inch thick bed of leaves on there springtime lawn? Not I!
PB decided that all the leaves from the front yard should be hauled to the back yard and dumped into the garden to be tilled up in the soil. What a great idea! When you aren't the one filling a wheel barrel up every ten minutes and pushing it around the house, to the back yard, through the gate and dumping all of it out onto the ground, fighting the chickens so you can get back out of the fence without letting them out, then back around to the front yard for another load. Yes! That is a wonderful idea!
But I did it. And the yard looks great if I do say so myself.
With all the heat that we have had, I have been dreaming of the beach. The peaceful sounds of the surf pounding into shore, the birds squawking and talking to each other. No phone service. Ahhhh, I can not wait!


So for the beach, you need the basics
A beach bag, preferably that will allow the sand to run out of the bag instead of pile up in the bottom to be drug home and dumped out into the kitchen floor.
This one fits the bill perfectly!

Not A Sandy Bottom Bag

And because I never leave the house without one
On The Beach Sweater

And you definitely need one of these in your bag

 Sarong Cover Up

And just in case you wanted to knit your beach

A Knitted Beach

I am sure you can guess why I like this one

Linen Stitch Shoulder Bag

perfect for your iPod or iPad mini

Everyone needs these to decorate those pretty tanned feet

Barefoot Sandals

So everyone will know not to disturb you when you head out

Hazy Days

I can not wait to get out there and do some ahhhhhhhhhh

LOTD: New to me magazine

I thought it was time to do another LOTD post.
I was goofing around and found a magazine I have never heard of before.
Your Family Magazine (South Africa)
I really haven't had time to go all through their website, but I did find this awesome blanket.

Botanica

It is a very simple yet lovely pattern and I love the yarn used in the picture.
I have really been getting into the more natural colored yarns lately. All different shades of natural earthy colors. Which means my stash is not exactly where I want it to be right now.
It is full of bright blues and oranges and yellows and purples. I could go on and on. But nothing earthy.
I think watching Outlander has done this to me. I'm not sure. I am going to have to investigate that further. How? By watching some more episodes of course!

Anyway, back on task.
You really should check out their website. They have a ton of tutorials ranging from Custard Class to How to Slice and Dice an Onion.
All found here

All in all this looks like a great magazine, give them a minute to see for yourself.
Your Family (South Africa)

The Boat Sweater

I am assuming (yes, I know what that stands for) that you are getting so tired of hearing about the Boat Sweater, and I know I haven't put the umph into it that I did the Stonewall.
After restarting certain parts of this sweater so many times, I really, really do not like this pattern. Well, not the pattern as far as it is turning into what I wanted it to be, but the actual written pattern.

I am not blaming the author, it could be completely my fault as I have found only a few complaints that mirror mine. Having said that, through no fault of the author, I will never purchase another one of her patterns. I apparently can not understand the way she writes.

1. I had to restart the short row shaping twice because it wouldn't match up with the joining round. Finally made it work by moving the BOM over. Which I now hope will not mess up the short row shaping that was supposed to make the back hang a little longer than the front (which I loved about the pattern)
2. I could not get the written part of the diamond pattern across the chest to match up. I ripped that out three times before I went to Ravelry and found someone who had the same problem so used the chart instead. I did that and it finally worked out.
3. I got halfway through the first sleeve before I realized that following the pattern would give me a sleeve that would fit Shaq. (yes I am getting gauge) so ripped that out and did a 6 round decrease instead of 8 and that seemed to bring it all together.

 You know how I am about paying for a pattern. I will scour the internet for a free pattern, but if I end up finding something I really like enough to pay for a pattern????? Well it shouldn't need this much fiddling on my part for it to work out.
And not to belittle the writer at all, but don't go on my Ravelry project page and comment so sweetly about what problems I was having and then never reply in PM when I tell you.
That gave me the feeling that she was being totally fake and just wanted it to look like she gave a hollering hoot about my issues with her pattern.

To sum it up, I will finish this sweater, or become dangerously close by the end of this weekend. We have a trip coming up which will allow me 5 uninterrupted hours of knitting time. (I love daylight savings time!) That should get me pretty close to finished barring any other major rip outs.

Would I make another one? Probably, now that I have added all of my notes. But if I was just starting out, and didn't know anything about knitting a sweater, NO! I would not.
If I was recommending a sweater to a beginner knitter who had never attempted a sweater in the round? Hell no! I would not.

Whether it was my fault or the fault of the author's I would not suggest this to anyone who didn't have a complete and utter understanding of sweater knitting and construction.
Sorry!
 

I am so late for the wagon.......

I don't like bandwagons. I really don't................(you know it's coming).............BUT.......................
I just started watching the Starz hit Outlander and though in the first fifteen minutes I almost turned it off, not understanding the fascination.
Luckily I hung in there! 
Once Claire fell down the rabbit hole the tempo of the show completely changed, and I was immediately hooked!

Of course, being a knitter, my eyes were immediately drawn to the cowls and mitts and hats OH MY!

I have never cared for chunky knits. They just always looked so bulky, and since I am a small person, I never attempted to knit anything chunky sized it would only make me look a 2 year old playing dress up in Momma's closet. 

But Claire is not a big woman and all that stuff looks wicked cute on her. I am completely in love with the chunky mitts. Everyone who wears them makes them look good. I think I am going to  make myself a pair.
I know, I know, as soon as I get the sleeves on the sweater. Which will be perfect timing for our spring weather coming in now. Maybe that's what I have been waiting for. The spring almost too warm almost too cool, weather. After being out on the beach all day in the heat, when it cools down at night, I will be wishing I had that sweater in my bag.
Yeah! That's it! I am finishing the sweater by this weekend! We have beach weather coming!!!

But to keep you busy, I have found a few of the Outlander patterns:

Sassenach Claire Starz Outlander Cowl Free Pattern

Jocasta’s Scotch Bonnet

Bree’s Lace Mittens

The Gathering

Outlander Claire 'Rent' Shawl Knit

Outlander: Mrs. Fitz fingerless gloves

Smart Bitches Outlandish Arm Warmers

Claire's Highland warmers  

Vancouver Fog Fingerless Gloves 

A couple of things I have learned today.
1. This wagon has been rolling waaaaayyyy longer than I thought
2. There are so many mitts and sleeves used in that show that it would take months of work to either hunt up all the patterns or come up with some of my own. 

  

 

 These are my favorite simple ones so far. But, then again, I'm still looking.

Simple Stretchy Bind Off

My bind offs tend to be very tight. I have even went so far as going up three needles sizes, but at that point they start to look a little sloppy to me. 

I had just about decided that to do a nice loose bind off for say, a crew neck sweater, it was either going to have to be floppy and sloppy, or too tight.

I found this video today, I think this might actually solve my problem. 

I am going to give it a shot on the boat sweater and see if it helps.

This video is from VeryPink Knits on YouTube. 

I was browsing through her channel and she seems to have some very interesting videos. Maybe you have seen her before. 

Please excuse me, I have some videos to watch.

Giveaway: Rowan Magazine No. 35

I remember when I first got my hands on this magazine. There were so many patterns I wanted to try. Then I got my hands on another magazine, or a book or a pdf pattern and this has sat on the bookshelf ever since.
You're welcome to it.
I posted a few pics of some of the cute patterns in here. This is by no means all of them.

You know the routine, comment below. Drawing to be held Friday night with the winner posted over at the Knittinfun Facebook Page

LOTD: Ooh's and Aaah's

So I got on a kick and started bombing the Knittinfun Facebook Page and decided it was time for another LOTD post. There's just too many cute and nifty little things that I want to knit!
Oh! Don't worry! I am not starting anything new until I finish that sleeve and a half and collar on the boat sweater. (really! That's all I have left to do and won't do it!)

Maybe one of these patterns will motivate me enough to finish it so I can start a new project.

So Mom and baby can match
Maile Sweater
Maile Sweater All Grown Up

I know right! Wouldn't that be just too cute!

I think this would just be the perfect beach cover up!
Nante

Just because I love old fashioned non lacy shawls
Dawn to Dusk Shawl

And just because.......
Monster High Dress
Monster High Dress 2


Reversible
Cowl

Adorable
Pleated Skirt
You have to see this one! Just awwww!

  

A Mock Henley
Jade Pullover

So sweet!
Queen of Hearts Hat Pattern

That should give you something to ooh and aahhh about for today.
Maybe I will pull the boat sweater out after work and see if I can knock it on out. Besides, it's getting right on the edge of time to take the boat out. I need this sweater!

Giveaway #2

Ok, so no one wanted the last two magazines. 

I get that, they were pretty old. 

To the eBay pile they go. No problem.

Let's see if you are tempted by these two 

First up, Vogue Knitting Summer 2004

Fon's & Porter's Love of Knitting Fall 2008

The same rules apply. 

Comment below and winner announced next Saturday at the Knittinfun Facebook page 

Good luck!

Giveaway: two fer one

Yes I did that on purpose ;0)

This Leisure Arts booklet has 13 cute tank tops in It. 

I've made one of the tops, the patterns are well written and easy to follow.

Knit it! From Spring 2007 has some really cute patterns for sweaters babies and home.

If you would like these two simply comment below. 

I will draw a name from all the comments and post the drawing winner on the Knittinfun Facebook page Saturday morning. 

Don't forget to check on Saturday. These are outta here one way or the other Monday post. 

Good luck and keep checking back, I have three shelves full that have to go. I pay shipping media mail so it's a win for both of us. 

It's time to start giving it away

I was cleaning out one of the book shelves the other day and noticed I have WAY to many magazines and books that I don't use.
I was subbed to three magazines at one time for quite a while and though I enjoyed them all, there were very few items in them that fit my knitting criteria.
I think it's time to start getting rid of most of them. Let someone else enjoy them.
Most of them will have to be dusted off just to ship.
I will keep a few but the rest need to go.
I have quite a few books too.
When I get home today I will start digging them out.
I think, because I have so many, it will be a twice a week thing. Maybe every other week.
The only requirement will be that if you want it, you are going to have to comment under the post it is in, that's where the names will be drawn from. And then the winner posted at the Knittinfun Facebook Page so you might want to get over there and sign up.
I will pay media mail shipping so if you want it faster than a week you will have to let me know and we can discuss it.
Hopefully you can find something you would enjoy having, because what doesn't go is all going up on EBay and from there? The trash. I'm just tired of cleaning around them.
First post goes up later today so don't forget to check back soon.

LOTD:Because I Love You

I am not a big fan of Valentine's Day.
I know! The horror of it all! But I just am not a fan.

I don't eat chocolate, I don't like cut flowers and I would rather have DH tell me he loves me everyday then buy me gifts and cards once a year, and it's assumed the rest.

But I know allot of you love getting the gifts and candy and cards.
So my gift to you?
Some nifty, hearty, sweet patterns to add to your collection

 4 Embossed Hearts Cloth
 Anti-Stress Heart
From Norway With Love Hat
Heart Dishcloth/Blanket
Heart Kindle Cosy
Heart Warmer
Heartwarming Sweater
Love Rocks Mitered Heart Neck Garland
Love Me Knot Illusion Socks
Magnolia Heart Hat 
Piece Of My Heart Dishcloth and Towel
Watercolor Heart Pillow

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day! I hope you receive all your heart's desires!



               Little Hearts Pattern

Boat Sweater Is a Sweater!

Once I got past the fiddley row by row instructions things started moving pretty quickly. Well, as quickly as 14 inches of stst can go.

 

It is absolutely what I wanted this sweater to be so far.

Just a big, warm, comfy, over sized sweater that will be absolutely perfect for throwing over whatever I am wearing when I get too cool at night, or on the water. 

The design came out fairly well considering how many times I had to rip it out. And blocking, I think, will make it pop even more. 

So now it's on to the sleeves, the neck and then done. 

I didn't see anyone complaining about the written sleeve pattern, so maybe this part will go off without a hitch.

 

And no, I am not as big as that picture makes me look! 

At least I don't think I am...................

I went to a Mardi Gras Parade: and you think that has nothing to do with knitting

Or at the most I'm talking about some awesome handknit garments I may have seen.

Scarves? Hats? Warm,cozy gloves?

No.

Actually, I had a corn dog.

Wait!     What?!?

I was hungry so when we passed one of the many concession stands I stopped for something that would be easy to carry and eat at a crowded parade. A corn dog, perfect! I'll take two. 

As we ate them I noticed how nice and thick the sticks were. Not those flimsy things you get with store bought corn dogs you bring home and hand out to all those grand brats. A nice thick stick and looky here!!!

 They have points!

As you can imagine I received "the stank eye" when I told PB not to throw his away. They would make great knitting needles. 

I don't have one of those needle gauge thingys but I am pretty sure they would be around a size 9. So I figure with a little sanding and sharpening they would end up around an eight. 

When I get them ready, I figure a nice swatch (yeah I said it) would help me figure out the size.