A new hat

Last month I made Kidster #2 a new hat. There's just something about being a knitter and seeing your child in a hat that doesn't match their coat that makes you want to stop everything and "whip up" a new hat. (Or maybe that's just me.)

I wanted an earflap hat that would be warm on his neck too. So I just made one long neckflap then started the hat. It's ok. Yes, it's a little too big. But, it's not bad for no pattern and a first attempt. If I shorten the neckflap and go down a needle size it should be perfect!

Merry Christmas!

If they would only do a little more of that. Sigh.

Knitting in childrens' stories, part 4

Let me start by saying I love this book! I reserved it from my inter-library loan and I am so glad I did. From the title, "Shall I Knit You a Hat? A Christmas Yarn", to the last page this is a winner. The pictures are beautiful and the story about giving is perfect for this time of year.
It's a story about a little rabbit that wants his mother to knit hats for all of his animal friends. He proceeds to describe how each hat should be knit! It's a good thing Mother Rabbit is a knitting-designer-on the fly!

Shall I Knit You a Hat? A Christmas Yarn
by Kate Klise, illustrated by M. Sarah Klise

Keeping up with the season

It snowed for the first time. Not too much, but enough to have some frosty fun.

When we came in, I made hot chocolate and put the guys to work. We made our traditional Cranberry Bread. And we've been trying to get the "perfect shot" for our Christmas Cards. How do you think that's going?I guess I don't have to tell you which of the kidsters likes to ham it up for the camera.

The "way huger than that" bag was gifted this weekend and I'm happy to report that the recipient loved it. She's even texted me since about it, so I know it was a hit.

And I finished up another pair of slippers for my sister-in-law's gift. I hope to felt them later today and get pictures soon!

About the big ticket items

I've had two "big ticket" items in my immediate mental queue for a while now. The first (you might remember from this post) is the Heather Hoodie, but in a regular person size. I've been wanting to make it for a while now. I bought the Fall 2009 Knitscene magazine and even bought yarn for it, too.

The second is Mayer. I loved it immediately when I saw this picture on the Berroco website. I loved it even more when I saw this picture on the Webs Yarn Store blog. I have eight balls of this yarn perfect for it. Shhh, I've even done the S word for this project! Yes way! So this has been in the top position for when I am done with Holiday knitting, kidster knitting, and the other small projects I want to finish first. I figured it was about time I made something big again. And for myself. I even thought about returning the bulky yarn I bought for the Hoodie.

Then it happened.

I was out gift shopping and with an arm full of stuff when I saw this. It's not exactly the same but it has a lot of similar elements, the most obvious being the wide collar and the similar (not exact) stitch pattern. It has snaps that can turn that wide collar into a turtleneck (which at first I didn't think I'd like, but once I tried it I did). I tried it on in off-white because it was close to what I was going to make. But because of the snaps being a darker color it looked a little odd and they stood out too much. There was a black marl that I liked but three quarters of my sweaters are black or gray and I couldn't justify it. This brown one was a nice color and those big snaps blended in a lot better.

I hemmed and hawed, a lot.

1. This one is longer than Mayer.
2. I'm tall and can manage a long sweater.
3. If I did try to make Mayer it would probably take me until next winter, at least!
4. With a 30% off sale and a coupon in my pocket it would cost less than the yarn I had at home.
5. If I buy it then I wouldn't have the pleasure of making it.
6. The brown blends in with my hair color and I might look too washed out.
7. It's still not the same as Mayer and I might still want to make it and then where would I be?
8. Buy it for $20 and you can wear it right away.

Get it, or not? What do you think happened?

The bandwagon stopped...

just long enough for me to jump on!
In case you haven't figured it out yet (or seen my Ravelry update), they are the French Press Felted Slippers by Melynda Bernardi. They knit up quickly. Really quickly! Most people could probably get the knitting done in a day. The seaming wasn't so much fun, but then again you're listening to someone who will knit in the round at any and every chance. I got these done in 6 days which included a day of downtime for button shopping. Perfect match, I'd say!

I made them for my mother for Christmas. The strap came out shorter than I would have liked, and the toe area is much wider than I anticipated. But I know my mother will appreciate them for the hand knit love that they are. She is definitely knit worthy.

Multitasking...it's not really for me

A few weeks ago I had three wips going at once. I was working on the turkey, a kidster hat, and the big cable bag. I have to say it was a little strange. Me, your ever faithful monogamous knitter was cheating again. At first, I said to myself, "so this is what all the other knitters are like". Then it dawned on me that having multiple projects was not for me.

One reason was that I was trying to knit at times I don't normally knit. It was getting in the way of keeping up with the other non-knitting things that needed to get done around here. I guess having more projects going made me feel pressured to get something, anything finished. The other reason that struck me is that I spend the whole day multitasking between kidsters, school schedules, and basically keeping everyone (ok, mostly me) sane. It wasn't working for me to try to multitask in my knitting. It was stressing me out! Now I am thankfully back to one project. I hope to keep it that way for a while since I could use a little relaxation. I'm off now to go sit and knit on my one project for a while.

Better late than never!

Hi Friends! I am here. I can hardly believe it's been three weeks since my last post! Thanks to antibiotics, everyone in this house has recovered. We had a pair of sinus infections and a pneumonia. Kidster #2 managed to squeak by with "just a cold", but boy did it take him forever to kick it. Then Papa had a little stomach problem, and now Grandma is sick. Yikes! When will it end? My crazy schedule has finally caught up to me. But I have a bunch of projects that I have finished or am working on, so I promise no more posting vacations!

I did this turkey as part of a Spud and Chloe KAL. Susan B. Anderson released the pattern in pieces, as she knit them. In the beginning I was keeping up with it. Well, the head and the body anyway. I got a little behind after that, for reasons that will be discussed later. The whole pattern can be found on her blog or here on Ravelry.

Yes, he might be a day late, but he is finished. He missed the feast and festivities but is still very much loved by little hands.

Friday Fill-Ins

Due to a lack of sleep and antibiotics, I am doing an easy post. Have a great weekend everyone!

1. Plans and schedules are an absolute must with the kidsters.
2. I'm happy when things go according to the plan.
3. The last thing I drank was orange juice.
4. One of the most valuable things in my life is Hubster. He doesn't exactly know what to do when I'm sick but he knows when things get too crazy it's time to take over.
5. I like bacon on my pizza.
6. Dear November, if you want to be windy, that's fine. If you want to be cold, that's fine too. But keep the germs away from here will ya?
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sleep, tomorrow my plans include sleep, and Sunday, I want to sleep!

Get your Friday Fill-Ins here.

We Won!

Thanks friends! Thanks to your support, the Braided Cable Handle Tote is the November bag KAL in the Bag-A-Month Club on Ravelry! I'm going to be joining the fun and knitting another one. Another one you ask? Yup. This time in a "way huger than that" size, requested by one almost 15 year old niece. Details will surely follow. Hope you join us!

Happy Halloween

The other day (you know, the one where I was sick?) I took advantage of a few free minutes to finish up a little project. Kidster #1 wanted a ninja mask for his costume. I had made one for him a while back when we inherited the costume from his cousin but it was red. It was the only fabric in a TMNT color that I had on hand at the time, and I only cut it out and never stitched it. It actually fits him perfectly, but he would rather not be Raphael. See, he has a thing for Purple. It's his favorite color. And since Donatello is the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle with the purple mask, it only makes sense that it's his favorite guy and that's who he wants to be.

The purple one is a new and improved model. I made the front out of felt (because I was dead sick and didn't feel like sewing around those eye holes). I made the back ties nice and long, and I even attached an elastic band to keep everything nice and snug. That way we don't have to rely on the ties to hold it in place. It's not perfect, but it's pretty good work from someone who was half dead.

I'm not worried about the red one. It has already found someone to love, and now they play together (sort of).

Special thanks to Charlie Brown for modeling today. Hope you get more than rocks this Halloween, Chuck! Oh yeah, and never jump in a pile of leaves with a wet sucker.

Calling in Dead

With two kidsters and one Hubster in school there is no way to avoid the inevitable. But I have actually avoided the inevitable for two months now. Each of them has gone through at least two, maybe three by now. My hands are raw from all the washing and hand sanitizer. But it finally wore me down. Yes, you guessed it, I'm sick. I couldn't even talk this morning when I got up. And don't think the kidsters didn't take advantage of that, let me tell you!

Before you ask, let's have a little conversation. What ever happened to just being good old sick? You know, go through a box of tissues (or two in my case), get the red under your nose, cough for a few days, hack up a little mucus (sorry for the graphics) and then you are on your merry way. But now, everything has changed. Forget about going to the store to buy some cold medicine. One cough and people go running from you or get that fear in their eyes like you just started the next plague. No, it's not swine flu! I'm not the epicenter of a national disaster! I'M JUST SICK! It happens you know.

Thanks, I feel better now knowing that you understand.

Campaigning for your vote!

Hi fiber friends! I have some exciting news. This week my Braided Cable Handle Tote pattern was put into the running for the November KAL in the Bag-A-Month Club group on Ravelry!

So I am calling on all of you out there to vote for me! Come one! You don't have to leave a comment. You don't have to fill out a ballot and mail it out. All you have to do is go to this thread in the group then click on the "agree" tag within post #5. And you'll be transported into online knitting heaven at the same time. How easy is that?

Thanks for your generous support!

Sweater recycling update

I have been so busy I can't even believe that it's been a whole week since the last post. (Big sigh.) With one kidster in school in the morning and the other one in the afternoon, I have been spending a little more one-on-one time with each of them. The 5 year old has really turned on his charm and manners lately. Not sure if it is because of school or me, but I'm not complaining! The 3 year old has also adjusted nicely to school. At home he's still Dr. Demando, but we're working on it. I remember 3 being the (ahem) fun age.

But back on topic! You're all dying for an update on the yarn situation aren't you? Ok, even if you're not, you are going to get one anyway!

Last Saturday night I armed myself with my scissors and a beer. I think the beer part should be a prerequisite when you are taking apart handiwork made by someone else. Or at least it's a good excuse!

I had Googled "recycle sweater yarn" and came up with a lot of useful links. Having the need to really know what I was doing I read at least four articles and blogs; but the first one Craftstylish had all of the info anyone really needs. (BTW, Shortly has a post today from her sister also loving this tutorial!)

I had a little trouble getting started at the cuffs of the arms. They had been reinforced with thread and I was nervous trying to cut the thread only. I moved up a little on the seam, made a snip, and viola! The whole seam just pulled out. I managed to do this with both sleeves, the raglan joins, and the sides! I had the pieces apart by the time I had finished beer #1! Of course it was on to beer #2. By the time I was done with that one I had unraveled the neckband and both arms.

On Sunday I got a little help. Kidster #1 unraveled while Hubster wound. They had so much fun together that I am going to remember to put them to work next time! I took out my homemade swift again and proceeded to measure and prepare for washing. This part was very tedious. If you can, unravel directly onto the swift. You'll be glad you did.

I soaked the yarn in a big pot in my tub and hung it to dry in the storage room. Please pardon the mess! If you look closely between the yarn you can see the tower of bins that is my stash. Well I do have some more in another room, but don't we all?

I have yet to wind all this up into balls. Probably because I don't have a ball winder. Yet!

Even superheroes need lace!

What do superheroes and lace have in common? Apparently a lot, since I've already been commissioned to make a small one in white and a huge one in green.

The lace pattern is from Water Web. Kidster #1 and I thought it would make a perfect net for catching those bad guys. Besides being a chance to practice all those yarn overs it was a good car project, since a few "five minutes at a time" seems to be about all the knitting I can get in these days. But an FO is an FO so I'm not going to complain, even if the rest of you could have done ten of these by now!

More yarn projects!

I recently inherited a huge box of yarn from my terrific neighbor. Since retiring she hasn't had any time for knitting (isn't that funny?) and decided to donate it to me! Most of it was Lopi which I am looking forward to felting into lots of fun things (slippers, anyone?). But there was also quite a bit of this cotton. I thought it was interesting because I am churning through the red cotton I bought on sale this summer and I am looking now for an apple green color. I know, this isn't quite apple green. Or pine green. Or green at all.
It's teal, and quite bright. But I am going to play around with it and some yellow and see if I can get it closer to some kind of green color. I made up my homemade swift (I love Ravelry!) and got one of the skeins all ready. I have the dye. Now I just need to find a pot at a yard sale or something. I don't have any extras that we don't use!

It's all about the yarn.

Remember my trip to the thrift store? Of course you do, it was only the last post. Well, I didn't mention this sweater that I bought for $4.00. I found it in the men's section and it didn't have any tags. It's huge, so I'm guessing it's an XL. It is a tweedy darkish blue with hints of green. And these pictures don't do the color justice.After closer examination I determined that it might even be handmade. The front and back were knit then seamed (not cut!) so I should be able to get some great yarn from this!

I am so excited. I have had my eye on this hoodie vest. I think I'd make it longer since I am not a size 2 like this model obviously is. But checking out the Ravelry projects for this one shows a lot of different body types and it seems to work for everyone. With the blue yarn I think it would go great with jeans! This might be the yarn and project to get me inspired for something a little bigger. Off to disassemble my first sweater...

Fashionable, cheap.

Spending time with the kidsters is great, terrifically funny, and very rewarding (see, I'm grinning, really I am). But one thing it is not is fashionable. The cooler weather has meant transitioning from shorts to jeans, but the t-shirts and sweatshirts remain. It's all about easy, comfortable, and cleanable! I've always wanted a winter wardrobe full of handmade sweaters but let's face it...it's not going to happen with an hour of knitting time a day.

This morning I happened to stumble upon a 50% off sale at the local thrift store. I check in every now and then for pants for the kidsters, to replace the blown-out knees that we have or are about to have. (I take advantage of it while they are too young to care. Once they want to have Abercrombie they can get a job and pay for it themselves!) And since I was there, and since I had time, and since it was a sale, I looked around. I was specifically looking for a large stockpot to start experimenting with dying yarn. Didn't find one. But I did find some very nice sweaters. Right up my alley in terms of simple comfort but with some real style. And in my favorite earthy neutral colors! Here's my take, for about $20.The brown one is very soft cotton and the ivory one is linen and gorgeous. Both are new with tags! How great is that? I can see myself wearing the black t-shirt sweater all the time. I'm a sucker for a v-neck. The green one caught my eye because it is a hoodie (love it) and it has those mini cables that are quite popular this fall. But my favorite is the gray cabled shawl collar sweater. I wish it was colder out today so I could wear it right now! My winter wardrobe is complete.

Maybe now I can be comfortable and fashionable!

Braided Cable Handle Tote A Free Pattern!

Also available as a free Ravelry download.

An easy tote with braided cables that continue into the handles.
A perfect first cable or felting project.
Available in three sizes!

Finished Sizes:
Large: 13” wide x 9-1/2” high x 3” deep. Handle height is 10-1/2” from top of bag to shoulder.
Regular: 12” wide x 8-1/2” high x 2” deep. Handle height is 10” from top of bag to shoulder.
Mini: 11” wide x 7-1/2” high x 1-1/2” deep. Handle height is 9” from top of bag to shoulder.

Skill Level:
Advanced beginner
Gauge:
Not extremely important. This will be felted.
Yarn: about 450 yards of worsted weight feltable wool
as pictured: Patons Classic Wool in Sage, Black, Natural Mix
Materials:
US 8 (5 mm) circular needle, 24" or 36" in length
US 8 (5 mm) double pointed needles
Cable needle
Markers in two colors
Stitches/abbreviations:
cn cable needle
dpn(s) double pointed needle(s)
k knit
p purl
sts stitches

Cable Abbreviations:
CF: Slip 4(3, 2) sts onto cn and hold in front. Knit 4(3, 2) sts, then knit 4(3, 2) sts from cn.
CB: Slip 4(3, 2) sts onto cn and hold in back. Knit 4(3, 2) sts, then knit 4(3, 2) sts from cn.

Pattern is written for Large(Regular, Mini) and worked with one strand of yarn.

Bag Base
Cast on 72(64, 56) sts.
Working in rows, knit in garter for 32(28, 20) rows.
At end of last row, do not turn.
Place marker, pick up and knit 16(14, 10) sts, place marker, pick up and knit 72(64, 56) sts, pick up and knit 16(14, 10) sts, place beginning of round marker. You now have 176(156, 132) sts. Markers are located at bag corners for reference.

Bag Body
Note: You may have to use dpn’s for a few rounds until you have enough room for the circular needle.
Round 1: *k4, p2, k12(9, 6), p2, k32(30, 28), p2, k12(9, 6), p2, k4, pass marker, k16(14, 10), pass marker. Repeat from * for other side.
Rounds 2-4: Repeat round 1

Begin knitting in Bag Cable Pattern.

Bag Cable Pattern:

Round 1: *k4, p2, CF, k4(3, 2), p2, k32(30, 28), p2, k4(3, 2), CB, p2, k4, k16(14, 10). Repeat from * for other side.
Round 2: *k4, p2, k12(9, 6), p2, k32(30, 28), p2, k12(9, 6), p2, k4, k16(14, 10). Repeat from * for other side.
Round 3: repeat row 2.
Round 4: repeat row 2.
Round 5: *k4, p2, k4(3, 2), CB, p2, k32(30, 28), p2, CF, k4(3, 2), p2, k4, k16(14, 10). Repeat from * for other side.
Round 6: *k4, p2, k12(9, 6), p2, k32(30, 28), p2, k12(9, 6), p2, k4, k16(14, 10). Repeat from * for other side.
Round 7: repeat row 6.
Round 8: repeat row 6.

Knit Bag Cable Pattern for a total of 8 (7, 6) times.

Handle set-up rounds: (garter stitch rounds)
Round 1: *p4, p2, CF, k4(3, 2), p2, p32(30, 28), p2, k4(3, 2), CB, p2, p4, p16(14, 10). Repeat from * for other side.
Round 2: Repeat round 2 of cable pattern above.
Round 3: *p4, p2, k12(9, 6), p2, p32(30, 28), p2, k12(9, 6), p2, p4, p16(14, 10). Repeat from * for other side.

Bind off, removing markers as you go, as follows:
Round 4: Bind off stitches until you get to the two purl stitches of the cable pattern.
*Bind off first purl stitch, purl one stitch, knit across the cable, purl one stitch. Keep the live stitches on the needle and continue to bind off until you get to the purl stitches of the next cable pattern. Repeat from * until you have bound off all stitches. Cut yarn and pull through last stitch. Each handle should have 14(11, 8) stitches; your cable stitches and one purl stitch on either side.

You now have four handles on one circular needle.
Mark the first handle by placing a permanent stitch marker somewhere at the beginning of the handle below where you are working. This is for visual reference, so you know which one is handle 1.

I strongly suggest that you take a moment to wind your remaining yarn into four fairly equal balls. This is extremely important if you are making the large bag, as you will be knitting to the end of your yarn! It is very helpful for all of the sizes so that you can work on all four handles at the same time. That way you will be sure they are all the same size. I used four zipper bags and thread my yarn through a snipped corner to keep everything from getting tangled. They fit nicely inside the bag too!

From now on you will be working in rows.

Finish this cable repeat as follows:
Row 5: [handle 1] attach new yarn, p1, k4(3, 2), CB, p1
[handle 2] attach new yarn, p1, CF, k4(3, 2), p1
[handle 3] attach new yarn, p1, k4(3, 2), CB, p1
[handle 4] attach new yarn, p1, CF, k4(3, 2), p1
Row 6: k1, p12(9, 6), k1 for all handles
Row 7: p1, k12(9, 6), p1 for all handles
Row 8: repeat row 6

Continue knitting the Handle Cable Pattern, remembering to change yarn with each handle.

Handle Cable Pattern:
Row 1: [handle 1] p1, CF, k4(3, 2), p1
[handle 2] p1, k4(3, 2), CB, p1
[handle 3] p1, CF, k4(3, 2), p1
[handle 4] p1, k4(3, 2), CB, p1
Row 2: k1, p12(9, 6), k1
Row 3: p1, k12(9, 6), p1
Row 4: repeat row 2.
Row 5: [handle 1] p1, k4(3, 2), CB, p1
[handle 2] p1, CF, k4(3, 2), p1
[handle 3] p1, k4(3, 2), CB, p1
[handle 4] p1, CF, k4(3, 2), p1
Row 6: k1, p12(9, 6), k1 for all handles
Row 7: p1, k12(9, 6), p1 for all handles
Row 8: repeat row 6

Knit 9(8, 7) full cable repeats, not including the handle set-up round, or to your desired length (or until you are about to run out of yarn!).

Finishing
Row 1: p1, k12(9, 6), p1
Row 2: k1, p12(9, 6), k1
Repeat rows 1& 2 once.
Move handles 3&4 to another circular needle or holder.
Working with handles 1 and 2, make sure straps are not twisted. Kitchener stitch together.
Repeat for handles 3 and 4.
Weave in ends.

Felt carefully, checking often! Tug and pull out the braid sections in the handles and bag and check to make sure the handles have not felted themselves into a tube.
Block with an appropriate sized book wrapped in a plastic bag.

There are lots of felting tutorials out in cyberspace. If you still have questions or prefer one-on-one help feel free to comment, e-mail me, or contact me through Ravelry.

Post your pictures! If you are not on Ravelry, e-mail me a picture or send a link to your bag. I’d love to see it!

Cable charts are included in the Ravelry download. Contact me if you want them but are not a member of Ravelry.

Enjoy!

Braided Cable Handle Tote

by Amybelbags
amybelbags@gmail.com

This pattern is offered for personal use only. The pattern, photos, and products made from this pattern are not to be used or sold for personal monetary gain without the written consent of the designer. Do not copy, cut, or paste this pattern. Links back to this pattern are always welcomed.

Hopefully this will get you excited :)

Ok, so the Ninja Turtle didn't get you going. I understand. It's a very specific target audience and I realize you are not a five year old boy. And if you are a five year old boy reading this blog, then you aren't interested in it either.

Maybe this will work. I've been doing this:

and now have this:

Are you excited? Can you show me some love?

How to make a Ninja Turtle weapon!

Donatello, the first of my knit Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is complete. I say first because kidster has already asked for the other three guys. I can understand. They are a team. A matched set. Like socks. You wouldn't make just one of those would you (at least not on purpose!)? I told him that I had other knitting to do first. Which I do. But I'm going to try to get the other three guys done and surprise him.

His other request was that Donny have his weapon. What good is a mutated superhero turtle without his weapon anyway? I didn't want anything hard that could cause bodily injury (to his brother, for instance) but wanted it to look like a pole and not a piece of spaghetti. I thought a bit and came up with this solution. I'm already noodling how to make nunchucks, a long sword, and battle forks. Battle forks? Yup. Not sure what the technical term for them is, that's just what we call them.

So if you are making or have a Donatello and want a weapon to go with him here's what you do:

Pierce the end of one arm with your knitting needle. This makes a little hole through the yarn and stuffing. Take a drinking straw and cut off the bendy top portion. If you don't have a bendy straw, just cut down a regular one to about 6 inches. Fold the end a little and insert it into the hole you made. You will just get it through and need to pull from the other side. Straighten out the folded over part. Position the pole how you like. With the needles you used for the turtle (I used 5's) and the dark green yarn for the shell, cast on 5 stitches. Make a 5 stitch I-cord as long as the part of the straw that is below Donny's arm. Cast off and fasten end closed. Set aside. Make another I-cord as long as you need it for the top portion of the pole. Stick each end of the straw into an I-cord. Attach the cast on edges to Donny's arm using the cast on tails.

Viola! A Turtle and his weapon!

Some progress...

I've been working on writing up that pattern we keep talking about. That's why I've been a little quiet lately. But I have made some progress on my knitting queue too. I ended up making two candy corn hats. They are for the kidsters though, not for Super Aunt. But I still have more yarn left so she might get one after all.

Donatello (aka the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle) is coming along. Right now he's a one-legged super hero crime fighter. Kidster #1 has informed me of various "enhancements" he should have so I'm sure he'll need more than his leg to be considered complete.

And my car knitting project is complete. Why did it take me the whole first cloth to get this easy pattern down? Maybe because I was doing it one or two rows at a time. Hmm. Anyway, it's not quite for me. I like the front, but the back makes me frown. Remember, I need things to balance. Symmetry. This doesn't have it.

Delivered!

Last night was ladies night again. After two weeks of in-laws away and Hubster busy on the weekends it was nice to get away for a few hours. But I digress!

I finished up the sized-to-order purses and brought them to the ladies. After making five of these I think I am finally ready to take all my notes and scribbles and write out the pattern! It is my next major undertaking, I promise. Well, that and getting rid of the baby gear, getting a dresser in kidster #2's bedroom, painting the kitchen...ok, ok!

Here are my latest cable bags. In "medium" and "small". And here are all three sizes!