Tree Jacket Progress

So maybe taking on the task of posting everyday was a bit much. I think I'll aim for three times a week, and then when I have more time posting everyday.

Anyway...above is the progress I've made on my tree jacket. I'm knitting it in Cascade Pastaza, which is a wool/llama blend. Its actually pretty soft given the combination. I was originally making the 40-43" size, but after trying it on realized it was way too big. So I ripped back a size. Its still a little big, but considering I'll be wearing something underneath it I thought it would be a good idea to make it a little big. I'm happy with the way its coming out so far.

I guess that's about it for my knitting progress. I've made my 2008 knitting list which I'll be adding to my sidebar and to Ravelry. I'll cross them off as I get them done. I also went vegetarian beginning January 1st. I feel much better and have been without meat for exactly 2 weeks. I think I'm going to keep a count on my sidebar too. Anywhoo...I'm going to head off to bed.

Happy New Year!!!

Wow...I really feel like I've neglected my blog. Well no more! My resolution this year is to post in my blog everyday. Even if its a brief post. And that starts today!

I've been so crazy busy. Between the holidays and working at the largest healthcare investor conference in the country, I've really slacked off. I did manage to get all of my Christmas presents done on time. One of them I finished so last minute that I didn't even have an opportunity to take a picture of them before I sent them off. I was making a pair of Monkey socks from Knitty using Regia Design Line yarn. They were absolutely beautiful and my friend really appreciated them.

Currently I've got a series of projects going on for myself. I decided that after knitting so many Christmas gifts I would finally make something for myself. I started the Cable-Down Raglan from Interweave Knits Spring 2007, but quickly got bored with it. So I started the Tree Jacket from Zephyr Style. I'm knitting it with Cascade Pastaza in Crimson Red. I'm excited about the way its coming out and its such a quick knit. I'll get pictures of it up tomorrow.

I'm excited that Giselle is one of the patterns that won in the SKC knit-along. Once I saw that pattern, I knew I had to make it. Plus it'll knock off one project on my 2008 knitting list. I also sent an email to join the Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap, I'm excited about starting that. It should be loads of fun. Anywhoo...I think that's everything for today. Tomorrow I'll have pictures up.

Easy Cabled Headband Pattern

Easy Cabled Headband

Measurements: 19.5 inches, not including the I-cord ties. Note: This pattern can easily be adjusted to fit your head. As you knit, stop every so often and wrap it around your head to adjust the length.

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Aran Fleck, or any other worsted weight yarn of your choice, 1 Skein

Needles: Size US 8

Gauge: 17 sts & 23 rows = 4” in St st

Abbreviations:

RT (right twist): slip next stitch to cable needle and hold in back, k next stitch, k 1 from cable needle
LT (left twist): slip next stitch to cable needle and hold in front, k next stitch, k 1 from cable needle
C4B: slip next 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, k next 2 sts, k sts from cable needle
C4F: slip next 2 sts to cable needles and hold in front, k next 2 sts, k sts from cable needle

Directions:

CO 2 stitches

Knit an I-cord with these two stitches until the cord measures about 9 ½ inches (or desired length). For help with making an I-cord, visit http://www.knittinghelp.com

Increase rows:

Row 1(RS): k1fb, k1fb (4 sts)
Row 2 & all other wrong side rows: Purl
Row 3: k1fb, k 2, k1fb (6 sts)
Row 5: k1fb, k 4, k1fb (8 sts)
Row 7: k1fb, k 6, k1fb (10 sts)

Repeat this pattern of k1fb at each end on RS rows until there are 22 sts on the needle, ending with a RS row.

Begin Cable Pattern:

Row 1 & all other WS rows: sl 1 purlwise, k 3, p 2, k 1, p 8, k 1, p 2, k 4
Row 2 (RS): sl 1 purlwise, k 2, p 1, RT, p 1, C4B, C4F, p 1, LT, p 1, k 3
Row 4: sl 1 purlwise, k 2, p 1, RT, p 1, k 8, p 1, LT, p 1, k 3
Row 6: sl 1 purlwise, k 2, p 1, RT, p 1, k 8, p 1, LT, p 1, k 3
Row 8: sl 1 purlwise, k 2, p 1, RT, p 1, C4F, C4B, p 1, LT, p 1, k3

Repeat Rows 1-8 6 more times. Purl 1 row.

Decrease Rows:

Row 1 (RS): k2tog, k to 2 sts before end, ssk
Row 2 & all WS rows: Purl

Repeat rows 1 & 2 until 2 sts remain. Knit an I-cord with these 2 sts until the cord measures the same length as the first I-cord. BO these stitches.

Finishing:

Weave in ends if desired.

***This pattern is for personal use only. This pattern and items made from this pattern may not be sold. If you're not sure about the use of this pattern, please contact me.***

Ravelry...Yippee!!!

***Warning: Long Post Ahead!!!***

I realize I have neglected my blog for another week again. I appologize...life has been so hectic recently. Between work and training for a marathon, I haven't had time for much. But the good news is that I have finally received my Ravelry invite. I'm really looking forward to playing with it more. So many ideas for using up my stash. My Ravelry username is thechickwithstix. Be sure to look me up! Anywhoo...time for project updates.

Project: One Skein Wonder

Started: 11/5

Finished: 11/8

Yarn: Cascade 220 (dyed in Grape Kool-Aid)

I think this project came out sooo pretty with the dyed yarn. I have one ball of Cascade 220 left from my TTV, so I think I'm going to make another one of these with it. These are such nice compliments to any variety of outfits.

Project: Alexandra Ballerina Top

Started: 11/1

Yarn: Ironstone Yarns Island Cotton

So I mentioned before that this is my NaKniSweMo Project. I'm slowly plugging along on it. I'd have a lot more done if I stopped picking up other projects in between working on it. I still think I can have it done by the end of the month. It's a Christmas gift so I need to get it done anyway. Why am I knitting it in cotton you ask? Because the person I'm making it for is sensitive to wool, and with the way the top is knitting up, it definitely fits her personality.

Project: Mother/Daughter Hat

Started: 10/26

Yarn: GGH Maxima

This project I pick up from time to time. Its my first project using Addi Turbos, which I'm absolutely in love with now!

I can't show off the Joe's Office Socks unfortunately because they too are a Christmas gift and I know the person I'm making them for checks this blog from time to time. And the Wool-Ease Socks have kinda been put on the back burner; they'll be finished before Christmas.

And as promised, I have finally finished writing up my cabled headband pattern and it is now accessable for your knitting pleasure. Its my first time designing and writing a pattern so if there are errors I appologize in advance. I'll be sure to correct them as I go. Anyway...I think that's everything for now. I'm bouncing over to Ravelry to play around. I'll check back later this week!

NaKniSweMo is Here!

That time of the year is finally here! Time to pull out mass quantities of yarn and start knitting a sweater. This November, I'm working on the Alexandra Ballerina Sweater from Fitted Knits. I'm killing two birds with one stone; I'm preparing this sweater for the NaKniSweMo Fashion Show at my LYS and its a Christmas gift. So unfortunately there won't be any pictures of it up, but I promise I'll have tons of pictures of other things. For instance...

These are the Fetching gloves from Knitty. They were a total impulse knit. I had some Debbie Bliss cashmerino aran so I whipped these babies up in a matter of days. They're great since its been so cold here the past few days and my hands are always freezing at work. I also started Glampyre's One Skien Wonder with some yarn I dyed in Grape Kool-Aid this weekend. I managed to make the yarn come out variated...I'll get pictures up as soon as I get further along. This weekend I also started spinning some of my own yarn. I've just been really busy this past week. I feel like I've neglected my blog. I should have my headband pattern up by the end of the week.

Also, I'm slowly getting my Etsy shop up and running. 10% of all purchases made from my shop gets donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma society so please stop by and take a look around.

Cabled Headband...Finished!

This is the headband/earwarmer I've been working on this weekend. It was a really quick knit, only took a couple of hours. Its the first thing I've actually designed on my own. I just picked up my needles and started knitting. It really does keep my head and my ears nice and warm. I made it out of some Red Heart Super Saver yarn I had left over in my stash. Its so simple though you could make it out of anything. It has a simple cable design that would be perfect for beginners. I'll get the pattern up sometime this week and I'll be selling some of them pre-made in my Etsy shop.

Here's a more close up picture of the headband. You can kinda see the cable detail. If I got any closer with the camera it was going to be too blury to see.

And here's a picture of my sweetie wearing the headband. He's so silly. This weekend he put up with me destroying a sweater I bought at the thrift store to recycle the yarn. Also, I started a hat pattern designed by my aran cable scarf teacher; I'll get pictures up as soon as it starts to become something.

Ravelry Update: I am # 45539 on the list, and there are 8658 people ahead of me.
Be sure to check out my new Etsy shop at http://thechickwithstix.etsy.com

The TTV is Finally a FO

Here it is! I finished it up this afternoon. I appologize for the bad picture, I didn't have someone to help me take it. But I wanted to get it up tonight for everyone to see. I didn't think I'd ever get the ribbing at the bottom done, but I finally did. And its plenty roomy so I can wear it over a shirt (like in the picture). I folded the turtleneck down in the photo since it was a little too warm for me to have it up. It looks nice either way.

I decided today that I'm going to limit myself to one large project a month. This month, this TTV was my big project. Next month, for NaNoSweMo I'm going to knit the Alexandra Ballerina Top from Fitted Knits. It's going to be a gift for someone, so I might not have too many pictures. We'll see how it goes. This weekend I plan on working on my headband/earwarmer thingy that I'm designing. I swear I'll have a better name for it when I'm done and I'll share the pattern. I also plan to open up my Etsy shop this weekend. I'll be selling various yarns from my stash as well as projects I design as I go. I'll post the link as soon as I get it up and running.

I'm patiently awaiting my invite from Ravelry. As of tonight here's the stats: I signed up on October 17, 2007 and I'm number 45,539 on the list with 10,385 people in front of me. I figure it'll be about another month before I get my invite. I'm really looking forward to receiving it! Anyway, I need to get to bed...gotta work tomorrow. I'll check in again this weekend.