Here's a shot of the almost complete ear flap hat.

Blog rings and such

I signed up for the "Knitting Blogs" webring today!

I completed my patchwork style scarf and an ear flap style hat from the Lion Brand web site for DD. As per her order it was all various blue yarn. Now if I can get her to hold still long enough for a picture I can show you all! The hat was REAL FAST! I did it on my Size 13 double points and used two and three strands of yarn so it was very bulky. It turned out great and I'm considering one for myself.

I think I'm going to start on a baby sweater. Don't know any babies or any coming soon, but I'd like to make an entry into the local county fair this summer. So I need a sweater, cap, and booties. I have a pattern that I found on the web that I'm tweaking a bit. Then I'll have to come up with something for the hat. For the booties I have a good pattern that will work in with my tweaking method. (it involves blue ribbon) For the sweater I'm using yellow Bernat Softee.

Clapotis is decreasing nicely. A day or two more of concentrated effort and I should be done. And then to block or not to block. I've been lurking around the web and haven't seen much info in that area.

Mad Gargoyle

Here's DD with her sculpture "Mad Gargoyle" that was entered in the local art show. The local arts counsel had a very nice reception for the children and parents and the art will be on display for the balance of the month.

A lion's paw.

Next up

This is what I have gathered together to make my next "Wear as a Collar" scarf. I think that I need something to carry along with the ladder yarn like a fine black wool. I'll have to check my stash. From making the scarf before, I think it really lends itself to using a real variety of textures.

Patchwork Scarf

This is the patchwork scarf that I've been working on. The pattern is from MagKnits (see the link below) I've adapted it to use a variety of yarn, including some new stuff that I got at Michael's over the weekend. There's Lion's Brand Suede, mohair with sparkly stuff, some baby blue that I've used double, some scratchy blue wool that I was gifted, some Red Heart Symphony, and some blue speckly wool acrylic mix. It's for my DD and she's pleased with the progress so far. I'm more than half way and trying to use the yarns in order so that the ends are the same. I also have to make a fringe decision.

The Lion's brand Suede is a very nifty yarn. It has that soft, velvety feel that chenille has, but (so far) no worming. It's a round yarn in it's construction, where the chenille is flat. Maybe that's why one worms and the other doesn't seem to.

Worming chenille

They're everywhere!

Finished Wear as a Collar scarf

Here is the finished "Wear-as-a-collar" scarf. I really enjoy wearing it - you can wear the larger middle section in the front or back. I did use Lion Brand Chenille. I'd read about the worming problems with knitting chenille but I never had tried it myself. The worming is terrible. I couldn't figure out how to get more than one photo in a post (I'm workin' on it) but you can see above just how bad the worming is. (Sorry about the fuzzy photo) It gets worse as time goes on. So I've just pulled all the worms to one side. I'll definately make another one. I even have a few yarns picked out. (see one of the posts above)

Busy, Busy

It's been a busy week. The Flower Basket Shaw is finished - mistakes and all!

Clapotis is nearing the end. I've started a new scarf from MagKnits. It's a variation on the pattern. I'm using many different yarns, kind of a stash buster. It's for DD, a request.

DD also was selected to participate in a county wide student art show. Photo's to follow tomorrow.

New patterns

The new ImagiKnit is up. There's a great felted bag and a scarf that interests me. (would be good for my Noro). The FBS is finished. Everyone in the family is ohhing and ahhing. Mistakes and all, it is pretty impressive. I found that my wool (red) bled quite a bit when I was washing it for blocking. Just dumped in some white vinegar during the rinse and end of bleeding.

Clapotis is nearing the end. I also started the Weaver's Wool Mini Shawl from the Knitlist gifts list. It's just what I've been looking for. I have a ton of left over Red Heart that I've been wanting to knit up into something I can throw on when I'm outside with the dog. The pattern calls for thinner yarn and smaller needles, but I just upsized it all. It will take me awhile. It's a real mindless knit, but it's something that I can easily put down and come back to. So, maybe by the time cold weather rolls around next fall I'll have it done.