Inky Dinky

I've said it before but it deserves repeating. I Love Knitting Baby Sweaters!

My latest baby gift is for Ellie the daughter of one of our guild's co-presidents.




Specs:

Pattern: Inky Dinky from Knitspot.
Yarn: Sirdar Snuggly DK
Needles: 3 & 4 Colonial Rosewood
Size: 18 Months (because I never make a true "baby" size)
Started: January 15, 2011 Finished: January 22, 2011

This pattern is perfect. No mods or adjustments needed. I will be making two more of these for two other special girls in my life.

Something Special

I'm taking a break from test knitting while some pattern changes are worked out. This is the perfect time to start and most likely complete my latest baby project. When Anne Hanson of Knitspot first showed pictures of the Inky Dinky sweater on her blog I knew it was one I'd eventually make. I e-mailed her earlier this month to ask when the pattern would be released. Of course she soon replied and said it would be this past week so I kept looking and downloaded it as soon as it became available.

In keeping with my pledge to knit from stash I cast on using some Sirdar Snuggly DK in a nice shade of pink.


The pattern starts with the sleeves knitted first. I encountered an error in the chart for the beginning of the 18 month size. I've already reported it and made the correction on my sleeve.

I'm sure I'll knit this again. Inky Dinky could easily become a "go to pattern" for babies and toddlers. I have a grandniece and goddaugther who would look precious in one of these. I also have quite a bit of undyed yarn in the stash so I'm considering dyeing yarn just for these two projects. It has been a long time since I've done some dyeing and this pattern will look lovely knitted in a semi-solid colorway.

I was asked at our knit-in today if I was really going on a yarn diet. I told them yes and then someone wanted to know if I was having trouble sticking to my plan. My answer was no, anytime I think about buying yarn I just step into the craft room and look at what I already have. Will it always be this easy? I doubt it but I'm willing to work the plan I have in mind and save a few bucks along the way.

Snow Day! (Part II)

Well we had another day off today. The ice is so bad that even if I had to go to work it would have been difficult as three roads around us were blocked off. The neighborhood I live in is built on a hill. We live on top of the hill but our house is sits down a hill with a backyard that flattens out. If you go farther back behind our house the hill continues. Because of this I always park in the street when we have inclement weather. Our driveway is still impassable as I found out today when I was outside.


I went out today with the camera to see if I could take some good pictures of the ice. It was great being outside. The air is so crisp and clean that it invigorates.







A funny thing happened last night. I went into the craft room to put up some needles and staring at me was the Lopi sweater. I brought it back into the den with me and realized how much I'd actually knitted. I started on it right then and there and now I've added the sleeves. I forgot to order an extra skein because I always have to lenghten the sleeves so I'll probably run short. I got my yarn from Webs and the color I need is on backorder so I'm seriously hoping that I don't have to wait too long to find it. If this gets packed up again there's no telling when it will get finished.


After a two hour daily in the morning it's back to work as usual. I've really enjoyed this long weekend and now it's time to find out how or if we have to make the time up. Once again if you have to be out in this and all the other messes stay safe.

Snow Day!

For the second time in almost as many weeks we got the treat of snow again. It started snowing about midnight and when I awoke we had about 4".


It has since changed to sleet and freezing so I'm waiting once again to see if or what time I have to report to work tomorrow. My neighborhood is pretty much frozen in so if we have to report in I may just take another day off or work from home.

I finished the second Brambles Beret the end of last year but I've just finally gotten around to blocking it. I'm still in love with this pattern and how great the texture looks knitted in Cascade 220.




Specs:

Pattern: Brambles Beret
Yarn: Cascade 220 Wool Turquoise
Needles:
Started: December 22, 2010 Finished: December 25, 2010

Kirsten had a question regarding my sock club: "Do you grab a bag, open it, and that's what you knit next?"

Yes, that is exactly how it works. The great thing is that even though I know what is in each bag, once I got them mixed up I numbered them and I truly can't tell what is in each. The actual pattern isn't in the bag. In addition to the yarn there is an index card with the pattern name, needle size and yarn. I'll use this info to assemble what I need to knit the socks.

Lately my focus seems to be on the small project. Namely hats, scarves and socks. I haven't picked my sweater up in about a week and I don't feel inclined to. I'm torn between forcing myself to do so or just going with the flow. Sweaters are part of my stash reduction plan and if I really want to make a dent in the stash I'm going to have to knit a few of them. I'm sure this will work itself but I would sure like to have a couple of new sweaters before it gets warm again.

First FO of 2011

The first knitting FO of 2011 is off the needles. It's a pair of socks that I've been dragging along since 2009.





Specs

Pattern: Elongated Corded Ribs from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch
Yarn: Schachenmayr nomotta Regia Bamboo Color Passion
Needles: 1 US dpn's
Size: Women's 10
Started: May 26, 2009 Finished: January 8, 2011

I'm embarking on a serious stash reduction this year. To that end I've been going through the stash to sort out what I would like to make this year in addition to the project kits I've already created. I really liked the idea of a personal sock club so I created one.


There are 11 bags because 1 pair is already on the needles. It's a stealth project so the only thing I'll reveal is the yarn.


I purchased this lovely skein at SAFF 2010 from Gale's Art. The color is Moldy Pumpkin and so far I'm loving the way this is knitting up.

Wonder of wonders tomorrow is a snow day. I can't believe that we are forecast to have more truly wintry weather. Everything is pretty much shut down with all the closings. I'm hoping that the ice they're predicting later on tomorrow isn't too bad so that we won't lose power. It is going to be great to have another knitting day.

To everyone in the path of the storm stay safe and stay warm.

Closing Out 2010

As the last few hours of 2010 tick off the clock I contemplate what a wonderful year I have had. This year there has been minimum health issues, new friends and new techniques, the love of a fantastic family and turning that wonderful age of 50. I'm ready to enter the new year with the same fervor that I embraced this one.

This final week of December has been an interesting one. We had snow on Sunday. This the first time that I can recall having snow in Columbia in December that accumulated. Two little boys had spent Christmas night with us and had a treat waiting for them the next morning. They hung out with their Aunt Stephanie.


I'm finishing the last hat of the year. This one in particular has been languishing since March when the weather suddenly turned warm and stayed that way. Later this evening I'll block 3 to add to the house hat basket.


I spent 3 of my days off straightening the craft room and can now walk in there without flinching. I'm so glad I don't have to deal with that in the new year.

I requested and received the most recent update of the TKGA Master Knitting Level II instructions. If things get quiet around here it will be because I'm finally going to take the time to complete and submit my Level II package in 2011.

I'm not making any resolutions but I plan to knit exclusively from stash. I can no longer justify buying more yarn given the quantity and quality that I already have on hand. This will be one of the hardest task for me.

Two Sundays ago I signed up for a church sponsored 12 week health and fitness program. I have to work extra hard this year at losing weight and getting in better shape. What I've been doing is not working and my weight has steadily climbed. I no longer feel comfortable and at times I struggle to do things so it is my responsibility to remedy the situation.

It's nearing that time when we welcome the new year so to all of you may you have ...

A blessed, healthy, happy and prosperous NEW YEAR!!!

Brambles Beret

Love, love, love this hat! It has totally lived up to my expectations and I can see why it is so popular on Ravelry. This is the last Christmas hat.




Specs:

Pattern: Brambles Beret from Knitty Deep Fall 2010
Yarn: Cascade 220 Wool Deep Periwinkle
Needles: 4 & 6 addi Turbo circulars
Size: Small
For: Tammy
Started: December 18, 2010 Finished: December 19, 2010

I cast on another this evening using Cascade 220.