scarf

So I'm working on the Slytherin scarf, have set aside the Dalek for a bit because I'm still troubled over what to do about the eye. We'll see. I'm also considering installing boning on the inside to give it a more pleasing shape. This will take some doing.

I'm proud of MG for getting her blanket almost done - remember girl, NEVER let the man be right. YOU CAN FINISH THIS!

I'm getting there...

I'm getting closer. The blanket has to be 34 and 1/2 inches long and i'm at 25 inches.

I was out and about this weekend and picked up more fabric for receiving blankets on the weekend. A pretty purple, a gray plaid and a red with penguins on it. I'm going to be so busy every night this week getting it all ready for Saturday.

So... basically I will have to finish 6 receiving blankets and my crocheted blanket by Saturday. I'll post a picture of the projects when i'm done. It will be the most i've acomplished in such a short time. I hope she likes them.

I must work on blanket. Tonight, tonight, tonight.

Blanket 002

Blanket 002

Close-up of pattern for T's blanket (material girl post)

Blanket 001

Blanket 001

Photo of T's blanket. (Material Girl project)

Go Go Go!

I've got until March 3rd to finish Tina's blanket and I'm no farther since my last post.

I had a bit of a depressing week so I find I can't work on projects when my heart isn't in it. Well I'm ready again.

I'm planning to make a special trip this weekend to pick up some more fabric for my receiving blankets. The part that kills me is depending on what style you get it can be expensive. But of course it's still a million times better than a cheaply make piece from the store. Mine will be made with love.

Psst....you know who...call me Wednesday and harrase me about how i'm doing!!!.

You can see above, one picture of the blanket and one of a close up of the stiches.

Baby blanket complete!

Hooray! I'm finally done. Bad news: I completely forgot to take a picture of my handiwork, as in my excitement I ran it right over to M's house. The pattern yielded a diagonal shape rather than a square, which is actually perfect because it allows for swaddling.

Baudelaire

These socks look so decadent... I'm frightened of multiple-needle stitchery though. Hmm.

Good news! Blanket's almost done!

A squidpod! Eeee!

This is so cute! My damn queue of projects is piling up again. Le sigh.

edit: pattern originated here.

Purse

Purse

This purse was knit using Bernat PingPong Bulky "5" yarn, in the color 51013 "Mocha Madness", dye lot 15413. The pattern is available on the label. Label calls for 2 50g balls, however I managed to make it with one. Knit with 5.5mm bamboo knitting needles, though a higher gauge would probably yield a bigger purse and require the 2 balls.

This is a quick knit - all told, it took me a couple hours including finishing.

Dalek

Dalek

Here's a photo of my (unfinished) Dalek. I did the pattern myself, which was tougher than you could imagine. This was a prototype model to see how it would work out, so rather than rip out a thousand stitches and start over, I just added notes for what to do next time. I will edit this entry later with stitch details, but for now just wanted to provide photographic evidence of its awesomeness. Who wouldn't want a cuddly toy that wishes to exterminate you? Honestly now.

DETAILS:

I used Bernat Satin in color 04317 "Stardust", no dye lot (woohoo!). They come in 100g balls, worsted weight. This stuff is machine washable/dryable, which is part of why I chose to use it for this project. I knit this with a pair of 4 mm (US size 6) circular needles.

Cast on 80 st.

Place marker at end of row. Join yarn, being careful not to twist the circle and cause the moebus effect.
k 5 rows.
*Row 6: MB every 5 stitches (inc. 4 k in the bobble)
*k 4 rows. on 5th row, dec every 6th st.
*k two rows.
*on next row, mb every 4 st. (last bobble may be only 3 st between)
repeat starred process three more times.

k 4 rows, p 4 rows.
k 3 rows, p 4 rows.
*beginning of next round, k 5 sts, p 4 sts until you have 10 cols, then k3 p4 until end.
repeat * for 3 more rows.
p 4 rows.
k 5 sts, p 4 sts until you have 10 cols, then k3 p4 until end.
p 4 rows. k next 5 rows, dec every 5 or 6 st.

p 2 rows. k 3, p 2 for next 3 rows.
p 2 rows, dec sts every 5 or 6 st.
k 3, p 2 for next 3 rows.
p 2 rows
k the rest, dec every 5th st until end. bind off.

That's all I have for now, and it will require some modification next time round. I haven't knit the bottom up yet, so all you'll have is a hat of sorts. More details to come.

OMG

I so want to make this.

Damnit. Concentrate, Willow! Focus on the blanket. The blaaaaaankkkkeeeeeettttt

Sore Fingers

I've got two projects on the go right now, one where I am crocheting and one where I am using my sewing machine.

I'm crocheting a baby blanket for my friend T. It's a purple and white yarn and I'm about 1/3 of the way done. I'm determined to finish it by this Sunday. I only started it last Sunday night but I'm sure with more than a few hours of working on it this weekend I should reach my goal. It's a really simple crochet and chain patter which I love because it's totally brainless.

I'm also working on some receiving blankets with my sewing machine which has been more than a little frustrating. There are some days where it seems to work perfectly and other days when I can't get it to hold a stitch. Part of it has been me learning how to use the machine properly. For about a month I couldn't get it to work because I had the needle threaded backwards. duh. My mother in law showed me how to make these blankets and the're easy peasy.

The one thing I have noticed since I started the crocheting on Sunday, my fingers are sore as all hell. It's part that I'm probably not holding my hands properly and part because I'm getting used to doing it for more than a short period of time again.

Lola

Yarn yearnings.

Sorely tempted to purchase size 50 needles from Lion Brand - they're massive needles and are for quick projects - you could probably knit a scarf in about a half hour with these puppies. They have some lovely chenille yarn as well... hmm... I should probably focus on finishing the baby blanket (I set it aside because of all the tax/accounting stuff, and then some other family things) but it doesn't hurt to purchase ahead and have it ready for when I'm done.

I have a massive basket full of different yarns though. Some of it is extras (I tend to buy one or two more than patterns call for, just to be safe) and I figure that's good since C has taken an interest; there's plenty for her to work with. S just laughs when I come home with more. He knows I will put it to good use so he never pesters me - he just finds my yarn neediness funny. I told him it's like my thing with shoes and purses - you can never have too many.

blanket madness

It seemed like an innocent enough offer. My friend M is having a baby girl - I couldn't be more delighted for her, as she already has 4 boys. So I told her I'd knit her a blanket.

Which is fine, but getting very, very tiring as I am desiring to take on other projects as well. Typically I knit one or two or three different projects at once, but considering she is due in April, I can't really gully about on this. I am past the mid-point and already decreasing rows, which is a relief there, but yegads I'm tired of it. My own fault. I used a smaller gauge than I normally would, which is making the work longer and more tedious.

But I will NOT give up!

I'll post a photo once I set up the software for my camera again (recently installed new hard drive, have yet to catch up with all the fun reinstalling software buggery).