Just Do It

What was the sense in waiting one more Saturday when I was so near the end, right? So, I told myself... just do it. I listened to myself and now I'm all done.

This hat is a work of art. Not my work of art, but I say that of Angela Hahn (the lady who wrote the pattern). It was very easy and even though I had heard bad things about the decreasing rounds, it wasn't until the last 3 rounds that I thought Wow-zers. On row 24, it said to slip one, slip one purl-wise through the back loop, put them back onto the left needle in their new orientation, slip those two together as if to knit, knit the next stitch and pull those two awful stiches over it. That was something else. My stitches kept jumping off the needles (they did not seem to merely slip off). I kept screaming and putting them back and those same stitches would just jump off again.

Finally, I got through that row and rows 25 and 26 were not nearly so bad. They weren't fun, but they weren't as bad. Overall I have only good things to say about the hat. It's lovely. I will get it blocked soon. Oh, by the way, while I try never to say never, I will never make this hat again. Let me also add that I said that after each of my 5 children were born.

Have a good day.

Beret - 80% Done

The last time I posted about this beret, I stated that I would work 1 set of the 8-row repeat every Saturday until the hat had been completed. I wasn't thinking that I would need my only size 3 circular needles. I need them for baby items. So I did two sets of the 8-row repeat and made a lot of progess on the hat on Saturday.

The pattern is very well written and as long as you keep your place, it is a very enjoyable knit. I would not use this yarn again, however. Too splitty. It would be a good yarn for something in plain old stockinette. Although the stitch detail is sharp, it's almost an oxymoron that you would use it for any intricate type knitting. That, of course, is my own lowly opinion. It has gotten pretty cold here in OKC. It's time to pull out the winter woolies.

Have a great day!

And So The Vine Grows

All that I have left is two more 8 row repeats and then I will start to decrease. I have decided that this is my Saturday knitting hat. With that being said, and the fact that I only do one 8 row repeat in one sitting, my estimate is that this hat will be finished in about 3 more weeks. I still say that it is a very easy knit. I even think that a beginner could handle it.

Yesterday was my only son's birthday. He turned 15 and I'm already lamenting over the fact that soon he will leave and go to college. How time flies. A couple of days ago he came into the kitchen wearing his socks that I knit him saying that he was cold. Awww! It does a mother proud when her son voluntarily wears her labor of love. Actually all of my kids do well to wear their hand knits and I need to make them more socks. There is just not enough time in the day....... The picture shows all of my kiddos. Pictures were very a good invention. :-)

Have a terrific Tuesday.

Pink Vegetation

I needed to make sure the beret is going to fit and so while I had it on I went ahead and got a snap shot. It is very awkward taking pictures of oneself . It's also awkward wearing a piece of a hat with circular needles in it. :)

The first 8 row repeat has been knit and I'm ready to begin the second. The pattern repeat is very simple and easily memorized. Someone in Ravelry has given the heads-up that it becomes much more complex at the decreases.

The yarn substitution seems to be working out as far as gauge is concerned. The pattern recomments size 3 needles and they are working for me. It's pretty chilly here in OKC this morning, and if that is an indicator of things to come, I need to finish this hat sooner than I probably would have.

I started sewing project bags last night and I'm heading out to the garage in a couple of hours to dye yarn today. I'm not altogether sure what I'm going to do with these things. One of the local yarn shops here provides a "booth" type rental and you are able to sell your goods there. I am considering doing that. I will post some pictures of something that I've been working on next week. I've been working on many different things. Have a wonderful weekend.

Vine and Leaf Beret

Everytime I would come across the Fall issue of Vogue Knitting, that pink beret would beckon to me so I went ahead bought the magazine and yarn on Friday. Since I rarely wear hats, ('cause I don't think that I look good in them) my hope is that I will love it on my own head as much as on the cover model's head.

I cast on for it on Saturday and I've already knit the band and worked the increases. Today I will try to get at least one total repeat done.

I substituted the Debbie Bliss cashmerino for Naturally Caron.com Spa which is a bamboo blend. It is very soft, but also very splitty. When I did the gauge swatch I really liked how well it showed the stitch definition, and so although I don't like how it easily splits, I like the finished product. In fact the ball band says that it has superior 3-D stitches, shape control, and softness. I would concur!

We are nearing Socktoberfest and I have about 4 patterns in which to decide upon. I might have to make more than one pair, although I know that I would not complete them all by the end of October. I'm kind of a slow knitter because I won't sit still long enough to stay with one craft. While I'm knitting, I'm thinking about sewing, or something else.

Maybe I will get a chance to show progress pictures of the beret at the end of the week, if my camera says the same. Poor camera. I dropped it and it is sickly. That little shutter eye opens and closes like it's saying, " I'm trying" and then it poops out and stays closed. Poor thing. :(

Have a good day everyone.