FO Report: Pleat Neck Top

Pattern: #06 Pleat Neck Top by Coralie Messlin from the Spring/Summer 2009 Knit Simple

Yarn: Queensland Collection Bebe Cotsoy

Needles: US 7 / 4.5 mm

Started: May 2, 2009

Finished: May 31, 2009

Modifications: The only thing I did was add about an inch to each of the sleeves! I love this, and have gotten lots of complements on it. I haven't worn it much this summer since it gets so hot here, but now that the weather's cooling down it may go back into regular rotation again. I've washed it once, and it pilled quite a bit, but they were easy to pick off. Hopefully that will minimize with each washing :) Other than the pilling I really like the yarn. It's very soft and drapey :)

FO Report: Huron Huskies Socks

Pattern: My own

Yarn: KnitPicks Sock Blank, received in Dyed Sock Blank Swap #3

Needles: US size 1 1/2 / 2/5 mm

Started: May 23, 2009

Finished: June 30, 2009

These socks were received in a Ravelry swap on the Dyed Sock Blank Swap. The theme of this round was "Where I'm from" My upstream partner was Carol from Kitchner, Ontario (mullub on Ravelry). Carol based her sock blank on the school her husband where her husband works, and where they spend a lot of their time. The school is Huron Heights, and their team is the Huskies (hence the name of the sock). The blank was dyed in the school colors, which I love :).

These socks were knit in my usual toe-up fashion with a Eye of Partridge heel. I was inspired by the stitch pattern I used on the Trekking 159 socks to do this pattern variation, but it turns out it was already a stitch pattern in More Sensational Knitted Socks! (I believe it is the Baby Cable Rib pattern.) I can't wait for colder weather so I can wear there more - I have the a top that is a near perfect match for the eggplant purple :)

FO Report: Trekking 159 Socks

Pattern: My own, plus the Alternating 2x2 Rib (I think) stitch pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks

Yarn: Trekking XXL, color 159

Needles: US 1 1/2 / 2.5 mm

Started: April 4, 2009

Finished: May 9, 2009

I've knit so many dark colored socks, and am usually drawn to the darker colors, but the Spring inspired me to knit some lighter colors, so I pulled this from my stash. These were also toe-up, slip stitch heel, with a stitch pattern on the leg from the Sensational Knitted Socks book. I think its the Alternating 2x2 Rib, but I have misplaced my book and can't look it up. When I find it, if the name of the stitch pattern is wrong, I'll edit this for the correct name. Likewise with Ravelry.

FO Report: Summer Socks

Pattern: Mine

Yarn: Cascade Fixation Sprayed Dyed

Needles: US Size 3 / 3.25 mm

Started: April 1, 2009

Finished: April 18, 2009

These were quick to knit little anklets I knit, toe up with short row heels. I think I've only worn them once or twice because they won't stay up - they keep working down my heel. I guess its all the elastic. I have a ton of yarn left over, and I thought about going back and making them longer in hopes that would help, but I haven't been motivated enough to do that yet :)

FO Report: Cosima

Pattern: Cosima from Berroco Booklet #281

Yarn: Elann Superwash Chunky, Merlot (can't find the yarn on Elann's website to link, so this link is to Ravelry)

Needles: US size 7 / 4.5 mm & US size 9 / 5.5 mm

Started: December 27, 2008

Finished: March 6, 2008

Modifications: The only things I really did differently were the cast on and bind off. I really like the Kitchener cast on and bind off. I think they give a really professional look to the garment. I did a little bit of work swapping knit and purl stitch positions to switch from 2x2 rib to 1x1. If any one wants detailed instructions on that, I'd be happy to oblige. The bind off did take quite a bit longer than a normal bind off, because basically you are Kitchenering 168 stitches to each other. In the end I think it was well worth the extra time and effort.

The yarn was a little splitty to work with, but I didn't have any problems since my needle tips are so sharp. It really didn't take that long to knit, but I procrastinated on the seaming. I typically do sweaters in the round that require very little seaming, but am becoming a big fan of Norah Gaughan's work (I'm not sure if this is her design or not), so I followed the pattern, with the exception of the cast on and bind off.

Also, washing and blocking really improved my love for this one. I washed it on delicate with Eucalan, and laid it out flat to dry. It dried quickly, and the fiber really relaxed. I was afraid it would be a little too tight, but after washing and blocking, it fits perfectly!

FO Report: Trekking 52 socks

Pattern: my own basic toe up sock pattern that I use over and over and over again

Yarn: Trekking XXL, color 52

Needles: US size 1 1/2, 2.5mm

Started: February 9, 2009

Finished: March 14, 2009

Modifications: How do I modify my own pattern? Seriously? Ok, the only thing I did semi-differently this time was use and Eye of Partridge heel (which I love on these socks!!), and I tried a Kitchener bind off for the cuff. Once it's on and stretched out, it doesn't really look and different or feel any stretchier than any other bind off I've tried. I might like the looks of it better in a solid yarn, or near solid, so I'm not going to rule it out completely. I did use it on the neckline of my Cosima (FO post to follow in a couple of days), and I LOVE it on the Cosima!!!

FO Report: Pam's Socks

Pattern: My own
Yarn: Knitpicks Felici, Martinique
Needles: Knitpicks Options US 1 1/2, 2.5mm
Started: December 8, 2008
Finished: January 21, 2008

I made these at my quilting friend Pam's request. I used my basic pattern, but had 60 stitches around instead of my usual 64.

I made her model them for me the last time we met to sew - that's a whole other post altogether!

FO Report: Vulcan Azure socks

Pattern: Azure by Deb Barnhill

Yarn: Austermann Step in Vulcan

Needles: US 1 1/2 / 2.5 mm

Started: November 17, 2008

Finished: January 4, 2009

Modifications: I started these in size Medium, and once the heel was completed, I increased to a size Large for the leg. I also did my usual EZ's stretchy sewn cast off.

I started these because I lost the second ball of Regia Galaxy yarn for BHE's socks at the Coldplay concert. I needed something to knit while I was waiting for the replacement skein to arrive, and was definitely ready for something a little more involved that plain stockinette. The pattern gets a little lost in photos because of the stripes, but up close and personal, they look great!

FO Report: Regia Galaxy Anthracite socks

Pattern: my own

Yarn: Regia Galaxy in Anthracite colorway

Needles: US 1 1/2 / 2.5 mm

Started: November 9, 2008

Finished: December 8, 2008

These are BHE's, and were a Christmas gift. He told me how much he likes the last pair of socks I knit him, so he gets more! Standard Turkish toe cast on with 18 wraps, increased to 68 stitches for the foot and leg, and did a short row heel and finished with 2 x 2 ribbing and EZ's stretchy sewn cast off.

It took me forever to finish these because I actually lost the second ball of yarn somewhere in OKC, either at the Coldplay concert, or at the restaurant we ate at before hand. I'm pretty sure it was at the concert, and assume it was lost forever, or if not lost, then too dirty and disgusting to be worth the hassle. I checked the LYS where I bought it originally and of course they were out - and this series is discontinued. Fortunately, Woodland Woolworks had some in stock, on sale, and with free shipping for orders over $45! Of course, the yarn didn't cost $45, so I ordered some extra bobbins for my spinning wheel to meet the free shipping requirement :) I had wanted some extra bobbins anyway, so this turned out to be a good thing!

FO Report: Regia Galaxy Indian Socks

Bear with me here folks, I'm trying to get caught up on the FO reports!




Pattern: my own
Yarn: Regia Galaxy in Indian colorway
Needles: US 1 1/2 / 2.5mm
Started: October 27, 2008
Finished: November 8, 2008

I'm trying to use up some stash yarn, and needed a simple mindless project to knit while I was viewing lectures. I used my basic Turkish cast on for the toe, short row heel, and finished of with some 2 x 2 ribbing and EZ's stretchy sewn cast off.

Next up, Galaxy socks for BHE!

FO Report: Ella O's Cardigan

Pattern: February Baby Sweater by EZ
Yarn: Knitpicks Swish DK in Amethyst Heather
Needles: US 6 / 4.0 mm
Started: October 13, 2008
Finished: October 26, 2008
Modifications: None

This is the third sweater I've knit from EZ's pattern, and I will knit more. I have a non-knitting friend who asked me to make one for her granddaughter, Sweetpea wants one in her size, and I have the FlintKnits adult version bookmarked (I think I'll dye my own yarn for it!). This one was another quick knit, and is for the baby of one of my best friends.

FO Report: Tree's Cardigan

Pattern: February Baby Sweater by EZ (from Knitter's Almanac)
Yarn: Knitpicks Shine Sport in Silver Sage

Needles: US 6/ 4.0 mm

Started: October 4, 2008

Finished: October 13, 2008

Modifications: None

This turned out really cute, although the color in the picture isn't great. The Shine Sport has really good drape. I intended to block it before the picture, but that didn't happen. I gifted it over Thanksgiving to the baby and parents, and they really liked it!

Sidenote: The baby's name really isn't Tree, but her name is a mouthful, and when she was born, my then 2 year old Sweetpea had trouble pronouncing it. Long story short, our abbreviation x her pronunciation = "tree"

FO Report: Wicked Cardigan

Pattern: Wicked by Zephyr Style

Yarn: Dream in Color Classy, Dusky Aurora

Needles: US 8, 5.0mm

Started: May 8, 2008

Finished: May 29, 2008

Modifications: I used FlintKnits instructions to cardiganize my Wicked, and actually her post and pictures were what inspired me to knit it to start with. I also knit 3/4 length sleeves, and finished the sleeves with the same ribbing as on the neckline. I forgot to take into account my narrow, slope-y shoulders, and the neckline tended to slip off my shoulders. Since I want to wear this to work, I had to fix it! I ended up sewing some clear elastic around the inside where the ribbing meets the stockinette, and crocheting semi-tightly around the edge of the neckline - Problem fixed!

I knit this for the Loopy Ewe's Dream in Color Sweater KAL, and did finish it in time. I used a shawl pin for the photo since I couldn't find any buttons right way that I liked for it. I finally found them, but it took forever to get them sewn on, all the way until the end of September! I love this yarn - it's soft, washable, and the colors are to die for! Honestly, I couldn't do it justice in pictures, but this colorway almost glows in the sunlight.

Double FO Report: Sock Blank Socks

Pattern: My own
Yarn: KnitPicks Sock Blank
Needles: US 1 1/2 / 2.5mm
Started: August 8, 2008
Finished: September 21, 2008

These socks are all knit from the sock blank I received from Melanie in the Ravelry Dyed Swap Blank Swap Group. Here is the post about the swap, and the picture of the blank as I received it. I loved how it knitted up! I think I've said it here before, but it reminds me of Impressionism.

I started my socks (toe up of course), and knitted them as tall as I wanted. When I looked at how much sock blank there was left, I thought I could probably knit a pair of socks for Sweetpea with it. Both pair were knit Magic Loop style, two at a time, toe up with a Turkish cast on, Eye of Partridge heel, 3 x 1 ribbing at the top, and EZ's Stretchy Sewn Bind Off.

I sort of guessed on the sock size for Sweetpea, as she was asleep when I started them. They fit, but barely. I'm sure she'll outgrow them before winter is over, and possibly before it even gets here.

FO Report: Felted Bucket Hat

Pattern: Felted Bucket Hat by ChicKnits

Yarn: Cascade 220, Red (I can't find the band for the color #)

Needles: US 10/6.0 mm and US 10 1/2 / 6.5mm

Started: July 6, 2008

Completed: July 24, 2008

Modifications- none! It took me two nights to knit this, and then a couple of weeks before I got around to felting it. I followed the pattern instructions, and it felted in about 12 minutes. I only had a bit of yarn left over, maybe 2-3 yards. This has been done forever, but I couldn't get a decent self-portrait, so I ended up having Sweetpea model it this weekend.

I'm thinking about adding a ribbon around it, or maybe embroidering a simple leaf vine - maybe in ivory pearl cotton?

FO Report: Ella B's Baby Sweater

Pattern: February Baby Sweater from Knitter's Almanac by EZ

Yarn: Berroco Comfort DK, teaberry

Needles: US 6.0 / 4.0mm

Started: July 30, 2008

Finished: August 8, 2008

Modifications: Well, my stitch and row gauge were both off, so I had to recalculate the pattern to fit. The pattern called for 5 stitches per inch, and I got 6, so I multiplied all the stitch counts by 1.2. So the 50 stitch cast on became 60 stitches, etc.

I love how soft this yarn is, and that it is machine washable and dryable. If I had anything to complain about, it would be how splitty the yarn is. Sweetpea insists on having a sweater just like this one, and when I took her to the LYS this yarn came from, she mulled over several colors, but ended up choosing the same one because it matched the shirt she was wearing the same day. I did steer her towards the worsted weight yarn though, so it won't take me forever to knit it. I may end up picking a different lace pattern too, just so I'm not bored to tears by round three of Gull Stitch - I have another February Baby Sweater to knit before hers, baby sized, along with a few other projects.

FO Report: Baby C's Cardigan

Pattern: Inspired by Rocketry

Yarn: Knit Picks Superwash Merino Bare

Needles: US 7 / 4.5 mm and US 5 / 3.75 mm

Started: August 10, 2008

Finished: August 16, 2008

Modifications: I wanted to dye my own yarn for this cardigan, but could only come up with three colors to use. I used Jacquard acid dyes and came up with a medium brown, pale blue and pale green. My row and stitch gauge were off from the pattern, so I had to recalculate the pattern to fit. I did use the braid stitch from the Rocketry pattern, and think it makes it. I finished it just a couple of hours before the baby shower, so I steam blocked it rather than my usual wet blocking. I think it turned out really cute, and the yarn is incredibly soft. Baby C isn't due until October, so I'll have to wait awhile for a modelled shot.

FO Report: Cotton Candy socks

Pattern: Arch-Shaped Socks by Jen Showalter

Yarn: OnLine Supersocke 100 Cotton Summer from my stash

Needles: US 1 1/2 / 2.5mm

Started: July 19, 2008

Finished: August 8, 2008

Modifications: I used the tubular cast-on and k2 p2 ribbing, and then increased one stitch to match the pattern instructions . I also did a different toe, but sort of did it on the fly. I really had to study the first sock when I got to that point on the second one! I do love them, and will probably do the pattern again, but will add some sort of ribbing or other pattern to keep it interesting.

FO Report: Camo Galaxy socks

Pattern: My own

Yarn: Regia Galaxy, Camoflauge

Needles: US 1 1/2, 2.5mm

Started: June 3, 2008

Finished: July 5, 2008

I knit these for the BHE from some stash yarn. I have more of this in two different colorways, but I think they'll both be for me! I just love watching the rings form.

Details - knit toe-up with a short row toe and heel. I started the toe with a Turkish cast on, with 20 wraps and increased up to 68 stitches for the foot and leg. I finished it off with a 2 x 2 ribbing for about 2 1/2", and then EZ's stretchy sewn bind off.

FO Report: Business Socks

Pattern: Wendy's Toe-Up Socks with a Differnce, tweaked by me.

Yarn: Austermann Step, Hunter
Needles: US 1 1/2, 2.5mm
Started: June 8, 2008
Finished: July 1, 2008

Seriously, these really did take me nearly 4 weeks to knit, but I did knit another pair at the same time (next FO report), plus I'm very busy these days. These socks earned their name because I knit them mostly while studying for the Business portion of the CPA exam. Specifically, while veiwing lectures. Honestly, having something the keep my hands busy helps me focus on the boring topic better.

I mostly stuck to Wendy's pattern, but instead of plain stockinette, I threw in a pattern on the instep and leg. I think it is the mistake rib? I didn't get it from a specific book, I just *k3, p1*, on one round, knit the next. Easy-peasy, and it gave it a bit of interest.