Ah....The Sights And Sounds Of Fall....

As I sit here listening to the North wind knocking at my door in my favorite season of the year, I am reminded of one of my favorite book series, Harry Potter.  I enjoy the sites and sounds of fall and the beginning of school and the relief that weather changing from heat to cool fall weather brings.  The books remind me of this time of year and bring back fond memories of discussing the books with friends and then watching as the movies brought the books to life. This book series helped me when I was recovering from a bad infection and it was a wonderful escape.  I think I devoured them faster than I think I have ever read a book series.  So when one of my friends at work asked me to knit a scarf for her son to wear at Halloween, I couldn't help but say yes.

So below is a picture of the scarf that I finished last night.  It was a fun project and made me want to sit in front of the fire and read the books again with a hot steaming cup chocolate.  

I used Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Superwash Wool in Hollyberry and Semolina.  I used size US 8 needles.

So now I am off to knit the next project....ah the holiday knitting frenzy ;)

100 points for Gryffindor!

Ah...Finally a Project That I didn't Tear My Hair Out For......

I am thankful to say I must be getting better at reading and interpreting written patterns.  Because I am amazed that I actually started a pattern that didn't give me troubles and the project actually turned out pretty good.....

Of course this project has a story as most do......

My sister picked up this pattern three years ago as her first project as a new knitter.  She wanted to learn how to knit and of course instead of starting small she decides she wants to start with this pattern.....I looked at her like she was nuts....my best friend looked at her like she was nuts....and yet she was determined to do this pattern.  So I picked up a copy for myself just in case she needed some help. 

I think she has since given up on knitting for now.  She has a toddler and not just a normal toddler...this kid is everywhere and always has been since birth.  You know most babies are bundled up when they are born and sleep all the time.....not this kid....she was stretched out and lifting her head from day one....nothing stops this kid until she passes out on the floor like a car that finally runs out of gas.... 

So I came across the pattern and some yarn I had bought for it out of my stash and decided I would make it for my mom for her birthday. 

Here is how it turned out:

The pattern is from Louisa Harding, Fade to Grey pattern Livvy using US 7 (4.5mm) and US 8 (5mm) needles with Louisa Harding's hand beaded Grace yarn (31% Silk, 31% Merino Wool, 8% Polyester and 30% Glass Beads).  The yarn comes in 50 g hanks (74 yrds/67.5 mtrs).  I highly recommend the yarn and the pattern both were very easy to work with.

Of course I finished it over Memorial Day weekend and my mom couldn't wait to have it for her birthday so she has it already ;). 

On to the next project.......

Back In Time To Another Dr.......

As you might remember I had another project on my list that my friend had requested....

This project took a while longer than expected but it was also a fun project.  If any of you are familiar with Dr. Who, you will know the scarf from the Tom Baker years...

Well this scarf is rather long and has many color changes but it was another fairly fun project....just don't know if I will want to do another one like it......

As you can see the cat enjoys it as well.  When I received word that my friend had received it she was so excited she couldn't wait to "Nerd Out" next winter......As you can see its not a small scarf ;)

On to the next project.......

More Winter Projects......

As with most things about winter.....who could pass up a chance to knit a scarf or two....

Below are a few that I knitted this winter....

Tecido Trico Animal 2634, 30m.

Schachenmayr SMC Argentina, color 86, 100g.

Queensland Collection Mist, color 16, 50g.

Tinseltown color 8, 100g.

Now I am off to other projects.....just keep knitting.....just keep knitting.....

Cold Weather Project.....

My sister asked for me to knit baby Frieda a new scarf, hat and mittens set for her winter coat this year.  She had an adorable Jackie O style jacket from the 60s.  It was a salmon color and as so adorable on her.  So I was busy trying to find an ideal pattern for the project.  The only thing I found was an adult pattern that I adapted for her.

Below is what I came up with.....

Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash, color 910A

The pattern is called a fish trap after the nets that fishermen use to trap the fish.  The look is classic just as the coat is so the two look good together.

On to the next project.......

Even The Cat Likes Scarves

I have two cats at home and of course they love my knitting projects.  Especially if I am winding up my yarn or knitting a project.  So of course all of my projects have become the best cat toy in the world.  Not to mention the fact that the most common phrase that you hear in my house is "Cat leave the yarn alone". 

Well this latest project was no exception....however, my youngest wanted to get involved in the photo shoot as you can see below:

As you can see Mattie really likes this scarf but she can't keep it because its a gift for my sister ;-)

The yarn used above was: Rozetti Marina Multi; Color 51023 Magic Hat; 100% Acrylic; 100 g 30m/33yds

Ah the joys of knitting with cats......

After Holiday Projects

After the holidays I wanted to do a few small projects.  I was learning different techniques for making scarves.

As you can see below I had a bit of fun with lots of different colors and yarn types:



Rozetti Marina Multi; Color 51016 Galaxy; 100% Acrylic; 100 g 30m/44 yds



Knitting Fever Inc. Tinseltown; Color 19 Green/Purple; 90% Acrylic 10 % Polyester; 100 g 44 yds/40m

Knitting Fever Inc. Tinseltown; Color 14 Turquoise/med Blue; 90% Acrylic 10 % Polyester; 100 g 44 yds/40m

Knitting Fever Inc. Sparkle; Color 9 Red Combo; 95% Acrylic 5 % Metallic Polyester; 100 g 44 yds/40m

So I ended my year with a bit of color and fun attempting different types and styles of yarn.  They were fun to work with and I look forward to knitting more of them in the future.

Off to more knitting ........

Well it is getting to be a bit cold outside.....

Now I realize there are much colder areas in the world than in North Texas in the winter but here we like to dress warmer when there is a chill in the air.  Since it isn't quite as cold as it is in the north we don't need to dress in wool to stay warm.  We can use a lighter type of yarn to give us a bit of warmth.

A friend of mine loves the color purple and she likes to sparkle.  I found this yarn at my local yarn shop The Woolie Ewe and it had her written all over it. 

The yarn is called Tinseltown by Euro Yarns in Purple.  I used size 8 US/ 5 metric needles and knitted garter stitch.  It is a fun yarn to work with and knits up really fast.  My friend really enjoyed receiving her gift and was wearing it when we left dinner last weekend.

Woo hoo one gift given this year for the holiday and it was completed in time....now off to the next project....

Holiday Presents

Well I started making some of my holiday gifts.  This year I have decided to knit as many of my gifts as possible.  This takes time so hopefully I can get all of them done.  The first one is a scarf for Glen.  It is double the width so he can fold it should it get really cold but since it doesn't get that cold here it is a little bit looser weave than I would do for someone who lives in a colder climate.  I used size 10 needles so it would be a bit more airy.  It is in his favorite color so hopefully he will enjoy it for many years to come.

I used Elle Rae Classic Heathers color 174 which is 100% wool 100 g ball.

Now on to the next holiday gift......wish me luck!!!!

FO: Men's Scarf

I knitted this for a friend in Germany:

Ok not entirely finished; still need to weave in those ends

Me, modelling the scarf; had to do it indoors with A/C on high

It's about 7 feet long by 8 inches wide and very warm and puffy. Yarn used is Katia Fabula in color 98 (100 Merino Superwash).

Close-up of the scarf; It will never be cold enough where I live to wear this thing, but in Germany, it should be quite useful.

Pattern: Using US 10 circulars (6mm), cast on 30 st. and knit in garter stitch (knit every row) to desired length.