Sunday, April 22, 2007

KNITTING NEWS FOR THE WEEK.......


Another Dale of Norway sweater completed! This is my first attempt at using Stork Yarn but I think that I am in love! Oh so soft and easy to work with - what a pleasure. Dalegarn NR 142- Pattern 14208. Knit on size 1 needles with a great lacey pattern at the bottom, this is going to be so sweet on a newborn.


Fun lace work -----------
but you really have to pay attention to the 12 row repeat! This is why I tend not to do lace work - It can make me crazy if I miss one stitch. Hubby was amazed to see so much of it done but to be really honest - I had to turn off the tv, phone, and be as quiet as possible so I didn't screw this up!


Two new Vintage Knitting Totes have been added to my collection. To the left is an English style tapestry knitting tote. The English style totes have a round bottom and a square top giving them a wonderful look. They also used all leather for the strap and top which makes them much more sturdy than the "pleather" totes that were made in the USA. And this one is so funky, I just had to have it. I wasn't really so sure that it was a knitting tote until it arrived in the mail. I have never seen anything like this one - so I took a chance and got it! When it arrived, I ripped the packaging open and to my surprise it really is a knitting tote! The riveted hole on the top gave it away. I am not a big golf fan but this tote just had to be added to the collection. A pocket it the front and a pocket in the back make it very useful to carry around needles and extras. It is in great shape and I am glad I took a chance on it!






Wednesday, April 18, 2007

SOCKS!!! TA DA.............


The latest pair of socks in the "I must knit all of my sock yarn before I can buy anymore" saga. Oh, how hard not to buy sock yarn! It just calls to me everytime I enter a yarn store.
This is my first attempt at knitting with a yarn made with some elastic. I had a terrible time getting started because this yarn did not want to be the socks that I wanted it to be. I must have tried 6 different patterns before going back to the simpler stitches that allowed the yarn to show itself off.

This is Trampoline Stretch yarn made by Skacel. The picture does not do the yarn colors justice - they are so bright and interesting.
These are knitted on size 3 needles from a pattern in Sensational Knitted Socks. Twin Rib is a 6 stitch repeat sock and is a great knit! I love this book and just received More Sensational Knitted Socks ( more wonderful stitches and patterns to choose from). I just love these books and wish every sock owner could magically find them in their knitting stash right now. Simple directions and lots of choices - my kind of knitting book!
Off to work on the latest pair of socks - TaTa for now.....

Friday, April 13, 2007

HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13TH!!!!



Now I know why they call them the White Mountains. We got 12+ inches of snow overnight and another huge Noreaster is on it's way for Sunday! Will I ever see my garden again?

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

PURPLE MUST BE THE COLOR OF THE DAY!

My life has just turned purple lately! I don't know what it means but everything I am knitting is either outright purple or has shades of purple in it?
Dale of Norway - Dalegarn NR 114
#11404 Knit on size 1 needles with Baby Ull Yarn. Size 9 months
I absolutely love the fair isle pansies but don't like this pattern at all. I knit a swatch and the measurements in the book match but it just doesn't have the usual style (?) look(?) that Dale of Norway patterns usually do.

I may just have to crochet loops on the sides of the dress and add a purple ribbon that ties in the back. We will see when grandaughter comes how it looks but I won't make this pattern again. I do love the pansies though except that portions of the fair isle had 3 colors carried through the row. I think I am pretty good at fair isle until you ask me to add a third yarn to the mix - then it takes me forever!

Darling daughter finally got a real cast this week - purple! She is healing nicely and the Xrays look good but she still needs to keep it elevated in order to keep it from swelling.
We got a little carried away with taking this picture - notice the fruit and chocolates. It makes it a little more artsy! Don't you think?

Monday, April 02, 2007

PEACHY KEEN..........

I know - another Dale of Norway but you must admit that this is so sweet! Dale of Norway NR 142 - pattern #14206 - size 24 months. Knit on size 0 and 1 needles (my Knitpick Options make the knitting glide), this sweater and cap set just had to be added to the baby trousseau.

I love the fair isle pattern. I held up the colors prior to knitting and just didn't think that the khaki color would work but it blends nicely!
This pattern was a fairly easy knit except for a few rows that called for using 3 colors in the same row. I love fair isle knitting with 2 colors per row but adding the third color was very challenging.

I am not a big fan of pom poms but this hat just called for one! I can't wait to see what it looks like on a grandbaby.