So, as I promised... Pictures!


Here's the blanket I made for a friend's wedding. It's kind of hard to see how big it is in this picture. It's a largeish throw, so not big enough to be the only blanket on your bed, but almost. I think I'm going to dye it blue, if I have time (and access to a washing machine... curse apartment living) before the wedding.
Here are the fabled 'manly socks' I made for my boyfriend. They're a charcoal wool from Universal Yarns-Pace. despite the fact that it's getting warm and they're made of wool, he wears them all the time. So that's nice to see.


And finally, my most recent WIP, socks for my dad's birthday. They're based on a basic sock pattern, but I've added a lace panel from Lace & Eyelets from Interweave Press, called "King Charles Brocade". It's turning out well. I've finished the first sock, and have about an inch done on the second one. I hope he likes them

April showers bring...a lack of posting

It's almost graduation (on May 11th)... crazy! So, because the year is wrapping up, I haven't had much time for blogging and Ravelry-ing, what with schoolwork and all.

However, I have managed to finish Wedding Blanket #2 (Photos will come as soon as my camera battery recharges), and made a pair of Manly Socks for the boy (also...pictures will come soon).

Since finishing the blanket and socks, I've started on a pair of ankle socks using Judy Gibson's "You're Putting Me On" sock pattern and the leftover yarn from Tristan's socks. They're turning out OK, but a bit pointy for my taste. I guess they'll be fine when I wear them. I'm doing a mistake rib on the tops to make them a little interesting. I tried doing cables, but they didn't show up well with the yarn.



I've also been working on a new sweater from the most recent issue of Knit 1. The pattern is for the "Gathered Cardi", but I don't like the gathering, so I'll be making it without that. Also (because I can't just follow a pattern) I'll be making the body of the sweater stripy with black, green, blue, and turquoise with the seed stitch collar, cuffs and button band black. I'm using Plymouth Yarns Encore Worsted That I've salvaged from an unused sweater I made a couple years ago.



Finally, because I just realized that I haven't added a picture of them: My first socks!! They're made with OnLine SuperSocke 6-ply. I have decided that self-striping yarn is one of the best inventions of mankind... It's just so fun to see the colors changing as you knit! I've only got a picture of one of them, but I promise I've made a pair. They're really comfy, but not exactly something you need in Central Illinois in summer.


I don't know why but the heel flap/gusset makes me very happy. It turned out so well. :)

Spheroid

This little guy is Spheroid. I've been making these little stuffed animals for about a year or so, and they're lots of fun. Just the right size to go in a pocket, backpack, or purse, they make good gifts for kids (especially if you have to make a lot of them). They're a really quick knit, and are a good way to use up extra bits of yarn. I use sport weight or sock yarn with size 2 needles to keep them small, but the gauge isn't really important. If you use larger needles and worsted weight or bulky yarn, you'll just get a bigger Spheroid. I have finally written up a pattern for them, which I hope to be able to offer in a couple days (once I figure out how to save it as a .pdf).

The end of an era!

I've finished it! And it turned out well! But all I know is that I won't be working on something this epic for quite a while. Yay!

Spring Break!

This spring break, I plan to:
1. Finish Wedding Blanket #1
2. Work on Wedding Blanket #2-finish it at least halfway
3. Make a couple shopping bags for Kris
4. Finish my distinction paper (I suppose I should do something school-y during all my putzing around)
5. Work on my Luna Moth Shawl.



We'll see what's going to happen...

Dante's Purse

Here's a set of little pouches I made for my friend's bridal shower. I waited too long to buy her a present, and all that was left on her list that I could afford was an ice cream scooper or a pillowcase. Neither of which are fun presents. So, I made these instead. They're based on a pattern I found here. I'm not exactally sure why they're called 'Dante's Purse' but I think they're cute.

Some of my favorite things to knit are baby sweaters. They're so fun! You can do goofy stuff with them; things that you wouldn't usually use for an adult sweater. For example, I made a 'bumblebee' sweater for a cousin of mine a few years ago (I think he's three or four by now).

And, I made another cardigan for a different cousin who had a baby the summer before last. Unfortunately, I didn't think to take a picture of it before I sent it off, but it was very cool: crazy intricate fair isle in LEGO colors with little green turtle buttons... It took me most of the summer.


So, the reason for all this talk of baby knits is that my lab manager is expecting in May. Unfortunately, may in central Illinois is not a time for sweaters. Alas... So, instead, I've made her a new teddy bear, with a sweater of its own. I like how he's kind of smirking; it makes me smile.


Also, I've decided to use this pattern for my green yarn. I just hope it's not too difficult for my first try at lace!