Knitting on the Road

Last weekend we had a 5 hour drive for Parent's Weekend. I (like many knitters/crocheters) spent far more time on what projects to bring than what clothing to bring. G-d forbid I run out of things to knit or run into technical difficulty on a project and don't have a back up project or a back up to the back up for that matter.

So, that being said I brought:
"Seeing Double Gauntlets" from the Knit One Below book by Elise Duvekot
Spiral Hat
Design project
Hibernating Sweater

I figured that would hold me for the weekend. I also brought yarn/needles to teach one of my daughter's friends who we were bringing along. He's wanted to learn how to knit for a while and this was a perfect opportunity.

Given that I badly sprained my ankle just as we were beginning our visit, I spent the first part of the weekend at the hospital. Thankfully I had my Spiral Hat project in my bag.

So the weekend knitting results were:

I worked up the pattern as it's written and didn't like the ruffle and how the thumb turned out. (picture on left)

Then I modified the pattern to a garter cuff, a full thumb, further into the hand and garter on the thumb and hand to match the wrist. I also changed the colors, I really didn't like the first combination. Both times I was using Koigu. (picture on left)






I finished another Spiral Hat, this hat is fast becoming a favorite of mine to knit. It's a great mindless knit. Seems to fit everyone well. AND, it passed the finicky teenage test. I'll be adding 2 more Spiral Hats to my holiday knitting now. If the colors of the hat and the second fingerless glove look similar, it's because they are the same. I split the yardage and had enough for 2 projects.
Here is a sweater I pulled out of the long term parking lot from last winter. It's the lace cardigan pattern from S. Charles Collezione, Fall/Winter 2008. I'm knitting it in Kamelsoft and Ritratto. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had left all the materials in the same bag, complete with what row I was on. Of course, when I went back to work on it, I selectively read the pattern and knit the wrong row and had to take it out. Ah well, at least it's back in the running.

Richie who was traveling with us was surprised at all the places I would take my knitting out. He'd look at me and say, "You're knitting (insert name of any random place here)?
My daughter, who hasn't knit in years and is more of a crocheter, took it upon herself to teach him how to knit. She remembered very well. I contributed the knitting nursery rhyme and a few tips and he was on his way. He knit the whole way home! Now he says he was born to knit!
My daughter was inspired by the moment and borrowed a hook to play with yarn too. Would you believe she said that "it was nice to have someone to knit/crochet with and wished he could come on other trips with us". I mean, come on, what am I? chopped liver? She said I didn't count because I work on complicated things. There you have it, a mother's quandry, I don't count!

It was a pleasure to look in the back and see them working away.

Long Term Parking

At the end of either the winter or the summer I take works in progress and put them in long-term parking. When the season rolls around again I take them out with full intentions of finishing them.
This summer I finished the "Alexa" vest by Debbie Bliss sweater that I knit in Stella; it had been in long-term parking for 2 years. I did not finish the white short sleeved sweater that will now be going on it's 3rd year. I still really like the pattern, I just get distracted by new yarn/patterns.
At the end of last winter I put away this Lace Cardigan pattern from S. Charles Collezione, Fall/Winter 2008. I'm knitting it in Ritratto and Kamelsoft.
It will make a great holiday sweater - although what holiday I'm not sure. Sort of depends on when I finish it. The holiday may be "Yay, I finished it".
As I'm writing this I realize that I have the Squiggle Scarf pattern from Crochet Inspiration to pick up again. The squiggles are crocheted in Kid Silk Haze. It's been in parking so long, I can't remember what the green yarn is.

Winkie is not impressed with my good intentions.

Knitting Pergatory

Mary and Margarite both finished their Crocheted Hats. Mary used Misti Alpaca Handpaint Chunky yarn. Margarite used Debbie Bliss Luxury Donegal Chunky Tweed.

Margarite brought 2 skeins of Noro Silk Garden to learn how to make the Inside-Outside scarf by Elise Duvekot (author of Knit One Below). Click here to download the pattern (you'll have to scroll down a bit). The pattern seems really confusing until the columns become clear, then you get a great "AHA" moment. I'm looking forward to seeing how this colorway of Silk Garden turns out.
Mary is working on a Soft & Drapey Shrug in Cadiz, Silk Pearl, and Beaded Pearl & Sequins.
Mary was working on this cocoon yarn (don't know if that's the real name or not - she filed the label away for safekeeping). It was coming out too open between cocoons so she added a thin ribbon yarn. Now it looks like a small woodland creature that got tie dyed. She's going to try a different needle size.
Michelle swatched and then began the Braided Cowl (#29 from Holiday Vogue) in Buffalo Gold Lux yarn. It's really cool looking.
And last but not least, Linda has started the 5Th and final Wallaby in the grandchild series. We were inadvertently tormenting Linda while she was casting on/counting stitches. We were in the midst of an animated conversation and kept trying to show her pictures and patterns. She couldn't comment or look up because she'd loose count. She said that "now I know what Purgatory must be like".
The count down has begun to Thanksgiving. I think we'll have to celebrate when they are all completed.

Hats Off

I finished baby's Flap Happy hat and it is clear that I have been out of the loop for too long. It just fits her. Looks like I'm making another hat, and fast! The next one will be striped.

I was pleased to see how well the i-cords doubled as a chew toy.

I finished my own Spiral hat with Koigu I had leftover from my Charlotte's Web shawl. The pattern uses 2 skeins of Koigu doubled and the hat is knit flat and seamed. I love how the hat fits (even if I do say so myself). I made the largest size. Happily, dh wants one. They are so easy to do. At first I scoffed at him trying on my hat - concerned that he would stretch it. Well, I am chagrined to say that with my poofy hair, we wear the same size hat.

Waldo, I've found you.

Thing #2's Waldo costume was a great success (no doubt owing to the authentic hat).

She received totally unanticipated responses that make me chuckle and smile every time I think of them.

All throughout her day kids of all ages (many of whom she didn't know), would come up to her and hug her saying, "I've finally found you".

Later, when walking in late to a class (she was delayed by her Waldo fame), her teacher just looked at her and said, "My kids have been looking everywhere for you."

She and her friends got into the fun of it and took several "where's waldo-ish" pictures.

There were of course some poor delusional souls who thought she was either: Santa, a peppermint stick (I kind of like that one), or simply decoration.

Where's Waldo?

Since I was at work, my dh got pressured into going to the mall to take Thing #2 to get her Where's Waldo costume. We're a "wait till the last minute" kind of family. You may ask what he did wrong to be punished so? Go to the mall with a teenager? Cruel and unusual punishment you say? Not intentional, I assure you. I was out working and he works from home. (He may look for outside office space as a result of yesterday's field trip.)

They found the shirt relatively easily. The hat was another story. I got a frustrated phone call from my dh. "We've been to 6 stores and have been round the mall over and over again. Can you make her a Where's Waldo hat", He said. "Sure", she who must over commit said.

As I drove home, I swear I could hear the tune to the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz playing as the anticipation built of accomplishing this crazy feat. I have not been the kind of Mom who makes costumes. If it isn't in their closet we would buy some cheapo costume and consider ourselves ready. This just wasn't my style, except that it WAS knitting and she did ASK me to knit her something. I just couldn't resist that.

Forget about the fact that I don't get home until 7:30 to first have dinner. She wanted the hat to wear to school tomorrow! Tomorrow by 6:30 am!
Laura from work wisely suggested Encore Mega for it's economic value and super bulk. I surfed the web and found a dk pattern for a Where's Waldo hat. I guess I'm not the first knitter to be faced with this goal. I combined that with a free super bulky hat and winged it.
When I finished the hat she just said the best thing "I'm actually excited for tomorrow and if I didn't have the hat, no one wouldn't know who I was". I'm a happy camper myself.

It's a good thing I promised myself I would go to bed at 10pm without getting sucked into the computer void. I'm going to write up the pattern and post it as a free download. Save some mother the trouble down the road somewhere.

Flap Happy Day

Robin has happily (and I'm sure with a sigh of relief) finished her grandson's birthday present. She knit him a lovey in Encore Worsted, Ann Norling mittens, and a Flap Happy Hat to match knit in Tahki Torino.
Michelle makes Flap Happy Hats yearly and this year she added matching mittens (Ann Norling).

I made Emma matching Flap Happy Hat and mittens to match.

Ever since she modeled a hat that Linda made, where she looked like Cindy Lou Who, I've been planning to make her a Flap Happy Hat of her own. Both were knit in Plymouth Jelli Beanz yarn.

Lois finished felting her Sea Glass Felted bag by Lynn Wilson. It's one of my favorite bags to make. I've made several. It's a great way to either use up some stashed yarn or create interesting color stories.

I made one in a berries color theme, but that picture is hiding in my photo album and I don't have the patience to search for it. It's really pretty in all purples and fuchsia's. Trust me.

Lois' Soft and Drapey shrug is progressing nicely in the Lima/Ritratto combination. It should be called Soft and Squishy (but in a good way).
Michelle swatched and started the "Rolfe" child's sweater from the Rowan Classic Family pattern book. She's knitting it in the yarn it calls for, Cotton Jeans (I know, what a concept!).
Robin, who has a bit of (undeserved) project insecurity, was none to pleased with what Michelle accomplished today. Comparatively speaking.
The finish line is in sight for Wallaby #4. Neck and hood and we have a green light for the 5th and final Wallaby. The Thanksgiving deadline is in sight. I've got 100% confidence.
I'm in the midst of knitting my Spiral Hat, this year's Knitting Central Signature Hat. It's knit flat with 2 skeins of Koigu. A easy pattern in 3 sizes.

This all being said, I need to get ready for work. :)