Knitting

Baby Sweater

/ LDSVenus
click on picture for larger image

click on picture for larger image

 

 

This is a baby sweater I am working on for the new grandson of a friend in TN. 🙂   I’m using Caron Simply Soft, which is pretty soft and an acrylic so no special care will be needed.  I purchased this pattern on Patternworks .  It’s such a cute set.  I am only knitting the sweater and hat.  Ammon is about 3 months old but I’m making it to fit 6 to 9 months so he can wear it all winter.  It’s an easy pattern (most baby sweaters are), and because they are for babies, they don’t take a long time to make.  This one I’ve only had time to knit on during my lunch hr but I should have it finished by next week end.  I always think I am going to have time to knit on things during the week-end, but I never find the time,  I’m not sure why I always think I’ll find the time to knit on the week-end, sigh, an eternal optimist I guess :P.

I’m about 1/2 way through with my 2nd spool of the baby Alpaca roving.  Sometime this week I should be able to ply it and have a finished skein.  The singles feel so soft on the spool, I can hardly wait to get it plyed.

Cabled Gauntlets – Revisited

/ LDSVenus

Gauntlets 1-2009

I’m also having to repost this pattern that was on my old website, Jan 24th 2009, for a link for Ravelry.  Since winter will be upon us before you know it, maybe they will come in handy :P.

I wanted to make some gauntlets. I really hate doing the thumb tho’, so I looked at several patterns with just the opening for the thumb. I didn’t see anything that caught my eye that didn’t look to complicated for a quick project, so I decided that I could make my own basic pattern. The picture above is my first attempt to design gauntlets, fingerless mitts, wrist warmers or whatever you choose to call them. There were knit from synthetic yarn for a friend at work and I’ll be knitting another pair for another co-worker and then my grand daughter has requested a pair as well after modeling these, so I will be knitting gauntlets for a week or so. These will all be gifts.

Here is a link for doing the cable stitch for those that want to try this but have never done a cable before. The video that shows you how is a little bit down the page on that link.  Cables really are not hard to do, cable knitting is one of my favorites, along with lace.

Following is my attempt to write my pattern. I hope you can understand it, if not, please don’t hesitate to email me and ask questions.  Hope you enjoy the pattern.

Please do not give this pattern out to others, instead please share this link so that they can get this pattern from my blog.  It will also be listed in Ravelry, my ravelry name is LDSVenus. Thank you.

The finished hand knit item may be used for self or given as gifts. A small number of hand knit items may be sold for non profit or self profit as long as you put my name as the designer on a label with a link to my web site with the finished items to be sold, however you may sell only the finished hand knit items and not the pattern instructions.

LDSVenus’ Cabled Gauntlets

Worsted weight yarn, size 5 circular needle (12″) or double pointed needles (because I knit loosely I used a size 4 needle)

You may want to change to a size smaller needle and sport weight or dk weight for a child.

CO 40 stitches, (be sure to put a marker so you will know where the beginning of the row is as this is done on a circular needle, knitting in the round.)

Cuff Ribbing Rows (for both right and left) 1-8: k2, p2 around.

Row 9 (the 1st cable pattern row): k2, p2 for 16 st. Do a cable over the next 6 stitches (it doesn’t matter if you put the 1st 3 stitches of the cable in front or back of your work for the cable, just be consistent to do all the cables the same way. You can even make the cables on one hand face one way and on the other hand face the other way so that they mirror one another), p2, k2 the end of the row.

Continue in the cable pattern (doing the cable twist on the 1st row of cable pattern and 7 plain rows of following the knits and pearls as they show), until you have 3 full cable patterns done. (I’m not counting the ribbing below the 1st twist, but using the twist as the first stitch in the cable pattern for counting purposes, so the first cable pattern will be the cable twist row and the next 7  rows above it). See below for making the thumb for the right and left hands and for remaining rows for each hand.

***For Right handgauntlet : with the start of the row for the 4th cable twist, k2, p2 for 16 sts, do cable twist over the next 6 sts, work in pattern and on 9th st after cable twist, BO 6 in pattern and continue in pattern to end of row. Continuing in pattern on the following row, when you come to the 6 bound off sts, CO 6 sts and continue in pattern to end of row. On the next row you will knit these CO sts, this will make the thumb hole.  Continue in pattern to and including the 5th cable twist row.

Top Ribbing: Next row after 5th cable twist, start k2 p2 all sts for 7 rows.  BO in pattern. Weave in the ends.

***ForLeft handgauntlet : with the start of the row for the4th cable twist, k2,BO next 6 sts in pattern and continue in pattern doing the cable twist and all sts in patternto end of row.  Continue in pattern and when you come to the 6 bound off sts in that following row, CO 6 sts and continue in pattern to end of row. On the next row you will knit these CO sts, this will make the thumb hole. Continue in pattern to and including the 5th cable twist row.

Top Ribbing: Next row after 5th cable twist, start k2, p2 all sts for 7 rows.  BO in pattern. Weave in the ends.

CO = cast on, BO = bind off, k = knit, P = pearl, st(s) = stitches

Little Lace Cat’s Paw Scarf – revisited

/ LDSVenus / 3 Comments

Little Lace Cat's Paw Scarfred white and blue roving and yarn 004a

I’m having to repost this pattern because the link on Ravelry for this isn’t working and I have to put in a new link.  Hope you will enjoy revisiting this scarf  that was originally posted on July 5th 2008.

**ERROR CORRECTED IN PATTERN**  If you have copied this pattern you might want to use this corrected copy.

Ok, here is the Little Lace Cat’s Paw Scarf I knit out of the red white and blue hand spun skein, shown on the right.  I used Cat’s Paw, a Shetland lace pattern, and as you can see I staggered the design so that it was not straight across from each other but rather looks like a cat walked up the scarf :). It is free to use for your own use, please do not give this pattern out to others, if someone would like this pattern, please direct them to my blog. 🙂 It was a very quick and easy pattern to knit, and makes a great long skinny scarf.  I suggest using a wool or wool blend or other yarn that blocks and holds the block well.   Enjoy.

Little Lace Cat’s Paw Scarf

Cast on 29 stitches using size 10 needle, heavy fingering or sport weight yarn. You will still have 29 stitches after completing each row.

B= border stitches (always k5, or you may use a seed stitch border)

k2tog = knit 2 together

k2togtbl = knit 2 together through the back loop

k3tog = knit 3 together

Knit 5 rows, then keeping the borders k one row and p one row before beginning pattern.

Pattern rows:

Row 1 – B, k2, k2 tog, yo, k1, yo, k2togtbl, k to last 5 sts, B

(Row 2, and all even rows – B, p to last 5 sts, B)

Row 3 – B, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2togtbl, k to last 5 sts, B

Row 5 – B, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2togtbl, k to last 5 sts, B

Row 7 – B, k to last 5 sts, B

Row 9 – B, k12, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2togtbl, k2, B

Row 11 – B, k11, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2togtbl, k1, B

Row 13 – B, k12, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2togtbl, k2, B

Row 15 – B, k to last 5 sts, B

Row 16 – B, p to last 5 sts, B

Repeat these rows for pattern to length you desire, ending with knit 5 rows and bind off.

Scarves Re-visited

/ LDSVenus / 1 Comment
hand painted merino roving

hand painted merino roving

 

 

 

This was a beautiful hand painted merino roving that I bought from The Fiber Denn on Etsy.   I loved the color of the roving and the color of the yarn was just as wonderful, full of all my favorite colors.

 

 

hand spun merino

hand spun merino

 

 

 

I had the opportunity to wash and re-block the two scarves I knit from this yarn (one for my daughter and one for my grand daughter) and thought I would get some better pictures. 

 

 

Grand-daughter's Fan & Feather Scarf

Grand-daughter's Fan & Feather Scarf

 

 

I did this with an old Shetland lace pattern called Fan & Feather (aka Old Shale).  There are many versions of this pattern out there and all are beautiful and oh so easy to knit. 🙂  I really loved the way the color striped on the scarves, I wish I had gotten more of this hand painted color.  Maybe I can talk her into doing more of it ;P. 

 

 

Daughter's Lace Scarf - Branching Out

Daughter's Lace Scarf - Branching Out

 

The lace pattern I chose for my daughter is called Branching Out and it is a beautiful lace pattern.  It’s a bit more difficult than the Fan & Feather but only because you need to pay attention to the row you are on.  Most lace is really not difficult to knit, it’s just a series of yarn overs, knit two togethers along with knits and pearls all placed at strategic places. 

I think the colors of the yarn really brought out the lacey patterns.  I was pleased with the results and I felt they deserved better photo shots. 🙂

Harry Potter & Other Things

/ LDSVenus / 2 Comments
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

 

I got to go see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince with my daughter and grand daughter last night.  It was great!!!  The hat that Hermione is wearing in this picture is the pattern that I knit earlier last year for my daughter and grand daughter, you can see it on my Jan 7th entry.   You can find the pattern for free on Raverly if you are a Ravelry member or the pattern creator’s blog here .  If you are a knitter, crocheter, etc, Ravelry is a great place to check out, it is a free membership.

 

click on picture for larger image

click on picture for larger image

 

This is a little shawl I am working on.  It is called Wisp .  I found it on Knitty and was intrigued with this light and airy lace pattern.  It looks complicated but is very easy.   This one is for a friend as a surprise.  She rarely reads my blog (she’s in her 20’s and has more important things to do :P) so I don’t live in fear that she will see this and spoil the surprise :).  Pink is her favorite color so I am sure she will enjoy this in the milder fall and winter temperatures there in TN.  I should be finished with it this week.  Then I will just have to find some light weight buttons that will match the yarn.  The yarn I’m knitting with  is some very pretty heavy lace weight my mom bought in Korea when she was there and sent to me.   I did the burn test and it appears to be an acrylic rather than natural wool fiber.  I’m sure my friend will be happy that it won’t take special care to wash. 🙂   I will make another one with some fiber that I will spin for it.  Something to wear to church for myself for a change.  Right now, I’m thinking maybe some white alpaca I bought a month or two ago, but some other fiber might be calling to me by the time I get ready to spin for it.  I’ll just have to see.

Pay It Forward

/ LDSVenus / 2 Comments
click on picture for a larger image

click on picture for a larger image

 

 You may remember the PIF (pay it forward) that I participated in about a year and 1/2 ago.  It was fun to do.  The person who’s site I signed up under had a very busy year and was behind in getting things out.  I was suprised and thrilled when I got something extra in the order I had placed  for some fiber from her etsy store.  I had totally forgotten about the PIF, but she hadn’t forgotten me at all and was very apologetic about the delay.  What she sent was this very cool pair of hand knit socks and some very pretty custom made stitch markers. 

 

Click on Picture for a larger image

Click on Picture for a larger image

 

 

 

 

Here is a close up of the stitch markers, you’ll see the really pretty fresh water pearls on the bottom of beaded section. 🙂

 

 

I’ll post a picture of the beautiful and soft fiber I bought in a few days. 🙂

Progress on the afghan

/ LDSVenus / 4 Comments
click on picture for larger image

click on picture for larger image

 

 

 

Lest you think that I am not working on the afghan for my grand daughter here is a picture of it’s progress (see son, I am knitting on it :).)  Each full pattern takes just a little less than a full skein of this yarn.  I wish they hadn’t discontinued it, it’s such a wonderfully soft yarn and I would have made other things with it after knitting this afghan, because it’s a pleasure to knit with. 

My job is going fine, I’m settling in with my duties and find I’m comfortable with the detail work and learning what pages go with each item.  As soon as the bank gets a phone and computer at my desk my duties will increase a bit because right now I can’t call the insurance companies to have them correct loan numbers etc or look things up in the banks system so the processors are having to do that when I find things that need attention, but I’m happy with my job. 🙂  I wish that the temp service had told me tho, that my first check would be a hard copy being mailed from out of state and not direct deposit so I wouldn’t have expected my check in my account.  It didn’t come in yesterday, so hopefully it will come in the mail today.  My checking account is hungry and I need to feed it ;P.

Hope everyone is having a great May, gosh this year is sure going by so fast.  I hope the spring and summer and fall stay a little longer and the winter is a little shorter tho :P.  Gotta take my car in, hopefully next week end to see what is rattling and sounding like it wants to fall out of the front end of my car, the roads here are just shaking  my poor little car to death.  Don’t want to be driving and have something just fall out :P.

Life on the Fast track

/ LDSVenus / 2 Comments
My Balcony

My Balcony

 

 

Ahhh, Spring!!  The birds are singing and it’s beautiful with the trees flowering and leafing out here and yesterday was hot as heck!!  We’ve been in the 50’s and 60’s until Thursday when we hit upper 70’s and yesterday we were mid 80’s,  Sheesh.  This week will be back in the 60’s again, thank goodness because the air conditioning isn’t working yet at the bank I’m working at.  They are still doing repair and rebuild work after the big flood here in Cedar Rapids last year.   Anyway this is a picture of my balcony.  It’s not screened in like my apt in TN but it is so wonderful to have a balcony again.  I have a place to put my plants outside and to sit and spin or knit (when it isn’t raining or way to hot.  I didn’t go out on my balcony in TN when it was way to hot either ;P).  

 My life has been a bit busy this last week.  8 to 5  job and I have to get up at 5:45 (get ready, make lunch, take care of Thor) because I have to leave by 7:15.  I am working down town (about 16 to 17 min from where I live) and there is no parking lot at the bank, only metered parking on the street, so I had to pay for a parking permit to park in a parkade and walk 3 blocks to work.  I really don’t mind the walk (and there is a skywalk that goes from building to building so I won’t get wet if it rains, but it’s a bit of a meandering walk that takes an extra 7 min or so to walk), just hate having to leave 15 or more min earlier :P.  Tons of stuff to learn in the new job (isn’t that always the case? :P) and that leaves me drained when I get home.  Had a couple of evening things I had to attend to this last week and still try to get to bed between 9 and 9:30 pm so I can start all over again at 5:45 am the next morning.  It’ll be much better after I adjust to the new stuff and time period.  Saturdays are busy too with laundry and errands, but I’ll get a routine down, put some fun back in my life and it will all be good. 🙂

click on picture for larger image

click on picture for larger image

 

 

This is something my sister has been working on.  It’s called silver clay.  I’d never heard of it but they put silver powder (yeah the real stuff!) in clay and she said you have to fire it after you have finished making whatever it is you are going to make with it.  I think she did a wonderful job.   She’s rather crafty too (making things, not sly – sly to me is not a good thing to be, ie decietful, full of trickery :P), guess crafting things runs in my family :).

 

Oh yeah, to my son who just finished his 4th blanket in the last month!!    PFFFT 😛  I’m working on Jade’s afghan, I did some rows today :P.  Should have some evening time to work on it this coming week :).

One of my craft items

/ LDSVenus / 2 Comments

click on picture for larger image

click on picture for larger image

 

 

 

This is a frame that I enjoy cutting the pictures out to fit on the mat.  It looks pretty cool and I’ve made a few of them as gifts.  I really need to make me one ;P.  I hope this is large enough to show off the wonderful pictures.

 

 

I got the call I was waiting for today, I start work on Monday. 🙂  I really don’t feel stressed out about this job, not that I think it will be a piece of cake, but I feel at peace with it.

My grand daughter has been asking me all week, when I go to pick her up from school, if I am knitting on her afghan, as she picks it up and cuddles that luciously soft yarn :P.  I guess I should be working on it. 😛  With the unpacking and trying to get a job I just haven’t felt like working on a project that required concentration.  I’ve knit two of the soap holders, one as a birthday gift to my previous supervisor and one for my grand daughter (who loved the special custom made Sandalwood/Rose soap and the holder.)  I should be getting that last skein of yarn I purchased last week soon.  I think I will still be about 3 skeins short, but I will keep trying to track them down.