Noolie Knits

She's Back!

Tina's back leading the parade of FO's (if you call 3 FO's a parade)

Velvet Grapes:

Yarn:  Malabrigo "Velvet Grapes", 1 skein
Pattern:  Knitting Pure & Simple Baby Tunic (minus the hood)
Needles: sizes 7 & 9 Addi's

Clover's Crocheted Log Cabin Blanket:

Yarn:  Plymouth Jeannee, 11 colors
Pattern:  My own, inspired by Mason-Dixon Knitting's knitted Log Cabin Blanket
Hook:  Size H

and
Bunny Grabbit Blankie:

Yarn:  Berroco Plush
Pattern:  Mine
Needles: 10 1/2

So, what's that leave on the needles?

Boy Socks

Yarn:  Sockina
Pattern:  Just your plain ole stockinette sock
Needles:  Crystal Palace size 1 1/2

I started this pair of socks for myself, but I didn't do a gauge swatch (never do for socks) and they are working up to be too big for me, but they'll be just right for the hubby.  I figure it's about time I make him another pair of socks anyway, so these are for him. 

There are a few other things on the needles, but I'm not actively working on them; not sure yet whether I want to finish them or not. 

I've got a very small amount of the green merino to finish spinning; I'm hoping to get that done this week.

Next up:  Christmas stocking for Clover using the yarn that Heather was nice enough to dye up for me in the colorway she named for her, "Sweet Clover", (check out all the new yarns she's put up in her etsy shop this week!), socks for my brother-in-law for Christmas, and then, finally, a sweater for me.  I would like to make a new sweater for myself soon; it's been a while.  I'm not sure which one I'll make yet.  I've got a lot of ideas bouncing around in my head.

Well, that's enough for today; have a great one!

Yes, This is Still a Knitting Blog

You may not be able to tell from my last several posts, but I have been knitting.  I'll update you on what's on the needles and off the needles and also one project that I can't decide what to do with.

I brought a big bag full of yarn and my spindle with me to school; I always think I'll get more knitting time in when I go away than I actually do.  I was only able to knit during two of my classes, and in that time I started and completed one sock.

I'm calling this my "School Sock" for obvious reasons. This is the third time knitting with this yarn; when I say that, I mean it's the third time with this same skein of yarn! I cast on for two other patterns with it over the winter, but they just didn't work - one was too small and one was just not the right pattern for the yarn. Third time's a charm; this sock fits perfectly and I like the yarn in the plain ole stockinette stitch. I've cast on for the second sock and this will be my "to go knitting"; nice, easy, mindless knitting. The yarn is Scout's Soctoberfest yarn and I'm knitting this pair on size 1.5 dpn's over 64 stitches.

While in Waterville, I visited Yardgoods Center, the LYS (no website that I can find).  The store has kind of a cluttered feeling; I think I'm spoiled by my LYS and have difficulty finding something to buy in a cluttered environment.  I was just about to leave when I spotted an adorable stuffed bunny rabbit.  Samm had asked me if I'd make a stuffed bunny for her friend's daughter's first birthday (which was this past Sunday) and I thought this would be perfect.  I bought the pattern and the yarn and made the bunny in two evenings in the motel room; it's such a quick and easy knit taking only about three hours of actual knitting time. I sewed the eyes and nose on when I got home and it was ready in plenty of time for the party.

Pattern: "Magic Friends" by Barbara Boulton

Yarn: Stylecraft Charleston

Needles:  size 10 1/2

The pattern also has a kitty and a teddy bear; the only difference is the shape and size of the ears.  This is knit in one piece with no seaming except to close the hole at the top of the head when you're done stuffing it.  I've already bought some yarn to make the kitty for Jay's niece's first birthday, which is in a couple of weeks.  I see more of these in my future; easiest stuffed animal ever!

That was the exent of the knitting while away.  Since I've been home, I've made a washcloth for Rabbitch's drive, a baby washcloth for Clover, started a bib (from Mason-Dixon Knitting), and have finished the body of the Simple Knitted Bodice.

Washcloth for Rabbitch using Peaches & Cream cotton

Washcloth for Clover using Bernat Cotton Tots

I haven't taken a picture of the progress on the SKB yet; I'm not sure I will.  Believe it or not, that is the project I'm not sure about.  I think I made it too big and I'm just not happy with it but I'm not yet ready to admit defeat.  I'm picking up the neck stitches and I'll decide whether or not to finish once I see how that looks.  It's a mighty expensive knit to make any rash decisions.

Before leaving for school, I finished my July Holiday Headstart project.

Pattern: Yankee Knitter Fisherlad Guernsey

Yarn: Plymouth Encore, Color 0405

Needles: Addi Turbo sizes 5 & 7

There has been no spinning in the last couple of weeks; I'll have to remedy that pretty soon!  I have some news on that front too, but I'll save that for another post.

I have MANY projects that I'd like to start soon, but the next two will be my August Sockamania socks (once the School Socks are done) and a test knit for Lark which I plan to start this weekend.

I guess that's enough for today; I was planning to tell you about my afternoon with Sara and Cheryl, but this post is long enough as it is.  That'll be next.

Have a great day!

WIP's

I've started yet another project so I've decided to use today's post to show you all my WIP's (and one UFO).

First up, all the knitting I accomplished over the weekend at SPA:

This is it - one 9 1/4 inch sock cuff - plain ole stockinette on size 2's - from Friday night through Sunday at noon. Pathetic, no? I brought the sock because I knew I'd need something mindless; knowing full well that I'd be doing a lot of gabbing. Honestly though, I thought I'd get more than this done. This pair of socks is for my Dad's birthday next month. I have put it aside for now though; I think I'll work on it in little spurts. This yarn, Regia Bamboo, sucks to knit with. The white running through it makes it look blurry and it was driving me nuts (I know, short trip) all weekend. It's also very splitty. If the knitted fabric wasn't so soft and the colors weren't so perfect for my Dad, this sock would be history.

The elephant for Samm's friend's baby shower:

All the knitting is complete; I just have to make some eyes (I'm planning to cut some blue felt eyes and sew them on because I CANNOT embroider a decent circle), stuff him, and seam him up. He's kinda cute, I think. Little, but cute. He's just made from some old gray wool from the stash. 

Samm's leg warmer. The colors are even brighter in "person"; they are neon pink and neon green. The yarn is some Simply Soft acrylic I had in the stash; yep, I had it in the stash. She picked it out; she loves these bright colors right now. I can remember when she wanted NOTHING to do with anything even remotely pink; now the pinker, the better. I am going to make the mate with the colors reversed. I can only handle knitting this in small doses so I think it's going to take a while.

And the new project I cast on for this morning?

Faina's Scarf. The knitalong started last Wednesday and I'm just finally starting. The color in this picture is pretty accurate (surpisingly so). The yarn is Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. Sooooo yummy soft! The pattern seems fairly straight forward so far and the wrong sides are all purl (except 5 stitches in seed on each edge). Soft yarn + easy to follow pattern = enjoyable knit!

I have just one other project on the needles but I haven't touched it since September, so I guess it qualifies as an UFO. It's the only one I have, so that's not bad is it?

So, what's on your needles?