help me choose

Which one should I start for my next project?

Plus side of option one is that it is 4 row repeat, whereas option two is a 7 row repeat, but all wrong side rows are the same.

What do you think?

pattern doesn't always know best

And here's the proof. Last Wednesday at Close Knit knit night I invested in some Noro Silk Garden (worth it, thees two hats have only used about 2/3 of one ball). I didn't want to start a big project because I'm ready to start a full-sized cardigan for myself, so I thought a hat would be a good way to use this yarn. The turn-a-square pattern by Brooklyn Tweed would showcase the pretty color variation of the yarn as well as present me the challenge of doing my first knitted color work.

Anyway, the first hat was done following the pattern almost exactly. There are increases after the ribbing, and the top is done in the prescribed way which results in a top with almost corners (as per the pattern name). It also continues the striping pattern all the way through the top. The result is too wide, even for my large head, and a little short as well. The decrease technique that creates the corners makes the hat have basically a flat top. All in all, not so great. Hat #1 will be frogged and re-knit to follow my modifications that I made on hat #2.

Those modifications include: casting on 80 instead of 96, no increases after the ribbing, stopping the contrasting colored stripes after the first row of decreases, and decreasing by k2tog every few stitches every other row.

The colors of both hats a great, I can't believe there's so many different colors in one ball of yarn. I'm going to redo the first one to match the mods of the second and I'm sure I'll love it.

The cutest thing I ever knit

My cousin Phaedra had a baby on Friday the 10th. Her name is Sirene Ava.The first girl on my dad's side since my little sister was born 16 years ago. Since then there have been 5 great-grandsons in a row for my grandma. We were all quite excited, and me especially because I wanted to make her something girly.

The result is not only my first complete clothing item, but also by far the cutest thing I've knit to date. This tiny little cardigan (deceptively titled the Five Hour Baby Sweater) took me about 2 and a half days to complete, and I got it done the same day I got the news that Sirene had arrived. It's cotton (another first for me, man is cotton yarn stiff) and delightfully berry colored. As a matter of chance it came out to be spot on 3M size, and since they will be visiting for a month in June I might even get to see my newest little cousin wearing it.

This pattern was great to knit, it's all in once piece. Starting from the top, the ridges of garter rows add some simple design flair. The only seaming that had to be done was under the arms. I didn't exactly follow the directions with the sleeves because they seemed too long, instead I did about 4 inches without any decreases and stopped at that. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to knit a sweater but isn't ready to commit to adult size. It took less than one ball of yarn and gave me a boost of knitting confidence.

another hat

I love this hat pattern. It is so simple but interesting. This one I made for Joe at his request (picture is of us being fierce at my birthday party). It's the third one I've made and it probably only took a total of 4 hours to knit. Definitely a go to pattern, simple enough for a novice knitter but makes an impressive finished item.

getting ish done

I've gotten a lot of knitting time in the last few days, specifically this weekend. I had a weekend seminar at PSU with a bunch of breaks and lunch periods with time to myself. I always like to have a project going that I can pop in my purse and work on when I have a minute, which is what I think one of the greatest things about having knitting for a hobby is. You don't need a block of time to get something accomplished, two minutes standing in line is enough to get a little done. Generally my purse worthy project is a hat because they are small and on circular needles and therefor easily portable.

Currently, I am working on another hurricane hat. But the project has not been without setbacks. I'm making this one for a male friend with a rather large head, so after starting on size 7 needles I decided that wouldn't be big enough and so I ripped it out and ordered some 16 inch size 8 circs. off the interwebs (maybe I picked up a few more things as well... picture at top left, I got 7 sets for like $25, what a deal!). So the hat was on hold til those came. Then, thinking that the looser gauge would still not compensate for a large size head, I cast on 90 instead of 80, which is what the normal pattern recommends. I got almost to where I'd normally start decreasing before I realized that this hat was basically big enough to cover half a watermelon. So I ripped again, and cast on 80 with the size 8's, and It is looking to be just right, but now I only have about 3 inches done and need another few hours to finish it up.

I've also been working on a scrunchable scarf. I had it in my queue on ravelry, but I didn't feel inspired to start until after seeing this one by the addknitter. I cast on 24 with size 9's, and I slipped the first stitch and knitted the last for a nice pretty edging, because my edges are generally a hot mess. I'm using the Lorna's Laces that Hula tried to ambush on superbowl weekend, and it's turning out great. No major color pooling, and the scarf is already over 3 feet long with a third of the ball left. Very generous yardage. Considering the fact that there was snow and hail last week, I'm guessing I'll be needing scarves until the end of March at least, and I'm excited to finish this one up in the next few days and wear it.

knit night!

Tonight I got to go to my second knitting get together at my favorite yarn store, Close Knit. I can't stress enough how amazing this shop is. The Wednesday knit night is chalk full of talented women. I got to meet quite a few other women who share my hobby, including Chris whose blog I read but I didn't realize it until I got home =) I will definitly be going back again, I love ambiance of this shop, it's wonderful owner, and the patrons. There were probably 15 or so women there at one time, it's exciting to get to see everyone's projects and techniques.

oh no, she did it again

Every time I think that my sweet Hula could never do a naughty thing again, she pulls a move like she did today. I go to pick up Chris from work and figured that since Hula had gotten plenty of exserse that she'd be tuckered out and just nap while I was gone. Boy was I wrong. In past posts I established that she likes yarn. Well, today she didn't just go after a ball of yarn, she went after a work in progress. My almost complete anthropology cardigan. She chewed through the cord of my circular needles. Luckily the yarn is very woolly it stayed in form without unraveling. Now I have to get another pair of size 10.5 29 inch long needles and repair the damage. It's a good thing Hula is so darn cute.

So because this was so depressing I couldn't bring myself to take any picture.

In more positive news, we got extended cable back. I watched my first Daily Show and Colbert Report (not on the computer) in almost a year. That man is genius. And last night's Daily Show was particularly good, with Sandra Day O'Connor as a guest. She is one classy lady, one of my real life heroes. First woman justice, most moderate justice on the court for about 25 years (read 'swing vote'). At a time when women were first leaving the homes and entering the workplace, she was an amazing example of what powerful and professional contributions to the business community women could be. And now, almost eighty and retired, she is still hard at work trying to teach American students about civics and government. An admirable lady.