Wednesday, 18. June 2008
Barbara Walker, in her Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns, called this particular stitch pattern “Portcullis”. In my haste, I have totally ignored her right side / wrong side instructions and ended up with something that is diagonal and not looking anything like the stitch photograph presented in her book (Page 224, if you must know).
According to Barbara, this pattern makes a handsome, symmetrical (remember: I botched it) ribbed fabric resembling crochet. The fabric is free of curl, sturdy, and easy to block; it keeps its shape well.
I used Felted Tweed for this hat, in Crush and Melody, and have enough leftovers for another one. Should you choose to knit this in a solid color, I am sure it’ll look just as lovely.
My gauge before blocking were 36 sts to 5″, and row gauge can be easily adjusted since this pattern comprises only of 2 rows. Finished dimensions after blocking is 22″ around.
Freebie for all. Go to the pattern page to retrieve instructions for your own. In this day and age when gas prices are high and costs for living continually escalate, it’s nice to get freebies every once in a while. Should you find errors or have questions, you know where to find me 
Posted in My Patterns by winnie -
Tuesday, 17. June 2008
Summer knits, as I have come to find, should be quick, easy, and mind-numbing. As much as I try to coordinate my yarns with the seasons, I find that so-called summer yarns (the cottons, the hemps, the linens) do not tempt me as much as their woolen cousins. This is the primary reason why the Cherry Cardigan and the linen Perfect Fit Skirt have slowed down to a snail’s crawl, because quite frankly, I just love knitting with wool. As the temperature rises to the 70s and 80s, it is easier for me to turn to miniature wool projects, like socks and hats.
Pattern: Embossed Leaves Socks, in Interweave Knits Winter 2005
Materials: Sz 1 DPNs, 2 skeins of Koigu KPM 1205
Notes: No modifications to the pattern. I love this shade of yellow almost-solid Koigu, and the pattern is easy to execute. I’m not too crazy about the star-toe, although I admit it was exciting to try something new. The socks are a little loose on my sz 7 feet, but I think it’d make a pair of comfy house socks this winter. Koigu on your feet is luxury. This FO brings a bounce in my steps!
Pattern: Felicity (PDF Pattern Link) by Wanett Clyde
Materials: Leftover Cascade 220 wool in shade 7814 from my Biker jacket, Sz 8 DPNs
Notes: Truth be told, I did not follow this pattern at all. I loved its simplicity, and just CO 84 sts and increased to 100 sts at random and knit straight for 5.5 inches. At the time of knitting, I wasn’t sure whether or not I wanted the slouchy look that the original pattern provided, so I just did a CCD decrease (slip 2 as if to knit, k1, psso) in every round until I bound off the hat. I still like the FO, but I think I’m going to make a real Felicity hat in the future. This shortened and heavily modified version produces horns. Ha ha. This is what I get for butchering a perfectly executed pattern.
Next we have a striped beanie made from one of my secret favorite yarn. Secret in the sense that I love it, I hoard it, and yet, I haven’t made an entire sweater out of it. Learning my lesson from Felicity Shortie above, this time I wanted:
- Non-curling edges (and yet, no garter, and no knit hems)
- Stripes
- A little texture
- Easy memorizable pattern
- Not slouchy, and yet not constrict-your-circulation-tight hat
We shall discuss this Stripey Tweedy hat recipe in the next post. Until then, happy summer knitting.
Posted in FOs, Hats, Patterns, Socks by winnie -
Friday, 30. May 2008
Ha, I know, that weekend has come and gone. I spent some time doing this…
Yes, having cold beer (good!) outdoors on an uncharacteristically cold day (bad!)….and finished a pair of Child’s First Socks.
Pattern: Child’s First Socks in Knitting Vintage Socks
Material: Sz 1 needles, and a big honking ball of Regia Jubilee India.
Notes: No mods, yea and the yarn is a little too busy for this pattern. But sometimes, you don’t listen to your inner smart-ass. It happens. Fits well though. And those leftovers? Perfect for iPhone cozies.
Waste not, want not. *Whack!* Who am I kidding… there are two hanks of new sock yarn staring back at me as I type this. Now let’s go back to this……
(Unknown beer at Father’s Office, Culver City, CA. Best sweet potato fries.)
Posted in FOs, Socks, When I'm not knitting by winnie -
Wednesday, 21. May 2008
Usually, the moment I start knitting a garment, I can pretty much plough through it (except for socks – those sit in a different category). However, knitting monogamy goes out the window in the summer time. And I say summer because California has seen some 80 to 90 degree weather recently. Like, WTF? I have the attention span of a 3-year-old and every shiny new pattern or yarn makes me want to drop whatever I’m doing now to start playing. On a fateful ravelry-browsing day, I stumbled into the spindlers’ group, and that was the beginning of the end.
Armed with a new spinning book, a Schacht Hi-Lo 1.1 oz spindle and some BFL, I sat down to learn a new skill. Two days later……
This spinning thing is hard and I don’t know what I’m doing. The spindle doesn’t spin long enough for me, I have a hard time drafting while spinning (even after this supposed pre-drafting thingamajig), and my yarn is fat and lumpy. Apparently, I have no coordination.
I am in WAY over my head, people. Does anyone know where I can take spinning classes in Orange County?
Posted in Spinning by winnie -
Monday, 12. May 2008
I spent the weekend in Vegas. There were some boozing, some hangover, some recuperation at the pool, and unfortunately, some bad sushi in an over-priced establishment.
This is what I have to show for after a long drive back to California. Caitlyn, this post is for you. And for those who have to squint to make out what the coaster says, see below.
Arrogant Bastard Ale:
“This is an aggressive beer. You probably won’t like it. It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth. Fizzy yellow beer is for wussies.”
Posted in When I'm not knitting by winnie -
