Baby Bibs and More

Babies drool a lot, in case you were unaware. I've mentioned in previous posts that I have many friends who are all expecting a new addition to their families around the same time. For one of these friends, I've decided to knit a small bundle of baby bibs. I picked up four balls of Lily Sugar'n Cream at my local Michaels for only $1 each (woo hoo for sales). I chose a variety of "boyish" colors since everyone seems to be having boys. I'm using a pattern from the book Mason Dixon Knitting, borrowed from Amy. I'm about halfway through the second bib but the cotton yarn on bamboo needles are a rough match up. 

I also started working on the Aran Necklace Camisole from the Spring 2010 Interweave Knits. I'm using a cotton/linen blend yarn which I really love, but the lack of stretch hurts my hands after a short bit. 

My tutorial on joining-as-you-go is up on Clever Nesting today. If you're here from Clever Nesting, here's the hexagon pattern I promised. 

Knitting Ahead

After finishing the cardigan this weekend, I wanted to shake a leg on the knitting I need to have done by mid-May. I promised my mother a felted purse for Mother's Day and since I have knit it before (and when I was less experienced, I might add) I already knew that the pattern would knit up quickly. I also knew that the felting might take a solid five days to dry as well as which LYS I would go to for the purse handles. I also knew that the final step, assembling, might very well take me an entire day to do and I would most likely put it off for a week or more. Uh oh.

I have finished the knitting of the bag and am off to pop this puppy in the washer for a good felting. I have begun to knit the bobble panel and plan on taking it with me to class tonight to get some quality knitting time in. So, thus far, I'm ahead of schedule.

I had another drive-by guest blogging appearance on Clever Nesting. I shared some information about my recently completed pincushion. This pincushion is based on the Hexagon Pincushion pattern by Leanda Xavian. However, I didn't want to buy the pattern so I used my magical crochet skills and just crocheted hexagons and joined them together. I'll be making another one for my friend Mary for which I'm currently on the hunt for the right yarn.

Hook: C (2.75mm)

Yarn: DMC Coton Perle 3, 8 colors

Began: April 3

Finished: April 4

Ravelry Link

Crocheted Bowl

I've had another appearance on Clever Nesting today. Check it out if you'd like and read a bit about how I turned this:

into a lovely crocheted bowl

Pattern: Filigree Bowl by Linda Permann

Yarn: Rowan RYC Sienna (approx. 1/2 a skein)

Hook: H (5mm)

Began: December 8

Finished: December 8 (it took 4 days after this to dry fully)

Ravelry Link

Grape Scarf

I mentioned earlier that I would be guest blogging on a local crafting site. Well the day has finally come. Check out Clever Nesting to read about my finished Grape Scarf. I made this as a gift for my boss's birthday last month. Check out some of the other posts while you're there. Colleen and Devona have some fun ideas for crafting and recycling/upcycling.

Pattern: Crochargosy by Christie Pruitt

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Worsted in Velvet Grapes - 1 skein

Hook: I (5.5mm)

Began: March 18

Finished March 20

Ravelry Link

When it Rains it Pours

You may remember that early in January I mentioned that I wanted some baby knitting to do. Well, I spoke too soon. I currently have three friends that are expecting and all are due in August. I've gotten started on some of the knitting but I keep thinking, "I have until August". I'm sure July will come and then I'll be scrambling to finish. That's what I get for saying I needed to knit for a baby...

I have however, finished the baby blanket that I began working on in January. You may remember me talking about it here when Adam specifically stated the blanket for these friends had to be dark blue and white. Since I wasn't too thrilled with the color choice I got kind of bored with the project. Last weekend, I finally decided that I was tired of the blanket hanging around. 

While I like the pattern, it can get a little boring and I was definitely not in love with the yarn I used. It's a  75/25 Acrylic/Wool blend. I choose it because I had seen a lot of baby projects made with this yarn. I personally found it to be scratchy in addition to it splitting easily. I definitely will not use this yarn again. When it comes to acrylic yarns, I'm not too terribly picky but I just did not like this one. The price is reasonable, but I have also bought and used the Berroco Comfort DK (50/50 acrylic/nylon) and found the price to be almost exactly the same, with a much softer texture. 

Blue Devils Blanket

Pattern: Tweed Baby Blanket by Jared Flood

Yarn: Plymouth Encore DK (4 skeins in off white, 1.5 skeins in blue)

Needles: US8 32" and 40" circulars

Began: January 30

Finished: April 1

Ravelry Link

In other blog news, you may also remember the last giveaway (not the current one) I had where I talked about some guest blogging I did on Blogivation. I talked to my brother yesterday and he said that my post has the third most hits on the site! The ones with more hits were people with larger (and more) blogs. He said he couldn't understand how I did it. I just told him, there's a lot more knitters out there than you'd think. 

I'm off to finish cleaning my house before Margaret comes to take pictures of the raffle yarn (so expect an updated post on that soon). I'd hate for her to come over and think I'm some sort of scalawag. 

A Real Blogger (and a Giveaway!)

I have become a real blogger. Yesterday, I had my first guest blogging debut on two sites. The first is Blogivation. Blogivation is a blog (duh) that looks at the stories behind the bloggers. Bloggers explain what motivated them to blog, what inspires them, and what keeps them going. The site has only been up for a few days but has already had a good number of hits. So if you're interested in blog reading (which I'm assuming you are since you're reading this) then check it out. Maybe you could be on Blogivation too!















The second blog is Akron Dog Stuff. Do you have a dog? Do you know people who do? This local site is chock full of dog related info. And not just the depressing "obese pets die" stuff. There is a lot of fun content on this blog. Teddy's Mom has reviewed many local dog parks, toys (even ones made locally!), and events. Perhaps you've heard of my friend Margaret of JaNicki Photography? I was lucky enough to get a shoot scheduled with her so I could get some new pictures of my pups. All that is reviewed here.

In knitting related news, I have recorded a yarn story for Alana of Never Not Knitting. My story will be aired on her podcast this season so be sure to check it out when it becomes available. Update: Podcast #32 is now available to listen to! I also have some guest blogging on another site coming up around the beginning of April.

I guess this is my fifteen minutes of fame. Or, as my brother said, at least five minutes worth. So in honor of that and to thank all my readers for sticking it out with my new blog this year, I'm offering a giveaway!

The winner of this giveaway will receive:
100 grams (two braids) of Merino Silver, hand-dyed 100% wool roving.

Here's how to enter:
You can receive 1 entry by (1)commenting on this post, or (2)posting about this giveaway on your blog. Make sure you leave a second comment linking to your blog.


You can receive 3 entries by becoming a follower of this blog. Make sure you post just one comment saying that you have become a follower (or already are) and I will count it as three.

In any comment you leave, make sure there is contact information such as email or Ravelry id.

In the event that I gain 20 new followers, there will be a second prize awarded. What? A second prize? Yes, a second prize!

2 skeins of Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet. Thats a total of 384 yards of fingering weight in a fun purple color.

This giveaway will last through Friday, March 19th. On Saturday, I will use the Random Number Generator to choose the winner(s). Good luck and keep on blogging!