Knitting F.O.'s 2004-2005

This is unfortunately the only picture I have of the Lorna's Laces socks that I made for my Mom. They were a Mother's Day gift in 2005, but I didn't get them done until Christmas 2005.
This is my own design, called the Allsorts bag. It is made from two different colours of Manos, and it is felted. This was a gift for a family member at Christmas 2005.
This is a shawl that is of a similar construction to the Melody Shawl. I knit a great big tube, with a coloumn of two twisted stitches about 18 stitches apart. Then when I was binding off, I dropped the 18 stitches between the twisted stitches, and cut them in the middle to make the fringe and open up the shawl. This was made out of Fleece Artist Merino and was completed in Nov 2005.
Mohair Singlet. This is from Jo Sharp's Contemporary Knitting 2, and I used US 8's. The yarn is from Wellington Fibres and I used just over 1 ball. I knit this in 4 days in October/November 2005.
A quick belt made with some leftover Silk Garden #8. I cast on a whack of stitches, knit in the round on US 10's for a few rows, twisting a stitch mid-way, knitting 16 more, and then twisting another one. then I cast off everything except the stitches between the twists, dropped those stitches, and cut. Et Voila! October 2005
A pair of Koigu KPPPM socks with my first short row heel. I used Addi Turbos in US 2.5, cast on 56 stitches, and used 11 stitches over the heel. Started who knows when, and finished in October 2005.
This is a tiny little scarf that I knit from hand spun that Megan made. One day in October on size 15 needles.
Iris from Rowan 35 knit with 5 balls of Rowan Calmer in Power Puff. This little bolero took me 15 days to knit, and I love it. Such a practical little knit. I didn't make any changes to the pattern, but my row gauge was off so it is a little longer then the schematic calls for. Sept 2005.
This is a lace shawl that I knit for my wedding. The pattern is called "Evening in Eden" from Cabin Fever. I knit it with Endless Summer Lara which is a cotton yarn. I also placed a bead at the center of each larger leaf. July-August 2005
This is my Kyoto scarf, made from 3 balls of Artfibers Kyoto, a silk, wool and mohair blend. I used Stacey's "My So Called Scarf" pattern, which is a herringbone stitch pattern, perfect for showing off the sheen of the yarn. I used US 8's, and added a very long fringe at the bottom. June-July 2005.
Hourglass sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. June/July 2006. I knit the smallest sleeves from the pattern, with the second smallest body. I used Hayfield Traditional DK Pure Wool Superwash.
Blue drop stitch scarf, made out of Inca Gold Baby Alpaca (left over from my hat, below). I used size 13's for this, and finished it over a couple of days at the end of June, 2005.
I knit this in one night at the SnB, June 22nd, 2005. It is one ball of Rowan Cotton Tape, knit on size 15's (drop stitch)

Pattern: Frieda from Debbie Bliss' Alpaca Silk Book

Yarn: 10.5 balls of Samba (80% extra soft wool, 20% Brazilian Silk) from ArtFibers

Needles: Denise 6's and 8's, as called for in the pattern.

Modifications: I took out 10 rows of stockinette in the sleeve to account for my longer row gauge. Once you get over the initial "huh?" of the sleeve instructions, it is a very straightforward sweater.

Timeframe: May 2005
Ballet wrap from the Spring 2004 Interweave. I knit this over about 3 weeks, using the recommended Merino et Soie and size 6 and 7 US needles. The pattern called for 12 balls, and I used more then 14. I made the sleeves about 1 inch longer then the pattern called for. April 2005.
This is a shawl that I made after I ripped out my poncho. I just cast on 3, and then increased on each side and in the middle on each knit row. Then I blocked it and attached some fringe. It really warm and really linty. I love it! Knit on US 15's. March 2005 (It only took 24 hours)
This cowl neck sweater is made with less then 2 skeins of Fleece Artist Kid Silk that Laura gave me for Christmas. The sleeves are just straight, which gives them a belled look. This is my own design for which I will post a pattern someday. Knit on US 10 1/2's. Feb/Mar 2005

My first pair of handknit socks. Patten sort of from knitting.about.com as follows: Cast on 56. Rib a bit, then knit. 28 rows on 28 sts for the heel flap (sl 1 k1 repeat to end, purl row). Short row heel cup. Pick up heel flap sts, knit around, decreasing one st on the heel flap sts each round until back to 56 sts. K until 2" shorter then your foot. Decrease for toe.

These were made with "OnLine" sock yarn, and US #2 Addi Turbos (magic loop). these took exactly two weeks to make. Jan/Feb 2005

One 8 foot long multidirectional scarf knit with two and a half balls of manos. I knit it in 5 days! Jan 2005
Purple felted purse made with one skein of Cascade 220. the button is from Lettuce, as usual. I made this pattern up as I went. It has a flap and two twisted i-cord handles. Dec 2004/Jan 2005
This is an Irish Hiking Scarf that I made for TJ. It is the first thing that he requested I knit for him, right after he asked me to marry him. I used my Denise needles, size 8, and a skein and a half of Patons Classic Merino wool. Dec 04/Jan 05.

Thrum Mittens for my mom for Christmas 2004, Made with less then one ball of Lamb's Pride Superwash, and some fleece that I dyed with koolaid. I used size 7 Denise needles and the magic loop technique. I learned that each of the thrums should actually be fairly small. Dec 2004.

Coffee cup holders. The idea came from MagKnits, but the pattern was cast on 40, k 2 rows seed st, k St st for a few rounds, k2tog at each side, k a few more, then 2 seed, bind off. The little handles are crocheted. Dec 2004
Irish Hiking Scarf made with 1 and a bit balls of Paton's Merino Wool. I really liked working with this wool, especially because it was not very expensive. This was my first attempt at cables and I think it went alright. Nov 2004.
This hat was made from a little less then one skein of Manos in colourway 107. I cast on 80 sts, did an inch in K2P2 ribbing, and then just sort of winged it from there. Nov 2004.
This is a throw that I made from one skein of Grand River Yarns Boucle. It has a really soft texture and is big enough to cover your lap when you are sitting on the couch. Oct/Nov 2004
This is flower facecloth from Weekend Knitting, made with Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille. Nov 2004. Made another one in Dec.
This is a teeny little booga bag that I made for a friend. It is just big enough to hold 3 Lindt chocolates. I used up some leftover Lopi for it, and use a leather lace for the handle. It is about 10 sts wide by about 3 sts deep. Nov 2004
This is a hat that I made for my Dad for Christmas 2004. I cast on 132 stitches in Galloway worsted weight, and just sort of knit from there in k1, p1 ribbing. Oct/Nov 2004
These are two scarves that I made for the kids of a lady that I work with. They are just a simple garter stitch, made out of GGH Esprit. Oct 2004
This is a wide scarf/wrap that I made out of Geisha that I picked up on my trip to New England. I made this over a couple of days in Oct. 2004
I made this felted purse for my niece out of Lambs Pride Bulky (pink) and Worsted (purple). I held two strands of the Worsted together to make up the width. I added some glow in the dark beads around the edge. This pattern is from Knit One, Felt Two. Sept/Oct 2004.
This is a little bag that I made with some scrap Mission Falls cotton to hold all that little stuff in the bottom of my purse. Sept/Oct 2004
This is a Sophie bag made with Cascade 220. This is a MagKnits pattern, and it is really easy. It only uses one skein, but I shortened it so that I could lengthen the handles. Oct 2004
This is another booga bag made out of Alafoss Lopi. Oct. 2004
Baby blanket made from Red Heart Baby yarn in yellow and purple. I started crocheting this in 2002, and finished it in Oct 2004. Sad I know. At least it is done
Klaralund from Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton Book #2. Made in Noro Silk Garden, Colour #8, Lot P2. I used about 7 balls, but I have a bunch of little ones left over from changing up where the colours fell in some places. I made the 36 inch size (my chest is about a 34). I started it Sept 1st, and it finished blocking on Sept 22nd. Would I make it again? Absolutely!

This is the first ever item of clothing that I knit. It is the "My first cropped garter band sweater" from Berroco book #226. I used Alfa Maskin Vaskbar, which is 85% wool and 15% mohair, both because it is a little softer then straight wool, and also because it is really inexpensive. I used 10 1/2 US Denise needles, and the gauge worked out really well. This was a very simple pattern and would be good worked with a thinner yarn (with the pattern adjusted to the new gague). May - August 2004

These are a set of two towels and two face cloths that I made my mom-n-law. They are made with Mission Falls Cotton in a soft purple colour. Each towel took 2 balls, and each face cloth took approximately 1. I used US size 7 needles, and did a basket weave pattern on the towels and stockinette with 2 rows of eyelets for the cloths. The little basket was a bonus. :)
This is a very soft scarf, made with Berroco Plush, colour 1901, knit with size 15 needles. It is simply an alternation between 10 or so rows of garter stitch, with a yarnover thrown in between. For anyone that has not felt Plush before.....you must try this stuff. It is softer then a teddy bear. August 2004. I have made two of these now.

This is a knitting bag that I made using one skein of Fleece Artist Wool Slub. I used US size 11 needles, which meant it knit up quite quickly. I also lined it with a thich Chinese broadloam, and made pockets for all of my tools. July 2004.
Another booga bag, made with Alafoss Lopi. July 2004
This is a hat that I designed using Inco Gold Baby Alpaca. It is SO VERY soft and fuzzy. The pattern is as follows: Cast on 42 stitches (just make sure that it is a multiple of 3). Knit 6 rows (for garter band), P 1 row, K2, YO, K2 YO for next row. This is the part that gets interesting. I was trying to do brioche stitch, but I screwed it up. So instead of doing YO, Sl 1, K2 tog, I did YO, K2 tog, Sl 2. So do that for about 4 rows. Then switch to K1, P1 ribbing for about 6 rows, then plain stockinette for a couple of rows, then ssk to decrease. Run a piece of yarn through the last few stitches, and sew up the side. Not a precise pattern, but it is so stretchy that it is very forgiving. If I ever make another one I will try to clean up the pattern a bit. Mittens are soon to follow in the same yarn. June 2004
This is the first booga bag that I made. It is Alafoss Lopi wool, and I used leather for the straps instead of knitting an i-cord. It felted well, but it is REALLY hairy. So if you are thinking of using this wool, keep that in mind. May 2004
This is the first project that I ever completed. It is a very thick scarf, about 4' long, and it is made with Alfa Maskin Vaskbar, which is 85% wool and 15% mohair. It was knit with 7.5mm straight bamboo needles, and it is a K2P2 ribbing. I didn't block it, because I kinda liked the chunkiness of it. April 2004.