jogless stripe knitting in the round...

In knitting like other things it's the details that count. It has always bugged me when I knit stripes the rows of color do not line up. And then I found this insanely easy way to correct this. Basically all you do is slip the first stitch of the second row of the new color. I am a visual learner and if you are too you will like the video I've posted. Enjoy!

And what a great day this is to watch the miners in Chili come out of the mine. I saw the first one come out last night before I went to sleep and woke up to the 9th one coming out this morning. It really is a miracle. And how nice to be able to watch this and see something so good unfold. Not to mention worldwide help to get this done. If we could only work together like this to solve other world problems.

fall knitting is sock knitting

Yes it is Fall and on a couple cool mornings I have actually worn a pair of hand knit socks. They are very comforting... little sweaters for your feet. Last year I knit mostly black/gray/camel socks. It appears that this year I will be knitting in the blue color palette. And I like to have many pairs going at one time. I knit all on circular needles and love the new HiyaHiya needles. Sometimes I knit 2 at a time magic loop method. That is really good as I suffer from the second sock syndrome.

And I think everyone should knit socks, everyone who knits that is. And if you don't knit then learn, it's not brain surgery. Here are Ann's and Gwen's and I think I am close to getting Jane to knit socks. I find it very rewarding. (knitting... not forcing others to) Plus socks are really good car knitting.

And here is an interesting cast on that I am going to try for my next pair... it should give a nice decorative edge. Happy Knitting!

knitted newborn hat...

Since I don't know if the grandbaby will be a boy or girl I decided to knit a bright, unisex newborn hat. And how cute is this? This hat pattern is called Flower Power and is from knitty.com. I used all Cascade Fixation yarn which is a cotton with a little bit of elastic. I changed the pattern a little because my yarn was thinner than what the pattern called for. I am quite pleased with the result... the parents-to-be will be here this weekend so this will be a fun little gift for them.

off the beaten path yarnery...

Off the Beaten Path Yarnery specializes in yarns made from natural fibers like alpaca, bamboo, cotton, corn, linen, rayon, silk, soy, wool and blends thereof. Special care has been taken to provide yarns that have been proven and will stand up to the test of time. Yardage is an especially important factor and has been taken into consideration in the purchase of all but a few specialty yarns.

We have our very own yarn store in my neighborhood at 1216 Williamson St! They are across the street from the Willie St. Coop (they were previously located in Monona in case you have lost track of them). While they are a smallish store they are fully stocked with brimming bins of very nice yarn.

I am in sock knitting mode at the moment and needed a Size 0 - 40" circular needle so I can knit 2 socks at one time magic loop method and went in to pick up an Addi Turbo. Unfortunately I am fussy about what needles I use. They don't stock Addis but suggested I try HiyaHiya and convinced me I would like it as much as the Addis. The price was right, under $7 so I got one. I really cannot tell the difference between these and the Addis. Amazing! So if you need any of these needles stop in and see them or give them a call 608 221 0219.

knitted baby bunny hats...

Just how cute are these?! This is the Bunny Tail Hat from the Itty Bitty Hats book. The yarn is Cascade Fixation which is 98% cotton and 2% elastic. Nice and soft and washable with a bit of stretch. This hat calls for a pom-pom for the bunny tail on the back of the hat. I left that off as bunnies don't have tails on the backs of their heads. And maybe I am just being too literal. But it is a darn cute hat.

And my niece is knitting baby hats for the local hospital and thinks these would be the perfect hats for Easter babies. And they would be.

If you are interested there is a link for this book in the My Picks carousel to the right.

summertime knitting...

I have a big, heavy wool and mohair poncho I should be working on but in Summer I just can't knit with heavy, wool yarn. I can knit socks year round but I thought I'd work with some cotton yarn. So I am making baby hats out of Cascade Fixation which is 98% cotton and 2% elastic. I like the bit of stretch so the hat stays on the baby. (Yes Laurie this is the yarn you hated and gave me!)

And I got this great book full of really fun, contemporary baby hats. I am knitting the Bunny Tail hat. It is a darling little white hat with bunny ears. I'll put either blue or pink ribbons on the ears and include the other set of ribbons in case I guess wrong or the Mom and Dad don't know.

These cute hats (not in the book) are some that I have been knitting. They will go in my gift drawer because someone is always having a baby. But wouldn't this set be darling for triplets?

vogue knitting iPhone app

If you knit and have an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad you should check into this. It is only $3.99 for all this organization.

This app is a complete digital organizing, tracking and planning app for the on-the-go knitter. Keep all of your project notes, multiple row counters, needle and crochet hook inventories, yarn stash and swatch info with you when you're out knitting or buying supplies at the local yarn store. Never buy duplicate needles again. Also look up knitting terms and get stitching help, browse a stitch library, keep track of your craft books, even calculate how many skeins to get when substituting yarn!

I can't wait to find time to enter all my needles. And I will also start entering any new yarn I buy. I think this will be a great tool.

(Thanks Laurie!)

Felted Slippers

The jury is still out on these. Each slipper is normally knit in 4 pieces, sole, each side and the tab. I knit an extra sole. So lots of little pieces to knit. You then sew them together and then felt them. Felting is always a bit of a guessing game. Each slipper is unfortunately slightly different. And of course I would not like that. After I felted them the first time (above) they were odd little mismatched, ill-fitting felt lumps on my feet.

After refelting and adding the tab and some vintage buttons they look better but are still a bit odd. They fit kind of funny. I am going to wear them for a bit and see if they grow on me. But I am doubtful.

I used Cascade wool yarn and it was from my stash. At least I didn't go and buy some special yarn that I was in love with.

I can't tell if it is how I knit them or if the pattern is not a good fit. Any opinions from anyone who knit them? I know this was a popular pattern this holiday season.