Hats.....Hats....and More Hats......

There are two things that seem to go together....winter and hats.  Last holiday season a lot of the family received socks....

This year it was time for a change....so it was time for hats!  Of course you have seen the Minion invasion.....now you can see a variety of other projects that came off the needles this season.

Each hat was different and used a variety of skills.....as you can see below.

My sister-in-law is a very big fan of the Jayne hat and when she saw that I had made one before she wanted one!  So I broke out the needles and got busy knitting her a Jayne hat.  So you can understand her reasoning....her hubby is rather tall and can be easily seen in a crowd.   However,  she is not so lucky and she wanted a hat that was loud enough she could be seen in a crowd...I believe this hat will achieve this for her ;)

The yarn used were Lamb's Pride bulky, colorway "Orange You Glad", Lamb's Pride bulky, colorway "Wild Mustard" and Mirasol Sulka, 208.  If I am to make this hat again, I may have to find a substitute for the Mirasol Sulka yarn because they have discontinued this color.  I am sure I can find a russet color that will work with it....I just have to go on a quest.

My brother-in-law loves the color black and dark grey. When I saw this hat pattern I thought this had Tim's name all over it.  I believe he has a sweater that matches it already ;)  He seemed to like it because he had it on a lot after Christmas.  This hat was a bit of a challenge because of the cable design but it was really fun to knit. 

The pattern is found here:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/twisted-raveler 

I used Knit Picks City Tweed Aran/HW in the color Obsidian (55% Merino Wool, 25% Superfine Alpaca, 20% Donegal Tweed; 100g/164 yds; 4-4.75 sts = 1")

This hat was for my dad.  He loves the color blue and I thought he would enjoy the cabled look of this one.  I didn't get it done in time for him to open it on Christmas day but he did get it the next day.  He would have had it on Christmas had I not messed up the cable design and had to frog the whole thing and start over....Cabling is fun but if you mess up too much in it you have to re-do ;)

The pattern is found here:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/happy-husband-hat 

I used Knit Picks City Tweed Aran/HW in the color Cobalt (55% Merino Wool, 25% Superfine Alpaca, 20% Donegal Tweed; 100g/164 yds; 4-4.75 sts = 1")

This hat was for my uncle....he loves fun hats and sock monkeys.  So when I saw this hat pattern I knew it was for him.   All of the color changes and the appliques made for an interesting change from a standard hat.  I believe he enjoyed it too, he laughed and immediately had to try it on ;)

The pattern can be found on Knit Picks website here:  http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Sock_Monkey_Hat__D11238220.html 

I used Knit Picks Palette yarn in Oyster Heather, Brindle Heather, and Merlot Heather (100% Peruvian Highland Wool; 50g/231 yrds; 7-8 sts = 1")


So as you can see, it was a busy hat knitting season.....now on to the next project ;)

Shopping....Shopping....Shopping

Well as part of my holiday knitting I thought I would do my part for saving the environment.  So I knitted a variety of shopping/market bags.  These were fun to make and are completely washable.  As you can see below the handle is nice and wide, so it will withstand quite a load.  The bag itself is knitted like mesh so it will stretch quite well to hold quite a bit.

I used this pattern for the shopping bags and it was really easy to follow and fun to knit:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ilene-bag

This shopping bag was for my sister.  I made it with Gedifra Licati 1823 (84% cotton/16% Polymide, 50g/60m) using two different circular needle sizes.  The base and sides use a US 9 (5.5 mm) and the top and handle use a US 7 (4.5 mm).

As you can see the cat enjoys the bag as well ;)

I also made a variety of bags using two different colors as you can see below.

 

This shopping bag was for my sister-in law in Europe.  I went with neutral colors because I thought that the color combination was nice.  I used Knit Picks Cotton Dishi yarn (100% cotton, 100 g/190 yds, 4.5 sts= 1") in Linen and Coffee using two different circular needle sizes.  The base and sides use a US 9 (5.5 mm) and the top and handle use a US 7 (4.5 mm).

This shopping bag was for my aunt.  I went with her favorite color red.  I really liked the color combination.  I used Knit Picks Cotton Dishi yarn (100% cotton, 100 g/190 yds, 4.5 sts= 1") in Linen and Fiesta Red using two different circular needle sizes.  The base and sides use a US 9 (5.5 mm) and the top and handle use a US 7 (4.5 mm).

This shopping bag was for my mom.  I went with a beautiful shade of blue which reminds me of the water.  It also turned out really nice.  I used Knit Picks Cotton Dishi yarn (100% cotton, 100 g/190 yds, 4.5 sts= 1") in Linen and Azure using two different circular needle sizes.  The base and sides use a US 9 (5.5 mm) and the top and handle use a US 7 (4.5 mm).

So now the ladies are ready to go shopping......I have two more that I am working on but I will post them after I finish them.

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

Oh My How Time Flies.......

So now that the holiday knitting season is over and almost everyone has received their gifts it is time to start posting the results!!!!

So let me start by saying this has been a fun holiday knitting season with a variety of projects....but let me start out with the hats....

I believe this year was the year of the Minion hat.....for I think I knitted six of them....so if you are in Europe you may see a few of them especially around the French, German, and Swiss border ;).  These hats used a bit of crochet in addition to the knitting.  The crochet was used for the eyes and goggle bands as well as the mouths. 

The pattern was found here:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/despicable-me-minion-hat-2

As you can see here they came in a variety of shapes and sizes.

This hat was completed with Knit Picks Swish Worsted yarn (100% Superwash Merino Wool/123 Yards/5.5 sts=1") in Honey with accents in Black, White and Cobblestone Heather.

 These hats were created with Knit Picks Brava yarn (100% Premium Acrylic/100g/218 yds/4.5-5 sts=1") in Canary for the main portion of the hat with accents in Black, White, and Cobblestone Heather.

So, I have a bit of practice now with Minion Hats.....now on to the next project!!!!!

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!

A Bit Of Fun for Little Halloween Costumes

Ah, the fall has finally arrived to North Texas this week and it has been a wonderful relief.  I have been busy knitting especially since the holidays are going to be soon upon us, but I have not blogged in a little while and for that I apologize.  However, you should see a few projects starting with this post.  

A couple of weeks ago I finished this project for one of my friends at work.  We were looking at patterns and a picture came up of a minion hat and she asked me if I would make one for her nephew.  They are planning for him to wear it at Halloween.  It looked like a fun project so I said of course.

This project was intriguing, because it used not only knitting but also some crochet.  I haven't crocheted in a while so it was fun to try and remember how again.  I used some lovely yarn I found online from Knit Picks.  

I used their Brava Worsted Yarn in Canary, Black, Cobblestone Heather and White.  It is an acrylic yarn knitted on size US 8 needles. 

I am now off to knit the next costume project...you know Halloween is upon us!

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.......

Nerding Out with FireFly.....

As many of you know I am a fairly big nerd and as such I have quite a few friends that are as well.  Well one day one of my really good friends asked me if I would knit her two things.  These items are pretty cool things so I figured sure....why not.  They will be fun projects.

The first project was a Jayne Cobb Hat from Firefly the series.  If you know of the series you know its a rather unusual hat....and it is not one that follows any normal knitting rules like even stitches or matching from one side to the other. 

As you can see below:

As you can tell it was a hit with the cat as well as the recipient.....I have had another request for the hat so it is going to be fun to knit it again.....

Ah it feels good to combine my Nerdy tendencies with my favorite hobby.......

Say it isn't so....more Holiday Knitting.....

Well it seems I have been a busy knitter.  I don't know if you remember or not but over the summer I made a scarf for a friend of mine in Germany.  He liked it so much he requested a hat to keep him warm for Christmas.  So back to the needles I went.  Luckily I was able to find the yarn again so it completely matches.  However, the color is last season's so it is getting difficult to find.....

Of course while i was working on it I had to try it on.  It was a little too big for me but my knitting friend had to get a picture of it on my head.  With the strings coming down through my hair it almost looked like I had added blue dreadlocks to my already unruly hair ;-)

I used US 10 circulars (6mm) with Katia Fabula in color 98 (100 Merino Superwash).  I also added a pom pom to the top with two contrasting colors of Elle Rae Classic wool yarn.

Unusual Requests.....

This year I asked a friend of mine what he wanted for Yule.  He told me this year I would like for you to knit me a T-Cell....luckily when he told me I was on the phone with him so I could look strangely at the phone and answer OK...I will see what I can do about that.  When I got off the phone the first thing that came to my mind was what the heck does a T-Cell look like....so I conducted a Google search and found it. 

Now when I looked at pictures of a T-Cell, I saw pictures of DNA, graphical representations, etc.  It wasn't until I found an actual slide of a cell from under a microscope did I figure out what I needed to do.  So off to the local yarn store for ideas.  I was with my best friend and fellow knitter and we were throwing out ideas when we came across the yarn that we thought could work.......

Now mind you I had no idea how I was going to use the yarn I found because I had never knitted with it but I thought what the heck.  So I knitted for a while on one pattern and it didn't work so I started the project again.  It took me approximately 3-4 days of knitting to come up with the result below.....

Liz's first T-Cell design.......

Using puff ball yarn in three different colors and using an eyelash yarn weaved into it, this is the result.  I created a T-Cell pillow that looks like a T-Cell if you have seen the pictures. On the other hand it also looks like a demented cupcake if you didn't know what a T-Cell looked like.  Needless to say I was laughing my butt off when I finished this during my holiday knitting frenzy. 

I had the fortunate experience of giving the pillow to my friend in person.  He wasn't sure what it was....so I said remember when you asked me for a T-Cell.......he looked at me with wide eyes and said I didn't expect you to take me seriously ;-).  I said you now have a Liz Original Design T-Cell Pillow.  And everyone laughed so hard.  He was very happy and it made my day to see his smile.  So I said you will now always have something to keep a smile on your face and you will always have 1 rather large T-Cell.

May the mirth still keep you laughing all the while......even when life gets you down.....may you always find humor in your life.

Project was created with Bernat Puff Ball Holidays colors in red, multi, and white.  Also using Martha Stuart Red Eyelash yarn to accentuate the hair like structure of the cell.  I used size 9 US/ 5.5 metric needles.

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!!!!

New Babies

Well this spring I was visiting with my family and my sister comes to me and says a friend of ours is having a baby.  Of course this makes me really happy because babies are the best in my book.  I started thinking...what should I knit for this baby.  Of course my sister already beat me to the punch and asked me to knit her a camel.  See her husband is from Libya and the camel is very important to their way of life and they really wanted one for the babies room but were having a difficult time finding one.  So I said I would see what I could do.  I began my search of the pattern enriched environment called the Internet....I was not finding anything that I really wanted to use as a pattern for this project.  So I kept searching.....  One day I was at my favorite yarn store looking for patterns of camels and not having any luck when I decided to ask one of the ladies there.  They said oh yes we have a pattern let me go get the book.  Unfortunately the book was out of stock but she said if I would buy the book she would make me a copy of the pattern and then I could get started on it right away.  So I did....

The completed camel for Kaden.  I even knitted a little heart on his chest.

View of the camel from the front.

View from the other side.

Kaden was born on Tuesday October 4, 2011.  Katie and Nezar are so excited to have Kaden here finally.  The new family is doing well and should be coming home soon.  Another baby project was actually completed before the baby was born. ;-)

The pattern used was from Toy Knits by Debbie Bliss.  I used Plymouth Yarn's Baby Boutique yarn color 08, 05, 04, 07.  The fiber content is 50% Microfiber and 50% Nylon.  The camel turned out pretty good and definitely cuddly...but I might go with a stiffer yarn for a standing stuffed animal because this yarn is a little too soft for a stable camel.

Now I am off to knit another project....hmmmm maybe more socks ;-)

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.