Hemlock Ring Blanket

I started this bad-boy super early (September 7!) and managed to get in done in a month, with about two or three weeks dedicated to exclusive foot-dragging.  I am so silly.  This throw wasn't even that hard.

My first Jared Flood project!  Although it doesn't count because it's not really his design, more his charting of a vintage pattern.

Hemlock Ring Blanket by Jared Flood

Knit with Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Mist

I almost always fear giving hand-knit presents, especially to people who already own such nice things.  I convince myself that what I make for people must look like garbage next to some of the nicer things people purchase.  This fear echoes, and my confidence shakes as I hand over my gifts, eyes slightly downcast, a bit embarrassed.  I wonder if this afflicts other proponents of gifts handmade, or if my insecurities are uniquely heightened. 

Wee Hats

This Christmas I decided to make a bunch of mini hats for Eddie's family!  I get nervous giving handmade little things like this, I don't want people to think I was being knit-lazy (does anyone else worry like that?).  

Wee Hats by Kym Hretz

Ravelry Project Page

I told Eddie's mom about my nervousness, and after telling me I was being a little silly, she told me "it's all about the presentation".

Presentation

My mom helped me a lot with the Christmas cards, both in concept and construction.  They're little snowpeople with funny hair and big hats.  JUST LIKE ME.

Mods:

Used size 1instead of size 0

Knitted the decrease rounds without knit rounds in between

Happy Christmas!

Keep Holden On

Oh man, I am so punny.

In my early days of knitting, I remember looking at Holden Shawlette and thinking it was the most beautiful thing, yet so intricate and complicated.  Though my skill set grew over the years (I started my knitting adventures in fall of '09!), I never revisited Holden, absolutely convinced it was too challenging.

How silly I am.

I started this pattern in the early fall (October maybe) for an autumnal shawl.  Then my row count was off, and I thought I had enough stitches to start the lace but I was something like 14 rows off (I have no idea how that happen).  Disheartened, I ripped out the botched lace row and set it down.  For months.  In my desk.

I picked it up again a few days ago and bam!  Done.

I used MadTosh and accordingly modified the pattern in fear of yarn shortage -- I have one less lace repeat than the pattern dictates.  Other than that, everything's as written.

Ravelry Project Page

Thanks to my mom for taking the photos, and only kvetching a little throughout the process.

Holiday knitting

You haven't posted anything in a while, does that mean you're not knitting?

No way.  I'm primarily working on holiday knitting for other people.  And what sort of knitter would I look like if the recipient already saw exactly what they were to receive?  

Some light spoilers though:

I finished the presents for my parents and my in-laws.  I'm still working on the presents for my brother and his special lady.  I have one part of Eddie's presents done.  

But!  In the spirit of selfish knitting, I have started a project for myself: 

Holden Shawlette by Mindy Wilkes

I'm using Tosh Merino Light in Terra

Happy knitting!

Baby Mitts

I work at my college library, and I can say with complete certainty that the library job is the best on campus.  Seriously.  It's fantastic.  Part of what makes the library so wonderful is the amazing people who staff it, and today is the last day for one of them.

The woman who's leaving is a new momma, so I made her beautiful baby some mitts!

Baby Mittens by Malin Knits

MC: Knit Picks Comfy Fingering in Whisker, CC: Premier Yarns Serenity Sock Weight in Rainbow

Seriously, how cute are these little things? The overall cotton/ merino/bamboo/nylon/acrylic fiber combination makes these super soft. It's interesting that the rainbow yarn yielded two completely different mitts -- one's completely orange!  

These mitts are so quick and use such little yarn! Since fingering weight yarn is my new favorite weight, all you new parents should watch out.  Your babies are getting mitten'ed.

The Hillside, San Francisco

My second order from Knit Picks this summer came in, containing yarn to make everything from my to-knit list.  I started with what may become a classic for me -- Cladonia by Kristen Kapur.

Ravelry project page 

I named the project "The Hillside" after my fiance's neighborhood in San Francisco.  Those of you familiar with San Francisco may not recognize Hillside as a neighborhood, and you are right!  Eddie's neighborhood is sandwiched between two larger ones, and his niche doesn't get distinction.  The Eddie solution?  Name it something new -- The Hillside.  My Hillside is knit with Knit Picks Chroma Fingering in Pegasus and Knit Picks Comfy Fingering in Whisker.  They're different fibers, so the gray really pops against the spectrum and adds a new texture dimension.

I visited ImagiKnit last week to get a Tosh fix.  Mission successful.

Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in Terra

I don't know what to do with such a glorious orange, but my needles busily click about Nathan for now, so I must stay focused.   After ImagiKnit, Eddie, his fantastic roommate Matt and I went to the cinematic glory known as Midnites for Maniacs at the historic Castro Theatre.  There, we saw a triple feature -- Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (Vegan Police), Hot Fuzz (a great big bushy beard!), and Shaun of the Dead (You've got red on you) -- with in house Q&A from the mind behind these film-gems, director and writer Edgar Wright.   All for $15.  Bam.

I also visited a new yarn shop -- Atelier Yarns.  I bought some darning needles to officially finish The Hillside (I somehow lost my cherished yarn needle), but the yarn selection definitively tempted me.  Mmm Malibrigo.

San Francisco with my beloved delivers new adventures daily.  I love it here with him (although I suspect I'd love anywhere with him).

To-knit list (and why I love them)

I just made my last yarn purchase of the summer (and I'm blogging about it now just in case I forget -- no more buying yarn!), so it's time for a knit-list!

  ●

Nathan by Jones and Vandermeer 

My Eddie is dapper, oh so dapper, and he is quite fond of sweater-vests.  He loves the last sweater vest I made him, but I'm not completely satisfied with the project in hindsight.  Textured Vest by Erika Knight is knit flat, and flat stockinette, while cathartic, drags.  Nathan is knit in the round, which will save yarn and also make the pattern go more quickly.  The sides are ribbed, which will help achieve an ideal fit (I want slim fitting, ala Joseph Gordon Levitt in Inception).  This pattern is free!

Hemlock Ring Blanket by Jared Flood

It's about time I knit something by Jared Flood.  While this isn't technically his pattern, I credit him for sharing it with the knitterverse anyway.  I am so excited for heavyweight lace.  This pattern will be a challenge (I haven't knit exclusively off a chart before, I've never made a blanket before) but I'm looking forward to it.  Plus, it's beautiful.  This pattern is free!

Cladonia by Kristen Kapur

(oh yes, I'm making another one)

My first go at this pattern went so beautifully, and despite being a large-ish shawl, I was never really bored by it (which is saying something).  Plus the outcome is stunning.  This time I'm using Chroma Fingering in Pegasus for the contrast color.  I love this pattern.

the beekeeper's quilt by tiny owl knits

tiny owl knits Oh my Gosh.  I first fell in love with her designs when I made "Baby Lamb Cuffs", and I had been keeping an eye on her new designs ever since.  Imagine my jubilation when I found the beekeeper's quilt.  It's made from stuffed sock yarn puffs (so there's no need to line the opposite side of the quilt) using bits of yarn, so it's an amazing stash-buster.  Pay close attention to the charts and tips discussion board on Ravelry where people post charts (for free) to make things like bees, foxes, owls, and gnomes for your puffs!  I am so excited