Sunday, October 24, 2010

My "People to never knit for again" list now has a name on it.

And that name is Christopher, the boyfriend.  I put the stupid hat on him that he has begged me for for two months, and did he say thank you? No.  Did he say something nice?  No.  Did he instantly bitch about it?  Yes.

Theres' nothing wrong with it.  It's perfect.  Despite the yarn being ugly, it's a nice hat.  Now to find a home for it.

Friday, October 22, 2010

A year in pictures

So, my baby is no longer a baby.  He is a toddler!  A one year old toddler.  He doesn't toddle quite yet, but he can give kisses, and hugs (my two favorite things.) He can yell pretty loud, and blow bubbles in the water.  Best of all, he says Mama!  

The day he was born: 

One Month:


Two Months:

Three Months:

Four Months:

Five Months:

Six Months:

Seven Months:

Eight Months:

Nine Months:

Ten Months:

Eleven Months:

One Year:

Who knew someone so tiny could be so hilarious and awesome?  I love this little boy more than I could ever explain.  He is my whole world, and I thank God everyday for the opportunity to be his Mommy.  

Thursday, October 21, 2010

A hat and mittens fit for a First Birthday

This hat was a pain in my butt!  Mainly because it required immense amounts of speed knitting due to the fact that I started it Wednesday, and finished it tonight, and tomorrow is his birthday!  Talk about waiting until the last minute.  Anywho, here it is!
 

'
Thankfully it fits him perfect, pattern to come soon!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Best New Ravelry Patterns

I decided this week I'm not going to stick to only free patterns.  There are so many amazing patterns out there that are more than worth the few bucks the designer charges.  I've been working on creating patterns, and it's a LOT of work!  Especially since you have to word them and explain enough so that anyone can recreate what you did, exactly as you did it.  Anywho, here we go!

This week in place of a scarf, I'm featuring a stole by my favorite manly man designer, Jared Flood aka BrooklynTweed
How amazing is this?  

Autumn Leaves Stole ($6.00)
BrooklynTweed aka Jared Flood
Worsted weight, 600yds
He of course used Brooklyn Tweed SHELTER (can't wait to get my hands on some of this yarn!  It's American grown and spun!)

Mittens?  I love these:

Vanilla Frappe Fingerless mittens
Fingering weight yarn, free pattern

Socks...yes...do these count?  I want some!  


Christmas stockings for boys and girls
How cute are these?  They require 230 yds of DK weight yarn.  So so so stinking cute!

Sweater!  My favorite part...


This is the Shadow sweater.  It's $5.50.  I'm not sure why, but I love this.  It's totally not something I'd usually go for, but I'd totally knit this and wear it!  


Hat:  I must knit this hat.  It is $5 for the pattern.  Oh my word is it lovely!  

It's even made to be knit with Malacrack!  I mean Malabrigo!  How beautiful is this?  

Hollywood Boulevard hat.  Love <3


Toddle Mittens Pattern



You will need:
Worsted weight yarn, I used malabrigo worsted merino in vermillion and pearl
40"+ circular needles, US5 and US7
yarn needle

CO 26 stitches with US5
Rows 1-8 K1tbl, P1
Switch to larger needles

Row 9 K1, M1R, K to 1 before end, M1L, Repeat on second needle
Row 10 Knit
Repeat rows 9 and 10 until you have a total of 38 stitches.
Knit to desired length.

At beginning of next row, increase one stitch using M1R.
Knit one row.
Knit 9, pm, knit 10, pm, knit 9, pm, knit 10, pm.
Ssk, knit to marker, slip marker, repeat around, for a total of 4 decreases.
Knit next row
Repeat decrease row and knit row until you have 5 stitches, 6 stitches, 5 stitches, 6 stitches.
From then on, repeat decrease row every row until you have 1 stitch, 2 stitches, 1 stitch, 2 stitches.
Break yarn, and using a yarn needle thread the yarn through the remaining six stitches, and pull tight.  Weave in ends.

Repeat for second mitten.

Notes:  I played with some colorwork with this mitten.  For 5 rows I alternated red and grey, then I did a red row, then a grey row, then continued in red.

Toddle Sock Pattern

You will need:
40" circular needle, US1.5, 2.5mm.
Fingering weight yarn, I used Knit Picks Palette in Almond and Grass
Yarn needle

Gauge:  9 stitches and 12 rows = 1" in stockinette

CO 44 stitches.  Join in the round, careful not to twist your stitches.
K2P2 for 3 1/2 inches.  At some point during these rounds, you'll want to rearrange your stitches so that your yarn tail is in the middle of the stitches on one needle.  This will eventually be your heel.

You should have 22 stitches on one needle, and 22 stitches on the cord (for the purpose of this pattern, we're using magic loop.)

K2P2 across the top needle, place on cord, ready to work heel stitches.

Slip 1, knit to last stitch.
Turn, Slip 1, purl to last stitch.
Turn, Slip 1, knit to last two stitches.
Turn, Slip 1, purl to last two stitches.
Turn, Slip 1, knit to last two stitches.
Turn, Slip 1, purl to last two stitches.
Turn, Slip 1, knit to last three stitches.
Turn, Slip 1, purl to last three stitches.

Turn, Slip 1, knit to last three stitches. 
Turn, Slip 1, purl to last three stitches.
Continue this (next will be knit/purl to last four(only once) and then knit/purl to last five, etc) until you have seven live stitches.  
Ready for a knit row, Slip 1, knit to one before gap, slip 1, lift bar from back with left needle, place onto right needle, and knit the slipped stitch and the bar together.  Turn.  
Slip 1, purl to one before gap, slip 1, lift bar from back with left needle, place onto right needle, and purl the slipped stitch and the bar together.  Turn.  Continue this until you've closed all gaps. 

Working in full rounds again, your heel stitches will be worked in stockinette, your top stitches will continue on in K2P2 ribbing.  Work for 2 3/4 inches.  

Starting at the beginning of your top stitches, 
K one round
K1, K2TOG, K to last 3 (on top needle), ssk, k1.  
K1, K2tog, K to last 3 (on bottom needle), ssk, k1.  
K one round
Repeat until you have 14 stitches on each needle.  Use kitchener stitch to graft toe.  Weave in ends.  Repeat for second sock.