New FOs

I've really been trying to make some progress on my Xmas knitting. I was hitting a lot of trouble with every project, having to restart most of them at least once and most often twice. I decided that I need to get some of the hats scratched of my list, since they are almost instant gratification and would give me some more stamina to complete some of the harder projects.

First I did the Irish Hiking hat. I removed the ribbing, cause I don't think it's really necessary on a cable/rib pattern. This one is for my cousin, who requested a green toque.

Details:
Pattern: Irish Hiking Hat by Blackhorsefree
Yarn: Cascade 220 Wool - Christmas Green 8894
Needles: US 7 / 4.5 mm
Made for: Kyron
Timeline: Oct 16th, 2008 - Oct 18th, 2008
Modifications: Omitted ribbing

Next I moved onto a simple black/tweed tuque for my Father-in-law who prefers his hats to be a little short. (Not covering the ears, although it looks perfect on my hat model).

Details:
Pattern: A Hat Fit for a Boyfriend by Stephanie Nicole
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Galway Colornep - Black 509
Needles: US 6 / 4.0 mm
Made for: Father-in-law
Timeline: Oct 19th, 2008 - Oct 20th, 2008
Modifications: Shorter to not cover ears

Since I felt like I was on a roll I decided to keep going with hats and moved on to my brother's hat. I decided on using the Montreal Tuque pattern by Veronik Avery because of the three colour combination. His colour choices have nothing to do with the Edmonton Oilers and everything to do with the fact that they match his winter coat!

Details:
Pattern: Montreal Tuque by Veronik Avery
Yarn: Lang Yarns Merino 150 - Navy 0035, Gray 0124, & Orange 0059
Needles: US 3 / 3.25 mm
Made for: Father-in-law
Timeline: Oct 21st, 2008 - Oct 28th, 2008
Modifications: none

At this point, I'm starting to get tired of knitting for others. So I decide to cast on a hat for myself to ensure that I don't get angry about all this knitting for others that I'm doing. I was looking at yarns at Ariadne and I got drawn in by the Classic Elite Yarns Jil Eaton Minnow Merino. I looked on ravelry and there aren't that many patterns for it yet but I did see one Foliage that caught my eye and so I decided to finally cast on for that pattern. Especially since it's been in my queue for a few months and I've wanted to make it ever since it came out. It was my first time doing a hat top down so the beginning was a little confusing. The verdict is still out there on the yarn because although I love the colour and the fact that it's superwash despite looking like roving, it's kind of fuzzy/pilly and splits very easily (due to its roving nature) and it is tricky to fix your mistakes (unknit). I do love the way it feels (it's beautifully squishy). I won't decide how I feel about it until I've actually worn it a few times. As for the finished product, I should have chosen a better cast off method cause it's a little tight, but that just means that it also won't slide of my head like all my other hats (I have big hair).

Details:
Pattern: Foliage by Emilee Mooney
Yarn: Classic Elite Yarns Jil Eaton Minnow Merino - Aqua 4720
Needles: US 7 / 4.5 mm & US 5 / 3.75 mm
Made for: ME!
Timeline: Oct 30th, 2008 - Nov 3rd, 2008
Modifications: none

Before I started on this hat streak I finished my first of four Newfoundland Mittens for JF's cousins. They're 7 & 12 (i think, maybe 8 & 13) and instead of using a neutral with Noro this time, I just chose their favourite colours with white and black. The first is for the eldest, whose favourite colour is "Rose Fluo" or Bright pink. I decided to pair it with black since that makes it pop. The second pair will be "Mauve" or purple with white.

Details:
Pattern: Newfoundland Mitts by Traditional Design
Yarn: Mystery Pink Merino (Zara-like) and Black sock yarn (Regia or Phildar)
Needles US 3 / 3.25 mm & US 2½ / 3.0 mm
Made for: Lolo
Timeline: Sept 27th, 2008 - Oct 16th, 2008
Modifications: added pattern repeats both in width and length, black yarn held double.

I still have a ton of projects to finish for xmas, but I'm slowing getting things done. I will have some extra time as I am spending xmas in Newfoundland and will be leaving the Quebec gifts until last and can knit on them while in Newfoundland, to be given in the New Year.

Newfoundland hat

I decided that I wanted to make a hat to match my black newfoundland mittens. I didn't want to do the whole top of the hat in black like the mittens, since that's my least favourite part of the mittens. So I figured if i made my decreases in multiples of 6 in the second of the purl rounds, that it would work out. (pattern repeat is a multiple of 6). What I didn't think of is that it throws the layout of the pattern off, its not too bad cause its mostly on the top of my head anyway.

Here it is:

I will post the pattern a little later, I have to figure out some calculations and maybe make some mods to make the decreases less wonky.

My other projects have pretty much been stalled, cause I really wanted to figure the hat out. I did knit a few rows on the CPH since my last post, but not much, the second pair of newfoundland mitts advanced a little bit too, I'm almost at the thumb.

But I was working on the March sock pattern for Robyn's Nest. Don't forget to get yours, you have until friday.

New Projects

So I finally finished my test knitting for Mona, and I'm so relieved. For about a week I barely knit upon completion cause I just didn't feel like knitting after such a challenge and then I spent a couple of afternoons browsing ravelry and found a few more things that I plan to make.

I had acquired some Anniversary Twist by Briggs and Little while I was in Newfoundland last summer and I was trying to figure out what I could possibly do with it since I didn't really know if I liked the colour or not. Upon browsing ravelry for ideas I saw that a 2 people had done the Central Park Hoodie in this yarn and it looks really nice, see here (ravelry link). I cast on and here is my progress:

I also cast on another pair of Newfoundland Mittens. To use up the kureyon that I originally bought for the first pair but ended up being too dark with the black. I decided to use it with the Briggs and Little Sheep's grey that I bought while in Newfoundland. So far it is working out nicely:

Don't forget that I'm designing the March Sock for Robyn's Nest so if you haven't already done so get over there and order yourself one. You can even order one for all your knitting friends!!

FO

I finished my mittens!!!! They knit up so quickly, once I got the yarn and needle size right anyway. Although even with those problems it took me less than two weeks to finish them. Here they are:

Specs:
Pattern: Newfoundland Mitts (pattern available here)
Yarn: Briggs and Little Regal (black) & Noro Silk Garden
Needles: US 4 / 3.5 mm & US 5 / 3.75 mm
Timeline: Jan 30th to Feb 10th

To make them more matchy, you would need to use two skeins of silk garden. I played with the yarn a bit to make these at least slightly matchy but not too much.

I love these mitts and will probably be making a few more pairs. Just not right away because as you may already know, I am designing the March sock for the Sock Club at Robyn's Nest. So I need to concentrate on that for a bit. Please buy a kit!!!

Recent Knitting

So for the last little while I've been working on a test-knitting pattern so there hasn't been a whole lot of blogable knitting, hence the lack of blogging. Recently however, I lost my beautiful green hat (it might still be in the apartment but I can't find it). This meant that I needed an ear covering and fast. I didn't really have the time to devote to making another one, even though it is a quick knit, but I needed something to prevent my ears from falling off so I made Calorimetry

I used some yarn that Robyn had destashed at some point and knit it up while watching a movie. I used some Lego pieces from JF's Lego stash for the closure, I got the idea on Ravelry from someone else who had made it. Here she is:

I also fell upon a pattern that reminded me of my childhood, I remember these mittens and they were aptly named Newfoundland Mittens so I just couldn't resist. I cast them on and started with Noro Kureyon, but the colours just weren't coming out like I wanted, so I switched to the silk garden I had sitting in my stash. As of last night I was ready to do the hand decreases and tonight while knitting at Ariadne I finished the first one. I will post a picture of the finished mitt later, I haven't photographed it yet.

I have almost finished the secret project so hopefully I will resurface and get a little better at this blogging stuff.

In non-knitting news, I am no longer working at my thankless job, and I am quite happy about that (it's been two months, but I just kept forgetting to talk about it). I hope to get back into web programming or maybe do a switcho changeo and get into teaching. I'd probably teach English because there is a big shortage of English teachers in Quebec. Also if ever I leave Québec, I'll be able to teach French. I haven't quite figured out all the details, and am very much in limbo right now. Hopefully things will start to clear up on that front, but for now, I'm quite happy to sleep in 'til noon and knit my days away.