Akimbo

April 23: I wanted to try to clear out some of my WIPs before starting new projects, but I just couldn’t help myself today in starting this shawl. The very beginning section was a little tricky (although I’ve done similar starts before), but I just tried to cast on loosely so I could more easily pick up those stitches. I also used a k1fb instead of M1 for the set up row because I had trouble finding the bar between stitches to pick up to make the new stitch.

April 26: I finished the garter stitch part and am ready to add in the contrasting color and start the chevron section.

May 21: The chevron section is rather slow going. It’s taking me around 30 minutes for each row so I’ve been trying to do a little each day instead of one massive knitting session. And after today’s little bit, I have just four rows remaining. Almost there!

May 22: And done! Needs to be blocked, which I’m about to go do. I really like the colors together.

May 24: All dry and ends woven in. I’m really happy with how this turned out.

Pattern: Akimbo by Stephen West (available to buy on Ravelry)
Yarn: JulieSpins Merino 370 in Garnet and Black Beauty

For sale in my etsy shop.

Fresh Picked Baby Hat

May 17: This looked like a really simple hat pattern and I mostly wanted to use it for the numbers. I started with the middle size, but quickly ran into problems--with the numbers.

Cast on was 114 stitches and a 2x2 rib was an option. Well, with that cast on, it would be uneven. So I cast on 116 stitches instead and did a 2x2 rib. After I started the stockinette portion, I decreased back down to 114 stitches.

As for the decreases, I’m not there yet, but the numbers don’t add up there either. So instead, I’ll start with a K4k2tog decrease, then go to K3K2tog, and so on. Looking at the numbers, that should work okay.

May 18: Okay, so apparently I read the pattern wrong. (Honestly, I think it’s a poorly written pattern.) The decrease as written: “On your next row, knit 3 stitches, knit two stitches together, continue with all stitches on needle.” I originally read that as continue doing K3, k2tog along the needle, but the more I looked at the pictures, I realized that the decreases weren’t happening that often. So what it really means is do one decrease and then continue just knitting for the rest of the needle. Once I got that figured out, decreasing was a lot easier, but the ending bit was off count so I just winged it at the very top. I really think that the pattern could have been written more clearly.

I did not include the little bit at the top, just made it a flat (well round) top.

Pattern: Fresh Picked Baby Hat by Leslie Clarkson (free Ravelry download)
Yarn: Malabrigo Silky Merino in Lettuce

Another Baby's Hat

May 1: I was going to make a pair of baby socks from this yarn but I decided to do a hat and see how much is leftover afterwards. I’m not following any particular pattern, just trying to do a very basic hat.

I cast on 88 stitches and started a 2x2 ribbing. I’ll probably keep that up for an inch or inch and a half. Then I’ll switch to stockinette (will increase two stitches so I get up to 90, which will help even things out when I get to the decreases for the top) and do basic decreases around the top.

May 7: Finished. The yarn has a lot more pink in it than I first realized, so I’m thinking I’m going to have to save this one for a baby girl rather than my own little boy.

Pattern: Improvised
Yarn: Claudia Hand Painted Yarns Fingering in Just Plum

Baby Socks #2

April 28: Finished first sock and up through heel flap on second sock. Super easy pattern and quick to knit up!

April 29: Second sock finished. So cute!

Pattern: Easy Baby Ankle Socks by Hattie Adkins (free Ravelry download)
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock in Impressionist Sky

Rainbow Baby Hat

April 21: Started on magic loop but the cables was too twisty and it was uncomfortable, so I switched to DPNs. Much better.

April 22: Finished the main body of the hat. All that is left is the little i-cord decoration at the top, but my eyes didn’t want to stay open so I decided just to put it aside and go to bed and finish it in the morning.

April 23: All done and so cute!

Pattern: Easy Peasy Newborn Sock Hat by Keri McKiernan
Yarn: KnitPicks Felici in Rainbow

Alice Top

August 31: When I saw the pictures for this pattern, I immediately fell in love and knew that I wanted to knit this top. And I happened to have some Malabrigo in Natural that I thought would be perfect. But the weather is starting to change now so if I want to wear this before winter begins, I need to get it finished soon. So I jumped into this project.

The pattern is rather lengthy and there are a lot of parts (and charts) to it. But the designer has done a good job of explaining exactly what you need to do so I haven’t had any problems following along. I’m just making sure that I’m really paying attention.

The neckline is a rather ingenious construction, using what I’m going to call a backwards mitered square (meaning it uses increases rather than decreases).

September 2: Finished with the yoke and divided for the sleeves. Only a couple of rows beyond that at this point. But I can now clearly see how the neckline looks and it’s pretty darn nifty how that whole backwards mitered square thing worked out.

September 12: I’ve been working on this a little bit each day. And I’m just one round away from finishing the bust, so it’s coming along quite nicely though I’m not sure I’ll have it finished before the weather turns cold.

April 17, 2011: Wow has it really been this long since I’ve worked on this project? I decided to pick it back up today and worked a good portion of the body. I have around 20 rows remaining before I start the bottom hem. Then I’ll just need to do the sleeves. I’d love to have this finished by the end of the month, but I think if I target the end of May, that might be more realistic.

April 19: Finished the body up through the frill at the bottom, which I’m looking forward to doing. Yay!

April 21: And now the body is completely finished. I tried it on and it does seem to fit though it hard to tell over my pregnant belly! This will be a top that will have to wait until next year to be worn. Now all I have left are the sleeves. I was originally going to do the frill option, but after seeing the frill on the bottom (which I do like) and trying it on, I’m not sure I’m keep on the frill for the arms, so I think I’m going to do the non-frill option for the sleeves.

April 21 (later): I went ahead with the no-frill sleeves and I’m so happy that I did because I think it turned out really great. No modeled shots right now because I’m 19 weeks pregnant so it doesn’t quite look right on me at the moment. But I think that after the pregnancy, it will fit quite nicely. But alas, it looks like it’ll be going into storage until after the baby arrives.

Pattern: Alice Top by Katya Wilsher
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in Natural

Baby! Blanket

April 7: I’m due in mid-September but won’t find out the sex of the baby for another month, so I’m making this blanket in a neutral yellow. It’s the first item I started knitting for this baby!

April 12: Made it to the halfway point.

April 13: Finished another repeat. Just two more to go.

April 15: All finished! I’m really happy with how this turned out although it definitely needs a good blocking.

Measurements after blocking: 26” x 29”

April 21: Added pictures. The little rocking chair is one that my mom used when she was a little girl. I was so happy when I visited her last month to be able to take it home with me.

Pattern: Wool Leaves by Jared Flood
Yarn: Cascade Eco+ in Yellow (#6927)

First Baby Socks

April 9: Although this isn’t the first project I started for the baby (that’s the blanket), this should be the first project I finish. Got up through right before decreasing for the toes tonight (and would have finished first sock if I hadn’t been so tired).

April 10: Finished first sock and started second sock. So tiny! Later in the evening: Finished second sock. So cute! And I was able to get the stripes to match up really nicely. Only four of the six colors, but technically now the baby and I will have matching socks.

Pattern: Leftovers Baby Socks by Matthew Hesson-McInnis
Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in Rainbow

Honey Cowl

March 27: I felt like starting a new project and this one caught my attention. I do love knitting with this yarn!

April 7: Finished this one last night. So happy to have a project finished as it’s really been a slow time for me with knitting lately.

Pattern: Honey Cowl by madelinetosh
Yarn: Malabrigo Silky Merino in Matisse Blue

For sale in my etsy shop: Cowl

Bunny Nuggets

March 29: Quick and satisfying project!

Made the blue one first and decided it was a bit lonely, so I had to make it a friend (March 30).

Pattern: Bunny Nugget by Rebecca Danger
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in Jewel Blue and Hummingbird

For sale in my etsy shop: Pair of Bunny Nuggets