Seduced by a pattern..

First Christmas present done and I also finished my "Manly" sock for the October SKA challenge.

These socks are for my favourite son-in-law..yeah, I can say that..I only have one!

Pattern:- Oliver Socks By Marlowe Crawford.

I really was intrigued and seduced when I read the intro to this pattern. A series of increases and decreases give the sock a unique shape and it's supposed to fit like a glove. You can see the line of increases along the bottom of the foot and the funky 'V' shape on the top.

Even tho' this was a boring plain sock the increases and decreases kept me interested.

(Thanks you Grand Poobah for modelling it for me.)

Yarn:-'Shalimar' superwash sock. I bought this yarn a couple of years ago in Maryland and always put off using it because I wasn't sure I liked the colours. Let me just say I love it, and sadly it's been discontinued.

Needles:-Sz#1

I am planning mittens for my friend Elaine for Christmas. I usually knit her socks. Just doing something different this year.

Happy knitting.

Mags.

Knitting more mittens!

I've put up two pictures of these mittens because the image on the right shows the inside, (the stranding) work, and I thought you may like to see.
I really am fascinated by mittens. I'm still working although only briefly on my Christmas socks, but I will try to finish them this week.
Yarn:-Patons Kroy 4ply. Colours:-Gentry Gray and Summer Moss.
(I used about 36grams of each 50gram skein.)
Pattern:-I used the 'Four-leaf clover' pattern graph in "The Mitten Book." by Inger Gottfridsson and Ingrid Gottfridsson.
Let me just say, it was a challenge. There are vague instructions at the beginning of the book but it worked out and I felt a great sense of satisfaction when I was done. I decided to do a gusset type thumb. I don't really like the afterthought thumb, but this is a personal preference.
Needles:-Sz#1.
Although I have a couple of things I want to do for Christmas, but nothing is pressing...so that's good.
Happy knitting everyone.
Mags
P.S. Today we had about an inch of snow on the ground when we woke up. Brrrr..it's cold too. Perhaps that was our winter...well, I can only hope.(ha ha)
M.

Fat cat Hoodie!

Okay, I know I said I wouldn't be blogging for awhile because I would be working on my 'East meets West' bag....well, things change and here are my reasons to blog......

Reason #1:-For this bag, you cast on 450sts

Reason#2:- You're using sz#1 needles

Reason#3:- You're working with fingering yarn.

Need I say more....it's tedious......I have reached the short rows, but right now I want to get some stuff finished for Christmas and a few odds and ends cleared up and the bag is so daunting I'll put it aside 'till after Christmas.
Meantime this is a baby gift for my friend's second wee grandson.

Pattern:-Easy Baby Cardigan by Diane Soucy. This little jacket is knit top-down and I knit the 18mth. size..

Modifications:- I made it totally seamless by using a provisional cast on and kitchenering these hood stitches. In my opinion a nicer finish than seaming.

I also used a make one stitch increase for the raglan sleeves, although I think the knit f/b increases work equally well. I used an attached i-cord around all the edges except the cuff edge. Looks neater and keeps the garter band from rolling. I incorporated i-cord-loop buttonholes. I used these instead of making ties for the front.

Needles:-Sz#7

Yarn:- Plymouth happy Feet DK. Colour:-Lemon/Lime. It does have a little blue throughout.

Buttons:-3. Fat cat design, bought at Jo~Annes.

I added a close-up pic of the buttons and edging, mainly because the buttons are so cute.

I love this little hoodie and I hope the new Mom does too!

I have decided to participate in the SKA October challenge. I'll be knitting men's socks. More details when I'm done. These will be a Christmas gift.

Happy knitting.

Mags.