Mini Sunny Spread

I am so excited to share this project with you! After running out of yarn (twice) my miniature Sunny Spread is finally done! 

I started this project back in May and kind of worked on it here and there in between other projects, not really cracking the whip on it until the week before I left for California. By the time I left on the 26th, I had all the squares completed, blocked, seamed, and ends woven end. And then I ran out of yarn, again. I initially ran out of the Noro Kureyon Sock at the beginning of the month with just one circle motif left to go. After making do with some leftover Kureyon from another project, I was back on my way. On the Saturday before I left, I spent my day adding the white yarn to the motifs and it was somewhere around motif number 40 (out of 56) where I realized I would be running out of the white yarn. Instead of freaking out (which I'll admit I did for a minute), I called the yarn store where I bought the yarn and asked it they could ship me another skein. They were super helpful and shipped one out the following week. I kept at the project so that when I got back from my trip all I'd have to do would be crochet the border. Another good blocking and it's was done!

I did a total of three blockings; one with the motifs when they were just circles of Noro, one after their white border was added, and once more after the blanket border was added. Despite all the washing, the Noro still bled a little after the third blocking. If I were to do it again, I'd probably add vinegar to the initial wash.

This will go in Baby Luscious' room, which we finally got painted this weekend. Now I'm on the lookout for a little blanket rack to show off all his handmade goodies.

Pattern: Sunny Spread by Ellen Gromley

Yarn: Noro Kureyon Sock in S253 and Plymouth Yarn Dye For Me Happy Feet

Hook: E (3.5mm) for motifs, G (4mm) for blanket border

Began: May 3

Completed: July 6

Ravelry Link

Small Project Swap

Today was my knitting group's Small Project Swap. My spoilee was Juniper and she had asked for a beret or tam from her Ravelry favorites. So for her, I decided to knit the Ishbel Beret.

 

 

Pre-blocking

Post-blocking 

I blocked it twice, the first time being a bit too beret-y and not tam-y enough. The second time turned out much better. This pattern uses a fingering weight yarn but knits up pretty quickly. I had some issues messing up the lace pattern in the first repeat but eventually got the hang of it.

I'm pretty happy with how it turned out and am still dying to knit myself a hat. 

 

Pattern: Ishbel Beret by Ysolda Teague

Yarn: Cascade Heritage

Needles: #2 (brim) and #5 (lace) 16 inch circulars

Began: November 14

Completed: November 23

Ravelry Link

Amy had me for the swap and knit (and felted) me a pair of my very own French Press Slippers!

 

I've already taken to wearing them in my house and tried to get a decent picture, but it sure is cold outside right now. So I just went back in the house. But thank you Amy!!

 

The scene on my deck a minute ago.  I was trying to set up the self-timer on the camera and realized I didn't feel like standing in the cold in order to do so. Notice Timber trying to drink the frozen water in the dog dish.

Blogtoberfest: Day 4

Got some goodies in the mail today! 

My new sock blockers are modeling my repaired Simple Sock.

I also received a gloriously glossy copy of Craft Work Knit by Ann Weaver. Thank you Ann!

There's still time to enter the giveaway to receive an eBook copy.

Beginnings and Endings

I came just mere stitches from finishing the Spring Garden Tee that I've been working on all month. Last night I was finally able to bind off the body. I also took the sleeve stitches off the holders and knitted them up. The final piece would have been to pick up stitches along the neckline and purl a row then bind off. All that stockinette, however, made for a crazy curly mess and I was kind of dreading those pick-up stitches. I recently read this post from the Yarn Harlot where she talks about how she blocks all the pieces of a knitted garment before sewing things together or picking up stitches for a button band. So I blocked instead. 

The Spring Garden Tee is now currently in my sophisticated blocking area (a towel on the guest bedroom floor), drying. I've pinned the neckline flat in hopes that this will make picking up the neck stitches easier.  The lace on the sleeve portion also looks much neater now. 

I can't wait until it is dry enough for me to try on. I did try it on before blocking last night but it still had its curly look.

After I had this laying out to dry last night, I (of course) decided to cast on for something new. The Baby Sophisticate pattern is a sweet little jacket made out of a heavy worsted yarn. I had been thinking about it for a few days now and thought it would be just right for Baby H who will be joining the world in October. Choosing a yarn for the project was the hard part (or so I thought). I wanted something machine washable and rich in color for this little boy. It was then I realized that I had a few skeins of Spud and Chloe Sweater in Rootbeer in my stash. Perfect. It's machine washable and made of an organic cotton/wool blend. I'm sure this will work up quickly.

I stopped into my favorite LYS today to pick out some yarn for Baby S who will be born in (the sweltering heat of) August in California. I will be crocheting this blanket and kind of have a pattern in my mind that I may try to work up. I wanted colors that were boyish (what's with all the boys?) but that would still be modern and fun. 

I chose five skeins of Berroco Comfort, my new favorite acrylic/nylon blend yarn. This yarn is not only machine washable, but oh-so-soft. After being worked up, this yarn still maintains a cool feeling which I thought would be beneficial since summers in Fresno can be like living on the face of the sun.

Timber helped me set the yarn up.

Then got fed up with all the work.