WIP's

As I mentioned on Sunday, I really have been doing some knitting and crocheting (spinning too, but I'll save that for another post).  I have a few projects that are currently occupying what little knitting/crocheting time I have managed to find. 

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Samm has a friend who just had a baby boy on Monday.  She asked me a while ago if I would make something for the baby, and since his Mommy loves monkeys, I thought the Li'l Monkey Blanket (Ravelry link) from The Happy Hooker book would be perfect. 

I am not using the yarn called for (Bernat Softee Chunky), instead I'm using Berroco Comfort.  It's a smaller gauge so I have to crochet more rows to get the correct size squares, but I think it's a much nicer yarn.  Here's a picture of about 1/2 the squares needed.

  And the squares with the monkey faces on them.

Go ahead and laugh; I can take it. Just ask my friend Eileen; she got an awful lot of entertainment out of these monkeys at Chicks with Sticks last night.

I have finished several more squares since taking those pictures; I have just two to go and then I'll join them and crochet the border.  I'm planning (hoping) to be finished by the end of the weekend.

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The next couple of projects I have to show you are using yarn that I bought while in Vermont for a knitting weekend a few weeks ago with Patti and our Manchvegas knitting friends. 

The yarn and pattern for this sweater was chosen after seeing the sample sweater at The Knitting Studio in Montpelier. 

Pattern: Child's Ruffle Sweater by Vermont Fiber Designs
Yarn: O-Wool Balance in Ruby (a lovely blend of organic wool & organic cotton)
Can you guess who I'm making this for?   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   The Reader's Wrap: (Ravelry link) The yarn was purchased at a wonderful little shop called The Vermont Yarn Shop at Plainview Farm in Plainfield, VT.  Several of our group picked up some of this yarn (we took all she had).  It's an amazingly soft cormo/silk blend from This and That Farm.  This project is currently on hold while I decide if I can really stand to knit 60 inches (20 inches wide) of almost all stockinette stitch.  I'm thinking I may pull this out and add a little patterning to it; nothing fancy, just enough to hold my interest.  We'll see; any suggestions? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~      

Comments

[Sara]

Neat projects!!!!

On the reader's wrap - I love the border - but, I'm thinking I'd be mixing me up a lacy pattern there in the middle - maybe from the 365 Knitting stitches...that much stockinette would drive me to drink...

[marianne]

Oh hahahahahah, those monkeys are FABulous! and so very sweet of you!
That little ruffled sweater? hmmmmm. now that's a really hard one to figure out... oh, oh, I know! Clover Grace! :^D
That's a cute one.

[Sheepish Annie]

I never laugh at monkeys. They are noble creatures. They also throw their poo at people, but mostly they are noble. And very cute, especially when decorating a blankie!

[colleen]

the monkeys are great! so much fun!
and I LOVE the reader's wrap. am googling for the pattern right now- perfect knitting for TV

[April]

Sometimes I think we're "Knitting Sisters." I've been debating the Reader's Wrap myself since I first saw the pattern about 4 months ago. And now I've added the Monkey Blanket to my list of things I MUST MAKE.

[Kathleen]

I always like to have some mindless knitting around. Good for watching tv.

love the monkies.

[Zonda]

Cute monkey blanket that will be! Nice looking wips!

[Chris]

So are you liking the Berrocco Comfort? I saw it and thought it'd be great for stuff for kids.

[Shannon]

I think that little monkey blanket will be darling!

[Debby]

The monkey blanket is so adorable! I have the feeling a lot of people will be making that after seeing yours, and Clover might want one for her very self!!!

[Gina aka SleepyEyes]

Oooh, those monkey squares are fantastic!! I can't believe how "life-like" the faces are! Great job, Julie! (Wanna make me a blanket, too?? LOL)