'Merry Christmas' hats

These are the 'Norwegian Star Earflap Hats' by Tiennie and they were a big hit.
I used Wool-Ease. Colours:- Oxford gray and Forest green.
Needles:-Sz#7 circular
I did a diamond pattern on one hat!!
I knit a two colour I-cord.
The wee boys loved their hats!!!
Merry Christmas everyone.
Happy knitting.
Mags

Christmas Ball Cozy....

These little knit cozies were made using leftover sox yarn..and they are so cute! I used leftover sox yarn e.g. Claudia, Noro, Red Heart, Trekking, CTH and Opal. Really any self striping or patterned yarn would work! I used Sz#1 DP's and I embellished some with gold embroidery floss. I also knit a little cable on one!!

I loved knitting these and the Grand Poobah made me a little metal tree (similar to a mug tree) to display them....aww..thanks honey!!!

Happy knitting.

Mags.

The "Jojo" heel

These sox are for my youngest grandson James for Christmas. He's 5.

I knit them mostly on our 5 1/2 hour drive to visit them at Thanksgiving. I really didn't get as much knitting done as I'd hoped...considering it's 11 hours total in the car!!!
Yarn:- Red Heart; Heart&Sole Colour:- Congo. ( I love this colour and I am a big fan of the yarn; for the price, the wash-ability,the colourways for kids and it's also non-splitty.)

Needles:-Sz#1

I decided to do a short-row "JoJo" heel and I love how it looks. No wraps here!!!!

Pattern:-I just cast on 50sts., and worked a k4 p1rib and carried it down the foot to the toe.

For the heel I used the instructions from a Regia phamplet; No.37.

The 'Grand Poobah" made me blockers for both the boys sizes...did I not tell you we have waaaay too much time on our hands!

Happy knitting.

Mags.

'Old Glory' slippers for William

My grandson William asked for slippers for Xmas. He was very excited about the Presidential election this year and was thrilled at the outcome!! He decided he wanted red, white and blue ones and called them 'Old Glory'.
I found this pattern 'Easy House Slippers'by Liecel Tverli Scully.
I cast on 14sts and knit 28rows of each colour on Sz#8 needles for a smaller size.
I used leftover Nature wool Chunky weight and I did buy some 'Patons' off white wool which I used doubled.
These were soooo simple and knit up in a few hours...it takes me a little while to felt, as I have a front-load washer and do some felting by hand.
The really fun part was folding the "L" shape to make the slippers. I can hardly believe that the strip of knitting folded up into a slipper. I am so damn thankful there is a viedo on YouTube of the process....or I'd have pulled my hair out!! (TeeHee) The Grand Poobah now needs a felted swatch..he will see if some silicone will work as an anti-skid measure on the soles!! Awww..thanks honey!
I have also been knitting dishcloths, picked some 'ground pine' and made 3 wreaths. I sent my Mother 2 pair of sox and yes she did complain...her words "Who knits patterns on sox?" Obviously me Ma!! I am working on a pair for my friend Elaine...who loves everything I do!!!
I will post pix sometime....so I haven't been idle...okay maybe a little!!!
Happy knitting.
Mags

Patchwork Socks

Soooo... because you knit, do people bug you and whine and say things like "When are you gonna make me a pair of sox?" Well lately I've been getting that question.
I know they haven't a clue about the time and sometimes the money that goes into the whole affair!!! (By the way, what was your most expensive yarn purchase?)Since I had a lot of this yarn left over after my footies. I decided to get a few people off my back and to just use it up. It is easy care, inexpensive..and I had it on hand, the only problem I had was finding a pattern that wouldn't get lost in the variegated yarn. I know I could have just knit these plain...I mean after all the yarn is striped...but wouldn't that be (too) boring??? I found this pattern and I love, love it!!
Yarn:- Red Heart Ltd., Heart and Sole with Aloe.
Colour:-Razzle-dazzleNeedles:-Sz.#1
Pattern:-Patchworksocken-Alpenfees Interpretation by Susanne Fiedler from "Alpenfees Wollberge"
It was basically mitered squares and easy to do. You just add your own heel and toe combination. It took me ages because I had decided to try the "Jojo" heel and I knit one complete sox using that heel. Well I decided to change to the "fore/afterthought heel for the bullseye effect and it fits with the pattern...at least for me, but I had a lot of ripping to do.
Next up same pattern...I have so much Christmas knitting to do I had better get started..no more 'piddling' around!!!
Happy knitting.
Mags

Cropped Cable Cardigan

Pattern:-Cropped Cable Cardigan by Vladimir Teriokhin from Vogueknitting Fall 2005

Yarn:-Lion Brand "Wool-Ease Chunky" colour Charcoal.

Needles:-Sz#11

Buttons bought at Jo~Annes in Maryland.

This worked up fast but the pattern had some mistakes and I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner.

I picked up and added 8 rows of garter stitch on the bottom edge because it was really very short. I hope the recipient likes it!! I still am not the best at seaming and I think from now on I'll just do top down cardi's, and I have bought a great pattern from http://www.sweaterbabe.com and although I can't wait to start, it will not be my next project because I have to knit some socks. My Mother asked for a pair or two although when I send them she always finds fault e.g....... not warm enough, too long in the leg, well you get the my drift....(sigh)
Happy knitting.
Mags

Mini and 'wee' Mini...

I knit these mini sox because the Grand Poobah had made me a little wooden key ring in the shape of a sox. I had always been meaning to knit a sox for it, and you know winter is coming...and I didn't want those wooden tootsies to get cold!!
I knit the little one on the left first. I used #000 needles and followed the 'Socknitters Mini-Sock' formula by Linda Nelson. I used a few yards of leftover Opal 'Neon'. It was a wee bit too small so I went up a needle size and used #oo. It fit perfectly. Consequently the Grand Poobah had to make me another keyring for the wee sox (hee hee).
Can I just say we must have too much time on our hands!!!!
Happy knitting.
Mags

Jaywalkers and in-place after/forethought heel...

Here are my Jaywalkers. Am I the only one who hasn't knitted a pair yet...well 'till now!!

Yarn:-Lorna's Laces...colour 'Chocolate Stripe.' At the colour change the white becomes green and then brown..maybe it's a hint of mint???

Needles Sz#1

I decided to try an after/forethought heel. I used the 'Chevron Patterns for Self-Striping Yarn' from Charlene Schurch's 'Sensational Knitted Socks. My socks didn't have the same stitch count so I just took 1/2 # stitchs for the heel and left 28sts before kitchener the heel closed. I really love the fit and the heel formed concentric circles of pattern sometimes called 'bull's-eye.' I will do this again.

Happy knitting.

Mags

Flower 'motif' footies...

These were knit using 'Red Heart' heart and sole with aloe yarn. This yarn is very colourful and is, I would say, very fine. The colourway is "Razzle Dazzle." The needle recommendation is Sz#2..I used #1's and I could have used Sz#0!!

This is just a little footie pattern I have used in the past. It incorporates many sock patterns. I took the little flower motif from the book "Socks * Socks * Socks," The pattern was Golf Socks by Dorothy S. Grubbs...I only hi-jacked the motif. I really should have done a heart in honour of the yarn....next time!!!!! The motif is on the heel flap and is a combo of intarsia and fair-isle.

Happy knitting.

Mags

Sunrise Circle Jacket in Black Tweed

Pattern:- Sunrise Circle Jacket by Kate Gilbert from Interweave Knits Spring 2006. (This is an interesting and unusual pattern and I loved how it all came together.)

Yarn:- I used 4 skeins of Patons Classic Wool.

Colour:- Black Tweed

Needles:-I used sz#5 's (I thought I had gauge using sz#6 needles and knit the back. The back was bigger than the given measurements in the pattern, so I re knit it using #5's) I didn't realise that it wasn't me who was off; it was the pattern. If I had done the fronts first and then done the back to match. Oh well...it's finished now. Should have checked on Ravelry.

The pattern had row by row instructions and was easy to follow. I dreaded finishing....the one reason "I am not a sweater knitter"...but everything lined up and looks good. (Whew..just me wiping the sweat from my brow.)

I decided not to bother with buttons.

Happy knitting.

Mags.

Garterlac dishcloths and a 'scrubbie'

This is a free pattern from http://criminyjickets.blogspot.com/2006/07/garterlac-dishcloth.html
If you want to learn entrelac knitting definitely start with dishcloths!!!!
I used a sz #7 circular needles. (With so much turning my stitches would have fallen off dp's .)
I used Sugar'n Cream cotton yarn bought on sale at Michael's...at $1 a skein they were practically giving the stuff away!!!
I loved how fast these knit up and how colourful they were using the variegated yarn.
I had already gifted these to Cath...so thanx Lou for the (lovely) pix.
I knit the 'scrubbie' using the cotton yarn plus tulle I had bought at Jo-Anne's. (I cut the tulle in a big long strip. Started at one corner and cut all the way around or you could cut in strips and tie the ends together, and then wound it into a ball.)
I have since found a pattern for a 'Tribble' a little circular 'scrubbie'
Okay...so now you know how I'm frittering away my life....but they are so addictive!!!!!!
Happy knitting,
Mags

Jim's 'Bubble Wrap' sox

These sox were knit with Wool Craft Superwash Sock yarn...leftover from knitting the 'Jitterbug' sox motif.
I used #1 needles and# 0's for the foot.
The pattern on the leg is from the "365 Knitting Stitches a Year Perpetual Calendar" converted to knit in the round!!!
It sort of looks like bubble wrap.
I did a tubular cast on and 3st garter edge on the heel flap.
The sox feel very dense and I hope they wear (Jim) well.
Sigh...another obligation fulfilled....whew!!!
Happy knitting.
Mags

I hope they fit because I wasn't sure about his size.

Knitted fabric strip/rag tote bag

Someone said to me at a baby shower it was too hot to be carrying a felted tote, so I decided to knit something bright and summery. Wow, it really is an explosion of colour!!!
This tote bag is knitted with fabric strips I bought on sale at Jo~Ann's last year. The strips were on sale for $2.97 and were 1/2"x50yds. Altogether I used about 5 and 1/2 or approx 275 yds.. If I use strips again I'll buy a rotary cutter and make my own strips and machine sew the ends of the strips together to make a continuous length and then roll it all into a ball.
Working with fabric was hard on my hands, probably because there is not the same give with fabric as yarn...but the finished product is unusual. My daughter thought I had used raffia.

Rag bag tote... 11"x11"x3"
Needles Sz 9 (straight) for the bottom and strap handles.
Bottom, 20 rows of garter stitch approx. 11"x3" Handles approx 30" long.
Sz 10 circs. for body of the bag. (58 rows, approx 11"x11")
I then lined the bag. and added a magnetic snap to the inner lining.
Since it is 100% cotton I can pitch the bag in the washer and dryer.
Happy knitting.
Mags.

P.S.Thank-you William for holding the bag for the pix....what the heck is in that bag...a brick...look at your wee muscles bulging!! (HeeHee)

Bug Socks

I haven't been blogging, commenting or knitting in forever!!! I did however manage to knit these bug sox. A wee challenge in fair isle and intarsia.
This pattern is supposed to be done in "Colinette" yarn. The JitterBug socks were designed by Wendy Freebourne and Lou Sugg and published in the April 2008 issue of "knitting" especially for 'Colinette ' yarn!!!
Unfortunately since N. Ireland's yarn stores; with any decent wool supplies; are few and far between I substituted "Wool Craft" superwash sock yarn for the "Colinette" and used Sz#1 DP's.
Now the sox are cute but well, you do the best you can with the resources you have.....sigh!
I mailed them to Lou...my favourite son-in-law and knit fan....who appreciates everything I do.
The bug motif is on both sides of each leg. (Thank you Lou...you're a super model!!!)
Would I knit another pair...maybe...I thought the pattern was well written and easy to follow (with step by step pix and how to's following the pattern..this is such a great idea)...I hated having to sew the back leg seam even 'tho is was just the length of the patterned panel.
But that's just me!!!
Happy knitting.
Mags

Entrelac socks

I'm posting a pix of one sock because I'm off to Ireland in the morning..a wee emergency has come up! I booked my ticket Thursday. Tomorrow is my travel day....drive to Pittsburgh...then Pittsburgh to Newark..Newark to Belfast!!! (I'm dreading this, but maybe it'll be okay!!!) I maybe won't be back for a while!!!
Anyhow, I hope to finish #2 sox there... or the airport would be a good place but I can't remember their knitting needle rules and regulations!!!!
This was my first attempt at entrelac, and I loved it! No need to knit backwards....just a lot of turning!
Pattern:-Annetrelac Socks by Sandy Beadle from 'Interweave Knits Gifts' Holiday 2007. ( I've also knit the 'Little Gems Mitts' and have earmarked other patterns from this (great) edition. )
I used a tubular/sometimes called a kitchener cast on.
Needles:-Sz #1 and #0 DP's
Yarn:- Opal handpaint 'Fall Melody' (The camera doesn't do this yarn justice) It really does look like fall foliage!!!! (On sale at 'Little Knits...fast becoming my favourite site to buy yarn.)
This pattern called for 72sts down to 48sts and the back to 72!! I should probably have cast on 60-64 my usual amount. ( using 72sts was the reason I knit the instep using the 0's.) Don't be afraid to try entrelac...it's really a pleasure.
Happy knitting and happy St. Patrick's Day
Mags.
Hope to be back soon.

The blues...

These past few weeks have been a bumpy time for us but I did manage to do a little knitting.

(Balm for my soul.)

My mother is having a birthday and the woman who needs and wants nothing did however request socks and slippers...I have yet to do the slippers but here are the socks.

The denim blue were knit using:-

Regia silk; purchased at my LYS.

Sz #1 DP's using 60sts...a little of this pattern and a little of another.

I did do an eye of partridge heel flap just to break up the plain sock.

I loved knitting with the 'Regia Silk' but I did feel the yarn got a little fuzzy! (Hey, maybe it's supposed to be like that???

Next, ''Embossed Leaves" pattern by Mona Schmidt from 'Interweave Knits"

For the 'Embossed Leaves Socks' I used Claudia Hand paint 'Wisteria'

Sz#2 needles (I probably should have used #1's since I do like a denser type sock.)

I did leave off one pattern on the cuff and did an eye of partridge heel flap keeping the 3 stitch garter edge. I have incorporated the garter edge on most socks I knit.

I probably choose the blues because of my mood....couldn't be more apropos!!!

Happy knitting.

Mags.

So is it a quilt or a blanket?

Here is the "Moderne Baby Blanket"from Mason-Dixon. I knit this because I was between projects and this yarn was sitting in a Walmart bag from long ago!!

It is knit with 'Red Heart Fiesta' yarn and cost something like $2.97 a 4oz skein. So if it didn't work, well no big deal!!!

The blanket is knit in rectangles, squares, etc....a lot of different shapes but with x amount of stitches and x amount of rows. Good enough. They was no sewing together, definitely a plus for me. If a new block was started the stitches were picked up and I can do that okay..don't forget I'm a sox knitter.

It was mindless knitting...just garter stitch ridges.

When I was done it looked terrific on the right side.......but I wasn't happy with the raw edges on the reverse and so I decided to add a backing. (Silly me.)

(I will also say that because I did not do a swatch. I had no gauge and have a few less blocks than the pattern called for. I did do a little math and have the requisite 12 though; 3 of each colour.)

I blocked and then measured the blanket (it measures with the edging 28" wide and 37" long )and scoured the Internet for ideas. (There are quite a few people who have done this...successfully and remarkably...who have advice and tips.)

I however had a lot of problems. The knit stretched. The batting shifted. My sewing machine played up. I couldn't sleep trying to solve this problem.

After a bunch of trips to Jo~Anne's I finally made something that fitted reasonably well and now I had a knitted blanket attached batting and the lining...and so to keep it all together I decided to outline each block with a backstitch using the light blue yarn. I had tried embroidery floss but didn't like the results!!!

Whew..I'm finally done.

It doesn't look too bad. I machine washed and dried it and nothing moved too much...although on the knit side the blocks are a little puffy.

If I'd known this would be such a big a job I at least would have used a better yarn. I probably should have quit ages ago and gave myself no bother!!!!

Happy knitting

Mags

Candy and a bunch of sox

What's better for Valentines Day than candy, a pair of sox and $'s...well at least a few $'s for the little lads!!

Someone over at 'Socknitters' mentioned 'Little Knits' and I checked it out, (thanx). (I love the sales and the customer service at this site and would recommend it to everyone.) I loved the tiger yarn and knew the wee boys would love it too.

I decided James should have black toes so they could tell the difference.

Boy's sox:-

Opal Tiger yarn /Regia for James black toes.

Sz#1 DP's and I just fudged numbers.

Lou's sox:-

FagStrikk yarn (gifted to me)

Sz#2 DP's and I just fudged numbers.

We will be seeing everyone this weekend but I had to get this stuff mailed today.

Happy knitting and Valentines Day.

Mags

Promises kept

Here are Lou's sox. He asked me if I could repair them. Really, I wanted him to just pitch them but when he said something about these being his favourite and his first pair from me.......I relented.

Well, I hate darning....and the lump I leave. Image how that feels underfoot! Sooo...I decided to cut off just above the hole...pick up the stitches and go from there.

The whole process wasn't too bad. Some of the stitches were stuck together but I just pried them apart with a crochet hook and the rest was easy. Would I do it again...maybe...I mean it really does beat knitting another pair..and I kept my promise to try.

Happy knitting..or repairing,

Mags

Felted hats.

Haven't been knitting much this year but did manage to finish these hats. I gave one to my daughter and the other has been sent to my mother..who has been asking for a hat! What 'she who must be obeyed' wants she usually gets!!!

Cath's hat:-

Fisherman wool; colour:-Nature Brown 8oz skein..I didn't use it all.

Circular and D.P's needles; Size #10

Pattern:- from the Lewiscraft Corp. (I think it has gone out of business, and that's too bad as I've gotten a few free patterns from their on-line site.)

Ma's hat:-

Patons classic wool; colour :- Burgundy, about 2 skeins.

Same size needles.

I then felted the hat...shaped over a bowl..and air dried.

I added a hat band. I just made a twisted I-cord.

Maybe I'll knit one for myself!!!

Happy knitting,

Mags