A Few Good (Snow) Men

Alli has been at it again! Here are a couple of her latest (and cutest) designs! I'm so lucky to get to be her guinea pig or pattern tester, I mean. This first one is called "Let It Snow".

And this one is called, what else, "Snow Day". Both are available for sale at her website for only two bucks! They're so cute, I can't imagine anyone not loving them.

Because I let it slip how fond I am of snowmen, Alli sent me the following chart from Knitwits Heaven just for fun. This is an older pattern, but it fits right in with the others. I knit it in Peaches & Creme baby green and I wish that I had used a color that wasn't quite so light. I think the design would show up a little more. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to make another one. Darn!

"Boo" Baby!

Halloween around this house is quite something to behold. Last year we had over 350 little trick or treaters and that didn't even include my little grandsons! I have to start buying candy at the beginning of October to spread the cost out over the month. Still, it's so much fun to see the "little" kids. Here then, is a Halloween bib and a wash/dish cloth for the event. I'll post the directions here, but I also have them listed as pdf files under my free patterns.

I used Peaches & Creme in Sunburst and Yellow. I debated about doing one in white, but this is a bib after all. Hmmm, strained carrots, peas, sweet potatoes? You get the picture!


On another note, lately, I've had quite a few inquiries as to what method I use to cast on the stitches at the beginning of the rows. I like to use the knitted cast-on or the cable cast-on. It really doesn't matter which one. I say use whichever one works best for you. You can check out the great knitting videos for all these here. Try them and see which one you prefer!

"Boo" Baby Washcloth

Copyright 2008 by Elaine Fitzpatrick. Permission is granted to reproduce this pattern in any medium, as long as it is distributed for free and this copyright notice remains intact. Permission is also granted to produce items from this pattern for sale.

Size: approximately 8" X 8 1/2" wide

Materials: One skein of worsted weight cotton.

Needles: U.S. Size 6 (4 mm)

Gauge: 4.5 sts. per inch, not critical

Abbreviations:
k = knit
p = purl
sts. = stitches
dec. = decrease
dpn. = double pointed needle

Pattern: Cast on 38 sts.

Rows 1-7: knit across row.
Row 8: (wrong side) k11; p3, k10, p3, k11.
Row 9: k8; p2; (k1, p1) 2 times; k10; (p1, k1) 2 times; p2; k8.
Row 10: k8; p2; k1; p2; k1; p10; k1, p2; k1; p2; k8.
Row 11: k7; p1; k2; p1; k2; p1; k10; p1; k2; p1; k2; p1; k7.
Row 12: k8; p4; k1; p5; k2; p5; k1; p4; k8.
Row 13: k7; p1; k4; p1; k12; p1; k4; p1; k7.
Row 14: k7; p6; k1; p10; k1; p6; k7.
Row 15: k6; p1; k6; p1; k10; p1; k6; p1; k6.
Row 16: k7; p6; k1; p10; k1; p6; k7.
Row 17: k7; p2; k5; p1; k8; p1; k5; p2; k7.
Row 18: k5; (p4, k1) 2 times; p8; (k1, p4) 2 times; k5.
Row 19: k9; p1; k5; p1; k6; p1; k5; p1; k9.
Row 20: k5; p5; k1; p16; k1; p5; k5.
Row 21: k10; p1; k16; p1; k10.
Row 22: k5; p6; k1; p14; k1; p6; k5.
Row 23: k11; p1; k5; p4; k5; p1; k11.
Row 24: k5; p7; k2; p2; k1; p4; k1; p2; k2; p7; k5.
Row 25: k14; p2; k6; p2; k14.
Row 26: k5; p9; k1; p8; k1; p9; k5.
Row 27: k13; p1; k4; p2; k4; p1; k13.
Row 28: k5; p7; k1; p4; k4; p4; k1; p7; k5.
Row 29: k11; p1; k4; p2; k2; p2; k4; p1; k11.
Row 30: k5; p6; k1; p3; k1; p6; k1; p3; k1; p6; k5.
Row 31: k11; p1; k14; p1; k11.
Row 32: k5; p6; k1; p6; k2; p6; k1; p6; k5.
Row 33: k11; p1; k6; p2; k6; p1; k11.
Row 34: k5; p6; k1; p14; k1; p6; k5.
Row 35: k11; p1; k3; p2; k4; p2; k3; p1; k11.
Row 36: k5; p6; (k1, p2, k2, p1) 2 times; k1; p2; k1; p6; k5.
Row 37: k11; p1; (k2, p1, k1, p2) 2 times; k2; p1; k11.
Row 38: k5; p6; (k1, p2) 5 times; k1; p6; k5.
Row 39: k11; (p1, k2) 5 times; p1; k11.
Row 40: k5; p6; k1; p3; k2; p4; k2; p3; k1; p6; k5.
Row 41: k11; p1; k14; p1; k11.
Row 42: k5; p6; k1; p14; k1; p6; k5.
Row 43: k12; p1; k12; p1; k12.
Row 44: k5; p7; k1; p11; k1; p8; k5.
Row 45: k13; p1; k10; p1; k13.
Row 46: k5; p8; k1; p11; k1; p7; k5.
Row 47: k12; p1; k10; p1; k14.
Row 48: k5; p10; k1; p9; k1; p7; k5.
Row 49: k11; p1; k9; p1; k5; p1; k3; p1; k6.
Row 50: k5; p2; k4; p6; k1; p9; k1; p5; k5.
Row 51: k9; p1; k9; p1; k7; p1; k10
Row 52: k5; p6; k1; p7; k1; p8; k1; p4; k5.
Row 53: k10; p8; k6; p2; k12.
Row 54: k5; p28; k5.
Row 55: k38.
Row 56: k5; p28; k5.
Row 57: knit across row.
Rows 58-64: knit across row.

Bind off and weave in ends.

"Boo" Baby Bib

Copyright 2008 by Elaine Fitzpatrick. Permission is granted to reproduce this pattern in any medium, as long as it is distributed for free and this copyright notice remains intact. Permission is also granted to produce items from this pattern for sale.

Size: approximately 8.5" from neck to bottom and 7 3/4" wide

Materials: One skein of worsted weight cotton if you are using the bib for meals. If, on the other hand, you want to use it as a “drool” bib, I recommend using a superwash wool. The cotton has a tendancy to absorb the moisture, whereas the superwash wool will wick the moisture and keep baby nice and dry!

Needles: U.S. Size 6 (4 mm)
Gauge: 4.5 sts. per inch, not critical

Abbreviations:
k = knit
p = purl
sts. = stitches
dec. = decrease
dpn. = double pointed needle

Pattern: Cast on 12 sts.

Row 1: knit across row.
Row 2: Cast on 3 sts., knit across row. (15 sts.)
Row 3: Cast on 3 sts., knit across row (18 sts.)
Row 4: Cast on 3 sts., knit across row (21 sts.)
Row 5: Cast on 3 sts., knit across row (24 sts.)
Row 6: Cast on 3 sts., knit across row (27 sts.)
Row 7: Cast on 3 sts., knit across row (30 sts.)
Row 8: Cast on 2 sts., knit across row (32 sts.)
Row 9: Cast on 2 sts., knit across row (34 sts.)
Row 10: Cast on 2 sts., knit across row (36 sts.)
Row 11: Cast on 2 sts., knit across row (38 sts.)
Row 12: knit across row
Row 13: knit across row
Row 14: knit across row
Row 15: knit across row
Row 16: (wrong side) k11; p3, k10, p3, k11.
Row 17: k8; p2; (k1, p1) 2 times; k10; (p1, k1) 2 times; p2; k8.
Row 18: k8; p2; k1; p2; k1; p10; k1, p2; k1; p2; k8.
Row 19: k7; p1; k2; p1; k2; p1; k10; p1; k2; p1; k2; p1; k7.
Row 20: k8; p4; k1; p5; k2; p5; k1; p4; k8.
Row 21: k7; p1; k4; p1; k12; p1; k4; p1; k7.
Row 22: k7; p6; k1; p10; k1; p6; k7.
Row 23: k6; p1; k6; p1; k10; p1; k6; p1; k6.
Row 24: k7; p6; k1; p10; k1; p6; k7.
Row 25: k7; p2; k5; p1; k8; p1; k5; p2; k7.
Row 26: k5; (p4, k1) 2 times; p8; (k1, p4) 2 times; k5.
Row 27: k9; p1; k5; p1; k6; p1; k5; p1; k9.
Row 28: k5; p5; k1; p16; k1; p5; k5.
Row 29: k10; p1; k16; p1; k10.
Row 30: k5; p6; k1; p14; k1; p6; k5.
Row 31: k11; p1; k5; p4; k5; p1; k11.
Row 32: k5; p7; k2; p2; k1; p4; k1; p2; k2; p7; k5.
Row 33: k14; p2; k6; p2; k14.
Row 34: k5; p9; k1; p8; k1; p9; k5.
Row 35: k13; p1; k4; p2; k4; p1; k13.
Row 36: k5; p7; k1; p4; k4; p4; k1; p7; k5.
Row 37: k11; p1; k4; p2; k2; p2; k4; p1; k11.
Row 38: k5; p6; k1; p3; k1; p6; k1; p3; k1; p6; k5.
Row 39: k11; p1; k14; p1; k11.
Row 40: k5; p6; k1; p6; k2; p6; k1; p6; k5.
Row 41: k11; p1; k6; p2; k6; p1; k11.
Row 42: k5; p6; k1; p14; k1; p6; k5.
Row 43: k11; p1; k3; p2; k4; p2; k3; p1; k11.
Row 44: k5; p6; (k1, p2, k2, p1) 2 times; k1; p2; k1; p6; k5.
Row 45: k11; p1; (k2, p1, k1, p2) 2 times; k2; p1; k11.
Row 46: k5; p6; (k1, p2) 5 times; k1; p6; k5.
Row 47: k11; (p1, k2) 5 times; p1; k11.
Row 48: k5; p6; k1; p3; k2; p4; k2; p3; k1; p6; k5.
Row 49: k11; p1; k14; p1; k11.
Row 50: k5; p6; k1; p14; k1; p6; k5.
Row 51: k12; p1; k12; p1; k12.
Row 52: k5; p7; k1; p11; k1; p8; k5.
Row 53: k13; p1; k10; p1; k13.
Row 54: k5; p8; k1; p11; k1; p7; k5.
Row 55: k12; p1; k10; p1; k14.
Row 56: k5; p10; k1; p9; k1; p7; k5.
Row 57: k11; p1; k9; p1; k5; p1; k3; p1; k6.
Row 58: k5; p2; k4; p6; k1; p9; k1; p5; k5.
Row 59: k9; p1; k9; p1; k7; p1; k10
Row 60: k5; p6; k1; p7; k1; p8; k1; p4; k5.
Row 61: k10; p8; k6; p2; k12.
Row 62: k5; p28; k5.
Row 63: k38.
Row 64: k5; p28; k5.
Row 65: knit across row.
Row 66: k6; p5; k16; p5; k6.
Row 67: knit across row.
Row 68: knit across row.
Row 69: knit for 13 stitches; bind off next 12 stitches knitwise; knit remaining stitches. You should have 13 stitches on each side. Place first 13 stitches on a holder and work on remaining 13 stitches in garter stitch as follows:

Shoulder shaping:

Knit one row even.
(Right side) Dec. 1 st. at neck edge every other row 2 times. (11 sts.)
Knit one row even.
Dec. 1 st. at shoulder edge every other row until 5 sts. remain.
Knit one row even.
(Right side) Dec. 1 st. at neck edge and 1 st. at shoulder edge. 3 sts.
Knit one row even.
Slip these 3 sts. to a dpn and work an I-cord for approximately 12 inches. Fasten off and run end down through middle of I-cord.
Join yarn to neck edge and work remaining side to correspond to other side.

A Little Stash Enhancement

It seems like we've been taking a lot of little trips lately and just by "chance" they happened to coincide with yarn shops. Here are some little goodies that I've picked up along the way.

The first picture is some fingering yarn I spotted at The Big E. It was in the bottom of the basket and what can I say, I just can't resist green! The Alpaca Sox I got in Plymouth, MA. I think this is definitely headed for my mom. I picked up two skeins and I'm thinking maybe a shawl? The beautiful bronze is bamboo from The Knitting Siren . When this is in the sun, it almost looks like spun gold! She also dyed "Fields of Lavender". It's hard to really get a good picture of the subtle shades of this. (Okay, so I didn't travel to North Dakota for these!)

The malabrigo is the lace that I've been dying to try. Malabrigo worsted is my most favorite yarn of all, so I'm anxious to work with this weight. The next skein is Anne from Schaefer Yarn. It's has a little more purple than shows up in this picture. Finally, we took a trip to New Hampshire and we went to Patternworks . After getting their catalog for many years, it was fun to actually get to visit the shop. Since it probably was a once in a lifetime trip, I splurged on some bulky yarn for hats for the grandboys. It's called "Elaine" by Schaefer Yarn. (No, I didn't realize that was the name until I checked out the label for the yardage. )
It's 300 yards so that should be enough for three hats or so I'm hoping! Finally, I always wanted to try Koigu and this skein came home with me.

It's a free pattern on Ravelry called "Mitt Envy". I had lots of yarn left over, even with making a couple of pattern changes. They worked up so fast, I'm thinking I "need" more of this soft, soft, yarn!

Now, if you've read this far and have paid close attention, you'll remember that I got two yarns from Schaefer Yarn. It was only when I went to snap pictures that it hit me:

Hmmm, I think maybe this should be my new avatar!!

A Little Lace

Okay, so I know that over 1200 people have knitted the Shetland Triangle by Evelyn Clark, so what's the big deal if I made one too? Well, I don't knit lace. I find it difficult and I have to concentrate so hard that it takes most of the enjoyment out of knitting. However, I fell in love with the Swallowtail Shawl and wanted one very badly. I knew I would screw it up, so I didn't even attempt it, but I always had the pattern at the top of my list of things to make someday. Then my friend, Kathy kept posting all these wonderful lace projects on her blog. (She's an amazing knitter.) Finally, I decided to give it a whirl. I decided on the Shetland Triangle but discovered that it was only available in Wrap Style , and this was the only pattern in the whole book that I liked. I didn't want to spend that much money on a book for one pattern and our local library is useless when it comes to knitting books. At last, Interweave Press had a huge book sale on their damaged books and wouldn't you know it, Wrap Style was on sale for only $5.00! That's less than the cost of one pattern! Feeling pretty pleased with myself, I decided to go forward. I saw this gorgeous green bamboo yarn that was hand dyed by Melanie of The Knitting Siren. (Yes, that's the same Melanie of Turtle Butt fame!) The yarn is called "The Grass is Always Greener" and you have to see it in person to appreciate how pretty it is.

This last picture gives you some idea of the sheen. I had never knit with bamboo before. I found it to be a little splitty and I had to pay close attention, but then again, I have to pay close attention when I'm knitting lace anyway!! I have to confess that I think I may be a convert to lace now. The pattern was pretty easy to memorize and I only had to go back to a lifeline once! I'm not sure that I'm ready to tackle the Swallowtail yet, but its prospects of getting made are definitely looking better!!

Bad Blogger!

I've been pretty bad at blogging lately. I guess I just would rather knit than talk about it! Anyway, here are a few projects that I've finished since the last time. It's getting cooler here in New England and little Marty was going to need some pants! This is Melanie's basic top down pants . I just used different stitches to change it up a little bit and make it a little more interesting. The yarn is Cascade 220 in Summer Sky.

After I knit the blue pair, Melanie changed the pattern a little by doing a new gusset and I offered to test knit it, since a boy can't have just one pair of pants! I really like this new gusset. It's seems to be roomier, but I'll have to wait until it's actually "test worn". I do know that's it much easier to knit than the other version. I didn't seem to get those holes that always appear when you're picking up stitches in a corner! She is such a talented designer.

Here's a side view picture. This wool is Araucania's Nature Wool, Chunky Multy. I had never used it before, but it was so nice to work with. The pants are nice and thick so I think they'll work really well in the cold winter. I picked up the yarn in a little store I found in Maine this summer and when I went back this Fall, she was having a sale. Great timing. I picked up more in each of the colorways she stocked. (Well, except for the pink!!)

I've also been knitting up some socks for Jack and Mickey. For some reason, Mickey just loves to wear my socks! Every time I make a new pair he sits down and trys them on! It tickles me no end that he's so pleased to get them! Most of these were made with Cascade Fixation. The striped pair in the middle were made with Regia and the little blue striped pair for the baby were made with Knitpicks Felici. This is not a good choice for baby socks as the color changes are really long and you don't get the effect of the changing stripes. The sock on top came out really cute, but the one underneath is just....well, ordinary! I've made a couple of other pairs too, but Mickey grabbed them before I could get pictures! Some have a short row heel and the others are made with a standard gusset. I like the pattern in Ann Budd's Handy Book of Patterns . I use a U.S. size 6 needle and cast on 36 stitches with the Fixation, so they go super fast. I love this book. I even bring it with me whenever I go on vacation, just in case I want to try a new project. I'm always changing patterns, so this book really is handy for basic templates.

Finally, I got to test knit a brand new pattern that my pal, Alli, is going to be putting up for sale on her great website, Knitwits Alley . She's hard at work on her Christmas patterns, all of which will be for sale soon. I think this set is so nice and what a great gift it would be for a pastor. It's called "O Holy Night". Of course, that might change once it's for sale, but I think it's perfect.