Beaded Headband

In other non-Harry Potter knitting, I made a beaded Molly's Headband for a friend.  I used leftover yarn from Grandma's Ishbel Shawl and beads from Michaels.  Wherever there was a yarn over in the original pattern, I used a crochet hook to add a bead on the "wrong side".  This was super easy and fun to knit!  

 

Harry Potter Knitting!

On Ravelry, I belong to a group called the "Harry Potter Knit and Crochet Cup."  You sign up, get sorted into houses, and every month take classes.  At the end of each "term" the house with the most points wins!  Those of you who have read the books will understand.  Those of you who have not will think I am crazy This term a lot of the classes have to do with getting ready for the new movie to come out this summer. 

I got sorted into Slytherin, which I am happy about because I LOVE the color green.  So far I have completed homework for 3 classes:  

1.  Charms.  

Assignment: When you are out and about in the muggle world, perhaps attending one of these ‘films’ or ‘movies’ as they are known to non-magical folk, you must dress as muggles to avoid detection. However, it would be nice, as I’m sure you agree, to have some way to show your wizarding status off to fellow witches and wizards who know the signs to look for. So, this month’s class is designed to produce those little signs. Make something with a symbol of the wizarding world (any of the house symbols, a symbol for Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes, Gladrags, the Ministry? Be creative and see what you can come up with) or in your house colours. House unity items are also accepted. Do you best, and by the movie opening I’m sure we’ll all have some ‘wizard’ stuff to take with us.

I made a Dream Swatch Headband in JoJoland melody.  I thought this qualified, as the yarn "magically" turns from purple to green.  On the green end, I embroidered a small silver "S" to identify my house to other wizards in the muggle world.

2. Defense Against the Dark Arts

Assignment: Make something protective. Something that protects you from the cold. Or from hard surfaces and pointy corners. Or from having your hair fall in your face again, forcing you to push it back and touch your face one million times a day, so your face gets all greasy and then you get zits, and they’re in weird and painful places like your earlobe, and then you have to KILL YOURSELF. (Professor Scarlettb is going through A Difficult Bangs Situation) Extra points for House colors/premiere wear, interesting and creative backstories, and, as always: making the professor laugh.

As I am also having a Difficult Bangs Situation as of late, I made ANOTHER headband.  This time, it is snakey looking in snakey greens and white (GO SLYTHERIN!).  This protection is not for myself however, but instead for the people I work with.  Bangs in eyes while doing science (or Potions in this case) makes me very crabby!  The pattern is Easy Crochet Headband and I used Lily Sugar n' Cream cotton.

3. Ancient Runes

Assignment: While a useful subject in itself, we derive the most value from the runes by translating ancient wizarding texts. This month, we will be using the perennial wizarding favorite, The Tales of Beedle the Bard, as our practicum.

To demonstrate proficiency in Ancient Runes, please make one of the following:Something inspired by a muggle or wizard fairy tale  Three little amigurumi pigs, an object with the three hallows symbol on it, etc.

Something with a monogram on it (1-3 letters), in either ancient or modern runes  Monogrammed scarf, Weasley sweater, inscription where the monogram is largest and the focus, etc.

I made a monogram dishcloth, again in slytherin green and white.  I am also working on a Spidery Tank, inspired by the Anansi stories from around the world.  I'm not sure if that will be finished this month or not though, so I turned in my dishcloth just in case!

NCIS Swap!

So, I did an NCIS swap on ravelry, and my package from by partner ldypngn arrived today!  She knew my favorite character was Abby, and she followed the theme all the way! It is amazing!  She packed everything in "evidence" bags with tags, sent me green lace yarn, chocolate, tea, dpn holders, socks, soap, pins that say "I knit so I don't kill you" and "I will Gibbs smack you", and made me a purse, a soap bag, and (my absolute favorite) Bert the non-farting hippo!  You NCIS-ers will know what I'm talking about.  Here's a pic:

Thanks so much Ldypngn!  What a way to start my week!

Baby Booties

As per Mom's request- baby booties for Susan's new grandbaby.  They are bright pink with orange trim and pink and orange buttons. 

Only one is done, but I will finish the other one this week.  If I have time I will make a matching hat....

Pattern is Tiny Shoes from Ysolda Teague's Whimisical Little Knits collection.  I love this whole collection!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

All knitting since the end of March has been suspended in order to knit my grandmother a birthday shawl.  My grandma is a very crafty lady, and has crocheted, knitted, and sewed her whole life.  Even now that her eyesight betraying her, she still can crochet by feel, and makes beautiful lace doilies and christmas ornaments!  

For her birthday, I decided to knit her Ishbel from Ysolda Teague.  I did a mish-mash of the large and small sizes, using the large center stockinette and the small lace pattern.  This made a shawl that is appr. 4 feet wide and 21 inches long down the middle of the back.  I used Cascade Heritage sock yarn, which is a beautiful superwash, so it does not have to be hand washed.  

I hope she loves it! It was a fast and easy scarf pattern, and with the center stockinette I think she will be able to use it to cover her head outside in the winter, and wrap it around her shoulders to keep off a chill.

Getting closer to a sweater...

Saturday I went out to "the farm" to knit, and only took my sweater with me.  This turned out to be a GREAT idea, because instead of avoiding the endless stockinette, I finished the body of the sweater!  I only have the arms and cowl to go!  Maybe another week or two, and I will have a 100% wool sweater done just in time.....to sit in my closet until next fall :)

My springtime shawl is coming along though!  I can get 1 wedge a night done if I concentrate REALLY hard.  Tonight I only got 5 rows (out of a 28 row wedge) completed.  Meh.  I wasn't in the knitting mood tonight.  Here's a picture of how far I am though! I have 6 wedges (out of 13) done...so I'm almost half way done!  I LOVE how this yarn switches colors.  In some of the close-ups you can really see the color changes.  

I've decided I like knitting lace, but I'm going to have to become more of a shawl/scarf person.  

Updates!

Whoo- its been a while.  I have a lot to catch you up on, including a yarn crawl with the boyfriend's mom and some new knitting places I love!  These will not be in this post, however.  This is a project update post!

My sweater is slightly longer than you last saw, but I am getting bored with endless stockinette stitch and am now using it as a "fingers" break from small-needled things.  I'm thinking about making it with elbow-length sleeves, as this is more multi-season friendly.  We'll see.

I still only have 1 Bella's Mitten knit.

I am learning how to make socks, and have about 1/2 of a sock knit.  I know some people LOVE making socks, but I don't think that socks are my calling.  I don't have a picture of my 1/2 sock, but when I finally get the pair finished, I will post one. 

I am currently knitting baby "Legwarmies" (by Alana Dakos) for the lady I work with's baby girl.  She's such a cutie!  I have 1 done. (Are you seeing a pattern?)  This is my bus knitting, so it gets knitted a couple rows at a time. 

I also have one wristwarmer (out of two) made.  For these I used a modified version of Toast (by Leslie Friend).  I added in a panel of small eyelet diamonds (from Vogue Stitchionary, #111).  This is an amazing stitch guide that my library has, and I will probably be checking it out often.   One problem- I bound off too tightly, so the wristers are not as stretchy at one end as the other.  I solve this by wearing it with the tight end on my forearm to hold them in place, and the loose end over my hand.  I don't know if I will be keeping these, or giving them as a gift.  I like the idea (I always have very cold hands), but I don't think these ones are particularly my style.

My current favorite project is one for spring!  I am making the Sweet Lily Shawl from Interweave Knits Spring 2009 in JoJoLand Harmony.  This is my first real lace project, and I love it.  I will wear it as a scarf with my black tanks this summer to keep the chill from the airconditioner away in lab, and with pretty dresses as a wrap.  Exciting! I have 3 out of 13 repeats finished.  

It is almost a sweater!

After lots and lots of endless stockinette stitch, I almost have a sweater!  No sleeves, and only to my belly button, but sweater-shaped!  Whoot whoot!

This picture was taken earlier, so it is NOW belly button length.  It also shows that I really need to clean my bathroom mirror better.

I also have finished one mitten, although it is MUCH too small for my hand.  I am hoping that a nice blocking will help that. 

Sweater and Mittens pictures!

First, the swatches for my sweater!  The pattern called for US10s, but I ended up getting gauge on US11s.  I didn't really like how big that knitting was though, so I am knitting a size larger but on US10.5's and trying it on a lot as I go.  

Whoot whoot!  It's big enough to be an armpit/shoulder warmer!

On to the mittens... I am using a lovely Cascade 109, which has sadly been discontinued.  I love this yarn :(  I am either going to have to find a good replacement, or buy it all up before it disappears!  Knitting this bulky wool on US8s makes really dense mittens.  I'm very excited...

These have a nice, long cuff!  I am almost done with the left mitten, and hope to have the right mitten done before my big V-Day Date!

My internet at home isn't working...

...so I can't show you all the pretty picture's I've been taking!  I will as soon as I can, though...promise!

I have started my first sweater ever, Francis Revisited by Beth Silverstein.  I'm making it in Valley Yarns Northampton Laguna Blue, a beautiful, soft, and cheap(!) 100% wool.  Right now, its at armpit/shoulder warmer stage.

I am also finishing up the Orange and Black Fuzzy Scarf for my cousin.

Additionally, I've started a pair of mittens, probably for me this time.  The pattern in "Bella's Mittens by Marielle Henault.  I am using Cascade 109 Tweed in Pewter for these, and have a nice walnut tweed to make another pair.  (Can you guess for whom?  She's been hinting about wanting mittens for a while....although these may not be done before spring!)

Pictures soon!

Double Stitching, My Nemesis

I am done knitting both mittens for Anna!  The finishing part is turning out to be more difficult than the actual knitting, however.  I spent a solid 4 hours tonight trying to make a snowflake on ONE mitten using double stitch.  In theory, it seems very easy.  In practice, it was very tricky.  

Attempt 1:  I pull the yarn tight, and suddenly my stitches disappear!  What is going on?  Where did these stitches go- I didn't pull the yarn out, just tighter.  Apparently, this causes the double stitch to hide behind the real stitch.

Attempts 2-5:  Various problems including inability to count stitches, inability to count rows,  inability to stay in the same row, inability to follow a simple chart, and again, disappearing stitches.

Attempt 6: Perfection.  AKA, I'm tired and this looks pretty good.  

Actually, this does look pretty good.  I'm very proud of my first pair of mittens.  The insides could be a little better, and they probably won't be super warm, but they are cute and spring is coming.  Medium-warm mittens are perfect for spring. 

So Excited!

I ordered my Knit Picks Options interchangeable needles today!  I have been thinking about them for about 3 weeks, and still really wanted them, so I think its a good purchase.  They will save me a ton of money in the long run, too- about $60 for 9 sets of tips and 2 lengths of cables, with extra cables costing about $4.  So, for $60, I have a solid 18 sets of needles.   Purchased individually at Michaels, this would end up costing me between $150-$200.  Yay! 

Pictures!

My first mitten!  I love the ribbing on the bottom. Soon there will be a snow flake stitched into the top, too.

One down, one to go!
The NEW orange and black scarf.
Very snuggly.  I think she'll like it. 
Orange and black are very stiking colors, but there were so many times I wished our school colors were something pretty.  I'm so jealous of all the blue and silver schools out there...

My first mittens!

Tonight, I started a project for myself!  I'm so excited- these will be the first pair of mittens I've ever made.  I'm making the Canadian Mittens pattern from Knit Simple using some gray and pink yarn from my stash.  So pretty!

I also started a new orange and black scarf for one of my cousins.  The first try wasn't going so well.  This seems to be better.  I'm using Lion Brand Jiffy in Black and Yarn Bee Glitzy Girl in an orange color.  The scarf is just a garter stitch with the two yarns held together on US17 needles.  So far, so good! I think its really cute and fuzzy.  I hope she likes it!  

I should be able to finish the scarf this weekend, and add eyes to the fish hat so all those warm things can be sent to my cousins before spring.

Boo. Blogger is being dumb and not uploading pictures.  I will add some tomorrow morning.  

In other news- the police came for my neighbors again! I don't know who keeps calling them, but it sure does give me an evening's worth of entertainment when they do :)

Blind Fish

The fish is done! (Except for the eyes.)

On to something new!

1 Fish, 2 Fish, Red Fish...

Blue Fish!  I made a ton of progress today on the Fish hat!  I just need to finish the tail and fins, and attach some goggly eyes.  I hope my cousin loves it...I think its adorable.  

I also tried a new pattern for the orange and black scarf, but didn't like that one much better.  I may start over on that with some super chunky black yarn and some orange/gold fun fur.  The first pattern I started with just wasn't working.  

Soon I will knit myself something beautiful!

Idea...

I'm wearing a sweater today that I got for 80% off at Kohls.  I like it, but not as much as I could.  I wish the sleeves were less pouffy and a little longer, there were no pockets in the front, and that it was about 6" shorter.  I bet I could make it...

2 FOs and an update!

Yay!  I finished 2 projects tonight...one of which I started tonight!  

First up:  The V-day Heart Scarf for my friend Laura.  I made major progress on this yesterday.  We had a girls' craft night, which was a blast and very productive.  The only problem was that this isn't really mindless knitting, so I didn't get tons of conversation in.  Oh well...Next time I know to bring something simple! 

 The scarf really turned out beautiful, if I do say so myself.  I hope she likes it!  Its a pretty and fun way to do some basic lace knitting, too.  Happy Valentines, Laura!

Next:  Since my mom made my 3rd grade cousin a scarf from the same yarn I had purchased to make her a scarf from (freaky, I know), I made her a hat instead.  This pattern is mostly "Chunky Knit Beanie" by Leslie Friend, but I extended the height of the hat using the decrease pattern from "Umbililcal Cord Hat" from Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook.   The yarn is Yarn Bee Soft Illusions in Splash.  

The colors are nauseatingly bright, but I think she will like it.

I also made a little progress on the fish hat for the 2nd grader yesterday and today.  I've added some stripes, and even experimented with Faire Isle a bit.  It is a lot of fun to knit, and I think he will like it.

Next up to finish:  The orange and black scarf and the Joyful scarf come next, and the I'm done with scarves for a while.  The cable scarf will just have to wait until I'm in the mood again.  I'm thinking mittens or socks are up next.  Hmm....

Go Fish!

I got the itch to start a hat  tonight... so here's the "mouth" of the fish!  The pattern is "Fish Hat" by Thelma Egberts from Knitty.com Winter 2008.  I'm using a bunch of different colors of Lion Brand Wool Ease Worsted Weight.  I started with blue, but I haven't decided what color scheme to do yet.  Right now I'm thinking grey, white, and blue with green fins and little green flecks.   Knitting in the round with dpns was new for me, but once I got the hang of it, it wasn't too bad.  

Last night I also got the first repeat on my Joyful scarf done, too.  Its turning out a lot more purple than I thought, but hopefully once there is more yarn knitted up it will be more blue-ish.  I think its pretty none the less.  

Tomorrow night is girls' craft night!  I'm excited...I'm hoping to finish the V-day scarf for Laura so I can give it to her this weekend.