Entrelac Hat - FINISHED

This is a wacky husband modeling the hat before it was felted.

The pattern was written by a wonderful friend of mine and once I got past the frustration of having NO idea how to knit entrelac, it was fun and fast.

Note: The issues wasn't so much with the pattern but with me. Once I get frustrated with something it takes me a bit to get past not getting it to just sit down and think the pattern through.

We also got a photo of our brindle boy modeling the pre-felted hat...he was not pleased at all and did not see the humor in the photo taking event that we did.

And now onto a photo of the finished hat post-felting!

The hat is a little too big for me and unfortunately are "girly" colors because it fits Dirk perfectly. He's been wearing it around the house the past few days just to tease me that it fits him so well.

Finishing projects, but not the ones I need to be finishing...

(...laugh...)

I finished and felted the test pattern for Sophia's Entrelac hat -- and it's awesome. However the batteries are dead in my camera and Dirk has his camera at work. We did take a photo pre-felting for comparison that I'll post with the finished project photo later this week.

I finished one of Dirk's fingerless gloves. They were supposed to be a surprise, but I really didn't want to find out after I knitted both of them that they didn't fit so I had him try on the first one. His response? "It's like wearing air wrapped around my hand!"

My cross-hatch lace socks are past the ankles about 2 or 3 inches and should be done some time this year. The challenge is that it's a 8 row pattern repeat that I haven't memorized so I have to pay attention to what I'm doing.

The branching out scarf is about 1/2 way done -- and I really should be knitting at least one pattern repeat of that right now instead of just blogging about it.

Secret Pal 11 Package

Secret Pal 11 Package
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Check the haul in this *amazing* SP11 package! Those are HANDMADE sock blocks -- handmade just for ME!!! (insert squeeeee! of joy). The Gauge Wizard is the most awesome gadget I've seen in a long time!

Thank you again Maureen, I loved everything and appreciate the time and effort you put into choosing the items.

To My No Longer a Secret Pal....

I LOVE LOVE LOVE everything in the parcel that came today! I pulled out the beautiful cardboard storage tube and thought -- WOW! A wine bottle carrier! (laugh!) It never occured to me to stick needles in it until I read your note. (snort...)

The sock blockers are fabulous and extra thanks to your husband for helping out with them! woot! I have sock blockers!!

The gloves are adorable, who doesn't love chocolate and I have to make this note short so that I can read through the new sock book.

Thank you again for your generous gifts.

Photos coming soon!

Sophia's Felted Entrelac Hat

Sophia's Felted Entrelac Hat
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Here's an updated photo of the pattern I am test knitting for my friend, Sophia.

This is my first go at entrelac so there were quite a few curses being thrown around at the start and a tear or two. However, now that I've got my head wrapped around the concept, the hat is zipping along! I'm hoping to have it felted and wearable by this weekend for my birthday!

Knitter's Coffee Swap 3

Knitter's Coffee Swap 3
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Thank you 'wench for a fabulous package! We are brewing a pot to the Guatemala beans this morning!

The laceweight alpaca is gorgeous and is something that I would have chosen for myself but then waffled on buying so it was a *perfect* gift. I'm already thinking about what pattern I want to cast on for it.

Your beans are still at the roaster while the remainder of the package items are patiently waiting in the mailing box.

Knitting Update

I'm still plugging away at the branching out scarf, I'm about 50% of the way done...sigh...well this freakin' scarf EVER be done?

My cross-hatch lace socks are moving along as well. I'm about to the ankle and have switched up one needle size for the leg than I used on the foot and I'm hoping that makes them go a bit quicker.

I also cast on for a pair of fingerless gloves for Dirk with Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light in a medium grey color. The yarn is scrumptious!

On Sunday I got a test pattern from a friend for a felted entrelac hat to test knit for her and can you believe I could NOT find any yarn in my stash to make the hat? It was tough, but I had to pick out new yarn....(laugh).

Life has been crazy lately so I wasn't able to teach any classes this month at YarnArts, but I'm definitely planning some for December. I'll try to get it cast on later this week so that I can give the designer feedback.

Well, if I want to get some knitting time in tonight, I better log off!

5 Hour Baby Sweater

5 Hour Baby Sweater
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Knitted because I liked the yarn so I made a small baby sweater as a store sample for YarnArts.

Yarn: Universal Yarn 'Belle' and 'Dots'. I loved working with this yarn, it's 100% machine washable acrylic blend, but feels very nice and was nice to work with.

Needles: Denise Interchangeable US 6

Pattern: http://www.fibergypsy.com/patterns/5hrpatt.shtml Since I made this with sportweight yarn not worsted this is sized for a preemie or a newborn.

Knitty.com Branching Out Progress

Knitty.com Branching Out
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Here's a photo update of the progress on this project. I'm starting to like it more as I've had some practice working with the sticky mohair. I'm also getting excited to see how it's going to look after it is blocked out.

I think before I give it away, I'll leave it at YarnArts for a bit as a store sample. The whole reason I made this is that this yarn had looked so lonely on the store shelf for so long and I wasn't sure how it looked knitted up into something. As a customer, I like being able to see different projects in a variety of yarns - plus as a knitter it is fun to try something new out and share the results!

Coronet Hat

Coronet Hat
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

What an easy one day project! I picked up the yarn on Friday night (Cascade 220) to make a store model, cast on yesterday afternoon and finished up just as the Rockies tanked in Game 3 of the World Series last night.

The only thing I don't like is the turning purl row, on my hat it just looks a little "messy". But I do like how the cable bit turned up to double the warmth around the ears, so when I make a second hat I'll have to sort out how to make the turning row neater.

Project Status

I turned the heel on my crosshatch lace socks in Trekking XXL the other night and now I'm working my way up the leg. It's still the wrong pattern/colorway combination but DAMN! these socks fit well! Husband has requested another pair of socks...ugh...knitting socks for his big feet takes 3 times as long as it does to make my little socks.

I'm trying to make myself knit 1 pattern repeats at least three times a week on the Branching Out scarf. I'll get some photos this weekend to share. It's coming along. Still not crazy about the mohair but I love the color and it is going to be really nice.

Mystery Stole What? Oh, yeah, Mystery Stole 3. It's going the path of MS2 which I let lay in the knitting bag for months and months and months before I just sat down with it. It requires a lot of concentration on both the pattern and the beads that it's hard to carve out time to work on it. It really needs a couple of hours at a stretch. I was invigorated when I saw someone else's completed MS3 earlier this week, it was gorgeous.

Husband has already requested a pair of fingerless gloves. I've never made gloves, but they can't be harder than beaded lace, can they? I found a good pattern, now I need a soft DK weight wool in a heathered grey. I'm also thinking I might want a superwash wool for these, though that isn't essential. I was flipping through the Knitpicks catalog last night, but that is dangerous waters....

Well, off to work!

SP11 Gift Package

SP11 Gift Package
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Here's the pile of goodies from my Secret Pal -- I forgot to mention the adorable little tin of Tootsie Rolls in last post!

I spent Friday night at the new location for the LYS where I work and teach classes trying to help get everything set up in the new space. I also spent most of today over there -- it's almost done and it's going to be great once we have it all arranged. Though, we usually move things around at least twice a month so it will take time to get all the yarn in the right place! Especially since I know there are shipments of Rowan, Mission Falls, Berrocco and Encore Worsted on on a truck to us.

P.S. We got almost 6 inches of snow this morning; I guess Winter is on his way.

I got a Secret Pal 11 Package!

Yesterday I got a phone call at work from my husband letting me know that I had Secret Pal package. The afternoon then seemed to d-r-a-g on until it was time for me to head home!

I loved everything in the box. I've never had any of the Debbie Bliss yarn and was thrilled with my pal's choice in material (alpaca silk) and color (a lovely minty green)! Though husband, said it's just not the right color for his new hat.

Believe it or not it was a beautiful lacy (and sage green) cotton washrag that got the most attention. We were upstairs in our bedroom when I opened the box and I tossed the washrag over to my husband to look at where he was lounging on the bed one of our boxer dogs. However, instead of catching the washrag, it landed on her head like a huge yarmulke -- and she never even shook it off. Instead she proudly wore it on her head. :)

Also tucked into the "green theme" box was a bar of lemongrass flavored soap, a pack of adorable sheep cards and some seeds for my garden!

I'll get some pictures to post later this weekend!

Project Update

The mohair scarf (branching out) is still hairy. It's slowly growing on the needles, but that is only because I am forcing myself to knit at least 1 pattern repeat each time I pick it up. Now I just need to pick it up more often.

I'm onto the gusset increases for the Crosshatch Lace socks.

While I was YarnArts this weekend, instead of working on either of these projects I made mitten store sample in Berroco 'Keltic'. I love the yarn and need a pair of mittens made with it for myself.

Mystery Stole 3 is still 'marinating' in the knitting basket.

Knitters' Coffeeswap Three: Q'aire

Here are the questions:
QUESTIONS
1. Whole bean or ground? I usually buy whole bean, unless I stumble across something that is ground but looks really good.

2. Fully-loaded or decaf? FULL CAF!

3. Regular or flavored? Both.

4. How do you drink your coffee? In a mug...laugh...

5. Favorite coffee ever? Currently, it's Daz Bog Coffee

6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do? I don't think I'm fussy but my husband says I am.

7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee? Biscotti and scones

8. Anything else about your coffee preferences? Nope

9. Yarn/fiber you love? Alpaca, silk and bamboo!

10. Yarn/fiber you hate? Rough cheap yarn

11. What's on your needles? Lace stole and socks

12. Favorite colors? Purple and green

13. Allergies? Citronella

14. Anything you really love, really don't like, or just need to get off your chest?

Huacaya Alpaca Fiber

Huacaya Alpaca Fiber
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

This afternoon a wonderful friend of mine spent some time giving me some pointers on plying my handspun (and very crappily handspun I might add) singles into 2 ply.

I was pretty excited about the whole thing.

And I also made a teeny tiny skein of much better spun singles from some Suri alpaca that I plied.

Here's the photo from that bit of adventure:

Knitty.com Branching Out Scarf

Knitty.com Branching Out Scarf
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

A crappy photo of the scarf from hell. Mohair is fookin' hairy and it's difficult to work with.

All I have to say is that my MIL better freakin' LOVE this scarf.

Stagnant Projects

Of course I started a new pair of socks as soon as I finished the Purple Splendor Wildfoote ones...Trekking XXL color #163.

The stitch pattern is 'Crosshatch Lace' from C. Schurch's More Sensational Knitted Socks.

In hindsight, not the best yarn and stitch pattern combo to compliment both to their best, but I like my variegated socks to have some kind of texture and I liked the look of this pattern.



I now realize that I have oodles of variegated and self striping sock yarn in my stash and not enough plain colors. (insert magical sound) I predict a shopping splurge with KnitPicks in my future. (exit magical sound)

You can see to the right that my Mystery Stole 3 and my Knitty Branching Out scarf are both stagnant. I'm to the beginning of Clue 4 on MS3, but just haven't been able to put the necessary brain power into working on it. The scarf is just irritating to me, but I'd like to finish it and give it to my mother-in-law for Christmas. Speaking of Christmas, I need to think about what I'd like to make for my mom as well. Maybe I'll pick a different lacy scarf -- any suggestions? I'd like the pattern to be fairly simple so that I can get it done quickly.

Well, I better get in to the shower and cleaned up so that when my friend Mardi gets here I am ready to head out to kiss on some alpacas.

Socks: Done

DCP02055
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

1. Yarn used: Brown Sheep Wildfoote Luxury Sock Yarn
2. Needles - size and type: 1 40" US 1 (foot) & US 2 (cuff) Addi Turbo
3. Method: Toe Up, Two at a Time, Magic Loop with gusset heel
4. Size: Women's Small
5. Recipient: Me!
6. Date completed: September 20, 2007

The pattern is my standard sock pattern but I used a mock cable stitch.

Turned the heels on my socks!

I got the heels on my Purple Splendor Wildfoote socks on Thursday night. For me this is the most exciting part of sock knitting.

This morning I printed out information on The Red Scarf Project. I'm going to ask the two other women in my office who knit if they would like to make scarves for the project with me.

Tomorrow I have the first part of my Beginning Knitting Workshop with 6 students. :)