Pink Honey

I have now started a new Personal Pattern project. I am using Knitpicks Telemark sport weight in hot pink and black. I have made the bottom in black and have now started the color work. Making the sides in pink and black at every other stitch. Making the front and back with black border to pink diamonds. I had first opted to follow someone elses pattern in the color work portion but it was not what I wanted it to look like. I have now created my own pattern to the project and Im quite proud. I have had to learn how to "pick". I have always been a "thrower" and having to learn to pick at the same time as throwing while using two different yarns for my first color work is quite a challenge. However, it is a project I am really enjoying!! I hope to have this felted soon so I can have pics up along with a pattern. I am so excited!:)

My firsts

-Color work I think it's fairisle
-Picking (continental style)
-Picking and throwing at the same time
-Felted
-Zipper
-Lining my knitting (or anything)
-Adding pockets or sewing


I just finished my first pattern repeat and it looks awesome!!

Pretty Satchel

The Lacey Leaf Satchel is in the new Interweave magazine for Summer. I have decided to use the Berroco Mica in a gold tone. Very pretty and I wanted it to look more like a golden leaf than a green one. A more Autumn-y look. I first tried it with the Lion Brand Cotton in a Brown Brown. It was to bland and it kinda had a faded look. Not what I was going for at all. The Mica is a little more expensive but as I have been knitting up a swatch it has just the look I was going for.

The way the pattern works is you are going off two charts at once. I have never tried this before and I don't like charts much so I had to write out the patterns. I can much better handle that. Im thinking I might add a snap or zipper to actually close the back afterward. Also, I might use another straps instead of the wood handles. Not sure yet.

I am measuring gauge by knitting one of the sides first instead of the the front/back parts. That way I can measure gauge and if it is good then I can just keep going and get that out of the way. Two birds, one stone. Love it!!!


ETA 06/15/2010

Additional info left out:

I forgot to mention this is a hopeful Christmas gift for my sister. This is the first knitted Christmas gift I have ever planned and its great cause Im so far ahead (knock on wood). LoL I might end up weaving in ends on Christmas Eve if my procrastination is the same as ever. I want to knit up at least one of the sides and front or back by early October so I can start looking for the lining. Im thinking Chinese Silk. Also I have come up with a new closure idea: a magnet snap button. And some pockets on the lining. Oh so many ideas a-brewing...

Many WIP!!!! Whoopeee!!!!

Iv been more of a monogamous knitter since I began. I felt like I needed to finish something before starting something. And if I did decide to knit something else my current project was to be frogged cause I knew I wouldn't finish it. WRONG!!!! Who knew you could have many WIP's at one time? Apparently everyone else except me. The more I listen to pod casts the more I realize how much more I can do with my knitting. It's so exciting. From casting on socks ahead of time to be picked up when I like to. To having many sweaters in progress and picking them up as I wanted. You don't have to have a pattern to knit socks. Vanilla is the word! Hallelujah Iv seen the light LOL.

So after I have discovered this profound knitting mystery (not so much) I have alas many WIP's!!

My first Vanilla sock for Mindless knitting: Simple 3x1 rib pattern Berroco Sox in black for toe, heel, and cuff and the Patons Kroy in the red colorway

My first Cardi: Autumn Leaves Cardigan with Patons Classic Wool in Berry and Woodrose pink.

My first knitted Xmas gift: Lacy Leaf Satchel with Berroco Mica in a pretty shimmery gold for my sister.

&

My First Personal Pattern: A small clutch to experience my first zipper, felting, color work and, of course, my first design. Using Knitpicks Telemark in black and pink sport weight.

I will post individual blog posts for each item as I tend to get off topic if I have more than one thing in the same blog. As I'm about to do for the Satchel ;)

Kashma with Alice

A long time ago I had seen Ashley Green (who plays Alice Cullen in the Twilight Saga movies) wearing a really cute beanie in a picture. It was blue with hearts using YO's and such. I had posted in a thread on Ravelry about how cute it was and if anyone could come up with a pattern. Well someone heard my prayers (or most likely just loved it just as much as me) and came up with a pattern. I had queued in my Rav account but could not find the yarn I wanted. I stopped by Jo-Annes one day for God knows what (probably nothing in particular) and saw this beautiful red yarn called Kashmira by Sensations. It's 100% wool, super squishy and springy in a sport weight. I loved it and knew right then and there it was meant for my Ashley Hat.

I casted on with my Addis in which, besides the US0 I have for socks, I had recently bought US2 and US5 for no particular reason at my LYS. It was perfect cause that's what the pattern called for. I casted on in magic loop which was a little tedious since my stitches twisted twice before I finally got it going. However, in my haste and eagerness to start the pattern after the ribbing I forgot to stop and think. I went 11 rows into the pattern with the US2 instead of switching to the US5's. Rip, rip, rip, rip, rip....

Now finally after a few days I have my Ashley hat!! In a perfect beautiful red!! It turned out I made it a little to small. Its ok cause it was very fun to knit up. Very addicting Funny though, I was in a Twilight themed knit swap and my partner made me one in a cream color. Much better than mine cause it was bigger and baggy. Very cute. The one I made is being gifted to my niece. Very good knitting turn out :)